Stratford, Nicholas

Stratford, Nicholas, a learned English prelate, was born at Hemel-Hempstead, in Hertfordshire, in 1633, and admitted into Trinity College, Oxford, in June, 1652, where in 1656 he became fellow and master of arts. After taking orders, he was made warden of Manchester College, Lancashire. He was in 1670 made prebendary of Leicester St. Margaret, Church of Lincoln; in 1673 dean of St. Asaph, at which time he took his degree of D.D., and was appointed chaplain in ordinary to the king. In 1683 he was presented to the rectory of St. Mary's, Aldermanbury, London, and in the following year resigned his wardenship. He was consecrated bishop of Chester in 1689, holding that office until his death, Feb. 12, 1707. Besides some occasional Sermons, he published, A Discourse concerning the Necessity of Reformation with respect to the Errors, etc., of the Church of Rome (Lond. 1685, pt. 1, 4to; the 2d pt. followed): — Discourse on the Pope's Supremacy (ibid. 1688, 4to): — The People's Right to Read the Holy Scriptures Asserted (ibid. 1688, 4to): — The Lay Christian's Obligation to Read the Holy Scriptures (ibid. 1688-89, 4to): — Examination of Bellarmine's Fourteenth Note concerning the Unhappy End of the Church's enemies.