A61391:218
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.
And Soul-work never goes on, unless we have a mind to work: as they, Neh. 4.6. They built, &c. for the people had a mind to work. O when a man hungers for Prayer-time, more then meal-time: when all businesses are dry, and all Companies taste of the Cask but Gods'; when a man can see more glory and beauty in one verse of the Bible, than in all the Corn in his Field; when the Soul doth really hasten, through all other business, and cry, O When shall I come and appear before God! then the work of God and the Soul goes on; then Duties of worship are welcome to him, and well done by him.
And thus it is with our serious Husbandman, that uses the world that he may enjoy God, and not the contrary, that rids his work that he may go to Prayer, and rids not Prayer out of the way, that he may go to work. But alas, all Husbandmen are not of this mould, happy they for ever, if they were. Abundance of them think, when they have supped they have a Writ of ease to go to bed, and let ⟨p. 86⟩them pray that have nothing else to do. And though they are seldom so weary, but they will think upon their bodies, and take their suppers with them, ere they go to rest, yet they dare venture to forget their souls, and steal to bed without a blessing.
And thus it is with our serious Husbandman, that uses the world that he may enjoy God, and not the contrary, that rids his work that he may go to Prayer, and rids not Prayer out of the way, that he may go to work. But alas, all Husbandmen are not of this mold, happy they for ever, if they were. Abundance of them think, when they have supped they have a VVrit of ease to go to bed, and let ⟨p. 86⟩them pray that have nothing else to do. And though they are seldome so weary, but they will think upon their bodies, and take their suppers with them, ere they go to rest, yet they dare venture to forget their souls, and steal to bed without a blessing.