A64833:194
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.
They promise themselves great matters from their performances, and submission to Ordinances, as if opus operatum the work done did deserve something: My beloved I speak not these things to shame you, but (as Paul did to his Corinthian-Babes) as my beloved ones to warn and instruct you, 1 Cor. 4.14. and therefore to clear this a little more, I entreat you to observe, that when Christ had told the young man that if he would leave all and follow him, he should have treasure in Heaven, Matth. 19.21. almost immediately thereupon, Peter said unto him, Vers. 27. Behold we have left all and followed thee, what shall we have therefore? this was a Babish expression, as if they had deserved some great matter: pray what was this all he talks of? 'twas a great all indeed! a poor little Fisher Boat, and an old Net, &c. and was not this worthy to be ushered in with a behold? and concluded with a what shall we have therefore? Alas poor Babes, they thought themselves very profitable servants, as our Saviour intimates to them, Luke 17.7, &c. to what purpose doth Christ tell them this story, but to let them know that he owes them no thanks, that they are servants to whom he is not beholden, for they had done but what was (and not all that was) their duty to do, and therefore makes the Application, vers. 10. so likewise ⟨p. 139⟩ye, when ye have done all things commanded ye to do, say (sit down and write at the end of your accounts) we are unprofitable Servants. Thus he reproved them for expecting a reward as due; Christ will reward them, not as debt, but by the gift of grace.
They promise themselves great matters from their performances, and submission to Ordinances, as if opus operatum the work done did deserve something: My beloved I speak not these things to shame you, but (as Paul did to his Corinthian-Babes) as my beloved ones to warn and instruct you, 1 Cor. 4.14. and therefore to clear this a little more, I intreat you to observe, that when Christ had told the young man that if he would leave all and follow him, he should have treasure in Heaven,