A30243:1643
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 62
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.
Secondly, The instrument of this Sanctification, the means whereby God will work it, is the Word: Thus our Saviour prayeth, That God would sanctify his Disciples by his truth, his word was truth, John 17. There is no ordinary means ⟨p. 384⟩for the obtaining of this, but by the word: This is the Chariot of the Spirit, here we must expect its workings. As it had been a vain thing in Naaman, to expect the cleansing of his leprosy in any water but in Jordan, so it is as foolish and absurd to expect sanctification by any humane rites & inventions of men, a number of which are introduced in popery. Now as Gods spirit only efficiently sanctifieth, and not humane power or freewill; so the Divine truths of God are instituted Mediums for this glorious effect, and no other superstitious designments made by men: Oh then, if ever thou wouldst be sanctified, be a diligent hearer of the word, hear in season and out of season, as we are commanded to preach: Come to this fountain often to be washed in, throw thy self frequently in this fire, to get thy dross out. The effects of Gods word are admirable, especially in this point, to sanctify thee, to make thee have holy affections, and holy principles, and holy ends and aims in all thou doest. As those that are much in the Sun, they cannot but be much coloured by it; so those that are in reading often, in hearing often, in praying often, they will find such an holy change upon them, such admirable effects on their lives, that there will be as much wonder at them, as there were of those who were dead and rotting in their graves, yet raised by the mighty power of Christ: As therefore there is no hope of that tree that is near no waters side, that groweth in a barren wilderness; so there is no hopes of ever being sanctified from those who seldom or never come to hear the word, or if they do, its out of formality, custom, and with so much dullness, sleepiness and distractions, that their very outward deportment manifests much contempt and irreverence towards God? Do these men come to be sanctified? do such come with this grand expectation, Of unholy to be made holy?
Secondly, The instrument of this Sanctification, the means whereby God will work it, is the Word: Thus our Saviour prayeth, That God would sanctifie his Disciples by his truth, his word was truth, John 17