A30243:2900
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 115
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, That the soul of a man can thus gloriously enjoy God, its necessary that all the filth and loathsome spots of sin should be wholly cleansed away: For as 1long as there is any relic of this noisomeness, as it is not fit or suitable for such a glorious object, as God is; so neither hath it complete and full glory it self. The blood of Christ was shed, that we might be without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but this loveliness cannot be obtained in this life. Its true, Christ in those spiritual Songs of Solomon, calls his Church, His Love, his Fair, his undefiled One, that she is altogether Lovely, but that is merely because of the lovely Ornaments, and Excellency Christ put upon Her. But in Heaven this Loveliness will be inherent, she will have all this Glory inexistent, not imputed: Oh then what Tongue can express the gloriousness of such a condition, when there shall not be the least imperfection, or defect in thy Grace, thy Love perfect Love, thy Delight in God a full and perfect Delight! Paul in Heaven doth no longer complain, When I would do good, ⟨p. 667⟩evil is present with me, Rom. 7. No, his heart is as godly and as holy as he can desire. This then is the glory that the called ones of God should breath after; when will the time come that all my spots and blemishes will be done away? I am as yet ashamed to see so much dross and filth in my self; I blush because of my nakedness; but the day is coming, when all things that are imperfect will be done away. This should exceedingly support them for the present in their conflicts and combats with sin: Oh what shall they do! Their hearts suffer violence within them, they are loathsome beasts in their own eyes; they do not love to see themselves in the pure Glass of Gods Word. Well, comfort thy self, the time is coming, thy Graces will be made perfect, thy Soul will be glorified with all fullness, not the least spot or blemish in it.
Thirdly, That the soul of a man can thus gloriously enjoy God, its necessary that all the filth and loathsome spots of sinne should be wholly cleansed away: For as 1long as there is any relique of this noisomnesse, as it is not fit or sutable for such a glorious object, as God is; so neither hath it compleat and full glory it self. The bloud of Christ was shed, that we might be without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but this lovelinesse cannot be obtained in this life. Its true, Christ in those spiritual Songs of Solomon, cals his Church, His Love, his Fair, his undefiled One, that she is altogether Lovely, but that is meerly because of the lovely Ornaments, and Excellency Christ put upon Her. But in Heaven this Lovelinesse will be inherent, she will have all this Glory inexistent, not imputed: Oh then what Tongue can expresse the gloriousnesse of such a condition, when there shall not be the least imperfection, or defect in thy Grace, thy Love perfect Love, thy Delight in God a full and perfect Delight! Paul in Heaven doth no longer complain, When I would do good,