Three Questions Resolved Briefly and Plainly, Title page – Dedication
THREE QUESTIONS Reſolved briefly and plainly, VIZ. What Conceptions ought we to have of the bleſſed God? What are thoſe Truths, whereof the Knowledge appeareth moſt indiſpenſibly neceſſary unto our Salvation; and (therefore) to be firſt and moſt Learnt by us? What is the Change wrought in a Man by God's H. Word and Spirit, before he can ſafely conclude himſelf paſs'd from Death to Life? Being the Summ of three Sermons. By Daniel Burgeſs.
John 21.15. Jeſus ſaith unto him, Feed my Lambs (i. e. Souls, even the Loweſt.)
1 Cor. 3.2. I have fed you with Milk, and not with Meat, (i. e. Doctrine fit for weaklings, not folk of ſtrong underſtanding.)
LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurſt at the Bible and Three Crowns, at the lower end of Cheapſide, and Robert Gibbs at the Golden Ball in Chancery-Lane. 1688.
TO THE Congregation under my Care.
IT is ſaid, my Brethren, that whatever Affections be in the Middle, they have two ſharp Ends.
Our firſt Love has been as Zealous, as our firſt Knowledge was Wondrous. I am perſuaded alſo, that when we ſhall be Parted, it will be no leſs Ardent. And our ſeparation will be, as that of our Limbs from each other would be. May it be our Care, that, whiles we are Kept together by good Providence, we admit no chill in that ſweet and uſeful Grace; but ſhew it to be a godly Love, by having it like the Love of God, That is Ʋnchangeable.
I have nothing for you Great, but my Love. Next unto it, is my Labour: But, as my Talent is ſlender, that it ſelf is ſhorter than my Deſire. Without your very great Affection, I can expect little ſucceſs of my Preaching or Writing. Thereby I am encouraged unto both, and in both, as yet. It is that which hath given the Imprimatur unto theſe Notes. For, tho' of the Truths of God in them, I ſtudy to think moſt honourably: yet, as to any thing that is mine in them, I praiſe God, I do think very deſpicably. And am prepared to hear it undiſturbedly, if others ſhall think ſo too.
Neither do I purpoſe to put you off with theſe Fragments. But pay the whole that I am Debtor of by Promiſe unto you, if the Lord will, and I live. I muſt beg your Patience indeed for ſome time. Nor need I ſay for what Reaſons; being all that know me, know them alſo.
You think, (as I do, tho' on a different reaſon,) my Days on Earth will be few. Be they more or leſs, the greateſt part of them ſhall be ſpent in Pains and Prayers for your Perſons and Families. While I am capable of either, You, more than any others, ſhall have them. Even Self-love bids you Pray for me: and I know you have other Motives. Therefore I Expect it, and not Intreat it.
I am, An Affectionate Servant of your Faith, Obedience and Joy, D. Burgeſs.