Life and Death of Philip Henry, Preface – Errata
A PREFACE TO THE READER.
THAT which we aim at in this Undertaking, and which we would set before us, at our entrance upon it is, not so much to embalm the Memory of this good Man (though that also is Blessed) as to exhibit to the World a Pattern of that Primitive Christianity, which all that knew him well, observed to be exemplified in him, while he lived; and when they saw the end of his Conversation, as it were with one Cons…t, desir'd a publick and lasting Account of, or rather demanded it, as a just Debt owing to the World, by those into whose Hands his Papers came, as judging such an Account likely to conduce much to the Glory of God's Grace, and to the Edification of many, especially of those that were acquainted with him. He was one whom the Divine Providence did not call out (as neither did his own Inclination lead him) to any very publick Scene of Action: He was none of the forward Men of the Age, that make themselves talked of: The World scarce knew that there was such a Man in it. But in his low and narrow Sphere he was a burning and shining Light, and therefore we think his pious Example is the more adapted to general use, especially consisting not in the Extasies and Raptures of Zeal and Devotion, which are looked upon rather as admirable than imitable: But in the long series of an even, regular, prudent, and well order'd Conversation, which he had in the World, and in the ordinary business of it, with simplicity and godly sincerity; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the Grace of God. It hath been said, that quiet and peaceable Reigns, though they are the best to live in, yet they are the worst to write of, as yielding least variety of Matter for the Historians Pen to work upon: But a quiet and peaceable Life in all Godliness and Honesty, being the Sum and Substance of Practical Christianity, the recommending of the Example of such a Life, in the common and familiar Instances of it; together with the kind and gracious Providences of God attending it, may b…, if not as diverting to the curious, yet every whit as useful and inctructive to the pious Readers. If any suggest, that the design of this attempt is to credit and advance a Party, let them know, that Mr. Henry was a Man of no Party, but true Catholick Christianity (not debauch'd by bigottry, nor leaven'd by any private Opinions or Interests) was his very Temper and Genius. According to the Excellent and Royal Laws of this Holy Religion, his Life was led, with a strict and conscientious adherence to Truth and Equity; a great tenderness and inoffensiveness to all Mankind; and a mighty Tincture of sincere Piety and Devotedness to God: and according to those Sacred Rules we shall endeavour, in justice to him, as well as to our Reader, to represent him in the following Account; and if any thing should drop from our Pen, which may justly give offence to any, (which we promise industriously to avoid) we desire it may be looked upon as a false stroke; and so far not truly representing him, who was so blameless and harmless, and without Rebuke. Much of our Materials for this Structure we have out of his own Papers, especially his Diary, for by them his Picture may be drawn nearest to the Life, and from thence we may take the truest Idea of him, and of the Spirit he was of. These Notes being intended for his own private use in the review, and never Communicated to any Person whatsoever; and appearing here (as they ought to do) in their own native dress, the candid Reader will excuse it, if sometimes the Expressions should seem abrupt, they are the genuin, unforced, and unstudied Breathings of a gracious Soul; and we hope will be rather the more acceptable to those, who through Grace, are conscious to themselves of the same devout and pious Motions; for as in Water, Face answers to Face, so doth one sanctified and renewed Soul to another; And (as Mr. Baxter observes in his Preface to Mr. Clark's Lives) God's Graces are much the same in all his Holy ones; and therefore we must not think that such Instances as these, are extraordinary Rarities; but God hath in wonderful Mercy rais'd up many, by whose Graces even this Earth is Perfumed and Enlightned. But if one Star be allowed to differ from another Star in Glory; perhaps our Reader will say, when he hath gone through the following Account, that Mr. Henry may be ranked among those of the First Magnitude.
ERRATA.
PAg. 15. lin. 27. for o- read others. p. 20. l. 9. for make r. makes. p. 82. l. 31. for becoming r. unbecoming. p. 88. l. 31. between and & with, add not. p. 113. l. 14. for Sixth, r. Six. p. 204. l. 23. add of. p. 207. l. 17. add is. p. 227. l. 6. for must r. much. Besides which the Reader is desir'd to excuse some running Mistakes: as Equivolent for Equivalent. p. 6. l. 29. hapn'd for happen'd. p. 30. l. 12. presevering for Persevering. p. 31. l. 10. sitting for setting. p. 32. l. 10. elegible for eligible. p. 55. beging for begging. p. 83. beginning for beginnings. p. 91. incuring for incurring. p. 118. words for word. p. 210. Intecessor for Intercessor. p. 239. and any such that may occurr.