Mr Caryl to the Chriſtian Reader,
To the Christian Reader.
corruption! Buttheſe are purer flames, you will find nothing here offuch a tendency.
"Tis guilt, not poetry, tobe likethoſe, Whoſewit in verſe isdownright fin inprofe.
Whoſe ſtudies are prophaneneſs, as if then They onlywere good poets, when bad men. t D.
DIG S.
I shall add no more, but to beg that God who inſtructeth thehusbandman in his civil calling, to teach him wisdom fpiritually to improve it; and particularly, that you may reap a cropof much fpiritual benefit, fromthat feedwhich is here ſownby the hand of the Lord's unprofitable ſervant, and in him, Your very affectionate
Friendand fervant,
JOHN FLAVEL.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
Trong three thereof its ch HERE arethree things wherein (as it hath been faid, chiefly confift: Prayer, temptation, meditation : Meditation is the fubject ofthefollowing manual.
The object ofmeditation is twofold.
First, The word.
Secondly, The works of God.
The works ofGod are twofold.
First, Internal.
Secondly, External.
The external works of God are twofold.
First,Ofcreation. Secondly,Ofprovidence. Theworks ofprovidence are likewise twofold.
First, Inthings civil, the Lord ordering and over-ruling allthe affairs and motions of fingle perfons, families and nations, in a ſubſerviency to his own most holy ends, defigns andpurpoſes.
Secondly, In things natural, the Lord inſtructing the husbandman to difcretion, and teaching him howtodreſs and till the earth, that itmay givefeed to the fower, and bread to the eater; as alfo how to breedupand manage the beafts ofthe field, both greater and leffer cattle, for the uſe and ſervice ofman.
Meditation uponthislower partof the works ofGod, and hiswonderful providences about them, may raiſeour foulsvery high ; and while we wifely confider theſe natural things, we may grow moreandmore wife,in and for fpirituals andeternals.
The worthyand ingenious Author ofthe enſuing diſcourſe,
To the Christian Reader. hath ſupplied us with anexcellent help, for the ſpiritualizing of the providential works ofGod in naturalthings,by godly meditations ; we chieflywantthe help of the holySpirit(withoutwhich all otherhelps andhelpers are altogether inſufficient) to frame and windup our hearts, for this both profitable and delightful duty ; yet the help which the Lord is pleaſed togive us for our direction in it,by the ministry of man, is notonly not to be refuſed, but thankfully received and improved; and all little enough to bring our minds to, orkeep them at this work: The beſt of faints (on this ſideheaven) have (though they are not only earthly-minded)much earth in their minds; which likeaheavyclogat theirheels, or aweightat their hearts, preſſeth them down whentheywould make an eſſay tomount upward in meditation. We find it no eaſy matter to keep off earthly thoughts, when we are moſt ſeriouſly engag. ed in heavenly work ; how hard it is then to get in, and be fixed upon heavenly thoughts, while we are engaged about earthly work ; yea, are (for ſo is the husbandman) working the very earth, and raking inthe bowels of it.
"Tis a great part of our holineſs to be ſpiritually-minded, while we are converfing withGod through Jeſus Chriſt in ſpiritual duties; buttobe ſpiritually-minded,andtomind ſpiritualthings,when we are converfing with the clods ofthe earth, and the furrows of the field; whenwe have to do with corn and graſs, with trees and plants, with sheep and oxen ; when we behold the birds and fowls of the air, the worms, and all that creep upon theground ; then (I ſay) tobe ſpiritually-minded, and thence tohave our thoughts aſcending, and foaringup to God, in heart affecting and quickening contemplations, witneſſeth an highdegree ofholiness, and ofgracious attainments. To make aladder out of earthly materials, for the raiſing ofourſelves infpirit up toheaven, is the art ofarts.
Holy and happy indeedare they who (being taught of God) have learned this art, and live in daily practice of it.
Earthly objects uſually hinder us in our way, ſometimes turn us quite out of our waytoheaven.
Manyplow and fow, dig anddelve the earth, till their hearts become as earthly as the earth itſelf : Many deal about the beasts ofthe field,till themſelves become even brutiſh.
Is it notthen ableſſeddeſignwhichthisAuthor aims anddrives at, ſo to ſpiritualize all forts, or the whole compaſs ofearthly huſbandry, that all forts ofhuſbandmenmaybecome ſpiritual and heavenly ? It seems to me a token for good, that Godhath an intendment of ſome ſpecialgood to the fouls of fuch as are by profeſſion proper husbandmen,ſeeinghe hath
To Mr. John Flavel, &c.
Mr. Richard Steel, andthisAuthor. latelyput itintothe hearts oftwo faithful minifters (whowithall ofthat profeffion, arehuſbandmen in a figure) to undertake, tho' in a different way, this ſubject, and to publiſh their labours in print, that they maybe ofuſe, notonly for theprefent age, but for pofterity.
Andthatthehusbandman maybe pleaſedas well as profited, in peruſing the labours ofthis author ; he hath, with fingular aptneſs, and acuteneſs, contrived and contracted the fum and ſcope ofevery chapter into an elegant diſtich, or pair ofverſes, placed at thehead ofit, and concluded itwith achoice melodious poem, ſuitable to, anddilating upon the whole matter of it.
Theſe the husbandman, who canbut read, may quickly learn and fing for his folace, instead ofthoſe vain ballads, and corrupting rhimes, which many ofthat rank are apt tobuy, and ſolace themſelves withal, without any benefit, yea, much to their hurt, making their hearts more corrupt, carnal, and vain thereby.
Letme add one word more to the reader.
This book of Huſbandry Spiritualized, is not calculated only for the common husbandman ; perſons ofany calling, or condition, may find the author working out fuch ſearching reflections and ſtrong convictions, from almoſt every part and particular ofthe huſbandman's work, as may prove, iffaithfully improved, very uſeful tothem ; to ſome for their awakening, to confider the ſtate oftheir fouls, whether in grace, or in nature; toothers for their inſtruction, confolation, and encouragement in the ways ofgrace, as alfo for their proficiency and growth in thoſe ways.
Thatthe bleſſing ofthe Lord, andthe breathings ofhis good Spirit maygo out with it, for allthoſe gracious purpoſes, is theheart's defire,andprayer ofhim, who is,
Christian Reader, afincere well-wisher to thy precious and immortalfoul,
JOSEPH CARYL .
To his Reverend and Learned Friend, Mr. John Flavel, on his SpiritualNavigation and Husbandry.
L ETTERS of mark to his dear ſervantgiven, By him that ſiſts the ruffling winds of heaven :
To fight, and take all fuch as wou'd notdeign T' acknowledge him the fea's great Sovereign .
Helaunch'd his littlepinace, and began VOL. VI.
In Authoris Opera.
T' attack the vaſſals of Leviathan.
Aufpicious gales ſwelling his winged fails, Searches all creeks, and ev'ry bark he hails ;
That ſearce a ſhip our Western coast afford, Whichhis bravepinacehath not laid aboard.
Andwhat among our riddles fome might count, Was feen at once atBerwick, and the Mount.
Yea, in moréports hath in one lustre been, Than Hawkins,Drake, or Cavendish have ſeen.
Andprizes of more worth brought home again, Than all the plate-fleets ofthe Kings ofSpain .
Butthatwhich makes the wonder ſwell the more, Thoſewhomhe took were beggars all before.
But refts he here ? No, no, our friend doth know, 'Tisgoodto have twostrings unto his bow.
Ourrare Amphibion loves not tobe pent Withinthebounds ofone poor element.
Befides, the learned author understood, That ofan idle hand there comesnogood.
The law tohim nopulpit doth allow, Andnow hecannotpreach, he means to plow, Though preaching were a crime, yet he forefaw
Against the plowmanthere could be no law.
Nor ſtays he on reſolves,but out-of-hand He yoaks his teem, plows up the ſtubborn land ;
Sows itwith precious feed,harrows again The tougher clods, takes pleaſure inhis pain.
Whilft, Orpheus-like, (which doth his art advance) Rocks, fields, andwoods, after bispipedo dance.
Induſtrious ſpirit, to whata rich account With thy bleſt Lord,will all theſe labours mount?
That ev'ry nerve ofthy best foul doſt ply, To further heav'n's ſpiritual husbandry.
'This kind of tillagewhich thou teacheſt us, Was never dreamt ofby Triptolemus.
Go, reader, turn the leaves ; and me allow To pray (whilft at work)Godspeed theplow.
NICHOLAS WATTS.
In Authoris OPERA.
ET Paracelſus andVan Helmont's name, L :
No more ride triumph on the wings of fame.
Lo, here's a chymist, whoſe diviner ſkill Doth hallowed, from unhallowed things diſtil.
To Mr. John Flavel, &c.
Spiritualizeth ſea-affairs; again, Makes the rudeground turn tutor unto men.
Shews Mariners, as by acompaſs, how Theymay unto theport of glory row.
Teacheththeplowman, from their work, toknow Whatduties untoGod, and man they owe.
Rare artiſt ! who, when many tongues are mute, Mak'ſt things, that are inanimate, confute
The age's fins: by preachingunto eyes, Truths, which, in other modes, their ears deſpiſe.
Profper his pious labours, Lord ! howe'er Donot forget to crown the labourer.
Sic raptim canit,
DAN. COND Ye
To his Reverend and Invaluable Friend, Mr. J. F. upon his Huſbandry Spiritualized.
I now!
NGENIOUS Sir, Whatdo I ſee ? What no Areyoucomefrom the pulpit tothe plow ?
It fo, thenpardon me, if I profefſs, The plow deſerves to be fent to the preſs.
Tis not long ſinceyouwent to fea,they ſay, Compos'da compaſs, which directs the way,
And ſteers the courſe to heaven ; O bleſt art !
Andbravelydonethatyou did that impart Tous, who take it kindly at your hand, Andbleſs the Lord that you are come to land,
To be an husbandman, wherein your ſkill, With admiration dothyour readers fill.
Onegrain willyield increaſe, it's tentimes ten, When the earth's manur'd by ſuch husbandmen.
We may expect rich harvests, and full crops, Whenheav'nlydewdeſcendeth in fuch drops Of ſpiritual rain, to water ev'ry field,
That it full heaps ofgrace toGodmay yield.
I mustadore the wisdom ofthat God Thatmakesmen wife, who, evenfrom a clod Ofearth, can raiſe ſuch heavenly meditation
Untoa pitch ofhighest elevation .
Befides,Imarkthe goodness ofthe Lord, Performing unto us his faithful word, That all ſhould work for good untothe faints,
B 2
To Mr. John Flavel, &c.
Which, in ſome meaſure,leffens ourcomplaints.
For though our Pulpit merciesbe grown leſs, We have fomegracious helps yetfrom the prefs.
And herein all the world may plainly fee, That faithful ſervants will not idlebe.
We have fome bricks, although the ſtraw be gone, The church, at laſt, ſhallbe ofpoliſh'd stone.
Whatever men or devils act, or fay, Sion, at last, will have a glorious day.
The wretched muck-worm, that from morn to night Labours, as if 'twere for anheav'nly weight ;
And, when he hath got all he can, the moſt Amounts to little more than a poor cruſt,
To feed his tired carcaſs : If himself Have, by his carking, got a littlepelf, Leave ithe muft, to oneheknows notwhom, And then muſt come to an eternal doom ; Andhear his poor neglected wretched foul
Tell him atlast,that he hath play'd the fool.
But here he's taught, how he, before he die, May lay up treaſure for eternity ; Wherein he maybe rich, yea, much much more,
Than they that do poffefs whole mines ofore.
When earth's more worth than heav'n, andgold thangrace, Then let the worldling run his brutiſh race;
But notbefore, unleſshe do intend To meet with foul-destruction in the end.
But I must leave him,and return again To gratulate the author for his pain.
And here I can't forbear to let mypen To tell theworld ofall the hufbandmen, That e'er I met, he,he hath hit the vein
To recompence the labourer's hardpain, And taughthimhow togetthe greatest gain.
Wherein he treads apath not trode before ; Bywhich, indeed, his ſkill appears the more.
Imight encomiums give him, great and true, Andyet comevery fhort ofwhat's his due :
ButImustnot walkin forbidden ways, For, thereby, I am ſure, I ſhould diſpleaſe His piousmind, who doth, and freely can Give all thepraife to the great husbandman ,
Whowill his graces in his ſervants own, Butdoth expecthimselfto wear the crown.