A30243:3008
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.
and this is the condition, as is to be feared, of many thousands, They are nigh God in respect of the Christian faith they profess in respect of the Duties and Ordinances they exercise ⟨p. 689⟩themselves in, but in respect of their affections and heart, so they are at as great distance from God and his holy ways, as Heathen and Publicans. This distinction must be attended unto, that we do not vainly deceive our selves, as the Jews did, with The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.
and this is the condition, as is to be feared, of many thousands, They are nigh God in respect of the Christian faith they profess in respect of the Duties and Ordinances they exercise ⟨p. 689⟩themselves in, but in respect of their affections and heart, so they are at as great distance from God and his holy waies, as Heathen and Publicans. This distinction must be attended unto, that we do not vainly deceive our selves, as the Jews did, with The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.
Secondly, They are afar off in respect of Gods special and gracious love to justify 1their persons, to pardon their sins. This also is urged Ephes. 2. He preached peace to them that were afar off; Peace, so then there was war and enmity before between God and them. And thus they may be said to be without God, both actively and passively; actively as before, having no knowledge or love of God; and passively, God hath no approving knowledge or love of them. Thus are we till God calls us, in a state of Gods displeasure; as Absalom cast out from Davids presence. His anger is towards us all the day long: And if the terror of a King be like the roaring of a lion; what are the frowns and displeasures of the King of Kings! Oh that people were wise to consider, what they are by nature, under what heavy displeasure they are! Doth the Scripture bid us agree with a man that is an adversary quickly in the way, lest he deliver us to the Judge; what reason then is it, to agree with God our adversary speedily, who hath such spiritual and eternal torments to scourge us with, that no man can have? Do not thou please thy self then with these thoughts, that thou hast free access to the presence and into the favour of great ones on earth; for if thou art far off from God, if he regard thee not, if his displeasure be towards thee, thou art in the state of gall and wormwood.