A61391:233
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.
1. You must consider that you are but Stewards of your Estate. The Property is Gods, the Possession and use only yours. And so what you give is of Gods stock in your hands; and what need you be niggardly of another's stock? As long as your Alms and Expenses will pass in your accounts, it is nothing at all to you, how he will have it disposed: The forgetfulness of this, makes men so close-handed. They take all they have to be their own: so Nabal, shall I give my bread and my flesh? So the worldling cries, This is my house, my corn, my bread, and this locks•up his hand: whereas when thou lookest on thy house, say, This is the Lords, who gives me house-room on charity, and therefore any Guest he sends, must be welcome: this Corn is Gods, and so is this Bread, I have but the disposing of it; and so if he order it to a Beggar, I will freely part with it, for it is none of mine, but Gods.
1. You must consider that you are but Stewards of your Estate. The Property is Gods, the Possession and use only yours. And so what you give is of Gods stock in your hands; and what need you be niggardly of anothers stock? As long as your Alms and Expences will pass in your accounts, it is nothing at all to you, how he will have it dispos'd: The forgetfulness of this, makes men so close-handed. They take all they have to be their own: so Nabal, shall I give my bread and my flesh? So the worldling cries, This is my house, my corn, my bread, and this locks•up his hand: whereas when thou look'st on thy house, say, This is the Lords, who gives me house-room on charity, and therefore any Guest he sends, must be welcome: this Corn is Gods, and so is this Bread, I have but the disposing of it; and so if he order it to a Beggar, I will freely part with it, for it is none of mine, but Gods.
If some great man give you an Estate o• twenty pounds a year freely, only he• lays twenty shillings Rent-charge upon it: Were not you unworthy, to deny or to grudge the payment of this Rent-charge? why, this is the case. It is the Lord only that hath given you an Estate; charitable relief of such as are in want, is the Lords Rent-charge, which he hath laid upon it; and therefore grudge not to pay it, lest he re-enter, and seize the whole.