the plain and powerful Preaching of the Gospel and thus they who granted that liberty were out-shot in their own Bow which manifestly appear'd in the Event and Issue And as they did good Service to the Protestant Religion among Scholars who wrote so many Learned Books against Popery at that time for which we return them our best thanks so they did no less Service among the Common People who are the Strength and Body of the Nation that Preached so many good Sermons to arm their Hearts against that strong Delusion which Mr. Henry as the rest of the Nonconformists generally did took all occasions to do How often would he commend his Hearers as Dr. Holland Divinity Professor in Oxford was wont to do to the Love of God and the Hatred of Popery Besides his Preaching professedly to discover the Errours and Corruptions of the Church of Rome which he would have taken occasion to do more fully had he seen those he Preached to in any immediate danger of the Infection there could not be a more effectual Antidote against Popery than the instructing and confirming of People in the Truth as it is in Jesus and advancing the Knowledge of and a Value and Veneration for the Holy Scriptures to which how much Mr. Henry in his place did contribute all that knew him well bear Record He us'd to observe that the Fall of Babylon followed upon the free and open Preaching of the Everlasting Gospel Rev. 14. 6 7. He apprehended this Liberty likely to be of very short continuance and to end in trouble and because he could not see how his not using of it would help to prevent the Trouble but he did see that his vigorous improvement of it would help to prepare for the Trouble he set himself with all diligence to make the best use he could of this Gleam both at home and abroad on Sabbath-days and Week-days to his Power yea and beyond his Power The great Subject of Debate at this time in the Nation was concerning the Repeal of Penal Laws and Tests Mr. Henry's thoughts were as to the Penal Laws that if those against the Dissenters were all Repeal'd he would Rejoyce in it and be very thankful both to God and Man for he would sometimes say without Reflection upon any he could not but look upon them as a National Sin and as for those against the Papists if our Law-givers see cause to Repeal them in a regular way I will endeavour saith he to make the best of it and to say The Will of the Lord be done When King Iames came his Progress into that Country in September 1687. to court the Compliments of the People Mr. Henry joined with several others in and about Whitchurch Nantwich and Wem in an Address to him which was presented when he lay at Whitchurch the purport of which was not to Sacrifice their Lives and Fortunes to him and to his Interest but only to return him thanks for the Liberty they had with a promise to demean themselves quietly in the use of it Some time after Commissioners were sent abroad into the Country to enquire after the Trouble that Dissenters had sustain'd by the Penal Laws and how the Money that was Levy'd upon them was disposed of little of it being found paid in the Exchequer they sent to Mr. Henry to have an account from him of his Sufferings he returned Answer by Letter that he had indeed been Fined some Years before for a Conventicle and Distreyn'd upon and his Goods carried away which all the Country knew to which he referred himself But being requir'd particularly to give account of it upon Oath though he said he could be glad to see such Instruments of Trouble legally removed yet he declin'd giving any further Information concerning it having as he wrote to the Commissioners long since from his Heart forgiven all the Agents Instruments and Occasions of it and having purposed never to say any thing more of it It was on Tuesday Iune 14. 1681. that he was disturb'd at Weston in Shropshire when he was Preaching on Psal. 66. 18. and on Tuesday Iune 14. 1687. that day Six Years he Preached there again without disturbance finishing what he was then prevented from delivering concerning Prayer and going on to v. 19. 20. But verily God hath heard me Blessed be God Concerning the Duty of Thanksgiving This Seventh Year of their Silence and Restraint prov'd through God's wonderful good Providence the Year of Release In May 1688. a new Commission of the Peace came down for the County of Flint in which by whose Interest or procurement was not known Mr. Henry was nominated a Justice of Peace for that County It was no small surprize to him to receive a Letter from the Clerk of the Peace Directed to Philip Henry Esquire acquainting him with it and appointing him when and whither to come to be Sworn To which he return'd answer that he was very sensible of his Unworthiness of the Honour and his unfitness for the Office which he was nominated to and therefore desired to be excus'd and he was so and did what he could that it might not be spoken of in the Country There were some who upon this occasion unhappily remembred that a few Years before a Reverend Clergy-man in Shropshire told Mr. Henry to his Face that he had done more mischief in the Country than any man that ever came into it and that he himself hoped shortly to be in the Commission of Peace and then he would rid the Country of him But alas he â—…as quite disappointed Thus Honour is like the shadow which flies from those that pursue it and follows those that flee from it For two Years after this Liberty began Mr. Henry still continued his Attendance as usual at Whitewel-Chappel whenever there was Preaching there and he Preached at his own House only when there was no supply there and in the Evening of those days when there was For doing thus he was greatly clamour'd against by some of the rigid Separatists and call'd a Dissembler and one that halted between two and the like Thus as he Notes in his Diary one side told him he was the Author of all the mischief in the Country in drawing People from the Church and the other side told him he was the Author of all the mischief in drawing People to the Church And which of these saith he shall I seek to please Lord neither but thy self alone and my own Conscience and while I can do that I have enough In a Sermon at Whitewel-Chappel one Lord's-day in the Afternoon where he and his Family and many of his Congregation were attending much was said with some keen Reflections to prove the Dissenters Schismaticks and in a damnable State When he came immediately after to Preach at his own House before he begun his Sermon he expressed himself to this purpose Perhaps some of you may expect now that I should say something in answer to what we
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
in Israel And there were those who said He was a Man that no Body did or could speak evil of except for his Nonconformity He was us'd to say to his Relations when I am dead make little a do about me a few will serve to bring me to my Grave but his mind could not be observed in that 't was impossible such a burning and shining light could be extinguished but there must be a Universal Notice taken of it Multitudes came unsought unto not to fill their Eyes as Mr. Vines expresseth it but to empty them nor was there any other noise there but that of general Lamentation That Morning before the removal of the Corpse a most affectionate Sermon was Preached in Mr. Henry's Meeting place by his dear and worthy Friend Mr. Tallents of Shrewsbury who was eleven Years elder than he and through God's goodness still survives him He was willing to take that opportunity to testifie the great Love and Honour that he had for Mr. Henry whom he call'd a Friend that is nearer than a Brother His Text was Rom 8. 23. And not only they but our selves also which have the first Fruits of the Spirit even we our selves groan within our selves waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of our Body In his Application he shew'd excellently and with much affection how the consideration of the Spirit and Life of this Eminent Servant of God would greatly lead us to believe on Christ and to have the Spirit of Christ and live after it and to suffer with Christ and to groan for our Adoption Several things were hinted concerning him which have been mentioned already in this Narrative and a very honourable Testimony born to him From a long acquaintance with him he witnessed concerning him to those who knew his Record to be true that he was humble and meek kind and peaceable wise and charitable and one in whom the Fruits of the Spirit were eminently That he was a Friend and a Counsellor and a Father to many that his Expounding and Preaching was plain and pleasant warm and savory full and such as few could reach and greatly blessed by God and that in it he labour'd more abundantly than any And after a great encomium of him it was excellently observed and must be mentioned here as that which was highly agreeable to Mr. Henry's Spirit and his Expressions upon all occasions That it was not his own Righteousness that saved him nor his own strength that quickned and upheld him but Christ's Righteousness and Christ's Strength for to him to live was Christ And in all his Discourses Sermons and Letters he was very careful to ascribe the Honour of all to Christ and to make Christ his All in-all He concluded with some words of seasonable Advice to those of that Society and Neighbourhood 1. Give thanks to God that ever you had him or saw him and that you had him so long above thirty Years in this place Do not many of you owe even your very Souls to him under God While you Mourn give thanks to God that you ever knew him old and great Mercies must be thankfully remembred 2. Rejoyce in the Glory that he now enjoys weep not for him but weep for your selves 'T was the Text on which he Preached not much above a Year ago at the Funeral of that intelligent holy useful Man Mr. William Lawrence of Wem The Primitive Christians buried their Saints with Hymns and Psalms of Joy Chrysostom on the Hebrews saith we are to glorifie God and give thanks to him that he hath Crown'd the Deceased and freed them from their Labours and chides those that Mourn'd and Howl'd And the Days of their Death were called Natalitia Martyrum Sanctorum the Birth-days of the Saints and Martyrs And Hierom in his Epitaph on Holy Paula and in the Lives of other Holy Persons writ by him saith that at her Funeral no Shreeks were heard but multitudes of Psalms and Hymns were sung in divers languages 3. Bewail the Loss the general Loss and yours in particular yet so as to have Hope in God I need not tell you how great your loss is you teel it more than I am able to express If any rejoyce that he is gone because he tormented them say as the Church Mic. 7. 8 9. 4. Seek out for a Supply do not mourn and sit still but up and be doing in your places you have had a cheap Gospel hitherto God sent you one that could Preach freely and which is more that would do so too one that sought not yours but you and now God will see what you will do for your selves that now the Shepherd is smitten the Sheep may not be scattered Pray to God to raise up others like him and graciously to give you one 5. Take heed of liking no Preacher now he is gone This a usual Fault among many that have had excellent Preachers no Body can please them But God may bless weaker means and make your Souls live and thrive under them 6. Hold fast that which you have it is the advice given to Philadelphia the best of the Churches Rev. 3. 11. Keep that good thing which is committed to you that savoriness of Heart that love to Christ and to Saints to all Saints that Knowledge of the Truth Keep to his sober Principles Remember his dying Counsel Follow Peace and Holiness have these things always in remembrance Take heed of falling off take heed of falling away the World will draw you and Satan will tempt you and your own busie Hearts will be apt to betray you but go on humbly and honestly in the strength of Christ and fear not Be not like those Jews that turned aside when Iohn Baptist was dead Iohn 5. 35. The Lord keep you from being such and give you to go on so his Heavenly Kingdom It would have swelled this Book too much if we had inserted the Sermon at large and therefore we forbear it The next day being Lord's day Mr. Owen of Oswestry Preached a most excellent Sermon in the Morning agreeable to that sad occasion upon that pathetical Farewel which Elisha gave to Elijah 2 Kings 2. 12. My Father my Father the Chariots of Israel and the Horsemen thereof and he saw him no more and he took hold of his own Cloths and rent them He observed 1. That faithful Ministers are the Fathers of a People and their Chariots and Horsemen the former a Metaphor taken from a Family a peaceable Society the latter from an Army a warlike Body Fathers to provide good things Chariots and Horsemen to protect from evil things 2. There is a time when we shall see these Fathers these Chariots and Horsemen of Israel no more Their time is appointed their work cut out for them and when those are finished they are removed 3. When God takes away our Fathers the Chariots of our Israel and the Horsemen thereof it is a proper Season for Mourning and Lamentation Under