A64811:182
Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians
Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians : I. Babes, II. Little children, III. Young men, IV. Fathers : with their several characteristical differences and attainments : also the doctrines proper to be taught to each of them : being the substance of many sermons preached many years ago in Southwark / by Ralph Venning.Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians : I. Babes, II. Little children, III. Young men, IV. Fathers : with their several characteristical differences and attainments : also the doctrines proper to be taught to each of them : being the substance of many sermons preach'd many years ago in Southwark / by Ralph Venning.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1675
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
they were very carnal in their apprehensions of Christs Kingdom, as if it had been of this world; they were very dull of hearing the Doctrine of his death, &c. as was touched even now; there was much strife and envy among them; and a wrathful spirit calling for fire from Heaven; they were forward to promise, but not so to perform, for they could not watch with him one hour, &c. by which it appears they were as carnal and but Babes, not ⟨p. 132⟩capable of strong meat for Doctrine or duty.
they were very carnal in their apprehensions of Christs Kingdom, as if it had been of this world; they were very dull of hearing the Doctrine of his death, &c. as was toucht even now; there was much strife and envy among them; and a wrathful spirit calling for fire from Heaven; they were forward to promise, but not so to perform, for they could not watch with him one hour, &c. by which it appears they were as carnal and but Babes, not ⟨p. 132⟩capable of strong meat for Doctrine or duty.
What they (Babes) are, and what they are not capable of or able to bear, I shall not undertake to determine, only this I am sure of, that they are not to be received to doubtful disputations (if that be the meaning of the place) Rom. 14.1. of which I think the Margin gives a better account. But now, what they are capable of and convinced of, that they submit to and act accordingly, Acts 19. There were Disciples that had not heard whether there were an Holy Ghost or no, but as soon as they were convinced they submitted. The Disciples were not convinced of the Messiahs Offices, but in the general notion (without distinct apprehensions of the manner and way) of restoring the world; and therefore till after his Ascension, which proved theirs too, they had asked nothing in his name,