Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	doctrine_n	see_v	2,358	5	3.4477	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64833	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.	Venning, Ralph, 1621?-1674.	1675 (1675)	Wing V225; ESTC R27039	205,701	393

pretends to be our friend as he did to Eve and to Christ himself but yet they that have the Testimony of Gods Spirit are secure and safe though they that have it not cannot be so what ever presuming confidences they may entertain themselves with I shall therefore indeavour to clear this thing that none may be hardned through the deceitfulness of sin or Satan or their own hearts In relation whereunto I shall lay down three Rules to which though I purpose not to speak much yet I hope to speak much to the purpose having first premised this one thing that they cannot have the witness who have not the work of the Spirit and consequently they cannot have the witness of the Spirit who have not the witness of their own spirit or the Testimony of a good Conscience for if our hearts condemn us upon just grounds and we do not bear false witness against our selves which is the sin of many an otherwise tender-hearted Christian I say if our hearts condemn us God is greater than our hearts but here begins our confidence towards God if our hearts condemn us not if we love not in word or tongue but in deed and in truth hereby we do in part know that we are of the truth and shall assure or as 't is in the Margent perswade our hearts before him 1 Joh. 3.18 21. And the Apostle tells us Rom. 8.16 that the Spirit ●ears witness with our spirit as also it follows 1 Joh. 3.24 we may have ours without that but not that without our own and therefore to make up the full and compleat Testimony both witnesses both Spirits must concur and agree without contradicting or thwarting one another The three that bear witness on Earth agree in one 1 Joh. 5.8 And now to the Rules for discerning the difference between the true and the pretended or presumed witness the Spirit The Rules are these three 1. The witness is known from the Rule by which it speaks 2. By the ground on which it speaks 3. By the end to and for which it speaks I say 't is known 1. By the Rule according to which it speaks To the Law and to the Testimony for if they speak not according to this Word there is no light in them Hebr. no morning in them no not so much as the dawning of the day or the eye-lids of the morning Isa 8.20 1 Joh. 4.1 6. and Epistle 2.7 10. Gal. 1.6 9. 2 Cor. 11.1 4. The Spirit of God acts and walks by the same Rule that we are to act and walk by and that 's the Word If the Word and Spirit do not agree we must question either whether the Word be of God or whether the Spirit be of God and we are at a rueful loss if they do not both agree for if the Word say one thing and the Spirit another how shall we reconcile it but Gods Word and Gods Spirit do alwaies agree and are of one and the same mind The Spirit of God did indite and dictate the holy Scriptures and therefore it cannot say one thing there and another in thine heart that were to bear witness against it self and if its Kingdom be divided how can it stand This conclusion therefore is infallibly true that when and where-ever the Spirit of God doth bear and give its Testimony 't is alwaies according to the written Word contained in the Old and New Testament this is the foundation upon which i● builds both us and its Testimony Epb. 2.18 22. The Spirit of God as was hinted did indite and dictate the Scripture 2 Pet. 1.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.14 17. 1 Joh. 2.20 27. which unction refers to and is according to what they had heard from the beginning Vers 24. so that they were taught the same thing by the unction within as they were by the word called unction also without In all times the Word was the Rule of tryal Our Lord Jesus Christ himself opposed and conquered the Devil by this Sword of the Spirit the Word of God He proved himself to be the Messiah more by the Scriptures than by Miracles and tells them that if the Scriptures did not testifie of him they should not believe him and therefore bids them search the Scriptures Joh. 5.39 Our Saviour confutes the errors of the Pharisees and the Sadduces by Scripture He tells us that his Spirit shall not bring us a new Doctrine but make Application of what he had taught Joh. 14.26 The Apostles commended them of Beroea that they searcht the Scriptures to see if the Apostles spake true Act. 17.10 11. And Peter prefers it to the Bath c●l filia vocis the voice which he heard calling it in relation to the Jews a more sure Word of Prophecie 2 Pet. 1.16 19. So then upon the whole 't is clear that what is not according to the Sacred Scriptures cannot be the witness of Gods Spirit SECT 5. A Continuation 2. THE witness of the Spirit is known from any other by the grounds on which it witnesseth of which I shall name but two 1. The Spirit finds this ground-work laid that thou art new-born though but a Babe or Infant of daies and experience this alwaies precedes the witness The Spirit doth not nor can bear witness to them that are dead i. e. that live in sins Ephes 1.1 2 3. nor to them that have but a form of Godliness or are Pharisees-hypocrites that they are the Children of God It cannot witness that to be which is not 'T is when and because ye are Sons that God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father and so thereupon or therewith beareth witness to and with our spirits that we are the Children of God Gal. 4.6 with Rom. 8.15 16. The work is alwaies begun before the witness come that which is not wrought cannot be witnessed to If thou therefore be not new-born thy believing thy self to be a Child of God is a delusion not the witness of the Spirit 2. The Spirit of God bears witness that a man is the Child of God not upon the ground or account of works and self-righteousness but upon the score of mercy and grace through the redemption which is by Christ Jesus It witnesseth upon the account of mercy not of merit Though there be a work wrought and working too yet the witness attributes this to and so witnesseth to it as of grace The Sons of God are and their salvation is not of works but of grace Joh. 1.12 13. Rom. 4.1 16. and 9.15 16. and 11.5 6. Jam. 1.17 18. Tit. 3.4 5. 2 Tim. 1.9 by all which it doth appear that all is of grace and on this bottom and fondation is the witness laid and born to it 'T is called sonlship by Adoption which is meerly of grace all Adoption is so and 't is to this as such that the Spirit witnesseth as Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.6 It beareth witness that we are the Children of God but still

〈…〉 Effigies of M. r Ralph Venning 〈…〉 of the Gospell who dyed the 10th of 〈…〉 in the yeare of his age 83. 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 1 Cor. 3.1 And I Brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal as unto Babes in Christ 1 Joh. 2.13 I write unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I write unto you Young men because ye have overcome the wicked one I write unto you Little Children because ye have known the Father London Printed for John Hancock Senior and Junior at the Sign of the three Bibles in Popes-head Ally over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1675. 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 many Years ago in Southwark By Ralph Venning 1 Cor. 3.1 And I Brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal as unto Babes in Christ 1 Joh. 2.13 I write unto you Fathers because ye have known him that is from the beginning I write unto you Young men because ye have overcome the wicked one I write unto you Little Children because ye have known the Father London Printed for John Hancock Senior and Junior at the Sign of the three Bibles in Popes-head Ally over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1675. Reader THough that which I here present thee with may look like a Novelty yet I hope it will appear to be a truth of great Antiquity for though I confess I have not met with any that have treated thus distinctly of the several Ranks and Degrees of Saints yet I cannot say but I was led to the consideration thereof by persons both Antient and Modern of great name and worth who have now and then hinted that in their writings which gave me occasion to make a more full inquiry into this thing and accordingly to Preach upon it many years ago in Southwark and I bless God not without good acceptation and success as I have not a little cause to presume As to the three first States I have spoken largely but very little of the last viz. of Fathers not willing to venture beyond my line or measure only hinting in General what may be gather'd from the Scripture Concerning them what I have said I submit to the judgement of my Elders and betters who I hope will find me moderate and modest in my Assertions and that they are consonant to the analogy of Faith and agreeable to the tenor of Scripture both truths and expressions I shall say nothing more of it for I hope it will speak for it self only my desires to God are that it may be blest to every Reader for their either Conversion or Edification Which Prayer if God please to grant 't will be matter of thanksgiving as to them so to me also who am their Servant in and for Christ Jesus Ralph Venning This following Advertisement was intended as an Epistle to the Reader before the Author 's own was found THis Treatise as it is now published was so left by the worthy Author when he went to his rest The excellency and usefulness of it will evidence it self best in the perusal thereof It hath this preheminence beyond many of the practical Discourses that have of late passed the Press that its design is singular and not managed at lest to such an enlargement by any before it The several Degrees and Estates of Christians through which they pass up to the measure and stature of the fulness of Christ are here insisted on and with great experience according to the rule of Faith explicated with perspicuity The greatest part of the Discourse is spent upon those that make up the greatest part of true Christians viz. the weak ones or Babes wherein will be found things of a comfortable concernment and conducing very much to the establishing of them and promoting their advance to a greater degree of grace till they come to the assurance of the Love of God by the witness of the Spirit which the Children enjoy What is laid down in reference to the witness of the Spirit though some may differ in their conceptions from it yet such is the boundary and cautions here annexed to this particular by the Author against delusions that no person will have a reasonable ground to make any exceptions What is performed in the handling of the temptations which attend the Young men such as have attained to a strength of grace whereby they are made conformable to Christ who was in all things tempted as we are yet without sin will be of great encouragement to many in their present warfare As to the last Estate of Christians viz. of Fathers the Author hath discoursed very little who though those that were acquainted with him might judge him to have attained to that degree of Christianty which lies in the highest experience of the mysteries of the Gospel yet he through modesty leaves that for others to supply and make up And so you have the first remains of that good man who was serviceable to Christ in his Generation The spiritual advantage of Christians is all that is aimed at in the publication thereof and accordingly is recommended to them by the Authors very good friends James Barron John Collins Christ's School Consisting of Babes Children Young-Men and Fathers I. The INTRODUCTION Where the general design and scope of the Treatise is laid down asserted cleared and applied THat there are degrees of grace and consequently that there are Believers Christians or Saints of several sizes and degrees is granted by all but how many sorts there are and whether they are to be ranked into several and distinct classes ranks orders forms or degrees as different States seems not to be so clear to some pious and learned men which yet with submission I humbly offer and hope to evince and demonstrate by the Scriptures light which is the light of the Spirit by whom they were indited That there are Lambs and Sheep John 21.15 16 17. That there are strong and weak Rom. 15.1 That there are spiritual and Babes 1 Cor. 3.1 Or perfect and Babes as 't is Hebr. 5.13 14. The Scriptures quoted do undeniably assert and experience confirms it and why there may not be more than two sorts I can see no reason to dis-believe but there seems to me a great deal of reason for the belief of it The Apostle John naming three Fathers Young men and Children and the

past from a Babe to a little Child and from thence to a young man the little Child knows but two states being gone no further than from a Babe to a little Child but the Babe is acquainted with only his own state at present and knows not what 't is to be any thing of what is proper to the other three only this he is p●st from death to life from being a sinner to b● a Saint though but a weak one Of their several attainments and proper Characters I sh●l treat hereafter more particularly if God permit Heb. 6.3 5. The disparity or difference that is between those Saints as such is not in their gifts but graces and not in common but i● special grace No nor only in accessaries and complemental but in principal and fundamental graces proper to each state 'T is not in their gifts but graces for 't is possible for persons to be full of and rich in gifts yet poor in grace as the Corinthians were they came behind in no gift 1 Ephes 1.7 they were full they were rich they reigned as Kings they were wise strong and honourable at least in their own if not others esteem 1 Ephes 4.8 and 10. and yet were but Babes and as carnal 1 Ephes 3.1 And therefore the Apostle shews them a more excellent way than that of gifts viz. grace and in special the grace of Love 1 Ephes 12.31 and 13.1 3. Apollo was a man very eloquent mighty in the Scriptures and being instructed in the way of the Lord was fervent in Spirit and taught zealously diligently and boldly yet needed to have the way of God expounded to him more perfectly Acts 18.24 26. And this was done not only by a man Aquila but a woman Priscilla Apollo was a man in parts but a woman it seems was more a man in grace The Corinthians that came behind in no gift yet came behind in and fell short of many a grace So that the measure of a mans excellency is not to be taken by what gifts of knowledge and eloquence he hath but by what grace he acts Again this measure is not to be taken from common but from special and saving grace not from profession but practice There is common Faith and the Faith of Gods Elect there were foolish as well as wise Virgins are seeming as well as truly religious persons the stony ground hearers made a fair shew in the flesh and the thorny brought forth fruit but not to perfection Which is an argument that they knew not the root of the matter or the grace of God in truth for that brings forth ripe fruit Col. 1.6 There were some that through the knowledge of Christ had escaped the pollutions of the world yet licked up their vomit and therefore their nature was not changed but they were Dogs still and wallowed again in the mire and therefore though they were washed yet were Sows still and not really converted so as to have a saving work upon them 2 Pet. 2.20 22. Surely saith the Apostle they that went out from us were not of us but a bastardly brood 1 Joh. 2.19 where he speaks of them as distinguished from the us which word us he mentions five times by way of distinction and the word they six times in that one Verse Yet again the measure is not to be taken from accessary graces which conduce chiefly to the well-being the comfort and refreshment or if I may so speak the recreation of Christians as Joy Ecstasie Rapture c. but from the graces which are essential and proper to each state as wisdom and much experience is for Fathers strength and the Word abiding for young men Love for Children and repentance c. for Babes Now as any person doth act the substantial and fundamental graces of any state such is his denomination and as he passeth from one to another such is his advance and preferment 6. As this difference is to be measured by graces wrought and acted so 't is made by the grace of God working and actuating these graces in us 'T is grace that makes the difference not only between Saints and sinners but between Saints and Saints that it makes it between men and men in taking one and making him a Saint and leaving the other in his sins is clear from Matth. 11.25 Rom. 9.13 16. and ver 21 24. with many other places And 't is as clear that grace and the good pleasure of God makes the difference between Saints also that the one hath more grace and improveth grace more than another 1 Cor. 4.7 and 12.11 18. Indeed God worketh all things according to no counsel but the counsel of his Will and who shall say to him Why hast thou made me thus His wind bloweth as where so how it listeth and as he sheweth mercy to whom he pleaseth so 't is what and how much he pleaseth the first and the after increase is of God he gives five Talents to one two to another and but one to a third and 't is not the man but the Talent that brings in the gain as the Apostle when he had said I live corrects himself with a not I but Christ liveth in me and my life is by Faith Gal. 2.20 And when he had said He laboured more abundantly than they all he seems to recall it and saith Not I but the grace of God which was bestowed upon me and was with me viz. to assist and enable me 1 Cor. 15.10 Luke 19.16 And 't is observable how Paul alters his language when he speaks of what he did in a state of nature and what he did in a state of grace then he attributes all to himself I was this and I did this he was alwaies a great proficient I profited more in the Jews religion than many of my contemporaries that were of my standing Gal. 1.14 But when he is converted though he laboured more than any and outwent his Seniors yet he is not arrogant and assuming but modest and thankful Not I but the grace of God that was with me q. d. Though by nature I was forward and zealous yet as to this work and labour I have reason to attribute it and pay my gratitudes not to nature but to grace Well then as 't is of grace that one is taken and another left so 't is of grace that one is promoted and advanced more than another that John lyeth in his bosome that Paul grows so fast that he increaseth with the increase of God is of God and of the grace of God that one should be a Father and another who is may be was in Christ before him should be but a Babe still is of grace One would think wise men should know most yet by grace Babes are wiser Matth. 11.25 That strong men should do most and yet the weak do more 1 Cor. 1.25 31. That the Children of the Kingdom should not enter but Publicans and Harlots should is a difference of graces

Cor. 5 10. They shall come forth there is the Resurrection to life or damnation there is the Eternal Judgement There are many special things about the Resurrection c. which the Babes are not very capable of and of which I shall say nothing now but this they do believe in the general that such a thing there will infallibly be as a future Eternal state of happiness or misery to men according to what they have done in this life and they that believe not this are but falsely called Christians or by the favour of a Synecdoche which puts a part for the whole A Saint not believing a life to come is no less than a contradiction Object But perhaps 't will be objected that a man may be in Christ though but a Babe and as carnal and yet not believe this doctrine of the Resurrection for among these Corinthian-Babes some it seems did not own it 1 Cor. 15.12 Answ To this I Answer That by the same among you may not be meant the Corinthians themselves for 't is not said some of you but false teachers that came among them who were it may be worse and more infidels than Hymeneus and Philetus who said the Resurrection was past already 2 Tim. 2.18 For these said there was none at all which indeed was to deny Christ to be risen and he that doth so cannot be a Christian not a Babe in Christ but in this Faith that Christ was risen the Corinthians did stand 1 Cor. 15.1 4. therefore I conceive they were some among them but not of them as 1 Joh. 2.19 however the foundation of God standeth sure 2 Tim. 2.19 which is spoken upon a resembling occasion and the Apostle doth not speak this so much by way of charge as caution of accusation as warning Vers 34. I speak this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to your warning that you may fear and beware of such Sadducees who have not the knowledge of God nor Scripture Matth. 22.29 and whose evil words and Epicurean language is apt to beget ill manners So that notwithstanding this Objection 't is clear enough that he cannot be a true Christian no not of the lowest Form who believes not the Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgement I shall therefore pass on to shew how the belief of this doth influence Babes and what attainment results from it 2. The Attainment of Babes from this beliet is that they tremble at this Word of God which is a blessed frame Isa 66.2 If the hearing of it make wicked men many times to tremble as it did Felix Acts 24● 25. If the sense of an after state make men pray as Ba●●un did Let me die the death of the righteous and let my afterward so the Hebrew he ● theirs Numb 13.10 How much better influence hath it on Babes in Christ this trembling of theirs is of great use to the working out their Salvation Phil. 2.12 it makes them wary and cautious not to run with others to the same excess of riot c. 1 Pet. 4.3 5. it hath an influence as to disswade from sin so to perswade to duty Knowing the terrour of the Lord● with reference to Judgement we perswade men 2 Cor. 5.10 11. The consideration of a future Judgement awes the most eminent Saints as it did Job Chap. 1.14 and 23. and David Psal 119.120 but it makes Babes especially to tremble because they are yet without assurance of Eternal welfare Perfect Love casteth out fear and hath boidness in the day of Judgement 1 Joh. 4.17 18. but poor Babes are all their life long subject to more or less bondage by the fear of death and Judgement Heb. 2.14 15. And this though Christ have died for want of particular application of it to themselves which grown ●aints have attained to and can therefore challenge and brave death it self as Paul did Ram. 8.34 39. 1 Cor. 15.55 57. and can desire rather than fear to die Phil. 1.23 Heb. 11.35 2 Cor. 4.16 18. But Babes are fearful yet God makes use of this fear and trembling to many and great uses for their good and his glory it lays a great restraint upon them as to sin and as love doth others it constrains them to obedience Therefore our Saviour speaks to their own Principle Fear him that can destroy both Body ●nd Soul in H●● Matth. 10.28 And saith Paul 2 Cor. 5.10 11. we perswade men even poor Babes who walk as men and are got but a little beyond natural men terrour perswades with natural men put them in fear that they may know they are but men Psal 9.20 and they scarce know God or acknowledge him but by the Judgements which he executes Vers 16. Now that which is of most use to perswade men is of most use to perswade Babes who are as carnal and walk as men 1 Cor. 3.1 3. 'T is worth our while to take notice what and how many things are back't by this Argument of judgement to come and the terrour of the Lord. I will but touch them 1. 'T is an Argument to provoke to Repentance Acts 17.30 31. And this is Babes milk which they are perswaded to take by this Argument that there will be a Judgement Day 2. 'T is an Argument for Faith and Baptism too as they are conjoyned here and Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is Baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned the fear of this dreadful after-clap of damnation drives many in to Faith and Baptism It perswades men to fear God and keep his commands Eccl 12.13 this perswades men to be moderate in the use of worldly injoyments which belong to the sensual and animal life Eccl. 11.9 10. Luke 21.34 36. It perswades men to embrace and improve Gospel opportunities and the means of grace as our Savour hints Matth. 11.20 24. It perswades men not to censure judge despise and revile one another which Babes are apt to do 1 Cor. 3.3 1 Pet. 2.1 2. I say it perswades them not to do such things Jam. 4.11 12. Rom. 14.10 1 Cor. 4.3 5. 1 Pet. 4.4 5. with Jude 15. It perswades to patience Jam. 5.8 It perswades to abide in Christ Jesus and not to Apostatize 1 Joh. 2.28 It perswades men to watch and be ready Mat. 24. and 1 Thes 5.1 7. In a word 't is a very powerful Argument to engage to every duty and to serve God acceptably 2 Cor. 5 9 10. 2 Tim. 4.1 2. Heb. 12.28 29. Thus we see of what huge use it is to believe the doctrine of the Resurrection and Eternal Judgement as Babes do and do it with fear and trembling 'T is true indeed that love which acts the more grown Saints is the more generous and noble principle yet fear is of great use too for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom as love is the fulfilling of the Law and under the Old Testament when men were generally Babes Religion is as much exprest by