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the first specimen of his epistolary style, the selections will be alike interesting. Every day since you went, I have done my lesson, a side 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." He adds, in reference to tidings which had been communicated respecting one of his relatives-and the resemblance to his subsequent style of writing will not pass unnoticed— "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."

The

The expectations indulged were, however, soon afterwards checked. A lingering fever attacked the interesting youth, then about ten years of age, with such extreme violence, as for some time to induce 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. afflicted father, acting upon the counsel he gave to others -that weeping must not hinder sowing,-fulfilled, as usual, the duties of his ministry; and when hope was almost extinct, left home to preach at a distance: nor was his return cheered by more favorable appearances. The widow of the Rev. Zechariah Thomas was at the time on a visit at Broad Oak, and proved a comforter in sorrow: to her, Mr. Philip Henry remarked, that, while absent, he had most solemnly, and deliberately, 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." So it turned out. Recovery speedily followed and Mrs. Savage, 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 believing that her brother's life was marvellously prolonged, he became additionally endeared to

her.

To detail the state of the sufferer's own mind during the progress of the disease, is rendered impossible by the

absence of materials. But it is not too much to infer, in connexion with what remains to be stated, that the affliction contributed to produce susceptibility of impression; and resembled, in its influence, to borrow the appropriate imagery of Scripture, the breaking up of fallow ground.

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In this important part of Mr. Henry's history-his translation from the kingdom of darkness to that of God's dear Son-it will be best to adopt his own account. A manuscript dated October 18, 1675, satisfactorily furnishes it. In the form of a Catalogue 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 genuineness. He commences with praise for such mercies as were "spiritual;” “ for the Lord Jesus Christ, his incarnation, life, death, resurrection, ascension, 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." And then adds, "Lord Jesus, I bless thee for thy word, for good parents, for good education, that I was taken into covenant betimes in baptism; and, Lord, I give thee thanks, that I am thine, and will be thine.”

He then proceeds. "I think it was three years ago, that I began to be convinced, hearing a sermon by my father on Psalm li. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.' I think it was that that melted me; afterwards I began to inquire after Christ.

"December 7, 1673. On a Sabbath day 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 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 between 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 confession, aggravation, self-judging, self-condemning, &c. And I have found this in me, though not in that measure that I could desire. I have been heartily sorry for what is past. I judge myself before the Lord, blushing for shame that I should ever affront him as I have done and ministers have assured me, that having repented of sin and believed on Christ, I am to believe that I am pardoned. Now I have done this, and I do really believe I am forgiven for Christ's sake. This is grounded on several scriptures, Proverbs xxviii. 13; Isaiah i. 18; Isaiah lv. 7; Matthew v. 4; Acts ii. 37, 38; Acts iii. 19; 1 John i. 9. And many other scriptures there are where God doth expressly call people 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-offerings 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,

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"(1.) I love the people of God; all the Lord's people shall by my people.

(2.) I love the word of God. I esteem it above all. I find my heart so inclined. I desire it as the food of my soul. I greatly delight in it, both in reading and hearing of 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 cxix. 140: 'Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loveth it.'"

From this interesting document it is obvious that Mr. Henry, before he attained his eleventh year, was led into that vital and essential part of true wisdom-the knowledge of himself, and the state of his own soul; the 'great soul of man," as he loved to call it ; for," said he, "it bears God's image." "There begins to be some hope of people," he used in after life to remark, "when they are concerned about their souls; about spiritual provision, spiritual health, spiritual trading and husbandry; about sowing to the Spirit."

On his father's ministry Mr. Henry waited with uncommon diligence, and he was often so moved by it, as to hasten, when the exercise was over, to his closet, weeping and making supplication that the things he had heard might not escape. Sometimes his fears, lest good impressions should be effaced, rose so high as to render it difficult to prevail upon him to appear at dinner.

Once, especially, after a sermon illustrating 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 efficient and precious was intense. And in a walk with his father, being "unable any longer to contain," he communicated his anxieties. Nothing remains of the conversation: 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; and though, at present, it was very small, yet that it would come to something in time.

What greater joy could such a man as Philip Henry have had than to hear his son, his only son, thus early inquiring for the way to Zion! And how unspeakable was the privilege of the son, to possess in his father a scribe well instructed in the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven; signally "apt to teach ;" and ready at all times to encourage the timid but sincere inquirer "in the ways of Jehovah." It is to be lamented that diffidence or shame so often hinder young converts from communicating their exercises. Little do they consider the temptations and sorrows to which, by such backwardness, they are exposed, or how exquisite is the pleasure of which those who are filled with zeal for the Lord God of hosts are thus unnecessarily deprived. There is joy in heaven, and, when it is known, on earth too, over one sinner that repenteth. This was strikingly manifested in the conduct of Paul and Silas. Although the jailor thrust those "companions in tribulation" into the "inner prison," and made their "feet fast in the stocks;" yet no sooner did he implore, though at midnight, spiritual counsel, than, without an upbraiding word, or even the slightest allusion to inflicted severities, they gladly seized the opportunity to exhibit the one great Sacrifice. "Believe," said they, on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."

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Philip Henry, like most of the puritans and nonconformists, was distinguished for a reverential observance of the Lord's day. That holy habit had been formed by him in early life; it was strengthened by subsequent conviction; and experience imparted to it confirmation and maturity. "It is comfortable," he once remarked, on recovering from an illness, "to reflect upon an affliction borne patiently; 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

* Mrs. Savage's Diary.