A64833:333
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.
1. TO be glad that they are Babes, new-born and in Christ Jesus. Glad, alas! there's no comfort for me, who am but a Babe; no, yes but there is, that thou art a Babe, though but a Babe: 'tis true, it doth not belong to thee as carnal, but as a Babe in Christ: the least work of God is great consolation to the least of Saints, viz. to Babes. Consider, whether this be nothing,
1. That thou hast attained to the first Resurrection, viz. from being dead and lost in sin; thou art called out of Egypt, and art called his Son, and as such brought out of Egypt: the work is begun, thou art new-born, and eatest Milk, the Foundation is laid, and is this nothing? who knows to what a great Tree this little Mustard-seed of Grace may grow? The Babe that lies in the Cradle may become a Father in Israel; and is this nothing? He that hath laid the Foundation will lay the top-stone, and thou shalt cry out with shouting, Grace, Grace unto it. God is not like the foolish ⟨p. 229⟩Builder, he hath cast up his cost, and hath wherewithal to finish what he hath begun, he will not be laughed at and mocked as one that laid a Foundation, began to build, but could not finish it: though thou be a knotty piece, yet he will fit thee for thy place, and perfect that which concerns thee; for this work is not only that of his hand, but of his heart; and is this nothing? Pray to him and believe, as Psal. 138.7, 8.
1. That thou hast attained to the first Resurrection, viz. from being dead and lost in sin; thou art called out of Egypt, and art called his Son, and as such brought out of Egypt: the work is begun, thou art new-born, and eatest Milk, the Foundation is laid, and is this nothing? who knows to what a great Tree this little Mustard-seed of Grace may grow? The Babe that lies in the Cradle may become a Father in Israel; and is this nothing? He that hath laid the Foundation will lay the top-stone, and thou shalt cry out with shouting, Grace, Grace unto it. God is not like the foolish