A30243:1709
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.
Fourthly, remember the evidences thou hast enjoyed formerly. This is a special 1way to keep the heart up against all assaults. The time hath been when thou didst walk in the comfortable demonstrations of grace in thy heart and life. The time was, when light did shine into thy breast and thou couldst with much thankfulness acknowledge the good things God wrought for thee; let not then the present darkness obscure all former light; live by the remembrance of what thou hast felt, if thou canst not by any present sense and experience; for if ever thou hast upon good grounds discovered thy self to be in the state of sanctification, thou are still: whatsoever thy present fears may be to the contrary, God is the same, Christ and the promise continue still the same. Think then of those Bottles of tears thou hast filled, and remember it was once day, though now it be night, and it will be day again.
Fourthly, remember the evidences thou hast enjoyed formerly. This is a special 1way to keep the heart up against all assaults. The time hath been when thou didst walk in the comfortable demonstrations of grace in thy heart and life. The time was, when light did shine into thy breast and thou couldst with much thankfulnesse acknowledge the good things God wrought for thee; let not then the present darknesse obscure all former light; live by the remembrance of what thou hast felt, if thou canst not by any present sense and experience; for if ever thou hast upon good grounds discovered thy self to be in the state of sanctification, thou are still: whatsoever thy present fears may be to the contrary, God is the same, Christ and the promise continue still the same. Think then of those Bottles of tears thou hast filled, and remember it was once day, though now it be night, and it will be day again.
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Fifthly, lay down this also for a true and comfortable rule, That if thou canst