LIGHTFOOT (John), a very learned English divine in the 17th century, was educated in Christchurch, Cambridge. Sir Rowland Cotton, knight, took him into his family as his chaplain, and engaged him in the study of the Hebrew language. He resolved to travel; but changed his resolution, being importuned by the people of Stone in Staffordshire to be their minister. From hence he removed to Hornsey near London, for the sake of Sion-college library, where he discharged the duties of his function, and prosecuted his rabbinical studies, till June 1642, when he retired to London, was chosen minister of St Bartholomew's behind the Exchange, and appointed one of the assembly of divines in 1643. August 26, 1645, he preached, before the house of commons, a sermon printed at London the same year, in which he recommends to the parliament a Review and Survey of the translation of the bible, and to hasten the settling of the church. In 1655, he was chosen vice-chancellor of the university of Cambridge. He was collated to a prebend in the cathedral of Ely by Sir Orlando Bridgeman, then keeper of the great seal. He published several valuable works, particularly "The Harmony of the Old, and the Harmony of the New Testament," &c. He died in 1675, aged 74.