Theophilus Brabourne

Theophilus Brabourne (1590–1662) was an English Puritan clergyman and theological writer on the Christian Sabbath.

Early life Brabourne was a native of Norwich. The date of his birth is fixed by his own statement in 1654: 'I am 64 yeares of age'. His father was a Puritan hosier. He was educated at the Norwich Grammar School till he was fifteen years of age, and intended him for the church. When the youth should have gone to the University of Cambridge, the silencing of many Puritan ministers for non-compliance with the ceremonies of the Church of England induced the father to take his son into his own business.

Brabourne was sent to London, as a factor for selling stockings wholesale. He remained in London till his marriage. Brabourne then lived for two or three years at Norwich with his father, and resuming his intention of entering the ministry, he studied privately.

Legal troubles Brabourne held a conference, lasting 'many days, an houre or two in a day,' at Ely House, Holborn, with Francis White (bishop of Norwich 1629–31, of Ely 1631-8). This was the beginning of his troubles with the high commission court, over a period of three years. He was in the Gatehouse Prison at Westminster for nine weeks, and was then publicly examined before the high commission. The king's advocate pleaded against him, and Bishop White spoke for about an hour on his errors. Sir Henry Marten moved to sue the king to issue a writ de hæretico comburendo, but William Laud interposed. Brabourne was censured, and sent to Newgate Prison, where he remained eighteen months. He published The Royal Law contended for, &c., 1658. The Change of Church-Discipline, 1653. The Second Part of the Change of Church-Disciple … Also a Reply to Mr. Collins his answer made to Mr. Brabourne's first part of the Change of Church-Discipline … 1654, (the reply has a separate title-page and pagination, A Reply to the "Indoctus Doctor Edoctus," 1654). The Second Vindication of my first Book of the Change of Discipline; being a Reply to Mr. Collings his second Answer to it. Also a Dispute between Mr. Collings and T. Brabourne touching the Sabbath Day. An Answer to M. Cawdry's two books of the Sabbath lately come forth, &c, 1654. Answers to two books on the Sabbath: the one by Mr. Ives, entitled Saturday no Sabbath Day; the other by Mr. Warren, the Jews' Sabbath antiquated, 1659. Jeremy Ives's book was published 1659; Edmund Warren's (of Colchester) was also published 1659. God save the King, and prosper him and his Parliament … 1660 (published 9 August.) The Humble Petition of Theophilus Brabourn unto the hon. Parliament, that, as all magistrates in the Kingdome doe in their office, so Bishops may be required in their office to own the King's supremacy, &c. 1661, published 5 March. There is A Postscript, Of many evils which follow upon the King's grant to Bishops of a coercive power in their courts for ceremonies. Of the Lawfulness of the Oath of allegiance to the King, and of the other oath to his supremacy. Written for the benefit of Quakers and others, who out of scruple of conscience, refuse the oath of allegiance and supremacy, 1661, published 18 March.

Family Brabourne married Abigail, daughter of Roger and Joane Galliard. He was thus brother-in-law of Benjamin Fairfax who married Sarah Galliard.