N02451:142
Agricola. Or, The religious husbandman: the main intentions of religion, served in the business…
Agricola. Or, The religious husbandman: the main intentions of religion, served in the business and language of husbandry. A work adapted unto the grand purposes of piety; and commended therefore by a number of ministers, to be entertained in the families of the country. : [One line from I Corinthians]Agricola. Or, The religious husbandman: the main intentions of religion, served in the business and language of husbandry. A work adapted unto the grand purposes of piety; and commended therefore by a number of ministers, to be entertained in the families of the countrey. : [One line from I Corinthians]
Boston: printed by T. Fleet for D. Henchman, 1727
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Georgica Sacra. The SOWING Of the Field. › The Stony Ground.
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.
III. The Hearers of the Word, that seem to Rejoice it, will meet with a Time of Temptation, to try whether they have indeed received it. We read, Luk. VIII. 13. A Time of Temptation comes upon them. When the Seed has been sown upon the Ground, the Sun will be up, and fall with scorching Beams, upon it. A fit Emblem of the Temptation, which they that Hear, and seem to like, the Word of GOD, must look to meet withal.
First, There will be the more general Temptation of Adversity, to try the sincerity and perseverance of them that seem to Receive the Word of GOD. We read, Mat. IV. 17. Affliction ariseth. Many may have the Vanity to expect little Affliction, when their ways are once directed for keeping the statutes of GOD. O vain Dream! When our SAVIOUR has expressly forewarned us, In the world ye shall have Tribulation! But, by Adversity, there will be a Trial made of us, whether we really Receive the word of GOD as we say, we do. Self-denial is what the word of GOD in the first place, indispensably calls for; Tis, the First Lesson of the word. When Adversity comes, it lays the Cross on us. It is now Tried, how we can bear it, and whether we can patiently deny our selves of every thing at the Call and for the sake of, our Lord. If under Adversity we suitably, quietly, fruitfully bear the Cross, and forego what we must part ⟨p. 46⟩withal; then we have Received the word of GOD aright. But if under Adversity, we grow weary of serving our Lord, and of waiting on Him, and of sitting under His Discipline; then the word of GOD was never well received in our Souls. Oh! that being Tried we may come forth as Gold; And by Learning the statutes of GOD from it, and becoming more f••m in our Adhering, and more full in our Conforming unto them for it, we may find it Good for us that we have been afflicted.