Spiritual Refining, Table of contents
A Table of the Texts and Contents of each SERMON in this TREATISE.
SECT. I. THe Doctrine of Aſſurance and Signes.
SERMON I, II. 2 Corinth. 13. 5. Examine your ſelves whether ye be in the faith, prove your own ſelves, &c. How neceſſary and advantagious the Aſſurance of our being in the ſtate of Grace is.
SERMON III. Whether hypocrites may not attain to ſome meaſure of practicall Knowledge in matters of Religion.
SERMON IV. That Aſſurance may be had.
SERMON V. Handleth the adjuncts of Aſſurance, viz. The Poſſibility, Excellency, Difficulty, and Neceſſity of having it.
SERMON VI. Sheweth the difference between true Aſſurance and Preſumption.
SERMON VII. Containeth Remedies againſt carnall Confidence, with Directions to the Godly that mourn under the ſenſe of the want of Gods favour. And why God doth deny Aſſurance, where he hath given Grace.
SERMON VIII. Holdeth forth divers Propoſitions and diſtinctions about Marks and Aſſurance.
SERMON IX, X. Shewing the lawfulneſſe and duty of proceeding by way of Signs: And proving that inherent gracious Qualifications within a man, evidence his Juſtification. And anſwering many Doubts about Signs.
SERMON XI. Sheweth how many waies men may miſcarry in the work of Self-Examination by Signes.
SECT. II. Containing many true Signes of Grace.
SERMON XII. 1 John 2. 3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his Commandments. Handling Obedience as a ſign of Grace.
SERMON XIII. 2 Cor. 1. 12. For our rejoycing is this, the teſtimony of our Conſcience, that in godly ſimplicity and ſincerity, &c. Handling Sincerity as a ſign of Grace.
SERMON XIV. 1 John 3. 9, 10. Whoſoever is born of God ſinneth not, becauſe the ſeed abideth in him; neither can be ſin, becauſe he is born of God: In this the children of God are manifeſt. That Oppoſition againſt, and Abſtinence from ſin, is a ſign of Grace.
SERMON XV. Pſalm 26. 2. Examine me (O Lord) and prove me, try my reins and heart. That for a man to be willing to have his ſoul ſearched by God, is a ſign of Grace.
SERMON XVI. John 15. 2. Ana every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth, that it may bring forth more fruit. Growth in Grace, a ſign of Grace.
SERMON XVII. 1 John 4. 13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, becauſe he hath given us of his Spirit. Spirituall performance of Duties a ſign of Grace.
SERMON XVIII. 1 John 3. 18. We know that we have paſsed from death to life becauſe we love the Brethren. Love to the Godly is a ſign of Grace.
SECT. III. A Diſcovery of many falſe or unſufficient Signs of Grace which carnall men ſupport themſelves with.
SERMON XIX. Rom 2. 28, 29. For he is not a Jew that is one outwardly, &c. Church-priviledges no ſign of Grace.
SERMON XX. Matth. 7. 22. Many will ſay unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, &c. Gifts and Parts in matters of Religion no ſign of Grace.
SERMON XXI. Hebr. 6. 9. But beloved we hope better things of you, and things that accompany ſalvation. That there may be affections and ſweet motions of heart in holy things, which yet evidence not Grace, nor accompany ſalvation.
SERMON XXII. Rom. 14. 17. For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but Righteouſneſſe, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoſt. Sheweth, That from Judgements, Opinions and Diſputes, Arguments of the Truth of Grace cannot be drawn.
SERMON XXIII. 1 John 4. 1. Beloved, beleeve not every ſpirit, but try the ſpirits, whether they be of God. Declaring what deceits men lie open to, in Judging thoſe things to be Works of the Spirit, which indeed are not.
SERMON XXIV. 1 Cor. 13. 3. And although I give my body to be burned, and have not charity it profiteth me nothing. Manifeſting that the greateſt ſufferings for Chriſt, are not infallible Evidences of Grace.
SERMON XXV. Mat. 19. 20. The young man ſaith unto him, All theſe things have I kept from my youth up, What lack I yet? Shewing that, and whence, men have ſuch ſtrong perſwaſions of their exact keeping of Gods Law.
SERMON XXVI. Acts 26. 5. Which knew me from the beginning (if they would teſtifie) that after the ſtraiteſt ſect of our Religion, I lived a Phariſee. Declaring that many reſt upon a ſtrict way of Religion, which yet cometh not up to, but often is beſide the appointment of the Word.
SERMON XXVII. Mark 7. 7. Howbeit in vain do they worſhip me, teaching for Doctrines the traditions of men. Zeal and diligence in falſe Worſhip, no ground of Comfort.
SERMON XXVIII. Mat. 5. 20. For I ſay unto you that except your righteouſneſse exceed the righteouſneſse of the Scribes and Phariſees, ye ſhall in no wiſe enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Externall obedience to the Law of God, no ſure evidence for heaven.
SERMON XXIX. James 2. 26. For as the body without the ſpirit is dead, ſo faith without works is dead alſo. That a Divine faith or perſwaſion of the truths in Religion, is not evidence ſure enough of our being in the ſtate of Grace.
SERMON XXX. John 8. 54. If I ſhould honour my ſelf my honour were nothing, It is my Father that honoureth me, of whom you ſay, He is your God. That every peaceable frame of heart, and perſwaſion of Gods love, is not a ſure Teſtimony of ſaving Grace.
SERMON XXXI. Deut. 9. 4, 5. Speak not in thy heart, after that the Lord thy God hath caſt them out from before thine eyes, ſaying, For my righteouſneſſe the Lord hath brought me in to poſſeſse this Land, &c. That outward ſucceſſe, proſperity and greatneſſe in the world is no true evidence of Grace.
SERMON XXXII. 2 Pet. 2. 20. For if after they have eſcaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of Jeſus Chriſt, &c. That a mans leaving thoſe groſſe ſins he hath lived in, is no ſign of Grace.
SERMON XXXIII. Mat. 19. 20. When the Diſciples heard this, they were aſtoniſhed, ſaying, Who then can be ſaved? The Difficulty, and in ſome ſenſe, impoſſibility of ſalvation, notwithſtanding the eaſineſſe which men fancy to themſelves thereof.
SECT. IV. Wherein is handled the Nature of Sanctifying Grace, under the Title of Regeneration, with the Counterfeit thereof.
SERMON XXXIV. John 3. 3. Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, Verily, verily, Unleſs a man be born again, he cannot ſee the Kingdom of heaven. Shewing what the New-birth or Regeneration is.
SERMON XXXV. John 3. 10. Art thou a Maſter in Iſrael, and knoweſt not theſe things? Shewing how ignorant, men of great Learning and outward Righteouſneſs in the world, may be of Regeneration.
SERMON XXXVI. John 3. 6. That which is born of the fleſh is fleſh. The ground of the neceſſity of Regeneration is the corruption of mens nature.
SERMON XXXVII. John 3. 8. The winde bloweth where it listeth, and thou heareſt the ſound thereof, but canſt not tell whence it cometh, nor whither it goeth, &c. Of the Unexpreſſableneſſe of this New life.
SERMON XXXVIII. John 3. 3. Unleſs a man be born again he cannot ſee the Kingdome of heaven. Laying open the Counterfeits of the New-birth.
SERMON XXXIX. Declaring what both by Duty and Priviledge a ſon of God is, which he becometh by the New-birth.
SECT. V. Treating of the nature of Grace under the name New-creature, with the Counterfeit of it.
SERMON XL. Gal. 6. 15. For in Chriſt Jeſus, neither circumciſion or uncircumciſion availeth any thing, but a new-creature. Shewing the Neceſſity of the New-creature.
SERMON XLI. Sheweth, That the Production of the New-creature is from God alone, and what Attributes are conſpicuous in the work.
SERMON XLII. Shewing what the New-creature doth not imply, and to what it is oppoſed.
SERMON XLIII. Concerning the ſupernaturality and excellent Qualities of the New-creature.
SERMON XLIV. Anſwering thoſe carnall Objections men are apt to make againſt ſuch a change in themſelves.
SERMON XLV. Shewing the Counterfeit of the New-creature.
SECT. VI. Handling Grace as Gods Workmanſhip, and Good works as the end thereof.
SERMON XLVI. Epheſ. 2. 10. For we are his workmanſhip, created in Chriſt Jeſus unto good works, which God had before ordained, that we ſhould walk in them. The New-creature is Gods workmanſhip: Alſo its neceſſity and Dignity.
SERMON XLVII. That God gives Grace to the moſt indiſpoſed.
SERMON XLVIII. Of Good works, What to be created unto Good works implies, and what works are good.
SERMON XLIX. Setting forth divers Diſtinctions and Axioms to clear the Doctrine of Good works.
SECT. VII. Of the Sanctifying work of the Spirit under the nation of Grace, with the Counterfeit of it.
SERMON L. Hebr. 13. 9. For it is a good thing that the heart be eſtabliſhed with grace. not with meats, that have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Of the hearts being eſtabliſhed with Grace, and in what ſenſe it is ſo.
SERMON LI. Shewing why Grace in the heart is better then unneceſſary Diſputes in the head, together with rules how to manage Diſputes and Controverſies without prejudice to Grace.
SERMON LII. That there is a work of God upon a mans heart, which is called Grace: And why inward holineſſe is called Grace.
SERMON LIII. Characters and Properties of a Gracious man.
SERMON LIV. Rom. 2. 15. And ſhew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conſcience alſo bearing witneſs, &c. Of the Counterfeit of inherent Grace, viz. Naturall honeſty: And why God hath continued in wicked men the uſe of Conſcience.
SERMON LV. Shewing the cauſes of the ſenſeleſneſs, ſilence and ſtupidity of the Conſciences of moſt men.
SERMON LVI. Shewing how prevalent Naturall conſcience hath been in Heathens in reference to good Laws, Books, Affections, Lives; and how it ſhould ſtir up Chriſtians to jealouſie.
SERMON LVII. Demonſtrating, that Naturall piety, Honeſty and Sobriety, which is in Heathens or any others, is not Grace.
SERMON LVIII. Of Ethicks or Morall Philoſophy, that it leads not to ſalvation: And that the morall vertues of Temperance, Fortitude, Juſtice, Liberality, &c. are not Grace.
SECT. VIII. Treateth of the Nature of converting Grace, under the Notion of Waſhing or Sanctifying.
SERMON LIX. 1 Cor. 6. 11. And ſuch were ſome of you, but ye are waſhed, but ye are ſanctified, but ye are juſtified in the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and by the Spirit of our God. To undeceive men, that think, though they live wickedly, yet they ſhall die happily: And how it comes to paſſe that men are ſo prone to deceive themſelves.
SERMON LX. That Gods grace of converſion is ſometimes vouchſafed to the worſt of men.
SERMON LXI. Of the Waſhing and Cleanſing of a ſinner.
SERMON LXII. Of the Grace of God ſanctifying a ſinner.
SERMON LXIII. Signs and Characters of ſanctified ones.
SERMON LXIV. The Counterfeit of Sanctification, That devotion in ſuperſtitious cuſtomes, or Gods own Ordinances, or in being externally in Covenant with God, do not really ſanctifie a man.
SERMON LXV. Comfortable Directions to poor doubting Chriſtians.
SECT. IX. Of the work of Grace under the Notion of Converſion or Turning unto God.
SERMON LXVI. Ezek. 33. 11. Say unto them, As I live faith the Lord God, I have no pleaſure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live: Wherefore turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; For why will ye dye, O houſe of Iſrael. Shewing, that the damnation of wicked men, is unpleaſing to God, and that which he delights not in.
SERMON LXVII. Divers Propoſitions or Conſiderations introductory to the Doctrine of Converſion.
SERMON LXVIII. The impediments and obſtruction of Converſion; and what kinde of perſons are moſt unlikly ever to be converted; not to drive them to deſpair, but to awaken them out of their ſecurity.
SERMON LXIX. The motives and grounds of our turning unto God.
SERMON LXX. Anſwering ſome prejudices and cavils of ungodly men againſt converſion or turning unto God.
SERMON LXXI. That ungodly Friends and Relations are great hindrances of ones Converſion: With ſome helps or directions to thoſe that are thereby kept in their ſins.
SERMON LXXII. Some Helps and Encouragements to thoſe that are diſcouraged, becauſe of the fruitleſneſs of their Reſolutions to repent, or the hainouſneſs of their ſins.
SERMON LXXIII. Jer. 18. 11. Thus ſaith the Lord, Behold I frame evil againſt you, and deviſe a device againſt you: Return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. Of Gods framing and deviſing evil of Calamities, that men might turn from their evil doings: Alſo, what Gods framing and deviſing evil implies; and why judgements and afflictions, which are the good effects of Gods Juſtice, Wiſdom and Power, are called evil.
SERMON LXXIV. Of Afflictions, the difference between penal deſtructive calamities, and thoſe that are Medicinal: And how Afflictions are operative to the Converſion of men.
SERMON LXXV. Of the time of turning unto God (viz.) Preſently.
SERMON LXXVI. That Converſion puts a man upon leaving his beloved ſin: The Reaſon of the difference of Darling ſins in men; and the ſigns by which a man may know his beloved ſin.
SERMON LXXVII. Sheweth that all perſons have need to turn unto God: And ſets forth the true acceptable motives to repentance.
SERMON LXXVIII. Jer 18. 12. And they ſaid, There is no hope, but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imaginations of his evil heart. Of the wilful obſtinacy that is in ſome men, with the cauſes thereof: And that ignorance of ones duty is no excuſe.
SERMON LXXIX. Joel 2. 12, 13. Therefore alſo now, ſaith the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with faſting, and with weeping and mourning, and rent your hearts, and not your garments, &c. Of turning not onelyonly from ſin, but to God; and how many ways men may do the former, and not the latter: Alſo, what it is to turn to God.
SERMON LXXX. That our turning to God muſt be with the whole heart: Wherein hearty Converſion conſiſts, with the effects of it.
SERMON LXXXI. Of Tears and Sorrow for ſin, and that they muſt accompany converſion.
SERMON LXXXII. The nature and neceſſity of godly ſorrow and weeping for ſin, as accompanying Converſion.
SERMON LXXXIII. Jer. 23. 22. But if they had ſtood in my Counſel, and had cauſed my people to hear my words, then they ſhould have turned them from their evil ways, and from the evil of their doings. Of the Miniſtery of the word, as the means of Converſion, with the other ends thereof, &c.
SERMON LXXXIV. Why Gods power unto Converſion, doth not always go along with his word, though diſpenſed by a faithful Miniſtry: And whether corrupt or prophane Miniſters may be a means of Converſion.
SECT. X. Of the nature of Grace, under the Expreſsions of Taking away the Stony Heart, Giving a Heart of Fleſh, and, Writing Gods Laws in the Heart, with the counterfeit thereof.
SERMON LXXXV. Ezek. 32. 26. I will take away the ſtony heart out of your fleſh, and I will give you an heart of fleſh. Diſplayeth Gods Soveraignty and Dominion over the hearts of men.
SERMON LXXXVI. Of the Heart of Stone, and what wickedneſs that name implyes.
SERMON LXXXVII. Of Gods making a true Converts heart tender and flexible for every duty: Alſo, what Heart of fleſh imples, with the effects and conſequencies of it.
SERMON LXXXVIII. Holding forth inducements to get this promiſed Heart of fleſh: Alſo, ſhewing the counterfeit of it.
SECT. XI. Handling Grace under the Notion of Gods putting his Spirit within us, and Cauſing us to walk in his ſtatutes.
SERMON LXXXIX. Ezek. 36. 27. And I will put my ſpirit within you, and cauſe you to walk in my statutes, and you ſhall keep my judgements, and do them. Of Gods giving his Spirit to a man, and what that promiſe implies: Alſo, of the operations and effects of the ſpirit of God, where it ſo comes.
SERMON XC. That the work of Grace is a deep, powerful and inward affecting of the whole man: And how far Grace may be tendred or rceived, and yet not be put effectually into our inwards: Alſo, what this inward deep work of Grace is, with the ſigns and effects of it.
SERMON XCI. Of the order and method that God takes in our Converſion: Firſt working in us inward principles, and then cauſing us to walk in his ſtatutes, oppoſite to the Doctrines of Pelagians, Papists, Arminians, and Moral Philoſophy: Alſo, ſigns to diſcover whether our outward duties proceed from Grace within, or from Humane reſpects.
SERMON XCII. That true principles of Grace within, muſt needs demonſtrate themſelves by an outward godly life.
SERMON XCIII. Gods not onelyonly infuſing the inward principles of Grace, but alſo vouchſafing his quickning, actuating, aſſiſting Grace unto his people, inabling them to walk in his ſtatutes, maintained againſt Pelagians, Arminians and Papiſts: Alſo, the happy condition of thoſe who have this latter Grace, as well as the former.
SERMON XCIV. Shewing that true Converts make godlineſs their ordinary practice: And what to walk in Gods ſtatutes implies.
SERMON XCV. That converted perſons are very careful and tender of the worſhip of God, obſerving that, and onelyonly that which he hath commanded.
SERMON XCVI. Of Righteouſneſs and Equity between man and man: And how tender and conſcientious a true convert is therein.
SERMON XCVII. The Hammer of Arminianiſm, demonſtrating, That God converting and changing a ſinner, works after an Omnipotent efficacious and irreſiſtible manner, againſt the Patrons of Freewill, and power of man to ſupernatural things.
SERMON XCVIII. The freeneſs of Gods grace in converſion, diſplayed and maintained againſt Arminians and others.
SECT. XII. Handling the work of Grace under the Title of Vocation, or Calling.
SERMON XCIX. Rom. 8. 30. Moreover, whom he did predeſtinate, them he alſo called, &c. The nature of Vocation opened, in reſpect of the efficient and inſtrumental cauſes of it.
SERMON C. Holding forth the nature of vocation or divine calling.
SERMON XCI. A further Explanation of the nature of effectual calling, by ſhewing from what, and to what God calls us: As alſo, the Epithets the Scripture gives it.
SERMON CII. Contains ſome choice properties or effects that accompany effectual vocation, whereby men may examine and try themſelves whether they be ſo called or no.
SERMON CIII. 1 Cor. 1. 26. For ye ſee your calling, brethren, how that not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble are called. Sitrring up to ſerious and fixed Meditations upon this calling, in reſpect of the manner and time of it, and the perſons called.
SERMON CIV. Of true ſpiritual wiſdom, the nature and properties of it, diſcovering who are the real wiſe men in the world.
SERMON CV. Wiſe men after the fleſh Characterized, and (by God for the moſt part) rejected.
SERMON CVI. Reaſons why God paſſeth by Humane wiſdom, with the difference between it and true ſpiritual wiſdom: Alſo, the commendation of Humane Learning, and how neceſſary it is for a Miniſter.
SERMON CVII. Of the conſiſtency of earthly greatneſs and nobility with godlineſs: And yet notwithſtanding, how rare it is for ſuch men to be called and ſaved.
SERMON CVIII. Mat. 22. 14. For many are called, but few are choſen. The Goſpel feaſt, and who are welcome Gueſt, and who not.
SERMON CIX. That moſt of thoſe that are called, come ſhort of what is abſolutely neceſſary: And who they be.
SERMON CX. A plea for ſtickneſs in Religion.
SERMON CXI. Of Election and Reprobation, and of the fewneſs and properties of thoſe that are choſen, anſwering the Objections of men, and clearing the Juſtice of God.
SERMON CXII. More ſigns and effects of Election, with directions to thoſe that are overwhelmed with thoughts and fears whether they are elected or no.
SERMON CXIII. Epheſ. 4. 1. I therefore the Priſoner of the Lord, beſeech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. Of Chriſtians walking worthy of their calling, what to walk worthy implyes; and what are the properties and actions that will become and grace our holy calling.
SERMON CXIV. Of the nature, extent and example of that holineſs to which God calls a man.
SERMON CXV. Of the glorious eſtate of the Saints in heaven, to which God calls all ſinners repenting and believing.
SERMON CXVI. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Wherefore the rather (Brethren) give all diligence to make your calling and election ſure. The Nature, Poſſibility, Duty and Means of the Aſſurance of ones effectual calling.
SERMON CXVII. The poſſibility and duty of Aſſurance of our calling demonſtrated: And the Reaſons why ſome think a certain aſſurance impoſſible; with Anſwers to the Objections brought againſt it.
SERMON CXVIII. The advantages the godly have by aſſurance: How it may be known from preſumption; with directions to the godly that want it.
SERMON CXIX. Acts 2. 29. For the promiſe is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God ſhall call. Sheweth in how many reſpects wicked men (before their effectual Calling) are afar off from God, and conſequently miſerable.
SERMON CXX. That not all mankinde are called with a ſaving call; How abſurd it is to hold, That the works of God, the Sun, Moon and Stars, &c. may ſo call men: And Gods Juſtice cleared in that point, ſtirring up all to behold the ſeverity and goodneſs of the Lord.