A30243:2929
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.
Fourthly, This assurance is obtained and preserved by a tender watchfulness against all known sin. For it being sin only that separates between God and the soul, 1this only raiseth up the great gulf; therefore all witting and willing allowing of this, is a direct destroyer of all assurance: And herein this holy certainty is expressly distinguished from all carnal presumption, which makes a man have confidence and boldness, though in the constant custom of all gross and foul sins. They can live in all uncleanness, in all lusts of the flesh, in all contempt and neglect of God and his worship, and yet have as vehement persuasions that their hearts are good, and that Christ will save them, as if they committed no such sin; oh therefore that way might be made for Christ by throwing away all such dangerous conclusions! If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me, saith David. And the Apostle saith expressly, If our hearts condemn us not, we have boldness with God, 1 John 3. There is no mans heart, but it condemneth him for many defects, and several failings; but he speaks of a condemning for the willing practice of known sins. No marvel then, if thou complainest thou hast no assurance, thou hast no certainty; for as long as there are these desperate venturings upon sin, it cannot be but continual quakings should be upon thee. If Cain carry about with him guilt in his conscience, no wonder if he fear every thing will destroy him. David could have no peace in his bones, while any sin lay unconfessed and unforsaken.
Fourthly, This assurance is obtained and preserved by a tender watchfulnesse against all known sin. For it being sin only that separates between God and the soul, 1this only raiseth up the great gulf; therefore all witting and willing allowing of this, is a direct destroier of all assurance: And herein this holy certainty is expresly distinguished from all carnall presumption, which makes a man have confidence and boldnesse, though in the constant custom of all grosse and foul sins. They can live in all uncleannesse, in all lusts of the flesh, in all contempt and neglect of God and his worship, and yet have as vehement perswasions that their hearts are good, and that Christ will save them, as if they committed no such sin; oh therefore that way might be made for Christ by throwing away all such dangerous conclusions! If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me, saith David. And the Apostle saith expresly, If our hearts condemn us not, we have boldnesse with God,