A64811:334
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.
The Milk that the Babes do eat, doth every spoonful of it, give praise and glory to God: Repentance doth so, Faith towards God, submission to Ordinances, trembling at his Word, desires after growth, love of the Brethren; ⟨p. 233⟩these all praise and glorify his name, though not with so loud a voice and so open a mouth as that (and the higher attainments) of Children, Young-men and Fathers doth do. And the truth of it is, that 'tis not a little glory which accrues to God hereby; for, that these poor Babes who have so much corruption (and not without considerable temptations too) should yet be kept from Apostasy; that Grace should live (like a spark of fire in the midst of waters) and not be extinct, is a wonder; and such an one, as that 'tis not so great a wonder that other Saints of higher Forms cleave close to God, as that these do; no• that the Devil is conquered and baffled by them, as that he is defeated by these: 'tis much to the praise and glory of God and his grace, though not so actually given by them, as 'tis by others.
The Milk that the Babes do eat, doth every spoonful of it, give praise and glory to God: Repentance doth so, Faith towards God, submission to Ordinances, trembling at his Word, desires after growth, love of the Brethren; ⟨p. 233⟩these all praise and glorifie his name, though not with so loud a voice and so open a mouth as that (and the higher attainments) of Children, Young-men and Fathers doth do. And the truth of it is, that 'tis not a little glory which accrews to God hereby; for, that these poor Babes who have so much corruption (and not without considerable temptations too) should yet be kept from Apostafie; that Grace should live (like a spark of fire in the midst of waters) and not be extinct, is a wonder; and such an one, as that 'tis not so great a wonder that other Saints of higher Forms cleave close to God, as that these do; no• that the Devil is conquered and baffled by them, as that he is defeated by these: 'tis much to the praise and glory of God and his grace, though not so actually given by them, as 'tis by others.