Venning's remains, or, Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians, I. babes, II.…

3. Consider this, that though thou be not yet •l•athed like the Sons of Nobles, and richly ⟨p. 103⟩dressed like them, yet that the plain cloth, the country russet with which thou art clad will preserve thee. 'Tis with Gods Children as 'tis with the children of men in this respect; you come to a poor mans House, he hath a child newly born, 'tis dressed too, I but in very plain clouts; when in the rich mans House, the new-born child is dressed up gorgeously, with fine linen, scarlet mantle and Gold lace, and is as fine as hands and money can make it. Though God be the Father of all new-born Babes, yet some he dresseth like the children of the poor, others like the children of rich men: as to some, he doth but cover their nakedness, that it may not appear; but others he adorns, as 'tis expressed in Ezek. 16. When the Prodigal came home he put on the best robe, and the Ring ('twas sealing time very early) and the Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel on his feet, and Bread and Flesh, strong meat to feed him; when others it may be, though God have compassion on them and take them into his Family, and give them Milk to keep them from perishing with hunger, yet they have not a Ring given them all their days, nor any thing but Milk to eat; and though they be clothed with the same righteousness for kind, yet 'tis not so embroidered, and set forth to the eye, as the others was. The Church or Spouses garment is of diverse colours. 'Tis a time of Love, but God doth not tell them of it, as he doth some as soon as he washeth them from their blood: The Father loves them, though he do not kiss them yet, as he doth ⟨p. 104⟩some others of his Children. Well, however bless him that he covers thy nakedness; though thou see not the riches of his grace laid out upon thee, yet that he forgives thee.

3. Consider this, that though thou be not yet •l•athed like the Sons of Nobles, and richly ⟨p. 103⟩