Vines, Richard

Vines, Richard a learned English divine and popular preacher, was born at Blaston, and educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge. From the university he was elected schoolmaster at Hinckley; entered into holy orders, and obtained the rectory of Weddington. In 1644 Mr. Vines was chairman of the assembly of divines, which established the Presbyterian government, and, as Fuller says, was the champion of that party. When at London he became minister of St. Clement Danes, and vicar of St. Lawrence Jewry; and was afterwards (1645) appointed master of Pembroke Hall, in Cambridge, which position he resigned in 1650 on account of the Engagement, as he was of Presbyterian sentiments. He died in 1655. For his works, which are chiefly sermons and other pastoral treatises, see Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.