EDWARDS, JOHN, a learned English divine, was born at Hertford in the year 1637 ; and was the son of the Rev. Thomas Edwards, a conformist in profession, but a zealous presbyterian in principle, who wrote many polemical pieces, and who (lied in Holland in 1647. John received his grammatical education at Merchant Tailors' school in London, and in 1653 entered St John's Col lege, Cambridge, which was then under the govern ment of Dr Anthony Tuckney, a presbyterian divine of acknowledged character and learning. Mr Edwards distinguished himself by his application and talents; was admitted a fellow of his college by the influence of Dr Tuckney ; and, in 1661, received the order of deacon from Dr Saunderson, bishop of Lincoln. In 1664, he undertook the duty of Trinity Church in Cambridge, and his discourses were much attended by the more considerable members of the university; but, in 1665, during the ravages of the plague, he retired from the college to the town, that he might devote his whole time to the consolation of his parishioners in that calamitous season. In 1668, he was admitted to the degree of ba chelor in divinity ; and, about the same time, through the interest of his patron Sir Robert Carr of Bugden, was chosen lecturer at St Edmund's Bury ; but, after discharging his office there with great acceptance for a year, he returned to his college. In consequence, how ever, of some disgust, he resigned his fellowship, and became successively minister of St Sepulchre in Cam bridge, and of St Peter's in Colchester ; but, having been disabled from preaching by bodily disease, he re turned to Cambridge in 1697, took the degree of doctor in divinity, and sat down with the resolution to instruct the Christian world from the press. From this period,
until his death, he led a very retired and studious life, and produced a multitude of works. Besides a number of single sermons, and short controversial pieces, and a great mass of manuscripts found in his study, equal to all that he published when alive, his principal produc tions were, " Enquiry into several remarkable texts of the Old and New Testaments ;" " Demonstration of the and Providence of God ;" " Twelve Sermons on special occasions ;" " A Survey of the different Dis pensations of religions," in two vols. " The Preacher," in three parts; " Veritas Redux, or Evangelical Truth restored ;" " Theologia Reforinata, or the Substance and Body of the Christian Religion," three vols. folio. Not withstanding his numerous publications, it is a singular circumstance, that he never possessed a library of his own, except Bibles, Lexicons, and similar books ; but tither procured the works which he wished to peruse from the university libraries, or borrowed them from booksellers at a stipulated price for the loan. Owing richer to some faults in his temper, or to his zealous of 'Whig politics and Calvinistic doctrines, he did not live in friendly habits with the greater part of the clergy ; but he was a popular and eloquent, yet plain and practical preacher ; a man of extensive learn ing. sound piety, and exemplary moral conduct. Ile Gitd in April 1716, in the 79th year of his age. See Bing. Briton. (q)