a positive and vehement affirma-

tion of something.

ASHETON, WILLIAM, doctor of divinity, and

rector of Beckenham, in Kent, was born in the year

1641, and was educated at Brazen-nose college, Ox-

ford. After entering into orders, he became chaplain

to the duke of Ormond, and was admitted doctor of

divinity in 1673. Soon after, he was nominated to a

prebend in the church of York, presented to the living

of St Antholin, London, and to the rectory of Beck-

enham in Kent. He was the first projector of the

scheme for providing for clergymen's widows, and

others, by a jointure payable out of the mercers com-

pany. He wrote several pieces against the Papists and

Dissenters, and some devotional tracts. He died at

Beckenham in September 1711, in the 70th year of his

age.