A30243:1795
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 9 › Sermon 69
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.
The subject of the Text, viz. Conversion, is vast and large, like a living fountain that always sends forth fresh streams: We have spoken of the particular difficulties in some mens conversions rather then others: not that they were to be without hope, but to awaken them out of their security. Now motives and grounds for our turning unto God, are in the next place to be considered. For in our Exhortations to be converted, we do not speak as men destitute of reason, and forsaken of truth: But it is even a wonder when all the Arguments out of Gods word shall be propounded, if every one do not say, Arise, let us go hence from our sins.1
THe subject of the Text, viz. Conversion, is vast and large, like a living fountain that alwaies sends forth fresh streams: We have spoken of the particular difficulties in some mens conversions rather then others: not that they were to be without hope, but to awaken them out of their security. Now motives and grounds for our turning unto God, are in the next place to be considered. For in our Exhortations to be converted, we do not speak as men destitute of reason, and forsaken of truth: But it is even a wonder when all the Arguments out of Gods word shal be propounded, if every one do not say, Arise, let us go hence from our sins.1
- 1Motives to Conversion. 1.
And first, The possibility of thy conversion may make thee set about it. It is not with thee as with the damned, and devils in hell. Being thou art not yet in the Grave and Hell, there may be hopes for thee. Although the last day I showed how difficult and unlikely some men were to turn to God, yet that was only in respect of visible second causes; otherwise as when our Saviour said, It was as impossible for a rich man to be saved, as a Camel to go through the eye of a needle; the Disciples then cried out, Who then can be saved? But our Saviour said, With man indeed it is impossible, but with God all things are possible; So sinners, and wicked men under those Characters thus described, are no more likely to turn to God, then a Camel with its bunch-back to go through the eye of a needle: but with God all things are possible. An absolute impossibility of turning to God is only in those that have sinned against the Holy Ghost, or are for ever delivered up by God to an impenitent and a hard heart. But who they are, is rather a secret in Gods counsel, then a mystery discovered to us: so that no wicked men under any Characters whatsoever (unless those excepted) may conclude in despair, That it is not possible they should ever be converted. God doth here invite the sinners of Israel in what quality soever, to turn to God; now this is a great encouragement, the very possibility of turning to God. Ah, How justly might God strike thee dead in thy sins, send thee with thy gore blood to hell, and leave thee hopeless and helpless? But he hath not shut the door against thee: He hath not yet bid thee depart into everlasting fire, He knoweth thee not. It should be like oil in thy bones to think such a thing may be. O Lord, Is not my condition desperate? Is there any hope left for me? Am I not past all favour? Is not my time spent? Oh, What a mercy is this? But […]ing the possibility is uncertain, thy life is so short, time is so quickly run out, that it may be thy conversion is not possible for any longer then a day more, or a night more; then what inexcusable folly and madness will it be to defer it? It is many times Satan's temptation to hold men a long while in sin, and then to persuade them it is too late to turn to God. At first any time is soon enough,