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.

CHAP. XIX.

Corn fully ripe,* 1.1 is reap'd, and gather'd in. So must your selves when ripe in grace or sin.

OBSERVATION.

VVHen the fields are white to harvest, then Husband∣men walk through them, rub the ears, and finding the grain full and solid, they presently prepare their Sithes and Sickles, send for their harvestmen, who quickly reap and mow them down; and after these follow the binders, who stitch it up; from the field where it grew, it's carried to the Barn where it is threshed out; the good grain gathered into an heap, the chaff separated and burnt, or thrown to the dunghil, how bare and naked do the fields look after harvest which before were pleasant to behold? When the harvest men enter into the field, it is (to allude to that, Ioel 2. 3.)

before them, like the garden of Eden, and behind them a desolate wilderness; and in some places its usual to set fire to the dry stubble, when the corn is housed; which rages furi∣ously, and covers it all with ashes.

APPLICATION.

THe Application of this, I find made to my hands, by Christ himself in Mat. 13. 38, 39. The field is the world, the good seed are the Children of the kingdom, the tares are the children of the wicked one, the enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world, the reapers are the An∣gels.

The field is the world; there both the godly and ungodly live and grow together, till they be both ripe, and then they shall both be reaped down by death; death is the Sickle that reaps down both. I will open this Allegory in the fol∣lowing particulars.

[ 1] In a catching harvest, when the Husbandman sees the clouds begin to gather and grow black, he hurries in his corn with all possible hast, and houses day and night.

So doth God the great Husbandman, he hurries the Saints into their graves, when judgments are coming upon the world, Isa. 57. 1. The righteous perish and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful men are taken away; none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Methusalah died the year before the flood, Augustine a little before the sack∣ing of Hippo, Pareus just before the taking of Heidleberge, Luther a little before the Wars brake out in Germany; but what speak I of single Saints? Sometimes the Lord houses great numbers together, before some sweeping judgement comes. How many bright and glorious stars did set almost together, within the compass of a few years to the astonish∣ment of many wise and tender hearts in England. I find some of them ranked in a Funeral Elegy.

The learned Twisse went first, (it was his right) Then holy Palmer, Burroughs, Love, Gouge, White,

Hill, Whitaker, grave Gataker and Strong, Per••e, Marshal, Robinson, all gone along. I have not nam'd them half, their only strife, Hath been (of late) who should first part with life. These few who yet survive, sick of this age Long to have done their par••s and leave the stage.

The Lord sees it better for them to be under ground than above ground; and therefore by a merciful providence sets them out of harms way.

Neither the corn▪ or tares, can possibly resist the sharp [ 2] and keen Sickle, when it's applyed to them by the re••pers hand; neither can the godly or ungodly resist the stroke of death; when God inflicts it; Ecclis. 8. 8. No man can keep alive his own soul in the day of death, and there is no discharge in that war. The frail body of man is as unable to withstand that stroke, as the weak reeds, or feeble••stalks of the corn are to resist the keen Sithe and sharp Sickle.

The reapers receive the wheat which they cut down, into [ 3] their armes and bosom. Hence that expression, by way of im∣precation upon the wicked, Psal. 129. 7. Let them be as the grass upon the house top which withers before it grows up, where∣with the mower filleth not his hand, nor be that bindeth sheaves his bosom. Such withered grass are the wicked, who are never taken into the reapers bosom; but as soon as Saints are cu•• down by death, they fall into the hands and bosoms of the Angels of God, who bear them in their arms and bosoms to God their father, Luke 16. 22. For look, as these blessed spirits did exceedingly rejoyce at their conversion, Luke 15. 10. and thought it no dishonour to minister to them whilst they stood in the field Heb. 1. 14. So when they are cut down, by death, they will rejoyce to be their convoy to heaven.

When the corn and weeds are reap'd or mowed down [ 4] they shall never grow any more in that field; neither shall we ever return to live an animal life any more after death Iob 7. 9, 10. As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away; so he that goeth down to the grave, shall come up no more; he shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

Lastly, (to come home to the particular object of this Chapter (the reapers are never sent to cut down the harvest till it be fully ripe; neither will God reap down Saints or sinners, till they be come to a maturity of grace or wicked∣n••ss. Saints are not reap'd down till their grace be ripe, Iob. 5. 26. Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

Not that every godly man dies in such a full old age (saith Mr. Caryl on the place) but yet in one sense it is an universal truth, and ever fulfilled; for whensoever they die, they die in a good age; yea, though they die in the spring and flower of their youth, they die in a good old age (i. e.) they are ripe for death when ever they die: When ever a godly man dies, it's harvest time with him, though in a natural capacity he be cut down while he is green, and cropt in the bud or blos∣som; yet in his spiritual capacity, he never dies before he be ripe. God ripens his speedily, when he intends to taks them out of the world speedily; he can let out such warm rayes and beams of his spirit upon them, as shall soon maturate the seeds of grace into a preparedness for glo∣ry.

The wicked also have their ripening time for hell, and judgement; God doth with much long••suffering endure the vessels of wrath, prepared for destruction. Of their ripe∣ness for judgment the scripture often speaks, Gen. 15. 16. The sin of the Amorites is not yet full. And of Babilon, it's said, Ier. 51. 13. O thou that dwellest upon many waters, thine end is come and the measure of thy covetousness.

'Tis worth remarking, that the measure of the sin, and the end of the sinner come together. So Ioel 3. 13. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest of the earth is ripe, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for their wickedness is great. Where note, sinners are not cut down till they be ripe and ready. Indeed they are never ripe for death, nor ready for the grave; that is, fit to die: yet they are alwayes ripe for wrath, and ready for hell before they die. Now as Husbandmen judge of the ripeness of their harvest, by the colour and hardness of the grain; so may we judge of the ripeness both of

Saints and Sinners, for heaven or hell, by these following signs.

Three Signs of the maturity of grace.

VVHen the Corn is near ripe, it blows the head, and [ 1] stoops lower than when it was green. When the people of God are near ripe for heaven, they grow more humble and self-denying, that in the dayes of their first pro∣fession. The longer a Saint grows in this world, the better he is still acquainted with his own heart, and his obligations to God; both which are very humbling things. Paul had one foot in heaven, when he called himself the chiefest of sinners, and least of Saints, 1 Tim. 1. 15. Eph. 3. 8. A Christian in the progress of his knowledge and grace, is like a vessel cast into the Sea, the more it fills the deeper it sinks. Those that went to study at Athens (saith Plutarch) at first coming, seemed to themselves to be wise men; afterwards, only lo∣vers of wisdom, and after that, only thetoricians, such as could speak of wisdom, but knew little of it, and last of all Ideots in their apprehensions; still with the increase of lear∣ning, laying aside their pride and arrogancy.

When harvest is nigh, the grain is more solid and pithy [ 2] than ever it was before; green corn is soft and spungy, but ripe corn is substantial and weighty: So it is with Christi∣ans; the aff••ctions of a young Christian perhaps are more ferverous and sprightly, but those of a grown Christian are more judicious and solid; their love to Christ abounds more and more in all judgment, Phil. 1. 9. The limbs of a Child are more active and plyable, but as he grows up to a perfect state, the parts are more consolidated and firmly knit. The fingers of an old Musician are not so nimble, but he hath a more judicious ear in musick, than in his youth.

When Corn is dead ripe, it's apt to fall of its own accord [ 3] to the ground, and there shed; whereby it doth as it were anticipate the harvest man, and calls upon him to put in the sickle. Not unlike to which are the lookings and longings,

the groanings and hastenings of ready Christians to their ex∣pected glory; they hasten to the coming of the Lord, or as Montanus more 〈◊〉〈◊〉 renders it, they hasten the coming of the the Lord; (i. e.) they are urgent and instant in their desires and cryes to hasten his coming; their desires sally forth to meet the Lord, they willingly take death by the hand; as the corn bends to the earth, so do these souls to heaven. This shews their harvest to be near.

Six signs of the maturity of Sin.

WHen ••inners are even dead ripe for hell, these ••igns appear upon them, or by these at least, you may con∣clude those souls not to be far from wrath, upon whom they appear.

[ 1] When conscience is wafted and grown past feeling, having no remorse for ••in; when it ceases to check, reprove and smite for sin any more, the day of that sinner is at hand, his harvest is even come. The greatest violation of conscience is the greatest of sins; this was the case of the forlorn Gen∣tiles, among whom Satan had such a plentiful harvest; the patience of God suffered them to grow till their consciences were grown seared and past feeling, Eph. 4. 19. When a member is so mortified, that if you lan••e and cut it never so much, no fresh blood, or quick flesh appears, nor doth the man feel any pain in all this, then it's time to cut it off.

When men give themselves over to the satisfaction of their lusts, to commit sin with greediness, then are they grown to a maturity of sin; when men have slipt the reins of conscience and rush headlong into all impiety, then the last sands of Gods patience are running down. Thus Sodom and Gomorrah, and the Cities about them in like manner gave themselves over to wickedness and strange sins; and then justice quickly truss'd them up for an example, suffering the vengeance of e∣ternal fire.

[ 3] That man is even ripe for hell, that is become a contriver

of ••in, a designer, a studentin wickedness; one would think it strange, that any man should set his invention on work, upon such a subject as sin is; that any should study to be∣come a dexterous artist this way, and yet the Scripture fre∣quently speaks of such, whose bellies prepare deceit, Iob 15. 35. who travel in pain to bring forth, this deformed birth, ver. 20. who wink with their eyes, whilst plodding wickedness, as men use to do when they are most intent upon the study of any knotty problem, Prov. 6. 13. These have so much of hell already in them, that they are more than half in hell alrea∣dy.

He that of a forward Professor, is turn'd a bitter perse∣cutor, [ 4] is also within a few rounds of the top of the ladder; the contempt of their light, the Lord hath already punished upon them, in their obduracy and madness against the light. Reader, if thou be gone thus far, thou art almost gone be∣yond all hope of recovery. Towards other sinners, God usually exercises more patience, but with such he makes short work. When Iudas turns Traitor to his Lord, he is quickly sent to his own place. Such as are again intangled and overcome of those lusts they once seemed to have clean escaped, these bring upon themselves swift damnation, and their Iudgment lingers not, 2 Pet. 2. 3, 20.

He that can endure no reproof or controul in the way of [ 5] his sin, but derides all counsel, and like a strong current, rages at, and sweeps away all obstacles in his way, will quick∣ly fall into the dead lake, Prov. 29. 1. He that being often re∣proved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy. This is a death spot, a hell spot, where ever it appears. From this very sypmtom the Prophet plainly predicted the approaching ruine of Amaziah, 2 Chron. 25. 16. I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened to my voice. He that will not be timely counselled, shall be quickly destroyed.

Lastly, when a man comes to glory in his sin, and boast [ 6] of his wickedness, then its time to cut him down; whose end is destruction, whose glory is in their shame, Phil. 3. 16. This is a braving, a daring of God to his face, and with whom∣soever

he bears long, to be sure, these are none of them.

You see now, what are the signs of a full ripe sinner; and when it comes to this, either with a Nation, or with a single person, then ruine is near, Ioel. 3. 13. Gen. 15. 16. It is in the filling up of the measure of sin, as in the filling of a vessel cast into the Sea, which rowls from side to side, taking in the water by litle and litle, till it be full, and then down it sinks to the bottom. Mean while, admirable is divine pati∣ence, which bears with these vessels of wrath, whilst fitting for destruction.

REFLECTIONS.

[ 1] CHear thy self,* 1.2 O my soul! with the heart strengthen∣ing bread of this divine meditation. Let faith turn every drop of this truth into a soul-reviving cordial. God hath sown the precious seed of grace upon my soul, and though my heart hath been an unkind soyl which hath kept it back and much hindered its growth; yet blessed be the Lord, it still grows on, though by slow degrees; and from the spring∣ing of the seed, and shootings forth of those gracious habits, I may conclude an approaching harvest: Now is my salvati∣on nearer than when I believed; every day I come nearer to my salvation, Rom. 13. 11. O that every day I were more active for the God of my salvation! grow on my soul, and add to thy faith vertue, to thy vertue knowledge, &c. Grow on from faith to faith; keep thy self under the ripening in∣fluences of heavenly Ordinances; the faster thou growest in grace, the sooner thou shalt be reaped down in mercy, and bound up in the bundle of life, 1 Sam. 25. 29. I have not yet attained the measure and proportion of grace assigned to me, neither am I already perfect, but am reaching forth to the things before me, and pressing towards the mark for the prize of my heavenly calling, Phil. 3. 12, 13. O mercy to be admired! that I who lately had one foot in hell, stand now with one foot in heaven!

But the case is far different with me,* 1.3 whilst others are ri∣pening [ 2] apace for heaven, I am withering, many a soul plow∣ed up by conviction, and sown by sanctification long after me, hath quite over-topt and out-grown me? my sweet and early blossoms were nipt and blown off, my bright morning overcast and clouded; had I kept on according to the rate of my first growth, I had either now been in heaven, or at least in the suburbs of it on earth; but my graces wither and lan∣guish, my heart contracts and cools to heavenly things; the Sun and rain of ordinances and providences improve not my graces; how sad therefore is the state of my soul?

Thy case,* 1.4 O declining Saint, is sad! but not like mine; [ 3] thine is but a temporary remission of the acts of grace, which is recoverable; but I am judicially hardening and treasuring up to my self wrath, against the day of wrath, Rom. 2. 5. Time was, when I had some tender sense of sin, when I could mourn and grieve for it, now I have none at all. My heart is grown stupid and sottish. Time was when I had some consciencious care of duty, and my heart would smite me for the neglect of it; but now none at all. Wretched soul! what wilt thou do? thou art gone far indeed, a few steps farther will put thee beyond hope; hitherto I stand in the field, the long-suffering God doth yet spare me; yea, spare me, whiles he hath cut down many of my companions in sin round about me. What doth this admirable patience, this long-suffering drawn out to a wonder, speak concerning me? Doth it not tell me, that the Lord is not willing I should pe∣rish, but rather come to repentance? 2 Pet. 3. 9. And what argument is like his pity and patience, to lead a soul to re∣pentance? Rom. 2. 4. O that I may not frustrate at last, the end of a long suffering God! lest he proportion the de∣grees of his wrath, according to the length of his patience.

The Poem.

WHen fields are1 1.5 white to harvest, forth you go With Sith's and2 1.6 Sickles; to reap down and mow. Down go the laden ears, flat to the ground; Which those that follow having stitcht and bound; It's carted home unto the Barn, and so The fields are rid; where lately corn did grow. This world's the3 1.7 field, and they that dwell therein; The4 1.8 Corn and5 1.9 tares; which long have ripening been. Angels the6 1.10 reapers, and the judgment day The time of7 1.11 harvest when like Corn and hay; The sading flower of8 1.12 earthly glory must Be mowed down, and level'd with the dust. The9 1.13 Barns are heaven and hell; the time draws nigh When through the darkned1 1.14 clouds, and troubled skie The Lord shall break, a dreadful2 1.15 trumpet shall Sound to the dead, the stars from heaven fall. The rowling sphears with3 1.16 horrid flames shall burn, And then the Tribes on earth shall4 1.17 wail and mourn. The judgment set, before Christs awful throne All flesh shall be5 1.18 conven'd, and every one Receive his doom: which done, the just shall be Bound in lifes bundle;6 1.19 even as you see The full ripe ears of wheat bound up, and born In sheaves with joy; unto the owners barn. This done, the Angels next in7 1.20 bundles binde The tares together, as they did combinde In acting sin, so now their lot must be To burn together in one misery. Drunkards with drunkards pinion'd, shall be sent To hell together in one8 1.21 Regiment. Adulterers and swearers there shall lye In flames, among their old society. O dreadful9 1.22 howlings! O the hideous moans Of ••etter'd sinners! O the tears! the groans!

The doleful lamentations as they go Chain'd fast together, to their place o•• we. The world thus clear'd, as fields when harvest's in, Shall be no more a stage for acting sin. With purifying1 1.23 flames it shall be burn'd, Its stately fabricks into ashes turn'd. Cease then my soul, to dote on, or admire This splendid world, which is reserv'd for fire. Decline the company of sinners here, As thou wouldst not be shackel'd with them there.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Upon the har∣vest season.
• * 1.2

  The Reflection of a growing Christian.
• * 1.3

  The reflection of a decaying Christian.
• * 1.4

  The Reflection of a hardning sinner.
• 1 1.5

  Iohn 4. 35.
• 2 1.6

  Rev. 14. 15.
• 3 1.7

  Mat. 13. 38.
• 4 1.8

  ibid.
• 5 1.9

  ibid.
• 6 1.10

  Mat. 13. 39.
• 7 1.11

  ibid.
• 8 1.12

  2 Pet. 3. 10.
• 9 1.13

  Mat. 13. 30.
• 1 1.14

  Rev. 1. 7.
• 2 1.15

  1 Thes. 4. 16.
• 3 1.16

  2 Pet. 3. 10.
• 4 1.17

  Mat. 24. 30.
• 5 1.18

  2 Cor. 5. 10.
• 6 1.19

  Mat. 13. 30.
• 7 1.20

  ibid.
• 8 1.21

  1 Cor. 6. 9.
• 9 1.22

  Mat. 13. 41, 42.
• 1 1.23

  2 Pet. 3. 10.