A64811:188
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.
4. Babes (some of them) are too prone to think that they deserve something at Gods hand by what they do (being yet under the bondage of hired Servants, and an Old Testament legal frame) they do not so much work righteousness, but they as much work for righteousness: they think to pray and weep themselves into the Love of God, and are as carnal men, who think to be heard for their ⟨p. 137⟩much and long speaking, they are much for vows and Covenants, they set tasks on themselves; so many Chapters, so long at Prayers, &c. But if they fail of their expectation, then they are apt to say, What profit is there if we keep his Ordinances? and what gain if we draw nigh unto him, and have hands laid on us? and why have we afflicted our Souls, &c. like them in Isa. 58.2, 3. If they do any thing with enlargedness, and as they think better than ordinary, they then conclude (as Leah did, Gen. 30.20.) God hath endowed me with a good Dowry, now will he dwell with me, for I have born him Six Sons; and they call their duties Zebulun's, i.e. dwellings. If they find some enlargement in duty and bring forth such things plentifully, then say they, shall we have something from Heaven to day, a smile or a token for good, because we have prayed with sighs and tears as well as groans to day, and attended upon Ordinances with longings to day; now we shall be Gods darlings, surely he will make much of us: they being ignorant of Gods (word of) righteousness, go about to establish their own, and look for acceptance and manifestations of love from their humblings and Prayers (which is to be had in, by and through Christ only) and so they attain it not, because they seek it not by Faith, but as it were by the works of the Law, Rom. 9.31, 32. with 10.2.3, 4. Their hopes of Heaven, and thoughts of Gods love do flow and ebb, are higher or lower, according to the workings of their heart in ⟨p. 138⟩their duties: They rejoice in these things as the Disciples did at the subjection of Devils, more than (as grown Saints do) that their names are written in Heaven,