A64811:566
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. AS for you little Children who have lived hitherto in the Fathers house and lain in his bosom, enjoying his love without doubts or disputes, let me bespeak you to look for and to prepare for temptations: Satan makes challenges and desires to winnow and sift you (as he did Job and Peter, &c.) Luke 22.31. Therefore watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation, and beg of God either not to lead you into temptation; or if he will and do (as the Spirit did Christ Jesus) that he will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but that he will deliver you from the evil, or the evil one. Tell your Father that you have heard what a potent and subtle adversary the Devil is, and that he throws fiery darts to inflame the hearts of Gods Children against their Father, and tempts them to worship Devils; which are such horrid things, as you would not willingly be acquainted with; but if as he hath glorified his name, so he will glorify it again, then say, Father, thy Will be done (as your Saviour did) and conclude that your Father will not leave you nor forsake you, that you should be a prey to this mighty, and a captive to this strong one. If you should any of you be called out to this War, take these encouragements for your help.
1. AS for you little Children who have lived hitherto in the Fathers house and lain in his bosome, injoying his love without doubts or disputes, let me bespeak you to look for and to prepare for temptations: Satan makes challenges and desires to winnow and sift you (as he did Job and Peter, &c.) Luke 22.31. Therefore watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation, and beg of God either not to lead you into temptation; or if he will and do (as the Spirit did Christ Jesus) that he will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but that he will deliver you from the evil, or the evil one. Tell your Father that you have heard what a potent and subtle adversary the Devil is, and that he throws fiery darts to inflame the hearts of Gods Children against their Father, and tempts them to worship Devils; which are such horrid things, as you would not willingly be acquainted with; but if as he hath glorified his name, so he will glorifie it again, then say, Father, thy Will be done (as your Saviour did) and conclude that your Father will not leave you nor forsake you, that you should be a prey to this mighty, and a captive to this strong one. If you should any of you be called out to this War, take these encouragements for your help.