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

In the Year 1658. the Ministers of that Neighbourhood, began to enlarge their Correspondence with the Ministers of North-Wales; and several Meetings they had at Ruthin and other places that Year, ⟨p. 60⟩for the settling of a Correspondence, and the promoting of Unity and Love, and good Understanding among themselves, by entering into an Association, like those some years before of Worcestershire and Cumberland, to which, as their pattern (those two having been Published) they did refer themselves. They appointed particular Associations; and (notwithstanding the differences of Apprehension, that were among them; some being in their Judgments Episcopal, others Congregational, and others Classical) they agreed to lay aside the thoughts of Matters in Variance, and to give to each other the Right Hand of Fellowship; that with one Shoulder and with one Consent, they might Study each in their places to promote the Common Interest of Christ's Kingdom, and the Common Salvation of precious Souls. He observed that this Year, after the Death of Oliver Cromwell, there was generally throughout the Nation, a great Change in the Temper of God's People, and a mighty tendency towards Peace and Unity, as if they were by Consent weary of their long clashings, which in his Diary he expresseth his great Rejoicing in, and his Hopes that the time was at Hand, when Judah should no longer vex Ephraim, nor Ephraim envy Judah, neither should they learn War any more. And though these hopes were soon disappointed by a Change of the Scene; yet he would often speak of the Experience of that and the following Year in those parts, as a Specimen of what may yet be expected; (and therefore in Faith prayed for) when the Spirit shall be poured out upon us from on high. But alas, Who shall live when God doth this? From this Experience he likewise gathered this Observation, That it is not so much our Difference of Opinion that doth us the mischief; (for we may as soon expect all the Clocks in the Town ⟨p. 61⟩to strike together, as to see all good People of a mind in every thing on this side Heaven) but the mismanagement of that difference.

In the Year 1658. the Ministers of that Neighbourhood, began to enlarge their Correspondence with the Ministers of North-Wales; and several Meetings they had at Ruthin and other places that Year, ⟨p. 60⟩