A39665:15
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.
THE Epistle Dedicatory.
To the Worshipful Robert Savoury, and William Savoury, of Slade, Esquires.
To the Worshipful Robert Savery, and William Savery, of Slade, Esquires.
Honoured Friends, IT hath been long since observed, That the world below, is a Glass to discover the World above; Seculum est speculum. And although I am not of their opinion, the say, The Heathens may spell Christ out of the Sun, Moon and Stars; yet this I know, That the irrational and inanimate, as well as rational creatures have a Language; and though not by Articulate speech, yet in a Metaphorical sense, they preach unto man the wisdom, Power, and goodness of God, Rom. 1. 20. There is (saith the Psalmist, Psal. 19. 3.) No speech, ⟨image 3⟩nor Language where their voice is not heard. Or (as Junius renders) there is no Speech, nor Words, yet without these their voice is understood; and their Line (i. e. saith Deodate) their writing in gross and plain draughts, is gone out through all the earth. As man is compounded of a fleshly and spiritual substance, so God hath endowed the creatures with a spiritual, as well as fleshly usefulness; they have not only a natural use in Alimental and Physical respects, but also a spiritual use, as they bear the figures and similitudes of many sublime and heavenly mysteries. Believe me (saith contemplative Bernard) thou shalt find more in the Woods, than in a corner; Stones and Trees will teach thee what thou shalt not hear from learned Doctors. By a skilful and industrious improvement of the creatures (saith Mr. Baxter excellently) we might have a fuller taste of Christ and Heaven, in every bit of Bread that we eat, and in every draught of Beer that we drink, than most men have in the use of the Sacrament. And as the Creatures teach divine and excellent things, so they teach them in a perspicuous and taking manner: Duo illa nos