A64833:202
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.
2. Consider what is the true state, condition and design of Ordinances and Duties; they are not your food, but the dishes in which your food is set before you; not the water of Life, but the Conduit pipes through which 'tis conveyed to you; 'Tis not the end of Ordinances and duties that you should make them your end; no, they are but means to an end: would you take up with food or Physic without health? why then with Ordinances without the power, blessing and effects of them? Though I speak not this to take you off from Ordinances and Duties, yet that you may not look for that there which God hath not placed there, not have that value for them and trust in them which is due to the God of Ordinances: live not without Ordinances, but live above them while you use them.
2. Consider what is the true state, condition and design of Ordinances and Duties; they are not your food, but the dishes in which your food is set before you; not the water of Life, but the Conduit pipes through which 'tis conveyed to you; 'Tis not the end of Ordinances and duties that you should make them your end; no, they are but means to an end: would you take up with food or Physick without health? why then with Ordinances without the power, blessing and effects of them? Though I speak not this to take you off from Ordinances and Duties, yet that you may not look for that there which God hath not placed there, not have that value for them and trust in them which is due to the God of Ordinances: live not without Ordinances, but live above them while you use them.
3. Be more universal in your obedience and do not confine Religion to certain days and duties: God is the universal good, and we are most like him, when we are universally so: Then shall we not be ashamed, when we have respect to all his Commandments, Psal. 119.6. 'Twas the great commendation of Zechariah and Elizabeth, that they walked in all the Commandments and Ordinances of God without blame. They did not pick and choose some, make ifs and ands as to others; but were indeed lovers of all. And here is love that we keep his commands, viz. all of them, and they (not any of them) are not grievous,