Husbandry spiritualized, or, The heavenly use of earthly things consisting of many pleasant observations, pertinent applications, and serious reflections and each chapter concluded with a divine and suitable poem : directing husband-men to the most excellent improvements of their common imployments : whereunto is added ... several choice occasional meditations / by John Flavell.

REFLECTIONS.

I Have waited for thy salvation, O God! Having received thy first fruits, my soul longs to fill its besome with the [ 1] full ripe sheaves of Glory. As the Hart panteth for the water brooks,* 1.1 so panteth my soul for thee, O God! O, when shall I come and appear before God? I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. When shall I see that most lovely face? When shall I hear his soul-transporting voice? Some need patience to dye, I need it as much to live! Thy sights, O God, by faith, have made this world a burden, this body a burden, and this soul to cry like thirsty David, O that one would give me of the waters of Bethlehem to drink! The Husbandman longs for his Harvest, because it is the reward of all his toyl and labour; but what is his harvest to mine? what is a little corn to the enjoyment of God? What is the joy of harvest, to the joy of heaven? what are the shoutings of men in the fields, to the acclamations of glorified spirits in the kingdome of God? Lord, I have gone forth bearing more precious ••eed that they; when shall I return rejoyce∣ing, bringing my sheaves with me? Their harvest comes when they receive their corn, mine comes when I leave it. O much desired harvest! O day of the gladness of my heart! How long Lord! How long! Here I wait as the poor man Bethesda's pool, looking when my turn will come, but every one steps into heaven before me; yet Lord, I am

content to wait till my time be fully come. I would be con∣tent to stay for my glorification, till I have finisht the work of my generation; and when I have done the will of God, then to receive the promise. If thou have any work on earth to use me in, I am content to abide: Behold, the Husband∣man waiteth, and so will I; for thou art a God of judgement, and blessed are are all they that wait for thee.

But how doth my sloathful soul sink down into the flesh, [ 2] and settle it self in the love of this animal life?* 1.2 How doth it hug, and wrap up it self in the garment of this mortality, not desiring to be removed hence, to the more perfect and blessed state? The Husbandman indeed is content to stay till the appointed weeks of the Harvest; but would he be con∣tent to wait alwayes? O my sensual heart! is this life of hope as contentful to thee, as the life of vision will be? Why dost thou not groan within thy self, that this mortality might be swallowed up of life? Doth not the scripture describe the Saints by their earnest looking for the mercy of our Lord Iesus unto eternal life? Iude 21. By their hastening unto the coming of the day of God, 2 Pet. 3. 12. What is the matter that my heart hangs back? doth guilt lye upon my consci∣ence? Or have I gotten into a pleasant condition in the world which makes me say as Peter on the Mount, It's good to be here? Or want I the assurance of a better state? Must God make all my earthly comforts die, before I shall be willing to die? Awake Faith, awake my Love; heat up the drowzy desires of my soul, that I may say, make hast my Beloved, and come away.

The Poem.

NO prudent Husbandman expects the fruit of what he sows, Till every cause have its effects; and1 1.3 then he reaps and mows.

He works in2 1.4 hope the year throughout, and counts no labour lost; If when the season comes about His harvest3 1.5 quits his cost.

This rare4 1.6 example justly may rebuke, and put to shame; My soul which sows its seed one day, and looks to reap the same.

Is cursed5 1.7 nature now become so kind a soyl to grace, That to perfection it should come within so short a space.

Grace springs not up with speed and6 1.8 ease like mushrooms in a night But rather by7 1.9 degrees increase as doth the8 1.10 morning light.

Is corn so dear to Husbandmen? much more is9 1.11 heaven to me, Why should not I have patience then? to wait as well as he.

To promises1 1.12 appointed years, by God's decrees are set; These once expir'd beyond its fears my soul shall quickly get.

How2 1.13 small a part of hasty time Which3 1.14 quickly will expire, Doth me within this world confine, and then comes my desire.

Come Lord,4 1.15 how long! my soul hath gasp'd faith my affections5 1.16 warms. O when shall my poor ••oul be clasp'd, in its redeemers arms.

The time seems6 1.17 long, yet here I'le lye till thou my God do call, It is enough, eternity will make7 1.18 amends for all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The longing ••ouls reflection
• * 1.2

  The lingring souls reflection
• 1 1.3

  Iohn 4. 35.
• 2 1.4

  1 Cor. 9. 10
• 3 1.5

  1 Cor. 9. 10.
• 4 1.6

  Iam. 5. 7.
• 5 1.7

  Gal. 5. 17.
• 6 1.8

  1 Pet. 4. 18.
• 7 1.9

  Rom. 1. 7.
• 8 1.10

  Prov. 4. 18.
• 9 1.11

  Psal. 4. 6, 47.
• 1 1.12

  Acts 7. 17.
• 2 1.13

  Heb. 13. 14.
• 3 1.14

  Heb. 17. 710.
• 4 1.15

  Rev. 22. 17.
• 5 1.16

  Heb. 11. 13.
• 6 1.17

  Rom. 8. 23.
• 7 1.18

  Rom. 8. 18.