(Jeremy), a learned English nonjuring divine, born in 1650, and educated in Caius college Cambridge. He had first the small rectory of Ampthill, near St Edmund's Bury in Suffolk; which in five years he resigned, to come to London, in 1685, where he was made lecturer of Gray's Inn; but the change of government that followed, soon rendered the public exercise of his function impracticable. He was committed to Newgate for writing against the revolution; and again, for carrying on a correspondence which that change of events made treasonable; but was released both times, without trial, by the intervention of friends. It is observable that he carried his scruples so far, as to prefer confinement to the tacit acknowledgment of the jurisdiction of the court by accepting his liberty upon bail. Suitable to these principles, he next acted a very extraordinary part with two other clergymen of his own way of thinking, at the execution of Sir John Friend and Sir William Perkins for the assassination plot; by giving them solemn absolution, and by imposition of hands; absconding for which, he continued under an outlawry to the day of his death in 1726. These proceedings having put a stop to his activity, he employed his retired hours rather more usefully in literary works. In 1698, he attempted to reform our theatrical entertainments, by publishing his Short view of the immorality and profaneness of the English stage; which engaged him in a controversy with the wits of the time; but as Mr Collier defended his causes not only with wit, but with learning and reason, it is allowed that the decorum observed, for the most part, by succeeding dramatic writers, has been owing to his animadversions. He next undertook a translation of Moreri's great Historical and Geographical Dictionary; a work of extraordinary labour, and which appeared in four vols. folio. After this he published "An Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain, chiefly of England," in two vols. folio; which is allowed to be written with great judgment, and even with impartiality. He was besides engaged in several controversies, which his conduct and writings gave rise to, not material to mention. In Queen Anne's reign, Mr Collier was tempted, by offers of considerable preferment, to a submission; but as he was a nonjuror upon principle, he could not be brought to listen to any terms.

COLLIERY, Coalery, or Coallier. See Colliery.