that with stronger force and more powerful energy they might penetrate into the inmost centre of my heart, and there being deeply fixed and rooted, might govern my life; and that there could be no other sure ground whereon to conclude and pass a sound judgment on my state Godward; and after I had, in my course of preaching, been insisting largely on 2 Cor. ii. 12, I awoke with a most ravishing and delightful dream, that a wonderful and copious stream of celestial rays, from the lofty throne of the divine majesty, did seem to draw into my open and expanded breast. Often have I since reflected, with great complacency, on the signal pledge of special Divine favour vouchsafed to me on that memorable day; and have, with repeated fresh pleasure, tasted the delights thereof. But what of the same kind I felt through the admirable beauty of my God, and the pleasant comfortable influence of the Holy Spirit, in October 22, 1704, far surpassed the most expressive words my thoughts can suggest. I then experienced an inexpressibly pleasing melting of heart: tears gushed out of my eyes for joy, that God should shed abroad his love abundantly through the hearts of men, and that for this very purpose my own should be so signally possessed of and by his blessed Spirit."

To many this will perhaps appear little better than delusion, or enthusiasm. We remind such, that no individual was ever less enthusiastic, or less

likely to be the subject of delusion, than Howe. It was evidently a manifestation of the Divine presence, perhaps not unlike that which St. Paul enjoyed, in the revelation made to him, described in 2 Cor. xii.; or like that 'joy unspeakable and full of glory' often attained by believers in the apostolic age, 1 Pet. i. 8, and not unattainable now.

"What Howe said of Bates," as a modern writer has well observed, "might be said with still greater truth of himself:- God had designed him to circumstances, and to a station not obscure in this world; and had accordingly formed him with advantages, so that his exterior appearance might inspire respect. And though the treasure to be lodged there was to be put into an earthen vessel, yet even that was wrought of finer, or more accurately figured and better turned clay." Calamy says of him, that he was tall and exceeding graceful; he had a good presence, and a piercing, pleasant eye; and there was that in his appearance and carriage which discovered that he had something within him uncommonly great, tending to excite veneration."

Howe's natural endowments were of the highest order. His judgment was sound and discriminating, his memory capacious and ready, and his argumentative powers singularly acute. None could with greater facility demolish the cobweb systems of fallacious and sophistical reasoners. The grasp of his mind was most comprehensive: he seemed

to have no difficulty in seizing every part of each subject that came under his notice. The ease with which he could penetrate into the remotest branch of any subject, and inspect and analyze it, sometimes makes him appear tedious to those who think not. His imagination was vivid and fertile, but always sober and chaste: it was never employed to encumber his subject with useless ornaments, but to illustrate and enforce it. There was a richness and a splendour about some of his conceptions that delight and almost astonish the mind, while they soften and improve the heart. But it was not so much the preponderance of any one quality that he possessed, as the richness, fulness, and harmony of all. Every element of mental vigour was combined in him in their just proportion. His acquired attainments were most extensive. As a scholar he ranked in a very high, if not in the highest class. His knowledge of philosophy, Pagan and Christian, and of theology in all its branches, was profound.

All these abilities he consecrated to religion; devoutly and humbly acknowledging that they were not his own, but belonged to Him whose are all things, and in whose work he accounted it his highest honour to be employed. His whole soul was absorbed in this great object. Amidst the temptations to which he was exposed, he suffered not his attention to be diverted from it any longer than was really necessary. Zeal to benefit the

souls of men, by presenting to their view, in all its majesty and beauty, the great plan of human redemption, was ever the leading object of his life. All his productions breathe the tenderest solicitude for their welfare. The bitter spirit of the times in which he lived ruffled not the well-attempered frame of his mind: he soared on the wings of a devotion, not sickly nor fanciful, but rational and scriptural, into a region peaceful and serene. Religion ever seemed to be his element: he cultivated, habitually, communion with God, through the Redeemer, and appeared invariably to be aspiring after the Divine likeness. But this did not unfit him for the duties of life; no one ever discharged them with more punctuality. As a pastor he was beloved and almost revered by his people: his courteous, conciliatory manners procured him the respect of all. Such was his prudence, that he carefully avoided, without any sacrifice of principle, making any one his enemy.

In the delicate task of reproving others he was always faithful, but kind. In conversation he seldom permitted vice to go unreproved. Being in company one day with a gentleman who frequently interlarded his conversation with profane language, and who was extolling very highly the character of Charles II., Howe observed, that in his humble opinion, he had omitted the mention of one very great excellency of that prince, which had been

universally awarded him. "What is that?" inquired the gentleman, impatiently. "That he never used profane language in his discourse," replied Howe. The gentleman took the reproof, and promised not to swear in future. On another occasion, when walking in St. James's Park, about the time the bill on occasional conformity was in the House, he was accosted by the footman of a noble lord, who said that lord had sent his compliments, and would be glad to speak with him. Howe immediately followed, and was courteously received. The conversation was instantly directed to the subject of conformity; and while his lordship was stating that he had supported the liberal side in the House, he used an oath, in condemning its opponents; on which Howe, in a calm and dignified manner, remarked: "My lord, it is a great satisfaction to us, who in all affairs of this nature desire to look upwards, that there is a God who governs the world, to whom we can leave the issues and events of things; and we are satisfied that he will not fail, in due time, of making a suitable retribution to all, according to their present carriage. And this great Ruler, permit me to observe, my lord, has declared that he will make a difference between him that useth, and him that feareth an oath." Feeling instantly the force and propriety of the reproof, his lordship said, "Sir, I thank you cordially for your freedom, and shall