Upon the industry of the husbandman,
Husbandry Spiritualized; or, you, asyou find them inthe following chapters. Read, confider, andapply; and the Lord make you good husbandmen foryour own fouls.
THE FIRST PART OF
HUSBANDRY
SPIRITUALIZED .
CHAP I.
Upon the Induſtry oftheHusbandman.
In thelaborious husbandman youfee What all true Chriſtians are, or ought tobe.
OBSERVATIΟΝ.
HE employment ofthe husbandman is by all acknow- ; buſineſs incumbent on him. The end of one work is but the beginning of another, every ſeaſon ofthe year brings its proper work with it: ſometimes you find him in his fields, dreffing, plowing, ſowing,harrowing, weeding, or reaping; and ſometimes in his barn, threshing or winnowing ; ſometiines inhis orchard, planting, graffing, or pruning, his trees ; and fometimes among his cattle; ſo that he hath no time to be idle.
As he hath a multiplicity ofbuſineſs, ſo every part of it is full of toil, and ſpending labour: he eats not the bread ofidleneſs, but earns it before heeats it; and, as it were, dips itin hisown ſweat, whereby it becomes the ſweeter to him.
Though fin brought in the husbandman's ſweat, Gen. iii. 19. yetnow not to ſweatwould increaſe his fin, Ezek. xvi. 49.
APPLICATION.
Beholdhere the life of a ferious Chriſtian, ſhadowed forth
The Heavenly Use of Earthly Things.
tothe life. As the life ofahusbandman, ſothe life ofaChriftian isnoidlenoreaſy life.
Theythattake up religion for oftentation, and not for an occupation, and thoſe that place the bufineſsofit innotions, and idle ſpeculations, informs, geſtures, and external obſervances, maythink, and call it ſo : but ſuch asdevote themſelves unto it, and make religion their buſineſs, willfind it no eaſy work, to exerciſe themselves togodlineſs.
Manythere are, that affect the reputation andsweet ofit,who cannotendurethe labour andSweat of it.
If men mightbe indulgedtodivide their heart betwixtGodandtheworld, or to culloutthe cheap and eaſyduties ofit, and neglect themore difficultandcoſtly ones, itwere an eaſything tobea Chriſtian : but furely to have a reſpect to all God's commandments, to live the life, aswell as ſpeakthe language ofa Chriftian ; to be holy inallmanner ofconverſation, isnot ſo eaſy. This willbe evident,bycomparing the life of a Chriſtian, with the life of ahusbandman, in theſe five particulars ; wherein it willappear, that theworkof a Chriſtian, is by muchthe hardest work ofthe two.
1. The husbandmanhath much todo, manythings to look after ; but the Chriſtian more: ifwe reſpect the extenſiveneſs of his work, he hath a large field indeed to labour in, Pfalm cxix. 96. " Thy commandment is exceeding broad," of a vaſt extent and latitude, comprizing not onlya multitudeofexternal actsand duties, and guiding the offices ofthe outward man about them, but alſo taking in everythought and motionofthe inner-manwithin its compaſs.
Youfind inthe word, aworld of work cut out for Chriſtians ; thereishearing-work, praying-work, reading, meditating, and ſelf-examining-work; it puts him alſo upon aconſtant watch overall the corruptions of hisheart. Oh, what a world ofwork hatha Chriſtian abouthim ? For ofthemhe may ſay, as the hiftoriandoth ofHannibal,they are neverquiet, whether conqueringor conquered. How many weak, languiſhing graces hathhe to recover, improve, andſtrengthen ? There is a weak faith, a languishing love, dullandfaintdefires tobe quickened, and invigorated. Andwhen all this isdone,what a multitude ofwork do his ſeveral relations exact from him ? He hath a world ofbuſineſs incumbent on him, as a parent, child, hufband, wife, maſter, ſervant, or friend, yea,not only to friends, but enemies. And,beſides all this,how many difficult things are there to be borne and ſuffered for Chriſt ? And yet God. will not allow his people to the neglect of any one of them : neither can hebe a Chriſtian thathath not reſpect to every
Husbandry Spiritualized ; or, command,andis not holy in all manner ofconverſation, Pfalm cxix. 6. 2 Pet. iii. 11. every oneoftheſeduties, likethe ſeveral ſpokes in a wheel, come to bear, in the whole round ofa
Chriſtian's converſation : ſothat he hath more work upon his hands than the husbandman.
2. Thehusbandman'swork is confeſſedtobeſpending work, but not likethe Chriſtians.
WhatAuguſtus ſaid oftheyoung Roman, is verified in the true Chriſtian, Quicquid vult, valde vult.
Whatſoever he doth in religion, he doth to purpoſe.
Under the law, God rejected thesnailand the ass, Lev. xi.
30. Exod. xiii. 13. And under the gospel, he allows no fluggiſh, lazy profeffor, 1 Tim. v. 11 , 13. Sleepy duties are utterlyunſuitabletothe livingGod ; he willhave the very ſpirits diſtilled and offeredup tohim in everyduty, Johniv. 24. he bestows uponhis peoplethe very ſubſtance and kernel ofmercies, and will not acceptfrom them the shells and ſhadows of duties; not the ſkin, butthe inwards, andthe fat that covereth the inwards, was required under the law, Exod. xxix. 30.
Andevery facrifice under the goſpel, must befacrificium medullatum, a facrificefull ofmarrow; obſerve the manner inwhich their work is to be performed.
Rom. xii. 11. In fervingGod, fervent inſpirit,orhiſſinghot.
2 Pet. i. 10. In fecuring falvation, diligent ; or doing it thoroughly, and enough.
1 Tim. iv. 7. In godlineſs, exerciſing or ſtripping themſelves; as for a race.
Luke xiii. 24. In the pursuit ofhappiness, ſtriving even to an agony.
Acts xxvi. 7. In prayer, ſerving God instantly ; or in a ſtretched out manner ; yea, pouring out their hearts before him, Pfalm lxii. 8. as ifthe body were left like a dead corps upon the knees, whilst the ſpirit is departed from it, and afcended toGod.
This isthe manner of his work : judge then howmuch harder this work is, than to fpendthe fweat ofthe brow in manual labour.
3. The husbandmanfinds his workas heleft it, he canbegin one day where he left the other ; but it is not fowith the Chriſtian, a bad heart, anda busydevil, diſorder and ſpoil his work everyday.
The Chriftian finds nothis heart inthe morning, ashe left itatnight; andevenwhen he is abouthis work, how many fet-backs doth he meet with ? Satan ſtands at his righthand(the working hand) to refift him, Zech. iii. 1. when he woulddo good, evil (the evil ofhis own heart and nature) is perfent withhim.
The Heavenly Use of Eearthly Things.
4. Thehusbandman hath ſome reſting-days,when hethrows afide all hiswork, and takes his recreation; but the Chriftian hath no refting-day,till his dying-day; andthen he ſhall reſt fromhis labours.
Religion allows no idle day, " but requires "him to be always abounding inthe work of the Lord,"
1 Cor. xv. 18.
When oneduty is done, another calls for him ; the Lord's day is adayof reſtto the husbandman, but no day intheweek ſo laborious to the Chriftian. O it is a ſpending dayto him. When hehath gatheredin the cropofoneduty, he is not to fit down ſatisfiedtherewith, or fay as that rich worldling did, Luke xii. 19. " Soul, takethine eaſe,thou hast
" goods laidupfor many years ;" but muſt to plow again, and count itwell if the vintage reach to the feed-time, Levit. xxvi. 5. I mean, ifthe ſtrength, influence, and comfort ofone duty, hold out to another duty; and that it may be ſo, and therebe no room left for idleneſs,God hath appointed ejaculatoryprayer, to fillupthe intervals, betwixt ſtated and the more folemn duties.
These are to keep in the fire, which kindled the morning ſacrifice, to kindle the evening facrifice. When can the Chriftian fit down and fay, Now all my work is ended,
Ihavenothing todo without doors, or within ?
Lastly, There is atime when the labour ofthe husbandman is ended; old age and weakneſs takes him offfrom allemployment; they can look onlyupon theirlabourers,but cannotdo a ftroke of work themselves ; they can tellyou whattheydid in theiryoungeryears,butnow(faythey)we must leave ittoyoungerpeople: we cannot be young always; butthe Chriftian is never fuperannuatedas tothe work ofreligion ; yea, the longer he lives, the more his maſter expects from him.
When he is full ofdays, God expects he ſhouldbe full offruits, Pfal xcii.
14." Theyſhallbring forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat " and flourishing."
REFLECTIONS .
1. How hardhave Ilaboured for the meat that perifheth ? Preventedthe dawning of theday, and labouredas in thevery fire, and yetis theChriſtian's work harderthanmine ?
Surely, then, I never yet understood thework of Chriſtianity.
Alas, my fleepy prayers, and formalduties, even all that ever Theworlding's reflection.
I performed in my life, never coſt me that pains, that one hour at plow hathdone. I have either wholly neglected, or, at beſt, ſo lazily performed religious duties, that Imay truly ſay,
Ioffer toGodwhat coſt me nothing. Wo is me, poor wretch !
How is thejudgment of Korah ſpiritually executed upon me
Husbandry Spiritualized ; or, The earthopenedher mouth, and ſwallowedup his body; but ithath openedits mouth and swallowed up myheart,mytime, and all my affections. How far am I from the kingdom of God!
2. Andhow littlebetter is my cafe, who have indeed profeſſed religion, but never made it my buſineſs ? Will an empty (though ſplendid) profeſſionſaveme?How manybrave ſhips haveperiſhed inthe ſtorms, notwithstanding their fine names, the prosperous, thesuccess, thehappy return?
Afinenamecould not protect them from the rocks, nor will it The formalist's reflection. faveme fromhell.
I have doneby religion, as I should have donebythe world; prayed, as ifI prayednot ; and heard, as ifI heard not.
Ihavegiven toGod butthe ſhadow ofduty, and cannever expect from him areal reward.
Thereflections ofa 3. Howunlike a Chriſtian doſt thou, Nothful Christian. alfo, O my foul, go about thy work ; though upright in the main, yet how little zeal and activity doſt thou expreſs inthyduties? awake loveand zeal, ſeeſt thou notthe toil andpains mentake for the world? How do they prevent the dawning ofthe day ? And labour as inthe very fire tillnight; and all this for a trifle!
Should not everydrop offweat which I fee trickle from their brows, fetch (as it were) adrop ofblood from myheart ? who amthus convinced and reproved of ſhameful lazineſs, by their indefatigable diligence. Do they pant after the dust of the earth ? Amos ii. 7. AndſhallI notpant afterGod, Pfal. xlii. 1 .
Ah, my foul, it was not wont to be ſo with thee in thedays ofmy firſtprofeffion.
ShouldIhave hadno morecommunion with God in duties then, it would have broken my heart : I ſhould havebeen weary ofmy life.
Is this atime for one to ftand idle, who ſtands at the door ofeternity ? What, now flack-handed, when ſo near to myeverlasting rest, Rom. xiii.
11. or haftthou foundthe workofGod ſo unpleafant to thee ?
Prov. iii. 17. or the trade of godlineſs ſo unprofitable ? Pfal. xix. 12.
Or knowest thou not, that millions now in hell periſhed for want offerious diligence in religion, Luke xiii. 34. nor doth my diligence for God, anſwer to that which Chrift hath done and ſuffered, to purchaſe my happiness : or to the preparations he hath made in heaven for me ? Or doſt thou forget that thy maſter's eye is always upon thee, whilft thou art lazying and loitering ? Or would the damned live at this rate as Ido, iftheir day ofgracemightbe recalled ? For ſhame, my foul, for ſhame ! rouze up thyſelf, and fall to thy work,
The Heavenly Use of Earthly Things.
withadiligence anſwerable to the weightthereof; for it isno vainwork concerning thee, it is thy life.
The POEM.
When advanc'd in pow'r, "
Twill make Menſtrivewith all theirmight, And therein Finda fweetdelight.
Ifthere were Nought befides thatpay Chrift-gives To cheerus in our way; Religion Will make you Husbandevery hour.
Should we not Do thebeſt we can ?
Forthere's No ſuch reward from man .
Shall others Their ſtrength; Work, and not regard Toget a ſmall reward ?
Turn flugs, and loyter thus ?
Their zeal might quicken us !
Hands,and feet ſo flow, Whilft we Othat Why are our Whenwe How canwe Unto our buſineſsgo?
Then Chrift's pay expect, Christian's work reject ?
Alſo that embrace Andyetthe Ifthis, then 'Them both ; Ifnot, we both diſgrace.
They could theſe two divide, Some if '
Twould But ifthey Asgood Rouſe up Thee tothy Oftrive, Thepainthey Butyet Please them well, with Chriſt to ſide !
May not, then it were Geafepleading, they'll nothear.
From floth, my foul betake Work, no cavils make.
Andtry! Saints ſay that even, Take,hath much ofheaven.
Their best wine's kept till laft, Eafe comes all fo fast.
Their reſt,and CHAP .
Upon the Thriftineſs ofthe Huſbandman.
The hardest labrers are the thriving men :
Ifyou'll have thrivingfouls, be active then.
OBSERVATION.
Nduſtry and diligence is the way tothrive andgrow rich in I the world.
The earth must be manured, or its increaſe is invain expected; Qui fugit molam,fugitfarinam ; He that refuſes the mill, refusesthe meal,(faith the proverb.) "The VOL. VI, E
Husbandry Spiritualized ; or , " diligent foul ſhall be made fat." Solomonhath two proverbs concerning thriftineſs and increaſe in the world.
In Prov. x. 4. he faith, " The hand ofthe diligent maketh rich." And in ver. 22. he faith, "The bleſſing ofthe Lord maketh rich."
Theſe are not contradictory, but confirmatory each ofother ; one ſpeaks of the principal, the other ofthe instrumental caufe.
Diligence without God's bleſſing will not do it ; and that blefling cannot be expected withoutdiligence ; therefore hufbandmen ply their buſineſs with unwearied pains, they do evenlodge in the midst oftheir labours as that goodhusband
Boaz did, Ruth ii. 3. They are parfimonious oftheir time, but prodigal oftheir ſweat and ſtrength, becauſe they find this tobe the thrivingway.APPLICATION.
As nature opens her treaſures to none but the diligent, ſo neither doth grace. He that will be rich, must be apainful
Chriftian; and whosoever will closelyply the trade ofgodlineſs, ſhall comfortably, and quickly find, " That in keeping
" God's commands, there is great reward," Pfalm xix. 11.
Godis a " bountiful rewarder offuch as diligently ſeek him,"
Heb. xi . 6. They must not indeed work for wages, * nor yet willGod fuffer their work togo unrewarded ; yea, it ſufficiently rewards itſelf, 1 Tim. vi. 6. And its reward is twofold ; (1.)
Preſent, and in part ; (2.) Future, and in full, Mark x. 29, 30. Now in this time an hundred-fold, even from fuffering, which ſeems the moſt unprofitable part ofthe work, and in the world to come life everlasting.
Ifyou ask what preſentadvantage Chriſtians have by their diligence ? I anſwer, as much andmore than the husbandman hath from allhis toils, and labours.
Let us compare the particulars, andfee what thehusbandmangets that the chriſtiangets not alſo. Compare your gains, andyou will quickly fee the odds.
1. You get credit and reputation by your diligence ; it is a commendation and honourto you, to be active and ſtirring men: But how much more honour doth God put upon his loborious ſervants ? It is thehighest honourof a creature, tobe active and useful for itsGod.
Saints are called veffels ofhonour, as they are fitted for the maſter's uſe, 2Tim. ii. 21 .
Wherein confifts the honour of angels butin this, that they areminiſtring ſpirits, ſerviceable creatures ?And alltheapostles gloried in the title ofſervants. The lowest office in which a mancan ſerve God, even that ofNethinim, or door-keeper,
* Non mercenariifed operariis
The Heavenly Use of Earthly Things.
whichwas the lowest order or rank of officers in the houſe of God, Ezek. xliv. 10, 11. is yet preferredbyDavid before the ſerviceofthegreatestprince on earth, Pfalm lxxxiv. 10.
It is no ſmallhonour to be active for God.
2. You have this benefit by your labour, that thereby you avoidlooſe and evil company, which would draw you into miſchief. Bydiligence forGod, the Chriſtian alſo is fecured from temptation; "God is with them, while they are with " him," 2 Chron. xv. 2. Communion withGod in thewayof duty, is a great preſervative against temptations.
TheSchoolmen put the question, how the angels and glorified ſaints become impeccant ? And refolve it thus: That they are ſecured from fin, by the beatificalviſion ; and fure I am that the viſions ofGod, not only inglory, but now alſo in duty, are marvellous defences againſt ſin; andthey who aremoſt active for God, have the fullest and clearest viſions of God, John xiv. 21.
3. You have this benefitbyyour labour, that it tends much tothehealth ofyour bodies.
The Chriſtian hath this benefit byhis labour, that it tends to a healthful ſtate of foul ; " The "way ofthe Lord is ſtrength to the upright," Prov. x. 29 .
As thoſe thatfollow their daily labours in the field,havemuch more health than citizens that live idly, or ſcholars that live a ſedentary life : So the active Chriſtian enjoys more ſpiritual health, and is troubled with fewer complaints than others.
4. By diligence in your civil employments, you preferve your eſtates, andare kept from running behind-hand in the world.
Bailiffs trouble not ſuch mens doors ; they usually have the forefoot of their neighbours. And by activity and diligence for God, fouls are kept from backſliding, and runningback in their graces and comforts. Remiſſneſs and intermiffion in our duties, are the firſt ſteps and degrees by which afouldeclines and waſtes as to his ſpiritual eſtate.
5. Your pains and diligence in the fields, make your bed ſweet toyou atnight, Ecclef. v. 12. " Reſt is ſweet to a labour- " ingman, whether he eat little or much."
But the diligent life of a Chriſtianmakesthe clods ofthe valley, his grave, ſweet untohim, 2Cor. i. 12. 2 Kings xx. 3. " Remember now,O
" Lord, howIhave walkedbefore thee," &c.
Think Chriftian, howfweet it willbe for thee, when thou comeſt to die, to fay then as thyRedeemer did, when nearhisdeath, John xvii.
4,5. " Ihave finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do; " andnow,O Father, glorify mewiththine own ſelf."
E 2
Husbandry Spiritualized; or, 6. The expence ofyour ſweat fills your purſes, you get eſtates byyour diligence and labour; but what are your gains to the gains ofChriſtians ? Theycangetinanhour, thatwhich theywill notpart with for allthe gold and ſilver on earth,
Prov. iii. 14.
So that compare theſe labourers, as to all their advantages, and you shall fee, that there isno trade like that which the diligent Chriſtian drives.
REFLECTIONS.
1. Blush then, Omy soul, atthe confideReflections ofthe ration ofthy laſineſs and ſloth, which is at tended with fo many ſpiritualwants ! And can I wonder at it, when I refuse the painful way ofduty, inwhich the precious fruits ofgodlineſs, areonly to be found ? Ifthe fruits lyupon thefurface ofduty, orcouldbehad with wishes, I ſhould notwant them; but to dig deep and take pains Icannot.
Mydefires, likethoſe ofthe flothful man, killme,becauſemy hands refuſe to labour,Prov. xxi . 25. Ifeveryduty were to be rewarded preſentlywith gold, would Inot have been more affiduous in them, than I have flothfulfoul. been ? Andyet I know that a heart full of the grace and comfort ofthe HolyGhost, is better than a houſe full ofgold and filver. Owhat a compoſition ofſtupidity and ſloth am I !
Ihave been all for the ſhort cut to comfort, when conſtant experience teacheth, that the further way about, by painful duty, is the nearerway to it. What pains dohusbandmen take ? What perildo ſeamen run for a little gain ? O fluggifh heart! wiltthou do nothing for eternal treaſures ?
Secondly, Ifthere be ſuch great reward attending diligence induty, thenwhy art thou ſo apt, O my foul, to caft off duty, becauſe thou findeſt not preſent comfort in it? How quickly am Idiſcouraged, if I preſently find notwhat I expect induty ? Whereas the well is deep, and much pains mustbe taken to draw up thoſe waters of joy, Ifa. xii. 3. There is agolden vein inthe mount ofduty, but it lies deep ; and becauſe Imeet not with it as foon as I expect, my lazy heart throwsby the ſhovel, and cries, dig I cannot.
Thirdly, Ifthis be indeedthe rich andthriving trade, why do I puddle about the poor,
Theworldings reflection. lowthings ofthe world fo much, neglecting the rich trade of godliness for it ? O how much ofmy time and ſtrength have theſe things devoured ?
Had I employed that time in communion with God, would itnothave turned to a better account ? Thinkeſtthou in ear-
The Heavenly Use of Earthly Things.
neſt,Omy foul, thatGodhathendowed thee with ſuch excellent faculties, capable ofthe mostdivine and heavenly employments, or that Jeſus Chriſt hath fhed his invaluable precious blood, or thathe hath ſent forththe glorious Spirit ofholineſs, andall this to fitmenforno higher nor nobler employments than theſe?
Is this the endofthy wonderful creation ? DothGod whirl about the heavens in endleſs revolutions, to begettimefor this ?
Ordoth he not rather expect that the weightiest work ſhould engroſs thy greateſt ſtrength, and choiceft hours ? O that I couldonceconfider, whata good Master Chriſtians ſerve, who willnot only abundantly reward them at night, but brings them their food into the fields to encourage them in their labour ! What pity is it, that ſo good aMaſter ſhould be ſo badly ſerved as he hath beenbyme ! Harkhow he pleads to gainmyheart:
The POEM, by way ofDialoguebetwixt Chriſt and the World..
CHRIST.
Whyſo free ofſweat and time, Forwhat erelongwill notbe thine?
Orifitmight, thou ſell'ft to loſs, Aprecious foul for laftingdroſs.
Thoſe wearyhands, andtoiling brains, Might be employed for better gains.
Wouldſt thou but work as hard for me, As for theworld, which cozensthee ; Thy gains shall be a thousand fold:
Formy revenue's more than gold.
WORLD.
Soul,I have always found thee willing, Rather by me to earn a fhilling, Than truſt uncertain things which lye Beyondthee in eternity.
Shall things unſeen now tempt thee ? Tuſh, Abird in hand's worth two i' th' bush .
Ipaythywages down in hand, This thou canst feel, taſte, understand, O let not ſuch a vain pretence Prevail against thy very ſenſe.
CHRIST.
Thus beasts are led, thus birds are ſnar'd,
Husbandry Spiritualized; or, Thus fouls forruin are prepar'd.
What ! truſt nofarther than you fee, You'll trust a thiefas far as me.
Deludedwretch ! Will nought but fight And ſenſeconvince thee? O how right, How juſt is God? whoſe direful ſcourge Such arguments inhell ſhall urge.
WORLD .
Chrift threatens wrath to come,butI Dothreaten theewithpoverty.
Andwhywiltthou thyſelf,and thoſe Thatare ſodear, towant expoſe!
Come fee, the faints, foralltheir brags, How well they thrive, they're cloath'd with rags..
CHRIST.
Ifmydear ſaints in ragsdogo, 'Tis not religion cloaths them ſo; Butby ſuch wants the Lordprepares Their fouls against the killing ſnares:
They all are heirs, tho' under age, Expectants oftheir heritage :
Kept ſhort for preſent,yet contemn Achangewith thoſe that ſcoffat them.
WORLD.
It is invain to plead, for I With preſent things charm pow'rfully; Whate'er thou offer'ſt, they'lldeſpiſe, I holdthem pris'ners by their eyes .
CHRIST.
Iftheywill ſerve no other Lord, Then let it stand upon record, Against their fouls, that they refus'd Mywages, and mygrace abus'd.
Rememberthis whenthey ſhall fee Allturn'dto aſhes that's inthee.
ONE willdenybut thoſe are bleffed pains Which are attended with the richest gains.
Grantthis, andthen mostclearly 'tis inferr'd, Soul-work to all deferves tobe preferr'd.
This is an unknown trade : O who can count Towhatthe gains ofgodliness amount ?
For one poor ſhilling,Owhat riſques ſome run ?
Sometoiling, as i' th' fire, from fun to fun.