West Port Experiment

The following are extracts from John Flavel’s Whole Works reflecting his (and Protestantism’s) mainly positive appraisal of Constantine and the shift to Christendom. The first passage doesn’t mention his name in particular, but employs the “earth helping the woman” trope for Christian magistrates supporting the true religion that I first encountered in Thomas Chalmers, but clearly predates him.

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“Secondly, We shall next enquire how Jesus Christ administers this providential kingdom. And here I must take notice of the means by which, and the manner in which he does it. The means, or instruments, he uses in the governing the providential kingdom, (for he is not personally present with its himself), are either angels or men, “the angels are ministering creatures, sent forth by him for the good of them that shall be heirs of salvation,” Heb. 1:14. Luther tells us, they have two offices, superius canere, et inferius vigilare, “to sing above and watch beneath.” These do us many invisible offices of love. They have dear and tender respects and love for the saints. To them, God, as it were, puts forth his children to nurse, and they are tenderly careful of them while they live, and bring them home in their arms to their Father when they die. And as angels, so men are the servants of Providence; yes, bad men as well as good. Cyrus, on that account, is called God’s servant: they fulfill his will, while they are prosecuting their own lusts. “The earth shall help the woman,” Rev. 12:16. But good men delight to serve Providence; they and the angels are fellow servants in one house, and to one master, Rev. 19:10. Yes, there is not a creature in heaven, earth, or hell, but Jesus Christ can providentially use it and serve his ends, and promote his designs by it. But whatever the instrument be Christ uses, of this we may be certain, that his providential working is holy, judicious, sovereign, profound, irresistible, harmonious, and to the saints peculiar” (Works 1:216).

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“INFERENCE. 6. Did Pilate vindicate Christ in drawing up such a title to be affixed to his cross? then hence it follows, That God will, sooner or later, clear up the innocency and integrity of his people, who commit their cause to him. Christ’s name was clouded with many reproaches; wounded through and through, by the blasphemous tongues of his malicious enemies. He committed himself to him that judges righteously, 1 Pet. 2:23. and see how soon God vindicates him. That is sweet and seasonable counsel for us, when our names are clouded with unjust censures, Psalm. 37:5, 6. “Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and he shall bring it to pass. He shall brings forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgement as the noon day.” Joseph was accused of incontinence; David of treason; Daniel of disobedience; Elijah of troubling Israel; Jeremiah of revolting; Amos of preaching against the king; the Apostles of sedition, rebellion, and alteration of laws; Christ himself of gluttony, sorcery, blasphemy, sedition, but how did all these honorable names wade out of their reproaches, as the sun out of a cloud! God cleared all their honor for them even in this world. “Slanders (says one) are but as soap, which though it soils and daubs for the present, yet it helps to make the garment more clean and shining.” “When hair is shaven, it comes the thicker, and with a new increase: so when the razor of censure has (says one) made your heads bare, and brought on the baldness of reproach, be not discouraged, God has a time to bring forth your righteousness as the light, by an apparent conviction, to dazzle and discourage your adversaries.

“The world was well changed, when Constantine kissed the hollow of Paphnutius’ eye, which was before while put out for Christ. Scorn and reproach is but a little cloud, that is soon blown over. But suppose you should not be vindicated in this world, but die under a cloud upon your names; be sure God will clear it up, and that to purpose in that great day. Then shall the righteous, (even in this respect) shine forth as the sun, in the Kingdom of their Father. Then every detracting mouth shall be stopped, and no more cruel arrows of reproach shot at the white of your reputation.

“Be patient therefore, my brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. “The Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgement upon all; and to convince all that are ungodly, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed. And of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him,” Jude 14, 15. Then shall they retract their censures, and alter their opinions of the saints. If Christ will be our compurgator, we need not fear who are our accusers. If your names, for his sake, be cast out as evil, and spurned in the dirt; Christ will deliver it you again in that day whiter than the snow in Salmon” (1:341-343).

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“Query 3. If you condemn religion because of the scandalous lives of some that profess it, must you not then cast off all religion in the world, and turn down-right atheists ? Surely this is the consequent of it: For what religion is there, but some that profess it walk contrary to their profession ? And then, as Constantine told the Novatian, you must set up a ladder, and go to heaven by yourself” (Works 5:418).

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“The times under Dioclesian were Pagan; under Constantine, Christian; under Constantius, Arian ; under Julian, Apostate ; and under Jovian, Christian again: And all this within the space of seventy years, the age of one man. O what shifting and shuffling was there among the men of that generation! The changes of weather shew the unsoundness of men’s bodies, and the changes of times, the unsoundness of their souls” (Works 5:602)

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“Observ. 14. Errors abound most, and spring lastest, in the times of the church’s peace, liberty, and outward prosperity, under indulgent rulers. Arianism sprung up under Constantine’s mild government.

“Christian, benevolent rulers are choice mercies and blessings to the Church. Such as rule over men in the fear of GOD, are to the church, “as well as civil state, ” like the light of the morning, when the sun arises, even a morning without clouds, as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.” (Sam. 23: 4.)

“But this, as well as other mercies, is liable to abuse; and under the influences of indulgent governors, error as well as truth springs up, flowers, and seeds. Persecution gives check to the wantonness of men’s opinions, and finds them other work to do. Caterpillars and locusts are swept away by the bitter east-winds, but swarm in halcyon days, and fall upon every green thing. So that the church rides in this respect more safely in the stormy sea, than in the calm harbor. Peace and prosperity is apt to cast its watchmen into a sleep, and whilst they sleep, the envious one soweth tares.

“The abuse of such an excellent mercy provokes the LORD to cut it short, and cause the clouds to gather again after the rain. We have found it so once and again (alas! that I must say again) in this wanton and foolish nation. Professors could live quietly together, converse, fast, and pray in a Christian manner together, under common calamities and dangers; differences in opinion were suspended by consent: But no sooner do we feel a warm sun-blast of liberty and peace, but it revives and heats our dividing lusts, and corruptions, instead of our graces. The sheep of Christ fight with each other, though their furious pushing one at another is known to presage a change of weather” (3:437).