A61391:267
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 though your business be great, yet remember still, that one thing is necessary. Though your hands and time be full, yet I hope you'll find leisure to go to Heaven. You must discharge your debts, attend your markets, pay your rents, and bring up your children; And must you not get your blindness eur•d, your leprosy healed, and your soul saved? The busiest of you, if you break a bone, or be sick, will have time to seek help. Are ye too busy to go to Heaven? God forbid. What though you are poor! Are not many poor men rich in knowledge? Must not poor men go to Heaven? and can they come thither hood-winked? Though thou art but an Husbandman, yet thou must be a Christian; ⟨p. 117⟩and to be a Christian without knowledge of the Scripture, is like being a Philosopher without learning.
And though your business be great, yet remember still, that one thing is necessary. Though your hands and time be full, yet I hope you'l find leisure to go to Heaven. You must discharge your debts, attend your markets, pay your rents, and bring up your children; And must you not get your blindness eur•d, your leprosie healed, and your soul saved? The busiest of you, if you break a bone, or be sick, will have time to seek help. Are ye too busie to go to Heaven? God forbid. What though you are poor! Are not many poor men rich in knowledge? Must not poor men go to Heaven? and can they come thither hood-wink't? Though thou art but an Husbandman, yet thou must be a Christian; ⟨p. 117⟩and to be a Christian without knowledge of the Scripture, is like being a Philosopher without learning.
Though thy Understanding be dull, yet when the Holy Ghost is the School-Master, it is possible to learn. If no man learn any thing that he is dull at first about, how few would have skill in any thing. The first line in the Horn-book is the hardest; the further you learn, the easier: Prayer and Diligence will make it easy. And the Husbandman's God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him,