Alsop, Vincent

Alsop, Vincent, a celebrated English Nonconformist divine, was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge. He received ordination at the hands of a bishop, and settled as assistant master in the free school of Oakham, Rutland. Here becoming dissatisfied with his former ordination, he was ordained "in the Presbyterian way," and afterwards presented to the living of Wilby, Northamptonshire, but was ejected by the Act of Uniformity in 1662. He then preached privately at Oakham and Wellingborough, and suffered persecution for his Nonconformity. He wrote a hook against Sherlock, called Antisozzo, which procured him much celebrity as a wit, and, in addition, an invitation to succeed the venerable Mr. Cawton in Westminster. Here he drew great crowds to his chapel. His Mischief of Impositions, in answer to Stillingfleet's Mischief of Separation, and his Melius Inquirendum, in answer to Dr. Goodman's Compassionate Inquiry, remain historical landmarks in the history of Nonconformity. He died May 8, 1703. See Encyclop. Brit. s.v.