A30243:386
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.
In the next place let us consider what are the effects of such a gracious temper in the heart. And
1. Where this is, it doth not excuse or mitigate sin, but takes in with God against its own self. The Apostle speaking of the Corinthians repentance, acknowledgeth their zeal, fear, and indignation, and revenge against them selves. See 1 Cor. 11. If we would judge our selves, we should not be judged of the Lord.
2. Not resting upon generals, but particularly applying matters of Duty. The Prophet Jeremiah complaineth, no man saith? What have I done? The young man comforted himself well enough in the general, till our Saviour in particular tried him, and then he went away sorrowful: particular applications and discharge of duty, will try, as the jealousy water did the suspected woman. A man may speak and preach for godliness in the general, but when it comes to particulars, he cannot ⟨p. 83⟩abide it. The Pharisees, they commended the Prophets that lived before them; but Christ, and those that lived at that time who reproved them for their sins, they could not abide. Therefore it is a good rule of the Ancient, When, saith he, you hear a man commending those ancient doctors that went before: see how he is affected to his present Teachers. That opposition which wicked men show to those present men alive that discover God to them, they would do to Peter and Paul; to Austin and Chrysostom, if they were alive. But when a thing is general, or afar off, it doth not move at all: particular present things, do discover what men are, and a sincere heart loveth those best.