A61391:304
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 then again, the Grass Preaches to the Husbandman, Reliance upon the providence of God. Thinks he, here I have a great family, and many Children, and certain provision for them I have none, but Math. 6.30. If God thus clothe the Grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the Oven, shall be not much more clothe me and mine, if I have any faith? Hath common providence such care of Grass, and not much more on men and women? Away distrust, be silent all my fears, God will provide for me and mine. What if I leave a shiftless wife, and unable children behind me: This poor Grass cannot shift for it self, and yet its supported, and fed, and fenced, till I think it fit to cut it down: And so shall they be fed, and fenced, till God think fit to have them home.
And then again, the Grass Preaches to the Husbandman, Relyance upon the providence of God. Thinkes he, here I have a great family, and many Children, and certain provision for them I have none, but Math. 6.30. If God thus cloath the Grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the Oven, shall be not much more cloath me and mine, if I have any faith? Hath common providence such care of Grass, and not much more on men and women? Away distrust, be silent all my fears, God will provide for me and mine. What if I leave a shiftless wife, and unable children behind me: This poor Grass cannot shift for it self, and yet its supported, and fed, and fenced, till I think it fit to cut it down: And so shall they be fed, and fenced, till God think fit to have them home.
7. The Seventh lesson that our Husbandman learns is from the Thorns in his ground It is said, Judg. 8.16. That Gideon took […] Elders, and thorns of the Wilderness, and b•, and with them he taught the men of S•. Hebr. He threshed them, he taught them what it was to affront God and his instruments. And much may a good Husband, an holy man learn out of a Theme, God being the teacher. And here 1. The Husbandman […] taught to remember his fall in Adam. One of the Fathers would weep at the sight of the Rose, because before Adam fell, he thought the Rose had no prickles, but the Fall bred them: certain it is, the curse of Thorns began at the Fall,