A64811:323
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.
3. Be not ashamed of your youngest brethren that are but Babes, Paul, nay Christ himself was not ashamed to call them Brethren; but carry it lovingly, gently and tenderly towards them; you know the heart of a Babe, for you your selves were once Babes, as 'tis said to Israel in behalf of the stranger, Exod. 23.9. and Levit. 19.33, 34. It may be some (patres aequum esse censent nos jamjam a pueris illico nasci senes) poor Babes complain, that such and such do not regard them, because they are not grown up to their stature; but pray remember, these things ought not to be so, there is an honour due to the weaker vessels and uncomely parts, 1 Cor. 12. We should be nurses to these froward Bantlings, and crying Babes, and as Paul was among the Thessalonians, we should be gentle as a nurse that cherisheth her own children nurslings, 1 Thes. 2.7.
4. Give good examples to Babes, and abuse not your liberty to their offence: I told you that Babes mind example much, and if they have bad ones given them, especially by good ⟨p. 227⟩and eminent men, they are drawn aside by it; as when Peter dissembled, the other Jews dissembled also, insomuch that Barnabas (•n •minent person) was carried away by that dissimulation, Gal. 2.13. ••d saith the Apostle, take heed lest by any means your liberty become a stumbling block to them that are weak; for if any (weak and ignorant, which is a Babe) man see thee which hast knowledge to sit at meat in the Idols Temple, shall not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened (gr. edified) he takes thy example for a warrant, and thinks he is edified thereby, when alas 'tis to his loss and detriment,