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

The Lord having built him up into a Family, he was careful and faithful in making good his solemn Vow at his Ordination, that he and his House would serve the Lord. He would often say, That we are really that which we are relatively. It is not so much what we are at Church, as what we are in our Families. Religion in the Power of it will be Family Religion. In this his Practise was very Exemplary; he was one that walked before his House in a perfect way, with a perfect Heart, and therein behaved himself wisely. His constant Care and prudent endeavour was not only to put away Iniquity far from his Tabernacle, but that where he dwelt, the word of Christ might dwell richly. If he might have no other Church, yet he had a Church in his House.

The Lord having built him up into a Family, he was careful and faithful in making good his solemn Vow at his Ordination, that he and his House would serve the Lord. He would often say, That we are really that which we are relatively. It is not so much what we are at Church, as what we are in our Families. Religion in the Power of it will be Family Religion. In this his Practise was very Exemplary; he was one that walked before his House in a perfect way, with a perfect Heart, and therein behav'd himself wisely. His constant Care and prudent endeavour was not only to put away Iniquity far from his Tabernacle, but that where he dwelt, the word of Christ might dwell richly. If he might have no other Church, yet he had a Church in his House.

He made Conscience of Closet-Worship, and did abound in it, not making his Family-Worship to excuse for that. He hath this affecting Note in his Diary, upon the removing of his Closet, but from one Room in the House to another; this day (saith he) my new Closet was Consecrated, if I may so say, with this Prayer; That all the Prayers that ever should be made in it, according to the Will of God, Morning, Evening, and at Noon-day, ordinary or extraordinary, might be accepted of God, and obtain a gracious Answer, Amen and Amen. It was the Caution and Advice which he frequently gave to his Children and Friends; Be sure you look to your Secret Duty, keep that up whatever you do; the Soul cannot prosper in the neglect of it. He observed that Apostasy generally begins at the Closet-door. Secret Prayer is first neglected, and carelessly performed, then frequently omitted, and after a while wholly cast off; and then farewell God and Christ and all Religion.