A39665:614
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.
OBSERVATION.
IT requires not only strength, but much skill and judgment,1 to manage and guide the plough. The Hebrew word which we translate to plough, signifies to be intent, as an Artificer is about some curious piece of work. The plough must neither go too shallow nor too deep in the earth; it must not indent the ground by making crooked furrows, nor leap and make baulks in good ground; but be guided as to a just depth of earth, so to cast the furrow in a straight line, that the floor or surface of the field may be made plain. As it is Isa. 28. 25. And hence that expression, Luke 9. 62. He that puts his hand to the plough, and looks back, is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. The meaning is, that as he that ploughs, must have his eyes always forward, to guide and direct his hand in casting the furrows straight and even; (for his hand will be quickly out when his eye is off). So he that heartily resolves for heaven, must addict himself wholly and intently to the business of Religion, and not have his mind entangled with the things of this world, which he hath left behind him; whereby it appears, that the right management of the plough, requires as much skill as strength.
IT requires not only strength, but much skill and judgment,1 to manage and guide the plow. The Hebrew word which we translate to plow, signifies to be intent, as an Artificer is about some curious piece of work. The plow must neither go too shallow nor too deep in the earth; it must not indent the ground by making crooked furrows, nor leap and make baulks in good ground; but be guided as to a just depth of earth, so to cast the furrow in a straight line, that the floor or surface of the field may be made plain. As it is