We read of some of the Saints, who soon after they received the Word of Truth, grew exceedingly, tho afterwards a Saints Growth in Grace is not so visible.
XI. A Babe needs much tending, must be carefully looked after, or it may suffer much. It is carried in ⟨p. 141⟩the Arms, dandled upon the Knees, and laid in the Bosom, and hath many a Kiss from the Father and Mother. | XI. Babes in Christ need also much spiritual Tendence, and looking after. Christ, as well as his Church and Ministers, ⟨p. 141⟩takes much care of them:1 He carrieth these in his Arms, and layeth them in his Bosom. They have many a gracious Kiss of Christ's Mouth, or Promise of his Word, whereby he seals up his Love to them.
⟨p. 140⟩XII. Babes, after they are grown up, are taught to speak plain, not to chatter and cry only, but to talk and speak intelligibly, and also to go. | XII. A Babe in Christ is taught by Christ also to pray, and speak in Prayer more plainly, or to express it self, and make known its Wants more intelligibly, and also how to go and walk in the Ways of God's Commandments:2 I taught Ephraim to go, taking him by the hand.
XIII. Babes are weak in Knowledge and Understanding: When I was a Child, 3I thought as a Child, I understood as a Child. From hence they many times are froward, peevish, and soon take distaste; small things will offend them. | XIII. A Babe in Christ is usually weak in spiritual Understanding, or in the Mysteries of the Gospel, and from hence are very subject also to be offended with this thing, and that thing, which strong Christians can bear. Many of the young Disciples in the Primitive Time, were offended at those that did eat Meat, &c.
XIV. A Babe, after it is grown up, doth not expect that its Father or Mother should dandle it upon their Knees, or seem visibly to show that Love to it as at first, when it was very young. | XIV. So Christians, when they are grown to some degree of Ripeness in Understanding, should not expect to be always dandled upon the Knee of Promises, or lie in the Arms and Bosom of Christ; I mean, have such visible Expressions or Manifestations of his Love, knowing they are his Children, and in his Covenant, in his Family, and under his Care, Eye, and gracious Provision and Protection.
XV. A sweet Babe, one that is very quiet, and good-conditioned, is greatly delighted in, and wonderfully beloved by its Parents;
We read of some of the Saints, who soon after they received the Word of Truth, grew exceedingly, tho afterwards a Saints Growth in Grace is not so visible.
XI. A Babe needs much tending, must be carefully look'd after, or it may suffer much. It is carried in ⟨p. 141⟩the Arms, dandled upon the Knees, and laid in the Bosom, and hath many a Kiss from the Father and Mother. | XI. Babes in Christ need also much spiritual Tendence, and looking after. Christ, as well as his Church and Ministers, ⟨p. 141⟩takes much care of them:1 He carrieth these in his Arms, and layeth them in his Bosom. They have many a gracious Kiss of Christ's Mouth, or Promise of his Word, whereby he seals up his Love to them.
⟨p. 140⟩XII. Babes, after they are grown up, are taught to speak plain, not to chatter and cry only, but to talk and speak intelligibly, and also to go. | XII. A Babe in Christ is taught by Christ also to pray, and speak in Prayer more plainly, or to express it self, and make known its Wants more intelligibly, and also how to go and walk in the Ways of God's Commandments:2 I taught Ephraim to go, taking him by the hand.
XIII. Babes are weak in Knowledg and Understanding: When I was a Child, 3I thought as a Child, I understood as a Child. From hence they many times are froward, peevish, and soon take distaste; small things will offend them. | XIII. A Babe in Christ is usually weak in spiritual Understanding, or in the Mysteries of the Gospel, and from hence are very subject also to be offended with this thing, and that thing, which strong Christians can bear. Many of the young Disciples in the Primitive Time, were offended at those that did eat Meat, &c.
XIV. A Babe, after it is grown up, doth not expect that its Father or Mother should dandle it upon their Knees, or seem visibly to shew that Love to it as at first, when it was very young. | XIV. So Christians, when they are grown to some degree of Ripeness in Understanding, should not expect to be always dandled upon the Knee of Promises, or lie in the Arms and Bosom of Christ; I mean, have such visible Expressions or Manifestations of his Love, knowing they are his Children, and in his Covenant, in his Family, and under his Care, Eye, and gracious Provision and Protection.
XV. A sweet Babe, one that is very quiet, and good-conditioned, is greatly delighted in, and wonderfully beloved by its Parents;
- 1Isa. 40 10, 11.
- 2Hos. 11.3.
- 31 Cor. 13.
