JEWIN-STREET.-Independent. Substance of some Sermons, preached from Isaiah lvi. 5. By THOMAS POWELL, after the Death of his only Son and Child, William Powell, who departed this Life, Dec. 2, 1713, in the 33d Year of his Age." To this little book is prefixed a large preface, containing a particular account of the deceased, as also some anecdotes of the author's own life. From this source is derived the principal part of the foregoing narrative, to which we shall add some further extracts relating to the son. Mr. Powell, it appears, married a pious and prudent woman, about the year 1676; and by her had two sons. Thomas, the eldest, was baptized by Mr. John Collins, sen. and died in infancy. WILLIAM, the other son, was born in London about the year 1680, and baptized by Mr. Christopher Ness. His father designing him for the ministry, initiated him, under his own care, in the knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages. At eight years of age he was sent to an academy at Stoke-Newington, under the tuition of a Mr. Perkins, with whom he continued some years, studying the languages. Afterwards, he was placed under the care of Mr. Singleton, an eminent school-master, first at Eton, and afterwards at Hoxton. From thence, he was sent for academical learning to a seminary in Little Britain, kept by the famous Mr. Thomas Rowe. He was afterwards successively under the tuition of Dr. Ker, at Highgate, and Mr. Benjamin Robinson, at Hungerford. This change of tutors was not so much approved of by his father, but took place in consequence of his own desire. From Mr. Robinson's academy, his father sent him to the University of Leyden, where he studied about two years under Professor James Trigland, and the famous Herman Witsius, from both of whom he received flattering testimonials to his merit, as also from Mr. John Milling, minister of the English church at Leyden. After his return to England, fitted for the ministry as far as man could well make him, he was admitted into some of the most considerable pulpits JEWIN-STREET.- -Independent. about London. Besides preaching frequently for his father, he was treated with particular kindness by Mr. Shower, who received him into his pulpit, and in order to prepare him still further for the ministry, generously offered that he should become a reader of the scriptures to the congregation in the Old Jewry; at the same time giving him every encouragement, and the promise of his assistance in order to his future advancement. But he had not been in this situation more than a year, when he gave an awful proof of how little value to a minister are extensive endowments, when unaccompanied by the sanctifying influences of divine grace. Too exalted an opinion of his own attainments, accompanied with an impatience of restraint, and ambition for higher preferment, caused him to leave Mr. Shower, and resign himself to evil company, that indulged his ambitious and discontented humour. After this he appears to have made some advances towards conformity, and wrote to Dr. Fleetwood, afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph, with whom he seems to have been acquainted, for a resolution of some doubts upon that subject. From whatever cause it was owing, he did not conform, but turned his eyes to the court, and soon contracted the guilt of court sins. Receiving nothing but flatteries and promises in this quarter, he directed his attention to the army, where, also, disappointments awaited him. He went over to Ireland with Lord Cutts, and returned with a recommendation to the Duke of Ormond, but without any benefit, and his father at length bought him a lieutenant's commission. Afterwards he contracted an unhappy marriage, which was speedily cut short by the death of his wife. In the midst of his difficulties, he invented a fireengine, to take the place of fire-ships, and laid his plan before government. In order to ascertain the value of his scheme, experiments were made in public; but all he could get from the ministry were fair words and promises. He then accompanied the Duke of Marlborough into Flanders, obtained the title of Captain, and returned home as poor as JEWIN-STREET.-Particular Baptist. ever. After this he began to reflect upon his former folly; and during the last three years of his life, lived in a retired manner, evincing in his own experience, that to forsake God is the certain road to disappointment and vexation. He died Dec. 2, 1713, in his 33d year.' INDEPENDENT. After the departure of Mr. Powell, Jewin-street meeting was taken by a congregation of Independents from Loriners'Hall, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Daniel Neal. This church had been gathered during the protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, by the Rev. Philip Nye, a noted Independent Divine, and had moved about to various places under a succession of pastors, till they at length settled at Jewin-street. There they continued to assemble during the whole of the time of our celebrated historian, who dying in 1743, was succeeded by the Rev. Roger Pickering. After a few years, this gentleman conducted the principal part of the people to Silver-street; the remainder uniting themselves to the church at Haberdashers'-Hall. Of the history of this church, an ample account has been given under the article SILVER-STREET. (0) BAPTIST. Some time after the removal of Mr. Pickering, the meeting-house, in Jewin-street, was taken by a society of Particular Baptists, who were a branch of the Independent church in Crispin-street, Spitalfields, and broke off upon occasion of the choice of Mr. Potts, to be minister of the society in that place. The separation took place October 20, 1754, when the malcontents sent into the church a letter of withdrawment, signed by thirty-nine persons, de Mr. Powell's Sermon, above cited, Preface. (0) See page 69, &c. JEWIN-STREET.-Independent. siring a peaceable dismission, which was accordingly granted. A narrative of this transaction was afterwards published by Mr. Thomas Craner, who removed from the country to take charge of the newly constituted society, of which he was ordained the pastor, in Jewin-street, October 21, 1756. After about four years, Mr. Craner removed his people to MEETING-HOUSE-ALLEY, Red-cross-street, where we have already given some account of his church. (P) In addition to what is related of Mr. Craner in page 320, &c. we have since learnt that he came from Blunham, in Bedfordshire. We are also informed that he was the "neighbouring minister" alluded to in the life of Mr. Joseph Clayton, inserted in an early part of the Baptist Register, where the following anecdote is recorded of him. Being in company one day with Mr. Clayton, who was the Baptist minister at Steventon, in the above county, the conversation turned upon Mr. Craner's invitation to London. "Brother Clayton, (says Mr. Craner) I see my call exceedingly clear to leave Blunham, and go to London." Mr. Clayton replied, "Ah, Brother, London is a fine place, and as it is to go there, you can hear very quick; but if God had called you to go to poor Cranfield, he might have called long enough, I fear, before you would have heard him.”* INDEPENDENT. Soon after the departure of Mr. Craner's congregation, the well-known Mr. Joseph Hart took possession of the meeting-house in Jewin-street, and preached there to a church of his own gathering, for the space of seven or eight years. He entered upon this place about the year 1760, and having popular talents, soon raised a considerable congregation. After his death a division took place in the church, in consequence of the choice of Mr. Hughes, who • Baptist Register, vol. i. p. 493. (P) See page 320. JEWIN-STREET.Independent. was a Baptist. Those who went off formed a new society, and chose the late Mr. John Towers for their pastor. In the time of Mr. Hughes, the old meeting-house was taken down, and the present one erected upon a much smaller scale, and flush with the other houses in the street. We omitted to mention at the commencement of this article, that the entrance to the old place was through a narrow passage, it being hid from the street. It was a woodenbuilding, of an oblong form, with four large galleries, and capable of accommodating a considerable number of people. The present meeting-house is a neat square structure, built with brick, and has three galleries. The church formed by Mr. Hart is still in existence, and has occupied the place ever since. For many years past it has been gradually declining, and is at present in a low state. Though Mr. Hart was a Pedo-baptist, his successor was of different sentiments, and introduced mixed communion into the society. Since his death the church has ranked with the Independents. The doctrinal sentiments maintained in the society have been moderate Calvinism. We proceed to give a brief account of the pastors of this church, of whom the following is a list in succession. JOSEPH HART.-This worthy minister was born about the year 1712, in the city of London. As he has himself given us a particular account of the variations in his life and experience, we cannot do better than present the reader with |