A61391:418
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.
SECT. II.1
- 1§. 2.
II. The Second Abuse of Husbandry is, 1Cruelty to the Creature. An unreasonable, unmerciful use of the Creature, whereby a man beats the heart out of his Cattle, the heart out of his Ground, yea, the heart out of his Servants and Children. It is said, Prov. 12.10. A righteous man regardeth the ⟨p. 209⟩life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. He regards his very beast out of pity; not only out of policy, but pity. Now to weary out, and break the spirits of the harmless and laborious beasts, out of an immoderate desire to do much work, or get much gain, this is an abuse in Husbandry, and a spot upon Christians. If God should give thy Horse or Ox a tongue to speak, as he did to Balaam's Ass, how unanswerably might they ask thee, What have I done to thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? Numb. 22.28. Why art thou so unmerciful to one, that cannot speak for himself? You must remember, they are your fellow-servants, and you but Stewards, and not Lords over them. You are the Lords reasonable Servants, and they are his unreasonable Servants; You are both made of the same Mould, and it is only the goodness of God, that hath made you better, and if you want Grace, you are worse than they.
II. THe Second Abuse of Husbandry is, 1Cruelty to the Creature. An unreasonable, unmerciful use of the Creature, whereby a man beats the heart out of his Cattel, the heart out of his Ground, yea, the heart out of his Servants and Children. It is said,