OF BX 5200 .H52 1830 Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714. The miscellaneous works of the Rev. Matthew Henry Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/miscellaneousworOOhenr THE MISCELLANEOUS WORKS or THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY, V. D. M. BONGAV; STEREOTV rEU AND I'lllNTED BY J R. AND C. CHILDS. I I i J 0 THE MISCELLANEOUS WORKS REV. MATTHEW HENRY, V. D. M. CONTAINING, IN ADDITION TO THOSE HERETOFORE PUBLISHED, NUMEROUS SERMONS, NOW FIRST PRINTED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS. AN APPENDIX, ON WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS, IN FORTY REAL BENEFITS, BY THE REV. PHILIP HENRY, NE\TER BEFORE PUBLISHED. AND A PREFACE, BY J. B. WILLIAMS, ESQ. F. S. A. LONDON: JOSEPH OGLE ROBINSON, 42, POULTRY^ STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY J. R. AND C. CHII.DS. MDCCCXXX, CONTENTS. PAGE PAGE Preface ..... i Layman's reasons for communing with dis- Prefaces to Life of Mr. Philip Henry XV senters ..... 857 Life of Mr. Philip Henry 9 Catechism for children 861 Scripture catechism in the method of the As- Sermons, Tracts, &c. sembly's .... 864 Christ's favour to children 929 On the death of Mrs. Katharine Henry 164 Memoirs of Mrs. Radford 942 f Appendix ..... 175 Memoirs of Mrs. Hulton 945 The pleasantness of a religious life . 225 Account of Dr. John Tylston 959 Concerning meekness and quietness 268 Sermon at Mr. Atkinson's ordination 967 Christianity not a sect 314 Exhortation at Mr. Clark s ordination 979 Communicant's companion 331 Funeral sermon on Mr. Owen 991 Directions for daily communion with God 428 Funeral sermon on Dr. Benion 1007 Discourses again<5t vice and'profaneness : — Life of Dr. Benion 1019 Funeral sermon on Mr. Tallents 1032 l¥T ^lol*V»ntll l-\ O V I M (IT TA/ 'Pl./\T1T1A xii. o(imjiii.u~L)reaKiiig. i v • irruiciiie T.TFF C\V I\1 r '1 'n 1 ir-f 1 1 Jul 1 J-> i ITJLI . 1044 O.tCCcIIUq .... T<*iinf.ral Qprmnn an IVTr Tjnwrpnpp X Itllddl Ul Vf 11 \JH XIX 1 .UClWl^ll^K^ . * luoo 519 T.iFF of IVTr T^awrpncf* 1065 538 T'nnprfil s:pi*nrinn an IVTr Strptfftti J. UL11>1C11 S^lLllUll yj 11 ±TJ.1« If 1 V/ L IVJ 11 . . 1072 Soher-mmdedness recommended to the young jjirfc. Ul iTi.r. oireiiuii «... XVJglll UlallaQCUldi L Ul illcljUlV Vl^lla • Ol o 1; UUeicli aclIllUIl UIl illl . IJUIgOa . 1090 A church in the house. Family religion OoO Life of Mr, Burgess . • 1 109 Reformation of manners 600 Life of Lieut. Illidge 1106 Popery a spiritual tyranny 615 Separation without rebellion 1132 Method for prayer .... 629 A Treatise on Baptism 1145 Essay on psalmody, with family hymns 704 Preface to the Life of the Rev. Thomas Beard 1205 England's joys .... 735 Preface to Murrey's Closet Devotions 1206 England's hopes .... 745 Six sermons on the worth of the soul . 1209 Work and success of the ministry 756 Sermons and charges 1236 On the promises of God 769 Funeral sermons .... 1248 Disputes reviewed . . . . 774 Fast sermons .... 1255 Faith in Christ inferred from faith in God 784 Funeral sermon on Mr. Matthew Henry, by Forgiveness of sin . . . . 798 W. Tong .... 1271 Hope and fear balanced 813 Ditto — by John Reynolds 1282 On the catechising of youtli . 826 Ditto— by Dr. Williams 1293 * Commemoration of the fire of London 839 Inquiry into the nature of schism 850 Appendix . . . . . 1 "The lips of the righteous," said Solomon, "feed many;" and in om* times especially is the assertion verified by the published relics of persons so denominated. In the publications referred to, as in ample storehouses, hath been laid up for the church most invigorating food ; and the press, like the blessing upon the widow's stock, continues to multiply and perpetuate the treasure. Few individuals have been more distinguished for their endeavours to advance the divine honour, by such means, than Matthew Hemy. His name, because of his jDroductions as an author, is deservedly great in Israel ; and in the gates thereof do his works praise him. His course on earth terminated long ago, but not until, in a far more exalted sense than the racers in the Grecian games, he had delivered a torch to survivors — a torch, which guides to heaven ; and which not only has remained unextinguished, but still flames with increased and cheering brilliance. The favourable reception given to the late edition of our author's Scripture Commentaiy, in three octavo volumes,* has induced the enterprising and zealous proprietor of that unique impression, to send forth, in a size exactly uniform, the ensuing collection of the same ines- timable man's Miscellaneous Compositions. Various echtions, some smaller, and some more extended, bearing a similar title, have heretofore appeared. But if the folio of 1726, and the quarto of 1811, be excepted, not one has made the least pretension to completeness. Neither of those editions, though the most perfect of any, is fairly entitled to the distinction. The quarto contained the Sermon at the opening of the Meeting-house in Chester, which was omitted in the folio ; and the folio preserved the collection of Family Hymns, while the quarto retained only the Prefatoiy Essay to that collection. But neither embraced his Treatise on Baptism, nor yet his Memoirs of Mrs. Radford, Mrs. Hulton, or Dr. Tylston. All Mr. Henry's publications, (except only the tract on the schism bill,t which cannot be discovered,) including the Prefaces he wi-ote to the Life of Thomas Beard,t and Mr. Mmrey's book on Closet Devotion, § will be found in tlie present undertaking. Many discourses from original, and hitherto impublished, manuscripts, are added ; as are also the admirable sermons, delivered on occasion of his death, by the Rev. Dr. Daniel Wiliams, the Rev. William Tong, and the Rev. John Reynolds of Shrewsbury. They are all, as I am informed, accurately corrected, as well as beautifully printed : and elegance is united with cheapness. • Originally printed in G folios. Mr. Thoresby of Leeds, of antiquarian celebrity, and Mr. Henry's friend, (seethe Life prefixed to tlie Exposition, in oct. vt supra, vol i. p. 35.) possessed " the memorable pen, wherewith the far greatest part of the volumes, in folio, was writ, the gift of the reverend author, 1712." See Thoresby's Ducatus Leodensis, Dr. Whilaker's edition, p. 70. in the Catalogue of Natural and Artificial Rarities, fol. 1816. t See the Life, i/t supra, p. 108. t The Holy Seed, or the Life of Mr, Tho. Beard, by Jos. Porter, duod. 1711. § Closet Devotions, by Robert Murrey, duod. 1713. ii PREFACE. Had Mr. Henry's life been lengthened, it was his intention to have published the manu- script sermons now introduced, and many others. * The series, alas ! in present circumstances broken, would then have been perfect. As selections from his usual pulpit preparations, and amounting to scarcely more, in any instance, than sermon skeletons, the manuscripts now published will, if compared with other parts of the volume, suffer from the common disadvantages of incompleteness. But while this circumstance has been felt as a reason against their introduction, the consideration of the welcome they are sure to meet with, and the prospect, therefore, of their usefulness, has outweighed that and several other objections. One of those objections — brevity — will be to some persons, no doubt, a recommendation. It will be observed, by careful readers, how well the manuscripts referred to accord with Mr. Henry's more finished productions, which it will now be seen, more clearly than ever^ were only a faithful representation of their author. What he appeared to the world to be as a preacher, he really was among his stated auditors, both at Chester and Hackney. To the whole is appended a set of discourses by the venerable Philip Henry, his father, on what Christ is made to believers in forty real benefits. The subjects of this part of the volume are now fii'st published fi-om the hand-writing of the holy man who penned them ; and being thus associated with his Life,t are not, it is thought, unsuitably preserved in the present volume. They have been introduced, indeed, because of their intrinsic excellence ; for the greater honour of the writer ; and for the sake of a wider circulation than would pro- bably have been secured if published in a detached or separate form. Independently of their interesting subjects, their author's special approbation of these sermons may be noticed. Philip Henry selected them from his accumulated collection of papers as a legacy to his excellent daughter Mrs. Savage ; % a fact perpetuated by her- self in the commencement of the original manuscript, which forms a thick duodecimo volume. " What Christ is made of God to true believers in forty real benefits, preached at his meeting-house, at Broad Oak, in Flintshire, by my honoiured father, Mr. Henrj', thus written with his own dear hand, and left to me, S, S. by his last will, to the end I may leam Christ, and live Christ, and be eternally happy with him. Amen." § The treasure thus distinguished, is possessed by my respected fiiend, Mrs. Bunnell, Lower Terrace, Islington, a descendant of Philip Henry ; and at my request she kindly communi- cated it for publication. Notwithstanding similar regrets attach to the contents of the Appendix, as to the rest of the fi-agments now, for the first time, made public, the same arguments for their admission preponderated in the one case as in the other ; and they fully demonstrate, though unfinished, om- author's accuracy, when he pronounced his father's preaching to be " veiy substantial, and elaborate, and greatly to edification." |) All the sermons included in the Appendix are, as their title imports, concerning Christ— in various of those endearing relations which he bears towards his chm-ch. It is their indi- vidual and combined object to exalt him ; to maintain his true and proper divinity ; to illustrate the necessity and infinite nature of his atonement; and thus to fix every eye upon his cross. They exhibit likewise, in lively and familiar terms, those sources of satisfaction to believers, which alone can minister joy as they travel to their everlasting rest. It is the exclusive design of one discourse, the eighth of the series, to prove — that Jesus Christ is the Lord our llighteousness ; and that it is the duti/ of behevers to call him so. No • See the Life, ut supra, p. 111. t See p. 9. % See her Life, duod. 1828. 4lli.ed. $ Mrs. Savage. The original MS. || See post, p. 106. PREFACE. iii reader, it is to be hoped, will slight the request whidi is prefixed to the discussion of that all- interesting topic. * Nor should it escape notice, in reference to the same sermons, that irrespectively of the nncommon importance of the subjects discussed, they are among the very choicest relics of their author. The date of the first is July 26, 1691, and of fhe last .Time 5, 1692. Philip Henry died June 24, 1696. So that, instead of containing any thing crude, they memorialize the piety and wisdom of tliat eminent man, when both were most matmed. Such are some of the claims \\ hich the present volume has upon the public attention. Besides which, the responsible duties of an editor of all the manuscripts now fust printed, have been most judiciously and faithfiilly discharged by the Rev. Edward Hickman : a gen- tleman who numbers no less than tluree of the ejected worthies in the line of his ancestry ; and who is himself the fourth in his family of a regidar succession of nonconformist divines. His residence at Denton, in Norfolk, so near the press, rendered this sennce by him e^eciaUy convenient ; and his attainments in the knowledge pecuhar to his sacred profession ; his ardent attachment to the writings of IMr. Henry ; and his deejj admiration of their merits ; attest his particular fitness for the task, which happily for the public, and the credit of our author, he undertook. In contemplating Mr. Heniy's Miscellaneous Works, in themselves a library of theology, it naturally occurs, how much less known, and consequently less esteemed, they have hitherto been than his Exposition. So far, indeed, as paramount attention to Holy Scripture is con- cerned, this is just as it should be; and it is not wished by any effort, either of commendation or criticism, to weaken the force of that prepossession. The Exposition is, and ever must be, regarded as the magnum opus of its author. Nor can it be any presumption to predict of it, as Ovid is reported to have done respecting the far-famed poem of Lucretius, that it will live till the chssolution of all things. Still it appears somewhat reproachful to the Christian public, that the Miscellaneous ■«Titings of our author should, in general, be, as a whole, in a comparative state of neglect : for it will be found on examination, that the same commanding excellences which have rendered Mr. Henry so celebrated as an expositor, distinguished him as a preacher; and have imparted to his Sermons, and Treatises, and Tracts, a chann not less fascinating than that which per^-ades the Commentary. There is, throughout, the same soundness of doctrine, the same " strange reacUness, and fertility of invention," f the same novelty, the same felicity of illustration, the same pointedncss of remark, the same ingenious contrivance of proverbial sentences, | and the same unvarying attention to usefulness. His zeal for this latter object, like the fire of the vestal virgins, was always burning. Whatever prejuchces may exist against theological compositions, in the fonn of Sermons, that neither accounts satisfactorily for the neglect of Mr. Henry, nor does it annul the fact — that one of the most interesting and valuable sections of English divinity, consists entirely of sermons. And the remark must not be withheld, that considering the age in which Mr. Henry lived, he is entitled, as a sermonizer, to special honour. There are few discourses, ancient or modem, which possess more intrinsic excellences ; or which contain, without the slightest pretensions to greatness, more various reacUng, more powerful appeals, more appro- priate imagery, or a pm-er spirit of sacredness. Having explained his text, and so explained it as to fix the attention, he commonly divides his main proposition into parts ; and generally restricts his observations, sometimes avowedly, as at p. (83.), to the context. His explication of the doctrine deduced from the text discovers occasionally, as do aU his applications, powers of discrimination equally uncommon and striking. The subdivisions are so managed as to • .Appendix, p, 24. t Funeral Sermon, by Mr. Reynolds, p. 1291. t Ditto, by Dr. Williams, p. 1301. ir PREFACE. assist the memory ; as when, for instance, he describes the nature of the sacramental supper — as a commemorating ordinance ; as a confessing ordinance ; as a commimicating ordinance ; and as a covenanting ordinance.* And altliough these intended helps appear, frequently, too jingling and fanciful for coiTect taste ; yet in Mr. Henry there is such an air of naturalness, even about them, as to prevent offence, if not to disarm criticism. When he comes to press the uses, and urge the motives, connected with his leading topic, he rises in instructiveness. Nor does he lose sight of a single fact or circumstance with which the truths he wishes to enforce can be associated. He seemingly exhausts the subject without exhausting the reader. Is there one, among all his discourses, which does not capitally illustrate those three qualifications of Baxter's " Best Teacher," which are essential to a good sermon ? — a clear explication of the gospel ; the most convincing and persuading reasonings ; and a manner at once serious, affectionate, and lively.f If Addison's test be true, that the secret of fine writing is, for the sentiments to be natural without being obvious, Mr. Henry, in whatever department of authorship he is considered, is entitled to a far more exalted rank among illus- trious writers tlian he has yet attained. In funeral sermons he so excelled as to render it just occasion for regret that he published so few. They all mingle liveliness with affection in a very remarkable degree. They are grave A\'ithout being dull ; and seriousness is seen at the widest possible distance from gloom. One of them expatiates with singular beauty upon the duty of Christians giving thanks when in soiTow ; I the death of "good men and good ministers" is represented in the exquisite imagery of the Scriptures ; eternal realities are even familiarized ; the instruction of the li\ ing is most powerfully attempted ; and the ability and excitation of the biographical sketches, which are perfectly free from panegyric, cannot be estimated too highly. His sennon on the death of Mr. Tallents, is one of the finest specimens of preaching that can be instanced; the text selected by his revered friend was peculiarly appropriate, and, united with the occasion, called forth all Mr. Henry's powers. There are many passages in it of great strength and beauty ; but his representation of " the delights of sense, and all earthly amusements and entertainments, as only^ despised crowds through which the soul of a Christian, big with expectation, presses forward in pursuit of everlasting joys," § is too noble not to be specially noticed. It is a kindred thought to that of the apostle, when he speaks of pursuing, or pressing to^^•ard the mark for the prize of the believer's high calling, — or should its originality be questioned, it must be allowed the merit of a happy paraphrase. Another of those sermons is entitled, though in a difierent aspect, to more than incidental attention. It was preached on the death of the Rev. Daniel Burgess, || after, as the reader will perceive by the date, Mr. Henry's removal to London, a circumstance here noticed, be- cause of the supposed influence of that event upon several of its statements. The allu.sions, coupled with the circumstances of the case, are, indeed, most significant; and admirably unfold our author's excellent .spirit, his talents, and masterly adaptation of passing occur- rences to the pui-poses of general instiaiction. The case is this : Shortly before that discourse was delivered, Mr. Henry was attacked, through the press, by the able and untiring pen of De Foe — not by name, but by inuendo ; and so gi-aphically as to appear as visible to the mind, as De Foe himself, a few years before, had been made, by a state advertisement for publishing a political squib. The delineation upon the face of it was highly honourable to Mr. Henry, but it was so completely neutralized by sarcasm, and no small portion of scom, as to be gi'os.sly insulting. It touched with an unsparing hand the tenderest point in Mr. Henry's history ; and being pubUshed so soon • P. 33G, &c. t P. 805, 806. t Poor Man's Family Book, p. 303. duod. 1G91. Works, vol. 19. p. .510. oct. $ P. 776. II P. 820. PREFACE. V after his settlement at Hackney, respecting which his Life fully details his distress * was but too well adai)ted for his own annoyance, and the irritation of his beloved, but dissatisfied, flock at Chester.f To De Foe's uncalled-for representation Mr. Henry opposed no express reply ; still less did he again revile ; he took occasion, however, from tlie text of the sermon now under consider- ation—" We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us " — to expatiate upon the infirmities of Christ's ministers ; to acknowledge that " they have their faidts, their flaws, their blemishes, as earthen vessels have ;" X and to notice also, how frequently they are " despised and trampled upon," § even " loaded with reproach and calumny." || And then, applying the whole to himself and his brethren, he added, and it must have stung such a man as De Foe to the quick — " By keeping the gi-ace of humility in its strength and exercise," we shall have " this to say to those who think and speak lightly of us. That they cannot have a meaner opinion of us than we have of ourselves, nor lay us lower before men, than we lay ourselves every day before God." H The infusion of this spirit of Christianity through every part of Mr. Henry's works it is, which constitutes one of their peculiar charms. And — because of it, it cannot be otherwise than gratifying to those who admire him, either as a man or a writer, that increased attention is still likely to be given to his remains. The Exposition, indeed, which has been so long a favourite with studious dissenting ministers, and plain unlettered Christians, not to mention some members of the established church, is now greatly extending its range in the latter direction ; and that, notwithstanding the increasing circulation of the popular and invaluable Commentary of the Rev. Thomas Scott. The demand for that excellent work was, at one time, such as to threaten our author's exclusion fi-om one large circle of the community ; but the paroxysm being over, and reflection having succeeded excitement, Mr. Henry's unequalled work has been restored to its rightful pre-eminence ; and it has lately been afresh conunended by a zealous clergyman of the establishment. To prevent, as much as may be, the possibility of disappointment in any reader, who now, for the first time, may resolve upon the study of all om author's writings — the Exposition and those which are Miscellaneous — it may not be amiss to observe, how important, as well as just, it will be, to make proper allowance for the difference of the ground-work in the tvva classes of the publications as so distinguished ; and to keep especially in constant recollec- tion, the aids to thought which are inseparable from an exclusive consideration of the divine testimony : otherwise a comparison to the disadvantage of the latter class of authorship may easily, and even unintentionall}', be formed. Without a caution so necessary, even in the absence of any thing else, our author's Exposition, like the Contemplations of Bishop HaL will be verj^ apt to dispai'age his other productions ; a consequence the more to be deprecatea because the Miscellaneous Writings, as is the case with the Sermons of the revered prelate just mentioned, actually evince quite as extraordinary faculties, both of ingenuity and instructiveness, as the Commentary ; though less obviously, because the opportunity for pre- senting uncommon remarks is less frequent, and because the range for observation is necessarily extended. The style of Mr. Henry, however, on every subject, as is the style of' the good Bishop of Norwich, is enriched by Scriptural allusions; many of them surprising, and even delighting the reader, not less than some of those incidents, drawn fiom the same pure fountain, with which Milton adorned the sublimest of all poems. The liabit of sprightly and apt allusion to Scripture facts, and the use of Scripture language, which Mr. Henry diligently cultivated, has not only enriched, but unspeakably enlivened * Life, ut supra, p. 45, &c. t See De Foe's PresentState of the Parties in Gieat Britain, p 307—309. oct. 1712. ; p. 8i5. $ P, 826. II lb. ir P 830. PREFACE. the ensuing INIiscellanies ; and frequently more instruction is conveyed by the manner in which he has seized the hints scattered up and down in the sacred volume, than by the lengthened and elaborated topical discussions of many celebrated craters. And — his appli- cation of such references is incomparable. In this point of view the exordiums to his sennons deserve especial regard. They are fine instances of the advantageous illustration of one scripture by another; while, as specimens of the beneficial observance of bibUcal phraseology, they are unrivalled. An attempt at citation would involve considerable extracts from most of the sermons in the volume. In the management of texts, as well as their illustration, every reader conversant with what ai'e called the old divines, will perceive iii Mr. Henry a vast improvement upon the canons of most preceding theologians. It is true his style, like that of the majority of the admirable persons refeiTed to, was oftentimes too quaint, and too antithetical ; bvit even in those respects, great advances are discoverable towards the happier modes of division and ex- pression, Avhich are now in use. Mr. Henry is both less strained and less excessive ; as may be seen in the exordium to the " Pleasantness of a Religious Life," where, perhaps, he has put forth his antithetical prowess to the uttermost. From another fashion of his predecessors and contemporaries— the fringing of the margin, *'wiih variety of choice reading" — Mr. Henry, except in the "Treatise on Meekness," and the sermon entitled " Christianity no Sect," has still frirther departed. Not that he was unequal to the task ; for his reading was extensive, and various, and well managed ; and in the com- positions thus mentioned, he has sho\\Ti the ease with which he could have vied with even the most erudite of his brethren in citations from antiquity. But ever after those two discourses were published, wiser in this respect than many of the ancients, he deemed it sufficient to state the results, rather than the sources, of his thoughts. And so completely, from that time, were the ideas he collected from others moulded and fashioned in his own mind, as to render it almost as difficiUt to trace them as it would be to detect the flowers and blossoms from whence has been extracted a mass of honey. Socrates has directed mankind to limit their studies to things of real utility. And jNIr. HenrA', in his official capacity especially, diligently acted upon this counsel. Therefore it was, that in drawing the portraiture of a good minister, he declared he should do it " by his interest and fidelity, not by his learning, or the arts and languages" of which he was master.* And therefore it was, that instead, on the one hand, of hunting after novelties in- stead of the gospel ; or, on the other, of bonowing largely from celebrated philosophers, and admired, but profane, classics, either to adorn his compositions, or display his learning ; he bestowed all his energies to increase men's acquaintance with the Scriptures; to make, by the use of the words of tmth, the " countenance of truth," as Hooker expressed it, " more orient." There is not in all his Avritings a single attempt to resolve any one of the absurd inquiries Avhich are so common on the lips of mere speculators and triflers. Like the apostle Paul, whom he admired more than all mere mortals, and whom he has signalized as " the most active, zealous servant that ever our Master had," f he daily studied to know nothing " save Jesus Christ, and him cracified." His preaching, as was the case with his beloved friend Mr. Samuel LawTcncc, tended " to bring people to Christ and heaven ; to heaven as their end, and to Christ as thefr way." % This the reader may see beautifully illustrated at the close of the sermon entitled, " Faith in Christ inferred from Faith in God." ^ Far from contenting himself with mere illustrations in geogi'aphy, or natm-al historj', or the " fine-spim cobwebs of school notions," or maxims of heathen ethics, Mr. Henry's whole soul was absorbed in a mighty effort to unfold the meaning of God's word ; to convince • p. 73P. t P. 734. % P. 803. « P. 796, 797. PREFACE. vii mankind of sin ; to induce reflection ; to exliibit the riches of salvation ; and to guard against neglecting it. Instead of glancing, now and then, at the essential parts of the Christian system, as if at aspccti'e; instead of treating the doctrines of the cross with reserve and hesitation, as if afraid they should do hami ; he evidently gloried in them, and delighted, upon all occasions, to give to them the gi'eatest prominence. This spirit leavens the whole of his writings ; and such is his regard to the necessity of divine influence, and such the earnestness of his solicitude that all might be saved, that we seem canied back to the minis- trations of the apostles themseh es ; the energies of the soul are called into continual exercise ; and holy cheerfulness is promoted. Mr. Henry, indeed, was a happy Christian, and all his pubhcations breathe the aii- of heaven. There is impressed upon them a calm- ness, a vivacity, a heart,* so strongly indicative of "joy and peace in believing," as to form a running commentary on his own memorable declaration, that — " a holy, heavenly life, spent in the ser\'ice of God, and communion \v\\h him, is the most pleasant and comfortable life any man can live in the world ;"t or on that other striking assertion — " 1 would not exchange the ploasme of converse with the Scriptures, and (Uvine things, for all the delights of the sons and daughters of men, and the pecidiar treasures of kings and princes." % It was this settled persuasion, combined with zeal that others might enjoy the same bless- edness, which so lu-ged him onward in his style of writing, as, oftentimes, to give an idea of almost breathless haste ; an anxiety for the reader's good, which never seems to ha^ e allowed him to stop till all his emotions had foimd utterance. The reader must be struck with this in his Recommendation of Sober-mindedness to the Young ; § in his Improvement of the Death of Mr. Tallents ; || and, indeed, in all his published labom's, treatises as well as sermons. As an author Mr. Henry is what Lord Bacon woidd pronounce a "full" \\Titer. He takes many things, after the manner of Holy Scriptiue, for gi-anted. There are no digressions. He never aims at making a single sermon a complete body of divinity ; and still less does he waste one page after another in a di-y repetition of truisms, which when pronounced are, because of their commonness, as ill calculated to move as to interest the mind. More is often implied by him than expressed ; and even the most important instructions are fre- quently conveyed incidentally. " GosjDel ordinances," he remarks, " in nhich we deal much in our way to heaven, are very agi-eeable to .all the children of God." U And again — " we must take up our cross, when it lies in our way, and bear it after Christ." ** The Miscel- laneous Writings, like the Exposition, are full of such examples. But the most perfect and continuous of them, occurs in the 4th chapter of the Communicant's Companion, imder the title of Helps for Self-examination. AVhatever our author's defects may be, they are never important ; nor do his writings sustain by them more injury than a fine face does by a mole. He never offends by bigotT}-, nor disgusts by mysticism, nor weaiies by feebleness, nor puzzles by abstruseness. Some persons, notwithstanding even efforts to be intelligible, and efforts to all appearance as strenuously put forth as was the strength of certain mariners when rowing towards Tarshish, are still obscur?, and full of oracle-like imcertainty. Mr. Heniy, on the contrary, is perfectly lucid, and clear. His diction, always expressive, is often felicitous ; and though it makes no pretension to elegance, is both nen-ous and forcible. His waitings are not, it is true, " embossed," hke Bishop Taylor's, "with gi-aceful ornaments;" but ordinary subjects are treated by him in an extraordinary' manner ; — an attainment Horace thought so cUfficult. Nothing can • See p. 1279. $ p. 554. II P. 1032. t P. 283. Life, xtt supra, p. 76. % P. 253. t P. 331. P. 258. via PREFACE. be more appropriate or instmctive than his descrii^tion of his mother's wisdom — as con- sisting in being " well versed in Solomon's proverbs." * And — when he delineated " the l^leasure of a proud man in his dignities, and the respects paid him, as Herod, in the acclamations of the crowd," he represents it as but affecting " the fancy;" as "vain glory;" as " but the folly of him that receives the honour, fed by the folly of them that give it :" t — does he deserve less regard, or is he less accurate, than Shakspeare himself, in the celebrated catechism of Falstaff? In definitions, indeed, om' author excelled greatly. His MTitings abound with them, and they are uniformly distinguished by the best characteristics ; they are simple, original, and uncommon. " What is heaven," he asks, "but holiness in honour? grace crowned with glory?":}: " Meditation is thought engaged, and thought inflamed." § "Our love to God in this world is love in motion, in heaven it will be love at rest." || His allusions and imagery, in like manner, always please, and alwaj's edify ; the former, because they are generally Scriptural ; the latter, because, like the parables of our Lord, they are derived from the most common occuiTences. It is their reflection of the images of every- day life which gives to them such an inexpressible charm, and an impression, also, upon the memory so difficult to efface. Let his reference to Jacob and Boaz If be well considered in illustration of one of the classes now under consideration ; and such instances as the follow- ing of the others ; — " Wisdom not only makes the face to shine for the present, but leaves a good report to succeeding generations, like the after-beams of the sun when he is set, siu^- rounded with which he lies down in honour." ** " The yoke of Christ is more than easy, it is sweet and gentle ; not only easy as a yoke is to the neck when it is so well fitted as not to hurt it ; but easy as a pillow is to the head when the head is weary and sleepy." ft Sometimes he produces a singular and powerful effect by a peculiar and impressive repe- tition of a wol'd. At first sight, indeed, the phrase may appear capricious ; frequently it really is so ; but if considered, it will, nevertheless, be uniformly found to convey some truth of special moment, if not to unite with some portion of Scripture worthy of supreme attention. For instance — the concluding sentence of the exordium to the funeral sermon for his mother ;J| the last paragi'aph of the same discom'se;§§ and the close of the first branch of the application to the sermon entitled — Christ's Favour to Children. |||| It is remarkable, that when Mr. Henry is ever so awakening his address is always attractive. Though filled with zeal, he never indulges in the awful style of some ardent and talented writers, who, when writing against evil, have so expressed themselves as to make it questionable whether they did not mistake pride, or malignity, or passion, for Christian charity. Under a better influence Mr. Henry employed — plain and Scripliu^al statements ; tender and kind expostulations ; the sweetness of condescension and respect ; and no small portion of that " long suffering" which, in reference to one of its brightest manifestations, was proclaimed a pattern to subsequent believers — for guidance surely, as well as encourage- ment.im So that when he makes the reader start, it is not so much b}- a voice of tenor, as of solemn importunity. If the individuals alluded to (and it seems to have been the case) were provoked by human offences, like warring elephants by " the blood of grapes and mul- berries," io fight, Mr. Henry's heart was melted. The di.shonour done to God, and the im- minence of man's danger, affected him, as they did David when he grieved because of trans- gression ; and David's Lord, who, beholding Jerusalem, wept. It is observable, that Mr. Henry advised others to a like course.*** The trath is, he regarded the present world in con- nexion with a system of mediation ; a system which it is the design of the New Testament • P. 168. t P. 232. { P. 164. « P. 365. H P. 2G7. f P. %7. •» P. 167. ttP. 23). P. 167. §i P. 174. 1111 P. 709. HflTim.i. 16. P. 324, 610. PREFACE. ix. to unfold ; and of individual ministers, in proportion as they are actuated by a genuine desire of usefulness, to exhibit and enforce. Hence, how poignant soever his reproofs, his very tone and manner discover such love to mankind, as forbid the supposition of even an inclination to angry violence. In his Discourses against Profaneness, where all his hostility to sin is consolidated, there is actually nothing to inspire displeasure at his rebukes. Nay, the very titles of those productions are enough, if prejudice pi"eviously existed, to disarm it. One is a " Friendly Admonition — to Drunkards and Tipplers ;" another a " Word of Ad- vice— to the Wanton and Unclean ;" the next is a " Serious Address — to those who Profane the Lord's Day and the last, a " Check — to an Ungoverned Tongue." Mr. Henry knew the terrors of the Lord, but, in imitation of the great apostle of the Gen- tiles, that knowledge was not used for piu^ioses of intimidation. He persuaded men. He aimed, by means of motives and arguments, at alluring" sinners "into the ways of wis- dom and holiness." * This was a method of ti'eatment to which from childhood he had been accustomed ; his honoured parents constantly used it towards their children : t and, suc- cessfully pursuing the same course, his own writings display a power of insinuation precisely similar to that which prophecy and poetry have attributed to the dews and the snow of heaven. How singularly is this the tendency of the Treatise on the Pleasantness of Reli- gion. That inestimable little wwk is introduced by an allusion to a principle of ratiocination insisted upon by a great name in the Platonic school. Dr. Henry More ; and upon that prin- ci])le Mr. Hemy proceeded in a train of holy arginnentation, and with a persuasiveness which has never yet been sui-passed. Though the treatise in question was the last our author wrote, it is a sample of all his other publications, and may be filly recommended to such as are unacquainted with his merits as the first to be read. Let it not be inferred, however, from any of the foregoing remai-ks, that, because Mr. Henry never provoked hostility, he trimmed, either in his writing, or preaching. Instead of with- holding any part of God's counsel to please men, he paid as little regard to human prejudice, or human passions, when opposed to the promulgation of truth, as an eagle does to flies. In the discourse entitled " Christianity no Sect," % he has expressed himself fully on this point, as also in one of his ministerial exhortations ; § and the works now collected admirably illus- trate and confirm those statements. He gi'eatly disapproved of not giving to each " principle of rehgion its due weight, and each practice of it its due place and proportion." || He would not have " one precept of the gospel, any more than one table of the law, dashed in pieces."^ In spite, therefore, of cavillers he uniformly combines — privileges \\ ith duties ; and doc- trines with obligations. He equally recognises divine power, and human agency. He exhibits the gi-ace that bringeth salvation ; but he also maintains, and upon the same un- erring authority, that perdition is the fi-uit of sin. He every where uses gi-eat plainness of speech ; an acquirement of singular importance, but which, so fi-ail is human excellence, may easily degenerate into lowness, if not vulgarity. Instances of that kind do, it must be confessed, occur occasionally in our author's writings ; and lest the present remarks should be considered as savouring of inordinate partiality, and lest, also, any person should follow even Mr. Henry, as an exemplar, injudiciously, one instance shall be noticed. It occurs in the " Directions how to Spend the Day with God." — " We must wait upon God," says our author, " as the holy angels do, Avho always be- hold the face of their Father, as those who are at his ])eck, and ready to go upon the least intimation of his will, though but by a wink of his eye, wherever he sends them." ** It cannot, surely, admit of doubt, whether the words thus printed in Italics are a blemish to the passage or not. They do detract from its force and dignity. The idea is actually " P.2.5P. tP.171. ♦P.321. * P. 728, 729. |1 P. 230. IT lb. •»P.443. X PREFACE. debased by the homeliness of the illustration ; and the familiarity of it reminds us of the lightness, and taste for punning, so assiduously cultivated in the middle ages. Connected with Mr. Henry's studied plainness of speech, must be noticed his boldness. Frequently that quality is very striking. His exposure of transubstantiation in the Commu- nicant's Companion ; * the seventh direction at the close of his Advice to the Wanton and Unclean ; t find the whole of the sermons entitled " Self Consideration necessary to Self- Preservation," X are deserving of especial remark in this respect. Astonishment, indigna- tion, inquiry, antithesis, and grave announcements, are so mingled, as to press upon the reader with a force absolutely ovenvhelming ; comparable only to the fervid eloquence of Baxter ; and best accounted for upon the principle Mr. Henry once stated as a reason for earnestness — a sight of death at the backs of his hearers. § For the same reasons, ^^ hen the exposm-e of error justified it, an observer will perceive that Mr. Henry (hd not conceal even his natural facetiousness ; and occasionally it amounted to direct satu-e. He is e\-idently so to be understood when he alludes to the " cannon" of the angry; || when he mentions dragoons as the " booted apostles" of the church of Rome ; H when he adverts to children intended for tradesmen learning Latin and Greek, with a design to forget it ; ** and when, as if determined, if possible, to cure an inclination to mysticism, he observ es in the Commentary, (to which in this edition of the whole works one allusion may be allowed,) that none should be puffed up with a conceit of visions and revelations, since " even an ass saw an angel."tt A few remarks must be offered upon our author's compositions in the order in which, from time to time, they were first published ; because a regard to this will discover, to great ad- vantage, some of the excellences and characteristics of his spirit. The Tract on Schism, for example, his Jirst publication, instead of emitting controversial sparks, chsplays, like all his other works, the most enviable moderation ; a moderation indica- tive of the sobriety and seriousness of a mind deeply impressed, as his certainly was, vdxh. the presence and the coming of Christ. Nothing can be imagined better adapted than that small pamphlet to draw men off from the ciicumstantials to the essentials of rehgion ; to destroy a jDarty spirit ; to promote Christian unity and love ; to put bigots to shame ; and to explode superstitious fancies, as absurdities fraught with inexpressible danger. And the same excellent temper, it may be remarked in passing, breathes throughout his " Layman's Reason for Dissent the Sermon delivered by him at the Opening of his New Meeting- house ; §§ and, indeed, all his other works. A Collection of Family Hj-mns followed the Tract on Schism. And these discover an impidse still more celestial. The avowed design of this labour of love was to " help for- ward" the doing of God's will " on earth, somewhat like as it is done in heaven." |||| To the Psalms and Hymns succeeded the Life of his venerable and celebrated Father. A volume in which he presented to the reader's eye a "living epistle of Christ ;" just such an exemplification of the principles of piety as he longed to see imitated. WTio that knows that lovely specimen of biography will not admit, that the peaceableness of its subject ; his patience ; his freedom from ambition ; his entire deadness to the world ; and habitual aspira- tions after the heavenly glory, are, in fact, a picture of what imagination supposes the life of an angel would be, if one of those sup^;mal beings were jiermitted to tabernacle for a sea- son among men! Whether the reader concurs in these views or not, it will be worth his while to mark care- • P. 238. t P. 490. i P. 519. § Life, p. 53. || P. 286. f P. 625. P. 834. tt V. i. p. 393. Numb. 22. U P. 857. P. 856. |!|| P. 705, 706. ft^ Seep. 9— 224. of the present volume, where it is printed with the enlargements and illustrations recently added. PKEFACE. xi fully, as he proceeds, all the remaining tractates, and discourses ; those, I mean, not already specifically noticed. The Essay on Meekness, for instance, is eminently characteristic of the author ; and it shows, that while the endeav ours of many writers seem to have been directed to the scorch- ing up of every vestige of Christian love from the earth, Mr. Henry sought diligently " to promote, and to chann men" into another temper; a frame of mind "conducive to the com- fort of human life, the honour of our holy religion, and the welfare and happiness of all societies, civil and sacred." * The Communicant's Companion has no rival. All who preceded our author in that charming work; such as Dyke, (the title of whose "Worthy Communicant" Jeremy Taylor seems to have adopted,) and Vines, and Doolittle, and Shower, to mention no others, appear immeasurably below him. The productions bf those good men, and they were all men of renown, had, it is willingly admitted, their individual excellences. Some of them, especially Mr. Dyke's Manual, (a book much prized by Philip Henry,t) and the Treatise on the Lord's Supper by Doolittle, (Mr. Henry's tutor,) were exceedingly popular. But the "Instructions for the right receiving of the Lord's Supper" J evince to the most careless examiner, such a striking superiority for all the pui-poses of Christian edification, as to forbid comparison. When there has been conceded to Dyke and Shower all the judicious- ness and good sense ; and to Vines all the learning and acuteness ; and to Doolittle all the earnestness and simplicity ; and to Bishop Taylor all the elaboration and splendour, — they can fairly claim ; there will be found in Mr. Henry's little book, such a combination of attractive properties, in union with a native sweetness of disposition, peculiarly elicited by his subject, as fiUly to justify the preference which so long, and so wisely, has been given to it by the rehgious public. The Catechisms, again, though in a state of comparative neglect, are treasures of divine truth. That " in the method of the Assembly's" has been styled by an excellent friend of mine, who ranks deservedly high as a preacher, and a scholai' — " the ablest summary of divinity in our language." § Nor are the other pieces of Mr. Henry, his " Method for Prayer," and his Sermons, (chiefly delivered, it will be obsen^ed, on special occasions,) entitled to less praise. Those of them, not to repeat such as have been mentioned, which are designated — " Directions for Daily Communion with God ;" the " Right Management of Friendly Visits ;" (| on " Family Rehgion ;" and " Disputes Reviewed" are deserving of peculiar attention ; and are sufficient, had their author written nothing else, to have embalmed his name through all succeeding generations. The admirable nature of the instructions he has there embodied ; the way in which true religion is exhibited — as a matter of principle, as a continual disci- pline of the heai't and the life ; and the skilful and impressive manner in which moral duties are connected with the Saviour, as their source, their incentive, and their medium, do the utmost credit to his understanding, his ability, and his zeal. In one word — the direct tendency of all his compositions, those which have been specifically named, and those which have been included under a more general reference, is unmixedly and unifoi-mly good. It is to render Christianity attractive; to divest it of those exorbitances and blemishes by which, during the lapse of ages, it has been dishonoured; it is to promote self-knowledge ; to draw men to the Redeemer; and to meeten believers for their inheritance. Thither he was himself perpetually looking. He does not, indeed, any where attempt a minute description of what " the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor the heart of man • P.268. +P. 14. J P. 331. $ MS. Letter. II See, as to this, Dr. Walls's Humble Attempt. Works, v. 4. p. 626. oct. xii PREFACE. conceived but he does discover such a famiharity with that better state, as to show " with what ease," like his beloved friend James Owen, he could " take leave of the world as one well pleased to think of being no more in it."* The comforts of grace, which Christians often experience, made him " long for heaven ;" f and the removal of other saints excited him, by faith, hope, and holy devotion, to " follow them to the things above ; on which as Christians," said he, " we are to set our affections." X It would be no irksome task to pursue these observations through all Mr. Henrj's writings, individually ; so as not only to maik their chronology, but by suitable excerpts to make the reader acquainted with their respective merits ; but after what has already ap- peared, § it seems an indispensable duty to refrain. The broader lines of our author's literary character and genius having, in the work just alluded to, been attempted ; with observations, Ukewise, upon his defects and peculiarities ; it will be well if many of the notices alieady submitted are not deemed needless ; or at all events an improper detention of the reader from the volume. Since, however, this Preface is perfectly gratuitous, originating in personal conviction, and contributed ^vith a view to the obtaining from the public, if possible, renewed attention to the valuable remains thus introduced, the service, it is hoped, will be readily borne with. And if what is commend- able and attractive in our author, should appear to have been principally dwelt upon, let it be remembered how much more pleasant it is to dilate upon excellences than imperfections ; upon that which is worthy of regard and imitation, than of censure and aversion. Nor must the remark be withheld, that Mr. Heiu'y's defects, as critically studied, will be found to be not only, what Drj-den has so well stated of some errors, " Uke stains flowing upon the sur- face," but so trivial, as — in comparison of positive and numberless beauties — to be unworthy of notice. His constant endeavour after perspicuity more than atones for some "poornesses of expression ;" and the " infiisions of sentiment," and " felicities of fancy," which every where abound, for inattention to critical exactness and laboured pohsh. Mr. Henrj' has fur- nished other employment than thinking upon words. J. BicKERTON Williams. T/ie Crescent, Shrewsbury, December 21, 182!>. • P. 746. t P. 412. X P. 757. § See the Life. vol. 1. p. 101, &c. THE LIFE OF THE REV. PHILIP HENRY, A. M. WITH FUNERAL SERMONS FOR MR. AND MRS. HENRY. BY THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY, V. D. M. Magnum et memorabile nomen. Virgil. example,— in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. St. Paul. CORRECTED AND ENLARGED, BY J. B. WILLIAMS, F. S. A. TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. In presenting to the public a new edition of the Life of that "wise, good, and truly wonderful man, Mr. Philip Henry,"* the editor cannot forbear to state, that early and established prepossessions have powerfully concurred in its production. The published work has been long distinguished by special approbation. Sir James Stonhouse designated it his " favourite piece of biography. "f Dr. Doddridge " often spoke of it as affording him much instruction and encouragement."]: By another writer it is represented, as " one of the most in- structive and interesting pieces of religious bio- graphy ever written."^ Mr. Chalmers pointedly notices " the piety. Christian moderation, and good sense, which pervade the whole. "1| And, by a late revered friend. Dr. Edward Williams, it is ap- propriately characterized, " a beautiful delineation of primitive Christianity, and the power of godli- ness, where social religion and personal holiness are drawn to the life, and eminently manifested ; where, in a word, the doctrine of the life of God in the soul of man, derives a striking proof, and a venerable sanction. "IT Judicious friends have repeatedly suggested to the writer, that existing manuscripts might be so * Life or the Rev. T. Rosewell, p. 20. Oct. 1718. t Letters from the Rev. Job Orton, and the Rev. Sir James Stoii. house, Bart. M. D. to the Rev. Thomas Stedman, M. A. Vicar of St. Chad's, Shrewsbury, ed. 1805. vol. 2. p. 300; and see also, vol. 1. p. 171, note. t Life, by Orton, p. 63. oct. 1766. b 2 selected, and incorporated with the work, as still to increase the estimation of this edifying volume, and have urged him to undertake the service. The materials in his possession, and within his reach, frequently disposed him to comply. Of late, vari- ous occurrences have served to engage his atten- tion to it more fixedly, and the supply of numerous relics afforded a stimulus to the undertaking. The whole seemed to form a deposit so favourable to the object, that, if attendant difficulties were not insurmountable, the obligation to publish was ren- dered imperative. Indeed, had the task been declined, might not the editor have incurred an imputation of selfishness, for improperly hoarding treasure so calculated for general usefulness ? These and other considera- tions determined him to commence the work, and to proceed with it as quickly as constant profes- sional engagements would allow. In the " Entire Collection of Mr. Matthew Henry's Writings,"** the Life of his Father was inserted. With this exception, the editor is not aware of any genuine edition, since the third, which was published in 1712 ; improved by the autlior's final } Eclectic Review, N. S. vol.7, p. 273. II Gen. Biog. Diet. vol. 17. p. 361. by Alexander Chalmers, F. S. A. ^ Preface to Morrice's Social Religion Exemplified, p. xv. ed. 1786. ** In seven volumes, 4to, 1811. edited by the Rev. George Bnrder, and the Rev. Joseph Hughes, A. M. PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. corrections,* and the addition of a sermon, preach- ed by himself, on the death of his honoured mother. A new and valuable, but abridged, republication appeared in 1765, under the superintendence of the Res-. Job Orton. The copy which he used on that occasion, t with the alterations in his own hand, being in the possession of Mr. Stedman, through his kindness an opportunity was afforded to the present editor, of noticing the great extent of the variations. It was dedicated, — '' To the Descendants and other Relations of Mr. Philip Henry ;" and in the opinion there expressed most readers will concur. " I esteem it," says Mr. Orton, " one of the chief ex- cellences of this book, that it is, as the author hints in his Preface, the history of a person who mani- fested such an eminence of piety, prudence, humili- ty, zeal, and moderation, as would have adorned the highest station, and is scarcely to be equalled. He is, therefore, a suitable and bright example to persons of every rank, as well as an admirable model for the ministers of the gospel." X Of the second edition, § of the original work, a re-impression has lately been given by a dignitary of the established church, || Dr. Wordsworth ; who, in his Preface, has observed, that " if he could any where have found nonconformity united with more Christian graces than in Philip Henry," the ex- ample should have obtained its station in the work. Various other editions, both Scotch and English, more or less inaccurate, might be enumerated, but the supply can furnish no reason for withholding one more correct and enlarged. • 1711.12, January 22. I be^an lo read over my father's Life, to correct it for the press. Rev. Matthew Henry's Diary, Orig. MS. » The first edition, 1608. i Dedication, pp. iv. ». Site ^Ir. Griffin's SermoDon "The Decline of Religioo," Oct. 1812. p. 68. Mr. Henry's Life is there urgently recommended to ministers. I Printed in 1699. I See Ecclesia-stical Bio^phy ; or Lives of Eminent Men connected with the History of Religion in England, by Christopher Wordsworth, M. A. Dean and Rector of Bockiog, now D. V. and Master of Trinity College, Carobnd,'e,) in C voh. rtioo, — " It abounds somewhat too largely in certain ijuaintnesses of expression introduced into religious subjects, and affected by the puritanical divines." Eccl. Biog v. 6. p. 109, ut rupra. If it be here intended to insinuate, that quaintness of expression was peculiar to the puritans, a query at once presents itself as to Bishops Latimer, and .\ndrew«, and Fell, the poet Herbert, and other eminent episcopalians. See pott, p 214. Were they puritanical divines? And was Sir Edward Coke of the same fraternity ! Mr. Justice Blackstone says, " The great oracle was rio< a little infected with quaintnesa " Comment, v. I. Introd. } 3. p. 71. 15th ed. The trnlh is, that, in those times, to adopt a remark PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. editor, through impartiality, or for other reasons, has been led to introduce passages too unimport- ant for publicity. He hopes, however, to stand acquitted, at all events, by those who regard his end ; and that, on perusal, the book will display somewhat of watchful caution for the avoidance of such an error. He does not expect, indeed, that all will approve either the plan adopted or the selections furnished. It would be diflicult, perhaps impossible, to arrange, or extract from, a mass of theological efl'usions, like Mr. Henry's, so as to give uAioersal satisfaction. Nothing is made pub- lic, it is hoped, which can justly be deemed offen- sive to a discriminating judgment, inconsistent with a due regard * to the venerated writer, or pre- judicial to the interests of that charity for which he was so deservedly famed. To suppress what appeared fitted more fully to develop Mr. Henry's character, was deemed im- proper. And more especially so, as it was con- sidered, that to give prominence to his sentiments on a variety of topics, would render more exemplary and more instructive his moderation and candour; virtues which, drawn into exercise by difference of judgment, impart gracefulness to the determin- ations of a well-regulated mind, give weight to argument, and attraction to Christianity. Excerpts of a nature so devout and so practical as those ordinarily introduced, appear, it is thought, with advantage in connexion with the events of their writer's life. They illustrate and enforce each other. Letters, particularly when fraught with evangelic sentiment, and adapted for general uXWiXy, are usually much esteemed, and for biographical purposes are invaluable. Epistolz viUm ipsam horoioiii repneaenUnt. — Erasmcs. Letters, therefore, constitute a large proportion of the additions. For the sake of more convenient arrangement, these, with some other enlargements, have been interwoven with the original text, but, for easier distinction, are separated by brackets. Many of the papers, thus exhibited, being scat- tered when the Life was originally written, were nude by Mr. Nichols in his preface to the improved edition of Fuller's Worthies of England,— " Quaintness was the characteristic of almost e»ery writer of emioence." probably unknown to Mr. Henry's biographer. Various causes, t too, which might at that time have rendered omissions prudent, have now ceased to exist. We are happily removed to a distance from the irritations peculiar to that afflicted era ; — a kindly feeling of brotherly love, between Chris- tians of different parties, has gradually been dif- fused ; — tlie rights of conscience are more widely recognised, and better understood, and an agree- ment to differ is acknowledged practically, as well as in theory, to suit human affairs better than the prejudices of ignorance, the penalties of legis- lative enactments, or the dogmas of assumed infal- libility. The work, abounding with allusions, required references to other compositions, and, frequently, extracts from them. The reader will perceive, that an effort has been made to supply illustrations, wherever practicable, from manuscripts hitherto unpublished ; and that brevity has been studied throughout. A Scriptural phraseology characterizes the papers of Mr. Henry, and the Life now reprinted. In some instances only, has it been thought advis- able distinctly to solicit the reader's attention to such borrowed passages. To have done so in all cases was unnecessary, and would have been tedious. There being only one note to the original work, (see p. 18.) it was thought needless to apply any mark of distinction to the annotations now intro- duced. The references, occurring in the first edition of the Funeral Sermon for Mrs. Henry, were placed in the margin. The same course, for distinctness sake, is followed on the present occasion. If a desire of accuracy have occasionally led to an exactness apparently trivial, the error may be classed among the few which arc harmless, if not beneficial. Most of the authors quoted were contemporary with Mr. Henry, or immediately precedent. Some are of a date still more ancient. This arose partly from necessity, and in part from choice. The editor, * See Mr. Scott's Comineutary, Deut. xxxi-;. Practical Observations, -f See pott, p. 223. PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. while lie admires modern elegancy, believes, with an antiquated poet, that, — " Out of tlie olde feldes, as men saieth, Cometh all tliis newe corn, fro yere to yere; And out of olde bookes, io good fateth, Cometli all tliis oewe scieoce that men lere."* He is convinced also, that many of the writings thus noticed, notwithstanding their style, and in- dependently of the clue they furnish to Mr. Henry's studies, are of peculiar value. t This, he acknow- ledges, has sometimes influenced him in these citations, — that the reader may be induced to study such compositions more at large. Thej' commonly receive, it is admitted, a quaint designation, — " Old Dyujnes," * — as if, by inculcating a cere- monious reverence, to obstruct intimacy ; — but familiarity, instead of producing its ordinary effects, will excite attachment, and perpetuate esteem. ^ Inquire of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers. For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow. It is not, however, intended that the passages so given, or referred to, should be regarded as a selection, either complete, or preclusive. Quota- tions from the Fathers, not to mention almost innumerable later theologians, and others, unno- ticed in the following pages, would have furnished notes, perhaps, equally apt and useful. But the design was to avoid diffusiveness, and, by a refer- ence to publications of comparatively easj' access, to meet general convenience. The diligent admirer of antiquity || will easily trace, in the more remote " lights of the church," not a few of the sentiments and phrases here used, together with many illus- trative parallels, which, for the reasons before mentioned, have been omitted. Nor do the opinions, thus expressed, result from • Learo. Chaucer's Parliament of Birds, verse 22. + See a Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Pro. fessed CliristiaD^, by William Wilherforce, Esq. M. P. cbap. ri. pp. 379, 3a3. Oct. 1797. t The Dore of Holy Scripture, 1S40. oct. Ames and Herbert's Typographical Antiquities by the Rev. T. F. Dibdin, vol. 3 p. 410. \ \Vhen a young man, a little too forward, had, in presence of many, said, that he could conceive no reason, io the reading of the old au- thors, why men should so greatly admire them ; — " No marvel, in- deed, (quoth Master Fox,) for, if you could conceive the reason, you would then admire them yourself." Life of Fox, prefixed to the Mar- ty rology, vol 1 fol. I9W. such love to the olden time as is implied in the perverse dotings of indiscriminate veneration ; nor yet in " a critical desire," as Dr. Johnson expresses it, " to find the faults of the modems, and the beauties of the ancients." iSon vetera extoUimus recentium incuriosi. Such opinions can- not, therefore, be justly considered as disparaging to later compositions, particularly those, and they are various, whose prominent features display " profound scholarship, disciplined and vigorous reason, masculine eloquence, and genius-breathing enchantment."** Productions so exquisitely or- nate render comparisons invidious, and would aggravate detraction. The editor, because of their illustrious cminency, and without seeking to lessen their deserved influence, aims only to dissuade those who " seek and intermeddle with wisdom," from such a regard, as, from its exclusiveness, might prove injurious. Not only will the neglect of much " fruitful erudition " be thus effectually prevented, but, in the assiduous use of means so excellent, a kindly impulse will be given to the whole process of edification ; — " For, thoujh old wrytynges apere to be rude ; Yet, notwithstandynge, they do include The pylhe of a matter most fructuously." t+ It furnishes an opportunity for congratulation, too congenial to be omitted, that, at a time when the capabilities of the English tongue, for elegant combination, have been so signally manifested, and so many invaluable productions have raised our national literature to an unprecedented elevation, sufficient encouragement should have been afforded to the enterprising spirit of typography, not only to reprint the remains of many early Reformers, and other Protestant Divines, but to give to the volumi- nous labours of .\rchbishop Leighton ; Bishops Hall. Hopkins, Taylor, and Beveridge ; Doctors Light- 1 Blessed be God, for the monuments of antiqaity, and the primitive church. Matthew Henry. Orig. MS. •• See Caryl on Job, r. i. p. 705. fol. 1676. And, Baxtcr*s PracticaJ Works, vol. V. p. 586. ocL ed. Essay on Popular I;piorance, by John Foster, p. 89. 2d edit. See Dr. Parr's Spital Sermon, pp. 63, 64. 4to, 1901. Some curious remarks upon " bokes,"' and their " stile," occur in " Nicholas Udall's Preface tl, p. 1 20. ** Some remarks on this subject, with more particular reference to the latest revelations of Jesus, introduce Bishop Heber's Lectures on the Personality and Office of the Christian Comforter, pp. 1—4. PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. xxiii was the instructive exhortation. The accents, now that the spirit has long fled to celestial occupations, seem to linger upon the fancy ; the last flashings of the fire ethereal are yet seen through the lengthened distance, and each word, at all times valuable, becomes, by no violent metamorphosis, a pearl indeed, — deriving an additional lustre from the deepened shadowings of the " vale of death," the use of succeeding generations, and the hope of that untold felicity, which will consist in their fullest exemplification, and ever-brightening splendour. The disregard, or non-improvement, of an event so momentous as the soul's transition to unknown regions, involves deplorable indilTerence, if not stupidity, comparable only to that of the Egyptian monarch, or the very auditors of Zeehariah : con- cerning the latter of whom, it is affirmed, to their perpetual reproach, that they made their hearts as an adamant stone. It should always be remembered, that death, in the case of every human being, is so inevitably certain, as to render, when the appointed season shall arrive, every plea, whether for exemp- tion or postponement, fruitless. No man hath power in the day of death : there is no discharge in that war. And an apostle, as if to force onward the thoughts with an impetuous ardour, urges the solemn warning, — We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. When man's probationary existence, its termi- nation, and the altered, but endless mode of being which then commences, are thus contemplated, not only is biography suitably improved, but the pro- clamation, that — time shall he no longer — once to be heard from the apocalyptic angel, — will fill the mind, and chase to a distance, with irresistible authority, all terrestrial attractions. Visions of eternity, succeeding in awful progression, and un- definable grandeur, obliterate those " characters of divinity which men set upon absurdities, and errors ;" * stveep aivay, as with hail, every refuge of lies, and exalt the religion of the Bible to her rightful pre-eminence. The glorified Saviour, as a prevailing intercessor,^ — as the vanquisher of un- * See Locke's Essay concerning Human Understanding, cli. iii. } 26. + See tlie Life, post. p. 127. The names of the ancient fathers should be very precious with us, and the remains of tlieir lives and labours; the first Reformers in our own land, in otlier lands; the good old puritans; those ministers and Christians who have been eminent iu seen foes, — as still effecting the work of " redeem- ing mediation," is beheld in the bright eflulgcnce of uncreated divinity, and is invested, as the Lamb that was slain, with loveliness inexpressibly cap- tivating. Employed in such meditations, the Christian participates in the grateful admiration and vehement aspirings of Stephen, when, full of the Holy Ghost, he saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God ; and, mingling astonishment with triumph, uttered the memorable invocation, — Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! These views of the subject, while they prevent our wonder at the multiplicity of Scripture narra- tives, and account satisfactorily for the interest Mr. Henry took " in the lives, actions, and sayings of eminent men,"-(- discover also to the reflective and pious mind their legitimate effect. Nor can it escape notice, that the chiefest of the apostles, when closing the early records of faith, has consolidated, in one unexampled address, and as a deduction from the whole, sentiments the most noble and sublime :■ — Seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us ; and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith ; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Let it never be forgotten, that admiration, how- ever glowing, bestowed upon the affecting structure of a passage, like that just cited, can avail, for practical purposes, either personal, or in reference to the community, only as the metaphorical allu- sions, which it embodies, are duly regarded. But let that regard be once prevalent ; let the eye be intently fixed upon high examples, and not upon those who rank, at best, only as inferiors in the school of Christ; let the attention be, especially, directed to the Great Exemplar himself ; and effects, .fruitful and all-pervading, will invariably follow. Then will be given to base companionship the hap- our own country. We should not despise the way of onr f.itliers, but be ashamed to think how short we come of tliera. We must regard their testimony; and, as far as it agrees with the word of God, put a great value upon it. We must follow them as far as they followed Christ. Matthew Henry. Orig. MS. And see post. p. 188. PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. piest overthrow ; then will calumniated piety be upheld by unanswerable vindications ; religious attainments will be advanced to an enviable matu- rity ; and, while individual happiness, and the prosperitj^ of the " holy church " universal, are efficiently promoted, glory in the hiyliest, ever justly due, will be secured to the only living and true God. John Bickerton Williams. Swan Hill, Shrewshury, February 12, 1825. THE LIFE OF THE REV. PHILIP HENRY, A.M. WITH FUNERAL SERMONS FOR MR. AND MRS. HENRY. BY THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY, V. D. M. Magnum et memorabile nomen. Vibgil. An example,— in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. St. Paul. CORRECTED AND ENLARGED, BY J. B. WILLIAMS, F. S. A. TO HIS MUCH HONOURED FRIEND SIR HENRY ASHURST, BARONET. Sir, The ministers of the gospel are, in the Scriptui'e language, stars in the right hand of Christ, to signify their diffusive hght and beneficial influences. As in the futuie state of the resur- rection, some stars shall differ from others in glory, so in the present state of the regeneration, some ministers are distinguished from others by a brighter eminence in their endowments, and a more powerfid emanation of hght in their preaching. Of this select number was Mr. Philip Henry, in whom there was a union of those real excellences of parts, learning,* and divine graces, that signalized him among his brethren. This does evidently appear in the narrative of his life, chawn by one very fit to do it; — as having had entire knowledge of him, by long and intimate conversation ; and having, by his holy instructions, and the impression of his example, been made partaker of the same sanctifying Spirit. The describing the ex- ternal actions of saints, without observing the holy principles and affections from whence they derived their hfe and purity, is a defective and inegular representation of them. It is as if an accoimt were given of the riches and fecundity of the earth, from the flowers and fruits that grow upon it, without considering the mines of precious metals contained in its bosom. Now, only an inward Christian, that has felt the power of reUgion in his heart, can, from the reflec- tion upon himself, and his uncounterfeit experience, discover the operations of grace in the breasts of others. Mr. Henry was dedicated to the service of Christ by his mother in his tender age. His first love and desires, when he was capable to make a judicious choice, were set upon God. He entered eai'ly into the ministry, and consecrated all the powers of his soul, understanding, memory, will, and affections, with his time and strength, to the service of Christ. And such was the grace and favoiu of God to him, that he lost no days in his flourishing age, by satis- fying the voluptuous appetites ; nor in his dechning age by diseases and infirmities, but in- cessantly apphed himself to his spiritual work. He was called to a private place in Wales, but his shining worth could not be shaded in a comer. A confluence of people from other parts attended on his ministry. Indeed, the word of truth that dies in the mouths of the cold and careless, (for they are not all saints that serve in the sanctuary,) had life and spirit in his preaching ; for it proceeded from a heart burning with zeal for the honour of Christ and sal- vation of souls. Accordingly he siuted his discourses to the wise and the weak ; and imitated the prophet who conti'acted his stature to the dead body of the widow's son, applying his mouth to the mouth of the child, to inspire the breath of hfe into him. The poor and de- spised were instructed by him with the same compassionate love and diligence as the rich, notwithstanding the civil distinction of persons which will shortly vanish for ever ; for he considered their soids were of the same precious and immortal value. In the administration of the Lord's Supper, he expressed the just temperament of sweetness and severity. With melting compassion he invited all relenting and returning sinners to come to Christ, and re- ceive their pardon sealed with liis blood. But he was so jealous of the honour of Christ, that he deterred, by the most fearful consequences, the rebellious that indulged their lusts, from * Every one knows Mr. Philip Henry was an excellent scholar ; he was certainly possessed of a rich treasure of all polite and useful learning, both in languages and in the sciences. Life of the Rev. Matthew Henry, by W. Tong, oct. 1716. p. 24. B 2 4 DEDICATION TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. coming to partake of the feast of the imspotted Lamb. He was not allured by temporal advantage, which is the mark of a mercenar}', to leave the first place where, by the divine disposal, he was seated. tXlien the fatal Bartholomew-day came, though he had fair hopes of preferment, by his attendance upon the Bang and Duke of York in their early age, — of which the remembrance might have been revived, — yet he was guided by a superior spirit, and imitated the self-denial of !Moses, (a duty little imderstood, and less practised bv the earthly-minded.) rather choosing to siifer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the good things of this world. As the light of heaven, when the air is stormy and distm-bed, does not lose the rectitude of its rays ; so his enlightened conscience did not bend in compliance witli the terms of confoimity, but he obeyed its sincere judgment. After liis being expelled from the place of his public ministrj', his deportment was becom- ing a son of peace. He refused not communion with the Church of England in the ordinances of the gospel, so far as his conscience pennitted. Yet he could not desert the duty of his office, to which he was, with sacred solemnity, set apart. He was faithful to improve oppor- tunities for sen ing the interest of souls, notwithstanding the severities inflicted on him. And after the restoring om* freedom of preaching, he continued in the performance of his dehghtful work till death put a period to his labours. After tliis account of him as a minister of Christ, I will glance upon his character as a Christian. His conversation was so holy and regular, so free fi-om taint, that he was imac- cusable by his enemies. They could only object his nonconformity as a crime ; — but his vigilant and tender conscience discovered the sj)ots of sin in himself, which so affected his soul, that he desired repentance might accompany him to the gate of heaven. An excellent testimony of humility, the inseparable character of a saint. His lo-ve to God was supreme, which was declared by his chosen horn's of commimion ^ith him every day. The imion of affections is natmally productive of union in conversation. Accordingly, oru Saviom- pro- mises ; — He that loveth me shall he loved of my Father ; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. And he repeats the promise ; — If a man love me he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our ahode with him. To his spe- cial and singular love to God, was joined an imiversal love to men. He did good to aU according to his abihty. His forgiv ing of injuries, that rare and difficult duty, was eminently conspicuous in the sharpest provocations. When he could not excuse the offence, he would pardon the offender, and strive to imitate the perfect model of chaiity exprest in om suffering Saviom" ; who in the exfremity of his sufferings, when resentments are most quick and sensi- ble, prayed for his cruel persecutors. His filial trust in God was correspondent to God's fatherly providence to him. This was his support in times of trial, and maintained an equal temper in his mind, and tenor in his conversation. In short, he led a life of evangehcal perfection, most worthy to be honourably preserved in the memory of future times. The fol- lov\ing narrative of it, if read with an obsening eye, how instructive and affecting will it be to ministers, and apt to transform them into his likeness ! Thus, Sir, I have given a short view of the hfe of that man for whom you had such a liigh veneration and dear love. It argues a clearer .spirit, and a diviner temper, than is usual in persons of conspicuous quahty, when holiness is so despicably mean in the esteem of carnal men, to value it above all titles and treasures, and the perishing pride of this world. I am persuaded it wiU be very pleasing to you, that yoiu- name, and excellent IVlr. Henry's, are joined in the same papers. I am, Sir, Your very humble and faithful servant, William BiiXES. * • The Rev. W. Bates, D. D. died July 14, 1609, aet. 74. See the Biog. Brit. v. 1. p. 687. A PREFACE TO THE READER. That which we aim at in this undertaking, and which we would set before us at our entrance upon it, is, not so much to embalm the memory of this good man, though that also is blessed, as to exhibit to the world a pattern of that primitive Christianity, which all that knew liim well observed to be exemphfied in him Avhile he hved ; and when they saw the end of his conversation, as it were with one consent, desu'cd a public and lasting accomit of, or rather demanded it, as a just debt owing to the world, by those into whose hands his papers came, as judging such an accoimt likely to conduce much to the glory of God's grace, and to the edification of many, especially of those that were acquainted with him. He was one whom the Divine Providence did not call out, as neither did his own inclination lead him, to any very pubhc scene of action. He was none of the forward men of the age, that made themselves talked of The world scarce knew that there was such a man in it. But in his low and narrow sphere he was a burning and shining light; and therefore we think his pious example is the more adapted to general use, especially, consisting not in the ecstasies and raptures of zeal and devotion, — which are looked iipon rather as admirable than imitable ; — but in the long series of an even, regular, prudent, and well ordered conversation, which he had in the world, and in the ordinary business of it, with simplicity and godly sincerity ; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God. It hath been said, that quiet and peaceable reigns, though they are the best to live in, yet they are the worst to wiite of, as yielding least variety of matter foi; the historian's pen to work upon ; — but a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, being the sum and substance of practical Chribtianity, the recommend- ing of the example of such a life, in the common and familiar instances of it, together with the kind and gracious providences of God attending it, may be, if not as diverting to the curious, yet everj' whit as useful and instructive to the pious, readers. If any suggest that the design of this attempt is to credit and advance a party, let them know that Mr. Henry was a man of no party, but true catholic Christianity, not debauched by bigotry, nor leavened by any private opinions or interests, was his very temper and genius. According to the excellent and royal laws of this holy religion, his life was led with a strict and conscientious adherence to truth and equity ; a great tenderness and inoffensiveness to all mankind ; and a mighty tincture of sincere piety and devotedness to God. And according to those sacred rales, we shall endeavour, in justice to him, as well as to oiu- reader, to represent him in the foUomng account ; and if any thing should drop from our pen, which might justly give offence to any, which we promise industriously to avoid, we desire it may be looked upon as a false stroke ; and, so far, not truly representing him, who was so blameless, and harmless, and without rebuke. Much of our materials for this stractmre we have out of his OAvn papers, especially his diary, for by them his pictin-e may be drawn nearest to the life, and from thence we may take the truest idea of him, and of the spirit he was of Those notes being intended for his own pri- vate use in the review, and never commimicated to any person whatsoever ; and appearing 6 PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. here as they ought to do, in their owb native dress,* the candid reader will excuse it, if some- times the expressions should seem abrupt ; they are the genuine, miforeed, and imstudied breathings of a gracious soul, and we hope AviU be rather the more acceptable to those who, through grace, are conscious to themselves of the same devout and pious motions. For, as in waier face answers to face, so doth one sanctified and renewed soul to another; and as Mr. Baxter observes, in his Preface to Mr. Clark's Lives, f — " God's graces are much the same in all his holy ones ; and therefore we must not think that such instances as these are extraor- dinary rarities ; but God hath in wonderful mercy raised up many, by whose graces even this earth is pcrfiuned and enlightened." But, if one star be allowed to differ from another star in ghry, perhaps our reader will say, when he hath gone through the following account, that IVIr. Henrj- may be ranked among those of the first magnitude. * Tang's Life of the Rev. Matthew Henrj , p. 3. ut supra. t The Lives of Sundrj- Eminent Persons in this latter Age ; in Two Parts ; Part I. of Divines ; Part II. Of Nobility and Gentry of both Sexes. By Samuel Clark. Fol. 1683. POSTSCRIPT. This Account of the Life and Death of my honoured father, was first pubHshed the year after he died ; and in a httle time, there was a second impression of it, in which many con- siderable errors of the first were amended. It having now been long out of print, and often inquired for, this third edition comes abroad at the request of many who have found this por- traiture of a Nathaniel, an Israelite indeed, — a genuine son of faithful Jacob, — that plain man dwelling in tents, — very serviceable to themselves and others, both for direction, quickening, and encouragement in the ways of God and godliness ; for even this way, as well as in conver- sation,— as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Frequent mention being made in the book of the comfort he had in all the branches of his family, whom, with satisfaction, he saw planted in families of their own, it may not be amiss here to mention the changes which the Divine Providence made among them, soon after the Lord had taken away our master from our head, who was a daily intercessor for us. In the year 1697, the year after my father died, two of his four daughters died, in Chester, of a malignant fever, within three weeks one of another : two excellent Christians ; and one of them, by some papers of her writing found after her death, appearing to have had such an experimental acquaintance ^ath the principles, powers, and pleasiu-es, of the spiritual and divine life, as few Christians, that have more than doubled her years, attain to. In the year 1699, two of his four sons-in-law* died, likewise, in Chester, within four or five months one of another ; both of them useful good men in their places, and blessings to their families. One of them was Dr. John Tylston, a physician, — like St. Luke, — a beloved physi- cian ; some time of Trinity College, in Oxford. Though he died at thirty-five years of age, he was for several years very eminent, and of great repute, in his profession. He was a luii- versal scholar, had abimdance of knowledge, and used it aright; and was a very devout, serious, conscientious Christian, and one that made it his business to do good. Many excel- lent papers he also left behind him, full fraught with proofs both of his learning and piety. He was greatly and generally lamented ; and his memory is, and will be, very precious in this city. Having this occasion, I cannot forbear, even at this distance of time, dropping some tears afi-esh over his dust, thus publicly ; for he was to me as my own soul ; and upon every remembrance of him, I must still say, as I did then, what David said of Jonathan, — 1 am distressed for thee, my brother ; very pleasant hast thou been unto me. • The one, Dr. John Tylston, died April 8, 1699. See his life in the Investigator, v. 2. p. 254, &c. The other, Mr. Samuel Radford, died August 20, 1699. See an interesting record of this event by Mrs. Savage, in the Memoirs of her Life and Character, p. 22, &c. Also Tong's Life of the Rev. Matthew Henry, p. 149. «t supra. 8 POSTSCRIPT. It pleased God gi-aciously to prolong the life of my dear and honom-ed mother* almost eleven years after my father, very much to the comfort of all her relations : she continued, to the last, at her house at Broad Oak, where she was bom, a great example of wisdom, piety, and usefulness, and abounding in good works. I think I may say, in her sphere and capacity she was not inferior to what my father was in his. She was very happy in a constant calm- ness and serenity of mind, not easily disturbed ; which, as it was a singiUar gift of the divine grace, and an instance of her wisdom, so it contributed very much to her close and comfort- . able walking with God, and her doing good. She lived and died rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and in a pleasing expectation of the glory to be revealed. Dr. Benyonf preached her fune- ral seiinon in the meeting-place at Broad Oak, not a year before I preached his at Shrewsbury, on Hebrews vi. 12. — Be ye followers of them, who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. The first sermon I preached at Broad Oak after that sad occasion, I wrote over at large afterwards, designing it for the benefit, not only of her children, but of her grand-chil- dren, of whom she had twenty-three following her to the grave. They have had it in manu- script among tliem, and now, in compliance with the desire of many of my friends, I have here added it to this edition of my father's Life ; and it is all I have thought fit to add to it. I confess, I am not solicitous, as some perhaps may think I should be, to make an excuse, and to ask pardon for troubling the world with the little affairs of my poor famil}', and with the indulgences of my natmal affection to it. I design nothing in it but, if it may be, by the grace of God, to do good to plain people like myself. Matthew Henry. Chester, Februaiy 27, 1711-12. * Appendix, No. I. t Tutor of an Academy at Whixall, in Shropshire, afterwards at Shrevi^sbury. He was bom June 14, 1673 ; and died March 4, 1707-8. aet. 35. ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND DEATH OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. CHAPTER I. ME. PHILIP HESRrS BIRTH, PARENTAGE, EARIY PIETY, AND EDUCATION AT SCHOOL. He was born at Whitehall, in Westminster, on Wednesday, August 24, 1631, being Bartholomew Day. I find, usually, in his Diarj', some pious re- mark or other upon the annual return of his birth- day. As in one year he notes, that the Scripture mentions but two who observed their birth-day with feasting and joy, and they were neitlier of them copies to be written after: \iz. Pharaoh, Gen. xl. 20. and Herod, Matt. xiv. C— But, saith he, I rather observe it as a day of mourning and humiliation, because shapen in iniquity, and conceived in sin. And when he had completed the thirtieth year of his age, he noted this, — So old, and no older, Alexan- der' was, when he had conquered the great world, but, saith he, I have not yet subdued the little world, myself. At Ixis thirty-third year he hath this hum- ble reflection, — A long time lived to small purpose. What shall I do to redeem it ? And, at another, — I may mourn, as Caesar'' did, when he reflected upon Alexander's early achievements, that others, younger than I am, have done much more than I have done for God, the God of mij life. And, to mention no more, when he had lived forty-two years, he thus writes, — I would be loth to live it over again, lest, instead of making it better, I should make it worse ; and besides, every year and day spent on earth is lost in heaven. This last note minds me a Plutarch's Lives, v. 4. p. 2-23. ed. 1792, oct. b Julius Caesar. Plut. v. 4. pp. 337, B8th. My dear father, Mr. John Henry, died at his bouse in Whitehall. A very great affliction both to myself and sisters, especially the two little ones. The Lord provide for us! He was born July 20, 1-590. P. Henry. Diary, Orig. MS. o See a Mem. of the reign of K. Ch. 1. by Sir P. Warwick, p. 379, and Sir Tho. Herbert's Memoir, p. 163. p The Rev. W. Perkins died A. D. 1602, aged »14. Clarke's good knowledge of the Lord betimes. I have heard him speak of his learning Mr. Perkins'sP Six Princi- ples,'' when he was verj- young; and he often men- tioned, with thankfulness to God, his great happi- ness in having such a mother, who was to him as Lois and Eunice were to Timothj% acquainting him with the Scriptures from his childhood ; and, there appearing in him early inclinations both to learning and piety, she devoted him in his tender jears to the ser\ice of God, in the work of the ministry. She died of a consumption, March 6, 1645, leaving be- hind her only this son and five daughters. A little before she died, she had this sapng, " My head is in heaven, and my heart is in heaven ; it is but one step more, and I shall be there too." His susceptors in baptism were, Philip ' Earl of Pembroke, (who gave him his name, and was kind to him as long as he lived, as was also his son Philip after him,) James^ Earl of Carlisle, and the Countess of Salisbuiy.' Prince Charles"and the Duke of York being somewhat near of an age to him, he was in his child- hood very much an attendant on them in their play, and they were often with him at his father's house, and the)' were wont to tell him what preferment he should have at court, as soon as he was fit for it. He kept a book to his dying day, which the Duke of York gave him ; and I have heard him bewail the loss of two curious pictures, which he gave him like- wise. Archbishop Laud' took a particular kind- ness to him when he was a child, because he would be verj' officious to attend at the water-gate, (which was part of his father's charge in Whitehall,) to let the Archbishop through when he came late from Council, to cross the water to Lambeth. [And when the Archbishop was a prisoner in the Tower, his father took him with him to see him, and he would remember that the Archbishop gave him some new money.*] These circumstances of his childhood he would .sometimes speak of among his friends, not as glory- ing in them, but taking occasion from thence to bless God for his deliverance from the snares of the court, in the midst of which it is so very hard to maintain Marrow of Eccl. Hist. p. 8-50. 4to. 1654. It was the motto of the learned and godly divine, Mr. Perkins, Fidei tila rera nVa;— the true life is the life of faith; a word which that worthy servant of God did both write and live. Bishop Hall. Works, vol. viii. p. 30. oct. ed. q See Mr. Perkins's Works, vol. i. p. 1. fol. 1608. r See Dunton's Life and Errors, v. l. p. .344. ed. 1818. He died Dec. II, I6fir>. Collins's Peerage, v. 3. p. 140, &c. ul svpra. s Died without issue in leco, on which his titles became ex- tinct. Collins's Peerage, v. 7. p. 205. ul svpra. t Lady Catharine Howard, youngest daughter of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk. She was married to William, the second Earl of Salis- bury, Dec. I. 1608. Collins's Peerage, v. 2. p. 490. idsnpra. u Afterwards King Charles II. V He was born A. D. 1573, and beheaded Jan. 10. 1644-5. Hist, of his Troubles, Trial, Diary, &c. 2 vols. fol. 169.5. w Life. Orig. MS. *t tvpra. THE LIFE OF MR. a good conscience and the power of religion, that it hath been said, though, blessed be God, it is not a rule without exception, Exeat ex aula qui velit esse pius. ' The breaking up and scattering of the court, by the calamities of 1641, as it dashed the expecta- tions of his court preferments, so it prevented the danger of court entanglements. And, though it was not, like Moses's, a choice of his own, when come to years, to quit the court ; yet when he was come to years, he always expressed a great satisfaction in his removal from it, and blessed God, who chose his inheritance so much better for him. Yet it may not be improper to observe here, what was obvious, as well as amiable, to all who convers- ed with him ; viz. that he had the most sweet and obliging air of courtesy and civility that could be ; which some attinbuted in part to his early education at court. His mien and carriage were always so very decent and respectful, tliat it could not but win the hearts of all he had to do with. Never was any man further from that rudeness and moroseness which some scholars, and too many that profess religion, either wilfully affect, or carelessly allow themselves in, sometimes to the reproach of their profession. It is one of the laws of our holy religion, exemplified in the conversation of this good man, to honoiir all men. Sanctified civility is a great ornament to Christianity. It was a saying he often used, — Reli- gion doth not destroy good manners ; [it destroys not civility but sanctifies it;^] and yet he was very- far from any thing of vanity in apparel, or formality of compliment in address ; but his conversation was all natural and easy to himself and others, and no- thing appeared in him, which even a severe critic could justly call afl'ectcd. This temper of his tended very much to the adorning of the doctrine of God our Saviour ; and the general transcript of such an excellent copy, would do much towards the healing of those wounds which religion hath received, in the house of her friends, by the contrary. But to return to his story. — The first Latin school he went, to was at St. Martin's church, under the teaching of one Mr. Bonner. ' Afterwards he was removed to Batter- sey, ' where one Mr. Wells was his schoolmaster. The grateful mention which in some of his papers he makes of these that were the guides and insti'uc- tors of his childhood and youth, brings to mind that French proverb to this purpose, " To father, teacher, and God all-sufficient, none can render equivalent." X Lucretius. y P. Henry. Orig. MS. z Who was very loving to me, and took pains with me. P.Henry. Orig. MS. a Where I tabled at one Mr. Heyborn's by the water-side, and went to school to one Mr. Wells. P. Henry. Orig. MS. b Died April 6, 1695, aet. 89. See Chalmers's Biog. Diet. v. 7. p. 436, &c. And Mattaire's Ep. at the end of the Preface in Vit. Joh. Barwick, S. S. P. ed. 1721. In the same volume is preserved an PHILIP HENRY. u But in the year 1643, when he was about twelve years old, he was admitted into Westminster School, in the fourth form, under Mr. Thomas Vincent, then usher, whom he would often speak of as a most able, diligent schoolmaster; and one who grieved so much at the dulncss and non-prolicicncy of any of his scholars, that falling into a consumption, I have heard Mr. Henry say of him, — That he even killed himself with false Latin. A while after he was taken into the upper school, under Mr. Ricliard Busby, afterwards Dr. Busby ; ^' and in October, 1645, he was admitted King's scholar, and was first of the election, partly by his own merit, and partly by the interest of the Earl of Pembroke. Here he profited greatly in school-learning, and all his days retained his improvements therein to admiration. [Nor was there any part of his life which he did more frequently speak of with pleasure than the years he spent at Westminster School. '~\ When he was in years, he would readily in discourse quote passages out of the classic authors that were not common, and had them ad unguem, and yet rarely used any such things in his preaching, though sometimes, if very apposite, he inserted them in his notes. He was very ready and exact in the Greek accents, the quantities of words, and all the several kinds of Latin verse; and often pressed it upon young scholars, in the midst of their university- learning, not to forget their school-authors. Here, and before, his usual recreation at vacant times was, either reading the printed accounts of public occurrences, or attending the courts at West- minster Hall, to hear the trials and arguments there, which I have heard him say, he hath often done to the loss of his dinner, and oftener of his play. But paulo majora canamns. — Soon after those un- happy wars begun, there was a daily morning lecture set up at the abbey-church, between six and eight of the clock, and preached by seven worthy members of the assembly of divines in course, viz. Mr. Mar- shal, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Herl, Dr. Staunton, Mr. Nye, Mr. Whitaker, and Mr. Hill. It was the request of his pious mother to Mr. Busby, that he would give her son leave to attend that lecture daily, which he did, not abating any thing of his school-exercise, in which he kept pace with the rest ; but only dispens- ing with his absence for that hour. And the Lord was pleased to make good impressions on his soul, by the sermons he heard there. His mother also took him with her every Thursday, to Mr. Case's ^ anecdote at once descriptive of the Doctor's e.xemplary temper- ance and the sad effects of prejudice, p. 233. c Life. Orig. MS. ut supra. d Thomas Case. P. Henry. Orig. MS. Thomas Case, M. A. died May 30, 1682, aet 84. See the Noncon. Mem. v. I. p. 153. ed. 1802. He preached a lecture at St. Martin'.s-in-the-Fields every Thursday, which he kept up above twenty years. Fun. Serm. by Thomas Jacomb. D. D. p. 41. 4to. 1C82. 12 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. lecture at St. Martin's. On the Lord's daj- he sat under the powerful ministrj^ of Mr. Stephen Mar- shal ; in the morning at New-chapel, in the after- noon at St. Margaret's Westminster, which was tlieir parish church. In the former place Mr. Marshal preached long from Phil. ii. 5, 6, &c. ; in the latter from John viii. 36. of our freedom by Christ. This minister, and this ministrj', he would, to his last, speak of with great respect, and thankfulness to God, as that bj' which he was, through grace, in the beginning of his days, begotten again to a lively hope. I have heard him speak of it, as the sajing of some wise men' at that time, — That if all the Presbj-te- rians had been like Mr. Stephen Marshal, and all the Independents like Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs, ^ and all the Episcopal men like Archbishop Usher, « the breaches of the church would soon have been healed. He also attended constantly upon the monthly fasts at St. Margaret's, where the best and ablest ministers of England preached before the then House of Commons ; and the serv ice of the day was carried on with great strictness and solemnity, from eight in the morning till four in the evening. [He likewise frequented extraordinarj' fasts and thanks- givings. Here he used to sit always upon the pulpit stairs,' and] it was his constant practice, from eleven or twelve years old, to write, as he could, all the sermons he heard, which he kept very care- fully, transcribed many of them fair over after, and, notwithstanding his many removes, they are yet forthcoming. At these monthly fasts, he himself hath recorded it, he had often sweet meltings of soul in praj'er, and confession of sin, (particularly once with special remark, when Mr. William Bridge,'' of Yarmouth, prayed,) and man)' warm and lively truths came home to his heart, and he daily increased in that wisdom and knowledge which is to salvation. Read his reflections upon this, which he wrote many years after. " If ever any child," saith he, " such as I then was, between the tenth and fifteenth years of mj' age, enjoyed line upon line, precept uponprecept, I did. And was it in vain ? I trust, not altogether in vain. My soul rejoiccth, and is glad at the re- membrance of it ; the ivoj-d distilled as the dew, and dropt as the rain. I loved it, and loved the messen- gers of it ; their very feet were beautiful to me. And, Lord, what a mercy was it, that, at a time when the poor countries were laid waste ; when the noise of drums and trumpets, and the clattering of arms, was heard there, and the waj s to Sion mourned, that then my lot should be where there was peace e Mr. Baxter used to say so. Neal's History of the Puritans, v. 3. p. 349. ed. 179.5. r Nat. A. D. 1559. ob. Nov. 14, 164fi. Lives of the Puritans, v. 3. p. 18. g Nat. Jan. 4, 1.580. ob. Mar 21, 1655. Life and Letters, by his Chaplain, Dr Parr, fol. 1686. h P. Henry. Orig. MS. and quietness, where the voice of the turtle was heard, and there was great plenty of gospel opportunities ! Bless the Lord, O my soul ! As long as I live I will bless the Lord. I will praise my God while I have my being. Had it been only the restraint that it laid upon me, whereby I was kept from the common sins of other children and youths, such as cursing, swearing, sabbath-breaking, and the like, I were bound to be verj^ thankful. But that it prevailed, through grace, effectually to bring me to God, how much am I indebted ! And what shall L render ?" Thus you see how the dews of heaven softened his heart by degrees. — From these early experiences of his own, 1. He would blame those who laid so much stress on people knowing the exact time of their conver- sion, which he thought was, with many, not possible to do. Who can so soon be aware of the day-break, or of the springing up of the seed sown ? The work of grace is better known in its effects than in its causes. He would sometimes illustrate this by that saying of the blind man to the Pharisees, who were so cri- tical in examining the recoverj- of his sight. This, and the other, I know not concerning it, but, — Thii one thing I know, that, whereas L was blind, now L see, John ix. 25. 2. He would bear his testimony to the comfort and benefit of early piety, and recommend it to all young people, as a good thing to bear the yoke of the Lord Jesus in youth. He would often witness against that wicked proverb, " A young saint, an old devil ;" and would have it said rather, — A young saint, an old angel. ' He obser\ ed it concerning Obadiah, and he was a courtier, that he feared the Lord from his youth ; 1 Kings x^iii. 12. and it is said of him, verse 3. that he " feared the Lord greatly." Those that would come to fear God greatly, must learn to fear him from their youth. No man did his duty so naturally as Timothy did, Phil. ii. 20. who, from a child, knew the Holv Scrip- tures. He would sometimes apply to this that com- mon saying, — He that would thrive, must rise at five. And, in dealing with joung people, how earnestly would he press this upon them, — I tell you, you cannot begin too soon to be religious, but you may put it off too long. Manna mu.st be gathered early, and he that is the first, must have the first. He often inculcated, Eccle.s. xii. 1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth ; or, as in the original, " the days of thy choice," — thy choice days, and thy choosing days. i Life. Orig. MS. ul supra. k. See the Noncon. Mem. v. 3. p. 19. He died Mar 12, 1670. aet. 70. 1 Remember the olde proverbe, young saints, old devils; which proverbe, in very deed, is naught and deceitful!; therefore we may say thus,— Young devill, old devill ; Young saints, old saints. Sermons by Bishop Latimer, p. 171. 4to. 1607. THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. 13 [He would say sometimes, — The life of a Christian is a life of labour ; Son, Go, work ;— it is necessary work, and excellent work, and pleasant work, and profitable work ; and it is good to be at it when young. I remember a passage of his in a Lecture Sermon, in the year 1674, which much affected many. He was preaching on that text. Matt. xi. 30. iV/y yoke is easy; and, after many things insisted upon, to prove the yoke of Christ an easy yoke, he at last appealed to the experience of all that had drawn in that yoke. — Call, now, if there he any that will answer you ; and to which of the saitits will you turn ? Turn to which you will, and they will all agree, that they have found wisdom's ways pleasantness ; and Christ's com- mandments not grievous ; — and, saith he, I will here witness for one, who, through grace, has, in some poor measure, been drawing in this yoke, now above thirty years, and I have found it an easy joke, and like my choice too well to change. 3. He would also recommend it to the care of parents, to bring their children betimes to public ordinances. He would say, that they are capable, sooner than we are aware, of receiving good by them. The Scripture takes notice, more than once, of the little ones in the solemn assemblies of the faithful ; Deut. xxix. 11. Ezra x. 1. Acts xxi. 5. If we lay our children by the pool-side, who knows but the Blessed Spirit may help them in, and heal them. ° He used to apply that scripture to this. Cant. i. 8. Those that would have communion with Christ, must not only go forth by the footsteps of the flock, themselves, but feed their kids too, — their children, or other j'oung ones that are under their charge, beside the Shepherd's tents. • 4. He would also recommend to young people the practice of writing sermons. He himself did it, not only when he was j'Oung, but continued it constantly till within a few years before he died, when the decay of his sight, obliging him to the use of spectacles, made w riting not so ready to him as it had been. He never wrote short-hand, but had an excellent art of taking the substance of a sermon in a very plain and legible hand, " and with a great deal of case. And the sermons he WTOte, he kept by him, in such method and order, that, by the help of indexes, m P. Henry. Orig. MS. n See John v. 2—8. o It liathbeen observed of many eminent men, that they have written but bad hands, and some think that is the meaning of Paul's TriXiKoir tpa/jifiairiv. Gal. vi. II. " Ye see with what sort of letters (how ill made) I have written to you with my own hand." But if that be a rule, Mr. Henry was an exception from it. Life. Orig. MS. ul svpra. The same could not be said of the excellent commentator. Aware of it, in a letter to his friend, the Rev. S. Clark, he thus writes ;— " I oft blame myself for writing carelessly, especially when my mind is intent." Chester, Dec. 4, 1700. Orig. MS. p Mr. John Ireland, the editor of Hogarth's works, numbered Mr. Henry among his ancestors. His mother, the daughter of the which he made to them, he could readily turn almost to any sermon that ever he heard, where he noted the preacher, place, and time ; and this he called, — Hearing for the time to come. He recommended this practice to others, as a means to engage their attention in hearing, and to prevent drowsiness, and to help their memories after hearing, when they come cither to meditate upon what they have heard them- selves, or to communicate it to others ; and many have had reason to bless God for his advice and instruction herein. He would advise people some- times to look over the sermon-notes that they had written, as a ready way to revive the good impres- sions of the truths they had heard, and would blame those who made waste-paper of them ; — for, saith he, the day is coming, when you will either thank God for them, or heartily wish you had never written them. But it is time we return to Westminster School, where, having begun to learn Christ, we left him in the successful pursuit of other learning, under the eye and care of that great Master, Dr. Busby ; who, on the account of his pregnancy and diligence, took a par- ticular kindness to him, called him his child, and would sometimes tell him he should be his heir ; and there was no love lost betwixt them, p Dr. Busby was noted for a very severe schoolmaster, especially in the beginning of his time. But Mr. Henry would say sometimes, that, as in so great a school there was need of a strict discipline, so, for his own part, of the four years he was in the school, he never felt the weight of his hand but once, and then, saith he, in some of the remarks of his youth, which he wrote long after, I deserved it. For, being monitor of the chamber, and, according to the duty of his place, being sent out to seek one that played truant, he found him out where he had hid himself, and, at his earnest request, promised to make an excuse for him, and to say he could not find him ; which, saith he, in a penitential reflection upon it afterwards, I wickedly did. Next morning, the truant coming under examination, and being asked w hether he saw the monitor, said, Yes, he did ; at which Dr. Busby was much surprised, and turned his eye upon the monitor, with this word, Kcit av tskvov ; What thou, my son!' and gave him correction, and appointed him Rev. Thomas Holland, of Wem, in Shropshire, was Mr. Henry's great-grand-daughter. The first time Mr. Ireland was introduced to Dr. Johnson, he was stated to be a descendant of Mr. Philip Henry, on which that great man remarked, in his emphatic manner, — " Sir, you are descended from a man, whose genuine simplicity, and unaffected piety, would have done honour to any sect of Christians; and, as a scholar, he must have had uncommon acquirements, when Busby boasted of having .been his tutor." Public Characters or lSOO-1801. p. 339. q One Nath. Bull, afterwards a Master of Paul's School. Life. Orig. MS. ut svpra. r The historian, narrating the murder of Julius Caesar, records, that,—" with 3 and 20 wounds he was stabbed : dur- 14 THE LIFE OF MR to make a penitential copj- of Latin verses, which, when he brought, he ^ve him sixpence, and received him into his favour again. Among the mercies of God to him in his youth, (and he would say, it were well if parents would keep an account of those for their children, till they came to be capable of doing it for themselves, and then to set them upon the doing of it,) he hath recorded a remarkable deliverance he had here at Westminster School, which was this : It was cus- tomary there, among the studious boys, for one, or two, or more, to sit up the former part of the night at study ; and when they went to bed, about midnight, to call others ; and they others, at two or three o'clock, as they desired. His request was to be called at twelve; being awaked, he desired his candle might be lighted, which stuck to the bed's head ; but he dropt asleep again, and the candle fell, and burnt part of the bed and bolster, ere he awaked ; but, through God's good providence, seasonable help came in, the fire was soon quenched, and he received no harm. This gave him occasion, long after, to say, — It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. WTien he was at Westminster school he was em- ployed by Dr. Busby, as some others of the most Ingenious and industrious of his scholars were, in their reading of the Greek Authors, to collect, by his direction, some materials for that excellent Greek Grammar, which the Doctor afterwards published. But, be the school never so agreeable, youth is desirous to commence man by a removal from it. This step he took in the sixteenth jear of his age. It was the ancient custom of Westminster ScTiool, that all the King's Scholars, who stood candidates for an election to the University, were to receive the Lord's Supper the Easter before, which he did with the rest, in St. Margaret's Church, at Easter, 1647; and he would often speak of the great pains which Dr. Busby took with his scholars, that were to approach to that solemn ordinance, for several weeks before, at stated times ; with what skill and serious- ness of application, and manifest concern for their souls, he opened to them the nature of the ordinance, and of the work they had to do in it ; and instructed them what was to be done in preparation for it ; and this he made a business of, appointing them their religious exercises instead of their school exercises. What success this had, through the grace of God, apon young Mr. Henrj-, to whom the doctor had a ing which time he gave but one groan, without any worde uttered, and that was at the first thrust ; although some have written, that, as M. Brutus came running upon him, he said, Kai av TCKvoy, yind t/iou, my tonne .'" Suetonius, p. 33. fol. 1606. s Upon hearing of the death of Dr. Busby, in April, 1C95, after he had been near fifty-eight years Schoolmaster of Westminster School, Mr. Henry thus writes,— I believe I have as much reason to bless God for him, as any scholar that ever he had,— he having . PHILIP HENRY. particular regard, read from his own hand. " There had been treaties," saith he, " before, between my soul and Jesus Christ, with some weak overtures towards him ; but then, then, I think, it was, that the match was made, the knot tied : then I set my-! self, in the strength of divine grace, about the great! > work of self-examination, in order to repentance ; and then I repented; that is, solemnly and seriously, with some poor meltings of soul. I confessed my sins before God, original and actual, judging and| condemning myself for them, and casting away from j. j me all my transgressions, receiving Christ Jesus the Lord, as the Lord my Righteousness, and devoting | and dedicating my whole self, absolutely and unre- servedly, to his fear and senice. After which, coming to the ordinance, there, there I received him indeed ; and He became mine ; — I say, Mine. Blest the Lord, O my soul!" Dr. Busby's agency, under God, in this blessed work, be makes a very grateful mention of, in divers of his papers, — The Lord recompense it, saith he, a thousand-fold into his bosom. ' I have heard him tell how much he surprised the Doctor, the first time he waited upon him after he was turned out by the act of uniformitj' : for when the Doctor asked him, " Pr'j thee, child, what made thee a nonconformist ?— Truly, Sir, saith Mr. Henrj-, , you made me one ; for you taught me those things that hindered me from conforming." " Encouraged by this experience, I have myself," saith he, in one of his papers, " taken like pains ynih divers others at their first admission to the Lord's table, and have, through grace, seen the comfortable fruits of it, both in mine own children and others. To God be glorj ." Mr. Jeremy Djke's' book of the sacrament, I have heard him say, was of great use to him at that time, in his preparation for that ordinance. Thus was this great concern happily settled before his launching out into the world, which, through grace, he had all his days more or less the comfort of, in an even serenitj- of mind, and a peaceful ex- | pectation of the glorj^ to be revealed. May 17, 1647, he was chosen from Westminster School to Christ-church in Oxford, jure loci, with four others, of which he had the second place. At his election he was very much countenanced and smiled upon by his godfather, the Earl of Pembroke, who was one of the electors. been so instrumental in beginning the good work in him. Life. Orig. MS. ul supra. t He was " of a cheerful spirit ; and know, reader, that an ounce of mirth, with the same degree of grace, will serve God farther than a pound of sadnesse." Fuller's Worthies, Hartfordsliire, p. 28. fol. 16G2. He died A. D. 1620. The book referred to is entitled, " A Worthy Communicant ; or, a Treatise, showing the due order of Receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper." Duod. 1&15. THE LIFE OF MR, CHAPTER II. HIS YEARS SPENT AT OXFORD. Though he was chosen to the University in Maj', yet, being then young, under sixteen, and in love with his school-learning, he made no great haste thither. It was in December^ following, 1647, that he removed to Oxford. Some merciful providences, in his journey, he being a young traveller, aflccted him much, and he used to speak of them, with a sense of God's goodness to him in them, according to the impressions then made bj- them ; and he hath recorded them with this thankful note, — That there may be a great mercy in a small matter ; as the care that was taken of him by strangers, when he fainted and was sick in his inn the first night; and his casual meeting with Mr. Annesly, son to the Vis- count Valentia, (who was chosen from Westminster School at the same time that he was,) when his other companj, going another way, had left him alone, and utterly at a loss what to do. Thus the sensible remembrance of old mercies may answer the inten- tion of new ones, which is to engage our obedience to God, and to encourage our dependence on him. Being come to Oxford, he was immediately en- tered commoner of Christ-church, where Dr. Samuel Fell"' was then Dean ; the tutor assigned to him and the rest of that election was Mr. Underwood,'^ a very learned, ingenious gentleman. His godfather, the Earl of Pembroke, had given him ten pounds to buy him a gown, to pay his fees, and to set out with. This in his papers he puts a re- mark upon, as a seasonable mercy in regard of some straits, which Providence, by the calamity of the times, had brought his father to. God had taught him from his youth that excellent principle, which he adhered to. all his days, that everj' creature is that to us, and no more, that God makes it to be and, therefore, while many seek the ruler's favour, and so expect to make their fortunes, as they call it, seeing every man's judgment proceedeth from the Lord, it is our wisdom to seek his favour, who is the Ruler of rulers, and that is an cITectual way to make sure our happiness. ■ To the proper studies of this place he now vigor- ously addressed himself ; but still retaining a great kindness for the classic authors, and the more polite exercises he loved so well at Westminster School. a Dec. 15. Orig. MS. b Born, 1581 ; ob. Feb. 1648-9. Wood's Ath. Oxon. By Dr. Bliss, V. 3. p. 242. 4to. 1817. c See Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy, Part II. p. 110. fol. 1714. d Dr. Harris " would often say, God made it appear to all be- holders, that the best man is no more than God makes liim hourly." Life, by W. D.[urham.] p. 46. duod. 1600. See Wood's Ath. v. 4. p. 146. ut supra. . PHILIP HENRY. 15 He was admitted student of Christ-church, March 24, 1647-8, by Dr. Henry Hammond," that great man, then Sub-Dean, who called him his god-brother, the Earl of Pembroke being his god-father also, and Prince Henry the other, who gave him his name. The visitation of the University by the Parliament happened to be in the very next month after. Ox- ford had been for a good while in the hands of the Parliament, and no change made ; but now the Earl of Pembroke, and several others thereunto appoint- ed, came hither to settle things upon a new bottom. The account Mr. Henry in his papers gives of this affair, is to this purpose : The sole question which the visitors proposed to each person, high and low, in every college, that had any place of profit, was this, " Will you submit to the power of the Parlia- ment in this present visitation ?" To which all were to give in their answer in writing, and accordingly were either displaced or continued. Some cheerfully complied, others absolutely refused ; (among whom he would sometimes tell of one that was but of his standing, who gfive in this bold answer, " I neither can nor will submit to the power of the Parliament in this present visitation ; I say I cannot, I say I will not." J. C) Others answered doubtfully, pleading youth and ignorances in such matters. Mr. Henry's answer was, — I submit to the power of the Parliament in the present visitation, as far as I may with a safe conscience, and without perjury. His reason for the last salvo was, because he had taken the oaths of allegiance and supremacy a little before, at his admission ; which he was, according to the character of the good man, that he fears an oath, very jealous of doing any thing to contradict or infringe ; which hath made him sometimes signify some dislike of that practice of administering oaths to such as were scarce past children, who could hardly be supposed to take them with judgment, as oaths should be taken. However, this answer of his satisfied ; and, by the favour of the Earl of Pembroke, he was continued in his student's place. But great alterations were made in that, as well as in other colleges, very much, no question, to the hinderance and discouragement of young scholars, who came thither to get learning, not to judge of the rights of government. Dr. Samuel Fell, the Dean, was re- moved, and Dr. Edward Reynolds, afterwards Bishop of Norwich, was put in his room. Dr. Hammond and all the Canons, except Dr. Wall, were dis- placed, and Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Pococke, and e See his life by Dr. Fell, p. 2. duod. 166I. Dr. H. was born 18 Aug. 160-5. Ob. 2.i Ap. 1660. f John Carrick. P. Henrj'. Orig. MS. See Walker, ut supra. Part II. p. 110. His answer provoked, and he was soon after turned out. P. Henry. Orig. MS. g See the Lives of John Leland, Thomas Hearne, and Anthony i Wood, V. 2. p. 52. Oct. 1772. h Dr. George Morley, Dr. Rich. Gardiner, Dr. Morris, Dr. San- derson, and Dr. Payn, and one more. P. Henry, Orig. MS. 16 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. others,' of the Parliament's friends, were preferred to their places. His thoughts of this in the reflection long after, was, that milder methods might have done better, and would have been a firmer establishment to the new interest ; but, considering that many of those who were put out (being in expectation of a sudden change, which came not of man} years after) were exasperating in their carriage towards the visitors ; and that the Parliament, who at this time rode masters, had many of their own friends ready for Universitj -preferments, (which, Oxford having been from the beginning a garrison for the King, they had been long kept out of.) and these they were concerned to oblige, it was not strange if they took such strict methods. And j et nothing being required but a bare submission, which might be interpreted but as crjing quarter, he thougL't withal, that it could not be said the terms were hard, especially, saith he, if compared with those of another nature imposed since. Among other student-masters removed, his tutor, Air. Underwood, was one, which he often bewailed as ill for him, for he was a good scholar, and one that made it his business to look after his pupils, who were very likely, by the blessing of God, to have profited under his conduct. But, upon the re- moval of Mr. Underwood, he, with some others, was turned over to Mr. Finmore, who was then in with that interest which was uppermost, and was after- wards Prebendary of Chester ; a person, as he notes, able enough, but not willing to employ his abilities for the good of those that were committed to his charge ; towards whom he had little more than the name of a tutor. This he lamented as his infelicity at his first setting out. But it pleased God to give him an interest in the affections of a young man, an under-graduate then, but two or three years his senior from Westminster, one Mr. Richard Bryan, who took him to be his chamber-fellow, while he con- tinued at Oxford, read to him, overlooked his studies, and directed him in them. Of this gentleman he makes a very honourable mention, as one who was, through God's blessing, an instrument of much good to him. Mr. John Fell, also, the Dean's son, (after- wards himself Dean of Christ-church, and Bishop of Oxford,) taking pity on him, and some others that were neglected, voluntarily read to them for some time ; a kindness which he retained a verj- grateful sense of, and for which he much honoured that learned and worthy person. Here he duly performed the college-exercises, dis- i Mr. Comiah, Mr. Langley, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Button, and Dr. Mills. Also great alterations among the students, and the like, in other colleges. P. Henry. Orig M.S. k See Walker s Sufferings of the Clergy, Part II. p. HO. 1 Life. Orig. MS. «/ tvpra. m VThat must needes bee done in colledge-exercise, for dispu- tations every day, in Term-time, for theames and verses once a week, and for declamations, when it came to my turn, I did as putations every day, in Term-time ; themes and verses once a week, and declamations when it came to his turn ; in which performances he frequently came oflF with verj' great applause. And many of his manuscripts which remain, show how well he improved his time there, [though most of his philo- sophy collections were casually lost together in a trunk in some remove, which he oft lamented. '] And yet, in some reflections I find under his hand, written long after, wherein he looks back upon his early days, he chargeth it upon himself, that for a good while after he came to the University, though he was known not to be inferior to any of his stand- ing in public exercises,"" jet he was too much a stranger to that hard study which afterwards he became acquainted with, and that he lost a deal of time which might have been better improved. Thus he is pleased to accuse himself of that, which, for ought I ever heard, no one else did, or could, accuse him of. But the truth is, in all the secret accounts he kept of himself, he appears to have had a very quick and deep sense of his own failings and infir- mities, in the most minute instances ; the loss of time, weakness and distractions in holy duties, not im- proving opportunities of doing good to others, and the like ; lamentably bewailing these imperfections, and charging them upon himself, with as great ex- pressions of shame, and sorrow, and self-abhorrence, and crjung out as earnestly for pardon and forgive- ness in the blood of Jesus, as if he had been the greatest of sinners. [" I was," he writes, " too much in love with recreation ; a bowling-green, I remember, out of town, andametheglin-house,whieh I often went to in winter for my morning draught, and it was such a draught as disfitted me for study after, though I cannot say I was ever drunk. These things are now bitter to me, and have been formerly, many a time, in the reflection, and here I record them against myself." "] For, though he was a man that walked very closely, yet withal he walked very humbly, with God, and lived a life of repentance and self-denial. This minds me of a sermon of his, which one might discern came from the heart, on that scripture, Rom. vii. 24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death ! A strange complaint, saith he, to come from the mouth of one who had learned in everj- state to be content. Had I been to have given my thoughts, said he, concerning Paul, I should have said, O blessed man that thou art, that hast been in the third heaven, a great apostle, a spiritual father to thou- others of my standing, and sometimes had prayse for it But as for that which wee call hard study, giving myself to reading, late and early, and digesting what I read by daily serious review, I was too much a stranger to it P. Henry. Orig. MS. See some Re- markable Passages in the Life of the Rev. Mr. Edmund Trench, p. 20. duod. 1093. n P. Henry. Orig. MS. THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. 17 sands, &c. and yet a wretched man all this while, in his own aecount and esteem. He never complains thus of the bonds and afllictions that did abide him, the prisons that were frequent, the stripes above measure ; but the body of death ; that is, the body of sin, that was it he groaned under. How feelingly did he observe from thence, — That the remainders of indwelling corruption are a very grievous burthen to a gracious soul." But to return. It maj' not be amiss to set down the causes to which he ascribes his loss of time when he came first to the University. One was, that he was young, too j oung, and understood not the day of his opportunities, which made him afterwards ad- vise his friends not to thrust their children forth too soon from school to the university, though they may seem ripe, in respect of learning, till they have dis- cretion to manage themselves. While they are chil- dren, what can be expected but that they should mind childish things? Another was, that, coming from Westminster School, his attainments in school- learning were beyond what generally others had that came from other schools ; so that he was tempted to think there was no need for him to study much, be- cause it was so easy to him to keep pace with others ; which, he said, was the thing Dr. Caldecott, Chap- lain to the Earl of Pembroke, and his great friend, warned him of at his coming to Oxford. Another was, that there were two sorts of persons, his con- temporaries ; some of the new stamp, that came in by the visitation, and were divers of them serious, pions young men, but of small ability, comparatively, for learning, and those for that reason he desired not to have much fellowship with. But there were others that were of the old spirit and way, enemies to the Parliament, and the reformation they made ; and these were the better scholars, but generally not the better men. With them, for a while, he struck in because of their learning, and conversed most with them ; but he soon found it a snare to him, and that it took him off from the life of religion and communion with God. Elanguescere mox cepit, saith he, in a Latin narrative of his younger 5ears, pristina pietatis ardcr, Sf-c. But, " for ever praised be the riches of God's free grace," saith he, in an- otla-r account, " that he was pleased still to keep his liold of me ; and not to let me alone when I was running from him, but set his hand again the second o See the Works of Bishop Reynolds, fol. 1658. p. 624. and Dr. John Owen's Treatise on In-dwelling Sin, IC68. oct. p A similar phrase occurs in the writings of Mr. Paul Eayne " He that stumbles, and comes not down, gets ground : the trip- pings of God s children, in which they recover themselves, bring them on with greater advantage." Christian Letters, p. 173. duod. 1C37. Mr. Bayne died in 1017. See Clark's Lives, annexed to the Martyrologie, p. 22. foL 1677. Mr. Baxter thought him " one of the holiest, choicest men, that ever England bred." Saints- Everlasting Rest, p. 416. 4to. 1662. fl Palmer's Noncon. Mem. v. :i. p. 490 ; said to be printed from Mr. Henry's Diary. c time, as the expression is, Isa. xi. 11. to snatch mo as a brand out of the fire." His recovery from this snare he would call a kind of second conversion; .so much was he aflectcd with the preventing grace of God in it, and sensible of a double bond to be for ever thankful, as well as of an engagement to be watcliful and humble. It was a saying of his, — He that stumbleth and doth not fall, gets ground by his stumble.'' [Hence he writes, " Forasmuch as I have by often experience found the treachery and dcceitful- ness of my own heart, and being taught that it is my duty to engage my heart to approach unto God, and that one way of doing it is by subscribing with my hand unto the Lord ; therefore let this paper be witness, that I do deliberately, of choice, and unre- servedly, take God in Christ to be mine ; and give myself to him, to be his, to love him, to fear him, to serve and obey him ; and, renouncing all my sins with hearty sorrow and detestation, I do cast myself only upon free grace, through the merits of Christ, for pardon and forgiveness ; and do propose, God enabling me, from this day for\vard, more than ever, to exercise myself unto godliness, and to walk in all the ways of religion as much as ever I can with delight and cheerfulness, as knowing that my labour shall not he in vain in the Lord." ""j At the latter end of the year 1648, he had leave given' him to make a visit to his father at White- hall, with whom he staid some time ; there he was, January 30, when the King was beheaded, and with a very sad heart saw that tragical blow given. Two things he used to speak of, that he took notice of himself that day, which I know not whether any of the historians mention. One was, that at the instant when the blow was given, there was such a dismal imiversal groan among the thousands of people that were within sight of it, as it were with one consent, as he never heard before, and desired he might never hear the like again, nor see such a cause for it. The other was, that immediately after the stroke was struck, there was, according to order, one troop marching from Charing-cross towards King-street, and another from King-street towards Charing-cross, purposely to disperse and scatter the people, and to divert the dismal thoughts which they could not but be filled with, by driving them to shift every one for his own safety. He did upon all occasions testify r At the latter end of the year IC48 1 had leave given me to goe to London to see niy father; and during my stay there, at that time, at 'Whitehall, it was, that I saw the beheading of King Charles the First. Hee went by water to Westminster, for hee took barge at Garden-stayres, where wee lived, and once he spake to my father, andsayd,— Art thou alive yet! On the day of his execution, which was Tuesday, Jan. 30, I stood amongst the crowd in the street, before Whitehall gate, where the scaffold was erected, and saw what was done, but was not so near as to hear any thing. The blow I saw given, and can truly say, with a sad heart. P. Henry. Orig. MS. 18 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. his abhorrence of this unparalleled action, which he always said was a thing that could not be justified, and yet he said he saw not how it could be called a national sin ; for, as the King urged upon his trial, it was certain that not one man of ten in the kingdom . c- .V , did consent to it : * nor could it be * Spc the Bishop ' of Chichester's Ser- called the sin of the long Parlia- mon before the King, ^rr-xi j. ^ ^ i- Jan. 30th, 1697, page ment, for far the greatest part of he'dfd not'sei'how u ^^^^ "^^^^ ^'1 time, while the could be called a na- thing was in agitation, imprisoned tional sin. , ? ^ j r j and kept under a lorce, and scarce twenty-seven of the forty that were left to carry the name of a Parliament, did give their vote for it ; which the Commissioners for the try ing of the King's Judges, in the year 1660, (some of whom bad been themselves members of the Long Parliament,) urged again and again, in answer to that plea which the prisoners stood so much upon, that what the}' did was by authority of the Parliament. But it is mani- fest it was done by a prevailing party in the anny, who, as he used to express it, having beaten their plowshares into swords, could not so easily beat their swords into plowshares again, as having fought more for victoiy and dominion than for peace and truth ; but how far these men were acted and influenced by another sort of people behind the curtain, the world is not altogether ignorant.' For some j'ears after King Charles II. came in, he observed the yearly day of liumiliation ' for this sin, desiring that God would not lay the guilt of blood to the charge of the nation. But, afterwards, finding to what purposes it was generally observed, and improved even to the reproach and condemning not only the innocent, but of some of the excellent ones of the land, and noting that there is no precedent in Scripture of keeping annual days of humiliation for particular sins; espe- cially after the immediate judgment is at an end, Zech. viii. 19. Heb. x. 2, 3. he took no furtlier notice of it. But in his diary he adds this tender remark, according to the spirit he was of, " Yet good men, no doubt, may observe it to the Lord." Rom. xiv. 6. Thus he judged not, and why then should he be judged ? In the year 1650-1 he took his Bachelor of Arts degree, and he hath recorded the goodness of God in raising him up friends, who helped him out in the expenses. Such kindnesses have a peculiar sweetness in them to a good man, who sees and receives them as the kindness of God, and the tokens of his love. He would often mention it with thankfulness to 6 See Dr. Parr's Life of Archbishop Usher, ul supra. Letters at the end. No. 293 ; and the Abr. of Baxter's Life and Times, v. I. p. 57, Sec. oct, 1713. t 1G71. Jan. 30. Brings to remembrance the horrid murder of the late King. Deliver the nation from blood.guilliness, O God ! P. Henry. Diary, Orig. M.S. 1673. Jan. 30. We remembered this day the death of Charles I. God, what great helps and advantages he had then in the University, not only for learning, but for religion and pietj'. Serious godliness was in repu- tation, and besides the public opportunities they had, there were many of the scholars that used to meet together for prayer, and Christian conference, to the great confirming of one another's hearts in the fear and love of God, and the preparing of them for the service of the church in their generation. I have heard him speak of the prudent method they took then about the University sermons on the Lord's day in the afternoon ; which used to be preached by the fellows of colleges in their course ; but, that being found not so much for edification. Dr. Owen" and Dr. Goodwin" performed that serv ice alternately, and the young masters that were wont to preach it, had a lecture on Tuesday appointed them. The sermons he heard at Oxford he commonly wrote, not in the time of hearing, but afterw ards, when he came home, in his reflection upon them, which he found a good help to his memory. In December, 1052, he proceeded Master of Arts, and in Januaiy following preached his first sermon at South Hinksey in Oxfordshire, on John viii. 34. Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. On this occasion he \sTites in his diary what was the breathing of his heart towards God, — The Lord make use of me as an instrument of his glorj-, and his church's good, in this high and holy calling. His great parts and improvement, notwithstanding his extraordinary modesty and humility, had made him so well known in the University, that in the following act, in July, 1653, he was chosen out of all the masters of that year, to be junior of the act, that is, to answer the philosophy questions in Vesperiis, which he did with very great applause ; especially for the very witty and ingenious orations which he made to the L'niversity upon that occasion. His questions were, — 1. An licitum sit carnibus r^esci? Aff. 2. An institutio academiarum sit utilis in repub- lica? Aff. 3. An ingenium pendeat ah humoribus corporis? Aff. At the act in 1654, he was chosen Magister Replicans, and answered the philosophy questions in comitiis, with a like applause. His questions then were, — 1. An melius sit sperare quam frui ? Neg. 2. An maxima animi delectatio sit a sen- sibus? Neg. 3. A71 utile sit peregrinari .' Aff. Dr. Owen, who was then Yice-Chancellor, hath spoken with great commendation of these perform- ances of Mr. Henry's to some in the University afterwards, who never knew him otherwise than by with grief, and prayer,— that God would please to forgive it,— Exod. XX. 5.—risiling the iniquily. P. Henry. Diary, Orig. MS. See the life of the Rev. Thomas Cawton, p. 25. duod. 1662; and Clark's Lives of Eminent Persons, p. 19. fol. 1683. u Nat. 1616. Ob.Aug 24, 16S3 See his Life by Mr. Orme, u/ supra. V Nat. Oct. 5, 1600. Ob. Feb. i23, 1679. Life prefixed to his works^ vol. V. fol. 1704. THE LIFE OF MR. report ; and I have heard a worthy divine who was somewhat his junior in the University, and there a perfect stianger to him, say, how mucli he admired these exercises of his, and loved him for them ; and yet how much more he admired, when he afterwards became acquainted witli him in the country, that so curious and polite an orator should become so profit- able and powerful a preacher, and so readily lay aside the enticing words of man's wisdom, which were so easy to him. There is a copy of Latin verses of his in print, among the poems which the University of Oxford published upon the peace concluded with Holland," in the year 1654, which show him to be no less a poet than an orator. • He hath noted it of some pious young men, that before they removed from the University into the countrj-, they kept a day of fasting and humiliation for the sins they had been guilty of in that place and state. And in the visits he made after^vards to the University, he inserts into his book, as no doubt God did into His, — a tear dropt over my University- sins.'' [He would sometimes say, " When we mourn for sin because God is offended by it, and abstain from sin becauseof his honour, that wemaynotwrong him, or grieve him, this is more pleasing to him than burat-olerings and sacrifices, CHAPTER III. HIS REMOVAL TO WORTHENBURY, IN FLINTSHIRE, HIS ORDINA- TION TO THE MINISTRY, AND HIS EXERCISE OF IT THERE. WoRTHENBURY * is a little town by Dee side, in that Hundred of Flintshire which is separated some miles from the rest of the county, and known by the name of English Mailors,'' because though it is re- puted in Wales, as pertaining to Flintshire, yet in language and customs it is wholly English, and lies mostly between Cheshire and Shropshire. Worth- cnbury was of old a parochial chapel, belonging to the rectory of Bangor,'^ but was separated from it in die year 1668, by the trustees for uniting and dividing of parishes, and was made a parish of itself. But what was then done being vacated by the King's coming in, it then came to be in statu quo, and con- tinued an appurtenant to Bangor, till, in the second w Appendix, No. III. I May not Sterne have had in view this sentence when he pen. ned the well-known passage,—" The accusing spirit which flew up to heaven's chancery with the oath, blushed as he gave it in ; —and the Recording Angel, as he wrote it down, dropped a tear upon the word, and blotted it out for ever." Works, vol. vi. p. 42. duod. 17R2. y P. Henry. Orig. MS. a Beneth Bangor, stil on the south side of Dee ryver, is a pa- roche cauUid Worthembre ; in Walch, Guothumbre ; having a faire chirch, but as a membre to Bangor. Leland's Itinerary, vol. V. p. 30. Oct. 1744. i> SeeLeland, ut supra, v. 5. p. 30. c 2 . PHILIP HENRY. 19 year of tho reign of King William and Queen Mary, it was again by act of Parliament separated, and made independent upon Bangor. That was the only act that passed tlie royal assent with the act of re- cognition, at the beginning of the second parliament of this reign.* The principal family in Wortlien- bury parish, is that of the Pulestons of Emeral. The head of the family was then John Puleston, Serjeant at Law, one of the Judges of the Common Pleas. This was the family to which Mr. Henry came from Christ-church, presently after he had completed his Master's degree, in 1653. Ordered into that remote, and unto him unknown, corner of the coun- try, by that overruling Providence which deter- mineth the times before appointed, and the bounds of our habitation. The Judge's lady was a person of more than ordi- nary parts and wisdom, in piety inferior to few, but in learning superior to most of her sex, which I could give instances of from what I find among Mr. Henry's papers, « particularly an elegy she made upon the death of the famous Mr. John Selden,' who was her great friend. This was the lady whose agency first brought Mr. Henry into this country. She wrote to a friend of hers, Mr. FraneisPaImer,s student of Christ-church, to desire him to recommend to her a young man to be in her family, and to take the oversight of her sons, some of whom were now ready for the Univer- sity, and to preach at Worthenbury on the Lord's days, for which a very honourable encouragement was promised. Mr. Palmer proposed it to his friend Mr. Henry, who was willing for one half-year to undertake it, provided it might be required of him to preach but once on the Lord's day, and that some other supply might be got for the other part of the day, he being now but twenty-two years of age, and newly entered upon that great work. Provided also, that he should be engaged but for half a year, as little intending to break off so soon from an acade- mical life, which he delighted in so much. But preferring usefulness before his own private satis- faction, he was willing to make trial for a while in the country, as one that sought not his own things, but the things of Jesus Christ, to whose sei"vice in the work of the ministry he had entirely devoted himself, bending his studies wholly that way. [One c See Leland, ul supra, v. 5. p. 30. d Sir John Trevor, the Speaker, being father-in-law to Sir Roger Puleston, the Patron. Life. Orig. MS. ii/ supra. e See Mr. Orme's Life of Dr. Owen. App. p. 511. f John Selden, Esq. was born Dec. 16, 1.584. He died Nov. 30, 1654. Mr. Chalmer's Ciog. Diet. v. 27, p. 317. e Probably the same person who contributed a copy of verses when the poems of William Canwright, " the most noted poet, orator, and philosopher, of his time," were " usher'd into the world," A. D. 1651, Oct. See Wood's Ath. Oxon. v. 3. p. 70. ul supra. h My diet, and sixty pounds per annum salary. P. Henry. Orig. MS. 20 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. of the letters which passed on the occasion just re- ferred to, has been preserved. It is introduced from the hand-writing of Lady Puleston, and the ortho- graphy correctly transcribed. It illustrates in some measure the nature of Mr. Henry's inquiries, and furnishes a pleasing corroboration of the character already given of its excellent writer. 19th Sept. 1653. Cosin Palmer, Y* Messeng' W^*" brought mee a letf fro y" brought y^ judg one also fro his Nephew, Mr. Hamlet Puleston. But no motio of a SchooIm^ However I rely so much on y"^ choice of y' gent"" pposed, y' thers' no need to trouble Mr. H. Puleston. I am content to abate one of sermons, hoping hee will pray in y^ family, insteed thereof, w"^"" is so easy to a Christia y' hee's rather lead then drawn therto, and if expositions of chapters or Psalmes bee easj^er to him then preaching, I shal like it (as ever I have done) bett' then other. Im' confident wee shall not differ heerin ffor I shall eyther wait ffor y' guifts and calling of God in him are w'*'out re- pentance) or wholly indulg him fFro fformaiities of preaching, praying, &c as some use y"" please to send him away ffor y* half yeer ffro y' time hee comes till 26 weekes be compleat : his allowance shall be half y'^ revenue pposd, and other accomo- dations mentiond formerly. This time of probatio will conclude us ej-thcr on a S'arther time, or repa5T- ing to Oxford at Spring. Please to keeep letter as an evidence of our bargain. I have delivered y' Bearer 51. ffor y^ Gentleman in part of y' first quar- teridg. what y« charge of y' journey takes out of it I will supply at y quarters end when I pay y* rest to make out 15?. I have sent a horse and a ffootman to wait on him hither. Mr. Roberts is gro\vn a worthy Christian and I greatly value him. if y" have a mind to see what works God hath done in him, y" shall findc him at one Mr. Courtneys Lodg- ing in Milbanck neer Tuttle-Fields. God can doo as much ffor Mr. Henry y" know. I pray y" hasten him hyther. If pleas God to give success to y*' endeavours I .shal bee glad. I wish y« Gentlem" to take his jour- ney on Fryday, and rest at my sister Grayes on Lord's day so hee may bee at Emral on Munday night. I desire a good-journey, ffraucis Palmer (.Juni.) & Tremeli.') notes upon y' Bible I desire y" to send mee. & y« Bible in Greek, w^"" y' learned ffriends, Septuagint,, translated ffor Ptoloray, i Intending, by this playful compliment, the version of Francis Junius and Immanuel Tremellius, first published in 1575. k Orig. MS. 1 On leaving Broughton I took the road towards Bangor. On I thank y" ffor y' respect and shal ever rest Y"^ welwishing Cosin Elizabeth Puleston. If y" will come see how wee thrive y" shal bee welcome. My Roger Puleston love to y° & so y« rest. To my much-respected Kinsman Mr. Francis Palmer a Master of Arts at Christ's Church in Oxford, or in his absence to one Mr. Henry Master of Art & of y« same House. In the latter part of his time at Oxford, as one grown weary of that which he used to say he found little to his purpose ; he employed his time mostly in searching the Scriptures, and collecting useful Scripture observations, which he made very fa- miliar to him, and with which he was thoroughly furnished for this good work. He got a Bible inter- leaved, in which he wrote short notes upon texts of Scripture as they occurred. He would often saj-, — I read other books, that I may be the better able to un- derstand the Scripture. It was a stock of Scripture knowledge that he set up with, and with that he traded to good advantage. Though he was so great a master in the eloquence of Cicero, yet he preferred far before it that of ApoUos, who was an eloquent man, aitd might)/ in the Scrip- tures, Acts xviii. 24. He bid verj- fair at that time for Universitj-pre- ferment, such was the reputation he had got at the late act, and such his interest in Dr. Owen ; but the salvation of souls was that which his heart was upon, to which he postponed all his other interests. In September, 1653, he came down to Emeral,' from whence a messenger was sent on purpose to Oxford to conduct him thither. Long after, when it had pleased God to settle him in that country, and to build him up into a family, he would often reflect upon his coming into it first ; what a stranger he then was, and how far it was from his thoughts ever to have made his home in those parts ; and, passing over the brook that parts between Flintshire and Shropshire, would sometimes verj' affectionately use that word of Jacob's — With my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands. At Emeral he prayed in the family, was tutor to the young gentlemen, and preached once a day at Worthenburj% other help being procured for the other part of the day, according to his request, out of a fear, being so j oung, to take the whole work the right lies Emral Hall, the seat of the Pulestons ; a family set- tled here in the time of Edward I. but which took its name from Pulesdon, a township in Shropshire. Pennant's Tours in Wales, V. i. p. 297. See Lelaiid, ul npra, v. 5. pp. 32, 33. THE LIFE OF MR upon him. But it soon happened, that one Lord's day the supply that was expected failed ; and so he was necessitated, rather than there should be a vacancy, to preacli twice, in which he found the pro- mise so well fulfilled, As thy day is, so shall thy strength he; and, To him that hath (i. e. that hath, and useth what he hath) shall be given, and he shall have abundance ; that, to the g^reat satisfaction of his friends there, from thenceforward he waved looking out for other help than what came from above, and would sometimes speak of this as an instance, that we do not know what we can do, till we have tried. Here he applied himself to a plain and practical way of preaching, as one truly concerned for the souls of those he spoke to. He would say sometimes, — We study how to speak that you may understand US; and, I never. think I can speak plain enough when I am speaking about souls and their salvation. I have heard him say, he thought it did him good, that for the first half year of his being at Worthen- bury, he had few or no books with him, which en- gaged him in .studying sermons to a closer search of the Scripture and his own heart. What success his labours had in that parish, which, before he came to it, I have been told, was accounted one of the most loose and profane places in all the countrj', may be gathered from a letter of the lady Puleston's to him, at the end of the first half 5'ear after his coming to Emeral, when he was uncertain of his continuance there, and inclinable to return to settle at Christ- church. Take the letter at large. Dear Mr. Henry ; The indisposition that my sadness hath bred, and the stay of Mrs. V. here yesterday, hinder- ed my answering your last expressions. As to order- ing the conversation, and persevering to the practice of those good intents, taken up while one is in pur- suit of a mercy, you and I will confer, as God gives opportunity, who also must give the will and the deed, by his Spirit, and by the rule of his word. As to begging that one thing for you, God forbid, as Samuel said, that / should cease to pray, &e. This I am sure, that having wanted hitherto a good minister of the word among us, I have oft by prayer, and some tears, above five years besought God for such a one as yourself; which, ha^dng obtained, I cannot yet despair, seeing he hath given us the good means, but he may also give us the good end. And this I find, that your audience is increased three for m Let your preaching be plain. Painted glass is most curious ; plain glass is most perspicuous. Be a good crucifix to your people. Preach a crucifled Saviour in a crucified style. Paul taught so plainly, that the Corinthians thought him a dunce. Let your matter be substantial ; wholesome food; God and Christ, and the gospel, faith, repentance, regeneration. Aim purely at God's glory and the salvation of souls. Study, as if there were no Christ; preach, as if there had been no study. Preach plainly, yet with novelty ; preach powerfully, as Micah ;— as Paul, in intension of . PHILIP HENRY. 21 one in the parish, though in winter more than for- merly in summer ; and five for one out of other places. And I have neither heard of their being in the ale-house on our Lord's day, nor ball-playing that day, which, before you came, was frequent, ex- cept that day that young Ch. preached. I think I can name four or five in the parish, that of formal Christians are becoming or become real. But you know all are not wrought on at first, by the word. Some come in no misfortune like other men, and this is the cause they be so holdcn with pride, &c. Hypocrites also have converted conversion itself. Yet God may have reserved those that have not bowed the knee to Baal, &c. and may call them at the latter part of the day, though not in this half year. It is a good sign, most are loth to part with you ; and you have done more good in this half year, than I have discerned these eighteen years. But, however, whetheV they will hear, or whether they will forbear, you have delivered your own soul. I have prayed, and do pray, seeing God hath sent you, that you may be for his glory, and not for our condemnation. It is easy to imagine what an encouragement this was to him, thus at his first setting out to see of the travail of his soul, and what an inducement it was to him not to leave those among whom God had thus owned him. However, that spring he returned to Oxford. The Lady Puleston soon after came to him thither, with her five sons, of whom she placed the two eldest under his charge in the college. In the following vacation he went to London to visit his relations there ; and there, in October he received a letter from Judge Puleston, witli a very solemn and affectionate request, subscribed by the parish- ioners of Worthenbury, earnestly desiring his settle- ment among them, as their minister, which he was persuaded to comply with, having fixed to himself that good rule, — In the turns of his life, to follow Providence, and not to force it. So, in the winter following he came down again, and settled with them. He continued in his student's place in Christ- church for two or three years, attending the service of it once a year ; but disposing of most of the profit of it for the use of poor scholars there. The tithe of Worthenbury belonged to [the] Emeral family, paying some rent to the Rector of Bangor. This tithe Judge Puleston was willing to give, clear of that charge, to the minister of Worthenbury for spirit, not extension of voice. To this end get your sermon into your own souls. It is best, from the heart, to the heart. Preach prudentially,— as stewards, to give each their portion. Get your sermons memoriter. How can you expect your people should remember, and repeat, if you read? Yet use caution. Our me- mories are not of brass,— they are cracked, in all, by the fall. Be- ware of giving occasion to say,— I may stay at home in the after- noon ; I shall hear only the same song. Mr. Porter at an Ordina- tion. From a MS. in the hand-writing of P. Henry. 2-2 THE LIFE OF MR, ever. But such was the peculiar and extraordinary kindness he had for Mr. Henry, upon the experience of his merits, that he chose rather by deed of inden- ture, bearing date October 6, 1655, between himself and Mr. Henrj-, — " In consideration of his being pleased to undertake the cure of souls, and to preach and teach, and perform other duties of di\'ine ser\'ice in the parish church of AVorthenburj', (so the deed runs,) to give, grant, and confiiTa for himself and his heirs, unto the said Philip Henrj', the yearly rent of one hundred pounds, charged upon all his mes- suages, lands, and tenements in the several counties of Flint, Denbigh, and Chester, to be paid quarterly, until such times as the said Philip Henry shall be promoted or preferred to some other spiritual or ec- clesiastical living or preferment, ^^ith power of dis- tress in case of non-payment." A hundred a year ■was more than Worthenbury tithes were worth at that time ; and the manner of the gift freed the maintenance from much of that loss and incumr brance which commonly attends the gathering of tithe. [About this period, judging from the hand-writing of the following letter, addressed to a friend at Ox- ford, (no doubt Dr. Owen, who was then Dean of Christ-church, and Vice-Chancellor,") he received a summons to that city, which led him to add the post- script. But as the letter furnishes an illustration of Mr. Henry's character as a young minister, the whole may be here fitly introduced. Most honoured Sir ; Being importuned to improve my interest for the supply of a vacant curacy in these parts, I make bold to acquaint j ou with the state of it, that, if you know of any, either in your own college or elsewhere, that is willing to accept of it, you would please to be instrumental in sending him hither. The place is called Holt; it is in Denbighshire, but I think a man may throw a stone out of it into Cheshire ; it is distant from Wrexham about three miles, and from Chester five ; the situation of it for convenience is beyond exception ; there are but few such hereabouts, only the salary, I fear, may appear somewhat too small to come so far for. It is as yet, upon certainty, but £45 per annum, but it is probable may be made, ere long, £65, paid in money, and no deductions out of it for taxes; for the place of his abode, if he be a single man, the Major of the town, a very godly person, hath pro- mised it in his own house, till suth time care be taken to provide for him otherwise. For his qualifications, Sir, he must, in a judgment of charity, be one that fears God, in regard he comes, not to a place that never heard of Christ, (a3 many such there be in D Le Neve, pp. 131, 4n6. fol. 17IG. o P. Henry. Orig. MS. P Use catechising Heretofore, catechising justled out preach- ing; now, preaching justles out cateclusing. Let the ship be PHILIP HENRY, Wales,) but to a knot of eminent, discerning Chris- tians, scarce the like anywhere hereabouts, among whom there are divers able, indeed, to be themselves teachers of others ; so that if he himself be one that hath no savour- of the things of God, he will be no way acceptable or useful there. He must, moreover, be either fitted already for the administration of the ordinances, or in a capacity of being suddenly fitted ; if he make haste hither, he may have an opportunity shortly of being ordained here in Shropshire. Sir, if God, the Lord of the har\ est, shall make use of you in his providence, as an instrument of thrusting forth a faithful labourer into this comer of his >ineyard, I no way doubt but jou will be often mentioned by some of them with rejoicing at the throne of grace, and that you, yourself, when you shall have reaped the fruit of their prayers, will bless God for putting such a prize into your hands. Sir, craving jour pardon for my boldness in troubling you, I leave the matter with your care, and yourself, and all your relations and concern- ments, with our ever good God. Your Servant very much obliged, P. H. Sir, since ray purpose of writing to you about the business above mentioned, I have received infor- mation from Christ-church of a summons to appear personally there, before Michaelmas Term : where- upon my request to you is, that by a line or tw o j ou would please to acquaint me, whether I may not ob- tain to be dispensed with. 1. In regard I was so lately there. 2. In regard of the great distance I am now at from thence ; above fourscore miles. 3. Of the unusual unseasonableness of the ways and weather ; and 4. Which is most of all, my very great indisposedness in point of health. If I may be ex- cused, I would entreat jou, Sir, to endeavour it for me ; if not, that you would please to send me word, — 1. Whether it will not sen e if I come sooner : and 2. How long it will be required that I make my stay there. Sir, I have more reason to beg your pardon for this latter trouble than the former."] He still continued for some years in the Emeral family, where he laid out himself very much for the spiritual good of the family, even of the meanest of the sen ants, by catechising, p repeating the sermons, and personal instruction, and he had very much comfort in the countenance and conversation of the judge and his lady. Yet he complains sometimes in his diary of the snares and temptations that he found in his way there, especially because some of the branches of the family, who did not patrizare, ballasted with fundamental truths. Hearers will then not be so easily whirled about with every wind. Luther was caJled— cipulus calechUmi. Mr. Porter, 10-59. From a MS. in P. Henry's hand-writing. THE LIFE OF MR. were uneasy at his being there, which made him M illing to ren»ovc to a house of his own ; which, when Judge Puleston perceived, in the year 1657, out of his abundant and continued kindness to him, he did, at his own proper cost and charges, build him a very handsome house in Worthenburj', and settled it upon him by a lease, bearing date March C, 1657, for threescore years, if he should so long continue minister at Worthenbury, and not accept of better preferment. He hath noted in his diary, that the yery day that the workmen began the building of that house, Mr. Mainwaring, of Malpas, preached the lecture at Bangor, from Psalm cxxvii. 1. Except the Lord build the house,' they labour in vain that build it. — There never was truth, saith he, more seasonable to any than this was to me. It was a word upon the wheels.^ He hath recorded it as his great care, that his affections might be kept loose from it, and that it might not encroach upon God's interest in his heart. When it was finished, he thus writes : — I do from my heart bless God, that no hurt or harm befell any of the workmen in the building of it. Thuswashis maintenance settled at Worthenbury. In the year 1659, he was, by a writing of Judge Puleston's, collated, nominated, and presented, to the church of Worthenbury ; and, the powers that then were having so appointed, he had an appro- bation thereof from the commissioners for approba- tion of public preachers. Some little opposition was made to his settlement at Worthenbury by Mr. Fogg, ' then Rector of Ban- gor, ))ecause he conceived it an intrenchment upon his right to Worthenbury, and thought it might pre- judice his recovering of it by course of law. I only mention this for the sake of the note he hath upon it in his diary, which is this : — I do earnestly desire that the Judge may give Mr. Fogg all reasonable satisfaction, that there may be no appearance of WTong to him, or any other, in this thing. And when Mr. Fogg insisted upon it, that he would have Mr. Henry give it under his hand, that he desired the consent of the said Mr. Fogg to be minister of Wor- thenbury, he yielded to do it for peace sake ; and from thenceforward there was an intimate and entire friendship between Mr. Fogg and him. Being thus settled at Worthenbury, his next care q See Dr. Towiison's Works, v. I. p. xix. vt supra, and Onnerod's Hist, of Cheshire, v. ii. p. 328, &c. r Mr. Henry lias the following notes on this passage :— The Aouse ; that is, the family. Jiuild ; that is, constitute, main- tain, preserve, augment. If we would have God to build our houses, we must be careful to build God's house by caring for his worship, ordinances, interests. Hag. i. 9. ii. 18. 2 Sam. vii. — ; to aim at his glory in our buildings, not at self, as Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. iv. 30 ;— to build in faith, relying upon the promises, Heb. xi. 9, 10 ;— in the fear of God, Exod. i. 21 ; in righteousness and honesty, Prov. x. 25. Hab. ii. 12.— We must fetch in God by pr.iyer, and keep him there by family duties. Josh. xxiv. 15. Ps. ci. Orig. MS. PHILIP HENRY. 23 was touching ordination to the work of the ministry, to which he would see his call very clear, before he solemnly devoted himself to it. And though after- wards in the reflection, especially when he was silenced, it was some trouble to him, that he had so long deferred to be ordained, (and he would often, from the consideration of that, press those who in- tended the ministry, not to put it off,) yet, as the ' times then were, there was something of a reason for it. The nearest acting class of presbytery, was in the Hundred of Bradford North, in Shropshire, wherein Mr. Porter, of Whitchurch, was the leading man, of whom Mr. Baxter" gives so high a character in his Life, part 3, page 94, and who was one of those whom he recommended to the Lord Chancellor, as fit to be made a Bishop, part 2, page 283. This class wa.s constituted by ordinance of parliament, in April, 1647 ; the members of it then, were the aforesaid Mr. Porter, Mr. Boughy, of Hodnet, Mr. Houghton, of Frees, Mr. Parsons, ' of Wem, and Mr. John Bi.sby and afterwards Mr. Maiden, " of Newport, Mr. Binney, of Ightfield, and Mr. Steel, of Hanmer, though in Flintshire, were taken in to them, and acted with them. This class in twelve years' time publicly ordained sixty-three ministers. Mr. Henry was very desirous to have been ordained at Wor- thenbury, plebe prasente, which he thought most agreeable to the intention, but the ministers were not willing to set such a precedent. However, that was one thing which occasioned the delay, so that he was not ordained till September 16, 1C57. The way and manner of Ms ordination was ac- cording to the known directory of the A.ssembly of Divines, and the common usage of the Presbyterians ; and yet, he having left among his papers a particular account of that solemnity, and some of the workings of his soul towards God in it ; I hope it may be of some use both for instruction and quickening to ministers, and for the information of such as arc perhaps wholly strangers to such a thing, to give some account of the whole transaction. He made addresses to the presbyterj', in order to his ordination, July 6, at Prees, when he submitted to trial, and inquiry was made, in tlie first place, concerning his experience of the work of grace in his heart ; in answer to which he gave a [reason of s " A word, fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in pictures of sil- ver ;" Prov. XXV. H. or, as the Hebrew hath it,—" A word spoken yponhis wheels . " that is, rightly ordered, placed, and circumstanced. Brooks's Arke for all God's Noahs, Ep. Ded. p. 1. duod. 1662. See, also, Jcr. xviii. 3. t See the Noncon. Mem. v. iii. p. 480, &c. u See Reliquiae Baxterianae, or, Mr. R. Baxter's Narrative of the most Memorable Passages of his Life and Times. Fol. 1696. V See the Noncon. Mem. v. iii. p. 163. w Minister of Edstaston, in Shropshire. Wood's Ath. Oxon. v. 4. p. 640. vl supra. Walker mentions him as a Prebend, of Pipa Minor, alias Prees. Suflf. of the Clergy, Part II. p. 41. X See the Noncon. Mem. v. iii. p. 149. 34 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. the hope that was in him, with meekness and fear ; that the Spirit of grace had been dealing with him when he was j oung; and, he hoped, had discovered to him his need of Christ, and had bowed his will in some measure to close with him upon his own terms, &c. His skill in the original languages of the Scrip- ture was then tried ; and he read and construed two verses in the Hebrew Bible, and two in the Greek Testament. He was then examined in Logic and Natural Philosophy; next in Divinitj, what authors he had read, and what knowledge he had, touching the mediation of Christ, &c. And his skill in the Scripture was tried, by propounding to him a diffi- cult text to give his sense of; a case of conscience was also put to him to be resolved, an inquiry made into his acquaintance with church-history. Lastly, a question was given him to provide a thesis upon against next meeting, which was this ; An providen- tia Divina extendat se ad omnia ? Aff. On this ques- tion he exhibited his thesis, August 3, and defended it. Several of the ministers opposed, and Mr. Por- ter moderated. He then produced two certificates, which he left with the register of the class, one from Oxford, subscribed by Dr. Wilkinson,*' Dr. Langley,^ &c. the other from the neighbouring ministers, Mr. Steel, Mr. Fogg, &c. both testifying of his conversa- tion, &c. " The Lord forgive me," saith he, in his diary, upon this, " that it hath not been more exemplary, as it ought, for piety and industry. Amen, Lord in Christ." The da}" for ordination was appointed to be September 16, at Prces,^ of which notice was given at Worthenbury by a paper, read in the church, and afterwards affixed to the church door the Lord's day before, signifj-ing also, " That, if any one could produce any just exceptions against the doctrine or life of the said Mr. Henry, or anj- sufficient reason why he might not be ordained, they should certify the same to the classis, or the scribe, and it should be heard and considered."'' On the day of ordination there was a very great assembly gathered together. Mr. Porter began the public work of the day with prayer, then Mr. Par- sons preached on 1 Timothy i. 12. I thank Christ Jesiis, who hath enabled mc, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministrij. Putting men into the ministry is the work of Jesus Christ. After sermon, Mr. Parsons, according to the usual method, required of him a confession of his faith, which he made as follows : The ground and rule of my faith 2 Pet. i. 21. towards God, is the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. I believe they were written by holy men, imme- diately inspired by the Holy Ghost ; y Nat. 1602 ; Ob. June, 1675. Wood's Ath. Oxon. vt npra, v. 3. p. 1038. I Ob. Sept. 1G79. Wood's Fasli. ut supra, v. 4. pp. 113. 157. having found the efficacy of tliem, in some measure, upon my own heart, I believe they are further able to make 2 Tim. iii. 15. me vise to salvation. Concerning God, I believe that he S Heb. xi. 6. and that he is the Rewarder of those that diligently seek him. The Trinity of Persons in the Unity l John v. 7. of the Godhead, I receive and own as a truth, I admire and adore as a mystery ; though no man hath seen God at any time, yet the only-begotten John i. la Son, which is in the bosom of the Fa- ther, he hath declared him ; and what he hath declared concerning him, that I believe. I believe that God is a Spirit, for the Son hath said, "God is a Spirit." John iv.% I believe that he hath life in himself, and that he hath given to the Son to John v. 20. have life in himself. I believe all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was John i. 3. made. I believe by his providence he preserves, guides, and governs, all the creatures, according to the purpose of his own will, to his own glory ; for the Father worketh hitherto, and the Son John v. n. also worketh. I believe he made man upright, after Eccles. vii. 29. his own image and likeness,which image Gen. i. -26. consisted in knowledge, righteousness, Coloss. iii. 10. and true holiness ; but man, by sin, Ephes. iv. 24. lost it. I believe we were all in the loins of our first parents, and that they stood and fell as public persons, and upon that account justly, without any colour of wrong, we bear our share, both in Psalm li. 5. the guilt of their disobedience, and also the corruption of nature following thereupon ; so that we came into the Ephes. ii. 3. world children of wrath, and heirs of Zech. xi. a the curse, one, as well as another; enemies to God, hating him, and hated Rom. vii. is. of him : averse to what is good, and prone to all manner of e^il. Though Gen. vi. 5. all arc born in this condition, yet there are some that do not die in it. I believe there is a Mediator, and 1 Tim. ii. 5. there is but one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. Those whom the Father hath from everlasting Ephes. i. 4, 5. pitched his love upon, and given to Christ, not because of works or faith foreseen, but merely of his free grace ; « A small village in the Hundred of North Bradford, Salop, five miles from Whitchurch, and about four from Wem. b Appendix, No. IV. THE LIFE OF MU. PHILIP HENRY. 26 Rom. V. II. for those I believe Christ was sent fortli Gal. iv. 4. iuto the world, made of a woman, made John xvii. 19. under the law ; for their sakes he sanc- Pliil. ii. 8. tified himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross ; wherefore God also highly exalted Eph. i. 20, 21. him ; and having raised him from the dead on the third day, set him at his Heb. vii. 35. own right hand, where he ever lives to John xvii. 9. make intercession for those for whom he shed his blood. All these elect re- Rom, viii. 30. deemed ones, I believe, are, in due 1 Cor. vl. II. time, sooner or later, in their lives, etfcctually called, washed, sanctified, justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Rom. V. I. I believe the righteousness of Christ alone, apprehended by faith, is the matter of our justification before God ; Ps. cxliii. 2. and that no flesh can stand in his sight Jer. xxiii. G. upon any other terms, for he is the Matt. iii. 17. Lord our Righteousness, and in him only the Father is well pleased. Rom. XV. IG. I believe the work of sanctification, managed by the Spirit, who dwellcth in us, though, in respect of parts, it be Coloss. iii. 11. complete, for the whole man is renew- ed ; yet, in respect of degrees, it is not 1 Cor xiii. 0, 10. fully perfected till we come to glory ; and I believe all that are justified shall be glorified ; for we are kept by the I Pet. i. 5. power of God, through faith, unto sal- vation. Ephes. iv. 11. I believe the gathering in, and build- ing up, of saints, is the special end why pastors and teachers are appointed Malt, xxviii. 20. in the church ; and that Jesus Christ, according to his promise, will be with them, in that jvork, to the end of the world. Rom. iv. II. The two Sacraments of the New Testament, Baptism and the Lord's Supper, I receive and own as signs Matt, xxviii. 19. and seals of the covenant of grace ; the Rom. vi. 7. former instituted by our Lord Jesus, Acts il. 39. as a sign and seal of our ingrafting Matt. xxvi. 26. into him, due of right, to all the in- fants of believing parents, and but once to be administered ; the other in stituted by our Lord Jesus in the night c This confession Mr. Orton recommends as a " good model See his Letters to Dissenting Ministers, v. 2. p. 37. The History of Mr. Henry's Ordination can scarcely be dismissed without adverting to an edition of his Life, of recent date, and, professedly, "corrected and improved," by Samuel Taylor; printed by T. Cordeux, 1818; in ivhicli performance a considerable part of his confession of faith is omitted, or misstated. The follow- ing explanation of the liberty thus taken is indeed given ; " It is but an act of common justice to acknowledge that Mr. Henry was, Eccles. xii. 7. Matt. XXV. 41. 31, Acts xvii. 31. 2 Cor. V. 10. wherein he was betrayed, to show forth i Cor. xi. 26. his death, and to seal the benefits purchased thereby to his church and people, and to be often repeated. When the body returns to the dust, I believe the soul returns to God that gave it ; and that immediately it re- ceives from him the sentence, accord- ing to what hath been done in the flesh, either, " Come, inherit the king- dom ; " or, " Depart, accursed, into everlasting fire." I believe, besides this, a day of general judgment in the end of the world, wherein we must all appear be- fore the tribunal of Jesus Christ ; and that our bodies being raised, by an almighty power, from the dust, shall be united to the same souls again, and shall partake with them, in the same condition, either of happiness l Cor. xv. 42. or misery, to all eternity. Those that have done good, shall come forth unto the resun ection of life, and those that John v. 20. have done evil to the resurrection of damnation. This is the sum and substance of my faith, into which I was baptized, ' and in which, by the grace of God, I will live and die."^ Mr. Parsons then proposed certain questions to him, according to the instructions in the Directory, to which he returned answer, as followeth : Question 1. What are your ends in undertaking the work and calling of a minister ? Answer. As far as upon search and inquiry I can hitherto find, though there be that within mc that would seek great things for myself, (if indeed they were to be found in this calling,) yet with my mind I seek them not. But the improvement of the talent which I have received in the service of the gospel, for the glory of God, and the salvation of souls, I hope, is in my eye ; if there be any thing else, I own it not, I allow it not. While so many seek their own, it is my desire, and shall be my endeavour, to seek the things of Jesus Christ. Question 2. What arc your purposes, as to dili- yence and industry, in this calling ?■ Answer. I do purpose and resolve, by the help of in theory, a Calvinist, and that he subscribed the doctrine of election, &c. in the Calvinistic sense. The editor, however, has left out that part of the confession, believing the omission will prove no injury to the cause of vital Christianity." p. 30. How the concluding sentence of the confession could still ob- tain a place, is submitted to the reader's judgment. — 77ns is the sum and substance of my faith. In attempts of this description, there is, to say the least, a mani- fest want of candour, and editorial fidelity. 26 THE LIFE OF MR, God, to give myself " wholly" to these things ; to prajer, reading, meditation, instant preaching, in season and out of season, wherein I shall very gladly spend and be spent, if by any means I may both save myself and them that hear me. And when at any time I fail herein, I desire God, by his Spirit, and my Christian friends, neighbours, and brethren, by seasonable reproof and admonition, to put me in mind of this engagement now made, in the presence of this great congregation. Question 3. Do you mean to he zealous and faith- ful in the defence of truth and unity, against error and schism ? Answer. I believe what the Spirit hath foretold, that, in the last days, perilous times shall come, wherein men will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall heap unto themselves teachers. It is my resolution, by the grace of Christ, to watch in all things ; to contend earnestly for the faith, to hold fast the form of sound and wholesome words, even " the words of our Lord Jesus, and the doctrine which is according to godliness ;" in meek- ness, as I am able, instructing those that oppose themselves. And for peace and unity, if my heart deceive me not, I shall rather choose to hazard the loss of any thing that is most dear to me, than be any way knowingly accessary to the disturbance of these in the churches of Christ. Question 4. What is your persuasion of the truth of the Reformed Religion ? Answer. My persuasion is, that the Bishop of Rome is that man of sin, and son of perdition, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the spirit of his mouth, and whom he will destroy by the brightness of his coming."* And the separation which our first Reformers made, I do heartily rejoice in, and bless God for ; for had we still continued to partake with him in his sins, Ave should, in the end, have partaken with him also in his plagues. Question 5. What do you intend to do when the Lord shall alter your condition, and bring a family under your charge ? Answer. When the Lord shall please, in his Pro- vidence, to bring me into new relations, I hope he v^'ill give me grace to fill them up with duty ; it is my purpose to wait upon him, and to keep his way, to endeavour, in the use of means, that all that are mine, may be the Lord's. Question 6. Will you, in hujnility and meekness, submit to admonition and discipline ? Answer. I believe it to be a duty incumbent upon all that profess the name of Christ, to watch over one another, and that when any is " overtaken in a A 1686. Nov. 28. I was indisposed, yet refreshed with the ex- position of Rev. xi. concerninjj tlie slaying and reviving of the two witnesses ; nay, more than that, my father told us in dis- course, at dinner, he believed some of us young ones might live to see the antichrist fall ; for he thinks it is not far off. If I may PHILIP HENRY. fault," those that are spiritual are to set him in joint again " with the spirit of meekness." It shall be my endeavour, in the strength of Jesus Christ, to walk without rebuke, and when, at any time, I step aside, (for who is there that lives and sins not,) I shall account the smitings of my brethren kindness, and their wounds faithful. Question 7. What, if troubles, persecutions, and discouragements, arise, will you hold out to the end notwithstatiding ? Ansiver. Concerning this I am very jealous over my own heart; and there is cause; I find a great want of that zeal and courage for God, which I know is required in a minister of the gospel ; nevertheless, I persuade myself, that " no temptation shall befall me, but such as is common to man ; and that God, who is faithful, will not suffer me to be tempted above that which I am able, but that with the temp- tation he will also make a way to escape, that I may be able to bear it." I promise faithfulness to the death, but I rest not at all in my promise to God, but in his to me ; " When thou goest through the fire, and through the water, I will be with thee." When this was done, Mr. Parsons prayed ; and in prayer he and the rest of the Presbyters, Mr. Porter, Mr. Houghton, Mr. Maiden, and Mr. Steel, laid their hands upon him, with words to this purpose, " Whom we do thus in thy name set apart to the work and office of the ministry." After him, there were five more,' after the like previous examina- tions and trials, professions and promises, at the same time, in like manner, set apart to the ministry. Then Mr. Maiden, of Newport, closed with an exhortation, directed to the newly ordained minis- ters, in which, saith Mr. Henry in his diarj% this word went near my heart As the nurse puts the meat first into her own mouth, and chews it, and then feeds the child with it, so should ministers do by the word, preach it over beforehand to their own hearts ; it loses none of the virtue thereby, but rather, probably, gains. As that milk nourishcth most which comes warm from the breast, so that sermon which comes warm from a warm heart. Lord, quicken me to do thy will in this thing. The classis gave him, and the rest, instruments in parchment,"certifying this, which it may satisfy the curiosity of some to read the form of. " Whereas, Mr. Philip Henry of Worthenburj', in the County of Flint, Master of Arts, hath address- ed himself unto us, authorized by an ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, of the 29th of August, not see that hnppy day, however, I believe it shall be. Jlrs. Savage. Diary. Orig. MS e Gal. vi. 1. Vid Pol. Synop. inhc. f Mr. Jones, of Llanarmon Mr. Dickins, of Morton Say ; Mr. Bradley, of Ness ; Mr. Hall, of Newcastle; Mr. Hanmer, o£ White- THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. 27 1648, for the ordination of ministers, desiring to be ordained a Presbyter, for that he is ehosen and ap- pointed for the work of the ministry at Worthenbury, in the county of Flint, as by a certificate itow remain- ing with us, touching that his election and appoint- ment, appeareth. And he having likewise exhibited a sufficient testimonial of his diligence and profici- ency in his studies, and unblamableness of his life and conversation, he hath been examined according to the rules for examination in the said ordinance expressed ; and thereupon approved, there being no just exception made, nor put in, against his ordina- tion and admission. These may therefore testify to all whom it may concern, that upon the 16th day of Sep- tember, 1657, we have proceeded solemnly to set him apart for the office of a Presbyter, and work of the ministry of the gospel, by laying on of our hands with fasting and prayer. By virtue whereof we do declare him to be a lawful and sufficiently authorized minister of Jesus Christ. And having good evidence of his lawful and fair calling, not only to the work of the ministry, but to the exercise thereof at the chapel of Worthenbury, in the county of Flint, we do hereby send him thither, and actually admit him to the said charge, to perform all the offices and duties of a faithful pastor there ; exhorting the people, in the name of Jesus Christ, willingly to receive and ac- knowledge him as the minister of Christ, and to maintain and encourage him in the execution of his office, that he may be able to give up such an ac- count to Christ of their obedience to his ministry, as may be to his joy, and their everlasting comfort. In witness whereof, we the Presbyters of the Fourth Class, in the County of Salop, commonly called Bradford-North Class, have hereunto set our hands, this 16th day of September, in the year of our Lord God, 1657. Thomas Porter, Moderator for the time. Andrew Parsons, Minister of Wem. Aylmar Haughton, Minister of Frees. John Maiden, Minister of Newport. Richard Steel, Minister of Hanmer." * I have heard it said, by those who were present at this solemnity, that Mr. Henry did in his counte- nance, carriage, and expression, discover such an extraordinary seriousness and gravity, and such deep impressions made upon his spirit, as greatly affected the auditory, and even struck an awe upon them. well Chapel. P. Henry. Diary. Orig. MS. As to Mr. Hall, see the Noncon. Mem. v. 3. p. 228. g Mr. Orton.in his edition of the Life, p. 51. has here introduced the following note. It is remarkable, that Mr. Steel should be likewise engaged in the ordination of his son, Mr. Matthew Henry, almost thirty years after this ; viz. May 9, 1687. It was the honour of his younger days to be appointed by the classis of Ministers, one of those who Read his reflection upon it in his diary. — " Me- thoughts I saw much of God in carrying on of the work of this day. Oh, how good is the Lord ! he is good, and doth good ; the remembrance of it I shall never lose ; to him be glory. I made many pro- mises of diligence, faithfulness, &c. but I lay no stress at all on them, but on God's promise to me, that he will be with his ministers always to the end of the world. Amen, Lord, so be it. Make good thy word unto thy servant, wherein thou hast caused me to put my trust." And in another place, — " I did this day receive as much honour and work, as ever I shall be able to know what to do with ; Lord Jesus, pro- portion supplies according." Two Scriptures he de- sired might be written in his heart, 2 Corinthians vi. 4, 5, &c. and 2 Chronicles xxix. 11. Two years after, upon occasion of his being present at an ordination at Whitchurch, he thus writes : — " This day my ordination covenants were in a special manner renewed, as to diligence in reading, prayer, meditation, faithfulness in preaching, admonition, catechizing, sacraments, zeal against error and pro- faneness, care to presei-ve and promote the unity and purity of the church, notwithstanding opposition and persecution, though to death. Lord, thou hast filled my hands with work, fill my heart with wisdom and grace, that I may discharge my duty to thy glory, and my own salvation, and the salvation of those that hear me." Amen. Let us now sec how he applied himself to his work at Worthenbury. The sphere was narrow, too nar- row for such a burning and shining light. There were but forty-one communicants in that parish, when he first set up the ordinance of the Lord's Supper ; and they were never doubled. Yet he had such low thoughts of himself, that he not only never sought for a larger sphere, but would never hearken to any overtures of that kind made to him. And withal, he had such high thoughts of his work, and the worth of souls, that he laid out himself with as much diligence and vigour here, as if he had the oversight of the greatest and most considerable parish in the country. The greatest part of the parish were poor tenants and labouring husbandmen ; but the souls of such, he used to say, are as precious as the souls of the rich, and to be looked after accordingly. His prayer for them was, — " Lord, despise not the day of small things in this place, where there is some willingness, but much weakness." And thus he writes upon the Judge's settling a handsome maintenance upon him. should lay hands on Mr. Philip Henry ; and itmust be the comfort of his advanced years, that he had the opportunity of doing the same office for the son. This circumstance must be very pleasing both to father and son ; and it could not be less pleasing to Mr. Steel, that he should be employed, under Christ, in sending out two such ministers into the church ■, such a father, and such a son. See Tong's Life of Mattli. Henry, p. 93. ul supra. 28 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. —Lord, thou knowest I seek not theirs but them.'' Give me the souls."' [An edifying instance is prescr\ed in the following letter. It has no date. My dear Friend ; I am glad to hear by your father, that God hath been, of late, at work with j our soul ; and, I hope, it will prove the good work, which, where he once begins, he v.'iU be sure to perform, until the day of Jesus Christ. Now I send these few lines to you from my affectionate love, and from the true desire which I have of your spiritual and everlasting wel- fare, to be your remembrancer, that you be sure, by all means, to lay a good foundation, for want of which multitudes miscarry and come to nothing. Now that foundation must be laid in sound convic- tions of, and hearty contrition for, sin ; you must bethink yourself of the error of your way, in how many things you have offended ; and who can tell, in how many ? You must lay before you the pure, and holy, and spiritual law of God ; and if the commandment came to you by the Spirit of God working with it, as it came to Paul, Romans vii. 9. it will make sin to revive ; and the reviving of sin, in that manner, will be the death of all your vain hopes and carnal confidences ; you will then change your note, and from the Pharisee's, God, I thank thee, I am not as other men arc ; you will cry out with the poor Publican, God, be merciful to me a sinner ! Oh, the numberless numbers of vain thoughts, idle words, unprofitable communications, that have past you in any one day, the best of your days ! the multitudes of omissions of duty to God, to man in general, in particular relations! the multitudes of ' commissions, whereby from time to time you have transgressed and turned aside, in the several ages and stages of your life, through which you have passed ! Though yoii are but young, and, therefore, free from much of that guilt which others lie under, yet conclude, I say conclude, you have enough and enough again, if God should enter into judgment with you, to sink you into the bottomless pit of hell ; and, therefore, you must enter into judgment with yourself, and condemn yourself, and if you do it aright, jou shall not be judged of the Lord, nor condemned with the world. Be free and full in your confessions, and after all you must close with David's, &c. Psalm xix. 12. " Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults." Let the streams lead you to the Fountain ; see a root, a root of bitterness in your nature, bearing gall and wormwood in your life and actions ; and be sure lay h See 2 Cor.xii. 14. The welfare of his people was very dear to him, and lay near his heart ; Ue sought not tlieirs, but them ; nor was his care so much to gather in tithes as soulcs. The Life of Dr. Thomas Taylor, who died A. D. 1632, prefixed to his Works, fol. 1653. the axe to that, and bewail that, and see an absolute necessitj' of a change ; for except you be born again and become a new creature, that is, except a contrary principle of grace be wrought in you to work out that naughty principle of corruption by degrees, you cannot enter into the kingdom of God. And here all the creatures in heaven and earth cannot help you ; they must each of them say, it is not in me, it is not in me ; they have neither a righteousness for you wherein to stand before God for justification, nor the power to give you for the mortifying of one vicious habit, or for the performing of any one act of acceptable obedience ; but, blessed be God, help is laid for us upon one that is mighty, able to save to the uttermost those that come unto God by him, the only Mediator between God and Man, the Man Christ Jesus ; ' and, therefore, by him you must go to God. I say must, or you are undone, for there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved ; you must in the sight and sense of your own lost and undone condition in yourself, by reason of the guilt which lies upon you, resolve to cast yourself upon the free grace of the gospel ; making this your only plea at the bar of his offended justice, I have sinned, but Christ Jesus hath died, yea, rather is risen again, and in him mercy is pro- mised to the penitent, and therefore to me. Do not suffer the tempter, nor your own belief, to beat you from this plea. These will tell you, you are a great sinner, it may be a backslider after convictions, and that often, and, therefore, it is to no purpose; but do not hearken to them ; say, faithful is he that hath promised, and hold fast there ; say, the worse I am, the more need I have of a Saviour, the more his mercy will be magnified in saving me ; remember David's argument. Psalm xxv. 11. And when yon have in this manner by faith applied Christ crucified to your soul, you are bound to believe that God doth accept of you, that your sins are pardoned, and that you shall not come into condemnation. And then your next work must be to study what you shall render, to love him that hath loved you first, and out of love to him to forsake all sin, and to buckle to all duty ; to read, hear, and meditate, in the word of God, that you may know what the will of God is concerning you, and what you ought to do ; and when you know it, resolve to do it. You will say, I can- not. I know you cannot, but in this also help is laid up for you in Jesus Christ ; if you come to him daily, as you have'occasion, in the sense of your own impotency, he will strengthen you with all might by his Spirit in the inner man ; he will plant grace, and water his own planting, and make it to grow I See Gen. xiv. 21. k See P. Henry's Eighteen Sermons, ut tupra, p. 209. where sin is considered as an abomination ; and also, ib. 277. where the poor in spirit are proved to be blessed. 1 Appendix, No. V. THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. 89 and brin^ forth fruit. I can do all things, saith Paul, through Christ strengthening me, and without him we can do nothing. The terms of that blessed covenant that we are under, are, that we endeavour to do as well as we can, aiming at perfection ; and wherein we come short, that we may be humbled for it, but not discouraged, as if there were no hope for we are not under the latv, but under grace. I am glad to hear you have those servants of the Lord with you, who are better able than I to be the directors of your way in this main matter, and that God hath given you acquaintance with them, and an interest in their love and prayers, which I hope you do prize at a very liigh rate, and be sure you do upon all occasions make use of them, and be guided by them. If you have not joined in the fellowship of the holy supper, I would you should not by any means delay to do it. It is not privilege only, but duty, commanded duty, and if you love the Lord Jesus, how can you answer for your neglect so long of such a gracious appointment of his, when you have opportunity for it ? Behold, he calls you. It is one thing to be unworthy to come, and another thing to come unworthily. He that is not fit to-day, will be less fit to-morrow. I know those that can witness, though there were treaties before between their souls and the Lord Jesus, in order to that blessed match, yet the matter was never consummated, nor the knot fully tied, " till they came to that ordinance : it is a sealing ordinance ; God is there sealing to us, and we sealing to him in a precious Mediator. You cannot imagine the benefits of it, and, therefore, put not off. So, commending you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, I rest. Your truly affectionate and well-wishing friend, Philip Henry."] m Rom. vi. 4. My soul hath oft been refreshed with that sweet word,—" We are not under the law, but uuder grace;"— and, I may say concerning it,— It is " all my salvation, and all my desire, although he should not make my house to grow." P. Henry. Orig. MS. A believer, says Mr. Mead, is under the law for conduct, but not for judgment; it is the guide of his path, but not the judge of his state. The good of early obedience, p. 307. duod. 1683. n .See ante, p. 14. o Orig. MS. P Appendix, No. VI. q For a full account of the conduct of such interviews, and a summary of their advantages, see Clark's Lives of Eminent Di- vines, ut supra. Pref. pp. 4, 5. r On one occasion the question being proposed. What means are we to use that we may get knowledge, particularly that which is divine 1 Mr. Henry gave the following answer, which furnislies a corroboration of many statements in the volume, and will be a directory to others who are seeking instruction : Be convinced that knowledge is not a matter of indifference. See John xvii. 3; 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. Hos, iv. 6. Isa.xxvi. II. With- out knowledge there is no faith; ignorant believing is but pre- sumption, Isa. liii. 11. Labour to see thy want of knowledge, Prov. xxvi. 12. ICor. viii.'2. Isa. xxviii. 0. It is certain you can He was in labours more abundant to win souls ; besides preaching he expounded the Scriptures in order;!' catechised, and explained the catechism. At first he took into the number of his catechumens some thatwere adult, who, he found, wanted instruc- tion ; and when he had taken what pains he thought needful with them, he dismissed them from farther attendance, with commendation of their proficiency, and counsel, " to Iwld fast the form of sound words ;" to be watchful against the sins of their age, and to apply themselves to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, and make ready for it ; afterwards he cate- chised none above seventeen or eighteen years of age. He set up a monthly lecture there of two sermons, one he himself preached, and the other his friend Mr. Ambrose Lewis, of Wrexham, for some years. He also kept up a monthly conference,'' in private, from house to house, in which he met with the more knowing and judicious of the parish ; and they dis- coursed familiarly together of the things of God, to their mutual edification, according to the example of the apostles, who, though they had the liberty of public places, yet tauc/ht also from house to house. Acts V. 42; xx. 20. That which induced him to set and keep up this exercise as long as he durst, which was till August, 1660, was, that by this means he came better to understand the state of his flock, and so knew the better how to preach to them, and pray for them, and they to pray one for another. If they were in doubt about any thing relating to their souls, that was an opportunity of getting satisfaction. It was likewise a means of increasing knowledge,' and love, and other graces ; and thus it abounded to a good account.^ He was very industrious in visiting the sick, in- structing them, and praying with them ; and in this he would say, he aimed at the good, not only of those that were sick, but also of their friends and relations that were about them. never know too much.— Be diligent and constant in the use of ordinances. Public ;—H&3X the word preached. In hearing, be sure observe the doctrine, which, for the most part, is very short ; and, for the help of such whose memories are weak, given usually in the very words of Scripture, whichis taken for the text. If you can carry away nothing else, fail not to carry away that. But should I be speaking to you an hour about any worldly business, you would remember a great deal more than one sentence. Turn to proof afterwards. PriVafe;— Read the scriptures, or get others to read them to you, in your families. Read those that are most for edification. Regard not so much how many chapters you read, as how many truths you can make up to yourselves from what you read. Unless where continuance of story requires, let, ordinarily, one or two chapters at a time suffice; and let them be read once and again. Also, get some good books, catechisms, &c. that contain the principles of religion. If thou canst not buy, borrow.— Keep knowing company ; and, when you are with such, be inquiring,— What means this?— not out of curiosity, but for edification. You, who have knowledge, be willing to communi- cate. You will lose nothing by it. Pray much ; especially before hearing, reading, &c. See James i. 5. Prov. ii. 3, &c. Use some short ejaculation. Psalm cxix. is full of such. P. Henry. Orig. MS. 8 Appendix, No. VIL 30 THE LIFE OF MR, He preached funeral sermons for all that were buried there, rich and poor, old or younof, or little children ; for he looked upon it as an opportunity of doing good. He called it, — setting in the plow of the word, when the Providence had softened and prepared the ground. He never took any money for that or any other ministerial performance, besides his stated salar}-, for which he thought himself obliged to do his whole duty to them as a minister. When he first set up' the ordinance of the Lord's Supper there, he did it with verj' great solemnity. After he had endeavoured to instruct them in his public preaching, touching the nature of that ordi- nance, he discoursed personally with all that gave up their names to the Lord in it, touching their knowledge, experience, and conversation, obliged them to observe the law of Christ, touching bro- therl}- admonition in case of scandal ; and gave notice to the congregation who they were that were admitted; adding this: "Concerning these, and myself, I have two things to say. 1. As to what is past, wc have sinned. If we should say, we have not, we should deceive ourselves, and the truth were not in us ; and yet this withal we can say, and have said it, some of us with tears, — We are grieved that we have sinned. 2. For time to come we are resolved by God's grace to walk in new obedience ; and yet seeing we are not angels, but men and wo- men, compassed about with infirmities and tempta- tions, it is possible we may fall ; but if wc do, it is our declared resolution to submit to admonition and censure, according to the rule of the gospel." And all along he took care so to manage his admissions to that ordinance, as that the weak might not be discouraged, and j"et the ordinance might not be profaned.' He would tell those whom he was ne- cessitated to debar from the ordinance for ignorance, that he would undertake, if they were but truly willing, they might in a week's time, by the blessing of God upon their diligent use of means, reading, prayer, and conference, get such a competent mea- sure of knowledge, as to be able to discern the Lord's body. And those that had been scandalous, if they would but come in and declare their repentance, and resolutions of new obedience, they should no longer be excluded. To give a specimen of his lively administrations of that ordinance, let me transcribe the notes of his exhortation at the first sacrament that ever he ad- ministered, November 27, 16.59." I suppose they are but the hints of what he enlarged more upon, for he had always a great fluency upon such occa- sions. " Dearly beloved in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we arc met together this day about the most t Some important observations on this subject, in connexion with the Test Act, occur in the Hist of Dissenters, v. 4. p. I81— 186. . PHILIP HENRY. solemn, weighty service under heaven ; we are come to a feast, where the feast-maker is God the Father, the provision, .God the Son, whose flesh is meat indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed ; the guests, a company of poor sinners, unworthy such an honour ; the crumbs under the table were too good for us, and yet we are admitted to taste of the pro- vision upon the table ; and that which makes the feast is hearty welcome. God the Father bids you welcome ; and ten thousand welcomes this day, to the flesh and blood of his Son. Think you hear him saying it to jou, O believing souls. Cant. v. 1. — Eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O he- loved. The end of this feast is to keep in remem- brance the death of Christ, and our deliverance by it, and thereby to convey spiritual nourishment and refreshment to our soul?. But withal, give rac leave to ask you one question, — What appetite have you to this feast ? Are j ou come hungering and thirsting ? Such as have the promise, they shall be filled. He fiUeth the hungry with good things, but the rich are sent empty away ; a honej-comb to a full soul is no honey-comb. Canst thou say as Christ said, — With desire I have desired to eat this ? In this ordinance here is Christ and all his benefits exhibited to thee. Art thou weak ? here is bread to strengthen thee. Art thou sad ? here is wine to comfort thee. What is it thou standest in need of? a pardon? here it is, sealed in blood, take it by faith, as I offer il to you in the name of the Lord Jesus ; though thy sins have been as scarlet, they shall be as taool, if thou be willing and obedient. It may be, here are some that have been drunkards, swearers, scoffers at godliness, sabbath-breakers, and what not ; — and God hath put it into your hearts to humble yourselves, to mourn for and turn from all your abominations. Oh, come hither, here is forgiveness for thee. What else is it thou wantest ? Oh, saith the poor soul, I would have more of the spirit of grace, more power against sin, especially my o\\-n iniquity. Why, here it is for thee : ' from the fulness that is in Jesus Christ, we receive, and grace for grace.' John i. 16. We may say as David did. Psalm eviii. 7, 8. God hath spoken in his holiness, and then Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. So God hath spoken in his word scaled in his sacrament, and then Christ is mine, pardon is mine, grace is mine, comfort mine, glory mine ; here I have his bond to show for it. This is to those among j ou, that have engaged their hearts to approach unto God this day. " But if there be any come hither with a false, unbelieving, filthy, hard heart, I do warn you seri- ously, and with authorit}', in the name of Jesus Christ, presume not to come any nearer to this sacred ordinance.' You that live in the practice of any sin. n Is it not probable, this was 16 j" ! Mr. Henrj's ordination was September 16, in that year. T The one great cause of the great flourishing of religion in the THE LIFE OF MR or the omission of any duty against your knowledf^e and conscience ; you that iiave any malice or grudge to any of your neighbours, leave your gift and go your ways ; be reconciled to God, be reconciled to your brother, and then come ! Better shame thyself for coming so near,' than damn thyself by coming nearer. I testify to those, who say they shall have peace, though they go on still in their tres- passes, that there is poison in the bread ; take it and eat it at your own peril ; there is poison in the cup too, you drink your own damnation. I wash my hands from the guilt of your blood. Look you to it, on tlie other hand, you poor penitent souls that arc lost in yourselves, here is a Christ to save you. Come, Ocome, ye that are rvcai'y and lieavij laden,"&cc. It may not be amiss to transcribe also some hints of preparation for the administering of the ordinance of baptism,™ which I find under his hand, at his first setting out in the ministry, as follows : " It is a real manifestation of the goodness and love of God to believers, that he hath not only taken them into covenant with himself, but their seed also; saying, / will be thy God, and the God of thy seed. Though to be born of such, does not necessarily entitle infants to the spiritual mercies of the cove- nant, for grace doth not run in the blood. We see the contrary many times, even godly parents have wicked children ; Abraham had his Ishmael, and Isaac his.Esau ; yet, questionless, it doth entitle them to the external privileges of the covenant. The like figure vnto Noah's ark, even baptism doth also now save US. Noah, and all that were his, entered into the ark, though we have cause to doubt whether they all entered into heaven. While our Lord Jesus was here upon the earth, they brought little children to him, and he laid his hands on them, and blessed them ; and said, moreover. Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, (there are many at this day, that forbid little children to come to Christ,) he adds the reason, — for of such is the kingdom of hea- ven. Whether it be meant of the visible church, often so called in the gospel, or of the state of glory in another world ; either way it affords an argument for proof of infant baptism. When either parent is in covenant with God, their children also are in co- venant with him ; and being in covenant, they have an undoubted right and title to this ordinance of baptism, which is the seal of the covenant. So that in the administration of this ordinance, this day, ac- cording to the institution of Jesus Christ, we look upon you who are the father of this child, as a per- son in covenant with God. How far you have dealt pnmitive times, w as, certainly, the strictness used by tliem in their admission of members into church societies, which is fully de- scribed by Origen, against Cclsus; who tells us, they did inquire into their lives and carriages, to discern their seriousness in the profession of Cliristianity during their being catechumens ; who after tells us, they did require true repentance and reformation of life, then we admit them to the participation of our mysteries. . PHILIP HENRY. st unfaithfully in the covenant, is known to God and your own conscience ; but this we know, the vows of God are upon you ; and let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But before we baptize your child, I am to acquaint you, in a few words, what we expect from you. " Q. (1.) Do you avouch God in Jesus Christ this day to be your God? See to it that this be done in truth, and with a perfect heart. You may tell us you do so, and you may deceive us, but God is not mocked. Q. (2.) And is it your desire, that your children also may be received into covenant with the Lord, and that the Lord's broad-seal of bap- tism may be set to it ? Q. (3.) And do you promise in the presence of God, and of this congregation, that you will do your endeavour towards tlie training of it up in the way of godliness, that as it is by you, through mercy, that it lives the life of nature, so it may by you also, through the same mercy, live the life of grace ? Else I must tell you, if you be wanting lierein, there will be a sad appearance one day, when you sliall meet together before the judgment-seat of Christ, and this solemn engagement of yours will be brought in to witness against you." These were but the first instances of his skilful- ness in dispensing the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He declined the private administration of the Lord's Supper to sick persons, as judging it not consonant to the rule and intention of the ordinance. He very rarely, if ever, baptized in private ; but would have children brought to the solemn assembly upon the Lord's day, that the parent's engagement miglit have the more witnesses to it, and the child the more prayers put up for it, and that the congre- gation might be edified. And yet he would say, there was some inconvenience in it too, unless peo- ple would agree to put off the feasting part of the solemnity to some other time, which he very much persuaded his friends to ; and observed, that Abra- ham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned, (Genesis xxi. 8.) not the same day that he was circumcised. His carriage towards the people of his parish was vei-y exemplary ; condescending to the meanest, and conversing familiarly with them : bearing with the infirmities of the weak, and becoming all things to all men. [Weak Christians, he remarks, have infirmities : but infirmity supposes life, and all who are alive to God have an inward sense of sin, and their own lost condition, by reason of it, — they heartily close with Christ upon gospel terms for pardon and peace, — Irenlcum, by Edward Stillingfleet, afterwards Bishop of Worcester. 4to. 1661. pp. 134, 13.3. w Mr. Matthew Henry left in manuscript a Treatise on Baptism. It was abridged and published by the Rev. Thomas Robins in 1783. The reader will find many extracts from it in " Antipaedobaptism Examined," by the late Dr. Edward Williams, vol. ii. ch. vi. ed. 1789. See also Orion's Letters to Dissenting Ministers, V. ii.p. 67. 32 THE LIFE OF MR, and have unfeigned desires and endeavours to walk in the way of God's commandments. But such are, oftentimes, very dull of apprehension in spiritual things, Matthew xv. 16. Hebrews v. 11, 12. They are often peevish and froward, inexpert, unskilful in duty, and apt to envy, and judge, and censure, being unacquainted vvlth the extent of Christian liberty in indifferent things. They arc often fainting in adver- sitj-, much taken with earthly things, easily disquieted and cast down, and frequently questioning the love of God. We must not, however, despise them, Romans xiv. 3. Zechariah iv. 10. — not in heart, word, or carriage. We must rather deny ourselves than offend them. Romans xiv. 21. Romans xv. 1, 2. 1 Corinthians \\n. 9, 13. We must support them, — bear them as pillars, — bear the house as the shoulders a burthen, as the wall the vine, as parents their children, as the oak the iv}-. And this, because they are brethren. Are they not of the same body ? Shall the hand cut ofiF the little finger because it is not as large as the thumb ? Do men throw away their corn, because it comes into the bam \\ith chaff '. They arc weak. Bear with them out of pitj'. In a family, if one of the little ones be sick, all the larger children are ready to attend it, which they need not do if it were well. It should be done, likewise, be- cause Jesus Christ does so. Hear ye one another's burthens, andso fulfil the law of Christ, the law of his command, and the law of his example. He takes special care of his lambs, will not quench the smoking flax, and is touched with the feeling of our infirmi- ties, Hebrews iv. 15. " To return,] he was exceeding tender of giving offence, or occasion of grief, to any body, minding himself in his diary upon such occasions, that the wisdom that is from above, is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, &e. Yet he plainly and faithfully reproved what he savv amiss in any, and would not suffer sin upon them ; mourning also for that which he could not mend. There were some untractable people in the parish, who sometimes caused grief to him, and exercised his boldness and zeal in reprov- ing. Once hearing of a merry meeting at an ale- house, on a Saturday night, he went himself and broke it up, and scattered them. At another time, he publicly witnessed against a frolic of some vain people, that on a Saturday night came to the church with a fiddler before them, and dressed it up with flowers and garlands, making it, as he told them, X p. Henry. Orig. MS. y This statement is now inapplicable to congregational assem- blies. Considering the aspect of the times, educational predilec- tions, and oiBcial custom, it cannot be surprising that such a man as Mr. Henry should have felt sensibly on the subject. The sen- timent was, indeed, common, and for similar reasons, to the body of Presbyterian Ministers. The experience, however, which resulted from the Act of Uniformity in 1662, and other subsequent statutes, evidently lessened their objections, and showed that the difficulties were rather imaginary than real. . PHILIP HENRY. more like a play-house ; and was this their prepara- tion for the Lord's day, and the duties of it? &c. He minded them of Eccle.siastes xi. 9. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, but know thou . Many out of the neighbouring parishes attended upon his ministry, and some came from far, though sometimes he signified his dislike of their so doing, so far was he from glorying in it. But they who had spii-itual senses exercised to discern things that differ, would attend upon that ministry which they found to be most edifying. He was about eight years, from first to last, labour- ing in the word and doctrine at Worthenbury, and his labour was not altogether in vain. He saw in many of the travail of his own soul to the rejoicing of his heart, but with this particular dispensation, which I have heard him sometimes speak of, that most or all of those in that parish, whom he was, through grace, instrumental of good to, died be- fore he left the parish, or quickly after ; so that within a few years after his removal thence, there were very few of the visible fruits of his ministry there ; and a new generation sprung up there, who knew not Joseph. Yet the opportunity he found there was of doing the more good, by hav- ing those that were his charge near about him, made him all his days bear his testimony to parish order, where it may be had upon good terms, as much more eligible, and more likely to answer the end, than the congregational way of gathering churches from places far distant, which could not ordinarily meet to worship God together.^ From this experience here, though he would say, we must do what we can, when we cannot do what we would, ' he often wished and prayed for the opening of a door, bj- which to return to that order again. He had not been long at Worthenbury, but he began to be taken notice of by the neighbouring ministers, as likely to be a considerable man. Though his extraordinary modesty and humility, which even in his youth he was remarkable for, made him to sit down with silence in the lowest room, and to say, as Elihu, Days shall speak ; yet his eminent gifts and graces could not long be hid; the ointment of the right hand will betray itself, and a person of his merits could not but meet with those quickly, who said. Friend, go up higher ; and so that Scripture was fulfilled, Luke xiv. 10. He was often called upon to preach the week-daj' lectures. z Ut quimus, aiunt ; quando, ut volumus, non licet. Terence. Andria, Act. IV. Sc. VI. In a valuable little Treatise, " Of the Power of Godlinesse," by Thomas White, duod. 1658. The author states, that one great im- pediment " whereby wee are hindered in the wayes of God,"— " not to do what wee can, because we cannot do what wee would, or should." /A. p. 139. So, Mr. Bereman,— " If you cannot do the good you would, then do the good you can." Farewell Sermons, p. 324. 4to. 166.3. THE LIFE OF MR, which were set up plentifully, and diligently attend- ed upon in those parts, and his labours were gene- rally very acceptable and successful. , The vox populi fastened upon him the epithet of Heavenly Henry,' by m hich title he was commonly known all the country over ; and his advice was sought for by many neighbouring ministers and Christians, for he was one of those that found favour and good under- standing in the sight of God and man. He was noted at his first setting out, (as I have been told by one who was then intimately acquainted with him, and with his character and conversation,) for three things : 1. Great piety and devotion, and a mighty savour of godliness in all his converse. 2. Great industry in the pursuit of useful knowledge ; he was particularly observed to be very inquisitive when he was among the aged and intelligent, hear- ing them, and asking them questions ; a good exam- ple to young men, especially young ministers. 3. Great self-denial, self-diffidence, and self-abase- ment ; this eminent humility put a lustre upon all his other graces. This character of him reminds me of a passage I have sometimes heard him tell, as a check to the forwardness and confidence of young men, that once at a meeting of ministers, a question of moment was started, to be debated among them ; upon the first proposal of it, a confi- dent young man shoots his bolt'' presently, " Truly," saith he, " I hold it so ;" " You hold. Sir," saith a grave minister, " it becomes you to hold your peace." Besides his frequent preaching of the lectures about him, he was a constant amd diligent attendant upon those within his reach, as a hearer ; and not only wrote the sermons he heard, but afterwards re- corded in his diary, what, in each sermon, reached his heart, affected him, and did him good; adding some proper, pious ejaculations, which were the breathings of his heart, when he meditated upon and prayed over the sermons. [The following instances will illustrate the fore- going statement, and preserve, at the same time, some pleasing specimens of the pulpit excellences of va- rious of Mr. Henry's friends and fellow-labourers. lGo7, January 7. I heard two sermons at Bangor ; the one from Acts xvii. 31. He hath appointed a daij wherein he will judye the world. My heart was very dead in hearing ; the Lord in mercy forgive it ; but the truth made up to myself is this, — I would fain be certified,— Am I ready for that day ? It will be ter- rible to sinners ; it will be comfortable to the godly ; it is not long to it. Where shall I then appear ? O Lord, let me be found in Christ ! — At his right, not at iiis left, hand ;— among the sheep, not among the • The authors of the Biographie Universelle Ancienne et Mo- denie, Tome Vingtieme, oct. 1817. tit. Henry Mathieu, say,— that he published a Life "de M. Philippe Henry, (pere de I'auteur,) I'un des premiers nonconformistes, en 1696, et appele par ses admira- teurs, /<• bon, le celeste M. Henry.- :. PHILIP HENRY. 33 goats! I have been a wandering sheep, if yet a sheep. Oh, save me for thy mercies' sake ! The other from Acts xxiv. 25. Felix trembled. Much was spoken that reached my heart and present condition, as if the Lord had sent the minister to preach purposely to me. Blessed be God ! It is a dreadful thing to sin against conviction ; and that I have done many a time. Father, forgive me ! A convinced person finds a great deal less pleasure in sin than others do. I can set my seal to that truth, and acknowledge myself, therefore, so much the more a fool to transgress without a cause. Sure, my sin is the greater. Sins against conviction border upon the sin against the Holy Ghost. Oh, how near then have I been to ruin ! There hath been but a step between me and death ; but God hath had mercy. Saving convictions melt the heart, set the soul a praying, subdue the will to live according to them. Mine, this day, produced the two former effects, with hearty unfeigned resolutions touching the latter. Lord, undertake for me ! I was told that I must not stay till some remark- able time from which to date my conversion to God, as many do, but I must make this day remarkable by doing it now. After dangerous backsliding, lo, I come to Thee, for thou art the Lord my God ! — My God in Christ ! April 1. I heard two sermons at Bangor. The one from Psalm cxix. 37. Quicken thou me in thy way. In the prayer before sermon, this confession was put up, which my heart closed with ; Lord, we want wisdom to carry ourselves as we ought in the world, by reason rrhereof the tcork of the yospel in our hands is much hindered ! Oh, my God, bestow upon me a wise and an understanding heart. The doc- trine was, — that God's people often want quickening in God's tvay. I am sure I do. Oh, when had I cause to complain, my heart is dead to the world, creatures, pleasures, sin? But to duty, praying, preaching, when, almost, is it otherwise? Lord, thou gavest life at first ; give more life ! May 6. At Thistleworth. From Matt. vi. 10. Thy will be done. In this petition we pray that the secret will of God, which is always wise, may be done upon us, and that the revealed will of God, which is always righteous, may be done by us ; the will of his purpose, and the will of his command. In earth as in heaven — A true Christian hath perfection in his eye, though he cannot reach it; (Phil, iii.) that, if possible, he might attain the resurrection of the dead. O Lord, when shall I be perfect; when shall (hat that is in part be done away ? b An allusion, probably, to the old proverb, A rash man's holt is soon shot. "The hypocrite will rashly and suddenly shoot the bolt of his censure against any that comes in his way." Divine Cha- racters, by Samuel Crook, B. O. p. 126. fol 1658. See Clark's Lives annexed to the Martyrologie, p. 214. ul supra. THE LIFE OF MR, PHILIP HENRY. May 10. At Thistleworth. From Matt. xii. 36. The doctrine was, — Idle words must be accounted for. Words that are unprofitable bring no glory to God, no real good to ourselves or others, are very- sinful, — because they are an abuse of our best mem- ber, our tongue, wliich is our glory. We are guilty of very manj', every day, in eveiy company. From hence was inferred what need there is for us to reckon with ourselves every night for the idle words and other failings of the day before. It is no wis- dom to defer. If we reflect not quickly, we shall forget. My heart accuses me of much guilt in this respect. I have formerly been very talkative, and in multitude of words there wants not sin. Lord, cleanse my soul in the blood of Christ, and mortify that corruption for me, by thy Spirit, every daj", more and more ! From 1 Pet. iv. 18. it was urged that it is no eas}- matter to be saved. It was difficult work to Jesus Christ to work redemption for us. It is difiBcult work to the Spirit to work grace in us, and to carry it on against corruptions, temptations, distractions. I was exhorted to inquire, 1. Can I choose to under- go the greatest sufifeiing rather than commit the least sin ? 2. Can I embrace Christ with his cross ? 3. Can I work for God though there were no wages ? 4. Can I swim against the stream ; be good in bad times, and places ? 5. Can I pull out right eyes for Christ, and cut off right Lands, &c. ? T can do all this, and much more, through Christ's strengthen- ing me. June 3. At Bangor, from Phil. i. 27. The doc- trine was,— It is the great duty of Christians to have their conversation as becomes the gospel ; that is, clothed with the graces of the gospel, faith, Iove> humility, meekness, self-denial, patience ; and in these to abound, and grow. It is an uncomely sight to see an old professor a young saint. We discre- dit our keeping. Lord, water me every moment ; keep me night and day, that I may thrive to thy praise, having my conversation, not only as becomes the gospel, but, which is more, as becomes a minis- ter of the gospel. June 10. At Ellesmere. From Matt. v. 6. The doctrine was, — Hungrj-, thirsty souls shall be filled, partly here, perfectly hereafter, with grace, comfort, glory. Such put a great value upon Christ. Men will part with any thing for food ; they will go far for it ; take pains to get it. Lord, evermore fill my soul with thyself! Creatures will not satisfy. July 1. At Bangor. From Matt. xiii. 44. The ob- servation was, — Those who have found Christ ought to hide him ; — not from others, but within themselves in the safest, inmost room of their hearts. This is done by faith, love, humility, obedience, entertainment. c Mr. Pomfret " would exhort people from the pulpit, that, next to the blood of Christ, they »ould priie lime and thoughts. ' Life, by Thoma* Reynolds, p. 72 oct. 1722. There is all the reason in the world for it ; he is treasure worth hiding ; there are great endeavours to rob us of him ; if once lost, he is not easily found again ; till he can be found again, there can be no true peace. Some lodge Christ, as they do beggars, in their out-houses, by making a visible profession, but sin dwells in the heart. The Lord grant that I be not one of those ! From Eccles. i. 2. it was stated, — That there is no- thing under the sun but what is full of the vainest vanity, — unsatisfying, unprofitable, unsuitable, un- certain, not worthy our affections when we have them, nor our afflicting ourselves when we want them. The saints have always thought so ; dying men will not fail to tell us so. Oh, what cause have we to bless God, who hath revealed this unto us, to take us from things here below, which otherwise we might have ventured our souls for, and so have perished for ever! I bless God, it is as if a friend had stopt me from giving all I have for a counterfeit pearl, — Oh, do not venture ; it is but counterfeit ! From James v. 9. the solemn truth was enforced. Behold, the Judge standeth before the door ; that is, very near. There is but a hair's breadth of time between us and our account. This we ought to be- hold with an eye of faith, thereby to bring it near to us, and make it as present. We must not think, in the mean time, that forbearance is payment. Pa- tience doth not take away sin ; only the pardoning grace of God doth that. The time to come will be as swift as that which hath been, and concerning which we usually say, It was but the other day, &c. though it may be it was thirty or forty years ago. This should quicken us to ply time.'= The Lord wT-ite this truth in my heart, and help me to see the Judge, — not sitting, but standing, before the door, in a moving posture, that I may study, and preach, and pray, and live, accordinglj . Amen, for Christ's sake ! Oct. 5. At Welsh-Hampton,"' from Col. iii. 8. The doctrine was, — It is the great duty of all Chris- tians to put off anger. It unfits for duty. A little jogging puts a clock or watch out of frame, so a little passion the heart. A man cannot wrestle with God and wrangle with his neighbour at the same time. Short sins often cost us long and sad sorrows. An angry man is like one in a crowd who hath a sore boil, ever)' one thrusts him, and troubles him. With the froward thou wilt show thyself froward; — a dread- ful Scripture to a peevish, froward man. Those who are too merry when pleased, are commonly too angry when crossed. Blessed Lord, subdue this lust in my heart ! I am very weak there. Turn the stream of my anger against self, and sin !'] What a wonderful degree of piety and humility d A parish in Salop, about three miles from Ellesmere. . P. Henr>-. Diary, Orig. MS. THE LIFE OF MR. doth it evidence, for one of so great acquaintance with the things of God to write, — This I learnt out of such a sermon, and This was the truth I made up to myself out of such a sermon ! And, indeed, some- thing out of ever}' sermon. His diligent improve- ment of the word preached contributed, more than any one thing, as a means to his great attainments in knowledge and grace. He would say sometimes, that one great use of week-day lectures was, that it gave ministers an opportunity of hearing one an- other preach, by which they are likely to profit, when they hear not as masters, but as scholars ; not as censors, but as learners. His great friend and companion, and fellow- labourer in the work of the Lord, was the worthy Mr. Richard Steel,^ Minister of Hanmer,8 one of the next parishes to Worthenbury, whose praise is in the churches of Christ, for his excellent and useful trea- tises, "The Husbandman's Calling,"" "An Antidote against Distractions,"' and several others. He was Mr. Henry's alter idem, the man of his counsel ; with him he joined frequently at Hanmer and elsewhere in Christian conference, and in days of humiliation and prayer: besides their meetings with other minis- ters at public lectures ; after which it was usual for them to spend some time among themselves in set disputations in Latin. This was the work that in those days was carried on among ministers, who made it their business, as iron sharpens iron, to pro- voke one another to love and good works. What was done of this kind in Worcestershire, Mr. Baxter tells us in his Life.'' In the beginning of his days he often laboured under bodily distempers ; it was feared that he was in a consumption ; and some blamed him for taking so much pains in his ministerial work, suggesting to bim. Master, spare thyself. One of his friends told him, he lighted up all his pound of candles together ; ' and that he could not hold out long at that rate ; and wished him to be a better husband of his strength. But he often reflected upon it with com- fort afterwards, that he was not influenced by such suggestions. — The more we do, the more we may do, so he would sometimes say, in the service of God. When his work was sometimes more than ordinary, and bore hard upon him, he thus appealed to God ; — Thou knowest, Lord, how well contented I am to spend and to be spent in thy service ; and if the out- ward man decay, O let the inward man be renew- f Nat. lOth May, 1629 : Ob. I6th Nov. 1C02. See Wilson's Hist, of Dissenting Churches, v. 2. p. 448. g See Leland, ul supra, v. 5. pp. 30, 31. h 8vo. 16C8. i 8vo. 1673. k Reliq Baxter. Lib. I. Part I. p. 90. ut supra. \ In SiderBn's Reports, the phrase is thus used; " Et si terme soit devise al un pur vie remainder al auter pur vie remainder al tierre pur vie, &c. Et issint al 20 Tun apres I'auter que ces est bone devise al ceux touts nient obstant les objections de possibi- PHILIP HENRY. 35 ed ! Upon the returns of his indisposition he ex- presseth a great concern how to get spiritual good by it,— to come out of the furnace, and leave some dross behind ; for it is a great loss to lose an alfliction. He mentions it as that which he hoped did him good, that he was ready to look upon eveiyf return of distemper as a summons to the grave ; thus he learned to die daily. — I find, saith he, my earthly tabernacle tottering, and when it is taken down I shall have a building in heaven, that sliall never fail. Blessed be God the Father, and my Lord Jesus Christ, and the good Spirit of grace. Even so, Amen. This was both his strength and his song, under his bodily infirmities. While he was at Worthenbury he constantly laid by tlie tenth of his income for the poor, which he carefully and faithfiilly disposed of, in the liberal things which he devised, especially the teaching of poor children. And he would recommend it as a good rule to lay by for charity in some proportion, according as the circumstances are, and then it will be the easier to lay out in charity. We shall be the more apt to seek for opportunities of doing good, when we have money lying by us, of which m'c have said, — This is not our own, but the poor's. To en- courage himself and others to works of charity, he would say, — He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose. And yet to prove alms to be righteousness, and to exclude all boasting of them, he often expressed himself in those words of David. — Of thine oivn. Lord, have we given thee."' In the year 1668, the ministers of that neighbour- hood began to enlarge their correspondence with the ministers of North Wales ; and several meetings they had at Ruthin and other places that year, for the settling of a correspondence, and the promoting of unity and love, and good understanding among tlicmselves, by entering into an Association, like those some years before of Worcestershire" and Cumberland," to which, as their pattern, those two having been published, they did refer themselves. They appointed particular Associations ; and, not^ withstanding the differences of apprehension that were among them, (some being in their judgments episcopal, others congregational, and others classi- cal,) they agreed to lay aside the thoughts of matters in variance, and to give to each other the right hand of fellowship ; that with one shoidder, and with one lities sur possibilities si touts les psons fuer In esse al temps del devise quia touts les candcls are Uglited at once " p. 4-51. fol. 1683. m 1 Chron. xxix. 14. Mr. Fairclough would often say,— that we read not of any good man in all the history of Scripture, or of the primitive times, that was covetous. Clark's Lives of Eminent Persons, p. 182. ut supra. i> See Christian Concord ; or. The Agreement of the Associated Pastors and Churches of Worcestershire, with its Explication and Defence, by R. Baxter, 4to. 1653. o See the Agreement of the Associated Ministers and Churches 36 THE LIFE OF MR. PHILIP HENRY. consent, they might study, each in their places, to promote the common interests of Christ's kingdom, and common salvation of precious souls. He ob- served that this year, after the death of Oliver Cromwell,!" there was generally, throughout the nation, a great change'' in the temper of God's peo- ple, and a mighty tendency towards peace and unity, as if they were, by consent, weary of their long clashings ; which, in his diarj , he expresseth his great rejoicing in, and his hopes that the time was at hand, when Judah should no longer vex Ephraim, nor Ephraun envy Judah, neither should they learn war any more.' And though these hopes were soon disappointed by the change of the scene, yet he would often speak of the experience of that and the following year in those parts, as a specimen of what may yet be expected, and, therefore, in faith prayed for, when the Spirit shall be poured out upon us from on high. But, alas ! Who shall live when God doth this? From this experience he likewise gathered this obser%'ation, — that it is not so much our differ- ence of opinion that doth us the mischief; (for we may as soon expect all the clocks in the town to strike together, as to see all good people of a mind in everj thing on this side heaven ;) but the mis- management of that difference. In the Association of the Ministers it was referred to Mr. Henry to draw up that part of their agreement which concerned the worship of God, which task he performed to their satisfaction. His preface to what he drew up begins thus : — " Though the main of our desires and endeavours be after unit) in the greater things of God ; yet we judge uniformity in the cir- cumstances of worship, a thing not to be altogether neglected by us, not only in regard of that influence, which external visible order hath upon the beauty and comeliness of the churches of Christ ; but also as it hath a direct tendency to the strengthening of our hands in ministerial services, and withal to the removing of those prejudices which many people have conceived, even against religion and worship itself. We bless God, from our very souls, for that whereunto we have already attained ; and yet we hope some further thing may be done, in reference to our closer walking by the same rule, and mind- ing the same things. The « ord of God is the rule which we desire and resolve to walk by in the admi- nistration of ordinances ; and for those things wherein the word is silent, we think we may, and ought to, have recourse to Christian prudence, and the practice of the reformed churches, agreeing with the general rales of the word : and, therefore, we of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland, with some- thing for Explication and Exhortation annexed, 4to. 1656. P Sept. 3, 1038.