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THE LIFE OF

ROBERT LOW TH,

BISHOP OF LONDON.

[A. D. 1710, to 1787.]

THIS learned prelate was born in the Close at Winchester, on the 27th of November, 1710. He was the youngest son of William Lowth, B. D. prebendary of Winchester, rector of Burlton, in the county of Southampton, and author of Commentaries on the prophets, Directions for the profitable Reading of the Holy Scriptures, and some other Theological pieces.

He received his grammatical education at the celebrated seminary at Winchester, founded by William of Wykeham. His genius was conspicuous very early; one of his most juvenile compositions being a beautiful poem, on the Genealogy of Christ, as it is represented on the east window of Winchester college-chapel: this poem is printed in Pearch's collection. Another was "Catherine Hill;" a pleasing subject, no doubt, for his youthful muse, it being the spot where the Winchester scholars are allowed to play on holidays. His acquisitions in learning were, moreover, of no ordinary kind; to an accurate knowledge of the Greek and Roman classics, hè added an uncommon acquaintance with Oriental literature. From this school he was removed, in his 18th year, to New-college, Oxford, of which he was afterwards elected a fellow on the same foundation; but he vacated this fellowship, in 1732, by his marriage with Mary, the daughter of Laurence Jackson, esq. a gentleman of the law, at Christ-church, in Hampshire.

Mr. Lowth, when he entered into life, did not rely upon his literary accomplishments alone to the most amiable manners, and unaffected deportment, he added the most liberal sentiments and virtuous conduct. These were very powerful recommendations to the grandfather of the present duke of Devonshire, who ap

pointed him tutor to his son, the marquis of Harrington. Mr Lowth, accordingly attended the young marquis in that capacity, in his tour through Europe. From the expectations that must have been formed from such a tutor, it may seem superfluous to add, that Mr. Lowth's services was such, as entitled him, ever after, to the friendship of the noble house of Cavendish.

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In the year 1737, Mr. Lowth took the degree of master-ofand in 1741, was elected professor of poetry in the university of Oxford. To the patronage of bishop Hoadly he was in debted for the rectory of Ovington, in 1744, and afterwards, in 1753, of East Woodhay, both in the county of Southampton. By bishop Hoadly, he was also appointed archdeacon of Winchester, in 1750. In 1754, the university of Oxford honored him with the degree of doctor of divinity, conferred by diploma.

In 1755, when the marquis of Harrington was appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland, Dr. Lowth accompanied him as his first chaplain; a circumstance which, by rendering his preferment certain, demonstrated the high sense the noble viceroy entertained of the services of his tutor. The bishoprick of Limerick became vacant soon after, and the lord-lieutenant immediately conferred it upon Dr. Lowth. But the attractions of a mitre were less powerful than the sweet domestic connections, not to mention the literary avocations, which, at that time, particularly endeared his native country to him. The bishoprick, therefore, was exchanged with the rev. Dr. Leslie, for a prebend of Durham, aud the rectory of Sedgefield, in that diocese.

In 1758, Dr. Lowth preached a sermon at Durham, at the visitation of the bishop, which he afterwards printed, and in which are the following excellent observations: "Christianity was published to the world in the most enlightened age; it invited and challenged the ablest judges, and stood the test of the severest scrutiny the more it is brought to the light, to the greater advantage will it appear. When, on the other hand, the dark ages of barbarism came on, as every art and science was almost extinguished, so was christianity in proportion oppressed and overwhelmed by error and superstition: and they that pretended to defend it from the assaults of its enemies, by prohibiting examina,

tion and free enquiry, took the surest method of cutting, off all hopes of his recovery. Again when letters revived, and reason regained her liberty; when a spirit of enquiry began to prevail, and was kept up and promoted by a happy invention, by which the communication of knowledge was wonderfully facilitated; christianity immediately emerged out of darkness, and was in a manner re-published to the world in its native simplicity. It has always flourished or decayed together with learning and liberty: it will ever stand or fall with them. It is therefore of the utmost impor. tance to the cause of true religion, that it be submitted to an open and impartial examination; that every disquisition concerning it be allowed its free course; that even the malice of its enemies should have its full scope, and try its utmost strength of argument against it. Let no man be alarmed at the attempts of atheists or infidels; let them produce their cause; let them bring forth their strong reasons to their own confusion: afford them not the advantage of restraint, the only advantage which their cause admits of: let them not boast the false credit of supposed arguments, and pretended demonstrations, which they are forced to suppress. What has been the consequence of all that lictenous contradiction, with which the gospel has been received, in these our times, and in this nation? Hath it pot given birth to such irrefragable apologies, and convincing illustrations of our most holy religion, as no other age or nation ever produced? What in particular has been the effect of unrestrained opposition in a very recent instance, prepared with much labour and study, and supported with all the art and eloquence of a late celebrated genius? Hath not the very weakness and impotence of the assault,given the most signal and decisive. victory to the cause of truth? And do not the arms of this mighty champion of infidelity stand as a trophy erected by himself, to display and perpetuate the triumph? Let no one lightly entertain suspicions of any serious proposal for the advancement of religious knowledge, nor out of unreasonable prejudice endeavour to obstruct any inquiry, that professes to aim at the farther illustration of the great scheme of the gospel in general, or the removal of error in any part, in faith, in doctrine, in practice, or in worship. An opinion is not therefore false, because it contradicts received notions; but whether true or false, let it be submitted to a fair exa

mination; truth must in the end be a gainer by it, and appear with the greater evidence. Where freedom of enquiry is maintain ed and exercised, under the direction of the sincere word of God, falsehood may triumph for a day, but to-morrow truth will cer tainly prevail, and every succeeding day will confirm her superiority." But some parts of the conduct of Dr. Lowth, after he became a bishop, were not thought to be perfectly consistent with the liberality of these sentiments.

Before the appearance of this sermon, Dr. Lowth had published, in Latin, in 4to. his "Lectures on the Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews." To th's work, the duties of his professorship gave occasion; and the choice of his subject, which lay out of the beaten paths of criticism, and which was highly interesting, not only in a literary, but a religious view, afforded ample scope for the poetical, critical and theological talents of the author. In these prelections, the true spirit and distinguishing character of the poetry of the Old Testament, are more thoroughly entered into, and developed more perfectly, than ever had been done before. Select parts of this poetry are expressed in Latin composition, with the greatest elegance and force; the general criticism which pervades the whole work, is such as might be expected from a writer of acknowledged poetical genius, and literary judgment; and the particular criticism applied to those passages of the original Hebrew, which he has occasion to introduce, in order eitherto express the sense, or correct the words of it, is a pattern for that kind of sacred literature; nor are the theological subjects which occur in the course of the work, and are necessarily connected with it, treated with less ability. In 1787, an English translation of this work was published, in 2 volumes, 8vo. by Dr. G. Gregory, author of "Essays Historical and Moral," and of several other ingenious literary productions. This translation is well executed; and to the lectures are added notes by the translator, and also the principal notes of professor Michaelis and others.

In 1758, Dr. Lowth published his Wykeham, bishop of Winchester," and

"Life of William of founder of the colleges

in which he had received his education. It is collected from authentic evidences, and thereby affords the most certain informa

tion concerning the manners, and some of the public transactions, of the period in which Wykeham lived; as well as concerning matters of a more private and local kind, respecting chiefly the two societies of which he was the founder.

His "Short introduction to English Grammar" was first published in 1762, and has since gone through numerous editions. It was originally designed only for domestic use; but its utility, in recommending a greater attention to grammatical form and accuracy in our language, than had hitherto been observed in it, and the many judicious remarks which occur there, together with the favorable reception it has met with, fully justified its being given to the public, and indeed, has given the author an high degree of reputation as a grammarian,

About the year 1765, happened Dr. Lowth's controversy with Dr. Warburton, bishop of Gloucester; in which, very little of the politeness of gentlemen, or scholars, or of the meekness of christians, was manifested by either party. In June, 1766, Dr. Lowth was made bishop of St. David's; and in the October following, he was removed to the see of Oxford, whence he was translated to that of London, in April, 1777.

In 1778, he published, in 4to. "A new Translation of the Prophecy of Isaiah, with a Preliminary Dissertation, and Notes,' critical, philological, and explanatory." This is a work of great merit, and for which bishop Lowth was eminently qualified, by his critical knowledge of the Hebrew language, and Hebrew poetry, and by his general erudition, both literary and theological. But it is not free from defects; and in 1790, was published, in one volume, 8vo. by Michael Dodson, esq. "A New Translation of Isaiah; with Notes, supplementary to those of Dr. Lowth late bishop of London, and containing, Remarks on many Parts of his translation and notes." In this work, which deserves the attention of the critical and learned reader, Mr. Dodson pointed out some of the bishop's mistakes, and remarked, that his lordship was particularly deficient with respect to those passages which were cited in the New Testament from Isaiah; and also gave it as his opinion, that a translation of Isaiah ought not to be arranged in lines as poetry, as has been done by bishop Lowth. But it is observed by Mr. Knox, in his Essays, that "every one who wishes