One of my prayers for our church is that we would be a “reading church” — first and foremost, the Word of God, but also the many helps that the people of God have left the church over the years.
— Pastor Monty
November/December 2025
The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel
The Mystery of Providence (1678) is John Flavel’s exploration of God’s sovereign governance over all events in human life, offering believers theological understanding and practical guidance for recognizing divine purpose in both ordinary circumstances and extraordinary occurrences. Written during the height of Puritan persecution following the Great Ejection, this work addresses the fundamental question of how Christians should interpret the events that shape their lives.
Flavel systematically examines the nature of divine providence, defining it as God’s eternal purpose executing itself through the government of all creatures and their actions. He carefully distinguishes between God’s general providence over creation and his special providence toward believers, showing how the same events serve different purposes in the lives of the elect and reprobate. His treatment demonstrates how providence operates through natural means while maintaining its supernatural character.
The work systematically addresses common struggles in understanding providence, including the apparent prosperity of the wicked, the suffering of the righteous, and the seemingly random nature of many events. Flavel provides biblical principles for interpretation while acknowledging the limitations of human understanding, encouraging humble trust where complete comprehension fails.
Flavel particularly excels in demonstrating how providence works through ordinary means—natural processes, human decisions, and apparent accidents—to accomplish divine purposes. He shows how believers can recognize God’s hand in events without falling into superstitious interpretation or neglecting their responsibilities as secondary causes. His approach balances divine sovereignty with meaningful human agency.
The treatise offers extensive practical guidance for profiting from providential experiences, including specific counsel for recognizing God’s voice in various circumstances, maintaining faith during perplexing trials, and responding appropriately to both mercies and afflictions. Throughout, Flavel emphasizes that providence serves believers’ sanctification, not merely their temporal comfort.
The Mystery of Providence has influenced Protestant spirituality by providing a theological framework for understanding God’s governance that combines doctrinal soundness with practical application. Modern readers continue to find in Flavel’s work exceptional wisdom for interpreting life’s events through the lens of divine sovereignty while maintaining trust in God’s goodness amid mysterious circumstances.
“I’ve held off on this book for a while. Part of the reason is that people tend to think of Puritan writing as old, complicated, and archaic — which may be true. But there is now a modern version of it that makes it super accessible. … I encourage you to read this book.” — Pastor Monty
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Scandia Bible Church 