A64811:407
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. THE Soul that hath received this witness is filled with a great deal of joy; of which though I speak, yet 'tis joy unspeakable and full of glory; yea though the person be in the midst of afflictions, temptations and sufferings, yet the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon it, and dwells there, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5, 6. 1 Pet. 1.6, 7, 8. and Chap. 4.14. 'tis so great, that there is want in the words that are, and want of more words than there are to express it significantly; this work cannot be worded: 'tis such an experience as comes not under expression. All the Eloquence in the world cannot acquaint you with the sweetness of this honey, so well as the taste can and doth do. 'Tis like the new name, which no man knows but he that hath it; a stranger doth not intermiddle with this joy. And as none knows ⟨p. 275⟩it but he hath hath it, so he that hath it cannot make it known as he hath it. […] single witness, that of a mans own Conscience, afford so much joy, as the Apostle found it did, 2 Cor. 1.12. what incomparable joy must that be which flows from a double witness, viz. That of the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God: this is the joyful sound, it's such Music as makes the Soul to leap and dance for joy, Hos. 2.14, 15, 16. They were Babes and under bondage in Egypt, but now they sing like the Children that had heard the joyful sound of the Silver Trumpets, proclaiming love and peace, in their youth they sang when God had proclaimed them his Sons and first-born, and called them (his Sons) out of Egypt.
1. THE Soul that hath received this witness is filled with a great deal of joy; of which though I speak, yet 'tis joy unspeakable and full of glory; yea though the person be in the midst of afflictions, temptations and sufferings, yet the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon it, and dwells there, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5, 6.