A meeting of Presbyterian ministers was held at his house, to consider the state of affairs, and to determine on the course to be adopted.

There was great anxiety at the palace to know the result.

Two royal messengers were in attendance during the discussion.

They carried back the unwelcome news that Howe had declared himself decidedly adverse to the dispensing power, and that he had, after long debate, carried with him the majority of the assembly.

[253] To the names of Baxter and Howe must be added the name of a man far below them in station and in acquired knowledge, but in virtue their equal, and in genius their superior, John Bunyan.