A39665:966
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.
What if God will own some of them for his Sons, to whom I refuse to give the respect of brethren? I may pass hasty and headlong censures upon others, but where is my commission for so doing? I want not only a commission, but fit qualifications for such a work as this. Can I pierce into the heart as God? can I infallibly discover the hidden motives, ends, and principles of actions? Besides, O my soul! thou art conscious of so much falseness in thy self, that were there no other consideration, that alone might rest in a thee from all uncharitable and hasty censures. If others knew but what I know of my self, would they not judge as severely of me, as I do of others?
What if God will own some of them for his Sons, to whom I refuse to give the respect of brethren? I may pass hasty and headlong censures upon others, but where is my commission for so doing? I want not only a commission, but fit qualifications for such a work as this. Can I pierce into the heart as God? can I infallibly discover the hidden motives, ends, and principles of actions? Besides, O my soul! thou art conscious of so much falsness in thy self, that were there no other consideration, that alone might rest in a thee from all uncharitable and hasty censures. If others knew but what I know of my self, would they not judge as severely of me, as I do of others?
Though I may not judge the final state of another, yet I may and ought to judge the state of my own soul;1 which is doubtless a more necessary and concerning work to me. For since every saving grace in a Christian hath its counterfeit in the hypocrite, how needful is it, for thee, (O my soul) to make a stand here, and solemnly to ponder this great question! whether those things whereon I depend as my best evidences for the life to come, be the real, or only the common works of the Spirit? whether they be such as can now endure the test of the Word, and abide a fair trial at the bar of my own conscience?
Though I may not judge the final state of another, yet I may and ought to judge the state of my own soul;