A64833:275
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
Class 1 › Part 2: II. Of their being as Carnal and walking as men.
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. They were yet so carnal that they fell into parties, and took sides, and thence came envying and strife, faction and confusion; they brake out into vilifying of one another, they grew proud and quarrelsome, and could scarce live in love and peace together. We say Paul is the best Preacher, he Preacheth strongly, say the Paulinists; and say the Apollonians, Apollo is the best Preacher, he Preacheth fluently: and they can scarce forbear fighting, and crying out, Who is on our side? who? and woe and alas, is not this fulfilled in our ears in our days! Who would think that Babes should make so much a do? but the question resolves it self, the Babes are carnal; and whence comes fighting and war but from the lusts of the flesh? Jam. 4.1. Oh that I might by entreaty prevail that these Babish and carnal tricks may be laid aside: it shall be granted to you that God may use one man more than another for bringing in and building up; but still remember that the excellency of the power is of God and not of the Earthen Vessel. It shall be granted that thou mayest love, if thou ⟨p. 191⟩wilt not Idolize thy Father Paul, not call him Father as the Jews did the Pharisees. It may be Boanerges may suit one and Barnabas another better; but remember, it must not be judged by humour. Hear thine Apollo, but receive the Word not as his but as Gods, or else 'twill not work effectually, 1 Thes. 2.13. do not call him thy (magnus Apollo) thine Oracle. Believe the truth who ever Preach it, Paul or Apollo, but do not pin thy Faith on any mans sleeve, be it white or black: be of what Church thou wilt, so thou be of the Church of Christ, and do not glory in this, I am of Paul, and I of Apollo; for there is no Church in Scripture called this mans or that mans, 'tis the Church of God, and the Churches of Christ. I could say other things, but I intend to spare you all I can, though there are many more carnalities yet to be mentioned; pudetque refer, &c.
4. They were yet so carnal that they fell into parties, and took sides, and thence came envying and strife, faction and confusion; they brake out into vilifying of one another, they grew proud and quarrelsome, and could scarce live in love and peace together. We say Paul is the best Preacher, he Preacheth strongly, say the Paulinists; and say the Apollonians, Apallo is the best Preacher, he Preacheth fluently: and they can scarce forbear fighting, and crying out, Who is on our side? who? and wo and alas, is not this fulfilled in our ears in our daies! Who would think that Babes should make so much a do? but the question resolves it self, the Babes are carnal; and whence comes fighting and war but from the lusts of the flesh?