A64833:114
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.
Quest. Before I proceed 'tis necessary to clear up one scruple that may arise from hence, which is this: Seeing growth of grace is necessary to prove the truth of grace, how can these be said to grow, if they may continue in this state all their days?
Quest. Before I proceed 'tis necessary to clear up one scruple that may arise from hence, which is this: Seeing growth of grace is necessary to prove the truth of grace, how can these be said to grow, if they may continue in this state all their daies?
Answ. You may remember how I premised that none can tell but he may be built up a Story (or more) higher, and therefore none should take up with this stint, but press forward; yet seeing there is such a state (which is to abide so) the question is of these, and to it I answer, first by concession that growth of grace is required of all as the evidence of its truth; but then I say there are several kinds of growth, and all of them are not necessary to this state: as the state is, such is the growth required. There is a growth by addition, and a growth of continuation and perseverance and going on to the end; that growth is required of and is necessary to the other states, but this only is necessary unto this state of Babes; the others growth is by addition, 2 Pet. 1.5,—11. but Growth of these is by abiding in grace: they but con the same lesson over and over, when others take out new ones, and turn over leaf. Or as a Tree that grows in a continuance of bringing forth the fruit of its kind, Gen. 1.11. but if a graft or scion of a nobler fort be ingrafted on or into it, then it brings forth other and better fruit. So that growth in these is not a superaddition of new grace, but a renewing of and abounding in their first grace. This must be the growth of the Corinthians and Hebrews, or else there was none at all, for they were the same after a long time that they were before. And therefore Paul puts the Corinthians only to prove (for the present) that they were in the Faith, and that Christ was in them,