A64833:65
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.
Well then, as 'tis of grace that one is taken and another left, so 'tis of grace that one is promoted and advanced more than another; that John lieth in his bosom; that Paul grows so fast; that he increaseth with the increase of God, is of God, and of the grace of God; that one should be a Father, and another, who is may be, was in Christ before him, should be but a Babe still, is of grace. One would think wise men should know most, yet by grace Babes are wiser, Matth. 11.25. That strong men should do most, and yet the weak do more, 1 Cor. 1.25,—31. That the Children of the Kingdom should not enter, but Publicans and Harlots should, is a difference of graces making. And when in the Body, that this should be an Eye, that an Ear, this an ⟨p. 33⟩Hand, that but a Foot, is because God hath set the members in the Body, every one as it pleased him. That this is a Babe and but a Babe (and so of the rest) 'tis even so Father for it seemeth good in thy sight, 'tis thy Will and pleasure it should be so. And yet beside this,
Well then, as 'tis of grace that one is taken and another left, so 'tis of grace that one is promoted and advanced more than another; that John lyeth in his bosome; that Paul grows so fast; that he increaseth with the increase of God, is of God, and of the grace of God; that one should be a Father, and another, who is may be, was in Christ before him, should be but a Babe still, is of grace. One would think wise men should know most, yet by grace Babes are wiser, Matth. 11.25. That strong men should do most, and yet the weak do more, 1 Cor. 1.25,—31. That the Children of the Kingdom should not enter, but Publicans and Harlots should, is a difference of graces making. And when in the Body, that this should be an Eye, that an Ear, this an ⟨p. 33⟩Hand, that but a Foot, is because God hath set the members in the Body, every one as it pleased him. That this is a Babe and but a Babe (and so of the rest) 'tis even so Father for it seemeth good in thy sight, 'tis thy Will and pleasure it should be so. And yet beside this,