A30243:1614
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, a loathing and abhorring of our selves; looking upon our selves as so many brutish beasts, and so many abominable Monsters, fit for nothing but to be cast upon the Dung-hill, because we have lost all our Savour. Thus Job abhorred himself in dust and ashes, under the apprehension of Gods glorious Majesty. Ezek. •0. 43. The Promise of grace made to the people of Israel is, That they should remember their wicked doings, wherein they have been defiled, and they should loath themselves in their own sight. We blush, saith Daniel and Ezra, and are ashamed. Thus the P[…]can stood aloof oft, as deeply sensible of his uncleanness. Oh then, how far are most men from this washing in the Text; when did they ever loath themselves? when were they abominable in their own eyes? when did they humble themselves in the dust, crying out they were noisome Dung-hills, and not men. They could not endure their own selves: The very memory and thoughts of all their ways were grievous and tedious to them. Till men come thus to be ashamed and confounded in themselves, they cannot be so much as in a preparation to be made clean. Oh tremble then, you who applaud your selves, who love and please your selves in your wicked ways, like the Horse-Beetle, that delights to live in the Dung; like Vermin, that love to be in Muck-hills. Oh why are ye not ashamed that God should see you, that good Angels and men should behold you. It will never be well with thee, nor wilt thou ever be put into any hopes of salvation, till thou beginnest to be odious in thy own eyes, till thou canst not abide and endure thy self.
First, a loathing and abhorring of our selves; looking upon our selves as so many bruitish beasts, and so many abhominable Monsters, fit for nothing but to be cast upon the Dung-hill, because we have lost all our Savour. Thus Job abhorred himself in dust and ashes, under the apprehension of Gods glorious Majesty. Ezek. •0. 43. The Promise of grace made to the people of Israel is, That they should remember their wicked doings, wherein they have been defiled, and they should loath themselves in their own sight. We blush, saith Daniel and Ezra, and are ashamed. Thus the P〈…〉can stood aloof oft, as deeply sensible of his uncleanenesse. Oh then, how farre are most men from this washing in the Text; when did they ever loath themselves? when were they abominable in their own eyes? when did they humble themselves in the dust, crying out they were noisome Dung-hills, and not men. They could not indure their own selves: The very memory and thoughts of all their wayes were grievous and tedious to them. Till men come thus to be ashamed and confounded in themselves, they cannot be so much as in a preparation to be made clean. Oh tremble then, you who applaud your selves, who love and please your selves in your wicked wayes, like the Horse-Beetle, that delights to live in the Dung; like Vermine, that love to be in Muck-hils. Oh why are ye not ashamed that God should see you, that good Angels and men should behold you. It will never be well with thee, nor wilt thou ever be put into any hopes of salvation, till thou beginnest to be odious in thy own eyes, till thou canst not abide and indurethy self.