Excerpt from The Whole Works of John Flavel, Vol. 5 of 6: Late Minister of the Gospel at Dartmouth, Devon
Consisting of many pleasant observations, pertinent applications and serious reflections; and each chapter concluded with a divine and suitable poem. Directing husbandmen to the most excellent improvements of their common employments. Whereunto are added, by way of Appendix, several choice occasional meditations upon birds, beasts, trees, flowers, rivers, and several other objects; fitted for the help of such as desire to walk with God in all their solitudes, and recesses from the world.
The Epistle Dedicatory.
To the Worshipful Robert Savery, and William Savery, of Slade, Esquires.
Honoured Friends
It hath been long since observed, that the world below is a glass to discover the world above; Seculum est speculum: and although I am not of their opinion, that say, the Heathens may spell Christ out of the sun, moon, and stars; yet this I know, that the irrational and inanimate, as well as rational creatures, have a language; and though not by articulate speech, yet in a metaphorical sense, they preach unto man the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, Rom. i. 20. "There is (saith the Psalmist, Psalm xix. 3.) no speech, nor language, where their voice is not heard." Or (as Junius renders it) there is no speech, nor words, yet without these, their voice is understood, and their line (i.e. saith Diodate) their writing in gross and plain draughts, is gone out through all the earth.
As man is compounded of a fleshly and spiritual substance, so God hath endowed the creatures with a spiritual, as well as fleshly usefulness, they have not only a natural use in alimental and physical respects, but also a spiritual use, as they bear the figures and similitudes of many sublime and heavenly mysteries. Believe me (saith contemplative Bernard) thou shalt find more in the woods, than in a comer; stones and trees will teach thee what thou shalt not hear from learned doctors.
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