Nicholson, William (1)

Nicholson, William (1), a noted English prelate, was born near the close of the 16th century, and was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford. After taking holy orders, he was first rector of Landeilovawr, 1629; subsequently canon-residentiary of St. David's, and archdeacon of Brecknock; ejected at the Rebellion, but elevated to the bishopric of Gloucester in 16601661, and held that see until his death in 1672. He maintained and defended the Church of England against its enemies in the days of its adversity, and is said to have been a person of great learning and piety. He was greatly admired by Dr. George Bull for his knowledge of the fathers and the schoolmen, and for his large stores of critical learning. He wrote, Apology for the Discipline of the Ancient Church of England (Lond. 1657-59, 4to): — ῎Εκθεσις πίστεως, or an Exposition of the Apostles' Creed, delivered in several Sermons (1661, fol.), very rare: — A Plaine but Full Exposition of the Catechisme of the Church of England (Lond. 1661, 1662, 1663, 1668, 1678, 1686, 4to; new ed. 1844, 8vo). See Nelson, Life of Bishop Bull, p. 206; Stoughton, Fccles. Hist. of England (Church of the Restoration), 1:492; Tulloch, Rat. Theol. of England, 1:361.