Dictionary.net

An English nonconformist divine; born in London, June 26, 1702; died in Lisbon, Portugal, Oct. 26, 1751. He was educated for the ministry at an academy in Kibworth, Leicestershire, where he became pastor in 1722. In 1729 he took charge of a theological academy in Northampton, and continued to preach and prepare students for the ministry until near his death. His chief works are: "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul" (1750), and "The Family Expositor" (1760-62), which have been translated into several European languages. He also wrote "Evidences of Christianity" (1742-43), which has long been a text-book in St. John's College, Cambridge; and several popular hymns.