PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Whole Works of John Flavel — Volume 3
Flavel, John, 1630?-1691 · 303,410 words · 253 reading sections
Section 61
All that can be done for their relief, is by seasonable, judicious, and tender applications of spiritual remedies : And what can be done, ought to be done for them. What heart can hear a voice hke that of Job, '' Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye *' my friends ; for the hand of God hath touched me f and not me…
1,306 wordsSECTION 62Section 62
Firsts That fatal mistake in the practical understanding and judg- ment of men deserves a compassionate lamentation, as the cause and reason of their eternal miscarriage and ruin. They looked upon trifles as things of greatest necessity, and the most necessary things as mere trifles ; putting the greatest weight and va…
1,247 wordsSECTION 63Section 63
O think what it is to pass from all the pleasures and delights of this world into the torments and miseries of that world ; from a pleasant habitation into an infernal prison; from the depth of security to the extremity of desperation ; from the arms and bosoms of dearest friends and relations, to the society of damned…
1,287 wordsSECTION 64Section 64
in this phrase ; for it never was, nor ever uill be the lot of any man to be the sole owner and possessor of the whole world *. But suppose all the power, pleasure, wealth, and honour of the whole world were bid and offered in exchange for a man's soul ; what a dear purchase would it be at such a rate ! " What were thi…
1,337 wordsSECTION 65Section 65
There vou shall find a mind susceptive of all light, both natural and spiritual, shining as the candle of God in the inner man, closiuo" with truth, as the iron doth with the attractive loadstone ; a shop in which all arts and sciences are laboured and formed ; what are all the famous libraries and monuments of learnin…
1,260 wordsSECTION 66Section 66
!5uch a capacity hath every soul, even the meanest on earth, and such honour have all his saints : others may be, but they are be- trothed to Christ in this world, 2 Cor. xi. 2. ar.d shall be presented without spot before him in the world to come, Eph. v. 27. It is now a lovely and excellent creature in its naked, nat…
1,332 wordsSECTION 67Section 67
7. The contentions of both worlds, the strife of heaven and hell about the soul of man, speaks it a most precious and invaluable treasure. The soul of man is the prize about which heaven and hell con- tend : the great design of heaven is to save it, and all the plots of hell to ruin it. Man is a borderer betwixt both …
1,336 wordsSECTION 68Section 68
turally dro])ping and distilling it into that bowl, and the two pipes thereof to feed the lamps continually. Under this stately emblem vou have a lively representation of the spiritual gifts and graces dis- tilled by the Spirit into the ministers of the gospel for the use and benefit of the church, as you find not only…
1,307 wordsSECTION 69Section 69
(1.) In his tenderness over them in times of distress and danger; as a tender father will not leave his sick child in other hands, but sits up and watches by himself, and administers the cordials with his own hands ; even so the great God expresseth his care and ten- derness. Isa. Ivii. 15. " I dwell in the high and ho…
1,183 wordsSECTION 70Section 70
The very law of nature assigns the most honourable places and employments, to the most noble and excellent creatures, and the baser and inferior, to things of the lowest rank and quality. The sun, moon and stars are placed by this law in the heavens ; but the ignis fatu us, and the glow-worm in the fens and ditches. Pr…
1,346 wordsSECTION 71Section 71
day ; " What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, " and lose his own soul ? Or what shall a man give in exchange for " his soul ?" Certainly it would make men slacken their pace and cool themselves in their hot and earnest pursuit of the trifles of this world, and convince them, that they have somewhat …
1,191 wordsSECTION 72Section 72
" Unto you therefore that believe, he is precious,"' saith the apostle, 1 Pet. ii. 7. Though he be yet out of our sight, he should never be one whole hour together out of our hearts and thoughts. 1 Pet. i. 8. " Whom having not seen ye love ; whom though now " ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakab…
1,337 wordsSECTION 73Section 73
Inf. 6. Are souls so precious ? Then certainly the means and in- struments of their salvation micst he exceeding precious too, and the removal of them a sore judgment. The dignity of the subject gives value to the instruments employed about it. It is no ordinary mercy for souls to come into such a part of the world, a…
1,343 wordsSECTION 74Section 74
Alas ! what are all these things to the soul ? They signify some- what, indeed, to the body, and that but for a little time : for after the resurrection, the bodies of the saints become spiritual in quali- ties, and no more need these material things than the angels do : It is madness therefore, to be so intent upon ca…
1,144 wordsSECTION 75Section 75
And it is no small aggravation to this loss, that it was a wilful loss ; we had the offers, and means of salvation plentifully afforded us ; we were warned of this danger, over and over ; we were intreated, and bcseeched, npon the knee of importunity, not to throw away our souls, by an obstinate rejection of Christ, an…
923 wordsSECTION 76Section 76
Whose eyes the god of this world hath blmded.] Satan is here called the god of this world, not properly, but by a mimesis ; be- cause he challenges to himself the honour of a god, and hath a world of subjects that obey him ; and, to secure their obedience, he blinds them, that they may never see a better w^ay or state,…
1,151 wordsSECTION 77Section 77
Such families are nurseries for hell ; and though God, by an ex- traordinary hand of providence, now and then snatches a soul by conversion from among them, as a brand out of the fire ; yet ge- nerally, they die as they live, going " to the generation of their fa- " thers, where they shall never see light,'' Psal. xlix…
1,131 wordsSECTION 78Section 78
3. Let this consideration work upon the hearts, and bowels of all serious Christians, to pity, and help those that are like to perish under this temptation ; and if their parents be so ignorant, that they cannot, or so negligent, that they do not instruct and warn their own children ; you that at any time have an oppor…
1,322 wordsSECTION 79Section 79
2. You that are so grossly ignorant in the matter of your salva- tion, are many of you very knowing, prudent, and subtle persons in the affairs of the world. Luke xvi. 8. " The children of this " world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." Had those parts which you have, been improved and heightene…
1,290 wordsSECTION 80Section 80
Add to this. That as one sinner confirms and fixes another, wedging in each other, as men in a crowd *, who must move as it moves ; so they make it their business to render all that differ from them odious and ridiculous : So the apostle notes their practice and Satan's policy in it, 1 Pet. iv. 4. wherein they think it…
970 wordsSECTION 81Section 81
IV. Multitudes of souls are daily lost by rooted habits, and long- continued custom in sin. When men have been long settled in an evil way, they are difficultly reclaimed : Physicians find it hard to cure a cachexy, or ill habit of body ; but it is far more difficult to cure an ill custom and habit in sin. Jer. xiii. 2…
1,324 wordsSECTION 82Section 82
Some customary sins have little, or no pleasure in them ; as swearing, malice, S^c. but others allure, and entice the soul by the sensual delight that is in them : this is the bait with which multitudes are enticed, ensnared, and ruined to all eternity. It is a true and grave observation of the philosopher -(•, " That …
1,242 wordsSECTION 83Section 83
trading cares of this world which eat up' all their time, thoughts, and studies ; so that there is no room for Christ, or one serious hour about salvation. It is too true an observation which Sir Walter Raleigh makes upon the common mechanics and poor Isu- bourers, their bodies are the anvils of pain, and their souls t…
1,205 wordsSECTION 84Section 84
4. Say not you have no time to mind another world : God hath not put any of you under such an unhappy necessity; you have one whole day every week, allowed you by God and man, for your souls; you have some spare time every day, which you know you spend worse than in heavenly thoughts and exercises ; yea, most callings …
1,196 wordsSECTION 85Section 85
2. If you knew the weight and difficulty of salvation work, you would never think you could begin too soon. Religion is a busi- ness which will take up all your time ; many have repented they beoan so late, none that they began so soon *. Say not, the penU tent thzef found mercy at the last hour, for his conversion was…
1,315 wordsSECTION 86Section 86
lives, arc of the same complexion with tliese men's words : they do not heartily assent to the truth of the gospel which they hear, and though bare assent would not save them, yet their assent, or non- assent, will certainly damn them, except the Lord heal their under- standings and hearts, by the light and life of rel…
1,217 wordsSECTION 87Section 87
5. Satan, who undermines your assent to these things, is forced to give his own : he that tempts you to look on them as fables, liimself knows and is convinced that they are realities ; " The de- " vils also believe and tremble," James ii. 19. they know and feel the truth of these things, though it be their great desig…
1,154 wordsSECTION 88Section 88
2. As far as you are gone in a course of profaneness, you are not yet gone beyond the reach of mercy and all hopes of salvation, if now at last, after all your debaucheries and profaneness, the Lord touch your hearts mth the sense of your sinful and miserable state, and turn your feet to his testimonies. When the apost…
1,223 wordsSECTION 89Section 89
" drunk." O professors ! where are your bowels to the poor souk of sinners ? If your neighbour's ox or ass fall into the pit, you are bound to deliver him, if you can ; and will you not do as much for a precious soul, as you would do for a beast ? Nay, you dig pits, by your scandalous lives, to destroy them. If you sin…
1,232 wordsSECTION 90Section 90
FourtJdij, And as senseless a thing it is to condemn all, for the miscarriages and faults of some ; which, yet, is the common prac- tice of the world. Are all that profess godliness loose and care- less ? No ; many are an ornament to their holy profession, and the glory of Christianity, and why must the innocent be con…
1,207 wordsSECTION 91Section 91
XII. The twelfth way to hell, in which many souls are carried on smoothly, and securely, to their own destruction, is, the way of mere civility and moral honesty, wherein men rest as in a safe state, never doubting but a civil life will produce an issue into an happy death. Moral honesty \?, a lovely thing, and greatly…
1,167 wordsSECTION 92Section 92
order and tranquillity of the world : but yet it is certain, that the eyes of thousands are so dazzled with the lustre of their own mora- lity, that they see no need of Christ, nor feel any want of his righ- teousness, and this is the ruin of their souls. Thus Christ brings in the Pharisee with his proud boast, that he…
1,324 wordsSECTION 93Section 93
Sin doth not destroy the being of the soul by annihilation, but it doth that which the damned shall find, and acknowledge to be much worse ; it cuts off the soul from God, and deprives it of all its felicity, joy, and pleasure, which consists in the enjoyment of him. Such is the dolefulness and fearfulness of this resu…
1,007 wordsSECTION 94Section 94
'Ry gate understand whatsoever is introductive to blessedness and salvation ; by the epithet strait^ understand the difficulties and se- verities attending religion ; all that suffering and self-denial, which those that are bound for heaven should reckon upon, and expect : and by strivings understand the diligent and c…
1,321 wordsSECTION 95Section 95
1. More generally, Not asfools^ hut as wise. S. More particularly. Redeeming the time. 3. The exhortation strongly inforced with a powerful motive. Because the days are evil. Among these particulars, my discourse is principally concerned about the redemption of time, or opportunities, which in this life are gracious…
1,119 wordsSECTION 96Section 96
There is a season, when by the fresh impression of some ordi- nance or providence of God, men's hearts are awakened, and their affections stirred. It is now with the souls of men as it is with fruit trees in the spring, when they put forth blossoms ; if they knit and set, fruit follows, if they be nipt and blasted, no …
1,204 wordsSECTION 97Section 97
But certainly, it is the most solemn and important concern of every soul to watch upon all these seasons of salvation, when God comes nigh to them by convictions and motions of his Spirit ; and to put the same value upon these things that they do upon their souls, and the salvation of them. This is the door of hope set…
1,308 wordsSECTION 98Section 98
Jrg. 4. The infinite importance and weight of salvation, is alone, instead of all motives and arguments, to make men prize and im- prove every proper season for it. It is no ordinary concern, it is your life, yea, it is your eternal life ; the solemnity and awfulness of such a business as this is enough to swallow up t…
1,261 wordsSECTION 99Section 99
convincing voice of the word, have the efficacy of an awakening voice to men's drowsy consciences ; and if careless sinners would but attend to them, and follow home those motions they make upon their hearts, who knows to what these weak beginnings might rise and prosper ? The souls of men are, as it were, embarked in …
1,291 wordsSECTION 100Section 100
9. You cannot but observe the obedience and diligence of many others, how seriously, painfully, and assiduously they ply, and follow on the work of their own salvation, and yet are no more concerned in the events and consequences of these things than you are. Doth it not trouble you when you compare vourselves with the…
1,305 wordsSECTION 101Section 101
With design to promote this blessed frame, in my own and others hearts in these frightful times, I meditated, and now publish this small tract, to which a dear friend (from whom I have often had the fair idea and character of your excellent spirit) hath occasioned the prefixing of your worthy name ; I beg pardon for su…
1,302 wordsSECTION 102Section 102
But, on the contrary, see that thou and all the faithful in the land with thee, do sanctify me in your hearts, and make me your fear and your dread, i. e. rely upon me by faith in this day of trou- ble, and see that you give me the glory of my wisdom, povver, and faithfulness, by relying entirely upon those my attribut…
1,206 wordsSECTION 103Section 103
This fear creates great trouble and perturbation in the mind, 1 John iv. 18. Fear hath torment; in proportion to the danger, is the fear ; and in proportion to the fear, the trouble and distrac- tion of the mind : if the fear be exceeding great, reason is displaced^ and can conduct us no farther, as the Psalmist speaks…
1,240 wordsSECTION 104Section 104
Thus stood the case : Sennacherib v/ith a mighty host was ready to invade them ; this puts them into a fright ; in this distress God assures them, by the mouth of his prophet, that in " returning and " rest they should be saved, in quietness and confidence should be " their strength.'"* The meaning is, never perplex yo…
1,232 wordsSECTION 105Section 105
And, as one creature is apt inordinately and sinfully thus to trust and lean upon another, so there is as gi'eat a profaneness in the creatures inordinately to fear and dread each other, as if the crea- ture feared were rather a god than a man, rather a spirit than flesh ; and thus our fear magnifies and exalts the cre…
1,355 wordsSECTION 106Section 106
3. This respect to the eye of God inclines them to perform and do whatsoever pleaseth him, and is commanded by him : Hence, fear- ing God, and workijig righteousness, are connected and linked A PRACTICAL TREATISK OV FEAR. ^5 together, Acts x. 35. If we truly fear God, we dare not but do tlie thino's he commands ; and…
1,031 wordsSECTION 107Section 107
1. By making it his scourge to punish his enemies. If men will not fear God, they shall fear men ; yea, they shall be made a terror to themselves. And indeed it is a dreadful punishment for God to deliver a man up into the hands of his own fears. I think there is scarce a greater torment to be found in the world than f…
1,292 wordsSECTION 108Section 108
2. Another excellent use of this fear is, to preserve the purity and peace of our consciences, by preventing grief and guilt therein, Prov. xvi. 6. " The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil." See how it kept Joseph, Gen. xxxix. 9. and Nehemiah, chap. v. 15. And this benefit is invaluable, especially in a day of out…
1,325 wordsSECTION 109Section 109
2. The outlets and escapes from them. There is a vast odd? betwixt the outward appearance and face of trouble, and the inside of it ; it is a lion to the eye at a distance, but open it, and there is honey in its belly. Paul and Silas met that in a prison which made them to sing at mid-night, and so have many more sinc…
1,254 wordsSECTION 110Section 110
3. If a guilty conscience hath nothing to aggravate and magnify, nor any doubtful matter to interpret in a frightful sense, it can, and often doth create fears and terrors out of nothing at all : the rules of fear are not like the rules in arithmetic, where many nothings make nothing, but fear can make something out of…
1,240 wordsSECTION 111Section 111
3. Unbelief makes men negligent and careless in providing for troubles before they come, and so brings them by way of surprise upon them : and the more surprising any evil is, the more fright- ful it is always found to be : we cannot think that Noah was so affrighted at the flood, when it began to swell above all the h…
1,269 wordsSECTION 112Section 112
1. We are apt to consider, that as the same race and kind of men that committed these outrages upon our brethren, are still in being, and that their rage and malice is not abated in the least de- gree, but is as fierce and cruel as ever it was. Gal. iv. 29. " As " then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him th…
1,311 wordsSECTION 113Section 113
2. Life being naturally the dearest interest of men in this world, the richest treasure, and most beloved thing on earth, to a natural man ; that which strikes at, and endangers life, must, in his eyes, be the greatest evil that can befal him ; on this account death be- comes terrible to men ; yea, as Job calls it, the…
1,283 wordsSECTION 114Section 114
Straits, cares, and fears must unavoidably distract those in such times that were most clogged and incumbered with families and relations ; when a man should be thinking, O, what shall I do now to get my doubts and fears resolved about my interest in Christ ? How may I so behave mvself in my sufferings as to credit rel…
1,199 wordsSECTION 115Section 115
Effect 3. Slavish fears of the creature exceedingly strengthen our temptations in times of danger, and make them very efficaci- ous and prevalent upon us, Prov. xxix. 25. The f ear of man brings a snare. Satan spreads the net, but we are not within its reach, till our own fears drive us unto it ; the recoiling of our s…
1,301 wordsSECTION 116Section 116
And this was the spirit of courage and magnanimity with which the generality of the primitive Christians were animated; they feared not the faces of tyrants, they shrunk not from the most cruel tor- ments : and it redounded not a little to the credit of Christianity, when one of Julian's nobles, present at the tormenti…
1,304 wordsSECTION 117Section 117
the terrors of death are great, the consolations of the Almighty are small. In the written word are found all sorts of refreshing, strengthen- ing and heart-reviving promises prepared by the wisdom and care of God for our relief in the days of darkness and trouble ; promises of support under the heaviest burdens and p…
1,324 wordsSECTION 118Section 118
3 Caution. Whosoever expects the benefit of the following pre- scriptions and rules, must not think the reading, or bare remember- ing of them will do the work, but he must work them into his heart by believing and fixed meditation, and live in the daily prac- tice of them. It is not our opening of our case to a physic…
1,347 wordsSECTION 119Section 119
4. Or are you afraid what the church shall do ? And what will become of the ark of God ? Do you see a storm gathering, winds begin to roar, the waves to swell ; and are you afraid what will become of that vessel the church, in which you have so great an interest ? It is an argument of the pubhcness and excellency of t…
1,310 wordsSECTION 120Section 120
In our dreadful Marian days, Sir John Cheek, who had been tutor to King Edward VI. was cast into the tower, and kept close prisoner, and there put to this miserable choice, eithe?' to forego his life, or that zvhich was mm'e precious, his Uh er It/ of conscience ; nei- ther could his liberty be procured by his great fr…
1,170 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition from Internet Archive OCR; OCR may contain recognition errors. Included as historical Christian writing, not Scripture.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.