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

As to what was taken from him by the Distress, they who took it made what Markets they pleased of it, paid those they employed, and what the remainder was, is not known for certain; but it was said, that the following Summer about 27 l. was paid to Sir T. V. of which (and the rest that was levied in other places, which amounted to a considerable Sum) it was credibly reported, (and I have not heard it contradicted) that neither the King nor the Poor had their Share, (which by the Act is to be two thirds) nor the Informers theirs neither; but People said, the Gentleman had occasion for it all. But as they that had it were never the Richer for it, so he that lost it, would often say, that he found that God did so abundantly bless the remainder to him, that he was never the Poorer; which he would mention for the encouragement of his Friends, not to balk Duty, (as he used to express it) for fear of Suffering.

As to what was taken from him by the Distress, they who took it made what Markets they pleas'd of it, pay'd those they employ'd, and what the remainder was, is not known for certain; but it was said, that the following Summer about 27 l. was paid to Sir T. V. of which (and the rest that was levy'd in other places, which amounted to a considerable Sum) it was c•edibly reported, (and I have not heard it contradicted) that neither the King nor the Poor had their Share, (which by the Act is to be two thirds) nor the Informers theirs neither; but People said, the Gentleman had occasion for it all. But as they that had it were never the Richer for it, so he that lost it, would often say, that he found that God did so abundantly bless the remainder to him, that he was never the Poorer; which he would mention for the encouragement of his Friends, not to balk Duty, (as he us'd to express it) for fear of Suffering.

In the same Year 1681. happened a public Discourse at Oswestry, betwixt the then Bishop of St. Asaph (Dr. William Lloyd, now Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield) and some Nonconformist Ministers, of which Mr. Henry was one. The Story in short this. That Learned Bishop, at his first coming to the Diocese of St. Asaph, in his Zeal for the Established Church, set himself with vigour to reduce Dissenters to it; and that he might do it with the Cords of a Man, he resolved, before he took any other Methods, to reason the matter with them, and to endeavour their Conviction by Discourse, in which he had a very great Felicity, both by his Learning and Temper. If there were any that declined Discoursing with him, he improved that against them very much; urging (as he wrote afterwards to Mr. Henry) That no Man can pretend Conscience for not coming when he is required, to give an account of his Religion,