A30243:2645
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 12 › Sermon 106
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.
2. No marvel if God refuse such, for they are his greatest enemies. They oppose his 1glory, the kingdom of Christ, & his people; and howsoever God indeed doth sometimes lead Captivity captive, and triumph over his enemies, by changing their hearts; yet there are others whom he doth oppose, and crusheth into pieces; and thus commonly God doth with wise men of the world, The Lord knoweth that their thoughts are but vain: He catcheth the crafty in their own thoughts: He will destroy the wisdom of the wise, 1 Cor. 3. So then no wonder if God pass by such men, for there are no greater enemies in the world to him then such. The Apostle Jam. 3. giveth three properties of this carnal wisdom, Its earthly sensual, devilish, It hath all the wickedness of men and devils in it. Its earthly, that is, wholly intent to get all earthly advantages, whatsoever is profitable and great in this world, that this wisdom reacheth after. Then its sensual, destitute of the Spirit of God, as Jude argues it, being wholly fixed upon the lusts and pleasures of sin.
2. No marvel if God refuse such, for they are his greatest enemies. They oppose his 1glory, the kingdom of Christ, & his people; and howsoever God indeed doth sometimes lead Captivity captive, and triumph over his enemies, by changing their hearts; yet there are others whom he doth oppose, and crusheth into pieces; and thus commonly God doth with wise men of the world, The Lord knoweth that their thoughts are but vain: He catcheth the crafty in their own thoughts: He will destroy the wisdom of the wise, 1 Cor. 3. So then no wonder if God passe by such men, for there are no greater enemies in the world to him then such. The Apostle Jam. 3. giveth three properties of this carnal wisdom, Its earthly sensual, devilish, It hath all the wickednes of men and devils in it. Its earthly, that is, wholly intent to get all earthly advantages, whatsoever is profitable and great in this world, that this wisdom reacheth after. Then its sensual, destitute of the Spirit of God, as Jude argues it, being wholly fixed upon the lusts and pleasures of sin.