£1,250
FIRST EDITION, 8vo, pp. [xxxii], 424, [8]. 19th-century blind-panelled calf, edges red. Lightly toned and spotted, one leaf with a small paper flaw affecting a couple of characters. Rubbed, neatly rebacked, new green morocco label, endpapers renewed with old paper. The author (‘John Brown of Wamphry, Annandale’) and place of publication (‘Holland’) identified on the title-page in an old hand.
John Brown (1610?-1679) was minister of Wamphray in Annandale, known for his diligence and remembered with affection by his parishioners, and also respected by contemporary theologians for his learning and piety - but he was a staunch enemy of episcopacy and was arrested following the Restoration due to his insults aimed at brethren who accepted the return of bishops. When his health failed in the Tolbooth jail, he was banished to Rotterdam, where he became a prolific author advocating against presbyterian reconciliation with the established church - he proved such a thorn in the side of Charles II that the king convinced the Dutch government to chase him out of Rotterdam, though he returned after a short period in Utrecht.
This was his first substantial publication and covers a wide variety of topics, including replies to Stillingfleet's 'Irenicum' and Honyman's 'Seasonable case of submission'. The full subtitle reads: 'Wherein severall questions, usefull for the time, are discussed: the King's preroragative [sic] over parliaments & people soberly enquired into: the lawfulnes of defensive war cleared. The supreme magistrats power in church matters examined, Mr. Stilling fleet's, notion concerning the divine right of formes of church government, considered. The author of the seasonable case answered, other particulars, such as the hearing of the curats, appearing before the high commission court, &c. canvassed. Together with the rise reigne & ruine of the former prelats in Scotland. Being. A brieff account from history, of the government of the Church of Scotland, from the beginning, & of the many troubles which prelats hav created to her, first & last. For satisfaction of strangers & incouragement of present sufferers.'
Wing conjectures that it was printed in Edinburgh though a previous owner of this copy suggests Holland, which on the basis of Brown's own location at this time and the type ornaments seems the more likely.
