John Bryan (ejected minister)

John Bryan (1727-1807) was an English nonconformist minister who was ejected from his living at Aston Flamville, Leicestershire, in 1762 for his Calvinistic views.

Bryan's early life is relatively obscure. He received his theological education and ordination within the Church of England, serving as the vicar of Aston Flamville. However, his theological leanings shifted towards a stricter Calvinistic interpretation of scripture, emphasizing doctrines of predestination and the sovereignty of God. This put him at odds with the prevailing Arminian tendencies within the Church of England at the time.

His increasingly Calvinistic preaching and teaching led to significant opposition from parishioners and potentially, ecclesiastical authorities. The pressure ultimately culminated in his ejection from Aston Flamville in 1762. The exact details of the ejection are not fully known, but it is presumed to have stemmed from a formal process possibly involving the bishop or a consistory court.

Following his ejection, Bryan continued to preach and minister, aligning himself with dissenting congregations. He became a prominent figure among the Calvinistic nonconformists in the Leicestershire region. He dedicated his life to propagating his theological beliefs through preaching and writing.

Details of his written works, if any, are sparse. However, it is evident that he exerted influence through his preaching and personal ministry. John Bryan died in 1807, leaving behind a legacy as a figure of conscientious objection and a proponent of Calvinistic theology within the context of 18th-century English religious life. His ejection is illustrative of the tensions and divisions within the Church of England during this period, particularly regarding theological interpretations.