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Christ's school consisting of four classes of ChristiansRalph Venning, 1675

I. That there is such a state.

pp. 53–587 passages

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.

:83p. 53

I. That there is such a state.

:84p. 53–54

THE word Babe is used sometimes in a natural, ¹and other times in a Metaphorical sense: in a Natural sense, and thus, 1. A Child in the Womb is called ([Greek or Hebrew]) a Babe, as Luke 1.44. The Babe leapt in my Womb for joy. 2. A Child new-born is called a Babe, as was ⟨p. 54⟩our Saviour once, Luke 2.12. and 16. Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. 3. 'Tis used also to denote children grown up (as I may say) to Boys and Girls, so in Matth. 21.16. Out of the mouths of Babes and sucklings, thou hast perfected praise: and though the word there used for Babes be ([Greek or Hebrew], which Etymologists derive from ([Greek or Hebrew] à non fando) because they cannot speak) a word that often signifies one that cannot speak, and is joined with Sucklings which are usually such; yet these were speaking and praising Babes, for they cried Hosanna to the Son of David, and are called ([Greek or Hebrew]) Children, Vers. 15. Lastly, 'Tis used indefinitely for Children (of any underage) that survive their Parents (Psal. 17.14. they leave the rest to their Babes) such as we call Orphans.

THE word Babe is used sometimes in a natural, ¹and other times in a Metaphorical sense: in a Natural sense, and thus, 1. A Child in the Womb is called (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) a Babe, as Luke 1.44. The Babe leapt in my Womb for joy. 2. A Child new-born is called a Babe, as was

:85p. 54–55¶2

2. ¹The word Babe is used (when applied to Morals) in a Metaphorical sense, and that first by way of commendation, and excellency, as 1 Cor. 14.20. Brethren, be not Children in understanding, but in malice (or in evil) be ye Children ([Greek or Hebrew]) be ye Babes, but in understanding be men ([Greek or Hebrew]) perfect. Thus to be Babes, as to unacquaintedness with evil, were an excellency worthy of our ambition. Secondly, Babe is used by way of diminution, derogation and disparagement, to set out the defectiveness of persons in understanding and other attainments, Isa 3.4. opposed to them in Vers. 2.3. so 'tis opposed to men, or being perfect in understanding, 1 Cor. 13.11 . and 14.20. and joined with foolish, Rom. 2.20. ⟨p. 55⟩'Tis all one as to be (a Servant) in bondage to the rudiments of the world, opposed to the adoption of Sons, or having the spirit of Sons, Gal. 4.1,—6. it notes unsteadiness and instability, such are tossed to and fro, Eph. 4.14. In which places the word should be translated Babes and not Children, as sometimes 'tis. It notes an ignorance or unskilfulness, Heb. 5.13. opposed to them who have their senses exercised to distinguish and discern things, and consequently to approve of what is best.

2. ¹The word Babe is used (when applyed to Morals) in a Metaphorical sense, and that first by way of commendation, and excellency, as 1 Cor. 14.20. Brethren, be not Children in understanding, but in malice (or in evil) be ye Children (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) be ye Babes, but in understanding be men (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) perfect. Thus to be Babes, as to unacquaintedness with evil, were an excellency worthy of our ambition. Secondly, Babe is used by way of diminution, derogation and disparagement, to set out the defectiveness of persons in understanding and other attainments, Isa 3.4. opposed to them in Vers. 2.3. so 'tis opposed to men, or being persect in understanding, 1 Cor. 13.11 . and 14.20. and joyned with foolish, Rom. 2.20. ⟨p. 55⟩'Tis all one as to be (a Servant) in bondage to the rudiments of the world, opposed to the adoption of Sons, or having the spirit of Sons, Gal. 4.1,—6. it notes unsteadiness and instability, such are tossed to and sro, Eph. 4.14. In which places the word should be translated Babes and not Children, as sometimes 'tis. It notes an ignorance or unskilfulness, Heb. 5.13. opposed to them who have their senses exercised to distinguish and discern things, and consequently to approve of what is best.

1In [Greek or Hebrew].In 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

:87p. 55–56

The word ([Greek or Hebrew]) which in John is rendered little Children, is once used by Paul to denote want or weakness of understanding, ⟨p. 56⟩1 Cor. 14.20. My Brethren, be not Children in understanding; that therefore it cannot be meant in that place of these little Children which John speaks of is clear as the Sun, for this is the excellency which John attributes to them, that they know the Father, they are called little Children from knowledge, which notes an understanding that amounts to assurance; but Babes (considered in nature or in grace) know not their Father: so that from this very character 'tis apparent that the state or rank of Babes is below that of little Children, these are Sons and know it, but Babes (though they be, yet) know not, i. e. have not the assurance that they are so: though they have the things that do assure, yet they have not (for want of light) either the assurance of the things, or assurance by them: but are in this sense [Greek or Hebrew], not reprobates (as we read it) but without proof, as the Apostle speaks to the Corinthian Babes, 2 Cor. 13.5. They sought a proof of Paul's Apostleship, and he requires a proof of their Conversion, but they were less able to prove this, than he was able to prove that, as Vers. 6. He was not ([Greek or Hebrew]) but they were ([Greek or Hebrew]) without proof. So that though they had grace, yet it was so weak in its actings & operations that it afforded them no assurance, as strong and vigorous grace useth to do.

The word (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) which in John is rendred little Children, is once used by Paul to denote want or weakness of understanding, ⟨p. 56⟩1 Cor. 14.20. My Brethren, be not Children in understanding; that therefore it cannot be meant in that place of these little Children which John speaks of is clear as the Sun, for this is the excellency which John attributes to them, that they know the Father, they are called little Children from knowledge, which notes an understanding that amounts to assurance; but Babes (considered in nature or in grace) know not their Father: so that from this very character 'tis apparent that the state or rank of Babes is below that of little Children, these are Sons and know it, but Babes (though they be, yet) know not, i. e. have not the assurance that they are so: though they have the things that do assure, yet they have not (for want of light) either the assurance of the things, or assurance by them: but are in this sense 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, not reprobates (as we read it) but without proof, as the Apostle speaks to the Corinthian Babes, 2 Cor. 13.5. They sought a proof of Paul's Apostleship, and he requires a proof of their Conversion, but they were less able to prove this, than he was able to prove that, as Vers. 6. He was not (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) but they were (〈non-Latin alphabet〉) without proof. So that though they had grace, yet it was so weak in its actings & operations that it afforded them no assurance, as strong and vigorous grace useth to do.

:88p. 56–58

The Star-light of their grace is not clear enough in Babes to discern their conversation by it, and many times 'tis clouded too, that the Stars do not appear: and though grace live in their hearts, yet the light and comfort of it ⟨p. 57⟩may be wanting; for though every man having the power of reflecting upon his own actions, can discern what thoughts are in him and what affections, and can tell what he loves, what he fears and grieves for, and the like; yet he may still be questioning and doubting whether this his love, sear, grief, &c. be gracious, spiritual, and truly holy actings or not: whereof the reason is this, because though the Spirit which is in a man knows the things of a man, 1 Cor. 2.11. Yet what is the true worth of these things which are in him, and whether given him of God, and wrought in him by God unto Salvation, this we cannot know but by a supervening light of the Spirit, who is not only the worker of Grace in us, but is given us to discover and enlighten it to us, Vers. 12. Now without this light or Testimony of the Spirit (which the little Children have, but Babes have not) 'tis with them as with the natural man, who knows not the things of the Spirit, Vers. 14. Whereas the spiritual man judgeth all things wrought in him by the Spirit by the light thereof: Now Babes not being spiritual (but as carnal) 1 Cor. 3.1. the Apostle could not write of such things as he did to the spiritual, chap. 2.13. but was fain to seed them with milk (like Babes as they were) for they were not able (as the spiritual were) to bear meat, viz. strong meat, having weak stomachs, chap. 3.2. They like the Hebrews could hear of and believe in Christ, in some kind, but to take him as Christ crucified, as the great high Priest, as their righteousness, ⟨p. 58⟩they were yet in great part to learn and to digest; which was the case both of the Corinthian and Hebrew Babes, as will appear more anon by comparing 1 Cor. 3.2. with Heb. 5.10, 11. &c. for then by these distinct attainments and characters 'tis (as I hope) made plain that there is a Classis and Form of Babes in Christ, who are a degree below the little Children: and of this state of Babes I shall treat first, because they are the beginning of the new Creation of God;

The Star-light of their grace is not clear enough in Babes to discern their conversation by it, and many times 'tis clouded too, that the Stars do not appear: and though grace live in their hearts, yet the light and comfort of it ⟨p. 57⟩may be wanting; for though every man having the power of reflecting upon his own actions, can discern what thoughts are in him and what affections, and can tell what he loves, what he fears and grieves for, and the like; yet he may still be questioning and doubting whether this his love, sear, grief, &c. be gracious, spiritual, and truly holy actings or not: whereof the reason is this, because though the Spirit which is in a man knows the things of a man, 1 Cor. 2.11. Yet what is the true worth of these things which are in him, and whether given him of God, and wrought in him by God unto Salvation, this we cannot know but by a supervening light of the Spirit, who is not only the worker of Grace in us, but is given us to discover and enlighten it to us, Vers. 12. Now without this light or Testimony of the Spirit (which the little Children have, but Babes have not) 'tis with them as with the natural man, who knows not the things of the Spirit, Vers. 14. Whereas the spiritual man judgeth all things wrought in him by the Spirit by the light thereof: Now Babes not being spiritual (but as carnal) 1 Cor. 3.1. the Apostle could not write of such things as he did to the spiritual, chap. 2.13. but was sain to seed them with milk (like Babes as they were) for they were not able (as the spiritual were) to bear meat, viz. strong meat, having weak stomachs, chap. 3.2. They like the Hebrews could hear of and believe in Christ, in some kind, but to take him as Christ crucified, as the great high Priest, as their righteousness, ⟨p. 58⟩they were yet in great part to learn and to digest; which was the case both of the Corinthian and Hebrew Babes, as will appear more anon by comparing 1 Cor. 3.2. with Heb. 5.10, 11. &c. for then by these distinct attainments and characters 'tis (as I hope) made plain that there is a Classis and Form of Babes in Christ, who are a degree below the little Children: and of this state of Babes I shall treat first, because they are the beginning of the new Creation of God;