Nesse, Christopher

Nesse, Christopher an English divine, was born December 26, 1621, at North Cowes (Yorkshire), and was educated at St. John's College, University of Cambridge. He took holy orders, and obtained a benefice at Cottingham, in the vicinity of Hull, as well as the lectureship in the parish of Leeds.. Rejected by the established Church for non-conformity in 1662, he went to London, and took charge of. a dissenting congregation in Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, with which he remained connected for thirty years. He died at London, December 26, 1705. Nesse is the author of a large number of theological: and other works; but he has made himself known principally by the work entitled History and Mystery of the Old and New Testaments, logically discussed, and theologically improved (Lond. 1690-96, 4 volumes, fol.); to this work Matthew Henry is thought to owe much of his most valuable material for his Exposition. Other works of Nesse's of value are, The Christian's Walk and Work on Earth: — The Christian's Crown and Glory: — Church History, from Adam: — Antidote against Popery: — A Divine Legacy: — A Discovery ofthe Person and Period of Antichrist (Lond. 1679, 8vo): — The Reigns of Times (1681, 4to): — Life of Pope Innocent XI. John Dunton tells us that this book was written for him, and that the whole impression was sold in a fortnight. See Wilson, Hist. of Dissenting Churches; Granger, Biog. Hist. of Enqland, 5:78 sq.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, 2:1408, 1409; Hook, Eccles. Biography, 7:400. (J.H.W.)