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

II. Of their Attainments.

2. THE Second thing I am to treat of, is, their Attainments and Characters, in relation to which I shall consider and compare 1 Cor. 3.1, 2. with Heb. 5.10. to the end, and chap. 6.1, 2, 3. in both which the Apostle useth the same words and things concerning them, and the explanation of the Milk and Meat in the Corinths is clear and full in the Hebrews, for he speaks plainly and without a Parable. He having spoken much of the Spirit, spiritual things and spiritual men in the second Chapter to the Corinthians, and of the wisdom of God to them that were perfect, Vers. 6. i. e. to them that were spiritual and could judge of and discern spiritual things, Vers. 15. he doth in the beginning of the third Chapter obviate an objection that might be made by the Corinthians, thus, Why then do ye not Preach such things to us? to which he Answers, That he would gladly and with all his heart do it, but that they being not spiritual, but as carnal, being Babes, they were not heretofore nor at present in a capacity to receive them, q. d. If you will needs know the true reason, why I Preach not to you the deep mysteries of Godliness, or the wisdom of God in a mystery, or the hidden wisdom of God, chap. 2. vers. 7. 'tis not that I cannot or would not Preach it, but that you cannot bear it; you would say that to eat his Flesh, and drink his Blood, and live by it, were ⟨p. 60⟩an hard saying, as ye did when Christ himself said so, Joh. 6. 53, 60. and if you can hardly hear this, but be offended, what would you be if I should Preach of his Ascension, and the executing of the other part of his Priestly office now in heaven, which is yet an higher Doctrine and strong meat (as 'tis called in the Hebrews on this very occasion) if that offend you as it did those Babes,