A30243:385
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.
3. This is eminently discovered in matter of practise. Although a man hath been addicted to sinful ways of pleasure, profit, or any advantage whatsoever, yet all those things that he accounted gain, afterwards he will judge loss for Christs sake. Paul though much engaged in a way against Christianity, yet when once wrought upon, He consulteth not with flesh and blood, Gal. 1. He considers not any carnal reasoning, but applieth immediately, and that without any limitation, to Gods commands, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? (saith he:) He giveth up his heart as a blank, let God write down what he pleaseth. Thus Elihu, supposing upon a false ground Job to be an Hypocrite, doth give him excellent counsel, Job 34. 31, 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born chastisement, I will offend no more. That which I see not, teach thou me; and if I have done iniquity, I will do so no more. Therefore herein mayst thou see the truth of thine heart: canst thou heartily say, that which I see not, teach thou me, Neither profit, pleasure, or any consultation with flesh and blood shall hinder me from my duty. Whereas if you observe the half-conversions of any to God, the Israelites, Jehu, many in the New Testament, you shall find they all flew back upon this ground, They consulted with flesh and blood.
3. This is eminently discovered in matter of practise. Although a man hath been addicted to sinful waies of pleasure, profit, or any advantage whatsoever, yet all those things that he accounted gain, afterwards he will judge loss for Christs sake. Paul though much engaged in a way against Christianitie, yet when once wrought upon, He consulteth not with flesh and blood, Gal. 1. He considers not any carnal reasoning, but applieth immediately, and that without any limitation, to Gods commands, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? (saith he:) He giveth up his heart as a blank, let God write down what he pleaseth. Thus Elihu, supposing upon a false ground Job to be an Hypocrite, doth give him excellent counsel, Job 34. 31, 32. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born chastisement, I will offend no more. That which I see not, teach thou me; and if I have done iniquity, I will do so no more. Therefore herein mayst thou see the truth of thine heart: canst thou heartily say, that which I see not, teach thou me, Neither profit, pleasure, or any consultation with flesh and blood shall hinder me from my dutie. Whereas if you observe the half-conversions of any to God, the Israelites, Jehu, many in the New Testament, you shall find they all flew back upon this ground, They consulted with flesh and blood.