A30243:3001
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 119
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.
3. Vers. 16. The promise of these extraordinary gifts is said to be fulfilled at that time, and therefore not to be expected at any other time. By the promise therefore which sometimes is in the singular, and sometimes in the plural number, because of the many good and spiritual things promised therein, we are to understand the Covenant of grace, wherein God promiseth to be the God of believers, and their seed; for that which was made to Abraham, setting aside some personal privileges, is made to every believer. Now in this Covenant is contained Pardon of sin, and all other mercies, which Baptism sealeth; and that this is the meaning, is plain, Chap. 3. 25. Ye are the children of the Prophets, and of the Covenant God made with our fathers; So the promise here, is that gracious Covenant of God, whereby he offers grace to those that do accept it; now those that accept it are such as are inwardly sanctified, and these have the inward Covenant as well as the outward administration of it. But secondly, Others do only outwardly accept of it, and profess their obedience to it, are not inwardly regenerated, and these only have the external Covenant, and a right to Church-privileges, being destitute of the saving benefit by them: So that ⟨p. 688⟩this promise of grace in the outward offer of it, as also in the Church-privileges, are dispensed to such, who sometimes have an external profession only, but are without the inward efficacy of it.
3. Vers. 16. The promise of these extraordinary gifts is said to be fulfilled at that time, and therefore not to be expected at any other time. By the promise therefore which sometimes is in the singular, and sometimes in the plural number, because of the many good and spiritual things promised therein, we are to understand the Covenant of grace, wherein God promiseth to be the God of believers, and their seed; for that which was made to Abraham, setting aside some personal priviledges, is made to every believer. Now in this Covenant is contained Pardon of sinne, and all other mercies, which Baptism sealeth; and that this is the meaning, is plain, Chap. 3. 25. Ye are the children of the Prophets, and of the Covenant God made with our fathers; So the promise here, is that gracious Covenant of God, whereby he offers grace to those that do accept it; now those that accept it are such as are inwardly sanctified, and these have the inward Covenant as well as the outward administration of it. But secondly, Others do only outwardly accept of it, and professe their obedience to it, are not inwardly regenerated, and these onely have the external Covenant, and a right to Church-priviledges, being destitute of the saving benefit by them: So that