of Pr/,;^ 
 FEB 15 1869 
 
 BX 5207 .H46 W544 
 Williams, John Bickerton, 
 
 1792-1855. 
 Memoir of the Rev. Matthew 
 
 Hftnrv. thft f.ommentatnr . an 
 
V 
 
MEMOIR 
 
 OF THE / 
 
 REV. MATTHEW HENRY, 
 
 THE COMMENTATOR; 
 
 IMMEDIATE DESCENDANT OF THE ENGLISH PURITANS. 
 
 ABBIDaSD AND CONDENSED FROM THE LIFB 
 
 BY J. B. WILLIAMS, ESQ., P.S. A, 
 
 The righteous shall ho in everlasting remembrance — Psalm 113 ■ 8- 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE 
 
 AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY, 
 
 150 NASSAU-STREET, NEW YORK. 
 
This edition of the Life of the Rev. Matthew Henry- 
 has been abridged and rewritten from the work of John 
 B. Williams, LL. D., of Shrewsbury, England. No new 
 matter has been introduced ; nor has any sentiment been 
 altered. But the language has been frequently changed 
 and transposed. Much of Dr. Williams' book, of a local 
 character, has been altogether omitted ; other parts have 
 been condensed ; and portions of tliat which formed the 
 appendix of the original work, have been incorporated in 
 fitting places in this volume. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Mr. Henry's Birth — Education — Alarming sickness — 
 Memorial of mercies — Self-examination, and evi- 
 dences of true grace — Inclination to the Ministry, 
 and habits — Removal to Mr. Dooiittle's Academy — 
 His return to Broad Oak, 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Study of the law at Gray's Inn — Habits — Correspond- 
 ence — Trial of the Rev. Richard Baxter — Visit to Mr. 
 Baxter in prison — Conespondence, . . . .21 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 His return to Broad Oak — His Preaching — Visits Ches- 
 ter — Invitations to the Ministerial Office there — Self- 
 examination before Ordination — His Ordination, . . 38 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 His settlement at Chester — Marriage to Miss Hardware — 
 Death of Mrs. Henry — Marriage to Miss Warburton — 
 Family afflictions, and reflections upon them, . . 59 
 
6 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Death of Mr. Warburton — Death of Philip Henry — Re- 
 flections on the event — Further bereavements, and 
 Letter occasioned by them — Death of his daughter 
 Ann — Devout exercises on his Birthday and the close 
 of the year — Attention to the orphan cliildren of Mrs. 
 Radford, 70 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Devout commencement of the year — Self-dedication — 
 Birthday memorials — Reflections and resolutions at the 
 close and commencement of the year. . . .88 
 
 CHAPTER VH. 
 
 Journey to London — Hears John Howe — Mr. Henry's 
 general health good — Sudden seizure and sickness — 
 Anniversary reflections — Death of Mr. Henrj^s mother 
 — Anniversary reflections, ..... 106 
 
 CHAPTER VHL 
 
 Invitations to remove to London — An invitation from 
 Hackney renewed — His determination to leave Ches- 
 ter — His reasons for this determination — Birthday me- 
 morial, 119 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Some account of the manner in which Mr. Henry dis- 
 charged the duties of the ministry at Chester, . . 129 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Exhortations delivered by Mr. Henry to ministers, at 
 their ordination to the sacred office, . . . .150 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 7 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Commencement of his labors at Hackney — His indefati- 
 gable exertions — Anniversary reflections — Attention 
 to the young — His patronage of charity-schools — His 
 declining health — Visits Chester — Is laid aside by sick- 
 ness — Relapses again — Birthday memorial — Devout 
 commencement of the last year of his life — Journey to 
 Chester — His last Sabbaths on earth — Sets out for 
 London — Sickness on the road — His death — Funeral 
 — Funeral sermons, 164 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 His domestic habits — Parental tenderness — Family wor- 
 ship — His friendships — His diligence and improvement 
 of time — His Christian love — Hatred of censoriousness 
 — His candor and moderation — His prudence and be- 
 nevolence — His humility, and dependence on divine 
 assistance — His submission under trials — His piety to- 
 wards God and devotional habits, the basis of his char- 
 acter and attainments — His views of the Sabbath, and 
 counsels concerning its sanctification, . . . 177 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 His commencement of the Exposition — List of its contin- 
 uators — Remarks made in his diary during the progress 
 of commenting — Opinions of worthy divines concern- 
 ing the Commentary — Mr. Henry's superlative attach- 
 ment to the Bible, 208 
 
REV. 
 
 MEMOIR 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Mr. Henry's Birth — Education — Alarming Sickness — Memo- 
 rial of Mercies — Self-examination, and Evidences of True 
 Grace — Inclination to the Ministry, and habits — Removal 
 to Mr. Doolittle's Academy — His Return to Broad Oak. 
 
 Matthew Henry was the second son of the Rev. 
 Phihp Henry, and was born October 18, 1662, at 
 Broad Oak, in the township of Iscoyd, FHntshire, 
 North Wales. His birth was in the year of the cel- 
 ebrated Act of Conformity, which ejected his father, 
 and two thousand other servants of Christ, from the 
 Gospel ministry. 
 
 During infancy his health was delicate ; and his 
 life was threatened by a disease which had already 
 removed his brother John to heaven. But God, 
 who had a great work for him to do, spared the 
 tender grape for the blessing which was in it ; for 
 he afterwards became a great blessing to his family, 
 t© the church, and to the world. 
 
10 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 At a very early period his mind displayed the 
 vigor and acuteness for which through life it was 
 remarkable. It is credibly stated that, at the early 
 age of three years, he could read the Bible with dis- 
 tinctness. His grammatical studies were superin- 
 tended by Mr. Turner, a gentleman who resided at 
 the time at Broad Oak. The efforts of the scholar 
 kept pace with his privileges ; and childish things 
 being put away early, the usual temptations to 
 sloth, negligence, and frivolity, were voluntarily and 
 happily escaped. His tender mother was often 
 afraid lest he should apply himself too closely to 
 his studies, and used sometimes to call him out of 
 his room, and advise him to take a walk in the 
 fields, lest his health might suffer by inordinate 
 confinement and application. 
 
 There can be no doubt that the facilities afforded 
 at Broad Oak for the attainment of literature, were 
 appropriate and valuable ; yet those for the acqui- 
 sition of the far more important knowledge of relig- 
 ious truth, were not less so. There were the morn- 
 ing and evening expositions of holy Scripture at 
 family worship, the unceasing prayers of eminently 
 devout parents, and the abundant instructions which 
 were associated with a consistent and holy example. 
 
 Some extracts from a letter written by Matthew, 
 when only nine years old, to his father, who was 
 then in London, will illustrate this period; and 
 whether viewed as a development of progress in 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 11 
 
 learning, or as evincing the effects of a godly edu- 
 cation, or as being probably the first specimen of 
 his epistolary style, the selections will be alike in- 
 teresting. He says, " Every day since you went, I 
 have done my lesson, aside of Latin, or Latin verses, 
 and two verses in the Greek Testament. I hope I 
 have done all well, and so I will continue till you 
 come." In reference to tidings which had been 
 communicated in the letter respecting one of his 
 relatives, he adds — and the resemblance to his sub- 
 sequent style of writing will not pass unnoticed by 
 those who are acquainted with that style — " By this 
 providence we may see that sin is the worst of evils, 
 for sickness came with sin. Christ is the chief good ; 
 therefore, let us love him. Sin is the worst of evils ; 
 therefore, let us hate that with a perfect hatred." 
 This was, indeed, remarkable language for a child 
 only nine years old. 
 
 But the expectations indulged were soon after- 
 wards checked. A lingering fever attacked the 
 interesting youth when about ten years of age ; and 
 such was the extreme violence of the attack, as for 
 some time to excite daily apprehension of his death. 
 In this trial, the faith of the parents triumphed over 
 the agitations of natural tenderness. They trusted 
 in the Lord, and invoked his holy name. During 
 this time, the afflicted father, acting upon the coun- 
 sel which he gave to others, that weeping must not 
 hinder sowing, fulfilled the usual duties of his min- 
 
12 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 istry; and when hope was almost extinct, he left 
 home to preach at a distance. Nor was his return 
 cheered by more favorable appearances. In this 
 period of affliction, the widow of the Rev. Zecliariah 
 Thomas was on a visit at Broad Oak, and proved a 
 comforter in sorrow. ^ To her, Mr. Henry remarked, 
 that while absent, he had most solemnly and delib- 
 erately resigned his dear child to the will of God. 
 The good old gentlewoman replied, " And I believe, 
 sir, in that place and time, God gave him back to 
 you again." And so it turned out. Recovery 
 speedily followed: and Mrs. Savage, one of Mat- 
 thew's sisters, who heard the conversation, remarked 
 many years afterwards, that, though at the time she 
 was only eight years old, and could think but as a 
 child, she was much impressed with it ; and behev- 
 ing that her brother's life was marvellously pro- 
 longed, he became additionally endeared to her. 
 To detail the state of the sufferer's own mind dur- 
 ing the progress of the disease is rendered impossi- 
 ble by the absence of materials. But, from subse- 
 quent events, it is not too much to infer, that the 
 affliction contributed to produce susceptibility of 
 impression, and resembled what the Scriptures 
 beautifully term, " breaking up the fallow-ground." 
 
 Matthew Henry was early the subject of divine 
 grace. His translation from the kingdom of dark- 
 ness to the kingdom of God's dear Son, will appear 
 most interesting in his own accouat of it. A manu- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 18 
 
 script dated October 18, 16 75, satisfactorily fur- 
 nishes such an account. In the form of a " Cata- 
 logue of Mercies," it details, at some length, the 
 progress of religion in his soul, together with the 
 evidences upon which he formed a belief of its gen- 
 uineness. He commences with praise for such mer- 
 cies as were " spiritual " for the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, as- 
 cension, and intercession ; for grace, pardon, peace ; 
 for the word, the means of grace ; for prayer ; for 
 good instructions ; for good received at any time 
 under the word ; for any succor and help from 
 God under temptation ; for brokenness of heart ; for 
 any enlightening." He adds, " I think it was three 
 years ago that I began to be convinced, hearing a 
 sermon by my father on Psalm 51:17,* The sacri- 
 fices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and a 
 contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise.' I 
 think it was that that melted me ; afterwards I be- 
 gan to inquire after Christ. 
 
 " December 7, 1673. On a Sabbath morning, I 
 heard a sermon that had in it the marks of true 
 grace. I tried myself by them, and told my father 
 my evidences. He liked them, and said, if those 
 evidences were true, as I think they were, I had 
 true grace. Yet after this, for two or three days, I 
 was under great fear of hell, till the Lord comforted 
 me. I having been engaged in serious examination, 
 what hope I have that when I die, and leave this 
 
14 
 
 MEiMOIR OF THE 
 
 earthly tabernacle, I shall be received into heaven, 
 I have found several marks that I am a child of 
 God. His ministers say, 
 
 " 1. There is true conversion where there have 
 been covenant transactions between God and the 
 soul. And I found that there have been such be- 
 tween God and my soul, and I hope in truth and 
 righteousness. If I never did this before, I do it 
 now ; for I take God in Christ to be mine. I give 
 up myself to be his in the bond of an everlasting 
 covenant never to be forgotten. But hath it been 
 in truth ? As far as I know my own heart, I do it 
 in truth and sincerity. I did it December 7, and 
 September 5, and October 13, and many other 
 times. I do it every day. 
 
 " 2. Where there hath been true repentance for 
 sin ; and grief, and shame, and sorrow for it, as to 
 what is past ; with all the ingredients of it, as con- 
 fession, aggravation, self-judging, self-condemning, 
 etc. And I have found this in me, though not in 
 such measure as I could desire. I have been 
 heartily sorry for what is past. I judge myself 
 before the Lord, blushing for shame that I should 
 aver affront him as I have done ; and ministers have 
 assured me, that having repented of sin, and be- 
 lieved on Christ, I am to believe that I am par- 
 doned. Now I have done this, and I do really 
 believe I am forgiven for Christ's sake. This is 
 grounded on several Scriptures: Proverbs 28: 13; 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 15 
 
 Isaiah 1:18; 55 : 7 ; Matthew 5:4; Acts 2 : 37, 
 38 ; 3:19; 1 John, 1 : 9. And many other Scrip- 
 tures there are where God doth expressly call peo- 
 ple to return and repent. But hath this sorrow 
 been true? As far as I know my own heart, it 
 hath been true. But I sin often. I lament and 
 bewail it before the Lord, and I endeavor, by the 
 grace of God, to do so no more. 
 
 "3. Where there is true love of God. For to 
 love the Lord our God with all our soul, and with 
 all our strength, is better than whole burnt- ofiferings 
 and sacrifices. Now, as far as I know my own 
 heart, I love God in sincerity. But is that love 
 indeed sincere? As far as I can judge, it is so; 
 for, 
 
 "(1.) I love the people of God; all the Lord's 
 people shall be my people. 
 
 " (2.) I love the word of God. I esteem it above 
 all. A find mv heart so inclined. I desire it as the 
 food of my soul. I greatly delight in it, both in 
 reading and hearing it ; and my soul can witness 
 subjection to it in some measure. I think I love 
 the word of God for the purity of it. I love the 
 ministers and messengers of the word. I am often 
 reading it. I rejoice in the good success of it. All 
 which were given as marks of true love to the word, 
 in a sermon I lately heard on Psalm 119 : 140. 
 * Thy word is very pure ; therefore thy servant lov- 
 eth it.' " 
 
16 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 From ibis interesting document it is manifest, that 
 before he had attained his eleventh year, he was 
 led into that vital and essential part of true wisdom, 
 which consists in knowledge of himself and the state 
 of his own soul. In after-life he used to remark. 
 There begins to be some hope of people when 
 they are concerned about their souls ; about spiritual 
 provision, spiritual health, spiritual trading and hus- 
 bandry ; about sowing to the Spirit." 
 
 Younor Henry attended with uncommon diliorence 
 upon his father's ministry ; and he was often so 
 moved by it, as to hasten to his closet when the 
 exercise was over, to weep, and make supplication 
 that the thincjs which he had heard mic;ht not es- 
 cape him. Sometimes his fears lest good impres- 
 sions should be effaced, rose so high, as to render 
 it difficult to prevail upon him to appear at dinner. 
 On one occasion, especially, after a sermon illus- 
 trating the nature and growth of true grace, as 
 compared in Scripture to a grain of mustard- seed, 
 which, though insignificant in appearance, would in 
 time produce great things, his concern to possess a 
 principle so efiBcient and precious, was intense. And, 
 in a walk with his father, being unable any longer 
 to restrain them, he communicated his anxieties. 
 Of the conversation which ensued, nothing remains : 
 but the "young disciple" afterwards told one of 
 his sisters, with delightful exultation, that he hoped 
 he had received the blessed grain of true grace ; 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 17 
 
 and though at present it was very small, yet that it 
 would come to something in time. 
 
 Could such a man as Philip Henry have any 
 greater joy than to hear his son, his only son, thus 
 early inquiring the way to Zion? And how un- 
 speakable was the privilege of the son, to possess 
 in his father a scribe so well instructed in the doc- 
 trine of the kingdom of heaven ; so signally " apt 
 to teach ;"-and so read}'', at all times, to encourage 
 the timid, but sincere inquirer, in the ways of God ! 
 It is to be lamented that diffidence or shame so 
 often hinders young converts from communicating 
 the exercises of their minds to Christians and min- 
 isters. By such back\y^ardness they expose them- 
 selves to a variety of temptations and sorrows which 
 they would otherwise escape, as well as unnecessa- 
 rily deprive those who are filled with zeal for the 
 Lord of hosts, of exquisite pleasure derived from 
 the knowledge of their conversion. There is joy 
 both in heaven and earth over one sinner that re- 
 penteth. 
 
 Philip Henry, like most of the puritans and non- 
 conformists, was distingruished for a reverential ob- 
 servance of the Lord's day. That holy habit had 
 been formed by him in early life ; it was strength- 
 ened by subsequent convictions; and experience 
 imparted to it confirmation and maturity. On re- 
 covering from an illness, he once remarked, " It is 
 comfortable to reflect upon an affliction borne pa- 
 
 MaUhew Henry. 2 
 
18 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 tiently ; an enemy forgiven heartily ; and a Sabbath 
 sanctified uprightly." 
 
 That his children might be impressed the more 
 deeply with like sentiments, and especially in order 
 to the better sanctification of the day of holy rest, 
 they were expected to spend an hour together, every 
 Saturday afternoon, in devotional exercises. On 
 these occasions, Matthew presided, and gave inti- 
 mations of his subsequent delight in God's service 
 too distinct and impressive to be either overlooked 
 or forgotten. On such occasions, if he thought his 
 sisters improperly curtailed their prayers, he would 
 gently expostulate with them ; telling them that 
 "it was impossible, in so short a time, to include all 
 the cases and persons they had to recommend to 
 God." And his admonitions were kindly received. 
 In riper years, those holy women acknowledged, to 
 the divine glory, how much they were influenced 
 and encouraged by their brother's example and re- 
 marks. 
 
 From his childhood, Matthew Henry had an in- 
 clination to the work of the ministry. This he dis- 
 covered by the remarkable eagerness with which he 
 read the Bible ; by a peculiar attachment to minis- 
 ters ; and by the manifest pleasure which he took 
 in writing and repeating sermons. He loved also 
 to imitate preaching ; which, considering his years, 
 he managed with great propriety, gravity, and 
 judgment. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 19 
 
 When very young he coveted the society of those 
 who " feared the Lord, and thought upon his name." 
 He frequently met them, in their assemblies for con- 
 ference and prayer, praying with them, and repeat- 
 ing sermons. Occasionally, also, he explained the 
 chapters read, enlarging upon them very much to 
 the benefit and comfort of the auditors. By these 
 efforts, surprise was naturally excited ; and one per- 
 son expressed fear lest he should be too forward, 
 and fall a victim to pride. This apprehension was 
 expressed to his judicious father. ''Let him go 
 on," was the answer; "he fears God, and designs 
 well, and I hope God will keep him and bless him." 
 
 The privileges enjoyed at Broad Oak were pecu- 
 liarly fitted to prepare young Henry for the sacred 
 office. His father, in addition to being an admired 
 preacher, had amassed rich treasures of polite and 
 useful learning : from this store he was always will- 
 ing to communicate ; and so felicitous was he in the 
 work of instruction, as to be seldom equalled, and 
 perhaps never surpassed. Having himself derived 
 much advantage from being a. student of Christ 
 Church College, Oxford, he was led, during many 
 years, to entertain a kindness for the universities, 
 and to recommend his friends who intended their 
 sons for scholars, to send them thither. But long 
 experience altered his mind, and when he deter- 
 mined, on account of his own pressing engagements, 
 to send his son from home, in order to avoid the 
 
ao 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 numerous temptations presented to young men in 
 the national seats of learning, he placed him in the 
 family, and under the tuition of the Rev. Thomas 
 Doolittle, a faithful minister of the Gospel, who 
 then lived at Islington, one of the suburbs of London. 
 
 Young Mr. Henry's removal to Islington took 
 place in the year 1680. These were times of trial 
 for the pious non-conformists. Persecution soon 
 drove Mr. Doolittle from Islington. He removed to 
 Battersea, and his pupils were scattered among pri- 
 vate families at Clapham. But Mr. Henry, instead 
 of accompanying them, returned, it is believed, to 
 Broad Oak. But whether he returned immediately 
 to his father's or not, it is certain that when his 
 studies were resumed at home, they were pursued, 
 as at Islington, with unwearied diligence. At Broad 
 Oak, that house of God and prayer, to which so 
 many good people often used to resort, such exem- 
 plary piety as that which young Mr. Henry dis- 
 played, attracted notice ; and he, like the son of 
 Elkanah, was in favor both with the Lord, and 
 also with men." Mr. Tong, his friend and earliest 
 biographer, remarks, that " those who knew him, 
 coveted his company, and were delighted with it." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Study of the law at Gray's Inn — Habits — Correspondence — 
 Trial of the Rev. Richard Baxter — Visit to Mr. Baxter in 
 prison — Correspondence . 
 
 After Matthew Henry left Islington, he became a 
 frequent and welcome visitor at Boreatton, in Shrop- 
 shire, the seat of Rowland Hunt, Esq., one of his 
 father's most particular and endeared friends. Mr. 
 Hunt was no stranger, therefore, either to his at- 
 tainments, or to his designs in reference to the min- 
 istry. That gentleman, however, advised his return 
 to London, that the study of the law might be added 
 to his other accomplishments ; a practice which in 
 the sixteenth centur}' had much prevailed both in 
 England and on the continent of Europe. This 
 friend's advice was approved both by the father and 
 the son ; and towards the end of April, 1685, Mr. 
 Henry, then in his twenty-third year, journeyed a 
 second time to London ; and in Holborn Court, 
 Gray's Inn, commenced a new course of studies, 
 and one apparently opposite to those in which he 
 had been previously engaged. 
 
 In these new circumstances he became acquainted 
 with several gentlemen, members of the same inn, 
 who were exemplary for industry, religion, and virtue. 
 The names of Mr. Turner of Canterbury, Mr. Ed- 
 ward Harley, Mr. Dunch, Mr. Birch, and Mr. Ed- 
 ward and Mr. Gilbert Horsman, were often men- 
 
2^ 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 tioned by him with respect and honor. Many years 
 afterwards, when he had an opportunity of renew- 
 ing his acquaintance with his old friend, Mr. Ser- 
 geant Birch, his diary does not fail to express the 
 gratification which he experienced in his society. 
 
 In the " house of the lawe " Mr. Henry's diligence 
 was constant and exemplary ; and had he addicted 
 himself exclusively to this study, he would probably 
 have risen to distinction as a lawyer. Although not 
 fully enamored of the science of law, his application 
 to it was such as to rouse the fears of several friends 
 and relatives, lest the result should be unfavorable 
 to his early resolutions. The alarm, however, was 
 needless : he remained true to his original purpose ; 
 and the "office of a bishop" was still earnestly de- 
 sired, and steadily kept in view ; though, occasion- 
 ally, the discouragements of the times, in consequence 
 of persecution, made him a little doubtful. But the 
 better to effect his ruling design, he judiciously va- 
 ried his pursuits ; consecrating a portion of time to 
 theological reading ; promoting, among his particular 
 friends, social prayer and religious conference, and 
 occasionally expounding to them the Scriptures. If 
 he did not say to his friends, as Cardinal Ximenes did, 
 that he would willingly exchange all legal learning for 
 the explanation of a single passage of holy writ, he 
 acted as though this were his judgment. 
 
 While resident at Gray's Inn, an affectionate and 
 frequent correspondence was maintained with his 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 28 
 
 father, and occasionally with his sisters. The vrhole 
 series presents a collection of facts alike curious and 
 interesting. Before any further allusion, however, 
 is made to that collection, the reader may advan- 
 tageously peruse one entire letter, addressed to Mr. 
 Henry, soon after he left home, by his father. It 
 exhibits a beautiful specimen of wise and apostolic 
 counsel. 
 
 "May 30, 1685. 
 
 "Son Matthew — We are glad to hear of your 
 health and cheerfulness ; which God in mercy con- 
 tinue ! If you take meals at a public-house daily, 
 you must double your watch, lest it put you upon 
 inconvenience. My caution not to overstudy your- 
 self was occasioned by what you wrote, that you 
 had read Littleton so often over, and had begun Coke 
 upon "him, which I thought could not well be, es- 
 pecially during the first month, which affords most 
 diversions, without overtasking yourself : my mean- 
 ing was, that you should apportion your time wisely, 
 according to present circumstances ; part to reading, 
 the morning especially, and part to acquaint your- 
 self with persons, and places, and affairs, which 
 you have hitherto much wanted opportunity to ac- 
 quaint yourself with ; having some ground of hope 
 that you will improve by it, letting go the chaff and 
 refuse, and retaining that which may do you good 
 hereafter; for this present time you are to look upon 
 as your gathering time, and to be as busy as the 
 
34 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 ant in summer, the factor in the fair or market, the 
 industrious merchant when in the Indies. You pro- 
 posed to lay hold on opportunities for hearing ser- 
 mons ; not Latin ones only. I hope you perform, 
 and also reflect after, and pen the heads at home, 
 which both engages present attention and lays up 
 for time to come. It is the talk and wonder of 
 many of our friends what we mean by this sudden 
 change of your course and way; but I hope, through 
 God's goodness and mercy, they will shortly see it 
 was for good. 
 
 "With yours I received one from dear Mr. Steel, 
 who would be glad to see you often, as I know my 
 worthy friend Mr. Lawrence would also ; but their 
 circumstances prevent their coming to you ; there- 
 fore you must go to them, not to be burdensome, 
 but like a bee to the flowers, to gather from t^iem. 
 
 " Just now, this morning, your sisters Katharine 
 and Ann are gone towards Salop, to be there awhile. 
 It is a change with us to want three of you at once ; 
 but hoping it w411 be for your improvement and 
 theirs, we are well satisfied in the will of God or- 
 dering it so. Ere long there will be greater part- 
 ings : how soon we know not ; but if we may be 
 with you together for ever, and wuth the Lord, that 
 will be happiness indeed. 
 
 *' Be careful, my dear child, in the main matter. 
 Keep yourself always in the love of God ; let noth- 
 ing come, however not abide, between you and his 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 25 
 
 favor, for in that is life. Rejoice in the great auc- 
 tion, and make the pearl of price sure, and the field 
 too in which it is. Farewell. Much love is to you 
 from all here, and particularly from 
 
 " Your loving father, 
 
 " P. H." 
 
 The following beautiful improvement of one of the 
 most ordinary occurrences of life, is characteristic 
 of the nature of Mr. Henry's mind, which seemed, 
 as it were, ever ready to turn every thing to some 
 spiritual advantage. Even now, when the facilities 
 of the post-office are so much increased, both in 
 expedition and certainty, compared with what they 
 were in his day, the subject is seldom so well im- 
 proved. In a letter dated July 5, 1685, he says, 
 
 " It pleaseth me sometimes to think what a ready, 
 speedy way of intercourse there is between me and 
 home, though at such a distance ; that a letter can 
 come from your hands to mine, through the hands 
 of so many who are strangers to us both, in the 
 space of sixty hours. But as ready as this way is, 
 blessed be God, we have a readier way to send to 
 heaven at all hours ; and can convey our letters 
 thither, and receive gracious answers thence, in less 
 time than so. That the throne of grace is always 
 open, to which we have (how sweet a word it is) 
 ' liberty of speech,' when we are with him, and 
 more than so, even 'access with confidence.' Eph. 
 
26 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 3:12. We are introduced by the Spirit, as am- 
 bassadors conducted to the prince by the master of 
 the ceremonies. Esther had access to Ahasuerus, 
 but not access with confidence, far from it, when 
 she said, I will go in, and ' if I perish, I perish.* 
 But we have access with confidence, through the 
 *new and living Way ' laid open for us to the Father 
 by the blood of his Son, who ever lives to make in- 
 tercession, in the virtue and value of his satisfaction. 
 And if this be not a sufficient ground for that con- 
 fidence, what is ?" 
 
 It was in the month of May this year (1685) that 
 the infamous trial of Mr. Baxter was acted before 
 the scurrilous Judge Jeffreys, at Guildhall ; and in 
 daring violation of law and reason, the venerable 
 non conformist was sentenced by that "unjust 
 judge " to pay five hundred marks, to lie in prison 
 till they were paid, and to be bound to his good be- 
 havior for seven years. Whether Mr. Henry wit- 
 nessed the public obloquy of his father's ancient 
 and beloved friend, does not appear ; but the follow- 
 ing letter details a visit to the imprisoned saint. It 
 is one of those pictures of days that are past, which, 
 if rightly viewed, may produce lasting and beneficial 
 effects : emotions of sacred sorrow for the iniquity 
 of persecution, and animating praise that the demon 
 in these happy days of tranquillity is restrained, 
 though not destroyed. Holiness, how much soever 
 it may annoy, or even irritate, by its splendor, has, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 27 
 
 through the favor of the Most High, the fullest 
 liberty to shine. 
 
 *^ 17th November, 1685. 
 
 "Honored Sir — On Saturday last I was with 
 good Mr. Lawrence, who sends affectionate respects 
 to you. He, and some others of them, walk the 
 streets with freedom. 
 
 " I went into Southwark to Mr. Baxter. I was 
 to wait upon him once before, and then he was busy. 
 I found him in pretty comfortable circumstances, 
 though a prisoner, in a private house near the pris- 
 on, attended on by his own man and maid. My good 
 friend Mr. Samuel Lawrence went with me. He is 
 in as good health as any one can expect ; and, me- 
 thinks, looks better, and speaks heartier, than when 
 I saw him last. The token you sent he would by 
 no means be persuaded to accept, and was almost 
 angry when I pressed it, from one outed* as well 
 as himself. He said he did not use to receive ; and 
 I understand since, his need is not great. 
 
 " We sat with him about an hour. I was very 
 glad to find that he so much approved of my present 
 circumstances. He said he knew not why young 
 men might not improve by such a course, as well as 
 by traveling abroad. He inquired for his Shrop- 
 shire friends, and observed, that of those gentlemen 
 who were with him at Wem, he hears of none whose 
 
 * Ejected by the Act of Uniformity. 
 
28 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 sons tread in their father's steps but Colonel Hunt's. 
 He inquired about Mr. Macworth's, and Mr. Lloyd 
 of Aston's children. He gave us some good counsel 
 to prepare for trials, and said the best preparation 
 for them was a life of faith, and a constant course 
 of self-denial. He thought it harder constantly to 
 deny temptations to sensual lusts and pleasures, 
 than to resist one single temptation to deny Christ 
 for fear of suffering ; the former requiring such con- 
 stant watchfulness : however, after the former, the 
 latter will be the easier. He said we who are young 
 are apt to count upon great things, but we must not 
 look for it ; and much more to this purpose. He 
 said he thought dying by sickness usually much 
 more painful and dreadful than dying a violent 
 death ; especially, considering the extraordinary 
 supports which those have who suffer for righteous- 
 ness' sake. He sends you his respects. Good Mr. 
 Tallents also I saw that night, and sat with him 
 awhile. Your most dutiful son, 
 
 " Matt. Henry." 
 
 The following note to him from his excellent 
 mother, containing holy counsel, and exhibiting pa- 
 rental anxiety, admirably evinces that enviable union 
 of tenderness and wisdom for which she was dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 "Dear Child — It is much my comfort and re- 
 joicing to hear so often from you; and, although I 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 29 
 
 have little to send you but love and my blessing, 
 your father being absent, I write a line or two to 
 you to mind you to keep in with God, as I hope 
 you do, by solemn, secret, daily prayer ; watching 
 therein with perseverance ; not forgetting what ^ou 
 have been taught, and the covenant engagements, 
 renewed again and again, that you lie under, to walk 
 circumspectly in your whole conversation ; watching 
 against youthful lusts, evil company, sins, and snares 
 from the world and the devil. 
 
 " Your affectionate mother, 
 
 " Katharine H," 
 
 Of the excellent spirit which was found in Mr. 
 Henry even at this early age, the following extract 
 from a letter to his father is a pleasing demonstration. 
 Referring to his father's letters to him, he says, 
 
 " None hath been a messenq-er of evil tidiness, for 
 which let the name of God have all the glory ; and 
 let us still be prepared for evil tidings, not knowing 
 what a day may bring forth. If we can make sure 
 uninterrupted peace and tranquillity in the other 
 world, we have no great reason to complain of the 
 interruptions of this world. It is the lower region 
 of the air that is liable to variety of weathers, while 
 the upper region enjoys a constant calm. And are 
 we moving thitherwards ? And do we hope to be 
 there shortly, where all tears are wiped away from 
 the eyes, and all sorrow eternallyl)anished from the 
 heart ? And shall w^e perplex ourselves about the 
 
30 
 
 MEMOIR OP THE 
 
 little, little trifles of this vain, empty world, the 
 things whereof are vanity in the having, and vexa- 
 tion of spirit in the losing, nor ever will, or can, 
 afford that content and satisfaction which men ex- 
 pect and count upon, in the enjoyment of them ; 
 and which too few seek where it is to be had." 
 
 All his letters from Gray's Inn discover to great 
 advantage his filial attentions ; they convey a pleas- 
 ant impression of his observation and prudence ; 
 they demonstrate his zeal for the acquisition of use- 
 ful knowledge ; and they exhibit, in the most unex- 
 ceptionable manner, his mental acuteness, his per- 
 sonal piety, and the consecration of every successive 
 acquirement to the Redeemer's honor. They were 
 worthy of Philip Henry's son, and must have often- 
 times proved an occasion of rejoicing and praise 
 before the throne of God. It is easy, in imagina- 
 tion, to behold the venerable parents perusing, week 
 after week, those epistles of grace, and minghng, 
 with, overflowing tenderness, their mutual gratula- 
 tions, that their beloved child, though at so great a 
 distance from them, was walking in the truth. 
 
 It would be anticipating a future division of the 
 present work, to delineate, in this early stage of it, 
 Mr. Henry's character and conduct as a friend. 
 Yet the order which has been adopted seems here 
 to require the introduction of a letter addressed by 
 him to one whom he regarded in that sacred char- 
 acter. This individual was Mr. George lUidge of 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 31 
 
 Nantwich, whose heart the Lord having opened 
 when very young, and who, enjoying few rehgious 
 advantages at home, attended the ministry at Broad 
 Oak. His seriousness and zeal secured him a wel- 
 come, and his excellent conduct commanded un- 
 feigned respect. It is not known when the acquaint- 
 ance between the two youths commenced, but it 
 was turned to a good account ; and became the 
 means of eliciting dispositions the most strictly vir- 
 tuous and useful. The grave and mature counsels 
 contained in the letter, are far beyond the years of 
 the writer of them. 
 
 "Gray's Inn, March 1, 1686. 
 
 " Dear Friend — I think I remember, when I last 
 saw )'ou I partly promised to write to you, which 
 I doubt I should either have forgotten, or have 
 deferred the performance of, had 'I not been lately 
 reminded of it in a letter from one of my sisters. 
 And now I have put my pen to paper to perform 
 my promise, what shall I write ? News we have 
 little, or none considerable; and you know I was 
 never a good newsmonger ; and to fill a letter with 
 idle, impertinent compliments, is very useless, and 
 Avill pass but ill in the accounts another day ; for 
 sure, if idle words must be accounted for, idle let- 
 tors will not be left out of the reckoning. What if 
 I should, therefore, having no other business at 
 present, give you a few serious lines, which may, 
 perhaps, be of some spiritual advantage to your 
 
32 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 soul. I have been lately thinking of some great 
 Scripture truths, or principles, the firm, practical 
 belief of which would be of great use to a Christian, 
 and have a mighty influence upon the right order- 
 ing of his conversation ; and they are some such as 
 these : 
 
 "1, That 'all things are naked and open unto 
 him with whom we have to do.' Heb. 4: 13. A 
 firm belief of God's all-seeing eye always upon us, 
 wherever we are, and whatever we are doing, would 
 be a mighty awe-band upon the spirit, to keep it 
 serious and watchful. Dare I omit such a known 
 duty, or commit such a known sin, while I am under 
 the eye of a just and holy God, who hates sin, and 
 cannot endure to look on iniquity ? It was a sig- 
 nificant name which Hagar gave to the well where 
 God appeared unto her, Gen. 16 : 14, *Beer-lahai- 
 roi,' the well of him that lives and sees me ; for she 
 said, V. 13, 'Thou God seest me.' This would be 
 a very seasonable thought, Avhen we are entering 
 either into duty, or into temptation, to lift up our 
 heart in these words, ' Thou God seest me ;' and 
 therefore, let duty be carefully done, and sin care- 
 fully avoided, considering that he who sees all now, 
 will tell all shortly before angels and men, in the 
 day 'when the secrets of all hearts shall be made 
 manifest.' Luke 12:2. 
 
 " 2. That our adversary the devil, ' as a roaring 
 lion, goes about continually, seeking whom he may 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY. 
 
 33 
 
 devour.' 1 Peter, 5 : 8. We do not see him, and 
 therefore we are apt to be secure ; but certainly it 
 is so, and therefore we should never be off our 
 watch. "What folly is it for us to be slumbering 
 and sleeping, while such a cruel, crafty enemy is 
 waking and watching, and ready to do us a mis- 
 chief I You know, when Saul slept, he lost his 
 spear and his cruise of water. Many a Chiistian 
 has lost his strength and comfort by sleeping. 
 
 " 3. That * the grace of God, which bringeth sal- 
 vation, teacheth us to deny ungodliness and worldly 
 lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godlily.* 
 Titus 2:11, 12. That the Gospel, as it is a Gospel 
 of grace, requires a holy conversation. Christ died 
 to save his people />o//i their sins, not in their sins. 
 The Gospel hath its commands, as well as its prom- 
 ises and privileges, and therefore there is such a 
 thing as a gospel-becoming conversation, Phil. 1:27, 
 living up to gospel love as well as gospel light. 
 
 " 4. That * Jesus Christ died to deliver us from 
 this present evil world.' Gal. 1 : 4. We are apt 
 to think Christ died to deliver us only from hell, 
 and if that be done we are well enough. Xo ; Christ 
 died to deliver us from this world. So, if our hearts 
 are glued to present things, and our affections tixed 
 upon them, we do db-ectly thwart the great design 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ in coming to save us. 
 
 "5. That ' we are not under the law, but under 
 grace.' Romans 6 : 14. This is a mighty encour- 
 
 Matthew Henry. ^ 
 
84 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 agement to us to abound in all manner of gospel 
 obedience, to consider that we are not under the 
 law that required personal, perfect obedience, and 
 pronounced a curse for the least failure, but under 
 the covenant of grace, which accepts the willing 
 mind, and makes sincerity our perfection. What a 
 sweet word is grace ! What a savor doth it leave 
 upon the lips ! And to be under grace, under the 
 sweet and easy rule of grace, how comfortable is it ! 
 
 " 6. That the soul is the man, and that condition 
 of life is best for us that is best for our souls. It 
 fares with the man as it fares with his soul. He is 
 the truly healthful man whose soul prospers and is in 
 health. He is the truly rich man, not who is rich in 
 houses, land, and money, but who is rich in faith, and 
 an heir of the kingdom. Those are our best friends 
 that are friends to our souls, and those are our worst 
 enemies that are enemies to our souls ; for the soul 
 is the man, and if the soul be lost, all is lost. 
 
 Y. That 'we have here no continuing city.' 
 Heb. 13 : 14. That we are in this world as in an 
 inn, and must be gone shortly. Why should we, 
 then, conform ourselves to this world, or cumber 
 ourselves with it ? Should we not, then, sit loose 
 to it, as we do to an inn ? And what if we have 
 but ill accommodation ; it is but an inn, it will be 
 better at home. If our lodging here he hard and 
 cold, it is no great matter ; our lodging in our 
 Father's house will be soft and warm enough. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 35 
 
 8. That ' every man, at his best estate, is alto- 
 gether vanity.' Psahn 39 : 5. We ourselves are 
 so, and therefore we must not dote on any tem- 
 poral enjoyments. We carry our lives, as well as 
 our other comforts, in our hands, and know not how 
 soon they may slip through our fingers. Every one 
 is vanity, therefore cease from man, from fearing 
 him, and from trusting in him. 
 
 *' 9. That * God shall bring every work into judg- 
 ment, with every secret thing, whether it be good 
 or evil.' Eccles. 12 : 14. That every man must 
 shortly give an account to God. The serious 
 thou(?hts of this would eno^aore us to do nothinor 
 now, which will not pass well in our accounts then. 
 
 "10. That 'the wages of sin is death; but the 
 gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord.' Romans 6 : 23. Heaven and hell are great 
 things, indeed, and should be much upon our hearts, 
 and improved by us as a spur of constraint to put 
 us upon duty, and a bridle of restraint to keep us 
 from sin. We should labor to see reality and weight 
 in invisible things, and live as those that must be 
 somewhere for ever ; to see hell the wages and due 
 desert of sin, and heaven the free gift of God through 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 " Many other such truths might be mentioned, 
 which those who are acquainted with the Scriptures, 
 and with their own hearts, need not be directed to. 
 It would be of use to a Christian, to take some one 
 
36 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 such truth into his mind in the morning, and upon 
 occasion in the day, to be thinking frequently of it, 
 and to say, ' This is the truth of the day ; this is to 
 be an answer to this day's temptations ; this is to 
 be a spur to this day's duties ; and this is to be the 
 subject of this day's meditation, and of this day's 
 discourse, as we have opportunity.' I am apt to 
 think such a course would be very beneficial. Here- 
 by a good stock of truths might be treasured up 
 as^ainst a time of need, and we mio^ht be able to 
 bring forth things new and old for the benefit of 
 others. For certainly it is our duty, as we have 
 ability and opportunity, to help our friends and 
 neighbors in their spiritual necessities, to strengthen 
 the weak, confirm the wavering, direct the doubting, 
 and comfort the feeble-minded, to say to them that 
 are of a fearful heart. Be strong. 
 
 " Discourse to this purpose, how profitable would 
 it be, both to ourselves and others ; and how much 
 better it would pass in our account another day, 
 than a great deal of that vain, impertinent talk, 
 which fills up the time of too many professors when 
 they come together. And I fear it is a fault more 
 acknowledged than amended. 
 
 " I remember to have read, that when the famous 
 Bishop Usher and Dr. Preston, w^io were intimate 
 friends, ^vere talking together, after much discourse 
 of learning and other things, the bishop would say, 
 ' Come, doctor, one word of Christ now before we 
 
HEV. MATTHEW HEXRV. 
 
 37 
 
 part.' Christians, who owe their all to Christ, 
 should be often tcilking of him. And surely those 
 that know the worth of souls cannot but be con- 
 cerned for their ignorant, careless neighbors ; which 
 concernedness should put us upon doing all we can 
 to help them out of that condition. And if there 
 be any that are asking the way to Zion, with their 
 faces thitherwards, pray tell them the way. Tell 
 them, 
 
 " 1. There is but one gate into this way, and that 
 is the strait gate of sound conversion. 
 
 "2. Tell them that the way is narrow, that there 
 is not elbow-room for their lusts ; let them know 
 the worst of it ; and that those who would be 
 good soldiers of Christ must endure hardness. 
 
 "3. Tell them, notwithstanding this, it is a way 
 of pleasantness ; it gives spiritual, though it prohib- 
 its sensual pleasures. 
 
 " 4. Tell them there is life eternal at the end, 
 and let them be assured that one hour of joy in 
 heaven will make them amends for an age of trouble 
 upon earth. One sheaf of that harvest will be rec- 
 ompense enough for a seedness of tears. Psalm 
 126 : 5, 6. 
 
 " I am at present somewhat indisposed, and have 
 written confusedly, and therefore I would have you 
 keep it to yourself. I hope you will not forget me 
 at the throne of grace, for I have need of your 
 prayers. Give my aflfectionate respects to your 
 
38 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 wife, and mother, and sister ; to Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Wilson, who, I take for granted, is with you ; to 
 Mr. Hopkins, ray aunt Burroughs, and Richard Gill, 
 and all the rest of my very good friends, if with 
 you, as if particularly named. I have nothing more 
 to add, but to commend you all to God, and to the 
 word of his grace, which is able to build you up, 
 and to give you an inheritance among all them that 
 are sanctified. I am, your real friend, 
 
 " Matthew Henry." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 His Return to Broad Oak — His Preaching — Visits Chester — 
 Invitations to the Ministerial Office there — Self-examina- 
 tion before Ordination — His Ordination. 
 
 In the month of June, 1686, Mr. Henry returned 
 to Broad Oak. It was soon apparent that his law 
 studies had nowise diverted him from his original 
 design. The study of the Scriptures was as inter- 
 esting to him as ever ; and his desire to make known 
 the mystery of the Gospel, instead of being weak- 
 ened, had increased : it was more intense and more 
 enlightened. 
 
 Being invited by his friend Mr. George Illidge 
 to Nantwich, he preached there several evenings to 
 a considerable audience, and with encouraging sue- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY. 
 
 39 
 
 cess. On the last of those occasions his subject was 
 Job 37 : 22, " With God is terrible majesty." Mr. 
 Illidge observed a notoriously wicked man present. 
 With a \'iew to ascertain the effects of his attend- 
 ance, he called upon him the next morning. The 
 man and his wife were in tears. The convictions 
 of sin, and sense of danger, in the mind of the hus- 
 band, seemed to be pungent and salutary ; and his 
 apprehensions of the majesty and wrath of God 
 were awfully vivid : the wife wept from sympathy. 
 Mr. Illidge offered up supplications on their behalf, 
 communicated suitable encouragement, and pressed 
 an earnest warning against wicked company. The 
 man taught his wife to read, practised family wor- 
 ship, often accompanied Mr. Illidge to Broad Oak, 
 and was admitted to the church. In appearance, 
 the change was universal and entire; religious joy 
 was sometimes avowed ; and, for several years, he 
 seemed to "run well."' His wife, in the judgment 
 of charity, died in the faith of the Gospel ; but he, 
 alas, after a time, being '"hindered," was guilty of 
 very sad defection, and quitted the narrow way, it is 
 feared, for ever. In such a connection as this, how 
 consummate appears the wisdom of the apostolic 
 counsel, " Let him that thinketh he standeth, take 
 heed lest he fall I" And how necessaiy are self- 
 examination, holy watching, and unceasing prayer. 
 
 It is natural to suppose, that the encouragement 
 which attended Mr, Henry's fii-st efforts, increased 
 
40 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 his satisfaction in the decision which he had made 
 for the ministry. Having been on a visit at Ches- 
 ter, and being invited by some friends there to 
 preach to them, he comphed ; and two or^ three 
 successive evenings, at the houses of fnends, "he 
 received all that came ; preaching the kingdom of 
 God, and teaching the things which concern the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence ; no man for- 
 bidding him." These services tended to produce a 
 most favorable impression upon the minds of the 
 hearers in reference to Mr, Henry's ministerial quali- 
 fications ; and the present circumstances of the non- 
 conformists in that city occasioned earaest desires 
 that he might become their pastor. By the death 
 of two valuable ministers, Mr. Cook and Mr. Hall, 
 a loss had been sustained which their survivor, Mr. 
 Harvey, an aged divine, was unable to repair. 
 About this time government granted more liberty 
 and enlargement to dissenters than they had been 
 wont to enjoy. Encouraged, therefore, by this 
 event of Providence, after having advised with his 
 father, he returned a favorable answer to the invi- 
 tation which he received from Chester to settle 
 there, provided Mr. Harvey would give his consent 
 to it ; so delicate were his sentiments, and so scru- 
 pulous was his conscience, in this important move- 
 ment. In a personal interview with this aged divine, 
 Mr. Henry assured him that if he did not consent to 
 his settlement in the city, he would return, and de- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 41 
 
 sired him to express himself freely. Mr. Harvey at 
 once satisfied him of his good-will, and pleasantly 
 added, " There is work enough for us both." This 
 incident reads valuable lessons to both young and 
 aged ministers. 
 
 The business of ordination was next attended to 
 with exemplary deliberation and seriousness. Not 
 only did he avail himself of the counsel of his friends, 
 particularly the Rev. Messrs. F. Tallents and James 
 Owen, but for more permanent advantage, he sketch- 
 ed a discourse on 1 Timothy, 4 : 15, " Give thyself 
 
 j wholly to them," in which he stated the nature and 
 several parts of the ministerial work, and what it is 
 for a man to give himself wholly to them — to be 
 wholly m them, as the original Greek signifies. He 
 likewise composed a paper which he designated 
 
 I " Serious Self-examination before Ordination." This 
 paper is so general in its nature, and presents so 
 complete and unusual a combination of vigilance 
 and wisdom, as to justify its insertion in these 
 pages, notwithstanding its length. It is as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " That it is very requisite for a man to examine 
 himself seriously at such a time, will readily be 
 granted by those who consider the nature of the 
 ordinance, and of that work into which it is a solemn 
 entrance. 
 
 " ' Search me, 0 God, and know my heart ; try me, 
 and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any 
 
42 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 wicked way in me, and lead me in the way ever- 
 lasting.' 
 
 ** It is worth while for a man at such a time de- 
 liberately to ask himself, and having asked, consci- 
 entiously to answer, the six following questions : 
 
 ''Q. I. What am I? 
 
 " This is a needful question, because, in ordina- 
 tion I give up myself to God in a peculiar manner ; 
 and will God accept the torn, and the blind, and 
 the lame ? Surely, no. The sacrifice must be 
 searched before it was offered, that it might be 
 sure to fit its end. Now, though the truth of grace 
 be not perhaps necessary to the esse of a minister," 
 (to being a minister,) " for Judas himself was an apos- 
 tle, yet it is necessary to the hene esse," (to being a 
 good minister.) "A man cannot be a good minister 
 without it. And therefore come, my soul, let us 
 inquire what am I ? And let the inquiry be strict 
 and serious, for a mistake here is fatal. 
 
 " 1. Have I ever been inwardly convinced of the 
 lost and undone condition in which I was born ; that 
 I was by nature a child of wrath, even as others? 
 Did I ever see myself wallowing in my blood, in a 
 forlorn, outcast, helpless state, lost and ruined for 
 ever without Christ ? 
 
 " 2. Was I ever deeply humbled before the Lord 
 for the original sin that I was born in, and the num- 
 berless actual transgressions in heart and life that I 
 have been guilty of ? Hath sin been bitter to my 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY. 
 
 43 
 
 soul, hath my heart been broken for it, and hath 
 my sorrow been of the right kind ? Hath the sight 
 of a broken Saviour broken my heart ? 
 
 "3. Have I sincerely closed with the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, by a true and lively faith, taken hira to be 
 mine, and resigned up myself to him to be his ? 
 Have I accepted of Christ upon gospel terms, to 
 be my Prince to rule, and Saviour to save me ? 
 Have I renounced all others, and resolved to cleave 
 to the Lord Jesus Christ, let what will come ? Is 
 Christ precious to me ; is he dearer to me than any 
 thinor in the world besides ? Could I be freelv will- 
 ing to part with all for Christ, and count every thing 
 but loss that I may win Chiist ? 
 
 " 4. Have I a real hatred of every sin, in myself 
 as well as in others ? Have I no beloved lust which 
 I would spare, no darling corruption which I would 
 have to remain unmortified ? Does sin appear sin 
 in my eyes ; and can I say with David that ' I hate 
 every false way ?' Are the remainders of indwelling 
 corruption a burden to me ? Do I long to be rid 
 of sin ? Are my resolutions sincere, and my en- 
 deavors serious, against sin, and all appearance of 
 it, and that because it is against God ? 
 
 " Have I a real love to holiness ? Do I press 
 after it, and earnestly desire to be more holy, using 
 holy ordinances for this end, that I may be made 
 thereby more and more holy ? Am I fond of holy 
 ordinances and holy people, and that because they 
 
44 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 are holy ? Have I a real value for holiness wher- 
 ever I see it ? Do I delight in God's holy word, 
 and that because it is holy ? Do I call the holy 
 Sabbath a delight, and that because it is holy ? Do 
 I love the brethren because they are holy, and love 
 them the better the more hol}^ they are ? Do I long 
 to be made perfect in holiness in that other world ? 
 
 To these weighty questions, my poor soul — 
 though compassed about with manifold weaknesses, 
 wants, and corruptions — doth, as in the presence 
 of God, the searcher of hearts, give a comfortable 
 answer ; and if these be the signs and characters of 
 true grace, I trust my heart doth not deceive me, 
 when it tells me I have some sparks of it, though 
 swimming in a sea of corruption. But ' who am I, 
 0 Lord God, and w^hat is my house, that thou hast 
 brought me hitherto ? xVnd yet, as if this had been 
 but a small thing, thou hast spoken concerning thy 
 servant for a great while yet to come. And is this 
 the manner of man, 0 Lord God?' 
 " Q. IL What have I done ? 
 
 This is also a needful question, that, searching 
 and examining what hath been amiss, I may repent 
 of it, and make even reckonings in the blood of 
 Christ, that I may not come loaded with old guilt 
 to put on a new character, especially such a char- 
 acter as this. Aaron and his sons must offer a sin- 
 offering to make atonement before they were con- 
 secrated. Leviticus 8 : 34. For he that comes near 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 45 
 
 to God under the guilt of sin unrepented of, comes 
 at his peril, and the nearer the more dangerous. 
 
 ''And therefore, 0 my soul, what have I done ? 
 My soul cannot but answer, I have sinned, I have 
 perverted that which is right, and it hath not profit- 
 ed me. And in a serious reflection I cannot but 
 observe, 
 
 " 1. What a great deal of precious time I have 
 trifled away and misspent in folly and vanity, and 
 things that do not profit. Tinije is a precious talent 
 which my Master hath intrusted me with, and yet 
 how long hath it been buried, and how much hath 
 it run to waste ! 
 
 " 2. How many precious opportunities, which are 
 the cream of time, have I lost, and not improved 
 through my own carelessness ; golden seasons of 
 grace which I have enjoyed, but have let them slip, 
 and been little bettered by them ; Sabbaths, ser- 
 mons, sacraments that have come and gone, and left 
 me as they found me. My fruit hath not been an- 
 swerable to the soil I have been planted in. How 
 often have I been ignorant under enlightening means ; 
 hard and cold under softening and warming ordi- 
 nances ; trifling and careless when I have been 
 dealing with God about the concerns of my soijl 
 and eternity. 
 
 "3. How often have I broken my covenants with 
 God, my engagements, promises, and resolutions of 
 new and better obedience ; resolved against this and 
 
46 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 that sin, and yet fallen into it again ; many a time 
 returning to folly, after God hath spoken peace to 
 me, and after I have spoken promises to God. Pres- 
 ently after a sacrament, how have I returned to 
 former vanity, folly, sensuality, frothiness ; to former 
 pride, passion, and worldliness : so soon have I for- 
 got the vows of God ! 
 
 "4. How unprofitable have I been in my converse 
 with others ; how few have been the better for me ; 
 how many the worse for me ; how little good have 
 I done ; how little light have I cast in the sphere 
 "wherein God hath placed me ; how little have I 
 been concerned for the souls of others ; and how 
 little useful have I been to them ! How vain and 
 light have I been many times in my words and car- 
 riage, going down the stream of folly with others, 
 when my seriousness might have stemmed the tide ! 
 How seldom hath my speech been with grace, and 
 how often with corruption ; not seasoned with salt ! 
 
 " 5. In the general, how forgetful have I been of 
 God and his word, and myself and my duty, and of 
 the great concerns of my soul and eternity ; living 
 too much as if I had no God to serve, and no soul 
 to save 1 
 
 " I might mention many particular miscarriages 
 which I have been guilty of in heart and life, and 
 which are known to God and my own heart ; and 
 yet, after all, * Who can understand his errors ? 
 Cleanse thou me, 0 God, from secret sins ; have 
 
REV. MATTHFVV HENRY. 
 
 47 
 
 mercy upon me, 0 God, according to thy loving- 
 kindness ; and according to the multitude of thy 
 tender mercies blot out all my transgressions, for 
 the sake of the Lord my righteousness.' 
 
 ** Q. III. From what principles do I act in this 
 undertaking ? 
 
 " This is also a very material inquiry in every ac- 
 tion, to ask whence it comes, especially in so great 
 a turn of life as this. 
 
 '•'I. I hope I can say that it is of faith ; and I 
 am concerned it should be so, for * whatsoever is not 
 of faith is sin.' It is good for every man that he be 
 fully persuaded in his own mind. Xow, 
 
 " (1.) I am fully persuaded that Jesus Christ, as 
 King of the church, hath appointed and established 
 the office of the ministry, to continue in a constant 
 succession to the end of time, for the edification of 
 the church, and has promised to be with his minis- 
 ters always, to the end of the world. So that the 
 office of the ministry is no human invention, but a 
 divine institution. 
 
 *' (2.) I am fully persuaded that no man ought 
 to thrusi himself upon the work of the ministry, 
 without a clear call from God to it. Not that we 
 are to expect such extraordinary calls as the apostles 
 had, but the ordinary call, by the mediation of min- 
 isters, who, as such, are authorized by Christ to try 
 the abilities of those who offer themselves to the 
 ministry ; and if they find them fit, then to set them 
 
48 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 apart to that work, in a solemn manner, by the im- 
 position of hands, with fasting and prayer ; and that 
 * the laying on of the hands of the presbytery ' is 
 the regular way of ordination, and most agreeable 
 to Scripture. 
 
 (3.) I bless God that I am pretty well satisfied 
 with the clearness of my call to the work, though I 
 cannot but be sensible of great weakness and insuf- 
 ficiency for these things ; yet I find that what abil- 
 ities God has been pleased to give me, (and let him 
 have all the glory,) do evidently look towards this 
 work ; so that if I be in any measure qualified for 
 any service, it is for this. I find also my own in- 
 clination strongly bent towards it, and that I have 
 been much excited and encouraged to it by divers, 
 both ministers and others, able, skilful, and faithful, 
 fit to judge, by whom my purposes have been much 
 confirmed. All which goes a great wa}'- towards 
 the clearing of my call ; and the earnest invitation I 
 have lately had to stated work in a particular place, 
 doth much help to clear my call to the work in 
 general. 
 
 " 2. I hope I can say, I act herein from a princi- 
 ple of true zeal for the glory of God ; that this 
 gi-eat thing I do, as I should do every thing, to the 
 glory of God, that my light may shine, that Christ's 
 kingdom may be advanced, the power of godliness 
 kept up, the word of life held forth ; by all which 
 God is glorified. The desire of my soul is, that 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 4^ 
 
 * whether I live I may live to the Lord, or whether 
 I die I may die to the Lord, and that living and 
 dying I may be the Lord's.' 
 
 "3, I hope I can say, that I act herein from a 
 principle of real love to precious souls, for the good 
 of which I would gladly spend and be spent. Me- 
 thinks I love the precious souls of men so well, that 
 I would fain be an instrument of convincing the un- 
 convinced, converting the unconverted, and building 
 up saints in holiness and comfort. I hope I know 
 so much of the worth of souls, that I should think 
 it a greater happiness to gain one soul to the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, than to gain mountains of silver and 
 gold to myself. 
 
 *'Q. lY. What are the ends that I aim at in this 
 great undertaking ? 
 
 " It is a common saying, that the end specifies the 
 action ; and therefore it is of great consequence to 
 fix that right, that the eye may be single, for other- 
 wise it is an evil eye. A by and base end will cer- 
 tainly spoil the acceptableness of the best actions 
 that can be performed. 
 
 " Now, what is the mark I aim at in this great turn 
 of my life ? Let conscience be faithfuj herein, and 
 let the Searcher of hearts make me known to my- 
 self. 
 
 1. I think I can say with confidence, that I do 
 not design to take up the ministry as a trade to live 
 by, or to enrich myself by, out of the greediness of 
 
 Matttew Henry. ^ 
 
MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 filthy lucre. No ; I hope I aim at nothing but 
 souls ; and if I gain those, though I should lose all 
 my worldly comforts by it, I shall reckon myself to 
 have made a good bargain. 
 
 ** 2. I think I can say with as much assurance, 
 that my design is not to get myself a name amongst 
 men, or to be talked of in the world, as one that 
 makes somewhat of a figure, No ; that is a poor 
 business. If I have but a good name with God, 
 I think I have enough, though among men I 
 be reviled, and have my name trampled upon as 
 mire in the streets. I prefer the good word of 
 my Master far before the good word of my fellow- 
 servants. 
 
 "3. I can appeal to God, that I have no design 
 in the least to maintain a party or to keep up any 
 schismatical faction ; my heart rises against the 
 thoughts of it. I hate dividing principles and prac- 
 tices, and whatever others are, I am for peace and 
 healing ; and if my blood would be sufficient bal- 
 sam, I would gladly part with the last drop of it, 
 for the closing up of the bleeding wounds of differ- 
 ences that are amongst true Christians. Peace is 
 such a precious jewel, that I would give any thing 
 for it but truth. Those who are hot and bitter in 
 their contendings for or against little things, and 
 zealous in keeping up names of division and main- 
 taining parties, are of a spirit which I understand 
 not. Let not my soul come into their secret. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY 
 
 51 
 
 *' My ends, then, are according to my principles, 
 and I humbly appeal to God concerning the integ- 
 rity of my heart in them, 
 
 " (1.) That I deliberately place the glory of God 
 as my highest and ultimate end, and if I can be but 
 any way instrumental to promote that, I shall gain 
 my end and ha\ie my desire. I do not design to 
 preach myself, but, as a faithful friend of the bride- 
 groom, to preach Christ Jesus my Lord, as the stand- 
 ard-bearer among ten thousands. And if I can 
 but bring people to know, and love, and honor Christ, 
 I have what I design. 
 
 " (2.) That in order to the glory of God, I do 
 sincerely aim at the good of precious souls. God is 
 glorified when souls are benefited, and gladly would 
 I be instrumental in that blessed work. I would not 
 be a barren tree in a vineyard, cumbering the ground ; 
 but by God's help I would do some good in the world, 
 and I know no greater good I can be capable of 
 than doing good to souls. I desire to be an instru- 
 ment in God's hand of softening hard hearts, quick- 
 ening dead hearts, humbling proud hearts, comfort- 
 ing sorrowful hearts ; and if I may be enabled to 
 do this, I have what I would have. If God denies 
 me this, and suflfers me to labor in vain, though I 
 should get hundreds a year by my labor, it would 
 be the constant grief and trouble of my soul ; and 
 if I do not gain souls, I shall enjoy all my other 
 gains with very httle satisfaction. Though even in 
 
52 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 that case it would be some comfort, that the reward 
 is not according to the success, but according to the 
 faithfulness. But I seriously profess it, if I could 
 foresee that my ministry would be wholly unprofita- 
 ble, and that I should be no instrument of good to 
 souls, though in other respects I might get enough 
 by it, I would rather beg my bre^d from door to 
 door, than undertake this great work. 
 " Q. V. What do I want ? 
 
 *' And what special things am I now to desire of 
 God, the God of all grace ? When I know whither 
 to go for supplies, I am concerned to inquire what 
 my necessities are? The requests I have to put to 
 God are such as these : ' 
 
 "1. That he would fix, and confirm, and establish 
 my heart in my dedication of myself to the work of 
 the ministry. My carnal heart is sometimes ready to 
 suggest to me, that I had better take some other way 
 of living that would be less toilsome and perilous, 
 and more pleasant and gainful ; and the devil joins 
 issue with my heart, and sets before me the profits 
 and preferments I might possibly have in another 
 way, and the trouble and reproach I am like to meet 
 with in this way. Now, O that my God would re- 
 strain the tempter, and satisfy me in my choice, and 
 furnish me with suitable considerations with which 
 to answer such suggestions ; and in order thereunto, 
 give me believing views of eternity, having delib- 
 erately devoted myself to the work of the Lord, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 S3 
 
 keep it always in the imagination of the thoughts of 
 my heart, and estabUsh my way before him. 
 
 " 2. That he would in a special manner be present 
 "with me in the ordinance of dedication, filling my 
 heart with such an experimental sense of the ex- 
 cellency of Christ, and the comforts of the Holy 
 Ghost, that I may have cause to remember it, by a 
 good token, as long as I live ; that he would man- 
 ifest himself to me, mark me for himself, and leave 
 some sign behind him in my soul, that may make it 
 evident God was there of a truth ; that he would give 
 me a comfortable earnest of the success of my minis- 
 try, by a signal owning of me in my entrance upon it. 
 
 "3. That he would fit and qualify me for this 
 great work to which he is calling me. When Saul 
 was anointed king, 'God gave Am another heart' — 
 a heart fit for kingship. I would fain have another 
 heart, a heart fit for ministerial work, filled with 
 ministerial gifts and graces. 
 
 "(1.) Ministerial gifts: every good gift comes 
 from above, and therefore I look upwards for gifts 
 of knowledge in the mysteries of religion ; gifts of 
 utterance to explain and apply myself to others, and 
 to speak the word with boldness. I have also need 
 of prudence and discretion to order the affairs of 
 my ministry. 
 
 " (2.) Ministerial graces : faith, love to God and 
 souls, zeal for God's glory and souls' good ; pa- 
 tience to do, to suffer, and to wait ; an inward sense 
 
54 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 of the weight of the things I speak of. Two graces 
 I do more especially beg of God : 
 
 " Sincerity. That I may be really as good as I 
 seem to be ; that inward impressions may always be 
 answerable to outward expressions in all my minis- 
 trations ; that my eye may be single, my heart up- 
 right, and my ends fixed ; that I may not cast the 
 least glance at any low, by, base end. 
 
 ''Humility. That God would hide pride from 
 me, and clothe me with humility, that I may see 
 that I have nothing, except my sins, but what I 
 have received ; that I may never please myself with 
 the praises of men, but hand up all the praise to 
 God ; that the least workings of pride and conceit- 
 edness may be checked in me. 
 
 *' 4. That God would open a door of opportunity 
 to me, and make my way plain before me, that the 
 call I have to my work may be clear and satisfying, 
 and that God would bless and succeed my endeavors 
 for the good of souls. 
 
 " Q. VI. What are my purposes and resolutions 
 for the future ? 
 
 " This is also a requisite inquiry, when I am to 
 put on a new character, and one so honorable. What 
 shall I do that I may * walk worthy of the vocation 
 wherewith I am called?' 
 
 " 1. I purpose and resolve, by the grace of God, 
 that I TV ill have no more to do with the unfruitful 
 works of darkness, seeing it will not only be my duty 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY. 
 
 as a Christian, but my office as a minister, to reprove 
 them rather. 'Pride, passion, worldhness, wanton- 
 ness, vanity, are things the man of God must flee.' 
 1 Tim., 6:11. What have I to do any more with 
 idols ? What have I to do any more with sin ? By 
 the grace of God it shall not have dominion over 
 me. The ministerial character will add a great ag- 
 gravation to every sin ; and therefore, 0 my soul, 
 ^tand in awe, and sin not. 
 
 " 2. I purpose and resolve that, by the grace of 
 God, I will abound more than ever in all manner of 
 gospel obedience ; that I will strive to be more hum- 
 ble, serious, and watchful, and self-denying, and 
 live more above the world, and the things of it ; 
 that I will pray with more life, and read the Scrip- 
 tures with more care, and not be slothful in busi- 
 ness, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ; that 
 I will abound in good discourse, as I have ability 
 and opportunity, with prudence ; endeavoring as 
 much as I can to 'adorn the doctrine of God my 
 Saviour in all things.* 
 
 "3. In particular, I resolve in the strength, spirit, 
 and grace of Jesus Christ my Lord, to consider well 
 and perform my ordination vows ; to hold fast the 
 form of sound words which I have heard and re- 
 ceived, in 'faith and love which is in Christ Jesus;' 
 and never to let go any truth, whatever it cost me ; 
 ever owning the Scriptures as the only rule of faith 
 and practice. 
 
5a 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 ** That I will wholly give up myself to the work, 
 and employ all my talents in the service of God and 
 souls, with seriousness and seduhty : that I will not 
 only preach, but to the utmost of my power defend, 
 the truths of God against all opposers, and do all I 
 can to convince or silence gainsayers. 
 
 " That I will endeavor to maintain not only truth, 
 but peace and unity in the church of God ; that I 
 will patiently bear, and thankfully accept, the ad- 
 monitions of my brethren, and esteem such smitings 
 as an excellent oil that shall not break my head. 
 
 " That if ever God shall call me to the charge of 
 a family, I will walk before my house in a perfect 
 way, with an upright heart, not doubting but that 
 then God will come unto me ; my house shall be a 
 Bethel ; wherever I have a tent, God shall have an 
 altar ; and Joshua's resolution shall be mine : * What- 
 ever others do, I and my house will serve the Lord.* 
 
 " That if ever God calls me to the charge of a 
 flock, I resolve, by his grace, with all possible dili- 
 gence to lay out myself for the spiritual good of 
 those over whom God shall set me; and that in 
 conversation I will endeavor to be an example to 
 the flock, going before them in the way to heaven ; 
 and will improve all the interest I have, and all the 
 authority I may have, for the honor of God, the 
 good of souls, and the edifying of the mystical body 
 of Christ. 
 
 *' Whatever opposition I may meet with in my 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 57 
 
 work, by the grace of God I will not be terrified 
 with it, nor frightened by the winds and clouds from 
 sowing and reaping; but, in the strength of my God, 
 go on in the midst of discouragements : and if God 
 shall call me to sufferings, which I promise to expect 
 and count upon, I will, by the grace of God, sutler 
 cheerfully and courageously for the truths and ways 
 of Christ; 'choosing rather, with Moses, to suffer 
 affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the 
 pleasures of sin, which are but for a season ;' and I 
 will esteem not only the crown of Christ, but the 
 reproach of Christ, greater riches than the treasures 
 of Egypt, having respect to the recompense of re- 
 ward. 
 
 "This is the substance of what I promise in the 
 strength of the Spirit in the grace of Christ; and 
 having sworn by his strength I will perform it, that 
 I will keep his righteous judgments, and the Lord 
 keep it always in the imagination of the thoughts of 
 my heart, and establish my way before him." 
 
 Under the deep and solemn impression of these 
 scriptural views of himself, and God, and duty, and 
 of these holy resolutions, made in the strength of 
 divine grace, Mr. Henry applied to those leading 
 Presbyterian divines in London to whom he was 
 best known, for the rite of ordination; and, on the 
 9th of May, 1687, after due examination and the 
 performance of the usual exercises, together with a 
 
58 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 full confession of his faith, he was solemnly, but 
 privately, ordained, by imposition of hands, with 
 fasting and prayer. He was ordained privately, on 
 account of the ecclesiastical commotions of the times. 
 And the same reasons prevented him from receiving 
 the usual certificate. His ordainers signed only the 
 following brief memorial. Mr. Tong remarks, that 
 some of them were very aged and very cautious." 
 The memorial was, 
 
 *' We, whose names are subscribed, are well as- 
 sured that Mr. Matthew Henry is an ordained min- 
 ister of the Gospel. 
 
 " Sic testor, 
 
 " W. WICKENS. 
 "FRAN. TALLENTS. 
 " EDW. LAW^RENCE. 
 "NATH. VINCENT. 
 "JAMES OWEN. 
 "RICH. STEELE. 
 
 " May 9th, 1687." 
 
 Thus sanctioned, Mr. Henry returned to the coun- 
 try, determined, in dependence upon divine aid, to 
 "serve God with his spirit in the Gospel of his 
 Son." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY, 
 
 59 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 B\s settlement at Chester — Marriage to Miss Hardware — 
 Death of Mrs. Henry — Marriage to Miss Warburton — 
 Family afflictions, and reflections upon them. 
 
 On the 1st of June, 1687, Mr. Henry accompanied 
 a deputation, who had waited upon him from Ches- 
 ter, to his future dweUing-place ; and on the follow- 
 ing day commenced a career of sacred usefulness in 
 that city by preaching the usual Thursday lecture. 
 His text was, 1 Cor. 2:2, "I determined not to 
 know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and 
 him crucified." Mr. Tong was present, a witness 
 of the joy and thankfulness of the people. "It 
 may be truly said," he remarked, "that they re- 
 ceived their new minister as an angel of God." 
 
 Besides much agreeable society which Mr. Henry 
 found at Chester, his settlement was rendered still 
 more pleasing to himself, by the marriage, not long 
 afterwards, of three of his sisters, to Mr. Radford, 
 Mr. Hulton, and Dr. Tylston, all excellent and pious 
 men, who were constant attendants on his ministry. 
 
 But that which rendered Chester still more agree- 
 able to him, was an introduction to the Hardware 
 family at Moldsworth. The son, Mr. John Hard- 
 ware, had married a daughter of Mr. Hunt of Bo- 
 reatton ; and he had an only sister, dwelling with 
 her parents, of whose estimable qualities Mr. Henry, 
 
60 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 when in London, had heard enough to excite his cu- 
 riosity and attention : his character, also, had been 
 favorably represented at Boreatton in her hearing, 
 and she knew his sisters. So far, therefore, they 
 were mutually prepossessed in each other's favor; 
 nor had their personal acquaintance continued long 
 before Mr. Henry disclosed anxieties, which, being 
 known, were not ungraciously received. 
 
 Of Miss Hardware's parents, little is now known ; 
 but that little is abundantly honorable to their 
 memory. Her father was a serious Christian, very 
 conscientious, remarkable for temperance, and love 
 to the duty of prayer, and an old puritan. Her 
 mother was eminent for wisdom and grace. She 
 walked with God, and looked well to the ways of 
 her household. 
 
 Mr. Hardware, and Mr. John Hardware, the father 
 and brother, readily accepted Mr. Henry's propo- 
 sals ; but Mrs. Hardware felt a considerable degree 
 of hesitation. She viewed her daughter as her only 
 one, and as the expectant of a considerable worldly 
 portion ; she contemplated her other recommenda- 
 tions, both personal and acquired ; several gentle- 
 men, too, of much larger estate than Mr. Henry, 
 had made advances which had been declined ; on 
 which account she feared the reproach of negli- 
 gence, or of having made a sacrifice to the interests 
 of a party. No one could esteem Mr. Henry more 
 highly than she did ; she valued him as a minister 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 61 
 
 and a friend; but she thought it a duty to make 
 better provision for her child. She knew that the 
 ministry, especially of the non- conformists, was de- 
 spised, and liberty very precarious. In the event 
 of persecution, she was apprehensive lest her daugh- 
 ter, who had been tenderly brought up, and every- 
 where treated with respect and honor, might be 
 deficient in the exercise of faith and patience ; and, 
 if she were not to stoop to the cross, a great addi- 
 tion would be made to Mr. Henry's troubles, at a 
 time when comfort would be most needtd. 
 
 All these scruples, were, however, at length hap- 
 pily removed ; and the youthful couple were mar- 
 ried in the month of August, 1687. The marriage 
 brought to remembrance the fact that a hke event 
 had once been desired by Mr. Hardware in reference 
 to Mr. Henry's mother ; and the circumstance ren- 
 dered the recent alhance additionally observable 
 and interesting, 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hardware now removed to Chester, 
 and Mr. and Mrs. Henry boarded with them. A 
 favorable opportunity Avas thus furnished of judging 
 how well their daughter had been bestowed ; and 
 when they thus additionally beheld Mr. Henry's 
 pious and pleasant deportment, his excellent tem- 
 per, and great diligence and prudence, they were 
 far from repenting what had taken place. Mrs. 
 Hardware, indeed, severely reflected upon herself, 
 for having opposed the marriage. She was now 
 
m 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 sensible of the advantages she and her husband en- 
 joyed, in their declining years, from the expositions, 
 and sermons, and prayers, of their son-in law. She 
 admired the goodness of God in overruling her owji 
 inclinations, and choosing for her daughter and her- 
 self an inheritance in ail respects so superior to 
 what she would have selected had her own will 
 prevailed. She expressed her conviction, that the 
 objections which have been narrated arose from 
 covetousness and pride, although, at the time, she 
 herself was not aware of it. So industrious is the 
 great enemy of souls with good people continually, 
 and when they least suspect it. 
 
 But the union, propitious as in all respects it ap- 
 peared, was destined, like every sublunary joy, to 
 be of short duration. A short time before Mrs. 
 Henry was permitted to know the felicity of mater- 
 nal affection, she was attacked by the small-pox, 
 which proved fatal. She died in the hope of a 
 blessed immortality, on the 14th of February, 1689, 
 aged twenty-five years. 
 
 Mrs. Hardware, though overwhelmed with sorrow, 
 seemed to bear the affliction with more composure 
 than Mr. Henry. An eye-witness told Mr. Tong, 
 that when she saw her beloved child a corpse, she 
 was enabled to check her grief, and almost imme- 
 diately, with devout and patriarchal submission, to 
 say, " It is the Lord. I have done ; I have done. 
 I will not repine." She even attempted the conso- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 tion of others, and upbraiding herself for not having 
 more freely consented to the nuptials, added, " God, 
 who knew how long my child had to Uve, brought 
 her into Mr. Henry's family to prepare her for 
 heaven." 
 
 Between Mr. Tong and the bereaved husband, 
 the interview was peculiarly affecting. As soon as 
 tears would permit utterance, Mr. Henry's first 
 words were, " I know nothing that could support 
 me under such a loss as this, but the good hope 
 that she is gone to heaven, and that, in a little time, 
 I shall follow her thither." Mr. Lawrence preached 
 at her funeral from Phil. 1 : 21, "To die is gain." 
 It was no small alleviation of Mr. Henry's grief, 
 that the life of his "first-born" was spared. A 
 visit, also, from his excellent father, contributed 
 much to his comfort in this time of need. 
 
 Mr. Henry continued to reside with the parents 
 of his lamented wife ; and, notwithstanding the 
 depth of his grief, was enabled to persevere in the 
 entire discharge of his ministerial duties. At length, 
 through the kind interference of his mother-in-law, 
 his loss was repaired. Mrs. Hardware not only ad- 
 , vised a second marriage, but recommended one of 
 III her own relatives, Mary, a daughter of Robert War- 
 burton, Esq., of Grange, in the county of Chester. 
 The testimony borne, by this recommendation, to 
 Mr. Henry's conjugal character, is highly honorable ; 
 and it is due to the lady who became his second 
 
64 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 wife, to remark, tLat its value derives no small in- 
 crease from the respectability and virtues of herself 
 and her ancestors. 
 
 On this, as on the former occasion, the predilec- 
 tion for the "seed of the righteous," which Mr. 
 Henry had been taught to cherish, was strongly 
 marked. Miss Warburton's grandfather, Peter War- 
 burton, Esq., was chief-justice of Chester, of honor- 
 able descent, and distinguished learning and piety ; 
 and her father, Robert Warburton, Esq., who, in 
 consequence of the death of two elder brothers in 
 infancy, inherited the estate, possessed also the 
 like precious faith. Much attached to retirement, 
 especially in his latter days, he spent the greater 
 part of his time in reading and prayer. The Bible, 
 and Baxter's Saints' Everlasting Rest, lay daily be- 
 fore him on his parlor table. His house was a 
 sanctuary to the silenced ministers, and to those 
 who adhered to them. The cause of non- conformity 
 was fully approved by him, and he never deserted 
 it. Miss Warburton's mother was also a very strict 
 and serious Christian. 
 
 The marriage was solemnized July 8, 1690, at 
 Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Henry were present, 
 rejoicing in their acquaintance with so worthy a 
 family, and their relation to it. After the lapse of 
 a few days, they accompanied their son and daugh- 
 ter to Chester ; and having left them there in com- 
 fort, returned to their habitation at Broad Oak, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 65 
 
 blessing God who had thus mercifully filled up the 
 former breach, and restored to their son the honor 
 and comforts of matrimony. Mr. and Mrs. Hard- 
 ware, having seen Mr. Henry again settled accord- 
 ing to their desire, retired from Chester to their 
 OAvn estate at Bromborough Court, in Wirral. 
 
 Ere one year had elapsed, the happiness of Mr. 
 Henry in his second marriage was interrupted by the 
 sickness of an infant daughter, born April 12, 1691. 
 Three days before the child's death, he wrote, 
 ** I desire to leave her in the arms of Him who 
 gave her to me. The will of the Lord be done. I 
 have said, if the Lord will spare her, I will endeavor 
 to bring her up for him. I am now sitting by her, 
 thinking of the mischievous nature of original sin, by 
 which death reigns over poor infants." 
 
 The following passage, penned July 19, 1692, 
 the day on which the little one expired, needs no 
 comment to make it intelligible. Christian parents, 
 especially if they have been bereaved, will fully un- 
 derstand it ; and every reader may behold, as in a 
 glass, the resource and duty of the believer, when 
 bowed down with sorrow. " In the morning I had 
 the child in my arms, endeavoring solemnly to give 
 her up to God, and to bring my heart to his will ; 
 and presently there seemed some reviving. But 
 while I was writing this, I was suddenly called out 
 of my study. I went for the doctor, and brought 
 him with me ; but, as soon as we came in, the sweet 
 
 Matthew Hearf. ^ 
 
66 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 babe quietly departed, between the mother's arms 
 and mine, Avithout any struggle, for nature was 
 spent by its long illness ; and now my house is a 
 house of mourning." 
 
 " She was a pretty, forward child, and very ap- 
 prehensive ; she began to go and talk, and observe 
 things very prettily. I had set my affection much 
 -upon her. I am afraid too much ; God is wise, and 
 righteous, and faithful. Even this, also, is not only 
 consistent with, but flowing from covenant love. 
 It is this day five years since I was first married. 
 God has been teaching me to sing of mercy and of 
 judgment. Lord, make me more perfect at my les- 
 son, and show me wherefore thou contendest w^ith 
 me. Lord, wean me from this world by it. Blessed 
 be God for the covenant of grace with me and mine ; 
 it is well ordered in all things, and sure. 0 that I 
 could learn now to comfort others with the same 
 comforts with which, I trust, I am comforted of 
 God ! This goes near, but, 0 Lord, I submit. My 
 dear wife is much distressed. The Lord sustain 
 her. I would endeavor to comfort her. We are 
 now preparing for a decent interment of my poor 
 babe. Many friends come to see us. I am much 
 refreshed with 2 Kings, 4 : 26 : ' Is it well with thee? 
 Is it well with thy husband ? Is it well with the child ? 
 And she said, It is well.' When I part with so 
 dear a child, yet I have no reason to say otherwise 
 but that it is well with us, and well with the child ; 
 
REV. .MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 67 
 
 for all is well that God doeth. He performetli the 
 thing that he appointed for me, and his appoint- 
 ment of this providence is in pursuance of his ap- 
 pointment of me to glory, to make me meet for it." 
 
 One extract more will record the funeral. " I 
 have been this day doing a work I never did before, 
 burying a child ; a sad day's work ; but my good 
 friend Mr. Lawrence preached very seasonably and 
 excellently, at the lecture in the afternoon, from 
 Psalm 39 : 9 : *I was dumb; I opened not my 
 mouth, because thou didst it.' My friends testified 
 their kindness by their presence. There is now a 
 pretty little garment laid up in the wardrobe of the 
 grave, to be worn again at the resurrection. Blessed 
 be God for the hope of this." 
 
 In due time it pleased the Father of mercies to 
 heal the breach, by again making Mrs. Henry a joy- 
 ful mother ; but in less than three weeks this child 
 also died, after a day's sickness. Mr. Henry re- 
 ceived this stroke, sudden and afl'ecting as it was, 
 with primitive meekness and resignation. In refer- 
 ence to it, he wrote, ''The Lord is righteous; he 
 takes and gives, and gives and takes again. I desire 
 to submit : but, 0 Lord, show me Avherefore thou 
 contendest with me." 
 
 On the following Sabbath, he endeavored pub- 
 licly to improve the bereavement. In the morning 
 he expounded the 38th chapter of Job, where God 
 BO largely asserts his sovereignty, and challenges all 
 
68 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 who presume to arraign the wisdom and equity of 
 his proceedings. "Was it fit," Mr. Henry inquired, 
 " that Job should quarrel with God as to his par- 
 ticular providences to him, when he was so unac- 
 quainted with the methods of his providence in gen- 
 eral ?" He then preached from Romans 5 : 14 : 
 *' Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, 
 even over them that had not sinned after the simili- 
 tude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of 
 him that was to come." After ably illustrating the 
 dominion of death, especially in reference to infants, 
 who, though not guilty of actual sin, are the sub- 
 jects of his kingdom, he thus addressed such as 
 were, or had been, called to lose their little ones : 
 *' Resign, and give up your dying children to God. 
 They cannot do it. You must do it for them. 
 Father, into thy hands I commit my child's spirit. 
 They are his by right ; and his by )^our consent. 
 You should restore them when he calls for them, 
 and do it freely. I know it is hard, but it must be 
 done. Let their death bring your sin to remem- 
 brance. Did you not sin in an inordinate desire of 
 children ? Perhaps, in discontent, or pov^erty, you 
 have thought them too many. It may be you were 
 overfond of them, or too indulgent. My pride, my 
 passion, my covetousness, these slew my child. 
 Learn to bear it patiently. Do not murmur. If 
 I am bereaved of my children, said the patriarch, 
 I am bereaved ; not, I am undone. The Shu- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 69 
 
 namite said, It is well, for all is well tliat God 
 doeth." 
 
 In the review which Mr. Henry penned on the 
 termination of this year, he evidently had the scenes 
 through which he had passed full in view. Yet it 
 is worthy of notice how entire is the absence of 
 either complaint or repining. There is, indeed, an 
 expression of sorrow ; but it arose from the tender- 
 ness of a contrite spirit ; it stands associated with 
 Liratitude ; and was influenced, and rendered even 
 -:icred, by the aspirations of evangelical hope. "I 
 am now come,'" he says, "to the close of another 
 vear, which has begun and ended with a Sabbath. 
 I have received many mercies the year that is past. 
 I have been brought low, and helped. My dear 
 wife is spared. I am yet in the land of the living, 
 though many have been taken away. But how 
 little have I done for God. What will become of 
 me, I know not. I find little growth. If any thing 
 hath at any time afifected me this year, it hath been 
 some sweet desires of the glory which is to be re- 
 vealed. I have often thought of it as that which 
 Avould help me in my present duty." 
 
70 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Death of Mr. Warburton — Death of Philip Henry — Reflec- 
 tions on the event — Further bereavements, and Letter oc- 
 casioned by them — Death of his daughter Ann — Devout 
 exercises on his Birthday and the close of the year — At- 
 tention to the orphan children of Mrs. Radford. 
 
 For a few years, the candle of the Lord shone 
 upon Mr. Henry almost without interruption, and, 
 comparatively, he enjoyed rest. But even in sea- 
 sons of rejoicing, he had learned to remember the 
 days of darkness." And there can be no question 
 that the sanctified mercies, which, from his papers, he 
 seems to have experienced, had a salutary influence 
 upon the trials through which he was soon to pass. 
 Sometimes he expatiated upon the goodness of God 
 in affording to his people extraordinary consolations, 
 that they might be the better fitted to endure afflic- 
 tion when it might be sent; observing that ''those 
 who were to be witnesses of Christ's agony, were 
 the witnesses of his transfiguration." 
 
 The return of the chastening hand of God upon 
 him, may be assigned to April, 1696. On the 14th 
 of that month, his father-in-law, Mr. Warburton, 
 was taken, in a good old age, to his final home. 
 There was every thing in the event to mitigate 
 grief; surprise had been prevented by long expec- 
 tation, and by the pressure of complicated infirmi- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 71 
 
 ties ; and death, beyond all doubt, was " gain " to 
 him. Still, notwithstanding every alleviation, the 
 stroke was deeply felt. 
 
 But this was only preparatory to another afflic- 
 tive dispensation. His own father, in the enjoyment 
 of ordinary health, and active usefulness, and far 
 from being advanced in years, was shortly after- 
 wards suddenly arrested by sickness, and, in a few 
 hours, translated to heaven. The day was, mdeed, 
 a day of grief, and of the deepest sorrow. No rep- 
 resentation can equal his OAvn account of the melan- 
 choly event. 
 
 "June 23, 1696. This afternoon, about three 
 o'clock, my father's servant came for the doctor, 
 with the tidings that my dear father was taken sud- 
 denly ill. I had then some of my friends about me, 
 and they were cheerful with me, but this struck a 
 damp upon all. I had first thought not to have 
 gone till the next day, it being somewhat late, and 
 very wet ; and had written half a letter to my dear 
 mother, but I could not help going ; and I am glad 
 
 1 did go, for I have often thought of that, 2 Kings, 
 
 2 : 10, *If thou see me when I am taken up from 
 thee,' etc. The doctor and I came to Broad Oak 
 about eight o'clock, and found him in great extrem- 
 ity of pain : nature, through his great and unwearied 
 labors, unable to bear up, and sinking under the 
 load. As soon as he saw me, he said, * 0 son, you 
 are welcome to a dying father ; I am now ready to 
 
72 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 
 The Lord bless you, and grant that you may do 
 worthily in your generation, and be more service- 
 able to the church of God than I have been.' Such 
 was his great humihty to the last. And when I 
 replied, ' 0, sir, pray for me that I may but tread 
 in your steps,' he answered, * Yea, follow peace and 
 holiness, and let them say what they will.' More 
 he would have said, to bear his dying testimony to 
 the way in which he had walked, but nature was 
 spent, and he had not strength to express it. A 
 little after midnight, my mother holding his hands 
 as he sat in bed, and I holding the pillow to his 
 back, he very quietly, and without any struggling, 
 groan, or rattling, breathed out his dear soul into 
 the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he had 
 faithfully served. 
 
 " And now, what is this that God hath done unto 
 us ? The thing itself, and the suddenness of it, are 
 very affecting ; but the wormwood and the gall in 
 it is, that it looks like a token of God's displeasure 
 to us who survive. The Lord calls my sins to re- 
 membrance this day, that I have not profited by 
 him while he was with us as I should have done. 
 Our family worship this morning was very melan- 
 choly; the place was Allon-hachuth, the oak of 
 weeping ; the little children were greatly affected, 
 and among the neighbors was heard nothing but 
 lamentation and mourning; my dear mother cast 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 73 
 
 down, but not in despair. I, for my part, am full 
 of confusion, and like a man astonished." 
 
 On Friday following, the corpse being yet un- 
 buried, the time appointed for keeping a public fast 
 arrived. Prevented by the solemn occurrence from 
 observing it at Chester, Mr. Henry improved it at 
 Broad Oak. His own memorandum is as uncom- 
 mon as it is instructive, and demonstrates not only 
 an astonishing degree of self-command, but also a 
 devotedness to the glory of God which is truly ad- 
 mirable. 
 
 " June 26, 1696. This day is appointed a public 
 fast ; my place is now vacant ; it did not use to be 
 so, but God will have it so now. I had thought 
 not to have done any thing at Broad Oak, and had 
 given notice accordingly ; but I see the people come 
 in, and are greatly aflfected that their minister should 
 be taken away from them, just before a fast which 
 he had given notice of on the Lord's day, both 
 morning and evening, and had earnestly pressed 
 them to the due observation of it. I remember I 
 had often heard my father say, * weeping must not 
 hinder sowing I therefore thought it my duty to 
 spend two or three hours in the meeting-place, put- 
 ting the people in mind that we had kept too many 
 fasts with dry eyes, under melting ordinances, but 
 God had caused us to keep this fast with wet eyes, 
 under a melting providence. I preached from 2 
 Kings, 13 : 20 : 'Elisha died, and the bands of the 
 
74 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Moabites invaded the land.' The removal of public 
 useful instruments is a sad presage of public dread- 
 ful judgments." 
 
 Mr. Henry's diary furnishes a continuation of the 
 affecting narrative. 
 
 "June 27. The day of my father's funeral; 
 melancholy work. O that by this providence I 
 might contract an habitual gravity, seriousness, and 
 thoughtfulness of death and eternity. Our friends 
 most affectionately sympathize with us, and do him 
 honor at his death. How has this providence made 
 Broad Oak, like a wilderness, desolate and solitary ; 
 and the poor people, as sheep without a shepherd." 
 
 "July 1. I returned late to Chester, and found 
 the children well. The next day I studied, and 
 preached the lecture from 2 Peter, 1 : 13, 14 : ' Yea, 
 I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, 
 to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance ; 
 knowing that shortly I must put off this my taber- 
 nacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed 
 me.' 0 that it might be preached to my own 
 heart, and written there ; that in consideration of 
 my being to depart hence shortly, I may double my 
 diligence. 
 
 " And now I have had time to reflect on this sad 
 providence. What shall I say to these things ? 
 
 ''1. I bless God that ever I had such a father, 
 whose temper was so very happy, and his gifts and 
 graces so very bright ; one that recommended relig- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 75 
 
 ion, and the power of godliness, by a cheerful and 
 endearing conversation ; that had himself, and taught 
 others, the art of obliging. I bless God that I had 
 him so loner, that he was not removed from me when 
 I was a child ; that I have not been left to mj^self, 
 to be a grief and heaviness to him ; nothing made 
 me differ from the worst, but the free grace of God ; 
 to that grace be the glory of all the benefit that my 
 father was to me, and the comfort I was to him. 
 
 "2. I have a great deal of reason to be humbled, 
 and ashamed, that I have profited and improved no 
 more by my relation to so good a man ; that I have 
 not better transcribed that fair copy of humility, 
 meekness, candor, and zealous piety. 0 that the 
 remembrance of him may have a greater influence 
 upon me than the personal converse had ! 
 
 " 3. Death comes nearer and nearer to me. ' Lord, 
 make me to know mine end, and teach me to num- 
 ber my days.' In January last, death came into our 
 classis, and removed good Mr. Kinaston of Knuts- 
 ford ; in February, death came into the Friary," that 
 part of the city where Mr. Henry resided, " and 
 took away Mrs. Cook ; in March, death came into 
 my house, and carried away my cousin Aldersey ; 
 in April, it came into our family, in the death of my 
 father Warburton ; at the end of May, I said with 
 thankfulness, Here is a month past in which I have 
 not buried one friend ; but June has brought it 
 nearest of all, and speaks very loud to me to be 
 
76 
 
 3IEM0IR OF THE 
 
 ready to go after. The Lord prepare me for a dying 
 hour, that will come certainly, and may come sud- 
 denly ; that when it comes I may have nothing to 
 do hut to die. 
 
 " 4. The great honor and respect paid to his 
 memory, and the good name he has left behind 
 him, should encourage me to faithfulness and use- 
 fulness. The Scripture is fulfilled : * Them that honor 
 me, I will honor,' and ' Before honor is humility.' 
 
 ** 5. This should bring me nearer to God, and 
 make me live more upon him, who is the fountain 
 of living waters. My dear father was a counsellor 
 to me, but Christ is the wonderful counsellor. He 
 was an intercessor for me, but Christ is an interces- 
 sor that lives for ever, and is, therefore, able to save 
 to the uttermost. Xor are the prayers that he has 
 put up for me and mine lost, but I trust we shall 
 be reaping the fruit of them now he is gone. I 
 have had much comfort in hearing God speak to 
 me by this Scripture : * Wilt thou not from this time 
 cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my 
 youth ?' Jer. 3 : 4. My dear father wrote to me 
 lately upon the death of my father Warburton, 
 * Your fathers, where are they ? One gone, and 
 the other going ; but you have a good Father in 
 heaven, that lives for ever.' Abba, Father, the 
 Lord teach me to cry so, and to come into the 
 holiest as to my Father's house ; and let these things 
 be written upon my heart. Amen, Amen." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 77 
 
 On the next sacramental occasion he again at- 
 tempted, with great seriousness and dehberation, to 
 improve the event ; being desirous, as he expressed 
 it, to bring the ordinance home to the providence, 
 and to have a particular reference to it in the cove- 
 nant which he w^as to renew with God at his table. 
 His views may be gathered from his own words : 
 
 "1. I would, in this ordinance of the Lord's sup- 
 per, very particularly eye God as a father, as my 
 Father. My father who is gone, was to me a faith- 
 ful reprover, teacher, and counsellor. I desire, 
 therefore, at this time, more expressly than ever, to 
 take the Spirit of God to be my reprover, teacher, 
 and counsellor. I was often refreshed in visitinof 
 my father, and conversing with him ; I would, by 
 the grace of God, have more fellowship with the 
 Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, whom I 
 may be free with. 
 
 "2. There are some things I would more partic- 
 ularly engage myself to, upon this providence ; the 
 Lord direct, confirm, and ratify good resolutions. 
 I will now labor and endeavor, in the strencrth of 
 the grace of Christ, and the Lord give me a suffi- 
 ciency of his grace, 
 
 "■(1.) To be more grave and serious; partly as 
 the fruit of this sad and solemn providence, which 
 should not only affect me for the present, but alter 
 me for the future, and make me habitually more 
 serious ; partly because, my father being now re- 
 
78 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 moved, I have almost lost the epithet of a young 
 man, which uses to pass for some excuse. It is 
 time to lay aside vanity. 
 
 "(2.) To be more meek and humble, courteous 
 and candid ; because these were the graces that my 
 dear father was eminent for, and God owned him 
 in them, and men honored him for them. I am 
 sensible of too much hastiness of spirit. I would 
 learn to be of a cool, mild spirit. 
 
 " (3.) To be more diligent and industrious in im- 
 proving my time, for I see it is hastening off apace ; 
 and I desire to have it filled up, because I see I 
 must shortly put off this my tabernacle, and there 
 is no working in the grave." 
 
 The work of the day being over, he goes on to 
 remark, "1 have been full of distractions, which 
 have much discouraged me ; yet I had some com- 
 munion with God in this day's work, beyond what 
 I expected, though not what I earnestly desired. 
 I have solemnly renewed my covenants with the 
 Lord at his table, and particularly those above- 
 written. The Lord give me his grace, that having 
 made these vows, I may make them good." 
 
 Honorable as the preceding extracts unquestion- 
 ably are to the memory of one of the most illus- 
 trious men whose name has been perpetuated in the 
 churches, it is difficult to say whether they do not 
 shed equal lustre upon the bereaved and heavenly- 
 minded writer. Where shall we find the indications 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 79 
 
 of a deeper or more chastened sorrow, or the tokens 
 of more lowly resignation, or the aspirations of more 
 sacred desires, or the evidences of more pure and 
 elevated piety ? 
 
 The following memoranda, written at subsequent 
 periods, and more remote from the bitter scene, 
 discover a similar spirit, and breathe a fragrance 
 no less celestial. 
 
 "October 18, 1C96. This day completes the 
 thirty-fourth year of my age. I have endeavored 
 this morning to get my heart affected with the sin 
 in which I was born, and with the sins of my life 
 hitherto ; and with the mercy of my birth, and the 
 mercies of my life hitherto. The Lord enable me 
 to live a life of repentance, and a life of thankful- 
 ness." 
 
 "December 31, 1696. This year is at an end. 
 On the first day of it, I preached from Proverbs 
 27 : 1, 'Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou 
 knowest not what a day may bring forth/ My 
 fathers, where are they ? And where am I ? Hast- 
 ing after them. I have lost much time this year ; 
 but if, through grace, I have got any good, it is a 
 greater indifferency to the things of this world. 
 The Lord increase it." 
 
 During the following year, Mr. Henry was called 
 to experience further bereavements. In the month 
 of August three of his sisters were successively 
 seized with alarming illness. One of them, Mrs; 
 
80 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Tj^lston, recovered ; but tlie other two, Mrs. Rad- 
 ford and Mrs. Hulton, both exemplary Christians, 
 entered into rest. On this occasion he wrote, " I 
 find it hard to submit. Let the grace of Christ be 
 sufficient for me. I have said it, and I do not un- 
 say it — Lord, thy will be done." 
 
 On the death of Mrs. Hulton, which occurred 
 about three weeks later than Mrs. Radford's, he ad- 
 dressed to another sister the following admirable 
 letter. The advice which it contains to Christian 
 mourners can never be out of season ; and the train 
 of thought is as felicitous as the testimony to the 
 deceased is honorable and exciting. 
 
 " For Mrs. Savage, at Wrenbury Wood. 
 
 " Chester, September 8, 1697. 
 
 My dear Sister — I find it very easy to say a 
 great deal to aggravate our loss ; and losers think 
 they may have leave to speak. I can say that I 
 have lost, not only a sister, but a true friend ; one 
 of my * helpers in Christ Jesus ;' and one that was 
 to me * as my own soul.' To lose such an one, in 
 the midst of her days, at such a time as this, when 
 so many decline, what shall I say to it ? I endeavor 
 to silence myself with this, that the Lord hath done 
 it, who gives not account of any of his matters, and 
 in whose hands we and all our comforts are, * as the 
 clay in the hand of the potter.' 
 
 " But there is something more for us to satisfy 
 ourselves with. The cloud has a bright side as well 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 81 
 
 a dark one. If we look upon this providence as 
 sent to call a dear friend home to heaven, and to 
 help us onward in our way thither, the thing hath 
 quite another aspect. Are we not born from heav- 
 en, and bound to heaven ? Is not that our home, 
 our country ? And are our relations any the less 
 ours for being removed thither? And how long 
 do we expect to stay behind ? We knew not the 
 other day that it was so little a while and we 
 should not see her ; and alas, now it is but a little 
 while, and we shall see her, because Ave ' go to the 
 Father.' 
 
 " There is matter for praise and thanksgiving, 
 even in this sad provideiKje : that we had such a 
 relation — that we had her so long, and had so 
 much comfort in her — that she shone so illustriously 
 in gifts and graces — that she was enabled to finish 
 well, and had, as she said, ' hope in her death 
 she blessed God for the Scriptures, which were her 
 cordial, and did not seem to be under any cloud as 
 to her comforts — that she hath left a good name 
 behind her : she dies as much lamented, as, I think, 
 any woman in Chester since I knew it; for 'hei' 
 hands and lips fed many ' — that she hath left chil- 
 dren behind her, who we hope may live to glorify 
 God in this world: — and that we do not 'sorrow as 
 those who have no hope.' I shall want her con- 
 verse, and you her correspondence ; but let us both 
 converse and correspond the more with Jesus Christ; 
 
 Matthew Henry. ^ 
 
82 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 and that will help us to make up the want ; nay, 
 that will be 'far better.' 
 
 " Good Mr. Lawrence hath helped us well to im- 
 prove the providence. The Lord help us with grace 
 sufficient. A letter from our Friend in heaven is 
 better than one from the best friend we have on earth. 
 The Lord perfect what concerns you. Let us learn 
 to sing both of mercy and judgment; and to sing 
 unto God of both, till we come to sing of mercy 
 only in the world of everlasting mercy. Our dear 
 love to you and the children. I rest, 
 
 Your affectionate brother, 
 
 "M. H." 
 
 On the arrival of another birthday anniversary, 
 Mr. Henry marked it by reflections as appropriate 
 and sensible as those which have already been no- • 
 ticed. These reflections, though brief, are \ery com- 
 prehensive. 
 
 "October 18, 1697. Through the good hand of 
 my God upon me, I have finished my thirty-fifth 
 year—one- half of the age of man : as if now in the 
 zenith, it is high noon with me ; but my sun may 
 *go down at noon.' I was aff'ected this morning, 
 when alone, in thinking ivkat I was born ! A ra- 
 tional creature, a helpless creature, and a sinful 
 creature. Where I was born ! In the church of 
 God ; in a land of light ; in a house of prayer. 
 What I was born for ! To glorify God my Maker, 
 and prepare to get to heaven." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 83 
 
 The commencement of the next year was marked 
 with equal seriousness. 
 
 "January 1, 1698. My family is now in peace 
 and health, through the goodness of God ; but I 
 know not what a day, much less a year, may bring 
 forth. I have begged to be ready for the trials and 
 afflictions of the year, and for death, if it comes ; 
 thinking this day what a mercy it is to be born in a 
 land where God is known, and not where he is an 
 unknown God. I begin the year with a solemn, re- 
 newed dedication of myself, my whole self, to God 
 in Christ, as my God, and Father, and portion. Let 
 this be the axis and centre of every year's revolu- 
 tion. Amen. 0 Lord, so be it." 
 
 During this year Mr. Henry visited London for 
 the first time since his settlement in Chester. The 
 same tender regard for the glory of his Master, 
 which has been so uniformly conspicuous, marked 
 both the commencement and the prosecution of his 
 journey. Before his departure, his friends were con- 
 vened to implore a blessing on the undertaking ; 
 and his praise abounded, that he was not " forced 
 from home, nor going to follow a roving fancy, nor 
 to seek his fortune." During his stay in the me- 
 tropolis, he preached almost daily, with great ac- 
 ceptance and favor. When he returned home, he 
 carried with him the praises and admiration of his 
 fellow- men and of his fellow- Christians. But nei- 
 ther the attentions which he received, nor the pop- 
 
84 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 ularity with which his services were marked, pro- 
 duced any imdue exaltation. On the contrary, they 
 seem to have increased his sense of unmerited good- 
 ness, and to have filled him with penitence and as- 
 tonishment. Under the date of October 18, 1698, 
 he writes, " I have now weathered about thirty-six 
 years. So long have I cumbered the ground, and 
 yet I am spared ; others, much more useful, have 
 never attained this age. I admire the patience of 
 God, and I wonder at my own folly, that being up- 
 on the brink of an awful, eternal state, I am so little 
 affected with it. The Lord teach me with a strong 
 hand." 
 
 Soon afterwards another afflictive event occurred, 
 which made an impression upon both Mr. and Mrs. 
 Henry unusually deep, and which, on account of 
 the ample scope which it furnished and secured for 
 the renewed exercise of those principles which have 
 already been so prommently exhibited, deserves more 
 than mere registration. Their little daughter Ann, 
 being attacked by the measles, sunk almost imme- 
 diately into the arms of death. The surprise of her 
 agitated parents in this bereavement was the greater, 
 because, as Mr. Henry observed, though many chil- 
 dren in Chester had the disease at the same time, 
 yet he knew of none that died by it but his own 
 child. " God in mere}'," was the beautiful and ap- 
 propriate supplication of Mrs. Savage, " support 
 and comfort the tender mother, that she may be a 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 85 
 
 pattern of patience and quiet submission ; foras- 
 much as it is fit the Master of the garden should 
 pluck off which flower he pleases." 
 
 Nor were the sentiments of Mr. Henry less beau- 
 tiful, less appropriate, or less instructive. " My de- 
 sire," he said, "is to be sensible of the affliction, 
 and yet patient under it. It is a rod, a smarting 
 rod. God calls my sin to remembrance ; the cold- 
 ness of my love to himself ; my abuse of spiritual 
 comforts. It is a rod in the hand of my Father. 
 I desire in it to see a father's authority, who may 
 do what he will, and a father's love, who will do 
 what is best. We resigned the soul of the child to 
 Him who gave it ; and, if the little ones have their 
 angels, doubted not of their ministration in death, 
 we have hope, through grace, that it is well with 
 the child. Little children in heaven we look upon 
 as the Via Lactea, the individuals scarce discernable, 
 but altogether beautifying the heavens. We spent 
 the day in sorrow for our affliction, our friends sym- 
 pathizing with us ; one day committing the immortal 
 soul to God ; this day committing the dust to the 
 dust of the earth, as it was. I am ' in deaths oft.* 
 Lord, teach me how to 'die daily.' I endeavored, 
 when the child was put into the grave, to act faith 
 upon the doctrine of the resurrection, believing in 
 him who quickeneth the dead." 
 
 Having completed his thirty-seventh year, Mr. 
 Henry inserted the following remarks in his diary : 
 
86 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 " October 18, 1699. I desire to be affected with 
 God's goodness to me in my birth. I bless God 
 that I have no cause to curse the day wherein I was 
 bom, but having obtained help of God, I continue 
 to this day. I desire to be thankful to God, that he 
 has not left me to live an idle life ; but I have rea- 
 son to lament my sins, and my sinful thoughts, by 
 which I have lost much time. I have reason to ac- 
 knowledge God's goodness to me, in giving me so 
 great a degree of bodily health and strength above 
 many of my brethren. I find not any sensible de- 
 cay or prejudice by my work ; but I know that * my 
 soul is continually in my hand,' and I am not sure 
 to live another year." 
 
 At the close of the year he also writes : 
 
 "December 31, 1699. I asked by earnest and 
 importunate supplication, 
 
 " 1. For mercy and grace for my own soul ; that 
 while I preach to others, I myself may not be cast 
 away ; that my con-uptions may be mortified, and 
 the interest of Christ preserved and advanced with- 
 in me. I would wrestle with God for his Spirit to 
 cleanse and sanctify me. 
 
 " 2. For strength and success in my ministerial 
 work, direction in the choice of subjects, and the 
 guidance and assistance of the Spirit in studying 
 sermons, to secure me from error and mistake, to 
 lead me into all truth, and to furnish me with ac- 
 ceptable words ; to be in me a Spirit of supplica- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 87 
 
 tion. And that the blessing of God may accompany 
 all my endeavors. 0 that I may be instrumental 
 to win souls to Christ, and to build them up ; that 
 I may not labor in vain, but that God would give 
 the increase. It is still my heart's desire to be more 
 ready and more mighty in the Scriptures. 
 
 " 3. For the staying of God's controversies with 
 me and my family ; that God would make no fur- 
 ther breaches. But this with submission to his 
 blessed will. 
 
 " 4. For the sanctifying of the breaches which 
 have been made, that the impression of the provi- 
 dences of the year may not wear off or be forgot- 
 ten ; but that I may see ' my soul to be in my hand 
 continually.' 
 
 5. For the beheaded families, the widows and 
 fatherless," etc. 
 
 Mr. Henry did not, however, satisfy himself with 
 praying for the fatherless. He espoused the cause 
 of his sister Radford's orphan children, three daugh- 
 ters and one son, who were left quite unprovided 
 for. The situation in which he was thus placed 
 was new to him, and involved duties which inter- 
 fered in a measure with his ministerial work ; but it 
 gave occasion for a further display of his varied and 
 eminent virtues. Nor should it be omitted, that 
 Mis. Henry heartily concurred in his kind designs, 
 and aided their advancement ; and, amidst numerous 
 and increasing avocations, treated the children with 
 
88. 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 a kindness and assiduity truly maternal. Some of 
 them remained in the family for several years : they 
 all profited by instruction ; and acknowledged with 
 gratitude the tender and affectionate attention of 
 both their uncle and aunt. ''He that hath pity 
 upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord ; and that 
 which he hath given, will he pay him again." As 
 Christian parents know not what their own children 
 may need, when they themselves are taken from 
 them, so according to their ability should they com- 
 miserate the orphan children of others; and Jeho- 
 vah's promise herein secures, in one way or another, 
 a rich reward. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Devout commencement of the year — Self-dedication — Birth- 
 day memorials — Reflections and resolutions at the close and 
 commencement of the year. 
 
 There is often a great degree of uniformity in the 
 life of a man of Mr. Henry's pursuits and character. 
 Whilst the wicked are like the troubled sea, which 
 cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt, the 
 godly man, the pious, devoted pastor, frequently 
 pursues the even tenor of his way, with but few 
 incidents occurring to interest the spectator of his 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 89 
 
 course. This was especially the case with the sub- 
 ject of this memoir at the commencement, and for 
 a few years following the commencement of the 
 eighteenth century. The present chapter will there- 
 fore be devoted to a few continuous extracts from 
 his diary, which tend eminently to show that if 
 there were few striking external circumstances oc- 
 curring during this period, the mind and heart of 
 the man of God were ripening for further usefulness 
 on earth and higher glory in heaven. 
 
 " This new-year's day," probably January 1, 1700, 
 ** I have solemnly renewed the resignation and sur- 
 render of my whole self to God, as my God, de- 
 liberately, and upon good considerations. I have 
 renounced the world and the flesh, as knowing they 
 cannot make me happy ; and have devoted my whole 
 self to the blessed Spirit, to be enlightened, and 
 sanctified, and so recommended to the Son, as qual- 
 ified for an interest in his mediation, according to 
 the tenor of the Gospel. I likewise devote myself, 
 through the Spirit, to the Lord Jesus Christ, as my 
 Advocate with the Father, relying upon Christ's 
 righteousness alone ; for, without him, I am less 
 than nothing, worse than nothing. I likewise de- 
 vote myself, through the Lord Jesus Christ, to God 
 the Father, as my chief good and highest end ; as 
 the author of my being, to whom I am obliged in 
 duty ; and the felicity of my being, to whom I am 
 obhged in interest. 0 Lord, truly I am thy servant ; 
 
90 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 may I ever be free in thy service, and never desire 
 to be free from it. Nail my ear to thy door-posts, 
 and let me serve thee for ever." 
 
 " 1701, January 1. I solemnly renew the dedi- 
 cation of myself unto God, thankfully acknowledg- 
 ing and admiring his patience and forbearance to- 
 wards me, that he has continued such a dry and 
 barren tree as I am in his vineyard for so many 
 years, and continued to me the gifts of his bounty 
 and grace ; and particularly acknowledging the last 
 year to have been a year of much mercy, especially 
 in the encouragement given to my ministry ; — 
 
 Lamenting and bewailing my great unfruitful- 
 ness, and that I have governed my thoughts, appe- 
 tites, passions, and words, no better ; that I have 
 husbanded my time and opportunities no better; 
 and improved so little in knowledge and grace, and 
 done so little to the honor of my great Creator and 
 Redeemer ; — 
 
 But being also more and more confirmed in my 
 belief of the being and attributes of God, of the 
 mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ between God 
 and man, and of the reality and weight of invisible 
 things, and being more and more satisfied that this 
 is the true grace of God wherein I stand, and more 
 fully resolved, in the strength of God, to stand 
 in it ; — 
 
 " I do solemnly resign and give up my whole self 
 to God in Jesus Christ. I commit my soul and all 
 
REV. MATTHEU' HENRY. 
 
 91 
 
 the concerns of my spiritual state to the grace of 
 God, and to the word of his grace, subjecting my- 
 self to the conduct and government of the blessed 
 Spirit, and to his influences and operations, which I 
 earnestly desire and depend upon for the mortifying 
 of my corruptions, the strengthening of my graces, 
 the furnishing of me for every good word and work, 
 and the ripening of me for heaven. 
 
 " I commit my body, and all the concerns of my 
 outward condition, to the providence of God, to be 
 ordered and disposed by the wisdom and will of my 
 heavenly Father. Xot knowing the things which 
 may befall me tliis year, I refer myself to God. 
 Whether it shall be my dying year or no, I know 
 not ; but it is my earnest expectation and hope, that 
 the Lord Jesus Christ shall be magnified in my body, 
 whether it be by life or death, by health or sickness, 
 by plenty or poverty, by liberty or restraint, by 
 preaching or silence, by comfort or sorrow. Wel- 
 come, welcome the will of God, whatever it be. The 
 Lord give me grace to stand complete in it." 
 
 " October 18, 1701. This day, through the good 
 hand of my God upon me, I have finished the thirty- 
 ninth year of my pilgrimage, and ha^-ing obtained 
 help of God, I continue hitherto, knowing whom I 
 have trusted, and trusting whom I have known. The 
 greatest comfort of my life has been, that God haS 
 been pleased to use me for his service, and my great- 
 est grief, that I have been so little serviceable to him. 
 
92 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 I have thought much this day, what a great variety 
 of cross events I am liable to while in the body, and 
 how uncertain what may befall me in the next year 
 of my life, pain, or sickness, broken bones, loss in 
 my estate, death of dear relations, reproach, divisions 
 in the congregation, public restraints and troubles ; 
 my fortieth year may be as Israel's was, the last of 
 my sojourning in this wilderness. The worst of evils 
 would be sin and scandal. The Lord keep me from 
 that, and fit me for any other." 
 
 " December 31, lYOl. Believing prayer to be an 
 instituted way of communion with God, and fetching 
 in mercy and grace from him, I have comfort in it 
 daily ; my daily prayers are the sweetest of my daily 
 comforts. Having of late had my body feasted 
 above the ordinary meals, I desire this day to have 
 my soul fed more plentifully with the duty of prayer, 
 and thus to close the year, which, Janus-like, looks 
 both ways. 1 have not had this year such remark- 
 able afflictions as some other years. The greatest 
 has been the death of my dear and honorable friend. 
 Madam Hunt of Boreatton. But my errands to the 
 throne of grace to-day are, 
 
 *' 1. By way of lamentation and humiliation. 
 
 " I have reason to lament greatly the strength of 
 my own corruptions and weakness of my graces. 
 By reason of the former, I am as smoking flax ; by 
 reason of the latter, as a bruised reed. I am still 
 full of vain thoughts, and empty of good thoughts. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 93 
 
 Many of my secret prayers are wretchedly disfigured 
 and spoiled by a multitude of distractions and di- 
 ver^ions of mind ; the flesh and the things of the 
 flesh still minded, to the prejudice of the Spirit, and 
 the neglect of the things of the Spirit. 
 
 I have lost a great deal of precious time, and 
 not filled it up, or else I might have gone farther 
 forwai'd in my notes on the evangelist John.* Sins 
 easily beset me, and I do not the things that I would. 
 
 " I have very much reason to bewail my manifold 
 defects in my ministerial work, my coldness in prayer, 
 that I speak not of the things of God with more 
 clearness and concern. 0, how many, hovr great, 
 are the iniquities of my holy things ! 
 
 " I bewail the little success of my ministry, and 
 the miscarriages of some this year, for hereby my 
 God v/ill humble me. Grief also, great grief for the 
 sill of : some of the young whom I have cate- 
 chized and taken pains with, are no comfort to mo. 
 Lord, show me Avherefore thou contendest with me. 
 The low condition of the church of God ouo-ht 
 
 o 
 
 * This was written several years before Mr. Henry's Expo- 
 sition upon the New, or even the Old Testament appeared. 
 In the following extract from the preface to the first volume 
 of that great work, the allusion is satisfactorily explained. 
 " It has long been my practice, what little time I had to spare 
 in my study from my constant preparations for the pulpit, to 
 spend in drawing up expositions upon some parts of the New 
 Testament, not so much for my ov/n use, as purely for my 
 own entertainment, because I knew not how to employ my 
 thoughts and time more to my satisfaction." 
 
94 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 to be greatly lamented ; the Protestant interest small, 
 very small ; a decay of piety ; attempts for reforma- 
 tion ineffectual. Help, Lord ! 
 
 "2. By way of prayer and supplication. I have 
 many errands at the throne of grace this day. 
 
 ''The pardon of sin, victory over my corrup- 
 tions and temptations, mortifying my lusts, which go 
 not forth but by prayer and fasting. In reference 
 to sin, I desire I may be enabled to act faith upon 
 Rom. 6 : 14, 'Sin shall not have dominion over 
 you ; for ye are not under the law, but under grace 
 and Ezek. 36:25-27, 'Thenv.ill I sprinkle clean 
 water upon you, and ye shall be clean ; from all 
 your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse 
 you : a new heart also will I give you, and a new 
 spirit will I put within you,' etc. 
 
 "The increase of my ministerial gifts, a sound 
 judgment, a clear expression, a door of utterance, 
 readiness in the Scriptures ; in reference to which, I 
 desire I may be helped to act faith upon Exod. 4:12, 
 ' Go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee 
 what thou shalt say;' and John 14 : 26, 'He shall 
 teach you all things.' 
 
 "The success of my ministerial labors, that sin- 
 ners may be converted, saints built up, and the con- 
 gregation flourish ; in reference to this, I desire to 
 act faith on Matt. 28 : 20, ' Lo, I am with you' al- 
 ways;' and Isa. 55: 10, 11, 'As the rain cometh 
 down,' etc. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 95 
 
 The blessing of God upon my wife and children ; 
 that God will give his grace to my dear little ones, 
 and drive out the foolishness bound up in their 
 hearts ; in reference to which I desire to act faith 
 on Isa. 44 : 3, * I will pour out my Spirit upon thy 
 seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.' 
 
 My other dear relations I would recommend to 
 God's protection and blessing in prayer ; my friends, 
 acquaintance, brethren in the ministry, in London, 
 in Dubhn, in Cheshire, and Lancashire particularly; 
 and the congregation at Broad Oak, and their min- 
 ister, some members of parliament, and other gen- 
 tlemen of my acquaintance." 
 
 "January 1, 1702. The covenant of grace being 
 a new covenant, because ever new, and often to be 
 renewed, I have, this new-year's day, early in the 
 morning, while it is yet dark, solemnly renewed it 
 upon my knees : and be it a memorandum indeed, 
 ever remembered, and never forgotten. 
 
 Humbly acknowledging my dependence upon 
 God, as my Creator and the Author of my being ; 
 my obligations in duty to him as my sovereign 
 Lord and Ruler, and my engagements in gratitude 
 to him as my Protector and Benefactor ; and mention- 
 ing, with thankfulness, the many mercies of my life 
 hitherto, and particularly those of the year past; 
 during which I have found myself the care of a very 
 kind Providence, which has made the steps of my 
 pilgrimage comfortable ; which has preserved to me 
 
96 
 
 MEMOIR OF TIIH 
 
 the use of my reason and understanding, limbs and 
 senses ; hath continued my hberty and opportunity 
 to exercise niy ministry ; hath provided plentifully 
 for me and my family, and loaded me daily with his 
 benefits. For all which I praise his name, and for 
 the mediation of Jesus Christ; to which I owe all. 
 
 " Acknowledging, also, and lamenting the remain- 
 ing strength of my corruptions, and my bent to 
 backslide from the living God, taking to myself the 
 shame of my many defects and folhes, notwithstand- 
 ing ray frequent renewing of my covenant with God, 
 and flying to Christ for righteousness, pardon, and 
 peace. 
 
 " I once more bind my soul with a bond to be the 
 Lord's wholly, and only, and for ever his. Into thy 
 hands, 0 God, I commit my spirit, to be ruled, 
 cleansed, and sanctified throughout, qualified for thy 
 service in this world, and for the fruition of thee in 
 the other. My body I present unto thee a living 
 sacrifice, holy and acceptable, for it is my reasonable 
 service. My ministry I devote to thy honor, and 
 the continuance and success of it I submit to thy 
 Tvilh All my worldly comforts I lay at thy feet, to 
 be disposed of as thou pleasest. My life itself is 
 thine ; 0 God of my hfe, 'my times are in thy hand.* 
 "Whatever may be the events of this year, let divine 
 grace be sufficient for me, to enable me to accommo- 
 date myself to the will of God in them ; and then 
 nothing can come amiss. If God will be with me, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 97 
 
 and keep me in the way that I go, throughout the 
 remaining part of my pilgrimage in the world where 
 I am but a stranger, and will give me bread to eat 
 and raiment to put on, and a heart to love him, and 
 serve him, and live to him, so that I may come at 
 last to my heavenly Father's house in peace, then 
 shall the Lord be my God, my Lord and my God 
 for ever. Amen. Hallelujah. 
 
 " Matthew Hexry." 
 
 *' October 18, 1702. This day I have completed 
 the fortieth year of my life ; of life did I say ? Rath- 
 er, indeed, of my inactivity and folly, but of the 
 tender mercy, kindness, and forbearance of God 
 towards me. To Christ my Mediator I joyfully ac- 
 knowledge myself a debtor for the supports, and 
 aids, and comforts of life ; and to that same Christ 
 I wholly trust, that I shall receive from* my God, 
 wonderfully propitiated, the forgiveness of my sins, 
 grace for seasonable help, and preservation even 
 imto eternal hfe." 
 
 "December 31, 1*702. 1. As to myself and 
 family, the days of another year are numbered and 
 finished — a year not made particularly remarkable 
 by any great change in my circumstances ; no new 
 thing created, but 
 
 " (1.) The usual matter of complaint against my- 
 self ; folly is still found, yea, bound up, in my heart; 
 though I hope, through grace, coiTuption is dying, 
 yet not without some struggles, and much opposition 
 
 Matthaw Hezuy. ' 
 
98 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 from a naughty heart. I desire to lament my un- 
 skilfulness and unreadiness in Scripture, my dulness 
 in holy duties, particularly in secret. I wish I had 
 prayed more for the success of my ministry, but 
 sometimes I have thought I should pray more for 
 grace, to make me faithful myself, that I may be 
 accepted of God, though not of men ; but, perhaps, 
 I should pray more for the prosperity of the work 
 of God, even in my hand, though most unworthy ; 
 vain thoughts, crowds of them, are matter of com- 
 plaint daily ; never was corrupt soil more fruitful in 
 weeds. 
 
 " (2.) The usual matter of thanksgiving to God. 
 I have had great measure of health, few of my 
 brethren so much. I note it, because, perhaps, the 
 ensuing year may bring sickness or death with it. I 
 have not ailed any thing considerable, and sometimes 
 the highest degree of health is the next degree to 
 sickness. I have not so many sensible memoranda 
 of my frailty as those have that are often ailing. 
 The Lord grant I may, by the power of grace, be 
 kept more mindful of it. 
 
 " Ever since brother Radford died, which is now 
 three years ago, death has made no breach among 
 my relations. Since I set out in the world, I never 
 was so long without the death of children, or others 
 near and dear to me. My children are very health- 
 ful, and have had no ill accident. My dear wife, 
 though often mdisposed, yet, blessed be God, under 
 
REV, MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 99 
 
 no languishing disease ; and my dear mother still 
 continued in usefulness. 
 
 " As to my ministry, that which has been most 
 discouraging this year is, that few young persons 
 have come into communion, I think fewer than any 
 other year. 
 
 " As to my estate, I have lived comfortably upon 
 it with what I have received here, but while in these 
 circumstances, I cannot expect to lay by much ; per- 
 haps troubles may come which may sweep away all. 
 I have some comfort, that I hope I do some good 
 with what I have, and spend none of it ill. 
 
 "2. As to the public, the death of the king [Will- 
 iam III.] this year has made a great change in the 
 face of things, though not yet such a change as 
 many feared. Our successes abroad, both by sea 
 and land, have been very great, which magnifies the 
 present government, and that we have reason to re- 
 joice in. The discontented in the last reign are now 
 pleased. I wish they may ever be so. The high- 
 church are very high, both against the low and dis- 
 senters. Now, Lord, behold their threatenings. We 
 are alarmed to think of sufferings, and we need such 
 alarms. 
 
 " I have heartily wished that the bigotry of some 
 violent conformists on the one side, and of some dis- 
 senters on the other, might drive the sober, mode- 
 rate, and peaceful on both sides nearer together, and 
 prepare things for a coalescence when God's time is 
 
100 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 come ; which I earnestly pray for, and which, per- 
 haps, might be effected if they could disentangle 
 themselves as much from the high- church as I think 
 we are from the high- dissenters, or I wish we were. 
 
 ''IVOS, January 1. 'Looking for the blessed 
 hope.' This new-year's day I have in much weak- 
 ness, and compassed about with many infirmities, 
 upon my knees, made a fresh surrender of myself, 
 my whole self, all I am, all I have, all I can do, to 
 God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, my Creator, 
 Owner, Ruler, and Benefactor ; all my affections to 
 be ruled by the divine grace, and all my affairs to 
 be overruled by the divine Providence, so that I 
 may not come short of glorifying God in this world, 
 and being glorified with him in a better. 
 
 " Confirming and ratifying all former resignations 
 of myself to God, and lamenting all the want of 
 conformity of my heart and life therewith, and de- 
 pending upon the merit of the Redeemer to make 
 this and all my other services acceptable, and the 
 grace of the Sanctifier to enable me to make good 
 these engagements, I again bind my soul with a 
 bond to the Lord, and commit myself entirely to him ; 
 particularly as to the events of this year which I 
 am now entering upon, not knowing the things that 
 may abide me in it. 
 
 " If this year should be a year of continued health 
 and comfort, I commit myself to the grace of God, 
 to be preserved from carnal security, and to be 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 101 
 
 enabled in a day of prosperity to serve God Tvith 
 
 joy- 
 
 " If my opportunities, as a minister, should be 
 this year continued, I commit my studies, and min- 
 isterial labors at home ar.d abroad, to the blessing of 
 God ; having afresh consecrated them all to his ser- 
 vice and honor, earnestly desiring mercy of the Lord 
 to be faithful and successful. 
 
 If I should be this year at any time tried with 
 doubts concerning my duty, I commit myself to the 
 divine conduct, with an unbiassed desire, praying to 
 know what God will have me to do, with a fixed 
 resolution by his grace to follow his direction in the 
 integrity of my heart. 
 
 If I should this year be afflicted in my body, 
 family, name, or estate, I commit my all to the di- 
 ^ ine disposal. The will of the Lord be done, only 
 begging that the grace of God may go along with 
 the providence of God in all my afflictions, to enable 
 me both to bear them well, and to use them well. 
 
 " If this year I should be disturbed or molested 
 in the exercise of my ministry, if I should be si- 
 lenced, or otherwise suffer for well-doing,* I commit 
 
 * These, and similar references to the troubles, dangers, and 
 persecutions to which good men were exposed in the times in 
 which 'Sir. Henry lived, cannot be read without mingled emo- 
 tions of commiseration for the sufferers, and gratitude to God 
 fjr casting our lot who live in the nineteenth century upon 
 other times, when civil and religious liberty are better under- 
 stood and more generally diffused and enjoyed. " The lines 
 
102 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 the keeping of my soul to God as a faithful Creator, 
 depending upon him to guide me in my call to suf- 
 fer, and to make that clear, and to preserve me from 
 perplexing snares ; depending upon him to support 
 and comfort me under my sufiFerings, and to bring 
 glory to himself out of them ; and then, welcome 
 his whole will. 
 
 ** If this year should be my dying year, as perhaps 
 it may be, I commit my spirit into the hands of my 
 Redeemer, to be washed with his blood, and pre- 
 sented in his arms with exceeding joy. My wife 
 and children I commit to him, to be owned, blessed, 
 and preserved by him when I am gone. * In thee, 
 O Lord, have I put my trust, let me never be 
 ashamed.' " 
 
 "October 18, 1703. To-day is completed the 
 forty-first year of my wandering in this wilderness. 
 Very many of my days have slipped by fruitlessly 
 and unprofitably. And, what ought to make me 
 ashamed, all truly peaceful, and full of divine be- 
 nignity, and ever to be recorded with gratitude to 
 God. What remains I know not : a few days, per- 
 haps, and full of trouble ; but the will of the Lord 
 be done. To me to live is Christ ; so shall it al- 
 ways be, and eternally ; and to die, gain." 
 
 "December 31, 1703." [After reciting, as on 
 some former occasions, his sins and mercies, and 
 
 have fallen to us in pleasant places." What obligations do 
 our privileges involve I 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 103 
 
 observing that even under the Gospel there must be 
 a remembrance of sins every year, he proceeds,] 
 " Not such a remembrance as speaks any deficiency 
 in the sacrifice, as that under the law did, but such 
 as speaks deficiency in my daily repentance, which 
 ought therefore to be renewed, and the imperfection 
 of the work of sanctification." 
 
 " Unfixedness of thought, a wretched desultori- 
 ness. Some speak of time well spent in thinking ; 
 but I find, unless in speaking, reading, or writing, 
 my thinking doth not turn to much account. 
 Though I have had comfort in some broken good 
 thoughts, yet I can seldom fix my heart to a chain 
 of them. 0 that the thought of my heart may be 
 forgiven. 
 
 " I have oft bewailed my barrenness in good dis- 
 course, and unskilfulness in beginning it, and cold- 
 ness of concern for the souls of others ; and in re- 
 flection on this year, I find it has not been much 
 better. I bless God I love good discourse, and 
 would promote it, but I want zeal. The Lord pity 
 me. 
 
 " I have great reason to be thankful for continued 
 health, for comfort in my soul, not made a terror to 
 rnyself. I have oft thought this year what a mercy 
 it is to be kept out of the horrible pit and miry 
 clay. 
 
 ** I have had much satisfaction this year in my 
 non-conformity, especially by reading Mr. Hoadley's 
 
104 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 books, in which I see a manifest spirit of Christianity 
 unhappily leavened by the spirit of conformity." 
 
 "January 1, 1704. AcknoAvledging my con- 
 tinued dependence upon God as my Creator, Pre- 
 server, and chief good ; and my continued obhga- 
 tions to him in duty as my Lord and Ruler ; and in 
 interest, as my Benefactor and Protector ; believing 
 that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that 
 diligently seek him — 
 
 " Relying upon the merit, mediation, and ever- 
 lasting righteousness of my dear Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave himself for 
 me, as my w^ay to the Father, and the spotless robe 
 wherein alone I can appear before him — 
 
 " And submitting my soul to the operation and 
 influences of the blessed Spirit of grace, without 
 which I am nothing, and can do nothing — 
 
 "Thankfully owning God's goodness to me the 
 last year, in lengthening out my life, health, com- 
 fort in soul, peace, plenty, settlement, relations, lib- 
 erty, and opportunity, and admiring his patience, 
 forbearance, long- suffering, in sparing me in his 
 vineyard, who deserved to have been cut down and 
 cast into the fire as a barren tree — 
 
 " Lamenting my foolishness, the foolishness which 
 is still bound up in my heart, and that w^hich still 
 breaks forth in my life ; and particularly that my 
 improvements in grace and usefulness last year did 
 not answer the covenants which began it — 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 105 
 
 " Because of all this, I make a sure covenant, and 
 write it. 
 
 " In the strength of the grace of Jesus Christ, on 
 which alone I depend to work all my works in me 
 and for me, I covenant for this new year, and for 
 my whole life, to walk closely with God in all holy 
 conversation, to keep my heart with all diligence ; 
 and to thee, 0 my God, I commit the keeping of it. 
 To take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my 
 tongue ; and do thou set a watch, 0 Lord, before 
 the door of my lips. I covenant to redeem my 
 time, and to thee, 0 God, do I consecrate this year, 
 and all the hours of it. The Lord enable me to fill 
 it up with good according as the duty of every day 
 requires. I bind myself to follow the spirit of God 
 in all my affections, and the providence of God in 
 all my affairs, whatever God shall appoint me to 
 this year ; to health or sickness, to plenty or loss, 
 to evil report or good report, to liberty or restraint, 
 to the house of mourning or the house of rejoicing, 
 to life or death. Behold, here I am, let him do 
 with me as seemeth good in his eyes. Only, what- 
 ever the providence of God allots for me, let the 
 grace of God be sufficient for me, to enable me to 
 accommodate myself to it ; and then welcome the 
 will of God." 
 
106 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Journey to London — Hears John Howe — Mr. Henry's general 
 health good — Sudden seizure and sickness — Anniversary 
 reflections — Death of Mr. Henry's mother — Anniversary 
 reflections. 
 
 In the early part of the year 1704, Mr. Henry, 
 accompanied by Mrs. Henry, again visited the me- 
 tropolis. The particular occasion of the journey 
 does not appear. One remark, however, made by 
 him on leaving Northampton, may be properly cited 
 as indicative of the spirit in which he travelled ; the 
 same spirit, indeed, which gave consistency and ele- 
 vation to his whole character, both at home and 
 abroad. The remark was this : 
 
 " It is easy to leave an inn; why should it not be 
 easy to leave this world, which is but an inn, to go 
 to our house, our Father's house ? The troubles 
 of travelling exercise our patience and submission to 
 God's will. By submission in lesser things, we 
 learn it in greater. But they also give us to expe- 
 rience the goodness of God in our preservation, and 
 encourage us to hope in that goodness in our jour- 
 ney for heaven." 
 
 The record of a sermon, which he heard preached 
 on Sabbath morning, the day after his arrival in 
 London, by the celebrated John Howe, is worthy 
 of attention ; it is perfectly characteristic of both 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 107 
 
 the parties ; it is, moreover, fraught with universal 
 instruction ; and as embraced, may prove a balm 
 of heahng and refreshment to such as move heavily 
 along the narrow way, under a prevailing sense of 
 their own unworthiness. 
 
 " The text," says Mr. Henry, " was Jude 21 ; and 
 I must never forget what he said in the close of the 
 sermon. * I would deal for your souls,' said the 
 preacher, * as for my own ; and for myself, I declare 
 before you all, I depend purely upon the mercy of 
 our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life.' " 
 
 In due time, he found himself again in the midst 
 of his beloved charge in Chester. Up to this period, 
 Mr. Henry's health had continued good. But, 
 henceforward, the inroads made upon his frame by 
 disease were frequent and alarming. 
 
 On Lord's day, August 27, 1*704, while reading 
 the Scriptures during the morning service, he sud- 
 denly fainted ; but, recovering speedily, he pro- 
 ceeded in his beloved work. Had he taken rest the 
 subsequent effects would probably have been pre- 
 vented. But, unskilled in the art of self-sparing, 
 and impelled by holy zeal, instead of relaxing as 
 he ought to have done, the next day he fulfilled an 
 appointment to preach at Nantwich, and the day 
 following, another at Haslington. The latter was a 
 funeral sermon for an aged and faithful minister, 
 pursuant to the desire of the deceased, and preached 
 to a large congregation. These engagements, by 
 
108 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 the excitement they produced, added much to his 
 exhaustion. 
 
 On his return home the consequences were dis- 
 tinctly visible, and indisposition so much increased 
 as to confine him altogether to the house. Not 
 having for fifteen years been detained from public 
 worship on the Sabbath, he felt the imprisonment 
 very sensibly ; but still not so as to overlook exist- 
 ing mercies. His fever continued more than three 
 weeks ; but he was able, during the whole time, 
 with but one exception, as he himself expressed it, 
 both "to light the lamps, and to burn the incense 
 that is, daily to expound the Scriptures and pray in 
 his family, morning and evening. On the recovery 
 of his health, he did not wait for the Sabbath in 
 order to resume his appearance in the sanctuary ; 
 but, being able, preferred appearing there on the 
 lecture day ; thus evincing his zeal and devotion. 
 
 I was willincr " said he, "to cro thither first, where 
 I most desire to be. I would take the first oppor- 
 tunity of paying my vows." 
 
 The order of the history requires that further 
 extracts from Mr. Henry's diary should be here in- 
 serted ; which, it is presumed, the pious reader will 
 not regret. 
 
 "1Y05. January 1. Not renouncing, but repeat- 
 ing and ratifying all my former covenants with God, 
 and lamenting that I have not lived up more closely 
 to them, I do, in the beginning of this new year, 
 
REV, MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 109 
 
 solemnly make a fresli surrender of myself, my whole 
 self, body, soul, and spirit, to God the Father, Son, 
 and Holy Ghost ; my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanc- 
 tifier ; covenanting and promising, not in any strength 
 of my own, for I am very weak, but in the strength 
 of the grace of Jesus Christ, that I will endeavor 
 this year to stand complete in all the will of God. 
 
 " I know this is the will of God, even my sancti- 
 fication. Lord, grant that this yetr I may be more 
 holy, and walk more closely than ever in all holy 
 conversation. I earnestly desire to be filled with 
 holy thoughts, to be carried out in holy affections, 
 determined by holy aims and intentions, and gov- 
 erned in all my words and actions by holy princi- 
 ples. 0 that a golden thread of holiness may run 
 through the whole web of this year. 
 
 " I know it is the will of God that I should be 
 useful, and by his grace I will be so. Lord, thou 
 knowest it is the top of my ambition in this world 
 to do good, and to be serviceable to the honor of 
 Christ, and the welfare of precious souls. I would 
 fain do good in the pulpit, and good with my pen ; 
 and, which I earnestly desire to abound more in, to 
 do good by my common converse. 0 that the door 
 of my opportunities may be still open, and that, my 
 heart may be enlarged with holy zeal and activity 
 for God this year ; and that I may be thoroughly 
 furnished with knowledge, wisdom, and grace, for 
 every good word and work. 
 
110 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 " If it be the will of God that this year should be 
 a year of affliction to me, a year of sickness, or re- 
 proach, or loss ; if my family should be visited, if 
 my hberties should be cut short, if public troubles 
 should arise, if any calamity should befall me which 
 I am least apprehensive of now, I earnestly desire 
 to submit to the divine disposal. Welcome the holy 
 will of God. Let me have God's favor, and the 
 assurances of thdt, and by his grace nothing shall 
 come amiss to me. 
 
 If it be the will of God that I should finish my 
 course this year, let me be found of Christ in peace, 
 and, by the grace of God, death shall be welcome 
 to me. My wife and children and relations, my 
 congregation which is very dear to me, my minis- 
 try, myself, and my all, I commit to God, whose I 
 am, and whom I desire to serve. Let me be the 
 Lord's only, wholly, and for ever. Amen. The 
 Lord say Amen to it. 
 
 October 18, 1705. I have this day completed 
 the forty- third year of my useless life. By the 
 grace of God I live ; I hope in his mercy, and I 
 pant for his glory. May the small remnant of my 
 time be a season of repentance for the sins, and of 
 gratitude for the mercies, of the former part of my 
 life. May God be my sun and shield, and may I 
 be his servant, and a subject of his kingdom, even 
 unto the end, and for ever. Amen and amen." 
 
 ''December 31, 1705, We bring our years to 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY, 
 
 111 
 
 an end, like a laHe that is told. Lord, teach us to 
 number our days. 
 
 In the review of the year I find, 
 "1. That I have as much reason as ever to be 
 thankful to God. It has been a year of much mercy. 
 My life has been continued to the end of it, though 
 many of my brethren in the ministry have been re- 
 moved in the midst of their days, who, had they 
 lived, would have done God more service than I 
 can, particularly my dear brother Mr. Chorlton. I 
 have had a good measure of health for my ministry 
 and study ; no returns or remains of my last year's 
 illness. 
 
 *' God has this year brought my children through 
 
 the small-pox, and borne up my dear wife under 
 great weakness. 
 
 My mother, also, though brought low, has been 
 helped. 
 
 My door of opportunity continues open at home 
 and abroad ; and I am willing to hope some good is 
 done. 
 
 " That which is especially remarkable as the mer- 
 cy of this year, is the happy posture of our pubhc 
 affairs, particularly at home. After a mighty strug- 
 gle, moderate counsels have prevailed. God has 
 wonderfully inclined the queen's heart [Queen 
 Anne] to such counsels, and useth her as an in- 
 strument of great good to the land, that the excel- 
 lency of the power may be of God. Patrons of our 
 
112 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 liberty have been strangely raised up among those 
 who have no kindness for us, or our way. The 
 intemperate acts of bigots have proved to make 
 mightily against themselves ; there are many adver- 
 saries, and yet the door continues open. Great en- 
 deavors used to render us contemptible, odious, 
 dangerous, and what not, and yet we live and go 
 on, and the young are coming in, and some hopeful 
 cases. 0 that the power of godliness, holiness, 
 seriousness, and heavenly-mindedness, might pre- 
 vail more among us, and then we should have a 
 very hopeful prospect. And who can tell but iuG.- 
 nite wisdom may yet find out a way for compre- 
 hending us, though the present temper of our neigh- 
 bors rather sets it at a greater distance than ever. 
 
 "2. I have reason to make the old complaint of 
 dulness and weakness, and coldness of affection for 
 divine things. The Lord strengthen the things 
 which remain. 
 
 "Care about my children, providing something 
 for them, has been often in my head ; and, perhaps, 
 more than it should be. Lord, I cast the care upon 
 thee, who hast provided well for me ; the Lord care 
 for them, and teach me my duty, and then with 
 him I leave the event." 
 
 "January 1, 1*705-6. It is of the Lord's mercy 
 that I am not consumed. By night, on my bed, I 
 endeavored to seek him whom my soul loveth; and 
 now I begin this new year, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 113 
 
 " 1. Earnestly praying for the graces of the year, 
 with a humble subjection of soul to the blessed 
 Spirit of God, that I may, some way or other, emi- 
 nently honor and glorify God this year ; that I may 
 live this year to some purpose ; to better purpose 
 than I did the last. 0 that no temptation may so 
 overtake me this year as to overcome me. To the 
 conduct of divine grace, which is, I know, sufficient 
 for me, I here solemnly resign myself, my thoughts, 
 my affections, my will, and all the intents of my 
 heart, to be directed into the right way, and kept 
 and quickened in it. Let me this year receive grace 
 for grace. 
 
 " 2. Patiently waiting for the events of the year, 
 with a humble submission to the holy will of God. 
 I know not what the year shall bring forth ; but I 
 know it shall brinar forth nothing: amiss to me, if 
 God be my God in covenant : if it bring forth death, 
 that, I hope, shall quite finish sin and free me from 
 it — Lord, let thy servant depart in peace, according 
 to thy word. I commit my family to my heavenly 
 Father; to God, even my own God, my father's 
 God, my children's God. 0 pour out thy Spirit 
 upon my seed ; thy blessing, that blessing, that 
 blessing of blessings, upon my off'spring, that they 
 may be praising God on earth when I am praising 
 him in heaven. Amen, amen." 
 
 " January 1, 1707. My own act and deed, 
 through the grace of God, I have made it many a 
 
 Matthew Henry. 8 
 
114 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 time, and now I make it the first act of this new 
 year, to resign myself afresh unto the Lord, not only 
 for the year ensuing, but for my whole life, and for 
 ever. 
 
 "1. To thee, 0 God, I give up myself, to be used 
 and employed for thee. I desire to live no longer 
 than I may do thee some service. Make what use 
 of me thou pleasest, only let me obtain mercy of 
 the Lord, to be found diligent, humble, and faith- 
 ful. 0 that the work of this year may be better 
 done than that of the last, and my time more filled 
 up ; and that I may never grow weary of well- 
 doing. 
 
 "2. To thee, 0 God, I give up myself, to be dis- 
 posed of by thee as thou pleasest. I know not 
 what the year may bring forth to me, or to my fam- 
 ily. But welcome the holy will of God ; and God, 
 by his grace, make me ready for it. If it be the 
 last year of my life, my dying year, may I but fin- 
 ish my course with joy; and farewell this world. 
 Whatever aflflictions may this year befall me, I de- 
 sire none of them may move me from God and my 
 duty." 
 
 Since the death of Mr. Henry's father, the afflic- 
 tions which had befallen him had been mitigated by 
 the preservation and general convalescence of his 
 widowed mother. She had shared his trials ; eased 
 the burden of affliction by bearing a part of it ; and, 
 by the brilliancy of her Christian character, had 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 115 
 
 eminently adorned the Gospel, and encouraged her 
 son in "the work of the Lord." 
 
 But now, declining health and advanced years 
 intimated that a separation between parent and 
 child was not far distant. And, at length, on the 
 morning of Sabbath, May 25, 1707, he received the 
 melancholy tidings of her departure. 
 
 In reference to this event, there is a short notice 
 in the diary of her sorrowing son, which the reader 
 will be pleased to have perpetuated. He says, " I 
 find with the profits and rents of this current year, 
 that there will be Uttle more than to discharge my 
 dear mother's funeral and legacies ; but no debts at 
 all. She hved with comfort ; bore her testimony to 
 the goodness of God's providence, which she had 
 experienced all her days ; did not increase what 
 she had ; nor coveted to lay up ; but did good with 
 it, and left a blessing behind her." 
 
 The anniversary reflections are thus continued in 
 his diary : 
 
 1707, October 18. To borrow Caleb's words, 
 Joshua 14 : 10, the Lord has kept me alive these 
 forty-five years. So long I have lived, and lived 
 under the divine protection ; a wasting candle kept 
 burning. But to how little purpose have I lived ! 
 Thus long I have cumbered the ground. 0 that I 
 may yet bear fruit." 
 
 " 1707, December 31. As to the year past, I 
 have as much reason as ever to lament my barren- 
 
116 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 ness and unfniitfulness, tliat I have not made a 
 better proficiency in knowledge and grace. I find 
 myself growing into years ; being now turned forty- 
 five. 1 begin to feel my journey in my bones, and 
 I desire to be thereby loosened from the world, and 
 from the body. The death of my dear and honored 
 mother this year, has been a sore breach upon my 
 comfort ; for she was my skilful, faithful counsellor ; 
 and it is an intimation to me that now, in the order 
 of nature, I must go next. My estate is somewhat 
 increased : the Lord enlarge my heart to do good 
 with it; but as goods are increased, they are in- 
 creased that eat them. My children are growing 
 up, and that reminds me that I am going down. 
 As to my ministry here, Mr. Mainwaring's leaving 
 me, and his wife, has been very much my discour- 
 agement. But Providence so ordered it that Mr. 
 Harvey's congregation are generally come in to us, 
 or else we begin to dwindle, so that I should have 
 gone on very heavily." 
 
 "January 1, 1Y07-8, early. Christ is a Chris- 
 tian's all ; and he is my all. 
 
 " Unto thee, 0 blessed Jesus, my only Saviour 
 and Redeemer, do I make a fresh surrender of my 
 whole self this morning, body, soul, and spirit ; to 
 me to live is Christ, particularly this ensuing year. 
 
 " All my time, strength, and service, I devote to 
 the honor of the Lord Jesus ; my studies, and all 
 my ministerial labors, and even my common actions. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 117 
 
 It is my earnest expectation and hope, and I desire 
 it may be my constant aim and endeavor, that Jesus 
 Christ may be magnified in my body. 
 
 " In every thing wherein I have to do with God, 
 my entire dependence is upon Jesus Christ for 
 strength and righteousness ; and whatever I do in 
 word or deed, I desire to do all in his name, to make 
 him my Alpha and Omega. The anointed of the 
 Lord is the breath of my nostrils ; through his hand 
 I desire to receive all my comforts. I have all by 
 him, and I would use all for him. 
 
 *' If this should prove a year of affliction, a sor- 
 rowful year upon my account, I will draw all my 
 supports and comforts from the Lord Jesus, and 
 stay myself upon his everlasting consolations, and 
 the good hope I have in him through grace. 
 
 " And if this should be my dying year, my times 
 are in the hand of the Lord Jesus ; and with a hum- 
 ble reliance upon his mediation, I would venture 
 into another world, looking for the blessed hope. 
 Dying as well as living, Jesus Christ will, I trust, be 
 orain and advantas:e to me. 
 
 Good Lord, keep this always in the imagination 
 of the thought of my heart, and establish my way 
 before thee." 
 
 " October 18, ITOS. To-day I have finished the 
 forty-sixth year of my life. My infancy, however, 
 was useless ; my childhood and youth were not di- 
 rected to proper objects ; and even in my maturer 
 
118 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 age, how many months and days have I spent to 
 little purpose ! So that I have lived scarcely one- 
 tenth part of my time. Forgive, 0 Lord, my idle- 
 ness and sloth. For me to live, may it be Christ." 
 
 ** January 1, 1708-9. The inscribing of a double 
 year, eight and nine, puts me in mind to look back 
 upon the year past, which I have reason to do with 
 thankfulness for the many mercies with which God 
 has crowned it ; and with sorrow and shame for the 
 many sins with which I have blotted it : and to look 
 forward to the year now beginning, which I have 
 endeavored to begin with God. 
 
 "My outward concerns, as to my health and 
 safety, the prosperity of my affairs, provision for 
 my family, the continuance of my life and the lives 
 of my relations and friends, comfort in my children 
 and congregation, I have committed, and do com- 
 mit to the conduct and disposal of God's gracious 
 providence, which I depend upon to order every 
 thing for good to me. Here I am, let the Lord do 
 with me and mine as seemeth good unto him. That 
 Providence, I trust, will so order every event as 
 that nothing shall be an invincible temptation to me 
 to draw me from God and duty in any instance. 
 
 "The affairs of my soul, and all the concerns of 
 the spiritual and divine life, I commit to the special 
 grace of God, which I trust shall be sufficient for 
 me, to enable me to keep a good conscience ; to do 
 my duty well as a master of a family, and as a min- 
 
REV. xMATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 119 
 
 ister ; to persevere to the end ; and to finish well. 
 Lord, do not leave me, nor forsake me ; I will seek 
 thy precepts. 0, forsake me not utterly. The 
 Lord ' preserve me to his heavenly kingdom.' Amen. 
 Amen." 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Invitations to remove to London — An invitation from Hack- 
 ney renewed — His determination to leave Chester — His 
 reasons for this determination — Birthday memorial. 
 
 Ever after Mr. Henry's visit to London in the 
 year 1698, he seems to have been an object of de- 
 sire by almost every church, whose pastor, if at all 
 renowned, was either removed to any other charge, 
 or laid aside by death. And some of the efforts 
 made to obtain his services were imcommonly bold 
 and persevering. 
 
 On the death of the eloquent and learned Dr. 
 Bates, at Hackney, one of the suburbs of the me- 
 tropolis, he was solicited to accept the pastorate of 
 the bereaved church and congregation; and, the 
 better to insure success, the communication was 
 made to him through his beloved friend, the Rev. 
 John Shower, pastor of a church at the Old Jewry. 
 It failed, however, of success. It is not necessary 
 to particularize other similar invitations both from 
 
120 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 London and important places in the country. Dr 
 Bates was succeeded by the Rev. Robert Bilho. 
 Upon the death of Mr. BiUio, which occurred in 
 May, IVIO, the sohcitations of the congregation to 
 Mr. Henry were renewed with increased importu- 
 nity. Two visits were subsequently made by him 
 to the destitute church, and, after long- continued 
 and serious thought, not to say the most distress- 
 ing varieties of mental conflict, he determined to 
 leave Chester. The history and reasons of a deter- 
 mination so opposite to every former decision, may 
 be stated somewhat at length, and may happily be 
 stated in his own words, written whilst in London, 
 on one of the two visits before mentioned. 
 
 "About midsummer, 1710, I had a letter from 
 the congregation at Hackney, signifying to me that 
 they had unanimously chosen me to be their minis- 
 ter, in the room of Mr. Billio, who was lately de- 
 ceased of the small-pox ; and to desire that I would 
 accept of their invitation ; in prosecution of which, 
 they told me I should find them as the importunate 
 widow, that would have no nay. I several times 
 denied them ; at length they wrote to me that some 
 of them would come down hither ; to prevent which, 
 I being not unwilling to take a London journey in 
 the interval between my third and fourth volume," 
 of the Exposition, " I wrote them word I would 
 come up to them, and did so in the middle of July ; 
 but was down again before the first Lord's day in 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 121 
 
 August ; then I laid myself open to the temptation, 
 by increasing my acquaintance in the city. 
 
 They followed me after I came down, with let- 
 ters to me, and to the congregation ; in October I 
 wrote to them, that if they would stay for me till 
 next spring — which I was in hopes they would not 
 do — I would come up, and make a longer stay for 
 mutual trial ; they wrote to me they would wait till 
 then. 
 
 '*In May, 1711, I went to them, and stayed till 
 the end of July, and before I parted with them, 
 signified to them my acceptance of their invitation, 
 and my purpose to come to them, God willing, the 
 following spring. The ministers there had many 
 of them given it under their hands, that they thought 
 it advisable, and for greater good, and a more 
 extensive usefulness, that I should remove to Hack- 
 ney. 
 
 "However, I was determined to deny them at 
 Hackney, and had denied them, but that Mr. Gun- 
 ston, Mr. Smith, and some others, came to me from 
 London, and begged of me, for the sake of the pub- 
 lic, that I would not deny them; which was the 
 thing that turned the scales. I never had been, till 
 this journey, so much as one first Lord's day of the 
 month out of Chester, since I came to it twenty-four 
 years ago. 
 
 " By this determination I brought on myself more 
 grief, and care, and concern, than I could have 
 
122 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 imagined, and have many a time wished it undone 
 again ; but having opened my mouth, I could not 
 go back. I did with the utmost impartiahty, if I 
 know any thing of myself, beg of God to incline my 
 heart that way which should be most for his glory ; 
 and I trust I have a good conscience, willing to be 
 found in the way of my duty. Wherein I have 
 done amiss, the Lord forgive me for Jesus' sake, 
 and make this change concerning the congregation 
 to work for good to it. 
 
 " Having this morning — as often, very often be- 
 fore — begged of God to give me wisdom, sincerity, 
 and humility, and to direct my thoughts and coun- 
 sels, now this important affair must at last be de- 
 termined, I think it meet, having before set down 
 the reasons for my continuing at Chester, now to 
 set down the reasons which may induce me to 
 accept of this invitation to Hackney, that it may 
 be a satisfaction to me afterwards to review upon 
 what grounds I went, and may be a testimony for 
 me that I did not do it rashly. 
 
 I am abundantly satisfied that it is lawful 
 for ministers to remove, and in many cases highly 
 expedient, and necessary to the edifying of the 
 church ; and this not only for the avoiding of evil, 
 as in the case of persecution, which can be a reason 
 no longer than while the persecution lasts, or of the 
 uncomfortable disposition of the people, but for the 
 attaining of a greater good, and the putting of a 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 123 
 
 minister into a larger sphere of usefulness ; this has 
 always been my judgment according to the word of 
 God, and I have practised accordingly, in being 
 often active in the removal of other ministers, which 
 I have afterwards had satisfaction in. And this has 
 been the judgment of the congregation at Chester, 
 between whom and their ministers there have never 
 been those solemn mutual engagements that have 
 been between some other ministers and their con- 
 gregations, nor any bond but that of love. 
 
 "2. My invitation to Hackney is not only unan- 
 imous, but very pressing and importunate, and the 
 people here, in waiting so long for my determina- 
 tion, and in the great affection and respect they 
 have showed to my ministry since I came among 
 them, have given the most satisfying proof of the 
 sincerity and zeal of their invitation ; and upon many 
 weeks' trial I do not perceive any thing in the con- 
 gregation that is discouraging, but every thing that 
 promiseth to make a minister's life both comfortable 
 and useful. 
 
 " 3. There seems to be something of an intima- 
 tion of Providence in the many calls I have had in 
 this way before, and particularly to this place upon 
 the death of Dr. Bates, though I never, either di- 
 rectly or indirectly, sought them, but, on the con- 
 trary, did what I could to prevent them, and this 
 particularly. 
 
 "4. There is manifestly a much wider door of 
 
124 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 opportunity to do good, opened to me here at Lon- 
 don, than at Chester, in respect to the frequency 
 and variety of week-day occasions of preaching, and 
 the great numbers of the auditors ; the prospect I 
 have of improving these opportunities, and of doing 
 good to souls thereby, is, I confess, the main induce- 
 ment to me to think of removing hither ; and what 
 I have seen while I have been here now, has very 
 much encouraged my expectations of that kind. 
 
 5. In drawing up and publishing my Exposi- 
 tions, and many other of my endeavors for the 
 public service, I foresee it will be a great conven- 
 ience to me to be near the press, and to have the 
 inspection of it, and also to have books at hand that 
 I may have occasion for in the prosecution of my 
 studies, and learned men to converse with for my 
 own improvement in knowledge, and to consult 
 with upon any difficulty that may occur. 
 
 "6.1 have followed Providence in this affair, and 
 to the conduct of that, I have, if I know my own 
 heart, in sincerity referred myself, hoping and pray- 
 ing, both myself, and my friends for me, that God 
 would guide me with his eye, and lead me in a plain 
 path. When I was purposing to send a final denial. 
 Providence so ordered it that the very post before, 
 I had a letter subscribed by divers of the London 
 ministers, persuading me to accept that call ; where- 
 upon I wrote to them that I would come to them 
 six months upon trial, thinking that they would not 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 125 
 
 have consented to be kept so long in suspense, but 
 it proved that they did ; and so I have been drawn 
 step by step to this resolution, and though I have 
 industriously sought, I have not found any thing on 
 this side to break the treaty. 
 
 " 7. I have asked the advice of ministers upon a 
 fair representation of the case, which I drew up ; 
 and many, upon consideration of it, have given it 
 under their hands that they think it advisable for 
 me to remove, and none of them have advised me 
 to the contrary, but have told me I am myself the 
 most proper judge of it. Many private Christians 
 also in London, and some that seem to me to be the 
 most judicious and public-spirited, have by letters, 
 when I was in Chester, and by word of mouth here, 
 persuaded me to accept of this call, as judging that, 
 by the blessing of God, I might be useful here to 
 such a degree as to balance the inconveniency of 
 my leaving Chester ; nay, that even here, I might, 
 in many respects, be serviceable to the country. 
 
 " 8. I have some reason to hope that my poor 
 endeavors in the ministry may, by the blessing of 
 God, be more useful now to those to whom they are 
 new, than to those who have been so long used to 
 them, and so constantly ; with whom also I trust 
 another hand may do more good, as mine did, by 
 the grace of God, in the first seven years of my 
 being there. And I have known many congrega- 
 tions from whom ministers have removed, and those 
 
126 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 to whom it caused the greatest uneasiness and dis- 
 content for the present, which yet have afterwards 
 been so well settled beyond their own expectations 
 under other ministers, that they have flourished even 
 more than ever they had done before. 
 
 *' 9. Though the people at Chester are a most 
 loving people, and many of them have had, and 
 have, an exceeding value for me and my ministry, 
 yet I have not been without my discouragements 
 there, and those such as have tempted me to think 
 that my work in that place has been in a great meas- 
 ure done ; many that have been catechized with us, 
 and many that have been long communicants with 
 us, have left us, and very few have been added 
 to us. 
 
 ** 10. Whereas I have been thought to have been 
 useful in the country by my preaching, as God has 
 enabled me in many places about, I have now reason 
 to think, that though I should continue at Chester, 
 I should be quite taken off from that part of my 
 work, having found as I came up, and once before, 
 that riding long journeys and preaching brought an 
 illness upon me which I was never till the last win- 
 ter visited with, so that my service would be wholly 
 confined within the walls of Chester ; whereas here, 
 by divine assistance, I might do a great deal of work 
 of that kind without that toil and peril. 
 
 "11. The congregation at Chester, though it can- 
 not be expected they should consent to part with a 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 127 
 
 minister they have so long had a satisfaction in, yet 
 they have been pleased, under their hands, to leave 
 it to my own conscience and affection. Now, as to 
 my own conscience, upon a long and serious consid- 
 eration of the matter — and if I know my own heart 
 an impartial one — and after many prayers to God 
 for direction, I am fully satisfied that I may lawfully 
 remove, and that there is a prospect of my being 
 more useful if I do remove, and therefore it is expe- 
 dient that I should ; and as to my affections, though 
 they are very strong towards Chester, yet I think 
 they ought to be overruled by my judgment." 
 
 Another anniversary of his birthday now arrived, 
 but the record makes no allusion to the situation in 
 which he had placed himself. His mind seems to 
 have been absorbed by the flight of time, and the 
 nearer approach of eternity. 
 
 ''October 18, I have now finished my 
 
 seventh climacteric year, in which I have first felt 
 the pain of the gravel and the stone, by which it is 
 easy for me to discern that death is working in my 
 body ; for this disease is death begun ; perhaps in a 
 little time it will be death itself. I now enter upon 
 the jubilee of my life, my fiftieth year; the term of 
 hfe approaches ; may I be better fitted for eternal 
 life." 
 
 The preceding exercises of mind, in reference to 
 his removal from Chester, after a ministry there of 
 nearly a quarter of a century, show most conclu- 
 
128 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 sively the integrity of Mr. Henry's mind, and his 
 trembhng solicitude to be found in the way of duty. 
 In his first entrance upon the work of the ministry, 
 he dreaded the thought of running before he was 
 sent ; and now, in the affair of his removal, he felt 
 it to be a weighty and important step, to be deter- 
 mined only by plain intimations of Providence, and 
 after much anxious deliberation and feryent prayer. 
 Both churches and ministers of the present day, 
 may learn valuable lessons of prudence and piety 
 from this part of the commentator's history. 
 
 Notwithstanding the clearness of the case, in his 
 call to remove, and the length of time which he 
 took to make up his mind on the important step of 
 leaving one field of labor and entering upon another, 
 yet it appears his mind was ill at ease, from the 
 godly fear that he might possibly have taken a 
 wrong step. When he reached his new abode, he 
 vented the anguish of his mind in sighs like these, 
 " Lord, am I in the way ? I look back with sorrow 
 for leaving Chester ; I look forward with fear ; but 
 unto thee I look up." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 129 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Some account of the manner in which Mr. Henry discharged 
 the duties of the ministry at Chester. 
 
 Mr, Henry's history having been traced to the 
 important period when he left Chester, the present 
 chapter will be devoted to a review of his ministe- 
 rial course during his abode in that city. Much 
 instruction may be thus derived from an exhibition 
 of his exemplary conduct, and of the truly Christian 
 spirit which he uniformly displayed. By taking 
 such a review it will be sufficiently apparent why it 
 was that so much earnest desire prevailed in other 
 churches, and among not a few of his more distin- 
 guished brethren, to secure his services in a wider 
 and more invitin(y field of labor than that which he 
 
 o 
 
 had occupied. 
 
 On the Sabbath, Mr. Henry met hi§ congregation 
 at nine o'clock, and commenced the services by sing- 
 ing the 100th Psalm. Praise was succeeded, for a 
 few minutes, by prayer ; he then read and expounded 
 part of the Old Testament, proceeding regularly 
 from the book of Genesis, After singing another 
 psalm, about half an hour was devoted to interces- 
 sion ; the sermon followed, and usually occupied 
 about an hour ; he again prayed, and after singing, 
 commonly the 11 7th Psalm, the benediction was 
 
 Matthaw Heary. ^ 
 
130 
 
 MEMOIR OF TIIi: 
 
 pronounced. The same order was observed in the 
 afternoon, only he then expounded, with the same 
 regularity, a part of the New Testament, and, at 
 the close of the worship, sung either the 134th, or 
 some part of the 136th Psalm. 
 
 In Mr. Henry's day, the church had not yet been 
 blessed with the sweet, devotional, poetic effusions 
 of Dr. Watts, whose "psalms and hymns and spirit- 
 ual songs" have eminently "made glad the city of 
 our God ;" and have given rise to numerous other 
 similar productions. To supply the deficiency which 
 was then felt, Mr. Henry made some attempts to 
 compile and arrange a small collection of psalms 
 and sacred hymns in verse, as may be seen by a 
 reference to his Miscellaneous Works. 
 
 In the exercise of praise he greatly delighted ; 
 for it was beautifully suited to his lively and thank- 
 ful temper. When young, he had heard his excel- 
 lent father say, that " Our praying-days should be 
 praising-days ; that whatever the cup is, we should 
 take notice of the mixtures and he never forgot it. 
 He sometimes devoutly observed, that " A life of 
 praise and a life of usefulness is a true angelical 
 life." 
 
 In the exercise of public and social prayer, Mr. 
 Henry was almost unrivalled. In his addresses to 
 the throne of grace, there was no pompous finery ; 
 no abstruse and complex elaboration ; no disgusting 
 familiarity ; no personal reproofs or compliments ; 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRV. 
 
 131 
 
 no vain repetitions ; no preaching. When he pro- 
 fessed to pray, he prayed ; and his style was rever- 
 ent, humble, simple, and devout. By impressive 
 comprehensiveness, by the happiest adaptation of 
 his petitions to circumstances, and by peculiar fer- 
 vency of manner, he successfully interested and stim- 
 ulated his fellow-worshippers. His habits evinced 
 the truth of his recorded experience, that " warm 
 devotions contribute much to communion with God.'* 
 With regard to devotion, he sometimes said, "We 
 should be in it as the angels, who are seraphim — 
 burners ;" and his own example beautified and con- 
 firmed the observation. 
 
 In supplication for mercy, Mr. Henry was very 
 earnest and particular — pleading the name, and suf- 
 ferings, and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, for 
 pardon and peace. He was large and full in pray- 
 ing for grace, and used to mention the particular 
 graces of the Holy Spirit, as faith, love, hope, pa- 
 tience, zeal, delight in God ; earnestly begging that 
 these might be truly wrought in all, and might be 
 preserved, exercised, increased, and evidenced to 
 the divine glory. 
 
 Some Christians are unfavorable to the use of the 
 Lord's prayer. They imagine it to have been taught 
 the disciples as members of the Jewish church, and 
 adapted only to the time of waiting for Messiah's 
 kingdom. Others advocate its adoption in secret 
 only, founding their opinion upon the command, 
 
132 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 **When thou prayest, enter into thy closet." But 
 Mr. Henr}^ like his venerable progenitor, approved 
 and used it, as a proper form, as well in public as 
 in private. Yet by so doing he incurred censure. 
 **I wrote," he says, "to Mr. Farrington, why he 
 should not be offended at my using the Lord's 
 prayer." Even men of sense and piety, in zeal for 
 a particular opinion, may be lamentably deficient in 
 Christian charity. 
 
 In Mr. Henry's public services on the Sabbath, 
 the ancient and invaluable custom of expounding 
 the holy Scripture was uniformly practised ; and 
 during his residence at Chester, he explained to his 
 congregation more than once, the whole of the sa- 
 cred oracles. By this means his people were re- 
 markable for their scriptural knowledge. 
 
 It contributed to Mr. Henry's ministerial profi- 
 ciency, that the thoughts which he cherished of the 
 great work to which he was devoted, were just and 
 elevated ; and therefore, in some degree at least, pro- 
 portioned to its magnitude. It was never, through 
 his instrumentality, degraded by any unhallowed 
 associations, either of worldly emolument or mere 
 external respectability, still less of ease and sloth. 
 Keeping the design of the institution continually in 
 view, he magnified his office ; and steadily seeking 
 the edification and increase of the church of Christ, 
 he earnestly and perseveringly coveted the best gifts. 
 When reviewing a sacramental opportunity, he says, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 13? 
 
 *' I endeavored to wrestle this day with God in se- 
 cret and at his table for two things, (and 0 that I 
 might prevail !) the heart of the upright, and the 
 tonorue of the learned." And on another occasion, 
 he said, " I would excel in my work." 
 
 The sincerity of these, his recorded desires, was 
 happily demonstrated by unremitting preparation for 
 the pulpit. To that leading object every other was 
 subordinate. All he read, and all he saw, as well 
 as the things which he heard, were regarded by him 
 with more or less attention, as they bore upon that. 
 Nothing crude or undigested found its way, through 
 his instrumentality, into the solemn assembly. 
 
 Upon the Scriptures he bestowed his chief and 
 profoundest attention. He studied his sermons with 
 vast diligence and care, and wrote them at consid- 
 erable length. Some advices, yet extant, addressed 
 to ministers, well exemplify this part of his charac- 
 ter ; and, by the absence of any mention of writing, 
 they show a happy freedom from dogmatism and 
 intrusiveness, as to his own particular modes. He 
 wisely judged that matters of mere convenience or 
 taste are best left to the discretion and habits of 
 mankind. If sermons were well studied, he did not 
 consider it important whether the process was car- 
 ried on with a pen or without one ; in the closet, or 
 garden, or fields, or elsewhere. 
 
 He would say to ministers, " Take heed of grow- 
 ing remiss in your work. Take pains while you live. 
 
134 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Think not that, after a while, you may relax and gc 
 over your old stock. The Scriptures still aflford new 
 things, to those who search them. Continue search- 
 ing. How can you expect God's blessing, or your 
 people's observance, if you are careless ? Be stu- 
 dious not to offer that which costs nothing. Take 
 pains, that you may find out acceptable words. Let 
 all your performances smell of the lamp. This will 
 engage the attention of your people. Feed the 
 church of God which is among you. Feed the ig- 
 norant with knowledge, the careless with admonition, 
 the wanderinor with direction, and the mourninor with 
 comfort." 
 
 Xo odd or affected tones, or any violent and un- 
 seemly agitations, cast over Mr. Henry's pulpit efforts 
 the least deteriorating shade. Like Bishop Earle's 
 " Grave Divine," he beat upon his text, not upon the 
 cushion. In addition to a fascinating manner, his ex- 
 cursive and vigorous imagination furnished such a fund 
 of ingenious biblical illustration, as to place divine 
 truth in a vivid and striking light, and himself upon 
 the pinnacle of popularity. In his younger years 
 the veheraency of his affections, both in prayer and 
 preaching, was such as frequently melted himself 
 and his auditors into tears. On one occasion he 
 said, " You think we are too earnest with you to 
 leave your sins and accept of Christ ; but when you 
 come to die you will see the meaning of it. We see 
 death at vour backs." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 135 
 
 In subsequent years, if Mr. Henry became more 
 temperate, he did not either chill or freeze. His 
 feelings and earnestness were, perhaps, better regu- 
 lated, but they were not destroyed. In his diary 
 for September 10, 1699, when in his thirty-eighth 
 year, he thus writes: "I preached of God the chief 
 good, from Psal. 73 : 25, ' Whom have I in heaven 
 but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I de- 
 sire beside thee.' I had some enlargement of af- 
 fections, and I find some prejudice to my bodily 
 strength by my overearnestness, but I cannot help 
 it ; for I believe the things I speak to be true and 
 great, and I would be in my work as one in earnest.'* 
 And this fervent manner of preaching he sustained 
 to the end of life. 
 
 He was also remarkable for variety in his minis- 
 trations. Loving to give Scripture its full latitude, 
 he took a wide range, and studiously presented re- 
 ligious truth in its connections and its tendencies. 
 He ever listened to the "voice which speaketh from 
 heaven " — whether addressed by the visible creation, 
 the beauties of natural scenery, the discoveries of 
 science, the thunders and lightnings of Mount Sinai, 
 or that overwhelming exhibition of mercy which 
 proclaims to apostate and perishing transgressors the 
 "redemption that is in Christ Jesus" — and thus his 
 views became large and comprehensive. 
 
 It was the practice of many " ancient worthies,'* 
 after having chosen a subject for the pulpit, to pur- 
 
136 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 sue it, week after week, from the same text. But 
 Mr. Henry preferred emplo}'ing different texts for 
 the discussion of even the same general truth ; an 
 improvement well adapted to reheve both preachers 
 and hearers from that wearisomeness which is in- 
 separable from continued iteration. 
 
 And, as no other theme can excite devotional 
 ardor so powerfully as a vivid impression of this one 
 grand truth, that Christ was " delivered for our of- 
 fences, and was raised again for our justification," it 
 can be no matter of surprise that to ^Ir. Henry it 
 was most pleasant to be preaching Christ, and that 
 when he was so engaged, to borrow his own phrase, 
 he was "most in his element." Well did he ob- 
 serve, when expatiating upon the subject, that, al- 
 though ** the Scriptures are the circumference of 
 faith, the rounds of which it walks, and every point 
 of which compass it toucheth, yet the centre of it is 
 Christ. That is the polar star on which it resteth.'" 
 
 Next to the pattern exhibited at Broad Oak, 
 probably nothing served more to increase his at- 
 tachment to this style of preaching, or more con- 
 duced to his distinction and usefulness in the church, 
 than his intimacy with the Rev. Francis Tailents. 
 The name of Mr. Tailents has already been men- 
 tioned ; it is well known ; and of him it is not too 
 much to affirm, that he was equally eminent for his 
 learning, his wisdom, his moderation, and his piety. 
 To the youthful prophets around him he was a father. 
 
REV, MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 137 
 
 Though far advanced in years, he cultivated their 
 friendship, accurately observed their public per- 
 formances, discovered a lively interest in their re- 
 spectabiHty and success, and, mingling with counsels 
 and rebukes the most affectionate kindness, he se- 
 cured their attention and esteem. 
 
 The nature and effects of that intercourse are well 
 evinced in the two following letters, which were 
 both addressed to Mr. Tallents by Mr. Henry. It 
 is not easy to decide upon which party they confer 
 most honor. 
 
 " July 21, 1694. 
 
 " Dear and honored Sir — I am greatly obliged 
 to you, not only for your very quickening words 
 when I was with you, but for your very quickening 
 lines which you sent after me. I reckon, Avhen I 
 come to Salop, it is, as the old Puritans went to 
 Dedham,"^ to fetch fire. I desire to bless my God 
 for any influences of grace and comfort which I have 
 often experienced through you, and I am ashamed 
 that the impressions thereof have been no more 
 strong and lasting. I thank you for the hint you 
 give me to speak more of the doctrine of God's 
 election, and free grace, which I shall endeavor to 
 observe. It refresheth me to think that there are 
 any of those whom I am called to speak to in God's 
 name, whom I trust the Lord hath ' loved with an 
 * Dedham was the residence of the celebrated Rev. John 
 Rogers, the ancestor of some of the earliest Puritan fathers 
 of America. 
 
138 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 everlasting love ;' and though there are so many 
 "who do not believe our report, yet there are some to 
 whom 'the arm of the Lord' shall be more and 
 more 'revealed.' By an eflfectual choice he hath 
 wonderfully and graciously secured the glory of his 
 Son ; the happiness of a remnant of his creatures ; 
 and, in subordination to these, the comfort of his 
 poor ministers. In my Master's work I am but of 
 yesterday, yet I find that there is not now that en- 
 couraging success which there was at the first open- 
 ing of the present door of opportunity, which makes 
 me ready to ask sometimes, ' Is the Lord among us, 
 or is he not ?' But surely he is, and in more ways 
 than one is doing his own work. I have read with 
 satisfaction what you direct me to in Turretine, and 
 return you many thanks for your hint in that mat- 
 ter. I beg your prayers for me, that the Lord, when 
 I preach, will lead me into the mystery of the riches 
 of free grace for conviction and direction. I en- 
 deavor to do it as a means by which free grace 
 usually works its own work ; but I desire to wind 
 up all in the glory of God : * not unto us, 0 Lord, 
 not unto us, but to thy name be the glory.' I 
 beg the continuance of your prayers, and when you 
 can spare a httle time, a line or two from you will 
 be verv much a refreshment to your most affection- 
 ate and obedient 
 
 " Son in the Lord, 
 
 " Matthew HE>Tiy." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 139 
 
 "Broad Oak, Oct. 29, 1G95. 
 
 "Bear and honored Sir — I desire to be thank- 
 ful to God for your love to me, and your kind let- 
 ters. Yours, which I met with here at Broad Oak, 
 hath in it very quickening and refreshing memoran- 
 da of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, whom we should 
 think more of, and live more upon, did we remember 
 that he is the head of our religion. I have found 
 comfort and satisfaction in preaching some sermons 
 lately, though in much weakness, concerning the 
 mediation of Jesus Christ, *the new and living Way,' 
 through which we * enter into the holiest,' and heav- 
 en is made familiar to us. I desire that when you 
 put up a petition for me, it may be this — that I may 
 be a true minister of Jesus Christ ; not only ap- 
 pointed by him, but affected with his love ; acquaint- 
 ed with the mystery of it ; and an instrument to 
 bring others acquainted with it, etc., etc. * I rest 
 your obedient son in the common faith. 
 
 " Mat. Henry." 
 
 In the prosecution of his ministry, Mr. Henry 
 made no attempt to conceal or palliate the guilt and 
 extent of human depravity ; nor to disprove or ex- 
 plain away the necessity of divine influence in saving 
 sinners ; but, on the contrary, he labored to confirm 
 those fundamental truths, and to lay open the se- 
 crets of the heart, in order that his hearers might 
 be convinced of sin, of righteousness, and of judg- 
 
140 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 ment. He then invariably conducted them to Cal- 
 vary. There he delighted to linger, urging them 
 individually to behold the Lamb of God. And so 
 unanswerably did he press the obligations of sinners 
 to believe, as to leave all who remained obstinate 
 and impenitent without excuse. " I do not stand 
 here," he would say, " to mock you with an uncer- 
 tainty, or to trifle with you about an indifferent 
 thing ; but in the name of Christ, my Master, to 
 make a serious offer to you of life and salvation, 
 upon the terms of faith and repentance." 
 
 And upon his brethren in the ministry he urged 
 the pursuit of a similar course. ** Let Jesus Christ," 
 said he, be all in all. Study Christ : preach 
 Christ : live Christ." Both by his advice and ex- 
 ample he recommended that uniform regard to sim- 
 plicity and plainness of speech, which constitutes 
 one of the main excellencies of a public instructor. 
 He would say to his ministerial brethren, "Let your 
 performances be plain and scriptural. Choose for 
 your pulpit subjects the plainest and most needful 
 truths, and endeavor to make them plainer. Be 
 serious in the delivery. Affect not fine words, but 
 words which the Holy Ghost teaches ; that is, sound 
 speech which cannot be condemned. Enticing words 
 of man's wisdom debase your matter. Gold needs 
 not to be painted. Scripture expressions are what 
 people are used to, and will remember. Consider 
 the lambs of the flock. You must take them along 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 141 
 
 with you. Do not overdrive them, by being over- 
 long, or overfine." 
 
 Some divines have been designated " fugitive," 
 because they run away from their text; but Mr. 
 Henry adhered, with admirable closeness, to the^ 
 passage which he professed to explain ; yet neither 
 pressing into its service foreign or irrelevant truths, 
 and still less far-fetched inventions, nor evading any 
 topic to which he was naturally led. Although, 
 after years of ministerial service, he could say to his 
 assembled congregation, "That which I have mainly 
 insisted upon is turning to God, and walking with 
 God;" still, in connection with this solemn appeal, 
 he could also affirm, that he had not shunned to de- 
 clare unto them the whole counsel of God. Wher- 
 ever his text directed him, in that path he walked, 
 unshackled by human authority, and fearless of con- 
 sequences. 
 
 When urging his hearers to the performance of 
 Christian duties, he endeavored to furnish the neces- 
 sary rules and directions in the express words of 
 Scripture. But important truths he often illustrated 
 by scriptural allusions. An instance will be given 
 in his own language. After exposing the nature 
 and evils of carnal security, he thus pointed out its 
 danger. "We are in danger by it of having our 
 hair cut ; that is, of losing our strength, as Samson 
 when he slept upon Delilah's lap. Security is weak- 
 ening ; it Aveakens our resistance of temptation, and 
 
142 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 our performance of duty. We are in danger by it 
 of having tares sown in our hearts, as they were in 
 the cornfield while men slept. Corruptions prevail 
 and get head while w^e are secure, and off our 
 ^atch. We are in danger by it of being robbed of 
 our spear and cruse of water, as Saul w^as when he 
 slept. When secure we lose our defence, and our 
 comfort, and so He exposed and disquieted. We 
 are in danger by it of being nailed to the earth, as 
 Sisera was when he slept in Jael's tent : of minding 
 earthly things ; of having head and heart fixed to 
 this world. The rich fool was thus nailed to the 
 earth, and he counted upon goods laid up for many 
 years. We can never reach heaven while we are 
 fastened to the earth. We are in danger by it of 
 being given up to sleep, as the disciples were in the 
 garden. ' Sleep on now.' It is a dismal thing to 
 be let alone in carnal security. We are in danger 
 of sinking into destruction. Jonah was, when he 
 slept in the storm. Security has slain its ten thou- 
 sands, who have gone sleeping to hell. And w^hat 
 is hell, but to lie for ever under the power of that 
 soul-sinking Avord, ' Depart from me,' with a gulf 
 fixed to cut off all access ?" 
 
 To render his pulpit addresses the more appro- 
 priate, he was frequent in pastoral visits, and took a 
 lively interest in the circumstances of his flock. At 
 an ordination he thus commended the same course 
 to others: "Be famihar with your people; not high, 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 143 
 
 or strange. Converse with them for their good. 
 Acquaint yourselves with tlie state of their souls ; 
 their temptations, their infiniiities. You will then 
 know the better how to preach to them. Your 
 flock being volunteers, you may be the more en- 
 couraged in dealing with them, and en'courage them 
 to ask you questions about their souls." 
 
 In Mr. Henry's spiritual vision nothing appeared 
 to have been either diseased or distorted. He did 
 not merely assert doctrines with oracular authority, 
 but proved them by well-selected and convincing 
 arguments ; whilst the duties of genuine Christians 
 were unanswerably enforced, and their privileges 
 and enjoyments illustrated with singular ingenuity 
 and the most captivating eloquence. In every part 
 of the system of revealed truth, he saw the pleas- 
 ing combination of infinite wisdom with the most 
 unsullied purity. ''Some truths," said he, "are 
 plain and easy ; others are more deep and mysteri- 
 ous ; but all are designed to fructify the holy land, 
 and to ' make glad the city of God.' It is but a 
 half Christianity that rests in the acts of devotion ; 
 it is not an entire Christianity that is not honest as 
 well as godly. Without this, the profession of re- 
 ligion will be looked upon as a pretence ; a seeming 
 religion, which is vain." "Take heed," he would 
 say, " of affecting novelties in religion, lest you fall 
 into vanities, or worse. Ask for the old way ; keep 
 to the faith once dehvered to the saints ; keep to 
 
144 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 the proportion of faith. Take heed to your doc- 
 trine — that it jostle not out God's grace, nor man's 
 duty ; but take both together." 
 
 Governed by principles like these, his sermons 
 were uniformly practical. The morals which he 
 tauorht, beincT* founded, like those of the New Testa- 
 ment, upon the doctrines which are according to 
 godliness, ever left the purest ethics of heathenism 
 and the most admired dissertations of a fashionable 
 theology at an immeasurable distance. He said, 
 *' The very life and soul of religion consists in a con- 
 scientious regard to Jesus Christ : that Christianizeth 
 morality, and turns moral virtue into evangelical 
 holiness." Instead, therefore, of deahng in useless 
 generalization, his sermons were fashioned after in- 
 spired models, and aboimded in close and pungent 
 address, directed at once to the understanding and 
 the conscience of every hearer. When advising 
 others, on one occasion, to discriminate in their 
 preaching, that they might neither strengthen the 
 hands of the wicked, nor make the hearts of the 
 righteous sad, he said, " It is a reigning sign of hy- 
 pocrisy, when the heart cannot endure a searching 
 ministry ; when the ministry of the prophets tor- 
 ments," alluding to Rev. 11 : 10. 
 
 From an earnest desire to be useful in saving souls, 
 Mr. Henry was induced, at times, to adopt a style 
 of address which was calculated to alarm. Like his 
 venerable father, he could look at his hearers, and 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 145 
 
 without the fear of contradiction could say, I love 
 to be the messenger of good tidings ; my temper 
 and spirit is to encourage poor sinners to come, and 
 repent." Nevertheless, as a faithful watchman, he 
 felt it his duty to warn men of their danger. "We 
 have no other way," said he, of delivering our 
 souls, ^but by telling * the wicked man ' that he shall 
 surely die ; that is, be eternally miserable in the 
 world to come. Nor is this legal preaching ; for 
 Christ so preached very often. The Scriptures 
 which speak of hell are to be mostly found in the 
 New Testament. * He that believeth not, shall be 
 damned,' is part of the Gospel which we are com- 
 missioned to preach." 
 
 But Mr. Henry's fidelity to the impenitent did not 
 induce him to shght the claims of believers. On 
 the contrary, he delighted to minister to their com- 
 fort. To them he unfolded the "precious prom- 
 ises," and exhibited the glorious " recompense of 
 reward." He reminded them that ** spiritual life is 
 eternal life begun ; that present light and love are 
 the beginnings of eternal light and love ; that the 
 citizenship of the saints is now in heaven ; that al- 
 though as yet grace be like the smoking flax, yet 
 there is a spark, and it will shortly blow up into a 
 flame." "Duty and comfort," he sometimes re- 
 marked, "go abreast; neither are to be neglected. 
 Many are willing to separate them. They love, with 
 Ephraim, to tread out the corn ; but not, with Ju- 
 
 Matthew Henry. 1 ^ 
 
146 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 dah, to plough, and, with Jacob, to break the clods. 
 They love to hear of comforts, those are smooth 
 things ; but not to hear of duty. What, however, 
 God has joined, let us not think to separate. Those 
 •who would reap in glory, must sow in duty. Justi- 
 fication is to be tried by sanctification. They are 
 evermore concomitants." 
 
 Mr. Henry considered the improvement of provi- 
 dential occurrences, whether merciful or afflictive, 
 whether general or local; as essential to making 
 *' full proof of his ministry." He therefore fre- 
 quently preached sermons of a miscellaneous char- 
 acter, adapted to the young, the seasons of the 
 year, and the various exercises of mourning and 
 joy, which, to a vigilant pastor, present some of the 
 finest opportunities of efl:ective ministration. He 
 observed, " The command to be * instant in season 
 and out of season,' is charged with great solemnity. 
 And is it not in season when persons are in affliction ? 
 An interpreter will then be one of a thousand." 
 
 The redeeming of time, especially for religious 
 exercises, formed a distinguished feature of ancient 
 non-conformity; and most of the non-conformist min- 
 isters turned this to good account. Amongst the rest, 
 Mr. Henry maintained a weekly lecture on Thursday, 
 which was attended, usually, by no inconsiderable 
 part of his congregation. It is the will of God," 
 he said, ** that we should be diligent in our business 
 all the days of the week, according as the duty of 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 147 
 
 every day requires ; but it is a corrupt and profane 
 inference, that therefore we are not, on those days, 
 to pray in our families, or hear sermons. In the 
 six days we must do all our work. And is not serv- 
 ing God, and working out our salvation, part of our 
 business ? Have we not souls to work for, as well 
 as bodies ? As God must have his day out of every 
 week, so he must have his hour out of every day. 
 There is, as we may see in the 145th Psalm, a song 
 not only for the Sabbath-day, but for every day. 
 We should spend as much for our souls in the week- 
 days, as for our bodies on the Sabbath." 
 
 The attention paid by Mr. Henry to the rising 
 generation was exemplary, constant, and attractive. 
 For his own excitement, and also for the guidance 
 Qf others, he not imfrequently observed, that Peter 
 was charged to feed the lambs, as well as the sheep. 
 In addition to sermons often expressly preached to 
 the young, the work of catechizing was indefatigably 
 performed every Saturday afternoon. The exercise 
 commenced and ended with prayer. It usually oc- 
 cupied more than an horn*, and was attended not 
 only by the catechumens, but by others also, who, 
 fondly anticipating the holy rest of the Sabbath on 
 the morrow, esteemed the service a suitable prep- 
 aration for the sacred duties of the sanctuary. When 
 any of those yomig persons of whom he had enter- 
 tained hope grew vain and careless, he deeply la- 
 mented their state ; and ceased not to pray to God 
 
148 
 
 RIEMOIR OF THE 
 
 that he would recover them out of the snare of the 
 devil, before their hearts were hardened through the 
 deceitfulness of sin. But in this labor of love for 
 the young, it was Mr. Henry's happiness and honor 
 to be remarkably successful, as well as persevering. 
 
 His attention to discipline in the church combined 
 spiritual wisdom with holy zeal, and was equally 
 remote from precipitation and supineness. Without 
 trespassing either upon faithfulness or tenderness, 
 he could adopt the apostle's spirit-stirring appeal : 
 Who is weak, and I am not weak ? Who is of- 
 fended, and I burn not ?" When evil reports con- 
 cerning any of his flock needed attention, he inquired 
 diligently into the facts ; he weighed every com- 
 plaint and every plea ; and if the statement was 
 proved, reproof was fully administered, but with tli# 
 utmost affection. His object was not to indulge any 
 angry feeling, but to reclaim the offender. Such he 
 invariably endeavored to restore "in the spirit of 
 meekness," according to the apostolic exhortation. 
 
 The sick and afflicted were special objects of his 
 attention, whatever might be their external circum- 
 stances or their ecclesiastical connections, provided 
 that in this last particular he should not be intrench- 
 ing upon the duty of any other minister, for he never 
 attempted to build upon another man's foundation. 
 Nothing short of invincible necessity prevented his 
 attendance whenever his services were called for. 
 Nor did he wait for applications to be made for those 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY 
 
 149 
 
 senices. By inquiring among his friends, he sought 
 out the afflicted ; and when his prayers in the con- 
 gregation were anonymously desired, he would pub- 
 licly request the writers to furnish their names, not 
 only that he might remember them in prayer more 
 appropriately, but that he might know how to render 
 them other service also. In his diary he is almost 
 daily to be traced, when at home, to the chambers 
 of the sick and distressed, the Sabbath not except- 
 ed ; sometimes he visited four or five in a day ; the 
 names are commonly recorded, and brief mention is 
 made both of their state and frame of mind. The 
 event was not overlooked. If they recovered, he 
 not only blessed God on their behalf, but, by apt 
 exhortations, reminded them of the vows and reso- 
 lutions which they had made, and urged to the per- 
 formance of them. 
 
 Thus faithfully did this devoted servant of Christ 
 labor in the ancient city of Chester, for nearly a 
 quarter of a century. Nor were his labors confined 
 Avithin the walls of the city. He frequently visited 
 the surrounding villages and the more distant towns 
 of the county, and indeed often extended his labors 
 to the counties of Lancashire, Stafifordshire, and 
 portions of the principality of Wales. Like all other 
 ministers of the same glorious Gospel which he 
 preached, he had many discouragements in his work ; 
 but, generally, he was privileged to behold the work 
 of the Lord prospering. 
 
150 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 As he' was frequently called upon to assist at the 
 solemnity of ordaining his younger brethren to the 
 work and office of the ministry, the next chapter 
 will be devoted to the record of some of the coun- 
 sels which, on those occasions, he offered to those 
 who were invested through his instrumentality with 
 the sacred office. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Exhortations delivered by Mr. Henry to ministers at their 
 ordination to the sacred office. 
 
 The ordination of a minister is a solemn and mo- 
 mentous affair. Mr. Henry felt it to be such, both 
 in his own case and that of others. The following 
 gleanings from exhortations which he delivered at 
 different times on such occasions, will serve increas- 
 ingly to illustrate his own habits of pastoral vigil- 
 ance and labor. They will display, also, with ad- 
 ditional clearness, the exalted pleasure which he 
 felt in the good work. And while they may serve 
 to lead some candidates for the sacred office to pause 
 before they assume its responsibilities, they may, at 
 the same time, encourage others to put their hand 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 151 
 
 to the gospel plough ; and edif}^ and delight all who 
 in sincerity and in truth love the Lord Jesus Christ, 
 the sole Head of the Church. 
 
 **We must not," said he, "be forward to put 
 forth ourselves in the exercise of spiritual gifts. 
 Pride often appears in this under a pretence of a 
 desire to be useful. If the motive be correct, it is 
 good ; but humihty will wait for a call." 
 
 " The charge we have now to give unto you who 
 are sworn on the grand inquest between our Sove- 
 reign Lord, the King of kings, and his church on 
 earth, is not a light thing, for it is your life. You 
 are intrusted with the ' charge of the sanctuary.* 
 Keep the charge, though you be called, as those of 
 old, to war a warfare in it. 
 
 *' It is a divine charge. We have not the cutting 
 out of your work. We are only to tell you what it 
 is. Your charge you receive from the hand that 
 gives you your commission, and puts you into the 
 ministry, even Christ, whose ministers and stewards 
 you are. ^e. commanded the twelve, and the cir- 
 cumstance is noticed, both by Matthew and Luke ; 
 the one in his Gospel, and the other in the Acts of 
 the Apostles. From him you are to expect the 
 blessing, and strength to fulfil your trust. 
 
 ** It is a charge solemn enough to strike the light- 
 est mind with awe. See with what solemnity Paul, 
 again and again, addressed Timothy, though a man 
 of a serious spirit. 1 Tim. 5 : 21 ; 1 Tim. 6:13; 2 
 
152 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Tim. 4 : 1, 2. God's eye is upon you, and the eye 
 of Christ, and the holy angels ; therefore it is that 
 you receive the charge in public, and before the 
 church. 
 
 " It is a charge that requires for the fulfilling of 
 it the whole man — ' all that is within you.' If a 
 man had ten souls, the ministry is work enough for 
 them all. Therefore the charge of the sanctuary 
 was committed to men in the prime of their time, 
 between the ages of twenty-five and fifty. 
 
 It is a charge for life ; while God gives you 
 ability and opportunity. You are laying your hand 
 to a ' plough,' from which there is no looking back. 
 It is a charge from which you must not think of 
 being discharged till your life end. In case of sick- 
 ness or restraint, ' God will have mercy and not sac- 
 rifice.' 
 
 " It is a charge upon which you will, in the great 
 day, be called to an account. Ministers must be 
 judged. Your oflSce, if you profane the holy things 
 of God, will not excuse you. Remember Nadab 
 and Abihu ; the day after they were consecrated, 
 they were consumed. 
 
 "You must faithfully explain and apply the ora- 
 cles of God. You have a Gospel to preach, not to 
 make. You must faithfully administer the ordinances 
 of Christ. You must maintain the truths of the 
 Gospel. You must preside in religious assemblies. 
 You must witness against sin. You must separate 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 153 
 
 between the precious and the vWe. You must com- 
 fort afflicted consciences. You must intercede for 
 the church and people of God. You must transmit 
 that which is committed to you to the rising gen- 
 eration. 
 
 " In particular, we give you charge conceiTiing 
 the CARE OF TOUR SOULS. ' Take heed' to thyself, 
 to save thyself in the first place. 
 
 " Make sure your own interest in Christ, and a 
 work of grace in your hearts. See that the good 
 work be wrouo-ht and ocoinor on there. Raise your 
 applications from thence, that you may speak feel- 
 ingly and experimentally. Such a thing affected me. 
 Press those methods you yourselves have found the 
 benefit of. Be not as Noah's workmen, who built 
 an ark for others, and perished themselves ; or as 
 mercurial posts, which direct others, but themselves 
 stand still. Your work will be a task and a burden 
 to you, if you do not relish divine things ; and in 
 that case you cannot expect God's blessing. 
 
 "Keep up communion with God, both in secret 
 and in public. Be affected yourselves with what 
 you speak to others. God gives his prophets leave 
 to be free with him. Use your freedom. Let us 
 not be strangers to "our Master. It is our privilege 
 that we are often called to prayer. Let us, like the 
 apostle Paul, keep a conscience void of offence. How 
 else can we expect God's presence, and strength, 
 and blessing ? We profess to be tender, and we 
 
154 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 condescend, in some things, to justify that tender- 
 ness. Let it be so in every thing. If we walk not 
 in God's counsels, how can we expect to profit his 
 people ? Take heed of sin. You spoil your min- 
 istry if you suffer that worm to be at the root. Set 
 your eye upon God's eye, and believe that his is 
 upon yours. 
 
 "Keep np an intimacy with your own hearts. Be 
 much in communing with them. Keep your own 
 vineyards ; else how can you keep others' ? Make 
 that clear to yourselves, which you would make clear 
 to others ; and be affected with that yourselves with 
 which you would affect others. Look well to your 
 principles and aims ; let your eye be single. Take 
 heed of pride ; it will spoil all. There is no greater 
 ornament to a young minister than humility. Say, 
 with the psalmist, * I will go in the strength of the 
 Lord God. I will make mention of thy righteous- 
 ness, even of thine only.' 
 
 "Take heed of spiritual pride. This is spoken 
 of, in an address to Timothy, as the temptation of 
 young ministers. Think not that you have already 
 attained ; but forget the things that are behind. 
 Magnify your office, but do not magnify yourselves. 
 It is not outward honor that we must aim at. Let 
 evil report help to lay us low, and let not good re- 
 port help to lift us up. Boasting is for ever excluded. 
 * For who maketh thee to differ from another? And 
 what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Nov/, if 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 155 
 
 thou didst receive it, why dost thou gloiy, as if thou 
 hadst not received it?' Pray much against this sin; 
 pray for ' grace sufficient.' 
 
 " We give you charge concerning the course of 
 YOUR CONVERSATION. If your Uves do not corre- 
 spond with your preaching, you pull down with one 
 hand what you build up with the other. See to it 
 that, in your conversation, you preserve the credit 
 of your ministry. We charge you with this, because 
 the glory and honor of God is concerned in it, which 
 will suffer if you miscarry. ' Thou which teachest 
 another, teachest thou not thyself ? Thou that 
 teachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 
 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, 
 dost thou commit adultery ? Thou that abhorrest 
 idols, dost thou commit sacrilege ? Thou that makest 
 thy boast of the law, through the breaking of the 
 law dishonorest thou God ?' 
 
 " Keep at a distance from all evil, all appearance 
 of it. Many eyes are upon you. Let your con- 
 versation be grave, sober, pure. Ministers should 
 be mortified men. Cherish not desires after worldly 
 riches and delights ; but * follow after righteousness, 
 godliness, faith, patience, meekness. Flee also youth- 
 ful lusts.' 
 
 " Take heed of the indulgence of the flesh. Paul 
 reminds himself of it. * I keep my body under, and 
 bring it into subjection ; lest by any means when I 
 have preached to others, I myself should be a cast- 
 
156 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 away.' Take it not ill that I remind you of it. 
 Prophets are spiritual men ; but ' the prophet is a 
 fool, and the spiritual man is mad,' if he submit to, 
 the dominion of carnal lusts. Be sober in the use 
 of creature comforts. That liberty which may be 
 decent in another, may be culpable in a minister. 
 He that ruleth not himself, how shall he rule the 
 church ? 
 
 " Take heed of worldliness. The love of money 
 is a root of more evil in a minister than in any other 
 person. Regard not your stuff if the heavenly Ca- 
 naan be yours. Let them that know no better take 
 their portion in these things ; but you may not. 
 
 " Promote the ends of your ministry. Preach in 
 your lives. Use good discourse. It will be ex- 
 pected from you, and better taken than from others. 
 Be examples to believers, in word, in conversation, 
 in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Let it be 
 seen that you believe what you report of the evil 
 of sin. Men will do as you do sooner than as you 
 say. Make your converse edifying, that every com- 
 pany you come into may be the better for you. 
 Your profession is an honor to you ; be not you a 
 disgrace to it. 
 
 " * Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.' 
 These two must go together. Act with prudence ; 
 not 'fleshly wisdom,' but that which is by the grace 
 of God. It will be your prudence to meddle as 
 little as may be in secular affairs ; not to entangle 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 157 
 
 yourselves in the affairs of this life. ' Who made 
 me a judge or divider ?' Also take heed of what 
 you say to other people. There is a time when the 
 prudent shall keep silence. With this, innocency, 
 a dovelike spirit without gall, will well become you. 
 If others are any way injurious, do not meditate 
 revenge ; for this is not dovelike. Your business is 
 to do good to all ; therefore, your care must be to 
 do hurt to none. 
 
 " Give no offence in any thing, that the ministry 
 be not blamed : get and keep a good name : avoid 
 every appearance of evil. The most circumspect 
 cannot escape censure, but you should put to silence 
 the ignorance of foolish men. Let it never be said of 
 us, that we are proud and haughty, that we are vain 
 and frothy, that we are covetous or worldly. Deny 
 yourselves in many things which otherwise are law- 
 ful, that you may save the credit of your ministry. 
 If that be blamed, we are blamed who have set you 
 apart to it. You have many eyes upon you, and 
 some that watch for your halting, therefore walk 
 accurately. 
 
 " Show yourselves patterns of good works. Christ 
 began to do and to teach ; and so must you. Your 
 voice is Jacob's ; let your hand be his also. You 
 would have others to be serious and humble : be 
 you so. You must put others in mind, as directed, 
 to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey 
 magistrates, to be ready to every good work; to be 
 
158 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto 
 all men. Set them an example, then ; let no man 
 despise your youth. Though you are young in age, 
 you are elders in office : it becomes you, therefore, 
 to be serious and grave. If any variance happens, 
 be patterns of peace-making, yielding to others, and 
 bearing with them. Be examples of peaceableness. 
 You will hardly reconcile those to Christ whom you 
 cannot reconcile to yourselves. Win all by love and 
 meekness. 
 
 " We give you charge concerning the welfare 
 OF THE CHURCH IN GENERAL. You are the messen- 
 gers of the churches, as well as the glory of Christ. 
 Be serviceable to the church. Take all occasions 
 for the pulpit. Make it appear that your work is a 
 delight, and not a drudgery. Instruct and exhort 
 in personal converse ; never reckon it out of season. 
 Fail not to visit the~sick. Be instant in visiting those 
 also who are in health. Wherever you come, leave 
 a good word behind you. 
 
 "You are watchmen upon the walls. * Ye that 
 make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give 
 him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jeru- 
 salem a praise in the earth.' Be intercessors for the 
 church. Prophets of old prayed for the public peace. 
 Stand in the gap, as did Moses — who should, if you 
 do not ? Acquaint yourselves with the state of the 
 churches, that you may be particular herein. See- 
 ing you are not obliged to forms, you have the more 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 159 
 
 need to furnish yourselves for every good word and 
 work. Let not that liberty be turned into licentious- 
 ness. Improve in your praying gifts ; offer not any 
 thing unbecoming the seriousness of that ordinance. 
 Use Scripture expressions. They are most unex- 
 ceptionable, and most agreeable to those who are 
 serious. Pray for the spirit of prayer. 
 
 " We are in Christ's kingdom, appointed to be 
 conservators of the peace. Charge the peace then 
 in Christ's name. Condemn not those who differ 
 from you. Be not censorious. Widen not your 
 differences. Judge charitably of all. Praise that 
 ^which is good ; and make the best of what you dis- 
 like. Let us be offensive to none, but obliging to 
 all. Let not the Gospel of peace be 'preached con- 
 tentiously. 
 
 *' We charge you concerning the welfare of 
 
 THOSE CONGREGATIONS WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY 
 
 COMMITTED TO YOU. They must, in a special man- 
 ner, be your care. You are their choice ; you are 
 not thrust upon them ; and therefore you have, in 
 some respects, a greater advantage in dealing with 
 them. * Take heed to all the flock over which the 
 Holy Ghost hath made you overseers : to feed the 
 church of God, which he hath purchased with his 
 own blood.' Feed the flock of God. You must do 
 this in your familiar applications ; and especially 
 when they apply to you. Be familiar with them, 
 not shy and haughty. Show yourselves glad of an 
 
160 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 occasion to talk with them about their souls. Be so 
 well furnished that you need not fear betraying a 
 weak side. Be so humble as not to think it a dis- 
 paragement to converse with the meanest saint, but 
 rather a disparagement to be in company with the 
 haughtiest sinner. And be faithful to them. Tell 
 them with meekness of their faults. 
 
 *'We charge you by way of comfort and en- 
 couragement. You must expect to meet with dif- 
 ficulties — from the oppositions of Satan, from the 
 frowns of the world. You must expect reproach 
 and contempt. It is our present trial. You may 
 be tempted to think all this had been prevented if 
 you had been of some other employment. You see 
 little success of your ministry, and that is a discour- 
 agement. You labor in vain, and are ready to faint. 
 But the greatest discouragement is from within; 
 our own weakness. We do not (say you) profit 
 ourselves ; we fear we shall not hold out. Be not 
 discouraged. Let your weakness and infirmities 
 humble you, but not dishearten you; for God's 
 grace is sufficient. When you are weak in yom*- 
 sclves, if sensible of your weakness, and relying on 
 Christ, you shall find yourselves strong. Encourage 
 yourselves to use means for your improvement. 
 God's blessing can do wonders by weak endeavors. 
 
 " Be not discouraged by the reproaches and in- 
 juries you may meet with. You set out with the 
 wind in your faces, and, perhaps, may hear of hard 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 161 
 
 things said of you ; but let none of these things 
 move you. You are not to stand or fall by mens 
 judgment: approve yourselves to God, and you 
 may be easy. The smiles of our Father will balance 
 the anger of our mother's children ; and his * well 
 done,' all their unkind censures. Nor be discouraged 
 by the little success of your ministry. It is the 
 case that we are disappointed as to many, and as to 
 some whom we have taken pains with, of whom we 
 have said, These ' shall comfort us concerning our 
 work, and the toil of our hands.' But our recom- 
 pense will be according to our faithfulness, not our 
 success. 'Though Israel be not gathered, yet,' said 
 Isaiah, * shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, 
 and my God shall be my strength.' It may be it 
 is our own fault. * If,' said the Lord by Jeremiah, 
 * if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused 
 my people to hear my words, then they should 
 have turned them from their evil way, and from the 
 evil of their doings.' Remember, you are employed 
 in work in which God is working with you. We 
 serve a Master who, if we be faithful to him, makes 
 the best of us, and is not 'extreme to mark' what 
 we do amiss. You have many encouraging exam- 
 ples before you. Great will be your reward in 
 heaven, if you are faithful. The souls you win, the 
 sufferings you bear, will be your crown. 
 
 There are, however, several other things to en- 
 courage us. The goodness of our work. We are 
 
 Matthew Henry. ^ ^ 
 
162 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 despised ; but our work is not despicable. It is work 
 for Christ and the souls of men. It is a work that 
 ■will be successful, though we see not, and feel not, 
 the success we desire. Can we ever employ our- 
 selves better than in that which is the proper busi- 
 ness of our office ? 
 
 " Consider the kindness of our Master. He ac- 
 cepts of our sincere endeavors. He has promised 
 to own us, to be with us to the end of the world ; 
 to be with each rising generation. 
 
 " Remember the promise of the Spirit to help our 
 infirmities ; to assist us in our work, and to make it 
 successful. The promise of the Spirit relates espe- 
 cially to ministers. See John's Gospel, chapters 
 14 and 16. Believe the experience of your pred- 
 ecessors ; they have found God all-sufficient to 
 them. We do not repent laying our hand to this 
 plough. 
 
 " And then, there is the prospect of the recom- 
 pense. Bear contempt. If you be faithful, there 
 is honor before you ; yea, the best preferment. Let 
 us keep heaven in our eye. Be encouraged in the 
 difficulties of your work: heaven will make amends 
 for all. If your encouragement be but small in 
 success, the recompense of the reward is certain. 
 
 " Let us then keep doing. You have constant 
 work, either to fish, or to mend your nets: like 
 housekeepers, either to bring into your treasuries, 
 or to bring out. Fill up your time. Ministers* 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 163 
 
 time especially, should be precious. Gather as you 
 spend. Let us love our studies. * Give attendance 
 to readino".' 
 
 o 
 
 " Let me say something to quicken you ; and this 
 give me leave to transfer to myself, for I need it. 
 Let me consider that the things I am employed 
 about are of vast importance : dealing for an eternal 
 God with immortal souls, about their everlasting 
 state. My Master's eye is always upon me ; my 
 time is very precious, and ray day hastening to a 
 period. I have a great opportunity of doing good 
 if I be faithful, of serving Christ, of being a worker 
 too-ether with God, of savinof souls from death. I 
 must shortly give account, either with joy or grief, 
 according as I am, or am not faithful. 
 
 ** Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 
 See that you have true grace yourselves, and then 
 that you be stronger and stronger. Let all your 
 strength be in the grace of Christ. Derive from 
 him daily ; depend always upon him. Walk up and 
 down in his name. Without this, * the youths will 
 be faint and be weary.' When you study or preach, 
 go in the strength of Christ. 
 
 " And hold fast till Christ comes. This was all 
 the burden laid upon the presbyters of Thyatira. 
 Christ comes to own you, and crown you. Perse- 
 vere to the end, that you lose not that crown. I 
 hope you are satisfied in what you have done here 
 to-day. Do not undo it again, but hold it fast." 
 
164 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 What minister of religion, who desires to be ap- 
 proved of his Redeemer and Lord, whether he be a 
 tyro or a veteran in the work, may not be instructed 
 and benefited by the appropriate, weighty counsels 
 contained in this chapter ? 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Commencement of his labors at Hackney — His indefatigable 
 exertions — Anniversary reflections — Attention to the young 
 — His patronage of charity-schools — His declining health — 
 Visits Chester — Is laid aside by sickness — Relapses again — 
 Birthday memorial— Devout commencement of the last year 
 of his life — Journey to Chester — His last Sabbaths on earth 
 — Sets out for London — Sickness on the road — His death — 
 Funeral — Funeral sermons. 
 
 The pastoral engagements of Mr. Henry at Hack- 
 ney were commenced on Lord's day, May 18, 1712. 
 In the morning he expounded the first chapter of 
 Genesis, and in the afternoon the first chapter of 
 Matthew, thus beginning the world, or rather the 
 ministerial office, as it were, anew. He preached 
 to an encouraging auditory from Acts 16:9, "Come 
 over into Macedonia, and help us ;" but his mind 
 was unhappy and depressed. " 0 that good may 
 be done," is the aspiration written at the time ; to 
 
REV. 3IATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 165 
 
 which he adds, " I am sad in spirit, lamenting my 
 departure from my friends at Chester ; but if they 
 are well provided for, and the work of God go on 
 among them, I shall be easy, whatever discourage- 
 ments I meet with." 
 
 The same course of zealous and active exertion 
 which has been already described, was pursued in 
 his new sphere of labor, both within and beyond the 
 bounds of his own congregation. But while the 
 number and responsibilities of Mr. Henry's engage- 
 ments were increased, those habits of personal piety 
 and self- dedication which have been so fully exhib- 
 ited were still continued, and continued in the same 
 spirit of scriptural and elevated devotion. This will 
 be clearly seen by a few further extracts from his 
 journal. 
 
 "October 18, 1712. To-day I have filled up, 
 or rather the Lord has filled up unto me, the fiftieth 
 year of my life, and I now enter on old age — with 
 so many years has the divine forbearance indulged 
 me, who, by reason of my sins, am heir to death — 
 nor has God only given life, but he has enriched it 
 with all good things pertaining both to life and god- 
 liness : for ever blessed be his name. But what 
 have I done more than others for the glory of God, 
 and the good of the church ? I have, indeed, lived 
 an idle, slothful, inactive, and useless life. Have 
 mercy on me, O Lord, and let what remains of my 
 life be entirely devoted to my Redeemer ; and when 
 
\ 
 
 166 MEiMOIR OF THE 
 
 no more shall remain, let this life be sweetly changed 
 for the life everlasting." 
 
 January 1, 1713, he writes, "Firmly believing 
 that my times are in God's hand, I here submit my- 
 self, and all my affairs, for the ensuing year, to the 
 wise and gracious disposal of the divine Providence ; 
 whether God appoint for me health or sickness, 
 peace or trouble, comforts or crosses, life or death, 
 his holy will be done. 
 
 " Believing that my heart is in God's hand, this 
 precious soul of mine I commit to the conduct of the 
 divine grace, and submit to the influences and oper- 
 ations of the blessed Spirit, to be wrought up to a 
 conformity to the will of God in every thing. I 
 depend upon God to give me a wise and understand- 
 ing heart for all the services I may be called out 
 unto, and from him I hope to obtain mercy to be 
 found faithful. 
 
 "The sphere of my usefulness is much enlarged. 
 O that my heart may be proportionably enlarged ; 
 and as the day is, so let the wisdom, and strength, 
 and grace be. Temptations to spiritual pride are 
 many. 0 that the grace of God may be sufficient 
 for me, to keep me humble, very humble ; to keep 
 up in me always a humble sense of my own un wor- 
 thiness, weakness, and many follies and infirmities ; 
 and a humble dependence upon the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, as all in all, both for righteousness and 
 strength." 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 1G7 
 
 At Hackney, as at Chester, the young shared 
 largely in Mr. Henry's attention. Catechizing had 
 never been wholly omitted in and about London, 
 but he was instrumental in a more general revival 
 of it. Besides attending to that duty at Hackney 
 on Saturdays, which he commenced performing al- 
 most immediately after his settlement there, he un- 
 dertook a catechetical lecture in London, at the 
 meeting-house which once belonged to his honored 
 preceptor, Mr. Doolittle. And that lecture was not 
 only well attended, but some young persons were 
 known to Mr. Tong, who, going only as spectators, 
 ascribed their first religious impressions to the in- 
 structions then received. 
 
 " His papers abound with proofs of the intense 
 interest which he took, both in their temporal and 
 spiritual welfare. Nor was his care for them con- 
 fined to the families of the opulent ; it extended 
 equally to the children of the poor. One of his 
 minutes in his journal is the following : "January 
 1, 1*712-13, I went early to Gravel-lane, in South- 
 wark, Mr. Marriot's meeting-place, where there has 
 been a charity-school for twenty-five years ; the only 
 one among the dissenters ; there I preached an an- 
 niversary sermon on Proverbs 3:9,* Honor the 
 Lord with thy substance.' A collection was made 
 amounting to about £35." 
 
 But whilst employed in indefatigable labors, the 
 time of his departure drew near. He was about to 
 
168 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 receive the reward of the faithful servant, whom his 
 Lord when he coraeth finds " watching " and work- 
 ing. His motion in hohness and service was the 
 swifter as he came nearer to the centre of his rest." 
 He did not long survive his removal to Hackney ; 
 but his descent to the grave, though at last sudden, 
 w^as gradual. His frame had been severely tried by 
 the attacks which have been already noticed ; and 
 during the last two years of his life, their frequency 
 and violence increased. They visibly indicated a 
 yielding constitution, and so attracted his own no- 
 tice, as to occasion frequent allusion to the probable 
 issue ; but with enviable composure, if not delight. 
 
 Before he left Chester, he engaged, while able, 
 to visit that city annually, for a few Sabbaths. This 
 arrangement, suggested by the congregation at 
 Hackney, the better to secure his acceptance of 
 their invitation, was most scrupulously observed. 
 His own account will best furnish the detail, and is 
 too interesting to be omitted. 
 
 "July 20, 1713. I am now set out in the coach 
 for Chester, to visit my friends in the country, as I 
 proposed and promised when I came hither, aiming 
 at God's glory, and the edification of souls. 
 
 On the 23rd we came to Whitchurch ; many of 
 my friends met me there, to my great reviving. In 
 the afternoon I went and preached at Broad Oak, 
 from Romans 1:11, 'For I long to see you, that I 
 may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 1.39 
 
 ye may be established.' The next day I went to 
 Chester, where my friends received me with much 
 aftection and respect, so that I could not but say it 
 was worth the while to come. On the Lord's day 
 I preached from 1 Tim. 6 : 12, 'Lay hold on eternal 
 life.' It was very pleasant to me to preach in the 
 old place, where I have often met with God and 
 been owned by him. On Wednesday we kept a 
 congregational fast ; the next Lord's day I preached, 
 and administered the Lord's supper to my beloved 
 flock ; a great congregation. On Monday I went to 
 Middle wich, preached a lecture there from Matthew 
 24 : 12, ' Iniquity abounds.' The next day to Kniits- 
 ford, to a meeting of ministers. I preached from 
 Col. 2:8,' Though absent in the flesh, yet present 
 in the spirit:' about the spiritual communion of 
 saints. 
 
 " On Lord's day, August 9, I preached at Ches- 
 ter, from Titus 2 : 13, 'Looking for the blessed 
 hope.' I took an affectionate farewell of many of 
 my friends, and prayed with many of them ; the 
 next day set out from Chester, with much ado, for 
 Nantwich, where Mr. Motterehed is well settled. I 
 preached from Joshua 1 : 5, 6, 'As I was with 
 Moses, I will be with thee ; be strong and of a good 
 courage.' From thence that night to Wrenbury 
 Wood, and preached there from John 1 : 48 ; and 
 from thence to Danford, and preached at Whit- 
 church, from 1 Peter, 5:10, and took my leave of 
 
170 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 my dear friends there. I went into the coach alone ; 
 came to London the loth, and found my tabernacle 
 in peace." 
 
 Shortly after his return home, symptoms of dia- 
 betes manifested themselves, and he was laid aside 
 for one Sabbath. "A melancholy day," he writes, 
 "yet not without some sweet communion with God. 
 It is just upon me for an inordinate desire to be at 
 my study and work again." Still feeling the effects 
 of the shock, he says, soon after, " I cannot now 
 rise so early, nor stick so close to my study, as I 
 could before my last illness. The Lord perfect 
 strength in me." 
 
 During the following month his already shattered 
 system sustained another violent nephritical attack. 
 It was the Sabbath when he was seized with it ; but 
 he officiated as usual, and toiled incessantly during 
 the ensuing week. On Tuesday he went to London 
 to his catechizing. On Wednesday he delivered 
 the lecture at Hackney, and attended the funeral 
 of his neighbor, Mr. Ironmonger, who was buried 
 at Stepney. On Thursday evening he preached at 
 Spitalfields. On Friday he joined in a fast, and 
 gave the sermon at Mr. Fleming's, at Founder's 
 hall. On Saturday he found himself well. 
 
 Another birthday anniversary having amved, it 
 was noticed in the following tender and expressive 
 terms. "October 18, 1713. The fifty-first year of 
 mv life has this dav closed. In the course of it 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 171 
 
 many of my friends have reached their goal. I am 
 yet ahve, but in the midst of death. May my soul 
 be fitted for the heavenly life, and then — the will 
 of the Lord be done." 
 
 The interval of convalescence "was short. In ref- 
 erence to his frequent attacks of sickness about this 
 time, he affectingly noticed the alternations of ease 
 and pain. In any circumstances such notices would 
 be valuable ; but they are rendered doubly so, from 
 the speedy and sudden termination of his earthly 
 pilgrimage. 
 
 "Lord's day, Dec. 13. This morning, a little 
 after midnight, I was seized with a fit of the stone ; 
 but, blessed be God, the pain in about an hour 
 went off : though fatigued with it, yet the poor body 
 was fitted in some measure to serve the Lord. I 
 went to London, and preached the morning lecture 
 at Mr. Robinson's, from John 20 : 1, ' The first day 
 of the week, early, while it was yet dark.' I preached 
 at Hackney, from Romans 2 : 8, 9. 
 
 ''Thursday, Dec. 17. I went to my study early 
 in the morning ; but before seven o'clock, I was 
 seized with a fit of the stone, which held me all day 
 pained and sick. I lay much on the bed. I had 
 comfort in lifting up my heart to God, and pleading 
 his promises, and encouraged myself in him. About 
 nine o'clock in the evening 1 had much ease, but was 
 weak. 
 
 " Friday, Dec. 18. I am very well to-day, though 
 
172 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 very ill yesterday. How is this life counter- changed ! 
 Yet I am but girding on the harness. The Lord 
 prepare me for the next fit, and for the last." 
 
 It was an observation of Mr. Henry's, that " The 
 more we have of the foretastes of heaven; the less 
 evil we shall see in death ; which," said he, " is not 
 a bar, but a bridge, in our way to glory." And 
 now, standing upon the threshold of another year, 
 and as if conscious that it was to be his last, he 
 looked the king of terrors steadily in the face ; and 
 through faith in Him who hath overcome death, and 
 opened the kingdom of heaven to all behevers, he 
 triumphed. 
 
 "January 1, 1*714. Reflecting with thankful- 
 ness upon the many mercies of the past year ; a 
 good measure of health ; health in my family ; en- 
 couragement in my ministry, both in the congrega- 
 tion here,* and at London ; the comforts of my jour- 
 ney to Chester ; the happy settlement of the con- 
 gregation there ; the continuance of the public tran- 
 quillity ; and, I trust, through grace, some sweet 
 communion with God in his ordinances, and some 
 progress heavenwards, and my work pleasant to 
 me : 
 
 "Reflecting with sorrow and shame upon my 
 manifold defects, and short-comings in holy duties ; 
 and at other times invrard impressions not always 
 
 * Hackney is one of the suburbs of London, a few miles 
 from the centre of the city. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY 
 
 173 
 
 answering to outward expressions ; having begged 
 for pardon in the blood of Christ : 
 
 " I this morning renewed the dedication of my- 
 self to God ; my own self, my whole self, body, soul, 
 and spirit. Father, I give thee my heart ; use me 
 for thy glory this year ; employ me in thy ser\-ice ; 
 fit me for thy will. If it should be a year of sick- 
 ness and pain ; if a year of family affliction ; if a year 
 of public trouble ; if of silencing and sufi"ering, bonds 
 and banishment ;* if it be my dying year, welcorae 
 the holy will of God : if a year of continued health, 
 peace, and liberty. Lord, I desire to be busy in the 
 improvement of it, both in study and preaching, in 
 an entire dependence upon divine grace, without 
 which I am nothing, and can do nothing." 
 
 On this new-year's day, the last of his life, he 
 preached a sennon to young people, from Proverbs 
 23 : 26, My son, give me thy heart." To the 
 record of this in his diary, the following devout 
 aspiration was added : " Lord, take my heart, and 
 mate it such as it should be." 
 
 On Monday, the 31st of May, Mr. Hemy set out 
 on his annual journey to visit his friends at Ches- 
 
 * How little can those of the present generation, either in 
 England or America, enter into the feelings of our Puritan 
 forefathers, who labored and straggled for the happy rehgious 
 liberty which we now enjoy — sitting "under our own vine 
 and fig-tree ;" and none daring to make us afraid I " Xot 
 unto us, not unto us, O Lord, but to thy name" do we give the 
 " glory." 
 
174 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 ter and the surrounding country. His labors were 
 abundant. He visited Wrexham, Knutsford, and 
 Chowbent; testifying everywhere "the Gospel of 
 the grace of God." A remark which he made dur- 
 ing this visit, shows more satisfaction than he had 
 before felt, in his removal to Hackney. It was this : 
 " I am here [at Chester] among my old friends, yet 
 I find my new ones lie very near my heart, among 
 whom God has now cut out my work." 
 
 It is worthy of remark, that the two last Sab- 
 baths which Mr. Henry spent on earth, were em- 
 ployed in the immediate and public contemplation 
 of that sabbatism of rest, upon which he was so 
 soon to enter. On one of those days he preached 
 from Hebrews 4 : 9, "There remaineth, therefore, a 
 rest for the people of God ;" and on the other, from 
 the first verse of the same chapter, " Let us there- 
 fore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering 
 unto his rest, any of you should seem to come short 
 of it." 
 
 The day following the delivery of the last of these 
 discourses, Mr. Henry commenced his journey on 
 his return towards Hackney. He was observed to 
 be heavy and sleepy, but his uniform answer to in- 
 quiries was, " Well." It was, however, remarked by 
 a medical friend before he left Chester, that they 
 should never see him again. 
 
 Passing by Dudden he drank a glass of the min- 
 eral waters. Before he reached Tarporley, his horse 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 175 
 
 threw him ; but he denied that the fall occasioned 
 him any inconvenience. All invitations to tariy 
 there he resisted, and loould proceed to Nantwich, 
 where he had engaged to preach. His text was 
 Jer. 31 : 18 : "I have surely heard Ephraim be- 
 moaning himself thus : Thou hast chastised me, and 
 I was chastised as a bullock unaccustomed to the 
 yoke ; turn thou me, and I shall be turned ; for 
 thou art the Lord my God." The absence of his 
 usual liveliness was universally noticed. 
 
 His old and intimate friend Mr. Illidge, who was 
 with him, had been desired by Sir Thomas Delves 
 and his lady, to invite him to Doddington, a house 
 famed for piety. He accepted the invitation, and 
 the steward waited to conduct him thither. But 
 he soon became unable to go on, and at the resi- 
 dence of the Rev. Joseph Mottershed, he was obliged 
 to retire to bed. He requested his friends to pray 
 for him ; "for now," said he, "I cannot pray for 
 myself." He spoke of the excellency of spiritual 
 comforts in a time of need, and blessed God for the 
 enjoyment of them. To Mr. Illidge, who was accus- 
 tomed to notice the sayings of dying men, he had 
 remarked in London the preceding month, that this 
 was his : " A life spent in the service of God, and 
 communion with him, is the most comfortable life 
 any one can live in this world." 
 
 The next morning, Tuesday, June 22, about five 
 o'clock, he was seized with apoplexy; and, after 
 
176 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 lying three hours speechless, with his eyes fixed, 
 *'he fell asleep." Thus was the faithful servant 
 released from all further labor on earth, and admit- 
 ted to the plenitude of a gracious reward in heaven. 
 
 In vain our fancy strives to paint 
 
 The moment after death, 
 The glories that surround the saint, 
 
 When he resigns his breath. 
 
 One gentle sigh his fetters breaks ; 
 
 We scarce can say, " He's gone," 
 Before the willing spirit takes 
 
 Her station near the throne. 
 
 Faith strives, but all its efforts fail 
 To trace her heavenward flight ; 
 
 No eye can pierce within the veil 
 Which hides that world of light. 
 
 Thus much — and this is all — we know. 
 
 They are supremely blest ; 
 Have done with sin, and care, and woe, 
 
 And with their Saviour rest. 
 
 On harps of gold his name they praise, 
 
 His presence always view ; 
 And if we here their footsteps trace. 
 
 There we shall praise him too. 
 
 The body was interred in Trinity church, Chester. 
 On the day of the funeral, and on the following 
 Sabbath morning, Mr. Withington, the assistant 
 minister, improved the event in the meeting-house 
 where Mr. Henry had so long held forth the word 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 177 
 
 of life ; and on the afternoon of the Sabbath, Mr. 
 Gardner, the pastor, preached from 2 Kings, 2:12, 
 " My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and 
 the horsemen thereof." 
 
 The news of Mr. Henrj^'s death, on reaching the 
 metropolis, awakened inexpressible sorrow. The 
 voice of lamentation was heard from different pulpits 
 in every direction. Two sermons were addressed to 
 the Hackney congregation upon the occasion of the 
 pastor's death ; one by the Rev. Dr. D. Williams, and 
 the other by the Rev. Mr. Tong. These sermons, 
 which were both published, were admirably calcu- 
 lated to perfume the name of the deceased, to con- 
 sole surviving mourners, to gratify descendants, 
 and to instruct and edify the church. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 His domestic habits — Parental tenderness — Family worship — 
 His friendships — His diligence and improvement of time — 
 His Christian love — Hatred of censoriousness — His candor 
 and moderation — His prudence and benevolence — His hu- 
 mility, and dependence on divine assistance — His submission 
 under trials — His piety towards God and devotional habits, 
 the basis of his character and attainments — His views of the 
 Sabbath, and counsels concerning its sanctification. 
 
 The present chapter will be employed in briefly 
 delineating Mr. Henry's private character and his 
 
 Matthsw H*mcy. I 2 
 
178 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Christian virtues. In every sense of the phrase, he 
 was a domestic man ; studiously contributing to ti e 
 happiness of his household. Instead of going abroad 
 for enjoyment, he sought and found it in his own 
 habitation. When recording a journey to a distance 
 to preach, he says, " In the evening I came to Ches- 
 ter late, and through much rain ; but it was home." 
 
 His diary everywhere abounds with evidences of 
 paternal tenderness. The following passage, occa- 
 sioned by an unfavorable appearance of the measles 
 in one of his children, in which a contest between 
 devout submission and natural affection is very ap- 
 parent, may serve as a specimen. " I desire to 
 give him (Philip) up to my heavenly Father, yet 
 praying. Father, spare mv son, my only son, whom 
 Hove." 
 
 His whole conduct towards his offspring was 
 marked by kindness. The advice which he gave to 
 others, he acted upon himself. To parents he used 
 to say, " Do all you can to make your children love 
 home." "Continued chiding and finding fault," he 
 abhorred. "Remember," he would say, "that chil- 
 dren are but children. If parents would not correct 
 them except in a praying frame, when they can ' lift 
 their hands without wrath,' it would neither provoke 
 God nor them." 
 
 His care and anxiety for the spiritual interests of 
 his children were uniformly conspicuous. He beheld 
 them with deep and serious attention ; sometimes 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 179 
 
 observing, that it is an awful consideration that when 
 a child is born he will outlive all the ages of time. 
 
 In the education of his own children, he copied 
 the example which had been exhibited at Broad 
 Oak ; an example in which it would be difficult to 
 determine whether the wisdom of the discipline, or 
 the sanctity of the instruction, most predominated. 
 Mr. Henry also reverently imitated the constancy 
 I and punctuality of his father in attending to domes- 
 tic worship. Whatever happened, and whoever was 
 under his roof, he assembled his family, both in the 
 morning and evening, as early as circumstances 
 would admit ; often saying, he should be " ashamed 
 I to put God off with drowsy devotions," 
 
 In conducting family worship, he was compre- 
 hensive ; equally avoiding tediousness and haste. 
 ' The exercise commenced by a few words of invoca- 
 tion, in which aid and acceptance were implored. 
 Then, in the morning, a portion of the Old Testa- 
 ment Scnpture, in regular course, was read ; and, 
 in the evening, with like regularity, a portion of the 
 I Xew. Unless the chapter was short, it was divided 
 { into sections, of which a brief and edifying explana- 
 tion was given. 
 
 After the exposition some part of a psalm was 
 , sung : every one had a book ; and so neither the 
 5 sense nor the melody was interrupted by reading 
 • line by line. " How the houses of the good old 
 Protestants were perfumed with this mcense daily, 
 
 I 
 
180 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 especially on Lord's days, we," says Mr. Henry, 
 " have heard with our ears, and our fathers have 
 told us." And he did what he could to perpetuate 
 this pleasant state of things. 
 
 Prayer succeeded singing. The whole service 
 was usually comprehended within the space oi" half 
 an hour, or a little more. 
 
 When prayer was over, his children received his 
 blessing, which he pronounced with great serious- 
 ness, solemnity, and affection. 
 
 On the Sabbath the same order was observed at 
 family worship as on the ordinary days of the week ; 
 his public engagements not being allowed to inter- 
 fere either with the observance itself, or with his 
 own personal attention to it. 
 
 In the choice of his associates, and indeed in all 
 his intercourse with society, Mr. Henry manifested 
 the caution which had been instilled into him from 
 infancy, and which he habitually recommended to 
 others. " Those who profess religion, profess friend- 
 ship to God : and is it not," he would say, "a con- 
 tradiction to that profession, for us to make those 
 our bosom-friends whom he ' beholds afar off?' To 
 the evil-doers, we must say. Depart, Not as if it 
 were unlawful to have ordinary commerce with the 
 worst of men. Then must we needs ' go out of the 
 world.' We cannot but have dealings with them ; 
 we must pay civil respects to them ; but we must 
 not choose and court them for our acquaintance. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 181 
 
 Especially, take heed of choosing and courting such 
 into near and standing relations. He that goes near 
 the fire, is in danger ; but he who takes fire into his 
 bosom, and goes upon hot coals, is a madman." 
 His rule as to friendship and acquaintance was, 
 " few and good." 
 
 Mr. Henry was a steady, sympathizing, and active 
 friend. He used to set apart some time to pray for 
 his relations and friends by name. He also paid 
 them frequent visits. He addressed them by kind 
 letters ; and he took pleasure, as opportunity served, 
 in their company at his own house, where he enter- 
 tained them with cheerfulness. It was in such cir- 
 cumstances that he observed, " God gives us leave 
 to be cheerful ; we have cause to be so ; and are 
 commanded to be so." 
 
 Yet he was an enemy to trifling and levity ; and 
 never, for a moment, confounded happiness with 
 those propensities. " True joy," said he, " is a se- 
 rious thing ; and that joy which will not consist 
 with seriousness, doth not become a man, much less 
 a Christian. Christ appeared to dislike the joy of 
 his disciples, even in the success of their ministry, 
 when they seemed to be transported with it. In 
 heaven there is joy, but no vain mirth." 
 
 In the afflictions of his friends, he was literally 
 afflicted. He incessantly displayed sympathy and 
 kindness to his friends in life ; and when death ren- 
 dered intercourse impossible, his unafifected sorrow. 
 
\ 
 
 182 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 and his readiness to serve needy survivors, gave to 
 his sincerity the fullest demonstration. 
 
 Mr. Henry was eminent for diligence, and for the 
 improvement of time. It is said of the Waldenses 
 and Albigenses, that they are always working, learn- 
 ing, or teaching — a testimony peculiarly applicable 
 to the subject of this memoir. 
 
 In one year he preached two hundred and eleven 
 times, besides his expositions and family devotions. 
 In some years he probably preached even oftener 
 than this. He frequently preached seven times in 
 the course of a week. 
 
 He possessed, in fact, the very spirit of the illus- 
 trious confessors who have been just named, and of 
 their rivals, the early Puritans and non-conformists, 
 his own forefathers in the sacred office ; emulating 
 not only their inflexible courage and their untiring 
 perseverance, but also their early rising and their 
 incessant toil. "Value your souls," was a remark 
 he sometimes made, "and you will value your time. 
 Whatever you do, take heed of idleness. That is 
 the devil's anvil, on which he hammers out many 
 temptations." 
 
 In advising others, he would say, "Do not lose 
 the morning." And he practised as well as taught. 
 Like his divine Master, he often rose "a great while 
 before day." He was usually in his study at five, 
 and sometimes at four o'clock. Here he remained 
 till seven or eight. After family worship and break- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 183 
 
 fast, he returned till noon ; and oftentimes, again, 
 after dinner, till four in the afternoon. He then vis- 
 ited the sick, or his friends, and attended to other 
 business. In the evening, after his family were dis- 
 missed, and before he yielded himself to sleep, he 
 again retired to his study. Concerning sleep he 
 remarked, that it " is God's gift to those he loves ; 
 nature requires it ; grace gives thanks for it ; but 
 those who love it more than their business, when 
 they should love it only in order to their business, 
 expose themselves to a great deal of sin." 
 
 In his diary he often complains of precious hours 
 lost in the company of those whom he loved ; he often 
 laments that friends are the thieves of time ; and, 
 on one occasion, when noticing even gratifying inter- 
 course with some of his brethren and others whom 
 he highly esteemed, he says, " I would not, for any 
 thing, live such a life for a few days together. I am 
 always best when alone. No place is like my own 
 study : no company like good books, especially the 
 book of God." "When I lose time at home," he 
 said, " I wish I was abroad preaching ; when time 
 abroad is not filled up as it should be, I wish myself 
 at home studying. God, by his grace, help me to 
 Jill up time — to be busy while working-time lasts." 
 
 Mr. Henry cultivated Christian love. He accus- 
 tomed himself to contemplate true believers, not- 
 withstanding a difference of views about lesser 
 things, as having access through Christ, by one 
 
184 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Spirit, unto the Father." " There''' he would say, 
 *'is the centre of the saints' unity — 'one in us,'" 
 alluding to John 17:21; "not one in the pope, or a 
 general council, but one in God and Christ." 
 
 Alluding to the prospect of an interview with a 
 friend as yet personally unknown, he thus beautifully 
 expressed the habitual temper of his mind : This is 
 not the world we are to be together in ; but there is 
 such a world before us,, where we ' shall be together 
 for ever, and with the Lord.' To the general assem- 
 bly of the church of the first-born, which are written 
 in heaven, we are already come in faith and hope ; by 
 virtue of which we meet daily at the same throne of 
 grace, and have comfort in a spiritual communion 
 with ' all that in every place call on the name of Jesus 
 Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.' This is an 
 earnest of that blissful state in which we shall be 
 with all the saints, none but saints, and saints ' made 
 perfect ;' where Luther and Calvin are both of a 
 mind. God keep us 'looking for that blessed 
 hope.' " 
 
 He regarded all believers as ''saints;" and al- 
 though, in compliance with custom, or in accommo- 
 dation to current prejudices, he often prefixed the 
 epithet "saint" before the name of an evangelist or 
 an apostle, yet he preferred its disuse. 
 
 For the reputation of others, especially of God's 
 faithful servants, he uniformly observed a particular 
 tenderness. Indeed, he had been trained to this 
 
REV. xMATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 185 
 
 from his infancy. His excellent father was famous 
 for a steady opposition to " evil-speaking ;" and 
 \seems to have taken pains to infuse into all around 
 him the same spirit. He (Philip Henry) would tell 
 his children of a gentleman whose custom it was, 
 when he came into the company of such of the un- 
 godly as were likely to utter reproaches against the 
 - Puritans, to inform them beforehand, " Sirs, I desire 
 you to take notice, I am one of those you call Puri- 
 tans ; and therefore, if you like my company, and 
 mean I should stay with you, pray forbear talking 
 evil of them, for I cannot away with it." And the 
 good man noticed, with evident satisfaction, how 
 much sin was thus prevented. 
 
 And the son did honor to his progenitor in this, 
 as well as in many other respects. He was sparing 
 of his words in reference to character, candid towards 
 his absent brethren, and as deaf as an adder to whis- 
 perers and tattlers. Sometimes he would indignant- 
 ly remark, " How many are there who go about as 
 talebearers ; in one place to pick up slanders, or to 
 dig for them, and then scatter them in another. Look 
 upon such," he would add, 'f as incendiaries. Avoid 
 them as you would those who should attempt to set 
 fire to your clothes." 
 
 Unless he felt imperatively called to other duties, 
 Mr. Henry uniformly contented himself with deduc- 
 ing from the misconduct of others an incitement to 
 prayer and circumspection. After noticing a circum- 
 
186 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 stance in reference to one of his ministerial brethren 
 which occasioned him grief and surprise, he merely 
 says, " The Lord give us wisdom, and watchfulness, 
 and resolution. It is dangerous to begin sinful fa- 
 miliarities." 
 
 Christian candor was a virtue which contributed, 
 in no small degree, to adorn Mr. Henry's character. 
 He records it as an occasion of comfort to himself, 
 that he felt able truly to say, that he was far from 
 lessening any man's excellences, either with regard 
 to intellectual or moral qualities, on account of his 
 differing from him. And he nobly advised others to 
 delight in the holy generosity of speaking well of 
 those who might differ from them. Yet he was not 
 indifferent about error ; nor did he ever hesitate, upon 
 proper occasions, to make an open avowal of his 
 sentiments ; always avoiding bitterness, indeed, but 
 speaking unequivocally, and without fear. 
 
 The esteem which he cherished for all pious con- 
 formists, was very cordial and very exemplary. He 
 loved them as brethren in Christ Jesus. He would 
 sometimes say, " I hate to see religion and the church 
 monopolized ; as if Christ took his measures from 
 our little fancies and opinions. Those I call Chris- 
 tians, not who are of this or that party, but who 
 call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord ; those, 
 whatever dividing name they are known by, who 
 live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this world. 
 The question, by and by, will not be, in what place 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 187 
 
 or what posture we worshipped God, but, did we 
 worship in the Spirit." The attachment which he 
 cherished for the principles of non-conformity, re- 
 sulting, as it did, from the most careful examination 
 and decided conviction, invested his candor with 
 the most lovely charms. "Grace be with all them 
 who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," was 
 one of the influential mottos of his life and conduct. 
 
 And the moderation which was conspicuous in 
 Mr. Henry's character, was not confined to strictly 
 religious principles; it extended itself equally to 
 those daily habits of life, of a moral kind, in reference 
 to which many persons, in other respects wise and 
 eminent, have lamentably failed. Speaking of in- 
 temperance, he observed, that it was by eating we 
 all fell. He said, " Nothing is more contrary to the 
 profession of a Christian, than the life of an epicure." 
 x\nd he advised all to " take heed of the beginnings 
 of intemperance." " When in danger, try whether 
 you have learned the first lesson in Christ's school — 
 to deny yourselves." Adverting to the fact, that 
 there are those who are " mighty to drink wine," 
 he remarked, that "it is rather the commendation 
 of a barrel than of a man, to be able to contain much 
 liquor." In short, he preached and recommended, 
 both on this subject and generally, a spirit of holy 
 watchfulness — a duty, the neglect of which, he said, 
 " renders a Christian like a city without gates and 
 bars." 
 
188 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 The same principle also discovered itself in him 
 in reference to worldly possessions and acquirements. 
 Even lawful comforts were used by him with indif- 
 ference, as one whose affections were " set on things 
 above." He observed, "We see present things ; but 
 we must not look at them. Herein, surely, consists 
 the very life and power of religion," 
 
 With regard to money, useful and valuable as it 
 unquestionably is in its proper place, he remarked, 
 with a view to check the love of it, that it " has no 
 currency in the other world. The great day," he 
 said, " will burn up all those things upon which men 
 now set their hearts." 
 
 It grieved him to see professed Christians living 
 as though their happiness were bound up in the 
 creature. W^hen viewing the worldliness of the 
 church, he said, " Many people think that there is 
 no harm in spending upon themselves, if they can 
 afford it ; little considering how greatly the precious 
 soul is hereby wronged." And he advised all such 
 persons to " lay out no more in the repairs of their 
 cottage than will be allowed in their accounts," al- 
 luding to the final judgment. 
 
 Whenever he perceived any " angry at those who 
 stood in their light," or, in other words, envious and 
 jealous, he thought it a sign that the things which 
 ''are seen and temporal" were most looked at. And 
 " will you," he inquired, "who are hoping for treas- 
 ure in heaven, pant after the dust of the earth ?" 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 189 
 
 An incident occurred after Mr. Henry's removal 
 to Hackney, wbicli places the view which has been 
 given of this part of his character in an interesting 
 hght ; and the record having been written by him- 
 self at the time, prevents misconception, and renders 
 a doubt of its truth impossible. It is taken from his 
 diary and original manuscript, and is as follows. 
 
 " March 8, 1713. Lord's day. In the evening I 
 went to London. I preached Mr. Rosewell's even- 
 ing lecture. Psalm 89 : 15 : "The joyful sound." 
 As I came home, I was robbed. The thieves took 
 from me about ten or eleven shillings. My remarks 
 upon it were, 1. What reason have I to be thankful 
 to God, who have travelled so much, and yet was 
 never robbed before. 2. What a deal of evil the 
 love of money is the root of, that four men would 
 venture their lives and souls for about half a crown 
 apiece. 3. See the jwwer of Sfttan in the children 
 of disobedience. 4. See the vanity of worldly 
 wealth ; how soon we may be stripped of it. How 
 loose, therefore, should we sit to it." 
 
 From his moderation in reference to the ''life that 
 now is," it would be wrong to infer that he was 
 negligent of his temporal affairs, or that he encour- 
 aged others either in indolence or neglect. The rule 
 by which he was regulated himself, and which he 
 recommended to others, was this — not to be idle, or 
 careless, or prodigal, but graciously indifferent; in 
 allusion to Matt. 6 : 25-34. 
 
190 
 
 BIEMOIR OF THE 
 
 In early life, he embraced it as a maxim, that the 
 prudent Christian will be a prosperous Christian;" 
 and therefore he diligently applied himself to the 
 cultivation of the habit of prudence, and endeavored 
 habitually to guide his affairs with discretion. His 
 caution, indeed, often subjected him to reproach ; 
 but he had the satisfaction by it, of being kept out 
 of diflBculties, and preserved from the necessity of 
 making humiliating concessions. Every eye within 
 the circle of his acquaintance looked to him for 
 direction and counsel. His advice was given with 
 familiarity and minuteness ; and, in addition to that 
 sound instruction to which his great sagacity and 
 long experience contributed, he usually quoted some 
 appropriate portion of Scripture to bear upon the 
 subject. 
 
 When Christians were afflicted or perplexed, he 
 was far from encourauin^ them in the induljjence of 
 gloomy apprehensions, but studiously pointed out 
 the evil of such a course, and allured their attention 
 heavenward. In such circumstances he would say, 
 ** Let not one affliction drown the sense of a thousand 
 mercies. Our great duty is, to trust in God, to com- 
 mit our v^'ay to him ; and when our fears take us off 
 from that, so that we cannot find in our hearts to let 
 him dispose of us, they are sinful. Prevailing fears 
 are briars and thorns, which choke many a good 
 duty." 
 
 He never failed to remind his friends, that God 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRV. 
 
 191 
 
 has promised to direct the steps of those who ia 
 "all their ways acknowledge him:" and therefore he 
 iiniforraly and pressingly commended attendance at 
 the throne of grace, especially in seasons of distress. 
 Sometimes he expressed the pleasure which those 
 visits afforded him, in which his friends requested 
 him to pray with them. And however agreeable 
 the company which he met on such occasions might 
 be, or however excellent the entertainment, if a sep- 
 aration took place without united prayer, he felt both 
 uncomfortable and disappointed. Such an occur- 
 rence, on one occasion, is recorded by him very 
 mournfully. Most of his particular fiiends loved 
 prayer ; for they had been trained to the enriching 
 practice. If any drew near to an hour of sorrow ; 
 if any journey was in prospect ; if any affair of con- 
 sequence was to be managed ; if any child was to be 
 apprenticed, or otherwise to be disposed of, it was 
 usual with them to commit all to God, not only in 
 their closets and famihes, but also with their minis- 
 ters. In this good old way " Mr. Henry found, 
 and encouraged them ; nor did any circumstances of 
 meanness or poverty prevent his personal concur- 
 ' >^nce. " How sweet a thing it is," he would say, 
 
 to pi"ay, minding a particular errand." 
 Mr. Henry endeavored to enforce, both upon him- 
 - ;lf and others, such sentiments as were calculated 
 
 J promote a charitable disposition. "We lose," 
 suid he, "what we save. Withholding that which 
 
193 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 is meet tends to spiritual poverty — the worst of all 
 husbandry. It is like grudging seed to the ground." 
 As occasion served, he plainly pointed out the great 
 evil of covetousness. Sometimes he urged upon all 
 around him their exposure to that sin, and advised 
 them to suspect themselves guilty of it. " We are 
 born," said he, with the world in our hearts." 
 Perceiving that many think themselves not covet- 
 ous because they are content with what they have," 
 he added, in allusion to the parable, " so was that 
 fool." 
 
 In the exercise of benevolence, Mr. Henry remem- 
 bered the example of Him who " maketh his sun to 
 rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on 
 the just and on the unjust." Like the children of 
 the Highest, therefore, he was " kind to the unthank- 
 ful and to the evil." After lending seven guineas to 
 obtain a discharge for the son of a poor friend who 
 had enlisted, he observed that many reasons offered 
 themselves why he should have abandoned him ; 
 **but," he adds — and it is a fine development of 
 genuine Christianity — " the mercy of God to me, a 
 provoking, backsliding sinner, answered them all. 
 God doth not cut men off, though, by their iniquity, 
 they have sold themselves." 
 
 Humility was a characteristic of Mr. Henry's 
 mind. " I am come to the close of another year," 
 he remarked at the end of 1691, "but my works 
 have not been filled up ; there are many empty 
 
rev; MATTHEW HENRV. 
 
 193 
 
 spaces in my time, and in my duties mucli amiss ; 
 little done, little gained for my soul, though much 
 mercy received, yet my talents have not been traded 
 with aright. It is the blood of Christ that must set 
 all straight between me and my God. There I rest 
 my precious soul." 
 
 On one occasion, when advising others on this 
 subject, he thus expressed his own sentiments and 
 the teachings of the word of God : " Run up all 
 the streams to the fountain. Every crown must be 
 cast before the throne, and every song sung to that 
 humble tune — ' Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, 
 but unto tliy name give glory, for thy mercy and for 
 thy truth's sake.' God plants the trees of right- 
 eousness, that he may be glorified." 
 
 *'Doth it," he would inquire, "become us to be 
 proud, when our Master was so humble ?" " Read 
 the lives of the eminent saints who are gone, and 
 see how far you come short of their gifts, and graces, 
 and performances, and usefulness ; and you will 
 rather blush than be proud." 
 
 After a season of communion with the Lord at his 
 table, his earnest desires were thus recorded : "I 
 begged and promised, with the cup of blessing — 
 humility, humility. The Lord keep it in the imag- 
 ination of the thought of my heart." 
 
 For the movements of pride he made no allow- 
 ances. He viewed haughtiness as transgression 
 against both the law and the Gospel. " The design 
 
 Matthew Henry. 
 
194 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 of each of those," he said, "is to humble us: the 
 former, by convincing us of sin ; the latter, by 
 making us entirely beholden to Jesus Christ for life 
 and happiness." And he endeavored personally to 
 cultivate in himself what he constantly recommend- 
 ed to others. This is seen by the manner in which 
 he marked and bewailed faults and infirmities in 
 himself which others could not perceive ; and this, 
 not publicly, in ostentation, but in the retirement of 
 the closet, for purposes the most devout and im- 
 proving. The reader is furnished with a few in- 
 stances. 
 
 After forming a catalogue of his library, he writes, 
 " I am not so much ashamed that I have so few books, 
 and so little choice, as that I have not profited more 
 by those I have." 
 
 "I have reason to lament my slothfulness, my 
 distractions in prayer, and the coldness of my zeal 
 for God." 
 
 " 0 what reason have I to mourn over my dul- 
 ness and deadness, and that I am not more affected 
 myself with those things of God with which I desire 
 to affect others." 
 
 " I studied for to-morrow in much weakness. I 
 am compassed about with infirmity." 
 
 " A trifling world and a trifling heart, are my great 
 grievances." 
 
 Sentiments like these not only evince the depth, 
 and reality, and genuineness of his humility, but 
 
REV. MATTHEW HExNRV. 
 
 195 
 
 they read to others important lessons of instruction. 
 If he deplored so many evils, and those from which, 
 in the sight of his fellow- Christians, he appeared 
 most free, what must be the condition of multitudes 
 who arrogate the very excellences themselves, with 
 no better pretensions than are furnished by their 
 own deluded fancy ; having, at the utmost, to boast 
 of the appearance only ? 
 
 Mr. Henry's general deportment exhibited the 
 same lowly, yet elevating principles. He walked 
 humbly before God and man ; and the more so, in 
 proportion to the smiles and caresses which he re- 
 ceived. It was a maxim with him, which he recom- 
 mended to the attention of others, " When the wind 
 of applause blows fresh and strong, then steer with 
 a steady hand." 
 
 Writing to a "dear and honored friend," who had 
 addressed a letter of encouragement to him respect- 
 ing his exposition of the Scriptures, he says, The 
 opinion of one of your judgment, learning, and piety, 
 as it is a temptation to pride, (against which I desire 
 your prayers, that I may have grace always to stand 
 upon my guard,) so it is improvable, also, as a spur 
 to industry ; and as such I desire to make use of it. 
 I hope you will assist me in giving thanks to God 
 for his assistance hitherto. Sure I have nothing to 
 boast of. What have I that I have not received ? 
 I am unworthy to be thus employed. Continue your 
 prayers for me, that I may be carried on in it in a 
 
196 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 humble dependence upon divine grace. Every page, 
 sir, is a child of prayer, and still must be so, or it 
 will miscarry." 
 
 After a journey, in which mercy had surrounded 
 him, he writes, " I have not been exercised with the 
 reproaches of enemies, but with a more difficult 
 temptation from my friends — undeserved respects. 
 The Lord carry me safe through evil report and 
 good report." And another time, in similar cir- 
 cumstances of respectful attention, he adds, "I 
 am ashamed to think how unworthy I am of it." 
 
 It is worthy of remark, that Mr. Henry's humble- 
 ness of mind was intimately associated with an abid- 
 ing perception of his necessity of divine influence, 
 both to help and prosper him. " I have as much 
 need," he wrote, of the grace of God to furnish 
 me with a heart to my work, as with a head for it ; 
 to continue my dehght in it, as much as to give me 
 ability for it." 
 
 Again he wrote, "From God is my fruit found; 
 nor can I bring forth the fruit, unless I abide in 
 Christ. Therefore, whatever opportunities I may 
 have of doing or getting good, I depend upon his 
 grace to enable me to improve them, and to do the 
 work of the year in the year. I depend upon that 
 grace to enable me to go on with my present ser- 
 vices, both in my study and in my ministerial work ; 
 and if I should be called out to any duties or suflfer- 
 ings unforeseen, I depend upon the grace of God 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 197 
 
 to strengthen me for tliem, and, in every thing, to 
 guide my way." 
 
 Contemplating persons whom he could not but 
 regard as " dead in trespasses and sins," and for 
 whose conversion he longed, he said, " I know the 
 great difficulty lies in conviction ; and Eloi, my God, 
 is he who must do it. It is * the Spirit of truth' 
 who must convince." 
 
 Mr. Henry inculcated and cultivated a spirit of 
 patient submission under trials. He remarked, that 
 " affliction is the discipline of God's school, whereby 
 his children are trained up in the way in which they 
 should go. And it is necessary : as needful as 
 weeding is to a garden, as pruning to the vine, as 
 physic to the body." " Do not expect," he would 
 say, " to find it all carpet-way to heaven." He ob- 
 served, nevertheless, that " though the weather may 
 be foul, and the ways dirty, home is not far off ; and 
 all is quiet and well there." 
 
 Enumerating the advantages of affliction, he men- 
 tioned penitence, patience, thankfulness, a thought- 
 ful frame of mind, watchfulness against sin, weaning 
 from the world, activity in faith, affection in prayer, 
 a spirit of compliance with God's word, compassion 
 to our brethren, love to Jesus Christ, and longing 
 for heaven. How can we help loving Christ," 
 said he, " when we find his ffrace working in us ; 
 his comforts delighting our souls ; his blood a heal- 
 ing balm, a reviving cordial ! And as to heaven, we 
 
198 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 have crosses in our way that vre may tcisk for it. 
 Stormy weather makes the harbor desirable." 
 
 He compared murmuring to squeezing wormwood 
 into the bitter cup. 
 
 In his estimate of afflictions he took a wide range ; 
 and noticed sometimes the condition of the Psalmist, 
 as fully descriptive of the circumstances of the peo- 
 ple of God in general. They are " plagued and 
 chastened " — not lightly touched, but plagued — with 
 strokes sharp and heavy. And he observed, that 
 the word chasten had reference to offences, to faults 
 committed, which consideration should silence all 
 complaints. 
 
 He recommended afflicted persons to search ear- 
 nestly after the procuring cause, for " the particular 
 sin, the Achan that troubles the camp, the Jonah 
 that raises the storm. See," he said, "if the afflic- 
 tion have not the inscription of the crime over it ; 
 and if you cannot find out the particular sin, do as 
 Herod did by the infants — destroy all. This will 
 answer the end." 
 
 To guard against improper inferences from an 
 afflicted condition, particularly in cases where indi- 
 gence was associated with affliction, he would ob- 
 serve, citing Eccles. 9:1, 2, that "divine love is 
 not to be inferred from adversity any more than 
 from prosperity. A man may live a miserable life 
 in this world, and yet live a much more miserable 
 one in the other. Those who have nothing else to 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 199 
 
 sliow for their hope of heaven but their afflictions, 
 deceive themselves. God needs not raake any man 
 happy in the other world, to make him amends for 
 wrong done to him in this." Nevertheless, he re- 
 marked, " Afflictions are good tokens ; signs that 
 God has not left us ; that his Spirit has not done 
 striving with us ; and, when sanctified, they are 
 tokens of God's love." 
 
 Mr. Henry was no stranger himself to the truth 
 of an observation once made by his revered father, 
 when recovering from sickness : namely, this, " Six 
 things are a salve for every sore — Christ, a good 
 conscience, the promises, patience, prayer, and 
 heaven in foretaste." 
 
 At a time when Mr. Henry was seized with vio- 
 lent pain, which " presently grew extreme, and con- 
 tinued all the afternoon without the least intermis- 
 sion or remission," he writes — and it excellently 
 shows the habitual composure of his spirit under 
 sorrow — " I bless God I had much inward comfort, 
 calling upon him, and applying the promises ; and 
 he supported me. My friends visited me, and sym- 
 pathized with me, for which I bless God. But the 
 ffi-eat support is, that Christ bore our sicknesses ; so 
 that there is no sting in them. 0 that tribulation 
 might work patience." 
 
 In sufferings of another kind, also, he manifested 
 the same happy state of mind. When maligned 
 and reproached, he aspired, with intense solicitude. 
 
200 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 after meekness and patience ; and instead of render- 
 ing evil for evil, requited it with good ; ever seeking 
 to improve such occurrences for his own advance- 
 ment in Christian virtue. How pleasant it is," he 
 would say, "to have the bird in the bosom sing 
 sweet." 
 
 Mr. Henry's piety towards God, and his devo- 
 tional habits, formed the basis of his exalted char- 
 acter, and of his eminent attainments. He pre- 
 scribed rules alike for his own guidance and for the 
 instruction of others, which are well worthy of study 
 and attention. They are as follows : 
 
 " 1. We should mind that first and most, which 
 is most needful. It is not needful that we be rich 
 and great in the world, but it is needful that we 
 should have the favor of God, an interest in Christ, 
 and a new nature. 
 
 2. We should serve and please him by whom 
 we live, and without whom we cannot subsist. Of 
 two evils, the least is to be chosen ; we should, 
 therefore, choose affliction rather than iniquity. 
 
 "3. Great pains are well bestowed where great 
 gains are expected. And do we not look for a king- 
 dom which cannot be moved ? When we grow dull, 
 and slothful, and indifferent, think — Do I work now 
 as one that is working for heaven ? Is this running, 
 striving, wrestling ? 
 
 "4. It is good to be sure in matters of conse- 
 quence ; great things should not be left at uncer- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEXRY. 
 
 201 
 
 tainties. And when our precious souls are at stake, 
 should we not make sure work ? build upon a rock ? 
 
 " 5. We should provide most carefully for that 
 state which is to be of the longest continuance. We 
 know and believe we must be someiohere for ever ; 
 and reason teaches us to lay up in store for the 
 *time to come.' We all profess to believe the 'life 
 everlasting,' but do we indeed believe it? There is 
 more of practical atheism, deism, infidelity, and 
 sadduceeism, among us than we are aware of. 
 
 " 6. We should be concerned to do that at the 
 present time, which must be done sometime, or we 
 are undone to all eternity." 
 
 To the practice of prayer Mr. Henry unceasingly 
 addicted himself ; and he thanked God for the 
 frequent occasions he had for the exercise of this 
 sweet and precious duty." "I love prayer," said 
 he. " It is that which buckles on all the Christian's 
 armor." On this topic he said, " 0 that in it I 
 might be inward with God. What incomes of 
 grace, and peace, and glory, yea, and outward 
 good things, as far as they are indeed good for us, 
 have we by our access to God in Christ. Such have 
 a companion ready in all their solitudes ; a counsel- 
 lor in all their doubts ; a comforter in all their sor- 
 rows ; a supply in all their wants ; a support under 
 all their burdens ; a shelter in all their dangers ; 
 strength for all their performances ; and salvation 
 insured by a sweet and undeceiving earnest. What 
 
202 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 is heaven but an everlasting access to God ? And 
 present access to him is a pledge of it." 
 
 In Mr. Henry's case, no journey was undertaken, 
 nor any subject or course of sermons entered upon ; 
 no book committed to the press, nor any trouble 
 apprehended, or felt, without a particular applica- 
 tion to the mercy-seat for direction, assistance, and 
 success. It was his joy that the throne of grace 
 is always open. " I would not," said he — and he 
 was in distressing circumstances when the remark 
 was made — " I would not bring the cares of my 
 family into the mount of communion with God, to 
 distract me there ; yet I have leave to bring them 
 to present them before the Lord, and to leave them 
 with him ; and with him I have left them." In a 
 letter to one of his friends, he said, *' If there be 
 any comfort in this troublesome world, it is in com- 
 munion with God by the word and prayer. There 
 we may have sweet foretastes of the pleasures of 
 the everlasting rest." 
 
 When speaking of closet- prayer, he advised that 
 care be taken against indulging in any vain-glorious 
 humor. " Shut the door," said he, lest the wind 
 of hypocrisy blow in at it." And he gave it as 
 his settled and deliberate judgment, that if secret 
 prayer be either neglected or negligently performed, 
 the power of godliness will wither and decline. 
 
 Mr. Henry abounded in holy meditation. And 
 his estimate of the influence of that duty upon the 
 
FEV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 203 
 
 Christian life is evident from the earnestness with 
 which he pressed Christians to its performance. 
 *'Take a walk," was his counsel, ''every day, by- 
 faith and meditation, to mount Calvary. There is 
 nothing like it." 
 
 Adopting, as an axiom, the saying of his excel- 
 lent father, that " all who would go to heaven when 
 they die, must begin their heaven while they live," 
 he recommended frequent contemplation upon that 
 inconceivable state. "Dwell upon it," he would 
 say, " in your thoughts ; set time apart to do so. 
 Look at the things which are not seen. All we do 
 we should do with a design for heaven : pray, and 
 hear, and talk, and walk, and live, and all for eter- 
 nal life. Christians are heirs of salvation. And 
 how doth a young heir please himself with the 
 thoughts of his inheritance." Sometimes he pro- 
 posed such incfuiries as these : " When are you 
 accustomed to think upon the heavenly happiness ? 
 What room has it in your thoughts ? What walks 
 do you take into the holy city ? 0 get a scripture- 
 map of the New Jerusalem, and study it well." 
 
 A distinguishing feature of Mr. Henry's charac- 
 ter, and one which essentially promoted its spiritual 
 maturity, was the habit which he indulged of making 
 a wise observation of the conduct of Providence. 
 It was his opinion that much of the life of relig- 
 ion " lies in holy adorings of God, "which," said 
 he, " must be excited, and cherished, and furnished 
 
204 
 
 MEMOIR OF 1 HE 
 
 wilh matter, by our remarks upon his pro\-idence — 
 for strengthening our faith — for our direction in 
 prayer — for our instruction in the ordering of our 
 conversations." 
 
 He sometimes noticed the " abundant sweetness " 
 it imparts to " any mercy, to see it growing upon 
 the root of a promise." And he observed, that " the 
 good things of the sjiints are not dispensed out of 
 the basket of common providence, but out of the 
 ark of the covenant." By this habit of mind, he 
 was led, in all circumstances, to cherish hope ; a 
 duty much pressed in Scripture. "It is reckoned," 
 said he, "among a growing Christian's comforts, 
 Rom. 5:1, 4, and it hath no less a place among 
 a growing Christian's graces." 
 
 And hence his adnce to all believers was, "Hope 
 in God. Trust him as to all your outward concerns. 
 Live a life of dependence upon him ; upon his wis- 
 dom, power, goodness, and promise. Take but the 
 exhortations of one psalm : it is the 37th. Be satis- 
 fied that really all is well, and shortly it will appear 
 well which he doeth. Be careful, principally, about 
 dutyT "Shall I," he inquires, "trust God with 
 my soul, and shall I not trust him with every thing 
 else ? Shall I trust him for a heaven hereafter, and 
 shall I not trust him for pro^-ision in the way to it ?" 
 
 Mr. Henry honored the holy Sabbath. He styled 
 it not only " a day of rest, but a day of work ; the 
 work which they do who enter into the everlasting 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 205 
 
 rest." And his advice as to the performance of its 
 social and pubHc duties was in full accordance. 
 " Keep close," he said, " to the God of grace. Or- 
 dinances are the golden pipes by which the oil of 
 grace is conveyed. That holy oil keeps the lamp of 
 hope burning ; therefore David desires to dwell in 
 the house of the Lord all the days of his life. Let 
 sanctuary privileges make you long to be within the 
 veil." 
 
 Commemorating the twentieth anniversary of his 
 second marriage, he noticed that he and Mrs. Henry 
 had enjoyed together a thousand Sabbaths ; and he 
 testified that they were the most comfortable of their 
 days. 
 
 He uniformly maintained that the design of the 
 Sabbath is " holiness ; a distinction between that 
 which is common and that which is sacred ; that it 
 is a divine institution, and not a human invention ; 
 that it is God's time, and not our own ; that the 
 whole day is holy to the Lord, and not church-time 
 only ; that God is jealous concerning his Sabbaths ; 
 and that care to sanctify them is a part of the char- 
 acter of a good Christian." 
 
 " Prepare for the Sabbath before it comes. Re- 
 member it. We read in the Gospel of the prepara- 
 tion — that is, the day before the Sabbath. 
 
 "See that nothing be done on the Lord's day 
 which might as well have been done the day before. 
 God is gracious in his allowances ; let us not abuse 
 
206 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 our liberty. You cannot expect things should fall 
 as it were to be desired they should, unless you 
 contrive them. Review the six days' work as God 
 did. You will find all very bad. Renew repent- 
 ance. * I w^ill wash my hands in innocency ; so will 
 I compass thine altar, 0 Lord.' 
 
 " Begin the day with good thoughts ; w^ake with 
 God ; bid the Sabbath welcome ; go forth to meet 
 it ; think of Christ's resurrection ; think of his wak- 
 ing earli/ in the morning. 
 
 " Set God before you in all your Sabbath work. 
 Do it as unto the Lord. See his eye upon you, and 
 let your eye be upon him. It is the Sabbath of the 
 Lord your God ; from him you are to hear ; to him 
 you are to speak ; it is he with whom you have to 
 do every day, especially this day. 
 
 " Fill up Sabbath time with duty. Be good hus- 
 bands of it. Redeem it — lose no part of it — it is 
 all precious. Instruct your families in the things 
 of God. You would not starve their bodies, do not 
 starve their souls. Pray with them. Let them not 
 be doing your work when they should be doing- 
 God's, further than necessity requires. By mild and 
 gentle reproofs restrain them as much as possible 
 from that which is evil. Let there be a manifest 
 difference between that day and other days in your 
 houses. Go from one duty to another as a bee from 
 flower to flower. Remember the nature of the work, 
 the necessity and excellency of it. Sabbaths come 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 au7 
 
 but seldom ; therefore be busy. Let all that is 
 within you be at work, like all hands on a harvest- 
 day ; attend to secret, family, and public ordinances. 
 Be more mild than on other days. Show that you 
 have laid by the world. Keep it holy by employ- 
 ing it in holy work, or else you keep the Sabbath no 
 better than the brutes for they rest. Holy work is 
 to be done every day, but on this day it must^ be 
 the work of the day. 
 
 " Do common actions on that day after a godly 
 sort. Feed the body that it may be fit to serve the 
 soul. Take care it be not w?zfitted. Eat and drink 
 as those who must pray again. Works of necessity 
 must be done with a Sabbath frame of heart. Pray 
 against that which may take you off from your Sab- 
 bath work. Remember Christ allows us to do ffood 
 on the Sabbath-day. 
 
 " Be much in praise. Rejoice in the resurrection 
 of Christ. Sing psalms. 
 
 Carry the Sabbath with you into the week. 
 Let it relish with all your converse. You have 
 many thoughts of the world on Sabbath-days, have 
 as many thoughts of God on week-days. 
 
 Every Sabbath-day think much of heaven. 
 Have it in your mind — have it in your eye. That is 
 the general assembly. Get ready for it." 
 
208 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 His commencement of the Exposition — List of its continua- 
 tors — Remarks made in his diary during the progress of 
 commenting — Opinions of worthy divines concerning the 
 Commentary — Mr. Henry's superlative attachment to the 
 Bible. 
 
 Mr. Henry was a voluminous writer, A large 
 quarto volume, containing his miscellaneous works, 
 forms a noble monument of his piety and industry. 
 But the great work to which his studies and pur- 
 suits had, for many years, been chiefly directed, and 
 that upon which his fame chiefly rests, is " An Ex- 
 position of the Old and New Testament: wherein 
 each chapter is summed up in its contents ; the 
 sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs ; 
 each paragraph reduced to its proper heads ; the 
 sense given, and largely illustrated ; with practical 
 remarks and observations," This work was begun 
 in the latter part of the year 1704, The following 
 is his own brief account of the commencement of 
 this work, from Mr. Henry's diary, 
 
 November 12, 1704, This night, after many 
 thoughts of heart, and many prayers concerning it, 
 I began my Notes on the Old Testament. It is not 
 likely I should live to finish it, or if I should, that 
 it should be of pubhc service, for I am not par ne- 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 209 
 
 gotio, [equal to the undertaking ;] yet in the strength 
 of God, and I hopfe with a single eye to his glory, 
 I set about it, that I may endeavor something, and 
 spend my time to some good purpose ; and let the 
 Lord make what use he pleaseth of me. I go about 
 it with fear and trembling, lest I exercise myself in 
 things too high for me, etc. The Lord help me to 
 set about it with great humility." 
 
 The good man's remark, that he might not live to 
 finish the great work which he thus piously com- 
 menced, proved, ultimately, to be but too prophetic. 
 Dr. Watts, in his copy of the Exposition, upon a 
 blank leaf at the beginning of the last volume, 
 wrote the following statement : 
 
 " The Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry, before his 
 death, had made some small preparations for this 
 last volume. The epistle to the Romans, indeed, was 
 explained so largely by his own hand, that it needed 
 only the labor of epitomizing. Some parts of the 
 other epistles were done, but very imperfectly, by 
 himself ; and a few other hints had been taken in 
 shorthand from his public and private expositions 
 on some of the epistles. 
 
 " By these assistances, the ministers whose names 
 are here written, have endeavored to complete this 
 work in the style and method of the author : viz. 
 
 Romans, .... Mr. [afterwards Dr.] John Evans. 
 1 Corinthians, . Mr. Simon Browne. 
 
 14 
 
 Matthew Henry. 
 
210 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 2 Corinthians, . 
 Galatians, . 
 Ephesians, . . 
 Philippians, 
 Colossians, . . 
 
 1 Thessalonians, 
 
 2 Thessalonians, 
 
 1 Timothy, 
 
 2 Timothy, . 
 Titus, . . 
 Philemon, 
 Hebrews, . 
 James, . . 
 
 1 Peter, . 
 
 2 Peter, . , 
 1, 2, and 3 John, 
 Jude, . . . 
 Revelations, 
 
 Mr. Daniel Mayo. 
 Mr. Joshua Bayes. 
 Mr. Samuel Rosewell. 
 
 Mr. [afterwards Dr.] William Harris. 
 ^ Mr. Daniel Mayo. 
 I Mr. Benjamin Andrews Atkinson. 
 
 Mr. Jeremiah Smith. 
 
 Mr. William Tong. 
 Mr. William Wright. 
 Mr. Zech. Merrill. 
 Mr. Joseph Hill. 
 
 Mr. John Reynolds, of Shrewsbury. 
 
 Mr. John Billingsley. 
 Mr. William Toner." 
 
 This list is preserved here, as well to show to 
 posterity to whom they are indebted for the por- 
 tions of Henry's Bible which he himself did not live 
 to finish, as to give the reader a clearer idea than 
 he would perhaps be disposed otherwise to enter- 
 tain of the vast labor which Mr. Henry himself 
 performed, in producing in the course of ten years 
 the five volumes which he lived to complete, besides 
 discharging, at the same time, the ordinary duties 
 of a Christian pastor. 
 
 A few extracts from his diary, respecting the prog- 
 ress of the work, can scarcely fail to interest every 
 reader of these pages. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HEMlY. 
 
 211 
 
 "July 19, 1705. Through the good hand of my 
 God upon me, I have finished Genesis. The Lord 
 still go on with me. 
 
 "September 14. Studied in Exodus 21. I am 
 now come to the less pleasant part of the Mosaic 
 writings ; but thanks be to God, all Scripture is 
 profitable. 
 
 "XovEMBER 30. Leviticus 16. 0 that I may- 
 find Christ in the Old Testament, and may be led 
 into the mystery of godliness. God was manifested 
 by degrees. 
 
 "December 31. I have pleasure in my study ; 
 for which I praise my God. Having obtained help 
 from him, I go on with much comfort to myself in 
 my Xotes on the Pentateuch. Whether ever they 
 will be of use to any other, and be accepted, He 
 only knows who knows the hearts of all the children 
 of men. 
 
 "August 18, 1*706. I almost finished Deuterono- 
 my 34, It is about a year and nine months since 
 I began with Genesis. Blessed be God who has 
 helped me. I have written it with a great deal of 
 pleasure, but ray thoughts of publishing have been 
 with fear and trembling. 
 
 "August 20. I finished the review of Deuter- 
 onomy, and thanked God for his assistance; ashamed 
 of my own defects and follies. The Lord grant 
 they may not be a prejudice to my design, which is, 
 to contribute something as a servant to that great 
 
212 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 divine intention — to magnify the law, and make it 
 honorable, 
 
 September 9. Read eighteen or twenty sheets 
 on Genesis, to mark the errata. I have reason to 
 be ashamed of my own errata. 
 
 " September 23. Studied in the preface. 
 
 " September 24. Went on with the preface, in 
 which I desired that every word should be a true 
 copy of my heart. 
 
 "September 27. Studied, preparing to begin 
 Joshua in the strength of God. 
 
 "November 12. This evening I received the 
 last of the sheets on the Pentateuch, and in them 
 the epistle of Mr. Shower and Mr. Tong, which I 
 knew not of, nor ever mentioned, or thought of, till 
 I heard from Mr. Parkhurst [the printer] that they 
 had prefixed it. 
 
 "November 21. This evening I received a par- 
 cel of the Exposition of the Pentateuch. I desire 
 to bless God that has given me to see it finished. I 
 had comfort from that promise, Thou shalt find favor 
 and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 
 
 " December 31. I, who am unworthy to be em- 
 ployed for God at all, have been enabled, by his 
 free grace, to finish and publish this year the Ex- 
 position of the Pentateuch, with some hope of its 
 being serviceable to the church of God. The glory 
 of which I desire to give entirely to God. I have 
 nothing in it to boast of. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 213 
 
 "August 21, 1V07. Finished 2 Samuel. Blessed 
 be God, who has carried me on thus far, and makes 
 my work my delight. 
 
 "September 10. Finished the reading over of 
 my Exposition to the end of 2 Samuel. I have cause 
 to be ashamed of my own defects, and thankful for 
 the grace of God : the more we do for God, the 
 more we are indebted to him ; for of thine own, 
 Lord, have we given thee. 
 
 "September 11. I sent up, this day, my Expo- 
 sition to the end of 2 Samuel, in sixty-eight sheets ; 
 having first offered it to God and to his service, and 
 prayed over it, and every leaf in it, as an answer to 
 prayer. 
 
 "November 17. 2 Kings 11, to v. 16. I find 
 that just here Peter Martyn was in his learned Ex- 
 positions when he fell sick and died. Lord, my 
 times are in thy hand. 
 
 "June 1, 1708. After earnest prayers to God 
 for his presence, I this morning began the third vol- 
 ume of Expositions : did the argument of the book 
 of Job. 
 
 "January 25, 1709. Psalms 26 and 27. A let- 
 ter from one Mr. Samuel Bere, unknown, dated from 
 Exeter, owning good got by my Exposition, and 
 encouraging me to proceed, for which I praise my 
 God. It is an encouragement to me to continue 
 here," alluding to his invitations to London; "for 
 what reason have I to think that I should be more 
 
214 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 useful than I am, -when God has been pleased to 
 make me so much more useful than I am worthy 
 to be? 
 
 " December 2*7. Finished the review of Proverbs. 
 The Lord write in my heart all these lessons of 
 wisdom. 
 
 "December 31, 17X0. And now, through the 
 good hand of my God upon me, I am brought to the 
 end of another year. It has been a year of much 
 mercy : the coming out of the third volume, and the 
 Method for Prayer, for which I desire to bless God, 
 and give him all the glory of both ; for what am I ? 
 I have reason to be ashamed of myself that I have 
 not done my work better. 
 
 "January 1, 1711. What work I have to do 
 for thee, O God, this year, I depend upon tliy grace 
 thoroughly to furnish me for it, and to work all my 
 works in me, particularly to assist me in the great 
 work of my Expositions, that I may write nothing 
 that is frivolous, or foreign, or foolish, or flat, that 
 may give just offence, or lead any into mistakes ; 
 but that all may be clear, and pertinent, and affect- 
 ing ; that I may find out genuine expositions, useful 
 observations, profitable matter, and acceptable words, 
 if it shall please God to spare me to go on with it. 
 
 "January 6. Finished Isaiah, through God's 
 goodness. 0 that I might retain the tincture of it. 
 
 " September 29. Ezekiel 21. The excellent Cal- 
 vin died at the end of his expounding Ezekiel 20. 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 215 
 
 "May 3, 1712. Malacbi 4. Through the good 
 hand of God, I have this day finished the Exposition 
 of the Old Testament. Blessed be God. 
 
 "December 12, 1713. Began Acts, having first 
 made an errand to the throne of grace for assistance. 
 
 "April 17, 1714. Finished Acts, and with it 
 the fifth volume. Blessed be God that has helped 
 me, and spared me. All praise be to God." 
 
 Surely, no one now in possession of Mr. Henry's 
 valuable commentary can fail to have his estimation 
 of it increased from the knowledge of the fact which 
 the preceding extracts from his diary demonstrate; 
 namely, that it was a work preceded, accompanied, 
 followed, and pervaded with prayer. And is it not 
 reasonable to hope, that many now destitute of this 
 great work, will speedily obtain it, and avail them- 
 selves of its wise and holy instructions ? 
 
 It would be easy to adduce numerous approving 
 testimonies to the " Exposition," were not the ne- 
 cessity to do so superseded by the high estimate in 
 which it is so universally held. ^ 
 
 Mr. Tong remarked, that "As long as the Bible 
 continues in England, Mr. Henry's admirable ' Ex- 
 positions ' will be prized by all serious Christians. 
 In them his clear head, his warm heart, his life, his 
 eoul appears. While seriously perusing those excel- 
 lent books, besides many others which he published, 
 rou will seem to yourselves to have Mr. Henry still 
 tvith you." 
 
216 
 
 MEMOIR OF THE 
 
 Another writer, Mr. Buraham, says, ''Mr. Henry's 
 admirable commentary on the Scriptures, which hath 
 been blessed to the instruction and edification of 
 hundreds of ministers, and thousands of Christians, 
 for more than a century, still maintains its reputa- 
 tion, above most, if not all other commentaries." 
 
 " I could wish," says Dr. Watts, " young minis- 
 ters in the country might be allowed by their peo- 
 ple to read a part of Mr. Henry's Exposition of the 
 Bible, or repeat a sermon from some good author, 
 one part of the Lord's day." 
 
 Dr. Doddridge observed, that "Mr. Henry is, 
 perhaps, the only commentator, so large, that de- 
 serves to be entirely and attentively read through. 
 The remarkable passages should be marked. There 
 is much to be learned in a speculative, and still more 
 in a practical way." 
 
 The good, but eccentric Mr. Ryland of Northamp- 
 ton, was of opinion, that "it is impossible for a per- 
 son of piety and taste to read the Exposition of Mr. 
 Henry, without wishing to be shut out from all the 
 world to read it through without one moment's in- 
 terruption." 
 
 The venerable and Rev. W. Romaine, in a prefa- 
 tory recommendation to a folio edition, published in 
 1761, asserted that "there is no comment upon the 
 Bible, either ancient or modern, in all respects equal 
 to Mr. Henry's." 
 
 " Our young preachers," said the late revered 
 
REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 217 
 
 Dr. Edward Williams, "would do well to read with 
 devotion and care those parts of Mr. Matthew Hen- 
 ry's practical and incomparable Exposition which 
 relate to the subject they would preach upon." 
 
 Other competent judges have observed, with equal 
 enthusiasm and accuracy, that *' the learned leisure 
 of the universities, or the sanctioned names of dig- 
 nitaries, may have produced works which rank high- 
 er in the esteem of scholars ; but Matthew Henry- 
 stands without a rival as an expositor of Scripture, 
 for the edification of the church of God." 
 
 Nor is it feeble praise that the apostolic White- 
 field, whose labors and virtues inspired even the pen 
 of Cowper, was trained, as a Christian and a preach- 
 er, by Mr. Henry's commentary ; that he literally 
 studied it on his knees ; read it through four times ; 
 and to the close of life spoke of its author with pro- 
 found veneration ; ever calling him the great Mr. 
 Henry. 
 
 The lustre of Mr. Henry's qualifications as a min- 
 ister and author was preeminently derived from his 
 superlative attachment to the Bible. We will close 
 these pages with a few of his own remarks in which 
 this attachment is conspicuous. 
 
 "Let us," he said, "acquaint ourselves with the 
 sweetness that is in the word of God ; and let it be 
 sweet to us. Get a new nature, spiritual senses ex- 
 ercised. Let the objects of faith be real. 0 taste 
 that the Lord is gracious. Learn to draw sweetness 
 
218 
 
 MEMOIR OF REV. MATTHEW HENRY. 
 
 from a promise. Let us value the written word as 
 the ark of the testament. Many reckon their Bibles 
 only according to the price they cost them ; as if 
 the ark was worth no more than the gold with which 
 it was overlaid. Let us lay up our Bibles as our 
 treasure ; as the Israelites did the ark in the Holy 
 of hohes. Let us lay them up in our hearts. Wher- 
 ever we go, let us take the word of God with us. 
 The Israelites, in their march through the wilderness, 
 acted thus with the ark. Let it dwell in us 'richly.' 
 Follow it. * When ye see the ark of the covenant 
 of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites 
 bearing it, then shall ye remove from your place, 
 and go after it.' Call the Bible your glory, and 
 dread its removal. Phinehas' wife, when the ark 
 was taken, named her child Ichabod — the glory is 
 departed. Part with all rather than your Bibles. 
 Suffer not the spiritual Philistines to rob you. Upon 
 all occasions consult those lively oracles ; and, as 
 Moses received from over the ark his orders and 
 instructions, so take your measures by the written 
 word. Be governed by it. Covet, as David did 
 the ark, to have it near you." 
 
PUBLICATIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY. 
 
 These works are not exceeded in high evangelical charac- 
 ter, spiritual power, and practical worth, by any spiritual col- 
 lection in any language. They have been carefully selected 
 for the great body of intelligent readers throughout the coun- 
 try, and the most watchful parent may supply them to his fam- 
 ily or to others, not only with safety to their best and eternal 
 interests, but with hope of the richest spiritual blessings. 
 
 D'Aubigse's History of the Re- 
 formation. A new translation, 
 revised l>v the author, in four vol- 
 umes l2mo with portraits. Price 
 SI T.5 e.xtra cloth. 
 
 Baxtkr's Saints' Everlasting 
 Rest, 12mo, in large type ; also 
 18mo. 
 
 Busyan's Pilgrim's Progress, 
 r2ino, in large type, and l8mo. Both 
 editions neatly illustrated. 
 
 Jay's Morning Exercises. 
 
 Mason's r«piRiTCAL Treascry, for 
 every day in the year. Terse, pithy, 
 and evangelical. 
 
 Flavel's Fountain of Life, or Re- 
 demption procidvd. 
 
 Fl.*.vel's Method of Grace, or Re- 
 demption applied to the Souls of 
 Men. 
 
 Bishop Hall's Scripture Histo- 
 ry, or Contemplations on the His-| 
 torical Passages of the Old and New 
 Testaments. 
 
 Bishop Hopkins on the Ten Com- 
 mandments. Two standard works 
 of the times of Baxter. 
 
 President Edwards' Thocqhts 
 ON Revivals. 
 
 Venn's Complete Duty of Man. | 
 
 Owen on Forgiveness, or Psalm 
 cxxx. I 
 
 Gregory's (OuNTHcg, LL.D.) Ev-| 
 
 IDKNCE8 OF ChRISTIASITY. I 
 
 Paley's Natural Theology. 
 Dr. Spring's Bible not of Man, 
 or the .Argument for the Divine 
 Origin of the Scriptures drawn 
 from the Scriptures themselves. 
 Nelson's Cause and Cure of In- 
 fidelity. 
 Memoir of Mrs. Isabella Gra- 
 ha.m. a new and standard edi- 
 tion. 
 
 Me.moir of Mrs. Sarah L Hunt- 
 ington Smith. 
 Sacred Songs for Family and 
 Social Worship. Hymns and 
 Tunes— with a separate edition in 
 patent notes. Also, the Hymns 
 separately. 
 Doddridge's Rise and Progress 
 
 OF Religion in the Soul. 
 Edwards' History of Redemp- 
 tion. 
 
 I VoLu.ME ON Infidelity, comprising 
 five standard treatises : Soame Jen- 
 yns on the Internal Evidence ; Les- 
 lie's Method with Deists ; Little- 
 ton's Conversion of Paul ; Watson's 
 Reply to Gibbon and Paine. 
 Pike s Persuasives to Early Pi- 
 ety. 
 
 I Pike's Guide to Youno Disciples. 
 j Anecdotes for the Family and 
 I THE Social Circle. , 
 
 |U.N1VER9ALI3M not OF GoD. 
 
 iDibblk'9 Thocohts on Missions. 
 
2 
 
 ELEGANT PRACTICAL WORKS. 
 
 Wilbkrforce's Practical View. 
 Hannah Mork's Practical Piety. 
 Jamks' Anxious Inquirer. 
 Jay's Christian (Contemplated. 
 Elijah the Tishbite. 
 Nevins' Practical Thoughts. 
 Melvill's Bible Thoughts, se- 
 lected by late Rev. Dr. Milnor. 
 
 Harris' Mammon. 
 Gurney's Love to God. 
 Foster's Appeal to the Youno- 
 Abbott's Young Christian. 
 Abbott's Mother at Home. 
 Abbott's Child at Home. 
 James' Young Man from Home. 
 
 CHRISTIAN MEMOIRS. 
 
 Rev. Claudius Buchanan, LL.D., 
 including his Christian Researches 
 in Asia. 
 
 Rev. John Newton. 
 
 Rev. Henry Martyn. 
 
 Rev. David Bhainerd. 
 
 Rev. Edward Payson, D. D. 
 
 Harriet L. Winslow, Missionary 
 in India. 
 
 James Braimerd Taylor. 
 
 Harlan Page. 
 
 Normand Smith. 
 
 Richard Baxter. 
 
 Archbishop Leiqhton. 
 
 Matthew Henry. 
 
 Rev. C. F. Schwartz, Missionary 
 
 to India. 
 Rev. Samuel Pearck. 
 Rev. Sami'el Kilpin. 
 Hannah Hobbie. 
 
 OTHER SPIRITUAL WORKS. 
 
 Edwards on the Affections. 
 Baxter's Call to the Uncon- 
 verted. 
 
 Alleine's Alarm to the Uncon- 
 verted. 
 Flavel's Touchstone. 
 Flavel on Keeping the Heart. 
 Helffenstein's Self-Deception. 
 Pike's Rkliq. and Eternal Life. 
 
 Sherman's Guide to an Acquaint- 
 ance with God. 
 
 Baxter's Dying Thoughts. 
 
 Matthew Henry on Meekness. 
 
 Andrew Fuller's Backslider. 
 
 Scudder's Redeemer's Last Com- 
 mand. 
 
 Scudder's Appeal to Mothers. 
 Burder's Sermons to the Aued« 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS WORKS. 
 
 Bogue's Evidences of < 'HRIst'y. 
 Keith's Evidence of Prophecy. 
 Morison's Counsels to Young 
 Men. 
 
 The Reformation in Europe. 
 Nevins' Thoughts on Popery. 
 Spirit of Popery, [with 12 engs.] 
 
 The Colporteur and Roman Ca- 
 tholic. 
 
 Mason on Self-Knowledge. 
 
 Beecher on Intemperance. 
 
 Raising of Lazarus from th« 
 Dead. 
 
 Hymns for Social Worship. 
 
 POCKET MANUALS. 
 
 Clarke's Scripture Promises. 
 The Book of Psalms. 
 The Book of Proverbs. 
 Daily Scripture Expositor. 
 Gems of Sacred Poetry. 
 Bean and Venn's Advice to 
 if. Married Couple. 
 Reasons of Repose. 
 Daily Food for Christians. 
 
 Heavenly Manna. 
 
 Cecil and Flavel's Gift for 
 
 Mourners. 
 Daily Texts. 
 
 Diary, [Daily Texts interleaved.] 
 Crumbs from thb AL^-STer's Ta- 
 ble. 
 
 Milk for Babes. 
 Devz-Drops. 
 
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG. 
 
 3 
 
 MANY OF THEM BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 Galladdkt's Script. Biography, 
 
 7 vols., from Adam to David. 
 Galladdkt's Youth's Boos or 
 
 Natural Thkology. 
 Child's Book on Repentance. 
 Peep of Day. 
 I-iNE UPON Line. 
 Precept upon Precept. 
 Amelia, THE Pastor's Daughter. 
 Trees, Fruits, and Flowers of 
 
 the Bible, [9 cuts.] 
 Elizabeth Bales. By John Angell 
 
 James. 
 Emily Maria. 
 
 Newton's Letters to an Adopt- 
 ed Daughter. 
 Child's Book on the Sabbath. 
 Nathan W. Dickerman. 
 Mary Lothrop. 
 John Mooney Mead. 
 
 I Henry Obookiah. 
 
 Caroline Hyde. 
 
 Gallaudet's Life of Josiah. 
 I The Dairyman's Daughter, etc. 
 
 Charles L. Winslow. 
 
 Withered Branch Revived. 
 
 Peet's Scripture Lessons. 
 
 Child's Book of Bible Stories. 
 j Children of the Bible. 
 I Amos Armfield, or the Leather- 
 I covered Bible. 
 
 .The Child's Hymn-Book. Select- 
 ed by Miss Caulkins. 
 Scripture Animals, [16 cuts.] 
 .Letters to Little Childrin, 
 
 I [13 cuts.] 
 
 [Pictorial Tract Primer. 
 
 I Watts' Divine and Moral Songs. 
 
 I With Dumerons similai works. 
 
 ALSO— 
 
 Dr. Edwards* Sabbath Manual, | In German— 31 vols 
 Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. In French— 12 volu 
 
 Dr. Edwahds' Temperance Man- | In Welsh 
 
 UAL. 
 
 various sizes, 
 mes. 
 
 Pilgrim's Progress and 
 Baxter's Saints' ilest and Call. 
 
 Also, upwards of 1,000 Tracts and Children's Tracts, separate, bound, or 
 tn packets, adapted for convenient sale by merchants and traders, many of 
 them with beautiful engravings — in English, German, French, Spanish, Por- 
 tognese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, and Welsh. 
 
 It is the design of the Society to issue all its publications in good type, 
 for the poor as well as the rich ; and to sell them, as nearly as may be, at 
 cost, that the Society may neither sustain loss nor make a profit by all its 
 sales. 
 
Date Due 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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