Venning's remains, or, Christ's school consisting of four classes of Christians, I. babes, II.…

And beside that, I have two other things to say unto unto you, by way of Exhortation; 1. Do not offend any of Christs little ones, no not his Babes. 2. Be not offended with ⟨p. 221⟩Christ and Religion, because of Babes, though they be yet but as carnal.

1. Let me exhort and beseech you not to offend these little ones, the least and weakest of the stock of Christ: 'tis a great sin, and a sin which will be greatly punished to offend one of Christs little ones. If not for their sake or Gods sake, yet for thine own sake take heed of this sin. There is an enmity in the heart of sinners against the seed of God, which they express by reproaches and persecutions, by which they are injurious to and do offend and wrong them; but oh that they would hear and fear and do no more so wickedly, for Jesus Christ doth not only take notice of what offences are committed again his person and doctrine, but of what are committed against his people, the very least of them. Consider what himself hath said in this case, Matth. 18.6, —10. Whosoever shall offend (i. e. despise, vers. 10.) one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea: This being thus drowned was looked on as a dreadful punishment, but that's nothing compared with being thrown into the depth of Hell, with a Millstone weight and load of thine offences about thy neck: for if Jesus Christ deal severely with them that were not merciful to his people, as he will, Matth. 25.41,—45. how, oh how will he deal with them that have been cruel to his people? Especially seeing 'tis a cruelty to himself! Of this not only their Angels carry tidings, ⟨p. 222⟩Vers. 10. but Christ himself knows it by feeling, as he tells Paul,