An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…

Or will he Harrow the Valleys after thee?

When the Plough hath laid the Furrows, harrowing followeth. The Plough leaveth the clods too gross for the reception and growth of the seed; therefore the Harrow is employed to break the Ploughed ground yet more, and to crumble the clods yet finer. We find both these parts of Husbandry set down (Isa. ⟨p. 366⟩28.24.) Doth the Plough-man Plough all day to Sow? doth he open and break the clods of the ground? when he hath made plain the face thereof? doth he not cast abroad the fitches, &c? Here's a description of this work of the husbandman Ploughing and Harrowing, or making plain the face of the ground, all in an allegory, intending a very spiritual work of God, in breaking and harrowing the heart of man by affliction, and making it thereby fit to receive the seed of the Word. Thus also spake the Prophet (Hos. 10.11.) Judah shall plough, and Jacob shall break his clods, that is, Jacob shall Harrow. The Prophets meaning is, that the Lord would bring them into a labouring state of life, even into captivity, where they must Plough, because they had Ploughed iniquity, and had not Ploughed up the Fallow ground of their hearts by repenting of their iniquity. Will the Unicorn Harrow The Valleys after thee?

When the Plough hath laid the Furrows, harrowing followeth. The Plow leaveth the clods too gross for the reception and growth of the seed; therefore the Harrow is imployed to break the Plowed ground yet more, and to crumble the clods yet finer. We find both these parts of Husbandry set down (Isa. ⟨p. 366⟩