Friday, August 20, 2010

John Flavel's quotes on God's Providence

John Flavel (1627–1691) was an English Presbyterian clergyman. I've heard several of my favorite preachers whom I routinely download sermons from, like Alistair Begg, R.C. Sproul, Albert Mohler, etc. quote John Flavel lately. My interest was aroused and I've been reading some of his works online.

Here are a few excellent quotes of his that I found to be most helpful. May God be Glorified.
When our needs are permitted to grow to an extremity, and all visible hopes fail, then to have relief given wonderfully enhances the price of such a mercy (Isa. 41:17-18).

You may look upon some providences once and again, and see little or nothing in them, but look "seven times," that is, meditate often upon them, and you will see their increasing glory, like that increasing cloud (1 Kings 18:44).

All the dark, intricate, puzzling providences at which we were sometimes so offended...we shall [one day] see to be to us, as the difficult passage through the wilderness was to Israel, "the right way to the city of habitation".

Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately or immoderately upon them.

—John Flavel

(I want to order one of Flavel's books,
"Mystery of Providence"
soon, but I've ordered too many books lately and need to catch up on reading the ones I already have. It will likely be next in line, though.)

1 comment:

  1. I ordered 2, just got them in from Amazon, may give one to my dad for his birthday!

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