A61391:107
The husbandmans calling showing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandmanThe husbandmans calling shewing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandman
The husbandmans calling showing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandman : being the substance of XII sermons preached to a country congregation / by Richard Steele.The husbandmans calling shewing the excellencies, temptations, graces, duties &c. of the Christian husbandman : being the substance of XII sermons preached to a country congregation / by Richard Steele.
London: printed by M.S., 1668
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.
SECT. VI.1
- 1§ 2.
The Sixth Excellency of the Husbandmans 1Calling, is, That it is a Calling of less temptation than others. Not that he is without temptations, as you will hereafter see, but his Temptations are not so strong, as in most other Callings. For 1 John 2. 16. 2All that is in the world, is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Now his labour keeps down his lust, and his poverty helps to quell down his pride, and sure his worldly Desires cannot compare with those of vaster Estates, seeing the more a man hath, the more unsatisfied are his Desires. Joseph and Benjamin were own Brothers, but Joseph is exalted at Court, and Benjamin is seated in ⟨p. 32⟩the Country; and now whether proves the safer? why, Benjamin he comes to Egypt humble, and modest, and sober; but Joseph, though 'tis like the better man, yet he is gotten into the Court fashion, and hath by the Life of Pharaoh at his tongues end. Nay one and the same man, holy David, who more chaste and innocent in the Country, among his Sheep? but he was not so at the Court: So that as many great Oaks and Cedars fall, when Shrubs do keep their standing in a storm, so the great and rich and mighty ones of the world are often entrapped in lust, envy, pride, and Atheism; when the poor honest Husbandman is kept innocent and clear.