(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 conjugal 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 unmake 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. Before 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 1729; 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 declined it. However, after several difficulties had been started and removed, he consented to accept the bishopric of Bangor, and promised Lord Harwich to do it with a good grace. He accordingly made proper acknowledgements of the royal goodness, and was consecrated Feb. 12, 1748. Upon the declining state of health or Dr Wilcock's, 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 Wilcock 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 burdens of his duties 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 to 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 deanery; 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 edit. 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, 3 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.

The following character of this excellent bishop was published in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1775, and was written, as we are told, by a contemporary and friend. "The world has not lost for many years a more respectable member of society than the late Dr Pearce; nor the clergy a more pious and learned prelate. In his younger days, before he became a graduate, he published that excellent edition of Longinus, still admired and quoted by the best critics. What is said of Longinus himself by our excellent English poet, is as applicable to the editor: 'He is himself the great sublime he draws;' for very few of his order ever arrived to that perfection in eloquence, for which he was so justly celebrated. His diction was simple, nervous, and flowing; his sentiments were just and sublime; more sublime than the heathen critic, in proportion to the superior sublimity of the Christian revelation. Yet he was never puffed up with the general applause of the world, but of a humble deportment, resembling the meek Jesus as far as the weakness of human nature can resemble a character without sin. His countenance was always placid, and displayed the benevolence of his heart, if his extensive charity had not proved it to a demonstration. His thirst of knowledge prompted him to a very studious life, and that rendered both his complexion and constitution delicate; yet it held out by the blessing of Providence beyond the 87th year of his age; which is the more extraordinary, considering the midnight lamp had cast a pallor over his complexion: yet with all his learning and knowledge, his humility and modesty restrained him from many publications, which the world may hope for from his executors; one particularly in divinity, which has been the object of his contemplation for many years past. With a view to complete that work, and to retire from the bustle of the world, he struggled so hard to resign his bishopric, &c. After possessing the esteem and veneration of all who knew him for a long series of years, either as rector of a very large parish, or as a dignitary of the church, he has left the world in tears; and gone to receive the infinite reward of his piety and virtue."