OF THE REV. PHILIP HENRY, A. M. BY THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY, V. D. M. CORRECTED AND ENLARGED BY SIR J. B. WILLIAMS, L. L. D. F. S. A. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, THE PLEASANTNESS OF RELIGION, AND AN ENTIRE SERIES OF SERMONS, (FORTY-ONE IN NUMBER,) ON WHAT CHRIST IS MADE TO BELIEVERS IN FORTY REAL BENEFITS, NOW FIRST PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF THE REV. PHILIP HENRY. PORTRAITS. LONDON: WILLIAM BALL, 34, PATERNOSTER RÓW. MDCCCXXXIX. PREFACE TO THE LIFE OF PHILIP HENRY. In presenting to the public a new edition of the Life of that “wise, good, and truly wonderful man, Mr. Philip Henry," the editor cannot forbear to state, that early and established prepossessions have powerfully concurred in its production. The published work has been long distinguished by special approbation. Sir James Stonhouse designated it his "favourite piece of biography."+ Dr. Doddridge" often spoke of it as affording him much instruction and encouragement." By another writer it is represented, as one of the most instructive and interesting pieces of religious biography ever written." Mr. Chalmers pointedly notices "the piety, Christian moderation, and good sense, which pervade the whole." And, by a late revered friend, Dr. Edward Williams, it is appropriately characterized, " a beautiful delineation of primitive Christianity, and the power of godliness, where social religion and personal holiness are drawn to the life, and eminently manifested; where, in a word, the doctrine of the life of God in the soul of man, derives a striking proof, and a venerable sanction."¶ Judicious friends have repeatedly suggested to the writer, that existing manuscripts might be so selected, and incorporated with the work, as still to increase the estimation of this edifying volume, and have urged him to undertake the service. The materials in his possession, and within his reach, frequently disposed him to comply. Of late, various occurrences have served to engage his attention to it more fixedly, and the supply of numerous relics afforded a stimulus to the undertaking. The whole seemed to form a deposit so favourable to the object, that, if attendant difficulties were not insurmountable, the obligation to publish was rendered imperative. Indeed, had the task been declined, might not the editor have incurred an imputation of selfishness, for improperly hoarding treasure so calculated for general usefulness? These and other considerations determined him to commence the work, and to proceed with it as quickly as constant professional engagements would allow. In the "Entire Collection of Mr. Matthew Henry's Writings,' "** the Life of his Father was inserted. With this exception, the editor is not aware of any genuine edition, since the third, which was published in 1712; improved by the author's final *Life of the Rev. T. Rosewell, p. 20. oct. 1718. + Letters from the Rev. Job Orton, and the Rev. Sir James Stonhouse, Bart. M. D. to the Rev. Thomas Stedman, M. A. Vicar of St. Chad's, Shrewsbury, ed. 1805. vol. 2. p. 300; and see also, vol. 1. p. 171, note. Life, by Orton, p. 63. oct. 1766. Eclectic Review, N. S. vol. 7. p. 273. Gen. Biog. Dict. vol. 17. p. 361. by Alexander Chalmers, F. S. A. Preface to Morrice's Social Religion Exemplified, p. xv. ed. 1786. ** In seven volumes, 4to, 1811. edited by the Rev. George Burder, and the Rev. Joseph Hughes, A. M. A minute detail of the sources whence the new materials have been derived has been deemed unnecessary. Nor has it been thought expedient to distinguish, in every instance, the particular nature of the manuscript resorted to. The diary, in compliance with well-established custom, is uniformly pointed out. A few but immaterial alterations have been made; such as occasional abridgments and transpositions, and the completion of here and there a sentence. Sometimes obsolete words or phrases have been changed or expunged. corrections, and the addition of a sermon, preached by himself, on the death of his honoured mother. A new and valuable, but abridged, republication appeared in 1765, under the superintendence of the Rev. Job Orton. The copy which he used on that occasion, with the alterations in his own hand, being in the possession of Mr. Stedman, through his kindness an opportunity was afforded to the present editor, of noticing the great extent of the variations. It was dedicated,-"To the Descendants and other Relations of Mr. Philip Henry ;" and in the opinion there expressed most readers will concur. "I esteem it," says Mr. Orton, "one of the chief excellences of this book, that it is, as the author hints in his Preface, the history of a person who mani-graphy." In two instances, the one a letter from fested such an eminence of piety, prudence, humility, zeal, and moderation, as would have adorned the highest station, and is scarcely to be equalled. He is, therefore, a suitable and bright example to persons of every rank, as well as an admirable model for the ministers of the gospel." Of the second edition, § of the original work, a re-impression has lately been given by a dignitary of the established church, || Dr. Wordsworth; who, in his Preface, has observed, that "if he could any where have found nonconformity united with more Christian graces than in Philip Henry," the example should have obtained its station in the work. Various other editions, both Scotch and English, more or less inaccurate, might be enumerated, but the supply can furnish no reason for withholding one more correct and enlarged. In general," to prevent any repellent effect, it was thought advisable to adopt the modern ortho Lady Puleston, the other from Mrs. Henry, the original spelling has been retained. Being favoured with nearly the whole of the Life, in Mr. Matthew Henry's hand-writing,¶ the editor has, by collating, been enabled to make such comparisons and additions as to insure uniform accuracy. As to the general plan, much difficulty was felt; but to have made alterations, or to have done otherwise than reprint, would have been to destroy the charm which will ever attend the volume, as a memorial of strict fidelity and filial affection; as distinguished also by an enviable simplicity, and a naïvéte** of expression, in perfect unison with the subject. Objections may arise to such large additions to the original volume, and it may be feared that the * 1711-12, January 22. I began to read over my father's Life, to correct it for the press. Rev. Matthew Henry's Diary, Orig. MS. + The first edition, 1698. Dedication, pp. iv. v. See Mr. Griffin's Sermon on "The Decline of Religion," oct. 1812. p. 68. Mr. Henry's Life is there urgently recommended to ministers. Printed in 1699. I See Ecclesiastical Biography; or Lives of Eminent Men connected with the History of Religion in England, by Christopher Wordsworth, M. A. Dean and Rector of Bocking, (now D. D. and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge,) in 6 vols. oct. 1810. In the possession of Mr. Witton. :- The following notice of the undertaking, in a letter to the Rev. F. Tallents, shows the author's anxious desire of accuracy : "Chester, November 21, 1696. "If this find you, as I trust it will, somewhat revived, let it also acquaint you that I am over-persuaded myself to put together what materials we have of my dear father's life, wherein I shall, as well as I cap, pursue the directions you gave me; when it is done, (and it is not yet begun,) I shall submit it to your censure, and desire you to put a short preface before it. I purpose, in a chapter by itself, to give some very short accounts of his friends and brethren in the ministry, that went to heaven before him, having materials for it out of his own diary; only I do not remember that I met with any thing there concerning Mr. Hildersham of Felton, who yet I know was his great friend. When you are at leisure, I shall be glad to have from you two or three lines concerning him, particularly his age, and the time of his death; and whether he ordered this to be his epitaph, (as I think I have heard,) Here lyes S. H. Minister of Welsh Felton,' till August 24, 1662.” Matthew Henry. Orig. MS. British Museum, fol. No. 4275. Plut. 111. E. Bibl. Birch. ** It was not till after the above paragraph was written, that the editor noticed, in the History of Dissenters, by Messrs. Bogue and Bennett, vol. 2. p. 295. a like statement. The Rev. Master of Trinity College has adopted a different phraseology. He says of the work in question," It abounds somewhat too largely in certain quaintnesses of expression introduced into religious subjects, and affected by the puritanical divines," Eccl. Biog v. 6. p. 109, ut supra. If it be here intended to insinuate, that quaintness of expression was peculiar to the puritans, a query at once presents itself as to Bishops Latimer, and Andrews, and Fell, the poet Herbert, and other eminent episcopalians. See post, p. 214. Were they puritanical divines? And was Sir Edward Coke of the same fraternity? Mr. Justice Blackstone says, "The great oracle was not a little infected with quaintness." Comment. v. 1. Introd. § 3. p. 71. 15th ed. The truth is, that, in those times, to adopt a remark |