Often people pursue a greater understanding of the doctrine of providence when difficult times arise. That is why Flavel is a master on this subject. Not only did he face persecution throughout his ministry, but he lived through civil war in England, the bubonic plague, and the loss of three wives (the first who died in childbirth where their first child died as well).

The amount of information coming at us regarding COVID-19 is mind exploding. In addition, Western moderns, so used to ready comfort and instant convenience, struggle to navigate quarantines and restrictions. A good remedy for these surreal times would be to unplug the news and reflect on the doctrine of providence, which Westminster explains this way.

God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible fore-knowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness and mercy.

Perhaps no other resource is more helpful to that end than the writings of John Flavel. Listening to a voice from the past, who went through far more troubles than most of us will ever see, helps bring a more measured response to our current afflictions.

Flavel was a Puritan minister in seventeenth century England. In 1656 he accepted a call to Dartmouth, which was a thriving seaport. Though he was often driven away from his pulpit for being a non-conformist minister, often having to preach secretly in outdoor conventicles in forests and other places. On one return to Dartmouth in 1685, he was confined to his house and preached to all those who could crowd into it. The congregation at Dartmouth remained his true charge throughout his ministry until he died in 1691.

Because of this attachment to this congregation, his sermon and books are filled with illustrations taken from the sea. Some of his works, such as Navigation Spiritualized: A New Compass for Seamen and The Seamen’s Companion: Six Sermons on the Mysteries of Providence as relating to Seamen; and the Sins, Dangers, Duties and Troubles of Seamen, use running themes throughout of life at sea. In so doing, Flavel reflects the Scriptures, which often use sea imagery to portray the sovereign mystery of God’s providence.

Often people pursue a greater understanding of the doctrine of providence when difficult times arise. That is why Flavel is a master on this subject. Not only did he face persecution throughout his ministry, but he lived through civil war in England, the bubonic plague, and the loss of three wives (the first who died in childbirth where their first child died as well). In addition, in his ministry at Dartmouth he witnessed the innumerable tragedies of seamen and their families. Communicating to others about the mysteries of providence were woven into into his life and ministry.

One helpful example of his work is in a sermon “The Seaman in a Storm” based on Psalm 107:23-28.

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

As Flavel says, “This psalm contains an excellent account of the mysterious and admirable effects of providence.” Using the dangers of those who travel on seas, he gives many lessons and applications of providence to the reader who may likewise going through a difficult period.

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