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.

The Poem.

'TWould be a strange and monstrous thing the see Cherries, or Plums grow on an apple Tree. Who ever gather'd from the1 thistle Figs? Or fruitful Grapes from off the worthless twigs Of pricking thorns? in nature still we find All its productions2 answering to their kind. As are the Plants we set, or seeds we sow; Such is the3 fruit we shake, and corn we mow. And canst thou think that from corruptions root, Thy soul shall pluck the sweet and pleasant fruit Of spiritual peace? who ever that was wise, Abus'd himself with such4 absurdities? Look what you sow, the very same you'l reap. The fruit of what you plant, be sure you'l eat. How are they5 baffled by a subtil devil? That hope for heaven, whilst their wayes are evil. Such reasonings here their credulous souls beguil, At which in other things, themselves would smile. Our present acts though slightly passed by, Are so much6 seed, sown for eternity. The seeds of prayers, secret groans and tears; Will shoot at last into the full blown ears, Of peace and joy.7 Blessed are they that sow Beside these waters, yea, thrice blest that go Bearing such precious seed; though now they mourn, With joyful sheaves, they shortly shall return. Needs must the full ripe fruits in heaven be good, When as the seed was glory in the bud. But O, the8 bitter, baneful fruits of sin! When all the9 pleasure sinners have therein

Like faded blossoms to the ground shall fall, Then they will taste the wormwood and the gall. What God and conscience now of sin report, You slight, and with their dreadful threatnings1 sport. But he'l convince you then, your wayes were naught, As Gideon the men of2 Succoth taught. If Sermons cannot, fire and brimstone must Teach men how good it is to pamper lust. When conscience3 takes thee by the throat and cryes Now wretch, now sinner, thou that didst despise My warnings; learn, and ever learning be That Lesson, which thou ne're wouldst learn of me. The stoutest sinner then will howl and roar, O sin! I never saw thy face before. Is this the fruit of sin? is this the place Where I must lye? is this indeed the case Of my poor soul! must I be bound in chains With these companions? Oh, is this the gains I get by sin! poor wretch, I that would never See this before, am now undone for ever.

Notes

• 1

  Mat. 7. 16.
• 2

  Gen. 1. 1••.
• 3

  Iob 4. 7.
• 4

  Iam. 1. 22.
• 5

  Gal. 6. 7.
• 6

  Gal. 6. 7.
• 7

  Psal. 126. 5.
• 8

  Deut. 29. 18
• 9

  Heb. 11. 25
• 1

  Prov. 14. 9
• 2

  Iudg. 8. 7.
• 3

  Mark 9. 44.