The life and character of John Howe, M.A. with analysis of his writings

Preface

The preface to the first edition of this work contained an apology for some too probable negligences and inaccuracies, which, from the unavoidable rapidity with which the work was written — though the subject and materials had been long meditated — might be found in the composition. The work has now received a careful revision, and it is hoped that many, if not all, such blemishes are removed. For the most part, however, the work is left as it was. It is true that twenty -five years cannot pass with any man, who in any measure " lives to learn," without producing changes of judgment and of taste ; and possibly some of the passages in this work might have been expressed more concisely if they had been written now. I have indulged myself, however, in little more than verbal alterations, as it is easier to rebuild from the foundation than to alter a fabric in detail ; such attempts seldom end in anything else than spoiling both the old and the new.

Omitting, for the reasons above assigned, the introductory paragraphs of the former preface, I

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retain only such portions as must be equally appropriate to every edition. I said,

" In the course of the work, I have, of course, been compelled to touch on many points which have often excited the utmost bitterness of party-spirit. In these cases, I can sincerely say, I have endeavoured to maintain a tone of historic impartiality. I should have felt myself utterly unworthy of being the biographer of Howe, had I not been emulous of imitating, in some humble measure, that calm, candid, dispassionate temper of mind for which he was so justly eminent.

•" Howe was a nonconformist ; I have endeavoured faithfully to represent his reasons for his nonconformity : but it has been infinitely far from my purpose to employ his name in subserviency to party purposes. To enlist him, — whose temper and spirit were so transcendently catholic ; whose whole life was devoted to the cause of our common Christianity ; and who abhorred all excess of party feeling, whether displayed by those with whom he agreed, or by those from whom he differed ; — to enlist him, I say, in the mere strife of party, would, in nay estimation, be a flagrant insult to his memory.

"I have not therefore made Howe's nonconformity a topic disproportionately prominent, or more so than the impartial history of his life demanded. I could not help feeling that the name and memory of such a man are the property, not of

PREFACE. Vll one denomination, but of the whole Christian church ; and that, however strong the reasons which endear him to any one party, the reasons are still stronger which should endear him to all.

" To write the life of Howe with any mean, sectarian feeling, would, in my estimation, be as unutterably absurd, as to write the life of Cromwell merely to show that he was an Independent, or that of Milton, to prove that he was a Baptist.

" I have only further to add, that no source of information to which I could possibly obtain access, whether in the shape of MSS. or printed books, has been neglected. The reader will see that research has not been in vain ; many letters of Howe, and one or two other documents, have been recovered, as well as a considerable number of facts, not mentioned in Calamy's ' Life.'

"My cordial acknowledgments are due to the several gentlemen who have kindly answered inquiries, and contributed to my materials ; more especially to Joshua Wilson, Esq., of the Inner Temple, justly distinguished for his minute and extensive - knowledge of literary antiquities ; to Jeremiah Wiffen, Esq., Librarian to the Duke of Bedford; to Dr. Williams, of Shrewsbury; to the Rev. Thomas Milner, of Northampton ; to the Eev. R. Slate, of Preston ; and to the trustees of Dr. Williams' Library, for the access they afforded me to the Baxter MSS."

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It only remains to add, that I have omitted some irrelevant pages in the third chapter, the reasons for which will be found stated in the Appendix ; that I have lightened some of the other chapters by omitting or abridging some of the extracts from the prefaces to Howe's various works, retaining only such portions as, like his letters and other documents, throw light upon his life and character. On the other hand, the critical remarks on his writings in Chapter XII. have been largely augmented and illustrated by brief extracts.

For a not uninteresting addition to the Appendix, containing letters of Howe hitherto unpublished, I am indebted to the courtesy of Mr. H. 0. Coxe, librarian of the Bodleian, and to the kindness of the Rev. James Turner, of Knutsford.

I am also indebted for friendly communications on some minute points in the memoir, received many years ago, from John Dove, Esq., of Leeds, and Frederick Brough, Esq., of London.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

PAGE

The materials for Howe's Biography comparatively scanty. — Causes of this — Destruction of his MSS. — Probable reasons of his conduct — Chief design of the present volume — Principal aspects under which Howe's character is to be contemplated — Value of a certain species of biography — This mode of presenting important truth illustrated by the structure of the Scriptures ....... 1

Chapter II

Howe's family and connexions — Expulsion of his father from Loughborough, by Archbishop Laud — Causes of it — Retreats to Ireland, and returns in consequence of the Rebellion — Account of young Howe's studies at Oxford and Cambridge — Remarks on systematic Theology — His catholic spirit early displayed — Account of his Ordination— Settlement at Great Torrington — His ministerial success — State of his opinions respecting Church Polity and Discipline — His marriage — Account of his Fast-day services — Remarks ... 16

Chapter III

Howe's first interview with Cromwell — Preaches at Whitehall — Cromwell proposes that he should become his Chaplain — Howe's reluctance — Scruples overcome — Motives which actuated Cromwell in the selection of Howe — Remarks on the Protector's religious character — State of religious parties — Letters of Howe to Baxter, published from the Baxter MSS. — Howe's reluctance to continue at

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Whitehall — Grounds of it — Manner in which he conducted himself during his connexion with Cromwell — Instances of his disinterestedness, integrity, and benevolence — Reflections ..... 37

Chapter IV

Death of Cromwell — Howe still remains at Whitehall — Character of Richard Cromwell — His deposition — Letter of Howe to Baxter on that event — Howe returnes to Torrington — Is informed against — Defends himself successfully — Is ejected by the Act of Uniformity — Howe's interview with Dr. Wilkins — Reflections — A Citation against him — His interview with Bishop Ward — Oxford oath — Howe's conduct on that occasion — Letter to his brother-in-law — Reflections on Protestant persecution — Publishes ' ' The Blessedness of the Righteous." 89

Chapter V

Howe invited to become Chaplain to Lord Massarene, of Antrim Castle — Accepts the situation — Removes with his family to Ireland — Probably the happiest period of his life — Nature of his employments— Universal respect he conciliated — Publishes his ' ' Vanity of Man as Mortal " — Circumstances in which it originated — Publishes his " Delighting in God " — Reflections — Composes the first part of his "Living Temple" — Is invited to the pastoral charge of a congregation in London — Self-examination previous to leaving Antrim — Reflections — Removes his family to London — King Charles's Indulgence— Remarks — Howe publishes the first part of his "Living Temple" 127

Chapter VI

Andrew M&XVell'l defence of Howe against Thomas Danson's attack on the treatise ol "Divine Pretoienoe" 157

CONTENTS. XI

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Chapter VII

Severities exercised ux>on the Nonconformists during this period — Howe's earnest desire for an adjustment of the differences between the Church and the Dissenters — The Popish Plot — Curious Interview with a certain Nobleman — Howe's reply to Stillingfleet — Extracts — His expostulation with Tillotson on account of his Sermon before the King — Another attempt at Comprehension — Bill of Exclusion — Proceedings of the Parliament of 1680 177

Chapter VIII

Condition of the Nonconformists during this period — Howe's Meetinghouse disturbed — Account of his Publications in 1681, 1682, and 1683 — Preaches his Sermon on the Union of Protestants — Account of it — Letter of Consolation to Lady Russell — Reflections — Expostulatory Letter to Bishop Barlow . . . . . . . .194

CHAPTER IX. from 1685 to 1690.

Conduct of Howe in Persecution — Is invited by Lord Wharton to accompany him in his Travels on the Continent — His Letter of Farewell to his Flock— Reflections— Settles at Utrecht — Mode of Life there — Correspondence with Lady Russell — Interview with Burnet — Is introduced to the Prince of Orange — Indulgence of James II. — Howe returns home — Conduct of the Nonconformists with respect to the designs of the Court— Howe's Interview with the King — Curious scene at Dr. Sherlock's — The Revolution of 1688 — Howe's Address to the Prince of Orange — His Letter on behalf of the French Protestants— He publishes his " Case of the Dissenters Represented and Argued '' — Act of Toleration passed — Howe's Address to the Conformists and Nonconformists on that event . . . .221

Chapter X

Disputes among the Nonconformists — Attempt to unite the Presbyterians and Congregationalists — " Heads of Agreement" — Agitation

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of the Antinomian Controversy — Circumstances which led to it — Dr. Crisp's Sermons — Howe's Sermons on the Carnality of Religious Contention— Letter to Mr. Spilsbury — Letters from the MSS. in Woburn Abbey — Letters from the Ayscough MSS. in the British Museum — Letters to Sir Charles and Lady Hoghton, and others — Controversy on "Occasional Conformity" — Principles on which Howe defended that practice 270

Chapter XI

Howe's last Illness— State of Mind— Death— Extract from his Will— His Person — Analysis of his Character . . . . . .313

Chapter XII. Analysis Of Howe's Writings

Introductory Remarks — Howe's Posthumous Works — The Living Temple — The Treatise on Delighting in God — The Blessedness of the Righteous— The Vanity of Man as Mortal — The Tractate on the Divine Prescience — The Calm and Sober Inquiry into the Possibility of a Trinity in the Godhead — The Redeemer's Tears wept over Lost Souls — The Redeemer's Dominion over the Invisible World — Howe's Funeral Sermons, and other occasional Discourses . . . .301