A30243:2736
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 109
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.
Thirdly, This may make us wonder that few only were chosen, of those many 1called in former times, because there was little or no outward encouragement unto the way of Christ: There could be little satisfaction given to carnal expectations. How often doth our Saviour call upon them for self denial? foretell of the trouble and hatred they shall meet with in the world? and when men have proffered their obedience to him, he tells them of the little worldly encouragements they must look for. Now it may be a wonder, that men, who had not the deep impression of godliness upon their hearts, should ever venture upon such profession, where there were no earthly baits. We use to say, That adversity trieth a friend; yet here it did not hold: Well then, if many men called in those days, did so miscarry, when yet we would think nothing but pure love did set them on work? what little faithfulness may be thought to be in the inward parts of those, who have temporal advantages by Christ; yea, they would be subject to the Magistrates punishment, if they should renounce the faith of Christ: Thus you see, how considerable a matter it is, that even in our Saviours time, and primitive beginnings of the Church, there should be many called, and few chosen: Oh, if ever, then we should have thought the Church would have been constituted of those that were truly godly; if ever, then it would have been altogether fair, and no spots in it, but we see the contrary: •ts therefore sadly to be lamented, that even the greater part of those, who yet give an external submission to Christ, should yet not have their names written in the book of life.
Thirdly, This may make us wonder that few onely were chosen, of those many 1called in former times, because there was little or no outward incouragement unto the way of Christ: There could be little satisfaction given to carnal expectations. How often doth our Saviour call upon them for self denyal? foretel of the trouble and hatred they shall meet with in the world? and when men have proffered their obedience to him, he tells them of the little worldly incouragements they must look for. Now it may be a wonder, that men, who had not the deep impression of godliness upon their hearts, should ever venture upon such profession, where there were no earthly baits. We use to say, That adversity tryeth a friend; yet here it did not hold: Well then, if many men called in those days, did so miscarry, when yet we would think nothing but pure love did set them on work? what little faithfulness may be thought to be in the inward parts of those, who have temporal advantages by Christ; yea, they would be subject to the Magistrates punishment, if they should renounce the faith of Christ: Thus you see, how considerable a matter it is, that even in our Saviours time, and primitive beginnings of the Church, there should be many called, and few chosen: Oh, if ever, then we should have thought the Church would have been constituted of those that were truly godly; if ever, then it would have been altogether fair, and no spots in it, but we see the contrary: ts therefore sadly to be lamented, that even the greater part of those, who yet give an external submission to Christ, should yet not have their names written in the book of life.