On page 31 of The Mystery of Providence, Flavel makes reference to “images [being] pulled down in Holland”. What is this a reference to? In 1566 a group of Reformers were moved by zeal to pull down every image of a saint they met on the road. You can read the account here:
History of Holland, from the Beginning of the Tenth to the End of the … By Charles Maurice Davies
On page 30 of Flavel’s Mystery of Providence we encounter the names of Polycarp and Dionysius the Areopagite. We are told that the fire would not touch them. A longer account is given of Polycarp’s martyrdom by John Foxe in his classic Foxes Book of Martyrs. That account can be read here. A much more concise account is given by William Howitt:
From The History of the Supernatural in All Ages and Nations: And in All Churches … By William Howitt
If you are reading the Mystery of Providence you perhaps came across an unfamiliar name. On page 34 Flavel says, “A spider, by weaving her web over the mouth of an oven, shall hide a servant of Christ, Du Moulin, from his enemies, who took refuge there in that bloody Parisian massacre”. John Young gives a more detailed description of the account:
From, The record of Providence; or, The government of God displayed in a series of … By John Young
C.J. Mahaney has a wonderful article on preaching in view of the Cross. Here is one helpful quote within the article: “We must never assume the gospel. We must always assume that those we serve need to hear the gospel yet again. Any sermon we preach is incomplete and insufficient until we explicitly reference Christ and him crucified.”
Dr. Mohler lists the Top 10 books every preacher needs to read in 2008. (Looks like I need to update my list again).
Frank Turk has entered the discussion on total abstinence from alcohol. See his thoughtful comments here.
Greg Gilbert gives a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that all churches fast from all forms of instrumental music. He has some wonderful thoughts in this article. Here is an excerpt: “I am really afraid that we’ve managed to create a generation of anemic Christians who are spiritually dependent on excellent music. Their sense of spiritual well-being is based on feeling “close to God,” their feeling close to God is based on their “ability to worship,” and being able to worship depends on big crowds singing great music.
Brian, at Voice of the Sheep, has interesting question; “Are Any Called Who Do Not Come?”
Purgatorio has posted a very thought provoking picture. It is of Jesus washing Bin Laden’s feet. It asks, Is this a biblical picture.
MacArthur’s What Doctrines Are Essential series concludes with part 2 and 3.