PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Whole Works of John Flavel — Volume 6
Flavel, John, 1630?-1691 · 329,010 words · 268 reading sections
Section 1
PBIHCETON .HtC»0GTlblo2 THSGL06I€&L BX 8915 .F58 1820 v. 6 Flavel, John, 16307-1691 The whole works of John Flavel ^. .^^-i^^:^;:^^^^:?'^ REV. MR. JOHN FLAVEL, LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL AT DARTMOUTH, DEVON. AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL MATTERS CONTAINED IN THE WHOLE. PRINTED FOR W. BAYNES AND SON, 23…
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Firsts That divine precept, not providence, is to rule out our way of duty. Secondly^ That no hindrances or discouragements whatsoever will justify our neglect of a known duty. All these rubs he passes over ; all these discouragements he over- came, with this heroic and truly Christian resolution in the text ; " What…
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liavpoeen trod under foot as dung on the earth. 1 Cor. iv. 11, 12f, jr. "Unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are •' naked, and buffetted, and have no certain dwelling-place, and la- " hour working with our hands ; being reviled we bless, being per- '• secuted we suffer it, being defamed we intreat ; w…
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por^, and of his wisdom, in the marvellous ways of their escape and (Liiverance. It is one of the greatest wonders in the world, how the church subsists under such fierce and frequent assaults as are made upon it by enemies. " I will turn aside (said Moses) and see this " great sight, why the bush is not consumed," Exo…
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And when the storm was just ready to fall,* their own historian tells us, a voice was heard in the temple, saying, Migremus hinc. Let us go hence. 'Which voice f Tacitus also mentions in his * annals, affirming it to be more than a human voice, telling them * God was departing, and that it was accompanied with a rush…
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Fifthly, The removal of godly and useful men by death, in more than ordinary haste, was to them a sign of desolation at hand. Isa. Ivii. 1. " The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; " and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righ- " teous is taken away from the evil to come." In this c…
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First, Readiness for sufferings will bring the heart of a Christian to an holy rest and tranquillity, in a suffering hour, and prevent that anxiety, perturbation, and distraction of mind, which puts the sink- ing weight into afflictions. The more cares, fears, and troubles we have before our sufferings come, the more c…
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an house, and lay a large foundation, when he is not provided with a stock to carry up the walls, and complete the work : no man, in his wits would engage with a handful of men, against a great and armed multitude ; possihly they may intend tojace, but no man would think they intend to ,/ight the enemy, on such a disad…
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selves for it, and putting on your harness to enter the lists, carry your dearest enjoyments in your hands, and put on the shoe of preparation, to follow the Lord through the roughest ways of sufferings ; this would convince to purpose, and preach the excellency of Christ, the vanity of the creature, the rationality an…
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It is trae, that our abihty to stand is not from our own inherent grace ; " For by his strength sliall no man prevail,"" 1 Sam. ii. 9. And yet it is as true, that without grace, both inherent in us, and excited and prepared for a storm, we cannot expect to stand ; For these two, grace inherent in us, and grace exciting…
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Surely, in this case, thou hast many grounds of comfort that an- other wants; for thy sin being but an infirmity, (1.) It is that which is common to all saints, Psal. ciii. 11, 12, 13, 14. (2.) God hath mercy and pardons for such sins as these, else woe to the holiest soul, Psal. cxxx. 3, 4. Solomon, upcm this ground, …
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2. And then in the next place, it is as evident that a man can ne- ver be fit to suffer hard things for Christ until his spirit be enlarged raised, and ennobled, so that he bo able to despise dangers, and look all difficulties in the face. That low and pri-vate spirit must be re- moved, and apuhlic spirit must possess …
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and difficulties. As long as a man is hesitating and unresolved what to do, whether to go forward, or return back again to the prosperous^ world, when a man is at such a pause^ and stand in his way, he is very unfit for sufferings. All such divisions do both zi^eal-en the soul, and strengthen the temptation : The devil…
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tiire and experience, 2 Cor. v. 17. " Old things are past away, be- *' hold all things are become new ;'"' and it is so sensible a change, that it is called a turning from darkness to lights Acts xxvi. 18. and a new creature formed and brought forth. But to be a little more distinct and particular, there are several ot…
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3. We say that this real change passes upon the whole man : he is changed in sonl^ body, and pi'actice: all things are become new. (1.) This change appears in his soul : For by it, (1.) His understanding is strangely altered, and receive things in another way than formerly. It did look at Christ and things eternal as u…
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1. If God call a man to any duty, there is o. principle within, closing with the command without, and moving the soul freely and spon- taneously to duty, Psal. xxvii. 8. If God say. Seek my face, such an heart echoes to the call. Thy face. Lord, will I seek : And this is it which is called. The writing of God's law in …
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4. Both in the continuation and removal of it the Spirit acts arbU trarily. No man can say how long he shall walk in this pleasant light, Psal. xxx. 7. " By thy favour thou hast made my mountain stand *' strong, thou hidest thy face, and I v/as troubled." And when in darkness, none can say how long it will be ere that …
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4. And, lastly, It is of special use to a Christian under sufferings, inasmuch as it enables him to repel the temptations that attend upon sufferings. Nothing sets a keener edge upon his indignation against unworthy compliances, than this. Indeed a poor cloudy and dubious Christian will be apt to catcli at deliverance,…
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Discovering the necessity of an improved faith for the right manage- ment of sufferings, and directing to some special means for the improvement thereof. A HE next thing conducing to our actual readiness for sufferings, is the improvement of faith to some considerable degree of strengths 42 PllEPAEATIOXS FOR SUFFERIN…
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3. By foreseeing the end and final removal of them, and that near at hand, 2 Cor. iv. 17. That which daunts and amazes men in times of trouble is, that they can see no end of them. Hence the heart faints, aifld hands hang down through discouragement : But now faith brings the joyful tidings of the end of troubles ; and…
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6. Keep catalogues of all your remarkable experiences ; treasure them up as food to your faith in time to come : Oh ! it is a singular encouragement and heartening to faith, when it can turn over the records of God's dealing with you in years past, and say as Joshua, Not one thing hath failed^ Joshua xxiii. 14. When it…
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3. Your own peace is wrapt up in it, as well as God's glory. Is it nothing, think you, to be freed from those vultures and harpies that feed upon the hearts of men at such times ? Surely God reckons, that he promiseth a very great mercy to his people Avhen he promi- seth it. Prov. i. ult. Psal. cxii. 7. When Borromaeus…
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6. Rule. Get an high estimation of Jesus Christ, and all his concern- ments. They that value him highest, will adventure for \\\m farthest Magnanimous Luther, how inestimable a value did he set upon the truths of Christ ! Ruat cwlum, <SfC. Let heaven rush rather than a crumb of truth should perish. Thou wilt never be a…
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V^ork being some of the Christian's hardest labour and exercise, he cannot be fitted lor it, until his soul be in an healthful state : a sickly man cannot carry heavy burdens, or endure hard labours and exercises: the sick soldier is left behind in his quarters, or put into the hospital, ■whilst his fellows are dividin…
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Fourthly^ Study and contemplate Christ and the things above more: this would veil all its glory, and kill it at the root, Phil. iii. 18, 19. Just as a man that hath been gazing upon the sun, when he takes off his eye from that bright and glorious creature^ and looks to the earth, there is a veil of darkness overspreadi…
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3. Thougli a prisonlooks sad and dismal, yet it is not hell: OK bless God for that, that is a sad prison indeed ! Beloved, men have their jirisons, and God hath his : God's prison is a terrible jjrison indeed, thousands are now there in chains, 1 Pet. iii. 19- and there you deserved to have been sent long ago : If God …
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2. He that is well acquainted with Satan's methods of tempting, will not only discern it sooner than another; but also knows his work and duty, and how to manage the conflict with it, which is a great matter. There are many poor souls that labour under strong temptations, and know not what to do : They go up and down c…
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6. In falling most violently upon them, when they are lowest and most prostrate in their spirits and comforts: So heassaulted Job witha temptation, to curse God mid die, when he sat in that deplorable state upon the dunghill, Job ii. 8, 9. He loves to fall upon us, as Simeon and Levi did upon the Shechemites, when we a…
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9. Rule. Dwell upon the consideration of those choice encourage^ ments God hath laid up in the world for such a time. As, (1.) Though he give Satan leave to tempt you, yet you are still in his hand to preserve you, Deut. xxxiii. S. John x. 28. (2.) That whilst Sa- tan is sifting and trying you on earth, Christ is inter…
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3. He stirreth up suitable affections in prayer, Rom. viii. 26. And hence those groans and tears, those gaspings and vehement anhe- lation. But notwithstanding all our abilities, both habitual and ac- tual, be from the Spirit, and not from ourselves, yet are they capable of improvement by us : For though in respect of …
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Consid. 9j. It is the great design of God In tlie gospel to exalt his Son, and to have all glory attributed and ascribed to him, " That in " all things he might have the pre-eminence," Col. i. 18. That Christ " might be all in all," Col. iii. 11. Hence no saint must have a self-sufficiency, or be trusted with a stock a…
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(3.) It lies in * looking off from your own grace whenever you are put upon the acting of it, (I mean in regard of any dependence upon it) and looking by an eye of faith for acceptation to Christ, Heb. xii. 2. To the putting forth of which act of dependance upon Christ, holy ejaculations in our own on-sets upon duty, o…
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And are there not many such to be found in every place ? For, (1.) How difficult is it to persuade many of you to any duty that hath loss or hazard attending on it ? Doth not the sincere heart stand inclinable and disposed to all the known will of God.? Psalm cxix. 6. Do Christians use to enquire more what is cheap, ea…
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it is occasioned (where it flows not from the natural constitution) from an excessive love to the world, or some guilt upon the spirit. Itis true, the Lord can so assist weak faith, and so subdue strongfears, as that you may be enabled to stand the shock when it comes : (For, as I noted formerly, our strength lies not …
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constancy and perseverance very much upon our forecasting the worst that may fall out, Luke xiv. 28. "^Put on the whole armour of God, " that ye may be able to stand," Eph. vi. He that hath first severed Christ in his thoughts from all worldly advantages, and puts the case thus to his own soul, O my soul, canst thou em…
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■Containing the last use of the point, by way of support and comfort to poor tremhling souls, who do take pains to make themselves ready for sufferings ; hut yet finding such strength in Satan''s temptations, and their own corruptions, fear that all their labour is vain, and that they shall faint, and utterly apostatiz…
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Obj. 2. But the Lord seems to be departed from my soul ; God is afar off from me, and troubles are near. I seem to be in such a case as Saul was when the Philistines made war upon him, and God was departed from him ; and therefore I shall fall. Sol. Not so ; for there are two sorts of Divine desertions ; the one is ab…
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Heavy pressures call for strong support, and fainting seasons for rich cordials. Your burden is indeed heavy : yet I must say it is much our own fault our burdens are so heavy as we feel them to be ; for according to the measure of our delight in, and expectation from the creature, is our sorrow and disappointment when…
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The principal efficient cause of this excellent passage, is here like- wise noted, and all to commend it the more to our special observation and acceptance : " The Spirit of God spake by me, and his word was " ill my tongue.'' This stamps my text expressly with divine au- thority. The Spirit of God spake by David, he w…
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nor that he should be born of a virgin, till Isaiali ; nor in what town^ till Micah. The first revelation of tliis covenant with David, was by Nathan the prophet ; 2 Sam. vii. 12, 13, 14. afterwards enlarged and confirmed, Psal. Ixxxix. By it he knew much of Christ, and wrote much of him. He spake o^\\is person, Psalm …
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Even David''s house was the house of mourning ; " Although my " house be not so with God, though he make it not to grow." All sorts of outward afflictions are incident to all sorts of men, " All " things (saith Solomon) come alike to all : There is one event to " the righteous, and to the wicked ; to the clean, and unc…
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1. From the sinking weight that is in affliction, especially in some sorts of afflictions : they are heavy pressures, ponderous burdens in themselves. So Job speaks, " O that my grief were tlioroughly *' weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together ! For now ^' it would be heavier than the sand of the sea, th…
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II. It must be able to do so at all times. III. It must be capable of a good personal security to us. For if it only divert our troubles, (as creature-comforts use to do,) and do not remove the ground and cause of our trouble, it is but an anodyne, not a cnre or remedy. And if it can remove the very ground and cause …
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And this covenant-pardon is as firm, as it is/ree and full. So run the expressions in the grant, I icill 7'ememher their sin no more: Or m * Where is now thy threats ? See there thy fury laid. Ovid. t n^D //.£&/; i60[Ma.i, It respects the propitiatory expiation of sin by Christ, i\Ijo is therefore called i(X.(SliQi, …
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Arg. III. The covenant doth not only alter the nature and property of the saints afflictions, but it also orderly disposes^ and aptly places them in the frame of providence, among the other means and instru- ments of our salvation ; so that a council of angels could never place them, or the least circumstance belonging…
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1. Internally, by the Spirit of grace dwelling and acting in them^ this is a choice privilege to them in the day of affliction : for hereby they are instructed and taught the meaning of the rod, Psal. xciv, 12. " Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, and teachest him *' out of thy law." O it is a blessed thing to be…
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There the loving-kindness of God is secured to their souls, what- ever afflictions he lays upon their bodies, " Nevertheless my loving- '' kindness will I not take away,'' Psal. Ixxxix. 33. And their par- don is as safe as the favour of God is ; it is safely locked up in that promise, " I will remember their sins no mo…
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What a rare model or platform of consolatory arguments hatli the apostle laid down to antidote our immoderate sorrows, for the death of our dear relatives which died interested in Christ and the covenant ! 1 Thes. iv. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. "I would not have you igno- ^•' rant, brethren, concerning them which are asle…
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1. The unchangeable purpose of God, which is a sure and stead- fast foundation, 2 Tim. iii. ^9. " Nevertheless, the foundation of " God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that '' are his." The first act of God's love to the creature, is that by which he chooseth such a one to be his, and is therefor…
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I know many Christians droop and are dejected under the rod, not- withstanding such sovereign cordials are prepared for them in the covenant ; but this is not for want of efficacy in the covenant, but for want of faith to clear their interest, and draw forth the virtue of it to their relief Some are ignorant of their p…
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Unrelieved miseries are the most intolerable miseries. To be over- weighed with troubles on earth, and want support and comfort from heaven, is a dismal state indeed ; yet this is the case of multitudes in the world. If abehever be in trouble, his God bears his burden for him, yea, he bears up him and his burden too ; …
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l3esi(le, the sooner he died, the less sin he hath committed, and the less misery he saw and felt in this wretched world, which we are left to behold and feel. And it is but a vanity to imagine that the parting pull with him would have been easier, if the enjoyment of him had been longer : For the long enjoyment of des…
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It is as easy to melt the obdurate rocks into sweet syrup, as it is to melt the natural heart into a penitential and tender melting for sin ; but now there is a principle or habit of tenderness implanted in the soul, whereby it is disposed and inclined to relent and thaw ingenu- ously upon any just occasion. Thirdly y…
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Look, as when the Israelites came near the land of promise, there was a swelling Jordan betwixt it and them, which seemed to forbid their farther passage and progress; but is is said. Josh. iii. 17. '' The priests that bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, stood *' firm on the ground in the midst of Jordan ; and al…
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2. Consider it. Intensively, as to the degree of the sorrow, it was a bitter lamentation : so pungent, intense, and deep, that the mourning of the Jews for Christ, at the time of their conversion to him, is compared to this mourning for Josiah, Zech. xii. 11. " In that day <' there shall be a great mourning in Jerusale…
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2 Reason. Secondly^ The death of the saints deserves a bitter lamen- tation, because thereby a breach is made, a gap opened, to let in the judgments of God upon the remnant that is left. It is said of Moses, Psal. cvi. 23. " Therefore he said, that he would destroy them, had '' not Moses his chosen stood before him in …
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2. It reproves the insensibleness of good men, who are apt too slightly to pass over such tremendous strokes of God : For this it was that God reproved his own people, Isa. Ivii. 1. No man layeth it to heart. Where the want of affection is charged upon the want of consideration, none considering their worth, their use,…
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His house was seldom without a godly minister in it ; and loth he was to cat his pleasant morsels alone. It was the joy of his heart to see his house filled on this account : How many witnesses to the truth of this are here this day ! Like another Joseph, he provided food for your souls; he loved, honoured, received, a…
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1. Learn froin hence the vanity of the creature, the emptiness, and nothingness of the best things here below. How hath God made your best comforts on earth to shrink up and vanish into nothing f How do your fancies varnish and gild over these empty bubbles ? What great expectations are we apt to raise from them ? How …
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4. We may submissively pray for the removal of his hand from us, and entreat, that his anger may cease, and that he will turn again and heal us and our families, and not draw forth his anger for ever. So did David, Psal. xxxix. 10. " Remove thy stroke awav from me ; " I am consumed by the blow of thine hand ;'"* q. d. …
1,324 wordsSource & rights
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.