Thread: Works of John Brown of Haddington

Good; I hope to order the one on toleration. I managed to read get a copy in a library in Belfast recently, but it will be great to have my own.

What a sad state that so little of his works have been published. He had such an interesting life and was such a driven man.

This is begging for attention in publishing.

Originally Posted by BuddyOfDavidClarkson

What a sad state that so little of his works have been published. He had such an interesting life and was such a driven man.

This is begging for attention in publishing.

Would it be possible for the likes of myself to take some of his old works, type them up, and reprint them through Lulu? Does anyone know much about this?

I found that Kessinger Publishing has reprinted one of John Brown's catechisms for young children (known as "Little Brown") and it is available here.

Amazon.com: A Compendious History Of The British Churches In England, Scotland, Ireland And America V2: John Brown, Thomas Brown: Books

A Brief Dissertation concerning the Righteousness of Christ may be found online here:

The Posthumous Works of the Late Rev ... - Google Book Search

I found something interesting, and also somewhat confusing. I was reading a review on John Brown's "Systematic Theology" by Tony Reinke on Monergism.com - which was posted just a year ago. Review: The Systematic Theology of John Brown of Haddington (Monergism)
At the end, he advertises the sale of the book -- "$25.99 from Monergism Books".
Well, Monergism doesn't list it, RHB doesn't list it, and to my knowledge no one lists it. How can this be after just one year the book is completely out of print? How many books does a publisher print at each edition? 10? 100? No wonder so many of these books are out of print...

Well, I have too many books to actually worry about this anyway.
Just thought I'd express some of my thoughts...

Originally Posted by Pilgrim72

I found something interesting, and also somewhat confusing. I was reading a review on John Brown's \"Systematic Theology\" by Tony Reinke on Monergism.com - which was posted just a year ago. Review: The Systematic Theology of John Brown of Haddington (Monergism)
At the end, he advertises the sale of the book -- \"$25.99 from Monergism Books\".
Well, Monergism doesn't list it, RHB doesn't list it, and to my knowledge no one lists it. How can this be after just one year the book is completely out of print? How many books does a publisher print at each edition? 10? 100? No wonder so many of these books are out of print...

Well, I have too many books to actually worry about this anyway.
Just thought I'd express some of my thoughts...

I think it was republished in 2002, but your point is well taken, this is a good book which should remain in print.

I think Amazon might be the way to go if you are interested:

Amazon.com: The Systematic Theology of John Brown of Haddington: Brown, John: Books

Nice! Good call w/ Amazon.

*sigh*

I am so tempted to get it... This is like offering an alcoholic a drink...

I ordered mine. You guys convinced me.

Originally Posted by BuddyOfDavidClarkson

What a sad state that so little of his works have been published. He had such an interesting life and was such a driven man.

This is begging for attention in publishing.

Absolutely!

It is worth noting that Brown's Short Catechism, Preface to the Psalter and Systematic Theology are found in electronic form on the Encyclopedia Puritannica Project cd.

Christian Focus still sells John Brown's "Systematic Theology" and one may view the contents in pdf format here:

CFP | The Systematic Theology of John Brown Of Haddington | John Brown

In John Brown's Systematic Theology, one may find an address to students of divinity. This is available online here (from the library of Samuel Miller):

Internet Archive: Details: Address to students of divinity

In John Brown's Systematic Theology, one may find an address to students of divinity.

That prefacing address is wonderful. If only more pastors had read it. I think John Brown certainly ought to be rediscovered by more people. His Systematic Theology certainly isn't the most academically informative with respect to theology, but reading it is one of the most wonderful things I have ever done -- the whole of the work reads as though filled with a spirit of prayer of thanksgiving and worship to God. Brown wasn't simply hoping to teach his students book theology.

I found the full text of John Brown of Haddington's Systematic Theology (originally titled A Compendious View of Natural and Revealed Religion, 1782 ed.) available online:

Links and Downloads Manager - Theological Links - Systematic Theology -- John Brown of Haddington - The PuritanBoard

Originally Posted by VirginiaHuguenot

I found that Kessinger Publishing has reprinted one of John Brown's catechisms for young children (known as "Little Brown") and it is available here.

I found an online edition of Matthew Henry's exposition of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, which also includes (starting at p. 115) John Brown's catechism for children:

Scripture Catechism: The Catechism ... - Google Book Search

Awesome post! I recently became a "fan" of Brown by hearing about his courage and drive as a young man determined to learn Greek. I recently bought his republished Dictionary of Bible Characters for my son and I to use. The links to the other works is most appreciated!

Here's a question though . . . I have read several people talk about his famous letter in defense of learning Greek, but cannot seem to find it anywhere. Do you know if it is online anywhere or in the new biography by Banner?

Thanks and blessings!

Originally Posted by jbotkin

Awesome post! I recently became a "fan" of Brown by hearing about his courage and drive as a young man determined to learn Greek. I recently bought his republished Dictionary of Bible Characters for my son and I to use. The links to the other works is most appreciated!

Here's a question though . . . I have read several people talk about his famous letter in defense of learning Greek, but cannot seem to find it anywhere. Do you know if it is online anywhere or in the new biography by Banner?

Thanks and blessings!

Good question. My copy of William Brown's biography is at home and I am not, but I don't recall such a letter being included. I will check that out. I think, if I recall correctly, the charge against Brown was that the only way he could have acquired his knowledge of Hebrew, Greek and Latin as he did being a poor shepherd boy, was to have entered into a league with the devil. And so he had to defend himself against that charge. I'll look into this further and see what I can find.

-----Added 12/11/2008 at 08:54:01 EST-----

It turns out that the letter you refer to is indeed quoted in William Brown's Memoir. The letter is dated August 6, 1745, and in it he vindicates his learning Greek and other languages from the charge that he made a deal with the devil. His vindication can be read online at the link below (pp. 29-33).

Internet Archive: Details: Memoir and select remains of the Rev. John Brown, minister of the Gospel, Haddington;

Thanks for hunting that down! One person went so far as to call it one of the best letters in church history. I found it odd that with such praise, it was so far to find

I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by VirginiaHuguenot

Originally Posted by jbotkin

Awesome post! I recently became a "fan" of Brown by hearing about his courage and drive as a young man determined to learn Greek. I recently bought his republished Dictionary of Bible Characters for my son and I to use. The links to the other works is most appreciated!

Here's a question though . . . I have read several people talk about his famous letter in defense of learning Greek, but cannot seem to find it anywhere. Do you know if it is online anywhere or in the new biography by Banner?

Thanks and blessings!

Good question. My copy of William Brown's biography is at home and I am not, but I don't recall such a letter being included. I will check that out. I think, if I recall correctly, the charge against Brown was that the only way he could have acquired his knowledge of Hebrew, Greek and Latin as he did being a poor shepherd boy, was to have entered into a league with the devil. And so he had to defend himself against that charge. I'll look into this further and see what I can find.

-----Added 12/11/2008 at 08:54:01 EST-----

It turns out that the letter you refer to is indeed quoted in William Brown's Memoir. The letter is dated August 6, 1745, and in it he vindicates his learning Greek and other languages from the charge that he made a deal with the devil. His vindication can be read online at the link below (pp. 29-33).

Internet Archive: Details: Memoir and select remains of the Rev. John Brown, minister of the Gospel, Haddington;

I don't have the citation at hand, but that is how Dr Whytock tells the story.

-----Added 12/11/2008 at 10:15:11 EST-----

When I was attending a church pastored by Dr Whytock, some years ago, whe had brass mounted boards with nameplates listing all of those who had said their catechism.

We had one (several, actualy) for the "children's Catechism", one for the "shorter", one for the "larger", and one very hopefully placed board with only a few names on it for "Mr. Brown's Catechism".