Bryan was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge,[1] and held the rectory of Barford, near Warwick, but left it to go to Coventry, as vicar of Trinity Church, in 1644.
In 1646 Bryan, assisted by Obadiah Grew, vicar of St. Michael's, held a public disputation on infant baptism in Trinity Church with Hanserd Knollys, the baptist.
In 1652 and 1654 his services were sought by Shrewsbury, and the churchwardens stirred themselves to keep him; but the citizens were less interested in discharging their promises for the support of their clergy.
Bishop John Hacket tried to overcome his scruples, and offered him a month to consider, beyond the time allowed by the act; but Bryan gave up his vicarage, and was succeeded by Nathaniel Wanley, author of Wonders of the Little World (1678).
Bryan continued to preach whenever and wherever he had liberty to do so; and in conjunction with Grew he founded a presbyterian congregation, which met, from 1672, in licensed rooms.