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

Worthy Sir, I am glad to hear that you have been prevailed with to set upon so good a Work, as Recording the most remarkable Passages of Mr. Henry's Life. I doubt not but you will meet with some, that will give such a History but a cold Reception. All that part of the World that lies in Darkness, will be offended, when Beams of clear Light and Sun-shine first dart into their Faces. Virtutem praesentem odimus. A little before I went to the University, I was, upon the Commendation of my worthy School-master Mr. E. (yet living) and with my Father's Consent, half a Year a Domestic with him; partly as a Tutor to his young ones, and partly as a Pupil to himself; and in some little Degree as a Companion; where I had the opportunity of informing my self more fully concerning the Humour and Principles, and Conversation of a sort of People (and especially him and his Family) whom I had heard aspersed very freely in former Companies, and represented to the World, as very Hypocritical and Disloyal People. At my first going I resolved to stand upon my Guard, and pry into the Cause, which was then the great Subject of Difference and Dispute; and upon the whole do say, That Mr. Henry was a Man of so clear a Brain, so gentle a Behaviour, so steady a Conversation, so regular a Devotion, was so courteous and ⟨p. 214⟩condescending to Inferiors, so respectful and Dutiful to Superiors, so sweet and obliging to all; was so careful to improve his time well, to do as much good as possible to every Body, so constantly affectionate in his Prayers for the King and Government, so desirous to keep up a fair Correspondence and Communion with his conformable Brethren, so very indifferent in making Proselytes to his particular Opinions; and withal, so zealous to promote substantial Goodness and true Christianity, so mighty inoffensive and peaceable in all his Expressions and Actions; so prudent, pure, pious, just, sober, charitable, cheerful and pleasant, that I profess I am almost afraid to give him his due Character without some Correctives, lest they that knew him not should suspect my veracity, and imagine my Pen to be managed by some mercenary Hand. I remember the Worshipful Rowland Hunt of Boreatton, Esq speaking of Mr.

Worthy Sir, I am glad to hear that you have been prevailed with to set upon so good a Work, as Recording the most remarkable Passages of Mr. Henry's Life. I doubt not but you will meet with some, that will give such a History but a cold Reception. All that part of the World that lies in Darkness, will be offended, when Beams of clear Light and Sun-shine first dart into their Faces. Virtutem praesentem odimus. A little before I went to the University, I was, upon the Commendation of my worthy School-master Mr. E. (yet living) and with my Father's Consent, half a Year a Domestick with him; partly as a Tutor to his young ones, and partly as a Pupil to himself; and in some little Degree as a Companion; where I had the opportunity of informing my self more fully concerning the Humour and Principles, and Conversation of a sort of People (and especially him and his Family) whom I had heard aspers'd very freely in former Companies, and represented to the World, as very Hypocritical and Disloyal People. At my first going I resolved to stand upon my Guard, and pry into the Cause, which was then the great Subject of Difference and Dispute; and upon the whole do say, That Mr. Henry was a Man of so clear a Brain, so gentle a Behaviour, so steddy a Conversation, so regular a Devotion, was so courteous and