A64833:140
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.
The Application follows.
I. With reference to them that have not Repented, and so are not Babes. 2. To them who are Babes, and have repented from dead works.
1. With reference to them who have not repented, and are not yet Babes, not new-born. Alas! there are but too many who live under the Preaching and Profession of the Gospel, & are called Christians, who have not received into themselves this first spoonful of Milk, nor learnt the first principle of Repentance from dead works. Though men take up the common Principles (which I named above but newly) yet they have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, so as to understand with their heart, to be converted and healed. Their hearing and seeing doth not affect their hearts, ⟨p. 89⟩they are still without a sense and feeling of sin. How many that know Drunkenness, Uncleanness, &c. to be sins, and that they live in such sins, yet are not pricked at heart? they never yet so saw sin as to feel it; nor so felt it, as to confess and be sorry for it; or never so complained or sorrowed as to repent from dead works; to cry out, What have I done! Or, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do! they have done more than enough to undo themselves; have been told the way of recovering and saving themselves; and yet these things are but to them as idle tales, and we are to them (as Let to his Sons in Law) like them that mo•k; that flatter them with promises, or scare them with threatenings, as if we were not in good earnest. But that they may yet at last be awakened, and if peradventure God may give them Repentance, I shall entreat them to consider these things.
1. WIth reference to them who have not repented, and are not yet Babes, not new-born. Alas! there are but too many who live under the Preaching and Profession of the Gospel, & are called Christians, who have not received into themselves this first spoonful of Milk, nor learnt the first principle of Repentance from dead works. Though men take up the common Principles (which I named above but newly) yet they have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, so as to understand with their heart, to be converted and healed. Their hearing and seeing doth not affect their hearts,