A30243:2869
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 114
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, We are in our conversation to put forth all holiness, in respect of the degrees of it: We are to endeavour, and to hunger and thirst after all the degrees 1of holiness; if there be better believing in God, better heavenly mindedness, more love to God then ever yet we have attained, this we are to press forward to; as Paul, who was exalted to so high a degree of holiness, yet he forgets all behind, and pursueth that before, Phil. 3. as if he were but beginning to be godly; and hence the godly are said, To hunger and thirst after righteousness, Mat. 5. Alexander wept when he heard a Philosopher arguing there were more worlds then one, when he had not yet conquered one: And thus when thou hearest the word of God requiring such a perfect holiness, such a pure exercise of graces, thou mayest weep to see the dross, the defects and weaknesses that are in thee; yet take heed thou doest not reject thy holiness as none at all, because it may be better; for perfection and fullness is not in this life, still here is something wanting, but our prayers and endeavours should be after perfection.
Thirdly, We are in our conversation to put forth all holiness, in respect of the degrees of it: We are to endeavor, and to hunger and thirst after all the degrees 1of holiness; if there be better believing in God, better heavenly mindedness, more love to God then ever yet we have attained, this we are to press forward to; as Paul, who was exalted to so high a degree of holiness, yet he forgets all behinde, and pursueth that before, Phil. 3. as if he were but beginning to be godly; and hence the godly are said, To hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, Mat. 5. Alexander wept when he heard a Phylosopher arguing there were more worlds then one, when he had not yet conquered one: And thus when thou hearest the word of God requiring such a perfect holiness, such a pure exercise of graces, thou mayest weep to see the dross, the defects and weaknesses that are in thee; yet take heed thou doest not reject thy holiness as none at all, because it may be better; for perfection and fulness is not in this life, still here is something wanting, but our prayers and endeavors should be after perfection.