A30243:2793
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.
Thirdly, There is a third sort to be taken away, and that is, Of those indeed who live a civil and unblameable life, unspotted from all sin and wickedness, but yet have never felt within themselves the mighty power of God renewing their natures. What a small number by this time will that of the chosen persons be, when those that live in a fair and ingenuous way, but never tasted the good word of God upon their hearts, are also bid to depart, here is no comfort for them.
Thirdly, There is a third sort to be taken away, and that is, Of those indeed who live a civil and unblameable life, unspotted from all sinne and wickednesse, but yet have never felt within themselves the mighty power of God renewing their natures. What a small number by this time will that of the chosen persons be, when those that live in a fair and ingenuous way, but never tasted the good word of God upon their hearts, are also bid to depart, here is no comfort for them.
Lastly, Yet once more take away all those, who have the common gifts and graces of Gods Spirit, who have some inward workings of illumination, and joy, and sorrow in their hearts; but yet because they do not dig deep enough, and want root, are therefore carried no further then hypocrites and reprobates: Such there are, and our Saviour doth often give his Disciples warning, lest they go no further then these. Now then put all these together, The Ignorant Person, The Profane, The Civil, and the Temporary Believer, and take the rest, and you will say, Oh how few are chosen!
Lastly, Yet once more take away all those, who have the common gifts and graces of Gods Spirit, who have some inward workings of illumination, and joy, and sorrow in their hearts; but yet because they do not dig deep enough, and want root, are therefore carried no further then hypocrites and reprobates: Such there are, and our Saviour doth often give his Disciples warning, lest they go no further then these. Now then put all these together, The Ignorant Person, The Prophane, The Civil, and the Temporary Believer, and take the rest, and you will say, Oh how few are chosen!