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The Fountain of Life Opened Up

John Flavel

John Flavel (c. 1630-1691) was a Nonconformist preacher and theologian in England. He was born in Worcestershire and was given a religious education by his father before studying at Oxford. In 1650 he became curate (a kind of assistant pastor), and later rector (head of the parish), of Deptford. In 1656 he was called to the larger parish of Dartmouth, where he served before being deprived of his position by the Uniformity Act of 1662 (for "nonconformity" to the established Church of England). The Oxford "Five Mile Act" in 1665 drove him out of Dartmouth altogether (to Slapton, 5 miles away), though he continued to preach and to care for many in his parish. He returned to Dartmouth in 1671, but was not able to serve in complete safety until the penal laws were repealed by James II in 1687. Throughout his life Flavel preached, ministered and wrote voluminously, striving both for evangelical ideals and church unity.

42 sermons organized to provide a methodological understanding of the doctrines of Christ.

This treatise, published in 1672, shortly after Flavel's return to Dartmouth, contains a series of forty-two Sermons on Jesus Christ, intending to present to the reader a thorough and "methodological understanding of the doctrines of Christ". According to Flavel, it is the knowledge of Christ that is of the utmost importance – "a regular and methodical, as well as a saving knowledge of him, will bring heaven into us". The sermons selected expound both Old and New Testament passages, each presenting at least one central doctrine deriving from scripture. In many ways this work does serve as an engaging introduction to Christology.

Theology & Doctrine

Christology