erally used no notes in the pulpit. His piety and devotion were eminent; his experimental knowledge of spiritual things very uncommon. In every depart ment, and in all relations of life, he conducted himself like a great Christian,* a faithful and loving husband, a tender father, a good master, a prudent governor in places of honor and trust, and a very dutiful, peaceable subject. The following extracts from Mr. CLARKSON's funeral sermon for Dr. OWEN may be here subjoined, in justice to his character: "A great light is "fallen; one of eminency for holiness, learning, parts "and abilities; a pastor, a scholar, a divine of the first "magnitude: holiness gave a divine lustre to his other "accomplishments, it shined in his whole course, and "was diffused through his whole conversation. It was "his great design to promote holiness in the power, life, "and exercise of it. It was his great complaint that "the power of it declined among professors. It was his "care and endeavor to prevent or cure spiritual decays, "in his own flock: he was a burning and shining light, * The following extract from a letter to Sir JOHN HARTOPP, which is not in print, may not be unacceptable, as a specimen of the Doctor's friendly correspondence: "My duty, my obligations, "and my inclinations, do all concur in the esteem I have for you "both; [Sir John and his lady] and I do make mention of you "daily in my poor supplications; and that with particular res"pect unto the present condition of your lady. That God who "hath revealed himself unto us, as the God that heareth prayer, "will yet glorify his name and be a present help unto her, in the "time of trouble. In the mean time, let her, and you, and me, "strive to love Christ more, to abide more with him, and to be "less in ourselves. He is our best friend. I pray God with all "my heart that I may be weary of every thing else but converse "and communion with him; yea, of the best of my mercies, so "far as at any time they may be hindrances thereof. My wife "presents her humble service unto your lady and yourself, as "so doth also, Sir, your most affectionate friend and servant in “our dear Lord, JOHN OWEN." "He was master of all parts of learning requisite to "an accomplished divine; those that understood him, "and will be just, cannot deny him the reputation and "honor of being a great scholar; and those that detract "from him in this, seem to be led by a spirit of envy, "that would not suffer them willingly to see so great an "ornament among those that are of another persuasion. "Indeed he had parts able to master any thing he ap"plied himself unto, though he restrained himself to "those studies which might render him most serviceable "to Christ, and the souls of men. He was a passionate "lover of light and truth, of divine truth especially; he "pursued it unweariedly, through painful and wasting "studies. He was ready to spend and be spent for "Christ; he did not bury his talent, with which he was "richly furnished, but still laid it out for the Lord who "had intrusted him. He preached while his strength "and liberty would serve, then by discourse and writing. "That he was an excellent preacher, none will deny "who knew him, and knew what preaching was, and "think it not the worse because it is spiritual and evan"gelical.* If holiness, learning, and a masculine unaf"fected style can commend any thing, his practical dis"courses cannot but find much acceptation with those * Tam in Palæstra, quam Pulpito, Dominatus est: Gestu, Theatrica procul Gesticulatione, Pari, si non & Superiore, Animi Præsentia; Sed Omnia, Suo primum Impressa altius Pectori, "who are sensible of their soul concerns, and can relish "that which is divine, and value that which is not com"mon or trivial. His excellent "Comment upon the "Hebrews"* gained him a name and esteem, not only "at home but in foreign countries. When he had fin"ished it (and it was a merciful providence that he lived "to finish it) he said, Now his work was done it was "time for him to die." $30. The late Rev. Doctor GIBBONS has given us, through the vehicle of the "Nonconformist's Memorial," an English translation of the Latin epitaph abovementioned, which, as it may gratify the curiosity and pleasure of those in a peculiar manner who are not possessed of that work, or may not be versed in the Latin language, so the inserting of it here is highly proper as a just tribute to the Doctor's memory, and a suitable recapitulation of these memoirs: JOHN OWEN, D. D. And worthy to be enrolled And in its highest degrees, To serve the interests of religion, * Cujus Prælustri e multis unum Sufficiat Epitaphio: AUTHOR QUADRIPARTITI IN EP. AD HEBR. COMMENTARII. The Arminian, Socinian, and Popish errors, Those Hydras, whose contaminated breath And deadly poison, infested the Church, He, with more than Herculean labor, Repulsed, vanquished, and destroyed. The whole œconomy of redeeming grace, Revealed and applied by the Holy Spirit, He deeply investigated, and communicated to others, Having first felt its divine energy, According to its draught in the holy scriptures, Transfused into his own bosom. Superior to all terrene pursuits, He constantly cherished, and largely experienced, Almost comprehended The wisdom of an oracle. He was a scribe every way instructed In his public discourses to more, *A COMPLETE CATALOGUE OF DR. OWEN'S WORKS. Vol. II. Vol. III. Vol. IV. 2. Of the Saints Perseverance 3. A Discourse of the Holy Spirit 4. A complete collection of his Sermons and Tracts When pr:blished. London 1668 1674 1680 1684 1654 1674 1721 Who were set out for the celestial Zion, Quarto. 1. A Display of Arminianism. 1643 2. The duty of Pastors and People distinguished 1644 3. Salus Electorum, Sanguis Jesu: or, The Death of Death in the Death of Christ 1648 5. Vindiciae Evangelicae: or, The Mystery of the Gospel vin. dicated, in answer to J. BIDDLE 1655 6. Of Communion with God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 10. The Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ 11. The Grace and Duty of being Spiritually Minded 12. An Inquiry into the Original, &c of Evan. Churches 13. The True Nature of a Gospel Church' 14. A Review of the Annotations of Grotius 1679 1681 1681 1689 1656 15. A Discourse concerning Liturgies 1662 16. Indulgence and Toleration considered in a Letter 21. An Account of the Nature of the Protestant Religion 2. Esheol: or, Rules for Church Fellowship 3. Diatriba de Justitia divina 1682 Octavo. 1645 1648 1653 10. The Divine Original and Authority of the Scriptures 11. A Primer for Children 1659 A Vindication of his Book of Communion with God from the 21. The Nature of Apostasy from the Profession of the Gospel 22. The Reason of Faith in the Scriptures 1676 1677 23. Of Understanding the Mind of God in the Scriptures 24. An Humble Testimony to the Goodness and Severity of God in his Dealing with Sinful Churches and Nations 25. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer 26. Meditations on the Glory of Christ. Part I. 1678 1681 1682 1684 1691 1688 1693 1395 |