A30243:1702
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 65
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, You have many instances of those who have had these gifts, and yet no true 1members of Christ. As those Hebrews 6. which the Apostle speaks of; and therefore though the Apostle had reckoned up those great things, yet he saith, I hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation. In this number was Judas, the foolish Virgins, the third kind of hearers, such are compared to Swine washed; though washed, yet Swine still. Oh then think it not such a matter, if because of parts and abilities in prayer, discourse and conference in Religion, thou art eminently admired by others; for these are no sure sign of Sanctification. Here ⟨p. 398⟩may be light, but no oil; and therefore though it be our saying ordinarily; Such an one is an able Christian; Why so? because of gift in Prayer, ability to speak in divine things; yet that is not so. He is an able Christian, who is strong in the works of Sanctification, who is able in believing, in heavenly mindedness, in humility, in uprightness and sincerity of heart. If ever the Professors of England needed any truth, they ought to give diligent heed to this: For how is that which is indeed true godliness neglected, and curious Disputes, and needless Controversies exalted in the room thereof!
First, You have many instances of those who have had these gifts, and yet no true 1members of Christ. As those Hebrews 6. which the Apostle speaks of; and therefore though the Apostle had reckoned up those great things, yet he saith, I hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation. In this number was Iudas, the foolish Virgins, the third kind of hearers, such are compared to Swine washed; though washed, yet Swine still. Oh then think it not such a matter, if because of parts and abilities in prayer, discourse and conference in Religion, thou art eminently admired by others; for these are no sure signe of Sanctification. Here ⟨p. 398⟩may be light, but no oyl; and therefore though it be our saying ordinarily; Such an one is an able Christian; VVhy so? because of gift in Praier, abilitie to speak in divine things; yet that is not so. He is an able Christian, who is strong in the works of Sanctification, who is able in believing, in heavenly mindednesse, in humility, in uprightnesse and sincerity of heart. If ever the Professors of England needed any truth, they ought to give diligent heed to this: For how is that which is indeed true godlinesse neglected, and curious Disputes, and needlesse Controversies exalted in the room thereof!