but that Mr. Gunston, Mr. Smith, and some others, came to me from London, and begged me [not to refuse] for the sake of the public—which was the thing that turned the scales. By this determination I have brought upon myself more grief and care than I could have imagined, and have many a time wished it undone; but, having opened my mouth, I could not go back. I did with the utmost impartiality (if I know any thing of myself) beg of God to incline my heart that way which would be most for his glory; and I trust I have a good conscience, willing to be found in the way of my duty. Wherein I have done amiss, the Lord forgive me for Jesus' sake, and make this change concerning the congregation to work together for good to it!"
Another paper, dated, Hackney, July 13, 1711, written after fervent prayer to God, contains the reasons which occurred to him why he should accept his invitation, which he wrote to be a satisfaction to him afterward. The following is a brief epitome of them: "1. I am abundantly satisfied that it is lawful for ministers to remove, and in many cases expedient. 2. My invitation to Hackney is not only unanimous, but pressing; and, upon many weeks' trial, I do not perceive any thing discouraging, but every thing that promises comfort and usefulness. 3. There seems an intimation of Providence in the many calls I have had that way before. 4. There is manifestly a wider door of opportunity to do good opened to me at London than at Chester, which is my main inducement. 5. In drawing up and publishing my Exposition, it will be a great convenience to be near the press—also to have books at hand to consult, and learned men to converse with, for my own improvement. 6. I have followed Providence in this affair, and referred myself to its disposal. 7. I have asked the advice of many ministers, and judicious christians. 8. I have some reason to hope that my poor endeavours may be more useful to those to whom they are new. 9. I have not been without my discouragements at Chester, which have tempted me to think my work there in a great measure done; many have left us, and few been [of late] added. 10. I am not able to ride long journies, as formerly, to preach, which last winter brought illness upon me, so that my services would be confined within the walls of Chester. 11. The congregation, though unwilling to part with me, have left the matter under their hands to my own conscience," &c.
It appears from Mr. Henry's diary, that his journey to London at the time here referred to was very uncomfortable, by reason of the badness of the roads, but especially by his great indisposition and pain, which much discouraged him. "I begged," says he, "that these frequent returning illnesses might be sanctified to me. I see how easily God can break our measures, and disappoint us, and make that tedious which we hoped would be pleasant." However, he arrived safe, May 12; when he writes thus: "And now I look back upon the week with thankfulness for the mercies of God, and the rebukes I have been under; such as give me cause to be jealous of myself, whether I be in my way. Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me, and wherefore thou relievest me!—Lord's day, 13. I had but a bad night, yet better in the morning. Preached, 2 Pet. i. 4. Partake of a divine nature. Administered the Lord's supper to the congregation at Hackney. Not a hundred a communicants.[1] I was somewhat enlarged in preaching, but at the Lord's supper very much straitened, and not as I used to be at Chester.—14. A very good night, and perfectly well, blessed be God. Mr. Tong and Mr. Evans came, and staid with me most of the day. We talked much to and fro of my coming hither, but brought it to no issue. The congregation seems very unanimous."
During this visit at Hackney, Mr. Henry preached frequently in the city, and several of his sermons at Salters-hall were published: viz. On Faith in Christ—On Forgiveness of Sin as a Debt—Hope and Fear balanced. Many entertaining articles appear in his journal respecting the visits he made, and the occurrences he met with, during his stay at Hackney, which must be passed over. On the whole, he seems to be better reconciled by it to the thoughts of returning. In one place he says, "Blessed be God, I meet with a praying people, and that love prayer." His last entry is July 29. "Preached, 1 John ii. 25. This is the promise, &c. Administered the Lord's supper. We had a "very full congregation, which is some encouragement, at parting, to think of coming again." This he did much sooner than he expected; for it appears from his MS. now before me, that, in the next January, he had a subpoena to be a witness in a cause to be tried in the Queen's Bench, which greatly perplexed him. On this occasion he preached at Hackney, January 27, and again on the 30th, being the lecture-day; when he writes, that he "met some of the heads of the congregation, earnestly begging them, with tears, to release him from his promise," who told him that "they could not in conscience do it, because they thought his coming was for the public good." On February 4, he had a fit of the stone. On the 18th, he set off very willingly for Chester, and arrived in better health than when he set out. But he had frequent returns of that complaint soon afterward which however did not occasion him to spare his labours.
The time now approached for him to fulfil his engagement with the people at Hackney, but the thought of leaving his friends at Chester proved a very severe trial to him, and pressed down his spirit beyond measure, as appears from many passages in his diary written about this time. On May 11, 1712, when he took his leave of his flock, he expounded the last chapter of Joshua in the morning, and of Matthew in the afternoon, and preached on 1 Thess. iv. 17, 18. After this service he writes, "A very sad day—I see I have been unkind to the congregation, who love me too well.—May 12. In much heaviness I set out in the coach for London, not knowing the things that shall befall me there. 15. Came to London—But Lord, am I in my way? I look back with sorrow for leaving Chester; I look forward with fear; but unto thee, O Lord! do I look up."
Mr. Henry commenced his pastoral work at Hackney on the Lord's day, May 18. The appearance of the meeting-house, which then stood on the opposite side of the way to the present, where three houses now stand, was not very inviting, either without or within. It was an old irregular building, originally formed out of dwelling-houses; but it was large, and the congregation was in a flourishing state, both in point of numbers and of wealth; for it is said, no less than thirty gentlemen's carriages constantly attended the meeting, and that the annual collection for the Presbyterian Fund for poor ministers was three hundred pounds. This being the case, it seems surprising that in Mr. Henry's time a better place of worship should not have been erected. What his salary was does not appear, doubtless it was something considerable; but that was with him no object in his removal. His grand motive was usefulness to the church of God; and of this he had here a very encouraging prospect.
- ↑ How much they were increased afterward, does not appear; but it is probable that they were never very numerous, as many dissenters, who live in the villages near London, keep up their connexion with the churches of which they had been members when they resided there.
