Ralph Venning

Ralph Venning

Ralph Venning (1621–1673) was an English preacher.

Quotes

• All the beauty of the world, 'tis but skin deep.
  • "The Triumph of Assurance", Orthodox Paradoxes, Or, A Believer Clearing Truth by Seeming Contradictions (1647), p. 41. Compare: "Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay colours that are but skin-deep", Mathew Henry, Commentaries. Genesis iii.

• He accounts himself lesse then the least of all mercies; and yet he looks on the greatest as his due.
  • "The Triumph of Assurance", Orthodox Paradoxes, Or, A Believer Clearing Truth by Seeming Contradictions (1647), p. 48-49.

• They spare the rod, and spoyle the child.
  • Mysteries and Revelations, p. 5. (1649). Compare: "There is nothynge that more dyspleaseth God, Than from theyr children to spare the rod." John Skelton, Magnyfycence, line 1954.

• Courteous reader, 'tis said of scripture that it is deep enough for an elephant to swim in, and yet shallow enough for a lamb to wade through.
  • From the late 1640s, in Ian Green, Print and Protestantism in Early Modern England (2002), p. 101.

The Sinfulness of Sin

The Sinfulness of Sin, Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh (Puritan Paperbacks), first published 1669, Original Title: The Plague of Plagues, ISBN 0-85151-647-5

• Sin is anti-will to God's will; it sets itself to oppose preaching, prayer, and all the institutions of God.

• Confession of sin and repentance gives glory to God (Joshua 7:19) and sin endeavors to obstruct and hinder this.

• One of the first evidences of man's sinfulness and misery by it, was that he could not endure, but hid himself from the voice and face of God (Genesis 3:8).

• What is sin but a departure from God? And what is the doom of sinners but departure from God? Depart from us is the cry of sinners to God. Depart from me will be the cry of God to sinners.