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

But doth he well this while? Is he indeed in the right? and hath Providence done him wrong, or doth God throw down riches and greatness winking, and bestow honours at adventures? Nay, my Beloved, this is but his ⟨p. 79⟩Temptation. The holy Husbandman will not yield to these thoughts, he is of another temper. But though this Cockatrice must be crushed, and Antidotes sought against this malignant humour; yet I dare not plead for any of the excessive gallantry, or costly superfluity, either in fare, building, or apparel, that is in use with any; nor for an idle, unuseful life, for any man or woman in the world; (Our Father Adam himself, if he were alive, would not desire it) I may not speak one word for these; nay woe, woe to them, if poor men perish for want of necessaries, while they swim in their superfluities, and relieve them not: Sadly and certainly shall they rue it with the rich man in the Gospel, if they make their Tenants grown by the racking of their Rents, that they may sing in the multitude of their Frolics. If their sitting on your Shoulders do not raise them nearer Heaven, but only squeeze down you to the earth, they will have a full cup of wrath made ready for them in due time. But yet in the mean while, if ye will be Gods Husbandry, if ye will be Gods Building, ye must not envy them, no not at all.

But doth he well this while? Is he indeed in the right? and hath Providence done him wrong, or doth God throw down riches and greatness winking, and bestow honours at adventures? Nay, my Beloved, this is but his ⟨p. 79⟩Temptation. The holy Husbandman will not yield to these thoughts, he is of another temper. But though this Cockatrice must be crusht, and Antidotes sought against this malignant humour; yet I dare not plead for any of the excessive gallantry, or costly superfluity, either in fare, building, or apparel, that is in use with any; nor for an idle, unuseful life, for any man or woman in the world; (Our Father Adam himself, if he were alive, would not desire it) I may not speak one word for these; nay wo, wo to them, if poor men perish for want of necessaries, while they swim in their superfluities, and relieve them not: Sadly and certainly shall they rue it with the rich man in the Gospel, if they make their Tenants grown by the racking of their Rents, that they may sing in the multitude of their Frolicks. If their sitting on your Shoulders do not raise them nearer Heaven, but only squeeze down you to the earth, they will have a full cup of wrath made ready for them in due time. But yet in the mean while, if ye will be Gods Husbandry, if ye will be Gods Building, ye must not envy them, no not at all.