A39665:1306
Husbandry spiritualized, or, The heavenly use of earthly things consisting of many pleasant observations,…
Husbandry spiritualized, or, The heavenly use of earthly things consisting of many pleasant observations, pertinent applications, and serious reflections and each chapter concluded with a divine and suitable poem : directing husband-men to the most excellent improvements of their common employments : whereunto is added ... several choice occasional meditations / by John Flavell.Husbandry spiritualized, or, The heavenly use of earthly things consisting of many pleasant observations, pertinent applications, and serious reflections and each chapter concluded with a divine and suitable poem : directing husband-men to the most excellent improvements of their common imployments : whereunto is added ... several choice occasional meditations / by John Flavell.
London : Printed and are to be sold by Robert Boulter, l674
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
REFLECTIONS.
How have I rejoiced in a thing of nought,1 and pleased my self with a vanity? God hath blessed me in my fields, and in my stores; but not with spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. My Barns are full of corn, but my soul is empty of grace; common bounty hath given me a fullness of the things of this life, but what if the meaning of it should be to fat me for the day of slaughter? what if this be the whole of my portion from the Lord? what if the language of his providences to my soul should be this? Lo, here I have given thee (with Ishmael) the fatness of the earth: Thou shalt not say, but thou hast tasted of thy Creator's bounty; but make the most of it, for this is all that ever thou shalt have from me: There be others in the world, to whom I have denied these things, but for them I have reserved better; for the most part they are poor in this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom? Is not this enough to damp all my carnal mirth? Should my conscience give me such a memento, as Abraham in the parable gave to Dives; Remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things. Ah, what a cut would that be to all my comforts? A man in a Fever hath a lively colour, but a dying heart. I have an appearance, a shadow of comfort, but a sad state of soul.
HOw have I rejoyced in a thing of nought,1 and pleased my self with a vanity? God hath blessed me in my fields, and in my stores; but not with spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. My Barns are full of corn, but my soul is empty of grace; common bounty hath given me a fulness of the things of this life, but what if the meaning of it should be to fat me for the day of slaughter? what if this be the whole of my portion from the Lord? what if the language of his providences to my soul should be this? Lo, here I have given thee (with Ishmael) the fatness of the earth: Thou shalt not say, but thou hast tasted of thy Creator's bounty; but make the most of it, for this is all that ever thou shalt have from me: There be others in the world, to whom I have denyed these things, but for them I have reserved better; for the most part they are poor in this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom? Is not this enough to damp all my carnal mirth? Should my conscience give me such a memento, as Abraham in the parable gave to Dives; Remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things. Ah, what a cut would that be to all my comforts? A man in a Fever hath a lively colour, but a dying heart. I have an appearance, a shadow of comfort, but a sad state of soul.