Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians

From whence this clearly and roundly follows, that a man, many men, may be of long standing in Christ, may be old (Fathers) for years, and yet be but Babes for understanding and ability to digest the strong meat of the Gospel: Whereas other men, that are but Babes for time, but newly-new-born, may be men in Christ, as Paul was in a little time, according to that phrase of his, 2 Cor. 12.2. if I may so apply it: and out of the mouths of such (for their time but Babes and Sucklings) there may be more perfect praise, than from elder Persons, men of many years standing.

'Tis true, grey hairs found in a way of righteousness are a Crown of glory (and usually the elder the wine is, the better) and as to many of Gods Saints, their works have been more at last than at first, and their latter end better than their beginning: Father Abraham, Father Job, Father Moses, Father Paul, and some others were Fathers not only for age but grace: in Act. 21.16. there is mention made of one Mnason, an old Disciple, who was (another Gaius) an entertainer of the Apostles and Saints; but he is not called an old Disciple ⟨p. 5⟩merely (as I suppose) for his years or age, but that he was as much a Disciple as he was old (from his new birth) his Discipleship, saith and obedience ran along and kept pace with his age, that as he grew in years, so be he did in grace; he was an old Disciple, a good proficient in the School of Christ. 'Twas a great commendation to Andronicus and Junia, not only that they were in Christ before Paul, but that they were of note, eminent, signal and of renown, viz. for their religion, Rom. 16.7. Glorious (because gracious) things are spoken of old Zechariah and Elizabeth, Luk. 1.6, 7. And 'twas the great praise of the Church of Thyatira, that her last works were more than her first. But though it were thus with some, 'twas not so with all that were of equal age and standing with these: for some were ever learning and learnt but little, ever doing yet did but little; the widows mite was more than theirs that cast in much; Philadelphia, that had but little strength did effectually do more, than Ephesus, of whom greater things are spoken,