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

And then another way whereby he is tempted to wrong his Neighbour is, by Trespassing upon him; either his cattle being unruly, and not lawfully ordered, or his fence neglected, (for we must descend, if we would amend the most inferior things in our way) and these things are neglected either through idleness, or other business, (it is hoped out of no worse design) so long that his honest ⟨p. 122⟩neighbour is prejudiced and provoked. And hence follows, (besides the wrong done, which is the worst evil) grudgings, and heartburnings, and often unkind and angry expressions, and sometimes long and chargeable suits. How great a fire a little spark kindles? Insomuch that oftentimes, the nearest neighbours are lest beloved, and sometimes so engaged in suits and rancour against each other, that they lose the comfort of that mutual love and offices, they might enjoy.

And then another way whereby he is tempted to wrong his Neighbour is, by Trespassing upon him; either his cattel being unruly, and not lawfully ordered, or his fence neglected, (for we must descend, if we would amend the most inferiour things in our way) and these things are neglected either through idleness, or other business, (it is hoped out of no worse design) so long that his honest ⟨p. 122⟩neighbour is prejudiced and provoked. And hence follows, (besides the wrong done, which is the worst evil) grudgings, and heartburnings, and often unkind and angry expressions, and sometimes long and chargeable suits. How great a fire a little spark kindles? Insomuch that oftentimes, the nearest neighbours are lest beloved, and sometimes so engaged in suits and rancour against each other, that they lose the comfort of that mutual love and offices, they might enjoy.

And this is a most sad and doleful thing, to be written in tears, and spoken in sighs, that those people should so fail in Actions, whose Religion gives laws to the Thoughts; that they should live below the Heathens, who expect to be equal to the Angels; that some little part of that world, the whole whereof is not worth the poorest soul in it, should so bewitch a man, to break all bonds, divine and humane, to compass it. Let us therefore enquire out some powerful Preservative against this temptation.