A30243:2836
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 113
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, To do nothing but what is suitable and connatural with this calling. Those actions are worthy such an agent, as are suitable and proper for him. All Agents have their suitable operations; the fire ascends, the stone descends. If therefore the fire should descend and go downwards, it would be against nature, it would argue great violence. Thus the suitable and connatural actions of a Christian are to avoid sin, to walk holily, to be above the world, to keep our selves unspotted from it. Now if any one that is called a Christian be not thus, he doth unnatural actions. His principles, his obligations are against these things. Oh (Beloved) if men were real Christians, as well as titular, you should see no more profane and ungodly persons amongst us, then venomous and poisonous creatures will be in some countries; It should be even a wonder, a strange thing, that any one should among Christians be found in the way of wickedness: Oh then reflect upon all thy words, all thy actions! Are these suitable? Are these proper? Do these agree with my Baptism, with my profession of Christ? How can I call on Christ, and do the things Christ hateth?
First, To do nothing but what is sutable and connatural with this calling. Those actions are worthy such an agent, as are sutable and proper for him. All Agents have their sutable operations; the fire ascends, the stone descends. If therefore the fire should descend and go downwards, it would be against nature, it would argue great violence. Thus the sutable and connatural actions of a Christian are to avoid sin, to walk holily, to be above the world, to keep our selves unspotted from it. Now if any one that is called a Christian be not thus, he doth unnatural actions. His principles, his obligations are against these things. Oh (Beloved) if men were real Christians, as well as titular, you should see no more prophane and ungodly persons amongst us, then venemous and poisonous creatures will be in some countreys; It should be even a wonder, a strange thing, that any one should among Christians be found in the way of wickednesse: Oh then reflect upon all thy words, all thy actions! Are these sutable? Are these proper? Do these agree with my Baptism, with my profession of Christ? How can I call on Christ, and do the things Christ hateth?