Life

Finch was the son of the Rev. Richard Finch. He was born at Greenwich 3 March 1723-4, entered Merchant Taylors' School

Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood

Merchant Taylors' School is a British independent day school for boys, originally located in the City of London. Since 1933 it has been located at Sandy Lodge in the Three Rivers district of Hertfordshire ....

 in 1736, and was admitted a member of Peterhouse, Cambridge

Peterhouse, Cambridge

Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...

, whence he graduated B.A. 1743, M.A. 1747, D.D. 1772. He became a preacher of some eminence, published numerous sermons, and was also an author of a treatise on oath

Oath

An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...

s and perjury

Perjury

Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...

, which passed through many editions. In 1771 he was appointed rector of St. Michael's, Cornhill

St Michael, Cornhill

St Michael, Cornhill is a medieval parish church in the City of London with pre-Norman Conquest parochial foundation. The medieval structure was lost in the Great Fire of London and the current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1670-1677....

, but resigned in 1784, on becoming rector of St. John the Evangelist, Westminster. In 1781 he was made prebendary of Westminster, and retaining this appointment until his death, 18 May 1803, was buried in the abbey.

Works

He published in 1788 Considerations upon the Use and Abuse of Oaths judicially taken, which became a standard work among the publications of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.