Brett, Thomas, Lld

Brett, Thomas, LL.D., a Nonjuror, was born at Bettishanger, Kent, 1667, graduated at Corpus Christi, Cambridge, 1689, and received deacon's orders in the following year. In 1703 he became rector of Bettihanger, and two years after of Rucking. After this period he began to entertain scruples of the lawfulness of the oath of allegiance to William and Mary; and he entered the communion of the Nonjurors under Bishop Hickes, July 1, 1715. He lived in obscurity after this, and died March 5, 1743. He was learned and indefatigable; of his numerous writings we mention, An Account of Church Government and Governors (Lond. 1707, 8vo; best ed. 1710, 8vo) :-The Honor of the Christian Priesthood (new ed. Oxf. 1838):-Various Works on Lay Baptism:-Six Sermons (1715):--The Independency of the Church upon

the State as to its Spiritual Powers (Lond. 1717, 8vo):-The Divine Right of Episcopacy (1718, 2d ed. 1728, 8vo):-A Collection of and Dissertation on the Principal Liturgies used in the Christian Church (1720, 8vo).-New Genesis Biog. Diet. v, 44; Hook, Eccl. Biog. 3:92-115.