A30243:2981
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 118
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 it may be questioned, What that godly person should do, 1who hath not this assurance; though grace be in him, he knoweth it not, yea he thinketh the clean contrary. Even as Luke 24. 16. When Jesus after his resurrection appeared to the disciples, though he drew nigh to them, and talked to them, yet saith the text, Their eyes were holden, that they did not know him. So it is with many a gracious heart, Christ is spiritually in the soul, grace is present, yet he cannot feel this. Though the sun of righteousness be in his heart, yet he walketh in darkness.
In the next place it may be questioned, What that godly person should do, 1who hath not this assurance; though grace be in him, he knoweth it not, yea he thinketh the clean contrary. Even as Luke 24. 16. When Jesus after his resurrection appeared to the disciples, though he drew nigh to them, and talked to them, yet saith the text, Their eies were holden, that they did not know him. So it is with many a gracious heart, Christ is spiritually in the soul, grace is present, yet he cannot feel this. Though the sun of righteousnesse be in his heart, yet he walketh in darknesse.
- 1What a godly person should do that wants Assurance.
Now to such an one we say, Let him walk in a faith of adherence and dependence when he hath none of these evidences. This the Scripture calls trusting, relying, leaning and staying of the soul upon God. David in many Psalms hath only this plank to stand upon in the great Ocean: For this you must know, though assurance be a duty, and to be pressed after, yet it is not the faith that justifieth. Thou mayest belong to God, and have an interest in the promise, though thou feel no evidences of it. Who is he that feareth God, walking in darkness and hath no light, let him stay himself upon God?