places, from which they are ejected, and come and dwell where they may not. He wished their removes might not be figurative of evil to these nations, as Ezekiel's were, Ezekiel xii, 1, 2, 3. This severe dispensation forced Mr. Steel and his family from Hanmer, and so he lost the comfort of his neighbourhood; but withal it drove Mr. Lawrence from Baschurch to Whitchurch parish, where he continued till he was driven thence too. Mr. Henry's house at Broad Oak was but four reputed miles from the utmost limits of Worthenbury parish, but he got it measured, and accounting 1760 yards to a mile, according to the Statute, 35 Eliz. cap. 6, it was found to be just five miles and threescore yards, which one would think might have been his security. But there were those near him who were ready to stretch such laws to the utmost rigour, under pretence of construing them in favour of the King, and, therefore, would have it to be understood of reputed miles. This obliged him for some time to leave his family, and to sojourn among his friends, to whom he endeavoured, whereever he came, to impart some spiritual gift. At last he ventured home, presuming, among other things, that the warrant by which he was made collector of the Royal Aid, while that continued, would secure him, according to a proviso in the last clause of the act, which, when the gentlemen perceived, they discharged him from that office, before he had served out the time. [In a document consisting of reasons on the subject, he thus concludes in favour of measured, rather than reputed, miles. 1. Because measured miles are certain; reputed miles uncertain; one reputing more, another less. 2. Because otherwise some would be punished beyond others, viz. those who live where reputed miles are of extraordinary length. 3. Because in penal laws the interpretation should be such as most favours the offender. 4. Upon other statutes the decision of controversies hath been by measuring; ergo in this. 5. He who swears against the delinquent must swear, not that it is reputed, but that it is five miles. It is not always from one great town to another that the question is like to be, but from a particular house, as suppose Broad Oak, to an obscure boundary,-suppose the Sarn. 6. The Scripture speaks of measured miles in a law-case. Deuteronomy, xxi. 2.*] He was much affected with it, that the burning of London happened so soon after the nonconformists were banished out of it. He thought it was in mercy to them, that they were removed before that desolating judgment came, but that it spoke aloud to our governors,-Let my people go that they may serve me; and if ye * P. Henry, Orig. MS. will not, behold thus and thus will I do unto you. This was the Lord's voice crying in the city. In the beginning of the year 1667, he removed with his family to Whitchurch,* and dwelt there above a year, except that for one quarter of a year, about harvest, he returned again to Broad Oak. His remove to Whitchurch was partly to quiet his adversaries, who were ready to quarrel with him upon the five-mile act, and partly for the benefit of the school there for his children. There, in April following, he buried his eldest son, † not quite six years old, a child of extraordinary pregnancy and forwardness in learning, and of a very towardly disposition. His character of this child is, Præterque ætatem nil puerile fuit. [He was remarkable for four things. 1. Forwardness in learning, having all the three requisites,apprehension, judgment, memory, even beyond his age, and also a great love to it; never seeking, at any time, to stay from school. 2. Tenderness of disposition. He was apt to melt into tears at the least show of displeasure, though but in a frown. 3. Patience under correction; which he had not often, because he did not deserve it; and, when he did, his penitence prevented it, if not altogether, yet in the severity of it. 4. Love to his brother and sisters. When Matthew sickened first, with the measles, (of which John died,) he went to bed with him of his own accord, sooner than ordinary, and wept over him. He was of a strong, healthy constitution, not smaying for cold in school like other children. He was full of action, stirring, always doing something, and what he did, he did with all his might. §] * In some memoranda respecting his eldest son, Mr. Henry writes ;-In January, 1667, we removed to Whitchurch, partly to satisfy the law, partly to have convenient schooling for him and his brother, in regard Mr. Catheral was appointed by Sir Orlando Bridgman to teach in Wigland in a house newly built by him for that purpose, which was too far off us. I entered him at the Free School, being yet in coats, which had never been known there before. Orig. MS. He was born at Worthenbury, May 3, 1661. His complexion was observed to be sweet and ruddy, his countenance compleat, his eyes lively. He was baptized, May 12, by Mr. George Mainwaring, late of Malpas. He preached in the morning, from Zech. xii. 1. I preached in the afternoon from Ps. li. 5. On the 14th of May, neighbours dined with us, and rejoiced in God's goodness. The same night my dear wife began to be ill of an ague. There are no comforts but what are mixed, and chequered till we come to heaven. Tis the evening commends the day; therefore, we should serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. In the beginning of 1665, he went to school to Mr. Samuel Catheral, at Whitewell Chapel, and by the end of that year, had learned to read English. In the beginning of 1666, he began his accidence, which he dispatched in that year, with some of his grammar also. P. Henry. Orig. MS. Probably a contraction of dismaying. § P. Henry. Orig. MS. This child, before he was seized with the sickness whereof he died, was much affected with some verses, which he met with in Mr. White's Power of Godliness,* said to be found in the pocket of a hopeful young man, who died before he was twenty-four years old. Of his own accord he got them without book, and would be often rehearsing them; they were these ;— Not twice twelve years (he might say Not half twelve years) full told, a wearied breath God takes them soonest whom he loveth best. Loses some hours of joy, but months of sorrow; Other diseases often come to grieve us, Death strikes but once, and that stroke doth relieve us. This was a great affliction to the tender parents. Mr. Henry writes upon it in the reflection, Quicquid amas cupias non placuisse nimis. Many years after, he said, he thought he did apply to himself at that time, but too sensibly that scripture, Lamentations, iii. 1.— I am the man that hath seen affliction. And he would say to his friends upon such occasions,-"Losers think they may have leave to speak, but they must have a care what they say, lest speaking amiss to God's dishonour, they make work for repentance, and shed tears that must be wept over again." He observed concerning this child, that he had always been very patient under rebukes, The remembrance of which, saith he, teacheth me now how to carry it under the rebukes of my heavenly Father. His prayer under this providence was,-Show me, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me; have I over-boasted, over-loved, over-prized? A Lord's day intervening between the death and burial of the child, I attended, saith he, on public ordinances, though sad in spirit, as Job, who, after all the evil tidings that were brought him, whereof death of children was the last and heaviest, yet fell down and worshipped. And he would often say upon such occasions, that weeping must not hinder sowing. Upon the interment § of the child, See arte, p. 48. The copy which belonged to Mr. Henry, containing his handwriting, and a few words ill written, supposed to be his son John's, is in the Editor's possession. See an account of Mr. White, in the Noncon. Mem. v. i. p. 106. ut supra. + You must give losers Their leave to speak. Ben Johnson, v.6, p. 106, oct. 1816. See Bishop Beveridge's Private Thoughts, Article IV. He died April 12. Monday, April 15, he was buried towards the upper end of the middle aisle in Whitchurch Church. Mr. Samuel Edwards, his schoolmaster, preached his funeral sermon. Text. Mark, xiii. 36. P. Henry. Orig. MS. he writes,-My dear child, now mine no longer, was laid in the cold earth, not lost, but soon to be raised again a glorious body, and I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. A few days after his dear friend, Mr. Lawrence, then living in Whitchurch parish, buried a daughter, that was grown up and very hopeful, and gave good evidence of a work of grace wrought upon her soul, how willing, saith he, may parents be to part with such when the Lord calls; they are not amissi but præmissi. And he hath this further remark, The Lord hath made his poor servants, that have been often companions in his work, now companions in tribulation, the very same tribulation; me for my sin, him for his trial. * While he lived at Whitchurch, he attended constantly upon the publick ministry, and there, as ever, he was careful to come to the beginning of the service, which he attended upon with reverence and devotion; standing all the time, even while the chapters were read. [He said,-He that gives to God his soul, and serves him with the inner man, will think no outward expression of reverence too much. He will give his body too.† Mr. Henry had high thoughts of the body as well as the soul. He would say, it is the workmanship of God, therefore, not to be misused, it is the house of the soul,-it is the servant to the soul, made use of in honouring God,it is the purchase of Christ, united to him, 1 Corinthians, vi. 15.— it is the temple of the Holy Ghost, 1 Corinthians, vi. 19.it is intended for glorious things in the resurrection, Philippians, iii. 21. Job, xix. 26. 1 Corinthians, xv. ‡] In the evening of the Lord's day, he spent some time in instructing his family, to which a few of his friends and neighbours in the town would sometimes come in; and it was a little gleam of opportunity, but very short, for, as he notes;-He was offended at it, who should rather have rejoiced, if, by any means, the work might be carried on in his people's souls. He observes in his Diary this year, how zealous people had generally been for the observation of Lent, a while ago, and how cold they are towards it now. The same he notes of processions in Ascension-week; for, saith he, what hath no good foundation, will not hold up long; but in that which is duty, and of God, it is good to be zealously affected always. In this year, I think, was the first time that he administered the Lord's Supper, very privately to be sure, after he was silenced by the Act of Uniformity; and he did not do it without mature deliberation. A fear of separation kept him from it so long; what induced him to it at last, I find thus under his own hand. I am a minister of Christ, and as such I am obliged, virtute officii, by all means to endeavour the good of souls. Now here is a company of When others are afflicted, we are to conclude it is for trial,-when ourselves, for sin. Calamy. P. Henry's Com. Place Book. Orig. MS. P. Henry. See Mem. of Mrs. Savage, p. 217. ut supra. + Ib. Orig. MS. serious Christians, whose lot is cast to live in a parish, where there is one set over them, who preacheth the truth; and they come to hear him, and join with him in other parts of worship; only, as to the Lord's Supper, they scruple the lawfulness of the gesture of kneeling; and he tells them, his hands are tied, and he cannot administer it unto them any other way; wherefore they come to me, and tell me, they earnestly long for that ordinance; and there is a competent number of them, and opportunity to partake; and how dare I deny this request of theirs, without betraying my ministerial trust, and incurring the guilt of a grievous omission? In February, 1667-8,* Mr. Lawrence and he were invited by some of their friends, to Betley, in Staffordshire, and (there being some little publick connivance at that time) with the consent of all concerned, they adventured to preach in the church, one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon of the Lord's day, very peaceably and profitably. This action of their's was presently after reported in the House of Commons, by a Member of Parliament,† with these additions,-That they tore the Common Prayer Book, trampled the surplice under their feet, pulled the minister of the place out of the pulpit, &c. Reports which there was not the least colour for. But that, with some other such like false stories, produced an address of the House of Commons to the King, to issue out a proclamation for the putting of the laws in execution against papists and nonconformists, which was issued out accordingly; though the King, at the opening of that Session a little before, had declared his desire, that some course might be taken, to compose the minds of his Protestant subjects, in matters of religion; which had raised the expectations of some, that there would be speedy enlargement; but Mr. Henry had noted upon it,-We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God. And here it may be very pertinent to observe, how industrious Mr. Henry was at this time, when he and his friends suffered such hard things from the government, to preserve and promote a good affection to the government notwithstanding. It was commonly charged at that time upon the nonconformists in general, especially from the pulpits, § that they were all a factious and turbulent people, * Appendix, No. XIV. + Major General Egerton. P. Henry. Orig. MS. I remember one saying of General Lambert's, "That the best of men are but men at the best." Letters written by Eminent Persons, and Lives of Eminent Men, by John Aubrey, Esq. vol. ii. part 1, p. 199. The clergyman at Whitewell Chapel sometimes was one of the accusers above alluded to. On one of those occasions, Mr. Henry thus writes; -" Mr. Green at chapel to-day seemed to say something with reflection: "Mark them that cause divisions, serving their own belly." Lord, I can only appeal to thee, and say, if I seek myself in what I do, or my own things, and not the good of souls, and the advancement of thy glory; if I do it in any respect to divide, then fill my face with shame, and let my enemies have power over me. But if otherwise,-Lord, take my part, and plead my cause, and clear my integrity, for thy mercy sake. Diary, Orig. MS. See an appeal somewhat similar by the venerable martyr Bishop Hooper. Fuller's Ch. Hist. b. vii. p. 404. fol. 1655. |