The Fifth Corollary

To conclude, if the Church be God's husbandry, that is, if husbandry has so many resemblances of God's works about the Church in it, then how inexcusable is the ignorance of husbandmen, in the things of God, who besides the word of the Gospel, have the teachings of the creatures; and can hardly turn their hands to any part of their work, but the Spirit hints one spiritual use or other from it to their souls? How do the Scriptures abound with parables, and lively similitudes taken from husbandry? From the field, the seed, the plow, the barn, from threshing and winnowing; similitudes also from planting, grafting, and pruning of trees; and not a few from the ordering of cattle. So that, to whatever business you turn your hands, in any part of your calling, still God meets you, with one heavenly instruction or other. But alas! How few are able to improve their civil employments to such excellent ends? These things are but briefly hinted in the Scriptures, and those hints scattered up and down, that they know not where to find them; and if they could, yet would it be difficult so to methodize them, as it is necessary they should be, in order to their due improvement, by meditation.

And therefore I judged it necessary to collect and prepare them for your use; and in this manner to present them to you, as you find them in the following chapters. Read, consider, and apply; and the Lord make you good husbands for your own souls.