CHAPTER IV. V His Marriage, Family, Family Religion, and the Education of his Children. HE removed from Emeral, to the house in Worthenbury, which the Judge had built for him, in February, 1658-9; and then had one of his sisters with him to keep his house. No sooner had he a tent, but God had an altar in it, and that a smoking altar. There he set up repetition on sabbath evenings, and welcomed his neighbours to it. His christian friends often, and sometimes his brethren in the ministry, kept days of fasting and prayer at his house. He used to tell people when they had built new houses, they must dedicate them, (referring to Deuteronomy, xx. 5,. and Psalm, xxx. ult.) that is, they must invite God to their houses, and devote them to his service. Providence having thus brought him into a house of his own, soon after provided him a help-meet for him. After long agitation, and some discouragement and opposition from the father, he married Katherine, the only daughter and heir of Mr. Daniel Matthews, of Broad-Oak, in the Township of Iscoyd,* in Flintshire, but in the parish of Malpas, which is in Cheshire, and about two miles distant from Whitchurch, a considerable market-town in Shropshire. Mr. Matthews + was a gentleman of a very competent estate; such an one as King James the First used to say was the happiest lot of all others, which set a man below the office of a Justice of Peace, and above that of a petty Constable. This was his only child: very fair and honourable overtures had been made for her disposal; but it pleased God so to order events, and to over-rule the spirits of those concerned, that she was reserved to be a blessing to this good man, in things pertaining both to life and godliness. [The following anecdote is traditionary. After Mr. Philip Henry, who came to Worthenbury a stranger, had been in the country for some time, his attachment to Miss Matthews, afterwards his wife, became manifest; and it was mutual. Among the other objections * See Ormerod's Hist. of Cheshire, v. 2, p. 347. + Descended, as is the tradition of the family, from Matthew Gough, (from whom came the name of Matthews,) a noted Commander in the wars of France, under Henry V., and killed upon London Bridge, in Henry the Sixth's time, in the suppressing of Wat Tyler's rebellion. Life of P. Henry by Matthew Henry, Orig. MS. arged by her friends against the connexion was this,-that, although Mr. Henry was a gentleman, and a scholar, and an excellent preacher, he was quite a stranger, and they did not even know where he came from. "True," replied Miss Matthews, "but I ✓ know where he is going, and I should like to go with him." The opposition of Mr. Matthews to the marriage, and the imposition of inequitable terms, with a view to breaking off the acquaintance, was, for a considerable time, a severe trial to the faith and patience of Mr. Henry. In this affair the influence of the holy religion he professed was exceedingly conspicuous. Nor will the reader disapprove of a momentary interruption of the narrative by the introduction of the following letters. To Mr. Matthews. Sir, I have received, by my friend, your answer to what I proposed in my last, concerning your lands at Brunnington, with which I am satisfied. I understand from him, also, that for your other lands, which are at Broad-Oke, your demand is £800., which sum being, as I am informed, according to the present rate of lands, near their full value, makes it, in effect, no portion, but a purchase. I do, therefore, hope, Sir, it is but your demand, and that room is left for some abatement, so far, at least, that there may be equality, and, withal, that provision may be made for my just security in case your daughter should die without issue. Concerning both which I shall desire the interposure of no other arbitrator than your own self, to whom I would refer it. I have had many occasions for laying out of monies this last year in furnishing my house and other ways; nevertheless I have £200, or thereabouts, which I am willing to disburse to you for the present, and shall give you sufficient bond for more to be paid within reasonable time, on the considerations before mentioned. Or, if you please to give your consent that I may match with your daughter, I shall be as willing to dispose of those monies elsewhere to her use, and you may do with your own as you think good. I assure you, Sir, though you will not believe me, the Lord knows, I eye it not, having learned, in that estate wherein I am, to be content. Sir, I beseech you, have some respect in this matter to honest, innocent affections, though not to mine, who am but a stranger; yet, however, to her's who is your own flesh; and be pleased to consider, the same God, who bids your child obey you, bids you also, in the same breath, not to provoke her, lest she be discouraged. I should much rejoice if I might hear that you are inclined, yet, at last, to entertain more F charitable, favourable thoughts concerning me, who do really desire to approve myself, It hath been all along my desire and care, as far as I have known myself, to walk in the highway in this affair concerning your daughter. I can truly say your dislike of it, hitherto, hath been one of the greatest afflictions that hath befallen me; as, on the other hand, your approbation would be one of my greatest outward mercies. And I do bless the Lord, who hath been pleased thus far to incline your heart towards me, hoping he will finish what he hath begun. It falls out, Sir, that I am engaged upon the service of my calling to-morrow in the work of the Lord; but, upon Wednesday morning, at nine o'clock, God willing, I shall not fail to be at your tenant's house, if your occasions will permit your presence there, at that time, or when else you shall appoint. This, with my service to yourself, and love unfeigned to your daughter, is all at present from him who is, and desires to be thought to be, Worthenbury, Sir, Your's, to serve you, PHILIP HENRY.+ The Articles preliminary to the marriage bear date March 20, 1659, and stipulate for the solemnization "at or before the first day of May next ensuing." Circumstances, however, arose which seemed to render procrastination expedient, § and a fresh difficulty having presented itself to the mind of Mr. Matthews, it is, in a letter dated Worthenbury, June 13, 1659, thus amiably referred to. "Far be it from me to blame your due paternal care; but, truly, Sir, my condition being such, as blessed be God it is, and my desires and expectations being proportioned accordingly, and no way exceeding, I am apt to think it might be an easy matter to remove that obstruction. For my own part I am willing to refer it to yourself. You may deal in it as you see cause, and I shall acquiesce in your pleasure,-only favour me in her towards whom my affections are, which is the great request and sole ambition, in this present address, of, Sir, your friend and servant in the Lord, Philip Henry."*] His purpose of marriage was published in the church three Lord's days before, a laudable practice, which he greatly approved, and persuaded others to. The day before his marriage, [which took place April 26, 1660,] he kept as a day of secret prayer and fasting.+ He used to say, those who would have comfort in that change of their condition, must see to it, that they bring none of the guilt of the sins of their single state with them into the married state. And, -the presence of Christ at a wedding will turn the water into wine; and he will come if he be invited by prayer. [The first letter I find addressed to Mrs. Henry after their marriage, is dated London. It well exhibits the affection, the happiness, and the piety of the writer. Dear Heart; London, Oct. 9, 1660. I bless God, I am safe and well at London. I came from Oxford yesterday morning alone, but the Lord was with me; it was a long journey, but I was stirring betimes. I was nine miles on my way before eight o'clock, and came an hour or two before sun-set to Thistleworth. Towards the end of my journey, for three or four miles, where was most danger, it pleased God I had company, which was a great mercy. I met many soldiers upon the way, going homewards upon their disbanding, towards their several countries, and I was sometimes afraid of them. They were by two and three in a company, but the Lord preserved me. This morning I came to Chelsea, where I saw my sisters, in health, blessed be God, and overjoyed to see me; from thence, this afternoon, to London. I have been with cousin Thomas Hotchkis, from whom I received a letter to Sir Orlando Bridgman§ from Mr. Eddow; and, to-morrow, I purpose, God willing, to wait upon his Lordship, expecting a charge from him, in the first place, about conformity, wherein yet I shall do as I see cause, in case I should be continued at Worthenbury. The ministers here are generally unanimous, and resolved. Dr. Sheldon was installed Bishop of London to-day. The King is gone into the country for a fortnight during the trial of his father's Judges to prevent petitions. I sleep to-night at Mrs. Kingston's, who desires to be remembered to you, and to Mr. Puleston, and his wife. I wrote to you, by the last post, from Oxford. Commend me to sister Mary, and all that ask of me. Dear heart, make * Orig. MS. + See Gibson's Codex. v. 1, p. 424, fol. 1761. ‡ Appendix, No. X. Sir O. Bridgman made Lord Keeper in 1667. See Granger's Biog. Hist. of England, v. 3, p. 361, ed. 1779; and Mr. Chalmers's Biog. Dict. v. 6, p. 509. Mr. Henry styles him, "His Lordship,” he being then Chief Baron of the Exchequer. much of thyself, and love me; and the Lord everlasting be thy Sun and Shield! So prayeth, Thine, in all affection, PHILIP HENRY.*] He took all occasions while he lived, to express his thankfulness to God, for the great comfort he had in this relation.-A day of mercy, so he writes on his marriage day, never to be forgotten. God had given him one, as he writes afterwards, every way his helper, in whom he had much comfort, and for whom he thanked God with all his heart. He writes in his Diary, April 26, 1680, -This day we have been married twenty years, in which time we have received of the Lord more than twenty thousand mercies; to God be glory. Sometimes he writes,-We have been so long married, and never reconciled; that is, there never was any occasion for it. His usual prayer for his friends in the married state, was according to his own practice in that state;-that they might be mutually serviceable to each other's faith and holiness, and jointly serviceable to God's honour and glory. Her father, though he put some hardships upon him in the terms, and had been somewhat averse to the match, yet, by Mr. Henry's great prudence, and God's good providence, was influenced to give a free consent to it; and he himself, with his own hand, gave her in marriage. From this, as from other experiences, Mr. Henry had learned to say with assurance,-It is not in vain to wait upon God, and to keep his way. Mr. Matthews settled part of his estate before marriage upon them and their's; he lived about seven years after; and when he died, the remainder of it came to them. This competent estate, which the Divine Providence brought into his hand, was not only a comfortable support to him when he was turned out of his living, and when many faithful ministers of Christ were reduced to great poverty and straits; but it enabled him likewise, as he had opportunity, to preach the gospel freely, which he did to his dying day; and not only so, but to give for the relief of others that were in want, in which he sowed plentifully to a very large proportion of his income; and often blessed God that he had wherewithal, remembering the words of the Lord, how he said,It is more blessed to give than to receive. Such was his house, and such the vine which God graciously planted by the side of his house. By her God gave him six children, all born within less than eight years; the two eldest,-sons, John and Matthew; the other four,-daughters, Sarah, Katharine, * Orig. MS. + Pomponius Atticus, making the funeral oration at the death of his mother, did protest, that, living with her threescore and seven years, he was never reconciled unto her, Se nunquam cum matre in gratiam rediisse; because there never happened between them the least jar which needed reconciliation. Cited in Fuller's Holy State, p. 15, fol. 1663. |