A30243:2431
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 96
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.
how is a breaker of his word and promise, righteous in his fidelity? how is a cheater or an overreaching man righteous in his dealings?
To open this, consider, That there is a twofold original fountain of Righteousness 1towards man: 1. There is the immediate command and word of God, and that is called Jus Divinum, Divine Righteousness. 2. There is the Law and Command of Nature, and that is Jus Humanum, An humane Righteousness, or Right: And this is either general, the first and immediate principles of nature, such as the Apostle speaketh of, Rom. 1. concerning the Gentiles, That they had a Law written in their hearts, verse 7. about just and unjust things, and their consciences accusing or excusing, upon the omission or commission of such things, or else they are more remote and particular dictates, such as the good and wholesome Laws of all Law-givers, in respective Nations: So what is righteous and just between man and man, is to be determined by the Laws of that Land where they live: Indeed, if any Law-givers (as some Heathenish have) commanded or allowed any thing that is against the Law of God, or the universal dictates of right reason; such commands are not worthy the name of Laws, they are rather unjust decrees, and so do not bind: But otherwise, the Laws of a Land determine what is righteous and just between man and man: for although it be Gods command, That a man should not steal, yet they are humane Laws that give the bounds and proprieties of estates to men: So that we Christians, and the Jews, do something differ about the Rules of Righteousness and Equity; for God was the immediate Law-giver unto that people: Moses as a messenger from God, received from Gods mouth the Judicial Law, which he delivered to them; so that the Judicial Law appointed by God himself, was the Statute-Law of that Realm: Their Laws were not Humane, as all the Laws of Kingdoms and States are since Christs coming, but they were Divine: Their Laws about a Thief, a Murderer, the Buyer and the Seller, were all Divine Laws, because immediately commanded by God, though the matter was merely humane: Now its greatly disputed, how far these Judicial Laws, commanding Judgement and Justice between man and man, do bind us Christians; and whether all Law-givers and States-men, are not bound to bring in those Judicial Laws? for who can determine what is Righteousness and Equity better then God, a righteous and wise God? Its not pertinent to wade into this excellent Question at this time: