A30243:378
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 2 › Sermon 15
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.
4. God trieth us by the illuminations of his Spirit, and strong convictions thereby. ⟨p. 81⟩Thus God proveth us, and makes us to know what we are, and wherein we fail. John 16. The spirit of God convinceth of sin, and of righteousness; and we are forbidden to quench the spirit: a metaphor (as some say) from the fire in the Temple that was not to be put out. And again it is the character of the stiffnecked Jews, as fitted for destruction, that they always resisted the spirit of God. If therefore thou wouldest have comfort from this sign, consider how the illuminations and motions of Gods Spirit are cherished, and nourished by thee. As soon as the cock croweth, doest thou go out and weep bitterly? Is not the Spirit of God grieved, and embittered by thee? Oh, though they be dear, and pleasant, or profitable sins, yet the Spirit of God convinceth thee of them, makes thee forsake them: and doest thou rejoice under this work of Gods Spirit upon thee? Doest not thou resist and rise up against it? Oh, (beloved) deeply weigh this. Though it may be there are some so swinish and beastly, that the spirit of God never moveth or worketh in them: Yet there are others who are not yet forsaken by God, but in the ministry he stands at the door, and knocks; he beckons unto thee to come unto him. Oh, now is God proving thee, examining thee. Now is he trying thee, if truth be in thee thou wilt be glad in this work of God upon thee, and desire still more and more burning, and shining light within thee.
4. God tryeth us by the illuminations of his Spirit, and strong convictions thereby. ⟨p. 81⟩Thus God proveth us, and makes us to know what we are, and wherein we fail. John 16. The spirit of God convinceth of sin, and of righteousness; and we are forbidden to quench the spirit: a metaphor (as some say) from the fire in the Temple that was not to be put out. And again it is the character of the stiffnecked Jewes, as fitted for destruction, that they alwaies resisted the spirit of God. If therefore thou wouldest have comfort from this sign, consider how the illuminations and motions of Gods Spirit are cherished, and nourished by thee. As soon as the cock croweth, doest thou go out and weep bitterly? Is not the Spirit of God grieved, and imbittered by thee? Oh, though they be dear, and pleasant, or profitable sins, yet the Spirit of God convinceth thee of them, makes thee forsake them: and doest thou rejoyce under this work of Gods Spirit upon thee? Doest not thou resist and rise up against it? Oh, (beloved) deeply weigh this. Though it may be there are some so swinish and beastly, that the spirit of God never moveth or worketh in them: Yet there are others who are not yet forsaken by God, but in the ministrie he stands at the dore, and knocks; he beckens unto thee to come unto him. Oh, now is God proving thee, examining thee. Now is he trying thee, if truth be in thee thou wilt be glad in this work of God upon thee, and desire still more and more burning, and shining light within thee.