A30243:2922
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.
Thirdly, I say, This assurance is a privilege may be had, and it is our sin if we breath not after it, or do any thing that may justly fill our hearts with doubts and diffidence. 1Yet it is not of absolute necessity to salvation: Its not a necessary effect of our calling and election at all times, as heat is an inseparable effect of fire, and light of the sun. We see David and Christ himself in such spiritual desertions, though there was unbelief in David, but not any sin in Christ. Faith of adherence is many times where this faith of evidence is not. Although therefore it be our great sin to do those things which may grieve the spirit of God, and chase away our assurance; yet many times the people of God may walk without this comfortable persuasion: Yea they may be greatly assaulted, as if God had cast them off for ever. They may be as Pauls fellow-passengers in the Ship, who had seen no sun for many days together. Let not therefore any argue they are not called, not elected, because this is not yet made sure to them; for many times God works the greatest certainty out of the most perplexing doubts, and the shakings of the soul make the root faster.
Thirdly, I say, This assurance is a priviledge may be had, and it is our sin if we breath not after it, or do any thing that may justly fill our hearts with doubts and diffidence. 1Yet it is not of absolute necessity to salvation: Its not a necessary effect of our calling and election at all times, as heat is an inseparable effect of fire, and light of the sun. We see David and Christ himself in such spiritual desertions, though there was unbelief in David, but not any sin in Christ. Faith of adherence is many times where this faith of evidence is not. Although therefore it be our great sin to do those things which may grieve the spirit of God, and chase away our assurance; yet many times the people of God may walk without this comfortable perswasion: Yea they may be greatly assaulted, as if God had cast them offfor ever. They may be as Pauls fellow-passengers in the Ship, who had seen no sun for many daies together. Let not therefore any argue they are not called, not elected, because this is not yet made sure to them; for many times God works the greatest certainty out of the most perplexing doubts, and the shakings of the soul make the root faster.