A30243:1581
Spiritual refining
Spiritual refining: or A treatise of grace and assurance Wherein are handled, the doctrine of assurance. The use of signs in self-examination. How true graces may be distinguished from counterfeit. Several true signs of grace, and many false ones. The nature of grace under divers Scripture notions or titles, as regeneration, the new-creature, the heart of flesh, vocation, sanctification, &c. Many chief questions (occasionally) controverted between the orthodox and the Arminians. As also many cases of conscience. Tending to comfort and confirm saints. Undeceive and convert sinners. Being CXX sermons preached and now published by Anthony Burgess sometime fellow of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and now pastor of the church of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire.Spiritual refining: or A treatise of grace and assurance Wherein are handled, the doctrine of assurance. The use of signs in self-examination. How true graces may be distinguished from counterfeit. Several true signs of grace, and many false ones. The nature of grace under divers Scripture notions or titles, as regeneration, the new-creature, the heart of flesh, vocation, sanctification, &c. Many chief questions (occasionally) controverted between the orthodox and the Arminians. As also many cases of conscience. Tending to comfort and confirm saints. Undeceive and convert sinners. Being CXX sermons preached and now published by Anthony Burgess sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and now pastor of the church of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire.
London: printed by A. Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A TREATISE OF GRACE and ASSURANCE; Being CXX. SERMONS. › Section 8 › Sermon 60
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Let us observe the grounds, why the grade of Conversion is sometimes vouchsafed to these incurable men, in all humane apprehensions, such as Manasseh, Paul, Mary Magdalen, with many others: And
Let us observe the grounds, why the grade of Conversion is sometimes vouchsafed to these incurable men, in all humane apprehensions, such as Manasseth, Paul, Mary Magdalen, with many others: And
First, It is to demonstrate the power of the word of God, animated and enlivened 1by the spirit, above all H•mane Eloquence, or Moral Philosophy; wherein men have much laboured to make men better; but those endeavours did prove like the washing of a brick, which did not cleanse, but more defile. The Scripture doth often take notice of this peculiar effect of Gods word, that by it We are forewarned from sin, Psal. 19. the simple receive understanding, Psal 119. By it we are be go[…] again, 1 Pet: 1. That is the sword which entereth into the secret thoughts and imaginations of mens hearts, That captivateth and beateth down all the strong holds of sin and Satan, and dispossesseth Satan out of his strongest Castles: Now this fiery virtue of the word preached, is never more manifested, then when it meets with such moist, green wood, such indisposed materials, as gross, profane men are. The Apostle calls the word preached, The power of God to salvation, 1 Cor. 1. when the Grecians, men of parts and learning, judged it foolishness; and the same Apostle saith, He came not in the enticing words of humane eloquence, lest the power of Christ should be obscured, 1. Corinthians 2. 4. When therefore by the simple, plain and pure demonstration of Divine truths, and of Gods Word, you see the hearts and consciences of flagitious men awakened; you see them changed into holy, godly, heavenly men, of profane, foul and ungodly. What glorious praise doth hereby redound to the word preached? This is like Davids little stone, slung into the head of great Goliath. If men of wisdom, eloquence, ingenuity, and excellent Morality, if these only were the men converted? it would quickly be thought that it was some excellency in them, rather then the power of Gods word without; but in these gross livers it cannot be attributed to any thing in the world, but the word preached: Despise not therefore the plain and powerful preaching of Gods word; for that is the mustard seed, which though little in quantity, is in operation mighty: You see twelve men endued with ability to preach this, did quickly leaven this whole world.