Corbet, John

, a nonconformist divine of considerable note, the son of a mechanic at Gloucester, was born in that city in 1620, and after being educated at a grammar school there, became a batler of Magdalen hall, Oxford, in 1636, and in 1639 was admitted bachelor of arts. After taking orders, he preached at Gloucester, where he resided during the siege, of which he published an account. He then removed to Chichester, and afterwards became rector of Bramshot, in Hampshire, from which he was ejected in 1662. He lived privately in London and its neighbourhood until king Charles II.'s indulgence, when a part of his congregation invited him to Chichester, where he preached among them, and had a conference with bishop Gunning on the topics which occasioned his non-conformity; but Corbet was. too closely attached to the principles which prevailed during the usurpation to yield in any point to the discipline of the church. He died Dec. 26, 1680. Baxter, who preached his funeral sermon, gives a very high opinion of his learning, piety, and humility. He wrote many practical tracts, one of which, entitled “Self-employment in secret,” was some years ago reprinted by the Rev. William Unwin, rector of Stock cum Ramsden, in Essex. Corbet’s most curious work is his “Historical relation of the Military Government of Gloucester, from the beginning of the Civil War to the removal of col. Massie to the command of the western forces,” 1645, 4.to. The state of religious parties is well illustrated in another work entitled “The Interest of England in the matter of Religion,” 1661, 8vo. Corbet had also a considerable share in conipiling the first volume of Rushworth’s “Historical Collections.” ²