A64811:552
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.
Perhaps some will be apt to say, That this is but a Romantic story, a kind of Knight-Errantry, 'tis but for talk and discourse, where are the erected Pillars, and the trophies of honour that should witness the Victory? where is Goliaths sword and head? where are the spoils and the booty, the signs of their victory? But hear ye despisers and wonder, for we have not brought to you a fiction or a cunningly devised fable, but words of truth and power, as shall be yet further evinced. And seeing we have formerly paralleled the Temptations which Christ did and these Young men also did undergo and conquer after the witness of the Spirit received, we shall now parallel the signs and tokens of their respective victories.
PErhaps some will be apt to say, That this is but a Romantick story, a kind of Knight-Errantry, 'tis but for talk and discourse, where are the erected Pillars, and the trophies of honour that should witness the Victory? where is Goliahs sword and head? where are the spoiles and the booty, the signs of their victory? But hear ye despisers and wonder, for we have not brought to you a fiction or a cunningly devised fable, but words of truth and power, as shall be yet further evinced. And seeing we have formerly paralleled the Temptations which Christ did and these Young men also did undergo and conquer after the witness of the Spirit received, we shall now parallel the signs and tokens of their respective victories.
When our Saviour was tempted and the Devils thrust put by and his argument defeated, he wholly waves the assuming of it, and shifts his ground as not able to stand upon it nor to it; ⟨p. 368⟩which is one sign of his being so far conquered. He attempts the second time another way but with no better success, and therefore sounds a parle and comes to treat; which is another sign that his Forces failed him: when he can do no good (no evil) this way neither, he doth not only retreat but run away ashamed, as one that flees in Battle, as 'tis said of them, a Sam. 19.3. so that the field was left to Christ Jesus, and thereupon the Angels came and ministered to him, i.e. did him homage as to a great conqueror, singing and celebrating his praise, as we have cause to believe. After this our Saviour went in the power of the Spirit (into Galilee) like a conqueror that had won the day and night go where he would, as 'tis remarked concerning him,