Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

His "Concise View of the Succession of Sacred Literature" made its
appearance in 1807. For the completion of the second volume of this
valuable work the doctor could never find leisure; but this, and a new and
enlarged edition of the first, in 8vo., have been finished and published by
the doctor's youngest son, the Rev. J. B. B. Clarke, A.M., in a manner
highly creditable to his scholarship and talents.
In the same year the University of Aberdeen, at the suggestion of the
celebrated Professor Porson, conferred on Mr. Clarke the degree of A.M.;
and, in the following year, presented him with a diploma of LL.D. Both
diplomas were sent to him in the most honourable and flattering manner,
the college refusing to accept even the customary clerks' fees given on
such occasions.
"Some time in February, 1808," he observes, "I learned that I had been
recommended to his majesty's commissioners of the public records of the
kingdom, by the Right Honourable Charles Abbot, speaker of the house
of commons, and one of the commissioners, to whom I was known only
by some of my writings on Bibliography, as a fit person to undertake the
department of collecting and arranging those state papers which might
serve to complete and continue that collection of state papers generally
called Rymer's Faedora." He was struck with astonishment, and
endeavoured to excuse himself on the grounds of general unfitness. But
being strongly urged by John Caley, Esq., secretary to the commission,
and some of his friends, to try, he commenced this Herculean task. He
had to examine sixty folio volumes, with numerous collateral evidence,
to visit the different public offices, and to make a selection of such
records as it might be expedient to print, under the authority of
parliament, either as a supplement or continuation of Rymer's work.
[3]
These excessive labours tended greatly to impair his health, until he
was obliged, on three different occasions, to send in his resignation to the
"board:" it was not, however, accepted before March, 1819; when he took
leave of this part of his public duties in the following language: "And
here I register my thanks to God, the Fountain of wisdom and goodness,
who has enabled me to conduct this most difficult and delicate work for