Mystery of Providence - Flavel - VII - Chapter 7

Required reading 
Mystery of Providence by John Flavel (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Chapter 7.

My notes and thoughts
While Chapter 6 spoke of God's providence of keeping us from temptation to sin, Chapter 7 now speaks of God's providence of purging sin from our lives through discipline for actual sin committed: 'The ways of sin are not only made bitter to them by the remorse of conscience, but by those afflictive rods upon the outward man, with which God also follows it'. 

I must admit, the fact that God disciplines his children for sin committed is often minimised in Christian circles.  I have come across many who believe that when they confess their sin to God and find forgiveness in Christ, this then means there are no consequences for their sin.  Now while there are no eternal consequences, it is actually the kindness of God that he disciplines us to help prevent us from doing it again.

But for Flavel, the fact that God afflicts us for sin does not lead him to react unfavourably, instead it leads him to erupt in an exaltation of God for the last few pages of the chapter (although it could be a conclusion to this section of the book that has examined all the providences of God, not quite clear).  Flavel describes how pathetic we are in comparison to God in all our power, then in relation to all our sin.  Then draws magnificent statements such as: 'And now let us consider and marvel that ever this great and blessed God should be so much concerned as you have heard He is in all His providences, about such vile, despicable worms as we are!'  Indeed!

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.