KEACH, BENJAMIN, a distinguished divine of the Baptist denomination, was born in Bucking hamshire, Feb. 29, 164o, and died in Southwark, Tuly 18, 1704. His parents, too poor to give him a liberal education, intended him for business, but his aspirations were after literature, and Ile eagerly devoted himself to the study of the Script-tires. At the age of fifteen he joined the Baptist church in Winslow, and three years afterwards was chosen by the members of the same church as their pastor. After the restoration, in common with multitudes, he suffered persecution. Finding no rest from in formers in the countly, he sought refuge in London, where, with his wife and family, Ile arrived penni less, having been robbed on the way. Soon after he was ordained pastor of a small society which met in a private house in Tooley Street. His congre gation, however, increased, and erected a com modious house of worship in IIorsely Down, Southwark, where Dr. Gill afterwarhs preached.
He was very popular ; and his congregation at length averaged one thousand persons. His pen was ev-er active. He published forty-three works, of which sixteen were controversial, nine poetical, and eighteen practical and expository. The works by which he is usually known are :— Tropologia ; or a Key to Open the Scripture Metaphors and 7),pes, London 1682, best ed. 1779, reprinted in Ireland 1856, vol. imp. 8vo ; 2. Gospel Mysteries Revealed ; or an F,xposztion of all the Parables, and many express Szmilitua'es, contained in the Four Evangelists, i7or, folio ; 1815, 4 vols. 8vo ; 1856, vol. royal 8vo. Mingled with unquestioned reverence for the divine word, and much good material of which the judicious student may avail himself with advantage, there is a large amonnt of fanciful exposition and of unwise spintualising in these volumes —I. J