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."

Statements like these not only evince the depth, and reality, and genuineness, of his humility; but 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 the multitude, who arrogate the very excellences themselves with no better pretensions than are furnished by their own deluded fancy; having to boast, at the utmost, of the appearance only?

Mr. Henry's general deportment, both at home and abroad, exhibited the same lowly, and yet elevating, principles; and he assiduously guarded against any encroachment upon them. He walked humbly before God and man, and the more so in proportion to the smiles and caresses he received. The maxim he inculcated was this; how he acted upon it is yet more fully to appear "When the wind of applause blows fresh and strong, then steer with a steady hand."

Writing to his "dear and honored friend," Mr. Thoresby, who had addressed a letter of encouragement to him respecting the Exposition, 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 employ. ed. And that you will, likewise, continue your prayers for me, that I may be carried on in it, in a 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, under similar circumstances of respectful attention, he adds; "I am ashamed to think how unworthy I am of it.'

When urged, not long after his settlement at Hackney, to undertake a catechetical lecture in London, he withheld compliance, out of respect to his ministerial brethren there, until he had consulted them. And when that consent was obtained, he declined Mr. Shower's urgencies, that the lecture might be at his meeting-house, not only because Mr. Wilcox's (Mr. Doolittle's successor,) people first applied; but he adds, "I choose it because it is a more private place."

His respectful mention of the labors of other ministers ought not to be overlooked. There was a readiness in his acknowledgment of their worth, and an expression of delight in their efforts and success, which displayed the utmost magnanimity of soul, and an advancement, also, in Christian humility, not often surpassed. The frequent opportunities he took of hearing them preach as well as his diligence and attention in hearing, are manifest from the very numerous manuscripts, yet extant, containing the heads of sermons delivered on such occasions.

Mr. Henry's intercourse with the great never lifted him up, nor involved, on his part, the neglect of the poor. Instead (because of the frequency of his association with persons of rank and fortune) of treating the poor with any indifference, they were kindly considered at all times; they were often visited; and, in proportion to their disclosure of moral worth, cordially esteemed.

Occasionally he referred to David's declaration, that, although a king, he was a "companion" of those who feared God; and he remarked upon it that " grace doth not, in such cases, love to keep state;" adding, "it was written for our imitation."

Sir Henry Ashurst and his lady being on a visit at Mr. Henry's, Sir Richard Allen and his lady came also; on which he writes; "I hope I can truly say, I am not proud of an acquaintance with great people, but would rather condescend to men of low estate. The Lord clothe me with humility."

Such excerpts, written evidently without any view of disclosure, do the utmost honor to Mr. Henry's memory, and unfold his real character more accurately than the best sustained encomium.

This humbleness of mind stood in close connexion, it must be remarked, with an abiding perception of his necessity of divine influence, both to help and prosper him. "I have as much need," he writes, "of the grace of God to furnish me with a heart to my work, as with a head for it; to continue my delight in it, as much as to give me ability for it."

And again; "from God is my fruit found; nor can I bring forth 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 services, both in my study and in my ministerial work; and if I should be called out to any duties or sufferings unforeseen, I depend upon the grace of God to strengthen me for them, 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 conver, sion he longed, he writes; "I know the great difficulty lies in the conviction; and Eloi, my God, is he who must do it. It is the Spirit of Truth' who must convince."

SECTION V.

His patient Submission under Trials.

MR. HENRY's history, instead of furnishing any exceptions to the inspired axiom-that "many are the afflic tions of the righteous,"-rather supplies a further corroboration of its truth. His own trials, like those of the apostle, prepared him to "comfort such as were in any trouble, by the comfort with which he himself was comforted of God;" and they led him, also, as occasion served, to check, by salutary cautions, the ardor of sanguine Christians.

Some of his thoughts on the subject in its general aspect, may, in the first place, be introduced here.

"Affliction," he would remark, "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 observed, nevertheless, that "though the weather may be foul, and the ways dirty, home is not far off; and all," said he, "is quiet and well there."

In order to induce Christians, those who fear God, to acquiesce in the divine disposals, he reminded them that "all is for good. Let that," he added, "be your principle; and let it silence all repining thoughts.'

Enumerating the advantages of affliction, he mentioned penitence, patience, thankfulness, a thoughtful 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. And "how," said he, "can we help loving Christ, when we find his grace working in us; his comforts delighting

our souls; his blood a healing balm, a reviving cordial! And as to heaven, we have crosses in our way that we may wish 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 circumstance of God's people in general. They are 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 ought, said he, to silence all complaints.

He recommended afflicted persons to search earnestly after the procuring cause-"the particular sin, the Achan that troubles the camp; the Jonah that raises the storm. See," he advised, "if the affliction have not the inscription of the crime over it; and if you cannot find out the particular sins do as Herod did by the infantsdestroy all. This will answer the end."

To guard, especially the poor, against improper inferences from an afflicted state, he would observe, citing Eccl, ix. 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 show for their hope of heaven but their afflictions, deceive themselves. God needs not make any man happy in the other world, to make him amends for wrong done him in this.

Afflictions are, nevertheless, he remarked, 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.

Not a few of the trials through which he was called to pass, have been already noticed; and so much at length,

* Ps. Ixxiii.