A64811:519
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 3 › Chapter 5 › Section 4: One Temptation more which they undergo and conquer too.
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. 4. One Temptation more which they undergo and conquer too.
There is one Argument which the Devil could not make use of against Christ (who was without sin) but doth often make use of against the little Children and Young men too (if possible, to) make them call their Sonship into question: 'tis that they are not without sin, but do in many things offend either by doing evil, or omitting good, or by falling short of their duty and giving God the glory due to his name. Thou (saith the Devil) canst not be a Child of God, nor know him as a Father, for such do not commit sin nor can they; do but read 1 Joh. 3.4-10. and 5.18. and tell me what thou canst say to these things? if thou say thou sinnest not, I will prove it; if thou say thou hast no sin, thou dost lie and sinnest in saying so; and if thou sin, how canst thou say that thou art born of God, when the Scripture saith that he who is born of God doth not commit sin? This is a ⟨p. 351⟩two-edged Sword, an Argument that cuts on both sides; it seems to put these poor souls to a Dilemma: but yet by the Word of God abiding in them, they defeat this also.
THere is one Argument which the Devil could not make use of against Christ (who was without sin) but doth often make use of against the little Children and Young men too (if possible, to) make them call their Sonship into question: 'tis that they are not without sin, but do in many things offend either by doing evil, or omitting good, or by falling short of their duty and giving God the glory due to his name. Thou (saith the Devil) canst not be a Child of God, nor know him as a Father, for such do not commit sin nor can they; do but read