A64833:303
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.
Again, they do not only wish and desire, but do endeavour also to attain their wishes and desires, viz. that they may grow; and do therefore diligently and conscientiously attend upon and use all means that God hath appointed for their growth. Naked velleities and idle wishes may be found in formalists and hypocrites, but to be as indeavourous as desirous is congruous to and only found in the new creatures, the new-born ones. Balaam could profess and wish like a godly man, but he instead of using answerable endeavours, practised the clean contrary: in formalists the end only is desirable, but in true Saints the means are as desirable, being not only the way to, but a part of their happiness.
Again, they do not only wish and desire, but do indeavour also to attain their wishes and desires, viz. that they may grow; and do therefore diligently and conscientiously attend upon and use all means that God hath appointed for their growth. Naked velleities and idle wishes may be found in formalists and hypocrites, but to be as indeavourous as desirous is congruous to and only found in the new creatures, the new-born ones. Balaam could profess and wish like a godly man, but he instead of using answerable endeavours, practised the clean contrary: in formalists the end only is desirable, but in true Saints the means are as desirable, being not only the way to, but a part of their happiness.
Yet once more, True Converts (though but Babes) take not up and rest satisfied with desires and endeavours, unless they attain the end of desires and endeavours; or with the use of means without the end of means; now it's true these Babes attain but little, and that's the ⟨p. 212⟩reason they are so restless and unsatisfied. They have the least satisfaction of any Saints, because they are much in desire and little in enjoyment, and therefore desire the more. Others take up with desires and endeavours, which these cannot do, they prosecute and pursue still, and say as Absalom, Why am I come up from Geshur, if I may not see the Kings face? Hearing, Praying, &c. is not a satisfaction to them (though they do it as a duty) unless they have communion with and conformity to God, eked out and carried on thereby: and all this is because the Law of God is written in their hearts.