A journal of meditations for every day in the year gathered out of divers authors / written first in Latine by N.B. ; and newly translated into English by E.M. in ... 1669.

Of the Workmen in the Vineyard.* 1.1 Part 1.

COnsider 1. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a man, that is an housholder, &c. This Houshol∣der is God himself, who although he is Lord of a most ample Kingdom in Heaven, and in Earth, yet he doth so provide for each one in every particu∣lar, and minute thing, as if he were Master only of some little Family: His Vineyard is the Church, the Vines are all the Faithful, the Workmen are the Prelates, and others that dress, pruen, and spread the Vines; and even the Faithful themselves, who are bound to cultivate their own Souls by good works: What a blessed thing it is to labour in such a Vineyard, under such a Master, and about such precious Vines?

Consider 2. The sollicitude of this Housholder, which went out early in the morning to hire workmen, &c. From the very beginning of the World, from

Age to Age, God never left to call workmen: He calleth every man betimes, even from the very first use of Reason; and although most refuse to come, yet he omits not afterwards to call again, and again, not giving them over to their last gasp; some he al∣lureth with hopes of reward; That which shall be just, I will give you: Others he rebuketh for their sloth; What stand you here all the day idle? See whe∣ther you have not hitherto been idle.

* 1.2Consider 3. Part of this great Vineyard are all such as God hath placed under your charge, accord∣ing to the state and calling you are in; but chiefly your own Soul. See in what state and condition it is; examine whether it be not like to that, whereof the wise man speaketh in th••se words, Nettles had filled it wholly, and Thorns had covered the face there∣of, and the wall of stones was destroyed. Think therefore that you are sent into a Vineyard, not in∣to a Garden of Pleasure; to labour, not to sport, or live at ease; and encourage your self to under∣go great pains and labours, knowing that the reward will be answerable,* 1.3 and that the Soul of them that work, shall be made fat.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 20.1. &c.
• * 1.2

  Pro. 24.31
• * 1.3

  Pro. 13.4.