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

How great then are the dignities and privileges of the Churches of Jesus Christ, whom he hath appropriated to himself, above all the people of the earth, to be his peculiar inheritance? The rest of the world is a waste wilderness; all other places, how pleasant soever, in respect of their natural amenity and delights, are truly enough called, the dark places of the earth; dismal, solitary cells, where Ziim and Iim, Bitterns, Cormorants, and every doleful creature dwells. But the Church is the Paradise of the earth, a garden enclosed, Cant. 4. 12. in whose hedges the Gospel-birds chirp and sing melodiously, Cant. 2. 12. Its beds, are beds of spices, Cant. 6. 2. and betwixt its pleasant banks, a Crystal River of living water runs, Rev. 22. 1. The streams whereof make glad the City of god; ⟨p. 12⟩in the midst thereof the Lord himself delights to walk. O Zion! with what pleasures dost thou abound! If Bernard were so ravished with the delights of his Monastery, because of its green banks, and shady bowers, and herbs, and trees, and various objects to feed his eyes, and fragrant smells, and sweet and various tunes of birds, together with the opportunities of devout contemplation, that he cried out admiringly, Lord! what delights dost thou provide, even for the poor! How much more should we be ravished with Zion's glory? for beautiful for situation, is mount Zion. Of whom it may much more truly be said,