OWEN, Dr John, an eminent and learned dissenting
minister, was born in 1616, at Hadham, in Oxfordshire,
of which place his father was vicar. He made such
surprising proficiency in learning, that at twelve years of
age he was admitted into Queen's-college, Oxford, and
in 1635 was made master of arts: but soon after, disap-
proving the new regulations made by Archbishop Laud
their chancellor, with which he refused to comply, he
was obliged, in 1637, to leave the university; when, tak-
ing orders, he became chaplain to Sir Robert Dormer
of Ascot in Oxfordshire, and was at the same time tutor
to his eldest son. He was afterwards chaplain to John
Lord Lovelace of Hurley in Berkshire; when the civil
war broke out, he openly avowed the cause of the par-
liament; which was so resented by an uncle, who had
intended to leave him his estate, that he discarded him,
and left it to another. Yet though Lord Lovelace joined
the king, he treated his chaplain with great civility: but
on his taking the field with the royal army, Mr Owen
went to London, and soon after joined the non-confor-
mists. In 1642 he published his book, intitled, A Display
of Arminianism, which laid the foundation of his future
advancement: for the committee for purging the church
of scandalous ministers were so pleased with it, that Mr
White their chairman sent him a presentation of the liv-
ing of Fordham in Essex: but when he had been there
about a year and a half, the patron hearing that the se-
questrated incumbent was dead, presented another to the
living; upon which the earl of Warwick gave Mr
Owen the living of Coggethal. He had not, however,
been long at that town before he left the Presbyterians;
and, joining the Independents, formed a church there.
He was now sent for several times to preach before the
parliament; and among the rest on the 28th of Febru-
ary 1648-9, the day of humiliation for the intended ex-
pedition to Ireland. Cromwell, who was present at this
last discourse, and had never heard him before, was ex-
tremely pleased with it, and desired his company into
Ireland, and that he would reside in the college of
Dublin. This he did; but returned in about half a
year. Soon after Cromwell sent him into Scotland;
but he also returned from thence after about half a
year's stay at Edinburgh. He was then promoted to
the deanery of Christ-church, Oxford, whither he went
in 1651; and Cromwell, being now chancellor of the
university, nominated him his vice-chancellor. The
next year he was created doctor of divinity by diploma.
Dr Owen enjoyed the post of vice-chancellor five years;
during which he behaved with the greatest moderation;
for, though often solicited, he never molested the meet-
ing of the royalists at the house of Dr Willis the phy-
sician, where divine service was performed according to
the liturgy of the church of England: and though he
was a commissioner for ejecting scandalous ministers, he
frequently overruled his brethren in favour of those
royalists who were distinguished by their merit. At the
death of Cromwell, he was removed from the vice-chan-
cellorship; and at the Restoration was ejected from
his deanery of Christ-church. But he had provided
himself a comfortable retreat at an estate he had pur-
chased at Hadham. He now employed himself in
preaching as often as he had an opportunity, and in
writing books; one of which, intitled Fiat Lux, falling
into the hands of Lord Clarendon, he was so pleased
with it, or (as is said) from policy pretended to be so,
that he sent for Dr Owen, and acknowledging the ser-
vice he had done by it to the Protestant religion, offer-
ed to prefer him in the church if he would conform;
but he desired to be excused.—His moderation drew
him respect from persons of opposite principles; and in
the number of his friends were Dr Wilkins bishop of
Chester, and Dr Barlow bishop of London. He died
at Ealing in 1683. His works are printed in seven vo-
lumes folio.
Wood, after censuring him in many respects, says ne-
vertheless, that, "to speak impartially, he was a per-
son well skilled in the tongues, Rabbinical learning, and
Jewish rites and customs; that he had a great command
of his English pen, and was one of the gentlest and
fairest writers who have appeared against the church of
England."