way, this fubject, and to publish their labours in print, that they may be of ufe, not only for the prefent age, but for pofterity. And that the hufbandman may be pleafed as well as profited, in perufing the labours of this author; he hath, with fingular aptnefs and acuteness, contrived and contracted the fum and scope of every chapter into an elegant diftich, or pair of verses, placed at the head of it, and concluded it with a choice melodious poem, fuitable to, and dilating upon the whole matter of it. Thefe the hufbandman, who can but read, may quickly learn and fing for his folace, inftead of thofe vain ballads and corrupting rhymes, which many of that rank are apt to buy, and folace themfelves 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 Hufbandry Spiritualized, is not calculated only for the common hufbandman; perfons of any calling, or condition, may find the author working out fuch fearching reflections and ftrong convictions, from almost every part and particular of the husbandman's work, as may prove, if faithfully improved, very useful to them; to fome for their awakening, to confider the ftate of their fouls, whether in grace, or in nature; to others for their inftruction, confolation, and encouragement in the ways of grace, as alfo for their proficiency and growth in thofe ways. That the bleffing of the Lord, and the breathings of his good Spirit may go out with it, for all thofe gracious purpofes, is the heart's defire and prayer of him, who is, CHRISTIAN READER, A fincere well-wisher to thy precious and immortal soul, JOSEPH CARYL. To his Reverend and Learned Friend, Mr JOHN FLAVEL, on his Spiritual Navigation and Husbandry. L ETTERS of mark to his dear fervant given, By him that fifts the ruffling winds of heaven : To fight and take all fuch as would not deign And what among our riddles fome might count, NICHOLAS WATTS. L In Authoris Opera. ET Paracelfus and Van Helmont's name, No more ride triumph on the wings of fame. Lo, here's a chymift, whofe diviner skill Doth hallowed from unhallowed things distil. Makes the rude ground turn tutor unto men. They may unto the port of glory row. VOL. V. с Teacheth the plowmen, from their work, to know Rare artift! who, when many tongues are mute, Sic raptim canit, DAN. CONDY. To his Reverend and Invaluable Friend, Mr J. F. upon his Hufbandry Spiritualized. NGENIOUS Sir, what do I fee? what now! That makes men wife, who, even from a clod Befides, I mark the goodness of the Lord, That all fhould work for good unto the faints, We have fome bricks, although the straw be gone, Sion, at laft, will have a glorious day. The wretched muck-worm, that from morn to night And, when he hath got all he can, the most Wherein he may be rich, yea, much, much more, When earth's more worth than heav'n, and gold than grace, But not before, unless he do intend To meet with foul-deftruction in the end. And taught him how to get the greatest gain. EDWARD JEFFERY. The EPISTLE, to the intelligent Country READER. TH HOU haft here the fruit of fome of my fpare hours, which were thus employed, when, by a fad providence, I was thrust from the fociety of many dear friends, into a folitary country-dwelling. I hope none will envy me these innocent delights, which I made out of my lonely walks, whereby the Lord fweetened my folitudes there. It is like thou wilt find fome paffages here, that are harmlefly pleafant; yet, I affure thee, I know of none that the moft Cynical Reader can cenfure, as finfully light and vain. I must acknowledge, to the praise of God, that I have found fome of thofe (which, poffibly, fome of my readers will call the flightest and most trifling fubjects of meditation) to be the ordinances for inftruction, caution, and confolation to my own foul; yea, fuch a degree of comfort, I do profefs to have found by these things, as hath much endeared the countrylife to me, and made me much better to understand that faying of Horace, than when I learned it at school, Noviftine locum potiorem rure beato? Eft ubi plus tepeant hyems? Ubi gratior aura? What life can with the country life compare? Where breathes the pureft, and moft healthful air. And, when I fleep, bid all my cares adieu. Hor. Sat. 6. And what I have found fo beneficial to myself, I cannot but think may be fo to others. I affure thee, reader, I am not fond of any of these conceptions; and yet I think I may modeftly enough fay, That the emptieft leaf of this book may ferve for more, and better uses, than a mere diverfion, when thou canft find leifure to perufe it. I know, your troubles and cares are many; and though your condition of life hath many innocent comforts and outward mercies to fweeten it, yet I believe most of you have found that ancient faying of Anacreon experimentally true : Εχει το πικρον της γεωργίας γλυκυ. • Some bitter troubles countrymen do meet, Wherewith the Lord doth intermix their fweet. The cares of your minds are commonly no lefs than the pains of your bodies; it concerns you, therefore, to fweeten what you cannot avoid; and I know no better way for that, than what is here directed to. O friends! what advantages have you for a fpiritual life? Why may you not have two harvefts every year? One for your fouls, another for your bodies; if you could thus learn to husband your hufbandry. Methinks fpiritual meditations do even put themfelves upHufbandmen of old were generally prefumed to be honest and good men; what else means that faying of Menander, Aypoxos on you. είναι προσποιη πονηρος ων. Profefs thyfelf an husbandman, And wicked too! believe't that can!' What you are, godly or wicked, is not for me (that am a stranger 'to most of you) to determine: but if you are not godly, it is my de |