Having been taught by his father, he was admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, at the age of thirteen years and a half.
The dean and chapter of Norwich, claiming the right of nomination, disputed the appointment, and he was summoned before the high court of commission at Lambeth.
At mid-summer 1627 dismissed from his ministerial function in Yarmouth church, by a decree in chancery, given upon a certificate made by Archbishop William Laud.
The corporation meanwhile persevered in their struggle with the bishop and the court in his behalf, till in 1632 the king in council forbade his officiating at Yarmouth altogether, committed to prison four persons including Miles Corbet, then recorder of the town, for abetting him.
In 1642 Brinsley was again chosen one of the town preachers at Yarmouth, and was one of the investigators of the 1645 witch-hunt in the town, and it is said that in 1650 he occupied the north aisle of the church with the Presbyterians, while William Bridge with the Congregationalists was in possession of the chancel, and the south aisle, with the nave, was left to the prayer book minister.