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

He then Prayed, and always Kneeling, which he looked upon as the fittest and most proper Gesture for Prayer; and he took care that his Family should address themselves to the Duty, with the outward Expressions of Reverence and Composedness. He usually fetched his Matter and Expressions in Prayer, from the Chapter that was read, and the Psalm that was sung, which was often very affecting, and helped much to stir up and excite praying Graces. He sometimes observed in those Psalms, where reference is •ad to the Scripture Stories, as Psal. 83. and many others, that those who are well acquainted with the Scriptures, would not need to make use of the help of prescribed Forms, which are very necessary for those that cannot do the Duty without them, but are becoming those that can; as a Go-cart is needful to a Child, or Crutches to one that is Lame, but neither of them agreeable to one that needs them not: 'Twas the Comparison he commonly used in this Matter. In ⟨p. 83⟩Family-Prayer he was usually most full in giving. Thanks for Family-Mercies, confessing Family-Sins, and begging Family-Blessings. Very particular he would sometimes be in Prayer for his Family; if any were absent, they were sure to have an express Petition put up for them. He used to observe concerning Job. Chap. 1. 5. that he offered Burnt-offerings for his Children, according to the number 'of them all, an Offering for each Child; and so would he sometimes in Praying for his Children, put up a Petition for each Child. He always observed at the Annual Return of the Birth day of each of his Children, to bless God for his Mercy to him and his Wife in that Child; the giving of it, the continuance of it, the comfort they had in it, &c. with some special Request to God for that Child. Every Servant and Sojourner, at their coming into his Family and their going out, (besides the daily Remembrances of them) had a particular Petition put up for them, according as their Circumstances were. The Strangers that were at any time within his Gates, he was wont particularly to recommend to God in Prayer, with much Affection, and Christian Concern for them and their Concernments. He was daily mindful of those that desired his Prayers for them, and would say sometimes, It is a great Comfort that God knows who we mean in Prayer, though we do not name them.

He then Pray'd, and always Kneeling, which he looked upon as the fittest and most proper Gesture for Prayer; and he took care that his Family should address themselves to the Duty, with the outward Expressions of Reverence and Composedness. He usually fetch'd his Matter and Expressions in Prayer, from the Chapter that was read, and the Psalm that was sung, which was often very affecting, and helped much to stir up and excite praying Graces. He sometimes observ'd in those Psalms, where reference is ad to the Scripture Stories, as