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

7. God hath great and glorious ends in having people of several sizes and degrees in his Church, several members in the Body, and several Classes and Forms in the School of Christ. Though God be not bound to give an account of any of his matters, yet he is pleased to be so condescending as to vouchsafe to do it. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so in its place. When God was about to erect the material temple, he made men and things fit on purpose; there were Stones and Timber as well as Gold, and Vessels of several sorts and sizes; some men wrought in Gold, some in purple and blew; some had one office and employment and some another. So when he erected a spiritual ^*house and building (his Church, the Body of Christ) he did, and continueth to do the like, but far more gloriously, that as then so now, every one may speak of his glory, or (as 'tis in the Margin) every whit may utter glory, viz. to him, to whom 'tis due, Psal. 29.9. To this the Apostle alludes, when he saith, Ephes. 2.21. In whom, i.e. in Christ Jesus the whole building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. So Col. 2.19. From the Head, viz. Christ, all the Body by joints and bands having nourishment ⟨p. 34⟩ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. And more fully, Eph. 4.16. From whom (the head—Christ) the whole body fitly joined together and compacted, by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the Body to the edifying of it self in Love. By all which we see with what curiosity and exactness of Art (may I so speak) God hath ordered every part in relation to the beauty and perfection of the whole: Here is Beauty, Harmony, Communion, Edification, all met together.

7. God hath great and glorious ends in having people of several sizes and degrees in his Church, several members in the Body, and several Classes and Forms in the School of Christ. Though God be not bound to give an account of any of his matters, yet he is pleased to be so condescending as to vouchsafe to do it. As every thing is beautiful in its season, so in its place. When God was about to erect the material temple, he made men and things fit on purpose; there were Stones and Timber as well as Gold, and Vessels of several sorts and sizes; some men wrought in Gold, some in purple and blew; some had one office and employment and some another. So when he erected a spiritual