The Husbandmans Calling, Title page – To the reader
THE Husbandmans CALLING: Shewing the Excellencies, Temptations, Gracés, Duties, &c. of the CHRISTIAN HUSBANDMAN.
Being the Substance of XII. SERMONS Preached to a Country Congregation By RICHARD STEELE, M. A. and Minister of the Gospel.
Cant. 1. 6.
—They made me keeper of the Vineyards, but mine own Vineyard have I not kept.
Math. 6. 33.
But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
LONDON, Printed by M. S. and are to be sold by E. Calvert at the sign of the Black spread Eagle in Barbican, 1668.
To all the Faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ in this our English Israel.
Reverend Fathers, and Brethren;
IT is not out of Presumption (the Lord he knoweth) that I make this Address unto you, as if I were worthy to bespeak, much less instruct Such and So many, but from a sincere Love to mens souls, attended with a profound Respect unto you all. 'Tis you, that have the charge to bring this our Husbandman to Heaven: from his care and labour most of your subsistance comes; You are strictly bound by all Laws Divine and Humane, to help them to live in Heaven, that help you to live on earth; nay, you are obliged by express †1 Tim. 4. 15. foreignScripture to give your selves wholly to this business, and you must certainly give an exact account of your Stewardship, God knows how soon. Now I only undertake to be your Remembrancer, and my own Monitor in these two main things: 1. That we would often consider the Great End of our worthy Ministry, which is not, to please men, but Christ Jesus the Lord; not to obtain applause from the Vulgar, or respect from Great Men, or to make ample worldly provision for our selves, but we are purposely sent from God, to save mens souls from death, and to carry (if it be possible) all our flock with us to Heaven. Let us revive this often upon our souls, especially when we are casting the Net of the Gospel among a Sea of Sinners in our actuall Ministration, wherein we must consider that our Husbandmans soul is as precious to God, as the soul of a greater man, and should the rather be holpen, because he wants often the benefit of Education, Learning and Ingenuity to help himself. O let's think before their Passing-bell do startle us, whether we have done our utmost for the saving of the Man or Woman that is now sailing for eternity. 2. That in our retired throughts we duly weigh, and then put in practise the fittest Means to accomplish this great End. 1. In Sermons, what Texts and Subjects are most needful to ground them, to awaken them, to convert them, and to strengthen them; what Method is most useful to clear the will of God to them, and settle it in their memories, what words and affections are most effectual to declare their duty, and perswade them to it: In short, how we may so paint to the life Grace and Glory, that the people may fall in love with them, and purchase them at any rate; and then so describe Sin and Hell, that they may tremble to think of them, and go from the Ordinances with their hearts penetrated, amazed, melted and changed. That we may not fill our Sermons with sapless niceties, impertinent quotations, cholerick reflections, or with that unquiet controversal Divinity (especially about points less momentous) which hardly ever produce any effect, save Exasperation. And for as much as experience hath taught us, that private and particular …dvice and Reproof doth catch many, that have slipped through more general means; let us labour as far as we are able to take a particular care of each member of those flocks, where any of us are Overseers; that we may warn every man, and teach every man, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. How many Drunkards, Swearers, Covetous, Trouble some persons are there under our charge, that either know not, or mind not the evil of their way, whom one quarter of an hours serious Advice might cure, and how well (generally) do men take such Counsels from us, because we are doing the Duties of our Office, and their faithfullest part, to wit, their Consciences are on our side? If it be possible therefore let us spare some time to go among them, to see how our Husbandry prospers, so shall we best be acquainted with their condions, and soonest gain their affections: Alas! if we do not know them, we must shoot our Arrow at adventure; and if they do not love us, they will hardly heed what we say. And then 2. In our Lives; O that they may be a Commentary on our Sermons, full of Gravity, Humility, Piety, Peace and Love. Let our words and waies savour of the Sermons we preach, that our Lives may convince those whom our Lips cannot perswade; Alas we see that one irregular practice doth undermine & throw down, that which many Sermons have been building; they will not believe that, which we plainly show, we do not believe our selves. Though this be their mistake to take sanctuary in our sinnes, who must be judged by our Sermons; yet 'tis a distemper that will not easily be cured, and wo will be to them by whom offences come, as well as wo to them that are offended with the Truth. Let us remember Excellent Mr. Herberts Advice (whose Tract called, the Country-Parson, is richly worth our frequent reading) that the Minister should be a pattern of all goodness to all the Men in the Parish, and his Wife to all the Women in the Parish, and his Children and Servants to all the Children and Servants in the Parish, and particularly that we be far from Prophaneness, Covetousness, Contention, direct or indirect opposition to serious Piety, or the Professors thereof. And lastly, 3. For our Inward Affections, that we may keep alwaies flaming in our hearts a sincere and Paternal Love to all our Flock, that our counsels, reproofs and Sermons may flow from a real and dear Love to them, and then they can hardly miscarry in their effects upon them; that our Real and Visible design may not be to seek theirs but them. That our Behaviour degrade us not from that Authority, wherewith we are vested; nor Pride keep us from that seasonable condescention, that is so necessary among the people. But that we may be wholly taken up with our great work, and make our other circumstances attend and further this; that by any means we may save our selves, and them that hear us. And let's not think much of all this work, for we were told it before, and we shall be richly rewarded for every drop of Spirits, yea, for every drop of sweat, yea, for every drop of ink that is spent rightly in our Masters Service; and doubly damn'd, if persons of our Knowledge and Implo…ment, or Others by our Neglect, Ignorance, Non-residence, or Evil Example, miscarry …verlastingly. In a word, that we may all in earnest advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and keep up the Credit of the English Ministry, is the most earnest Desire and Prayer o…
Your Servant, and Fellow-Servant, Richard Steele. May 10. 1668.
To the READER.
Candid Reader:
THe substance of this Discourse was preached to a Countrey Congregation for their Direction in their ordinary Calling, and appears now in the World not for any Opinion I have of it, But
1. Because the number of Husbandman is great; the company of Husbandmen, being the greatest of all others in this huge Corporation of the World,
And 2. There being no particular Book to Direct or Encourage them therein that ever I could meet with in our Tongue.
And 3. I confess also another Motive, to wit, a desire to be doing some good, which I trust (through the blessing of God, which I do humbly crave) will be attained hereby, and especially to those that were Hearers hereof, to whom I owe my self, and all I can do.
The matter herein is but ordinary Practical Divinity applied to the Condition and Calling of the Husbandman. The stile familiar and plain according to their capacity; the method also fitted, as well as I could, to the most usefull things to be handled. In describing the Excellencies and Duties of this Calling, I have rather brought in the Husbandman doing what he ought, than what ordinary he doth; for you consider, I am not writing an History, but Rules, and therefore let no honest heart be discouraged for his coming short in these passages, provided he aime at them. The Rule must be exact, and our life as near it as we can. When I discourse his Sins and Temptations, and bring him sometimes on the stage under great disadvantages; understand it rather a Disswasive from that evil, than a Narrative thereof. I am very conscious of many weaknesses, but know not of any Errours or Reflections herein. It will suffice me, if it shall obtain pardon of the more acute, acceptation of my friends, and amendment of heart and life of the poor Husbandman, for whom it was chiefly compiled.
Though it accost onelyonly the Husbandman, yet the matter thereof for the most past is applicable to every good Christian; and it were to be wished, that the like particular Tracts were written about other Callings. And provided it hinder no man from reading the Bible, and other more profitable Books, I believe the humble and diligent perusal hereof will quit any man the Cost, much better than trifling of his time away: But see you joyne Meditation and Prayer with your Reading; One leaf so digested being more likely to do your Soul good, than many without them. And remember still, that you be as ready to practise what is plain, as to censure what is doubtful, and bless the Lord for what is worthy, as well as blame the Pen-man for what is weak. If you receive any profit hereby, I am made, (for doing good is the greatest preferment) and in that case let God alone reap the praise; and Me his unworthiest Servant your Prayers. The Blessing of God accompany this Endeavour for the Husbandmans Direction, Comfort and Salvation! Amen, Amen.
Yours, if you be Christs, R. S. May, 10 1668.