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

He had not been long at Worthenbury, but he began to be taken notice of by the neighbouring Ministers, as likely to be a considerable Man. Though his extraordinary Modesty and Humility (which even in his Youth he was remarkable for) made him to sit down with silence in the lowest Room, and to say as Elihu, Days shall speak; yet his eminent Gifts and Graces could not long be hid, the Ointment of the Right hand will betray it self; and a Person of his Merits could not but meet with those quickly, who said, Friend, go up higher; and so that Scripture was fulfilled, Luke 14. 10. He was often called upon to preach the Week-day. Lectures, which were set up plentifully, and diligently attended upon in those parts, and his Labours were generally very acceptable and successful. The Vox Populi fastened upon him the Epithet of Heavenly Henry, by which Title he was commonly known all the Country over, and his Advice was sought for by many neighbouring Ministers and Christians, for he was one of those that found Favour and good Understanding in the sight of God and Man. He was noted at his first setting out (as I have been told by one who was then intimately acquainted with him, and with his Character and Conversation) for three things, 1. Great Piety and Devotion, and a mighty savour of Godliness in all his Converse. 2. Great Industry in the pursuit of useful Knowledge; he was particularly observed to be very inquisitive when he was among the Aged and Intelligent, hearing them, and asking them Questions; a good Example to young Men, especially young Ministers. 3. Great Self-denial, Self-diffidence, and ⟨p. 57⟩Self-abasement; this eminent Humility put a Lustre upon all his other Graces. This Character of him, minds me of a Passage I have sometimes heard him tell us, a check to the forwardness▪ and conference of young Men, That once at a Meeting of Ministers, a Question of Moment was started, to be debated among them; upon the first proposal of it, a confident young Man shoots his Bolt presently, Truly (saith he) I hold it so; You hold Sir, (saith a grave Minister) it becomes you to hold your Peace.

He had not been long at Worthenbury, but he began to be taken notice of by the neighbouring Ministers, as likely to be a considerable Man. Though his extraordinary Modesty and Humility (which even in his Youth he was remarkable for) made him to sit down with silence in the lowest Room, and to say as Elihu, Days shall speak; yet his eminent Gifts and Graces could not long be hid, the Ointment of the Righthand will betray it self; and a Person of his Merits could not but meet with those quickly, who said, Friend, go up higher; and so that Scripture was fulfilled,