A30243:2762
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 110
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, Thou must be an exact Christian, if any at all; because if you go over 1all the Religions in the world, you shall see, they have the greatest approbation, that are more devout and fervent then others in serving their God: Doth not the heathen admire him who is most touched with a fear and reverence about his Idol? In Popery, are not they Canonized for Saints, who have in the most strict and precise way, given up themselves to their Religion? What then should be the matter, that among us its the clean contrary? If a man walk in the ways of Christ more strictly then others, if a man desire to follow his orders directly, so that he doth not either run into the same excess of riot, or boundless superstition as others do, such a man is scorned, and most abhorred of all men; yet thus it is, Be no more godly, be no more holy then the custom of the world is, and you shall be applauded: but if you go faster then they, will not sit down with such looseness and formality as they do, then they cry out of you: Thus you see, that by what reason a man takes up any thing of Christ, he is bound to receive all; and what he doth, he is bound to do it with that strictness and accurateness that possibly may be. You may ask the question then, How comes it about, that when there is the same ground, yet most persons think it enough to come to the Feast, though without a Wedding-garment; think it enough to be called, though not chosen: And
Thirdly, Thou must be an exact Christian, if any at all; because if you go over 1all the Religions in the world, you shall see, they have the greatest approbation, that are more devout and fervent then others in serving their God: Doth not the heathen admire him who is most touched with a fear and reverence about his Idol? In Popery, are not they Canonized for Saints, who have in the most strict and precise way, given up themselves to their Religion? What then should be the matter, that among us its the clean contrary? If a man walk in the ways of Christ more strictly then others, if a man desire to follow his orders directly, so that he doth not either run into the same excess of ryot, or boundless superstition as others do, such a man is scorned, and most abhorred of all men; yet thus it is, Be no more godly, be no more holy then the custom of the world is, and you shall be applauded: but if you go faster then they, will not sit down with such loosness and formality as they do, then they cry out of you: Thus you see, that by what reason a man takes up any thing of Christ, he is bound to receive all; and what he doth, he is bound to do it with that strictness and accurateness that possibly may be. You may ask the question then, How comes it about, that when there is the same ground, yet most persons think it enough to come to the Feast, though without a Wedding-garment; think it enough to be called, though not chosen: And