A Treatise of Self-Judging, Dedication
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE Sir John Dethick Lord Maior of the City of London, AND The reſt of the Aldermen.
RIGHT HONOURABLE,
THis Sermon formerly preached b…fore you and entertained with your good approbation, is now in Obedience to your Order made more publick; whereunto I was more willingly induced, becauſe of the ſpecial uſefulneſs of the Subject. The Doctrine of the Day of Judgement, with the practical improvement thereof, being much inſiſted upon bo…h by our Saviour and the Apoſtles, yea the Duties in reference to this Day, are ſo importunately urged, as that, Whether we eat or drink, whether we walk or ſit ſtill, our thoughts and meditations ſhould be fervent and affectionate about it; and which is the more to be obſerved, this Truth is a fountain from which cometh bitter and ſweet; In it is both a ſting and honey; from the ſame root ſprings the Roſe and the prickles; Would we raiſe up our dejected and diſconſolate hearts? the thoughts of this Day, like Davids Harp, would expell all ſuch evil apprehenſions; Would we awaken our dead and dull ſpirits? Would we curb and bridle our immoderate affections? the meditations upon this Day would be like a fiery Sword to keep fr…m them. Hence it is that the Scripture maketh this two-fola Uſe thereof, for Comfort (to the Godly, I mean) Therefore (Luk. 21.28.) they are commanded upon the approach of that Day, To lift up their heads, for their Redemption draweth near. It is a Day of Redemption to th…e who art kept a priſoner in this Aegypt of the world; A mighty Deliverance will then be wrought for thee from ſinne and miſery; How bleſſed then and comfortable must the thoughts of this time be to thee? Luthers expreſsion was (Sermon. de Signis prae. extr. Jud.) That he had rather never have been born, than not to be in hope of this Day. Hence it is that God exerciſeth his children in this Wilderneſs, that Canaan their rest in Heaven may be more deſired. Luther (ibidem) ſaith of himſelf, That once he was very angry, and could not endure the matter of the Lords Prayer, wherein Chriſts Kingdom is prayed for, but after that God had toſſed him up and down with the waves and tempeſts that he met with in this world, then no Petition could be more welcome to him. He that doth not look for, and haſten Chriſts coming, is not yet weaned enough from the world, his corrupt heart is not burden enough to him. The things of this world have too much interest in his ſoul, and therefore with the children of Reuben they had rather take up their habitation on this ſide Canaan, becauſe the Land was fruitfull and advantagious: But where the heart is raiſed up to a ſpiritual frame, there their hopes, deſires, and ardent affections are breaking and longing for his coming, even as Siſera his mother, Judg. 5.28. looked out at the window, expecting his triumphing return, and crying, Why is his Chariot ſo long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his Chariot?
The ſecond Uſe, which is of Terrour, and thereby to keep back from ſinne, to preſerve in a conſtant watching and praying, which the Scripture likewiſe frequently commendeth, is diligently to be heeded by every one, eſpecially (Right Honourable and Right Worſhipfull) by you who are called to the Publick Government of that famous City, the meditation on that Day ſhould be as powerfull to awaken your ſouls for Zeal to the glory of God, and righteouſneſs in all your adminiſtrations; As the ſound of the Trumpet, and the voice of the Archangel will be effectual to raiſe your bodies. And the rather attend hereunto, becauſe that Day among other ends is eſpecially Judicare non judicata, & malè judicata, The ſinnes not judged and not puniſhed, and the things falſly and unrighteouſly judged; God will at that Day have a review of them, ſo that the crooked things which are in this world will then be made ſtraight. At that Day, riches, honours, and the pomp of the world will be in no requeſt, but an interest in Chriſt, to have him our Mediatour and Friend, who is the Judge, will be the only happineſs, of which the Lord grant you to be partakers, ſo as to finde mercy in that Day, is the prayer of
Your humble Servant in the work of the Miniſtry ANTHONY BURGESSE.