A61391:328
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.
1. The First Lesson the Husbandman may learn, is, from his Oxen. And there he learns,
1. Patient industry. He observes his Ox, that's ignorant of the will of God, or the reward of Heaven; yet day by day works, till he be weary, keeps his place and furrow, ⟨p. 157⟩though it toil him every step; carries his yoke without grieving at it, and suffers the sharp visits of the Goad without renitency or opposition; and expects nothing but food for his labour. And this instructs and quiets the Husbandman in his painful Calling. He knows he hath as much reason to work for God, as his Ox hath to work for him; and that he expects a far greater reward, and therefore he is content to weary himself day by day; he keeps in his place and furrow, though his idle neighbour would tempt him out to vain company. His yoke is somewhat heavy, but he knows it will grow lighter by bearing it in his youth: and though he feel the goad of domestic afflictions, sometimes in his side, yet he frets not, but mends his pace: a night will come at length, when the weary are at rest.
1. Patient industry. He observes his Oxe, that's ignorant of the will of God, or the reward of Heaven; yet day by day works, till he be weary, keeps his place and furrow, ⟨p. 157⟩though it toyle him every step; carries his yoke without grieving at it, and suffers the sharp visits of the Goad without renitency or opposition; and expects nothing but food for his labour. And this instructs and quiets the Husbandman in his painful Calling. He knows he hath as much reason to work for God, as his Oxe hath to work for him; and that he expects a far greater reward, and therefore he is content to weary himself day by day; he keeps in his place and furrow, though his idle neighbour would tempt him out to vain company. His yoke is somewhat heavy, but he knows it will grow lighter by bearing it in his youth: and though he feel the goad of domestick afflictions, sometimes in his side, yet he frets not, but mends his pace: a night will come at length, when the weary are at rest.