John Flavel was born in 1627, whose father was persecuted for not obeying the Church of England. Flavel followed in his father’s footsteps as a Presbyterian clergyman and was forced to minister in secret due to the Act of Uniformity in 1662 under Charles II. The Act was repealed for a time under James II in 1687, allowing those not serving in the Church of England to minister freely. Flavel was known as a man of integrity and deep commitment to God. He died in 1691.