A30243:2925
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 next place let us consider what are those effects of grace, which if a man walk in, he may be partaker of this privilege: not but that God by his absolute sovereignty, and for holy ends, may leave the most exact and circumspect Christians in darkness, without any light; as it was in Job: And the Prophet intimateth, Who is among you that seareth God, and hath no light, walking in darkness? Isa. 50. 10. One that feareth God, and is precious to God, may walk in darkness, having no light, and all that he can do is to stay his soul on God by a mere act of recumbency, not of any assurance at all. This God may do; but yet there are particular ways, which if walked in, God may give thee this white stone, as it is called, Revel. 2. 17. Thou shalt walk as one acquitted from thy sin, and no man can tell what it is thou feelest, but thy self only.
In the next place let us consider what are those effects of grace, which if a man walk in, he may be partaker of this priviledge: not but that God by his absolute soveraignty, and for holy ends, may leave the most exact and circumspect Christians in darknesse, without any light; as it was in Job: And the Prophet intimateth, Who is among you that seareth God, and hath no light, walking in darkness? Isa. 50. 10. One that feareth God, and is precious to God, may walk in darknesse, having no light, and all that he can do is to stay his soul on God by a meer act of recumbency, not of any assurance at all. This God may do; but yet there are particular waies, which if walked in, God may give thee this white stone, as it is called, Revel. 2. 17. Thou shalt walk as one acquitted from thy sin, and no man can tell what it is thou feelest, but thy self only.
And first, We must give all diligence and heed to the obtaining of this privilege.