IX
i207_
"22D6
THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
MEMOIRS
THE LATE REVEREND AND LEARNED
HUGH FARMER.
PRICE THREE SHILLINGS IN BOARDS.
Lately RepubliJIied,
Dr. JOHNSON'S LIFE of Dr. WATTS,
WITH NOTES.
Containing Corre&ions and Additions, with fome original
Papers.
Preparing for the Prefs.
LETTERS
By THE LATE REV. JOB ORTON,
Vol. II.
Written chiefly to young Diflenting Minifters, and Student*
for the Miniftry ; with Memoirs of his Life.
*** This work will be printed in a manner uniform with
a former Volume of Letters to a young Clergyman,
publifhed
By the Rev. Thos. Stedman,
Reftor of St. Chad's, Shrewlbury.
Oti au [Atv tTTiroXsa, ffcc^Bixi nsa wyv^xi' >• 2 Cor. X* 10,
MEMOIRS
OF
THE LIFE AND WRITINGS
OF
THE LATE REVEREND AND LEARNED
HUGH FARMER:
TO WHICH 18 ADDED,
A PIECE OF HIS, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED, PRINTED
FROM THE ONLY REMAINING MANUSCRIPT
OF THE AUTHOR.
ALSO,
SEVERAL ORIGINAL LETTERS, AND AN EXTRACT FROM
HIS ESSAY
ON
THE CASE OF BALAAM.
Taken from his Manuscript, since destroyed-
By the late MICHAEL DODSON, Esq.
Hujnf nvilti quidem in sanctum scripturam extant commcntarii, st<2 mqjis viiJ
i off ecclesiis profuit. — Jehom, in Yit. Pantaeni.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES, PATER-
NOSTER-ROW,
B'i G. Woodfall, No. 22, Patcrnoster-row,
1804.
PREFACE.
!
■ - s --, -p.,
x ' i>
IT hath been well obferved — that " to
" trcafurc up memorials of the wife, the
" learned and the good, is to fulfil an
" exalted duty to mankind*." Under an
imprefsion of this fentiment, as well as
from a high veneration for the memory
of a moil valuable friend, the writer of
the following iheets ventures to prcfent
them to the public, chcarfully relying on
the candour of judicious readers to apo-
Jogife for what feme may deem detective
in the hiitory of fo diltinguifhed a cha-
racter
The life of Mr. Fanner being chiefly
fpent in retirement, and almoli the whole
of it in one fituation, was not likely to
abound with remarkable incidents, and
* Monthly Review for February, lSc.t, Art. Reid.
confequently
Vllt PREFACE.
and was communicated fince this work
was committed to the prefs. Of both thefe
pieces a fuller account will be given in the
proper place.
It is a fatisfaclion to the Editor, that this
work has the countenance of feveral of his
brethren, who well knew Mr. Farmer; one
of whom, in high and general estimation,
both for character and talents, writes as
follows; " I cannot but exprefs mv entire
* approbation of your intention to publim
* Mr. Farmer's Life. I have often rc-
4 sretted that a man of fuch eminence
O
' mould have £one off the ftasre with fo
' little public notice. I always confldered
' him as a perfon of great talents and learn-
1 ing, and as a truly evangelical and rational
4 chriflian."
Any communications by which this Work
may be improved, will be thankfully re-
ceived, and infertcd in another edition, if
called for, or in a fupplcment to this.
May 3, 1804.
MEMOIRS
MEMOIRS
REVEREND HUGH FARMER.
M.k. Farmer's remote anceftors were
inhabitants of North Wales, but of what
particular part cannot be now afcertained,
nor have we any other information con-
cerning them, than that he had heard
them reported to be very refpeclable and
religious. His grandfather, by the female
line, from whom he received his given
name, was the Reverend Hugh Owen, of
Bronyclyder, iii Merioneth mire. He was
educated for the church in the Univerfity
of Oxford j but the Act of Uniformity
pafsing in 1662, about the time of his
'appearing as a candidate for the miniftry,
and finding himfelf unable, with a good
confcience, to comply with the terms
which that Acl; required, he declined ap-
plying for Epifcopal Ordination, and took
b his
2 MEMOIRS OF
his lot with the Nonconformifts, among
whom his name (lands with diftinguifhed ho-
nour* in Dr. Calamy's " Account of the
Ejected Minifters." From thence it ap-
pears, that upon quitting the univerfity, he
went to London ; but with what view we
are not informed: probably it was only to
confult with the minifters there, as many
others did, refpecling his future line of
conduct. He foon afterwards retired into
his native country, where he lived upon a
fmall eftate of his own, and preached gratis
to a number of poor and ignorant people, at
a great number of places, fcveral of which
were twenty miles diitant, and fome thirty
from his own habitation, and he met with
great fuccefs. But his indefatigable la-
bours, his' frequent travelling in the night,
over bleak mountains, and in all weathers,
together with bad accommodations in the
hou fes of poor people, greatly impaired his
health. He was a truly primitive apoftolical
chriftian, eminent for his meeknefs and hu-
* See Dr. Calamy's Account, page 710, and Con-
tinuation, page 838.
milit'
tHE REV. HUGH FARMER. 3
mility: of fo unblemifhed and exemplary
a deportment, as to fccure the efteemof the
principal gentlemen of the country around
him, to feveral of whom he was nearly al-
lied. In the courfe of his life he expe-
rienced feveral providential and remarkable
deliverances, which Dr. Calamy has re-
corded. He died at the age of 62, in the
year 1699.
Mr. James Owen, (who it is fuppo-
fed was related to him, and was after-
wards at Ofweftry and at Salop, and very
ufc ful as a Tutor*) was for fome time
his afsiftant, and preached his funeral
fermon ; but by his itrict injunction refrain-
ed from faying any thing about him on
the.occafion. We have no account of his
family, except of his daughter, as being
the mother of Mr. Farmer; and of one fon,
Mr. John Owen, who was a diifenting
• An account of his life and writings was publifhed
by his brother, Dr. Charles Owen. Mr. Matthew
Henry preached and publifhed his funeral fermon. See
Henry's Works, folio, p. 577.
b 2 minifter,
4- MEMOIRS OF
minifter, but did not furvive the age of
thirty years.
A more particular account of Mr. Hugh
Owen was drawn up by his grandfon, the
fubject of thefe memoirs, to be inferted in
a biographical work; which, as a proof of
his veneration for the memory of his pious
anceftor, will be given at length in an Ap-
pendix to this publication.
Of Mr. Farmer's parents no other account
can be given, than that they were perfons of
diitinguifhed piety and virtue, who lived in
good cfteem at a village a few miles from
Shrewsbury; and there Mr. Farmer was
born in the year 1714. Being early devoted
to the Chriftian miniftry among the Pro-
teftant diflenters, he received the fir ft part
of his grammatical learning in a fchool of
confiderable reputation at that time, which
was founded by two of his progenitors, at
Llanegrin, near Towyn, in Merioneth fhi re.
From hence he was removed to perfect
his clafsical education under the tuition of
Dr. Charles Owen, a diuenting minifter
at Warrington ; a gentleman of great emi-
nence
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 5
nence for learning and piety, fweetnefs
of temper, and politenefs of manners*. He
ufually bad two or three young men un- r
dcr li is care, of whom one was Mr. Job
Orton, of Shrewsbury, with whom Mr.
Farmer afterwards had a clofe intimacy, and
maintained for many years an epiftolary cor-
refpondence.
About the year 1730 Mr. Farmer entered
upon his courfe of academical ftudies at Nor-
thampton, under the direclion of the juftly
celebrated Dr. Philip Doddridge, and was
one of his firft pupils. Here he fo diftin-
guiihed himfelf by his abilities, application,
and improvement, that his tutor was foon
fcnfible of the honour he was likely to
derive from being concerned in his edu-
cation ; and though the doctor did not
live to fee the reputation he attained in the
literary world," he always fpoke of him in
terms of the higheft refpect, as fomeof his
later pupils could witnefs.
* Biog. Brit. Vol. v. p. 309. Article Orton. This
gentleman was the author of the ingenious '* DifTertation
on Serpents."
6 MEMOIRS OP
As foon as Mr. Farmer had finifhed his
ftudies at Northampton, he accepted an
invitation to a fervice in which his tutor
had preceded him, and to which it may
be prefumed he recommended him ; namely
that of an afsiftant to Mr. David Some*,
a minifter of diitinguimed reputation at
Market IIarborough, in Leiceiler-
fhire, where Dr. Doddridge had for fomc
time redded, and firft entered upon the
buiinefs of academical education, chiefly
through Air. Some's influence, which in
that country was very confiderable.
How long Mr. Farmer continued in this
fituation doth not appear, nor what was
the caufe of his leaving it. Though it
was truly refpectable, his talents qualified
him for a fuperior and more public itation,
and his inclination probably led him to pre-
fer the vicinity of London.
William Coward, Efq. of Waltham-
* This circumflance Dr. Kippi?, in the Biographia
has omitted, where he fpeaks of Mr. Farmer's begin-
ning his miniftry at Walthamjlozv, which is undoubtedly
a miftake. — For fome account of the ibove Mr. Somi,
the reader is referred to Or ton's Life of Doddridge,
p. 50—52.
flow,
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 7
(low, a gentleman of large property, who
devoted a coniiderable portion of it to the
education of young perions for the miniflry,
invited Mr. Farmer (moll probably on the
recommendation of Dr. Doddridge, to whofe
iludents Mr. Coward was a liberal benefac-
tor) to become his chaplain, in whofe
family lie for fome time preached, there
being at that time no meeting-houfe in this
Tillage. But the diiTenters who refided
there, to whom Mr. Farmer's fervices were
highly acceptable, fpeedily e reeled a place
of worihip, on a piece of ground which
was given for the purpofe by William
Snell, Efq. a gentleman who refided in
the neighbourhood, and a regular congre-
gation of proteftant-diilentcrs was formed at
AValthamllow, which foon greatly increafed.
Mr. Farmer for fome time refided in Mr.
Coward's houfe ; but the oddities of that
gentleman's character foon obliged him to
have it. Among other of his whims, he
took it into his head to eltablifh a rule
that his houfe ihould be ihut at a very early
hour in the evening, after which no perfon
whatever, whether a refident or a vilitor,
was
S MEMOIRS Of
was fuffered to have admittance. Mr. Far-
mer happening once to flay out fomewhat
beyond the time allowed, was not permitted
to have the door opened to him; in con-
fequence of which he betook himfelf to
the houfe of Mr. Snell above mentioned,
which occafioned the rough treatment he
met with from his patron to prove one
of the moil fortunate circumflances of his
life. For Mr. Snell, who from that time
engaged him to refide in his own family, was
a gentleman of an excellent clifpofition,
and mofl refpectable character, who con-
tributed every thing in his power to ren-
der the iltuation of his gucil eafy and
happy. He was a Solicitor in the Court
of Chancery, of the highell reputation for
his ability and integrity, of whom " no
greater encomium needs to be given, than
that he lived in the habits of intimacy
with the Lord Chancellor Hard wick, Sir
John Strange, and others of the firil emi-
nence in that day, at the bar, and on the
bench."
In this worthy family Mr. Farmer refidcd
above thirty years. After the death of Mr.
Snell
THE REV. HUGH FARMER, 9
Snell, he continued with Mrs. Snell till the
time of her deceafe; whofe laft days of
widowhood were rendered happy by the
fociety of (o cheerful, kind, and pious an
inmate. And the advantage to Mr. Far-
mer was equal; for me continued to treat
him, as Mr. Snell had always done, on the
footing of the trued friendship: his bio-
grapher fays, " more like an equal than an
inferior-" a mode of exprefsion which may-
be juftly excepted againft, and which his
worthy patrons would not have admitted;
for if good fenfe, politenefs, learning, be-
nevolence, and piety, be allowed to have
the preference to fortune, Mr. Farmer may
be juftly pronounced at lead their equal;
in the latter only was he their inferior, and
that was not conndered by them, nor ought
it by any, as placing him in a ilate of in-
feriority.
There was only one circumftance attend-
ing his fituation in this family which, after
the deceafe of his worthy friends, was the
caufe of any regret; which was, that the
pleafing accommodation which he had met
with in this hofpitable abode, free from
every
10 MEMOIRS OF
every domeftic care, was the principal occa-
sion of his remaining all his days in a ftate of
celibacy; the evil of which towards the clofe
of life, when he was left alone, and the cares
of a houfe-eftablifhment devolved upon him,
he feverely felt, and fometimes, with an air
of pleafantry, lamented to his friends; at
the fame time cautioning thofe of them
in the early period of life, againft the like
inconveniences. When vifiting fome of his
acquaintance, with whom a younger mi-
nifter boarded, he would fometimes fay,
in bis jocular manner, " Don't ufe him
too well: treat him roughly, that he
may not be tempted to follow my exam-
ple." Though this anecdote may appear
trivial, and caufe a (mile, the fubjecl is
ferious, and is capable of a very valuable
improvement. The conjugal ftate, if en-
tered into with prudence, is doubtlefs of
all others the happielr, and many in the
decline of life have had caufe for bitter
regret that they miffed the favourable op-
portunity for enjoying it.
A fingle life, however, has its advantages,
efpscially to a (tudious man; and Mr. Far-
m e r
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. II
mcr improved them to the utmoft. In his
peaceful abode with this excellent family,
he enjoyed a happy leifure for profecuting
his favourite ftudies, fo as to acquire a
large fund of folid learning, particularly
of that kind which qualified him for the
illuftration and defence of divine revelation,
to which important ufe he applied it, as
the public have witnelfed in his elaborate
writings, of which an account will be given
in the fequel.
But though a large proportion of Mr. Far-
mer's time and labour was employed in the
acquifition of that knowledge which was ne-
cciJary to the production of fuch mafterly
publications, it was not to the neglect of
the more important duties of his office as
a miniftcr o,f the gofpel. In thefe it was
his declared opinion, that every miniftcr
ought to excel; and therefore he recom-
mended it to Undents for the chriftian mi-
niftry to make this their aim; lamenting it
as an impropriety and abfurdity, that lo
many mould fpend fuch a large portion
of their time in learning fo many other
{ things
12 MEMOIRS OF
things befides, and inftead of, thofe which
it is their principal bufinefs to teach. His
own example correfponded with his opi-
nion.
As a preacher, he attained to diftinguimed
eminence. His fermons were itudied with
care, and compofed with accuracy. The
fubjecls of them were the mod highly
interefting, and the ftrain of them prac-
tical, fpiritual, and evangelical. Though
his difcourfes were not often doelrinal,
and fcldomer controversial, he frequently
introduced the great truths of the gofpel
" with fuch a fwell of language," as fhew-
ed his high relifh for them, and fometimes
occafioned fuch hearers as were lefs affected
towards them, to be afraid that " he was
going too far," and yet in fo fcriptural and
rational a manner as thev could not refill.
But while the grand peculiarities of the
chriftian revelation were the frequent topics
of his difcourfc, its moral precepts were not
neglected, but all the duties of cliriftianity
were fully explained, and ftrongly enforced,
both by evangelical and rational motives.
Though his fermons did not abound with
dry
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 13
dry criticifms, calculated only to difplay
the learning of the preacher, he embraced
every opportunity for introducing fuch
judicious and critical obfervations as tended
to the explanation and illuftration of his
text, and other parlages of fcripture, by
which his hearers were both entertained
and inftriicled.
Mr. Farmer's manner of delivery was fully
equal to his matter, and contributed not a
little to recommend it. His voice was
clear, pleafant and harmonious ; his addrefs
was infinuating and pathetic. Though he
read his difcourfes, he did it with fomuch
propriety, force, and variation of emphafis
and cadence, as well as with fuch fuitable
paufes, that he kept up the attention,
and frequently touched the pafsions of his
audience. His prayers were folemn, Icrip-
tural, and highly devotional, both as to
matter and manner ; and fuch as did great
credit to the extemporary mode of worfhip
praclifed by the di (Tenters. They were
free from all low exprefsions, vain repeti-
tions, flights of fancy, great fwelling words
of vanity, or any thing that betrayed ir-
reverence
I4« MEMOIRS OF
reverence or grofs familiarity. They were
fuch as difcovered in him, and tended to
produce in others, that temper of mind
which becomes a finful dependent crea-
ture addrefsing its Creator and Sovereign.
In hhort, the whole of his public fervices
were calculated to promote a true fpirit of
piety and devotion. Dr. Kippis, whofe
judgment few will difpute (though his own
manner was different) pronounces Mr. Far-
mer " one of the beft preachers that have
appeared amongit the proteftant diffenters."
It is worthy of obfervation, that he had the
lingular talent of pleafing perfons of widely
different fentiments; which he did not by
artfully difguifing his own, with a view to
ingratiate himfelf with all parties, as fomc
other minifters of the like delcription have
beenaccufed of doing, and none more than
his excellent tutor; — a charge equally un-
juft and foolim ; for fuch an attempt
would defeat its own end, and be fure to
difguil intelligent perfons of all parties. —
But the means by which Mr. Farmer at-
tained this felicity was, prudently and
confeientioufly avoiding all unprofitable con-
troverfies,
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 15
troverfies, and obnoxious phrafes, which
" engender ftrife ;" infilling on the grand
doctrines of the gofpel in a fcriptural man-
ner; adapting both hisfubjeclsand his phrafe-
ology to perfons of evangelical fentiments,
fo far as was confident with his own views of
truth ; and at the fame time handling every
topic in fo rational and manly a way,
and applying all to fuch practical purpofcs,
as to avoid giving offence to thofe hearers
whofe ideas of fome difputable points were
different and oppofite. His pleafing and
linking addrefs, likewife, had doubtlefs, no
fmali effect in recommending him as a
preacher to very different defcriptions of
hearers, as well as his polite and affable
manner of conducting himfelf towards all
in private. To which we may add, his
pious and edifying converfation with ferious
chriftians, contributed not a little to conci-
liate ( the efteem of fome who in certain
doctrinal points were much higher in fenti-
ment than he profeffed to be. The writer
of this well knew a worthy gentleman*
* The late Mr. Robert Lewin, many years Se-
who
16 MEMOIRS OF
who was very tenacious of all the Calvi-
niftic doctrine?, who repeatedly expreiTed
the higheft veneration for Mr. Farmer's
character on this account; declaring that
in fome of his vifits, his converfation was
fo fpiritual and heavenly, as to elevate his
mind beyond what he had on any other
occafion experienced.
The effects of Mr. Farmer's popularity
were vifible in the increafe of his congre-
gation (which was but fmall when he un-
dertook the charge of it) and in the con-
sequent enlargement of his place of wor-
fhip; as alfo in the growing population of
the village, to which many of the genteel
and opulent clafs of diifenters reforted,
and in the fu miner feafon efpecially had
country houfes or lodgings, chiefly for the
fake of attending his minifhy. Not lefs
than between twenty and thirty gentle-
men's carriages have been leen at the door#
of his meeting- houfe.
cretary of the Bank, and a member and deacon of the
Independent Church of Hackney; a gentleman diftin-
guifhed by his ltrong fenfe and inflexible integrity, who
died at the age of 81. The writer of this will ever retain
a plcafing remembrance of his iriendmip.
3 But
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 17
But while he captivated the rich and
well educated, he by no means difqualified
himfelf for being acceptable and ufefui
among the poor and illiterate ; by many
of whom he was equally valued, as his
difcourfes were for the mod part fufficiently
plain to be underftood by attentive hearers
of ordinary capacities, perhaps more fo
than fome compofed in a much inferior
ftile, and in refpect to matter alfo more
edifying.
For many years Mr. farmer preached to
his congregation at Walthamftow both parts
of the Lord's day. But at length, an able
allbciatc being provided for him, he relin-
quifhed the afternoon fervice. He did not,
however, long continue unemployed on that
part -of the day ; for in the year 1761 he ac-
cepted an invitation to become the afternoon
preacher at Salters Hall, upon a vacancy occa-
sioned by Mr. Spilibury's being chofen to fuc-
ceed Mr. Barker in the morning aspaftor of the
church. His firft fermon at this place was on
Col. i. 28. and well adapted to the occafion,
as fome yet living, who heard it, can tes-
tify. In this fituation Mr. Farmer's fervices
c proved
13 MEMOIRS OF
proved highly acceptable, fo that he had
(with one exception*) the largeft after-
noon audience of any among the Prefbyte-
rians; for fo that congregation was deno-
minated, though Mr. Farmer himfelf ranked
with the Independents to the laft, as alfodid
his friend Dr. Furneaux-)-, who afsifted
once a fortnight at a Sunday evening lec-
ture in the fame place.
Sometime afterwards Mr. Farmer was
chofen one of the Salters Hall lecturers
on the Tuefday morning; an office which
was ufed to be confidered as a diftinguifhed
honour, conferred on the moil refpecTa-
ble miniilers in or near the metropolis ;
beingj fupported and frequented by fome of
the chief merchants in the city, and there-
fore called " The Merchant's Lecture." —
Here Mr. Farmer was well attended, and
generally by a number of his brethren ; but
this leclure had at that time begun to
i *• Dr. James Fordyce.
-J- Minifter at Ciapham : a man of fine abilities and
extenfive learning ; author of the admirable " Letters
to Judge Blackifton," on the Teft A6t.
decline,
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 19
decline, and at length became extinct,
though not for fome years after he reflgned
his concern in it.
Mr. Farmer's character, learning and ta-
lents, procured him other marks of diftinc-
tion* among the DifTenters (who have in-
deed but few to beftow) which extended
the fphere of his ufefulnefs.
He was chofen one of the truftees of Dr.
Daniel AVilliams's extenfive charities,
and likewife one of Mr. Coward's ^his
firft patron) the object of whofe bequefl;
was " the promoting of the intereft of Chrift
among the proteftant diflenters," particu-
larly by the education of minifters in two
academies, the one of which at that time
was at Hoxton and the other at Daven-
try. In both thefe capacities Mr. Farmer
* It may probably be matter of furprife to fome, that
Mr. Farmer fhould not have received fome diplomatic
difrinclion. This doubtlefs he might have had as eafily
as. fome of his brethren, but he had not this kind of
ambition j and he had leen fo many titles conferred on
thofe who had no appearance of a juft claim to fuch marks
of pre-eminence, that he probably thought it beneath him
.to accept of any.
e 2 exerted
20 MEMOIRS OF
exerted his abilities with prudence and zear,
much to the fatisfaclion of thofe who were
affociated with him ; excepting that fome-
times, through an excefs of complaifance,
he was for putting upon others fome fervices
for which they thought him the belt quali-
fied. When he could be prevailed upon to
addrefs the fludents for the miniftry, he
fixed their attention, and left upon their
minds deep imprefsions, calculated to pro-
duce happy effects, and which many of
them recollected with pleafure in after
years.
As Mr. Farmer advanced in life, he gra-
dually remitted of his employment as a
preacher. In the year 1772 he refigned
his afternoon fervice at Salters Hall, and in
1780, his Ieclurefhip on the Tuefday at the
fame place. In the paftoral relation to his
church at Walthamftow, he continued for a
few years longer, and when he refigned it,
he quitted the pulpit intirely, much to the
regret of his people there, and of many
others
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 21
others of his friends; not indeed without
the cenfures of fome, as he ftill retained his
mental faculties, and his powers of addrefs
in their full vigour. But he himfelf judged
otherwife, and thought that fome minifters
continued the exercife of their public func-
tion too Jong ; a fault which, however
common, he was unnecefTarily felicitous
to avoid, through an excefs of delicacy, and
perhaps a culpable fear of falling fliort of
himfelf. His entire resignation however,
took place fomewhat earlier than it would
have done (as he was known afterwards to
intimate) if his people had chofen him a
proper afsiitant, inftead of a mere afternoon
preacher, who might have been called upon
to fill his place in the morning, when he
himfelf was incapable of doing it, by rea-
fon of his frequent indifpofition. The want of
fuch "afsiftance, (which doubtlefs his friends
would have procured, if he had freely opened
to them his mind) often occafioned him much
anxiety, and no fmall trouble in providing
a fubftitute, when he found himfelf fuddenly
attacked with the gout, to which, in the
latter
22 MEMOIRS OF
latter part of his life, he was much fub-
jecl.
After he had refigned his paftoral charge,
he ufed to fpend a part of the winter at Bath,
the waters of which he found to be falutary.
He had formerly fuffered greatly from
that common fcourge of ftudiousand feden-
tary men, the {tone, but had been twice
happily recovered by a very fimple medi-
cine*, from that dreadful diforder, fo that
he was able with eafe to ride on horfeback,
which healthful exercife he continued to ufe
till within a fhort time of his death.
His eye-fight had for fome time been
growing dim, and he began to be apprehen-
five that he mould be totally blind, a§ his
father was, fome years before his death.
* In hope that others may experience the benefit of
this recipe, it is here given as the writer had it from
Mr. Farmer : — " Half a pint of decoction of the root
liquorice, thob^rk peeled off, cut in dices, gently fnn-
mered in an earthen veflel, in foft water, and taken an
hour or two before breakfait.' After being cured, he
was advifed never to leave it ofFj but venturing to do
fo after fome years, the diforder returned, and on repeat-
ing the remedy it fucceeded a fecond time.
Early
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 23
Early in the year 1785, cataracts were
formed in both his eyes, fo that he was
unable to read any thing; and therefore
employed a pcrfon to read to him. At
length, though turned of feventy years,
he with fortitude fubmitted to the operation
of couching, which was performed by Baron
Wenzel and his friend Dr. Wathen; which
proved fo fucccfsful, that he was afterwards
able to purfue his wonted courfe of ftudy.
In confcqucnce of having lived many
years at a fmall expence, and having re-
ceived confiderable legacies from his de-
ceafcd friends, as well as liberal contribu-
tions from his congregation, Mr. Farmer
had acquired fo much property as placed
him in cafy circumftances, fo that for fome
years before his death he kept houfe and a
hand fome table, at which he entertained
his friends with liberality. In the latter
part of his life, and more efpecially after
the failure of his light, he was particularly
happy to enjoy the fociety of a few of
his brethren, who could give him fome ac-
count of what was pafsing in the literary
world ; and the rather as the number of his
acquaintance
24- MEMOIRS OP
acquaintance at Walthamftow, after lie
had quitted his miniitry, was confiderably
diminished. And they always found their
account in giving him their company, as
they received from him more than they
were able to communicate.
Mr. -Farmer continued to retain his men-
tal faculties, and his capacity for conver-
sation, in full vigour; and he poflefTed a to-
lerable mare of health, as well as a fine flow
of fpirits, till he was feized with the gout
in the llomach, which was fuppofed to be
occafioned by eating fomething too cold at
the table of a friend ; and this fpeedily
brought on his difTolution, which took place
on the 5th of February, 1787, when he was
in the feventy-third year of his age.
His deportment in the clofing fcene was
fuch as became a great and good man, a
true chriftian, and a miniiler of Jefus Chrift :
his language to thofe about him manifefting
the moft entire refignation, and the deepeft
humility, as well as a lively faith in the
promifes of the gofpel, and a cheerful hope
ofablefled immortality.
Agreeably to his direction in his will,
3 he
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 25
he was buried in Walthamftow church-yard,
in the fame grave with his valuable friends
Mr. and Mrs. Snell.
On the Lord's day, the eighteenth of
the fame month, his funeral fermon was
preached, at the requeft of his executors,
byMr.Urwick,ofClapham, and by the gene-
ral defire of his friends it was printed. The
text was, Luke xiii. 29. — " And they JJiall
come from the eaft and from the weft, and
from the north and from thefouth, and JJiall
fit down in the kingdom of God.' 1 — This
difcourfe, the whole of which is excellent,
contains ajuft view of Mr. Farmer's cha-
racter, without any laboured panegyric. An
extract from it will not improperly be
given at the clofe of thefe memoirs.
Mr. Farmer made a kind and prudent
difpofal of the property which he left
behind him, and which, if he had been
parlimonious, he might eafily have increafed.
In his will he provided handfomcly for bis
few
26 MEMOIRS OF
few relations, and left legacies to his fer-
Tants. He bequeathed a hundred pounds
to the Fund for the Widows of poordif-
fenting Minifters, and forty pounds to the
poor of Walthamftow parifli. He likewife
teltified his regard to the family with
which he had been fo long connected, and
to which he thought himfelf fo much in-
debted, by a pecuniary legacy to every
member of it. He alfo left fmaller ones to
feveral of his friends.
His executors, to whom he bequeathed
a hundred pounds each, were William
Sntell, Efq. of Clapham, and William
Hood, Efq. of Chancery-lane, barrilter;
the former the fon, and the latter the grand-
fon, of his great friend and patron. To another
grand Ton, the Rev. Robert J acombjthen minis-
ter at Salters Hall, he bequeathed his library,
with the exception of fuch clafsical books as
Air. Snell might feleeT: ; who was alfo a re-
siduary legatee, in conjunction with his
fifter, Mrs. Hood.
There was one lingular article in Mr.
Farmer's will, which cannot be mentioned
without deep regret, nor indeed without
1 fome
THE REV. HU9H FARMER. 27
fomc degree of cenfure. He made it his
requcjl that his executors would burn all his
manuscripts, unlefshe mould direct otherwife
bya feparate paper; but the more effectually to
engage their compliance, he ordered, that mi-
le fs it mould be done, the legacies which he
had left them mould |)e null and void.
Accordingly, all his papers were burnt!
They who knew Mr. Farmer as a preacher,
could not but lament that fo many ad-
mirable difcourfes, which he had com-
pofed with fo much care and accuracy,
mould be committed to the flames, out of
which many might have been fclectcd, and
prefented to the public, which would have
done great credit to the author, and highly
gratified and inftruCted numbers of readers.
Nor can thole who are acquainted with his
works which he himfelf published, avoid
feeling a painful concern that feveral other
elaborate and learned performances which
he had actually prepared for the prefs,
mould have been doomed to the lame fate.
One of thefe was, " A fecond volume
on the Demonology of the Ancients,"
which he hud nearly completed. Another
was a curious " DiflTcrtation on the ftorv
of
28 MEMOIRS OF
of Balaam," which had lain by him feve-
ral years, fairly tranfcribed for the prefs,
and for the printing of which he had ac-
tually made preparation. This work he
had ftibmitted to the infpection of his
friends, Dr. Kippi* and Michael Dodfon,
Efq. to whom he had imparted his defign
of publishing it; both of whom concurred
in their opinion of its high value, and the
lols of the public in its destruction. He
had likewife prepared a new edition of
his " DiSTertation on Miracles," with con-
fiderable improvements and additions, for
the further illustration and defence of the
general doctrine maintained in that work,
which had been long out of print; and
for anfwering the objections which had
been urged again ft it. For the printing
of this he had actually given directions.
It is not to be fuppofed, nor is it infi-
liuatecl, that, in tbe deftruction of thefe
valuable performances, " his executors could
be influenced by the forfeiture which they
would have incurred by preferving any of
them, fince both their fortunes and their
characters placed them above fo trifling a
consideration."
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 29
confederation." Their conduct is doubtlefs to
befolelyafcribedtoa fcrupulous regard to what
they apprehended to be the will of the de-
ceafed. But many will think, with the
worthy author of his life in the Biographia
Britannica, " that they carried their fcru-
pulofity to an excefs," becaufe it evidently
appears, from the circumnances juft now
mentioned, that the author himfelf de-
signed to favour the public with the two laft
of thefe performances, at lead; and that
had not his death prevented, they would
actually have been in the prefs. It might
eafily have been fuppofed that his fudden
and feverc ilinefs might prevent his writing
any thing to fignify his with to have them
printed ; or rather that he might think this
Unneceflary, after the preparation he had
made for their publication.
But whatever degree of blame may at-
tach to his executors in this matter, it mud
be confciTed that a much heavier cenfure falls
upon Mr. Farmer himfelf, in ordering any of
the valuable productions of his pen to be
dcnVoycd, without fubmitting them, (r-
ioine
50 MEMOIRS OF
fome other learned men* have done) to the
infpeclion of fome judicious friends, in-
truded with a difcretionary power. In
this, and in fome other instances, it muft
be allowed that this great man difcovered
too delicate a regard to his own reputation,
left it mould fuft'er in the eftimation of faf-
tidious readers, from any little inaccuracy
or inadvertency which might have efcaped
him. It is alfo known that he difcovered
iome degree of chagrin that his laft pub-
lication did not find fo rapid a fale as he
expected, though the merit of it was duly
appreciated by perfons qualified to judge on
fuch fu bjecif, and who have a relifh for
fuch difquifitions, the number of whom is
comparatively but fmall.
The extreme nicety of his tafte, which
perhaps was not without fome degree of
literary pride, though under the appearance
of humility, prevented this able writer from
complying with the requeft of feveral of
his friends, to publiih fome of his devo-
tional and practical performances, or even
to indulge them with a perufal of his
*
Dr. Doddridge, Dr. Kennicot, Mr. Job Orton, &c.
manufcripts.
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 31
manufcripts. This was the cafe with re-
gard to the only minifterial charge that
he could ever be prevailed upon to deliver,
though efteemed by his audience one of the
beft they ever heard*.
Thefe were foibles unworthy of fuch a
character ; to which impartiality obliges us
to add the mention of another ; which was
too great a refervednefs of temper, even to-
wards his moft intimate friends, in exprefs-
ing his fentiments " on recent publications
and living authors-)- ;" as alfo on fome much
controverted points of theology. It was not
unufual with him, when a qucftion was
afked him on fuch topics, inftead of giving
a direct anfwer to propofe another. This
habit doubtlefs arofe from a fettled and jult
averiion to theological controverfy, as ge-
nerally unprofitable, -and often injurious.
•* It was delivered at the ordination of the Rev.
Thomas Tayler, at Carter-lane.
f So Dr. JClppis exprefles himfelf, which might be
partly true ; and yet the writer of this has fometimes
heard Mr. Farmer fpeak in ftrong terms of cenfure,
concerning certain modern publications, and particularly
fome of Dr. Prieftley's.
But
32 MEMOIRS OF
But confidently with this, he might have
explicitly ftated his own views, to thofe
who wifhed to know them for the fake
of information, where he was fully de-
cided; and wherein he was not, he might
without dishonour have avowed his uncer-
tainty.
This excefs of prudent caution may have
led fome to fufpecl that his views of fome
important doctrines were more obnoxious
than many of his friends and admirers f up-
poled them to be ; and may have led others
of contrary fentiments, to confider him as
being of their own party, and to cenfure
him for want of courage in not avowing
it; particularly in regard to the Unitarian
controverfy, on which he was the raoft re-
served. Though candour requires us to
fuppofe that a man of Mr. Farmer's gene-
ral excellence of character had reafons,
which his own confcience approved, in re-
fraining from an explicit declaration of his
opinion on fubjecls which have oceafion-
ed fo much angry debate, yet it is not
eafy fully to juftify him to the fatisfaction
of
frtE REV. HUGH FARMER. 33
of fiich as have condemned this part of his
Conduct*!
* On this head a learned and worthy correfpondent
who perufed thefe papers,; and who knew Mr. Farme'r
well, writes as* fellows : — '* It was in my opinion, and
in that of many candid perfons, a blameable part in good
Mr. Farmer's conduct, that neither his people, nor his
friends in the freedom of converfation, ever learned his
own views. This conduct appears not perfectly con-
fiftent with the fimplicity and fincerity which the preacher
of the gofpel fhould exemplify : it was not declaring the
whole counfel of God; nor was it fuited to correct error
and enlighten the mind. It indicated (with all defe-
rence to his excellencies I would fay it) timidity, and an
excefs of worldly prudence ; cautious of alarming pre-
judice, and creating obloquy." — And yet it muft be ac-
knowledged that Mr. Farmer difcovered courage and
opennefs fufficient in his writings upon other topics,
whereby he created obloquy in abundance. All that can
be faid in excufe for his refervednefs upon the fubjedts
above referred to," feems to be, that he did not fee an ex-
plicit ftatement of his own views concerning them to be
of 'any great importance, and that he thought that ge-
neral mode of expreflion relating to them, which bed
accords with fcripture language, in the ufe of which
chriftians can beft agree, tends moft to edification.
It is moreover pomble that Mr. Farmer might be of
opinion with thofe who think, that on fubjects which are
confefledly myfterious, attempting a minute explanation
is " darkening counfel by words without knowledge,"
d and
34- MEMOIRS OF
It is hoped that it will not be thought
inconfiftent with a very high eftcem for Mr.
Farmer's character further to allow, that his
temper was too irritable, and that he felt
too tenderly the cenfures of his opponents,
even thofe whofe judgments he affected to
defpife. This is manifeft in his anfwers to
fome of them, and his friends, upon parti-
cular occafions, witneifed it in converfation.
Perhaps alfo it may be admitted that, on
the other hand, his politenefs and complai-
fance in company fometimes led him to
an excefs of compliment. The candid Dr.
Kippis, who had a ftrong partiality for
Mr. Farmer, freely mentions thefe parti-
culars as matters of cenfure. But what hu-
man character is free from blemiih? The
and that in every thing of efTential importance in fuch
doctrines, chriftians are more nearly agreed than they are
ready to imagine: that their difagreement is more about
words than things, and that fo far as they have clear ideas,
and as real devotion and practical religion are concerned,
they are in the main united. Some thoughts on this head
worthy of a ferious attention, may befeeninMr. Faw-
CETt's tl Candid Reflections," and in a vindication of
the fame, entitled " Chriftian Catholicifm defended."
1 fun
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 35
fun has his fpots* and men who have ad-
vanced the neareif. towards perfection, have
fhevvn that they were but men.
Notwithstanding Mr. Farmers defects,
which have been thus impartially noticed*,
lie was undeniably a man of diftinguifhed
excellence, who, on the whole, may be
faid to have had few equals among perfons
of his own profefsion. Befides what was
before faid of him as a chriftian minifter ? it
muft be added, that his private character
and general deportment were fuch as fe-
cured the high veneration and efteem of all
who had the happinefs of his acquaintance.
I lis manners were thofe of a polite and well-
bred gentlcmail ; and if at any time he had
occafion to mew his difpleafure, he never
fullered himielf to fpeak or act beneath that
* " We muft confefs the faults of our favourite, to
gain credit for our praife of his excellencies. He that
claims, either for himfelf or another, the honours of per-
fection, will furely injure the reputation which he defigns
to fupport." Dr. Johnson.
d 2 character.
36 MEMOIRS OF
character. Though fo fevcre a ftudent, and
fo profound a fcholar, he difcovered nothing
of fiiffnefs or formality, but was perfectly
free and affable in all companies ; and when
among his intimate friends, efpecially young
perfons and the female fex,he was generally
facetious and jocular, though he always
maintained the dignity of his character as
a minifter, Plis knowledge of the world,
as well as of books, the vivacity of his tem-
per, the readinefs of his wit, his pleafing
addrefs, and his agreeable enunciation, ren-
dered his fociety delightful.
He was very kind and condefcending to
young miniflers who fought his acquaint-
ance, and when they could engage him
in fome favourite fubjeet of converfation,
they found themfelves equally entertained
and inilrucled. He was fo much a maf-
ter of the fubjecls he had ftudied, and
had words fo greatly at command, that he
would frequently hold on fpeaking, for a
confiderable length, on a particular point
of literature with fucli fluency and accu-
racy, that it appeared (had he not ufually
(hut
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 37
fhut his eyes) as if he was reading from a
printed book.
Among the advices which he gave to
younger minifters, the following may be
worth recording. Having afked one of them
how many fermons he had compofed, and
being told about five hundred, he expreired
fome furprife, and faid to him, " Let me
advife you, before you make any more, to
make thefe over again : it will be better both
for yourfelf and your hearers."* — In con-
verfation with another on fcnpture critics,
Mr. Farmer aiked him whether he had
Grotius, and being anfwered in the negative,
he replied, " Then fell all your commenta-
tors and buy Grotius." — Another piece of
advice which hefometimesgave was, " never
<
* It is certain that many young diffenting minifters
compofe more fermons than is confident with accuracy,
or with due application to reading, and thofe other ftudies
which are ofimportance to their general qualification for
their office. If the above advice fhould not be thought
proper to be literally followed, it will be allowed by ju-
dicious perfons to fuggeft: a hint that may be very ufefully
applied. Sermons well ftudied will furnifti even more
variety than double the number of hafty fuperficial com-
pofitions.
to
38 MEMOIRS OF
to raife a difficulty without being able to
folve if
Mr. Farmer poflefled great generofity of
temper, and in his diftribution to charitable
defigns and necefsitous objects, it was fup-
pofed that he went to the utmoft extent of
his circumftances. His prudent liberality to-
wards his brother Mr. John Farmer, is
worthy of particular notice ; and the rather
as his ftudied privacy in this matter occa-
sioned fome perfons to reflect upon him as
deficient in fraternal kindnefs. That gentle-
man, who was a diflenting minifter, of flricr.
Calviniltical fentiments, had been, in confe-
rjuence of fome little mental derangement,
for fome years incapable of any ftated mi-
nifterial fervice, and was in a great meafure
dependent upon the benevolence of his
friends for his fubfiftence. Mr. Hugh Far-
mer was ever ready to afsift him, but through
fome obliquity of temper, he refufed to be
knowingly indebted to his brother for fuch
afsiftance. He therefore kindly conveyed
his benevolence to him through the medium
of one of his friends, fo that he had no fuf-
fpicion from whence it came.
If
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 39
If the warmth of Mr. Farmer's temper
occafionally led him into any impropriety of
fpecch, it afterwards gave him great con-
cern, and he mewed himfelf ready to make
every proper concefsion, in order to prevent
a breach of friendship. 1 lis candour towards
perfons of different fentiments and parties in
religion, was very extenfive and impartial.
Bigotry was What he abhorred in others, and
he was at the greatefl di fiance from it him-
felf.
Though he was a Proteflant Diffenter from
conviction, and by no means indifferent to
the fupport of his principles as fuch, he
manifeded the utmofi: candour towards
worthy men and m milters of the eftablifh-
ed church. With fome of the latter he
held a correfpondence ; among whom is
to be mentioned with diftinguifhed refpect
Dr. Newcome, the late learned and worthy
Archbifhop of Armagh, who was pleafed
to exprefs great fatisfaclion in his publica-
tions, and prefented to him his own.
Of Mr. Farmer's learning and abilities,
his works, which are before the public,
will
40 MEMOIRS, &C.
will afford the beft evidence, and fuperfede
any encomium. It may not be improper
to clofe this account with the following
juft character of him, extracled from the
difcourfe addrefsed to his congregation upon
occafion of his deceafe,
CHARACTER
CHARACTER OF MR. FARMER,
AS G1VIN BT THE
REV. THOMAS URIVICK,
IN HIS FUNERAL SERMON.
AFTER a brief account of Mr. Far-
mer's birth, education, and early fettle-
ment, Mr. Urwick thus proceeds — " His
uncommon natural abilities, engaging man-
ners, and great erudition, would have ap-
peared with much dignity in any ilation
of life — and when thefe powers and ac-
complishments were united with a reli-
gious temper of mind, they did not fail
to diftinguifh him as a minifter of the
gofpel; to the important duties of which
office he cordially devoted himfelf, and
always made his learning and liberal ftu-
dies instrumental to the intereft of religion.
" But
42 MEMOIRS OF
" But there were fome peculiar features
in his private and public character, which
deferve to be more particularly mentioned,
and which I am pleafed with the op-
portunity of laying before thofe who have
been for many years eye-witneffes of them.
" He was lively and brilliant in con-
verfation to an uncommon degree ; but
always in the ftyle of a gentleman, and
the decorum of a miniiter. No one pof-
feflfed more real gravity, upon all occa-
sions that required it, whether in the pul-
pit, in the chamber of ficknefs, with
mourning friends, or when engaged upon
fubjecte of religion and learning in the
converfation of his brethren. In this he
bore a itrong refemblance to his amiabie
tutor. They both poffeffed a mental vi-
gour that fuftained the labour of clofe
ltudy and difficult inveftigation ; and yet
retained that livelincfs of imagination and
flexibility of mind which rendered them
highly entertaining in the moft gay and
exhilarating converfation where the mirth
\vas innocent.
" Thofe
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 43
" Thofe who were acquainted with Mr.
Farmer mull have obfcrvcd, that his na-
tural temper was warm, and that he had
a high fpirit. But it is juftice to fay,
that whenever thefe led him into any little
impropriety of fpcech or behaviour, he
was folicitous to make every proper con-
ceision afterwards, and (hewed great un-
eafinefs till fuch offences were quite clear-
ed away. His regular behaviour was in
the higheft degree kind, obliging, and
polite. Every man was treated by him
with honour, and he was exalted above
every thing mean and felfifh.
" He was moll fincere and cordial in
ills friendships. He faw with a quick eve
every kindnefs that was done to him, and
readily acknowledged its full value ; nor
did he ever forget to return fuch favours
whenever he had an opportunity of doing
it. He had alfo much generofity of mind,
and upon many occafions was liberal, far be-
yond what is ufual in pcrfons of his mo-
derate fortune. But as this difpofition
was generally exerted in a private way,
and
44 MEMOIRS OF
and principally to the poor and afflicted,
we are fure the motives that influenced it
were good.
" His good underftanding and acquaint-
ance with the world, delivered him from
all religious bigotry. In the freeft con-
verfation I ever had with him, about feels
and parties of chriftians, I never heard him
utter a fevere or uncandid thin" of any fet
O J
of men what foe ver.
" It is impofsible for me to do juftice to
Mr. Farmer's abilities as a preacher. His
elocution was clear and ftrong; his man-
ner of addrefs hancifome and very infinuat-
ing ; and his difcourfes were well ftored
with the ferious and practical truths of the
gofpel. He was equally fond of uMng the
language of the facred writings as he was
confeientious in holding up their doctrines
to his hearers; and was ufed to fay, ' that
the evangelical language was not only molt
generally acceptable to our hearers, but
that which carried the evangelical doc-
trines with the greateil force to the heart.'
" He
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 45
" He was particularly diftinguifhed by
the animation with which he delivered
his public difcourfes. Every one faw that
he felt the fentiments which he uttered,
and his attentive hearers happily experienced
that heconveved his own feelings to them.
Through all his public fervices there was
a molt happy variety of thought and ex-
prefsion, as well as a conftant flow of lively
and humble devotion. — His difcourfes were
peculiarly ornamented and enriched with
criticifms for the explanation of difficult
paffages of fcripture, or the farther illuf-
tration of others. Thefe criticifms were
always manly, had evident importance in
them, and inftead of being dry and tedious,
they much enlivened his fermons.
" By thefe means he was always in much
eftimation as a preacher, and had a mod re-
fpeclable number and clafs of hearers, both in
this place, and at Salters Hall. He retained
all this excellency to the lafl; and there
was an univerfal and very fincere lamen-
tation
46 MEMOIRS OP
tation upon his refignation of all public
duty ; for he was in poflefsion of as much
popularity as ever he had, when he was
induced to take this ftep by frequent re-
turns of bodily diforder, and the appre-
henfion of the total lofs of fight.
" The world is in poffefsion of thofe
publications which gave abundant proof of
Mr. Farmer's abilities and application to
lhidy. The defign of them was, to efta-
blifh the evidence of the divine authority
of the fcriptures in the cleared and molt
fatisfying manner. He did not live to
complete the work, nor do I know that any
perfon hath been made acquainted with the
[whole] plan of it. What we have fecn,
mews him to have been well fkilled in thofe
languages, and much acquainted with thofe
ancient writings, the knowledge of which
is properly called learning; and that he
was equal to the laborious and very diffi-
cult defign which he had undertaken.
Thefe publications procured him the ac-
quaintance and praifes of feveral perfons
of
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 47
of eminent learning and dignity, both at
home and abroad.
" I am forry to add, that he has left
the llriclert orders in his will, that his
MSS. of every fort mould be burnt with-
out infpeetion. lie was induced to this
by the fhameful abufe which is often
made of pofthumous writings*; and he had
delayed to prepare [many valuable papers']
for the prefs himfelf, from a defire to pro-
ceed in his greater work.
" With all this learning and character
this- excellent man was not in any de-
gree oitentatious and afliiming. He never
carried about him the parade of literature,
the pride of fcience, or the haughtinefs of
great ability.
" In Mr. .Farmer were united the gen-
tleman, the fcholar, and the minifter of
the gofpel. It is eafy to conceive how
r
* That fuch abufe is too common is readily allowed j
but this cannot be admitted as a fufficient reafon for
the deftruction of fueh great works as he had himfelf in-
tended, and actually prepared for the prefs.
each
45 MEMOIRS OF
each of thefe would give dignity and va<*
hie to the other. When we confider him
in his whole character and endowments*
we may truly fay, he was without a fu-
perior among us; and, hy his death, re-
ligion and learning have loft an able friend
and advocate.
" In his laft illnefs, which was linger-
ing and painful, he fhewed much pa- .
tience, and was quite refigned to the
will of God. To a minifter and friend,
who frequently vifited him on that oc-
cafion, he exprefled his great confola-
tion from the promifes of the gofpel,
and the covenant of mercy which was
fealed by the blood of Chrift. Pie was
exceedingly earned: in the acknowledge-
ment of his own unworthinefs, and his
dependence upon the grace of God for
acceptance and reward. His frequent
exprefsions were, " That he had been
a very ' unprofitable fervant:' that he
was an unworthy creatuie: that he was
* the leaft of all faints," Sec.
Mr,
THE REV. HUGH FARMER. 49
Mr. Urwick properly, adds, " There is
much foundation for fuch expressions as
thefe from us all. The greateft and beft
human characters are unworthy in the
fjght of God. Humility is a moil be-
coming temper, when we are going to
appear before his tribunal, and we muft
always ' look for the mercy of our Lord
' Jefus Chrifl unto eternal life."*
* Jude, vcr. 21.
E A LIST
A LIST AND ANALYSIS
OF ALL
MR. FARMER'S PUBLICATIONS:
Chiefly extra&ed from the Biographia Britannka, with occafional Remark*,
IT is remarkable that Mr. Farmer never printed
more than one Sermon, which was " preached at
Walthamftow, on the day of public Thankfgiving,
Oil. 9, 1746, on the fuppreflion of the Rebellion in
the year 1745." — The title is, The duty of thankfgiving
and faying our vows made in a time of trouble^ explained
and enforced. The text Psal. 1. 14. ' Offer unto God
thankfgiving, and pay thy vows unto the Mod High.'
— It is a good and well compofed difcourfe, full of
loyalty and dtfvotion; but being written at io early a
period, it ought not to be confideredby the few that may
■poflefs it, as a fpecimen, though a very promifing omen,
of the author's preaching in his maturer years.
He produced no other publication till the year 1761,
when he printed u An Inquiry into the Nature and De-
fign of Chrift's temptation in the Wildernefs." The
general object of this work is to fhew, That this part of
the evangelical hiftory is not only to be underftood as
the recital of a vifionary reprcfentation, but that the whole
e 2 of
.52 ANALYSIS OF ALL
of it was a divine vision, premonitory of the labours
and difficulties of our Lord's public miniftry, on which
he was then about to enter.
An interpretation fo new and fingular* (Dr. Kippis
fays,) was not likely to pafs unnoticed. Accordingly the
next year there appeared an anonymous anfwer to it, en-
titled, " Chrift's Temptations real Facls ; or a Defence
of the evangelical Hiftory, &c." A work which, ac-
cording to the opinion of able judges, abounded more in
learning than judgment.
A fecond edition of Mr. Farmer's " Inquiry," being
foon called for, he fubjoined a number of notes, in which
the fubj eel received additional illuftration.
* Though no diftincl treatife had been published on this view
of the fubject, it fhpuld not be ornitted here, that Mr. Mason,
of Chefhunt, the author of the excellent piece on Self-know-
ledge, claimed the thought as his own, which he had illuftrated
in one of his printed fermons ; and in the hearing of the writer
of this, cenfured Mr. Farmer, for not having made a reference
to it.
This fermon of Mr. Mafon, on Chrift's temptation, is found
in a Collection, entitled " The Proteftant Syftern," vol. II.
p. 307. But the attentive reader of that difcourfe will find
that Mr. Mafon' s cenfure was not well founded, lince though
he and Mr. Farmer confidered the whole of the temptation as
viiionary, Mr. Farmer reprefented it as a vifion from the divine
Spirit, whereas Mr. Mafon fuppofed it to be the effect of the
influence which the devil was permitted to have on Chrift's
imagination.
This efiential difference between Mr. Mafon's fcheme and
his own, Mr. Farmer has pointed out in his fecond and third
editions of the eflay ; fee note to § II. where he alfo proves
that Le Clerc had been falfely fuppofed to have maintained the
fame opinion with his,
Mil. farmer's PUBLICATIONS. 63
In 1764, he publifhed " An Appendix to the Inquiry,"
containing fome further obfervations on the point in de-
bate, and an anfwer to the objections which had been
urged againft his fcheme.
A third edition of the " Inquiry" appeared fome time
afterwards, without any date, in which the author in-
serted feveral further additions, and particularly in the
third fection, to confirm his hypothefis of Chrift's being
■led into the wilderness in or by the Spirit— *This firft
work, of our author was only a prelude to more extenfive
defigns which he had formed.
In 1771, he publifhed " A Diflertation on Miracles,"
in a large octavo volume, defigned to (hew " that they are
arguments of a divine interpofition, and abfolute proofs
of the million of a prophet." — This was chara£terifed
in the Monthly Review, as " one of thofe fubftantial
and durable treatifes that will always be confidered as
valuable and important acquifitions to the caufe of facred
literature." — In the preface to this work, the author
gives this account of it. M What is attempted in the
following fheets,«is to refute thofe principles of demonifm
which have done lb much difcredit to the argument
drawn from miracles in favour of the Jewifh and Chris-
tian revelations. Without entering into the peculiar
nature and circumftances of the fcripture miracles, I
confider only the general queftion, whether miracles are
in themfelves evidences of a divine interpofition, and
confequently, when properly applied, contain proofs ot
the divine original of a fupernatural revelation. Nor is it:
merely the credit of revelation that is concerned in the
prelent queftion, but the honour alfo of the general ad-
miniftration
54 ANALYSIS OF ALL
miniflration of divine providence, and the common in-
tereft of piety and virtue."
The work opens, Chap. I. with fome preliminary
considerations. — § i. The nature of miracles is explained
and fnewn to confift in their contrariety to thofe general
lulesby which the vifible world is governed, or the com-
mon courfe of events in it. — $ 2. proves that miracles are
not impoffible to the power of God ; nor repugnant to our
ideas of his wifdom and immutability ; that they do not
imply any inconfiftency in the divine conduct, or any
defect or difturbance of the laws of nature. — § 3. exa-
mines the different caufes to which miracles have been
afcribed ; and at the clofe, the author thus ftates his own
fcheme : — " That they are always to be afcribed to a di-
vine interpofition, being never wrought but either imme-
diately by God himfelf, or by fuch other beings as he
commiffions and empowers to perform them."
Chap. II. contains arguments from reafon to prove,
that miracles are never effected without a divine interpo-
fition. — § I. fhevvs that the fame confiderations which
manifeft the exiftence of created intelligences do much
more ftrongly conclude again ft their acting out of their
proper fphere. — § 2. that there is no proper evidence of
the truth of any miracle, but fuch as may fitly be afcribed
to the Deity. All the facts appealed to in proof of the
miraculous agency of evil fpirits are either not fupernatu-
ral, or not real. — § 3. that as the laws of nature are or-
dained by God, and effential to the order and happinefs
of the world, it is impoffible he fhould delegate to any of
his creatures a power of working miracles (at their plea-
lure) by which thofe divine eftablifhments may be fuper-
f'eded and controlled j and § 4. that the afcribing fuch a
power
MR. FARMERS PUBLICATIONS. 55
power to any befides God, and thofe immediately com-
miflioned by him, fubverts the foundation of natural
piety, and is a fruitful fource of idolatry and fuperftition.
§ 5. fhews, that if miracles were performed in proof of
falfe doctrine, mankind would be expofed to frequent and
unavoidable delufion. — § 6. that on this fuppofition mi-
racles could not be authentic credentials of a divine mif-
fion, and certain criterions of truth.
Chap. III. Is deiigned to (hew, that the fcriptures,
both of the Old and New Teftament, ftri&ly corre-
fponding with right reafon, always reprefent miracles as
the peculiar works of God, and never attribute them to
any other beings, unlefs they a£t by his immediate
commiffion. — § 1. conliders the view which the fcripture
gives us of angels, both good and evil, and of the fouls
of departed men, as inconfiftent with their liberty of
working miracles. — § 2. contains an accurate and cu-
rious inquiry into the reprefentation which the fcripture
affords of the nature and claims of the heathen divinities,
and proves, by the teftimony of ancient hiftorians, poets
and philofophers, and by uncontroverted fadts, that the
demons of the heathen were not fpirits of a higher origin
than the race of man, but were fuch departed human
fouls as were believed to have become demons j which
fuppofition he goes on to confirm from the authority of
the Old Teftament; and confiders the ufe of the word
demon in the Septuagint, in Philo, in Jofephus, and in
the New Teftament. — In § 3. the author examines the
chara&er and pretenfions of the magicians, diviners, and
forcerers of antiquity ; ftates the fcripture account of
them, and refutes the various pleas alledged by chriftians
in favour of the ancient magic, — § 4. relates to the falfe
prophets
56 ANALYSIS OF ALL
prophets fpolcen of in fcripture, and explains Deut. xtii.
j — 5. Mat. xxiv. 24. and feveral paflages in the epiftles,
particularly Pau's prophecy concerning the Man of Sin,
all of which he {hews, intend nothing more than artful
tricks to impofe upon the vulgar. — § 5. proves that the
fcripture reprefents the one true God, as the fole
Creator and Sovereign of the world, which he governs
by fixed and invariable laws, and that to him they afcribe
miracles as proofs of his divinity and fole dominion, in
oppofition to the claims of all other beings. — § 6. fhews
that the fcripture uniformly reprefents all miracles as
being in themfelves an abfolute demonftration of the di-
vine million and doctrine of the prophets, at whofe infti-
gation, or by whofe means they are performed, and never
directs us to regard their doctrine as the test of
their miracles, but on the contrary teaches us to judge
of the truth of their doctrine by their miracles.
So did Jefus Chrift himfelf. The mefiiahfhip of Jefus of
Nazareth, is a doctrine which natural rcafon cannot of
itfelf difcover to be either true or falfe. It admits of no
other certain proof than the teftimony of prophecies or
miracles.
Chap. IV. is taken up in fhewing that miracles*
confidered as divine interpofitions, are a certain proof of
the miffion and doctrine of a prophet: and in pointing
out the advantages and neceflity of this proof, in con-
firming and propagating a new revelation. On the whole,
<l we do not hefitate (fays his biographer) in pronouncing
this to be the mofr important and mafterly performance
that has appeared on the fubjett.*"
* A new edition of this work, which has long been wanted,
is lately publifhed,andhandfomely printed in tamo, price only 3s.
Scon
MR. FARMERS PUBLICATIONS. 67
Soon after its publication a notion was propagated that
the author had made a confiderable ufe of Mr. Le-
moine's treatife on the fame fubject, and written, it was
faid, with the fame view, without any acknowledge-
ment. Mr. Farmer thought it behoved him to vindicate
himfelf from the charge of plagiarifm, which he did in
a pamphlet publifhed in 1771, intitled " An examination
of the late Rev. Mr. Lemoine's Treatife on Miracles."
In this piece he propofed to give a particular view of that
work, in order to fhew how much it differs from his own,
and is even contrary to it. This he did with great clear-
nefs and fuccefs, fo as to wipe off the foul and malicious
afperfion. Though he owned that he had read the book
when it came out, he denied that he had been in any way
indebted to it, or that he had revifed it in publifhing his
own, which had kin by him fome years before the other
appeared j and juftly obferved "that he could be under
no temptation to borrow from an author whofe fenti-
ments he totally difapproved." He did not, however,
folely confine himfelf to the defence of his own reputa-
tion, but took occafion ftill further to confirm and illuf-
trate the points which diftinguifhed his " Diflertation on
Miracles." With relpeft to the ancient magic, in parti-
. cular, he added a number of important remarks. Though
his accufcr in u The London Magazine" continued
with bitternefs to renew his attacks for feveral months,
whofoever compares the two publications will cafily per-
ceive, that it was the mere effect of resentment ; the
origin of which was eafily accounted for in fome cir-
cumilances not very honourable to that writer, with
which it is not worth while to trouble the public.
in 1775, Mr. Farmer publifhed another important and
elaborate
58 ANALYSIS OF ALL
elaborate work: " An Eflay on the Demoniacs of the
New Teftament." — The defign of this was to prove,
that the perfons faid to be " poflefled of demons," were
not really under the influence of evil fpirits, but afflict-
ed only with fuch bodily diforders as had been commonly
afcribed to luch influence.
In the profecution of this defign, the author lays down
the following proportions.— That the fpirits which were
thought to take pofleiiion of mens' bodies, are called in
the New Teftament, not Devils but Demons — that
whenever the word occurs either in fcripture or other an-
cient writings, we are not to understand by it fallen
angels, but pagan deities, fuch as had once been men:—
that thofe peribns ipoken of as having demons, iuf-
fered real and very violent diforders: — and that the par-
ticular diforders which the ancients, whether Heathens
or Jews, afcribed to the poiTeiiion of demons, were
fuch only as difturbed tile understanding: — that the de-
moniacs fpoken of in the New Teftament were all of
them either mad-men or epileptics: — that the diforders
imputed to demonaicai pofieifions were not peculiar to
the country of Judea, or to the time of Chrift; that they
abounded no more there, or at that time, than in any
other; and that they were not different from thofe men-
tioned by other ancient writers : — that reafon affords no
fufficient ground for fuppoling the reality of demonaica!
pofleffions, but ftrongly remonftrates againft it; and that
the diforders fuppofed, proceeding from natural caules,
are cured by natural remedies: — finally, that the doc-
trine of demonaicai poffeiftons, initead of being fupporteu
by the Jewifh or Chriftian revelation, is utterly fub-
verted by both.
]
MR. farmer's publications. 59
The next divifion of this work is employed in folvingthe
feveral objections which have been urged againft the au-
thor's hypothefis, which he does with great fairnefs and
ingenuity. In the clofe, he (rates the inconveniences which
attend the common notion of pofleffions ; and the ad-
vantages which refult from his own view of the fnb-
je£r ; both of which are reprefented in a ftriking light.
This work of Mr. Farmer was foon attacked bv
Dr. Worthincton, a refpeciable and learned clergy-
man, before known by fome valuable writings, in a
piece intitled " An impartial Enquiry into the Cafe of
the Gofpel-demoniacs ; with an Appendix, confirming of
an EfTay on Scripture Demonology." The author
neither preferved his temper, nor added any thing to his
literary reputation. Mr. Farmer thought, however,
that fome things which he had advanced deferved confide-
ration ; and therefore
- In 1778 he printed "Letters to the Rev. Dr. Wor-
thincton, in anfwer to his late publication, inti-
tled, &c." — Thefe letters exhibit a clear and judicious
epitome of what had already been advanced in the courfe
of this controverfy, and contain much more new mat-
ter than might have been expected upon a fubje£t
which the author had already lb amply difcuffed.
But Mr. Farmer had now another antagonift to con-
tend with, from whom high expectations were formed by
his particular connexions, who were acquainted with his
defign; this was the late Rev. John F^ll, at that
time minifter of a diflenting congregation at Thaxtcd,
in Efl'ex, and afterwards one of the tutors of the In-
dependent Academy, at Homerton.
In
60 .ANALYSIS OF ALL
In 1779, Mr. Fell publifhed a pretty large 8vo. volume,
intitled "Demoniacs: an Inquiry into the heathen and
Scripture Doctrine of Demons ; in which the hypothefis of
the Rev. Mr. Farmer, and others on this fubject, are
particularly confidered."
" We deny not to Mr. Fell, (fays Dr. KippisJ the
praife ci~ ability, acutenefs, and learning. But we can-
not ipeak with equal commendation of the fpirit with
which his book is written. In particular, we do by
means agree with him in his deductions of the injurious
confequcnces to natural and revealed religion, which he
apprehends to refult from the doctrine advanced in the
DiJJertation on Miracles, and the EJf'ay on the Demo-
niacs. It gave us pleafure, however, to find Mr. Fell,
in one place (p. 337) to exprefs himfelf in the following
manner, " Far be it from us to impute any evil defign
to this writer. We doubt not he really meant to ferve
the caufe of virtue and religion [why not of divine
revelation alfor] which he thought could not be more
efFeclually done than by removing every thing which ap-
peared to him in the light of fuperftition." How con-
iiftent this declaration was with other parts of this au-
thor's writings, will hereafter appear.
Mr. Farmer, (who difcovered to his friends no fmall
degree of anxiety when he heard of this intended publi-
cation) did not think proper, when he had read it, to
write a difrinct reply, for reafons* which he gave in his
next publication on the fubjecf., which appeared in the
* The author's reafons for declining a particular reply to
Mr. Fell, may be learned from the following paffagc, in his
Introduction, p. 46. — 48. Having mentioned fome learned authors
T.I10 differed from him, he adds '* There is another writer
whom
MR. farmer's publications. 6*1
year 1783, containing five hundred pages, and which
was intitled,
" The general prevalence of the worfhip of human
whom I fhould never have thought" of in anyxonnec'tion with
thefe, had he not transcribed the objections of Dr. B'achivcil,
which he has done without acknowledging his obligation. This
gentleman has been pleafed to honour me with his notice, and
to oblige me with an uncommon meafnre of abufe. With
equal candour and penetration he compliments me with finifter
motives and difgaifed infidelity. Kis cenfures may do me cre-
dit; moll certainly they difgrace none but himfelf. They dif-
cover to the world what fpirit he is of, and what opinion he en-
tertains of his own caufe, which he could not fupport without
the aid of calumny. There is another circumftance which
ferves to fhew his diftrefs ; his continually perverting my lan-
guage, and mifreprefenting my fentiments fo grofsly, that I
fhould have often been at a lofs againft whom his performance
was written, had he not informed us.
" Whether his mifreprefentations are wilful or not, let others
form what judgment they pleafe : I barely ftate the facts. The
account he has given, not only of my fentiments, but even of
thofe of the nicit refpedtable writers of antiquity, is fo very re.
mote from the truth, that, to whatever caufe it is to beafcribed,
I determined from the firft never to write any thing merely in an-
fwer to him. Such anfwer muff have entirely confiftcd in ihew-
ing that he either could not or would not underiland the plaincft
language; an undertaking which could yield neither pleafure
nor'bencfit to the reader. Neverthelefs, when I had refolved
onreafons which had no relation to this gentleman, to lay before
the public my view of the heathen gods, I judged it not im-
proper to point out his errors upon this fubjeel, in order to fur-
nifh a fpecimen of his manner of writing, without which it would
have appeared incredible that any one could write in the man-
ner he has done "
The above paflage is the rather inferred , as it may fcrvc to
iultdy Mr. Farmer in declining any other notice of Mr. Fell'**
Uil publication, than what lie look in the paper annexed to thefe
Memoir
(12 ANALYSIS OF ALL
fpirits in ancient heathen nations afTerted and proved/'
In a long introduction he {hews, that a critical
knowledge of this fubjecl: may anfwer many valuable
purpofes; particularly to imprefs us with a juft fenfe of
the high importance of the Jewiih and Chriftian dif-
penfations, and the peculiar propriety of thofe extraordi-
nary means which were employed to accomplifli our de-
liverance from Idolatry.
Chap, I. He endeavours to prove, by the teftimonies
of heathens themfelves, that in the nations ftiled barba-
rous, or that were in an uncivilifed ftate, religious ho-
nours were paid to dead men.
Chap. II. abounds with authorities to fhew that the'
cafe was the fame amongft the moft polifhed nations.
Chap. III. offers reafons of a more general nature,
viz. thofe which are drawn from the teftimonies of the
ancients, heathen poets, philofophers, hiftorians, and
Chriftian Fathers : alio from uncontroverted facts, fuch
as monuments and inftitutions, defigned to perpetuate
the heroes who became the objects of pagan worfhip j fe-
pulchres, temples, altars, pyramids, ftatues, facrifices,
games, feftivals, and other appenuages of fuperftition
and idolatry. His argument goes to prove, not only that
human fpirits were generally worfhipped among the
heathens, but that fuch fpirits alone, with a few excep-
tion?, were, in the nations with which we are acquainted,
the di reef, and immediate objects of the eftabliihed
worfhip.
This work, though it reflects great honour upon
Memoirs, which farther illnfirates Mr. Fell's former manner of
writing, and plainly discovers that he had made- runfiderable
improvements in it.
the
MR. farmer's publications. 63
the author's abilities and learning, did not meet with fo
rapid a fale as his former publications, being confidered as
more dry and uninterefting, and many of his readers being
fatisfied with what they had already feen on this fubject.
Some of his friends alfo thought that his manner of treat-
ing his laft opponent was reprehensible. Though he
profeffed not to anfwer Mr. Fell's book, he inferted
feveral notes upon particular paflages in it, which plainly
fhewed his fenfibility to the attacks made upon him by
that writer. •* Indeed (fays the truly candid Dr.
Kippis) we cannot approve of the oblique manner in
which fome of thefe notes are compofed. It would have
been far preferable in our author, either not to have
taken any notice of Mr. Fell at all, or to have done
it in a more open and manly way."
Mr. Fell was not backward to defend himfelf, and to
retaliate upon his antagonist. In 1785 he publifhed
<c The Idolatry of Greece and Rome diftinguifhed from
that of other heathen nations; in a Letter to the Rev*.,
Hugh Farmer." " At the fame time (continues Dr.
Kippis) that in this tradl ample retaliation is made upon
Mr. Farmer, for his perfonal feverities, it appears to us
to contain many things which (if he had continued to
publifh on the fubjedr) would have been found de-
ferving of confederation and reply."
The Doctor adds, " Here clofes our account of Mr.
Farmer as an author; for though he purfued his literary
inquiries, and employed himfelf in compofition, nothing
produced by him ever did, or ever can, make its
public appearance."
The compiler of thefe Memoirs is happy to fay,
that the laji aflertion of the worthy Doctor is not
founded in fact, and arofe from his not recollecting
what
6i ANALYSIS, &C.
what he had certainly been told, that Mr. Farmer had
drawn up fome brief Remarki upon Mr. Fell's laft
publication; in which he raoft fatisfa&orily juftifies him-
felf againft the fevere and injurious charges of his ir-
ritable and much irritated jopponent; particularly by
proving that he had dealt unfairly in regard to many
of his quotations from his writings, and made him to
fpeak a language not only different from, but contrary
to what he had actually ufed.
Of this paper, an exact copy is now prefented to the
public, with an account of the way in which the edi-
tor became poflefTed of it, and fome other circumftances
relating to it.
REMARKS
REMARKS
ON SOME PASSAGES IN
Mil. FELLS LETTER TO MR. FARMER,
ENTITLED THE
IDOL J TRY OF GREECE JXD ROME,
DISTINGUISHED
FROM THAT. OF OTHER NATIONS.
DRAWN UP
BY MR. FARMER,
PUBLISHED FROM HIS MANUSCRIPT
ImpetUt ira uniminn, ne possit cirnere return.
A DVER TISEMENT.
THE following Remarks on Mr, Fell's
laft publication, were drawn up by Mr.
Farmer, and a fhort time before his
death, were put into the hands of a friend,
with a defire that he would publifh them
in whatever form he pleafed, only wifh-
ing htmfelf not to appear any further in
a controverfy with that angry writer, and
de-firing nothing more than to have his
character vindicated from the injurious
charges brought againft him, particularly
as a difguifed enemy to divine revelation.
Mr. Farmer at the fame time made
him a prefent of his own works, with a
F 2 requeft
68 ADVERTISEMENT.
requeft that he and another friend* would
take the trouble of examining the refe-
rences to them, as well as to Mr. Fell's
performance, in order to afcertain the ac-
curacy of them, which they accordingly
* The late Mr. Baxter Cole, the editor of Dr.
Lardner's Works: well known as a man of great
learning, indefatigable induftry, uncommon accuracy,
and inflexible integrity. Fie had formerly been a teacher
of the claffics in a fchool at Peckham, and was for
feveral years afiiftant to the Rev. Mr. Towle, but lat-
terly preached only occafionally.
To preclude all fufpicion with regard to the au-
thenticity of the following tract, or the right of any
one to print it, after Mr. Farmer had ordered all his
papers to be deftroyed, it may be proper to inform the
public, that the perfon to whom he had committed this
manufcript, was Mr, Palmer, of Hackney, to whom
he voluntarily brought it, for the purpofe above related,
a very fhort time before his laft illnefs, and who could
not coniider himfelf as at all concerned in Mr. Fanner's
order to his executors in his will, or in the leaft account-
able to anv perfon whatever.
did
ADVERTISEMENT. 69
did, when together, and found them per-
fectly correct.
Not having brought forward this paper
in any form before Mr. Farmer's deceafe,
the editor fuppreiled the publication, in
confequence of Mr. Fell's having come to
refide in his neighbourhood, and from an
unwillingnefs to give him any offence,
which might prevent the friendly acquaint-
ance which he wilhed to maintain with
him.
After two or three agreeable interviews,
he took occafion to inform Mr. Fell, that
*
he had fuch a paper in his hands, and
offered him a fight of it, in order to have
his obfervations upon it, whenever he
would pleafe to call for that purpofc. —
Mr. Fell never entered his houfe after-
F 3 wards
JO ADVERTISEMENT.
wards, nor made any inquiry about this
paper, but from that time appeared to
commence hoftilities again ft him, which
were difcovered in various fingular inftances,
with which the public mall not be troubled.
The editor, however, was ftill unwilling
to bring forward thefe Remarks, though
juftice to Mr. Farmer feemed to require
it, from a defire to avoid an open rup-
ture with this gentleman. But as now
both thefe difputants are gone off the
ftage, he cannot fatisfy himfelf as doing
juftice to an injured character, or ap-
proving his fidelity to the truft committed
to him, any longer to fupprefs this his
friend's vindication' of himfelf; in which
fentiment fome judicious perfons who have
perufed it, heartily concur. And it is
prefumed many of Mr. Farmer's friends
will
ADVERTISEMENT* 71
will be gratified in feeing this fatisfactory
defence of bis character as an author and
a christian, by a bare ftatement of facts,
which are left to fpeak for themfelves.
This, the reader is defired to obferve, is
the grand object of the prefent publica-
tion, and not " the revival of a controverfy
" which has long fmce been finifhed." That
might properly have been objected to;
but it will be feen, that the following
Remarks have no fuch tendency, as they
ilo not enter into the controverfy at all.
If the editor mould incur cenfure for
thus bringing forward matters which affect
the reputation of a man (in many views
rcfpectable) after his deceafe, he will an-
fwer, in the words of a late well-known
writer*, in a fimilar cafe : — " Though I
* Sir J. Hawkins, Life of Johnfon.
E 4 " would
72 ADVERTISEMENT.
" would not war with the dead offenjively,
" I think it neceflary to be ftrenuous in
" defence of my illuftrious friend; which
" 1 cannot be without ftrong animadver-
" fions upon a writer who has greatly in-
" jured him.*'
If any thing farther be neceflary as .an
apology for this publication, it fhall be
the following extract from a letter of a
judicious, learned, and candid correfpond-
ent, who had revifed the manufcript. —
" That you mould publifh Mr. Farmer's
" Remarks, I conceive, cannot admit of
" a queftion ; not upon the grounds only
" of its being a literary curiofity, and a
" tribute of jultice to his memory and
" character ; but as a duty and obligation
" laid upon yonby a worthy friend, who in-
s£ trujted, by this depofit, the vindication
" of
ADVERTISEMENT. 73
; of his name to you. The queflion is,
1 whether you have not incurred fome
• blame by deferring the publication fo
4 long. If it ought to be printed, it can-
4 not be without fuch a narrative as mud
1 reflect, how candidly foever drawn up,
4 on Mr. Fell. Indeed Mr. Farmer's con-
6 viction of his grofs mifreprefentations,
4 &c. is as heavy a charge againft him,
4 as any your narrative can contain,
4 though not perhaps fo obvious and ex-
4 plicit."
It may be proper to inform the reader,
that, besides the general Title, fome of the
pallages in the Notes, which Mr. Farmer
had only referred to, are here inferted at
length by
THE EDITOR.
REMARKS
REMARKS
ON
MR. FELL'S LETTER TO MR. FARMER.
REMARK I.
MR. FELL, in his Letter to Mr.
Farmer, (page 127) fays, " In thofe ar-
" tides" (viz. his ideas of a miracle, and
the arguments he lias allcdged to fhevv that
miracles are works peculiar to GOD) he
«
" confiders Mr. Farmer as approaching
" much too near fome exceptionable doc-
" trines advanced by LORD BOLING-
" BROKE and MR. HUME."
Mr. Hume (cited by Mr. Fell, p. 128)
fays " A miracle is a violation of the laws of
i nature,"
16 MR. FARMER'S REMARKS
nature." Mr. Farmer is fo far from adopting
this idea, that, on the contrary, he maintains
That no effect can ever be produced
contrary to the laws of nature; if
thereby be meaned, the natural powers
of all orders of exigence. (Difserta-
tion on Miracles, page 6\) And therefore
lie limited the phrafe "the laws of na-
ture," to the Rules- by which the vifible
world is ilatedly governed. Difstrtation
page 7*. See alio pages il-f and 10.
* ;t By the laws of nature, I mean, thofe rules by which
the vifible world is fiatedly governed, or the ordinary
courfe of events in it, as fixed and afcertained by ob-
fervation and experience \ and particularly the order of
the fyftcm to which we belong." A note is fuhjoined
to illuftrate the authors meaning.
f " Effects produced by the regular operation of
the laws of nature, or that are conformable to its
eftablifhed courfe, are called natural. Effects contrary
to this fettled conftitution and courfe of things I efteetn
miraculous."
Now
ON MR. FELL'S LETTER. 77
Now there is an eflential difference be-
tween an effect produced contrary to the
natural powers of all orders of exiitence,
(which is an abfolute impofsibility,) and an
effect contrary to the dated rules by which
the vifible world is ftatedly governed,
which are ever fubject to the controul of
him who made it.
If Mr. Hume, by " the laws of nature,"
meaned — the Conftitution of nature, the
violation of the former seems to imply
fome change or alteration in the latter.
Accordingly Boli?igbroke (cited by Mr. Fell,
page 13?) fuppofes that "the mechanical
" conftitution of the material world is vio-
" lated, and the natural production of the
" human underftanding altered" by mi-
racles,
But thefe works, when confidcred merely
as effects contrary to the fettled conftitu-
tion
78 MR. farmer's remarks
tion and courfe of tilings, carry in them
no fuch abfurd implication. For new know-
ledge may be fupernaturally communicated
without " altering the natural production
" of the human underftanding." And
iron may be fufpended upon the furface
of water, by the divine power, without
violating the mechanical conftitution of
the material world.
REMARK II.
Mr. Hume (cited by Mr. Fell, p. 130)
includes in his definition of a miracle
(what does not belong to it) the author
or cause of it: viz. " a volition of the
" Deity, or the interpofal of fome invisible
" agent."
In direct oppofition to all thole who
include,
on mr. fell's letter. 79
include, in their definition of miracles, the
caufe or author of them, Mr. Farmer has
fhewn at large ( Differ tat ion on Miracles,
page 15 — 19) " that a miraculous effect,
*' like every common appearance, has its
" own proper fpecific nature, diitinguim-
" ing it from all others of a ditFerent
" kind, feparate from the confideration of
** the caufe." Thefe are the very terms
ufed in page 15.
We may convey to others as perfect an
idea of a miracle, without taking into
conflderation the author of it, as we can
of a watch or a clock, without faying
one word about the artift by whom cither
was made.
Notwithstanding thefe clear distinctions
between Mr. Hume's ideas of miracles
and Mr. Farmer 's, Mr. Fell attempts to
mew
80 MR. farmer's remarks
/hew that both are one and the fame,
from page 128 to page 135. And in
page 132, he affirms " that the defini-
" tion which Mr. Farmer fuppofes to be
" his, alfo was Mr. Hume's."
REMARK III.
Bolincbroke (cited by Mr. Fell, page
134, 135.) after a multitude of other
writers, argues " from the fcale of being
" which is continued downwards below man,
" in our fyitem, that the like gradation
" of being is in other fyftems continued
" above many
This trite argument Mr. Farmer at-
tempted to invalidate. Difscrtation on Mi-
racles, page 55. But Mr. Fell, inflead of
pointing out to the obferration of his
rcad( n
ON MR. SELL'S LETTER* 81
readers this open oppofition againft Lord
Bolingbroke's opinion, does even on this
head draw a parallel between them.
Mr. Farmer thought that, judging by
analogy, " the fcale of being in this fyf-
tem only proves that the creatures in
each fyftem may rife gradually above one
another, but without any refpect to the
rank of man, and without rifing gradually
above him, or the creatures of other fyf-
tems;" which is a very different idea from
that of Bolingbroke.
On fo common a topic there may be
fome fimilar exprefsions in Lord Boling-
broke and Mr. Farmer ; and yet the fenti-
ments of the one are oppofite to thofe of
the other.
Whoever will give himfelf the trouble
g t»
82 MR. FARMERS REMARKS
to compare Mr. Fell*, page 137 of his
Letter, with Mr. Farmer, in his Differ tation,
* Mr. Fell. — Lord Bolingbroke's words, (as Mr.
Fell quotes them, and from which he accufes Mr.
Farmer as borrowing) are as follows: " We cannot
*' difcern a gradation of beings in other planets by the
" help of telefcopes, as we behold fuch a gradation by
" the help of microfcopes, in our own; but the gra-
'* dation of fenfe and intelligence in our own,
11 from animal to animal, and of intelligence, princi-
" pally up to man, as well as the very abrupt man-
" ner, if I may fo fay, in which this evidently unfurnifh-
" ed intellectual fyftem ftops at the human fpecies,
11 gives great reafon to believe, that this gradation is
" continued upwards in other fyftems, as we perceive
" it to be continued downwards in ours. We may
*' well fufpe£t that ours is the loweft, in this refpecl,
* c of all mundane fyftems; fince the rational is fo
" nearly connected, as it is here, with the irrational;
" and there may be as much difference between fome
" other creatures of God, (without having recourfe
" to angels and archangels) and man, as there is be-
11 tween a man .and an oyfter." The following
note contains Mr. Fell's quotation from Mr. Farmer,
which he reprefents as coinciding with Bolingbroke,
tog-ether
ON MR. FfiLL's LETTER. 8$
pages 55, 5 6 :£, will fee how much his
omijfions ferve lo deceive his readers.
together with the words which Mr. Fell has omitted,
which are thofe diftinguiftied by italics, and included in
brackets [ ].
%M.r . Farmer. — " We are far from denying, that
there are in the univerfe, beings of a higher order
than mankind, fuch as furpafs us far, both in natural
and moral excellencies. [Jll that We here undertake to
/hew is, that reafon is jo far from clearly informing
us of the power of any fuperior beings, befides God,
to work miracles, that the bejl arguments it can employ,
to prove the exijlence of creatures of a higher order than
man, do much more Jlrongly prove that they can ail only
within a certain limited fphere IVe alloiv, indeed^
that the infinite number of living beings with which thi
tarth \s Jlocked, affords ground to concludt that the othsr
regions of the univerfe are equally furnified with inha-
bitants, adapted to their refpeclive fituations.] We may
allow farther, that the gradation of being from lower
to higher, which we abferve in our fyftem, furnifhes
a proof that the like gradation obtains in other fyftem 3 ,
and that their inhabitants differ from one another in
degrees ojf excellence, and rife one above another in
G 2 beautiful
84- mr. farmer's rrmarks
REMARK IV.
Mr. Fell, (page 142) fays, " Lord Bo-
" iingbroke fuppofes intellectual beings in
order. [But whether they rife above us in perfeclion,
tht argument from analogy alone , as I apprehend, cannot
determine. For that only enables us to judge, by God's
manner of ailing in one cafe, how he will acl in ano-
ther ; and of what we do not fee and know of his tuays
by what we do. But all that we obferve in the fyflem t<r
which we belong, is an innumerable variety, and a grade*
tion of beings. ] By the rule of analogy, therefore,
fome fimilar economy may take place in other fyf-
tems, and they may contain numberlefs orders of
creatures, riling one above another, till we come to
the higheft of them. Beyond this, the argument from
analogy will not carry us/' — [" fuppoftng it to carry us
fo far . . . Let us however fuppofe that the fcale of being
in our planet is a conclujive proof that there are y
in the univerfe, creatures as much fuperior to man, as
man is to the meanejl reptile, Jiill the fame kind of rea-
foning proves . . . that they have a certain limited fphere of
aclion appointed them by God"] &c. &c,
It
ON MR. FELL S LETTER. 85
" other mundane fyftems, to be corporeal as
" well as in our own." And then tells Mr.
Farmer — " and on this very idea is grounded
" all that you fay of their incapacity to act
" beyond their proper fphere, and their con-
" fequent inability to produce any effects on
" this earthly globe."
Mr. Fell has not referred to the place in
Mr. Farmer's writings on which he grounded
this aflertion ; and for a good reafon, be-
caufc no fuch place oan be found in them.
I will fairly ftate what Mr. Farmer has
faid on this fubjecl. Having ihewn " that
" the fame arguments which prove the ex-
" iitence of fuperior created intelligences, do
It will appear to the attentive and impartial reader,
that wherein there is a coincidence of expreffion be-
tween Mr. Farmer and Lord Bolingbroke, Mr. Far-
mer intended not to adopt but to anfiuer his mode of
reafoning. Ed.
g 3 " much
85 MR. farmer's remarks
" much more ftrongly conclude againft their
" acting out of their proper fphere ;" (Differt.
on Mir, page 53 — 61) he proceeds " to an-
" fwer the objection from their spiritual
" and invisible nature," urged by Dr.
Clarke, pages 61, 6 c 2 y 63 9 which ob-
jection is briefly this :
" That were the natural powers of the
li higheft angels no greater than the natural
(f powers of men j fince thereby they would
" be able to do all that invifibly which a man
" can do vifibly, they would be able to work
& real miracles.' 1
For anfwer to this objection Mr. Farmer
obferves, (p. 63, 64.) " That though the
" powers of angels may be more noble than
" man's, yet they may not have the same
" powers that man has. And though their
" fphere of action may be more exalted than
^ ours, yet they and we may not be appointed
" to
ON MR. FELL'S LETTER. $7
u to act in the same fphere." He then ob-
ferves farther, inpages 64, 65, "That it does
" not appear that immaterial created fpirits
" have a native power of moving matter,
" nnlefs they be firft united to a body; or
" that this power is efTential to their nature.
" And therefore, that their being spirits
" does not prove, (as Dr. Clarke fuppofes)
" their power of working miracles."
He farther mews (pages 65, 66, 61,) that
" the afcribing to fpiritual beings the fame
" natural powers with corporeal ones, —
" powers which are the fole effect of an union
" with organized fyftems of matter, was not
" only an abfurd principle, but fuch as had
" been abufed in Pagan and Popiih countries
*' to the worfl: purpofes."
So that to have fpoken the truth and done
Mr. Farmer juftice, Mr. Fell mould have
faid (the very contrary of what he did fay,
Q 4 . viz.)
88 MR. farmer's remarks
viz.) " That Mr. Farmer, like Dr. Clarke,
" fuppofes angels to befpiritual beings, and on
" this very idea grounds his anfwer to that
" great man ; there being no neceflary, nor
" (fo far as reafon alone can judge) any pro-*
" bable connexion between their fpiritua-*
" lity, and a power of acting upon matter,
u and working miracles."
REMARK V,
Various paffages irom Mr. Farmer's Dif-
fertation, refpeeling the power of angels,
as they are cited by Mr. Fell, ncceflarily
miflead his readers, through thefe two cir^
cumftances : viz. — his not giving notice when
he confidcrs the matter on the footing of
reason alone, and — under what limi-
tations he oppofes their power of working
miracles,
From
ON MR. FELL'S LETTER. 89
From reason alone we can never prove
their having this power, or indeed any power
at all, over men. It is only from revela-
tion that we learn, that God may commif-
fion and employ them to work miracles : a
point admitted by Mr. Farmer, Difert. page
148*. Of this, notice ought to have been
* " We do not however deny, that Chrift might em-
ploy angels in executing his orders, particularly in work-
ing miracles, for they are all made fubjecl to him. Ne-
verthelefs, it does not appear from the fcriptures, that
tney can perform miracles of themfelves, and without
an immediate divine commifsion. On the contrary, ac-
cording to the fcripture account of them, if they bring
any meffages to men, they firft receive them from God;
if they controul the conrfe of nature, it is by authority
from the Lord of nature ; and if they interpofe at all in
the affairs of our fyftem, it is not as they fee fit them-
felves, but according to the command of God, as mi-
nifters of his will, &c. &c." It feems utterly afto-
nifhing, that any intelligent chriftian divine fhould ob-
ject to fuch fentimcnts as thefe, and mould not fee that the
contrary ones tend to fet afide the ufe of miracles, and
thus to deftroy one grand evidence of divine revela-
tion. Ed.
given ;
#0 MR. FARMER'S REMARKS .
given ; as alfo of the limitation before men-
tioned.
It is only againft the power of angels to
work miracles of themselves, and with-
out an immediate divine commifsion that he
argues. Neverthelefs Mr. Fell, inftead of
properly holding this up to view, roundly
affirms, (page 153) " that Mr. Farmer la-
*' bours to prove, that no miraculous event
il could ever happen without the immedi-
" ATE AGENCY OP GOD."
It was to no purpofe that, in the very
fection to which Mr. Fell refers, the point
to be proved is ftated differently, page 89 —
" that miracles are never performed without
the immediate agency, OR ORDER of God."
The fame thing had been more fully ex-
prefled, page 50. — " They are always to be
" afcribed to a divine interpolation; by which
" I mean, that they arc never wrought but
" cither
ON MR. FELL'S LETTER. 91
<c
either by God himfelf, or by such other
4< beings as he commissions to perform
** them."—- "Now whether GoDworksthe mi-
*■' racles himfelf alone, or whether he enables
w and commifsions others to work them,
" there is equally a divine interposition."
REMARK VI.
The reafoning employed by Mr. Farmer,
againft the liberty of angels to work miracles,
without the order of God, does not " con-
clude againft a PARTICULAR PROVIDENCE,"
as Mr. Fell •fuppofes, page 153. For God
may exercife fuch a providence by the in-
ftrumentality of angels, as Mr. Farmer ad-
mits, Diflert. page 150,in the note. " On the
" other hand it may be alledged, That the
" facred writers fcem to have thought, that
" God adminiilcred a particular providence by
" the
92 MR. FARMERS REMARKS
" the inftrumentality of his angels; and con-
" fequentlyin defcribing the effeclsof a spe-
" cial divine interposition, would very
" naturally mention the agency of thofe mi-
" niilering fpirits, much in the fame manner
" as is done in the paflages here cited," (viz.
with refpect to the elements, &c.)
On the authority of revelation he con-
ceives of angels * as " miniftering fpirits"
which is the view given of them, Heb. i. 14.
where they are faid to be " sent forth to
" minifter for them who Jliould be heirs of fal-
*' vation." Nor can any one prove (whatever
Bolingbroke, cited by Mr. Fell, page 154,
&c. may pretend,) That particular provi-
dences are miracles, or contrary to the ftated
and eftablifhed rules of the divine govern-
ment.
* See the palTage as quoted above, Note, page 89.
REMARK
ON MR. fell's letter. 93
REMARK VII.
Someof the topics urged by Bolingbroke
and Hume again!! ALL miracles, Mr. Far-
mer has wrefted out of their hands, and em-
ployed for a very different purpofe ; namely,
to prove the falfehood of Pagan and Popish
miracles, and all fuch miracles as could not.
not fitly be referred to GOD. Differt. page
71, etfeq*
* [ u If evil fpirits do not work miracles at prefent,
why fhould we believe they ever have?] Indeed, our
not having feen any miracles ourfelve?, is a fufficient
rea/on for rejecting thofe that are reported by others ;
unlefs it can be /hewn that they were expedient .... to
anfwer fome extraordinary purpofes of divine providence ;
or that they are attended by an evidence of their certainly,
fuperior to the natural prefumption of their falfehocd,
and to the proofs which fatisfy us with regard to the
common events of life. [But this is far from being the
cafe, with regard to the generality of thofc miracles
i Nevertheless
94f MR. FARMER'S REMARKS
Neverthelefs Mr. Fell, by mutilations^
and additions, endeavours to perfuade his
readers, and has actually perfuaded ftrangers
to the Differtation, that Mr. Farmer argues
againft all miracles, as Hume profeiTedly
does. See Mr. Fell's Letter, pages 14-7, 153*
and more efpecially the lafl paragraph in
page 149. Nay heaflerts, in exprefs terms,
page 145, "You," (meaning Mr. Farmer)
" oblige us with a firing of arguments very
" much in the manner of Mr. Hume$
which are related in history. Amongfl them all, we
fhall find none which on any account deferve credit,
excepting fuch as in their nature, intention and circum-
ftances, are worthy of God ; and which, therefore, al-
lowing their reality, may reafonably be fuppofed to have
him for their author. Of this kind are the mi-
racles of the JEWISH and CHRISTIAN DIS-
PENSATIONS."] — Mr. Fell has quoted part of the above
paragraph from Mr. Farmer, but the firft and laft pafiageS
included in [ ] he has thought proper to leave out.
" AGAINST
ON MR. FELl/s LETTER. 95
" AGAINST THE REALITY OF ALL MIRA-
" CLES WHATEVER *."
* Candour may require it to be fuggefted here, that
Mr. Fell's words might poflibly be conftrued as meaning,
— not that he charged Mr. Farmer with arguing "againft:
all miracles whatever," but with adopting fuch argu-
ments as Mr. Hume had made ufe of when HE was
writing againft all miracles. And yet the Critical Re-
viewers underftood Mr. Fell's words in the fenfe Mr.
Farmer did, as other readers may naturally do. Nor is
it more extraordinary, that a man fo much under the in-
fluence of prejudice and paffion, mould charge Mr. Far-
mer with infidel principles, than that he mould reprefent
his tutor, Dr. Doddridge, as " an enthufiaftical Soci-
" cinian," or exhibit one of the Doctor's warmeft ad-
*
mirers, in a difcourfe from the pulpit, in as obnoxious
a light, on account of a certain publication, in which
he had not the fmalicft concern — a circumftance which
mould not now have been mentioned, had not an in-
jurious impreflion been thereby made on fome honeft
minds, which is yet fcarcely worn off", and which, after
the fulled convidtion of the falfehood, he refufcd to take
the proper means of correcting.
To
96 MR. FARMER'S REMARKS
To this it is anfwered,
First, that in the feveral arguments urged
by Mr. Farmer, in page 70 — 88, againft
" fuch miracles as cannot fitly be afcribed
" to GOD,'* it is not even pofsible for any
one not to fee, that it is again ft miracles of
this description ONLY.
Mr. Fell, for inftance, in page 149, cites
Mr. Farmer as faying — " that if mod of
" thefe miracles," (viz. thofe before fpoken
of) " are allowed to be mere effects of
" human fraud, why not ALL?" No
man can doubt what those miracles were,
of which Mr. Farmer is fpeaking, Differl.
page 76", and that they were " fuch only
" as could not have GOD for their author."
Where there is any fimilarity of exprefsion
between Mr. Hume and Mr. Farmer (which
could fcarcely be avoided when he is arguing
from
ON MR. FELL*S LETTER. 97
from the fame topics) there is a great dif-
ference of fentiment. It would be eafy
here to defcend into particulars.
Secondly. What farther renders it im-
pofsible that any one fhould miitake Mn
Farmer's defign is, — his having pointed out
at large, and in many particulars, the great
difference there is between the miracles
which he rejects, and thofc of SCRIP-
TURE. His words are as follows. " The
" numerous frauds of every kind which
" have obtained in the world, are a ground
u of caution, not of univerfal fcepticifm.
" Though many miracles have been forged,
" it will not from thence follow r that no
" real miracles have been performed,
" Nay, how can we account for a practice
" fo univerfal of forging miracles, for the
" fupport offalfe religions, if on fome occa-
" fions they had not actually been wrought
H " tor
98 mr. farmer's remarks
" for the confirmation of a true one * . . .
" It would be unreafonable, either to re-
" ceive or reject all [accounts of] miracles
" alike; in cafe there be a juft diftinclion
" between fome and others. Now the mi-
" racles of scripture art more credible
" in their own nature than any others,
" being performed for ends of the high eft
" importance, fuch as are fuitable to the
" character of an infinitely perfect being,
" and which could not be accomplished in
" any other method. Their truth is
" confirmed by witnesses of the most
" unsuspected credit; by the public
" revolutions and events which they pro-
" duced (fuch as the conversion of the
;si world to the Chriftian faith -j-) and which
* Dr. Middleton's Pref. Difc. to a Letter from Rome,
page 86 — 88.
f On this paffageMr. Farmer has the following note:
" The miracles ^Christianity confirmed adoclrine
" cannot
ON MR. FELL'S LETTER. 99
cannot pofsibly be accounted for but upon
the fuppofition of their TRUTH : by the
clear prophecies delivered by the authors
of thefe works, of the completion of
which diftant ages are witnefles ; and by
a variety of other arguments peculiar to
these miracles, and which ferve to de-
tect and expofe the falfehood of ALL
OTHERS. Thofe feem to me but ill to
cbnfult the credit of the gospel mira-
cles, who place them on a level with
gro'fs impoftures, inflead of pointing out
the wide difference between them ; and
who have no other way of fupporting the
Chriftian faith, than by countenancing
lies and popular errors, which in all ages
has created the llrongell prejudice againft
contrary to men's ftrongeft prejudices, and could not
be believed without danger; other miracles, for
the moft part, cannot be rejected without danger, and
are defigned to eftablifh popular and profitable errors."
H-2 " it,
100 MR. FARMERS REMARKS
" it, and given occafion to boundlefs fuf-
" picions."
Mr. Fell takes no notice of this paflfage,
though in page 149 — 151, he cites the page
which immediately precedes, and that which
follows it. Nay, in page 151, he has given
an extract from the 77th page of the Differ-
taticn, and that extract is the introduction
to the account Mr. Farmer gives of the cir-
cumftances which diftinguifli the miracles of
scripture from all others. Had he not
flopped fhort in the middle of the paragraph,
what would his readers have thought of his
attempt to clafs Mr. Farmer with Mr. Hume
and Lord Bolingbroke? Had it hap-
pened otherwife, he had undone all.
I do not blame the Reviewer of Mr,
Fell's Letter (fee the Critical Review for
November, 1785, page 383) for "not fee-
* 4 ing the difagrecment between Mr. Hume's
" idea
ON MR. FELL'S LETTER. 101
a
idea on the fubjecl: of a miracle, and Mr.
" Farmer's," as he relied on Mr. Fell's ac-
count of the latter ; nor do I wonder at
his calling upon Mr. Farmer " to point out
" the exceptions in favour of the miracles of
" holy writ*," as Mr. Fell concealed its
being already done.
* The writer of the article in the Critical Re-
view, above referred to, refpe£ting Mr. Fell's Letter
to Mr. Farmer, after giving an account of that work,
exprefles his furprife, that Mr. Farmer fhould not have
pointed out the difference which there is, in his idea, be-
tween the miracles of the Gofpel, and thofe of the Romijh
Church, expreffing alfo a wifh that he would do it in
fome future work. Mr. Farmer was extremely hurt by
fuch a paflage in fo refpec"table a journal, being calcu-
lated to convey a very unfavourable idea of his writings
to many who had not read them ; and therefore he wifhed
to inform the conductors of this Review, in order that
they might do him the juftice of informing their readers,
" That what was mentioned as fo defirable to be done,
" he actually had done already.'' — Mr. Farmer's
fight being at that time defective, he requefted a friend
to convey this information to the Reviewers; which ac-
ii 3 REMARK
102 MR. farmer's remarks
REMARK VIII.
I might point out other exceptionable
things in Mr. Fell's Letter ; but pafsing
them over, I fhall only take notice that he
denies (in page lo2) that he ever charged
Mr. Farmer " with finiiter motives, and dif-
" guifed infidelity." Mr. Farmer was not
lingular in putting this conftruclion upon
fome paflages in his Demoniacs. And to
cordingly he readily did, in very few words ; merely
ftating the fact, and referring to the page. A^Ir. Fell,
by a fingular circumftance, corning at the knowledge of
the perfon who performed this acl: of friendihip for Mr.
Farmer, conceived of him as an enemy to himfelf ; and
feveral years afterwards, when a frefh occafion offered,
wrote him a very illiberal letter on the fubjecf, which
fufEciently explained other parts of his conduct towards
the fame perfon, which had hitherto appeared unaccount-
able, to which reference was made above. See page 70,
and 95, note.
my
ON MR. fell's letter. 103
my apprehenfion, Mr. Fell has endeavoured
to fix the charge of infidelity upon Mr.
Farmer, in the very letter in which he de-
nies his ever having advanced it. Why
othervvife has he fo grofsly mifreprefented
him as arguing (like Mr. Hume and Lord
Bolingbroke) againfi ALL MIRACLES
WHATEVER ?
Mr. Fell indeed fays (page 164) " I have
*' no douht in my own mind that Lord Bo-
" lingbroke really believed the gos-
" pel to contain a revelation from GOD."
On the other hand, it is felf-evident, that
no man can believe the gofpel to contain a
revelation from "God, who argues againft
all miracles. Whoever denies the rc-
furrection of Chrift, muft regard the gofpel
as a fable.
h 4 A FRAGMENT
FRAGMENT
OF
MR. FARMER'S MANUSCRIPT TREATISE
OK THE
HISTORY OF BALAAM.
(EXTRACTED
£Y THE* LATE MICHAEL DODSON, ESQ.
TO THE READER.
IT was mentioned in the preceding ac-
count of Mr. Farmer's writings, that among
his MSS: which were deftroyed, was one
completely ready for the prefs, on the cafe
of the prophet Balaam, and that the late
Michael Dodson, Efq. among others who
had been favoured with the reading of it,
much lamented its deitrucHon. A literary
correfpondent, on the perufal of thefe Me-
moirs, informed the compiler that this
learned gentleman had made fome extracls
from that performance, which he thought
likely to be among his papers. Being anxi-
ous, if pofsible, to procure at leaft an out-
line of this* curious piece, application was
made to Mrs. Dodfon, by refpeCtablc friends,
who felt the fame defire, and it happily
proved fuccefsful. Having taken the trouble
to fearch the numerous papers of the de-
ceafed, the at length found one fuper-
fcribed Extracts from Mr. Farmer on the
cafe of Balaam, which the very obligingly
tranimitted to the editor, with permifsion
to
( 108 )
to tranfcribe it for the purpofe be bad in
view.
Though this paper docs not fully anfwer
the expectation railed concerning it, re-
fpecting Mr. Farmer's interpretation of Ba-
laam's afs Jpeaking, fome exprefsions in it
confirm the fuppofition grounded upon the
author's other writings, that he confidered
the whole fcene, like that of Ch rift's temp-
tation by the devil, as visionary.
The hypothcfis itfelf certainly is not a
novel one. " Maimonides and others,"
fays Bifhop Newton, " have conceived that
" the matter was tranfacted in a vision.
And it mud be confeffed," fays he, " that
many things in the writings of the pro-
phets are fpoken of as real tranfactions,
which were only vifionary ; and thefe
" vifions made as ftrong imprefsions upon
" the minds of the prophets as realities *."
By this it mould feem that this learned writer
favoured that hypothcfis. — The ftory, as
underftood literally, appears fo marvellous,
that it has not only been the jeft of infidels,
but a (tumbling-block to believers. Philo,
* Njwton on Prophecy, Vol. I. p. 118.
therefore,
( 509 )
therefore, the learned Jew, in his Life of
Mofes, where he mentions the ftory of Ba-
laam, leaves out the circumftance of the
afs f peaking, to avoid offence to his Gen-
tile readers, though (Imilar prodigies were
related in their writings *•
Though it may be eafier to underitand
this affair as vifionary than as literal, it
might require all Mr. Farmer's learning and
ingenuity to reconcile the fcripture narra-
tive to fuch an interpretation ; and there-
fore it is ever to be lamented, that fuch a
work mould not have been given to the
public, for which he had proved himfelf
to be peculiarly qualified by another of the
fame kind, viz. his " Inquiry into the Na-
" ture and Defign of Chrift's Temptation
" in the Wildcrnefs," in which elaborate
and ingenious performance, he has been al-
lowed, by molt learned and judicious readers,
* Grot i us, who underftood this ftory literally, has
the following note. " Haec omnia Maimonides facia
" putat in vilione ; ut Gen. xxxii. 24. Jof. v. 13, 14.
" Neque tamen fimilium portentorum defunt hitiatix,
<c Agnus locutus Bocchoride in Egypto regnante apud
" Eufebium, Bos locutus apud Livium faepe, et apud
" Eufebium. Meminere et Plinius, Polybius, Plu-
'" larchus."
to
( no )
to have fully eftablifhed the grand prin-
ciples on which his hypothecs of a divine
vision is creeled ; particularly by a refe-
rence to the fcenes defcribed by Ezekiel
and other prophets, which could not pof-
fibly be real ones, though the language
feems to reprefent them as fuch, and which
are generally allowed to have been merely
viiionary. On the fame principles it may
eafily be imagined, that Mr. Farmer would
ingenioufly interpret this difficult part of
the Old Teftament hiftorv, which fome have
thought an interpolation, though the apoftle
Peter confidered it as genuine. See 2 Pet.
ii. 16. where he mentions " the dumb afs
" fpeaking with man's voice to rebuke the
" madnefs of the prophet."
Though our learned author's particular
explication of this whole narrative is irre-
coverably loll, the following extracts from
his ill nitrations of Balaam's truly beautiful
and fublime predictions, will be efteemed
precious relics, which it was fingularly for-
tunate to have preferved.
They are printed exactly according to
Mr. Dodfon's copy, but it was thought
needful, in order to the reader's difecrning
the
( 111 )
the propriety of the author's comment, to
infert the text at length, as he himfelf
would molt probably have done, on the
opposite page. Befides Mr. Farmer's notes
and references, there are a few others which
appear to have been added by Mr. Dodfon,
and which are diftinguimed, where it could
be done, by the letter D. Some of the quo-
tations the editor has inferted at length,
which are included in [brackets ;] the prin-
cipal of which are thofe from Peters on
Job, for the fake of fuch readers as may
not be poileffed of that excellent work. A
few other fmall inferlions of the editor,
are in like manner diftinguilhed, or by dif-
ferent marks of reference. The addenda
at the clofe, it is prefumed, will require
no apology.
'If the publication of this Fragment (for
fuch only can it be called) of our learned
author, fhould induce any reader who is
equal to fuch an undertaking, thoroughly
to investigate the fubjecr, and to ellablifli
Mr. Fanner's hypothecs, or any other, both
the editor and the public will have peculiar
caufe for fatisfaction, that the following
paper was refcued from oblivion.
I
112 ILLUSTRATION OP
The Prophecies of Balaam as recorded in the?
Book of Numbers, according to the common tranf-
lation.
Numb. XXIII. 4 — 10,
And God met Balaam : and he faid unto
him, I have prepared feven altars, and I
have offered upon every altar a bullock and
a ram.
5. And the Lord put a word in Balaam's
mouth, and faid return unto Balak, and
thus thou fhalt fpeak.
7. And he took up his parable 3 and faid,
Balak the king of Moab hath brought me
from Aram, out of the mountains of the eaft,
faying, Come curfe me b Jacob, and come
defy c Ifrael.
8. How mail I curfe whom God hath not
curfed ? or how fhall I defy whom the
Lord hath not defied ?
9. For from the top of the rocks I fee him,
and from the hills I behold him. Lo the
a That is, was tranfported with a prophetic fpirit.
See Durell on Job, p. 81. D. — [" Le Clerc tranflates
11 the word figuratam orationem. Thereby is meant, a
" weighty and folemn ipeech, delivered in figurative
lt and majeftic language. Such remarkably are the pro-
** phecies of Balaam. See Lowttis Pralect." Newton
on Proph. Vol. I. p. 122.
b [i. e. curfe for me. c Or execrate. Loiutb.]
Balaam's prophecies. il3
EXTRACTS from MR. FARMER'S MS.
Numb. XXIII. 7— id.
It plcafed God to manifeft himfelf to
Balaam, but in a manner very different from
what he wifhed or expected. When he
was pleading the number and value of the
facrifices he had offered to render him and
the other gods propitious, Jehovah " put a
word into his mouth," and at his return to
JBalak he broke out, under an immediate
divine impulfe, into the following weighty
and pathetic fpeech, which he pronounced
with a high voice :
l i Of all the perfons in the Eafl, famous
for the magic art d , I was fingled out as the
ableft to blaft the army of the Ifraelites.
But how impossible is it, by any execration,
to bring evil upon a people who are under
the protection of God, even Jehovah !
From the eminence on which I now ftand,
I command a view of their encampment :
a mofl magnificent profpecl ! And what
d On the character and pretentions of the Magicians.
See Efiay on Miracles, p. 254 — 287.
Of the ancient evocation of Gods, fee 1 Kennicott.
158, &c. Law, 93—95.
I is
H4 ILLUSTRATIONS OF
people fhall dwell alone, and fhall not
be reckoned among the nations.
10. Who can count the duff, of Jacob,
and the number of the fourth part of lfrael r
— Let me die the death of the righteous,
and let my laft end e be like his !
• The eminently learned Mighaelis (in his Syn-
tagma Commentationum, p. 107,) fuppofes that Balaam's
wilh has a reference to a future ftate. See Peters on
Job, p. 285.
[The paflage is as follows. " The word literally
<c denotes, an after time or ftate ; a ftate that begins
" again after fome iemarkable period. Thus the re-
" maining part of Job's life, after his recovery from his
" affliction, is called his acherith (ch. xlii. 2.)
" And as men fur vive, as it were, in their pojlerity, this
" imaginary exiftence too is called their acherith. —
<c But the word is never ufed in a more natural or proper
" fenfe, than when applied tocxprefs a future ftate after
** death ; which- is evidently the fenfe wherein it ought
" to be underftood in this parable of Balaam. So
" likewife Pfalm xxxvii. 37. whence the wifh of Ba-
" laam might receive farther illuftration."]
Taylor
Balaam's prophecies. 115
is truly aftonifhing, thefe people are per-»
feelly feparated from all others by their re-
ligion and laws* They bear no refemblance
to, and will never be incorporated with,
any of the furrounding nations. — What a
countlefs hoft ! It is impofsible to reckon
up the number contained in only one of
thofe four camps f into which they are
divided. — Oh ! that I might die the death
of the righteous, fuch as the Ifraelites are !
May I never come to an untimely end s
for attempting to curfe a people fo fignally
favoured by heaven !"
. Taylor undcrftands it of his pofterity (Scheme, page
246. ) May my pofterity be like his ! — In the LXX the
Word is <rxi^a,. Compare Numb. xxiv*. 20. Thi9 I
take to be the true fenfe. D. [See Lowth. Prsele&.
xiv. Greg. Tranf. Note S< H.J
. f Sec the fecond chapter of Numbers, pajjim:
5 From chap. xxxi. 10. it appears that Balaam was
flain by the Ifraelites ; and in the paflage before us the
prophetic fpirit feems to have intimated to him that ho
would come to an untimely end. Sec Grotius and L<*
Clercin loc.
1 2 Balaam
116 ILLUSTRATIONS OF
Numb. XXIII. 18—22.
18. And he took up his parable and faid,
rife up Balak and hear : hearken unto me
thou fon of Zippor.
19; God is not a man that he mould lie,
neither the fon of man that he mould re-
pent. Hath he faid, and mall not he do
it? Or" hath he fpoken, and mall he not
make it good ?
20. Behold I have received commandment
to blefs, and he hath blefled, and I cannot
reverfe it.
21. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob,
neither hath he feen perverfenefs in Ifrael.
The Lord his God is with him, and the
fhout of a king is among them.
l l l l. God brought them out of Egypt.
He h hath as it were, the ftrength of an
unicorn.
h This, by a change of perfon, is mod commonly
underftood of Israel. Mr. Farmer refers it to Egypt,
the immediate antecedent, fuppofing the idea to be, —
fince the almighty had delivered this people from that
mod powerful kingdom, the king of Moab &c. would
in vain expert to fubduethem. Ed.
Numb.
Balaam's prophecies. 117
Balaam again retired from the king to
confult Jehovah, who was pleafed, while
the fon of Beor was in this recefs, to in-
fpire him with the following anfwer, to
which the ftricteit attention of Balak was
demanded.
" The God of Ifrael (the only being in the
univerfe who can properly be itiled God) is
not like the heathen deities, of human origin,
not fubject to the variable pafsions of man-
kind. His decrees are never reverfed, nor
can the execution of them be defeated.
Confider it well : I have received a com-
mifsion, and fupernatural infpiration to blefs
the Israelites. God hath bleifed them, and
it is impofsible for me to engage him to
change his purpofe. They keep free from
idolatry, and thofe enormous vices which
a'ttend it; and for this reafon Jehovah their
God is with them ; and while they preferve
their allegiance to him, he will render them
victorious and triumphant. If the king o(
Moab and the princes of Midian entertain
any doubt of it, let them take warning by
thofe difplays of God's power and juftice by
which he accompli Hied their deliverance
i 3 out
118 ILLUSTRATIONS OF
Numb. XXIII. 23, 24,
23. Surely there is no enchantment againft
Jacob, neither is there any divination againft
Ifrael. According to this time \ it mall
be faid of Jacob and Ifrael, " What hath
God wrought?*'
24-. Behold the people fhall rife up as a
great lion, and lift up himfelf as a young
lion. He (hall not lie down until he cut
off the prey, and drink the blood of the
flain.
* According to this time — u whenfoever the occafion
requires."] Compare the LXX, where x «t^ *«if q» an-
fwers to the Hebrew word which we render ^^fccording
to this time," and which properly denotes " according to
the feafon or the occafion." — Compare Ifaiah lx. 22.
[A little one fhall become a thoufand, and a imall one a
ftrong nation : I the Lord will haften it in his time.]
See Biihop Pearcje, Vol.11, p. 381. Bos. Prolog,
to LXX or. Judges xxi. 22. Lindsey's Sequel, p. 321.
3 Nuatb^
Balaam's prophecies. 119
out of Egypt, which far furpalTeth all other
nates and kingdoms.
" It is in vain for you to have recourfe to
inchantments and divinations againft the
Ifraelites : Whensoever the occafion ' re-
quires them, the appearances of God in their
favour will be fuch as to ftrike the world with
the greater! aftonifhment. Confider well
what I now foretel you : Every hoftile attack
upon them will be in the iilue as fatal to the
aggreflfors as it would be to a bead of the
foreft to roufe a fierce lion, by which he
would be torn and devoured in a moment."
Numb. XXIV. 3—24.
While Balaam was furveying the camp of
lfrael [ver. 2 k ] and the king and princes
were expecting what he would deliver, the
fpirit of God came upon him, under whofe
immediate infpiration and uncontroulable
influence he exprefTed himfelf greatly to his
own mortification, to the following efYecl '.
k [" And Balaam lift up his eyes, and he Taw lfrael
abiding in his tents according to their tribes, Sec]
1 Lowth's Prselecliones xx. [See the paflage re-
ferred to, quoted at length in the addenda.]
i 4 " Attend
120 ILLUSTRATIONS OF
NUMB. XXIV. 3 — 6.
3. And he took up his parable and faid,
Balaam the fon of Beor hath faid, and the
man whofe eyes are open hath faid,
4. He hath faid which heard the words of
God, which fawthe vifion of the Almighty,
falling into a trance, [not in the Jlcb.] but
having his eyes open m .
5. How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,
and thy tabernacles, O Ifrael!
6. As the valleys n are they fpread forth,
as gardens by the river fide, as the trees
« The word cniy is only ufed here and in Lam. iii. 8.
where it fignifies to/for. See Newton on Proph. 1. 129. Ed.
n See Peters on Job, p. 447. [" There is ano-
ther word in this fentence (Job xxviii. 4.) which may
demand to have its meaning fixed, I mean Nachal. —
It fometimes fignifies a vale^ but oftener a torrent, or tide
offpreading waters, which has ibmewhatof the fame ap-
pearance. They are fpread forth as the valleys (or rather
as the floods of water) fays Balaam, of the tents of If-
rael, as they overfpread the plains of Moab, Numb. xxiv.
6. And, without doubt, the regular encampment of
600,000 fighting men, together with their families and
followers, amounting m all, as commonly computed, to
three millions, muft needs make a fine appearance, and
extend itfelf very wide."]
of
Balaam's prophecies. 121
" Attend, O king of Moab and princes
of Midian, to what Balaam is divinely corn-
mi fsioned to fpeak to you : to what that
man is divinely commifsioned to fpeak, who,
while he was looking upon the Ifraelites with
a dcfirc to curfe them, found his eyes (in
cffeeT:) mut m ; having loft all perception of
external objeels. Give ftricl attention to what
he is divinely commifsioned to reveal, who
hears God freaking to him and ° fees a
vilion and representation of the Almighty,
and under his prefent trance or ecstasy
hath as full and perfecl: a view of thofe
feencs which are prefented to his mind,
as If they were what to him they appear to
he, the objects of corporeal fight. p
" How incxprefsibly delightful is the view
which I now have of the camp of Ifrael ! The
fertility and beauty of a well-watered valley,
This claufe in italic not in the Samaritan. D.
p Sec Inquiry on Chrift's Temptation, third edit,
p. 8o. and p. 95. [Where the author confiders the dif-
tinclion which the (cripture makes between a vifion and
a trance or ecftafy, referring to the above paflage refpec~l-
ing Balaam.] Jortin's Difiert. p. 190, «Scc.
or
l l 22 ILLUSTRATIONS OF
of lign-aloes which the Lord hath planted,
and as cedar trees befide the waters.
7. He /hall pour the water out of his
buckets, and his feed mall be as many
waters q , and his king mall be higher
than Agag, r and his kingdom fhall be
exalted.
8. God brought him forth out of Egypt:
he hath, as it were, the ftrength of an uni-
corn : he mall eat up the nations which are
his enemies, and mall break their bones, and
pierce them through with his arrows.
9. He couched, he lay down as a lion, and
as a great lion, who mall ftir him up ?
BleiTed is he that bleficth thee, and curfcd
is he that curfeth thee.
9 Read D*m own "mi imj» or p^»» dik bw or bv
agreeably to the LXX t&.ivcrrca a»8<w7T9? ty. va crTs^ar*?
euvm xai y.vpivan tbvuv 7roXAw». [A man Jhall come forth of bis
feed, who jh all rule over many nations.] The Chal. Par.
Onk. and Jer. Targ. agree nearly with LXX. — It is more
probable that »j?» (which in Ifaiah xi. i. is rendered as here
i|E?.5WTiT«*) is the true reading, D.
1 Agag was the general name of the kings of the
Amalekites (i Kings xvi. 8.) who were the moft power-
ful people in thofe parts. They were fubdued by Saul,
I Sam. xv. 8.
17. I mall
Balaam's prophecies. V2S
or garden ; the fragrancy of thofe aloes
which perfume the air with their odours,
,ond the majeftic appearance of the Joftieft
cedars, are but imperfect reprefentations of
the flouriihing condition of thefe defend-
ants of Jacob. A people whom God will
blefs with a numerous pofterity, and whofe
princes ihall excel thofe whofe power you
continually celebrate. God, who delivered
them out of Egypt, that potent kingdom,
will raife them to great pre-eminence, and
enable them utterly to deftroy every hoftile
nation. They will live without any fear of
being molefted by enemies; and it would
be as dangerous to difhirb them, as for a
weaker beafi: to roufe a lion out of his
den. Blefled ;s (or be) he that bleileth
thee, and curfed is (or be) he that curfcth
thee."
Aflerting, as he had clone before [v. 15, 16.]
his own immediate infpiration by the Molt
High, by the only true God, in the way
01 vision (in which things remote are re-
prefentcd as near, and things future as if
they were prefent) Balaam added — "I
fee
124- ILLUSTRATIONS OF
17. I mall fee him, s but not now;
I mall behold him, but not nigh. There
fhall come a liar l out of Jacob, and a
fceptre fhall rife out of Ifrael, and fhall
fmite the corners of Moab, and dcftroy
all the children of Sheth.
1 8. And Edom fhall be a pofTefsion. Seir
alfo mall be a pofTefsion for his enemies, and
Ifrael ihall do valiantly.
19. Out of Jacob ihall come he that fhall
have dominion, and mall deftroy him that
remaineth of the city.
20. And when he looked on Amalek, he
took up his parable and faid, Amalek was
the firft of the nations, but his latter end
Jliall be that he perifh for ever.
21. And he looked on the Kenitcs, and
took up his parable and faid, Strong is thy
dwelling-place, and thou putteft thy neit in
a rock.
22. Neverthelefs, the Kenite mall be wafted
until Amur ihall carry thee away captive.
s David and other kings who fubdued Moab. See
Jeffery, p. 151. [See 2 Sam. viii. 2. &c]
1 [Some refer this ultimately to the Meffiah. See
Bp. Newton and Peters on Job.]
Numb.
Balaam's prophecies. 125
fee, though you are not to expecl him
but in an age remote from the prefent,
an illuftrious prince anting in Ifrael,
who will fubdue the Moabites, and deftroy
all the pofterity of Seth. The Ifraelites
infpired by Heaven with valour, will prove
victorious over all their enemies. They will
take.pollcfsion of the country of the Edom-
ites, not excepting Seir, and all thofe places
and cities which are moil ftrongly fortified
by nature and art."
When he looked on the defcendants of
Amalck, one of the mod ancient and emi-
nent of all the neighbouring nations, he re-
fumed his prophetic fpeech, and foretold
their entire deftruclion — " becaufe without
any provocation, they were the firll to attack
the people of Jehovah in their travels."
lie then looked on the Kenites, who
were mingled with the people of Midian and
Amalck, and foretold — " That even their
mountains and rocks, though deemed inac-
cefsible, would not prevent them from being
gradually wailed by the power of the If-
raelites, till at laft they mould be carried
away into captivity by the Affyrian mo-
narch?."
nis
Itl6 ILLUSTRATION'S OF
Numb. xxiv. 23, 24.
*23. And he took tip his parable and faid,
Alas! who mall live when God doeth this?
24. And mips fhall come from the coafl
of Chittim, and mail afflict Amur, and mall
afflict Eber *, and he alfo mall perifh for
ever.
* The Jews are commonly fuppofed to have been
called Hebrews from Eber, a defcendant of Shcm, who is
Stiled, Gen. x. 21. ' the father of the children of Eber,'
who was one of the anceftors of Abraham, to whom, on
that account, this name has been thought to be given,
Sen. xiv. 13. And Some commentators fuppofe, as Mr.
Farmer feems to have done, that the above prediction
concerning Eber, refers to the oppreflion of the Hebrew
nation, and their final deftrudtion by the Romans. The
LXX render the word '£tea«i«?' But it appears highly
improbable that Balaam, who was commiflioned to blefs
this people inftead of enrfing them, as he was hired to do,
and who had reluctantly foretold their great prosperity and
their Superiority to all their enemies, fhould at this very
time, in the hearing of Bahik, utter a prediction of their
total ruin. The word -oy has a Signification more
confident with the general defign of Balaam's prophe-
cies, and more honourable to the Israelites. It properly
denotes from beyond^ or the ether fide, viz. of a river ■„
and was given to Abraham by the Canaanites, when
he Sojourned among them, with reference to this cir-
cumstance, in the paffage above referred to : And there
came one that had escaped, and told Abraham the HE-
BREW: *uy, the man from beyond the river, viz. the
Euphrates, which is always meant by that terra. Ac-
cording the LXX and Aquila tranflate it m^*rm' The
paifage, therefore, in this prediction of Balaam, concern-
ing the destruction of Eber, may naturally be under-
ftood,
Balaam's prophecies. / 12?
His views were now carried forward to
ltill more diitant periods, and he was op-
prefled with the profpect of the defolatiou
occafioned by the great empires of the
world. It was not without a deep fjgli that
he uttered the following prediction. " How
difficult will it be to efcape with life when
the Affyrian will fubdue fo many nations!
But they alfo in their turn mall fuffcr the
vengeance of heaven. The pofterity of
Chittim, who peopled Greece and Italy,
mail overthrow the Affyrian monarchy,
after having been transferred to the Per-
fiaiis. They mall alfo utterly deltroy the
Hebrews* themfelves. Afterwards Chittim
lhall periih for ever; the empire iirft of the
Greeks, then of the Romans, mail be en-
tirely deilroyed. So univerfal is the pro-
videncc, and fo impartial is the juftice of
God, who conducts the revolutions of the
world.'*
flood, not of the Hcbretvs* or Ifraelites, but of thofe
Eaftcrn nations which were at enmity with them, which
lay beyond the river Euphrates, ltill called by the fame
name which Abraham had received for the like rcaion.
Thus it was undedlood by Grotius, whofc note upon
the pafTage is as follows : (En.)
Vastabuntque Heerj€os -or eos qui trans flu men
lunt fignificat. Flumen Euphratem intelligc. Etiam
Euphratcm tranfgrcdientur Alacedonum live Gra?corum
nma. Et hoc ad Alexandrum pertincrc nemo non vidct.
ADDENDA.
MR. DODSON, on the back of his
MS. has made many additional remarks and
references, but few of which are fufficiently
diftincl to admit of being tranfcribed, and
properly inferted. The following, though
they do not relate to the foregoing pai-
fages, may be thought worthy of preferv-
ing here.
Numb. xxii. IS.— The Lord MY GOD.
It feems not likely that Balaam mould
call Jehovah his God. But Samar. and
Heb. have t6n, except that Heb. MS. No.
80, omits the word. (^It mould perhaps be
dt6k) See Kennicott's Rem. p. 19 h. DifT.
Sea. 26\ 89. The LXX read mpx rx 0ss-
In Numb, xxiii. 3. mp> mould be mp* as
in Samar. and in v. 15, rnptf Ihould be
N"ipN, as in Samar. and 1 Heb. MS. See
More. Kennicott. Rem. p. 40. 380.
In
ADDENDA. 129
In another place, reference is made to
Thcol. Repos. iv. 34. 97. 108.
As in the preceding illuftrations of Ba-
laam's prophecies feveral references are made
to Bifliop Lowth's Prjelectiones, it may
not be amifs to add fome quotations from
that learned and elegant work, containing
the author's high encomium of «thefe pre-
dictions, and his poetical tranflation of one
of them with an Englifh verfion.
Lect. iv. — " To which we may add,
the prophecies of Balaam, the Mefopota-
mian> pronounced alfo in the parabolic
ftyle, as appears from the extreme neat-
nefs of the composition, the metrical and
parallel fentences, the fublimity of the lan-
guage and fentiment, and the uncommon
elegance of the verfe.
Lect. xviii. — " In the Mofaic hiftory I
have already quoted, as the faireft examples
of the Hebrew poetry, the imprecations of
Noah, the blefsing of Jacob, and the pre-
dictions of Balaam: than all which (parti-
cularly thofe of Balaam) I do not know
k that
13t) ADDENDA.
that the whole extent of the prophetic wri-
tings could afford more pertinent inftances.
Among the prophecies of Balaam,
I will alfo venture to clafs that moft ele-
gant poen% which is refcued from oblivion
by the prophet Micah, and which, in mat-
ter and -diet ion-, in the uruclure, form, and
character of the composition, fo admirably
Agrees with the other monuments of his fame,
•that it evidently appears to be a citation
1k>m the anfwer of Balaam to the king of
Moab*.
Wlnerewilk jfliall I comr before Jehovah, -&Y.
Lect. xx. " Among the lhorter pro-
phecies, I need only mention thofe of Ba-
laam, each of which is pofTefTed of a cer-
* " See Micah vi. 6 — -8. and the late Bifliop But"
"* ler's Sermon on the character of Balaam." [In the
dtfcourfe here referred to, contained in the Volume of
Sermons at the Rolls Chapel, the author has this ftrange
pofition, p. 124, " The fuppofition of his (Balaam's J
" being under a fupernatural reftraint, is a mere fiction
" of Philo : he is plainly reprefented to be under no
** other force or reftraint than the Fear of GOD." — How
any one, poffeifing the fear of God could undertake the
bufinefs for which Balak fent for him, is utterly incre-
dible. That he was under a divine reftraint, as well as>
a divine impulfe, which Mr. Farmer fuppofes, is evident
upon the face of the narrative.]
tain
ADDfettDA* 131
lain accuracy of arrangement and fymmetry
of form : they open with an elegant ex-
ordium, they proceed with a methodical
continuation of the fubjecl, and are wound
up with a full and graceful conclufion."
" That I may not conclude this lecture
without exhibiting the form of fome pro-
phetic poem complete in all its parts, I
have felecled one of the prophecies of
Balaam, which have more than once de-
fervedly attracted our attention: for indeed
I do not know that the whole fcope of the
Hebrew poetry contains any thing more
exquiiite or perfecl. This which is at pre-
fent under our consideration, abounds in
gay and fplendid imagery, copied imme-
diately from the tablet of nature; and
is chiefly confpicuous for the glowing ele*
gance of the ftyle, and the form and di-
verfity of the figures. Though every at-
tempt to difplay the beauties of the He-
brew imagery in the poetry of another
language mult fall greatly fhort of the de-
fign, it will yet give a little variety to our
ftudics, to interfperfe them occasionally
with modern verfe. On thefe occafions, as
k 2 indeed
132 ADDENDA.
indeed on every other, I muft rely upon the
candour of this audience to accept in good
part the willing tribute of my faint endea-
vours*.*'
NUM. XXIV. 5 — 9.
Tuis, Jacobe, quantus eft caftris decor !
Tuifque fignis, Ifrael !
Ut rigua vallis fertilem pandens finum ;
Horti ut fcatentes rivulis;
Sacris Edenae cofti ut in fylvis virent,
Cedrique propter flumina.
Illi uda multo rore ftillant germina,
Foetufque alunt juges aquse.
Sancli ufque fines promovebit impei?
Rex ufque victor hoftium.
Ilium fubaclo duxit ab Nilo Deus,
Novis fuperbum viribus,
Qualis remotis liber in jugis oryx
Fert celfa ccelo cornua.
Vorabit hoftes ; offa franget; irritas
Lacerabit haftas dentibus.
Ut leo recumbit; ut leaena, decubat;
Quis audeat laceflere ?
* From Dr. Gregory's accurate and elegant tranflation.
Quae
ADDENDA. 133
Qua* quisque tibi prccabitur, ferat bona !
Mala qua? precabitur, luat !
Thus tranflated into Engli/h.
In proud array thy tents expand,
O Ifrael o'er the fubjecl land :
As the broad vales in profpect rife,
As gardens by the waters fpread.
As cedars of majeftic fize,
That fhade the facred fountain's head.
Thy torrents fhall the earth o'erflow,
O'erwhelming each obdurate foe.
In vain the mind efTays to trace
The glories of thy countlefs race,
In vain thy king's imperial Hate
Shall haughty Agag emulate.
His mighty God's protecting hand
Led him from Pharaoh's tyrant land.
Strong as the beall that rules the plain,
What power his fury fhall reftrain ?
Who dares refill his force fhall feel
The nations fee, and trembling fly,
Or in th' unequal conflict die,
And glut with blood his thirfty Heel.
k 3 With
134 APDENDA.
With afpect keen he mark'd his prey,—
He couch'd— in fecret ambuih lay, —
Who (hall the furious lion dare ?
WhofhaJI unmov'd his terrors fee?
Bleft, who for thee exalts his pray'r,
And curft the wretch who curfeth thee \
APPENDIX,
APPENDIX. No I.
Containing some account of the Rev. Mr. Hugh
Owen, drawn up by his Grandfon, Mr. Hugh
Farmer, in the Year 1775, for the Nonconform^'*
Memorial, in addition to that publifhed by Dr. Calamy.
" His character was ftrongly marked by
compafsion and charity. The numerous
poor in his own neighbourhood, and under
his extenfive pafloral infpeclion, he con^
ftantly vifited and relieved. When in his
travels he has met with perfons fullering
greatly by the feverity of the weather, for
want of proper clothing, he has fpared
from his own perfon (not without fome ha-
zard to it) what their prefsing necessities
feemed to require. At a time when the
hveating ficknefs carried off great numbers,
k 4 and
136 MR. farmer's account
and the infected were in want of proper
afsiftance, he diligently attended them, and
condescended to perform, even for the
meaneft, any neceflary fervice.
" With refpect to the imprefsion which
his unaffected piety and goodnefs made upon
others, the following particulars are remark-,
able. When the under-fheriff of Merioneth-
mire apprehended him at his own houfe, in
the reign of James II. he readily confented
to go with him, and only begged leave firft
to pray with his family. This he was al-
lowed to do. When he had done, the officer
being deeply affected with his devotion, told
him, " He would have nothing now to fay
to him," and went away, leaving his pri-
soner at liberty.
" He was once confined at Lord Powis's,
at Powis caftle, but was treated with re-
markable kindnefs during his confinement.
Lord
OF THE HEV. HUGH OWEN. 137
Lord Povvis, though a papift, on hearing
him pray, faid to his priefr, " Surely this
is a good chriftian !'* and on his difcharge*
engaged him to come to Powis caftle every
Chriftmas..
** Mr. Owen left behind him a letter of
advice to his people, which he ftiled his
Laft Legacy, of which the following is the
fubftance. " Beware of worldlinefs, for I
M fear left the world, like a canker, mould
•• eat up all the good that is in many, and
44 leave their fouls like dry mclls. Set
" yourfelves againft fecret pride, and take
" care to keerj down every proud and high-
44 conceited thought of yourfelves upon any
M account. Set yourfelves to praclife the
" great duty of felf-denial ; yea rejoice in
" opportunities of humbling yourfelves in
* 4 the very dud, for the fake of Jcfus ;
kt driving to he forward to forgive, forget
44 and pafs by, whatever any body may do
" asainft
138 MB. FARMER'S ACCOUNT
" againft you ; yea apply yourfeives firit
" for peace. Beware of the proud and high
*< temper that fays, It is they offended and
" not I ; they mould come to me and not
" 1 to them. Thefe are but the eiFe$s of
" pride, and of more love to ourfelves than
" to the Lord Jefus Chrift and his ways."
" Having given the officers and ancient
members of the church a hint concerning
the prudence and moderation to be ufed by
them, to prevent difputes about baptifm,
heobferves, " That fuch difputes had occa-
" fioned a great breach at Wrexham, to the
" dishonour of God, and the contempt of
44 religion, and that thofe who had engaged
* { in them had acknowledged to him, that
*' they bad loft the prefence of God, which
" they had formerly enjoyed, and that
u there was a itop put to the work of con-
tc verlion among them. I prefy you to this
'* (fays he) becaufe it mould be the defire
i " and
OF THE REV. HUGH OWEN. 139
" and defign of every member to encreafe
" the kingdom of Chrift ; to have the image
" of Chrift, and not their own opinion
" (lamped upon the fouls of men. If I
" have the image of Chrift ftamped on my
a foul, I ihall be fure to go to heaven; but
"■ I may enjoy both forts of baptifm, and
« go to hell after all."
" It may not be amifs to add, that Mr.
Owen's amiable character, efpecially for
modefty and humility, is fpokcn of in Wales
to this day with great applaufe and venera-
tion ; and that an ancient and worthy cler-
gyman of the church of England, yet living
<
(in 1775) communicated fome of the above
particulars*."
* From a late perufal of the life of Mr. James Owen, it
does not appear that he was related to Mr. Hugh Owen,
asfuggefted, page 3, or that he was a ftated affifrant to
that venerable man, as Dr. Calamy intimates, but that
he was hofpitabiy received and entertained by him in a
This
140 MR. FARMER'S PERSON.
This account of his venerable ancejior
fhews that Mr. Farmer was not afhamed of
time of fevere perfecution. The following paflage, which
redounds highly to Mr. Hugh Owen's chara&er, feem s
worth inferting here.
'« After he [Mr. James Owen] had been kept in that
county [viz. atBodwel, in Caernarvonfhire] as aprifoner
for about nine months, he was conveyed by night to
Bronyclydwr, in Merionydfhire, the houfe of the Rev.
Mr. Hugh Owen, a gentleman peculiarly eminent for
humility, meeknefs, great ferioufnefs, and unwearied di-
ligence in his matter's fervice. The great encourage-
ment he had to fix in this country, did but encreafe the
the perfecuting flame, which obliged him to remove.
Upon his departure from thence, he writes thus."— »■
" While I was with Mr. H. Owen, I had a very malignant
" (ever ; he and fome others of the family being ill at
<c the fame time : but it pleafed God to reflore us both.
" I had feveral opportunities to preach in the country,
<c which expofed me to the obfervation of the neighbour-
" ing gentlemen, who threatened to ilTue out warrant?
" againft me.""
" In November, 1676, he had a call to Swiney, near
Ofweftrye, in Shropfhire," &c. — No account is given
of his return to Bronyclydwr. — In 1699, he had an in-
lus
HUGH AND JAMES OWEN. 141
his defcent, nor of the principles by which
the Nonconformists were diftinguiihed,
among whom he was willing that his own
name mould (land enrolled. It would have
been a high gratification to many, as well
as to the compiler of thefe papers, if he
could have prefented to the public Mr. Far-
mer's effigies. But he never would confent
to fit for his picture. This being the cafe,
the following defcription of his perfon may
not be unacceptable to thofe who never faw
him.
In height he was fomething above the
middle fize, and rather thin than corpu-
vitation to Shrewsbury, to aflift good old Mr. Tallents,
who furvived him. It was in this year that Mr. Hugh
Owen died, and it is not improbable that, from their
former acquaintance, he might be defired to preach his
funeral fcrmon, as is related by Dr. Calamy. See Noncon.
Mem. iii. 492, where there is an error of the prefs, the
figure 9 being inverted.
lent ;
142 HUGH AND JAMES OWEN*
lent ; well proportioned, and of a gen-
teel figure* His features were regular and
handfome. His complexion good, though
fomewhat dark. His nofe and chin were pro-
minent and fharp. On lofing his teeth his
mouth fell in confiderably. His eyes were
rather fmall, and penetrating. Being fome-
fomewhat near-fighted, they were ufually
half clofed in looking at an object. The
combination of his features exprefled dignity
penetration and keennefs, fo as to command
veneration and refpecl.
APPENDIX,
APPENDIX. No. II.
MR. FARMER'S LETTERS.
Mr. Farmer, on his fir ft fettlement at
VValthamftow, commenced an intimate ac*
quaintance with Mr. Isaac Toms, then
chaplain in the Family of Sir Daniel Do-
lens, of Hackney, and tutor to his fon,
preaching only occafionally. When Mr.
Toms removed, to take the charge of a
congregation * at Hadleigh, in Suffolk,
(where he approved himfelf a moll pious,
prudent and diligent paftor, till the year
1800, when he died at the age of 90 years)
Mr. Farmer maintained an epiftolary cor-
reipondence with him, to their mutual
edification as cbriftian minifters. His fon,
Mr.
144 LETTERS WRITTEN BY
Mr. S. Say Toms, minifter at Framlingham,
fince the foregoing meets were printed, has
communicated to the editor a number of
Mr. Farmer's Letters to his worthy father,
written at an early period ; juftly appre-
hending that a few of them may not im-
properly accompany the prefentpublication*.
They will doubtlefs be acceptable to many of
Mr. Farmer's pious friends, as testimonies to
his religious character, and proofs of the fe-
rioufncfs, humility and zeal with which, from
the fir it, he engaged in the work of the
chriitian miniitry.The world has chiefly view-
ed him as the learned divine, and great bibli-
cal fcholar, here he will appear as the good
* The good fenfe of thofe readers who moft admire
Mr. Farmer's learned publications, will lead them to
make due allowance for whatever they may obferve in
thefe Letters, inferior to them in point of compofition,
&c. confidering that they were written at a much earlier
period, and with all the freedom of private friendfhip :
a circumftance which enhances their value.
3 man
MR. FARMER. 145
man, and the pious paftor, feeking advice
from one of the bed of minifters, a few
years his fenior, in order to his ufefulnefs
to the fouls of his flock : at the fame time
mewing his readinefs, in every pofsible way,
to ferve fo valuable a friend.
LETTER I.
London, Laivrtnce Poultney Hill,
DIAR UK, January 32, 1744.
I am greatly indebted to you for your kind letter;
cfpeciilly for the advice you give, which I fhall endea-
vour to profit by. I am every day more and more fen-
fible how unfit I am for every part of the minifteriai
work, lb as to be "at times opprefled under a fenfe of my
infufficiency. But this is what I never before opened
to any but one very particular friend, and now do it to
you to engage your prayers. Here, in and near the
city, where good breeding has polifhed away almoft all
fincerity, it is, generally fpeaking, impoffible to men.,
tion defects which we inwardly feel and lament, left it
fhould be thought a more artful method of procuring
praiie. But I am encouraged to open my heart to you
my dear friend, as you have opened yours to mc.
1.
H() LETTERS WRITTEN BY
Under my prefent dejection it has pleafed God to ho-
nour me with being the inftrument (though moft un-
worthy) of the conviction, and I hopefaving converfion,.
of one perfon. What I learned from her of her cafe,
and which her hufband confirmed, was to this effect.
She had lived in an entire neglect of God, and even of
the outward forms of worfhip in a great degree. Though
flie was bred a church-woman,, her hufbr.nd being a
diffenter, brought her to our place of worfhip. It pleafed
God to fix her attention very much to what fhe heard,
and fhe began from that time to- be very thoughtful ;
though before, as fhe informed me, if fhe ever attempted
to think of religion, a thoufand vain thoughts crowded.
in upon her mind at once. Now fhe relifhes nothing
but fpiritual converfe, and I hope from many other
marks of converfion, is become a true chriftian. As
fuch we admitted her to our communion the laft facra-
ment-day. I mention this to you that you may join with
me in praifing God for this inftance of his grace, and
in praying that this may be the firft fruit of a plentiful
harveft.
I rejoice fincerely in the great fuccefs with which God
honours you. Your zeal juftly fliames me. I pray God
vou may daily c fee of the travail of your foul and be fa-
4 tisfied.' I am glad he inclines your heart to undertake
the paftoral care of the congregation, and pray that your
preparatory inquiries may be guided, and that you may
be led more and more into the knowledge of your matter's
will. But, amiufi your other cares, pray do not forget
your health. Though as you juftly obferve, we ought
to be willing to facrifice it when God calls us out to do
it, you likewife know, it is a great chriftian duty to en-
deavour
MR. FARMER. 147
deavour to preferve it, when he does not j that we may
not (horten our days, and thereby our ufefulnefs. Too
great bodily fatigue may occafion that depreffion of mind
you complain of, in fome degree, though it is certain
good men find a great difference in the frame of their
minds at different times. To have thofe lively views
of the favour of God at all times, which we have fome-
times, would turn earth into a paradifej and yet we
fhould never be eafy without them. This cafe is par-
ticularly confidered in Dr. Doddridge's " Rife and Pro-
grefs, &c." juft published. I have not yet read it
through : fhould be glad to know your fentiments of that
performance. I fhall never communicate any thing you
write, that you defire to have concealed. — Shew your
forgivenefs of my long filence by a fpeedy anfwer. I
need and defire your advice and prayers j and I moft
earneftly pray God to crown all your zealous labours
with fuccefs, and lift upon you the light of his counte-
nance.
I am, dear Sir,
Y our affe&ionate friend and fervant,
Hugh Farmer,
l z LETTER
148 LETTERS WRITTEN BY
LETTER II.
DEAR 8IR, London, January 24, 1745?
I received your [manufcriptj on " the evil of common
fwearing *," which I have read with pleafure, and can-
not but think it might be a means of doing good to
put fo ferious a performance into the hands of the
common people, who, though they may hear a fermon
now and then againft profane fwearing, have feldom had
their confciences addrelTed in a clofe awakening manner.
I am forry, however, that you did not make choice of a
more proper perfon to correct it. — When you fend this
little tract (the more likely to be ufeful for being fmall)
into the world, I fincerely pray that the blefling of God
may accompany it.
Since I wrote to you lafl, I have had a fever, but
have great reafon to be thankful to God for recovering
me from it} for certainly it muff, be a great mercy to
have more time allowed to improve in our meetnefs for
the heavenly felicity. Yet during my illnefs it pleafed
God to revive me with as comfortable a hope of his fa-
vour as I ever enjoyed, fo that death appeared greatly de-
firable. It is nothing but the light of God's countenance
that gives a luftre and a fweetnefs to our brighter!: davs,
and this enlightens and cheers us in circumftances of the
deepeft diftrefs. O ! that in every ftate I might be
* This is one of the tracts given away by the Society for pro*
rooting Religious Knowledge among the Poor.
blefled
MR. FARMER. 149
blefled with a plcafing confcioufnefs of my integrity, and
with a refrefhing affurance of the divine favour, joined,
as it always ought to be, with a deep and juft fenfe of
my manifold defecls and great unworthinefs. True hu-
mility and holy rejoicing are not enemies to each other.
— I fhall be glad to hear from you, and in the mean
time pray that all divine bleffings may be multiplied
upon you.
I am, dear Sir,
your very fincere affectionate friend
and obliged humble fervant,
H. Farmer.
P. S. I am greatly obliged to you for your bibles
I propofe to lay out part of what I can fpare for charity
in fuch gifts, efpecially as the bible is the only book I
can give amongft the church people ; and indeed they
ha-ve had almoft all I have given away, moft of the dif-
fenters being provided. One thing lies upon my mind
which I fhould be glad of your advice about. How can
a diflenting minifter be ufeful to thofe children whofe pa-
rents go to church, and yet neglect to inftrufr them ?
Suppofe the cafe too, that both prejudice and intereft in-
difpofe them for receiving the benefit that is fincerely
wifhed them ? Thefe points have been your ftudy, and
I pray God they may every day more and more be
mine.
i. 3 • LETTER
150 LETTERS WRITTEN BY
LETTER III.
DEAR SIR, March 12, 1745-
If I were afked which of your letters I liked beft, I
fhould be forced to anfwer, as the Roman orator did,
when the fame queftion was put to him with regard to
the Orations of Demofthenes, and fay " the longed."
Though you forbid me from giving you even juft commen-
dations, and I allow this to be a caution fit to be ob-
ferved in our friendly correfpondence when there is not
an abfolute neceflity of departing from it, yet you muft
give me leave to fay that my mind is deeply affected with
your kindnefs in bellowing fo much of your time upon
me, when you know fo well the value of it. I hope,
however, that part of your time you fpent in endeavour-
ing to adminifter comfort to me was not altogether loft,
with regard to me, I mean ; for with regard to the per-
fon that performs it, you well know, no ' labour in the
Lord can be in vain.'
But tell me (my much eft:emed friend) if it be not
difficult to become quite dead to the prefent world, and
to ferve Chrift in the miniftry with finglenefs of heart,
and without the leafl mixture of low and improper mo-
tives ? — The happieft difpofition in the world, and at
the fame time the hardeft to be attained, is a willingnefs
to forego efteem and every worldly intereft, without
hefitation, in order to approve our fidelity to God. Did
wc perform every action from this motive alone, we
misht
MR. FARMER. 15]
•might expect the prefence and bleffing of God, and our
hearts would be lifted up into a holy confidence and joy.
Oh ! when fhall I be entirely purged from pride and
all worldly affections, that I may be ' a velfel of honour,
* and fit for my matter's u(e !' Are you got quite above
the world, — the beft and worft of it ? —
I thank God for the great encouragement you meet
with in your work, and pray that you may have more
feals to your miniftry. If you defire, however, to be
Jong ferviceable to the Redeemer's intereft, fpare your
conftitution * 2s much as you can, confiftentlv with
your prefent dutv. I know the advice is painful. I
find it a great exercife and trial of my own refignation
to God, to make myfelf eafv in being lodged in a body
that hinders me from many duties 1 fhould be glad to
perform. I fincercly rejoice in your recovery from your
late indifpofition, but am grieved that your joy in this
and other mercies is embittered by your forrow on an-
other account. You, Sir, would with great fkill, caution
your chriitian friend againft fuffering himfclf to be over-
whelmed with grief, and direct him to gather ftrength
even from his ycry infirmities, by improving them as
motives to humility, watchfulnefs, diligence, and humble
joy in the grace of God by Jefus Chrift.
Tender parents do not ufe fe verity towards a dutiful
child for fuch faults as are confident with his fidelity and
afFecHon ; efpecially when he difcover<; a penitent fenfe
of them. No doubt you have often exhorted others in
fuch a cafe to think much of the love of God in the Rc-
' Which was always very delicate.
l 4 «.'< cmer ;
152 LETTERS WRITTEN BY
deemer ; that being effectual at once both to excite a
godly forrow, and to reftrain it ; nay, to mingle plea-
fure along with it. And what is more than all, to fe-
cure the true end of it : the encreafe of our love, zeal,
and caution, and an humble dependence upon God.
I cannot but hope and believe that God has fuffered
this cloud to hang upon your mind, to infpire you with
a peculiar fenfibility and compaffion towards them that
are bowed down. I have often heard it obferved, that
God prepares his fervants for eminent fervices by calling
them to pafs through fuch fcenes of trial and forrow, as
you defcribe in your laft. But I hope now a bright day
is introduced into your foul : it feemed to be even then
beginning to dawn.
According to your requeft, I went to fee Mrs. B ,
whom I found in a ianguifhing condition of body, and
under great dejection of mind. — I went to prayer with
her, and converfed as long as her weaknefs would bear ;
and I purpofe, if poffible, to repeat my vifit this week.
She was deeply affected with your goodnefs in fending
me to her. — With difficulty I prevailed on her to accept
of a fmall token of my refpect.
I fuppofe by this time you have perufed Dr. Dod-
dridge's late book on " the Rife and Progrefs, &c." I
defire you to tell me your mind freely concerning it in
general, and one particular paffage, p. 85*. — Is this
agreeable to your own experience, or that of other
judicious chriftians? When you return Wall and
* The pafTage referred to feems to have been altered in the
next edition, and therefore is here emitted.
Gale
MR. FARMER. 153
Gale [on Baptifm] pray inform me how that matter
appears to you. I am at prelent clearly fatisfied in the
right of Infants, according to the original grant of the
covenant, Gen. xvii. 7. — but wonder at the warmth with
which this controverfy is managed amongft good men.
Make mention of me always in your prayers, and be
aflured of my remembrance of you. — The good family
where I am will always efteem and love you. But what
higher relifh fhould we have of the favour and love of
God ! Think much of that : and when your thoughts
defcend to lower objects, do not forget him who, under
many obligations, is moft fincerely and affectionately
yours,
H. Farmfr.
LETTER IV.
No duti.
RKV. flR, ,
I received the other day a very valuable prefent,
which from the goodnefs of it, as well as from other
circumitances, I conclude came from you. I wifh that ad-
mirable fpirit of piety, and that zeal to dogood to the fouls
of men which your performance difcovers, were fo com-
mon as not to be the diftinguiihing characteriftic of a
few writings. Heu pietas ! Heu prifca fides ! If your
method of inftruction were but followed, we might hope
that, by the bltfling of God, religion would be re-
vived.
It
154* LETTERS WRITTEN BY
It is aftonifhing to think how ignorant thofe are who
go conftantly to public worfhip, if they are deprived of
the benefit of private inftru&ion. I have had frequent
opportunities of obferving this, and therefore am pleafed
with every attempt to communicate divine knowledge
to the rifing generation. And it is a great grief to me
to obferve men's blind attachment to one catechifm, fo
as not to be able to make ufe of any other, becaufe it
does not contain, in their apprehenfion, all the myfteries
of the chriftian faith. What do you do in fuch circum-
ftances? Are there none fo zealoufly attached to certain,
phrafes which you cannot ufe, as to be hindered from
receiving benefit by your inftrudtions ? If there are any
fuch, what method do you take to reconcile them to
you ? The knowledge of your fentiments and conduct
relating to thefe points may be of fervice to me. Do
not deny me your fpiritual counfel, nor your moft ardent
prayers, that God would infpire me, and all the minifters
of his word, with greater zeal to do good (guided by
wifdom and prudence) and with a more intenfe concern
io approve ourfelves faithful to the great c fhepherd and
bifnop of fouls.' I recommend you heartily to God and
the bleifing of his grace,
And am, Sir,
Your fmcere friend and humble fervant,
Hugh Farmer.
LETTER
MR, FARMER. 155
LETTER IV.
Laivrence Poultney HtlJ t
DEAR SIR, Wednefday Night. (No date).
I have been this day with good Mrs. B , who is
ft 111 in the fame dif-fpirited condition, though I think fhe
feerhs to be better in health. She defired me to inform
you that fhe is under great concern about her daughter —
— and meets with many other troubles I wifh it
lay in my power to recommend her grand fon. 1
delivered your " Conhderations," &c *. and heartily
wifh the bleffing of God may attend them. Our [pub-
licj affairs, being at prefent in very much the fame
pofture they were in when you wrote, I made no
alterations in your paper, nor can J now, becaufe it is,
I fuppofe, publifhed: Though to-morrow we expect
news of an action between the troops under the Duke
and the rebels, the lad advice informing us that they
were within four miles of one another. But fome think
the rebels will, if poflible, decline coming to an engage-
ment with the king's troops. But the hearts of all men
are in the hands of God, and fo are the fates of nations.
For his own name fake I hope he will fave us. God
grant we may be prepared to meet him, whether he
comes to us in the way of judgment or of mercy.
* Relating to the Rebellion in 1745. Mr. Tom:- was nccuf-
tomed to print ("mall religious pieces fuitcd to the times, to be
'..tribute c' giutii.
? With
156 LETTERS WRITTEN BY
With regard to the character of the Highlanders, they
are mountain robbers, who live by plundering the low-
lands, and are miferable vaflals to their chiefs, whom
they are obliged to ferve wherever and as long as they
are required : bred up in Romifh fuperftition and igno-
rance. And they are joined by' the Scotch Epifcopalians,
or Non-jurors, who though they differ but little from
the former, and never gave the government any fecurity
for their fidelity, have enjoyed a toleration, and many
cf them are indebted to the prefent royal family, not
only for their liberty but their lives; and fome had
received particular maiks of the king's favour. But
to ferve the Catholic caufe, the vi left crimes are even
fanc~tifted.
Popery is a myftery of iniquity, which ought to be
deeply fearched into, that it may be expofed to view.
The great art of the Engliih prieds lies in difguifing and
palliating it. Their doctrine and practice with regard
to one capital point, is well reprefented in a fmall per-
formance, called " Britain's Memorial againft the Pre-
" tender and Popery." Mr. Chandler is the author. I
mention this, becaufe a proper one to give away.
I have not written to Dr. Doddridge upon the head
vou defired, becaufe I know his hands are full. Pray
let me hear from you foon. Should be glad of any oppor-
tunity of ferving you in town. I approve your fcheme
cf a 2a Edition of " The Infincere ProfefTor." Wifh
to know when I may to fee you. In the mean time I
remain,
Your mod fmcere friend,
And very humble f.rvant,
H . F A R M E R .
LETTER
MR. FARMER. 157
LETTER V.
Jan. 28, 1747.
R*V. AND DEAR SIR, At Mr. Hctt's SljCp.
Your c * Memoirs"* — I have put into the hands
of Mr. Johnfon, in order to be fent to the prefs. — I have
not ventured to make any alteration in your copy, both
becaufe I cannot very well read it, and becaufe I hope
it does not require any ; unlefs it be in the paflage that
refers to Mr. Fofterf. I have jufl: reafon to fufpect my
own judgment, but your friend Mr. Barker feems to
think it might be as prudent to decline faying any thing
perfonal ; though he approves much of your general
oblervation, that my Lord Kil — ck's defiring the Sacra-
ment, looked as if he wanted fomething beyond Repen-
tance. 'You do not doubt of our zeal for the doctrine
you maintain. The only point in doubt is, whether it
will ferve that doctrine to introduce Mr. F.'s omiflion,
and whether it may, not prejudice fome againft your
book, and hinder them from receiving that benefit which
may reafonably be expected if it contained nothing per-
* Of a remarkable Convert, with a fermon preached at his
death.
f Afterwards Dr. Fofter, who publilhed an account of hi;
attendance on the rebel nobleman Lord Kilmarnock, piev: ;
to his execution. The piece gave offence to many, beint>
thought defective in regard to the Gof'pel method of Salva-
tion .
158 LETTERS WRITTEN BY
fonal, or that had any appearance of determining in what
manner Mr. F will be treated by his judge. But
this I fubmit entirely to your judgment. I could wifh
I was better able to advife you. I know many of my
brethren whofe judgment might perhaps be of ufe in
revifing what you defign for the prefs j but in zeal to
ferve you, none I believe can eafily go beyond me. I
I moft readily engage to take * * and correct the prefs.
So far as I can judge, this piece is well calculated to do
good, and I moft fincerely pray that your end in pub-
lifhing it may be anfwered. I mail put it into the hands
of feveral.
I blefs God I know of one, who lives in a friend's
family, lately awakened and converted in much the fame
manner as your Convert, by the divine blefling, on
reading fuch books as Dr. Wright on Regeneration,
which I put into her hands, and I verily believe your
<c Memoirs" will be a great comfort and advantage to
her. May it advance the Redeemer's intereft in many 1
Mr. Johnfon is of opinion you had better publifh the
Sermon and Memoirs together — unlefs therefore we hear
from you to the contrary, they will be fo publifhed, and
with all convenient fpeed.
I am, dear Sir,
Your moft affectionate friend and fervant,
H. Farmer.
* « Covered with the fcal.
MR. FARMER. 159
Extratt from another Letter.
I thank you very kindly for your laft directions
with regard to So far as they are practicable I
fhall take care to follow them. But no inftance of your
chriftian friendship is more grateful than the hint you
drop about the danger of engaging in religious fervices
without a religious frame. Nothing is more grievous
to me than a defe£t in this. What but divine goodnefs
could parclon even my beft fervices ! The more I ftudy
myfelf, the more caufe do I fee to lament my infinite
diftance from what I ought to be. But blefTed be God,
this thought leads me to the continu.il exercife of re-
pentance and faith, and of earnelr. defires after further
communication;, from the God of all grace, to whofe
care you are ever recommended by your affectionate
friend and unworthy brother,
H. F.
*„* Since thefe meets were printed off, the editor hns been
informed, by the Rev. T. Stedman, rector of St. Chad's,
Shrewibury, that Mr. Farmer's place of nativity was a (mall
hamlet called " the I fie,'' being almoft fiurounded by the river
Severn, where his lather lived upon a fmall farm in that part,
called *' the I!le Gate ;" which place, though three miles
diltant, belongs to the above parifh, where his name is re-
giftered in a part of that parifh regifter, which is appropriated
to the children of difTenters.
A letter fincc communicated by this gentleman, from Mr.
Farmer to Dr. Doddridge, though not altogether fit for publi-
cation, i- valuable as an evidence of high mutual eltcern, and ;i
continuation of a friendly correfpondence.
re.1 'v G. WooJfalij i' . : • ■■
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