Thorndike, Herbert

Thorndike, Herbert a learned English divine, was educated in Trinity College, Cambridge, and became proctor of that university in 1638. In July, 1642, he was admitted to the rectory of Barley, Hertfordshire; and in September, 1643, was elected master of Sidney College, Cambridge, but was prevented from occupying that position, it being secured by a Mr. Minshull. Later he was ejected from his living of Barley. At the Restoration he was replaced in this living, but resigned it on being made a prebendary of Westminster. He died July, 1672. He assisted Dr. Walton in the edition of the Polyglot Bible, particularly in marking the variations in the Syriac version of the Old Test.; and wrote several treatises: A Discourse concerning the Primitive Form of the Government of Churches (Camb. 1641, 8vo): —A Discourse of Religious Assemblies and the Public Service of God (ibid. 1642, 8vo): —A Discourse of the Rights of the Church in a Christian State, etc. (Lond. 1649, 8vo): —Just Weights and Measures, 1. 6. the Present State of Religion weighed in the Balance, etc. (ibid. 1662, 4to). —A Discourse tof the Forbearance of the Penalties, etc. (ibid. 1670, 8vo):— Origines Ecclesiae, etc. (ibid. 1670): —also his famous book, A n Epilogue to the Tragedy of the Church of England (ibid. 3 parts, 1670).