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The Works of John Flavel #1-6
The Works of John Flavel
The repeated editions of Flavel's Works bear their own witness to his popularity. He was a favourite with Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield (who ranked him with John Bunyan and Matthew Henry), and, a century later, with such Scottish evangelical leaders as R. M. M'Cheyne and Andrew Bonar. Flavel's complete works had long been unobtainable until we reprinted them in 1968. His six volumes are in themselves a library of the best Puritan divinity and a set will be a life-long treasure to those who possess it. He is one of that small number of evangelical writers who can by their lucidity and simplicity help those at the beginning of the Christian life and at the same time be a strong companion to those who near its end.
- GenresTheology
3667 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1820
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94 people want to read
About the author
John Flavel
333 books89 followers"John Flavel (c.1627–1691) was an English Presbyterian clergyman, puritan, and author.
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 3, 2020
I was inspired to read the great John Flavel (1628-1691) 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 reader 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 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 bridge, 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 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 Christ.
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.
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 reader 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 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 bridge, 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 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 Christ.
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.
April 20, 2021
PARTIALLY READ FOR CLASS ASSIGNMENT--I read most of the sermons on the work of Christ for my systematic theology class. I will say that Flavel was INCREDIBLY thorough. As a Puritan, that wasn't terribly surprising but it was still noticeable for the difference between most modern day preaching and writing. I was impressed with the depth he was willing to treat his subject with in a standard preaching setting. I was slightly annoyed by the practice at the time of overly pointing and sub-pointing things, especially since it could be hard to follow. BUT I loved his application at the end of each sermon, which was clearly his main aim in teaching the topics.
August 7, 2012
My favorite of the English Puritan writers. Volume 1, "The Mediatorial Glories of Christ is my favorite.
February 6, 2020
I’m sure I’ll be working through these for years to come, Lord willing. But so far, Flavel is one of my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews