A39665:900
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.
If I shall receive my body again, so dignified and improved in the world to come,1 then Lord let me never be unwilling to use my body now for the interest of thy glory, or my own Salvation. Now, O my God, it grieves me to think ⟨p. 105⟩how many precious opportunities of serving and honouring thee, I have lost under pretence of endangering my health.
- 1The healthful Saints Reflection.
I have been more solicitous to live long and healthfully, than to live usefully and fruitfully; and like enough my life had been more serviceable to thee, if it had not been so fondly overvalued by me.
Foolish soul, hath God given thee a body for a living tool or instrument, and art thou afraid to use it? wherein is the mercy of having a body, if not in spending and wearing it out in the service of God? to have an active vigorous body, and not to employ and exercise it for God, for fear of endangering its health, is as if one should give thee a handsome and sprightful horse, upon condition thou shouldst not ride or work him. O! if some of the Saints had enjoyed the blessing of such an healthy active body as mine, what excellent services would they have performed to God in it?