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.

SECT. 3. Shewing what the effects of this witness are, and the influences they have upon the Soul and Spirit of the Children.

1. THE Soul that hath received this wit∣ness is filled with a great deal of joy; of which though I speak, yet 'tis joy unspeaka∣ble and full of glory; yea though the person be in the midst of afflictions, temptations and sufferings, yet the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon it, and dwells there, 1 Thes. 1.4, 5, 6. 1 Pet. 1.6, 7, 8. and Chap. 4.14. 'tis so great, that there is want in the words that are, and want of more words than there are to ex∣press it significantly; this work cannot be worded: 'tis such an experience as comes not under expression. All the Eluquence in the world cannot acquaint you with the sweetness of this honey, so well as the taste can and doth do. 'Tis like the new name, which no man knows but he that hath it; a stranger doth not intermiddle with this joy. And as none knows

it but he hath hath it, so he that hath it cannot make it known as he hath it. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 single wit∣ness, that of a mans own Conscience, afford so much joy, as the Apostle found it did, 2 Cor. 1.12. what incomparable joy must that be which flows from a double witness, viz. That of the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God: this is the joy∣ful sound, it's such Musick as makes the Soul to leap and dance for joy, Hos. 2.14, 15, 16. They were Babes and under bondage in Aegypt, but now they sing like the Children that had heard the joyful found of the Silver Trumpets, proclaiming love and peace, in their youth they sang when God had proclaimed them his Sons and first-born, and called them (his Sons) out of Aegypt.

2. Notwithstanding this joy, yet (con∣sistently enough) they blush and are ingenuously ashamed in the sense of their former sinfulness, which made them unworthy of such favour, yea worthy to have been Children of wrath for ever: The Fathers lips were no sooner off from them of the returning Prodigal, but the first words he utters are, Father I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son, Luk. 15.20 21. And this confession was a great part of his gratitude, and so taken by his Father; for this interrupts not their feasting and rejoycing together. This ingenuity is an effect of this assured reconciliation, as 'tis in Ezek 16.62, 63. I will establish my Covenant with thee, and thou shalt know that I Jehovah (viz. gracious and

merciful) that thou maist remember (thy waies, Vers. 61.) and be ashamed, &c. but when this? When I am pacified toward thee for (or not∣withstanding) all that thou hast done, saith the Lord.

3. By reason of this Testimony the little Children have a great deal of considence and boldness towards and with God. If our hearts condemn us not, we have confidence towards God, 1 Joh. 3.21. but how much more when by the Spirit which he hath given us we know that he dwelleth in us and we in him, Vers. 24. This is the perfecting of love (viz. assurance is) love with us made perfect, which gives us not only a boldness at the throne of Grace, 1 Joh. 3.21, 22. with 5.14, 15. but in the day of Judgement, Chap. 4.17. for there is no fear in love (thus made perfect) but it casteth out fear, and fills with confidence and boldness, familiarity and freedom.

4. The little Children having received this Testimony long exceedingly to be with their Father; not only to have their affections and conversations in Heaven, but to be personally there. Few Saints are willing to die that are but Babes and know not the Father; and I fear if God should not take them to Heaven before they were willing and desirous to die, I say I doubt that Heaven would be very thinly peopled, as to that sort of his people. But when they have got assurance that God is and Heaven shall be theirs, they sing their nune de∣mittis with the reverend good old man (Si∣meon) Now lettest thou thy Servant depart in

peace, for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation. And not only Paul, 2 Cor. 1.—8. and Phil. 1.23. but all the seed (that have re∣ceived this Testimony, * 1.1 the first-fruits and earnest of happiness) do sigh and groan and long, yea and think it long till they be set free, Rom. 8.23. While here they are absent from the Lord, and 'tis not without self-denial that they are willing to stay here: but while they must be here, they are hugely ambitious to be acceptable to God, as 'tis 2 Cor. 5.9. and to serve the Churches good, as 'tis Phil. 1.23, 24. They are sure that though they suffer with Christ yet they shall be glorified together, Rom. 8.16, 17. and therefore they would (as they are bid) hasten his coming, and Pray, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly: And surely might they have their wishes, either Christ should come to them, or they would go to Christ within a very little while. But yet re∣membring that they are not their own, and that they serve not God only for their own advan∣tage, but his glory; they are made willing to wait all the daies of their appointed time (though it be a warfare, as 'tis in that Text in Job) till their change come, Rom. 8.23, 24, 25. As much as they long to be at home, they would make no more hast than good-speed. This much of the first thing. The second follows.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ephes. 1.13, 14.