A64833:85
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.
14. Premise, seeing no man knows nor any man can tell him what he is appointed to, every one should aim at and propound to himself to attain the highest state; as many a common Soldier doth to be a Captain; many a young Student to be a Master; and many an Apprentice to be not only a free-man, or Common-council man, but an Alderman. This I speak that none may be idle or negligent, but pursue after perfection: Great things have been attempted upon a peradventure, and an it may be. If thou be but a Babe at present, and hast been so for many years, yet who knows but thou mayest be a Father at last? Let none therefore say, I have heard, prayed and waited so long, and yet I see no more comes than did at first, therefore I will take up with this stint which I have; On let none say so, for who knows but that after ⟨p. 50⟩you have been planted in the House of the Lord and become well rooted & grounded, you may flourish as the Palm-tree, & grow up as the Cedars in Lebanon, you may be fat and flourishing, and shall bring forth more fruit in your old age than you did in your youth, Psal. 92.12,—14. If God water thee with the dew of his blessing, thou wilt not only blossom as the Lilly, but cast forth thy roots as Lebanon, thy branches and beauty shall spread and be as the Olive-tree, Hos. 14.5.6. The cloud that was at first but as an hand-breadth did at last cover the face of the Heavens, and that: was an abundance of rain, 1 King. 18.44 45. The water that was at first but to the ankles, ascended to the Knees, and thence upward to the Loins, at last it was a river to swim in and not fordable, it rose so high, Ezck. 47.3,—5. The Mustard-seed is but little, yet grows to a great Tree: So are the workings of Grace in many a Soul growing up more and more to perfection. Many a man that began with little, yet being faithful and industrious hath become master of a great estate. Do not despond because great things are difficult and thou art but little in Israel, who knows what he may come to? therefore press forward. Our degrees (like times and seasons) are in the Fathers power, and are hid from us but to make us the more watchful and industrious. If thou have a mind to know the way and means of growing rich, then,