and its topstone inâ—…curse Prov. 13.11 Wealth gotten by vaniâ—… shall be diminished but he that gathereth by â—…bour shall increase O therefore study strive pray for this excellent Grace this Compendium of Grace that will make you amiable both to God 〈◊〉 man and procure the blessing both of Heâ—…ven and Earth Indeed this is the sinew Society and they who never practise it 〈◊〉 of its difficulty yet will pretend to because of its excellencies Begin then 〈◊〉 try this blessed trade and you will find that Reason that Comfort that Profit therein that you will never leave it You will conclude with Job Chap. 27.2 3. As God liveth all the while my breath is in me my lips shall not speak wickedness nor my tongue utter deceit till I dye I will not remove my integrity from me SECT V. V. THe Fifth Grace that the Husbandman hath need of is Love Love to thy Neighbour as thy self And this is a great word It is not said love him as he loves thee for that may be more than thou knowest or less than he ought nor love him as others love him for by this rule Christ himself when on Earth would have mist thy love but as truly as constantly as effectually as your selves though not so intensely But thou must in thy Judgement think him as well worthy to enjoy what he hath as thou art to enjoy thine In thy Desires to wish him the same good things as to thy self that when it s well with him there may be mirth in more houses than one And in Deeds to do him that good that thou desirest from him to promote his profit next thy own to inhance his credit and to procure his content It is not said thou shalt not hate him only as many will say I will neither love nor hate them I 'le neither do them good noâ—… hurt but thou shalt love him as thy self a rule which the ignorant'st may understand and the weakest remember And this Love 1. Will teach the Husbandman to give where there is want for the poor hath as much right to what you can spare as you have to what is necessary and comfortable for you Love will argue thus If I must give my Enemy meat when he is hungry much more must I give to this poor Creature that never did me hurt Love will think This will do him more good than it will do me hurt and therefore he shall have it yea and my heart with it mark the true charity is not onely when I draw forth my hand to the hungry but when I draw out my soul to the bungry Isa. 58.10 And then 2. Love will teach the Husbandman to Lend and make him really more glad to do a courtesie than receive one The Good man Psal. 112.5 shews favour and lendeth and you know who is called Good-man all about We are apt to think it better to receive twelve pence than to give or lend six but Christ saith It 's more blessed to give than 〈◊〉 receive Acts 20.35 The Husbandman considers that no man can live of himself but one must be beholden to another every day and therefore makes no difficulty to lend 〈◊〉 Neighbour what he can furnish him with whether money or other materials and 〈◊〉 freely God forbid that should lye by me in my chest that would save my neighbours life or state provided that I hurt not my self to help another but be wise as well as kind 3. Love will teach the Husbandman to forgive both trespasses and injuries and unkindnesses and this he hath need of As Constantine cover'd his Bishops faults with his purple robe so should the Husbandman his neighbours trespasses with the robe of Christ. They who are best at loving are worst at remembring injuries alas it 's hard to live a day without injuring some body The Husbandman must believe it better to receive the greatest than to offer the least injury Love is not exceptions as we say takes things in the best sense is not apt to create unkindness heeds not a cross look or a hasty word but gives each man grains of allowance because he knows he needs them himself and therefore when the Sun is setting he thinks it is time to be reconciled and puts all wrath from him lest the Devil should get place thereby Yea 4. Love must make the Husbandman to defend his Neighbour In his Life and not go by him as the Priest and Levite did by the wounded man as though it were nothing to him In his Name and therefore when he hears a reproach upon his neighbour he must take himself bound to vindicate him as far as he can as knowing that Reputation is like a building long in raising 〈◊〉 soon demolish't In his Estate he must defeâ—… him and help to save that in any accidenâ—… which may befall him as he would defiâ—… and expect in the like case And 5. The Husbandman must love his neighbours Soul and not let that go by him into hell without some means to stop him and therefore is bound to pray for him to provoke and perswade him to holiness God hath taught you and do you teach them Heb. 10.24 And consider one another to provoke to Loâ—… and good works The graceless wretch he lies considering how to provoke his neighbour to lust passion and sin but the Godly Husbandman must consider how he may provoke him to love and good works And in any wise reprove them when there is any hope of doing them good by it As that Excellent Lady Falkland us'd to say If I let you go to hell or you me how am I your friend And 6. Love will teach you to sympathizâ—… with your Neighbour to cover and cure his infirmities for God will never cover his sins that loves to uncover others And to carry it lovingly and peaceably not strangely or suspiciously to him as knowing that all the world is akin to you in Adam and all Christians are akin in Christ. By all which you see that true love consists not in complemental civility not in sinful compliances nor in a bare inoffensiveness but in a gracious disposition of wishing good and doing good to others And this I earnestly press the Husbandman to get That this may be written on his Grave Here lies one that was Beloved of God and a Lover of all men which is the best Motto and blessedness I can wish him Let the Husbandman often think of Gods undeserved love to him Let him study the good qualities of others and his own unworthiness Let him remember kindnesses long and forget injuries quickly And especially let him pray for this Grace Thou God of Love plant the Grace of Love in this heart of mine Leave not God till he hear thee leave not thy Heart till it be kindly affected leave not thy Neighbour till he be reconciled and truly beloved SECT VI. VI. THe Sixth Grace that the Husbandman hath special need of is Contentedness
From the weeds in his Garden 174 4. From the Bees in his Garden 175 Sect. 6. The Husbandmans Lessons from his House 177 1. From the inconveniencies of â—…is house 178 2. From the conveniencies of his house 179 CHAP. VII The special Graces requisite for the Husbandman 181 Sect. 1. Patience 182 1. To Wait. Ib. 2. To Bear 183 Sect. 2. Discretion 185 1. In his Affairs Ib. 2. About his Family 186 3. About his Estate Ib. 4. In Religion 187 Sect. 3. Heavenliness 188 Sect. 4. Vprightness 190 Sect. 5. Love to his Neighbour 193 Sect. 6. Contentedness 197 1. With his Calling Ib. 2. With his Portion in his Calling 199 Sect. 7. Faith 200 CHAP. VIII The Abuse of Husbandry 205 Sect. 1. By Drunkenness and Gluttony 1b Sect. 2. By cruelty to the Creature 208 Sect. 3. By drudging 210 Sect. 4. By rash Swearing 214 Sect. 5. By Covetousness 218 Sect. 6. By Base or wrong Ends. 221 How far we may make Riches c. our end 222 CHAP. IX The Husbandmans Designs 224 Sect. 1. The Glory and Pleasing of God 1b Sect. 2. The Salvation of his Soul 227 Sect. 3. The Publick Good 230 Sect. 4. The Education and Provision for his Children 232 Sect. 5. To pay unto every man his own 235 Sect. 6. Ability to do good and to Communicate 236 CHAP. X. Râ—…es for the Husbandman in his Calling 240 Sect. 1. Learn Prudence and Diligence in it 241 Sect. 2. Submit unto Providence 244 Sect. 3. Make a Treasure of God 246 Sect. 4. Vse the World as not abusing it 249 Sect. 5. What you would that men should do to you do ye to them 252 Sect. 6. Endeavour after a chearful heart 256 Sect. 7. Take a special care for the good of your Children 258 Sect. 8. Purchase some choice Books and read them well 263 Sect. 9. Pay your great Land-lord his Rent 266 1. In secret 268 2. In your Families A discourse about Family Duties 269 3. On the Sabbath 272 Sect. 10. The Conclusion 274 ERRATA PAge 2. Line 26. Read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 14. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did p. 20. 1 26. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 24. 1. 14. r. Artificers p. 27.1.3 r. Egypt p. 40.1.12 r. vivit p. 41. 1. pen. for 〈◊〉 r. and. p. 59.1 12. r. have made him p. 70.1.18 r. how p. 75.1.23 r. heart p. 79. 1. 17. r. groan p. 87.1.29 r. affected p. 1381.14 r. this p. 145. Mar. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 212.1.3 r. cruel p. 225.1.30 r. deporting p. 226.1.29 r. Gold p. 231. 1. 13. r. die p. 254. 1. 12. r. then Marg. for 〈◊〉 r. Tables p. 262. 1. 32. r. your CHAPTER I. The Text propounded and explained some previous observations premis'd Genesis Chap. 2. Verse 15. And the LORD GOD took the Man and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and 'to keep it SECTION I. INtending some useful Instructions for the Husbandman I thought it best to take him as God at first left him This Scripture being best able to speak for the Antiquity and Excellency of his Calling though others will prove more apposite to speak to his present Duties and Temptations The First Chapter of this Book is a most certain History of the Ancient Things the Author infallible the Matter important the Style majestick the Method exact and succinct the Pen-man learned and honest A Chapter to be often read with much Faith and great Thankfulness This second Chapter reviews and dilates upon the latter part of the former for all that is said herein must needs be done in the sixth day And a great dayes work it was in that day our Mother Eve was made Eden planted and our Father Adam put into it to dress it and to keep it Well for us if there had been no more work done that day but the best of it is the bones our Father Adam broke our brother Adam the second of that name hath so pieced that they are stronger than before But to be short as our Historian is when God had instituted a Sabbath vers 2. 3. recapitulated some of the Creation vers 4 5 6 7 8. and described the garden of Eden before which in order of time the subsequent story of the womans creation should come in He brings our first Parents in this Text and settles them in a calling So that this Scripture is a narrative of the first imployment of the first Man in the world Ancient matters are the Subject of mens scrutiny Here is a piece of Antiquity The Arcadians long since would impose a belief upon the world that the Moon was their Junior and were therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But here is a true History of a Man that was but two dayes younger than the Moon and you have him here disposed into a Calling Wherein observe I. The Author of his imployment The Lord God The Author of our Being is fittest to be the Author of our Calling And the Lord God took the Man and put him c. Jehovah Elohim the Eternal Being Father Son and Holy Ghost He took him that is as the most judicious from the place where he was created though others hold that he was created in Paradise and put him The word in the Hebrew signifies a gentle leading as a mother leads her child Kings may possibly cause the poor to be put apprentices but they keep their state and do it rather out of pity than out of love But the great God conducts this worthy creature Man This Man into his new imployment What love was there between God and Man before Sin came between The Lord his God brought him to house he brought him to his farm and permitted to him almost all the profits thereof for his labour II. Here 's the Place of his imployment The Garden of Eden The sweetest place on earth Described at large in the seven precedent verses 1. By its Name that signifies Pleasure it self 2. By its Nature a Garden not for the Quantity thereof being no doubt a Demesne of sutable largeness for the greatest Prince then on earth but for the sweetness and goodness of the place Described further 3. by its Scituation Eastward to receive the first and most healthy rayes of the â—…un And then so wooded and watered as no place must ever expect the like There was every Tree pleasant to the sight and good for food There was the Tree of Life in the midst of the Garden and the Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil And a most famous four-brancht River that watered the Place And here was our father Adam seated as well as heart could with All which particularities argue no doubt that such a real place there was and is however defaced not so high as the Moon or middle Region of the air as some have thought nor that it comprehends the whole Earth as others for whither then was Man driven upon his fall
saving stakes in the world is his by-business but saving his soul is his main business For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his own soul Mat. 16.26 what is he better if he discharge all his debts and die in Gods debt and be cast into the prison of hell for ever What welcome can he have to God that hath done every thing but what was chiefly given him in charge That is good counsel then for the Husbandman Mat. 6.19 20. Lay not up for your selves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where Thiefs break through and steal but lay up for your selves treasure in Heaven Nothing you can get in this world that can be laid up safe but if your soul be saved that will be safe for ever You must remember that you were not made to work and eat but to save your souls in the first place God hath no where promised that if you seek the world and the vanities thereof the things of Gods Kingdom shall be added to you but he hath promised that if you Seek the Kingdome of God and the righteousness thereof all other things shall be added to you Mat. 6.33 And there-therefore the Religious Husbandman will secure the main chance I must part with my house and my ground and my children but my soul I must live with for ever and that I will secure I know many things are useful but one thing is needful And no care enters deeper than the welfare of this no cross lies heavier than the hindrance of this As in a common fire a man will strive to save his building but if he cannot he would not lose his goods yet if these go in the flame he 'l venture far to save his Cash his Writings and his Jewels So our Husbandman is careful of his other concerns but his Soul his Jewel in the thickest of his business he will endeavour to feed and cure and save whatsoever it cost him The soul like some great Personage is somewhat exceptious if she be not regarded in the first place she will not be served with broken meat When that is made a by-business which should be the main business when men are serious in trifles and trivial in serious things that 's wisdom from beneath stark folly before God The Husbandman is loth to end his life with that doleful song Cant. 1.6 My Mothers Children made me keeper of the Vineyards but my own Vineyard I have not kept And yet alas for grief how many such foolish Creatures are there that like Children sent upon some weighty errand fall in love with this and the other gay flower or weed in their way and play with them while their business is neglected how do such Children deserve to be welcom'd home So do they Almighty God hath sent you into this world upon a great errand namely to conquer the Devil exalt the Lord Jesus and climb to Heaven Ah Sirs do not fall in love with the fading flowers of lawful comforts do not play with the stinking weeds of unlawful lusts and forget your errand Remember there 's no conversion after Death no Sermons in the grave no forgiveness in hell lo this is the accepted time this is the day of salvation you must plow and sow for Eternity No seedness here no harvest there SECT III. III. THe Third Design of the Husbandman should be The Publick Good He hath learned but a little way in the book of Christianity that sets his private benefit above the publick good He that will Sleep in Jesus must serve his Generation Acts 13.36 And the Religious Husbandman will serve his God and then will serve his Generation and then will serve himself not himself first no how may I further the common Good He plows and sows not only because he lives by it but because the Common Wealth cannot live without it That was right Husbandry in Joseph Gen. 41. He did not hoard corn and let others starve but he hoarded it lest others should starve It is said Prov. 11.26 He that withholdeth corn people shall curse him but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it and the wise Husbandman more values the blessing of God upon an empty barn than a full barn and a curse therein He is more pleased with the publick wealth though he lie under private wants than if himself had wealth and there were publick want abroad Though he be a private man yet he should have a Publick spirit It is strange what Instances have been of this Excellent Spirit among Heathens One advising his Countrey men for the publick Good though he knew that Advice would speedily cost him his life Another purposely disguising himself in the battel that he might be there to save his Countrey Another venturing to Sea in a dreadful storm to relieve his needy City with Corn with this conclusion it is not necessary that I live but it is necessary that Rome be relieved Shall limping Nature go thus far that had no Bible but the Creatures nor Heaven but the Elysian Fields Surely grace in the Husbandman will not leave him behind For he hath far stronger inducements to be publick spirited to wit The Love of Jesus Christ which love being shed abroad in his heart by the holy Ghost should make him drown his private in the Publick Good Away then with that poorness that baseness of spirit out of this Excellent Calling As David though he had then onely commenc'd Shepheard yet when he heard of Goliah's affront to the publick he had the heart of a King to vindicate that disgrace and took his life in his hands and came off with honour So should the Religious Husbandman look above himself above his own silly interest and design the publick good in his labours And as the least pin is of use in the greatest building so the meanest Husbandman may be of use in the Mightiest State and the Swords that defend us would be of little avail without the Plough-shares to maintain them It were a mercenary Souldier that only would fight for his pay no he must fight for his Country So that 's a Mercenary Husbandman that onely works for riches he must labour for his Countrey else he is not worthy to live in it And therefore wheresoever his private benefit crosses the publick as in hoarding up Corn in a time of dearth or any such like therein he must deny himself and account that sordid yea cursed gain that is obtained with the general loss SECT IV. IV. THe Fourth Design of the Husbandman should be The Education of and Provision for his Children God hath given him Children and fain he would bring them up and bring them up as the Children of the Most High He holds up Abraham for his Copy Gen. 18.19 with whom he resolves to charge all his with the fear of God in the first place and can never look upon them