A30243:2297
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 11 › Sermon 90
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.
Secondly. A second outward and insufficient work is, When the word is received with understanding, and the grace of God doth indeed open his eyes so far, that 1his mind is enlightened, that he doth both know and believe the truths of Religion, but it goeth no further. Although this work be inward, being upon the mind of man; yet I call it outward, as in respect of the inward parts, mentioned in the Text, for that speaks of more then a mind to know, or an understanding to understand the things of Religion. Although enlightening be sometimes put for the whole conversion, and light for grace, yet at other times it's made a distinct work from it, and such even as reprobates have, and apostates, as Heb. 6. where enlightening, though it be a good, yea and a great gift of God; yet the Apostle hopes for better things of them, and things that accompany salvation: So that knowledge, parts, understanding in Religion doth not necessarily accompany salvation; and we hope better things of men, then to be able to repeat or remember Sermons, or with some understanding to give an account of the principles of Religion; and many times knowing of Gods will, and doing it, are put as two separable things; how far then are they from the fruit of this promise, who remain in gross ignorance, who have blind eyes, know nothing about their corruption and misery by sin, or about Christ, and faith in him! To whom all our Sermons have been as a book sealed up; unto whom, though in English, yet we have preached unknown matter: A people likely to dye, and to ⟨p. 535⟩be damned in ignorance; for it understanding, knowing men, who receive the word with attention and knowledge; yet if they find it not changing their inward man, come short of grace, where must the ignorant man appear?2
Secondly. A second outward and insufficient work is, When the word is received with understanding, and the grace of God doth indeed open his eyes so far, that 1his minde is inlightned, that he doth both know and believe the truths of Religion, but it goeth no further. Although this work be inward, being upon the minde of man; yet I call it outward, as in respect of the inward parts, mentioned in the Text, for that speaks of more then a minde to know, or an understanding to understand the things of Religion. Although inlightning be sometimes put for the whole conversion, and light for grace, yet at other times it's made a distinct work from it, and such even as reprobates have, and apostates, as