Life and Death of Philip Henry, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
His Years spent at Oxford.
THough he was Chosen to the University in May, yet being then young, under Sixteen, and in love with his School-Learning, he made no great haste thither. 'Twas in December following, 1647. that he removed to Oxford. Some merciful Providences in his Journey (he being a young Traveller) affected him much, and he us'd to speak of them, with a sense of God's Goodness to him in them, according to the Impressions then made by them; and he hath Recorded them with this thankful Note, That there may be a great Mercy in a small Matter; as the care that was taken of him by Strangers, when he Fainted and was Sick in his Inn the first Night, and his casual Meeting with Mr. Annesly, Son to the Viscount Valentia (who was chosen from Westminster-School, at the same time that he was) when his other Company going another way, had left him alone, and utterly at a loss what to do. Thus the sensible remembrance of old Mercies may answer the intention of new ones, which is to engage our Obedience to God, and to encourage our Dependance on him.
Being come to Oxford, he was immediately entred Commoner of Christ-Church, where Dr. Samuel Fell was then Dean; the Tutor assigned to him and the rest of that Election was Mr. Underwood, a very Learned ingenious Gentleman.
His Godfather the Earl of Pembroke had given him Ten Pounds to buy him a Gown, to pay his Fees, and to set out with. This in his Papers he puts a Remark upon, as a Seasonable Mercy in regard of some Straits, which Providence, by the Calamity of the Times, had brought his Father to. God had taught him from his Youth that excellent Principle, which he adher'd to all his Days, that Every Creature is that to us, and no more, than God makes it to be; and therefore while many seek the Rulers Favour, and so expect to make their Fortunes, as they call it, seeing every Man's Iudgment proceedeth from the Lord; it is our Wisdom to seek his Favour who is the Ruler of Rulers, and that is an effectual way to make sure our Happiness.
To the proper Studies of this place he now vigorously address'd himself; but still retaining a great Kindness for the Classick Authors, and the more polite Exercises he lov'd so well at Westminster-School.
He was admitted Student of Christ-Church March 24. 1647/8. by Dr. Henry Hammond, that great Man, then Sub-Dean, who called him his God-Brother, the Earl of Pembroke being his Godfather also, and Prince Henry the other, who gave him his Name.
The Visitation of the University by the Parliament happen'd to be in the very next Month after. Oxford had been for a good while in the Hands of the Parliament, and no Change made; but now the Earl of Pembroke, and several others thereunto appointed, came hither to settle things upon a new bottom. The Account Mr. Henry in his Papers gives of this Affair, is to this purpose. The sole Question which the Visitors propos'd to each Person, high and low, in every Colledge, that had any place of Profit, was this, Will you submit to the Power of the Parliament in this present Visitation? to which all were to give in their Answer in Writing, and accordingly were either displaced or continued: Some cheerfully complied, others absolutely refused, (among whom he would sometimes tell of one that was but of his standing, who gave in this bold Answer, I neither can nor will submit to the Power of the Parliament in this present Visitation, I say I cannot, I say I will not J. C.) others answer'd doubtfully, pleading Youth and Ignorance in such Matters. Mr. Henry's Answer was, I submit to the Power of the Parliament in the Present Visitation, as far as I may with a safe Conscience and without Perjury. His reason for the last Salvo, was because he had taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy a little before, at his Admission; which he was (according to the Character of the good Man, that he fears an Oath) very jealous of doing any thing to contradict or infringe; which hath made him sometimes signifie some dislike of that Practise of Administring Oaths to such as were scarce past Children, who could hardly be supposed to take them. with Iudgment, as Oaths should be taken. However this Answer of his satisfied; and by the Favour of the Earl of Pembroke he was continued in his Students place. But great Alterations were made in that as in other Colledges, very much (no question) to the hinderance and Discouragement of young Scholars who came thither to get Learning, not to Judge of the Rights of Government. Dr. Samuel Fell the Dean was removed, and Dr. Edward Reynolds afterwards Bishop of Norwich was put in his room; Dr. Hammond and all the Canons, except Dr. Wall were displaced, and Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Pocock, and others of the Parliaments Friends were prefer'd to their places. His thoughts of this in the reflection long after was, that milder methods might have done better, and would have been a firmer establishment to the New Interest, but considering that many of those who were put out (being in expectation of a sudden change, which came not of many Years after) were exasperating in their carriage towards the Visitors; and that the Parliament (who at this time rode Masters) had many of their own Friends ready for University preferments, (which Oxford having been from the beginning a Garrison for the King they had been long kept out of) and these they were concern'd to oblige, it was not strange if they took such strict methods. And yet nothing being requir'd but a bare Submission, which might be intepreted but as crying, Quarter, he thought withal, that it could not be said, the terms were hard, especially (saith he) if compar'd with those of another nature imposed since.
Among other Student-Masters removed, his Tutor Mr. Underwood was one, which he often bewail'd as ill for him, for he was a good Scholar, and one that made it his business to look after his Pupils, who were very likely by the Blessing of God to have profited under his Conduct: But upon the removal of Mr. Underwood, he with some others were turn'd over to Mr. Finmore, who was then in with that Interest which was uppermost, and was afterwards Prebendary of Chester; a Person (as he notes) able enough, but not willing to employ his Abilities for the good of those that were committed to his Charge; towards whom he had little more than the name of a Tutor. This he lamented as his Infelicity, at his first setting out. But it pleas'd God to give him an Interest in the Affections of a Young Man, an Under-graduate then, but Two or Three Years his Senior from Westminster, one Mr. Richard Bryan, who took him to be his Chamberfellow while he continued at Oxford, read to him, overlook'd his Studies, and directed him in them. Of this Gentleman he make a very honourable mention, as one who was through Gods Blessing an Instrument of much good to him. Mr. Iohn Fell also, the Dean's Son, (afterwards himself Dean of Christ-Church, and Bishop of Oxford) taking pity on him, and some others that were neglected, voluntarily read to them for some time; a kindness which he retain'd a very grateful sense of, and for which he much honour'd that Learned and Worthy Person.
Here he duly perform'd the College Exercises, Disputations every day, in Term-time; Theams and Verses once a Week, and Declamations when it came to his turn; in which performances he frequently came off with very great Applause: And many of his Manuscripts which remain, shew how well he improved his time there.
And yet in some Reflections I find under his hand, written long after (wherein he looks back upon his early days) he chargeth it upon himself, that for a good while after he came to the University, (though he was known not to be inferior to any of his standing in Publick Exercises yet) he was too much a Stranger to that hard Study which afterwards he became acquainted with, and that he lost a deal of time which might have been better improved. Thus he is pleas'd to accuse himself of that which (for ought I ever heard) no one else did, or could accuse him of. But the truth is, in all the secret accounts he kept of himself, he appears to have had a very quick and deep sense of his own Fallings and Infirmities, in the most minute instances, the loss of time, Weakness and Distractions in Holy Duties; not improving Opportunities of doing good to others, and the like; lamentably bewailing these imperfections, and charging them upon himself, with as great expressions of shame and sorrow, and self-abhorrence; and crying out as earnestly for Pardon and Forgiveness in the Blood of Jesus, as if he had been the greatest of Sinners: For though he was a Man that walk'd very closely, yet withal he walk'd very humbly with God, and liv'd a Life of Repentance and self-denial. This minds me of a Sermon of his which one might discern came from the heart, on that Scripture, Rom. 7. 24. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! A strange complaint (saith he) to come from the Mouth of one who had learn'd in every estate to be content. Had I been to have given my thoughts (said he) concerning Paul, I should have said, O blessed Man that thou art, that hast been in the Third Heaven, a great Apostle, a Spiritual Father to Thousands, &c. and yet a Wretched Man, all this while in his own account and esteem. He never complains thus of the Bonds and Afflictions that did abide him, the Prisons that were frequent; the Stripes above measure; but the Body of Death: that is, the Body of Sin, that was it he groan'd under. How feelingly did he observe from thence, That the remainders of indwelling corruption are a very grievous burthen to a gracious Soul.
But to return: It may not be amiss to set down the Causes to which he ascribes his loss of time when he came first to the University. One was, that he was Young, too Young, and understood not the day of his opportunities, which made him afterwards advise his Friends not to thrust their Children forth too soon from School to the University, though they may seem ripe, in respect of Learning, till they have discretion to manage themselves; while they are Children, What can be expected but that they should mind childish things? Another was, that coming from Westminster School, his attainments in School-learning were beyond what generally others had that came from other Schools, so that he was tempred to think there was no need for him to study much, because it was so easie to him to keep pace with others, which, he saith, was the thing that Dr. Caldecott, Chaplain to the Ea… of Pembroke, and his great Friend warn'd him of at his coming to Oxford. Another was That, there were two sorts of Persons his Co-temporaries, some of the New Stamp, that came in by the Visitation, and were divers of them serious pious Young Men, but of small ability, comparatively, for Learning, and those for that reason he desired not to have much fellowship with. But there were others that were of the old Spirit and way, Enemies to the Parliament, and the Reformation they made; and these were the better Scholars, but generally not the better Men. With them for a while he struck in because of their Learning, and conversed most with them, but he soon found it a snare to him, and that it took him off from the Life of Religion, and Communion with God, Elanguescere mox cepit (saith he in his Latin Narrative of his younger years,) pristinae pietatis ardor, &c. But for ever praised be the Riches of God's free Grace (saith he in another Account) that he was pleased still to keep his hold of me; and not to let me alone when I was running from him, but set his hand again the second time, (as the expression is, Isa. 11. 11.) to snatch me as a brand out of the Fire. His Recovery from this snare he would call a kind of Second Conversion; so much was he affected with the preventing Grace of God in it, and sensible of a double bond to be for ever thankful, as well as of an engagement to be watchful and humble. 'Twas a saying of his, He that stumbleth and doth not fall, …ets ground by his stumble.
At the later end of the Year 1648, he had leave given him to make a visit to his Father at White-hall, with whom he staied some time; there he was Ian. 30. when the King was beheaded, and with a very sad heart saw that Tragical Blow given. Two things he used to speak of, that he took notice of himself that day, which I know not whether any of the Historians mention. One was, that at the instant when the Blow was given, there was such a dismal universal Groan among the Thousands of People that were within sight of it, (as it were with one consent) as he never heard before; and desired he might never hear the like again, nor see such a Cause for it. The other was; That immediately after the stroke was struck, there was according to Order, one Troop marching from Chearing-Cross towards Kings-street, and another from Kings-street towards Chearing-Cross, purposely to disperse and scatter the People, and to divert the dismal thoughts which they could not but be fill'd with, by driving them to shift every one for his own safety. He did upon occasion testifie his dislike of this rash Action, which he always said was a thing that could not be justify'd, and yet he sometimes said he saw not how it could be call'd a National Sin, for as the King urg'd upon his Trial, it was certain that not one Man of Ten in the Kingdom did consent to it; *See the Bishop of Chichester's Sermon before the King, Ian. 30. 1697. p. 25, 29. Where he saith, he did not see how it could be call'd a National Sin.nor could it becall'd the Sin of the Long Parliament, for far the greatest part of them were all that time while the thing was in agitation imprison…d, and kept under a force, and scarce 27 of the 40 that were left to carry the name of a Parliament did give their Vote for it; which the Commissioners for the. Trying of the Kings Judges in the Year 1660. (some of whom had been themselves Members of the long Parliament) urged again and again, in answer to that plea which the Prisoners stood so much upon, that what they did was by Authority of the Parliament: But 'tis manifest it was done by a prevailing Party in the Army, who (as he us'd to express it) having beaten their Plowshares into Swords, could not so easiely beat their Swords into Plowshares again, as having fought more for Victory and Dominion, than for Peace and Truth; but how far these Men were acted and influenced by another sort of People behind the Curtain, the World is not altogether ignorant. For some Years after King Charles II. came in, he observ'd the yearly day of Humiliation for this Sin, desiring that God would not lay the Guilt of Blood to the charge of the Nation: But afterwards finding to what purposes it was generally observed, and improved even to the reproach and condemning, not only of the Innocent but of some of the Excellent ones of the Land, and noting, that there is no precedent in Scripture of keeping Annual days of Humiliation for particular Sins; especially after the immediate judgment is at an end, Zech. 8. 19. Heb. 10. 2, 3. he took no farther notice of it. But in his Diary, he adds this tender remark, (according to the Spirit he was of) Yet good Men no doubt may observe it to the Lord, Rom. 14. 6. Thus he judged not, and why then should he be judged?
In the Year 165… he took his Batchelor of Art's Degree, and he hath recorded the Goodness of God in raising him up Friends, who help'd him out in the expences. Such kindnesses have a peculiar sweetness in them to a good Man, who sees and receives them as the Kindness of God, and the tokens of his Love.
He would often mention it with thankfulness to God, what great helps and advantages he had then in the University, not only for Learning but for Religion and Piety. Serious Godliness was in reputation, and besides the Publick Opportunities they had, there were many of the Scholars that us'd to meet together for Prayer, and Christian Conference, to the great confirming of one anothers hearts, in the Fear and Love of God, and the preparing of them for the Service of the Church in their generation. I have heard him speak of the prudent method they took then about the University Sermons on the Lord's Day in the Afternoon, which us'd to be Preached by the Fellows of Colledges in their course, but that being found not so much for Edification, Dr. Owen, and Dr. Goodwin performed that Service alternately, and the Young Masters that were wont to Preach it, had a Lecture on Tuesday appointed them. The Sermons he heard at Oxford he commonly wrote, not in the time of hearing, but afterwards when he came home in his reflection upon them, which he found a good help to his Memory.
In December 1652, he proceeded Master of Arts, and in Ianuary following Preach'd his first Sermon at South-Hincsey in Oxford-shire, on Ioh. 8. 34. Whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. On this occasion he writes in his Diary, what was the breathing of his heart towards God, The Lord make use of me as an Instrument of his Glory, and his Churches good in this high and holy Calling.
His great Parts and Improvement notwithstanding his extraordinary Modesty and Humility had made him so well known in the University that at the following Act in Iuly 1653. he was chosen out of all the Masters of that Year to be Iunior of the Act, that is, to answer the Philosophy Questions in Vesperi is, which he did with very great applause, especially for the very witty and ingenious Oration which he made to the University upon that occasion: His questions were: 1 An licitum sit carnibus vesci? Aff. 2. An Institutio Academiarum sit utilis in Republicâ? Aff. 3. An Ingenium pendeat ab humoribus Corporis? Aff. At the Act in 1654. He was chosen Magister Replicans, and answer'd the Philosophy Questions in Comitiis with a like applause. His Questions then were, 1. An melius sit sperare quàm frui? Neg. 2. An Maxima Animi Delectatio sit agrave; sensibus? Neg. 3. An utile sit peregrinari? Aff.
Dr. Owen who was then Vice-Chancellor hath spoken with great commendation of these performances of Mr. Henry's to some in the University afterwards, who never knew him otherwise than by report; and I have heard a Worthy Divine (who was somewhat his Iunior in the University, and there a perfect Stranger to him) say, how much he admired these Exercises of his, and lov'd him for them, and yet how much more he amir'd, when he afterwards became acquainted with him in the Country, that so Curious and Polite an Orator should become so Profitable and Powerful a Preacher, and so readily lay aside the enticing Words of Mans Wisdom which were so easie to him.
There is a Copy of Latin Verses of his in print among the Poems which the University of Oxford published upon the Peace concluded with Holland, in the Year 1654, which shew him to be no less a Poet than an Orator.
He hath noted it of some Pious Young Men, that before they removed from the University into the Country, they kept a day of Fasting and Humiliation for the Sins they had been guilty of in that place and state. And in the visits he made afterwards to the University, he inserts into His Book, as no doubt God did into His,—a tear dropt over my University Sins.