CHAPTER V. FROM 1669 TO 1677. 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 EMPLOYMENT.-UNIVERSAL RESPECT HE CONCILIATED.-PUBLISHES HIS "VANITY OF MAN AS MORTAL."CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH IT ORIGINATED. PUBLISHES HIS "DELIGHTING IN GOD."-THE PREFATORY LETTER. - 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. REMOVES HIS FAMILY TO LONDON. REFLECTIONS. KING - REMARKS. HOWE PUBLISHES THE FIRST PART OF HIS "LIVING TEMPLE." ABOUT a year, or a little more, after the publication of "The Blessedness of the Righteous," and perhaps in consequence of the deserved reputation which he acquired by it, Howe was invited to become domestic chaplain to Lord Massarene,* of Antrim Castle, Ireland; and the invitation, flattering in itself, was accompanied by the most advantageous offers. This offer, even if it had been less tempting, * Originally Sir John Skeffington, of Fisherwick, Staffordshire, (fifth Baronet.) He became Viscount Massarene in right of his wife, Mary, the only daughter of Sir John Clothworthy, who, having been very active in the restoration of Charles II. was rewarded with the title of Lord Massarene. Howe's patron, therefore, was second Lord Massarene. He was active in the revolution of 1688. He died June 21, 1695. would have been backed by an argument perfectly resistless-he was by this time in the most necessitous circumstances. How, indeed, could it be otherwise? He had now been ejected six years, and during this period had subsisted on an income, which, even if it had been less precarious, was miserably insufficient, and unhappily, was as precarious as it was scanty. Poverty brought with it the deeper anguish and solicitude, that it found him with a young and numerous family. Under these circumstances he did not hesitate long. Gratefully embracing the offer of Lord Massarene, he set sail for Dublin early in the year 1671.* He embarked at some port in Wales, which Calamy conjectures to be Holyhead. While waiting at this place for a fair wind, a circumstance occurred which showed both his anxiety to avail himself of every opportunity of doing good, and the impressive and powerful character of his preaching. It appears that he was detained at Holyhead for more than a week. On the Sabbath, he was of course anxious, if not to preach, at least to hear the gospel; but unhappily, though there was a large parish church, there was no preaching, it being the practice of the clergyman only to read prayers. * Calamy says in April; but, for reasons hereafter to be assigned, it would appear to have been somewhat earlier. As the party who, like Howe, were waiting for a fair wind, was numerous, they were anxious to find some secluded spot in which he might preach to them. While they were seeking some such spot on the sea-shore, they met two persons on horseback riding towards the town, who proved to be parson and clerk. One of the party accosted the latter, and asked him, whether his master would preach that day? 66 My master," replied the clerk, "is only accustomed to read prayers." He then asked whether the clergyman would have any objection to allow a minister who was tarrying in the town, waiting to embark for Ireland, to occupy his pulpit for that day. He replied, that he believed that his master would willingly comply with such a proposal. Upon this the proposal was made; and the clergyman, much to his credit, instantly acceded to it. Howe accordingly preached twice in the parish church that day. In the afternoon, the congregation was very large, very attentive, and apparently deeply affected. The wind continued contrary all the next week; and the people having heard of Howe's destination, and observing that the vessel had not left the port, thronged the church on the Sabbath morning in expectation of again hearing the stranger, who had preached in a style so impressive, and to them so novel. The clergy man, who had quite forgotten the whole matter, and had doubtless only expected the usual scanty attendance of hearers to accompany him in the usual frigid service, was confounded at this prodigious concourse of people. Totally unprovided himself to meet the exigency, he hastily despatched his clerk to implore Howe's assistance: declaring, that "if he would not come he knew not what to do, for that the country had come in from several miles round in the hope of hearing him." The messenger found Howe, who had been much indisposed, in bed. On being told the cause of this strange summons, he was at first in doubt whether he ought to venture; but reflecting that he knew not how much good might be done by his efforts, amongst a people who seemed desirous to hear the word of God in proportion to the rarity of their opportunities of hearing it, he resolved to risk it. He afterwards declared that he had seldom preached with more fervour and energy, and never saw a congregation more attentive or devout. He at the same time added, "If my ministry was ever of any use, I think it must be then." A few days after, he set sail for Ireland. After remaining a short time at Lord Massarene's, his whole family joined him. The years Howe spent in Ireland were probably the happiest in his life. Under the pro tection of a powerful patron, and in the enjoyment of a competent income, he quietly pursued his two most cherished employments; the ministry of the gospel and the study of divinity. Antrim Castle, even then a noble structure, though it has gradually reached its present scale of grandeur by successive enlargements since, is situated in the midst of the most magnificent scenery. The spacious and fertile domain is watered by a beautiful lake, called Lough Neagh, from which the Lords Massarene took one of their titles.* *"Antrim Castle adjoins the town from whence it takes its name; a view up the principal street of which is commanded from the parapet of an adjoining terrace-garden, ascended from the castle-yard by a handsome flight of stone steps. It is enclosed from the town by a gateway, and stands on a walled terrace, overhanging the river Ovenoeen, or Six Mile Water, which flows into the vast waters of Lough Neagh, within sight of the castle, at about the distance of a quarter of a mile. "This castle is among the few found to be preserved in Ireland, of those erected in pursuance of the injunctions of the grant made by James I., for the protection of the colonies or plantations then about to be established. The building was raised, as appears by an inscription on a large carved mantel of stone, covering the centre of the principal front, in the year 1613, by Sir Hugh Clotworthy, and has been subsequently altered, according to the different tastes of its successive proprietors. "The front of the castle is also decorated with the armorial bearings of the family, and those of their alliances, surmounted by the royal arms of England, and a carved head, in relief, of Charles I. "The suite of rooms is extensive and modern, the entire castle having undergone a thorough repair in the time of the last Earl of Massarene. The exterior towards the court has been restored, by the present possessor, to the character of the period in which it was originally erected. "Few places in Ireland command greater power of beauty, or extent |