John Flavel

[2 quotes owing to each one's brevity]

Do not drown yourself because you are recommended to bathe, or hang yourself on an oak because tannin is described as a valuable astringent. An allowable thing carried to excess is a vice, even as fire is a good servant in the grate, but a bad master when raging in a burning house.
—Charles Spurgeon

We are justified and saved by the very righteousness of Christ, and no other. He wrought it, though we wear it.
—John Flavel

Did Christ die the cursed death of the cross for believers? Then though there be much of pain, there is nothing of curse in the death of the saints. It still wears its dart, by which it strikes; but has lost its sting, by which it hurts and destroys. Death poured out all its poison, and lost its sting in Christ, when He became a curse for us.
But what speak I of the harmlessness of death to believers? It is their friend and benefactor. As there is no curse, so there are many blessings in it. Death is yours (1 Cor. 3:22). Yours as a special privilege and favour. Christ has not only conquered it, but is more than a conqueror; for He has made it beneficial, and very serviceable to the saints. When Christ was nailed to the tree, then He said, as it were, to death, which came to grapple with Him there, “O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction”: and so He was, for He swallowed up death in victory, spoiled it of its power. So that now it may frighten some weak believers, yet it cannot  hurt them at all.
If Christ died the cursed death of the cross for us, how cheerfully we should submit to and bear any cross for Jesus Christ? He had His cross, and we have ours; but what are ours compared with His? His cross was a heavy cross indeed, yet how patiently and meekly did He support it! He endured His cross; we cannot endure or bear ours, though they cannot be compared with His.
—John Flavel “The Fountain of Life”

Phil 4:19

 

The ways of God’s providence direct us into the calling and employment that is ordered for us in this world. To have an honest, lawful employment in which you do not dishonour God is no small mercy. If it is suited also to your genius and strength, this is a double mercy. If you have less toil than others and more time for heavenly exercises, ascribe this benefit to the special care of providence for you. How strangely are things wheeled about by providence! David followed the sheep and likely never raised his thoughts to higher things, but God made him the royal shepherd. Some have work, but not enough strength. Others have strength, but no employment. If God blesses your labour and gives you and yours necessary support and comfort in the world, it is a choice providence and should be acknowledged with all thankfulness. If you find yourself scarcely able to provide for the necessities of life, consider: though you have a small portion of the world, if you are godly, he has promised never to forsake you (Heb. 13:5). Provdence has ordered the condition that is really best for your eternal good. If you had more of the world you might not be able to mnage it to your advantage. We are directed to be content with food and clothing, and the little that the righteous has is better than the riches of many wicked (Psa. 37:16). If providence has so disposed you that you cannot only eat your own bread but have enough for works of mercy upon others, and all this is brought to pass in a way you did not expect, let God be honoured in this providence. Remember that the success of your callings and earthly employments is by divine blessing and not human diligence alone. Be well satisfied in the station and employment where you have been placed. God is wise and seeks your eternal good.
John Flavel, Works, IV:387-391

Fullness of bread and idleness were the sins of Sodom that occasioned such an exuberancy of lust. “They are like fed horses neighing, everyone neighing after his neighbours wife. When I had fed them to the full, then they comitted adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses” [Jer 5:7-8]. This is a sad requittal of the bounty of God in giving us the enjoyment of the creatures, to make them fuel to lust, and instruments of sin.
–John Flavel

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If thou be one whose heart is eagerly set upon this vain world, I beseech thee take heed, lest it interpose itself betwixt Christ and thy soul, and so cut thee off from him for ever. O beware, lest the dust of the earth, getting into thine eyes, so blind thee, that thou never see the beauty or necessity of Christ. The god of this world so blinds the eyes of them that believe not. And what are sparkling pleasures that dazzles the eyes of some, and the distracting cares that wholly divert the minds of others, but as a napkin drawn by Satan over the eyes of them that are to be turned off into hell? 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4.

Some general aims, and faint wishes after Christ you may have; but alas! the world has centered thy heart, intangled thy affections, and will daily find new diversions for them from the great business of life; so that, if the Lord break not this snare, thou wilt never be able to deliver thy soul.
—John Flavel

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Did God really forsake Jesus Christ upon the cross? then from the desertion of Christ singular consolation springs up to the people of God; yea, manifold consolation. Principally it’s a support in these two respects, as it is preventive of your final desertion, and a comfortable pattern to you in your present sad desertions. 1. Christ’s desertion is preventive of your final desertion. Because he was forsaken for a time you shall not be forsaken for ever. For he was forsaken for you. It is every way as much for the dear Son of God, the darling delight of his soul, to be forsaken of God for a time, as if such a poor inconsiderable thing as thou art shouldst be cast off to eternity. Now, this being equivalent and borne in thy room, must needs give thee the highest security in the world that God will never finally withdraw from thee. 2. Moreover, this sad desertion of Christ becomes a comfortable pattern to poor deserted souls in divers respects; and the proper business of such souls, at such times, is to eye it believingly. Though God deserted Christ, yet at the same time he powerfully supported him. His omnipotent arms were under him, though his pleased face was hid from him. He had not indeed his smiles, but he had his supportations. So, Christian, just so shall it be with thee. Thy God may turn away his face, he will not pluck away his arm. When one asked of holy Mr. Baines how the case stood with his soul, he answered, “Supports I have, though suavities I want.” Our Father in this deals with us as we ourselves sometimes do with a child that is stubborn and rebellious. We turn him out of doors and bid him begone out of our sight, and there he sighs and weeps; but however for the humbling of him, we will not presently take him into house and favour; yet we order, at least permit the servants to carry him meat and drink: here is fatherly care and support, though no former smiles or manifested delights. . . . Though God forsook Christ, yet at that time he could justify God. So you read, “O my God (saith he), I cry in the day time; but thou hearest not, and in the night season, and am not silent; but thou art holy.” Is not thy spirit according to thy measure, framed like Christ’s in this; canst thou not, say even when he writes bitter things against thee, he is a holy, faithful and good God for all this! I an deserted but not wronged. There is not one drop of injustice in all the sea of my sorrows. Though he condemned me I must and will justify him: this also is Christ-like. John Flavel.
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