A30243:2878
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.
Use 2. Of Terror and Woe to those called persons, who deride, oppose and 1malice holiness: Oh that the earth should bear, and the Sun shine upon such incarnate devils! Wheresoever there is the power of holiness, there all their venom is vented; Who would think that men called by so holy a God, should deride holiness? That men convinced by an holy Spirit, should mock at holiness? That men who read an holy Bible, who have an holy profession, should thus be turned into Serpents, and no men? This is not to be holy as God is holy, but malicious and envious as the devil is.
Use 2. Of Terror and Woe to those called persons, who deride, oppose and 1malice holinesse: Oh that the earth should bear, and the Sunne shine upon such incarnate devils! Wheresoever there is the power of holinesse, there all their venom is vented; Who would think that men called by so holy a God, should deride holinesse? That men convinced by an holy Spirit, should mock at holinesse? That men who read an holy Bible, who have an holy profession, should thus be turned into Serpents, and no men? This is not to be holy as God is holy, but malicious and envious as the devil is.
- 1Use 2.
3. Of Exhortation to you who are indeed holy for the main, grow in this, 1be more quickened in it. The Apostle speaks to these that were already holy. Holiness is a large field, an high hill, thou art but at the very bottom. Alas, how much stronger might thy faith be? How much more mortified might thy affections be? Is holiness suitable, connatural, constant and permanent in thee? and certainly this is more to be looked at, then all outward mercies, riches, honours, earthly greatness; for this only hath the promise of eternal life, and this present life. Thou mayest be rich, but damned; wise and learned, but dnd; but not holy and damned: Oh there is no comfortable living an hour, a moment without this holiness! And then to increase and preserve it: