A26780:146
An account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the…
An account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the gospel near Whitechurch in Shropshire, who died June 24, 1696, in the sixty fifth year of his ageAn account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the gospel near Whitechurch in Shropshire, who dy'd June 24, 1696, in the sixty fifth year of his age
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1698
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These were but the first Instances of his Skilfulness, in dispensing the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He declined the private Administration of the Lord's Supper to sick Persons, as judging it not consonant to the Rule and Intention of the Ordinance. He very rarely, if ever, Baptised in private; but would have Children brought to the solemn Assembly upon the Lord's Day, that the Parents Engagement might have the more Witnesse• to it, and the Child the more Prayers put up for it, and that the Congregation might be edified. And yet he would say there was some inconvenience in it too, unless People would agree to put off the Feasting part of the Solemnity to some other time, which he very much persuaded his Friends to; and observed, that Abraham made a great Feast the same Day that Isaac it is weaned, (Gen. 21. 8.) not the same Day that he was circumcised.
These were but the first Instances of his Skilfulness, in dispensing the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He declin'd the private Administration of the Lord's Supper to sick Persons, as judging it not consonant to the Rule and Intention of the Ordinance. He very rarely, if ever, Baptised in private; but would have Children brought to the solemn Assembly upon the Lord's Day, that the Parents Engagement might have the more Witnesse• to it, and the Child the more Prayers put up for it, and that the Congregation might be edified. And yet he would say there was some inconvenience in it too, unless People would agree to put off the Feasting part of the Solemnity to some other time, which he very much perswaded his Friends to; and observed, that Abraham made a great Feast the same Day that Isaac it is weaned, (Gen. 21. 8.) not the same Day that he was circumcised.
His Carriage towards the People of his Parish was very exemplary, condescending to the meanest, and conversing familiarly with them; bearing with the Infirmities of the weak, and becoming all things to all Men. He was exceeding tender of giving Offence, or occasion of Grief to any body, minding himself in his Diary upon such occasions, that the Wisdom that is from above, is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, &c. Yet he plainly and faithfully reproved what he saw amiss in any, and would not suffer Sin upon them; mourning also for that which he could not mend. There were some untractable People in the Parish, who sometimes caused Grief to him, and exercised his Boldness and Zeal in reproving. Once hearing of a merry Meeting at an Ale-house on a Saturday Night, he went himself and broke it up, and scattered them. At another time,