Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Flower, John

by Gordon Goodwin

FLOWER, JOHN (fl. 1658), puritan divine and preacher, born about 1624, was the son of William Flower of Cubley, Derbyshire. He became a commoner of New Inn Hall, Oxford, in Act term 1640, proceeded B.A. 2 April 1647, and was created M.A. by the parliamentary visitors, 14 April 1648. According to Wood ‘he was soon after preacher of God's word at Ilmington in Warwickshire, and afterwards at Staunton in the county of Nottingham, where I find him in 1658’ (Fasti Oxon. ed. Bliss, ii. 101, 112). He wrote: 1. ‘The Free and Honourable Servant, set forth in his Privileges and Prerogatives,’ 8vo, London, 1652. 2. ‘Several Quæries concerning the Church of Jesus Christ upon Earth, briefly explained and resolved,’ 8vo, London, 1658.

[Wood's Fasti Oxon. (Bliss), ii. 101, 112; Notes and Queries, 2nd ser. xii. 46.]

G. G.