A64833:201
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.
A little Gold refined is more worth than much in the Oar, and one Diamond hath more of value in it than a heap of common stones. A contracted Prayer may have more in it than a long one; not that I speak against the enlargedness of any persons affections in duty, for if God opens who can shut? but that none should place the excellency of a duty in length, or merely in fervency, for many things may occasion it, when it may not be fervency of spirit wrought by the Spirit of God. 'Tis not how much but how well, not how affectionate but how spiritual, that God minds: many ⟨p. 144⟩Lads when they begin to write, strive to write much, but saith their Master, write me two lines well and I will take it better, than if you scribble and scrawl a side of Paper: Sat' & sat' cito si sat' been. 'Tis not worshipping at Jerusalem but in spirit and truth that God minds; and as 'tis to place, 'tis to bulk, To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices? 'Tis a broken heart that I will not despise. The Apostle doth not take care only to pray or sing, but to do it with understanding and his Spirit also, 1 Cor. 14.15. spiritual things should be done spiritually; we should not only do the things which are pleasing to God, but do them so that the doing of them may be pleasing to him; his Will according to his Will.
A little Gold refined is more worth than much in the Oar, and one Diamond hath more of value in it than a heap of common stones. A contracted Prayer may have more in it than a long one; not that I speak against the inlargedness of any persons affections in duty, for if God opens who can shut? but that none should place the excellency of a duty in length, or meerly in fervency, for many things may occasion it, when it may not be fervency of spirit wrought by the Spirit of God. 'Tis not how much but how well, not how affectionate but how spiritual, that God minds: many ⟨p. 144⟩Lads when they begin to write, strive to write much, but saith their Master, write me two lines well and I will take it better, than if you scrible and scrawle a side of Paper: Sat' & sat' cito si sat' bene. 'Tis not worshipping at Jerusalem but in spirit and truth that God minds; and as 'tis to place, 'tis to bulk, To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices? 'Tis a broken heart that I will not despise. The Apostle doth not take care only to pray or sing, but to do it with understanding and his Spirit also,