A64811:216
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
Class 1 › Part 4: IV. The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgement.
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.
2. The Attainment of Babes from this belief, is, that they tremble at this Word of God, which is a blessed frame, Isa. 66.2. If the hearing of it make wicked men many times to tremble as it did Felix, Acts 24• 25. If the sense of an after state make men pray, as Ba••un did, Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my afterward (so the Hebrew) he • theirs, Numb. 13.10. How much better influence ⟨p. 157⟩hath it on Babes in Christ? this trembling of theirs is of great use to the working out their Salvation, Phil. 2.12. it makes them wary and cautious not to run with others to the same excess of riot, &c. 1 Pet. 4.3.—5. it hath an influence as to dissuade from sin, so to persuade to duty; Knowing the terror of the Lord• (with reference to Judgement) we persuade men, 2 Cor. 5.10, 11. The consideration of a future Judgement awes the most eminent Saints, as it did Job. Chap. 1.14. and 23. and David, Psal. 119.120. but it makes Babes especially to tremble; because they are yet without assurance of Eternal welfare: Perfect Love casteth out fear and hath boldness in the day of Judgement, 1 Joh. 4.17, 18. but poor Babes are all their life long, subject to more or less bondage by the fear of death and Judgement, Heb. 2.14, 15. And this though Christ have died, for want of particular application of it to themselves; which grown aints have attained to and can therefore challenge and brave death it self, as Paul did, Ram. 8.34,—39.