A30243:2816
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 112
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.
First, Let such an one consider, that it is no new or strange temptation, even for the 1godly to be possessed with these thoughts and fears, that God hath left them, God hath forsaken them: How often may you have the Church sighing such complaints in Davids Psalms, Hath the Lord cast off for ever? will he be gracious no more? and so in Isaiah, Zion hath said, The Lord hath forsaken me: But all that she said, and she thought was not true; nay, what need we wonder at this, seeing that ⟨p. 652⟩2even Christ himself was tempted in this manner, though without sin: Was not this the meaning of those heavy groans and cries, the Apostle saith he uttered, saying, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? My God, my God, there were the expressions of faith, adhering and relying; but, why hast thou forsaken me? they were the words of one not feeling the sensible comfort and support of God at that present; which was not simply a sin, but part of that soul agony, and soul-sufferings he did undergo for us. Well then, let no tender heart, and troubled soul be dejected, if it be exercised with such black temptations; for these things have befallen the godly, yea, Christ himself.
First, Let such an one consider, that it is no new or strange temptation, even for the 1godly to be possessed with these thoughts and fears, that God hath left them, God hath forsaken them: How often may you have the Church sighing such complaints in Davids Psalms, Hath the Lord cast off for ever? will he be gracious no more? and so in Isaiah, Zion hath said, The Lord hath forsaken me: But all that she said, and she thought was not true; nay, what need we wonder at this, seeing that ⟨p. 652⟩2even Christ himself was tempted in this manner, though without sin: Was not this the meaning of those heavy groans and crys, the Apostle saith he uttered, saying, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? My God, my God, there were the expressions of faith, adhering and relying; but, why hast thou forsaken me? they were the words of one not feeling the sensible comfort and support of God at that present; which was not simply a sin, but part of that soulagony, and soul-sufferings he did undergo for us. Well then, let no tender heart, and troubled soul be dejected, if it be exercised with such black temptations; for these things have befallen the godly, yea, Christ himself.