"1. There is but one gate into this way, and that is the strait gate of sound conversion.

"2. Tell them that the way is narrow, that there is not elbow-room for their lusts. Let them know the worst of it. And that those who would be good soldiers of Christ must endure hardness.

"3. Tell them, notwithstanding this, it is a way of pleasantness; it gives spiritual, though it prohibits sensual, pleasures.

"4. Tell them there is life eternal at the end, and let them be assured that one hour of joy in heaven, will make them amends for an age of trouble upon earth. One sheaf of that harvest will be recompence enough for a seedness of tears, Psalm cxxvi. 5, 6.

"I am at present somewhat indisposed, and have written confusedly, and, therefore, I would have you keep it to yourself. I hope you will not forget me at the throne of grace, for I have need of your prayers. Give my affectionate respects to your wife, and mother, and sister; to Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, who, I take for granted, is with you; to Mr. Hopkins, my aunt Burroughs, and Richard Gill, and all the rest of my very good friends, if with you, as if particularly named. I have nothing more to add, but to commend you all to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified. I am, "Your real friend,

"MATTHEW HENRY,

"P. S. I wrote to Mr. Wilson a fortnight ago, but have heard nothing from him."

CHAPTER IV.

A. D. 1686 to A. D. 1687.

His Return to Broad Oak-His Preaching-Visits Chester-Invitations to the Ministerial Office there-Returns to London-Licenses to preach granted-Urged to Settle in London-Quits Gray's Jon-Self-Examina..tion before Ordination-Episcopal Ordination considered-His Decision in Favor of Nonconformity-Confession of Faith-His Ordination-Return to Broad Oak.

In the month of June, 1686, Mr. Henry returned to Broad Oak. It was quickly apparent that his law pursuits had in nowise diverted him from his original design; the study of the Scriptures was as interesting to him as ever; and his desire to "make known the mystery of the gospel," instead of being weakened, had increased; it was more intense, and more enlightened.

On

Being invited by his friend Mr. George Illidge to Nantwich, he preached there several evenings to a considerable audience, and with encouraging success. the last of those occasions his subject was Job xxxvii. 22. "With God is terrible majesty." Mr. Illidge observed a notoriously wicked man present. With a view to ascertain the effects of his attendance, he called upon him the next morning. The man and his wife were in tears. His convictions of sin and sense of danger seemed to be pungent and salutary; and his apprehensions of the majesty and wrath of God awfully vivid; the woman wept from sympathy. Mr. Illidge offered up "supplications," communicated suitable encouragement, and pressed an earnest warning against wicked company. The man taught his wife to read, practised family worship, often accompanied Mr. Illidge to Broad Oak, and, after a prudent lapse of time, was admitted to the Lord's table. In appearance the change was universal and entire; re ligious joy was sometimes avowed; and, for several years, he seemed to "run well." His wife, in a judgment of charity, died "in the faith;" but he, alas! after a time,

being hindered," was guilty of very sad defection, and quitted the narrow way, it is feared-for ever.

In such a connexion as this, how consummate appears the wisdom of apostolic counsel-"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall!" And how necessarily are self-examination, holy watchfulness, and unceasing prayer enforced.

It is natural to suppose, that the encouragement which thus attended Mr. Henry's first efforts increased his satisfaction in the decision he had made for the ministry. Nor is it improbable that the issue, as narrated, may account, in some measure, for the uncommon seriousness, discernment, and caution, which, especially in his later papers, every where displays itself in relation to the nature and evidences of personal religion. "A hypocrite," he sometimes remarked, "is one who goes credibly to hellunsuspected; one who secms religious, and that is all.” And to the inquiry,-" What is the reason of the apostasy of so many who began well?" he would answer,-"They never had the law in their hearts; they never acted from a principle. A man may not only have the shape of a Christian, but he may have it drawn so much to the life as that it may pass for a living Christian; there may be some kind of breath, and motion, and sense; and yet he that knows our works may say-Thou art dead.' The scale in such a case hangs in a manner even; but sin and lust at last preponderate. Hypocrisy is the way to apostasy, and apostasy is the great proof of hypocrisy." "those," said he, "who are sincere are willing and desirous to be tried; they desire the day of judgment, because everything will then be manifested; they are frequent and inward in secret duty; they have a low and mean opinion of themselves, and their own performances; they bewail and mourn over the remains of hypocrisy ; they make the word of God their counsellor in all doubtful cases; they ascribe the glory of all to Christ, and take none to themselves; they keep themselves from their own iniquity."

But

Mr. Henry's determination for the ministry was now fixed; and having been on a visit at Chester, and being

*

invited by some friends there to preach to them in an evening, "the liberty not being yet granted," he complied; and two or three successive evenings, at the house of Mr. Henthorne, a sugar-baker, and other houses, "he received all that came; preaching the kingdom of God; and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence; no man forbidding him."

These services tended to produce a most favorable impression upon the minds of the hearers in reference to Mr. Henry's ministerial qualifications; and the present circumstances of the dissenters in that city, occasioned earnest desires that he might become their pastor.

By the death of two valuable ministers, Mr. Cook, and Mr. Hall, a loss had been sustained, which their survivor, Mr. Harvey, an aged divine, was unable to repair. On account of the legislative restrictions, he had, indeed, preached very privately, and some of those who were connected with the former minister were not in regular communion with him.

About the latter end of the year 1686, a rumor of a disposition in the government to grant indulgence, became very current. This encouraged several of the persons last referred to, to wait upon Mr. Henry at Broad Oak, and to urge upon him that, in the event of the expected liberty, he would "take the oversight of them in the Lord."

After advising with his father, he gave them encouragement, provided Mr. Harvey would give his consent to it. He informed them, at the same time, that he was speedily to return to the metropolis, and that he should reside there for some months. To all his terms, so that their request was complied with, they assented.

Under such circumstances he once more, January 24, 1686-7, set out towards London, accompanied by the only son of his friend Mr. Hunt.

The first important news which reached him in the great city was, that the king had empowered certain individuals

* See Wilson's Hist.

to grant licenses exempting the several persons, named in a schedule annexed, from prosecution, or molestation. 1. For not taking the oaths of allegiance and supremacy; or 2. Upon the prerogative writ for £20 a month, or upon outlawries, or excom. capiend. for the said causes; or 3. For not coming to church; or 4. For not receiving the sacrament; or 5. By reason of their conviction for recusancy, or exercise of their religion, a command to stay proceedings already begun for any of the causes aforesaid. The price of one license was £10 for a single person; but if several joined, the price was £16; and eight might join in taking out one license.

Few dissenters applied, but the disposition of the court being sufficiently understood, many of them began to assemble. In the latter end of February, Mr. Henry wrote to his father, "That Mr. Faldo, a worthy minister of the congregational persuasion, had preached publicly in Mr. Sclater's meeting-house in Moorfields, both morning and afternoon, to many hundreds of people, who were much pleased at the reviving of the work."

When Mr. Henry's resolutions for the ministry were generally known in the metropolis, the reverend and learned Mr. Woodcock applied to him, in favor of a lecture then instituting, chiefly for young persons. But he modestly declined the offer; he thought his service inight be most wanted in the country, and might be more suitable there than in or about the city.

Followed by the congregation at Chester with importunate letters, as well as the personal communication of Mr. Henthorne, expressive of their desires for his settlement among them with the least possible delay, he soon retired from Gray's Inn, in order to give himself the more entirely unto "the Gospel of God." His departure from that honorable society, like his entering and continuance among them, was worthy of his high vocation. He took farewell of his legal associates in an excellent discourse from 2 Thess. ii. 1. latter part. "And by our gathering together unto him"-recommending the hope of the blessed ovan, as the greatest comfort under sepa

ration.