A30243:2341
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 92
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.
A Godly man therefore ought not to be dejected, if he do not abound in such plentiful exercises of graces as others do, if his mind be willing: Only he hath not such opportunities, nor such Instruments, whereby to make his light shine before others, as many of the Children of God have.
A Godly man therefore ought not to be dejected, if he doe not abound in such plentiful exercises of graces as others doe, if his minde be willing: Onely he hath not such opportunities, nor such Instruments, whereby to make his light shine before others, as many of the Children of God have.
Lastly, consider this, Although a constant practice of ungodliness be a sure demonstration 1of a graceless heart, yet a constant abstinence from gross sins, is not presently a sure evidence of a good heart. Understand this, that thou do not deceive thy soul; for many think, if they indeed should wallow in the Mire and Filth of sin, it were sure they were beastly Swine; but because they keep themselves clean from the gross Transgressions of the wicked, therefore they conclude this new heart is within them: but you have heard that men may be restrained from sin, by the providence of God and otherwayes, who yet have not this spiritual life infused in them. For this Spirit of God doth not only cause a man to forbear from sin, but in such a manner also, and upon such grounds, that the most painted Sepulchre, the most exact Formalist can never reach unto. These things laid as a foundation, it is good to consider, why a man cannot carry this coal of fire, this principle of grace in his bosom, but it will break out into a flame. And,
Lastly, consider this, Although a constant practice of ungodlinesse be a sure demonstration 1of a graceless heart, yet a constant abstinence from grosse sins, is not presently a sure evidence of a good heart. Understand this, that thou do not deceive thy soul; for many think, if they indeed should wallow in the Mire and Filth of sinne, it were sure they were beastly Swine; but because they keep themselves clean from the grosse Transgressions of the wicked, therefore they conclude this new heart is within them: but you have heard that men may be restrained from sin, by the providence of God and otherwayes, who yet have not this spirituall life infused in them. For this Spirit of God doth not onely cause a man to forbear from sinne, but in such a manner also, and upon such grounds, that the most painted Sepulcher, the most exact Formalist can never reach unto. These things laid as a foundation, it is good to consider, why a man cannot carry this coal of fire, this principle of grace in his bosome, but it will break out into a flame. And,