dred's, Bread-street, London: more lately Pastor of a Congregation in Southwark, who deceased Feb. 7,

1698.'

The same year also he printed 'A Sermon preached on the Day of Thanksgiving, Dec. 2. 1697,' and another 'to the Societies for Reformation of Manners, from Rom. xiii. 4.'

He would be very pleasant sometimes in his last sickness, and converse freely with such as came to visit him; and they were many of all ranks. Among the rest Richard Cromwell, (who was now grown old, and had lived many years retired from the world, since the time when Mr. Howe was his domestic chaplain,) hearing that he was going off the stage, came to make

fore he died. There was a great deal of serious discourse between them. Tears were freely shed on both sides, and the parting was very solemn, as I have been informed by one that was present upon the occasion. Many elder and younger ministers also frequently visited him, and he was very free in discourse with them, and talked like one of another world, and that had raised and uncommon hopes of that blessedness there, which his heart had long been set upon.

In 1699 he printed 'A Funeral Sermon for that re-him a respectful visit, and take his farewell of him beverend and most laborious Servant of Christ in the Work of the Ministry, Mr. Matthew Mead,' who deceased October 16th, this year, which is dedicated to the Lord and Lady Haversham. The same year also came out another discourse of his, concerning the 'Redeemer's Dominion over the invisible World, and the Entrance there into by Death: Preached on the Occasion of the Death of John Hoghton, Esq. eldest Son of Sir Charles Hoghton, of Hoghton Tower, in the County of Lancaster, Bart.' And soon after, came out the 'Funeral Sermon of the Reverend Dr. William Bates,' dedicated to his Grace the Duke of Bedford.

In 1701 he printed 'A Two-fold Discourse, of Man's Enmity against God, and Reconciliation between God and Man, from Col. i. 21.'

Having been very bad one evening, and being by the next morning unexpectedly recruited, he was visibly cheerful: which being taken notice of by those that were about him, he said he was for feeling that he was alive; and yet he was most willing to die, and lay that clog (as he called his body) aside. Of this there is a plain proof, that he once told his wife that though he loved her as well as it was fit for one creature to love another, yet if it were put to his choice, whether to die that moment, or to live that night, and the living that night would secure the continuance of his life for seven years to come, he declared he would choose to die that moment. Being at last quite worn out, he finished his course with joy, April 2, 1705, and was translated into the calm and peaceable regions of the blessed above, On November 5, 1703, he preached a sermon on Col.where nothing but perfect charity and serenity reign i. 13. which he afterwards printed.

In 1702 he published the 'Second Part of the Living Temple, containing Animadversions on Spinosa, and a French Writer pretending to confute him; with a Recapitulation of the Former Part, and an Account of the Destitution and Restitution of God's Temple amongst Men;' which is dedicated to William, Lord Pagett, Baron of Beaudesert in the county of Stafford. The same year he also published 'A Sermon at the Funeral of Mr. Peter Vink, B. D.'

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iii. 14.

Some time after his decease, my good friend Mr. George Hughes of Canterbury wrote to Dr. George Howe, the eldest son of his deceased uncle, desiring an account from him of what manuscripts Mr. Howe had left behind him, or any particularities that were fit to be communicated to one so nearly related to him, and that had so great respect and value for his memory. The Doctor returned him an answer in the following words:

for ever. And the last thing he published, was 'A Discourse of He was interred in the parish church of St. AllhalPatience, relating to the Expectation of Future Bless-lows, Bread-street: and his Funeral Sermon was preachedness,' to which there was afterwards added an Ap-ed April 8, by his great admirer, and most respectful pendix, which came out in 1705. And this was what fellow-labourer, Mr. John Spademan, from 2 Tim. he now had particular occasion for. For having employed his time, strength, and interest in the most valuable services, he by this time was wasted with several diseases, which he bore with great patience, and a resigned submission to the will of his heavenly Father. He discovered no fear of dying, but even when his end drew near, was very serene and calm. He seemed indeed sometimes to have been got to heaven, even before he had laid aside that mortality, which he had been long expecting to have swallowed up of life. It was observed, and is I believe to this day remembered, by some of his flock, that in his last illness, and when he had been declining for some time, he was once in a most affecting, melting, heavenly frame at the communion, and carried out into such a ravishing and transporting celebration of the love of Christ, that both he himself, and they who communicated with him, were apprehensive he would have expired in that very service. And though nature was considerably spent in him, yet was there somewhat even in the manner of his dying that was remarkable, and worthy of obser

vation.

'SIR,

'I AM extremely concerned that some time before my honoured father's decease, I was utterly disabled to reap the advantage myself, and communicate it to friends, of the large memorials he had collected, of the material passages of his own life, and of the times wherein he lived, which he most industriously concealed, till his last illness, when having lost his speech, which I thought he would not recover, he surprisingly called me to him, and gave me a key, and ordered me to bring all the papers, (which were stitched up in a

multitude of small volumes) and made me solemnly and copious stream of celestial rays, from the lofty promise him, notwithstanding all my reluctance, im-throne of the Divine Majesty, did seem to dart into my mediately to destroy them, which accordingly I did; open and expanded breast. I have often since with and have left me no other of his writings, but his short great complacency reflected on that very signal pledge sermon notes, excepting some passages in the frontis- of special divine favour vouchsafed to me on that noted piece of the Bible he used in his study, which I here memorable day; and have with repeated fresh pleasure transmit to you, and know it will be very acceptable. tasted the delights thereof. But what of the same I am sorry I can give no further account, but that is a kind I sensibly felt through the admirable bounty of magnum in parvo, &c. my God, and the most pleasant comforting influence of the Holy Spirit, on Oct. 22, 1704, far surpassed the most expressive words my thoughts can suggest. I then experienced an inexpressibly pleasant melting of GEORGE HOWE.' heart, tears gushing out of mine eyes, for joy that God should shed abroad his love abundantly through the hearts of men, and that for this very purpose mine own should be so signally possessed of and by his blessed Spirit. Rom. v. 5.'

I am,

Your sincerely affectionate kinsman,
and humble servant,

The transcript from the blank page in Mr. Howe's Bible, which the foregoing letter refers to, was in these words following, which were written with his own hand; and they yet remain there.

His introduction or preface to his last will and testament is peculiarly solemn, and a noble confession of his faith. It runs thus:

'I John Howe, minister of the Gospel of Christ, in serious consideration (though through God's mercy in

'Dec. 26, 89. Quum diu apud me seriò recogitarem, præter certum et indubium assensum rebus fidei adhibendum, necessarium insuper esse vivificum quendam earundem gustum et saporem, ut majori cum vi et efficacia in ipsissima cordis penetralia sese insere-present health) of my frail and mortal state, and cheerrent; ibidemque altiùs infixæ, vitam eo potentiùs regerent; neque aliter de bono Deum versus statu conclusum iri, sive sanum judicium posse ratum haberi; cumque pro concione, 2 Cor. i. 12. fusiùs tractâssem, hoc ipso mane ex hujus modi somnio dulcissimo, primò evigilavi: mirum scilicet à superno Divinæ Majestatis, | his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who is also over solio cœlestium radiorum profluvium in apertum meum hiansque pectus, infusum esse videbatur.

'Sæpiùs ab illo insigni die, memorabile illud Pignus divini Favoris, grato animo recolui, atque dulcedinem ejusdem iterum atque iterum degustavi.

fully waiting (blessed be. God) for a seasonable unfeared dissolution of this my earthly tabernacle, and translation of the inhabiting spirit into the merciful hands of the great God, Creator, Lord of heaven and earth, whom I have taken to be my God, in and with

all, God blessed for ever, and my dear and glorious Redeemer and Lord; with and by the Holy Spirit of grace, my light, life, and joy; relying entirely and alone upon the free and rich mercy of the Father vouchIsafed on the account of the most invaluable sacrifice and perfect righteousness of the Son, applied unto me, according to the Gospel-covenant, by the Spirit, for the pardon of the many seriously-repented sins of a very faulty fruitless life, and the acceptance of my person, with my sincere though weak desires and endeavours to do him service in this world, especially as my calling, wherewith he graciously honoured me, did more For the sake of such readers as understand not the particularly require, in promoting the welfare and salLatin tongue, I shall add a translation of these memo-vation of the precious souls of men.' rable passages, made by Mr. John Spademan, than Besides his forementioned works, he wrote also whom none ever more esteemed and valued the author of them.

'Quæ autem Octob. 22, 1704. in genus mirandâ Dei mei benignitate, et suavissimâ Spiritus Sancti operatione percepi, omnium verborum quæ mihi suppetit copiam, plane superant! Perquam jucundam cordis emollitionem expertus sum, fusis præ gaudio lachrymis, quod amor Dei per corda diffunderetur, mihique speciatim donato in hunc finem Spiritu suo. Rom. v. 5.'

several prefaces to the works of others; as to Mr. Chorlton's Funeral Sermon for Mr. Henry Newcome of Manchester; to the third volume of Dr. Manton's Sermons, by way of Dedication to King William, in 1689, to Mr. Flavel's Discourse of Mental Errors, &c.

'Dec. 26, 89. After that I had long, seriously, and repeatedly thought with myself, that besides a full and undoubted assent to the objects of faith, a vivifying, savory taste and relish of them was also necessary, that with stronger force and more powerful energy, But I know not how to close my account of this exthey might penetrate into the most inward centre of cellent person without adding somewhat as to his chamy heart, and there being most deeply fixed and root-racter, though I am very sensible it cannot easily be ed, govern my life; and that there could be no other sure ground whereon to conclude and pass a sound judgment, on my good estate God-ward; and after I had in my course of preaching been largely insisting on 2 Cor. i. 12. This is my rejoicing, the testimony of a good conscience, &c. This very morning I awoke out of a most ravishing and delightful dream, that a wonderful

given. It must have something in it that is very great and peculiar, or it will not be just. For my part, I am far from thinking good Mr. Spademan at all exceeded, when he represented him as one, who had ‘received from the Father of lights so great a variety of both natural and Christian perfection, that he was not only a shining light and ornament of his age, but an

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learned doctor's style was 'encumbered with parentheses, which made it difficult to vulgar understandings.' Several have been of the same opinion with respect to the style of Mr. Howe, which Mr. Wood mentions with so particular an encomium. We may bear with such a commendation of one of his character, it being a thing so uncommon with that author. But methinks it looks a little ill-natured, immediately upon his speaking so favourably of one, to pour such contempt on the rest of his persuasion, who he says are 'most of them of sour and unpleasant converse.' It may be they were not to his gust: which is the less to be wondered at, since he was so little to theirs. But this might well enough have been spared, seeing it was not thus with Mr. Howe, of whom he was now writing; for he was generally cheerful, and inoffensively pleasant.

inviting example of universal goodness.' That 'God | tion of any thing in his performances. Nor is this his gave him an uncommon skill in the word of righteous-case alone; for Bishop Fell in his Life of Dr. Hammond, ness;' and that 'he had peculiar advantages for under- who was certainly a very great man, says that that standing the Oracles of God; a large fund of natural endowments, improved by superadded preparatives unto the study of the scriptures; a rich treasure of human learning, particularly a thorough knowledge of pagan theology, by which he was enabled to descry the shortness and mistakes of human reason, which faculty he well understood to use in subordination unto Christian faith, whose mysteries he was able to free from the objections of cavillers.' 'He took care to wash the vessel, that it might be receptive of Divine communications. And to these he added unwearied diligence, humility, and prayer, which was the delight and solace of his whole life. He unfeignedly sought God's glory, and the good of the souls of men. He was impartial and faithful in reproving of sin, without respect of persons; easy of access, and condescending to the lowest; and indeed became all things to all, that he might gain the more. And ready to assist all the necessitous and distressed, that he had opportunity of doing good unto. He was furnished with fortitude of mind, able to encounter the most grievous sufferings; and an eminent example of a truly Christian patience, under very sharp afflictions. And he finished his course with uncommon joy: and few ever more experienced a divine peace and serenity of mind, at the nearest approaches of death.'

As to his person, he was very tall, and exceeding graceful. He had a good presence, and a piercing but pleasant eye; and there was that in his looks and carriage, that discovered he had something within that was uncommonly great, and tended to excite veneration. His intellectual accomplishments were eminent. He was one of great abstractedness of thought, a strong reasoner, and one that had a very penetrating judgment, which carried him as deep into a subject, as most men ever went that handled it. He had bright natural parts, and they were greatly improved by study and experience. He had an admirable way of thinking upon any subject that offered; and many times very surprising turns in discoursing upon it.

Even Mr. Wood the Oxonian himself, who very seldom has a word to say in favour of a nonconformist, when he comes to Mr. Howe is so unusually complaisant to him, as to own that he was 'a person of neat and polite parts,' and 'moderate and calm in the smaller matters that were under debate between the church and his party.' I'm afraid, if he had seen some of the things here published, he would have retracted the latter part at least of this fair character he gave him. Nay, and he goes so far as to commend his style too, which he says is 'fine, smooth, and natural.' But here I doubt many will think his good humour has carried him too far, and tempted him to strain a point; his style (as great a man as he was) being very commonly objected against, and thought the most liable to excep

i Dedication of his Funeral Sermon for him, p. 1040.
Funeral Sermon, page 1043, &c.

His ministerial qualifications were singular. He could preach off-hand with as great exactness, as many others upon the closest study. He delivered his sermons without notes; though he did not impose that method upon others. He had great copiousness and fluency in prayer; and the hearing him discharge that duty upon particular sudden emergencies, would have been apt to have made the greatest admirer of stinted forms ashamed of the common cavils and objections against that which is usually called extemporary prayer. He was an excellent casuist, and would clearly solve the greatest difficulties that practice was concerned in. And though in his sermons there was often an uncommon depth, especially at the beginning, yet he took care to become plainer in the sequel; and before he concluded, generally came with great pungency home to the consciences of his hearers; so that they must be greatly faulty, if they did not come away from hearing him both wiser and better.

He was one of remarkable prudence himself, and much valued and commended it in others. It was a common saying with him, that he was so far from questioning whether prudence was a virtue, that he reckoned imprudence to be a great vice and immorality. He was not apt to be swayed by interest, nor could any thing bias his judgment. And it may be said of him, as is usually said of those of the strongest reason, the greatest sagacity, and the noblest accomplishments, that he was one of great civility, candour, and ingenuity. He was very courteous to strangers, or others that came to visit him, and received them with great decency: and never could be of the mind of those that reckon religion and piety inconsistent with good breeding.

He knew how to address himself suitably to the greatest persons, without the least mixture of what was mean or servile; and yet was able to condescend to inferiors: and was very affable to younger ministers, whom he would use with an easy freedom, offering them as there was occasion the kindest advice.

1 Ath. Oxon. vol. ii. page 1014.

He was very like that eminent German divine Martin it signified to him by several, that a certain nobleman Bucer, in the peaceableness of his temper, and a willingness to accommodate differences. He had a truly great soul, and at the same time a very cool and moderate spirit; and was an utter enemy to that uncharitable and censorious humour that is visible in so many. He did not (as appears from all his writings) look upon religion as a system of opinions, or a set of forms, so much as a divine discipline to reform the heart and life. In lesser matters he could freely give others the liberty of their own sentiments; and was as unwilling to impose, as to be imposed upon.

that was at that time great at court, was desirous to
see him. Taking an opportunity to wait upon him, and
being easily admitted, the great man signified that his
visit was very acceptable, and seemed to be willing to
enter into particular freedoms with him. Among a
great many other things, he told him that he was very
sensible that the dissenters were a considerable body of
people, that deserved regard: and that it was his appre-
hension that if they had a person that was near the king,
and had a good interest at court, that would give them
hints by way of advice for their conduct, upon critical
emergencies, and that was able and ready to convey
their requests to his majesty, as occasions might require,
it would be much for their advantage. And he was
pleased to express himself in such a manner, that Mr.
Howe thought he could easily gather, that the maker of
the motion had no aversion from being the person

He seems to have been born into this world, to sup-
port generous principles, a truly catholic spirit, and an
extensive charity. He was for carefully concealing or
lessening the failings and imperfections of others; and
in that respect has admirably exemplified his own temper
in his printed discourse with reference to 'Charity for
other Men's Sins.' But whenever he found men impetu-pitched upon, for the purpose mentioned. After a
ous in asserting their own opinions, and peremptory in
rejecting the judgment of others, when they had taken
care to set things in a due light, and add a suitable
evidence, 'twas his way to answer with silence; not at
all caring to argue with those, who instead of soberly
and modestly inquiring into truth, were always for the
last word, for which (for his part) he was for giving them
fall leave.

He was for having nothing remain as a test or boundary of Christian communion, but what has its foundation as such, in plain reason or express revelation. And to hun may those very words be justly applied, which he used in his character of Dr. Bates, in his funeral sermon for him. He was for entire union of all visible Christians, (or saints or believers, which in Scripture are equivalent terms,) meaning by Christianity what is essential thereto, whether doctrinal or practical; as by humanity we mean what is essential to man, severing accidents, as not being of the essence: and by visibility, the probable appearance thereof: and for free communion of all such, of whatsoever persuasion in extraessential matters, if they pleased. And this design he vigorously pursued as long as there was any hope; desisting when it appeared hopeless; and resolving to wait till God should give a spirit suitable hereto, from an apprehension that when principles on all hands were so easily accommodable, and yet that there was with too many a remaining insuperable reluctancy to the thing itself, God must work the cure, and not man. Accounting also, in the mean time, that notwithstanding misrepresentations, it was better to cast a mantle over the failings of brethren, than be concerned to detect and expose them. Knowing that if we are principally solicitous for the name of God, he will in his own way and time take care of ours.'m And as Mr. Howe says in Dr. Bates's case, so may I also say in his, 'in this sentiment he was not alone.'

In many cases he discovered uncommon sagacity; I shall particularly mention one instance, the truth of which may be depended on. In King Charles's reign he had

m See his Funeral Sermon on Dr. William Bates, p. 986.

pause, he made this reply; that the dissenters being a religious people, he thought it highly concerned them, if they fixed upon any particular person for that purpose, to make choice of one that would not be ashamed of them, and whom at the same time they might have no occasion to be ashamed of: and that a person in whom there was a concurrence of these two qualifications was very difficult to find. And he heard no more of him. And it is with me past doubt, that they that were admitted to the knowledge of the secret history of his life, could have recollected several such instances, had the communicating memoirs concerning him been sooner thought of, and attempted.

In common conversation he was many times very pleasant and facetious. Some of his sudden repartees were very remarkable, and deserve to be preserved. Being at dinner with some persons of good fashion, there was one gentleman in the company that expatiated with great freedom in praise of King Charles the First, and made some indecent reflections upon others, that were not at all agreeable to several at the table. Mr. Howe observing he intermixed a great many horrid oaths with his discourse, took the freedom to tell him, that in his humble opinion he had wholly omitted one very great excellency which the prince he had so much extolled was so generally owned to have belonging to him, that he had not known of any one that had the face to contest it. The gentleman seemed not a little pleased to have Mr. Howe come in as a voucher for the prince he applauded, and was impatient to know what that particular excellence was that he referred to. And when he had pressed for it with importunity, he at length told him it was this; that he was never heard to swear an oath in his common conversation. The gentleman took the reproof, and promised to forbear swearing for the future.

At another time, as Mr. Howe was walking along he passed by two persons of quality, who were talking freely together, and with great eagerness; and when he came near them, he heard them damn each other

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