A64833:207
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.
'Tis a greater honour to us that we serve God, than 'tis to him that we do serve him; as 'twas •o Solomon's servants more an honour that they ⟨p. 148⟩waited on him, than 'twas to him to be waited on by them: Blessed are thy Servants, said the Queen of Sheba. 'Tis a blessing to be dutiful, beside the blessing that is to come after we have been dutiful. Take you care for duty, and God will take care for your comfort: Only, mark that only let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel, take care for nothing but that, Phil. 1.27. 'tis said of Christ, Isa. 49.3, 4, 5. Thou art my Servant O Israel, by whom I will be glorified; Now, though he laboured in vain (as to the Jews) in great part, yet his judgement, work and reward was with the Lord; as the Apostles also were a sweet favour unto God, though some perished, 2 Cor. 2.15. Comfort thy self with this (if thou receive no other comfort) that thou art doing thy duty, the work that God hath given thee to do. Thou hast been often at Ordinances and duties, and thou hast said, Oh that I might see God as well as seek him, and yet he hath not lifted up the light of his countenance upon thee; well, yet be glad that he hath kept thee in way of duty: thou hast need of more patience yet (it may be) that after thou hast done the Will of God thou mayest enjoy the Promise. However do thou go on to serve him, and make it appear that thou do•• it not out of constraint or for lucre's sake, but of a ready, and generous mind, to allude to that, 1 Pet. 5.2. and if thou find any duty too hard for thee, pray as the Disciples did, when Christ bid them forgive seven times (a hard duty) Lord increase my Faith, Luk. 17.9 ⟨p. 149⟩much and great Faith will help thee to do much and great work.