A30243:1806
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.
Seventhly, Turn unto God, because he will then turn unto thee, for so he promiseth. Do thou turn with an holy change, and he will with a gracious change. Thou hadst thy back on God, and God turned the back upon thee. Thou was an enemy to God, and God was an enemy to thee: But who can stand under his enmity? Who can endure his wrath? But upon the souls turning to God, what an happy change and turn is made in all Gods dispensations? The Creatures are now turned when he is turned; for they groaned under him as under a burden. The Angels are now turned to him when he is turned; for they are reconciled, and take him for a fellow servant. The Scripture that is curned also; for whereas before every page did speak terror, and breath forth anger, now it breaths only comfort and consolation to such. The providence of God is now turned; for whereas before every thing was a Curse, and wrought to thy Damnation, now every thing worketh to thy good, and furthers thy salvation, Yea now God is turned, (to speak after the manner of men, though the change is properly in us, not in him) for he that was an enemy, that was angry, that accounted all thy prayers Abominations, that askedst thee, What thou hadst to do to take his Name in thy mouth: Now he becomes a gracious Father, answereth prayers, and welcometh thee into his presence. Thus you see how happy a thing it is to turn to God, for then every thing in Heaven and Earth, becomes also turned for thy good.
Seventhly, Turn unto God, because he will then turn unto thee, for so he promiseth. Do thou turn with an holy change, and he will with a gracious change. Thou hadst thy back on God, and God turned the back upon thee. Thou was an enemy to God, and God was an enemy to thee: But who can stand under his enmity? Who can endure his wrath? But upon the souls turning to God, what an happy change and turn is made in all Gods dispensations? The Creatures are now turned when he is turned; for they groaned under him as under a burthen. The Angels are now turned to him when he is turned; for they are reconciled, and take him for a fellow servant. The Scripture that is curned also; for whereas before every page did speak terror, and breath forth anger, now it breaths onely comfort and consolation to such. The providence of God is now turned; for whereas before every thing was a Curse, and wrought to thy Damnation, now every thing worketh to thy good, and furthers thy salvation, Yea now God is turned, (to speak after the manner of men, though the change is properly in us, not in him) for he that was an enemy, that was angry, that accounted all thy prayers Abhominations, that askedst thee, What thou hadst to do to take his Name in thy mouth: Now he becomes a gracious Father, answereth prayers, and welcometh thee into his presence. Thus you see how happy a thing it is to turn to God, for then every thing in Heaven and Earth, becomes also turned for thy good.