A30243:2920
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.
To clear the doctrine consider, First, That when we say a believer may and 1ought to be assured of his calling and election, we do not mean as if of his own self he could have this divine persuasion. For then many of Gods own children would never have lain in such uncomfortable desertions and dark dungeons as they have done, having no light; crying out, they have no certainty, no assurance, oh they cannot believe, they cannot find any comfort, but their hearts are like a barren heath, or a black hell! They cannot, I say, of themselves come to this sure persuasion, but it is the gift of the Spirit of God, Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God. So that Divines use to say, this certainty lieth in a practical syllogism, thus, Whosoever believeth, repenteth, is heavenly minded, is tender about all sin, These are called and elected; But I do so, saith the gracious heart, enlightened and enabled by Gods Spirit, Therefore I am called and elected. Now this Assumption, I do so, the heart being blind or deceitful, could never truly make, without the help of Gods Spirit. Hence it is called the Spirit of Adoption sent into our hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father. Oh then, till Gods Spirit thus Evangelizeth, as it were, and puts a filial frame in us, we are afraid of God, our thoughts are slavish and despairing, and we desire to hide our selves from him; but this Spirit of Adoption casteth out all tormenting fears, and doth enlighten the mind, that we may see the good things God hath wrought in us. Hence is that exhortation, not to grieve the Spirit of God, because it sealeth us to the day of redemption, Ephes. 4. 30. So then, as it is with the colours that are the object of the sight, though they be never so good, and visible, yet if there be no light, the eye cannot see them: Thus it is here; though there be never such excellent graces, and though God hath wrought a wonderful change in thee, yet thou art not able to see it, till the Spirit of God enable thee.
To clear the doctrine consider, First, That when we say a believer may and 1ought to be assured of his calling and election, we do not mean as if of his own self he could have this divine perswasion. For then many of Gods own children would never have lain in such uncomfortable desertions and dark dungeons as they have done, having no light; crying out, they have no certainty, no assurance, oh they cannot believe, they cannot finde any comfort, but their hearts are like a barren heath, or a black hell! They cannot, I say, of themselves come to this sure perswasion, but it is the gift of the Spirit of God,