daughter of Mr. Henry, pronounced the representation in the painting good, but rather too sorrowful. "His eye was meek, and gentle; and a smile To Nicholas Ashton, of Woolton Hall, in the County of Lancaster, Esq., acknowledgments are due, and are thus publickly offered, for the contribution of the picture, from which Mr. Henry's portrait, introduced into this volume, was taken, and of which it is a faithful resemblance. For permission to copy the painting of Mrs. Henry, and also for the communication of the baptismal covenant, from which the fac-simile has most accurately been made, as well as for various useful manuscripts, thanks are respectfully tendered to P. H. Witton, Esq., of the Ravenhurst, near Birmingham, a lineal descendant of Mr. Henry, whose name he bears. The manuscript diaries used on this occasion, in addition to that which is possesssed by the editor, were kindly furnished by his much-respected friend, Joseph Lee, Esq., Redbrook, near Broad Oak; also, by Miss Bunnell, (now Mrs. Lewis,) London; Mrs. Osborn, Worcester; and, through the friendly application of the Rev. J. Robertson, of Stretton-under-Fosse, by Mrs. Bunting, Spratton. To all of whom the editor begs to express his grateful sense of their politeness and liberality. Cowper's Task, book ii. The editor's excellent friend, the Rev. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, is entitled to particular remembrance, not only for the loan of manuscripts, but also for much personal trouble. To the Rev. Thomas Stedman, and Thomas Weaver, Shrewsbury; J. Grundy, Leicester; James Payne, Ipswich; J. E. Good, Salisbury; and John Pearce, Wrexham ;-also, to Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell, Islington, London; Mrs. Kenrick, Wynne Hall, near Wrexham ; Miss Hunt, Exeter; Joshua Wilson, Esq., Highbury Place, Islington, London; Joseph Lee, Junior, Esq., Redbrook Farm, near Broad Oak; Mr. Lewin, Shrewsbury; Mr. Lewis, Wrexham; and Mr. W. Cook, Liverpool; the editor is likewise much indebted for the liberal communication of manuscripts. Mr. Matthew Henry's sermon on the death of his father is now first published from an authentick transcript, obligingly communicated by Mr. Stedman. To the learned and Rev. S. Butler, D. D. Archdeacon of Derby; and also to the Rev. Mr. Archdeacon Owen, and the Rev. J. B. Blakeway, the elegant historians of Shrewsbury, the editor's obligations have been increased, in connexion with the present undertaking, by frequent information, as well as by friendly communications, at all times, from their curious and valuable libraries. * Nor, in this reference to the editor's obligations, can he content himself to omit his esteemed friend, Mr. Chalmers. He is entitled to special acknowledgments, for repeated attentions, which, bestowed, in the midst of laborious avocations, became doubly obliging. *See ante, p. v. Should the engagement result in the correction of but one fatal error,-should it promote the establishment of only one sincere christian,-should it assist in estimating the importance, reality, and necessary effects of primitive piety,—should it aid in a correct judgment of the principles of the non-conformists,* and evince that there is no "connexion between dissent and fanaticism," any more than between Christianity and imposture, should it, therefore, tend to bury unjust censures, and display, with additional clearness, that friendship to monarchy, loyalty to the King, and attachment to the English Constitution, are perfectly compatible with separation from an ecclesiastical establishment, should it, especially, be the means of promoting "living, powerful, religion," which ever disdains the limits of a party,-the editor will regard apology as misplaced, his object will be happily attained, and his toil delightfully rewarded; nor will he regret having devoted to the undertaking, hours which were redeemed from morning slumbers, or stolen from the vacancies of leisure. † The writer cannot dismiss these prefatory remarks, without trespassing upon the reader's patience, by a few hints in reference, more particularly, to the due improvement of biographical compositions. Mr. Henry's character will, thereby, be somewhat illustrated, his predilection for such writings explained, and similar attachments, it may be, excited. It is in the use of means that divine influence, so essential to the vigour * See Dr. Doddridge's Works, vol. 4, p. 201, &c. oct. 1802. ✦ See Lord Bacon, on the Advancement of Learning, p. 10, 4to. 1605. See the Life. Post. p. 235. and very existence of spiritual life, is to be expected; and an increasing recognition of that influence, with earnest desires for its possession, stands in near affinity to the proper observation of its effects. So great and so obvious are the attractions of biography, when brought efficiently to bear upon personal history and individual excellence; and so decidedly is the meed of publick approbation bestowed upon it, that to explain at large, why the lives of wise and good men ought to be perused and esteemed; or, to inquire how it is that they are, in fact, daily read with profit and delight, would be a superfluous discussion. It will suffice to remark, of christian memoirs generally, with an appeal for confirmation to the present volume, that, by illuminating the judgment, by enriching the memory, by elevating the affections, by demonstrating that eminent religious acquirements are attainable, such memorials conduce, in a very high degree, to the best interests of man.* Regulating the love of incident, and stimulating to laudable emulation, they are adapted to give to thoughtful habits a correct tendency, and inquiries, as the narrative proceeds, instead of being instituted for the gratification of curiosity, are associated with self-observance and selfimprovement. Whence, asks the awakened intellect, • It doth us good to read and hear such true, holy, and approved histories, monuments, orations, epistles, and letters, as do set forth unto us the blessed behaviour of God's dear servants. Bishop Coverdale's Address, prefixed to his Letters of the Martyrs; reprinted in "The Fathers of the English Church," vol. 4, p. ix. oct. 1809. + See Mr. Orton's Preface to his Memoirs of Dr. Doddridge, p. vii. ut supra. "One page of Philip Henry's Life," observes an eminent preacher of the present this comparative indifference (as in the case of Mr. Henry) to all things earthly, in the midst of their diligent use, and happiest enjoyment? Wherefore an ardour in the service of Jehovah so vigorous, and unabating? By what process has subjection to his appointments, thus enlightened, and uniform, and acquiescent, been attained? Whence can be derived peace so holy, uprightness so inflexible? Whence springs, and what nourishes, compassion towards transgressors, and affection even for enemies, so tender, and so sincere? To such queries Christianity alone can furnish a satisfactory reply. In accordance with the inspired testimony, a life of faith may thus luminously be demonstrated to be the path of the just, the principle of spiritual animation, and all real virtue. By that sublime grace, significantly designated the evidence of things not seen,-it was, that the admired subject of the ensuing portraiture, beholding him who is invisible, connected all his actions, and all his thoughts, with eternity and with God.* The subject thus exhibited, is both directivet and animating. Mr. Henry's biographer, indeed, has more than once given to the idea due prominence. Nor is it too much to affirm, that the volume, unfolding, with enviable attractiveness, the one thing needful, and the day, "makes me blush more than all the folios of his son Matthew's Peerless Exposition." The Rev. J. A. James's Address at his Brother's Ordination, appended to the Church Member's Guide, p. 231. There is a God. There is a judgment to come. Were these two firmly believed, what a change would it make! Philip Henry, Orig. MS. + Sec Mr. Baxter's Remarks, prefixed to the Life of the Rev. Joseph Alleine, duod. 1672. Introd. p. 4. And, also, Mr. Wilberforce's Practical View, ch. vii. §. 11, pp. 465, 467, ut supra. |