A64811:581
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.
3. Though a Saint should be content with his present state, yet but for the present; he should desire and pray, breath and pant, he should hunger and thirst, endeavour and labour after progress and preferment. Though he should not forget to bless God for, yet he should forget (what is behind) to rest in, what he hath; and not think that he hath attained so much, or were already so perfect, as if there were no more to be attained; reaching and pressing forward (as Paul did) is the duty of all, till they attain to the Resurrection of the Dead. There's no state on earth so satisfying as should take a man off from looking & hastening to the coming of Christ, that we may be always with him and altogether like ⟨p. 383⟩him, Phil 1.23. 1 Job. 3.2. 2 Pet. 3.11,—13. The good and bad things and conditions in this world call upon us to long to be above in Heaven; For, if it be bad to be here, 'tis good to be there; if it be good to be here, 'tis better to be there, to be sure: though we may have enough sometime to say, 'Tis good to be here, yet we have never enough to say, 'Tis best to be here.
3. Though a Saint should be content with his present state, yet but for the present; he should desire and pray, breath and pant, he should hunger and thirst, indeavour and labour after progress and preferment. Though he should not forget to bless God for, yet he should forget (what is behind) to rest in, what he hath; and not think that he hath attained so much, or were already so perfect, as if there were no more to be attained; reaching and pressing forward (as Paul did) is the duty of all, till they attain to the Resurrection of the Dead. There's no state on earth so satisfying as should take a man off from looking & hastning to the coming of Christ, that we may be alwaies with him and altogether like ⟨p. 383⟩him, Phil 1.23. 1 Job. 3.2. 2 Pet. 3.11,—13. The good and bad things and conditions in this world call upon us to long to be above in Heaven; For, if it be bad to be here, 'tis good to be there; if it be good to be here, 'tis better to be there, to be sure: though we may have enough sometime to say, 'Tis good to be here, yet we have never enough to say, 'Tis best to be here.