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

He was very useful in the common Concernments of the Township and Country, in which he was a very prudent Counsellor; it was indeed a narrow Sphere of Activity, but (such as it was) to him as to Job, chap. 29. 21, 22. Men gave ear and waited, and kept silence at his Counsel, after his words they spake not again; and many of the Neighbours who respected him not as a Minister, yet loved and honoured him as a knowing, prudent and humble Neighbour. In the Concernments of private Families, he was very far from busying himself, and further from seeking himself, but he was very much busied, advising many about their Affairs, and the disposal of themselves and their Children, arbitrating and composing Differences among Relations and Neighbours, in which he had an excellent Faculty, and often good Success, inheriting the Blessing entailed upon the Peace-makers. References have sometimes been made to him by Rule of Court, at the Assizes, with Consent of Parties. He was very affable and easy of access, and admirably patient in hearing every ones Complaint, which he would answer with so much Prudence and Mildness, and give such apt advice, that many a time to Consult with him, was to ask ⟨p. 124⟩Counsel at Abel, and so to end the matter. He observed in almost all Quarrels that happened, that there was a fault on both sides; and that generally they were most in the fault, that were most forward and clamorous in their Complaints. One making her moan to him of a bad Husband she had, that in this, and 'tother instance was unkind; and (Sir,) saith she, after a long Complaint which he patiently heard, what would you have me to do now? Why truly (saith he) I would have you to go home, and be a better Wife to him, and then you'll find that he will be a better Husband to you. Labouring to persuade one to forgive an injury that was done him; he urged this, Are you not a Christian? and followed that Argument so close, that at last he prevailed.

He was very useful in the common Concernments of the Township and Country, in which he was a very prudent Counsellor; it was indeed a narrow Sphere of Activity, but (such as it was) to him as to Iob, chap. 29. 21, 22. Men gave ear and waited, and kept silence at his Counsel, after his words they spake not again; and many of the Neighbours who respected him not as a Minister, yet lov'd and honour'd him as a knowing, prudent and humble Neighbour. In the Concernments of private Families, he was very far from busying himself, and further from seeking himself, but he was very much busied, advising many about their Affairs, and the disposal of themselves and their Children, arbitrating and composing Differences among Relations and Neighbours, in which he had an excellent Faculty, and often good Success, inheriting the Blessing entail'd upon the Peace-makers. References have sometimes been made to him by Rule of Court, at the Assizes, with Consent of Parties. He was very affable and easie of access, and admirably patient in hearing every ones Complaint, which he would answer with so much Prudence and Mildness, and give such apt advice, that many a time to Consult with him, was to ask