N02451:89
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.
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.
The Labour of the Sower will have no Success, without the Blessing of the Lord, upon the Seed. It is Thou, O Lord, that preparest the Corn. The Husbandman is an Atheist, if he do not Think so, and own it. The Ministry of the Word, will be Unsuccessful, except it receive a Blessing from GOD. We are informed; 1 Cor. III. 7. Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but GOD ⟨p. 26⟩that giveth the Increase. The Success of the Word proceeds not from him that brings it, or from the skill with which he brings it; but from the SPIRIT of GOD working in it. Let Isaac sow his Land, and if the Lord Bless him, he will receive an hundred fold.
Finally; The Seed will not presently spring up, at the first sowing of it; No, Behold, the Husbandman waits for the precious Fruit of the Earth. Nor does the Ministry of the Word, presently see all the Effect that it is to see. The Word may lie for some while under Clods, in many an unconcerned Soul. GOD by some occurrence in his Providence, may bring to Remembrance a Word heard some while ago, and then it operates. Yea, it may so fall out, as in Joh. IV. 37. That saying is true, One soweth and another reapeth. Oh! Let Parents be often dropping some Word of GOD upon their Children; In the Morning sow thy Seed; and in the Evening slack not thy Hand; A long while hence, it may be, after thou shalt thy self be sleeping in the Dust, the Word that seems to have been left there, shall have its Efficacy.
Finally; The Seed will not presently spring up, at the first sowing of it; No, Behold, the Husbandman waits for the precious Fruit of the Earth. Nor does the Ministry of the Word, presently see all the Effect that it is to see. The Word may ly for some while under Clods, in many an unconcerned Soul. GOD by some occurence in his Providence, may bring to Remembrance a Word heard some while ago, and then it operates. Yea, it may so fall out, as in