A64833:261
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. Babes are also unskilful in the Word of righteousness for sanctification, to know him experimentally as the root of sanctification, and that they are not only to bring forth fruit, but to bring it forth by and in him. We have not only our first but future grace from Christ, and our fruits of righteousness which are by Christ, are also (even then when we are filled ⟨p. 180⟩with them) acceptable to God, and to the glory and praise of God by him, in whom all our fresh springs are, in whom is our •it found, from whose fullness we receive grace for grace, and without being and abiding in him we can do nothing, Phil. 1.11. 1 Pet. 2.5. Hos. 14.8. Psal. 87.7. Joh. 1.16. and 15.5. They that will grow in grace, must grow in the knowledge of Christ, as the root of that gr•th, 2 Pet. 3.18. that as they have received him they may walk in him, rooted and built up in him, Col. 2.6, 7. that he may be not only the foundation, but the whole structure and the adorning may be from him. As it is essential to Gospel sanctification to do all for God, is our end; so 'tis to do all from and in the strength of Christ, through which alone we are able to do all things, Phil. 4.13. as the glory of God is the final, so Christ is the efficient cause of all the fruits of righteousness, Phil. 1.11.