The Works of John Flavel is a six-volume set published by the Banner of Truth. It is a great joy for me to provide this review of an outstanding set of Puritan works. May the reader be blessed by this review and encouraged to purchase this set and likewise be richly impacted by the words of John Flavel.

Due to this being a 6 volume set, I am going to do something that I don't normally do. Let me provide the contents of the six volumes to give you an idea of what this particular set is offering:

V1:

The Life of John Flavel.

The Fountain of Life: A Display of Christ in His Essential and Mediatorial Glory.

V2

The Method of Grace in the Gospel Redemption.

Pneumatologia: A Treatise of the Soul of Man.

V3

Pneumatologia: A Treatise of the Soul of Man (continued).

A Practical Treatise on Fear: Its Varieties, Uses, Causes, Effects and Remedies.

The Righteous Man's Refuge.

The Occasions, Causes, Nature, Rise, Growth and Remedies of Mental Errors.

Appendices.

Gospel Unity Recommended to the Churches of Christ.

V4

England's Duty under the Present Gospel Liberty (1689).

An Appendix to the Foregoing Treatise.

Mount Pisgah: A Sermon preached at the Public Thanksgiving, February 14, 1688-9, for England's Delivery from Popery, etc. (Including an Epistle Dedicatory).

Divine Conduct or the Mystery of Providence: A Treatise upon Psalm 57.2.

A Narrative of some late and wonderful Sea Deliverances.

Antipharmacum Saluberrimum : A Serious and Seasonable Caveat to all the Saints in This Hour of Temptation.

Tidings from Rome or England's Alarm.

V5

Husbandry Spiritualized: The Heavenly Use of Earthly Things.

Navigation Spiritualized: A New Compass for Seamen.

A Caution to Seamen: A Dissuasive against Several Horrid and Detestable Sins.

The Seamen's Companion: Six Sermons on the Mysteries of Providence as relating to Seamen; and the Sins, Dangers, Duties and Troubles of Seamen.

A Saint Indeed, or The Great Work of a Christian Explained and Applied.

The Touchstone of Sincerity, or The Signs of Grace and the Symptoms of Hypocrisy.

A Token for Mourners.



V6

Preparation for Suffering, or the Best Work in the Worst Times.

The Balm of the Covenant Applied to the Bleeding Wounds of Afflicted Saints: II Samuel 23.5.

A Sermon Preached at the Funeral of John Upton, of Lupton (Devon): II Chronicles 35.24-5.

An Exposition of the (Westminster) Assembly's Shorter Catechism.

Vindiciae Legis et Foederis, or A Reply to M, Philip Cary's Solemn Call in which He Contends Against the Right of Believers' Infants to Baptism.

Twelve Sacramental Meditations.

A Familiar Conference between a Minister and a Doubting Christian Concerning the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

A Hymn upon Romans 5. 6-11.

The Reasonableness of Personal Reformation and the Necessity of Conversion.

A Coronation Sermon.

The Character of an Evangelical Pastor drawn by Christ.

A Two-column Table of the Sins and Duties attaching to Church Membership.

Index of Texts.

Index of Subjects.

The six volume set consists of 22 books and 116 sermons. Volume one consists of a brief biography of John Flavel which is followed by 42 sermons about the display of Jesus Christ in His essential and mediatorial glory. These sermons are sure to stir one up to worship the Triune God! Flavel's sermons are extremely easy to understand. As the front flap mentions of Flavel, he "attained to premeince in his ability to combine both instruction and appeal to the heart. Some Puritans might be more learned than he, and some more quaint, but for all-around usefulness none was his superior." Flavel knew how to appeal to the hearts of his sheep from the holy, inspired Word of God. These sermons are an excellent showcase of that!

Volume two consists of two books: (1) The Method of Grace in the Gospel Redemption, and (2) Pneumatologia: A Treatise of the Soul of Man. This second volume continues to show forth Flavel's masterful exegetical skills and his wonderful ability to apply God's Word to the heart of man. A section called "Motives to Draw Sinners to Christ" is a beautiful section that gives the reader a glimpse into the heart of Flavel.

Volume three discusses issues such as fear (its varieties, uses, causes, effects, and remedies), the hope that God's children have in times of judgment and distress upon the world, and the importance of understanding theological error. Flavel writes a beautiful letter to the reader before getting into the section on the causes, nature, rise, growth, and remedies of mental errors. It again provides the reader with a glimpse of Flavel's own heart to those whom he writes to.

Volume four consists of sermons that were delivered in response to the persecution that had been experienced in England due to preaching the Gospel. A part of this volume that I personally adore is the section on "The Mystery of Providence" (also a Puritan Paperback), which is a treatise upon Psalm 57:2. This has been considered by many to be the absolute greatest treatment on the topic of the providence of God!

Volume five consists of seven books, three of which are specifically applied to seamen. We again see Flavel apply the Word of God like a spiritual physician, showing how the Word directly applies to everyday life.

Lastly, volume six. This volume is perhaps my favorite of the set. This volume provides a wonderful section on suffering in the Christian life. This is also where we find an exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (dare I say that this section is worth the price of the set?). Another section that is marvelous is the book entitled Twelve Sacramental Meditations Upon Select Places of Scripture, To Prepare Believers for the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper.

There is so much more that could be highlighted in this six volume set! Flavel is one of the clearest, easiest-to-understand Puritans that I've read. He is a physician of the soul who knows how to rightly handle the Word of God. All six volumes are tremendously devotional in nature, leading to a joyful stirring of the affections as the truth is mediated upon. I cannot recommend this set highly enough! I have many sets of the works of the Puritans, but this is perhaps my absolute favorite (apart from John Owen who has first place in my heart). Please consider reading John Flavel. If you are nervous about committing to an entire set, start with Banner of Truth's Puritan Paperbacks that are authored by John Flavel. I believe that you will desire his entire set when you get a taste of his writing. It is so Christ-centered, devotional, and Scripture-saturated that you will be wanting more and more. Consider this excellent set by one of the giants of the faith that have gone before us, John Flavel.

Disclaimer: My thanks to The Banner of Truth Trust for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I was inspired to read the great John Flavel by what I read about him in "Meet the Puritans" by Joel Beeke and Randall Pederson. In their introduction of Flavel, they wrote the following: "We know a pastor who has profited greatly from reading a sermon or chapter of Flavel every morning for decades. When he finishes vol 6, the pastor begins again with vol 1." Having read Flavel for myself, I can attest to the goldmine that is the writings of this heartwarming pastor.

Flavel is a lucid and thoughtful writer. He brings lively metaphors and illustrative language to bear upon the readers' imagination. He is also intensely fixated on heaven, as were many other puritans. He frequently urges the readers to stake their lives on the world to come, not on the present age that is passing and evil. One of the ways he does this is to help believers prepare for suffering. For example, in vol 6, he teaches the reader how to prepare for suffering since it is sure to come to every believer in this life. he warns, "Beloved, in a suffering hour the interest of Christ and self meet like two men upon a narrow bride, one must of necessity go back, or the other cannot pass on: if you cannot deny self you must deny Christ." Flavel will challenge you to face the hard questions of discipleship. Just like you must either serve money or Christ, in times of suffering, you will resort to serving self or Jesus.

Flavel is not just full of warnings, however. His writing exudes an evangelical/gospel tone, assuring those who have an interest in Christ of all the benefits of the covenant of grace. One can readily sense his pastoral heart, prodding the sheep unto further godliness and pursuit of holiness, all from the basis of our union with Chirst.

I encourage any pastor or layman to pick up Flavel's works and work through them slowly, meditatively, and prayerfully. He is sure to reward those who befriend him, even those who choose to read him every morning for decades to come.