In John Flavel’s Mystery of Providence he makes mention of a man named Pareus. Apparently Pareus had been apprenticed, by his mother, to be a pharmacist (apothecary). God, however, had contrary plans. Pareus ended up being a marevelous teacher during the Reformation period. He was irenic in nature and sought to bring reconciliation to the Lutherans and the Calvinists of his day. More information is given here:
Borrowed Light: Today in Blogworld 02/11
Alvin Reid has some insights on Students and Student Ministry.
Phil Johnson asks, and attempts to answer, a much debated question: How Can we be Held Responsible for our Inability? In the conclusion he states, “our inability is no excuse for our sinfulness. It is precisely the opposite. It is the very reason we are condemned. Sin flows from the very core of our souls. The heart of who we are is evil.” Go there and find out how he got to that conclusion.
Dr. Mohler has a wonderful article for prospective preachers. He helps us asks, “Has God Called Me to Preach“. Important to this consideration will be Mohler’s statement here: “One key issue here is a common misunderstanding about the will of God. Some models of evangelical piety imply that God’s will is something difficult for us to accept. We sometimes confuse this further by talking about “surrendering” to the will of God. As Paul makes clear in Romans 12:2, the will of God is good, worthy of eager acceptance, and perfect. Those called by God to preach will be given a desire to preach as well as the gifts of preaching. Beyond this, the God-called preacher will feel the same compulsion as the great Apostle, who said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
David Powlison gives excellent advice in counseling others. “Don’t ever degenerate into giving good advice unconnected with the good news of Jesus crucified, alive, present, at work, and returning.” (HT: Of First Importance)
Justin Buzzard reminds us to put the gospel in everday conversations.
Bob Kauflin the Soveriegn Grace Worship Director, enters the conversation begun by Greg Gilbert on the place of music in worship today. He has great insight to add to the conversation.
The Remarkable Story of Mrs. Honeywood
In Flavel’s The Mystery of Providence he tells the story of Mrs. Honeywood. Flavel tells it as if she immediately snapped out of her state of depression. Thomas Fuller in his Worthies of England has a little different take, that can be read here. She was, according to Fuller, brought out of her state of depression at a later date. During the tryannical reign of Queen Mary, Mrs. Honeywood labored to visit the Christian prisoners and bring them comfort in their affliction. But it was not only prisoners that she helped. It appears that her story was also used by God to shed a hint of comfort to one William Cowper:
The Works of William Cowper By William Cowper, Homer, Giovanni Battista Andreini
The Mystery of Providence Chapter 3
In this chapter Flavel is going to remind us of that most glorious work of providence, the “ordering the occasions, instruments, and means of conversion of the people of God”. Flavel only has two major points in this chapter, but they are profound.
The first point that Flavel endeavors to make is to cause us to consider “The wonderful strangeness and accountableness of this work of Providence in casting us into the way and ordering the occasions, yea, the minutest circumstances about this work”. Flavel then tells numerous stories of strange conversions. From scraps of paper, to old men, to books, to marriage, to hearing scattered preaching, all are means by which God uses to bring about conversion. Even such things as prison and persecution cannot thwart the plan of God. We are exposed to wonderful stories of providence; some from Scripture others from the workings of God since the canon was closes. Even men that go to hear a sermon in jest fall under the workings of God. After hearing story upon story we are awestruck with the mighty workings of God. Doubtless, we will remember our own circumstances.
The second point that Flavel endeavors to make is to remind us that this same working of Providence that “orders very strange occassions to arouse souls at first, so it works no less wonderfully in carrying on the work of perfection”. God does this, Flavel says, “by quickening and reviving dying convictions and troubles for sin.” He also does this, “by ordering, supporting, relieving and cheering means, to prop up and comfort the soul when it is over-burdened and ready to sink in the depths of troubles.”
Discussion:
One of the things that I especially appreciated about Flavel in this chapter is the care he uses in dealing with souls. He is careful not to discourage those that do not have fanciful stories of conversion. This shows the great pastoral insight and care that Flavel has. We could learn much in our day from Flavel on this matter.
On page 67, Flavel says, “the Providence of God has sometimes ordered the very malice of Satan and wickedness of men as an occasion of eternal good for their souls”. I bring this out only to say two things. One, we ought to be careful not to too quickly escape and not benefit from the various “crosses” the Lord brings into our life. Two, I bet this really ticks Satan off. Oh, the wisdom and power of God!
When he tells the story of the conversion of the suicidal man, Flavel describes him thus: “he greedily sucked in and with great vehemence cried to God that He would work them [repentance and faith] upon his soul”. This statement caused me to beg God that he would create such a passion and fervor in my heart that I might “greedily suck in and with greath vehemence cry out to Him”. Oh, that we would all see our desperate condition before a holy God; and thank Him for His rich mercy!
Do you agree with Flavel, that sometimes God, “permits them to fall into some new sin which awakens all their former troubles again and puts a new efficacy and activity into the conscience”?
Stories Used by Flavel:
Who is Vergerius?
The Remarkable Conversion of Mrs. Honeywood