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

As to the Circumstances of his Family in these last nine Years of his Life, they were somewhat different from what they had been; but the same Candle of God which had shined upon his Tabernacle, continued still to do so. In the Years 1687, and 1688. he Married all his Five Children, the three eldest in four Months time, in the Year 1687. and the other two in a Year and a half after; so many Swarms (as he used to call them) out of his Hive; and all not only with his full Consent, but to his abundant Comfort and Satisfaction. He would say, he thought it the Duty of Parents to study to oblige their Children in that affair. And though never could Children be more easy and at rest in a Father's House than his were, yet he would sometimes say concerning them, as Naomi to Ruth, Ruth 3. 1. Shall I not seek rest for thee? Two advices he used to give, both to his Children and others, in their Choice of that Relation: One was, Keep within the bounds of Profession, such as one may charitably hope is from a good Principle. The other was, Look at Suitableness, in Age, Quality, Education, Temper, &c. He used to observe from Gen. 2. 18. I will make him a help meet for him; that where there is not Meetness, there will not be much Help. And he would commonly say to his Children, with reference to that choice; Please God and please your ⟨p. 186⟩selves, and you shall never displease me; and greatly blamed those Parents, who conclude Matches for their Children, and do not ask Counsel at their Mouth. He never aimed at great things in the World for his Children, but sought for them in the first place the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof. He used to mention sometimes the saying of a Pious Gentlewoman, that had many Daughters. The Care of most People, is how to get good Husbands for their Daughters; but my care is to fit my Daughters to be good Wives, and then let God provide for them. In this as in other things, Mr. Henry steered by that Principle; That a Man's Life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. And it pleased God so to order it, that all his Children were disposed of, into Circumstances very agreeable and comfortable, both for Life and Godliness. He was greatly affected with the Goodness of God to him herein, without any forecast or contrivance of his own.