A30243:2917
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 116
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.
In the words then consider the duty enjoined, and the way how to accomplish it. The duty enjoined is to make your calling and election sure. Calling, viz. the graces of God we are called to in this life, justification, adoption, and ⟨p. 671⟩union with Christ, as also regeneration and sanctification of our natures, and election that is the basis or the foundation of our calling. But how may we make these things sure? not in themselves, for the purpose of God stands firm in its own self. The foundation of the Lord stands sure, saith the Apostle, 2 Tim. 2. 19. And the gifts or calling of God are without repentance, Rom. 11. 29. But sure in respect of our selves, that we may be upon good grounds confirmed in our own hearts, that we are such whom God hath called or chosen. So that the holy Ghost doth here blame all those who put their comforts and hopes upon a venture; who maintain doubts and uncertainties in their own souls, about their eternal condition, that will not seek out for comfortable evidences herein. 2. You have the manner how this glorious privilege may be attained, by giving diligence: and the rather by giving diligence; which words do imply, that unless we set our main thoughts and strength about this matter; unless we carefully set our souls to distinguish between true and false, we shall never be persuaded upon good grounds. This text is much vexed in the controversy between Papists and Protestants: The Papists denying this certainty (unless some few) and the Protestants pleading strongly for it. And this text seems to be an impregnable place for assurance.
In the words then consider the duty injoyned, and the way how to accomplish it. The duty injoyned is to make your calling and election sure. Calling, viz. the graces of God we are called to in this life, justification, adoption, and ⟨p. 671⟩union with Christ, as also regeneration and sanctification of our natures, and election that is the basis or the foundation of our calling. But how may we make these things sure? not in themselves, for the purpose of God stands firm in its own self. The foundation of the Lord stands sure, saith the Apostle,