Venning's remains, or, Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians, I. babes, II.…

1. The Babe-Saints though they have interest in and communion with God and Christ, yet (while such) 'tis much in the dark to to them, and they have not the assurance of it, as the little Children and other higher degrees of Saints have: I may say of these, as God did of Israel in their infant age, Hos. 11.1, 3. When Israel was a Child (a Babe) I loved him, I taught Ephraim also to go, but they knew not that I bealed them: The Babes are rather said to be known of God, than they can be said to know him, as 'tis expressed concerning them, Gal. 4.9. Babes have life, and light, and power in a measure; there are influences from God to them, and a secret converse between God and them, which yet they apprehend and discern but a little. It may be said of them as Jacob said, Surely the Lord is in this place and I knew it not, Gen. 26.16. God descends into them by many illapses, they ascend to God by many breathings, yet they are not sure, they know not whether this be God that come down, or grace that goes up. The best see but darkly and through a glass, but in part in comparison of what vision is to be; but these see more darkly than the others that see but darkly, and know less than they that know but in part: being Babes they understand as Babes, for so that is which we render Child, 1 Cor. 13.11. Now though there be more than a Potentia, some Acts, yet they have so little understanding, that 'tis insignificant in comparison of men, 1 Cor. 14.20. They see as the poor man did at first in a confused way, men as Trees, yet ⟨p. 175⟩walking, Mark 8.24. when other Saints see them as they are, men clearly; as that man did after the second touch of Christs hand, Vers. 25. These poor Babes act grace, but can hardly say 'tis grace: they walk and follow, as Peter did the Angel out of Prison, but wist not that it was true, which was done unto him,