A30243:801
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 3 › Sermon 29
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.
Secondly, There is a defect in its acts, for although this faith carrieth us out to believe 1it as true, yet not to embrace it as good; Whereas the Word of God is not only faithful, but worthy of all acceptation: It's a frigid exposition to say, that faith it called the substance of things, because it makes them to subsist in us by way of understanding merely; no, it causeth those things hoped for to dwell in the soul by strong embracements, so that the heart of a man is knitted to them, Abraham believed my day, and rejoiced; The people of God believe, and herein their hearts do all burn within them: It's like the burning-glass, which by its beams sets the prepared object on fire: pray therefore to love the goodness of it, as assent to the truth of it.
Secondly, There is a defect in its acts, for although this faith carrieth us out to beleeve 1it as true, yet not to embrace it as good; Whereas the Word of God is not only faithfull, but worthy of all acceptation: It's a frigid exposition to say, that faith it called the substance of things, because it makes them to su•sist in us by way of understanding meerly; no, it causeth those things hoped for to dwell in the soul by strong imbracements, so that the heart of a man is knitted to them, Abraham beleeved my day, and rejoyced; The people of God beleeve, and herein their hearts do all burn within them: It's like the burning-glasse, which by its beams sets the prepared object on fire: pray therefore to love the goodnesse of it, as assent to the truth of it.
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Thirdly, There is a defect in the efficacy and power of it; True lively faith will 1like fire devour all dross, whereas we see the historical believer cannot subdue sin. The Jews though they did believe on Christ, yet they for fear dared not to confess him, because they loved the praise of men more then the glory of God; They believed him to be Christ, but would not be afflicted or persecuted for his sake; so