Matthew Henry, His Life and Times

by Charles Chapman

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 Excerpt: ... where they patiently suffered. Piety languished. The spirit of party was rife. Political opponents were often more anxious for the adherence of the people to their cause than for the improvement of the nation. The soil was rich for iniquity, and poor for righteousness. Difficult indeed was it, in such a season, to control the passions of men, and draw them from sin to holiness. Now, what I mean to say is this, --that it was no little thing in those times for a man who was one of the despised and persecuted, to gather a large congregation; check the current of vice; silence the cavils of enemies; bear a constant and successful protest against bigotry and bitterness; administer comfort to the persecuted; make many homes happy with the blessings of domestic piety; gain an influence in various parts of the country, and with men in every station of life; attend to the wants of the poor and afflicted; pay weekly visits to condemned criminals; hold together in peace and love a large Christian church, and send forth into the world large volumes which have proved a means of instruction and an aid to holiness until this very day. To have done such a work, and under such difficulties, there must have been in the man the most sterling qualities--the power of intellect, force of will, warmth of heart, genuine sympathy, prudence of counsel, self-possession, dignified deportment, soundness of judgment, and uniform holiness--which ever proclaim him to be great and worthy. And yet such a work, and in such troublous times, was accomplished by Matthew Henry. Nor would we stay here, but observe that the influence which he even then, in Chester, deservedly obtained, was in no one instance ever used for the purpose of promoting the interests of any political or religious faction.. Read Less

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 Excerpt: ... where they patiently suffered. Piety languished. The spirit of party was rife. Political opponents were often more anxious for the adherence of the people to their cause than for the improvement of the nation. The soil was rich for iniquity, and poor for righteousness. Difficult indeed was it, in such a season, to ... Read More