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 the Husbandman hath need of Faith for his Children; for many times he leaves them to the wide world, hath made shift to educate them, and that's all. And when he dies, the Lease is expired, and they must be gone. But he believes that God will take care of poor mens Children. If he have faith, and so be in covenant, he concludes that his children are in covenant also; and therefore is confident that God will provide for them. That God who hears young Ravens, will hear young Children. Though Ishmael was no better then he should be, yet God heard the voice of the Lad, Gen. 21.17. for the old love that was between himself and Abraham. And he often thinks with comfort on that, Psal. 37.25. I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his Seed begging bread.

And he hath need of Faith to hold up his heart, under his many wearisome cares and troubles. Faith will find honey in the Lion, and comfort in the Bible, when there's none on earth: and therefore when the Husbandman comes home tired with his hard work, he takes the Bible, and there finds that every condition, all things shall work together for ⟨p. 203⟩good to them that love God. That when flesh and heart faileth, yet God is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever. He finds that tribulation works patience, and patience experience. That affliction is better than sin. That it is better to be worn out with labour, than to be given up to lust: He believes the day, how dark soever, will end well. O the Husbandman cannot live a day without faith. He cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.