Flavel, JOHN

Flavel, JOHN, an English Nonconformist divine, born at Bromsgrove in Worcestershire, most probably in 1630, was educated at University College, Oxford, took Presbyterian orders in 1650, and had already held livings at Diptford (in Devon) and Dartmouth, when he was ejected by the Act of Uniformity of 1662. He continued to preach privately at Dartmouth, and after the Declaration of Indulgence (1687) was minister of a Nonconformist church there till his death at Exeter, 26th June 1691. He was four times married. His writings were long popular, and do not entirely deserve the neglect into which they have fallen. His best books are the Treatise on the Soul of Man, The Method of Grace, A Token for Mourners, and Husbandry Spiritualised. An edition in 6 vols. was issued in 1820.