A30243:1799
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.
Thirdly, It is not only probable, but thy turning to him is very acceptable and welcome. Thou art sure to have the door opened to thee: Never any man turned 1to God that was put back again: Come unto me, ho, every one that thirsteth come, come and buy without money, Isai. 55. 1. No man that cometh unto me, will I in any ways cast off, John 6. 37. so that this should be like fire in every sinners bowels. Oh Lord, when men have been offended, and grievously injured, they many times become so implacable, that no submission, no satisfaction can content them. But God after all the despite and disdain done unto him, is willing to be reconciled: this goodness and mercy of God should abundantly change thy heart. And certainly thou dost not seriously and fully ponder these things in thy heart, if thou diddest, thou wouldest not a moment longer stay from running to him: Thou wouldest not only turn, but run to him; Draw us, and we will run after thee, prayeth the Church, Cant. 1. God doth not only powerfully over-rule the soul, but so sweetly inclines it to delight in good and holy objects, that when the heart hath once tasted of the goodness of God, nothing can keep it from him: Seeing therefore thy turning unto God is so acceptable to him, is so vehemently desired by him, Why should it not make thee shake off all slothfulness, and address thy self to him?
Thirdly, It is not onely probable, but thy turning to him is very acceptable and welcome. Thou art sure to have the dore opened to thee: Never any man turned 1to God that was put back again: Come unto me, ho, every one that thirsteth come, come and buy without money, Isai. 55. 1. No man that cometh unto me, will I in any waies cast off, John 6. 37. so that this should be like fire in every sinners bowels. Oh Lord, when men have been offended, and grievously injured, they many times become so implacable, that no submission, no satisfaction can content them. But God after all the despite and disdain done unto him, is willing to be reconciled: this goodnesse and mercy of God should abundantly change thy heart. And certainly thou dost not seriously and fully ponder these things in thy heart, if thou didest, thou wouldest not a moment longer stay from running to him: Thou wouldest not onely turn, but run to him; Draw us, and we will run after thee, praieth the Church,