A64833:379
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.
SECT. 2.
TO know the Father according to the scope and intendment of the Text in relation to the Little Children, is to know him by way of interest and experience: 1. By way of interest, as their Father, to know themselves to be his Children; and so it notes a state of assurance. 'Tis a reciprocal knowledge in a relative notion, like that of the Spouse, I am my beloveds, and he is mine; to be able to say as Thomas, My Lord and my God. Though every Child of God (as Babes) cannot say, My Father, yet every of the Little Children can say, My Father; and not only, Abba Father, but My Father: according to Jer. 3.19. I will put thee among the Children, and thou shalt call me, My Father. Our Saviour promised his Babe-Disciples, that (when the Spirit was poured out upon them) in that day they should know their union with and interest in him, which was all one as with and in the Father, Joh. 14.8,—20. and at that time he (by his Spirit) would show them plainly of the Father, Joh. 16.25. with Joh. 14.26. The great thing (one of them) among others, which the Spirit was to declare, was their interest in and union with the Father, and with Christ Joh. 16 13,—15. with 1 Joh. 5.19, 20. and Joh. 17.5. to assure them of Love.
TO know the Father according to the scope and intendment of the Text in relation to the Little Children, is to know him by way of interest and experience: 1. By way of interest, as their Father, to know themselves to be his Children; and so it notes a state of assurance. 'Tis a reciprocal knowledge in a relative notion, like that of the Spouse, I am my beloveds, and he is mine; to be able to say as Thomas, My Lord and my God. Though every Child of God (as Babes) cannot say, My Father, yet every of the Little Children can say, My Father; and not only, Abba Father, but My Father: according to