A64833:71
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
Introduction › Part 3: III. A further continuation of the Praecognita, things to be premised.
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.
III. A further continuation of the Praecognita, things to be premised.
8. ALL these ranks and states, and each of them have a measure to which they are appointed and a degree wherein they are fixed. The Foot is fixed to its place and measure, so are the rest of the members; so 'tis in this body (though with this difference that some, who yet are Babes, may be little Children and so go on from degree to degree, yet) there is constantly these fixed states of Babes, Children, &c. so that they who are appointed to be but Babes, go no higher; and so of Children, that come not to be young men; and Young men that come not to be Fathers. Though I cannot say, this or that person is fixed to be a Babe, a little Child, &c. and shall be no other; yet I can say that the state of a Babe, &c. is fixed, and that they who are appointed thereunto proceed no further. Some die young, as Jeroboam's Son, who run his race as soon as he could go almost. The Thief on the Cross died almost in the moment (or ⟨p. 39⟩hour) wherein he was new born, and yet might have more grace (and be of an higher degree) than some that were converted before him, and lived longer after it. God saith in this case as to the Sea, Thus far shalt thou go and no further: As he appoints the times and habitations, so their estates and riches to, which (as 'tis said of their days) they cannot pass. There is the measure of every part, Ephes. 4.16. and the measure of the Stature, Vers. 12. and of the gist of Christ, Vers. 7. of Faith, Rom. 2.3. And as God hath appointed who shall be members, so also what growth each of these members shall attain to, for they increase with the increase of God, viz. of his appointment as well as blessing and production, Col. 2.19. as all Christs members were written in Gods Book, so the growth of them to; they are not to be all of the same stature, but according to the measure, that is allotted to them: some live and die Babes, &c.