A30243:404
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.
4. Whereas in natural growth there is a terminus prefixed both for the time, and dimensions, insomuch that when there is an arrival to such a stature and age, they grow no more; there is nutrition always but not augmentation; Nature hath her maximum quod sic, beyond which she moveth not: but now it is not so in the way of grace; For there we cannot attain to any such degree of grace, but still there is a large room for more; and it is our sin if we press not forward to attain it, Phil. 3. Paul did forget all that was behind, and did [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew] earnestly pursue and endeavour after that before him. It is true indeed, God hath appointed to every man that measure of grace he shall receive in this life; yet not so, but that it is his duty to do more, even as much as the perfect Law of God requireth, so that here is no time to stand still. Thy faith ought to be greater and stronger, there is no grace in thee but it might be better: Thou canst never say of thy spiritual good things, as Dives of his temporal; Soul, take thy ease, thou hast enough laid up in store for thee.
4. Whereas in naturall growth there is a terminus prefixed both for the time, and dimensions, insomuch that when there is an arrivall to such a stature and age, they grow no more; there is nutrition alwaies but not augmentation; Nature hath her maximum quod sic, beyond which she moveth not: but now it is not so in the way of grace; For there we cannot attain to any such degree of grace, but still there is a large room for more; and it is our sinne if we presse not forward to attain it, Phil. 3. Paul did forget all that was behinde, and did 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 earnestly pursue and endeavour after that before him. It is true indeed, God hath appointed to every man that measure of grace he shall receive in this life; yet not so, but that it is his duty to do more, even as much as the perfect Law of God requireth, so that here is no time to stand still. Thy faith ought to be greater and stronger, there is no grace in thee but it might be better: Thou canst never say of thy spirituall good things, as Dives of his temporall; Soul, take thy ease, thou hast enough laid up in store for thee.