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Christ Altogether Lovely
An unabridged edition, to Christ is to be Loved – What is meant by "Altogether Lovely" — He is Lovely in His Person — He is Lovely in His Offices — He is Lovely in His Relations – Application — Index
- GenresTheology
40 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2005
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81 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the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn.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 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 19, 2019
Though I disagree with the Puritanical view of the Song of Solomon as an allegory between Christ and his Church, this short book is an excellent reminder of the excellency of Christ and his extreme worth and value.
May 15, 2021
A beautiful reflection on the loveliness of Christ in Flavel’s thoughtful and thorough booklet.
May 28, 2019
Not usually a Flavel fan (he can be a bit repetitive and stylistically bland for my tastes), but this sermon was very helpful. It was a fairly superficial overview of Christ's many attractive qualities--because, as Flavel notes, they are too many to go into all of them in depth. But the qualities Flavel highlights (Christ's offices as ultimate prophet, priest, and king, and his relations to us as redeemer, bridegroom, advocate, and friend) helped me to see how all-sufficient and oh so very GOOD Christ is.
Despite the sermon being short (and Flavel's prose style still not being my preference), it has many profitable paths for meditation, and meditating on it over the past few days has been a great experience. It has reminded me of Christ's passionate love for us, awed me with his goodness to the undeserving, and made me want to live to glorify Him more than any Piper sermon ever has--and for the record, I enjoy Piper sermons. I have come to this conclusion through the sermon: that every thought I have of Christ's great worth should remind me of my own unworthiness, and consequently, every thought of my own unworthiness should remind me of his great worth.
Despite the sermon being short (and Flavel's prose style still not being my preference), it has many profitable paths for meditation, and meditating on it over the past few days has been a great experience. It has reminded me of Christ's passionate love for us, awed me with his goodness to the undeserving, and made me want to live to glorify Him more than any Piper sermon ever has--and for the record, I enjoy Piper sermons. I have come to this conclusion through the sermon: that every thought I have of Christ's great worth should remind me of my own unworthiness, and consequently, every thought of my own unworthiness should remind me of his great worth.
July 13, 2024
Short but a treasure of divine truth pertaining to the loveliness of Christ
April 23, 2015
Wonderful brief meditations on Christ's person and work. Flavel is eminently quotable, as always.
January 21, 2018
Wide(ish) but shallow. Some good meditations, some Bible verses reworded, some obvious statements with Bible verses.
February 7, 2018
A wonderful, encouraging and convicting message.
February 5, 2019
Simply excellent sermon/treatise on the 'desirableness' of Christ and the Gospel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2021
Strive to be Christ-like if ever you would be lovely to God and man.
July 16, 2024
I appreciate the use of Song of Soloman, and this is quite a sweet devotional, but verrryyyy short.
July 24, 2024
This is an excellent devotional work, I would have appreciated more exegesis though. Maybe Flavel assumes previous exegetical work like Stephen Wolfe does in the Case for Christian Nationalism?
February 14, 2025
A little booklet that inspires one to see the beauty of Christ. Short n’ sweet. Christ truly is altogether lovely, more so than anything else.
October 21, 2019
Altogether Lovely
I loved this short little book that is filled with treasure. I’m using the points in it in my Sunday School class this a.m.
I loved this short little book that is filled with treasure. I’m using the points in it in my Sunday School class this a.m.
December 18, 2015
Loved it. Clear and concise
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July 3, 2013Profound! Christ-Centered, necessary work to take the time reading...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews