A64833:113
Venning's remains, or, Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians, I. babes, II.…
Venning's remains, or, 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 by Ralph Venning and fitted by him for the press before his death.
London: printed for John Hancock senior and junior, 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.
Hence then I conclude, that their eating of Milk is the receiving and practising these Principles, or Elements, the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ, viz. Repentance, Faith, &c. which in the general takes in such things as these, a sight and sense of sin, together with ⟨p. 71⟩sorrow for and Repentance from it, as also Prayer for pardon: a secret relying on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, which gives them hope: An obedience to Ordinances, as Baptism, &c. A believing of the Resurrection, and of eternal Judgement. But there are sealings of the Spirit, joys in the Holy Ghost, &c. which the Babes are not acquainted with: they attain to what is necessary, and but what is necessary to Salvation, Heb. 6.9. They have enough to keep them out of Hell, and to land them safe in Heaven; but as to the well-being of a Saint, viz. an assurance of the Fathers Love, which the little Children have; strength of Faith to overcome temptations, which the young men have; great wisdom from long or much experience, which the Fathers have: of these they know nothing. They are Gods building indeed, 1 Cor. 3.9. but only of the first Floor, or story, just laid upon the foundation, yet so that they also are the Temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth but almost indiscernibly in them, 1 Cor. 3.16. they will, I say, have an entrance into Heaven, because these things are in them, but not an abundant entrance because these things do not abound in them, as Peter intimates, 2 Pet. 1.8,—11. and all this is spoken of a state wherein they may live and die and not reach beyond it.
Hence then I conclude, that their eating of Milk is the receiving and practising these Principles, or Elements, the beginning of the Doctrine of Christ, viz. Repentance, Faith, &c. which in the general takes in such things as these, a sight and sense of sin, together with ⟨p. 71⟩sorrow for and Repentance from it, as also Prayer for pardon: a secret relying on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, which gives them hope: An obedience to Ordinances, as Baptism, &c. A believing of the Resurrection, and of eternal Judgement. But there are sealings of the Spirit, joyes in the Holy Ghost, &c. which the Babes are not acquainted with: they attain to what is necessary, and but what is necessary to Salvation,