ADVERTISEMENT.

The following Narrative is a republication of An Account of the Life and Death of Mr. Philip Henry, Minister of the Gospel, near Whitchurch in Shropshire, who died June 24, 1696, in the sixty-fifth year of his age; with Dr. Bates's Dedication: the second edition, corrected and amended. London. 1699. It was compiled principally from the diary, and other private papers, of the pious and excellent man whom it describes, by his son, Mr. Matthew Henry, an eminent Presbyterian Minister. The reader will find, that it abounds, somewhat too largely, in certain quaintnesses of expression, introduced into religious subjects, and affected by the Puritanical Divines, which perhaps have rendered no service either to theology or good taste. In parts also, it assumes somewhat too much of the character of an apology for Non-conformity. But the piety, Christian moderation, and good sense, which pervade the whole, have induced the editor, notwithstanding its length, to publish the Memoir intire.

TO HIS MUCH HONOURED FRIEND,

SIR HENRY ASHURST, BARONET.

SIR,

THE ministers of the Gospel are, in the Scripture language, stars in the right hand of Christ, to signify their diffusive light, and beneficial influences. As in the future state of the resurrection, 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 powerful emanation of light in their preaching. Of this select number was Mr. Philip Henry, in whom there was a union of those real excellencies of parts, learning, and divine graces, that signalized him among his brethren. This does evidently appear in the narrative of his life, drawn by one very fit to do it: as having had intire 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 external actions of saints, without observing the holy principles and affections from whence they derived their life and purity, is a defective and irregular representation of them. It is as if an account were given of the riches and fecundity of the earth, from the flowers and fruits that grow upon it, without considering

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the mines of precious metals contained in its bosom. Now only an inward Christian that has felt the power of religion in his heart, can from the reflection 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 early 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 favour of God to him, that he lost no days in his flourishing age, by satisfying the voluptuous appetites; nor in his declining age by diseases and infirmities; but incessantly applied himself to his spiritual work. He was called to a private place in Wales, but his shining worth could not be shaded in a corner. 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 salvation of souls. Accordingly he suited his discourses to the wise and the weak and imitated the prophet, who contracted 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 life into him. The poor

and despised 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 souls were of the same precious and immortal

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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 receive their pardon sealed with his 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 coming to partake of the feast of the unspotted lamb. He was not allured by temporal advantage (which is the mark of a mercenary) to leave the first place, where by the divine disposal, he was seated.

When the fatal Bartholomew-day came, though he had fair hopes of preferment, by his attendance upon the king 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 understood, and less practised, by the earthlyminded) rather choosing to suffer 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 disturbed, does not lose the rectitude of its rays so his enlightened conscience did not bend in compliance with the terms of conformity, but he obeyed its sincere judgment.

After his being expelled from the place of his public ministry, his deportment was becoming a son of peace. He refused not communion with the Church of England, in the ordinances of the Gospel, so far as his conscience permitted. Yet he could not desert the duty of his office, to which he was, with sacred solemnity set apart. He was faithful to improve opportunities for serving the interest of souls, notwithstanding the severities inflicted on him. And after the restoring our

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freedom