A64811:336
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.
1. That they have enjoyed means and helps by which they might have been more spiritual, had they not been dull of hearing. We are all careful to use means, but we should take one care more, and that is to make use of means to profit thereby, the want whereof calls for being humbled. The Apostle might well twit the Corinthian Babes with this, you boast of Paul, Apollo and Cephas, but is it not a shame to you to be carnal under such mens Ministry? The more persons are privileged with means, the more improved should they be by the means; and if not so, they should be the more humbled for their non-proficiency. Many of you have had not only the Milk but the Cream of the Gospel, and are ye yet carnal? let it then be for a lamentation and answerable Humiliation!
1. That they have enjoyed means and helps by which they might have been more spiritual, had they not been dull of hearing. We are all careful to use means, but we should take one care more, and that is to make use of means to profit thereby, the want whereof calls for being humbled. The Apostle might well twit the Corinthian Babes with this, you boast of Paul, Apollo and Cephas, but is it not a shame to you to be carnal under such mens Ministry? The more persons are priviledged with means, the more improved should they be by the means; and if not so, they should be the more humbled for their non-proficiency. Many of you have had not only the Milk but the Cream of the Gospel, and are ye yet carnal? let it then be for a lamentation and answerable Humiliation!
2. Be the more humbled considering that many of the more refined sort of Heathens would have scorned to be so carnal as some of you: the Apostle upbraids the Corinthian Babes and thereby provokes them to shame by this very thing, 1 Cor. 5.1, 2. It is reported commonly (and in this, fama non est mendax, report is no Liar) that there is Fornication among you, and such Fornication, as is not so much as named (recorded of any) amongst the Gentiles, that one should have his Fathers Wife, and yet ye are puffed up and have not