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

There is a vast difference betwixt those fields which have been well husbanded,¹ and dressed by a skilful and diligent Husbandman; and those that have been long out of husbandry. How fragrant is the one! how dry and barren the other? When you pass by a field well dressed and fenced, every thing prosperous and in exquisite order, you may know without farther enquiry, that a good Husband lives there.

There is a vast difference betwixt those fields which have been well husbanded,¹ and drest by a skilful and diligent Husbandman; and those that have been long out of husbandry. How fragrant is the one! how dry and barren the other? When you pass by a field well dressed and fenced, every thing prosperous and in exquisite order, you may know without farther enquiry, that a good Husband lives there.

1. 116. Prop.

Thus stands the case betwixt those places which God hath blest with a faithful painful Ministry,¹ and such as have none, or worse than none: For as the Husbandmans cost and pains appears in the verdant, and fragrant hew of his fields; so a Ministers pains and diligence is (ordinarily) seen in the heavenly lives, and flourishing graces of the people. The Churches of Corinth and Thessalonica, where Paul and other holy instruments spent much of their time and pains became famous and flourishing Churches, 2 Cor. 9. 2. A special blessing comes along with a godly Minister, to the place where special providence assigns him. Such places like Gideon's fleece, have the dew of heaven lying on them, whiles others round about are dry and barren.