ness; nor will it be improper or unseasonable to take notice of the same design, and the same sort of objections and cavils against the mysteries of the gospel, and the deep things of GOD now advanced in our days; for (as the Doctor there observes)" one great exception against the work of the Spirit in illumination, sanctification, and spiritual gifts, was, that those who plead for those operations of the Spirit are therein enemies to reason, and impugn the use of it in religion. Hence some of those who are otherwise minded affirm, that it is cast on them as a reproach that they are rational divines; although, as far as I can discern, (says he) if it be so, it is as Hierom was beaten by an angel for being a Ciceronian (in the judgment of some) very undeservedly." Who knows not that the Anti-Trinitarians, Arians, Socinians, and others of the tribe, make the same objection against the doctrine of the trinity of persons in the unity of the Godhead, and the person of Christ GoD and Man? Which objection and pretence the Doctor has so well answered in his preface, that it is worthy of a distinct perusal by all.

Thus we see with what faithfulness and diligence this great man employed his excellent talents for the service of the church; he was frequently writing some book or other that might contribute to that noble design: And though it might seem too tedious in the history of his life to take notice of every one of them, yet we judge it very necessary to illustrate his character in giving a particular account of those which have deservedly gained a great interest in the esteem of learned and good men. Among which we must reckon that incomparable treatise he published in 1677, entitled, " The Doctrine of Justification by Faith, through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ, explained, confirmed, and vindicated ;” wherein he has pursued a method and design that required a more than ordinary judgment and skill. He tells us in the preface, "That though he has necessarily taken some pains in the explication of that doctrine, which has been involved in so many and very intricate disputes among men of different opinions, yet he has insisted chiefly on the interpretation of Scripture testimonies, with the application of them to the experience of them that believe, and the state of them who seek after salvation by Jesus Christ. To declare and vindicate the truth to the instruction and edification of such as love it in sincerity; to extricate their minds from those difficulties in that particular instance, which some endeavour to

cast

cast on all the mysteries of the Gospel; to direct the consciences of them that inquire after abiding peace with GOD, and to establish the minds of them that do believe, are the things herein aimed at." In this performance he has avoided the unprofitable jangling of perverse disputation, wherewith this doctrine of justification has been generally perplexed, and all reflections on persons that differ from him. "He professes to have written nothing but what he believes to be true, and also that he has designed herein the practical direction of the consciences of men in their application to GoD by Jesus Christ, for deliverance from the curse due to the apostate state, and peace with him, with the influence that this way of justification has upon universal Gospel obedience." Whereby he has effectually removed the old scandalous objection against this doctrine, as if it were no friend to holiness, and did give encouragement to loose practices, which is as old as the delivery of it by the apostle Paul himself, and is by him fully refuted.

It was not possible the real worth of so excellent a person should be concealed; and in many instances his reputation shone out with such lustre as drew the admiration and respects of several persons of honour and quality upon him, who very much delighted in his conversation; particularly the Earl of Orrery, the Earl of Anglesea, the Lord Willoughby of Parham, the Lord Wharton, the Lord Berkley, Sir John Trevor, one of the principal Secretaries of State; and even King Charles himself and the Duke of York paid a particular respect to him. When the Doctor was drinking the waters at Tunbridge, the Duke of York being there, sent for him into his tent, and several discourses passed between them about the dissenters and conventicles; and after he returned to London, the King himself sent for him, and discoursed with him about two hours together, assuring him of his favour and respect, and telling him, he might have access to him, as he would. At the same time the king was pleased to assure the Doctor how much he was for liberty of conscience, and how sensible of the wrong that had been done to the dissenters; and as a testimony hereof gave him a thousand guineas to distribute among those who had suffered most by the late severities. The Doctor could do no less than thankfully accept his Majesty's generosity, and did faithfully apply it to that purpose. When this was known, a clamor arose among the churchmen, who reported he was in pension, to serve the papal interest; but the Doctor, to wipe off this vile as

person,

persion, declares solemnly, in his preface to the first part of his " Enquiry in the Original of Evangelical Churches," "That never any one person in authority, dignity, or power in this nation, nor any one that had any relation to public affairs, nor any of the papists or protestants did ever speak one word to him, or advise with him about any indulgence or toleration to be granted unto papists, and challenges all the world to prove the contrary if they can." The Doctor had some friends also among the Bishops, particularly Doctor Wilkins, Bishop of Chester, who was very cordial in his respects to him, and Dr. Barlow, formerly his tutor, then Bishop of Lincoln.

It is not to be wondered that a life filled up with so many labours should decline under the weight of infirmi ties which now began to grow upon him. Some few years before he died he was often ill, and sometimes confined to his bed or chamber, whereby he was taken off in a great measure from his ministerial function, but not altogether disabled from serving the church of God; and whenever he was able to sit up, he would be continually writing, when not prevented by company, and several excellent books were composed by him, which might deserve a particular notice in this history; but we choose not to swell it with such accounts, and therefore refer the reader to the complete catalogue of all his works at the end of these Memoirs. There is one book which claims a distinct regard in this place, viz. Xgrohoysa: Or, " A Declaration of the glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ, GoD and Man," published 1679. The design of this treatise is declared in a large preface full of learning, wherein he shews what opposition has been in all ages made to the person of Christ, by Nestorians, Arians, Socinians, and others; that this doctrine is the rock on which the church is built, and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it, and through the whole book he pleads the cause of the glory of Christ, his deity as co-essential and co-eternal with the Father, and irrefragably proves, that divine honour and religious worship is due to him, against all the subtile evasions of that scheme which is in our days afresh advanced to the contempt of his glorious person: In one word, there is such a strain of piety, and zeal, and learning, running through the whole, as renders it worthy of the most serious perusal, and will endear his memory to all that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity. Before we close our account of his works, we cannot forbear taking notice of another excellent treatise,

published

published by him 1681, entitled, pornμa ПIVEUμatos: Or," The grace and duty of being spiritually minded." It was composed out of his own deep and spiritual meditations, originally designed for his own use, not long before his death; and in it he breathes out the sentiments and devotion of a mind full of heaven, and the glories of that better world. "He wrote it (as he tells us) in a season wherein he was every way unable to do any thing for the edification of others, and far from expectation that he ever should be able any more in this world." And after he had communicated them to a private congregation, being convinced how necessary and seasonable these discourses were to the present state of professors, their temper and carriage, he was induced to send them forth to the benefit of the church. *

He bewails the carnal frames and lives of professors, and was very sensible that if the prevalence of the world over the minds and affections of Christians be not preyented or cured, it would eat out the very heart and life of true religion. This discourse was designed as an antidote against this growing evil, and calculated to promote a spiritual and heavenly frame in the minds of professors; and we cannot but recommend it to the diligent perusal of all Christians at this day, wherein this dangerous disease of worldly-mindedness so evidently abounds. We might also mention with great esteem his meditations on the glory of Christ in two parts, which give us an ample testimony of that pious and heavenly frame, that clear and intimate knowledge of the glory of Christ, and that fervent love to Christ's person, which filled his soul; there he thinks and writes like one that was in a full and near view of that un

veiled glory. Now the time drew near when he must die, and after all his labours and sufferings enter into the joy of his Lord. His infirmities of body grew on him apace, which obliged him to retire into the country for the benefit of the air. He went to Kensington, and lived there some time: One day as he was coming from thence to London, in the Strand two informers seized upon his coach and horses, upon which a mob gathered about him: The providence of GoD so ordered it, that Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey came by at that time, and seeing a mob, asked what the matter was? And being a justice of the

This admirable performance is most. judiciously abridged by the Rev. Dr. Mayo. Printed for Dilly, in the Poultry.

the peace, he ordered the informers and Dr. Owen to meet him at a justice of the peace's house near Bloomsbury Square upon a day appointed, and he would get some other of his brethren to be there to hear the cause: They met accordingly, and Sir Edmund being in the chair, upon examining the whole matter they found the informers had acted so very illegally, that they discharged the Doctor, and severely reprimanded them; after which he was no more disturbed by them.

From Kensington he went to Ealing, where he had a house of his own; where he finished his course. During which time he employed his thoughts in the contemplation of the other world, as one that was drawing near to it every day; which produced his meditations on the glory of Christ before-mentioned; in which he breathed out the devotion of a soul that was growing continually into the temper of the heavenly state. He died in the sixty-seventh year of his age, August 24, 1683. *

As to his person his stature was tall, his visage grave, majestic, and comely: He had the aspect and deportment of a gentleman, suitable to his birth. He had a very large capacity of mind, a ready invention, and good judgment, a great natural wit, which being improved by education, rendered him a person of incomparable abilities: As to his temper he was very affable and courteous, familiar and sociable; the meanest persons found an easy access to his converse and friendship. He was facetious and pleasant in his common discourse, jesting with his acquaintance, but with sobriety and measure; a great master of his passions, especially that of anger: He was of a serene and even temper, neither elated with honour, credit, friends,

* A Correspondent has favoured me with an anecdote of the Doctor, which transpired on the day of his death, and which (never having been before published) I shall give in his own words. E. M. Old Mr. Humphreys of Colchester, but originally from Saffron Walden, told me a little before his death, that Mr. Payne, who for several years kept an academy at Saffron Walden (at which several eminent dissenting ministers were educated) being intrusted by Dr. Owen to put his last performance to the press, came into see the Doctor the morning of that day ou which he died, and told him, Doctor, I have been just putting your book “On the Glory of Christ" to the press; to which the Doctor answered, "I am glad to hear that that performance is put to the press ;" and then lifting up both his hands and his eyes, as in a kind of rapture, he said," But, O brother Payne, the long-looked for day is come at last, in which I shall see that Glory in another manner than I have ever done yet, or was capa ble of doing in this world."