Sheperdy spiritualiz'd or, The improvement of a shepherd's life to soul-advantage. By James Woode, an unworthy follower of the great shepherd of souls

Observation.

NO small way and means by which the Sheep enrich their Owne••s is their fruitfulness, whereby they run a man up to a stock presently. Thus was Laban from a little come to great wealth, Gen. 30. 30. his stock was little when Jacob came, and now it was broken out, and encreased to a multitude. Jacob also from nothing but a staff, in few years was owner of great Flocks, Gen. 30. ult. in so much, as that Labans Sons begrutched him his increase, Chap. 31. 1. s 1.1 But these things are so obvious to experience, that there is no need of farther mention. Three waies of multi∣plying have these Creatures above other useful and en∣riching stock, which speaks them fruitful, and thereby of great advantage.

First, They will receive the Ram whilst young; by that time they are Twelve or Thirteen Months old, ye may see them with Lambs by their sides. Though I know Sheep-Masters with us endeavour carefully to prevent such a thing, because of the spoil of the breed, such usually being not so large, nor bringing forth their young so large and strong, as those that are kept from the Ram till elder, yet in the beginning of their breed in Ireland, after the war ceased, men were more desi∣rous

of growing up in number, knowing that they could better their breed by culling, as they would. Whereas we see the Hei••er is two or three years old before she hath a Calf at her Foot; it's otherwise with the Sheep, or may be, if ye list.

Secondly, Sheep will frequently bring twins, cou∣ples, and thereby grow and encrease much in multi∣tude. This also I know is now against our Sheep∣masters, who say one good Lamb is better than two small ones: yet, we sometimes find an Ewe with a Lamb at each side, and they kindly and bravely thriving, and the Dam feeding them up well enough. And this in Palestine seems to be accounted a special ad∣vantage, of which we read in Solomons Song once and again, Chap. 4. 2. and 6. 6. t 1.2 [none barren] not on∣ly singly, but bringing forth couples too; and this will easily grow to a great stock.

Thirdly, Some Sheep in some Countries bring forth twice in one and the same year, and so are fruitful that way. Thus many understand and interpret, Gen. 30. 41, 42. of Sheep bringing forth at two several times in the year Bonfrerius u 1.3 speaks of this as a known thing in hotter Countries; those that conceived in September or October, and brought forth in March; or conceived in the Spring, and brought forth in September. It is not our business at present to enquire whether of these were the stronger; Men are diversi∣fied in their judgments concerning it, and much is said on this side, and on that: our present search is whe∣ther such a twofold bringing forth be or no. Many of the Translations in Bibl. Polygl. read the forementioned

Text to his sense: Bonfrerius also, Rivet, Ainsworth, and Diodate with others so understand it. And that ye may know that this, though unusual with us, yet hath not been unheard of, I remember when I was a School-boy, to have seen in Devonshire about a score of Ewes in one mans possession, which they said, did bring forth twice in the year. Such as these, ye will easily think will soon raise a stock to great numbers: Especi∣ally if you take with you Ainsworth's note on Cant. 4. 2. the last clause he reads, none among them is bereaved of the young, and notes, that barren is that which beareth not, Isa. 54. 1. but the word here used [Shacal] signi∣fieth * 1.4 either miscarrying in the birth, or loss of that which is brought forth, by robbery, death, or the like. Such twin-bearers or double bearers in the year, not lessened by any casualty, will soon multiply into great Flocks.

Notes

• s 1.1

  Fecit hanc gloriam] i. e. divitias, has enim sequitur gloria, Vatab. Alii vertunt gravitatem, substantiam, possessionem, &c.
• t 1.2

  Foecundae oves gemellos pariunt magnitudine aequales.
• u 1.3

  No∣tum est in regionibus calidioribus & fertilioribus pecudes ••is in anno concipere & parere: Hinc Virgil de Italiâ, ••is gravidae pecudes.
• * 1.4

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