John Brown of Wamphray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Brown |
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|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1610 |
| Died | September 1679 Rotterdam |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Denomination | Presbyterian |
| Spouse | apparently unmarried |
John Brown of Wamphray was an important Scottish church leader. He was born around 1610, probably in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. He studied at the University of Edinburgh and graduated in 1630. John Brown became a minister in the Presbyterian church, which was very important in Scotland at the time.
He is remembered for his strong beliefs and for standing up for what he thought was right, even when it was difficult. He faced many challenges because of his faith and his opposition to the king's rules about the church.
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John Brown's Life and Work
John Brown likely became a minister in the parish of Wamphray in Annandale around 1655. He was known for being a very good pastor, and people in the area remembered him fondly for many years.
Standing Up for His Beliefs
After King Charles II came back to the throne in 1660, new laws were made that forced many ministers, including John Brown, to leave their churches. These laws were part of a time called the Restoration, when the king wanted more control over the church.
John Brown was one of the ministers who strongly disagreed with the king's actions. Because of his firm stance, he was arrested. In November 1662, he was sent to the Tolbooth, which was a prison in Edinburgh. His "crime" was speaking out against some ministers who had followed the archbishop's orders.
Exile and Later Years
Life in prison made John Brown very sick. So, in December 1662, he was told he had to leave Scotland. He was warned not to come back, or he would face the death penalty. He then moved to Holland.
In Holland, John Brown continued his work. For a few years, he served as a minister at the Scottish church in Rotterdam. Even while he was in Holland, King Charles II tried to get the Dutch government to banish him again in 1676, but they refused.
Shortly before he passed away in September 1679, John Brown took part in an important event. He helped ordain Richard Cameron as a minister. Ordination is a special ceremony that makes someone an official minister. John Brown was about 69 years old when he died in Rotterdam. He never married and was known for his large collection of books.
His Writings
John Brown wrote many important books and papers. These works often explained his religious beliefs and discussed the challenges faced by the church in Scotland during his time. Some of his well-known writings include:
- Apologetical Relation of the Sufferings of Ministers of the Church of Scotland since 1660 (1665) – This book talked about the difficulties ministers faced after 1660.
- Libri duo contra Woltzogenium et Velthusium (1670)
- De Causà Dei adversus anti-Sabbatarios (1674–76) – This was a two-volume work about God's cause against those who didn't respect the Sabbath.
- Quakerism the Pathway to Paganism (1678)
- An Explanation of the Epistle to the Romans (1679)
- Christ the Way, and the Truth, and the Life (1677)
- The History of the Indulgence (1678)
After his death, more of his writings were published, including:
- The Life of Justification Opened (1695)
- A Pious and Elaborate Treatise concerning Prayer (1720)
He also left behind a handwritten history of the church, which is now kept in the university library in Edinburgh.
See also
