A64833:164
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.
3. Therefore this Faith puts it self in obedience, and in submitting to ordinances, as Baptism, &c. as soon as any were new-born, I ⟨p. 116⟩speak de adultis, did believe in Christ, they were initiated by Baptism into the mysteries of Christian Religion; and submission to this was (as to men) a proof of their Faith: and that this was the constant course appears not only by instances, but the Apostles conjoining the doctrine of Faith with that of Baptisms, &c. Thus by degrees doth the Faith of Babes creep and go towards God and Christ. But there are yet some more inward things, which these souls (some of them, for they are not acted all alike) do find in themselves, though they can hardly express them distinctly, or tell what to make of them. As,
3. Therefore this Faith puts it self in obedience, and in submitting to ordinances, as Baptism, &c. as soon as any were new-born, I ⟨p. 116⟩speak de adultis, did believe in Christ, they were initiated by Baptism into the mysteries of Christian Religion; and submission to this was (as to men) a proof of their Faith: and that this was the constant course appears not only by instances, but the Apostles conjoyning the doctrine of Faith with that of Baptisms, &c. Thus by degrees doth the Faith of Babes creep and go towards God and Christ. But there are yet some more inward things, which these souls (some of them, for they are not acted all alike) do find in themselves, though they can hardly express them distinctly, or tell what to make of them. As,
1. If there be, (for they (some of them) are full of its and doubtings, fearing that thee is no work, or that they are but Hypocrites) but say they, if there be any true work in us, and wrought by us, 'tis of God; we are wholly beholden to him for it. We cannot justify and warrant our Repentance and Faith for sound and good; but if there be any such thing, 'tis wrought by God himself, for we are not sufficient of our selves to think one good thought, in us there dwelleth no good thing. If we are accepted, surely 'tis of grace in the beloved: From their Prayers for mercy I conclude that they attribute all to mercy, and say, Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, as Paul did,