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

2. They are very apt to place Religion in and to confine it to some certain duties, and say, 'Tis good to be here (as Peter did) not knowing what they say. They are apt to think that nothing is duty (and that they must scarce do any thing else) but to hear and pray: if I may allude to what is said of the Pharisees, Matth. 23.23. they are exact and punctual at positives, but defective in morals, they too much neglect the weightier things, as Faith and Love, &c. whereas a grown Christian sees that the great part of his duty is in a faithful discharge of his particular calling, in buying and selling, eating and drinking, and doing all he doth (from the highest to the lowest duty) to the glory of God. The Babes are, as I may say, hearing and praying Christians, and so are the grown Christians also, but withal they are doing and practising Christians which the Babes are but a little acquainted with. When Jesus Christ had cast a Devil out of a man, he that had been possest prayed that he might be with him, but Christ had other work for him to do, Mark 5.18, 19. so these Babes cry to be with him (for so they call being at Sermons and Prayers) little considering that they may ⟨p. 135⟩serve him better in being elsewhere many times: these things ought ye to do, and not to leave the other undone, say I to the Babes, as Christ did to the Pharisees. Constant walking with God, and finishing the work he hath given us to do, is the best being with him, and therein properly is our communion with him (to which hearing and praying is but relative, as means and helps to such an end) 1 Joh. 1.6, 7. Oh that Babes would learn this. For young beginners think they must lay almost all aside in comparison of hearing and praying, as if following their callings, and doing the work of their places were nothing to this, but (as Spira thought at the beginning) that they must lay aside all and live upon providence: whereas the excellency of a grown Saint is much in this that he divides his work aright, and gives every one its portion in due season, for then 'tis beautiful; and so is he (in this sense alluding to 2 Tim. 2.15.) approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.