A30243:2058
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 80
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.
Lastly, Still higher the true Convert goeth, for he entertaineth nothing with God: Minus to amat, qui tecum aliquid amat. So that God being the Centre, and the ultimate repose of the soul, he entertaineth nothing with him in that relation. There are some things that do so challenge a primacy, that they admit nothing with them, as we say in our controversies with the Church of Rome: It is a contradiction to say, a primary head, and a secondary head; so a primary husband, and a secondary husband; and thus it is here: God is the head, the spouse of every faithful soul, and so he will have no co-partner with him. And although we are allowed to love lawful comforts here below, yet because all are in subordination to him, and because of him, therefore still God is only beloved. As we say, Such an house is such a mans, because though there be many servants, many attendants, yet because they are but servants, and one master only, therefore it is his house only: so it is here; The heart of a Converted man is only Gods, and for him, because though other things be received, yet as servants only, and with reference merely to God. Thus we are said to turn to him with all our heart. Oh then if all these things go to an hearty Conversion, In how narrow a compass will this work be found? Who that heareth these things may not cry out, And who then can be saved? Who may not begin to make a stricter search into his heart?
Lastly, Still higher the true Convert goeth, for he entertaineth nothing with God: Minus to amat, qui tecum aliquid amat. So that God being the Center, and the ultimate repose of the soul, he entertaineth nothing with him in that relation. There are some things that do so challenge a primacy, that they admit nothing with them, as we say in our controversies with the Church of Rome: It is a contradiction to say, a primary head, and a secondary head; so a primary husband, and a secondary husband; and thus it is here: God is the head, the spouse of every faithfull soul, and so he will have no co-partner with him. And although we are allowed to love lawful comforts here below, yet because all are in subordination to him, and because of him, therefore still God is onely beloved. As we say, Such an house is such a mans, because though there be many servants, many attendants, yet because they are but servants, and one master onely, therefore it is his house only: so it is here; The heart of a Converted man is onely Gods, and for him, because though other things be received, yet as servants onely, and with reference meerly to God. Thus we are said to turn to him with all our heart. Oh then if all these things go to an hearty Conversion, In how narrow a compasse will this work be found? Who that heareth these things may not cry out, And who then can be saved? Who may not begin to make a stricter search into his heart?