Bible Encyclopedias
Nix, Richard

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Nivers, Guillaume-Gabriel

Next Entry
Nixii Dii

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

an English prelate who nourished in the days of king Henry VIII, was born about 1564. He was educated with great care for the service of the Church, and after taking holy orders rose rapidly to positions of trust. He was finally made bishop of Norwich, and in this see used his influence against the Reformatory movement. He is by Burnet and Sdames accused of very bad habits. The last-named ecclesiastical historian says that bishop Nix was licentious and cruel, and that his zeal to suppress the Reformatory movement "was tempered by little or no sense of decency. He even made a jest of the sufferings to which those exposed themselves who were liable to be questioned for heresy, and called such persons men savoring of the frying-pan" (Hist. Ref. 1:477-8). In 1634 proceedings were instituted against the bishop for a clandestine correspondence which he had for some time held with the pope, and pleading guilty he was committed to the Marshalsea. He contrived, however, to make his peace with the government, and was soon after pardoned. He was blind in his old age, and died about 1640. (J. H. W.)