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

SECT. VIII.¹

1. 1Rule 8.

VIII. The Eighth Rule for the Christian ¹Husbandman, is, Purchase some choice Books, and read them well. I know your purse will not reach many, nor your time serve you to peruse them; and a few Books well read, are like ground well tilled, which is far better then a great Demesne that always lies fallow. Be sure then that you consult and advise with some judicious and pious Divine about the choice of your Books, that may direct you to such as are most fit for your condition, that you may not only buy such as are Good, but such as are the Best, because your time and money is so precious. Perhaps you'll say, your Charge is great, and your Rent is great, and no money will be spared for these uses. A hard case, if you cannot spare two or three shillings in a whole year for God and your Souls, when divers that have as great a Charge and Rent as you, and yet can spend more than that quantity in a year, vainly and wickedly, and yet make a shift to live in the world. Alas, God tries you hereby, whether you can deny your selves, and abate a little from back and belly, and give it this way to your poor souls. Resolve then to purchase this household-stuff, which (by Gods blessing) may do both you and your children more good than thousands ⟨p. 264⟩of Gold and Silver; yea, you may by a discreet lending of them to your kindred and neighbours, startle and reform them also; A practise which I would recommend to persons of Ability, whereby they may be very instrumental in promoting the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the world, to wit, by buying some numbers of awakening and practical books, and engaging their Kindred and poor Neighbours to read them over in such a time, and return them some account thereof. And though I undertake not to determine what books are fittest or your several conditions; yet of those that I have perused, these following may be most useful for the generality of your families, which I entreat you to buy, and read as soon as you can. In the first place, let not your house, nor any of your grown children be without a Bible. Though other books have much of Heaven in them, this book is all Heaven: And it is as unfit to be without this in your house, as to be without a fire, or without your household bread.