A39665:348
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.
Blush then, O my soul, at the consideration of thy laziness and sloth,1 which is attended with so many spiritual wants! and can I wonder at it, when I refuse the painful way of duty, in which the precious fruits of Godliness, are only to be found? If these fruits lay upon the surface of duty, or could be had with wishes, I should not want them; but to dig ⟨p. 27⟩deep and take pains I cannot. My desires, like those of the slothful man, kill me, because my hands refuse to labour, Pro. 21. 25. If every duty were to be rewarded presently with gold, would I not have been more assiduous in them, than I have been? And yet I know that a heart full of the grace and comfort of the holy Ghost, is better than a house full of gold and silver. O what a composition of stupidity and sloth am I! I have been all for the short cut to comfort, when constant experience teacheth, that the farther way about, by painful duty, is the nearest way to it. What pains do Husbandmen take? what perils do Seamen run, for a little gain? O sluggish heart! wilt thou do nothing for eternal treasures?
Blush then, O my soul, at the consideration of thy laziness and sloth,1 which is attended with so many spiritual wants! and can I wonder at it, when I refuse the painful way of duty, in which the precious fruits of Godliness, are only to be found? If these fruits lay upon the surface of duty, or could be had with wishes, I should not want them; but to dig