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.

The lines are fallen to me in a pleasant place,* 1.1 may the gra∣cious soul say. How defective soever I am in gifts yet blessed be the Lord, who hath sown the seeds of true grace in my heart. What though I am not famed and honoured a∣mong men, let it suffice me that I am precious in the eyes of the Lord. Though he hath not abounded to me in gifts of nature, yet blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Iesus Christ who hath abounded to me in all spiritual blessings, in heavenly pla∣ces, in Christ Iesus, Eph. 1. 3. Is not a true jewel, though spurn'din the dirt, more precious than a false one, though

set in gold? Why art thou troubled, O my soul, for the want of these things which reprobates may have? and art not ra∣ther admiring and blessing God for those things which none but the darlings and favourites of heaven can have? is not an ounce of pure gold more valuable than many pounds of guilded brass? what though the dews of Helicon descend not upon my head, if in the mean time the sweet influences of Sion fall upon my heart? O my God! How much soever o∣thers are elated by the light of their knowledge, I have cause with humility to adore thee for the heavenly heat with which thou hast warmed my affections,

Pause a while my soul opon this point. With what seed is my heart sown,* 1.2 and of what kind are those things wherein I excel others? are they indeed speciall seeds of grace, or common gifts and naturall excellencies? If the latter, little cause have I to pride my self in them, were they ten thou∣sand times more then they are. If these things be indeed the things that accompany salvation, the seed of God, the true and real work of grace, Then (1) how comes it to pass that I never found any throws or travelling pangs in the pro∣duction of them? Its affirmed, and generally acknowledged that the new creature is never brought forth without such pains, and compunctions of heart, Act. 2. 37. I have in∣deed often felt an aking head, whilst I have read and studied to increase my knowledge; but when did I feel an aking heart for Sin? Oh, I begin to suspect, that it is not right. Yea, (2) and my suspition increases whiles I consider that. grace is of an humbling nature, 1 Cor. 15. 10. Lord, how have I been elated by my gifts and valued my self above what was meet? O how have I delighted in the noise of the Pharisees trumpet! Mat. 6. 2. No musick so sweet as that Say, O my consicience, have I not delighted more in the Theater, than the closet? in the praise of men, than the ap∣probation of God? Oh, how many evidences dost thou pro∣duce against me? Indeed these are sad symptoms that I have shewed thee, but there is yet another which renders thy case more suspitious yet; yea, that which thou canst make no ra∣tional defence against, even the ineffectualness of all thy

gifts and knowledge to mortifie any one of all thy lusts. It's beyond all dispute, that gifts may, but grace cannot consist without mortification of sin, G••l. 5. 24. Now what lust hath fallen before these excellent parts of mine? Doth not pride, passion, covetousness, and indeed the whole body of ••in live and thrive in me as much as ever? Lord, I yield the cause, I can defend it no longer against my conscience, which ca••ts and condemns me by full proof, to be but in a wretched, cursed lamentable state, notwithstanding all my knowledg and flourishing gifts. O shew me a more excellent way Lord! That I had the sincerity of the poorest Saint; though I should lose the applause of all may parts: with these I see I may go to hell, but without some better thing, no hope Of heave••.

The Poem.

GReat difference betwixt that seed is found, With which you sow your several plots of ground. Seed-wheat doth far excel in1 1.3 dignity, The cheper Barley, and the cour••er Rye. Though in themselves they good and wholsome are; Yet these with choicest wheat may not compare, Mens hearts like fields are sowed with different grain; Some baser, some more noble; some again Excelling2 1.4 both the former: more than wheat Excels that grain, your swine, and horses eat. For principles of meer morality, Like Cummin, Barley, Fitches, Pease, or Rye: In those mens hearts are often to be ••ound, Whom yet the Scripture calleth3 1.5 cursed ground. And nobler principles than these sometime Cal'd4 1.6 common grace, and spiritual gifts which shine In some mens heads, where is their habitation; Yet they are no companions of Salvation. These purchase5 1.7 honour both from great and small; But I must tell thee that if this be all;

Though like an6 1.8 Angel in these gifts thou shine, Amongst blind mortals, for a little time: The days's at hand, when such as thou must take Thy lot with7 1.9 devils in th'infernal lake. But principles of special saving grace, Whose seat is in the8 1.10 heart, not head or face: Like sollid wheat, sown in a fruitful field Shall spring and flourish, and at last will yield. A glorious9 1.11 harvest of eternal rest, To him that nourish'd them within his breast. O grace! how orient art thou! how divine! What is the glory of all1 1.12 gifts to thine! Disseminate this seed within my heart, My God I pray thee, though thou shouldst impart The less of gifts; then I may truly say, That thou hast shew'd me, the more excellent way.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The gracious souls Reflecti∣on.
• * 1.2

  The deceived souls Re∣flection.
• 1 1.3

  Isa. 28. 25.
• 2 1.4

  Prov. 12. 26
• 3 1.5

  Mat. 19. 20.
• 4 1.6

  Heb. 6. 9.
• 5 1.7

  1 Cor. 1. 26.
• 6 1.8

  1 Cor. 13. 1.
• 7 1.9

  Mat: 7 22.
• 8 1.10

  Rom. 10. 10
• 9 1.11

  Gal. 6. 8.
• 1 1.12

  1 Cor. 12. 31.