A30243:1612
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.
The second kind of washing the Scripture speaks of, is the washing of our ⟨p. 378⟩hands, which is the cleansing of us from all actions of Wickedness; as Injustice, Oppression, Uncleanness, and all manner of unlawful and sinful doings. 1Thus James addeth, Cleanse your hands, and Purify your hearts: He saith, first Cleanse your hands, and then Purify your hearts. Not that the washing of the hands is to be done before the washing of the heart; but because our Actions they are most manifest and sensible to the world; and therefore we ought to declare our selves clear in that respect. So then, no man may comfort himself, as if Regenerated or renewed, if so be his Actions are •oul and sinful: If thy hands be not clean, thou mayest not take hold of any holy thing. Consider Davids Expression, I will wash my hands in innocency, so will I compass thy Altar, Psal. 26. 2. David will not come to worship God, till he hath washed his hands in innocency. Oh consider this excellent and holy pattern which David hath left for you. Say, I will wash my life, my hands, my eyes, my body from all its former wickedness, and so will I pray, so will I go to hear. Lay aside all superfluity of naughtiness, saith the Apostle, Jam. 1. 21. He calls sin [Greek or Hebrew], Sordes, filth and loathsome matter, and then hear the Word of God. As those that made the Garland of Roses and other Flowers, for those that conquered in the Race, they were to have clean and washed hands; so all those who meddle in any holy duty, praying, or hearing, they must have cleansed lives: when God gave the Law, he would have the people of Israel cleanse themselves three days before they heard it; and the women who were to come into Ahasuerus his presence, were several days purifying, and dressing themselves. How much more then, when we come into the presence of an holy God, ought we to cleanse our selves, and to shake off all that which may be displeasing in his eyes.
The second kind of washing the Scripture speaks of, is the washing of our ⟨p. 378⟩