Brown, John (of Wamphray) c. 1610-1679

John Brown of Wamphray, an exiled minister of the Church of Scotland, was the most important Scottish theologian of the period known as the Killing Times (1660–1688). He was one of the strongest defenders of the Covenanter cause. Among many books he wrote while residing in Holland, Brown’s magnum opus is his De Causa Dei contra Antisabbatarios (2 volumes 4to, Rotterdam, 1674, 1676). The experts past and present are in agreement in their assessment of the man and this work. “In addition to establishing the continuing obligation of the Sabbath, it discusses a wide variety of questions concerning the law of God…” (Lachman). MacPherson writes that Brown’s “most elaborate work is De Causa Dei Contra Anti-Sabbatarios, a huge work which would fill at least five goodly octavo volumes, full of interesting and important matter, especially regarding fundamental questions about the sanctions of law and the law of God.” Walker calls it “great in length, great in learning, great in patient sifting of the subject, and in meeting of assertions and marshalling of arguments.” Wodrow styles Brown as “a man of very great learning, warm zeal, and remarkable piety.”
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Dictionary of National Biography - Volume 7 - page 9


Memoir of the Rev. John Brown (of Wamphray) from "The Presbyterian Armoury, Volume 3"


A Sketch of The Life of the Rev. John Brown, Sometime Minister of the Gospel in Wamphray; containing many of his interesting letters hitherto unpublished with illustrative notes, and a historical appendix; exhibiting a full view of the times and sufferings of the covenanters. by the Rev. Thomas Lockerby, Minister of Cadder. (1839)
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The Theology and Theologians of Scotland, chiefly of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. (1872) by James Walker and William Garden
See references to John Brown of Wamphray on pages 22, 74, 106, and 144.
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Biographia Scoticana: or, A Brief Historical Account of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies; etc. (1828) by John Howie
See page 360 for beginning of entry on John Brown of Wamphray.
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Singing of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs in Public Worship: translated from De Causa Dei Contra AntiSabbatarios Tractatus (See http://www.naphtali.com/)
John Brown of Wamphray (c. 1610-1679 ). An extract is translated from Joanne Broun, De Causa Dei Contra AntiSabbatarios Tractatus (Roterodami: Apud Henricum Goddaeum, Bibliopolam. Anno [ 1674 ]). The selection translated is from volume 2 , pages 954-966 and appears in The Confession Presbyterian Journal. Translated by N. E. Barry Hofstetter, Th.M.
For extended comments and a description of "De Cause Dei Contra AntiSabbatarios Tractatus" see entry beginning on page 195 of Lockerby's "Sketch of the Life of the Rev. John Brown" (above).


De Causa Dei Contra Antisabbatarios Tractatus - Volume 1 - 1674
t. 1: 1. De legibus divinis, imprimis, de lege naturali, morali, ceremoniali, morali-naturali, morali-positiva, &c. -- 2. De cultu ac tempore solenni -- 3. De sabbati natura & origine -- t. 2: 4. De Decalogo, & speciatim de quárto decalogi praecepto -- 5. De die dominico ejusque institutione -- 6. De sanctificatione diei dominici


De Causa Dei Contra Antisabbatarios Tractatus - Volume 2 - 1674
t. 1: 1. De legibus divinis, imprimis, de lege naturali, morali, ceremoniali, morali-naturali, morali-positiva, &c. -- 2. De cultu ac tempore solenni -- 3. De sabbati natura & origine -- t. 2: 4. De Decalogo, & speciatim de quárto decalogi praecepto -- 5. De die dominico ejusque institutione -- 6. De sanctificatione diei dominici


The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland from the Restoration to the Revolution, Volume 1 (1828) by Rev. Robert Wodrow.
See the entry for John Brown of Wamphray begnning on page 304.
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An Apologetical Relation of the Particular Sufferings of the Faithful Ministers and Professors ... (1844)
This is a historical defence of the Scottish Church, and exposition and vindication of its principles. It relates the particular sufferihngs of the faithful ministers and professors of the Church of Scotland, since August 1660; with a brief History of the Church from the earliest periods. Originally published in 1665.  (Reprinted in The Presbyterian's Armoury, Volume 3)
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An Exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans: With Large Practical Observations; Delivered in Several Lectures (1766)
A thorough exposition and discussion of the doctrine it handles; and it is all the more to be prized because of the particular bearing it has on the new views which Baxter and others had begun to propagate, and which in some shape are ever returning upon ourselved.
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Christ the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; or, A Short Discourse Pointing Forth the Way of Making use of Christ for justification, and Especially and More Particularly, for Sanctification in All Its Parts, from John XIV. vers. VI. Wherein Several Cases of Conscience are Briefly Answered, Chiefly Touching Sanctification (1678)


Christ: The Way, the Truth, and the Life (1839 Edition) (Originally published 1677)
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Quakerism the Path-way to Paganism (Original 1678 Edition)
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The Life of Justification Opened; Or, a Treatise grounded upon Galatians 2:11 (3:11). Wherein the Orthodox Doctrine of Justification by Faith, & Imputation of Christ's Righteousness, is clearly expounded, solidly confirmed, & learnedly vindicated from the various Objections of its Adversaries. Whereunto are subjoined some Arguments against Universal Redemption (Original 1695 Edition)
From the Reformed Layman website.




A Pious and Elaborate Treatise Concerning Prayer; & the Answer of Prayers (1745 Edition) A Treatise on Prayer




Faithful Witness-Bearing Exemplified (1783 Edition)


The History of the Indulgence. Showing Its Rise, Conveyance, Progress, and Acceptance. Together with a Demonstration of the Unlawfulness Thereof, and an Answer to Contrary Objection. Also a Vindication of Such as Scruple to Hear the Indulged. (#3 of a collection).




A Seasonable Present to Societies for Prayer and Religious Conference; Containing the Warrants, Encouragements, and Rules for such Societies.  By three Eminent Servants of Christ: viz.  The Revd. Mr. John Brown, Minister of Wamphray; Mr. Walter Smith, who suffered for the Truth, in the Persecution of the last Age, and the Revd. Mr. John Hepburn sometime Minister of Orr in Galloway. - 1780