Cole was a native of
London, born in 1628. His father William Cole owned property, and sent him to
Westminster School, from where, in 1646, he was elected student of
Christ Church, Oxford. He proceeded B.A. in 1649, and M.A. 8 July 1651, and in 1656 became principal of
St. Mary Hall. As a tutor he had pupils including
John Locke. The
Restoration of
Charles II led to the ejection of Cole from his position at Oxford. He then opened a
dissenting academy at
Nettlebed,
Oxfordshire, where one of those under his charge was
James Bonnell.
Samuel Wesley attacked the character of Cole, based on reports from Bonnell;
Samuel Palmer defended Cole in his
Vindication of the Dissenters. In February 1674 Cole succeeded
Philip Nye as minister of the Independent congregation at Silver Street meeting-house, London. He was also one of the ministers of the merchants' lecture at
Pinners' Hall. His church, after leaving Silver Street, met at
Tallow Chandlers' Hall,
Dowgate Hill, and then at Pinners' Hall, where he preached his last sermon 22 August 1697. Cole was buried in the upper ground of
Bunhill Fields, but the precise spot is not known. ==Works==