VINCENT, an English nonconformist divine, was born in Northamptonshire, and educated at St John's College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of master of arts. When he received deacon's orders, he went to Rutlandshire, and settled at Oakham, where he was an assistant to the master of the free-school. As he was a man of a sprightly turn, he fell into indifferent company; but was reclaimed by the frequent admonitions of the reverend Mr Benjamin King. He afterwards married that gentleman's daughter, and becoming a convert to his principles, received ordination in the Presbyterian way, not being satisfied with that which he had from the bishop. He was settled at Wilbce, in the county of Northampton, whence he was ejected in 1662 for nonconformity. After this he ventured to preach sometimes at Oakham, and at Wellingborough, where he lived, and was once six months in prison for praying by a sick person. A book which he wrote against Dr Sherlock, in a humorous style, made him well known to the world, and induced Mr Cawton, an eminent nonconformist in Westminster, to recommend him to his congregation for his successor. On receiving this call he quitted Northamptonshire, and came to London, where he preached constantly, and wrote several pieces which were extremely well received by the public. Living in the neighbourhood of the court, he was exposed to many inconveniences; but these ended with the reign of Charles II. or at least in the beginning of the next reign, when Mr Alsop's son engaging in treasonable practices, was freely pardoned by King James. After this our divine went frequently to court, and is generally supposed to have been the person who drew up the Presbyterians' address to that prince for his general indulgence. After the Revolution, Mr Alsop gave public testimonies of his attachment to government; yet upon all occasions he spoke very respectfully of King James, and retained a very high sense of his clemency in sparing his only son. The remainder of his life he spent in the exercise of his ministry, preaching once every Lord's day; besides which he had a Thursday lecture, and was one of the lecturers at Pinners Hall. He lived to a great age, and, preserving his spirits to the last, died in May 1703. On grave subjects he wrote with a becoming seriousness; but where wit might properly be shown, he displayed it to great advantage. His funeral sermon was preached by Mr Slater, and his memory will be always preserved by his own learned and elegant writings. Of these the most remarkable, besides his sermons, are, 1. Antisozzo; in vindication of some great truths opposed by Dr William Sherlock, 1675, 8vo; 2. Melius Inquirendum; in answer to Dr Goodman's Compassionate Inquiry, 1679, 8vo; 3. The Mischief of Impositions; in answer to Dr Stillington's Mischief of Separation, 1680; 4. A Faithful Reproof to a False Report, with reference to the Differences among the United Ministers in London, 8vo.