A39665:624
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.
(4) The plough turns up, and discovers such things as lay hid in the bosom of the earth before, and were covered under a fair green surface, from the eyes of men. Thus when the Lord ploughs up the heart of a sinner by conviction, then the secrets of his heart are made manifest, 2 Cor. 14. 24, 25. the most secret and shameful sins will then our; for the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of the soul and spirit, the joints and marrow, and is a quick discerner of the thoughts, and secret intents of the heart, Heb. 4. 12. It makes the fire burn inwardly, so that the soul hath no rest till confession give a vent to trouble. Fain would the shuffling sinner conceal and hide his shame; but the word follows him through all his sinful shifts, and brings him at last to be his own, both accuser, witness and judge.
(4) The plow turns up, and discovers such things as lay hid in the bosome of the earth before, and were covered under a fair green surface, from the eyes of men. Thus when the Lord plows up the heart of a sinner by conviction, then the secrets of his heart are made manifest, 2 Cor. 14. 24, 25. the most secret and shameful sins will then our; for the word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of the soul and spirit, the joynts and merrow, and is a quick discerner of the thoughts, and secret intents of the heart, Heb. 4. 12. It makes the fire burn inwardly, so that the soul hath no rest till confession give a vent to trouble. Fain would the shuffling sinner conceal and hide his shame; but the word follows him through all his sinful shifts, and brings him at last to be his own, both accuser, witness and judge.
(•) The work of the plough is but opus ordinabile: a preparative work in order to fruit. Should the Husbandman plough his ground never so often, yet if the seed be not cast in ⟨p. 66⟩