A30243:2780
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 111
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.
Secondly, This is no ground of despair, because no man can know his reprobation. 1No man can ever truly say, I know I am not chosen, I know I am not elected. Its true, some have said so in temptations, some have cried out so in the horror of conscience that hath been upon them; but as Peter in a transfiguration spake he knew not what; so these in a black and sad temptation. Secret things belong unto God, revealed things unto us: God keeps that book of mens names that are eternally left by him in his own custody: Even as the day of Judgement, the time of it, is kept secret. Its true indeed, There may be a certain knowledge of our Election, not as it is in the fountain and decree of God, but by the sure and blessed effects thereof, which the Scripture doth abundantly witness; and there is great use of such necessity, because hereby God hath the greater praise and glory; and a man is more emboldened and encouraged in all the afflictions that do accompany the profession of Christ. See how Paul doth triumph over all by the sense of this love comforting his heart. But now if a man should know he were reprobated in this life, it would breed in him all desperate obstinacy to commit all wickedness with all delight, and he would take himself disobliged from all the duties commanded, that he was not bound to repent or believe, or to pray, no more then the already damned in hell.
Secondly, This is no ground of despair, because no man can know his reprobation. 1No man can ever truly say, I know I am not chosen, I know I am not elected. Its true, some have said so in temptations, some have cried out so in the horror of conscience that hath been upon them; but as Peter in a transfiguration spake he knew not what; so these in a black and sad temptation. Secret things belong unto God, revealed things unto us: God keeps that book of mens names that are eternally left by him in his own custody: Even as the day of Judgement, the time of it, is kept secret. Its true indeed, There may be a certain knowledge of our Election, not as it is in the fountain and decree of God, but by the sure and blessed effects thereof, which the Scripture doth abundantly witnesse; and there is great use of such necessity, because hereby God hath the greater praise and glory; and a man is more imboldened and encouraged in all the afflictions that do accompany the profession of Christ. See how Paul doth triumph over all by the sense of this love comforting his heart. But now if a man should know he were reprobated in this life, it would breed in him all desperate obstinacy to commit all wickednesse with all delight, and he would take himself disobliged from all the duties commanded, that he was not bound to repent or believe, or to pray, no more then the already damned in hell.