Ralph Venning (c.1621–1674) on God Begging

Thus sin is the work of the Devil, which is a great witness against it. I may add at this point that in some ways the sin of man is more horrible and heinous than that of devils. I do not mean the first sins of either, but the sins since the time when God revealed his pleasure concerning the disposal of devils and men. The devil has some sort of gratification in tempting man, for it is a kind of victory or revenge; but men only wrong and torment themselves. Moreover the devils are past hope and have grown desperate, being rejected of God (2 Peter 2.4); for Christ Jesus did not take them on him (Hebrews 2.16). They are hardened against God who punishes them, and have grown so envious that they will be avenged on man seeing they cannot be on God. If only they had a door of hope opened, it is probable they would not be so wicked as they are. When there is no hope, persons are more resolute (Jeremiah 2.25). But for men to sin whom God has spared, for whom indeed he spared not his own Son, whom he calls and woos and even begs to be reconciled and happy--for these men to sin, what horrible ingratitude is this! What an aggravating and inexcusable sin it is! It is worse than the Devil's sin, for devils do not sin against second mercy and offers of grace as men do.

Ralph Venning, The Sinfulness of Sin (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1993), 160–161.

4. They Taste of his grace in that he not only commands, but invites and entreats them to come, to Repent and Believe that they may live; That God should condescend so far as to beseech and go a begging to them (as the word is) that they would be reconciled, gives them a Taste that the Lord is gracious, 2 Cor. 5:19, 20.

5. They Taste it in this, That God encourageth them to come by many great and precious promises, Isa. 55:1, 2, 3. Matth. 11:28-30, &c. Yea he swears to them as he lives that he delights not in the death of a sinner, but that he should return and live.

Ralph Venning, Christ's School (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), 164.

The great God is so good, that he not only condescends and humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in Earth, Psal. 113.6. but which is the wonder of wonders, he doth beseech and even beg men to be reconciled, to receive his grace and favour, 2. Cor. 5.20. and surely, they will do very little for God, who will not be entreated by him to be happy themselves.

Ralph Venning, Things Worth Thinking On; or Helps to Piety (London: Printed for Robert Duncombe, at the Golden Falcon in Cateaten street, over against St. Lawrence Church; and for John Handcock, at the end of Popes-head Alley next Corbil, 1665), 62.

239. The Sinner Speechless.

No man can give any reason why he should sin against God; if God should ask men, as he did the man that had  not on the wedding garment, Why camest thou hither without a wedding garment? So, why art thou proud? and thou wanton? and thou unclean? and thou covetous, and thou drunk, and why dost thou swear, &c.? Men would be as he, that is, speechless; they could give no reason, for indeed there is no reason to give. One may  say to sinners as Absolom said to Hushai, is this thy kindness to thy friend? Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? What iniquity have your fathers, may God say, or you found in me? What can you lay to my charge? Am not I a lovely and a loving God? Can any bid more for you than I? Can any do more for you than I? If you can speed better, and mend your market, go away and leave me; if not, why will ye spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which satisfieth not? If you can find no fault with me, why will you commit such a fault as to leave me? What cause have you to say, We will not come to thee? Is it a crime to feed you? Is it a crime to clothe you? Is it a crime to preserve you? Is it a crime to send my Son into the world to save you? Is it a crime to beseech and beg you (as for an almes) that you would be reconciled, and be happy? forgive me this wrong.

Ralph Venning, Canaan’s Flowings (London: Printed for John Rothwel, and are to be sold by Elisha Wallis, next to the three Kings in Pauls Church-yard, near Austins gate, 1654), 67–68.

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