Engraved by W.C.Edwards from an Original Painting in the Pafsession of the Author.

OF

THE LIFE, CHARACTER, AND WRITINGS

OF THE

REV. MATTHEW HENRY,

Pickerton

BY

Sir J. B. WILLIAMS, ESQ. F. S. A.

"I am to speak of a life passed over without noise; of modesty at home and abroad;
of continence; charity; contempt of the world; and thirst after heavenly things; of un-
wearied labours; and all actions so performed as might be exemplary or beneficial to
Life of Master John Fox, by his Son. Martyrology, vol. i. fol. 1684.

others."

THIRD EDITION.

LONDON:

JOSEPH OGLE ROBINSON, 29, POULTRY.

MDCCCXXIX.
McN

LENOXI!

NEW YORK

BUNGAY: PRINTED BY J. R. AND C. CHILDS.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

A. D. 1662 to A. D. 1680.

Mr. Henry's birth-Education-Alarming illness-Memorial of

mercies Self-examination, and evidences of true grace-In-

clination to the ministry, and habits.

CHAPTER II.

A. D. 1680 to A. D. 1685.

Removal to Mr. Doolittle's academy-Account of Mr. Bosier

-Characters of Mr. Henry by his contemporaries at the

academy-His return to Broad Oak-Catalogue of mercies-

Acquaintances

CHAPTER III.

A. D. 1685 to A. D. 1686.

Study of the law at Gray's Inn-Habits-Correspondence-Trial

of the Rev. R. Baxter-His visit to Mr. Baxter in prison-His

reading His study of the French language-His correspond-

ence at home-His sabbaths-Letter to Mr. Illidge

CHAPTER IV.

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

Page

12

22

His return to Broad Oak-His preaching-Visits Chester-In-

vitations to the ministerial office there-Returns to London-

Licences to preach granted-Urged to settle in London-Quits

Gray's Inn-Self-examination before ordination-Episcopal

ordination considered-His decision in favour of nonconfor-

mity-Confession of faith-His ordination-Return to Broad

Oak

CHAPTER V.

A. D. 1687 to A. D. 1694.

His settlement at Chester-Religious liberty-State of society in

Chester-Mr. and Mrs. Hardware-Marriage to Miss Hard-

ware-Death of Mrs. Henry-Baptism of his daughter-Mr.

and Mrs. Warburton-Marriage with Miss Warburton-Com-

mences a diary-Birth of another daughter-Makes his will

-Birth-day memorial, 1691-Close of the year 1691-Death

41

of his youngest daughter-Birth-day memorial, 1692-Birth

of another daughter-Her death-His funeral sermon on the

occasion-Review of the year 1693

CHAPTER VI.

A. D. 1694 to A. D. 1699.

His prosperity-Death of Mr. Warburton-Death of Philip

Henry--Reflections on the event-Birth-day memorial, 1696,

and devout close of the year 1696-Death of his sisters, Mrs.

Radford and Mrs. Hulton-Letter to Mrs. Savage-Birth-day

memorandum, 1697-Commencement of the year 1698-Visit

to London-Birth-day memorial, 1698-Death of his daughter

Ann-Birth-day memorial, 1699-Death of the Rev. Mr.

Harvey-Devout close of the year 1699-Attention to the

orphan children of his brother and sister Radford

CHAPTER VII.

A. D. 1700 to A. D. 1704.

Devout commencement of the year-Self-dedication at the com-

mencement of 1701-Birth-day memorial, 1701-Close of the

year 1701-Commencement of 1702-Birth-day memorial,

1702-Close of 1702-Commencement of 1703-Birth-day,

1703-Close of 1703-Commencement of 1704.

CHAPTER VIII.

A. D. 1704 to A. D. 1708.

Journey to London-Hears John Howe-Mr. Henry's general

health good-Sudden seizure and illness-Commencement of

the year 1705-Birth-day memorial, 1705-Close of 1705-

Commencement of 1706--Birth-day, 1706-Commencement

of 1707-The death of his mother-Birth-day memorial, 1707

-Close of the year 1707-Commencement of 1708-Birth-day

memorial, 1708

CHAPTER IX.

A. D. 1709 to A. D. 1712.

Page

70

85

102

116

Invitations to Mr. Henry from distant churches-Devout com-

mencement of 1708-9-Letter from the Rev. Mr. Tong-Mr.

Henry's perplexity-Consults Dr. Calamy-Letter from Dr.

Calamy-The character of the applications which have been

noticed-Birth-day memorial, 1709-An invitation from Hack-

ney renewed-His determination to leave Chester-His reasons

for it-Birth-day, 1711-His perplexity and distress continue 126

CHAPTER X.

An account of the discharge of his ministry at Chester, embrac-

ing the whole period of the foregoing narrative, between the

year 1687 and the year 1712

146