(Thomas), a learned English bishop in the 17th century, was bred at St John's college, Cambridge, and was logic-lecturer of the university. After several preferments he was advanced to the see of Chester in 1615, and translated to that of Lichfield and Coventry in 1618; at which time he became acquainted with Antonio de Dominis archbishop of Spalatro, whom he endeavoured to dissuade from returning to Rome. While he was bishop of Litchfield and Coventry, in which see he sat 14 years, he educated, ordained, and presented to a living, a youth of excellent parts and memory, who was born blind; and detected the imposture of the famous boy of Bilston in Staffordshire, who pretended to be possessed with a devil. In 1632 he was translated to the see of Durham, in which he sat with great reputation till the opening of the long parliament, which met in 1640; when he received great insults from the common people, and was committed twice to custody. The parliament, upon the dissolution of bishoprics, voted him 800l. per annum, of which he received but a small part. He died in 1659, in the 95th year of his age and 44th of his episcopal consecration. He published Apologia Catholica, and several other works; and was a man of extensive learning, great piety, and temperance.