A30243:380
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.
The vessels soundness is tried in the fire: The Mariners skill in a storm: The trees in a windy tempest. In winnowing all the chaff flieth a way. There is a comfortable place to the Godly, Zach. 13. 9. God promiseth he will refine them as Gold by their afflictions, they shall only lose their dross.
The vessels soundness is tryed in the fire: The Mariners skill in a storm: The trees in a windy tempest. In winnowing all the chaff flyeth a way. There is a comfortable place to the Godly, Zach. 13. 9. God promiseth he will refine them as Gold by their afflictions, they shall only lose their dross.
6. And this is the sixth way of Trial, viz. When God brings us under his chastisements. This manifesteth what metal we are of. 1 Pet. 1. 7. The trial of the Godly by those troubles, is said to be more excellent then that of the gold in the fire, because that is perishing, and this abideth for ever. Hence afflictions are only called Temptations, and not Mercies, though they many times discover what we are. Now indeed, we are not to pray to God that God would afflict us, that he would bring us into the fire; but when he doth it, we are to make this advantage, The Lord doth it to humble us, and try us, to see what is in our hearts; whether we will remain constant and faithful unto him: Therefore we do not despise the affliction, or murmur against God; but rejoice that this purging of us, makes us to bring forth more fruit.
6. And this is the sixt way of Tryal, viz. When God brings us under his chastisements. This manifesteth what mettal we are of. 1 Pet. 1. 7. The tryal of the Godly by those troubles, is said to be more excellent then that of the gold in the fire, because that is perishing, and this abideth for ever. Hence afflictions are onely called Temptations, and not Mercies, though they many times discover what we are. Now indeed, we are not to pray to God that God would afflict us, that he would bring us into the fire; but when he doth it, we are to make this advantage, The Lord doth it to humble us, and try us, to see what is in our hearts; whether we will remain constant and faithful unto him: Therefore we do not despise the affliction, or murmur against God; but rejoyce that this purging of us, makes us to bring forth more fruit.