A30243:396
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 16
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 Parable you have first the similitude laid down generally, I am the true Vine, and my Father the Husbandman. The true Vine [Greek or Hebrew], because the properties of a natural Vine to its natural branch, are nothing in respect of what Christ is to his spiritual branches.
In the Parable you have first the similitude laid down generally, I am the true Vine, and my Father the Husbandman. The true Vine 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, because the properties of a naturall Vine to its naturall branch, are nothing in respect of what Christ is to his spirituall branches.
In the second verse you have a distinction of two kind of branches in Christ, which also doth insinuate exhortation to look to our selves. The first kind of branch is, that which is in him not bearing fruit. He doth not by this mean an heathen or a flagitious wicked man, but an hypocrite that hath the visibility of a branch but not the reality: he doth not say, Every briar or nettle that bringeth not forth fruit, but every branch; But how is an hypocrite in Christ? not by any internal union, but outward profession, by the Sacraments, and in the judgement of others, he is in Christ, as a scion newly grafted on a tree, which yet hath no coalition with it, or receiveth any juice or nourishment from it, and see that terrible judgement that impendeth this unprofitable branch: A nettle in the garden, weeds among corn, ill branches in a vine, are in the greater danger, and so is a Christian in the Church, not inwardly participating of efficacy from Christ. In the first place he doth [Greek or Hebrew], take him away, which is more particularly amplified ver. 6. he is cast forth of the vineyard, Christ bids them depart, then he withers, for though he had no fruit, yet he had leaves, and all this decays; and lastly, he is cast into the fire to be burnt. The other kind of branch is that which being in Christ brings forth fruit, and concerning this observe the care and love of the vine-dresser, [Greek or Hebrew], he purgeth it, for that is necessary for vine-branches: Therefore the Hebrew word for a branch or vine is called [Greek or Hebrew] Zamorah a resecando,