hitherto find though there be that within me that would seek great things for my self 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. Qu. 2. What are your purposes as to Diligence and Industry in this Calling Answ. I do purpose and resolve by the help of God to give my self wholly to these things to Prayer 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 my self 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 Qu. 3. Do you mean to be Zealous and Faithful in the Defence of Truth and Unity against Error and Schism Answ. I believe what the Spirit hath foretold that in the last days perilous times shall come wherein Men will not endure sound Doctrin but after their own lusts shall heap unto themselves Teachers 'T 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 wholsom Words even the Words of our Lord Jesus and the Doctrine which is according to Godliness in Meekness as I am able instructing those that oppose themselves And for Peace and Unity if my heart deceive me not I shall rather chuse to hazzard 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. Qu. 4. What is your Perswasion of the Truth of the Reformed Religion Answ. My perswasion 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 rejoyce in and bless God for for had we still continued to partake with him in his Sins we should in the end have partaked with him also in his Plagues Qu. 5. What do you intend to do when the Lord shall alter your condition and bring a Family under your charge Answ. When the Lord shall please in his Providence to bring me into new Relations I hope he will 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 Lords Qu. 6. Will you in Humility and Meekness submit to Admonition and Discipline Answ. 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 fault those that are Spiritual are to set him in joynt 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 Qu. 7. What if Troubles Persecutions and Discouragements arise will you hold out to the end notwithstanding Answ. 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 requir'd in a Minister of the Gospel nevertheless I perswade my self 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 Temptation 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 Pray'd and in Prayer he and the rest of the Presbyters Mr. Porter Mr. Houghton Mr. Malden 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 Examinations and Trials Professions and Promises at the same time in like manner set apart to the Ministry Then Mr. Malden of Newport clos'd with an Exhortation directed to the newly Ordained Ministers in which saith Mr. Henry in his Dairy 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 before-hand to their own hearts it loses none of the vertue hereby but rather probably gains As that Milk nourisheth most which comes warm from the warm Brest so that Sermon which comes warm from a warm heart Lord quicken me to do thy will in this thing The Classes 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 Worthenbury in the County of Flint Master of Arts hath addressed himself unto us Authorised by an Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament of the 29th of August 1648 for the Ordination of Ministers desiring to be Ordain'd a Presbyter for that he is chosen and appointed for the Work of the Ministry at Worthenbury in the County of Flint as by a Certificate now remaining with us touching that his Election and Appointment appeareth And he having likewise exhibited a sufficient Testimonial of his deligence and proficiency in his Studies and unblameableness of his Life and Conversation he hath been examin'd 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 Ordination and Admission These may therefore testifie to all whom it may concern that upon the Sixteenth day of September 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 authoriz'd Minister of Iesus 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 Chappel of
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
a Life of Evangelical Perfection most worthy to be honourably preserved in the memory of future times The following Narrative of it if read with an observing 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 Life of that Man for whom you had such a high Veneration and dear Love It argues a clear rer Spirit and a Diviner Temper than is usual in Persons of Conspicuous Quality 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 perswaded it will be very pleasing to you that your Name and excellent Mr. Henry's are join'd in the same Papers I am Sir Your very Humble and Faithful Servant William Bates 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 him well observed to be exemplified in him while he lived and when they saw the end of his Conversation as it were with one Consâ—…t desir'd a publick and lasting Account 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 Account 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 publick Scene of Action He was none of the forward Men of the Age that make 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 Extasies and Raptures of Zeal and Devotion which are looked upon rather as admirable than imitable But in the long series of an even regular prudent and well order'd 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 write of as yielding least variety of Matter for the Historians Pen to work upon But a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty being the Sum and Substance of Practical Christianity the recommending 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 bâ—… if not as diverting to the curious yet every whit as useful and inctructive 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 Catholick Christianity not debauch'd by bigottry nor leaven'd 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 Rules we shall endeavour in justice to him as well as to our Reader to represent him in the following Account and if any thing should drop from our Pen which may 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 Structure we have out of his own Papers especially his Diary for by them his Picture 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 These Notes being intended for his own private use in the review and never Communicated to any Person whatsoever and appearing here as they ought to do in their own native dress the candid Reader will excuse it if sometimes the Expressions should seem abrupt they are the genuin unforced and unstudied Breathings of a gracious Soul and we hope will be rather the more acceptable to those who through Grace are conscious to themselves of the same devout and pious Motions for as in Water 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 God's Graces are much the same in all his Holy ones and therefore we must not think that such Instances as these are extraordinary Rarities but God hath in wonderful Mercy rais'd up many by whose Graces even this Earth is Perfumed and Enlightned But if one Star be allowed to differ from another Star in Glory perhaps our Reader will say when he hath gone through the following Account that Mr. Henry may be ranked among those of the First Magnitude ERRATA PAg. 15. lin 27. for o read others p. 20. l. 9. for make r. makes p. 82. l. 31. for becoming r. unbecoming p. 88. l. 31. between and with add not p. 113. l. 14. for Sixth r. Six p. 204. l. 23. add of p. 207. l. 17. add is p. 227. l. 6. for must r. much Besides which the Reader is desir'd to excuse some running Mistakes as Equivolent for Equivalent p. 6. l. 29. hapn'd for happen'd p. 30. l. 12. presevering for Persevering p. 31. l. 10. sitting for setting p. 32. l. 10. elegible for eligible p. 55. beging for begging p. 83. beginning for beginnings p. 91. incuring for incurring p. 118. words for word p. 210. Intecessor for Intercessor p. 239. and any such that may occurr AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE and DEATH OF M R. PHILIP HENRY c. CHAP. I. Mr. Henry's Birth Parentage early Piety and Education at School HE was born at White-hall in Westminster on Wednesday August 24. 1631. being Bartholomew-day I find usually in his Diary some pious Remark 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 neither of them Copies to be Written after viz. Pharaoh Gen. 40. 20. and Herod Mat. 14. 6. 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 compleated the Thirtieth Year of his Age he noted this So old and no older Alexander was when he had Conquered the great