Husbandry spiritualized, or, The heavenly use of earthly things consisting of many pleasant observations,…

Can a little Corn cause men to digest so many difficult labours, and make them wait with invincible patience till the reaping time come? much more should the expectation of eternal glory steel and fortify my spirit against all intercurrent hardships and difficulties. It least of all becomes a Christian to be of a hasty and impatient spirit. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart, Psal. 92. 11. Behold the Husbandman waiteth, &c. Jam. 5. 7. Be patient therefore my Brethren, for the coming of the Lord draws near. There are three great Arguments to persuade Christians to a long-suffering and patient frame under sufferings. (1) The example of Christ, Isa. 53. 7. to think how quietly he suffered all injuries and difficulties with invincible patience, is sufficient to shame the best of Christians, who are of such short Spirits. I have read of one Elezarius a noble ⟨p. 123⟩man, that when his wife wondered at his exceeding great patience in bearing njuries; he thus answered her, You know sometimes my heart is ready to rise with indignation against such as wrong me, but I presently begin to think of the wrongs that Christ suffered, and say thus to my self, although thy servant should pluck thy beard, and smite thee on thy face, this were nothing to what thy Lord suffered: he suffered more and greater things; and assure your self (wife) I never leave off thinking on the injuries done to my Saviour, till such time as my mind be still and quiet. To this purpose it was well noted by Bernard, speaking of Christ's humiliation; was Christ the Lord of glory thus humbled and emptied of his fullness of glory? and shall such a worm as I swell? (2) The desert of sin,