A64811:91
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.
II. Of their Attainments.
2. THE Second thing I am to treat of, is, their Attainments and Characters, in relation to which I shall consider and compare 1 Cor. 3.1, 2. with Heb. 5.10. to the end, and chap. 6.1, 2, 3. in both which the Apostle useth the same words and things concerning them, and the explanation of the Milk and Meat in the Corinths is clear and full in the Hebrews, for he speaks plainly and without a Parable. He having spoken much of the Spirit, spiritual things and spiritual men in the second Chapter to the Corinthians, and of the wisdom of God to them that were perfect, Vers. 6. i. e. to them that were spiritual and could judge of and discern spiritual things, Vers. 15. he doth in the beginning of the third Chapter obviate an objection that might be made by the Corinthians, thus, Why then do ye not Preach such things to us? to which he Answers, That he would gladly and with all his heart do it, but that they being not spiritual, but as carnal, being Babes, they were not heretofore nor at present in a capacity to receive them, q. d. If you will needs know the true reason, why I Preach not to you the deep mysteries of Godliness, or the wisdom of God in a mystery, or the hidden wisdom of God, chap. 2. vers. 7. 'tis not that I cannot or would not Preach it, but that you cannot bear it; you would say that to eat his Flesh, and drink his Blood, and live by it, were ⟨p. 60⟩an hard saying, as ye did when Christ himself said so,