William H. Goold’s introduction to John Owen’s THEOLOGOMENA PANTODAPA

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Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled Commissioner
... The treatise is simply a historical dissertation on the origin and progress of theology, in a spirit thoroughly evangelical, and in a style somewhat remarkable for the power and compass of its Latinity. At times, in the strokes of the author directed against Popish error, there are specimens of the same quiet and effective sarcasm which marks his replies to Vincent Cane. While many of the views broached on the collateral topics considered in the various digressions with which the work abounds are obsolete, and superseded by modern investigation, the work, as a whole, is full of scriptural truth and pious sentiment. The last book is especially valuable, as conveying to us the ripe experience of England’s greatest theologian in regard to the best method of prosecuting sacred studies. ...

Indeed, no work of Dr Owen in his native tongue leaves such an impression of the extent and variety of his erudition; and, to judge from it, no contemporary name bears away the palm of decided superiority to our author, either in respect of spiritual wisdom or general learning. The compression requisite to overtake the vast field before him obliges him occasionally to condense within narrow limits an amazing extent of truth; so that no diffuseness appears in his narrative, and the attention of his readers seldom flags under the prolix heaviness which too often mars the effect of his other productions. ...

For more, see William H. Goold’s introduction to John Owen’s THEOLOGOMENA PANTODAPA.
 
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