'Voices From The Past' Vol. 1 — May 19

The most powerful means that have been employed to destroy God’s people have been rendered ineffective. Providence crosses its hands as Jacob did in blessing the sons of Joseph, and orders quite a contrary outcome. How the weak have been used for the good of the church! Christ did not choose eloquent orators, or men of authority in the courts of kings and emperors, but twelve poor labourers, and fishermen. This is the most ridiculous course that can be imagined, in appearance, for such a design. And yet, in how short a time was the gospel spread in all the kingdoms of the world! At the sound of ram's horns, Jericho was delivered into the hands of Israel. By three hundred men with their pitchers and lamps, the huge host of Midian was discomfited. The Protestants, besieged in Béziers in France, were delivered by a drunken drummer, who, going to his quarters at midnight, rang the alarm-bell of the town, not knowing what he did, and that just as the enemy was making the assault. Just as weak and improbable means have been blessed with success to the church in general and for the preservation of its members. A spider by weaving her web over the mouth of an oven, hid a servant of Christ, Du Moulin, from his enemies, when he took refuge in there from the bloody Parisian massacre. A hen sustained another many days, at the same time, by lodging her egg every day in the place where he had hid himself from the cut-throats. Examples might be easily multiplied, but the truth is too plain and obvious in the observation of all ages to need more. Can we not but acknowledge a divine and special providence overruling these matters when we see the most apt and potent means for the church's ruin frustrated, and the most silly, and contemptible means succeeded and prospered for its good?

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Devotional Readings 'Voices From The Past Vol.1.'
John Flavel, Works, IV:354-356
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