John Brown of Wamphray
(1610-1679)
John Brown was one of the great theological writers in the later period of the Second Reformation. Samuel Rutherford said that he “saw Christ in him more than in his brethren”. He was a man of “very great learning, warm zeal, and remarkable piety”.
He was the minister of Wamphray near Dumfries. Together with other faithful ministers he was removed from his congregation after the restoration of Charles II. He was imprisoned in 1662. After a while, he was so ill that he was at the point of death and was exiled to Holland. Here he pastored the Scots Church at Rotterdam and wrote a large number of books. It was said of his sermons that they breathed “nothing but faith in Christ, and communion with Him”.
The Newness of Life We Always Need
Newness of life is not passing novelty but an abiding fresh principle of grace that we need constantly. There is encouraging strength here for our daily spiritual renewal.
Isn’t It Time to Pray Earnestly for Your Minister?
Ministers need our earnest prayers more than ever. If we have experienced difficulties over the past couple of years, they certainly have too.
What Hope is There for Afghanistan’s Christians?
Facing chaos, repression, disease, violence, food shortages and persecution, what hope is there for Afghan believers? Scripture guarantees strength and hope despite them all.
What We Give and Receive in Gathering Together
There is much more involved than we may realise in coming together as a body for worship or fellowship. There is mutual giving and receiving in valuable spiritual things.
How Scripture is Designed to Give You Hope in Trials
Sometimes we think we know what type of Scripture teaching we need at present and what we are less ready to receive. But all Scripture is designed to give us hope.
Why We Must Avoid Causing Spiritual Harm
It is frighteningly possible to cause spiritual harm to others. Even through straightforward actions and words. Even when we don’t mean to. We must avoid it.
Should Most Evangelicals Support Women Preachers?
Apparently most evangelicals recently surveyed in the USA support women preachers. But does the Bible support it? John Brown of Wamphray considers relevant passages.
What Does Our Conscience Owe to the Government?
How do we honour the government when they seem to be demanding extreme obedience? What do we owe them and how do we keep our consciences clear in relation to what God requires? These can be very difficult questions in practice but Scripture does not leave us without answers.
Why Does Our Behaviour Often Contradict Our Morals?
People’s behaviour often contradicts the strong morals they profess to believe. It’s a problem for true believers too. Why is this? John Brown explains from the Scriptures.
When is Being Debt-Free Absolutely Wrong?
We are drowning in personal debt. It’s a crisis and undoubtedly a bad thing. So when (according to the Bible) is it wrong to be absolutely debt-free? The answer to that is truly arresting.
Why Do We Pray in Jesus’ Name?
This is a question that takes us to the heart of true prayer. We can only ask anything in prayer for Christ’s sake. You will be surprised at how much practical help we can receive from this simple truth.
13 Things that Keep Us from Prayer
Prayer is in danger of being squeezed to the edges of our lives. Prayerlessness can seriously damage your spiritual health. We need to identify the factors that influence us to downgrade the importance of prayer in everyday life.
Is Social Media Making Christians Miserable?
Online communication may even undermine our face-to-face interactions. Edifying one another in the best possible way must not become a casualty of social media excess. Here is some wisdom to meet this challenge.
Luther’s Gospel Breakthrough
“The just shall live by faith”. These few words had a tremendous impact because there is so much to unpack from them.
How Does Faith Justify?
We still need clear and accurate teaching on how we are made right with God. John Brown shows from SCripture how faith justifies.
Being Peaceably Principled in a Poisonous World
Civility has disappeared from a great deal of public discourse. How do we respond and avoid worldly spite infecting our response?
What You Must Do When You Feel Spiritually Dead
Do you feel so weak and dead that you wonder how it will ever change? John Brown of Wamphray explains how Christ is still life to the deadened soul and how to make use of that life.
When Does Self-Esteem Go Too Far?
Much of our culture centres around self-image and the need to boost our sense of self-worth. Few ever ask what might be the dangers of excessive self-esteem. What does Scripture say?
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