OFFSPRING, an eminent English prelate, born at London in 1654, and educated at Catharine-Hall, Cambridge. For two years he refused to take the oath of allegiance to William and Mary, but at last submitted, though he seemed to condemn the principles of the Revolution. In a sermon preached before the House of Commons 30th January 1699, he animadverted on Toland's assertion, in his life of Milton, that Charles I. was not the writer of the Icon Basilike; and also on some insinuations against the authenticity of the Holy Scriptures; which produced a controversy between him and that author. In 1700 he was chosen Boyle's lecturer; and in 1707 was consecrated bishop of Exeter. He died at Exeter in 1716, and was interred in the cathedral. His works were published in two vols. folio, 1723.