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

Babes do submit to such ordinances, and duties, as (I say) they are capable and convinced of, for of all they are not, nor are they required at their hands, till in a capacity: What ever Doctrine comes under the name of strong meat, they cannot bear. Our Saviour would not put meat into Babes mouths, no more than men would put new Wine into old Bottles; and therefore they were not put upon fasting, (for want whereof in part they could not cast out one kind of Devils, Mat. 17.19,—21.) till Christs departure and the descent of the Spirit, Mat. 9.14,—17. This duty of fasting (how formally soever used by the Pharisees) is a duty too strong for Babes to be put much upon. Our Saviour had many things (more) to say, which they could not bear till the Spirit came upon them, Joh. 16.12, 13. they could hardly endure the doctrine of Christs death, Matth. 16.21, 22. they understood it not, Luke 9.44, 45. nor the doctrine of his Resurrection, Mark 9.9, 10. nor that of his Ascension to the Father and Intercession for them, Joh. 16.16,—18. which are the strong meat that grown Believers feed upon (as they also afterward did) Rom. 8.34. they were, while Babes, exceeding sorry at these things, Matth. 17.22, 23. which yet were to turn to their greatest joy after they came to ⟨p. 131⟩a riper understanding of his Love and design herein, as Christ told them it should, Joh. 16.19,—28. and so strong Believers find it,