(Dr.), lord bishop of Rochester, was the son of a distiller in High Holborn. He married Miss Adams, the daughter of a distiller in the same neighbourhood, with a considerable fortune, who lived with him 52 years in the highest degree of connubial happiness. He had his education in Westminster school, where he was distinguished by his merit, and elected one of the king's scholars. In 1710, when he was 20 years old, he was elected to Trinity College, Cambridge. During the first years of his residence at the university, he sometimes amused himself with lighter compositions, some of which are inserted in the Guardian and Spectator. In 1716, he published his edition of Cicero de Oratore, and, at the desire of a friend, luckily dedicated it to Lord Chief Justice Parker, (afterwards Earl of Macclesfield,) to whom he was a stranger. This incident laid the foundation of his future fortune: for Lord Parker soon recommended him to Dr Bentley, master of Trinity, to be made one of the fellows; and the doctor consented to it on this condition, that his lordship would promise to unmak him again as soon as it lay in his power to give him a living. In 1717, Mr Pearce was ordained at the age of 27; having taken time enough, as he thought, to attain a sufficient knowledge of the sacred office. In 1718, Lord Parker was appointed chancellor, and invited Mr Pearce to live with him in his house as chaplain. In 1719, he was instituted into the rectory of Stapleford Abbots, in Essex; and in 1720, into that of St Bartholomew, behind the Royal Exchange, worth 400l. per annum. In 1723, the lord chancellor presented him to St Martin's in the Fields. His Majesty, who was then at Hanover, was applied to in favour of St Claget, who was then along with him; and the doctor actually kissed hands upon the occasion: but the chancellor, upon the king's return, disputed the point, and was permitted to present Mr Pearce.—Mr Pearce soon attracted the notice and esteem of persons in the highest stations and of the greatest abilities. Beside Lord Parker, he could reckon amongst his patrons or friends, Lord Macclesfield, Mr Pulteney (afterwards Earl of Bath), archbishop Potter, Lord Hardwicke, Sir Isaac Newton, and other illustrious personages.—In 1724, the degree of doctor of divinity was conferred on him by archbishop Wake. The same year he dedicated to his patron, the Earl of Macclesfield, his edition of Longinus on the Sublime, with a new Latin version and notes.

When the church of St Martin's was rebuilt, Dr Pearce preached a sermon at the consecration, which he afterwards printed, and accompanied with an essay on the origin and progress of temples, traced from the rude stones which were first used for altars, to the noble structure of Solomon, which he considers as the first temple completely covered. His observations on that building, which is called the temple of Dagon, removes part of the difficulty which presents itself in the narration of the manner in which Samson destroyed it.

The deanery of Winchester becoming vacant, Dr Pearce was appointed dean in 1739; and in the year 1744 he was elected prolocutor of the lower house of convocation for the province of Canterbury. His friends now began to think of him for the episcopal dignity; but Mr Dean's language rather delayed it. However, after several difficulties had been started and removed, he consented to accept the bishopric of Bangor, and promised Lord Hardwicke to do it with a good grace. He accordingly made proper acknowledgments of the royal goodness, and was consecrated Feb. 12, 1748. Upon the declining state of health of Dr Wilcocks, bishop of Rochester, the bishop of Bangor was several times applied to by archbishop Herring to accept of Rochester, and the deanery of Westminster, in exchange for Bangor; but the bishop then first signified his desire to obtain leave to resign and retire to a private life. His lordship, however, upon being pressed, suffered himself to be prevailed upon.—"My Lord," said he to the Duke of Newcastle, "your grace offers these dignities to me in so generous and friendly a manner, that I promise you to accept them." Upon the death of bishop Wilcocks he was accordingly promoted to the see of Rochester and deanery of Westminster in 1756. Bishop Sherlock died in 1761, and Lord Bath offered his interest for getting the bishop of Rochester appointed to succeed him in the diocese of London; but the bishop told his lordship, that he had determined never to be bishop of London or archbishop of Canterbury.

In the year 1763, his lordship being 73 years old, and finding himself less fit for the business of his stations as bishop and dean, informed his friend lord Bath of his intention to resign both, and live in a retired manner upon his private fortune. Lord Bath undertook to acquaint his majesty; who named a day and hour, when the bishop was admitted alone into the closet. He told the king, that he wished to have some interval between the fatigues of business and eternity; and desired his majesty to consult proper persons about the propriety and legality of his resignation. In about two months the king informed him, that Lord Mansfield saw no objection; and that Lord Northington, who had been doubtful, on farther consideration thought that the request might be complied with. Unfortunately for the bishop, lord Bath applied for bishop Newton to succeed. This alarmed the ministry, who thought that no dignities should be obtained but through their hands. They therefore opposed the resignation; and his majesty was informed that the bishops disliked the design. His majesty sent him again; and at a third audience told him, that he must think no more of resigning. The bishop replied, "Sir, I am all duty and submission;" and then retired.

In 1768 he obtained leave to resign the deanry; in 1773, he lost his lady; and after some months of lingering decay, he died at Little Ealing, June 29, 1774.

This eminent prelate distinguished himself in every part of his life by the virtues proper to his station. His literary abilities, and application to sacred and philological learning, appear by his works; the principal of which are, A letter to the clergy of the church of England, on occasion of the bishop of Rochester's commitment to the Tower, 2d ed. 1722. Miracles of Jesus vindicated, 1727 and 1728. A review of the text of Milton, 1733. Two letters against Dr Middleton, occasioned by the doctor's letter to Waterland, on the publication of his treatise, intitled Scripture Vindicated, 3d edit. 1752. And since his death, a commentary with notes on the four Evangelists and the Acts of the Apostles, together with a new translation of St Paul's first Epistle to the Corinthians, with a paraphrase and notes, have been published, with his life prefixed, from original MSS. in 2 vols 4to.