A39665:433
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.
Do the people of God desire only so much of the Creature as may fit them for the service of God;1 what a wretch then am I that have desired only so much of Religion as may fit me to gain the creature! As God's people have subjected all their creature enjoyments to Religion, so oppositely, O my soul, thou hast subjected Religion to thy worldly interest and designs. Instead of eating and drinking to serve God, I have served God that I might eat and drink; yea, I have not only acted below Religion, but below reason also; for reason dictates plainly, that the means must never be more excellent than the end. Wretch that I am, to make Religion a slave to my lust, a stirrup to advancement, an artifice to carry on my carnal designs, verily I have my reward; and this is all the good I am ever like to get by it.
Do the people of God desire only so much of the Creature as may fit them for the service of God;1 what a wretch then am I that have desired only so much of Religion as may fit me to gain the creature! As God's people have subjected all their creature injoyments to Religion, so oppositely, O my soul, thou hast subjected Religion to thy wordly interest and designs. Instead of eating and drinking to serve God, I have served God that I might eat and drink; yea, I have not only acted below Religion, but below reason also; for reason dictates plainly, that the meanes must never be more excellent than the end. Wretch taht I am, to make Religion a slave to my lust, a stirrup to advancement, an artifice to carry on my carnal designs, verily I have my reward; and this is all the good I am ever like to get by it.