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.

[ 2] Blush then, O my soul, at the consideration of thy lazi∣ness and sloth,* 1.1 which is attended with so many spiritual wants! and can I wonder at it, when I refuse the painful way of du∣ty, in which the precious fruits of Godliness, are only to be found? If these fruits lay upon the surface of duty, or could be had with wishes, I should not want them; but to dig

deep and take pains I cannot. My desires, like those of the sloathful man, kill me, because my hands refuse to labour, Pro. 21. 25. If every duty were to be rewarded presently with gold, would I not have been more assiduous in them, than I have been? And yet I know that a heart full of the grace and comfort of the holy Ghost, is better than a house full of gold and silver. O what a composition of stupidity and sloth am I! I have been all for the short cut to comfort, when con∣stant experience teacheth, that the farther way about, by painful duty, is the nearest way to it. What pains do Hus∣bandmen take? what perils do Seamen run, for a little gain? O sluggi••h heart! wilt thou do nothing for eternal treasures?

Secondly, if there be such great rewards attending dili∣gence [ 2] in duty, then why art thou so apt (O my soul) to cast off duty, because thou findest not present comfort in it? how quickly am I discouraged, if I presently find not what I ex∣pect in duty? Whereas, the Well is deep, and much pains must be taken to draw up those waters of joy, Isa. 12. 3. there is a golden vein in the mount of duty, but it lyes deep; and because I meet not with it as soon as I expect, my lazy heart throws by the shovel, and cryes, Dig I cannot.

Thirdly, if this be indeed the rich and thriving trade,* 1.2 why [ 3] do I peddle about the poor low things of the world so much, neglecting the rich trade of godliness for it? O, how much of my time and strength have these things devoured? Had I imployed that time in communion with God, would it not have turn'd to a better account? Think'st thou in earnest, O my soul, that God hath indowed thee with such excellent faculties, capable of the most divine and heavenly imploy∣ments, or that Iesus Christ hath shed his invaluably precious bloud, or that he hath sent forth the glorious spirit of holi∣ness, and all this to fit men for no higher or nobler imploy∣ments than these?

Is this the end of thy wonderful creation? Doth God whirl about the heavens in endless revolutions, to beget time for this? or doth he not rather expect that the weightiest work should engross thy greatest strength, and choicest hours? O, that I could once consider, what a good Master

Christians serve, who will not only abundantly reward them at night; but brings them their food into the field to in∣courage them in their labour! What pity is it, that so good a Master should be so badly served as he hath been by me! Heark, how he pleads to gain my heart.

The POEM, by way of Dialogue be∣twixt Christ and the world.

CHRIST.

O Why so free of sweat and time? For what e're long will not be thine.* 1.3 Or if it might,* 1.4 thou sell'st to loss, A precious soul for lasting dross.* 1.5 Those weary hands, and toyling brains, Might be imploy'd for better gains. Wouldst thou but work as hard for me,* 1.6 As for the world,* 1.7 which cozens thee? Thy gains should be a thousand fold: For my revenues more then gold.* 1.8

WORLD.

Soul, I have alwayes found thee willing; Rather by me to earn a shilling; Than trust uncertain things which lye, Beyond thee in eternity. Shall things unseen now tempt thee? tush, A bird in hand's worth two i'th bush: I pay thy wages down in hand, This thou canst feel, taste, understand. O let not such a vain pretence, Prevail against thy very sence.

CHRIST

Thus beasts are led,* 1.9 thus birds are snar'd, Thus souls for ruine are prepar'd.* 1.10 What?* 1.11 trust no farther then you see, You'l trust a thief as far as me. Deluded wretch, will naught but fight And sence convince thee?* 1.12 O how right How just is God?* 1.13 whose direful scourge Such Arguments in hell shall urge.* 1.14

WORLD.

Christ threatens wrath to come, but I Do threaten thee with poverty. And why wilt thou thy self, and those That are so dear, to want expose? Come, s••e the Saints; for all their brags: How well they thrive, they'r cloath'd with rags.

CHRIST.

If my dear Saints in rags do go, 'Tis not Religion cloaths them so;* 1.15 But by such wants the Lord prepar••s* 1.16 Their souls, against thy killing snares,* 1.17 They all are heirs, though under age;* 1.18 Expectants of their heritage.* 1.19 Kept short for present, yet contemn A change with those that scoff at them.* 1.20

WORLD.

It is in vain to plead, for I With present things charm powerfully. What e're thou offer'st, they'l despise; I hold them prisoners by their eyes.

CHRIST.

If they will serve no other Lord,* 1.21 Then let it stand upon record* 1.22 Against their souls that they refus'd My wages,* 1.23 and my grace abus'd. Remember this when they shall see All turn'd to ashes that's in thee.* 1.24

ANOTHER.

NOne will deny, but those are blessed pains, Which are attended with the richest gains. Grant this, and then most. clearly 'tis inferr'd, Soul-work to all deserves to be preferr'd. This is an unknown trade, Oh, who can count, To what the gains of godliness amount? For one poor shilling, O, what resks some run? Some toyling as i'th fire, from Sun to Sun! Whereas one hour spent with God brings in Such heavenly treasures, that poor souls have been Inrich'd for ever. Even as you see A Princes Favourite upon the knee, Can in an hours time more wealth obtain, Than all your lives by labour you can gain. Prayer gains are great, and quick returns are made, Sure then the Christian drives the richest trade. 'Tis true, the hypocrite that never drove A serious trade for heaven may bankrupt prove; But holy souls which mind, and closely ply Their business, greatly are enrich'd thereby. The difference 'twixt the one, and t'others best By such a Simile as this exprest. As in a Summers day you often see, The wanton Butterfly and painful Bee;

On fragrant flowers fix, whence one doth strive To bear his precious burden to the Hive: The others pains no profit with it brings, His time is spent in painting of his wings. When winter comes, the Bee hath full supplies, The other creeps into an hole and dyes. Like different events shall be betwixt The painful Saint, and lazy Notionist.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Reflections of the slothful soul.
• * 1.2

  The world∣lings Refle∣ction.
• * 1.3

  Iohn 6. 27.
• * 1.4

  1 Cor. 7. 31.
• * 1.5

  Mat. 16. 26.
• * 1.6

  1 Tim. 6. 6.
• * 1.7

  Mark 4. 19.
• * 1.8

  Prov. 8. 19.
• * 1.9

  Iob 35. 11.
• * 1.10

  Eccles. 11. 9.
• * 1.11

  Iohn 20. 29.
• * 1.12

  2 Tim. 3. 13.
• * 1.13

  Rom. 2. 5.
• * 1.14

  Mark 6. 16.
• * 1.15

  1 Tim. 4. 8.
• * 1.16

  1 Cor. 1. 28, 29.
• * 1.17

  1 Tim. 6. 9.
• * 1.18

  Iames 2. 5.
• * 1.19

  Iude 21.
• * 1.20

  Psal. 17. 13, 14.
• * 1.21

  Luke 19. 27.
• * 1.22

  Isa. 30. 8, 9.
• * 1.23

  Iude 5.
• * 1.24

  2 Pet. 3, 7.