A64833:293
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.
and in after Ages God blest it so much that it became a Proverbial speech, Sanguis martyrum semen Ecclesiae, ⟨p. 205⟩the blood of innocent and patient Martyrs became the seed of the Church.
We must not limit the holy one of Israel, for though he tie us to means, he hath not tied himself, but haply works on many so indiscernibly that they scarce know what was the occasion taken or means used to do it: he waits to be gracious for he is a God of Judgement, he acts judiciously and takes what occasions and means he pleaseth, he best knows what will best take. If the work be done it should not be a matter of doubt to us which way it be done or by what means; yet seeing the Word Preached is the most usual, we should wait and watch at the door of hope, Prov. 8.34. and 'tis a great obligation upon all Christians to discourse and walk holily, and to suffer patiently as Christ did, seeing God may make use of their graces to make others gracious, to convince and convert men, that they shall glorify God, and say God is in them of a truth, 1 Cor. 14.24, 25. 'tis a great mercy and blessing to be instrumental to the conversion of others, Dan. 12.3. Jam. 5 19, 20.
We must not limit the holy one of Israel, for though he tie us to means, he hath not tied himself, but haply works on many so indiscernably that they scarce know what was the occasion taken or means used to do it: he waits to be gracious for he is a God of Judgement, he acts judiciously and takes what occasions and means he pleaseth, he best knows what will best take. If the work be done it should not be a matter of doubt to us which way it be done or by what means; yet seeing the Word Preacht is the most usual, we should wait and watch at the door of hope,