The Husbandmans Companion, Meditation 47
Upon the labour and pains men take about worldly things.
47. Med.
WHen I had wearied, and almoſt ſpent my ſelf in digging, delving, and moiling in the garden, and had unfitted my ſelf for better, and more neceſſary employments, I began at laſt to check my ſelf for it, and diſcourſe with my ſelf after this manner; vain man, what have I been doing? or how have I ſpent my time, and my ſtrength? is it for heaven, or for the earth, for my ſoul, or for my body? for this life or that to come? is there ſo much pains needful for a little ſpot of earth, which will bring in little, if any advantage? what pains then is neceſſary for heaven? have I been ſo prodigal of my time and pains, and ſweat, and labour, for this poor empty nothing, and yet negligent in the main concern? when did I take ſo much pains for heaven and happineſs, for Chriſt and glory, as I have done for theſe trifles? when did I ſweat thus in Gods ſervice, and ſpend my ſelf thus in doing his work? am I working for a better maſter? or is this a more delightful employment, or am I like to receive, or can I expect better wages then he gives, that I work harder, and ſweat more then I would do in his work, and follow my buſineſs with more diligence, care and induſtry? if the whole world be really worth ſo much labour, pains, and induſtry, as I have beſtowed upon this little angle, this worthleſs plot of ground, what pains doth heaven deſerve? if to the obtaining the whole world deſerves one days hard work, ſure heaven deſerves all the reſt; good things are not had at eaſy rates, the more excellent the more difficult: it is ſo in earthly enjoyments, riches cannot be had without ſweat and pain, without cark and care; nor learning without labour, and ſtudy; and will heaven be had with a wet finger? cannot I provide for a few days without all this adoe, and can I provide for eternity with leſs labour? will an intereſt in Chriſt, and a title to glory be had ſo eaſily? no, no, doubtleſs a ſlow pace will fall ſhort of heaven, and the ſluggard is never like to come there; there muſt be ſtriving, running, contending, fighting, or we ſhall not obtain; the kingdome of heavsn ſuffers violence, and the violent take it by force; thoſe only that are carried out with ſtrength of affection, after Chriſt, ſhall enjoy him; thoſe are like to have the pearl, that will have it at the hardeſt rates; though they ſell all to purchaſe it; heaven is had by the violent, though the earth be inherited by the meek, Mat. 5.6. thoſe that content themſelves with the leaſt mercies here, as not deſerving any, cannot content themſelves with the greateſt portion the world can make up for them, becauſe they know there is a better portion laid up for them by their father: there is nothing but eternity that can make us abſolutely happy, or perfectly miſerable; eternity added to happineſs or miſery, makes it compleat, and can I attain the one, or avoid the other ſo eaſily? toylſom days, and weariſom nights may make us willing of a change, but what good will a change do if it be for the worſe, and not the better? or how can we expect better, and not make preparation for it? can we expect an harveſt that have ſown no ſeed, or wages that have done no work? can we expect the prize that never run the race, or the victory that never entred into the field to fight? if we bury our ſelves and talents in the earth, can we expect they will be there improved? nay, may we not expect a reckoning day, when they will be taken from us, and given to thoſe that are diligent, and will improve them; a judging time is coming when our reward will be according to our diligence, and our wages according to our work; if we ſow vanity, we ſhall reap folly, if we ſow to the fleſh, we ſhall of the fleſh reap corruption, if we ſow to the ſpirit we ſhall of the ſpirit reap life everlaſting; if we trade only in earthly commodities, we cannot expect rationally any other gain, but what they afford, which will never recompence the pains and care, and loſs we ſuſtain upon that account; but if we ſerve a better Maſter, we may expect better wages: oh my ſoul, how juſtly here maiſt thou be reproved for thy diligence in trifles, and neglect of the ſubſtance? thou haſt not only let the world run away with thy time, thy hands and thy head, but with thy heart alſo: uſe the world thou maiſt, but abuſe it thou muſt not, but ſo thou doſt when thy affections cloſe with it, and thou committeſt ſpiritual adultery with it, and lodgeſt it in the room where Chriſt ſhould lodge; in thy earthly buſineſs thy heart ſhould be in heaven, and thine eye upon Chriſt; if thou be diligent, it ſhould be becauſe he commands it, and if thou do all in obedience to his command, then doſt thou engage him to be thy pay-maſter, and maiſt expect a reward from him, even for doing thy own work: learn to make ſome ſpirituall uſe of all thy earthly enjoyments, then by divine meditation thou maiſt enjoy heaven upon earth, yea, extract heaven out of the earth, and God out of the creature; that muſt needs be a rich ſoul that can with the bee extract honey out of every weed and flower: oh my God, I muſt confeſs, I have been groſsly faulty, not only for ſpending my time and ſtrength upon vanities, but letting out my affections on them alſo: Lord ſuffer me no longer to ramble from thee, gather in my ſcattered affections to thy ſelf, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canſt make me clean, let me ſee more excellency in thee then the world can ſhew, this will engage my heart to thee for ever.