Howe, who promptly offered him all the assistance in his power, and promised to introduce him to Cromwell at an early day. On introducing the doctor to the Protector he strongly recommended him as a man of great learning, respectfully intimating, at the same time, how improper it would be, were a person of the doctor's merit, supported as he was by the fellows, discountenanced. Cromwell replied, that he had promised the situation, and could not, under any consideration, alter his appointment. But perceiving it to be Howe's particular wish to serve the doctor, he withdrew with Howe into another room; and after a few minutes' conversation they returned to the doctor, whom Cromwell thus addressed: "Howe has spoken of your learning and integrity in the highest terms; and I find he is very desirous of serving you. How much do you think the principalship is worth?" On being told by the doctor what might fairly be considered its value, he generously assured him that the same sum should be allowed him annually. This was a most seasonable kindness, in the doctor's situation, and he ever afterwards expressed the grateful sense he entertained of both Howe's and Cromwell's generosity.

This was only one instance, out of many, in which Howe's conduct was equally kind to individuals, irrespective of party interests or religious sentiment. In all he did, however, he was per

fectly disinterested: his own advancement he never made a subject of consideration. Surprised at this, Cromwell said to him, one day, after he had been soliciting a favour for some applicant, "You have asked, and I have granted you many favours for others, Howe; I wonder when you will ask any thing for yourself or your family." It is an honour to Howe, that at a crisis of our national history more than usually perilous, in a situation beset with temptations, he acted thus nobly. Few would have had firmness of mind, in circumstances of such difficulty, to resist its allurements, and, without the least compromise of principle, to maintain their integrity. Fewer still would have managed affairs of such delicacy as were often entrusted to him, without exciting the dissatisfaction of many, and creating a host of opponents. It was also a striking proof of Cromwell's discernment, to select an individual so perfectly qualified for this important station.

Howe's independence of mind was on some occasions put to the severest test; but it never failed him in his delicate and trying situation. His opinions, and those of his despotic master, varied much on some important points; but he was not the man to suppress truth that he conceived to be scriptural, or to conceal it by studied ambiguity, even though he knew it would be unwelcome to his superiors. He never imprudently obtruded on

his audience disputed points which he knew they would dislike, but treated them cautiously and dispassionately when they fell in his way; taking care not to conceal what he looked upon as truth by unmeaning generalities. In the pulpit he considered himself as amenable only to God. Preaching before Cromwell one Sunday, near the close of the Protector's life, he animadverted with some severity on the unwarrantable notion of particular faith in prayer,' which he was aware his master and many of the courtiers maintained; the pernicious effects of which he had often seen and deeply regretted. Cromwell heard him attentively, but with evident marks of disapprobation. After the sermon, one of the courtiers asked Howe if he knew what he had been doing; adding, that he feared Cromwell would be so much displeased with his sermon, as to make it difficult for him ever again to secure his favour. Howe replied, that he had conscientiously exposed a notion that he conceived to be dangerous, and he left the event to God. Cromwell's displeasure, though he evidently sought to conceal it, showed itself by a coolness to Howe, and some equivocal marks of disapprobation but he retained his domestic chaplaincy till the death of his

i. e. That the peculiar favourites of heaven had an assurance conveyed to them, by a special impression upon the mind, that the particular mercies sought would be granted, including even, in some cases, a previous intimation of the precise method of the fulfilment.

haughty patron, which happened shortly afterwards, when Howe had the same appointment under Cromwell's son.

The short continuance of Richard Cromwell's power soon occasioned Howe's removal from Whitehall. He was no sooner at liberty than he returned to Torrington. He found the people still unsettled, and at their unanimous request he again became their minister. The elevated station he had filled, with so much honour to himself and satisfaction to all parties, had in no degree unfitted him for the humbler office of a village pastor. He was neither less zealous nor less active than formerly. He seemed to feel more deeply the importance of religion, and the vanity of earthly distinctions. These sentiments he incessantly laboured to impress on the minds of his hearers; faithfully admonishing the thoughtless of their danger, and affectionately urging all to conduct themselves on Christian principles, to walk in love, and to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

At the restoration of the king, rigorous measures were taken to accuse, in order to punish those who had been in the Protector's service. A man of Howe's peaceable spirit, it might be supposed, would have escaped; but such was not the case. Accusations were brought against him by two individuals, without the slightest ground, for delivering treasonable sentiments from the pul

pit, on two particular occasions. Had not the character of Howe stood very high, the consequences of this iniquitous information would have led to his ruin. As it was, he had to act with spirit and caution, to defeat the malice of his enemies.

On his first impeachment Howe's friends instantly came forward and gave bail for his appearance. He was accordingly liberated on the recognizances of himself and others. Previous to the day fixed for his trial, the magistrates received a communication from the lieutenants appoint to conduct it, stating, that as they could not attend the sessions at the time named, they wished them to be adjourned to a future day. Imagining that what they chiefly had in view was to keep him and his friends for a longer period in painful suspense, Howe, immediately on the adjournment being proposed, rose in court, and respectfully, but firmly demanded the benefit of the act, which allowed the accused party to acquit himself, by bringing more evidences than his informers. This being granted him, the mayor administered oaths to more than twenty most respectable individuals, who declared Howe to be innocent of the charge brought against him. He was accordingly discharged. The subsequent conduct of Howe's enemies too clearly proved that their real intentions were to have made him feel in some way the weight of their displeasure. They summoned the mayor