John Flavel

Mystery of Providence, by John Flavel, presents the Puritan perspective on the God's providence in practical terms. The book is really a lengthy meditation and application of Psalm 52:7. which says "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." From this text, Flavel derives his "doctrine" (falling in line with typical Puritan sermon-structure): "It is the duty of the saints, especially in times of straits, to reflect upon the performances of Providence for them in all the states and through all the stages of their lives." This theme is then unfolded in in a three-part treatise, covering (1) The Evidence of Providence, in which Flavel seeks to prove and demonstrate the reality of God's Providential care over the lives of believers by looking at such things as birth, upbringing, conversion, employment, family affairs, preservation from evil, and sanctification; (2) Meditation on the Providence of God, where the author shows that it is our duty to meditate on Providence, directs in how to do this, and then covers ten advantage to gained from this practice; and (3) Application of the Doctrine of Providence, in which the practical implications of the doctrine are considered and the problems and questions arising in people's minds are answered. Though not as witty and colorful as Thomas Brooks, as practical as Thomas Manton, as astute as Stephen Charnock, or as experiential as John Owen, Flavel's book does have many merits. Flavel himself lived a difficult life in which he knew firsthand how to rely on God's sovereignty in his life, and his work cultivates a greater awareness of God's mercy, trust in God's wisdom, and resignation to God's will day by day.

"The Method of Grace," which was first published by the Puritan John Flavel in the late 1600's, has "...taught thousands how to commit the keeping of their souls to Christ." This Puritan classic is one of many transforming Reformation classics that brought Christians out of the Dark Ages and into the light. The early Puritan preachers of England did not write and preach from ivory towers. The Act of Uniformity of 1662 declared the public ministry of all non-conformist preachers illegal, but hundreds continued faithfully, preaching under the pressure of persecution and possible arrest. One of this courageous band was John Flavel, who from the crucible of hardship, wrote for the heart as well as the mind. In The Method of Grace, Flavel thoroughly outlines the work of God's Spirit in applying the redemptive work of Christ to the believer. Readers will search their hearts and find their faith challenged and enriched. In the true puritan tradition, a clearly defined theology is delivered with evangelic fervor, by an author urgently concerned about the eternal destiny of the human soul.

This is John Flavel’s classic work on union and fellowship with God. In a comprehensive and helpful manner Flavel helps us understand better what ‘keeping the heart’ means. He tells us why we should take this commission seriously and speaks about there being particular times when we need to be especially wary of being distracted from our goal. He then shows how we can go on to develop a greater ability in keeping our hearts in tune with God. His advice is timeless, sensitive and profound. Flavel was an English Puritan who became a non–conformist after the ‘Great Ejection’ of 1662. It was 10 years before he was licenced to preach again, and then only in his own home. His writings, when collected in the 19th century, filled 6 volumes. Flavel’s writings are known for their practical nature. He was instrumental in promoting the ‘Happy Union’ of Presbyterians and Congregationalists.

How will you triumph when your heart is left trembling? To some degree, everyone experiences fear. It impacts the decisions we make and leaves us feeling helpless. John Flavel begins this book by examining various fears and discussing general ways God governs it in this world. He then turns to sinful fear in particular, explaining its causes and disastrous effects. His longest chapter discusses rules for dealing with sinful fear, showing how a proper fear of God is the ultimate remedy for all other fears. This practical book will help you avoid making excuses for sinful fear and encourage you to trust in Christ's commitment to settle His people's feeble and trembling hearts. Table of Contents: 1. Introduction 2. Types of Fear 3. Uses of Fear 4. Causes of Sinful Fear 5. Effects of Sinful Fear 6. Remedies for Sinful Fear Objections Answered Series Description Interest in the Puritans continues to grow, but many people find reading these giants of the faith a bit unnerving. This series seeks to overcome that barrier by presenting Puritan books that are convenient in size and unintimidating in length. Each book is carefully edited with modern readers in mind, smoothing out difficult language of a bygone era while retaining the meaning of the original authors. Books for the series are thoughtfully selected to provide some of the best counsel on important subjects that people continue to wrestle with today.