wealth, yet, which is far better, he delighted himself in the abundance of peace. All that he had and did, observably prospered; so that it was noticed by all around, and people would say, "This is a family which the Lord has blessed." And his comforts, of this kind, were as he used to pray they might be oil to the wheels of his obedience. And in these things he served the Lord his God with joyfulness and gladness of heart; yet still mindful of, and grieved for the affliction of Joseph. When in the midst of the comforts of this life, he would say, sometimes, "What! all this, and heaven too! then surely we serve a good Master." Thus did the Lord bless him, and make him a blessing; and this abundant grace, through the thanksgiving of many, redounded to the glory of God.

During his residence at Broad Oak, Mr. Henry, as has been said, regularly attended the church with his family; was always present when the service commenced, and remained until it was ended; and if there was a baptism, he waited for this also, but not for a wedding, for he disapproved of this on the

Lord's day. He often invited the preacher to dinner; and after dinner he was accustomed to sing a hymn, and then preach to his own family, when two or three others would drop in; and many an excellent sermon he preached, when there were only four present, besides his family, according to the limitation of the conventicle act. In these narrow circumstances, he preached over the first part of the Assembly's Catechism, from divers texts. He also preached over the 116th Psalm, besides many particular, occasional subjects.

He commonly had in his house one or more young scholars, preparing for the university. The first of these was Mr. William Turner, afterwards of Edmund's Hall, Oxford, to whom the world is indebted for the elaborate "History of all Religions," edited in the year 1695; and the "Record of the remarkable Providences of God." Between him and Mr. Henry there existed a most entire and affectionate friendship; and an endearing and constant correspondence. It was remarked, that several of the young men who lived in his house, died, soon after

leaving him; as if God had sent them there, to be prepared for another world, before they were called for out of this.

For a long time he entertained so high an opinion of the advantages of the universities, as places of education, that he advised all his friends to send their sons, although he knew that conformity would be the consequence. But he afterwards changed his opinion, and would not send his own son, but chose rather to keep him at home with him, and to give him what help he could there, in his education, than venture him into the snares and temptations of the university.

Soon after his settlement at Broad Oak, he formed an acquaintance with that learned, judicious, and pious gentleman, Mr. Hunt, and with his excellent lady, Frances, daughter of the right honourable Lord Paget, which soon ripened into an intimate friendship, which continued, without interruption, until his dying day. It was a constant rejoicing to him, to see religion and the power of godliness uppermost in such a family as that, when not many mighty and not many noble are called. Divers of the honourable relations of that family contracted a very

great respect for him, particularly, the present Lord Paget, his majesty's ambassador at the Ottoman court, and Sir Henry Ashurst, of whom mention will be made in the sequel.

Two remarks from his diary shall close this chapter, which will show what manner of spirit he was of, and what were his sentiments of things at that time. The first is, "All acknowledge that there is, at this day, a number of sober, peaceable men, both ministers and people, among dissenters; but who saith or doth any thing to oblige them? Who desireth, or endeavoureth to open the door to let in such? Nay, do they not rather provoke them to run into the same extravagancies with others, by making no difference, but laying a load on them, as if they were as bad as the worst." 'Tis true, that Lord Keeper Bridgeman, Bishop Wilkins, and Chief Justice Hale, were making some overtures for an accommodation with them, but this only served to exasperate their adversaries the more; and the event was greater acts of severity.

Another is this, "If all that has been said and written to prove prelacy to be anti

Christian, and that it is unlawful to join in the common prayer, had been said effectually to persuade bishops to study, and do the duty of church rulers, in preaching, and feeding the flock, according to the word, and to persuade people to be spiritual in the use of forms, it had been better with the church of God in England, than it now is." Consonant to this, was a remark which he often made, and took occasion to mention, as his settled principle, viz. "In those things where all the people of God are agreed, I will spend my zeal; and wherein they differ, I will endeavour to walk according to the light which God hath given me, and charitably believe that others do so too."

CHAPTER VI.

From the year 1672 to 1680.

As was mentioned, there was some relaxation in the execution of the severe act against conventicles; so that, in some places, the non-conformists ventured to set up meetings