A very scarce little Puritan work attempting, in a unique way, to help Christians understand and place themselves realistically on a schema of actual Christian maturity and discipleship.

Born in Devon around the year 1621, he early on found himself under the ministry of Puritan preacher, George Hughes, under whose diligent pastoral ministry he was converted Venning later acknowledged the debt he owed to Hughes, whose devotion of time and energy both to Venning’s conversion and early discipleship, led to him describing Hughes in affectionate terms as his spiritual "father."

Venning was ­admitted to Emmanuel College as a ‘sizar’ in April 1643, a category of student required him to carry out menial jobs around the college as payment of his fees. Despite these additional responsibilities, he also served as chaplain in the Tower of London, and found the time to write and publish two books and complete his BA and MA degrees before entering into the preaching ministry.

He ministered primarily in London, in fellowship with both Independent and Presbyterian preachers such as Joseph Caryl, John Owen, Richard Baxter and George Griffith. Indeed, London was a hub for godly preaching at that time. Venning, although known for his moderation and as one who avoided partisanship, was unequivocally committed to the goals of the Reformation and of the ‘Puritan revolution’, and served in a number of capacities during the Commonwealth period and under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. 

Refusing to conform to the 1662 Act of Uniformity, Venning was ejected from this post. In the years that followed, he served as co-pastor with Robert Bragge to a nonconformist congregation which met at the Pewterers’ Guild Hall in Lime Street. 

Venning, Ralph. Vennings's Remans, Or, Christ's School: Containing 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 Prefs Before his Death. London. Printed for John Hancock, Junior, and Senior. 1675. 384pp.

A good + copy, bound in leather with vellum spine overlay. Generally solid. Pages are generally bright, with light foxing, blank ffep lacking, and two words inked out. Interesting "Hall" family at the rear and period woodcut personal library label on the pastedown. Blank ffep lacking.