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

'Twas at the beginning of this Liberty, that the Society at Broad-Oak did Commence; made up (besides the Neighbourhood) of some out of Whitchurch, and Whitchurch Parish, that had been Mr. Porter's People, ⟨p. 141⟩some out of Hanmer Parish, that had been Mr. Steel's, and some out of the Parishes of Wem, Prees, and Ellesmere, Persons generally of very moderate and sober Principles, quiet and peaceable Lives, and hearty well-wishers to the King and Government; and not Rigid or Schismatical in their Separation, but willing to attend (though sometimes with difficulty and hazard) upon those Administrations which they found most lively and edifying, and most helpful to them, in the great business of working out their Salvation. To this Society he would never call himself a Pastor, nor was he willing that they should call him so; but a Helper, and a Minister of Christ for their good. He would say, That he looked upon his Family, only as his Charge, and his Preaching to others was but accidental, whom if they came, he could no more turn away, than he could a poor hungry Man, that should come to his door for an Alms. And being a Minister of Jesus Christ, he thought himself bound to Preach the Gospel, as he had opportunity.

'Twas at the beginning of this Liberty, that the Society at Broad-Oak did Commence; made up (besides the Neighbourhood) of some out of Whitchurch, and Whitchurch Parish, that had been Mr. Porter's People, ⟨p. 141⟩some out of Hanmer Parish, that had been Mr. Steel's, and some out of the Parishes of Wem, Prees, and Ellismere, Persons generally of very moderate and sober Principles, quiet and peaceable Lives, and hearty wellwishers to the King and Government; and not Rigid or Schismatical in their Separation, but willing to attend (though sometimes with difficulty and hazard) upon those Administrations which they found most lively and edifying, and most helpful to them, in the great business of working out their Salvation. To this Society he would never call himself a Pastor, nor was he willing that they should call him so; but a Helper, and a Minister of Christ for their good. He would say, That he look'd upon his Family, only as his Charge, and his Preaching to others was but accidental, whom if they came, he could no more turn away, than he could a poor hungry Man, that should come to his door for an Alms. And being a Minister of Iesus Christ, he thought himself bound to Preach the Gospel, as he had opportunity.