John Smith

was a Berkshire man born as it seems, became Fellow of St. Johns coll. in the Founders time, Master of Arts in in 1560. and afterwards Schoolmaster at, and Vicar of the Church of St. Laurence in, Reading in the aforesaid County. He hath written,

The Doctrine of Prayer in general for all men, that is universally for all Mankind, &c. Lond. 1595. qu. What else he hath published I know not, being a difficult matter to distinguish his Works from others of both his names and time: And whether he was author of The use of the Gospel, printed 1580. in qu. which is said to be written by Jo. Smith, I cannot tell. The said Joh. Smith of Reading, did give way to Fate there, and was buried in his Church of St. Laurence; Clar. 1596. but when, it appears not; leaving then behind him a Son of both his Names, Scholar of St. Johns coll. an. 1600. which he left after he was M. of A. to prevent expulsion. I find another John Smith, who hath published, (1) The bright Morning Star; or, the resolution and exposition of the 22 Psalm. Cambr. 1603. in tw. (2) A pattern of true Prayer, being an exposition or commentary on the Lords Prayer, &c. Lond. 1605. and 1624. oct. besides other things. But in his Epistle Dedicatory, before the said Exposition, it appears that he was then (1605, and before) a Lecture in the City of Lincoln, and that he had received part of his education in Cambridge. I shall make mention of another Joh. Smith of St. Johns coll. under the year 1616.