DR JOHN, an eminent divine, was born in Kent in 1632, and educated at Cambridge. He was chosen fellow of his college, and took a doctor's degree in 1663. In 1667 he was chosen master of Corpus Christi College, and preferred to the deanery of Ely in 1677. He died on the 25th of May 1695. His works are, 1. The Righteous Ruler; a sermon on Proverbs xxix. 2. preached June 28, 1660. 2. A Discourse concerning Prodigies, wherein the vanity of prelages by them is reprehended, and their true and proper ends affected and vindicated. To this excellent work was afterwards added, A Discourse concerning vulgar prophecies, wherein the vanity of receiving them as the certain indications of any future event is exposed; and some marks of distinction between true and pretended prophets are laid down. 3. A Latin dissertation concerning Urim and Thummim. 4. His famous treatise De legibus Hebraeorum ritualibus et earum rationibus. The intention of this book, as he informs us himself, was to vindicate the Deity from the imputation of acting from arbitrary and fantastical motives. It has been highly and justly esteemed both for the elegance of style and the uncommon erudition and found sense which it displays. It has, however, (that part of it particularly which endeavours to deduce some of the Jewish ceremonies from the practices of their heathen neighbours), alarmed many persons, as if such a doctrine, if it could be proved, would derogate from the Divine wisdom, and undermine revelation. But this is so far from being the case, that Dr Spencer's attempt, whether successful or not, deserves the gratitude of Christians, because it has a tendency to throw light on an important and difficult subject.