A64811:459
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.
4. Children are full of imitation, they tread in their Fathers steps (as Ascanius did in Aeneas's; sequitur (licet) non passibus aequis) they make the Father their example and to walk as they have him for an example, 1 Pet. 1.14,—17. Ephes. 5.1. And in fine, Children are very teachable: the Babe is not so. Teach a Child the trade of his way, the Child-state is a learning state: the Babes are dull of hearing, […]. 5.11. 2 Cor. 3.2. Joh. 16.12. Great […] cannot be taught to Babes, Isa. 28.9. […] ye Children, Prov. 4.1. and c•me near […] children, I will teach you, Psal. 34.11. ⟨p. 308⟩These are capable of strong meat, for they are spiritual, having received the Spirit of Adoption, and the witness of that Spirit by which they bring forth all the fruits of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22,—26. These few things shall suffice concerning the disposition and conversation of these little Children, by which we may see what Doctrine is most proper to be Preached unto them (non omnibus omnia) as belonging to their state. I should now come to apply the whole, but that there is one Question which will require an Answer to it before I show the uses of this Point.
4. Children are full of imitation, they tread in their Fathers steps (as Ascanius did in Aeneas's; sequitur (licet) non passibus aequis) they make the Father their example and to walk as they have him for an example, 1 Pet. 1.14,—17.