A30243:1805
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.
Sixthly, Therefore turn to God from sin, because sin is a state of thraldom•, ⟨p. 423⟩1and slavery, and our conversion unto God, puts us in a state of freedom and liberty. Of what a man is overcome, that is he a servant to, saith the Apostle, 2 Pet. 2. 19. Now then, thou being daily Mastered by such lusts, daily overcome by such sins, thou art made a Slave and Vassal: And if liberty be Bo•um inestimabile, a good that cannot be prized, yea, as the Rabbins say, If the heavens were Parchment, and the sea Ink, it could not sufficiently contain the praises of Liberty; How much rather is this true of spiritual Liberty, when the son of God hath indeed made us free? Why then canst thou endure to lie in the Dungeon of sin, to be kept prisoner and Captive in the Devils snares? And if thou sai•st, I find no thraldom, I feel no misery or bondage in serving sin: It may be so; but therefore thy misery is far the greater: A man may desperately be sick, and yet not feel he is so: And so mayest thou be kept fast in the Chains of sin and yet apprehend no but then at all. But thou art to believe the Word of God against thy own sense and feeling; that makes it such a Captivity and slavery. Oh therefore pray to have this Captivity turned: Why do I live in a Dungeon, when God hath glorious mansion places? Why do I feed on husks, when God hath such dainties for a true convert? leave off this drudgery to sin: The devil is an •ll master; fills thee with much trouble here, and eternal torment hereafter.
Sixthly, Therefore turn to God from sin, because sin is a state of thraldom•, ⟨p. 423⟩1and slavery, and our conversion unto God, puts us in a state of freedome and libertie. Of what a man is overcome, that is he a servant to, saith the Apostle,