A64811:473
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
Class 2 › Chapter 5 › Section 2: An Exhortation to the little Children in several particulars.
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.
SECT. 2. An Exhortation to the little Children in several particulars.
THE next branch of Exhortation is to them that know the Father, who by the w•ness of the Spirit are assured that they are the Children of God; I exhort you Brethren, 1. That you be not wanton, through this abundance of Revelation to be proud and puffed up: you must expect to be set upon by Satan, as Christ was, when he had received the witness of the Spirit that he was the Son of God, Matth. 3.16 17 with Chap. 4.1. When Paul was advanced to Paradise, and inclinable thereupon to be puffed up, a messenger of Satan was ⟨p. 319⟩sent to buffet him, 2 Cor. 12.7. buffetings attend this state, but especially it there be puffings up, therefore beware. High fortunes (as the world speaks) are the way to high minds; but high minds and mountainous Spirits are more liable to tempests and storms from Satan's wind and weather, than the humble Valleys: they are most like to be brought down, who are listed up. Indeed God is very gracious in giving the witness of his Spirit, and so manifesting himself as a Father, before the Tempter comes, before we are to enter the field and fight with the Devil (in this case, about our Sonship) that we may be the better armed and able to defend our selves, yet the Devil takes (and our hearts too often give him) occasion to take this opportunity to tempt us. Beware and take heed that you be not lifted up by this advancement.