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The text was Psalm xxxv. 20, "That is the character of the people of God, that they are a quiet people, in the land." This quietness, he described to be, an orderly peaceable subjection to governors and government in the Lord. We must maintain a reverent esteem of them, and of their authority, in opposition to despising dominions. We must be meek, under severe commands and burthensome impositions, not murmuring and complaining, as the Israelites, against Moses and Aaron; but take them up as the cross in our way, and bear them as we do foul weather. must not speak evil of dignities; nor revile the gods. Paul checked himself for this. I did not consider it, if I had, I would not have said so. We must not traduce the government, as Absalom did David's. Great care is to be taken how we speak of the faults of any, especially, rulers. The people of God do make the word of God their rule, and by that they are taught, that magistracy is God's ordinance, and magistrates God's ministers: that by him kings reign, and the powers that be are ordained of him: that they, as well as others, are to have their dues, honour, fear, and tribute; that their lawful commands are

to be obeyed, and that readily and cheerfully that the penalties for not obeying unlawful commands, are patiently to be undergone. This is the rule, and as many as walk according to this rule, peace shall be upon them, and there is no danger of their unpeaceableness. They are taught to pray for kings and all that are in authority-and God forbid that we should do otherwise; yea though they persecute.. Peaceable prayers bespeak a peaceable people. If some professing religion have been unquiet, their unquietness hath given the lie to their profession. Quietness is our badge. 'Twill be our strength our rejoicing in the day of evil. It is pleasing to God-it may work upon others. The means for keeping our hearts quiet, is to get them filled with the knowledge of these two things, 1. That the kingdom of Christ is not of this world. 2. That the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. He needs not our sin to bring to pass his own counsel. We must mortify unquietness in the causes of it. We must always remember the oath of God; the oath of allegiance is an oath of quietness. And we must beware of the company and con

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versation of those that are unquiet. Though deceitful matters be devised, we must be quiet still; nay, be so much the more quiet." Every sentence of the above is supported by a reference to a Scripture text. Scripture text. The passages referred to are, 2 Pet. ii. 10; Jude 8; Exod. xxii. 28; Acts xxiii. 5; 2 Sam. xv. 3; Eccles. x. 20; Titus iii. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 1, 2; Jer. xxix. 7; Psal. cix. 4; Jude ii. 12; Col. iii. 12; Isa. xxx. 7. 15; Jer. xviii. 18; 1 Pet. ii. 12, 13; James iv. 1; Eccles. viii. 2.

In 1663, Mr. Henry returned again with his family from Whitchurch to Broad Oak, which continued to be his settled home, till he was removed to his long home, about twenty-eight years after this time.

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The rigour of the five-mile act began now to abate, and more opportunity was enjoyed for doing good, than before, which Mr. Henry endeavoured to improve to the utmost; especially in instructing the ignorant, helping on their way to heaven such as needed his aid.

In the beginning of his account book, he placed that text. Prov. iii. 9, 10, "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase; so shall thy

barns be filled with plenty; and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." And he not only wrote it down but practised it. After his return, he kept a day of fasting and prayer, to beg of God, a wise and understanding heart, and to drop a tear—as he expressed it-over the sins of his predecessors, formerly in that estate. He laid himself out very much in doing good; and was in many ways serviceable to his neighbourhood. He was very useful in the common concerns of the township and country, in which he was a very prudent counsellor. And although an humble service for a man of his office and gifts, "Yet men gave ear and waited, and kept silence at his counsel: after his words they spake not again,” Job xxix. 21. Many, who respected him not as a minister, loved and honoured him as a knowing, prudent, and humble neighbour. References were sometimes made to him, by rule of court, with consent of parties. He was very affable and easy of access, and admirably patient in hearing every one's complaint, which he would answer with so much prudence and mildness, and gave such apt advice, that many a time to consult with him, was to

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end the matter. He observed that in almost all quarrels, there were faults on both sides, and that generally they were most in fault, who were most clamorous and forward. One making her complaint to him of a bad husband; unkind in this respect, and the other; and concluded by saying; sir, what would you have me to do? He mildly answered, "I would have you to go home and be a better wife to him, and then you'll find, that he'll be a better husband to you."

Labouring with one to forgive an injury, he said, "Are you not a Christian?" and urged this, until he prevailed. He often persuaded people to give up some of their rights for the sake of peace. And would tell them Luther's story of the two goats, which met on a narrow bridge, over a deep water. They could not go back, they durst not fight; but after a short parley, one of them lay down and let the other go over him, and no harm done. He would also tell a story, worthy of being preserved, of a good friend of his, Mr. T. G. of Whitchurch, who, in his youth was greatly wronged by an unjust uncle of his, being an orphan. His portion,

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