A61391:97
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.
A Second Excellency of the Husbandmans 1Calling is, That the Holy Ghost brings most Comparisons from it. Most Books in the Scripture full of them. Ploughing, Planting, feeding, &c. The Husbandman hath scarce a Tool, but it is put into the Canon of holy Writ. If the Holy Ghost would teach by a ⟨p. 25⟩Parable, he goes to the Husbandman, Mat. 13. A Sower went forth to sow. If Jesus Christ, would threaten by a Parable, the Husbandman shall be an instance, Luke 20. A certain man let forth his Vineyard to Husbandmen, &c. If the Holy Ghost would Comfort by a Parable, he goes still to the Husbandman, James 5. 7. Be patient therefore, Brethren, to the Coming of the Lord: Behold, the Husbandman waiteth, &c. God in these descending unto us, because we cannot easily ascend unto him, and making use of this world to instruct us about another. So that every business of the Husbandman, may well be a Sermon to him, seeing God himself hath taken the Text. And this I think is one Design of Parables, not only to bring down heavenly things to our Understandings, but to screw up our Hearts by our sight of things below, and employment herein, to heavenly thoughts and applications. So that it appears a great honour, that God hath done to Husbandry, to inoculate it so into the Scripture, and to ennoble the same, by applying it so much to heavenly Uses.