A64833:204
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.
4. Observe the proper season of Ordinances and Duties, of Hearing and Praying, &c. every thing is beautiful in its season: 'Tis the glory of the Tree planted by Preaching, watered by Baptism, blessed with the laying on of hands, to bring forth fruit in season; for as it follows (Heb. 6.7.) the earth which drinketh in the rain, that cometh oft upon it (precept on precept, and line on line) and bringing forth herbs meet (suitable and seasonable) for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God; which refers to the Parable of the ⟨p. 146⟩good ground hearers, as what follows, Vers. 8. refers to the thorny ground. There is a time for all things, and because man knoweth not his time, his sorrows are great upon him: 'tis unseemly for a man to mourn in a time of joy, as 'tis to rejoice in a time of mourning. To speak more to Babes, 'tis not beautiful because not seasonable to be praying in a time that calls for another duty, or to be hearing when it may be some duty in your calling or Family calls upon you to be then and there to mind that. Babes are too apt to rob Peter to clothe Paul, to take from one duty and give to another, therefore I speak thus unto them.
4. Observe the proper season of Ordinances and Duties, of Hearing and Praying, &c. every thing is beautiful in its season: 'Tis the glory of the Tree planted by Preaching, watred by Baptism, blessed with the laying on of hands, to bring forth fruit in season; for as it follows (Heb. 6.7.) the earth which drinketh in the rain, that cometh oft upon it (precept on precept, and line on line) and bringing forth herbs meet (suitable and seasonable) for them by whom it is drest, receiveth blessing from God; which refers to the Parable of the ⟨p. 146⟩good ground hearers, as what follows, Vers. 8. refers to the thorny ground. There is a time for all things, and because man knoweth not his time, his sorrows are great upon him: 'tis unseemly for a man to mourn in a time of joy, as 'tis to rejoyce in a time of mourning. To speak more to Babes, 'tis not beautiful because not seasonable to be praying in a time that calls for another duty, or to be hearing when it may be some duty in your calling or Family calls upon you to be then and there to mind that. Babes are too apt to rob Peter to cloath Paul, to take from one duty and give to another, therefore I speak thus unto them.