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 Husbandman therefore hath many Items of his frailty, and must lay it to heart. Here is my Ground, and alas what am I but earth sifted and purified, and moulded up by ⟨p. 134⟩the hand of God? And what cause hath white and red clay to be proud! Come down O my vain heart, and know thy place; when clay ascends, it is against the Laws of the Creation.

The Husbandman therefore hath many Items of his frailty, and must lay it to heart. Here is my Ground, and alas what am I but earth sifted and purified, and molded up by ⟨p. 134⟩the hand of God? And what cause hath white and red clay to be proud! Come down O my vain heart, and know thy place; when clay ascends, it is against the Laws of the Creation.

2. From his ground; the Husbandman learns his mortality; and may be oft minded of his change. For unto dust thou shalt return: There is the end of his Line. Poor man creeps out of the dust, keeps a coil in the world a while, and then returns unto dust again. Every day the Husbandman may learn this lesson. His employment lies as it were in his grave; when he is digging or ploughing in the ground, he breaks out in these thoughts. Poor piece of creeping dust, whither art thou going? Art thou ready to return to thy mother Earth again? Hast thou glorified God? Hast thou finished the work which he gave thee to do? What sticks it at? Thy passing Bell may be rung to morrow, and then shall the dust return to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit shall return unto G d who gave it, Eccles. 12.7. Prepare thy self therefore, to lye down in the Earth, which thou art now manuring: Get dying thoughts, for thou art but dying dust.

2. From his ground; the Husbandman learnes his mortality; and may be oft minded of his change. For unto dust thou shalt return: There is the end of his Line. Poor man creeps out of the dust, keeps a coile in the world a while, and then rturnes unto dust again. Every day the Husbandman may learn this lesson. His imployment lyes as it were in his grave; when he is digging or plowing in the ground, he breakes out in these thoughts. Poor peice of creeping dust, whither art thou going? Art thou ready to return to thy mother Earth again? Hast thou glorified God? Hast thou finisht the work which he gave thee to do? What sticks it at? Thy passing Bell may be rung to morrow, and then shall the dust return to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit shall return unto G d who gave it,