An Apologeticall Relation of the particular sufferings of the Faithfull Ministers. By John Brown; 1665

First edition, 8vo, [xxxiii], 424, [8]pp. Bound in 19th-century calf with blind-paneling, and edges dyed red. The text is lightly toned and spotted, with one leaf exhibiting a small paper flaw that slightly affects a couple of characters. The binding shows some rubbing but has been neatly rebacked with a new green Morocco label. The endpapers have been renewed using older paper. The author—identified as ‘John Brown of Wamphray, Annandale’—and the place of publication, ‘Holland,’ are noted in an old hand on the title page.

John Brown (circa 1610 – 1679) served as the minister of Wamphray in Annandale, where he was known for his dedication and remembered fondly by his parishioners. He was also respected by fellow theologians for his knowledge and piety. However, he was a fierce opponent of episcopacy, which led to his arrest following the Restoration due to his vehement criticisms of those who accepted the reinstatement of bishops. After his health deteriorated while imprisoned in Tolbooth Gaol, he was exiled to Rotterdam, where he became a prolific writer advocating against Presbyterian reconciliation with the established church. His persistent opposition proved to be a significant nuisance to Charles II, who persuaded the Dutch government to expel him from Rotterdam; he later returned for a brief time while in Utrecht.

This volume represents his first substantial publication and addresses a wide range of topics, including responses to Stillingfleet’s Irenicum and Honyman’s Seasonable Case of Submission. Wing conjectures that it was printed in Edinburgh, although a previous owner of this copy posits Holland as the place of publication, which seems more plausible given Brown’s location at that time and the typographic design of the work.