Husbandry Spiritualized, To the reader – Illustration
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
THere are three things wherein (as it hath been said, long before my day) the exercise of Godliness doth chiefly consist: Prayer, Temptation, Meditation. Meditation is the Subject of this following Manual. The Object of Meditation is twofold. First, The Word: Secondly, The Works of God. The Works of God are twofold. First, Internal. Secondly, External. The External Works of God are twofold. First, Of Creation: Secondly, of Providence. The works of Providence are likewise twofold. First, In things Civil, the Lord ordering and over-ruling all the affairs and motion of single Persons, Families and Nations, in a subserviency to his own most holy Ends, Designs and Purposes: Secondly, In things Natural, the Lord instructing the Husbandman to discretion, and teaching him how to Dress and Till the Earth, that it may give Seed to the Sower, and Bread to the Eater; as also how to breed up and manage the Beasts of the field, both greater and lesser Cattel, for the use and service of Man.
Meditation upon this lower part of the Works of God, and his wonderful Providences about them, may raise our souls very high; and while we wisely consider these natural things, we may grow more and more wise, in and for Spirituals and Eternals.
The worthy and ingenious Author of the ensuing Discourse, hath supplied us with an excellent help, for the Spiritualizing of the providential Works of God in natural things, by godly Meditation; we chiefly want the help of the holy Spirit (without which all other helps and helpers are altogether insufficient) to frame and wind up our hearts, for this, both profitable and delightful duty; yet the help which the Lord is pleased to give us for our direction in it, by the Ministery of man, is not only, not to be refused, but thankfully received and improved; and all little enough to bring our minds to, or keep them at this work: The best of Saints (on this side heaven) have (though they are not earthly minded) much earth in their minds, which like a heavy clog at their heels, or a weight at their hearts, presseth them down when they would make an Essay to mount upward in Meditation. We find it no easie matter to keep off earthly thoughts, when we are most seriously engaged in heavenly work; how hard is it then to get in, and be fixed upon heavenly thoughts while we are engaged about earthly work; yea, are (for so is the Husbandman) working the very earth, and raking in the bowels of it. 'Tis a great part of our holiness to be spiritually minded, while we are conversing with God through Iesus Christ in spiritual duties; but to be spiritually minded, and to mind spiritual things, when we are conversing with the clods of the earth, and the furrows of the field, when we have to do with Corn and Grass, with Trees and Plants, with Sheep and Oxen, when we behold the birds and fowls of the Air, the worms, and all that creep upon the ground, then (I say) to be spiritually minded, and thence to have our thoughts ascending and soaring up to God, in heart-affecting and quickning contemplations, witnesseth an high degree of holiness, and of gracious attainments. To make a ladder out to earthly materials, for the raising of our selves in spirit up to heaven, is the Art of Arts. Holy and happy indeed are they! who (being taught of God) have learned this Art, and live in the daily practise of it. Earthly objects usually hinder us in our way, sometimes turn us quite out of our way to heaven. Many plow and sow, dig and delve the earth, till their hearts become as earthly as the earth it self: many deal about the beasts of the field, till themselves become even brutish. Is it not then a blessed design which this Author aims and drives at, so to spiritualize all sorts, or the whole compass of earthly Husbandry, that all sorts of husbandmen may become spiritual and heavenly? It seems to me a taken for good, that God hath an intendment of some special good to the souls of such as are by profession proper Husbandmen, Mr. Richard Steel, and this Author.seeing he hath lately put it into the hearts of two faithful Ministers (who with all of that profession, are Husbandmen in a figure to undertake though in a different way, this Subject, & to publish their labours in print, that they may be of use, not only for the present age, but for posterity.
And that the Husbandman may be pleased, as well as profited, in perusing the labours of this Author, he hath, with singular aptness and acuteness, contrived and contracted the sum or scope of every Chapter into an elegant Distich or pair of Verses, placed at the head of it, and concluded it with a choice melodious Poem sutable to, and dilating upon the whole matter of it. These the Husbandman, who can but read, may quickly learn and sing for his solace, instead of those vain Ballads and corrupting Rimes, which many of that rank are apt to buy, and solace themselves withal, without any benefit, yea, much to their hurt, making their hearts more corrupt, carnal and vain thereby.
Let me add one word more to the Reader. This Book of Husbandry Spiritualized, is not calculated only for the common Husbandman; persons of any calling or condition, may find the Author working out such searching Reflections and strong Convictions, from almost every part and particular of the Husbandmans work, as may prove, if faithfully improved, very useful to them; to some for their awakening, to consider the state of their souls, whether in grace or in nature; to others for their instruction, consolation and encouragement in the wayes of grace, as also of their proficiency and growth in those wayes. That the blessing of the Lord, and the breathings of his good Spirit may go out with it, for all those gracious purposes, is the hearts desire and prayer of him, who is,
Christian Reader, A sincere well-wisher to thy precious and immortal soul: IOSEPH CARYL.
To his Reverend and learned Friend, Mr. Iohn Flavell, on his Spiritual Navigation and Husbandry.
LEtters of Mart of his dear Servant given,
By him that fists the ruffling winds of heaven:
To fight, and take all such as would not daign
T'acknowledge him the Seas great Soveraign.
He lanch'd his little Pinace, and began
T'attaque the vassals of Leviathan.
Auspicious gales swelling his winged Sails,
Searches all creeks, and every Bark he hails,
That scarce a Ship our Western Coasts afford
Which this brave Pinace hath not laid aboard.
And what among our riddles some might count,
Was seen at once at Barwick, and the Mount.
Yea, in more Ports hath in one lustre been,
Than Hawkins, Drake, or Cavendish have seen,
And Prizes of more worth brought home again,
Than all the Plate-Fleets of the Kings of Spain.
But that which makes the wonder swell the more,
Those whom he took were Beggars all before.
But rests he here? No, no, our friend doth know
'Tis good to have two strings unto his Bow.
Our rare Amphibion loves not to be pent
Within the bounds, of one poor Element,
Besides the learned Author understood,
That of an idle hand there comes no good,
The Law to him no Pulpit doth allow,
And now he cannot Preach, he means to Plow
Though Preaching were a crime, yet the foresaw
Against the Plowman there could be no Law.
Nor stayes he on resolves, but out of hand
He yoaks his Teem, plows up the stubborn Land:
Sows it with precious Seed, harrows again
The tougher clods: takes pleasure in his pain.
Whilst Orph'us like, (which doth his Art advance)
Rocks, Fields, and Woods after his pipe do dance.
Industrious spirit, to what a rich account
With thy blest Lord, will all these labours mount?
That every nerve of thy blest soul dost ply,
To further heavens Spiritual Husbandry.
This kind of Tillage which thou teachest us,
Was never dreamt of by Triptolemus.
Go Reader, turn the leaves; and me allow
To pray (whilst at thy work) God speed the Plow.
NICHOLAS WATTS.
In Authoris OPERA.
LEt Paracelsius and Van-Helmonts name,
No more ride triumph on the wings of fame.
Lo, here's a Chymist whose diviner skill
Doth hallowed, from unhallow'd things distil.
Spiritualizeth Sea affairs, agen,
Makes the rude ground turn Tutor unto men.
Shews Mariners as by a Compass how
They may unto the Port of Glory row.
Teacheth the Plowmen from their work to know
What duties unto God and man they ow.
Rare Artist! who when many tongues are mute
Mak'st things that are inanimate, confute
The Ages sins; by preaching unto eyes,
Truths which in other modes their ears despise.
Prosper his pious Labours, Lord! howe'r
Do not forget to crown the labourer.
Sic raptim canit, DAN. CONDY.
To his Reverend and Invaluable Friend Mr. I. F. upon his Husbandry Spiritualized.
INgenious Sir, what do I see? what now!
Are you come from the Pulpit to the Plow?
If so, then pardon me if I profess;
The Plow deserves to be sent to the Press.
'Tis not long since you went to Sea they say,
Compos'd a*Navigation Spiritualized. Compass which directs the way
And steers the course to heaven, O blest Art!
And bravely done, that you did that impart
To us, who take it kindly at your hand,
And bless the Lord that you are come to Lord.
To be an Husbandman wherein your skill
With admiration doth your Readers fill.
One grain will yield increase, it's ten times ten,
When th'earth's manur'd by such Husbandmen.
We may expect rich harvests, and full crops,
When heavenly dew descendeth in such drops
Of spiritual rain, to water every field
That it full helps of grace to God may yield.
I must adore the wisdom of that God
That makes men wise, who even from a clod
Of earth can raise such heavenly Meditation
Unto a pitch of highest elevation.
Besides, I mark the goodness of the Lord
Performing unto us his faithful Word,
That all shall work for good unto the Saints
Which in some measure lessens our complaints.
For though our Pulpit mercies be grown less,
We have some gracious helps yet from the Press.
And herein all the world may plainly see,
That faithful servants will not idle be.
We have some bricks, although the straw be gone.
The Church at last shall be of polisht stone.
What ever men or Devils act, or say,
Sion at last will have a glorious day.
The wretched muck-worm that from morn to night
Labours as if 'twere for an heavenly weight,
And when he hath got all he can, the most
Amounts to little more than a poor crust
To feed his tired carkase, if himself
Have by his carking got a little pelf
Leave it he must, to one he knows not whom,
And then must come to eternal doom;
And hear his poor neglected wretched soul
Tell him at last that he hath play'd the fool.
But here he's taught how he before he dye
May lay up treasure for eternity.
Wherein he may be rich, yea, much much more
Than they that do possess whole mines of Oar.
When earth's more worth than heaven, & gold than grace
Then let the worldling run his bruitish race,
But not before unless he do intend
To meet with soul-destruction in the end.
But I must leave him, and return again
To gratulate the author for his pain.
And here I can't forbear to let my pen
To tell the world of all the Husbandmen
That er'e I met, he, he hath hit the vein
To recompense the Labourers hard pain,
And taught him how to get the greatest gain.
Wherein he treads a path not trod before,
By which indeed his skill appears the more.
I might Encomiums give him great and true,
And yet come short of what's his due.
But I must not walk in forbidden wayes
For thereby I am sure I should displease
His pious mind, who doth and freely can
Give all the praise to the great Husbandman.
Who will his graces in his servants own,
But doth expect himself to wear the Crown,
Farewel dear Sir, In take my leave, and now
Will say no more but this, God speed the plow.
EDWARD IEFFERY.
Reader this Emblem darkly represents
The Books chief scope, and principall contents,
Yet since these Birds, Beasts, Heart, Stone, String, and Tree
Doe more imply than at first glance you see,
Our courteous Muse which cannot be unkinde,
Intends more plainly to divulge her minde.
You see the Shadows, would you see the Things
She couches under them? then view her Wings.
A gracious heart here learns the art
Of soaring up on high
Upon the Wings of earthly things
That Underfoot doe lye
Noe Bird that flyes beneath the skies
But by this holy craft will lend a feather
To help it thither And give the heart a waft.
The string and stone shews every one
When faith mounts up and sings
How carnall sence can draw it hence
Pinnion and clip its wings
Birds beasts and trees teach mysteries
If sinners be not blocks
They'l quickly mend when God doth send
Teachers in droves and Flocks
T Cross sculpsit