Oxford Subscribed by Dr. Wilkinson Dr. Langley c. the other from the Neighbour Ministers Mr. Steel Mr. Fogg c. both testifying of his Conversation 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 Day for Ordination was appointed to be Sept. 16. at Prees 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 signifying also That if any one could produce any just Exceptions against the Doctrine or Life of the said Mr. Henry or any sufficient Reason why he might not be Ordained they should certifie 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 Publick work of the Day with Prayer then Mr. Parsons Preached on 1 Tim. 1. 12. I thank Christ Iesus who hath enabled me for that he counted me Faithful putting me into the Ministry Putting Men into the Ministry is the Work of Jesus Christ. After Sermon Mr. Parsons according to the usual Method requir'd of him a Confession of his Faith which he made as follows The Ground and Rule of my Faith towards God is the Scripture of the Old and New Testament I believe they were written by Holy Men immediately inspir'd by the Holy Ghost having found the efficacy of them in some measure upon my own Heart I believe they are further able to make me wise to Salvation Concerning God I believe that he is and that he is the Rewarder of those that diligently seek him The Trinity of Persons in the Unity 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 Son which is in the Bosom of the Father 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 I believe that he hath Life in himself and that he hath given to the Son to have Life in himself I believe all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was 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 also worketh I believe he made Man upright after his own Image and Likeness which Image consisted in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness but Man by Sin lost it I believe we were all in the Loins of our first Parents and that they stood and fell as publick Persons and upon that Account justly without any colour of wrong we bear our share both in the Guilt of their Disobedience and also the Corruption of Nature following thereupon so that we come into the World Children of Wrath and Heirs of the Curse one as well as another Enemies to God hating him and hated of him Averse to what is good and prone to all manner of Evil. Though all are born in this Condition yet there are some that do not dye in it I believe there is a Mediator and there is but one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Iesus Those whom the Father hath from Everlasting pitched his Love upon and given to Christ not because of Works or Faith foreseen but meerly of his Free Grace for those I believe Christ was sent forth into the World made of a Woman made under the Law for their sakes he sanctified himself and became obedient to Death even the Death of the Cross wherefore God also highly exalted him and having raised him from the Dead on the third Day seâ—… him at his own Right Hand where he ever lives to make Intercession for those for whom he shed his Blood All these Elect redeemed ones I believe are in due time sooner or later in their Lives effectually called washed sanctified justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God I believe the Righteousness of Christ alone apprehended by Faith is the matter of our Justification before God and that no Flesh can stand in his Sight upon any other terms for he is the Lord our Righteousness and in him only the Father is well pleas'd I believe the Work of Sanctification managed by the Spirit who dwelleth in us though in respect of Parts it be compleat for the whole Man is renewed yet in respect of Degrees it is not fully perfected till we come to Glory and I believe all that are Justified shall be Glorifi'd for we are kept by the Fower of God through Faith unto Salvation I believe the gathering in and Building up of Saints is the special end why Pastors and Teachers are appointed in the Church and that Jesus Christ according to his Promise will be with them in that Work to the end of the World The Two Sacraments of the New Testament Baptism and the Lord's Supper I receive and own as Signs and Seals of the Covenant of Grace the former Instituted by our Lord Jesus as a Sign and Seal of our engrassing into him due of right to all the Infants of Believing Parents and but once to be Administred the other instituted by our Lord Jesus in the Night wherein he was Betrayed to shew forth 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 receives from him the Sentence according to what hath been done in the Flesh either Come inherit the Kingdom oâ—… 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 before 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 or Misery to all Eternity Those that have done good shall come forth unto the Resurrection of Life and those that 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 Dye Mr. Parsons then propos'd certain Questions to him according to the Instructions in the Directory to which he return'd 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 Enquiry I can
Therefore I send you this as full of Blessings as it can hold to your self my Daughter your Wife all the rest of my Daughters their Husbands and all the little ones together and severally If I could command the Blessings I would but I pray to him that hath and doth and I trust will The Lord bless you and keep you and lift up the light of his countenance upon you As you have received and you for your part preached Christ Iesus the Lord so walk in him keeping Conscience always void of offence both towards God and towards all Men. Love your Mother and be dutiful to her and live in love and peace among your selves and the God of Love and Peace that hath been will be with you Amen To one who desired his Direction for the attaining of the Gift of Prayer he wrote the following Letter of Advice If you would be able in words and Expressions of your own without the help of a Form to offer up Prayers to God observe these following Rules of Direction in the use whereof by God's Blessing you may in time attain thereunto 1. You must be throughly convinced that where such a Gift is it is of great use to a Christian both very comfortable and very profitable and therefore very desiâ—…able and worth your serious endeavours this must first be or else all that follows will signifie nothing For it is as the wise Man saith Prov. 18. 1. Through desire a Man having separated himself seeketh and intermedleth with all wisdom that is till we are brought in some good measure to desire the end we shall never in good earnest apply our selves to the use of means for the obtaining of it It is a Gift that fits a Person to be of use to others in the Duty of Prayer according as there is occasion either in a Family or in Christian Communion It is also of great advantage to our selves For how can any Form though never so exact be possibly contrived so as to reach all the Circumstances of my particular case and yet it is my Duty in every thing to make my Requests known to God 2. As you should be perswaded of the excellent use of it where it is attained so also you should believe that where it is not it may be attained and that without any great difficulty No doubt but many are discouraged from endeavouring after it by an Opinion they have that it is to no purpose they think it a thing so far above their Abilities that they were as good sit still and never attempt it This is of very bad Consequence as in other matters of Religion so particularly in this and therefore watch against this Suggestion and conclude that though it may be harder to some than others yet it is impossible to none Nay this wisdom is easie to him that understandeth where means are used in the fear of God 2. You must rightly understand and consider who it is with whom you have to do in Prayer for your incouragement to come to him though in the midst of many Infirmities and Imperfections He is your Father your loving tender hearted Father who knows your Frame and remembers you are but dust who is not extream to mark what we do amiss in manner and expression where the Heart is upright with him You may judge a little concerning his Love by the Disposition that is in you towards your Children when they come to ask things needful of you And believe him to be infinitely more merciful and compassionate than the most merciful and compassionate of Fathers and Mothers are or can be especially remembring that we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous who is the great High Priest of our Profession and whom he heareth always 4. You must pray that you may pray beg of God the Father of Lights from whom every good and perfect Gift comes to bestow this Gift upon you We read Luke 11. 1. that one of the Disciples came to Jesus Christ upon this Errand Lord teach us to pray and he had his Request granted presently Go you to him on the same Errand You may plead the Relation of a Child from that Scirpture Gal. 4. 6. And because you are Sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your Hearts crying Abba Father And the Promise also from that Scripture Zech. 12. 10 I will pour upon the House of David and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and of Supplication which two Relation and a Promise if they be not sufficient to encourage your Faith and Hope in this Address what is or can be 5. It is good before you address your self to the Duty to read a portion of Holy Scripture which will be of great use to furnish you both with matter and words for Prayer especially David's Psalms and Paul's Epistles The Holy Spirit hath provided for us a Treasury or Store house of what is suitable for all occasions and where both the word and the matter are his own and of his own framing and inditing if affections be stirring in us accordingly we have great reason to believe he will accept of us In divers places he hath himself put words into our Mouths for the purpose as Hos. 14. 2. Take with you words Matth. 6. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye and often elsewhere 6. There must be some acquaintance with our own Hearts with our Spiritual State and Condition our Wants and Ways or else no good will be done in this Matter 'T is sence of Need Hunger Thirst Cold Nakedness that supplies the poor Beggar at your Door with pertinent Expressions and Arguments he needs not the help of any Friend or Book to furnish him so if we know our selves and feel our Condition and set God before us as our God able and ready to help us words will easily follow wherewith to offer up our Desires to him who understands the Language even of Sighs and Tears and groanings which cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26. 7. It is of use in stated Prayer ordinarily to observe a Method according to the several parts of Prayer which are these Four 1. Compellation or Adoration which is the giving of due Titles to God in our Addresses to him and therein ascribing to him the Glory due unto his Name With this we are to begin our Prayers both for the working of a Holy aw and dread upon our Hearts towards him on the account of his Greatness and Majesty as also for the strengthning of our Faith and Hope in him upon the account of his Goodness and Mercy 2. Confession Sin is to be confessed in every Prayer Original Sin as the Root Spring head and Fountain and Actual Sin as the Fruit and Stream proceeding from it Herein you must not rest in generals as the most do but especially when you are in secret before the Lord you must descend to particulars opening the whole Wound hiding nothing from him
AN ACCOUNT OF THE Life and Death OF Mr. Philip Henry Minister of the Gospel near Whitchurch in Shropshire Who Dy'd Iune 24. 1696 in the Sixty fifth Year of his Age. LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside and Iohn Lawrence at the Angel in the Poultrey 1698. 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 signifie 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 distinguish'd 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 Union of those real Excellencies of parts Learning and Divine Graces that signaliz'd 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 'T is as if an account were given of the Riches and Faecundity of the Earth from the Flowers and Fruits that grow upon it without considering the Mines of Precious Metals contain'd in its Bosom Now only an inward Christian that has felt the Power of Religion in his Heart can from the Reflexion upon himself and his uncounterfeit Experience discover the Operations of Grace in the Brests 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 entred early into the Ministry and Consecrated all the Powers of his Soul Understanding Memory Will and Affections with his Time and Strength to the Servioâ—… 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 uncessantly 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 dyes 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 Widows 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 notwitstanding the civil distinction of Persons which will shortly vanish for ever For he considered their Souls were of the same Precious and immortal value In the Administration of the Lord's Supper he exprest 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 deterr'd by the most fearful Consequences the Rebellious that indulg'd their Lusts from coming to partake of the Feast of the unspotted Lamb. He was not allur'd 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 tho 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 reviv'd Yet he was guided by a Superiour Spirit and imitated the Self-denyal of Moses a Duty little understood and less practised by the Earthly minded 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 disturb'd does not lose the rectitude of its Rays So his enlightned Conscience did not bend in compliance with the Terms of Conformity but he obeyed its sincere Judgment After his being Expell'd from the place of his publick Ministry his deportment was becoming a Son of Peace He refus'd 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 Freedom of Preaching he continued in the Performance of his delightful Work till Death put a period to his Labours After this account of him as a Minister of Christ I will glance upon his Carriage as a Christian. His Conversation was so Holy and regular so free from taint that he was unaccuseable by his Enemies they could only object his Nonconformity as a Crime But his vigilant and tender Conscience discover'd the spots of sin in himself which so affected his Soul that he desir'd Repentance might accompany him to the Gate of Heaven an excellent Testimony of Humility the inseparable Character of a Saint His love to God was supreme which was declar'd by his chosen Hours of Communion with him every day The Union of Affections is naturally productive of Union in Conversation Accordingly our Saviour promises He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my self 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 abode with him To his special and singular Love to God was joined a universal Love to Men He did good to all according to his Ability His forgiving of Injuries that rare and difficult Duty was eminently conspicuous in the shaâ—…pest Provocations When he could not excuse the offence he would pardon the offender and strive to imitate the perfect Model of Charity exprest in our suffering Saviour who in the extremity of his Sufferings when resentments are most quick and sensible pray'd 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 Tryal and maintain'd an equal temper in his mind and tenor in his Conversation In short he led
an unchangeable God and an unchangeable Heaven And while these three remain the same yesterday to day and for ever Welcome the Will of our Heavenly Father in all Events that may happen to us come what will nothing can come amiss to us Keep the Invisible things of the other World always in your Eye He that ventures the loss of an Eternal Crown and Kingdom for a Cup or two of puddle Water such as all terâ—…ene pleasures in Comparison are makes a bargain which no less a space than that which is Everlasting will be sufficient to bewail and repent of How much better is it to lay up in store now a good Foundation for time to come and to lay hold on Eternal Life doing those Works which we would be willing should hereafter follow us yet still making the blessed Jesus our All in all The further Progress you make in your Studies you will find them the easier 't is so with Religion the worst is at first It is like the Picture that frown'd at first entrance but afterwards smiles and looks pleasant They that walk in sinful ways meet with some Difficulties at first which Custom conquers and they become as nothing 'T is good accustoming our selves to that which is good The more we do the more we may do in Religion Your Acquaintance I doubt not increaseth abroad and accordingly your watch must be for by that oftentimes e're we are aware we are ensnar'd He that walketh with wise men shall be wise The return of the Spring invites our Thanksgiving for the mercy of it The Birds are singing early and late according to their Capacity the Praises of their Creator but Man only that hath most cause finds something else to do 'T is Redeeming Love that is the most admirable Love less than an Eternity will not suffice to adore it in Lord how is it Lord what is man As the Streams lead to the Fountain so should all our Mercies lead us to that We both of us send you our most affectionate Love and Blessing Blessing That is we pray and beseech the most Blessed God even our own God to give you his Blessing for he only can command the Blessing and those whom he Blesseth are Blessed indeed Let us still hear to our comfort that you walk in the Truth living above the things of the World as dead to them The Lord in Mercy fit us for his Will in the next Providence Publick and Personal for Time is always teeming Your Improvement is our Ioy. Be sincere and serious cloathed with Humility abounding always in the work of the Lord and when you have done all saying I am an unprofitable Servant 'T was the good advice of the Moral Philosopher in your Converse with Men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Distrust but I must add in every thing towards God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Believe expect Temptation and a Snare at every turn and walk accordingly We have a good Cause a vanquished Enemy a good Second and extraordinary Pay for he that overcomes needs not desire to be more happy than the second and third of the Revelation speaks him to be The God of all Mercy and Grace compass you about always with his Favour as with a shield I would have you redeem time for hearing the word in Season and out of Season your other studies will prosper never the worse especially if you could return immediately from it to the Closet again without cooling Divertisements by the way See your need of Christ more and more and live upon him no Life like it so sweet so safe Christus meus mihi in omnia We cannot be discharged from the Guilt of any Evil we do without his Merit to satisfie we cannot move in the performance of any good required without his Spirit and Grace to assist and enable for it and when we have done all that All is nothing without his Mediation and Intercession to make it acceptable so that every day in every thing he is All in All. Though you are at a distance from us now we rejoyce in the good hope we have through Grace of meeting again in the Land of the Living that is on Earth if God see good however in Heaven which is the true Land of the truly Living and is best of all The Lord God Everlasting be your Sun and Shield in all your ways See time hasting away a pace towards Eternity and the Judge even at the Door and work accordingly where-ever you are alone or in Company be always either doing or getting good Sowing or Reaping As for me I make no other Reckoning but that the Time of my Departure is at hand and what Trouble I may meet with before I know not the Will of the Lord be done One of my chief Cares is that no Iniquity of mine may be laid up for you which God grant for his Mercy sake in Christ Jesus Amen Be careful of your Health Remember the Rule Venienti occurrere but especially neglect not the main matter The Soul is the Man if that do well all 's well Worship God in the Spirit rejoyce in Christ Iesus and have no Confidence in the Flesh. God be gracious unto thee my Son Redeem Time especially for your Soul Expect Trouble in this World and prepare for it expect Happiness in the other World and walk worthy of it unto all pleasing A good Book is a good Companion at any time but especially a good God who is always ready to hold Communion with those that desire and seek Communion with him Keep low and humble in your Thoughts and Opinion of your self but aim high in your Desires and Expectations even as high as the Kingdom of Heaven it self and resolve to take up with nothing short of it The Lord guide you in all your ways and go in and out before you and preserve you blameless to his Heavenly Kingdom Immediately after his Son was Ordained to the Work of the Ministry at London in the Year 1687. he thus wrote to him Are you now a Minister of Jesus Christ Hath he counted you Faithful putting you into the Ministry then be Faithful out of love to him feed his Lambs Make it your 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a workman that needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of Truth I hope what you Experienced of the presence of God with you in the Solemnity hath left upon you a truly indelible Character and such Impressions as neither time nor any thing else shall be able to wear out Remember Psal. 71. 16. It is in the Eye of Sense a bad time to set out in but in Sowing and Reaping Clouds and Wind must not be heeded The Work is both Comfortable and Honourable and the Reward rich and sure and if God be pleased to give Opportunity and a Heart though there may be Trouble attending it 't will be easily born If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him I am and shall be