An account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the…

A PREFACE TO THE READER.

THAT which we aim at in this Undertaking, and which we would set before us, at our entrance upon it is, not so much to embalm the Memory of this good Man (though that also is Blessed) as to exhibit to the World a Pattern of that Primitive Christianity, which all that knew him well, observed to be exemplified in him, while he lived; and when they saw the end of his Conversation, as it were with one Cons•t, desired a public and lasting Account of, or rather demanded it, as a just Debt owing to the World, by those into whose Hands his Papers came, as judging such an Account likely to conduce much to the Glory of God's Grace, and to the Edification of many, especially of those that were acquainted with him. He was one whom the Divine Providence did not call out (as neither did his own Inclination lead him) to any very public Scene of Action: ⟨image 6⟩He was none of the forward Men of the Age, that make themselves talked of: The World scarce knew that there was such a Man in it. But in his low and narrow Sphere he was a burning and shining Light, and therefore we think his pious Example is the more adapted to general use, especially consisting not in the Ecstasies and Raptures of Zeal and Devotion, which are looked upon rather as admirable than imitable: But in the long series of an even, regular, prudent, and well ordered Conversation, which he had in the World, and in the ordinary business of it, with simplicity and godly sincerity; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the Grace of God. It hath been said, that quiet and peaceable Reigns, though they are the best to live in, yet they are the worst to write of, as yielding least variety of Matter for the Historians Pen to work upon: But a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty, being the Sum and Substance of Practical Christianity, the recommending of the Example of such a Life, in the common and familiar Instances of it; together with the kind and gracious Providences of God attending it, may b•, if not as diverting to the curious, yet every whit as useful and instructive to the pious Readers. If any suggest, that the design of this attempt is to credit and advance a Party, let them know, that Mr. Henry was a Man of no Party, but true Catholic Christianity (not debauched by bigotry,