A39665:1795
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 great a sin is ingratitude to God,1 for such a common, but choice mercy of Creation, and provision for me in this world? There is no creature made worse by kindness, but man. There is a kind of gratitude which I may observe even in these brute beasts; they do in their way acknowledge their benefactors; The Ox knows his Owner, and the Ass his Masters Crib. How ready are they to serve such as feed and cherish them? but I have been Both unthankful and unserviceable to my Creator and Benefactor, that hath done me good all my days; those poor creatures that sweat and groan under the loads that I lay upon them, never sinned against God, nor transgressed the Laws of their Creation as I have done; and yet God hath dealt better with me than with them. Oh that the bounty of God, and his distinguishing mercy between me and the beasts that perish, might move and melt my heart into thankfulness! O that I might consider seriously what the higher and more excellent end of my Creation is, and might more endeavour to answer and live up to it! Or else (O my soul) it will be worse with thee than with the beasts. 'Tis true, they are under bondage and misery; but it is but for a little time, death will end all ⟨p. 209⟩their pains, and ease them of all their heavy loads; but I shall groan to all eternity, under a heavier burden than ever they felt; they have no account to give but so have I. What comfort is it that I have a larger capacity than a beast hath? that God hath endowed me with reason, which is denied to me? Alas! this will but augment my misery, and enlarge me to take in a greater measure of anguish.
HOw great a sin is ingratitude to God,1 for such a common, but choice mercy of Creation, and provision for me in this world? There is no creature made worse by kindness, but man. There is a kind of gratitude which I may observe even in these bruit beasts; they do in their way acknowledge their benefactors; The Ox knows his Owner, and the Ass his Masters Crib. How ready are they to serve such as feed and cherish them? but I have been Both unthankful and unserviceable to my Creator and Benefactor, that hath done me good all my dayes; those poor creatures that sweat and groan under the loads that I lay upon them, never sinned against God, nor transgressed the Laws of their Creation as I have done; and yet God hath dealt better with me than with them. Oh that the bounty of God, and his distinguishing mercy between me and the beasts that perish, might move and melt my heart into thankfulness! O that I might consider seriously what the higher and more excellent end of my Creation is, and might more endeavour to answer and live up to it! Or else (O my soul) it will be worse with thee than with the beasts. 'Tis true, they are under bondage and misery; but it is but for a little time, death will end all