A61391:234
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.
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.
If some great man give you an Estate o• twenty pounds a year freely, only he• layes twenty shillings Rent-charge upon it: Were not you unworthy, to deny or to grudg 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 grudg not to pay it, lest he re-enter, and seize the whole.
And especially considering that he hath charged thee herein, according to thy ability; not as earthly Landlords, that lay sometimes a great Rent on a small living; he would only have thee to suit thy charity to thy ability. O but I am a very poor man, and can hardly subsist. Answ. Art thou poorer than that widow? Mark 12.42. She had not much, and Christ expected not much from her; two Mites shall serve thy turn, if thou hast but little. And our Lord Jesus himself was low in Stock, when he was put to a miracle for money to pay his Tax; and yet (saith the text) he had a Purse for the Poor, Joh. 13.29. Think of this, when thou hast much a do to pay thy Rent, or to pay thy Tax, and grudge not something to the hungry and naked, seeing thy Saviour had a purse for the poor, though he sometimes wanted money to pay his Tax.
And especially considering that he hath charged thee herein, according to thy ability; not as earthly Landlords, that lay somtimes a great Rent on a small living; he would only have thee to suit thy charity to thy ability. O but I am a very poor man, and can hardly subsist. Answ. Art thou poorer than that widow?