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

There were many that said, surely the Dissenters will not embrace the Liberty which is intended only for a Snare to them. Mr. Henry read and considered the Letter of Advice to the Dissenters, at that juncture; but concluded, Duty is ours, and Events are Gods. He remembered the Experience he had had of the like in K. Charles's time, and that did good and no hurt; and why might not this do so too. All Power is for Edification, not for Destruction. Did Jeremiah sit still in the Court of the Prison, because he had his Discharge from the King of Babylon. Nay, did not Paul, when he was presented by his Country-men, for Preaching the Gospel, appeal to Caesar; and find more kindness at Rome, than he did at Jerusalem? In short, the Principle of his Conversation in the World being not fleshly Wisdom, or Policy, but the Grace of God, and particularly the Grace of Simplicity and Godly Sincerity, ⟨p. 166⟩he was willing to make the best of that which was, and to hope the best of the Design and Issue of it. Doubtless it was intended to introduce Popery; but it is certain, that nothing could arm People against Popery more effectually, than the plain and powerful Preaching of the Gospel; and thus they who granted that liberty, were out-shot in their own Bow, which manifestly appeared in the Event and Issue. And as they did good Service to the Protestant Religion among Scholars, who wrote so many Learned Books against Popery at that time, for which we return them our best thanks; so they did no less Service among the Common People (who are the Strength and Body of the Nation) that Preached so many good Sermons to arm their Hearts against that strong Delusion, which Mr. Henry (as the rest of the Nonconformists generally did) took all occasions to do. How often would he commend his Hearers (as Dr. Holland Divinity Professor in Oxford was wont to do) to the Love of God, and the Hatred of Popery.

There were many that said, surely the Dissenters will not embrace the Liberty which is intended only for a Snare to them. Mr. Henry read and consider'd the Letter of Advice to the Dissenters, at that juncture; but concluded, Duty is ours, and Events are Gods. He remembred the Experience he had had of the like in K. Charles's time, and that did good and no hurt; and why might not this do so too. All Power is for Edification, not for Destruction. Did Ieremiah sit still in the Court of the Prison, because he had his Discharge from the King of Babylon. Nay, did not Paul, when he was presented by his Country-men, for Preaching the Gospel, appeal to Caesar; and find more kindness at Rome, than he did at Ierusalem? In short, the Principle of his Conversation in the World being not fleshly Wisdom, or Policy, but the Grace of God, and particularly the Grace of Simplicity and Godly Sincerity,