who had acquitted him to appear before them at Exeter ;-committed him to the prison, and fined him several pounds for the course he had taken in the affair. When, however, the case came regularly under the notice of the judge, he dismissed it, pronouncing the accusation to be founded entirely in error. It is remarkable, that one of the men who informed against Howe shortly afterwards destroyed himself, and the other left the town, and was never heard of again. It is seldom safe to regard the calamities which may overtake even the most hardened, in the light of divine judgments; though in cases like this we can hardly fail to remark with what facility Providence can retaliate the injuries done to the righteous, by simply leaving them to the unchecked fury of their own passions!

Howe began now to prepare for a trial greater than any he had yet experienced. He saw that the spirit of the times would inevitably, in a very short time, lead to the separation of many excellent ministers from the church. With the deepest regret he witnessed the illiberal spirit of the most active among the dominant party. He watched their proceeding in passing the act of uniformity; and when at length that impolitic statute was passed, having previously, with calmness and moderation, examined all its enactments, he determined, after much deliberation and prayer, finding it impossible conscientiously to conform, to relin

quish his charge, though he knew what grief would be occasioned by his separation from a people between whom and himself an attachment existed mutually strong.

On the 22d of August, 1662, the day on which the act passed into a law, Howe preached his farewell sermons to his beloved flock. The services of the day were solemn and impressive. His parting address was most affecting: not an individual in the crowded congregation was unmoved. Addressing them for the last time, on subjects of the deepest interest, he sought, in a strain of unaffected eloquence, to awaken the thoughtless to consideration, to rouse the indolent to activity, and to excite all, with more earnestness than ever, to labour after the attainment of that spirit of love and forbearance which our holy religion especially inculcates. Commending them affectionately to God, he thus took his leave of them as their pastor for ever; to the inexpressible regret of both minister and people, who mutually mourned that circumstances, over which they had no controul, should have occasioned their separation.

It was matter of deep regret to many excellent conformists, that an individual of Howe's catholic spirit should have taken this step. Bishop Wilson, a liberal and most useful prelate, once asked him to assign the true reason for resigning his charge; at the same time expressing surprise, that a person of

his acknowledged liberality should have so acted. "My liberality," said Howe, "forced me to dissent; for how could I remain in a church imposing terms of communion more strict than the Scriptures impose?" No individual ever wished for union in the church more sincerely, or exerted himself more to promote it than himself. It was his desire that nothing should be essential to Christian communion, but what is essential to salvation. Union in the church he knew it was impossible to effect by legislative enactments: this could only be accomplished by the Divine Spirit. "When that is poured out," he says, "it will put into its place every dislocated joint in the church, giving to the body perfect symmetry and beauty: conquering private interests and inclinations; and overawing men's hearts by the authority of the divine law. Till then, Christianity will be among us a languishing, withering thing; and it matters but little which party is uppermost. When that season arrives there will be no parties."

Deprived not only of the means of supporting his increasing family, but of his opportunities for useful exertion, Howe knew not now what step to take. He had no misgivings as to his temporal supplies: in this respect he could cheerfully cast himself on the care of Providence; but he found it painful to be unemployed. Under these circumstances he occasionally preached in the houses of his friends

in different parts of the county: but even this indulgence exposed him to danger. Returning home from preaching one evening at a gentleman's house, he was informed that an officer from the ecclesiastical court had inquired for him, and had left word, that a citation was issued against both him and the gentleman at whose house he had been preaching. Instead of concealing himself, Howe determined to show his opponents that he had done nothing of which he was ashamed. He accordingly rode to Exeter the next morning, the very spot where they resided. On alighting at the inn, he met a clergyman belonging to the court whom he well knew, who said to him, with much surprise, "What can have brought you here, Mr. Howe ?" "Pray, Sir, what have I done, that I may not be here ?" was the reply. "Are you not aware," said the clergy"that a process is out against you? and that, being so well known here, you are liable very shortly to be taken up?" "I am," said Howe; "but I am anxious to show my opponents that I have done nothing which I wish to conceal." it, then, your intention to wait on the bishop?" said the clergyman. "Not unless his lordship, on hearing that I am here, should send for me," said Howe. The clergyman kindly promised to inform the bishop of Howe's arrival, and to let him know the result. In a short time he brought a message from his lordship, that he wished to see Howe. On his in

man,

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troduction the bishop received him very politely, and, after assuring him that he was much concerned at his nonconformity, he urged him to state some of the grounds on which he had been induced to resign his charge. Howe respectfully replied that he could not do this without trespassing too much on his lordship's patience. "Do me, then," said the bishop, "the favour to mention any one thing that you have thought particularly objectionable." On this, Howe mentioned the point of re-ordination. "Pray, Sir," said his lordship, "what hurt can there be in that ?" "Hurt! my lord," replied Howe: "the thought to me is shocking; it hurts my understanding: it is an absurdity; for nothing can have two beginnings. I am sure I am a minister of Christ, and how can I again begin to be one ?" This was spoken in a tone so serious, that all further conversation on the subject was declined; and his lordship intimated, that if Howe would resume his station in the church, he should be presented with some valuable preferment. Without taking any notice of the citation, the bishop dismissed Howe, with many friendly assurances of his regard; and he returned home unmolested, hearing nothing further from that time of the arrest.

Howe knew not what steps it was most advisable, under present circumstances, to pursue. To conform without violating his conscience was impos