Let me add one word more to the reader. This book of Hus- bandry Spiritualized, is not calculated only for the common hus- bandman ; 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 husbandman's 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 encourage- ment in the ways of grace, as also for their proficiency and growth in those ways. 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 heart's desire and prayer of him, who is,
A sincere •well-wisher to thy precious and immortal soul,
To his Reverend and Learned Friend, Mr. John Flavel, on his Spiritual Navigation and Husbandry,
JLiETTERS of mark to his dear servant given, By him that sists the ruffling winds of heaven : To fight and take all such as would not deign T* acknowledge him the sea's great Sovereign. He launched his little pinnace, and began T' attack the vassals of Leviathan, Auspicious gales swelling his winged sails, Searches all creeks, and every bark he hails ; That scarce a ship our Western coast afford, Which his hxa\Q pinnace has not laid aboard.
IN AUTiroillS OPKUA. 11
And what among our riddles some might count, Was seen at once at Berwick, and the JHI^ount. 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 preachy he means to ploxo. Though preaching were a crime, yet he foresaw Against the plowman there could be no law. Nor stays he on resolves, but out-of-hand He yokes his teem, plows up the stubborn land ; Sows it with precious seed, harrows again The tougher clods, takes pleasure in his pain. Whilst, Orpheus-Uke, (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, with all these labours mount ! That every nerve of thy best soul dost ply. To further heaven's 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 work) God speed the plow.
JLiET Paracelsus and Van Helmont's name. No more ride triumph on the wings of fame. Lo, here's a chymist, whose diviner skill Doth hallowed from unhallowed things distil. Spiritualizeth sea-affairs ; again, Makes the rude ground turn tutor unto men. Shews Mariners, as by a compass, how They may unto the port of glory row.
12 TO MT.. JOHN FLAVEL, S:C.
Teacheth the plowmen^ from their work, to know What duties unto God and man they owe. Rare artist ! who, when many tongues are mute, ^lak'st tilings that are inanimate confute The age's sins ; by preaching unto eyes. Truths which in other modes their eai's despise. Prosper his pious labours, Lord ! howe"'er Do not foi-get to crown the labourer.
To his Reverend and Invaluable Friend, Mr. J. F. upon his Hus~
bandry 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,
Composed a 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 land,
To be an husbandman, wherein your skill,
With admiration doth your readers fill.
One grain will yield increase, 'tis ten times ten,
When the eartlVs manured 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 heaps 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 should work for good unto the saints,
Which, in some measure, lessens our complaints.
For though our pulpit-mercies be grown less,
AVe 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 tlie straw be o-one,
The churcli, at last, shall be of polish'd stone.
Whatever men or devils act or sav,
Sion, at last, will have a glorious day.
The wretched muck- worm, that from morn to nicdit
Labours, as if 'twere for an heav'nly weight ;
And, when he hath got all he can, the most
Amounts to little more than a poor crust.
To feed his tird carcase : 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 an 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 die,
May lay up treasure for eternity ;
Wherein he may be rich, yea, much, much more,
Than they that do possess whole mines of ore.
When earth's more worth than heav'n, and gold than grace.
Then let the worldling run his brutish 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 bid my pen
To tell the world of all the husbandmen,
That e'er I met, he, he hath hit the vein
To recompense the labourer's hard pain.
And taught him how to get the greatest gain.
Wherein he treads a path not trode before ;
By which, indeed, his skill appears the more.
I might encomiums give him, great and true,
And yet come very short of what's his due ;
But I must not walk in forbidden ways,
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.
Farewell, dear Sir, I take my leave, and now, Will say no more than this, God si^teed the plow.
The Epistle, to the intelligent Country Reader.
JL HOU hast here the fruit of some of my spare hours, which were thus employed^ when^ by a sad providence, I was thrust
14< TIFE EPISTLE, kc.