Browne, Robert

(c. 1553–1633)

   Theologian.

   Browne was born in Rutland, and was educated at the University of Cambridge. From 1579 he was preaching without the Bishops’ permission, arguing that Bishops have no authority of themselves. He was forbidden to preach by the Royal Council in 1580 and began organising separatist Churches. He continued to insist that the congregation is the only true instrument of Church government. As a result of these activities, he was imprisoned, and, on his release, he settled in Holland where he wrote his Treatise of Reformation and his Book Which Sheweth the Life and Manners of all True Christians. By 1585 he had returned to England where he conformed suf- ficiently to be ordained by Archbishop whitgift. There is evidence that he continued to encourage separatist congregations, but for the rest of his life he served a parish in Northamptonshire. He died in prison, having assaulted a police constable. Browne has been described as the ‘Father of English Congregationalism’ and his followers were scornfully described as ‘Brownists’.

   C. Burrage, The True Story of Robert Browne (1906).