The Use of Means in Our Recovery

daily-devotionals

One would think that such a great recovery should be effected by the hand of some glorious ministry—perhaps the voice of an angel or a prophet. But see a miracle in weakness! A rooster is made the forerunner of repentance, as it were, to the look of Christ. God, who can work without means, does in His wisdom make use of the basest of means, and can open the mouth of the beast for the conversion of man (Numbers 22:28).

How careful we ought to be in the use of means when God seldom works without them! How humble in the use of prayer, when the means themselves do not work without God. The ordinary course of nature and the most accidental occurrences in the world are sanctified to the good of the elect and are the instruments of God in their salvation.

Dr. Edward Reynolds was born in 1599 in Southampton, England. He received his BA degree at Oxford in 1618. In 1622, before studying for his masters, Reynolds became a chaplain to the king and preacher at Lincoln’s Inn, London. The puritanical inclinations of Dr. Reynolds were well known; his character of piety and decorum were evident even in his college years. Edward Reynolds is known as the Bishop of Norfolk, but he was bishop for only the final fifteen years of his life and ministry. Prior to that he was the rector of Braunston, Northamptonshire, for almost thirty years. Although Reynolds was a Presbyterian by conviction, he had a reputation of moderation in his church polity. This was evidenced in his role in the Westminster Assembly. He was the only member to sit on all three of the major committees on the Confession of Faith, and with his moderate spirit provided balance in the discussions.
These devotions are taken from the works of Edward Reynolds. They have been edited for thinkgospel.com. © 2013 thinkgospel.