VIZ. GOD'S PRESCIENCE OF THE SINS OF MEN; THE VANITY OF THIS MORTAL LIFE; AND THE REDEEMER'S DOMINION OVER THE INVISIBLE WORLD. SELECTED FROM THE WORKS OF THE REV. JOHN HOWE, M. A. WITH A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, BY THOMAS TAYLOR, AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF COWPER," AND "MEMOIRS OF BISHOP HEBER." LONDON: John Hatchard and Son, Piccadilly; WHITTAKER & CO. AVE-MARIA LANE; SIMPKIN & MARSHALL, AND T. WARDLE, PHILADELPHIA. MDCCCXXXV. J. MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. JOHN HOWE was born at Loughborough, on the 17th of May, 1630. His father was then resident incumbent of that parish, to which living he had been presented by archbishop Laud, who highly esteemed him for his extensive learning and unblemished integrity. But between Howe's father and his patron much difference existed in the liberality of their views, of which that prelate was evidently not aware, for on learning that Howe took the side of the nonconformists, he revoked the gift he had bestowed. Deprived thus suddenly of support for his family, and in danger of becoming still more the victim of ecclesiastical rigour, he fled to Ireland. Scarcely was he settled here before persecution broke out with extreme violence; and he narrowly escaped destruction in the general massacre of the Protestants at the commencement of the rebellion. So imminent was his danger on this occasion, that his escape seemed little less than miraculous. He returned with his family to England, and settled in the county of Lancaster, where his son, the subject of this memoir, received the elements of his education. Howe's father was a man of sterling piety and distinguished talents, and he probably devoted his time principally to the improvement of his son's mind. His mother was a pious lady, of an amiable disposition and a richly cultivated taste. To the early education of her son she paid the greatest attention; exciting and encouraging in him a spirit of inquiry, prompting him to diligence in his studies, teaching him to expect, but always to surmount difficulties, and diligently endeavouring to expand the powers of his young mind; not forgetting at the same time to explain to him the nature, and to show him the importance of religion. The lessons taught by a mother are not soon forgotten: their power over the mind, when it is first opening, and when perhaps its susceptibilities are the most vigorous, if not the most acute, is great and lasting. Happy is it when the influence which nature gives them is well directed! To the exertions of their mothers many of the most distinguished individuals have been indebted, in no small degree, for their subsequent elevation; and there is little doubt that such was the case with Howe. Whether young Howe was sent to any school |