A64833:302
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.
From this Law written in their heart, there follow and flow forth desires and endeavours after growth, and such as will not permit these souls to be satisfied, unless they attain it. I say it begets desires after growth, such as was cleared before to be in Babes, from 1 Pet. 2.2. For having tasted that the Lord is gracious and taken into their hearts what they have tasted, ⟨p. 211⟩they cannot but desire the sincere Milk of the Word of Grace to grow thereby. They desire not only to live, but to thrive and to be lively. And though these Babes do not know or see that they grow according to their desire, yet they know that they do desire to grow, and that they would, as be planted in the house, so flourish in the Courts of the Lord, and not be trees without fruit. 'Tis much to be feared that they have no grace who do not desire to grow in grace; and whether they have grace enough to be saved, who can be content with only so much grace as will save them.
From this Law written in their heart, there follow and flow forth desires and endeavours after growth, and such as will not permit these souls to be satisfied, unless they attain it. I say it begets desires after growth, such as was clear'd before to be in Babes, from 1 Pet. 2.2. For having tasted that the Lord is gracious and taken into their hearts what they have tasted, ⟨p. 211⟩they cannot but desire the sincere Milk of the Word of Grace to grow thereby. They desire not only to live, but to thrive and to be lively. And though these Babes do not know or see that they grow according to their desire, yet they know that they do desire to grow, and that they would, as be planted in the house, so flourish in the Courts of the Lord, and not be trees without fruit. 'Tis much to be fear'd that they have no grace who do not desire to grow in grace; and whether they have grace enough to be saved, who can be content with only so much grace as will save them.