Richard Alleine

Richard Alleine (16 October 1610 – 22 December 1681) was an English Puritan divine.

Life Alleine was born at Ditcheat, Somerset, in 1610 and baptised on the 18 October 1610, (where his father another Richard Alleine, born circa 1585 and died 1656, was rector). Richard, the son of Richard, was an older brother of William Alleine, born 1614, the saintly vicar of Blandford. Richard was educated at St Alban Hall, Oxford, where he was entered commoner in 1627, and whence, having taken the degree of B.A., he transferred himself to New Inn, continuing there until he proceeded M.A. On being ordained he became assistant to his father, and immediately stirred the entire county by his burning eloquence. In 1634 he married Lettice Gough.

In March 1641 he succeeded the many-sided Richard Bernard as rector of Batcombe, Somerset. He declared himself on the side of the Puritans by subscribing "The testimony of the ministers in Somersetshire to the truth of Jesus Christ" and the Solemn League and Covenant. He also published a book of sermons. John Wesley credited him as the originator of the covenant prayer that he introduced into Methodism in 1755.

Family

On 14 October 1634, Alleine married Miss Lettice Gough (b. 1611); the wedding was carried out by his father.

Their daughter Theodosia was born circa 1635.

Works A Brief Explanation of the Common Catechisme Distinguished into Three Parts, London, 1630 Vindiciæ Pietatis, London, 1660 Cheirothesia Tou Presbyteriou, or A Letter to a Friend, London, 1661 The Godly Mans Portion and Sanctuary, London, [1662?] Heaven Opened, or, A Brief and Plain Discovery of the Riches of Gods Covenant by Grace, London, 1665 The Best of Remedies for the Worst of Maladies, London, 1667 The World Conquered, or A Believer's Victory Over the World, London, 1668 Two Prayers: One for the Use of Families, the Other for Children, [ca. 1670] Godly-Fear, or, The Nature and Necessity of Fear, and its Usefulness, London, 1674 A Rebuke to Backsliders, and a Spurr for Loyterers, London, 1677 A Murderer Punished and Pardoned or, A True Relation of the Wicked Life, and Shameful-Happy Death of Thomas Savage, London, 1679 A Companion for Prayer, London, 1680 Instructions About Heart-Work, London, 1681 The Christian's Daily Practice of Piety, Edinburgh, 1703 The Voice of God to Christless Unregenerate Sinners, Boston, 1743