A61391:301
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.
4. His fourth lesson is from the improving of his ground. He finds that the dirty manure is necessary to make his ground fertile, Luke 13.8. Not only the fig-tree, but the vineyard must be digged and dunged, else it will grow weedy, gather moss and be fruitless ⟨p. 136⟩And here our Husbandman learns the necessity and benefit of affliction. Here's a piece of ground; alas without much pain, I shall reap no profit. And here's an Heart, that will bring forth little, without much pains and cost. Afflictions are profitable, but not pleasant at all: They fall upon us by a necessity, (If need be) ye are in manifold temptations. 1 Pet. 1.6. Let a man live two or three years without affliction, and he is almost good for nothing; he cannot pray, nor meditate, nor deny himself, he gathers abundance of moss and rust; but let God smite him in his child, or estate, or health, now he• can find his tongue, he is awake, and is in good earnest, now he is humble and mortified, and quite another man; O! affliction is the growing soil. God hath now as much honour again from him, as he had before. Hereupon many good Husbands think, that improving is better than purchasing: the Lord hath such a large improvement from one of his servants after affliction, that it brings in as much, as if he had converted a man out of the rough. And now thinks the Husbandman; my pains and cost is well bestowed; this crop rewards me: And so says God, This amendment pleaseth me; This rod was well bestowed. And thus doth God chide himself friends with his poor children, and heals them by his stripes: and this the Husbandman learns from the improving of his Ground.
4. His fourth lesson is from the improving of his ground. He finds that the dirty manure is necessary to make his ground fertile, Luke 13.8. Not only the fig-tree, but the vineyard must be dig'd and dung'd, else it wil grow weedy, gather moss and be fruitless• ⟨p. 136⟩