A30243:1656
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 63
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.
Thirdly, Those that are sanctified delight in the use of all those means and exercises 1which increase sanctification. The Godly are described by hungering, and thirsting, and seeking, and so they can never have enough of holiness: Now the preaching of the word is one principal instrument of sanctification, Sanctify them by thy truth, thy word is truth, John 17. It is an argument thou hast not this sanctification upon thy affections, when thou hast no high esteem, or price of the holy Ordinances; when this honey-comb is loathsome to thy stomach, full of filthy Lusts. The Godly are to call the Sabbaths, a delight: and the word is aggravated under all manner of excellencies by Davids gracious heart; and for this end, because it hath spiritual and savoury effects: So then if thou wouldest know the evidences of thy sanctification, and judge thereby, Examine how thou art affected to the means of grace? Do they become welcome and precious to thee? Dost thou cry out like those in the transfiguration, It is good to be here? Is it as meat and drink unto thee? Then thou mayst comfortably rejoice in this, That God hath given thee a sanctified heart, to love the word of God, and the means of Grace, and that because of the powerful operations thereby, cannot be but by a spirit graciously wrought upon.
Thirdly, Those that are sanctified delight in the use of all those means and excercises 1which encrease sanctification. The Godly are described by hungring, and thirsting, and seeking, and so they can never have enough of holinesse: Now the preaching of the word is one principal instrument of sanctification, Sanctifie them by thy truth, thy word is truth, John 17. It is an argument thou hast not this sanctification upon thy affections, when thou hast no high esteem, or price of the holy Ordinances; when this hony-combe is loathsom to thy stomack, full of filthy Lusts. The Godly are to call the Sabbaths, a delight: and the word is aggravated under all manner of excellencies by Davids gracious heart; and for this end, because it hath spiritual and savory effects: So then if thou wouldest know the evidences of thy sanctification, and judge thereby, Examine how thou art affected to the means of grace? Do they become welcome and precious to thee? Dost thou cry out like those in the transfiguration, It is good to be here? Is it as meat and drink unto thee? Then thou mayst comfortably rejoyce in this, That God hath given thee a sanctified heart, to love the word of God, and the means of Grace, and that because of the powerful operations thereby, cannot be but by a spirit graciously wrought upon.