A30243:1710
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.
Fifthly, lay down this also for a true and comfortable rule, That if thou canst 1not find such marks of grace, yet if there be earnest desires and strong groans after these, there is grace begun in thee. These sprouts cannot be, but where sanctification is. Hence it is, that those who hunger and thirst after righteousness are said to be blessed, because they shall be satisfied, Matth. 5. Though therefore corruptions are potent, they bear thee down, earthly affections, immoderate passions are prevalent over thee; yet because thou pantest and breathest after more grace, this is an argument of spiritual life in thee. Paul that complained of the Law of sin within him, found also the life of Grace within him; so that as long as thou dost not willingly give up thy self to sin, and obedience to the lusts thereof, here is no ⟨p. 400⟩matter of dejection, but encouragement, Paul and others have in this manner been exercised.
Fifthly, lay down this also for a true and comfortable rule, That if thou canst 1not finde such marks of grace, yet if there be earnest desires and strong groans after these, there is grace begun in thee. These sprouts cannot be, but where sanctification is. Hence it is, that those who hunger and thirst after righteousnesse are said to be blessed, because they shall be satisfied, Matth. 5. Though therefore corruptions are potent, they bear thee down, earthly affections, immoderate passions are prevalent over thee; yet because thou pantest and breathest after more grace, this is an argument of spirituall life in thee. Paul that complained of the Law of sinne within him, found also the life of Grace within him; so that as long as thou dost not willingly give up thy self to sin, and obedience to the lusts thereof, here is no ⟨p. 400⟩matter of dejection, but incouragement, Paul and others have in this manner been exercised.