Cockayn, George

Cockayn, George an English Independent minister, was descended from an ancient family in Derbyshire. He is said have been educated at Cambridge, and in the time of the civil wars held the living of St. Paneras, Soper Lane, London. He was a celebrated preacher, and in November 1648, preached the fast-day sermon before the House of Commons., He became chaplain to one of Oliver Cromwell's lords, and in 1657 published a funeral sermon with the title Divine Astrology. He was ejected from his living in 1660, when he founded the Church at Hare Court, London, and was the first preacher there.. He had distinguished citizens in his Church, yet he suffered much persecution from the royalists; He was a man of ability and learning, took part in compiling an English-Greek Lexicon, in 1658, and diedn in 1689. See Wilson, Dissenting Churches, 3:279.