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.

APPLICATION.

THus deals the Lord oft-times with his own elect, whom he designs for glory; and with the wicked, who are preparing for the day of wrath. Thus are they filled with earthly prosperity, and creature-enjoyments, like res••y and wanton beasts turned out at liberty in a fat pasture, whilst poor Saints are kept hard and short, Amos. 1. 4. Hear this word ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountains of 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ which oppress the poor, and crush the needy. These metaphorical kine are the prosperous oppressors of the world, full fed, and wanton wicked men. 'This true, heaven hath not all the poor,

nor hell all the rich; but its a very common dispensation of providence, to b••stow most of the things of this world upon them that have no portion in heaven; and to keep them short on earth, for whom that kingdom is provided. Let me draw forth the similitude in a few particulars.

The beasts of slaughter have the f••ttest pastures; so have the [ 1] ungodly in the world; Their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish, Psal. 73. 7. their hearts are as fat as grease, Psal. 119. 7. These be they that fleet off the cream of earthly enjoyments, whose bellies are filled with hid∣den treasures, Psal. 17. 14. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, Iob 9. 24. O, what full estates? what an affluence of earthly delights hath God cast in upon some wicked men? there is much wantonness, but no want in their dwellings: Some that now know not which way to turn themselves in hell, once knew not where to bestow their goods on earth.

Feeding beasts grow wanton in their full pastures; there [ 2] you shall see them tumble and frisk? and kick up their heels. The same effect hath the prosperity of the wicked, it makes them wanton; their life is but a diversion from one pleasure to another. Iob. 21. 11, 12, 13. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance; they take the timbrel, and harp, and rejoyce at the sound of the Organ; they spend their dayes in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. The same character doth the Prophet Amos give of them, Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. They stretch themselves upon beds of Ivory drink Wine in bowls, &c. and no sorrow goes to their hearts. These are they that live in pleasures upon earth, as a fish in the water, Iam. 5. 5.

These fat pastures do but the sooner hasten the death of [ 3] these cattle; the sooner they are fatted, the sooner they are slaughtered; and the prosperity of the wicked serves to the same end. The prosperity of fools shall destroy them (i. e.) it shall be the means and instruments of heating and hightening their lusts, and thereby fitting them for destruction; their prosperity is ••ood and fewel to their corruptions. Many wick∣ed men had not been so soon ripe for hell, had they not grown in the Sun-shine of prosperity.

[ 4] Fatted beasts do not in the least understand the intent and meaning of the Husbandman, in allowing them such large and fat pastures, which he denyes to his other cattle; and as little as beasts, do wicked men understand the scope and end of Gods providences, in casting prosperity and wealth upon them; little do they think their tables are a snare, a gin, and a trap for their souls; they only (like beasts) mind what is before them, but do not at all understand the tendency and end of these their sensual delights.

[ 5] Though the Husbandman keep his store cattle in short commons, yet he intends to preserve them; these shall re∣main with him, when the others are driven to the slaughter.

Such a design of preservation is carried on in all those out∣ward straits, wants and hardships which the Lord exposes his people to. I confess, such dispensations, for present, are very stumbling and puzling things, even to gracious and wise persons. To see wicked men, not only exempted from their troubles, but even oppressed with prosperity; to see a godly man in wants and straits, and a wicked man have more than his heart can wish, is a case that poses the wisest Christian, till he consider the design and issues of both those providen∣ces, and then he acquiesces in the wisdom of God so ordering it, Psal. 73. 5, 14, 18, 23.