A30243:382
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.
As God useth these several ways to prove us, and the soul of a Godly man is ready 1herein, so in these three cases especially doth a Godly man give up himself to be examined.
As God useth these several waies to prove us, and the soul of a Godly man is ready 1herein, so in these three cases especially doth a Godly man give up himself to be examined.
- 1A godly man gives up him self to be examined, proved, Especially, 1.
First, In matters of Doctrine: Although Heresy may be merely in matter of Conscience and Opinion, yet for the most part, carnal principles and motives are interwoven therewith: now a Godly man having a right understanding how obnoxious he is to Errors, and subject to blindness in every thing; and how deceitful his heart also is, pretending for God, when indeed it is for nothing but self, is therefore more ready to hearken to all light and reproof: As the spirit of God doth lead into Truth, so it doth also at the same time affect with much modesty and humility. It is good to observe the excellent temperament of Paul, 1 Cor. 7. in determining that case of conscience about marriage to the Corinthians: His expressions are, Yet not I, but the Lord; and I think I have the spirit of God. The same candour and ingenuity ⟨p. 82⟩doth he work in his children: If therefore a Godly man doth err any dangerous error, it is with him as in other sins; he doth not flatter himself; his heart is apt to smite him. Errare possum Haereticus esse nolo, he will not be obstinate; he is earnest to have all things searched and tried; whereas it is the nature of Hypocrisy to maintain those positions which are for profit, and self-interest, against all light. Are not the Pharisees a sad instance for this, who though they had no just ground to oppose our Saviour, yet because Christs way was destructive to their applause and credit; when they could not fairly answer, they would foully blaspheme: Whereupon our Saviour chargeth them with blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.