A64833:61
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.
5. The disparity or difference that is between those Saints (as such) is not in their gifts but graces; and not in common but i• special grace: No, nor only in accessories and complemental, but in principal and fundamental graces, proper to each state. 'Tis not in their gifts but graces, for 'tis possible for persons to be full of and rich in gifts, yet poor in grace, as the Corinthians were, they came behind in no gift, 1 Ephes. 1.7. they were full, they were rich, they reigned as Kings; they were wise, strong, and honourable (at least in their own if not others esteem) 1 Ephes. 4.8, and 10. and yet were but Babes and as carnal, 1 Ephes. 3.1. And therefore the Apostle shows them a more excellent way than that of gifts, viz. grace, and in special the grace of Love, 1 Ephes. 12.31. and 13.1,—3. Apollo was a man very eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, and being instructed in the way of the Lord, was fervent in Spirit, and taught zealously, diligently and boldly, yet needed to have the way of God expounded to him more perfectly, Acts 18.24,—26. And this was done not only by a man, Aquila, but a woman Priscilla; Apollo was a man in parts, but a woman (it seems) was more a man in grace. The Corinthians that came behind in no gift, yet came behind in and fell short of many a grace. So that the measure of a mans excellency is not to be taken by what gifts of knowledge and eloquence he hath, but by what grace he acts.
5. The disparity or difference that is between those Saints (as such) is not in their gifts but graces; and not in common but i• special grace: No, nor only in accessaries and complemental, but in principal and fundamental graces, proper to each state. 'Tis not in their gifts but graces, for 'tis possible for persons to be full of and rich in gifts, yet poor in grace, as the Corinthians were, they came behind in no gift, 1 Ephes. 1.7. they were full, they were rich, they reigned as Kings; they were wise, strong, and honourable (at least in their own if not others esteem)