Spinckes, Nathaniel

Spinckes, Nathaniel a Nonjurist divine, was born at Castor, Northamptonshire, England, in 1653 (or 1654). He received his first classical instruction from Rev. Mr. Morton, rector of Haddon, and was admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge, March 22, 1670. Induced by the prospect of a Rustat scholarship, he entered Jesus College, Oct. 12, 1672, became A.B. in 1674, was ordained deacon May 21, 1676, was A.M. in 1677, and admitted into priest's orders Dec. 22, 1678. For some time he was chaplain to Sir Richard Edgecomb in Devonshire, and then removed to Petersham, where, in 1681, he was associated with Dr. Hickes as chaplain to the duke of Lauderdale. He was curate and lecturer of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, London, for two years (1683-85), and in the latter year received from the dean and chapter of Peterborough the rectory of Peakirk or Peaking-cum- Glynton. On July 21, 1687, he was made prebendary of Salisbury, Northamptonshire; in the same year (Sept. 24) instituted to the rectory of St. Mary's in that town; and three days after was licensed to preach at Stratford-under-Castrum, or Miden Castle, in Wilts, for which he had an annual stipend of £80. He was deprived of all his preferments for refusing to take the oaths to William and Mary. After this he was supported by the gifts of the more wealthy Nonjurors, and was consecrated one of their bishops June 3, 1713. He died July 28, 1727. He assisted in the publication of Grabe's Septuagint, Newcourt's Repertorium, Howell's Canons, Potter's Clemens Alexandrinus, and Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy. His own works were, An Answer to the Essay towards a Proposal for Catholic Communion, etc. (1705): — The New Pretenders to Prophecy Reexamined, etc. (1710): — two pamphlets against Hoadly's Measures of Submission 1711, 1712): — two pamphlets on The Case between the Church of Rome and the Church of England (1714, 1718): — two pamphlets against Restoring the Prayers and Directions of Edward VI's Liturgy (1718). His most popular work was The Sick Man Visited (1712).