Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Brandon, John (fl.1687)
BRANDON, JOHN (fl. 1687), divine, son of Charles Brandon, a doctor of Maidenhead, was apparently born at Bray, near that town, about 1644. He entered Oriel College, Oxford, as a commoner on 15 Feb. 1661-2, and proceeded B.A. on 11 Nov. 1665. Wood says that 'he entertained for some time certain heterodox opinions, but afterwards being orthodox,' took holy orders. He became rector of Finchamstead, and for some years preached a weekly lecture on Tuesdays at Reading. He was the author of 'Τὸ πῦρ τὸ αἰώνιον, or Everlasting Fire no Fancy; being an answer to a late Pamphlet entit. "The Foundations of Hell-Torments shaken and removed,"' London, 1678. The book was dedicated to Henry, earl of Starlin, from 'Wargrave (Berks), 20 July 1676.' The pamphlet to which Brandon replied here was 'The Torments of Hell' (London, 1658), by an anabaptist, named Samuel Richardson. Nicholas Chewney had anticipated Brandon in answering the work in 1660. Brandon also published, besides a number of sermons, 'Happiness at Hand, or a plain and practical discourse of the Joy of just men's souls in the State of Separation from the Body,' London, 1687. This was dedicated to Dr. Robert Woodward, chancellor of the bishop of Salisbury's court.
[Wood's Athenæ Oxon. iv. 505; Brit. Mus. Cat.]