A64833:171
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.
1. TO such as are not Babes, and have not Faith towards God; Without breach of Charity it may be feared that there are yet more than many, who though they profess Faith, do not believe; The bleating of the Sheep, and lowing of the Oxen (to speak in Samuel's language to Saul) their living in sins doth witness against them. Surely he must be very prodigal of his Faith, and have a Creed very large and contradictory to that of the Apostles, who can believe unsanctified persons ⟨p. 120⟩to be Believers, when the very natural operation and effect of Faith is sanctification, Act. 26.18. to such therefore would I speak in Christ his own words, Repent and believe the Gospel; take in therefore this Milk of the Word, that you may live and grow thereby.
1. TO such as are not Babes, and have not Faith towards God; Without breach of Charity it may be feared that there are yet more than many, who though they profess Faith, do not believe; The bleating of the Sheep, and lowing of the Oxen (to speak in Samuels language to Saul) their living in sins doth witness against them. Surely he must be very prodigal of his Faith, and have a Creed very large and contradictory to that of the Apostles, who can believe unsanctified persons ⟨p. 120⟩to be Believers, when the very natural operation and effect of Faith is sanctification, Act. 26.18. to such therefore would I speak in Christ his own words, Repent and believe the Gospel; take in therefore this Milk of the Word, that you may live and grow thereby.
Consider I beseech thee, 1. That not believing is an Argument of thy not being yet convinced of the sinfulness of sin, that thou art not yet awakened out of that dead sleep, not come to thy self; for then undoubtedly thou wouldst resolve with the Prodigal to arise and go by Faith towards God, and confess thy sin, and beg as the Publican, Lord be merciful to me a sinner. If thou canst sin and sleep in sin, if thou canst lie contentedly in a perishing and damnable condition, and not cry out for Salvation, surely thou art in a most dangerous case, notwithstanding thy name of Christian; for what will it avail thee to have a name to live and yet be dead? If thou tell me thou hast repented from dead works, I can Answer thee it cannot be so while thou art dead in sins and walkest in them (for they are dead in sin, who live in it)