The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

¹Then as for the Carnal or Babes, two things belong to them,

1. 1Carnal, or babes described and counselled.

First, That they be not dejected, or quite out of hopes, because they are babes. Fathers have naturally tender and dear affections to those children that are most infirm and weak. Christ had care of the bruised reed; he rebuked those that would have kept little children from him, how much rather these spiritual babes, and the promise of pardon, and glory, is made to the least degree of grace? Do not then judge that which is little, nothing at all. The least faith receiveth Christ as truly, though not so firmly, as the strongest. The little pupil in a mans eye, can receive the species of the great Mountains; And though thou hast not such graces and parts, as David and Paul, yet thou hast the same God and Christ, which they have. Look to it therefore, you that are babes in Christ, you are apt to be discouraged and dejected: remember the branch doth not bear the root, but the root it, and thou dost not so much lay hold on Christ, as Christ lays hold on thee. The little child in danger catcheth hold of his father, and its safety is not so much, that the child holds the father, as the father it. Thy safety and happiness is not, because thy grace joins thee to Christ, but because his Spirit knits thee to himself.

First, That they be not dejected, or quite out of hopes, because they are babes. Fathers have naturally tender and dear affections to those children that are most infirm and weak. Christ had care of the bruised reed; he rebuked those that would have kept little children from him, how much rather these spiritual babes, and the promise of pardon, and glory, is made to the least degree of grace? Do not then judge that which is little, nothing at all. The least faith receiveth Christ as truly, though not so firmly, as the strongest. The little pupill in a mans eye, can receive the species of the great Mountains; And though thou hast not such graces and parts, as David and Paul, yet thou hast the same God and Christ, which they have. Look to it therefore, you that are babes in Christ, you are apt to be discouraged and dejected: remember the branch doth not bear the root, but the root it, and thou dost not so much lay hold on Christ, as Christ layes hold on thee. The little child in danger catcheth hold of his father, and its safety is not so much, that the child holds the father, as the father it. Thy safety and happinesse is not, because thy grace joyns thee to Christ, but because his Spirit knits thee to himself.