A

PREFACE

TO THE

READER.

THAT which we aim at in this undertaking, and which we would set before us at our entrance upon it, is, not so much to embalm the memory of this good man, though that also is blessed, as to exhibit to the world a pattern of that primitive christianity, which all that knew him well observed to be exemplified in him, while he lived; and, when they saw the end of his conversation, as it were, with one consent, desired a publick and lasting account of, or rather demanded it, as a just debt owing to the world, by those into whose hands his papers came, as judging such an account likely to conduce much to the glory of God's grace, and to the edification of many, especially of those that were acquainted with him. He was one whom the Divine Providence did not call out, as neither did his own inclination lead him, to any very publick scene of action. He was none of the forward men of the age, that make themselves talked of. The world scarce knew that there was such a man in it. But, in his low and narrow sphere, he was a burning and shining light; and, therefore, we think his pious example is the more adapted to general usc,' especially, consisting

not in the extacies and raptures of zeal and devotion,-which are looked upon rather as admirable than imitable;-but, in the long series of an even, regular, prudent, and well-ordered conversation, which he had in the world, and in the ordinary business of it, with simplicity and godly sincerity; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God. It hath been said, that quiet and peaceable reigns, though they are the best to live in, yet they are the worst to write of, as yielding least variety of matter for the historian's pen to work upon;-but, a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, being the sum and substance of practical christianity, the recommending of the example of such a life, in the common and familiar instances of it, together with the kind and gracious providences of God attending it, may be, if not as diverting to the curious, yet every whit as useful and instructive to the pious readers. If any suggest, that the design of this attempt is to credit and advance a party, let them know that Mr. Henry was a man of no party, but true catholick christianity, not debauched by bigotry, nor leavened by any private opinions, or interests, was his very temper and genius. According to the excellent and royal laws of this holy religion, his life was led with a strict and conscientious adherence to truth and equity; a great tenderness and inoffensiveness to all mankind; and a mighty tincture of sincere piety and devotedness to God. And, according to those sacred rules, we shall endeavour, in justice to him, as well as to our reader, to represent him in the following account; and, if any thing should drop from our pen, which might justly give offence to any, which we promise industriously to avoid, we desire it may be looked upon as a false stroke; and, so far, not truly representing him, who was so blameless, and harmless, and without rebuke. Much of our materials for this structure we have out of his own papers, especially his diary, for by them his picture may be drawn nearest to the life, and from thence we may take the truest idea of him, and of the spirit he was of. Those notes being intended for his own private use in the review, and never communicated to any person whatsoever; and, appearing here, as they ought to do, in their own native dress, the candid reader will excuse it, if sometimes

See p. 461. And, Tong's Life of the Rev. Matthew Henry, p. 3, ut supra.

the expressions should seem abrupt; they are the genuine, unforced, and unstudied breathings of a gracious soul, and, we hope, will be rather the more acceptable to those, who, through grace, are conscious to themselves of the same devout and pious motions. For, as in water, face answers to face, so doth one sanctified and renewed soul to another; and, as Mr. Baxter observes, in his Preface to Mr. Clark's Lives,*"God's graces are much the same in all his holy ones; and, therefore, we must not think that such instances as these are extraordinary rarities; but God hath in wonderful mercy raised up many, by whose graces even this earth is perfumed and enlightened." But, if one star be allowed to differ from another star in glory, perhaps our reader will say, when he hath gone through the following account, that Mr. Henry may be ranked among those of the first magnitude.

The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons in this Latter Age; in Two Parts; Part I. Of Divines; Part II. Of Nobility and Gentry of both Sexes. By Samuel Clark. Fol. 1683.

POST SCRIPT.

THIS Account of the Life and Death of my honoured father, was first published the year after he died; and, in a little time, there was a second impression of it, in which many considerable errors of the first were amended. It having now been long out of print, and often inquired for, this third edition comes abroad at the request of many who have found this portraiture of a Nathaniel, an Israelite indeed, a genuine son of faithful Jacob,-that plain man dwelling in tents,-very serviceable to themselves and others, both for direction, quickening, and encouragement in the ways of God and godliness, for even this way, as well as in conversation,-as iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Frequent mention being made in the book of the comfort he had in all the branches of his family, whom, with satisfaction, he saw planted in families of their own, it may not be amiss here to mention the changes which the Divine Providence made among them, soon after the Lord had taken away our master from our head, who was a daily intercessor for us.

In the year 1697, the year after my father died, two of his four daughters died, in Chester, of a malignant fever, within three weeks one of another; two excellent Christians; and one of them, by some papers of her writing found after her death, appearing to have had such an experimental acquaintance with the principles, powers, and pleasures, of the spiritual and divine life, as few Christians, that have more than doubled her years, attain to.