Front matter (continued, part 3)
teri lethalis arundo ; this barbed arrow cannot be pulled hearts by any, but the hand that shot it in. Discourse soul about his troubles, and he will tell you, that all the i ever he had in this world, loss of estate, health, childr
ever else, are but flea-bitings to this ; this swallows up a] bles. See how that Christian Niobe, Luke vii. 38. is di
tears ; " Now deep calleth unto deep at the noise of his w
" when the waves and billows of God go over the soul." sorrows are deep waters, in which the stoutest and mo mous soul would sink and drown, did not Jesus Christ, and supporting hand, hold it up, and preserve it.
(3.) The plow rends the earth in parts and pieces, v iiroc iinitorl nrirl vnnlrp*! thnsp narts linnof Innsp. wV>ifh f
THE IIEAVEKLY USE OF EAUTIII.V THINGS.
comparative, though the expression be negative. And this re inipHes not only acute pain, flesh ainnot be rent asunder withoi guish, nor yet only force and violence ; the heart is a stubbor knotty piece, and will not easily yield ; but it also implies a disi of parts united. As when a garment, or the earth, or any conti^ body is rent, those parts are separated which formerly cleaved ther. Sin and the soul were glued fast together before, ther no parting of them, they would as soon part with their lives, a; their lusts ; but now when the heart is rent from them truly, also rent from them everlastingly, Ezek. vii. 15, to 19-
(4.) The plow turns up and discovers such things as lay hid ; bosom of the earth before, and were covered under a fair greei face, from the eyes of men. Thus when the Lord plows up the
of a sinner by conviction, then the secrets of his heart ai^e mad nifest, 2 Cor. xiv. 24, 25. the most secret and shameful sins wil
out ; for '"' the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper tha
" two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of the sou " spirit, the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the tho
*' and secret intents of the heart,"^ Heb. iv. 12. It makes th burn inwardly, so that the soul hath no rest till confession g vent to trouble. Fain would the shufflincr sinner conceal and his shame, but the word follows him throuo[h all his sinful s and brings him at last to be his own, both accuser, witness, and j
(5.) The work of the plow is but opus ordinabile^ a prepa work in order to fruit. Should the husbandman plow his gi ever so often, yet if the seed be not cast in, and quickened, ir is the harvest expected. Thus conviction also is but a prepai to a farther work upon the soul of a sinner ; if it stick thert goes no farther, it proves but an abortive, or untimelv birth. ] have gone thus far, and there they have stuck ; thev have beei a field plowed, but not sowed, which is a matter of trembling i
deration ; for hereby their sin is greatly aggravated, and their nal misery so nuich the more increased. O when a poor da creature shall with horror reflect upon himself in hell. How
was I once, under such a sermon, to conversion ! my sins wei in order before me, my conscience awakened, and terrified mc the guilt of them : many purposes and resolves I had then to ti God, wliicii had they been perfected by answerable execution, never come to this place of torment ; Ijut there I stuck, and tha ray eternal undoing. Many souls have I known so terrified the guilt of sin, that they have come roaring under horrors ol
15% " HCSBAXDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; OK,
the showers of rain ; tlien the work goes on sweetly anc never doth the heart so kindly melt, as when the gospel solve, and the free grace and love of Jesus Christ coi showering down upon it ; then it relents and mourns ii
Ezek. xvi. 63. " That thou mayest remember, and be *
" and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy s *' I am pacified towards thee for all that thou hast dc was with that poor penitent, Luke vii. 38. when the Lor discovered to her the superabounding riches of his grace don of her manifold abominations, her heart melted wit washed the feet of Christ with tears. And indeed, theri difference betwixt the tears which are forced by the tei law, and those which are extracted by the grace of the
there is betwixt those of a condemned malefactor, wl^ consider the misery he is under, and those of a pardoned that receives his pardon at the foot of the ladder, and i; the mercy and clemency of his gracious prince towards
(7.) The plow kills those rank weeds which grow i turns them up by the roots, buries and rots them. So conviction kill sin at the root, makes the soul sick of it dignation in the heart against it, 2 Cor. vii. IL
'AyanazTTiffiv^ there signifies the rising of the stomach angry even unto sickness ; religious wrath is the fierces the soul cannot endure sin, it trembles at it. " I find a \
*' bitter than death,"" (saith penitent Solomon) Eccl. vii viction, like a surfeit, m:ikes the soul to lothe what it for and delighted in.
(8.) That field is not well plowed, where the plow skips over good ground and makes baulks, it must run i field alike ; and that heart is not savingly convicted, wh is spared, and left untouched. Saving conviction extend sins, not only to sin in general, with this cold confession ner ; but to the particulars of sin, yea, to the particular ci and aggravations of time, place, manner, occasions, th have I done ; to the sin of nature, as well as practice.
" was shapen in iniquity," Psal. h. 5. There must be nc any sin ; the sparing of one sin, is a sure argument that truly humbled for any sin. So far is the convinced studious concealment of a beloved sin, that it weeps ov than over any other actual sin.
C9.> New s-round is much more easily plowed, than
THE HEAVENLY USE OF EAfiTHLY THINGS.
are wrouo-ht upon. How many young persons are calletl to on( durate, inveterate sinner ? I do not say but God may call home a soul at the eleventh hour, but I may say of these, compared
others, as Solomon speaks, Eccl. vii. 28. " One man among a t
" sand have I found," &c. Few that ha-'-e long resisted the go that come afterwards to feel the saving efficacy thereof.
EEFLECXIONS.
1. O grace, for ever to be admired ! that God rpj . should send forth his word and Spirit to plow up „^ ^ ^
my hard and stony heart, yea, mine, when he " -^ hath left so many of more tender, ingenious, sweet, and me tempers without any culture or means of grace. O blessed gc heart-cUssoiving voice ! I have felt thine efficacy, I have experie thy divine and irresistible power ; thou art indeed sharper that twcMjdcrcd sword, and woundest to the heart; but thv wound the wounds of a friend : All the Avounds thou hast made in my Avere so many doors opened to let in Christ ; all the blows thou g my conscience, were but to beat off my soul from sin, which 1
braced, and had retained to my everlasting ruin, hadst thou not rated them and me. O wise and merciful Phvsician .' thou did
deed bind me with cords of conviction and sorrow, but it was or cut out that stone in my heart, which had killed me if it had { nued there. O how did I struggle and oppose thee, as if thou I come with the sword of an enemv, rather than the lance and pro
a skilful and tender-hearted physician ? Blessed be the dav wh ray sin was discovered and embittered ! O happy sorrows, which pared for such matchless joys! O blessed hand, which turned m^ watei-s into pleasant wine ! and after many pangs and sorrow
soul, didst, at length, bring forth deliverance and peace.
2. But O what a rock of adamant is this heart of
mine ! that never yet was wounded, and savingly The stuhho pierced for sin by the terrors of the law, or melthearfs rcfia iugvoice of the gospel ! long have I sat under the
word, but when did I feel a relenting pang .? O ray soul .'* m^ pified soul ! thou hast got an antidote against repentance, but thou any against hell ? Thou canst keep out the sense of sin now
ai't thou able to keep out the terrors of the Lord hereafter ^ If couldst turn a deaf ear to the sentence of Ciirist in the day of ^
ment, as easily as thou dost to the entreaties of Christ in the h grace, it were somewhat ; but surely there is no defence against
-^ -^-*Ui, jL_il_..f^^Jt^X.L X- . *
66 IirSBAXDEY SriRITUALTZED; Olf,
kened by it, and filled with terrors and tremblings iir those troubles have soon worn off again, and ray heart (1 moved from the fii-e) returned to its native coldness. L dismal case am I in? many convictions have I choaked ai which, it may be, shall never more be revived, until thou against me in judgment. I have been in pangs, and b nothing but wind ; my troubles have wrought no de]\\ ther have my lusts fallen before them ? My conscience, been sometimes sick with sin, yea, so sick as to vomit an external, partial reformation ? but then, with the turned again to my vomit, and now I doubt I am give heart that cannot repent. O that these travelling pan quickened again ! but alas ! they are ceased, I am liki escaped, and again recovered, whom the goaler loads irons. Surely, O my soul! if thy spiritual troubles retu they are but gone back to bring eternal troubles. It is my soul ! as with a man whose bones have been broken, set ; who must, (how terrible soever it appear to liim) pain of breaking and setting them again, if ever he be n man. O that I might rather chuse to be the object oft! mercy, than of thy sparing cruelty ! if thou plow not i again by compunction, I know it must he rent in piect desperation.
JL here's skill in plowing, that the plowman knows For if too shalloAV, or too deep he goes.
The seed is either bury'd, or else may To rooks and daws become an easy prey. This, as a lively emblem, fitly may
Describe the blessed Spirit's work and way: Whose work on souls, with this doth symbolize; - Betwixt them both, thus the resemblance lies. Souls are the soil, conviction is the plow,
God's workmen draw, the Spirit shews them how. He guides the work, and in good ground doth bless
His workmen's pains, with sweet and fair success. The heart prepar'd, he scatters in the seed. Which in its season springs, no fowl nor weed Shall pick it up, or choak this springing corn,
'Till it be housed in the heavenlv barn.
THE heave:nly use of earthly things.
The rest uncover'd lies, which fowls devour.
iHAlas
tAlas ! their heart was touched, but not with pow'r.
The cares and pleasures of this world have drown'd The seed before it peep'd above the ground. Some springs indeed, the Scripture saith that some Do taste the powers of the world to come. These embrios never come to timely birth, Because the seed that's sown wants depth of earth. Turn up, O God, the bottom of my heart ; And to the seed that's sown, do thou impart
Thy choicest blessing. Though I'weep and mourn In tliis wet seed-time, if I may return With sheaves of joy ; these fully will reward
My pains and sorrows, be they ne'er so hard.
CHAP. VI J I.
Upon the Seed-Coni.
The choicest xvheat is still reserved Jbr seed. But gracious principles are choice indeed.
XlUSBANDMEN are very careful and curious about their sec corn, that it may not only be clean and pure, but the best a
most excellent of its kind. Isa. xxviii. 2-5. " He casteth in the pr
*' cipal wheat." If any be more full and weighty than other, tl is reserved for seed. It is usual with husbandmen to pick and lej their seed-corn by hand, that they may separate the cockel and d; nel, and all the lighter and hollow grains from it, wherein they ma feet their discretion ; for, according to the vigour and goodness
the seed, the fruit and production are Hke to be.
X HE choice and principal seed com, with which the fields i sowed, after they are prepared for it, doth admirably shadow foi those excellent principles of grace infused into the regenerate so
'i;,^ Ai>---«S»v-^5-^;^swiM^<s»j«iA- -.^!t>-'^^».-— S.
68 HUSBANDRY SPIllITUALIZED ; Ol(,
Upon it, it must be plowed and sowed, or no fruit car So man, at first, had all the principles of holiness in h now they must be infused by regeneration, or else hi
void of holiness as the barren and untilled desert is of
2. The earlier the seed is sown, the better it is roc bled to endure the asperities of the winter ; so when infused, when nature is sanctified in the bud, grace is tl
ingly advantaged. It was Timothy's singular advan knew the Scriptures from a child.
3Frosts and snows conduce very much to the wellseed, and make it spread and take root much the b
sanctified aiHictions, which usually the people of God n their calling, and often in their very seed time. 1 The " you became followers of us and of the Lord, havin,
*' word in much affliction.'' But if they have fair we be sure they shall meet with weather hard Gnough after
X. 32. " But call to remembrance the former days, i:
" ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of a& 4. When the seed is cast into the earth, it mui tip by the harroWj the use whereof in husbandry, is n a plain floor (as they speak) but to open and let in th bosom of the earth, and there cover it up for its secur that would devour it. Thus doth the most wise Go(
the security of that grace Avhich he at first disseminate( of his people. He is as well the finisher as the author Heb. xii. 2. and of this they may be confident, that begun a good work in them will perform it unto the ( The care of God over the graces of his people, is like
of the seed for security.
5. Seed-corn is in its own nature of much more val than otjier corn ; the husbandman casts in the princip are the seeds of grace sown in the renewed soul, for i ^■ced of God, 1 John iii. 9. The divine nature^ 2 P^
dram of grace is far beyond all the glory of this worl
precious than gold which perishes. 1 Pet. i. 7. " Tl
" above rubies, and all that thou canst desire is not t{ « with it," Prov. iii. 15.
6. There is a great deal of spirit and vigour in a little it be small in bulk, yet it is great in virtue and elficat habits are also vigorous and efficacious things. Such i
that thev overcome the world, 1 John v. 4. " What:
THE ItEAVEXLY USfi OF EARTHLY THINGS.
bring forth to God, virtually contained in those habits or seeds grace. It is strange to consider, that from a mustard-seed, (whicl Christ saith, is the least of all seeds) should grow such great bran{ that the birds of the air may build their nests in them. Surely, heroical and famous acts and achievements of the most renow believers sprang from small beginnings at first, to that emine
and glor)-. 8. The fruitfulness of the seed depends upon the sun and rain, which thev are quickened, as opened largely in the next chap And the principles of giace in us have as necessary a dependence u the a.ssisting and exciting grace without us. For though it be ti they are immortal seed ; yet that is not so much from their < strength as from the promises made to them, and that constant in: from above, by which they are revived and preserved from tim time.
9. The seed is fruitful in some soils more than in others, pros] much better, and comes sooner to maturity. So do graces th
better and grow faster in some persons than in others. " Your f
*' groweth exceedingly,'' 2 Thes. i. 3. " Whilst the things that *' in others are ready to die," Rev. iii. 2. Though no man's h be naturally a kind soil to grace, yet doubtless grace is more vantaged in some dispositions than in others.
10. And lastly, their agreement, as seed, appears in this, the s< com is scattered into all parts of the field, as proportionally equally as may be. So is grace diffused into all the faculties : judgment, will, and all the affections are sowed with these new p
ciples. " The God of peace sanctify you wholly," 1 Thes. v. i And thus you see why principles of grace are called seed. N in the next place, (which is the second thing promised, and ma designed in this chapter) to shew you the choiceness and excelle ofthese holy principles with which sanctified souls are embellished i adorned ; and to convince you that true grace excels all other p ciples by wbich other persons are acted, even as the principal wl doth the chaff, and refuse stuff,I shall here institute a compari betwixt grace and the most splendid, common gifts in the woi
and its transcendent excellency above them all, will evidently apj in the seven following particulars.
1. The most excellent common gifts come out of the common t
sury of God's bounty, and that in a natural way. They are but improvement of a man's natural abilities, (or as one calls them) sparks of nature blown up by the wind of a more benign and lib(
70 HUSBANDllY SPIUITUALII^ED ; OK,
*' nor of the will of man, but of God," John i. 13. In they differ from gifts, as the heavenly manna which was from heaven differs from common bread, which, by pain try, the earth produces in a natural way.
2. The best natural gifts afford not that sweetness an fort to the soul that grace doth ; they are but a dry stall no meat for a soul to feed on. A man may have an ui full of light, and an heart void of comfort at the same tim is a fountain of purest living streams of jDeace and com!
8. " Believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and fi " light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the uprig All true pleasures and delights are seminally in grace, 11. They are sown for them in these divine and heav which are glory in the bud.
3. Gifts adorn the person, but do not secure the soul
» .7 , . A man may be admired for them amo
," • . r> reiected eternally by God. Who can ( sione t?i a toad s • j ^i , • ,i •'i -^ * r . i tj i T , read that sixth cnapter or the Hebre
tremble to think in what a forlorn cas be, thougli set off and accomplished with the rarest enc this kind ! Mat. vii. 22. We read, that many shall say
*' that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in th^
*' in thy name cast out devils," &c. and yet themselves at as a prey to devils. How divinely and rhetorically did I and prophesy, Numb, xxiii. What rare and excellent j: Scribes and Pharisees ? who upon that account, were st jjes secuU, the princes of the world. Cor. ii. 8. Wh
and excellent parts had the heathen sag-es and philosophe things are so far from securing the soul from the wrath t they often expose it unto wrath, and are as oil to increas burnings ; but now gracious principles are the ^a s^'^fji^^^ the apostle calls them, Heb. vi. things that accompany £
vation in them. These are the things on which the pre vation run ; and these treasures are never found but in
Glory is by promise assured and made over to him tl them. There is but a little point of time betwixt him rifled spirits above. And how inconsiderable a matter is which contracts and wind.^; up apace ? For now is our sah
than when we believed. And hence the scriptiu'e speal already saved, Rom. viii. 24 ; " We are saved by hope," as sure as if we were in heaven. We are made to sit in hea
THE ITEAX'EisTY VST. OF EAUTHLY THTXGS *
him. Aristotle said, a little knowledge about heavenly things, tha
conjectural, is better than much of earthly things, though cert
" The world by wisdom knew not God,"" (saith the apostle, 1 ( i. 12.) i. e. Their learning hanged in their light, they were too to submit to the simplicity of the gospel. The excellent parts oi old heretics did but serve to midwife into the world the monsti
birth of soul-damning heresies. Cnpit abs te oniari dlabolus Austin said to that ingenious young scholar ; the devil desires t adorned by thee. But now grace itself is not subject to such abi
it cannot be the proper univocal cause of any evil effect ; it cai
puff up the heart, but always humbles it, nor serv^es the devil's desi but ever opposes them.
5. Gifts may be given a man for the sake of others, and not oi any love to himself; they are but as an excellent dish of meat w; a man sends to a nurse, not for her sake so much as for his ch
that sucks her. God, indeed, makes use of them to do his chili good, the church is benefited by them, though themselves are but cooks ; thev prepare excellent dishes, on Avhich the saints feed, are nourished, though themselves taste them not. They are <
ministrantia, non sanctificant'io^ ministering, but not sanctifying^ proceeding not from the goodwill of God to him that hath them, to those he benefits by them. And O what a sad consideration this be one day to such a person, to think I helped such a soi heaven, while I myself must lodge in hell ?
6. Sin in the reign and power of it, may cohabit with the mosi cellent natural gifts under the same roof, I mean in the same h A man may have the tongue of an angel, and the heart of a d
The wisdom of the philosophers (saith 'Lax{cX.ax\\m^)nonexcindit' sed ahscondit, doth not root out, but hide their vices. The lea
Pharisees were but painted sepulchi-es. Gifts are but as a fair g drawn over a foul hand : But now grace is incompatible with s dominion, it purifies the heart, Acts xv. 6. cleanses the conscie
Heb. ix. 14. crucifies the affections and lusts of the flesh, Gal. v
is not content with the concealment, but ruin of corruptions.
T. And lastlv, Gifts must leave us at last. " Whether ther " knowledge that shall cease. All flesh is grass, and the goodl
*' of it as the flower of the grass ; the grass withereth, the fl^ " fadeth, but the word of the Lord abideth for ever,"" Isa. xl. Many times they leave a man before death. One knock, if i: right, (as one saith) may make a wise man a fool : but, to be sure,
all leave us at death. " Doth not his excellency which is in hii sn T-1.
n HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED; OR,
soul into eternity, and there receives its perfection, and ment. Gifts take their leave of the soul as Orpah did but grace saith then, as Ru^h, Where thou goest I w
•where thou lodgest I will lodge, and nothing sliall separ me. Now put all this together, and then judge whethe
spoke hyperboles, when he said, " Covet earnestly th<
*' and ye; I shew unto you a more excellent way,'' 1 ( And thus you have the choiceness of these principles aJ
REFLECTION S,
The gracious souTs The lines ai*e fallen to me ii reflection. place, may the gracious soul sa
fective soever I am in gifts, ye the Lord who hath sown the true seeds ot grace in my \ though I am not famed and honoured among men, let that I am precious in the eyes of the Lord. Though abounded to me in gifts of nature, " Yet blessed be t *' Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, who hath aboundecJ
*' spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ Jesus Is not a true jewel, though spurned in the dirt, more p a false one, though set in gold ? Why art thou troubled for the want of these things which reprobates may ha not rather admiring and blessing God for those things but the darlings and favourites of heaven can have ? Is : of pure gold more valuable than many pounds of gi
AVhat though the dews of Helicon descend not upon m the mean time the sweet influences of Sion fall upon n my God ! how much soever others are elated by the li, knowledge, I have cause, with humility to adore thee venly heat with which thou hast warmed my affections
Pause a while, my soul, upon this The deceived souls what seed is my heart sown, and (
reflection. are those things wherein I excel ^^ they indeed special seeds of grace,
gifts and natural excellencies? If the latter, little cause hi myself in them, were they ten thousand times more than
these things be indeed the things that accompany salvat of God, the true and real work of grace, then, (1.) Ho pass that I never found my throes, or travailing pang duction oi them ? It is affirmed and generally ; cknowled new creature is never brought forth without such pain a;
Tire HEAVENIT USE OF EARTHtY TmVGS.
how have I delighted in the noise of the Pharisee's trumpet ! Mi 2. No music so sweet as that. Say, O my conscience, have I delighted more in the theatre than the closet ? In the praise of
than the approbation of God ? O how many e\'idences dost thou duce against me ! Indeed these are sad symptoms that I have shi
tliee, but there is yet another, which renders thy case more suspii yet, yea, that which thou canst make no rational defence against, the ineftectualness of all thy gifts and knowledge to mortify anj
of all thy lusts. It is beyond all dispute, that gifts may, but grac>€ not consist without mortification of sin, Gal. v. 24. Now wlial
hath fallen before these excellent parts of mine .'* Doth not pride, sion, covetousness, and indeed the whole body of sin, hve and tl
in me as much as ever .'' Lord, I yield the cause, I can defend longer against my consciei^e, which casts and condemns me, b^ proof, to be but in a wretched, cursed, lamentable state, noti standing: all mv knowledge and flourishing gifts. O shew me a i
excellent way. Lord ! that I had the sincerity of the poorest s though I should lose the applause of all my parts ; with these
I may go to hell, but without some better thing no hope of he£
fjTREAT difference bet\vixt that seed is found, With which you sow your sevVal plots of ground. Seed-wheat doth far excel in dignity The cheaper barley, and the coarser rye :
Tho' in themselves they good and wholesome are. Yet these with choicest wheat may not compare.
Men's hearts, hke fields, are sow'd ^ith different grain, Some baser, some more noble, some again Excelling both the former, more than wheat Excels that grain your swine and horses eat For principles of mere morality.
Like cummin, barley, fitches, pease, or rj-e, In those men's hearts are often to be found. Whom yet the scriptures called cursed ground ; And nobler principles than these, sometime
Call'd common grace, and spiritual gifts, which shine In some men's heads, where is their habitation ; Yet they are no companions of salvation. These purchase honour both from great and small : But I must tell thee, that if this be all, Tho' hke an ano-el in these pifts vou shinp
^4 HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED J Ofij
Whose seat is in the heart, not head, or face ; Like solid wheat sown in a fruitful field. Shall spring, and flourish, and at last will yield A glorious harvest of eternal rest.
To him that nourished them within his breast. O grace ! how orient art thou ! how divine ! What is the glory of all gifts to thine ! Disseminate this seed within iny heart, My God, I pray thee, tho' thou should'st impart The less of gifts ; then I may truly say.
That thou hast shew'd me the more excellent way.
CHAP. IX.*
Upon springing-weather after seed-time
By heaven's injluence corn and plants do spring, Gods shotvrs of grace do make his valleys sing.
JL HE earth, after that it is plowed pnd sowed, must and warmed with the dews and influences of heaven, can be expected. If God do not open to you his go the heavens to give rain unto the land in its season, and work of your hands, as it is Deut. xxviii. 12. the earth her increase. The order and independence of natural cj production of fruit, is excellently described, Hos. i. 21,
*' hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth ; ar " shall hear the corn, and wine, and oil, and they sha ** reel." Jezreel must have corn, and wine, and oil, ( not live ; they cannot have it unless the earth bring i earth cannot bring it forth without the heavens ; the he yield a drop unless God hear them, that is, unlock and
* ' Nature, and natural causes, are nothing else but 1 * which God works.' This some heathens, by the ligl acknowledged, and therefore when they went to plow ing, they did lay one hand upon the plow (to speak their be painfulness) and held up the other hand to Ceres, th
THE HEAVENIY USE OF EARTHLY TKINGS.
There was an husbandman (saith ♦ Mr. Smith) that always* so good seed, but never had good corn ; at last a neighbour came to 1 and said, I will tell vou what probably may be the cause of it may be (said he) you do not steep your seed : No, truly said other, nor did I ever hear that seed must be steeped. Yes, sui said his neighbour, and I will tell you how; it must be steepe( prayer. When the party heard this, he thanked liim for his C( sel, reformed his fault, and had as good corn as any man whatsoe
Surely it is not the liusbandraan's, but God's steeps, that drop ness. Alma mater terra, the earth indeed is a fruitful mother, the rain Avhich fecundates, and fertili2es it, hath no other Father
God, Job xxxviiL 28.
jtIlS impossible it is (in an ordinary way) for souls to be n fruitful in grace and holiness, without the dews and influence ordinances, and the blessing of God upon them, as for the eart yield her fruit without the natural influences of heaven : for I what dews, showers, and clear shinings after rain are to tlie fii that the word and ordinances of God are to the souls of men, "
*' doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech sliall distil as the < *' as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers i
*' the grass," Deut. xxxii. 2. " For as the rain cometh down, and *' snow from heaven, and watereth the earth, and makcth it b "forth and bud; so shall my word be that goeth forth of
''' mouth,'' Isa. Iv. 10, 11. And as the doctrine of the gospi rain, so gospel-ministers are the clouds in which thosejieavenly pours are bound up : the resemblance lies in the following particu
1. The rain comes from heaven, Acts xiv. 17. " He gavi " rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons," S^-c. The doctrines o: gospel are also of an heavenly extraction and descent ; they are venly truths wliich are brought to you in earthen vessels ; things
were hid in <Jod, and come from "his bosom, Eph. iii. 8, 9. ^^ Nicodemus said of Christ is, m a proportion, true of every fait dispenser of the gospel, " Thou ait a teacher come from God," J iii. 2. You are not to, look upon the truths which ministers deli as the mere effects and fruits of their inventions and parts ; the) but the conduits through which these celestial waters are convt to you. It is all heavenly, the oflScers are from heaven, Eph. iv. their doctrine from heavep, Eph. iii. 8, 9the eflicacy and sue
i ft i
YO HrSBAXDRY SPiniTUALIZED ; OR,
And then, (^dli/,) The rains falls by divine dii-ection i went : " He causes it to rain upon one city, and not up Amos iv. 7. You shall often see a cloud dissolve and upon one place, when there is not a drop within a few Thus is the gospel sent to shed its rich influences upon oi not upon another ; it pours down showers of blessings up or parish, whilst others are dry like the ground which
Gideon's wet fleece. *' To you is the word of this sah Acts xiii. 26. Sent ; it comes not by chance, but by con appointment, and it is sent to you by special direction can no more go whither they please, than the failing clou
against the wind. Paul and Timothy, were two fru that sent down many sweet refreshing showers upon whither they came. The Lord sent them through Phry
latia, but forbad them to preach the Avord in Asia, Acts x^ " when they essayed to go into Bithynia, the Spirit si
'• not,"" V. 7. But a man of Macedonia appears to Paul and prayed him, saying, »' Come over to Macedonia ai yer. 9Thus you see how the mystical, as well as clouds are moved according to divine counsel ; and thou are not now disposed to their respective places, in such a nary way, yet there is still a special liand of the Spirit g motions, which is seen pardy in qualifying them for su and partly in drawing out their hearts to elect and cal inclining their hearts to accept the call.
3. There is a great deal of difference in the showers ( fall upon the earth. Sometimes you have an hasty sh( makes the ways float, and the streets run, but it is gon the earth hath but little benefit by it ; and sometimes sweet, gentle soaking rain, that moderately soaks to th
refreshes the earth abundantly. This is called the small ' former, the great rain of his strength, Job xxxvii. 6. these spiritual showers ; theeffectsofsome sermons (likeas of rain) are very transient, that touch the heart a little for by way of conviction or comfort, but it fleets away immedi i. 23. At other times the gospel, hke a settled, moderati to the root, to the very heart. So did that sweet showei Acts ii. 37. It searched the root, it went to the heart ; th
of itare sometimes abiding, and do much longer remain in, the heart, than the rain doth the earth. There be efl some hearts, by some sermons and duties, that will neve
THE HEAVENLY USE Of EARTHLY THIXGS.
thtue of the earth is drawn fortli, and then the herbs, flowers, 1
com sprout abundantly. So it is with gospelshowers, when the ^ of righteousness ojiens upon poor souls under the word, darting do the beams of grace and love upon them, whilst they are attending it, (just as you sometimes see a sweet shower fall while the sun shi out). O how comfortable is this ! and effectual to melt the hea And as the Avarm rain is most refreshing, so when the word coi
warmly, from the melting affections of the preacher, who impai'ts only the gospel, but his own soul with it, 1 Thess ii. 8. this d
abundantly more good than that which drops coldly from the lip the unaffected speaker.
5. Showers of rain do exceedingly refresh the earth, as a mai refreshed by a draught of water, when his spirits are even spent. how welcome is a shower to the thirsty ground ! Hence the little I are said to rejoice on every side, yea, to shout for joy and sing wi a shower comes, Psal. Ixv. 12, 13. But never were showers of 1
so sweetly refreshing to the thirsty earth, as gospel-showers are gracious souls. Col. iv. 8. they comfort their very hearts. What was there in Samaria, when the gospel came to that place .' Acts i 8. It revives the soul, it is mel in are, melos in aure,Jubilum
coi'de, honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and a very jubilei the heart.
6. Rain is necessary at seed-time, to malce ready the earth to recc the seed, Psal. Ixv. 9, 10. " Thou visitest the earth, and waterest
'•' thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of' " ter ; thou pi-eparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for " thou waieresi the ridges thereof abundantly, thou settlestthe f *' rows thereof, thou makest it soft with showers, thou blessest
" springing thereof."' And this the scripture calls the fonner r; And as thiis necessary about seed-time, so the latter rain is as neec about earing-time, to disclose the ear and to bring it to peifccti( both these are great blessings to the earth, and conduce to a pie
ful harves^t, Joel ii 23, 24. " Be glad then ye children of Sion, ; *' rejoice in the Lord your God, for he hath given you the fori " rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the r. " the former and the latter rain in the first month, and the flc " shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine i " oil." Thus the gospel hath a double use and benefit also. I necessary as the former rain at seed-time, it causes the first sprint grace in the heart, Psal. xix. 7. And there could be (in an ordin; way) no spring of grace without it, Prov. xxix. 1 8. And as this f moi* **r>i
*■•<:;; iA>«.-^5U.,^-5~--? A«r»*3o<a^,JL;^;- -*V- -., ^. - — '
TS fiUSBAKDRY SPIKITUALIZED ; OR,
*' unity of the faith, and the knowledge of tlie Son of G ** feet man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulne Were all the elect converted unto God, yet still there necessity of a gospel-ministry.
7. After a great glut of rain, usually there comes a is a common country proverb, Wet and drypay one an truly when a people are glutted with a fulness of gospel usual with God to shut up and restrain the gospel-clouc time at least, there be no dews upon them, and therebj to prize their despised (because common) mercies at an
For as a good man once said, mercies are best known l and most prized when most wanted. " In those days " the Lord was precious, there was no open vision," 1 It is with spiritual as with temporal food, slighted whe but if a famine once come, then every bit of bread ispr rusalem remembered in the days of her affliction, and oj all her pleasant things, that she had in the days of old, It is both a sinful and dangerous thing to wantonize with cies, and despise the plainest (if faithful) ministers of The time may come when you may be glad of the plai from the mouth of the meanest ambassador of Christ.
8. To conclude. The prayers of saints are the keys tl shut the natural clouds, and cause them either to give hold their influences, Jam. v. 17, 18. " Elias Avas a mt " like passions, as we are, and he prayed earnestly that " rain, and it rained not on the earth by the space of thr " six months ; and he prayed again, and the heavens ga
*' the earth brought forth her fruit." God hath subjecti of his hands to the prayers of his saints, Isa. xlv. 11.
Prayer is also the golden key which opens these rays clouds, and dissolves them into sweet, gracious showers have the whole work of the ministry carried on by the p people; they first obtain their ministers by prayer, Luke
" ye the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers ii " yard." It is by the help of prayer that they are can enabled to exercise their ministry : They may tell theii great general once told his soldiers, ' That he flew upon
*' Pray for n)e, (saith the great apostle) that utterance n *' me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make kno^ " teries of the gospel," Eph. vi. 19. Yea, by the saints tliaf minktprQ nbtain thp siircpss and fruits of their laboii
THE HKAVEXLY USE OF EARTHLY TIIIXGS,
EEFLECTIOXS.
1. Am I then a cloud ? And is my doctrine as rain to water
Lord's inheritance ? And yet do I think it mucli to be tossed up and down by the furious winds and Three rCj storms of persecution ? Do not I see the clouds tlonsjbr ^ above me in continual motions and agitations? pel-minist And shall I dream of a fixed, settled state ? No ; false teachers, who are clouds without rain, are more likely to er
that than I. Which of all the prophets have not been tossed hurried worse than I ? Acts vii. 52. He that will not let men al
to be quiet in their lusts, must expect but little quiet from men in life. But it is enough. Lord, that a rest remaineth for thy serva let me be so wise to secure a rest to come, and not so vain to ex] it on earth.
2. And, O that I might study those instruction clouds, from wl as from the bottles of heaven, God pours down refreshing shov to quench and satisfy the thirsty earth ! In this may I resemble th
and come amongst the people of the Lord, " in the fulness of
*' blessing of the gospel of Christ," Rom. xv. 29O let not tl thirsty souls that wait for me as for the rain, Job xxix. 23. " ret
*' like the troops of Tema, ashamed, with their heads covered," . vi. 19. O that my lips might refresh many ! Let me never be
those empty clouds, which deceive the hopes of thirsty souls ; let my doctrine descend as the rain, and distil as the dew, and that plot of thine inheritance which thou hast assigned to me, be
field which the Lord hath blessed.
3. Once more, lift up thine eyes to the clouds, and behold how great an height the sun hath mounted them, for by reasoi their sublimity it is that they are called the clouds of heaven, Ma xxiv. 30. Lord, let me be a cloud of heaven too : Let my hi
and conversation be both there ! Who is more advantaged foi heavenly life than I ? heavenly truths are the subjects of my d; study, and shall earthly things be the objects of my daily delights , loves ? God forbid that ever my earthly conversation should c tradict and shame my heavenly calling and profession. Shine fc thou glorious suuof inghteousness, and my heart shall quickly be tracted and mounted above these visible clouds, yea, and above aspectable heavens.
1. Is the gospel rain, and are its ministers clouds ? Three reflect\ Woe is me then, that my habitation is upon xhe forprivateCh
--5—? A!<iTiB;*t?aotS,>- -<*t' 'C* •
80 Husbandry spiritualizeo ♦ on^
wherein I live with showers of grace, that we may not b( in the desart, which seeth not when good cometh, noi parched places of the wilderness.
XT . , 2. O Lord, thou hast caused the h^
J tne to be black with clouds, thou open '/•/*' ^ tial casements from above, and daily (
"' showers of gospel-blessings : O that ] the parched earth under them ! Not for barrenness, bi ness. Let me say, " My soul longeth, yea, even fai *' courts of the Lord :" that I might there see the I Lord. Doth the spungy earth so greedily suck up the open as many mouths as there are clefts in it, to rece clouds dispense ? And shall those precious soul-enricl fleet away unprofitably from me ? If so, then,
TT . ^/ 77 ^' What an account have I to 1. . those gospel-blessings that I have all those gospel-dews and showers have been watered ! Should I be found fruitless at las better with the barren and uncultivated wilderness tli more tolerable for Indians and Barbarians that never h
pel, than for me that have been so assiduously and plen ed by it. Lord ! what a difference wilt thou put in the i twixt simple and pertinacious barrenness ? Surely, if n rottenness, such heavenly waterings and influences as th it sprout forth into fruits of obedience.
jL he vegetables here below depend Upon those treasures which the heavens do spenc Most bounteously upon them, to preserve Their being and their beauty. This may serve To shadow forth a heavenly mystery. Which thus presents itself before your eye. As when the sun draws near us in the spring, All creatures do rejoice, birds chirp and sing. The face of nature smiles ; the fields adorn Themselves with rich embroideries : The corn
Revives, and shooteth up ; the warm sweet rain Makes trees and herbs sprout forth, and spring a Walk but the fields in such a fragrant morn.
THE KEAVEXLY USE OF EARTHLY THINGS.
Which God ordains in nature, to draw forth
The virtue seminal that's in the earth ;
It warms their hearts, their languid graces cheers, And on sucli souls a spring-like face apj^ears.
The gracious showers these spiritual clouds do yield, Enriches them with sweetness, hke a field
Which God hatli bless'd. Oh ! 'tis exceeding sweet. When gracious hearts and heavenly truths do meet ! How should the hearts of saints within them spring, When they behold the messengers that bring These gladsome tidings ? Yea, their very feet
Are beautiful, because their message's sweeL Oh what a mercy does those souls enjoy. On whom such gospel-dews fall day by day !
Thrice happy land ! which in this pleasant spring, Can hear these turtles in her hedges sing ? O prize such mercies ! If vou ask me, why?
Read on, you'll see there's reason by and by.
5»-x-8es! CHAP. X.
Upon a Dearth througli want of Rain.
If God restrains the sJiorvrs, you lioxcl and cry :
Shall saints not mourn xchen spiritual clouds are dry ®
obseevaTion,
XT is deservedly accounted a sad judgment, when God shut the heavens over our heads, and makes the earth as brass undei feet, Deut. xxviii. 23. Then the husbandmen are called to mo
ing, Joel i. 11. All the fields do languish, and the bellowing c are pined with thirst. Such a sad state tlie prophet rhetorically cribes, Jer. xiv. 3, 4, 5, 6. " The nobles have sent tlieir litde
" to the waters ; they came to the pits and found no water ; *' returned with their vessels empty ; they were ashamed and " founded, and covered their heads, because the ground is ch *' for there was no rain in the earth ; the plowmen were ashai ** they covered their heads ; yea, the hind also calved in the 1 " and forsook it, because there was no grass ; and the wild asse *' stand in the high places : They snuffed up the wind like drag
MUSBAXDRY SPIRITUALIZED; OIJj
-And, truly as much cause have they to weep 'and whose souls God shuts up the spiritual clouds of the thereby sends a spiritual famine upon their souls. S ment the Lord threatens in Amos viii. 11. " Behold the " saith the Lord, that I will send a famine in the land, :
*' of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the *' Lord." The meaning is, I will send a more fearful ju that of the famine of bread ; for this particle [not] is not < excessive ; implying, that a famine of bread is nothing, < judgment compared with the famine of the word. Para
is that text, Isa. v. 6. " I will lay it waste (saith God oi
" church ;) it shall not be pruned nor digged ; but thei *' up briers and thorns ; I will also command the clou
*' rain not upon it." And we find both in human an tories, tliat when God hath shut up the spiritual clou( or silencing his minister, sensible Christians have ever affected Avith it, and reckoned it a most tremendou Thus the Christians of Antioch, when Chrysostom their banished, * they judged it better to lose the sun out of th than lose that, their minister. And when Nazianzen
Iiis leave of Constantinople, as he was preaching Itnsjure the people were exceedingly affected with his loss ; ani rest, an old man in the congregation fell into a bitter cried out, Aude pater, et tecum trinitatem ipsam ejice : ther, if you dare, and take away the whole trinity with ing, that God would not stay when he was gone. How d tians of Antioch also weep and lament, when Paul was ta well of them ? Acts xx. SI, 38. He had been a cloud o that place ; but now they must expect no more showe Oh ! they knew not how to give up such a minister ! wh God (which was the symbol of the Divine presence amoi
was taken, " All the city cried out," 1 Sam. iv. 13. C a gospel-ministry is an inestimable loss, not to be repair( own return, or by heaven ! Mr. Greenham tells us, thai of popish persecution, when godly ministers were bale* their flocks to martyrdom, the poor Christians would e the way to the prison, or stake, with their little ones in and throwing themselves at their feet, would thus be
* What shall be our estate, now you are eone to martin
THE IIEAVEXLY USE OF EARTHLY THINGS.
And to let you see there is sufficient ground for this soitow, m God restrains the influences of the gospel, solemnly consider
following particulars.
1. That it is a dreadful token of God's great anger against people from whom he removes the gospel. The anger of God fearfully incensed against the church of Ephesus, when he did threaten to come against her, and remove the candlestick out o place, Rev. ii. 5. It is a stroke at the soul, a blow at the n
usually the last, and therefore the worst of judgments. There pedigree of judgments ; first Gomer bears Jezreel ; next Lo-ruha and at last brings forth Lo-ammi, Hosea i. 4, 6, 8, 9-
2. There is cause of mourning, if you consider the deplor estate in which all the unregenerate souls are left, after the gosp removed from them. What vriH become of these ? Or by wl
shall they be gathered ? It made the bowels of Christ yern wi him, when he lookod upon the scattered multitude that had shepherd, Matth. ix. 36. What an easy conquest dotli the d now make of them ! How fast dodi hell tiU in such times ! I
souls being driven thither in droves, and none to rescue the Matthew Paris tells us, that in the year 1073, when preaching suppressed at Rome, letters were then framed as coming from I
wherem the devil gave them thanks for the multitude of souls they sent to him that year. But truly we need not talk of letters f hell, we are told from heaven, how deplorable the condition of s poor souls is ; See Prov. xxviii. 19. Hos. iv. 6. Or,
3. The judgment will yet appear very heavy, if you consider
loss which God's own people sustain by the removal of the gosj for therein they lose, (1.) Their chief glory, Rom. iii. 2. ^ principal thing in which the peculiar glory of Israel consisted this, ■•' That unto them were committed the oracles of God." that account it was called the glorious land, Dan. xi. 16. This m them greater than all the nations round about them, Deut. iv. 7 (2.) By losing the ordinances they lose their quickenings, comfo and soul-refreshments : for all these are sweet streams from gospel-fountain. Psalm cxix. 50. Col. iv. 8. No wonder then hear the people of God complain of dead hearts when the gospe removed. (3.) In the loss of the gospel they lose their defence i safety. This is their hedge, their wall of protection, Isa. v. 5. W and hedges (saith Musculus in he.) are the ordinances of God, wh
served both ad separationeni et viumtionem, to distinguish anc defend them. When God plucks up this hedge and breaks down t
84 HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; OR,
*' that came in, but great vexations were upon all the *' the countries, and nation was destroyed of nation
" city ; for God did vex them with all adversity." I Jerusalem remain after that voice was heard in the te;
mus hinc? Let us be gone. (4.) With the gospel, we lose enjoyments and creature-comforts. These usually com the gospel. When God had once written Lo-anwii up next news was this, " I will recover my wool and my ii. 9. (5.) And, lastly, to come up to the very case i lose with it their spiritual food and soul-subsistence, foi
their j^a*^ q/'Jat thing's^ Isa. xxv. 6. their spiritual wel a dole distributed among the Lord's poor, Rom. i. 11. it is as the rain and dews of heaven, as hath been shew ing restrained, a spiritual famine necessarily follows, a the most terrible. Now to shew you the analogy bet^ a temporal famine, that therein you may see what caui be deeply affected with it, take it in these six following
1. A famine caused by the failing of bread, or that v stead, and. hath the use of bread. Dainties and super may fail, and yet men may subsist comfortably. As 1 have bread and water, they will not famish ; but tak once, and the spirit of man faileth. Upon this account ed a staff, Psal. cv. 16. because what a staff is to an a| man, that bread is to the faint and feeble spirits, whic
upon it. And look what bread is to the natural spir more than that, the word is to gracious spirits. Job xxii
" esteemed the words of thy mouth more than my ne If once God break this staff, the inner-man, that hide heart, will quickly begin to fail and faulter.
2. It is not every degree or scarcity of bread that pi a famine, bvit a general failing of it ; when no bread i that which is, yields no nutriment. (For a famine n
occasioned by God's taking away paiii^ nutrimentum, i virtue of bread, that it shall signify no more, as to the than a chip. Hag. i. 6. as by taking away panem nutr itself, Isa. iii. 1.) And so it is in a spiritual famine, \
sioned, either by God's removing all the ordinances, a sion utterly to fail ; or else, though there be preachin, other ordinances left, (at least the names and shadow the presence of God is not with them. There is no : bone, no milk in the breast ; and so, as to soul-subsis
THE ITEAVEXLY USE OF EARTHLY TUIKGS.
sweet, Prov. xxvii. 7. It is the Dutch proverb, and a very true
Hunger is the best cook *.
' In time of famine coarsest fare contents,
* The barking stomach strains complements.' It is storied of Artaxerxes ]Meranon, that when he was flpng fore his enemies, he fed hungrily upon barley-bread, and said, jiismodi voluptatis hactenus iiiexpertusjiii ! O what pleasure 1
I hitherto been ignorant of! When great Darius drank the pud< water, that had been defiled with dead carcases, which had I slain in that famous battle, he professed he never drank more p sant drink. A.nd famous Hunniades said, he never fared n
daintily, than when (in a like exigence,) he supped upon br onions, and water, with a poor shepherd in his cottage.
Just so doth the famine of the word raise the price and esteei vulgar and despised truths. Oh ! what would you give for on those sermons, one of those sabbaths we formerly enjoyed ! In t. days the icard of the Lord zcas precious. When God calls to enemy to take away and remove his contemned, but precious d ties, from his wanton children, and a spiritual famine hath a 1: pinched them, they will then learn to prize their spiritual food higher rate.
4. In time of famine some persons suffer more than others : it i lieaviest, and pincheth hardest upon the poorer sort ; as long as thing is to be had for money, the rich will have it. So it falls in a spiritual famine ; although the most experienced and best : nished Christians will have enough to do to live in the absence of dinances, yet they are like to subsist much better than weak, ignor; and unexperienced ones. Some Christians have husbanded their t well, and, like Joseph in the seven years plenty, laid up for a scare The word of God dwells richly in them. Some such there are. John calls young men, who are strong, and the word of God maineth in them ; of whom it may be said, as Jerom spake of Xe tianus, that hy long and assiduous meditation of the scriptures, had made his breast the very library of Christ. But others are ba in Christ ; and though God will preserve that good work which hath begun in them, yet these poor babes will soonest find, and most concerned in the loss of their spiritual fathers and nurses.
5. In time of famine there are pitiful cries, and heart-break complaints wherever you go. Oh the many pale faces you shall tl see, and the sad language that rings in your ears in e^ ery place ! (
86 HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; OE,
souls into their mother's bosom. Just so it is in a fa word ; poor Christians every where sighing and crying, are our godly ministers ? our sweet sabbaths, sermons, My fathers ! my fathers ! the chariots of Israel, and tl thereof! How beautiful were your feet upon the mour
then, weeping, like the people at Paul's departure, to •shall see their faces no more.
6. Lastly, In time of famine there is nothing so costly but the people -will part with it to purchase bread. " " given their pleasant things for meat to relieve their soi 11. And, doubtless, when a spiritual famine shall pinch that have been close-handed to maintain a gospel-minisi count it a choice mercy to enjoy them again at any rate.
** the Lord feed you with the bread of affliction, and « *' waters of adversity ; yet it will sweeten that bread a <'ycu, if your teachers be no more removed into corners,"
REFLECTIOXS.
The ungratej'ul 2. Is the famine of the word such a i souVs rejlection. ment? Then Lord pardon my unthan
the plentiful and long-continued enjoy a precious and invaluable mercy. How long lightly hav the great things of the gospel ! O that mth eyes and ha to heaven, I might bless the Lord that ever I was brougl age of so much light, in a valley of visions, in a land flowi pel-mercies ! " Hath not God made of one blood all th
" men to dwell on the face of the earth ? And determii
" before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation 26. Many of these great and populous nations are invo darkness. Now that of all the several ages of the work
in it, God should espy the best place for me, and brino it, in such a happy nick of time, as can hardly be paralh ry for the plenty of gospel-mercies that this age and na joyed ; that my mother did not bring me forth in the de
bia, or wastes of America, but in England, where Go( the sun of the gospel to stand still, as the natural sun c « Gibeon ; and that such a mercy should no more affect
shame cover my face for this, and trembling seize my 1
2. Is the gospel indeed departc(
THE HEAVEKLY USE OF EARTHLY THINGS.
this severe dispensation ; the provocation of thy sons and of
daughters have been very great, and amongst tliem none greater 1 mine. May we not this day read our sin in our punishment what nice and wanton appetites, what curious and itching ears thy people in the days of plenty ! Methods, tones, and gestures ^ more regarded than the excellent treasures of divine truths, my soul ! I remember my fault this day ; httle did I then consi that sennons work not upon hearts, as they are thus elegant, admirable, but as they are instruments in the hand of God appoi to such an end. Even as Austin said of the conduits of w though one be in the shape of an angel, another of a beast, yel water refreshes as it is water, and not as it comes from such a duit : by this also O Lord, thou rebukest the supineness and foi lity of thy people. How drowsy, dull, and careless liave they 1 under the most excellent and quickening means .'' Few more thj Alas ! I have often presented my body before the Lord in ordinal
n f= '\>'jyj, '-^'•^, but my soul hath been wandering abroad, asChryso
speaks. I should have come from under every sermon, as a s comes from the press, with all the stamps and lively impressioi the truths I have heard upon my heart. But alas ! if it had beei manded of me, as once it was of Aristotle, after a long and cui
oration, how he liked it i I might have answered, as he did, tn did not hear it, for I was all the while minding another ma
Righteous art thou, O Lord, in all that is come upon us !
3. I am now as a spring shut up, that can yield no refreshme thirsty souls, ready to perish. Thou hast said to me as once to Ezekiel, "Son of man, behold, I will The silent
" make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, isiers reflet " and thou shalt be dumb." This is a very heavy judgment ; but thou must be justified and cleared in it. Alth(
men may not, yet God, if he please, may put a lighted candle u
a bushel. And herein I must acknowledge thy righteousqess. ]V times have I been sinfully silent, when both thy glory and theint of souls engaged me to speak. Most justly therefore hast thou r my tongue to cleave to its roof. Little did I consider the preciou: of souls, or the tremendous account to be given for them, at th pearing of the great Shepherd. I have now time enough to sit ( and mourn over former miscarriages and lost opportunities. I restore me once again to a serviceable capacity, to a larger sphe activity for thee, for I am now become as a broten vessel. It gr me to the heart to see thy flock scattered ; to hear the people c
S8 HUSBANDllY SPIRITUALIZED ; OR,
▼ T HEN God doth make the heavens above as I
The earth's like iron ; flowers, herbs and grass Have lost their fragrant green, are turned yellow ;
The brooks are dry, the pining cattle bellow ;
The fat and flowVy meadows scorch'd and burn'd ; The country's mirth is into mourning turn'd ; The clefted earth her thirsty mouth sets ope
Unto the empty clouds, as 'twere in hope Of some refreshing drops, that might allay Her fiery thirst : but they soon pass away ; The pensive husbandman with his own eyes Bedews his land, because he sees the skies Refuse to do it. Just so stands the case. When God from souls removes the means of grace.
God's ministers are clouds, their doctrine rain. Which when the Lord in judgment shall restrain,
The people's souls in short time will be found In such a ca,se as this dry parched ground. When this sad judgment falls on any nation. Let saints therein take up this lamentation.
O dreadful, dark, and dismal day ! How is our glory fled away ?
Our sun gone down, our stars o'ercast ? God's heritage is now laid waste. Our pining souls no bread can get; With wantons God has justly met. When we were fed unto the full. This man was tedious, that was dull : But they are gone, and there remain No such occasions to complain. Stars are not now for lights, but signs, God knows of what heart-breaking; times. Sure heaven intends not peace, but wars, In calling home ambassadors. How long did Sodom's judgment stay. When righteons Lot was snatch'd away .'' How long rcmain'd that stately hall. When Samsoi, made the pillars fall ? WfVte^n hnrfSPTTipn and rnmmnnrlprs flv.
THi: HEAVEXLY USE OF EARTHLY THINGS.
God liath remov'd thera out o' th' way. Now sleep in sin, and take your ease ; Their doctrine shall no more displease. But, Lord ! what shall become of us ?
Our teacher's gone, and left us thus : To whom shall we ourselves address. When conscience labours in distress ? Oh ! who shall help us out at need ? Or pour in balm when wounds do bleed ? Help, Lord ! for unto thee our eyes Do pour our tears ; our groans, our cries Shall never cease, 'till thou restore The mercies which we had before;
'Till Sion's paths, where grass now grows, Be trodden by the feet of those
That love thy name, and long t' enjoy The mercies they have sinn'd away.
CHAP. XI.
Upon the Corruption of the Seed before it springs.
Seeds die and rot, and then mustjirsh appear ;
Saints' bodies rise more orient than they icere.
OBSERVATIOy.
,A.FTFR the seed is committed to the earth, it seems to pe:
and die, as our Saviour speaks, John xii. 24. " Except a con " wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone ; but if it i
" it brings forth much fruit." The death of the com in the es is not a total death, but only the corruption or alteration of it : if once the seminal life and virtue of it were quite extinguishec could neither put forth blade or ear \v-ithout a miracle. Yet beca that alteration is a kind of death, therefore Christ here uses it as i illustration of the resurrection. And indeed there is nothing in ture more apt to illustrate that great mystery. What a fragrj green and beautiful blade do we see spring up from a corrupted sei How black and mouldy is that ! How beautiful and verdant is t!:
A BUT Tr- » TTrtV
^ HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; OK,
that though the seed rot in the earth, yet it will rise s
the believer knows, " that though after his skin wormi
*' bodv, yet in his flesh he shall see God,"" Job xix. 25 the resemblance betwixt the seed sown, and springing bodies of the saints dying and rising again, lies in these f<
ticulars.
1. The seed is committed to the earth from whence il
the body of a saint ; earth it was, and to earth it is ag.
Grace exempts r;ot the body of the best man from seein Rom. viii. 10. Though Christ be in him, yet the b
that is, sentenced to death because of sin, Heb. ix. Q*",
" appointed for all men once to die." 2. The seed is cast into the earth in hope, 1 Cor. ix there not a resurrection of it expected, the husbandman be willing to cast away his corn. The bodies of saints
mittpd to the grave in hope, 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14. " Bu
** have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning tho: *' asleep, as they which have no hope ; for if we believ *' died, and rose again, so even also them which sle
*' shall the Lord bring with him." This blessed h^ surrection sweetens not only the troubles of life, but death.
3. The seed is cast into the earth seasonably, in its pi
so are the bodies of the saints. Job v. 26. " Thou shal
*' grave in a full age, as a shock of corn cometh in, ; They always die in the fittest time, though sometimes die immaturely : the time of their death was from all fixed by God, beyond which they cannot go, and short cannot come.
4. The seed lies many days and nights under the d
rise and appear again : " even so man lieth down, a
*' again until the heavens be no more," Job xiv, 12. darkness in the grave are many.
5. When the time is come for its shooting up, the ( vered it can hide it no longer ; it cannot keep it down it will find or make way through the clods. So in th
the great trump shall sound, bone shall come to its 1: grave shall not be able to hold them a minute longer, earth must render the dead that are in them. Rev. xs