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, 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 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