A30243:1604
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 61
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.
First, That the Title of Regeneration, under the notion of washing, doth suppose that sin is of a defiling polluting nature, making the persons unclean and loathsome, 1where it is. Its therefore compared to Spots, Deut. 32. 5. and Blemishes, Ephes. 5. 27, to Mire, to Vomit, 2 Pet. 2. 22. Such names doth the Scripture give sin: to teach men, How they should look upon themselves, when sinners? Ezek. 16. you have there the Prophet excellently describing every mans natural condition, by an infant new born, tumbling in its blood, not washed, or cleansed. Men make sin the matter of their boast, and their glory; but it is indeed matter of shame and loathing. Thou art ashamed of thy rags, and thy spotted garments: But oh what blushing should be at thy wicked and ungodly actions. Thou shouldest sit down like a Job upon his Dung-hill, abhorring thy self; like a Lazarus full of sores; like an unclean Leper, crying out, Thou art unclean, unclean. The Scripture speaking of wicked men, saith, They are become filthy and abominable in their doings, Psalm 14. and it calls them Vile persons, Psal. 15. 4. Whatsoever esteem and glory ungodly men may have in this world, yet they are with God vile persons, and therefore called by the name of such Beasts as are odious to men. Whereas on the contrary, Grace is the life, the beauty, the honour and glory of a man, compared to excellent and precious ornaments.
First, That the Title of Regeneration, under the notion of washing, doth suppose that sinne is of a defiling polluting nature, making the persons unclean and loathsome, 1where it is. Its therefore compared to Spots, Deut. 32. 5. and Blemishes,