Chapter 15 Matthew Henry: An Annotated Bibliography
Philip Alexander
1. Introduction
Any comprehensive account of the life and influence of Matthew Henry has to be based on a comprehensive bibliography, but as yet no such bibliography exists. Compiling it is far from easy because he wrote so much, and some of his writings remain in manuscript. Further, some of those which have been published have been reprinted in a bewildering array of editions stretching right down to the present day.
The list presented here is only a first step towards rectifying the lack of a Henry bibliography. It was initially compiled from the lists by TONG (Account, No. 92 below) and WILLIAMS (Memoirs, No. 95 below), supplemented by large reference catalogues such as Copac, SOLO, and WorldCat. However, the information contained in the latter is sometimes incomplete and confusing, and there is always a risk of creating phantom entries by failing to realize that the same item is described in different catalogues in somewhat different ways. It has not been possible for me to verify everything first-hand, but I have checked as much as I could in electronic databases such as Early English Books Online (hereafter EEBO), Eighteenth Century Collections Online (hereafter ECCO), Google Books, and Internet Archive (archive.org). I have also tried to inspect physically as many items as I could, though no library I know, not even Dr Williams’s, contains a complete set of Henry’s published works.1
The reprints of Henry’s works are important for assessing his reception and influence. I have tried to indicate below something of the history of their reprinting, but I could not be exhaustive. What I have said, however, is sufficient to show that it was not only his Exposition that was well received, but several other works as well, most notably his Life of Philip Henry (No. 45), his Method for Prayer (No. 58), and his Communicant’s Companion (No. 51). Reprints of his works were intended for edification and practical use, and editors felt free to intervene in his text, to change it, ‘correct’ it, and shorten it. There are, strictly speaking, no scholarly editions of any of his works. There is, therefore, a danger in quoting modern prints when one is writing for scholarly purposes about Henry himself. Quotation should ideally be from the early prints, preferably those published within his lifetime or shortly after. For instance, as far as the Exposition is concerned, none of the prints after the six-volume folio 1721–25 edition (No. 14) should be treated as absolutely reliable.
There are two authoritative early lists of Henry’s publications: (1) TONG, Account, 282–86 (No. 92; see also No. 1); and (2) WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 219–54 (No. 95). However, these are no longer complete and do not include reprints.
2. Collected and Selected Writings
[No. 1] The Works of the late Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry: Being a Complete Collection of all the Discourses, Sermons and other Tracts that were published by himself. Together with an Account of his Life and a Sermon preach’d on the Occasion of his Death, both by the Reverend Mr. William TONG (London: 1726) [ECCO].
– Repr., Edinburgh: 1833. See also No. 92.
[No. 2] The Select Works of the Late Revd. Mr. Matthew Henry: Being a Complete Collection of all his Practical Pieces. Together with an Account of his Life, and a Sermon preached on the occasion of his death, both by the Revd. Mr. William TONG (Edinburgh: 1772).
– Selected from No. 1. Repr., Edinburgh: 1776.
[No. 3] Select Sermons of the Late Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry, revised and published by Samuel PALMER (London: 1782).
– Relation to Nos. 1 and 2 is unclear to me.
[No. 4] An Entire Collection of Matthew Henry’s Works, 7 vols. (London: Samuel Bagster, 1811).
– Vols. 1–6: An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, new ed., by Rev. George BURDER and Rev. Joseph HUGHES, with the life of the author by Rev. Samuel PALMER (see No. 17); Vol. 7: Miscellaneous Writings. This remains the most complete edition of Henry’s collected works, but it does not include the works added by WILLIAMS, Miscellaneous Works (Nos. 5 and 87–90d), nor HARMAN, Sermons on the Covenant of Grace (Nos. 7 and 91).
[No. 5] J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, ed., The Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. Matthew Henry, V.D.M., containing in addition to those heretofore published, Numerous Sermons now first printed from the original Mss, 2 vols. (London: Joseph Ogle Robinson, 1833).
– See Nos. 87–90d. Claims to contain all previously published material, ‘except only the tract on the schism bill, which cannot be discovered’ (1:i) (see No. 82).
[No. 6] The Complete Works of Matthew Henry (his unfinished commentary excepted): Being a Collection of all his Treatises, Sermons, and Tracts, as published by himself, and a Memoir of his Life, 2 vols. (Edinburgh: A. Fullarton and Co., 1848).
– Repr., Edinburgh: 1853, 1855. Relation to No. 5 is unclear to me.
[No. 7] Allan M. HARMAN, ed., Matthew Henry’s Unpublished Sermons on the Covenant of Grace (Fearn: Christian Focus, 2003).
– Twenty-nine sermons preached in Chester 1691–92. See No. 91.
Henry’s writings can be divided into: (i) the Exposition, and (ii) the Miscellaneous Works (i.e., everything else: sermons, treatises, tracts, etc.).
3. The Exposition
3.1. Overview
Henry called his great Bible-work an ‘Exposition’, and this was the title under which it usually went down until the end of the nineteenth century, when it became widely designated a ‘Commentary’. This is understandable, but it obscures the fact that Henry’s use of the term was precise; he was not writing annotations or a commentary on Scripture, but an exposition. Annotating was what Matthew Poole and his continuators had done in Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–85).2 ‘Annotations’ or ‘Commentary’ involved commenting on individual elements in the text – points of difficulty and interest. ‘Exposition’ involved treating the text in the round, as a totality, and applying it to the Christian life. The full title of the original editions of the Exposition make very clear what Henry understands by ‘exposition’ (see No. 8 below).
The origins of the work itself are set out in the preface to the first volume, the Exposition of the Five Books of Moses (No. 8):
It has long been my practice, what little time I had to spare in my study from the constant preparations for the pulpit, to spend it in drawing up expositions upon some parts of the New Testament, not so much for my own use as purely for my entertainment, because I knew not how to employ my thoughts and time more to my satisfaction. Trahit sua quemque voluptas – Every man that studies hath some beloved study, which is his delight above any other; and this is mine. It is that learning which it was my happiness from a child to be trained up in, by my ever honoured father, whose memory must always be very dear and precious to me: he often reminded me that a good textuary is a good divine; and that I should read other books with this in my eye, that I might be the better able to understand and apply the scripture. While I was thus employing myself came out Mr. Burkitt’s Exposition, of the Gospels first, and afterwards of the Acts and the Epistles, which met with very good acceptance among serious people, and no doubt, by the blessing of God, will continue to do great service to the church. Soon after he had finished that work, it pleased God to call him to his rest, upon which I was urged, by some of my friends, and was myself inclined, to attempt the like upon the Old Testament, in the strength of the grace of Christ. This upon the Pentateuch is humbly offered as a specimen; if it find favour, and be found any way useful, it is my present purpose, in dependence upon divine aids, to go on, so long as God shall continue my life and health, and as my other work will permit.3
Three points here are of particular interest:
(1) The inspiration of William Burkitt’s Expository Notes. The first volume of these (covering the Gospels) was published in London in 1700, and the second (covering the rest of the New Testament, including Revelation, contrary to what one might infer from Henry’s reference) in 1703.4 The full title of Burkitt’s work immediately suggests parallels with Henry’s approach: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the Four Holy Evangelists … wherein the Sacred Text is at large recited, the sense explained, … Designed for the instruction of private families. The publishers were Thomas Parkhurst, Jonathan Robinson, and John Wyat. Parkhurst and Robinson also published Henry’s Exposition, so they may have encouraged him to undertake his exposition of the Old Testament in order to complement the successful Burkitt exposition of the New. Burkitt’s Expository Notes remained a formidable ‘rival’ to Henry on the New Testament. The eighteenth edition was published in Edinburgh in 1779, with a further print in Birmingham in 1789. It crossed the Atlantic, and editions were issued, e.g., in New Haven (1794) and in Philadelphia (1844). William Burkitt (1650–1703) was from 1692 until his death Vicar of Dedham in Essex. He was a staunch evangelical Anglican, whose father, like Matthew Henry’s, had been ejected in 1662.
(2) The acknowledged influence of Philip Henry on Matthew Henry’s expository practice. This influence has been too much ignored. Philip Henry’s Exposition, with Practical Observations, upon the First Eleven Chapters of the Book of Genesis, was first published from manuscript by a descendant, John Lee, in 1839.5 Significantly, Lee, in his preface, notes:
The manuscript from which the following little work is taken, is in the handwriting of Matthew Henry, and is dated in 1682, at which period he was about twenty years old. Those who are acquainted with the style of Philip Henry, will see the clearest traces of it in every page, – almost in every sentence.
In Matthew Henry’s interesting life of his father, it is stated that the latter always expounded the portion of scripture which he read in his family, and made it a part of the employment of his children, while they were with him, to write those expositions. And it is added, that the collections thus formed by the children of that good man in their younger days, were afterwards of great use to them and their families.
There are very satisfactory reasons for believing that the manuscript from which the following pages are taken, forms one of the expositions of Philip Henry, written by his son under these circumstances.
Having, as a descendant of the writer, become possessed of it, I have at different times submitted it to the perusal of several judicious persons; and it is in consequence of their concurrent and strong recommendation that it is now made public. Independent of its intrinsic excellence, it cannot but be regarded with interest, from the consideration that by this and other similar productions of Philip Henry, was probably first suggested to his son the idea of writing the Commentary which bears his name; a Commentary, – to say the least of it, – as useful as any which has yet been submitted to the Christian world.
Perhaps no person is so well acquainted with the writings, – certainly no one has done such ample justice to the characters, of Philip and Matthew Henry, as Sir John Bickerton Williams. He informs us that the latter, in writing his Exposition, made a full, though judicious, use of the admirable papers of his father; very properly adding, that the circumstance should by no means be ‘regarded as derogatory to the venerated Commentator’.6
(3) Burkitt’s Expository Notes seem to have been designed with family Bible-reading in mind. That a similar audience was envisaged for Henry’s Exposition emerges from passing remarks in some of the prefaces.
Henry did not manage to complete the Exposition before his death. He rounded off the preface to vol. 5, on the Gospels and Acts (No. 12), with the words:
One volume more, I hope, will include what is yet to be done; and I will both go about it, and go on with it, as God shall enable me, with all convenient speed; but it is that part of the scripture which, of all others, requires the most care and pains in expounding it. But I trust that as the day so shall the strength be.7
But to this preface, John Evans, who seems to have seen the volume through the press, appended an advertisement:8
That which has been offered just before to the Reader, was the Reverend author’s first draft of a preface to this volume. He intended to revise it, if God had allow’d him a return from his late journey, but though by the afflicting stroke of his sudden death it wants the advantage of his last hand, yet serious readers will be well pleased to have his first sentiments on those important heads which come there under his consideration, especially since it contains his dying testimony to the Christian Religion, the canon of the New Testament, and the general usefulness of the sacred Scriptures, on occasion of those debates which have been lately started, and have made the most considerable noise in the world.
The Exposition itself, as far as this volume goes, was entirely committed to the press before he left the City. The Reader will perceive his intentions for the rest of the Holy Bible, but the Sovereign Providence of God, in whose hands our times are, has called his faithful and diligent servant to rest from his labours, and finish well himself, before he could finish this, and several other great and pious designs he had for the services of God and his Church.
However, it may be acceptable to such as have often entertained themselves and the families with what is already extant, to let them know that we are not without hopes yet of seeing Mr. Henry’s Exposition of the remainder, though it cannot be expected to be altogether so copious and complete as that which he prepared himself for the public. He drew up several years ago an Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans, which he had design’d to transcribe with little alteration for the beginning of the next volume, and was earnestly solicited to print by itself before he had thoughts of writing upon the whole Bible. For the rest, there are copies of his expositions, both in public and private, taken from him by judicious writers, wherein, tho’ they may not be of equal length, yet Mr. Henry was used to express himself with like propriety, the same pious spirit, and uncommon skill in the Scriptures. There is encouragement to hope that the revising and preparing of these for the press will be undertaken (if God give life and health) by an intimate friend of the excellent author, whose long acquaintance with his spirit and way make him the most proper person for that service, and his endear’d affection will incline him to take the pains necessary for ushering them into the world. This course is appreciated much better, than either to leave such a work unfinish’d, when ’tis already advanced so far, or to attempt the continuation of the design with a quite different set of thoughts, and another sort of style and method, that it may be as much Mr. Henry’s as possible. But a reasonable time must be allow’d before this can be expected. I pray God long to spare the valuable life of the dear friend of the author’s, and every way furnish him for this good work, and all others he may undertake for the good of God’s Church.9
This ‘dear friend’ of Henry, who seems to have undertaken to complete the work (possibly Tong?), is not named, but when the final volume appeared six years later (1721), multiple hands were clearly involved, though the title-page still attributed the work to Henry. The reason for this is explained in the preface to vol. 6 (No. 13):
After much expectation, and many enquiries, the last volume of the late reverend Mr. Henry’s Exposition now appears in the world. … Some of the relations and hearers of that excellent person have been at pains of transcribing the notes they took in short-hand of this part of the holy scripture, when expounded by him in his family or in the congregation; they have furnished us with very good materials for the finishing of this great work, and we doubt not but that the ministers who have been concerned in it have made that use of those assistances which may entitle this composure to the honour of Mr. Henry’s name; and, if so, they can very willingly conceal their own.10
Who the continuators were we learn from a note written by Dr Isaac Watts (who was surely in a position to know) on the flyleaf of his copy of the sixth volume. They were: John EVANS (Romans); Simon BROWNE (1 Corinthians); Daniel MAYO (2 Corinthians and 1–2 Thessalonians); Joshua BAYS (Galatians); Samuel ROSEWELL (Ephesians); William HARRIS (Philippians and Colossians); Benj. Andrews ATKINSON (1–2 Timothy); Jeremiah SMITH (Titus and Philemon); William TONG (Hebrews and Revelation); Samuel WRIGHT (James); Zechariah MERRELL (1 Peter); Joseph HILL (2 Peter); John REYNOLDS, of Shrewsbury (1–3 John); and John BILLINGSLEY (Jude).11
The Exposition is found both in complete and in abridged formats. The abridged formats are of various kinds: (a) abridgements of the whole work (e.g., Leslie CHURCH’s, No. 33); or (b) expositions of single books or parts of the Bible, sometimes complete in themselves, extracted from the complete work (Nos. 25, 26); or (c) excerpts of various kinds, arranged sometimes according to the order of the Exposition, sometimes topically. Henry is famous for pithy sayings and bon mots, and from early on anthologies of these were produced, both small and large (see classically, The Beauties of Henry, No. 28). Finally, (d) hybrid commentaries on the Bible, in which Henry constitutes one of the elements (he is most often combined with Thomas Scott) (e.g., Nos. 30, 34). These hybrid commentaries always involve abridging Henry.
3.2. Full Texts of Henry’s Exposition of the OT, or the NT, or Both
[No. 8] An Exposition of the Five Books of Moses: viz. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Wherein each chapter is summ’d up in its contents; the sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduc’d to its proper heads; the sense given, and largely illustrated, with practical remarks and observations (London: 1707) [= Exposition vol. 1].
– 2nd ed., London: 1710.
[No. 9] An Exposition of the Historical Books of the Old Testament: viz. Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I. and II. Samuel, I. and II. Kings, I. and II. Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Wherein … [etc.] (London: 1708) [= Exposition vol. 2].
– 2nd ed., corrected, London: 1712. Repr., London: 1721.
[No. 10] An Exposition of the Five Poetical Books of the Old Testament: viz. Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomon’s Song. Wherein … [etc.] (London: 1710) [= Exposition vol. 3].
[No. 11] An Exposition of the Prophetical Books of the Old Testament: viz. the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Wherein … [etc.] (London: 1712) [= Exposition vol. 4].
[No. 12] An Exposition of the Historical Books of the New Testament: viz. St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, St. John, and the Acts of the Apostles. Wherein … [etc.] (London: 1715) [= Exposition vol. 5].
[No. 13] An Exposition of the Several Epistles contained in the New Testament: viz. Romans, I. Corinthians, II. Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I. Thessalonians, II. Thessalonians, I. Timothy, II. Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, I. Peter, II. Peter, I. John, II. John, III. John, Jude, and the Revelation. Wherein … [etc.] (London: 1721) [= Exposition vol. 6].
– This volume is not by Henry himself, but by fourteen dissenting ministers (see above).
[No. 14] An Exposition of All the Books of the Old and New Testament, 6 vols. (London: 1721–25).
– This is the first complete edition. Vol. 6 is dated 1721 and is presumably the previous entry (No. 13) with a new title-page. The remaining volumes are dated 1725. This seems to have been regarded as the 3rd edition.
[No. 15] An Exposition of the Old and New Testament, 4th ed., 5 vols. (London: 1737–38).
[No. 16] An Exposition of the Old and New Testament, 5th ed., carefully corrected, 6 vols. (Edinburgh: 1757–60).
[No. 17] An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, new ed., by Rev. George BURDER and Rev. Joseph HUGHES, with the life of the author by Rev. Samuel PALMER, 6 vols. (London: Samuel Bagster, 1811).
– Widely regarded as the definitive edition. Constitutes vols. 1–6 of An Entire Collection of Matthew Henry’s Works (see No. 4).
[No. 18] An Exposition of the Old and New Testaments, new ed., containing introductory remarks, ed. H. DAVIS, 6 vols. (London: 1844).
[No. 19] An Exposition on the Old and New Testaments, new ed., ed. A.L. GORDON, 3 vols. (London: Partridge and Oakey, 1846–48).
– The relation of this to the pictorial edition, with illustrations and maps, 3 vols. (London: [1854?]), is unclear to me.
[No. 20] The Comprehensive Unabridged Henry’s Commentary on the New Testament …, with additional notes by J. CUNNINGHAM, together with a memoir of Henry by J. HAMILTON (London: William Mackenzie, [1870/71]).
– Issued in parts.
[No. 21] An Exposition of the New Testament [from An Exposition on the Old and New Testament], with a preface by C.H. SPURGEON, 10 vols. (London: William Mackenzie, [1886–88]).
[No. 22] A Commentary on the Holy Bible … by Matthew Henry … A new and illustrated edition, with an introductory essay by the Rev. John STOUGHTON, 3 vols. (London: Ward, Lock & Co, 1886–89).
[No. 23] Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, 6 vols. (Old Tappan, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell, 1935).
– The most important print of the complete text since the Bagster edition of 1811 (No. 17). Repr., 1949, 1959, 1968, 1970, 1991 (Hendrickson), 1998 (Hendrickson).
[No. 24] Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2008).
– In one volume.
3.3. Abbreviated and Excerpted Texts of Henry’s Exposition of the OT, or the NT, or Both
[No. 25] The Psalms of David in Metre: Newly translated and diligently compared with the original text, and former translation.… Allowed by the authority of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, and appointed to be sung in Congregations and Families. To which are prefixed the Annotations of the Rev. Mr. Matthew Henry (Glasgow: 1761).
– Other editions include, Glasgow: 1775; Philadelphia: 1783; Philadelphia: 1791. There was a fashion around this time for printing the Scottish Metrical Psalter with notes extracted from different biblical commentators.
[No. 26] Select Passages of Peculiar Instruction and Weight, from the Rev. Mr. Henry’s Exposition (London: 1781).
[No. 27] An Exposition on the Old and New Testament [by Matthew Henry] … largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. Forming the most complete family Bible ever published. Illustrated with upwards of one hundred elegant engravings, 3 vols. (London: [1793?]).
– Issued in parts.
[No. 28] The Beauties of Henry: A Selection of the Most Striking Passages in the Exposition of that celebrated commentator. To which is prefixed a Brief Account of the Life, Character, Labours and Death of the Author, by John GEARD, 3 vols. (London: 1797–1803) [ECCO].
[No. 29] A New Family Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with notes, illustrations, and practical improvements, selected from the Exposition of the Rev. Matthew Henry, by the Rev. E. BLOMFIELD, embellished with fifty beautiful engravings, 2 vols. (Bungay: C. Brightly, 1803–4).
– Repr., 1808 and 1811 (Bungay: C. Brightly), and 1860[?] (London: George Virtue).
[No. 30] The New Testament Pocket Commentary: Matthew Henry; Thomas Scott; Philip Doddridge; William Burkitt (London: The Religious Tract Society, [1850]).
[No. 31] The Bible for the Young, being the precepts and narratives of the Holy Scriptures presented with comments from the writings of … the Rev. Matthew Henry and others, edited and partly rewritten by the Rev. George A. CROOKE (Philadelphia: 1875).
[No. 32] Bible Themes from Matthew Henry: Passages selected from Matthew Henry’s Commentary arranged and edited under doctrinal subjects, by Rev. Selwyn GUMMER, With a Sermon Outline on each subject, prepared by Rev. Frank COLQUHOUN (London/Edinburgh: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1953).
– Enlarged edition from the same publisher, 1964.
[No. 33] Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible in One Volume, ed. Leslie F. CHURCH (London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1960).
– Repr., Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1961, and frequently since. The most popular of the abridged versions of the Exposition.
[No. 34] Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible: Matthew Henry; Thomas Scott (Chicago: Moody Press, [1963]).
[No. 35] Matthew Henry’s Commentary, edited and introduced by David WINTER, 2 vols. (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1974–75).
– Abridged edition (NT only). Repr. as Matthew Henry’s New Testament Commentary (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1995).
[No. 36] The Bethany Parallel Commentary on the New Testament: From the Condensed Editions of Matthew Henry, Jamieson/Faussett/Brown, Adam Clarke: Three Classic Commentaries in One Volume (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1983), and The Bethany Parallel Commentary on the Old Testament: From the Condensed Editions of Matthew Henry, Jamieson/Faussett/Brown, Adam Clarke: Three Classic Commentaries in One Volume (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1985).
[No. 37] Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Nashville: T. Nelson, 1997).
[No. 38] Multi New Testament Commentary: Matthew Henry, John Wesley, C.H. Spurgeon, ed. Mark WATER (Alresford: John Hunt, 2002).
3.4 Early Reception of the Exposition
[No. 39] John WESLEY, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (Bristol: 1765).
– Vol. 1, preface, pp. iii–v (§§ 3–13) contains a detailed critique of Henry’s Exposition, complaining that Henry’s ‘little witticisms’ and ‘a kind of archness’ fall short of ‘that strong, manly eloquence to which the preacher should aspire’, and sets a poor example of style for a minister. Nevertheless, Wesley relied heavily on Henry in his OT notes.
[No. 40] William CLEAVER, A List of Books Intended for the Use of the Younger Clergy and other Students of Divinity within the Diocese of Chester (Oxford: 1791) [Google Books].
– Repr. with revisions, Oxford: 1808. What is interesting here is the lack of reference to Henry’s Exposition. It is unthinkable that this would not have been known to Cleaver, who was Bishop of Chester 1787–1799.
[No. 41] William ORME, Bibliotheca Biblica: A Select List of Books on Sacred Scripture (Edinburgh: Adam Black, 1824).
– Pages 240–41 are laudatory.
[No. 42] Charles H. SPURGEON, Commenting & Commentaries: Two Lectures addressed to the Students of The Pastor’s College, Metropolitan Tabernacle, together with a Catalogue of Biblical Commentaries and Expositions (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1876).
– Pages 2–4 contain the most famous eulogy of Henry’s Exposition.
4. Henry’s Miscellaneous Works in Order of First Publication
1690
[No. 43] A Brief Enquiry into the True Nature of Schism; or A Persuasive to Christian Love and Charity. Humbly submitted to better Judgments; By M.H. Licensed Jan. 8. 1689/90 (London: 1690) [EEBO].
– Repr., London: 1717 [ECCO]. Schism ‘signifies uncharitableness and alienation of affection among Christians … [T]here may be schism where there is no separate communion, and there may be separate communion where there is no schism’ (TONG, Account, 391–92; No. 92). This is Henry’s first known publication and it caused controversy, for the bibliography of which see WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 222–24 (No. 95). The controversy led to an action in the consistory court at Chester in 1693.12 It also sparked vigorous discussion in print:
[No. 43a] The Arch-Rebel Found; or An Answer to Mr. M.H.’s Brief Enquiry into the True Nature of Schism; by T.W. Citizen of Chester, and a Sincere lover of Truth (‘Printed for the Author in the Year 1690’) [EEBO].
– Henry is here attacked by ‘T.W.’ (Thomas Wilcock, a prominent figure in Chester at the time), ‘a citizen of Chester’ and ‘a sincere lover of truth’.
[No. 43b] A Vindication of Mr. H’s Brief Enquiry into the True Nature of Schism from the Exceptions of T.W. the Citizen of Chester and Sincere Lover of Truth (London: 1691) [EEBO].
– Reply to The Arch-Rebel Found (No. 43a). The work is anonymous but it is clear from Henry’s correspondence that the author was William TONG (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 223; No. 95).
[No. 43c] A Reply by T.W. Citizen of Chester, to a Vindication of Mr. M.H.’s Brief Enquiry into the True Nature of Schism, from the Exceptions of T.W. &c. By a Person who conceals his Name (London: 1692) [EEBO].
– Response by ‘T.W.’ to No. 43b.
[No. 43d] A Review of Mr. M.H.’s New Notion of Schism and the Vindication of it. Imprimatur: March 10, 1692 (London: 1692) [EEBO].
– In a letter from Matthew Henry to his father, dated 15 April 1692, he states: ‘We were surprised the other night, with a “review” of the new notion of schism and the vindicator of it – by an unknown hand; superior to T.W. in learning and reading; and very little inferior in spleen and bitterness, and unfairness’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 223; No. 95). The Henrys do not seem to have known who the reviewer was. The tract is anonymous but is attributed in EEBO and SOLO to Robert Murrey, though this is odd because Henry was later to write a preface to MURREY’s Closet Devotions (No. 78).
[No. 43e] A Defence of Mr. M.H.’s Brief Enquiry into the Nature of Schism and the Vindication of it. With Reflections upon a Pamphlet called The Review, &c. And a Brief Historical Account of Nonconformity from the Reformation to this Present Time (London: 1693) [EEBO].
– Anonymous, but again by William TONG. The answer to the Review (No. 43d) is on pp. 83–129.
1695
[No. 44] Family-Hymns: Gather’d (mostly) out of the best Translations of David’s Psalms. Licensed 15 January 1694/5 (London: 1695) [EEBO].
– The ‘Epistle to the Reader’ is signed ‘M.H., Jan. 14, 1694/5’. 2nd ed. ‘with large additions’, June 1702: Family Hymns, gathered most out of David’s Psalms, and all out of the inspired Writings (see TONG, Account, 283; No. 92).
1698
[No. 45] An Account of the Life and Death of Mr. Philip Henry, Minister of the Gospel near Whitchurch in Shropshire. Who Dy’d June 24, 1696, in the Sixty fifth Year of his Age (London: 1698) [EEBO].
– One of the most celebrated spiritual biographies of the eighteenth century. 2nd ed., ‘corrected and emended’, with Dr Bates’s dedication, London: 1699 [EEBO]. 2nd ed. reissued by Christopher WORDSWORTH in Ecclesiastical Biography: or, Lives of Eminent Men connected with the History of Religion in England, 6 vols. (London: 1810), 6:107–393. 3rd ed., London: 1712 [22 January 1711/12], ‘improved by the author’s final corrections’ (see WILLIAMS, The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry, vii; No. 94) [ECCO], and including as an appendix, A Sermon preached at Broad Oak, June 4, 1707, On occasion of the Death of Mrs. Katharine Henry, relict of Mr. Philip Henry, who fell asleep in the Lord, May 25, 1707, in the 79th Year of her Age. By her Son (London: 1712) (see No. 71). Repr., London: 1716 [ECCO]. 4th ed., Salop: 1765 [Google Books]. From the ‘Dedication’, this appears to be the ‘abridged republication [that] appeared in 1765, under the superintendence of the Rev. Job Orton’ (WILLIAMS, The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry, vii; No. 94). New ed., ‘corrected and amended’, with Dr Bates’s dedication, Leeds: 1797 [ECCO]. Repr., Edinburgh: 1797 [ECCO]. Corrected and enlarged by J.B. WILLIAMS, The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry (London: B.J. Holdsworth, 1825) (No. 94); repr. in The Lives of Philip and Matthew Henry (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1974) (see No. 95).
1699
[No. 46] A Discourse concerning Meekness and Quietness of Spirit. To which is added, a Sermon on Acts 28.22, shewing that the Christian Religion is not a Sect, and yet that it is every where spoken against (London: 1699) [EEBO].
– The sermon was also printed separately (London: 1699) [EEBO]. Repr., Berwick: 1795 [ECCO].
1703
[No. 47] A Scripture Catechism, in the Method of the Assemblies (London: 1703) [ECCO].
– TONG (Account, 283; No. 92) and WILLIAMS (Memoirs, 225; No. 95) date this to 1702. 2nd ed., with Scripture proofs, London: 1708. 3rd ed., corrected, London: 1714 [ECCO]. Trans. into Welsh by Jenkin EVANS (see WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 225; No. 95). 4th ed., corrected, London: 1720.
[No. 48] A Plain Catechism for Children; to which is added another for the instruction of those who are admitted to the Lord’s Supper (London: 1703) [ECCO].
– 5th ed., Boston: 1717. 8th ed., London: 1741. 5th ed. (!), Edinburgh: 1747 (under title, A Catechism for Children). Welsh ed., Caerfyrddin: 1780 [ECCO].
1704
[No. 49] A Sermon concerning the right Management of Friendly Visits, preached in London at Mr. Howe’s Meeting-House, April 14, 1704 (London: 1704) [ECCO].
– Repr., London: 1705.
[No. 50] A Church in the House; a Sermon concerning family religion, preached in London at Mr. Shower’s Meeting, April 16, 1704, and published at the request of the Congregation (London: 1704) [ECCO].
– Repr., London: 1714. Repr., Glasgow: 1769.
[No. 51] The Communicant’s Companion; or Instructions and Helps for the Right Receiving of the Lord’s Supper (London: 1704) [ECCO].
– ‘Perhaps none of Mr. Henry’s writings have had a wider or more useful circulation’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 226; No. 95). The edition numbering seems to have got a bit confused. 4th ed., corrected, London: 1711 [EEBO, but only title-page]. 5th ed., corrected, London: 1712. 6th ed., corrected, London: 1715. 7th ed., corrected, Boston: 1716. 12th ed., corrected, London: 1734. 13th ed., corrected, Dublin: 1736. 12th ed. (!), carefully corrected, Edinburgh: 1737. 13th ed. (!), corrected, London: 1746. 14th ed., corrected, London: 1752. 10th ed. (!), carefully corrected, Glasgow: 1755. 11th ed. (!), carefully corrected, Glasgow: 1761. 15th ed., corrected, London: 1762. Repr., Edinburgh: 1778. Repr., Dumfries: 1785. Repr., Edinburgh: 1792. Repr., Berwick: 1793. Repr., Glasgow: 1798. Numerous impressions, including ‘one lately from the press of Messers. Chalmers and Collins of Glasgow, with an Introductory Essay by the Rev. J. Brown’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 226). Also an abridgement, The Communicant’s Assistant: Shewing the Nature and Ends of the Lord’s-Supper: with Instructions and Helps for the right Receiving of it (London: 1757); 2nd ed., London: 1763 [Google Books].
[No. 52] The Layman’s Reasons for his joining in stated Communion with a Congregation of moderate Dissenters (London: 1704).
1705
[No. 53] Four Discourses against Vice and Profaneness: viz. against I. Drunkenness, II. Uncleanness, III. Sabbath-breaking, IV. Profane speaking (1705).
– Preface added 30 April 1713 (London: 1713).
1706
[No. 54] A Sermon preached at the Funeral of the Rev. Mr. James Owen, a Minister of the Gospel in Shrewsbury, April 11, 1706 (London: 1706) [ECCO].
1707
[No. 55] Great Britain’s present Joys and Hopes, open’d in Two Sermons, preach’d in Chester. The Former on the National Thanksgiving Day, December 31, 1706. The latter the day following, being New Year’s Day, 1707 (London: 1707).
– Preface dated 15 February 1706/7.
1708
[No. 56] A Sermon preached at the Funeral of Dr. Samuel Benion, Minister of the Gospel in Shrewsbury, who died there the 4th of March, 1707–8, in the 35th year of his age; to which is added, a short Account of his Life and Death (London: 1708) [ECCO].
– Republished in 1709 (see No. 57).
[No. 57] A Sermon preached at the Funeral of the Rev. Mr. Francis Tallents, Minister of the Gospel in Shrewsbury, who died there April 11, 1708, in the 89th year of his age: with a short Account of his Life and Death (London: 1708).
– The funeral sermons for both Benion and Tallents, with the accounts of their lives, were republished together as Two Funeral Sermons: One on Dr. Samuel Benion, and the Other on the Reverend Mr. Francis Tallents, Ministers of the Gospel in Shrewsbury. With a short Account of their Lives (London: 1709) [EEBO, but only the title-page; ECCO].
1710
[No. 58] A Method for Prayer, with Scripture Expressions Proper to be Us’d under each Head (London: 1710) [ECCO].
– One of the most influential of Henry’s writings. 2nd ed., ‘with Additions’, appeared the same year (London: 1710). The edition numbering has gone awry. 5th ed., London: 1718. 6th ed., Dublin: 1719. 8th ed., London: 1737. New ed., corrected, Glasgow: 1745. 9th ed., London: 1750. 10th ed., Belfast: 1750. 10th ed. (!), London: 1761. New ed., Berwick: 1781. New ed., corrected, [1798?]. New ed., Berwick: 1798.
[No. 59] A Short Account of the Life of Lieutenant Illidge, who was in the Militia of the County of Chester near fifty years: chiefly drawn out of his own papers (London: 1710) [ECCO].
– ‘This publication was anonymous, but Mr. Henry’s diary demonstrates that he was the author. He finished compiling it April 7, 1710’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 230; No. 95). 2nd ed., corrected, published as An Account of the Life and Death of Lieutenant Illidge, … By the late Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry (London: 1720).
[No. 60] A Sermon concerning the Work and Success of the Ministry. Preach’d at the Tuesday Lecture at Salters-Hall, June 25, 1710 (London: 1710) [ECCO].
[No. 61] Disputes Review’d: In a Sermon Preach’d at the Evening Lecture at Salters Hall, on Lord’s Day, July 23, 1710 (London: 1710) [ECCO].
– Repr., London: 1719 (with a preface by Dr WATTS).
1711
[No. 62] Faith in Christ, Inferr’d from Faith in God: In a Sermon Preach’d at the Tuesday Lecture at Salters Hall, May 29, 1711 (London: 1711) [ECCO].
[No. 63] A Sermon Concerning the Forgiveness of Sin, as a Debt. Publish’d with Enlargements, at the Request of some that heard it preach’d in London, June 1, 1711 (London: 1711) [ECCO].
[No. 64] Hope and Fear balanc’d, in a Sermon Preach’d at the Tuesday Lecture at Salters Hall, July 24, 1711 (London: 1711) [ECCO].
[No. 65] Preface [dated 1 March 1711] to The Holy Seed: or, A Funeral Discourse occasion’d by the death of Mr. Thomas Beard, Sept. 15, 1710, by Joseph PORTER, … to which is added a Preface by Mr. Matthew Henry (London: 1711).
– ‘Now scarce’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 231; No. 95). 3rd ed., ‘with Enlargements from his own Manuscripts’, published as The Holy Seed: or, the Life of Mr. Thomas Beard, wrote by Himself … with his Funeral Sermon, by Joseph Porter. With a Preface by the late Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry (London: 1715).
1712
[No. 66] A Sermon Preach’d to the Societies for Reformation of Manners, at Salters-Hall, on Monday, June 30, 1712 (London: 1712) [ECCO].
[No. 67] A Sermon Preached at Haberdashers Hall, July the 13th, 1712: On Occasion of the Death of the Reverend Mr. Richard Stretton, M.A. and Minister of the Gospel, who Dy’d July the 3d, Aged Eighty; to which is added a short Account of his Life (London: 1712) [ECCO].
[No. 68] A Sermon Preach’d at the Funeral of Mr. Samuel Lawrence, Minister of the Gospel at Nantwich in Cheshire. Who died there, April 24, 1712, in the 51st Year of his Age, and was buried April 28; to which is added a short Account of his Life (London: 1712) [ECCO].
[No. 69] Directions for Daily Communion with God, in Three Discourses; showing how to begin, how to spend, and how to close every Day with God (London: 1712) [ECCO].
– 3rd ed., London: 1715. 4th ed., Boston: 1717. 4th ed. (!), Boston: 1728. 5th ed., London: 1731. 5th ed. (!), Bath: 1779.
[No. 70] Popery, a Spiritual Tyranny, shew’d in a Sermon preach’d on the Fifth of November, 1712 (London: 1712) [ECCO].
– ‘Preached at Mr. Reynold’s meeting-house; and afterwards at Hackney’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 232; No. 95). New ed., with preface and notes by Benjamin Flower, London: 1779.
1712 [1707]
[No. 71] A Sermon preached at Broad Oak, June 4, 1707, on Occasion of the Death of Mrs Katharine Henry, relict of Mr. Philip Henry, who fell asleep in the Lord, May 25, 1707, in the 79th Year of her Age (London: 1712) [ECCO].
– Also published as an appendix to the 3rd ed. (1712) of An Account of the Life and Death of Mr. Philip Henry (No. 45) [ECCO]. Repr. in WILLIAMS, The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry (1825), 311–34 (No. 94).
1713
[No. 72] Sober-Mindedness press’d upon Young People: In a discourse on Titus ii.6 (London: 1713).
– 2nd ed., London: 1715. 5th ed., London: 1735.
[No. 73] A Sermon Preach’d at the Ordination of Mr. Atkinson, in London, Jan. 7, 1712/13 (London: 1713) [ECCO].
– ‘It is probable that this Sermon was first preached at the ordination of Dr. Benyon. With the original edition was printed Mr. [Ben Andrewes] Atkinson’s Confession of Faith and the Exhortation addressed by Mr. Smith’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 232; No. 95).
[No. 74] A Sermon Preach’d upon Occasion of the Funeral of the Reverend Mr. Daniel Burgess, Minister of the Gospel, who died Jan. 26, 1712/13, in the 67th Year of his Age. With a short Account concerning him (London: 1713).
– 2nd ed., London: 1713.
[No. 75] Christ’s Favour to Little Children, Open’d and Improv’d, in a Sermon Preach’d at the Publick Baptizing of a Child in London, March 6, 1712/13 (London: 1713) [ECCO].
– ‘The child referred to was Eleanor, the daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Smith’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 233; No. 95).
[No. 76] A Sermon concerning the Catechizing of Youth, preach’d to Mr. Harris’s catechumens, April 7, 1713 (London: 1713).
[No. 77] Exhortation following A Sermon preach’d at the Ordination of Mr. Samuel Clark, in St. Albans, Sept. 17th, 1712, by Jeremiah SMITH, … And the Exhortation to him at the close, by the Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry (London: 1713).
– ‘The Confession of Faith by Mr. Clark, with the questions proposed, and a Preface by Dr. Daniel Williams, shewing the method and solemnity of Presbyterian ordinations, accompanied the first edition of “The Exhortation”. The “Exhortation” was delivered September 17, 1712 … [but] Mr. Henry did not begin to write it for the press until April 30, 1713’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 233; No. 95).
[No. 78] Preface to Closet Devotions: In which the Principal Heads of Divinity are Mediated upon, and Pray’d over, in Scripture Expressions, by Robert MURREY, … With a Preface by Mr. Matthew Henry, Author of the Method of Prayer (London: 1713) [ECCO].
– The preliminary section ‘To the Reader’ is signed ‘Matt. Henry, June 14, 1712’, while the section actually headed ‘The Preface’ is in fact by the author, and signed ‘R.M., Chester, May 10, 1712’.
[No. 79] Self-consideration necessary to Self-preservation; or, the Folly of despising our own Souls, and our own Ways; open’d in Two Sermons to Young People, the former on Prov. xv.32, the latter on Prov. xix.16 (London: 1713) [ECCO].
[No. 80] A Memorial of the Fire of the Lord, in a Sermon Preach’d Sept. 2d, 1713. Being the Day of the Commemoration of the Burning of London, in 1666. At Mr. Reynold’s Meeting-place near the Monument (London: 1713). [Google Books]
– ‘Mr. Henry returned home and preached it at Hackney’ (WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 234; No. 95).
1714
[No. 81] The Pleasantness of a Religious Life, open’d and prov’d, and recommended to the Consideration of all, particularly of Young People (London: 1714) [ECCO].
– 2nd ed., London: 1715. 4th ed., London: 1735. 4th ed. (!), London: 1761. 5th ed., London: 1771. 7th ed., London: 1787. See also, No. 94.
[No. 82] Serious Thoughts about the Bill brought into the House of Commons against Dissenters’ Schools and Academies (1714).
– Listed in WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 234 (No. 95). There he quotes from Henry’s diary:
‘On the 26th of May, 1714, I preached the morning lecture at Mr. Manduit’s, Ps. xxxiv.2. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord. I stayed in the city, and went with Dr. Williams, and many others, to make our appearance in the Court of Requests, against this wicked bill of persecution; but no good will be done.
‘27. I went to London – to Wapping – to a day of prayer at Mr. Bush’s. Mr. Harris, Mr. Lyde, Mr. Ridgley, Mr. Clark prayed. I preached 2 Chr. xx.12. We know not what to do. The bill this day ordered to be engrossed.
‘28. I wrote some thoughts about the present bill.
‘29. I wrote a second time: much enlarged the serious thoughts about the bill. Sent the paper to the press’.
Henry died less than a month later. No known copy survives, and WILLIAMS, Miscellaneous Works (No. 5), notes: ‘the tract on the schism bill … cannot be discovered’ (1:i). It is not listed in TONG (No. 92), but where then did WILLIAMS get the title from (a title echoed in Henry’s diary entry) if he hadn’t actually seen it?
1726 [1700]
[No. 83] A Sermon preach’d at Chester, on occasion of opening the new Meeting-house there, August 8, 1700. By the late Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry (London: 1726) [ECCO].
– See figure 1.3 in the present volume.
1783 [1711?]
[No. 84] A Treatise on Baptism by the Rev. Matthew Henry. Abridged from the Original Manuscript, and now first published by Thomas ROBINS (London: 1783). [Google Books]
– ‘After the death of Mr. Henry (A.D. 1714), his friends found among his papers, a large Treatise on Baptism; drawn up (as is evident from its whole cast, and its numerous quotations from ancient writers) with great care and labour; fairly transcribed with his own hand, and ready for the press. The seeming remains of a date in the very corner of the last page, render it probable, that it was written, some years before his decease. Why it was not published, during his life, is unknown; and the suddenness of his death, at a distance from his family, prevented his leaving behind him, any orders, either about its publication, or suppression. Those into whose hands it came, were not without thoughts of having it printed; but were discouraged by the large size of the controversial part of the work; which, they justly apprehended, would obstruct both its spread, and its acceptance. An apprehension which operated with increasing force, after the publication, of those able, and learned defences of infant baptism, which a few following years produced. But still, the descendants, and other friends of the Author, were very unwilling, that the practical part of the Treatise, should be lost to the world; as it seemed to them well calculated for general usefulness, and much wanted; other publications on the subject being almost entirely controversial’ (Thomas ROBINS’s ‘Advertisement’ at the beginning of the volume, v–vi). ROBINS further notes that the original, unabridged manuscript ‘will be lodged in the library belonging to the dissenting Academy at Daventry’ (viii).
1820 [1697?]
[No. 85] Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mrs. Anne Hulton, youngest daughter of the Rev. Philip Henry, by her Brother, Matthew Henry, published by J. Bickerton WILLIAMS (London: 1820).
– Subsequently added to the 1821 edition of J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mrs. Sarah Savage (London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co., 1821), 263–333 (see No. 93). WILLIAMS notes in a preface that Henry wrote it ‘for private circulation’ and ‘though strongly urged, could not be prevailed on to publish the narrative; having printed the well-known Life of his father, Mr. Philip Henry [see No. 45], he, according to tradition, deemed any attempt to increase the notoriety of his family inconsistent with modesty. The manuscript has, therefore, hitherto remained in obscurity’ (No. 93, p. 265). Repr. in WILLIAMS, The Henry Family Memorialized (1849), 94–154 (No. 98). See also No. 88.
1828 [1696]
[No. 86] A Sermon preached at Broad Oak, June 28, 1696, on the Occasion of the Death of the Rev. Philip Henry, M.A., who fell asleep in the Lord, June 24, 1696, in the 65th year of his age (1828).
– First published by WILLIAMS as an appendix to his edition of The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry (1825), 285–310 (No. 94).
1833 [1692–1710]
WILLIAMS, The Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. Matthew Henry (1833) (No. 5), also contains the following texts not listed above:
[No. 87] ‘A Sermon on the Promises of God: Preached May the 7th, 1710’ (Miscellaneous Works, 2:769–73).
[No. 88] ‘Memoirs of Mrs. Radford (From a Copy in Mrs. Savage’s Hand-Writing)’ (Miscellaneous Works, 2:942–44).
– ‘Mrs. Radford’ is Eleanor Radford (1667–1697), the third daughter of Philip Henry, and another of Matthew Henry’s sisters (see Nos. 85 and 93).
[No. 89] ‘A Brief Account of the Life and Death of Doctor John Tylston’ (Miscellaneous Works, 2:959–66).
– Dr John Tylston (1664–1699) was the husband of Katharine (1665–1748), the second daughter of Philip Henry, and Matthew Henry’s brother-in-law.
[No. 90] ‘Series of Sermons, by the Reverend Matthew Henry. Now first published from the Original Manuscripts’ (Miscellaneous Works, 2:1209–70).
[No. 90a] ‘The Worth of the Soul, in Six Sermons’ (2:1211–35).
‘Sermon I: Matthew xvi.16’ [sic; read ‘xvi.26’] (2:1211–15).
‘Sermon II: Matthew xvi.26’ (2:1215–19).
‘Sermon III: Matthew xvi.26’ (2:1219–23).
‘Sermon IV: Matthew xvi.26’ (2:1223–27).
‘Sermon V: Matthew xvi.26’ (2:1227–31).
‘Sermon VI: Matthew xvi.26’ (2:1231–35).
– Editorial note adds that ‘These sermons were preached in 1696’ (2:1235).
[No. 90b] ‘Sermons and Charges’ (2:1236–47).
‘[Sermon:] Numbers xv.39’ (2:1236–37).
– Editorial note: ‘It does not appear upon what occasion the following Sermon was delivered, though probably it was connected with some ordination service’ (2:1236).
‘Charge I’ (2:1237–39).
– Editorial note: ‘The following memorandum connected with the ensuing Charge, appears in Mr. Henry’s MS. Diary.
Aug. 6th, 1706. An ordination fast at Knutsford, ordained Mr. Leolin Edwards, of Tinsel, Mr. Thomas Perrot, of Newmarket, and Mr. Silas Sidebottom, of Whelock. – We had a very comfortable day. I hope many were edified. Mr. Angier prayed, Mr. Lawrence preached, 2 Tim. ii.2. The same commit thou to faithful men. I took the confession, and gave the exhortation. – We had much comfort together – were about eighteen ministers – at night went to Winslow; many of my friends with me’ (2:1237).
‘Charge II’ (2:1239–41).
– Editorial note: ‘Extract from Mr. Henry’s MS. Diary.
May 13th, 1707. Ordination fast at Knutsford, Mr. Low, Dr. Holland, and Mr. Angier prayed. Mr. Lawrence preached, Ps. xvi.13. Show me the path of life. Mr. Twemlow and Mr. Garsyde were set apart, by imposition of hands. We were minded of our ordination vows. O that the obligations of them may abide always upon me! We were refreshed with the society of our brethren’ (2:1239).
‘Charge III’ (2:1241–43). Includes ‘Exhortation’ (2:1242–43).
– Editorial note: ‘Extract from Mr. Henry’s MS. diary.
October 20, 1707. Went by Wrenbury Wood to Nantwich, to an ordination. The evening spent in examining the candidates at Mr. Lawrence’s, – Mr. Richard Lessingham, of Grantham in Lincolnshire, who brought very good testimonials, Mr. William Bryan, of Newcastle, Mr. John King, of Stone, and Mr. John Kenrick, of Wrexham.
21st. An ordination fast. Mr. Lawrence began; Mr. Irham prayed; Dr. Holland preached; I took the confession, and gave the exhortation. We were in all about twenty ministers. The candidates discovered much seriousness, and we hope they are all likely to serve the cause of God. We were much refreshed, and there were none to make us afraid’ (2:1241).
‘Charge IV’ (2:1243–44).
– Editorial note: ‘Extract from Mr. Henry’s MS. diary.
April. 13, 1708. This day was spent in ordaining Mr. Benyon, at Whitchurch. Mr. Lawrence began, Mr. David Jones, of Salop, preached, 2 Tim. ii.15. Mr. Doughty prayed. I took his confession, prayed over him, and gave the exhortation. He performed with great seriousness, and gave universal satisfaction’ (2:1243).
[‘Charge V’] (2:1244–45).
– The heading for this charge has been accidently omitted by the printer, and presumably also Williams’s editorial note as to when it was delivered.
‘Charge VI’ (2:1245–47).
– Editorial note: ‘Mr. Henry’s MSS. contain no information respecting the person to whom this charge was given, nor the time of its delivery’ (2:1245).
[No. 90c] ‘Funeral Sermons’ (2:1248–54).
‘Sermon I: Isaiah xxxviii.12’ (2:1248–49).
– ‘Preached July 7th, 1693, at the Funeral of Elizabeth Young, after an illness of fourteen weeks’ (2:1248).
‘Sermon II: Job xiv.10’ (2:1249–51).
– ‘Preached at the funeral of William Bolland, September 2nd, 1698’ (2:1249).
‘Sermon III: Genesis xlix.18’ (2:1251–52).
– ‘Preached February 2nd, 1702, at the Funeral of my cousin Madocks, aged about 53’ (2:1251).
‘Sermon IV: Psalm xc.6’ (2:1252–54).
– ‘Preached January 13th, 1704, at the Funeral of Mr. Benjamin Club, who died the day he was twenty years old’ (2:1252).
[No. 90d] ‘Fast Sermons’ (2:1255–70).
‘Sermon I: Isaiah viii.12,13’ (2:1255–59).
– ‘Preached on occasion of a Public Fast, May 11th, 1692’ (2:1255).
‘Sermon II: Isaiah xlii.21, latter part’ (2:1259–63).
– ‘Preached July 12th, 1693, on occasion of a Public Fast’ (2:1259).
‘Sermon III: Jeremiah xiv.7’ (2:1263–66).
– ‘Preached June 10, 1702, on occasion of the Public Fast upon the declaration of war against France and Spain’ (2:1263).
‘Sermon IV: Mark xiii.7’ (2:1267–70).
– ‘Preached May 26th, 1703, on occasion of the National Fast, for success in the war with France and Spain’ (2:1267).
2003 [1691–92]
[No. 91] Included in HARMAN, Matthew Henry’s Unpublished Sermons on the Covenant of Grace (2003) (No. 7).
– The volume contains ‘Matthew Henry’s own notes, from sermons preached to his Chester Congregation in 1691–92. … Harman filled in the shorthand gaps; added footnotes to help with obscure passages and translated the Greek, Hebrew and Latin quotes. He also provides a biographical introduction to help us picture Henry and see the context in which these sermons were preached’ (from the blurb). Elsewhere HARMAN notes: ‘My acquaintance with the name of Matthew Henry goes back to childhood days as my father would sometimes mention it when preaching. Then in 1953 he passed on to me a small vellum covered volume of twenty-nine sermons in Matthew Henry’s own handwriting that he had earlier been given by a fellow pastor. I finally deciphered these and they were published by Christian Focus in 2003’ (HARMAN, Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence, 7; No. 120).
5. Writings Available Online
In addition to EEBO, ECCO, Google Books, and Internet Archive, which offer digital images of printed editions of Henry’s works, transcriptions are also widely available online. For example, the Exposition can be found in full on several different websites, including: BibleGateway (www.biblegateway.com), Bible Study Tools (www.biblestudytools.com), Blue Letter Bible (www.blueletterbible.org), and Christian Classics Ethereal Library (www.ccel.org). The ‘External Links’ section in the Wikipedia entry for ‘Matthew Henry’ (No. 124) offers a useful index to some of the online resources. Quite a few of Henry’s works are also available from print-on-demand publishers (see Amazon, AbeBooks, etc.). However, the quality of these, which are produced by OCR (optical character recognition), is often poor and they should be used with caution.
6. Unpublished Writings and Archival Material
There is substantial archival material relating to Matthew Henry, among which are unpublished writings. This can be found in the British Library, Bodleian Library (Oxford), the Cheshire Record Office (e.g., refs DMD/N and DMD/O), the Chester City Record Office (e.g., ref. D/Basten and D/MH), and the Grosvenor Museum (Chester). A considerable amount of material remains in the possession of Henry’s descendants, some of whom still live in the counties of Shropshire, Cheshire, and Flint. This has never been indexed. It would be useful to digitize it, if the family members are willing. Henry’s diaries for 1705–13, extensively quoted by WILLIAMS, are held in the Bodleian Library, Oxford (MS Eng. Misc. e. 330).
7. Published Lives, Related Biographical Materials, and Historical Background13
[No. 92] William TONG, An Account of the Life and Death of Mr. Matthew Henry, Minister of the Gospel at Hackney, Who dy’d June 22, 1714, in the 52d Year of his Age (London: 1716) [Google Books].
– Repr., Edinburgh: 1767 [ECCO].
[No. 93] J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, Memoirs of the Life and Character of Mrs. Sarah Savage, eldest daughter of the Rev. Philip Henry (Shrewsbury: W. Eddowes, 1818).
– 2nd ed., London: Ogles, Duncan, and Cochran, 1819 [Google Books]. Repr., London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co., 1821 (with No. 85 added) [Internet Archive]. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1845 [Internet Archive]. See also Nos. 85, 88 and 117.
[No. 94] J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, The Life of the Rev. Philip Henry, A.M., with Funeral Sermons for Mr. and Mrs. Henry, by the Rev. Matthew Henry, V.D.M. (London: B.J. Holdsworth, 1825) [Google Books].
– A ‘corrected and enlarged’ edition of No. 45. Repr. in WILLIAMS, Miscellaneous Works, 1:xiii–224 (No. 5). This was also issued as a separate volume by WILLIAMS, to which he added The Pleasantness of Religion [sic] [No. 81] and an Entire Series of Sermons (Forty-One in Number) … Now first published from the Original Manuscript of the Rev. Philip Henry (London: William Ball, 1839). See further No. 95. The relationship of the WILLIAMS ‘corrected and enlarged’ edition of the Life of Philip Henry (1825) to that ‘revised and edited’ by J. ORTON (London: T. Williams, 1804) is unclear to me.
[No. 95] J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, Memoirs of the Life, Character, and Writings of the Rev. Matthew Henry (London: B.J. Holdsworth, 1828) [Google Books].
– 3rd ed., London: Joseph Ogle Robinson, 1829 [Internet Archive]; repr., Boston: Peirce & Williams, 1830 [Internet Archive]. Nos. 94 and 95 repr. together as The Lives of Philip and Matthew Henry (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1974).
[No. 96] Sarah LAWRENCE, The Descendants of Philip Henry, M.A., incumbent of Worthenbury in the County of Flint, who was ejected therefrom by the Act of Uniformity in 1662 (London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., 1844) [Internet Archive].
– The author, Sarah Lawrence, was herself ‘a descendant in the fifth degree’ of Philip Henry, through Sarah Savage. An augmented edition of this volume was published as The Descendants of Rev. Philip Henry, M.A., … The Swanwick Branch to 1899, compiled by Sarah Lupton SWANWICK (‘a descendant in the seventh degree’) and James Edmund JONES (‘a descendant in the eighth degree’) (Toronto: Browne-Searle Printing Co., 1899) [Internet Archive].
[No. 97] J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, Remains of the Rev. Philip Henry, A.M., extracted from Unpublished Manuscripts (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1848) [Google Books].
– This volume constitutes ‘an attempt to rescue a portion of [Philip Henry’s remaining unpublished manuscripts] from the oblivion to which writings are specially exposed’, with most ‘transcribed either from Mr. Henry’s own handwriting; or his son’s; or his eldest daughter’s, Mrs. Savage’ (vi).
[No. 98] J. Bickerton WILLIAMS, The Henry Family Memorialized (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1849) [Google Books].
– Short biographical introductions to Philip and Katherine Henry and their children (including repr. of No. 85).
[No. 99] Charles CHAPMAN, Matthew Henry, his Life and Times: A Memorial and a Tribute (London: Arthur Hall, Virtue & Co., 1859) [Internet Archive].
[No. 100] Matthew Henry LEE (ed.), Diaries and Letters of Philip Henry, M.A., of Broad Oak, Flintshire, A.D. 1631–1696 (London: Kegan Paul, Trench & Co., 1882) [Internet Archive].
– Twenty-two of the surviving diaries of Philip Henry, plus correspondence (including numerous letters between Philip and Matthew). LEE (himself a descendant of the Henrys) notes of Philip’s diaries that ‘Several others are known to be in existence, but no clue as to their present owners has been found’ (vii).
[No. 101] T.H. GRESLEY PULESTON, The Story of a Quiet Country Parish: Being Gleanings of the History of Worthenbury, Flintshire (London: The Roxburghe Press, 1895) [Internet Archive].
– Contains some further biographical information about the Henry family, especially Philip Henry’s work in Worthenbury.
[No. 102] H.D. ROBERTS, Matthew Henry and his Chapel: 1662–1900 (Liverpool: The Liverpool Booksellers’ Company, 1901) [Internet Archive].
[No. 103] W.W. TASKER, ‘Matthew Henry’s Chapel’, Journal of the Chester and North Wales Archaeological & Historic Society 22 (1918): 172–96 [Internet Archive].
[No. 104] Philip Oliver WILLIAMS, Matthew Henry, Fourth Annual Lecture of the Presbyterian Historical Society of England (Manchester: R. Aikman, 1926).
[No. 105] A. Kingsley LLOYD, ‘Charles Wesley’s Debt to Matthew Henry’, London Quarterly and Holborn Review 171 (1946): 330–37.
[No. 106] Roberta GLASGOW, The Hardwares of Cheshire (Liverpool: Thomas Brakell, 1948).
– A history of Matthew Henry’s first wife’s family.
[No. 107] Erik ROUTLEY, ‘Charles Wesley and Matthew Henry’, The Congregational Quarterly 33 (1955): 345–51.
– A version of this was also published in Autumn 1954 in the Bulletin of The Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland 3/69 (1954): 193–201 [copy in Dr Williams’s Library].
[No. 108] Herbert HUGHES, Cheshire and its Welsh Border (London: Dennis Dobson, 1966).
[No. 109] Patricia CRAWFORD, ‘Katharine and Philip Henry and their Children: A Case Study in Family Ideology’, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire 134 (1984): 39–73.
[No. 110] Paul WINCHESTER, St. Mary, Whitewell: A Brief History (1985).
– Whitewell is where Philip Henry was married on 26 April 1660, and St. Mary’s church contains a monument to him. See further the entries in the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT) Historic Churches Survey (http://www.cpat.demon.co.uk/
[No. 111] David CRUMP, ‘The Preaching of George Whitefield and his use of Matthew Henry’s Commentary’, Crux 25/3 (1989): 19–28.
[No. 112] J. BOUT, Een getuige van het Licht: Het leven van Matthew Henry (1662–1714) (Houten: Den Hertog B.V., 1994) [Dr Williams’s Library].
– Matthew Henry has a considerable following in the Netherlands. See, for instance: Matthew HENRY, Verklaring van het Oude en het Nieuwe Testament (Utrecht: Uitgeverij de Banier, 1992), a translation of CHURCH’s abridgement of the Exposition (No. 33).
[No. 113] Simon John BARLOW, Matthew Henry: His Life, Family, Chapel and Successors, 1550 [sic!]–1995 (Chester: Communiquest, 1995) [copy in Dr Williams’s Library].
[No. 114] David HAYNS, ‘Heavenly’ Henry: The Life and Times of Philip Henry, 1631–1696 (Malpas, Cheshire: Whitchurch Heritage Centre, 1996).
– Booklet published by the author to mark the tercentenary of Philip Henry’s death.
[No. 115] David L. WYKES, ‘Henry, Matthew (1662–1714)’, in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, ed. David Cannadine (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/12975.
– See also the equivalent entry in the DNB Archive (signed ‘A.G.’ = Alexander Gordon) [Internet Archive].
[No. 116] Richard L. GREAVES, ‘Henry, Philip (1631–1696)’, in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, ed. David Cannadine (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/12976.
– See also the equivalent entry in the DNB Archive (signed ‘A.G.’ = Alexander Gordon) [Internet Archive].
[No. 117] Harriet BLODGETT, ‘Savage [née Henry], Sarah (1664–1752)’, in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, ed. David Cannadine (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/45822.
– See also No. 93. Images of MS Eng. Misc. e. 331 in the Bodleian Library, Oxford (which contains Mrs S. Savage’s Diary from May 31st 1714 to December 25th 1723) are available online from Adam Matthew Digital (www.amdigital.co.uk). This is an important example of a woman’s diary and has attracted some attention from students of women’s history.
[No. 118] C.P. LEWIS and A.T. THACKER, eds., The City of Chester: General History and Topography, vol. 5.1 of Victoria County History: A History of the County of Chester, ed. Anthony Fletcher (London: Boydell & Brewer, 2003); and The City of Chester: Culture, Buildings, Institutions, vol. 5.2 of Victoria County History: A History of the County of Chester, ed. Anthony Fletcher (London: Boydell & Brewer, 2005).
– Available at British History Online. To date the best study of Henry’s historical context. See esp. 5.1:125–29 (on ‘The Restoration’ and ‘Religion, 1662–1762’) and 5.2:165–80 (on ‘Protestant Nonconformity’).
[No. 119] Allan M. HARMAN, ‘The Impact of Matthew Henry’s Exposition on Eighteenth-Century Christianity’, Evangelical Quarterly 82/1 (2010): 3–14.
[No. 120] Allan M. HARMAN, Matthew Henry: His Life and Influence (Fearn: Christian Focus, 2012).
[No. 121] Edward MORRIS and Emma ROBERTS, Public Sculpture of Cheshire and Merseyside (excluding Liverpool), Public Sculpture of Britain 15 (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2012).
– Pages 66–67 concern the memorial obelisk to Matthew Henry on the Grosvenor Roundabout, Chester (on which see also Wikipedia). See also figures 1.5 and 1.6 in the present volume.
[No. 122] Philip ALEXANDER, A Prince among Preachers: Matthew Henry and the Interpretation of Holy Scripture – A Guide to the Exhibition held in Chester Cathedral Library 2014 to mark the 300th Anniversary of the Death of the Great Bible Commentator, Matthew Henry of Chester (Chester: Chester Cathedral Library, 2014).
– Available online at https://chestercathedral.com/education/library/. Contextualizes Henry’s Exposition in the history of Bible commentary.
[No. 123] Jong Hun JOO, Matthew Henry: Pastoral Liturgy in Challenging Times (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2014).
[No. 124] WIKIPEDIA entries under ‘Matthew Henry’ and ‘Philip Henry’.
– Useful and occasionally updated.
1. It has not always been possible to verify publisher or even place of publication, so these are occasionally missing from the entries. For pre-1800 books I have tended not to include publisher/printer, especially in light of the vexed question at this date as to who is the publisher, who the printer, and who the bookseller. I have always given a date, though in some cases this is conjectured.
2. Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Wherein the Sacred Text is Inserted, and various Readings Annex’d, together with the Parallel Scriptures, the more difficult Terms in each Verse are Explained, seeming Contradictions Reconciled, Questions and Doubts Resolved, and the whole Text opened, 2 vols. (London: Thomas Parkhurst et al., 1683–85).
3. Henry, preface to Exposition vol. 1 (1707).
4. William Burkitt, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the Four Holy Evangelists (London: T. Parkhurst, J. Robinson, and J. Wyat, 1700); William Burkitt, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the Remaining Part of the New Testament (London: T. Parkhurst, J. Robinson, and J. Wyat, 1703).
5. Philip Henry, An Exposition, with Practical Observations, upon the First Eleven Chapters of the Book of Genesis, ed. John Lee (London: J. Nisbet and Co., 1839).
6. John Lee, preface to Philip Henry, An Exposition, v–vii. I do not know whether the original manuscript still exists. Lee’s edition should be used with some caution as he has edited it: ‘This work having been originally intended only for the private use of a family circle, I have taken upon me the responsibility of making some retrenchment; conceiving it probable that the author would himself have done so, had he printed it for general circulation’ (vii–viii).
7. Henry, preface to Exposition vol. 5 (1715).
8. I print this in full because such matter in the prefaces, which is crucial to understanding the evolution of the Exposition, is sometimes omitted in modern reprints, however complete they claim to be.
9. John Evans, appendix to the preface to Henry, Exposition vol. 5 (1715).
10. Anon., preface to Exposition vol. 6 (1721).
11. The note was appended to a letter by one John Evans (not to be confused with the compiler of the commentary on Romans and editor of Exposition vol. 5) in The Protestant Dissenter’s Magazine 4 (1797): 472. I have taken Dr Watts’s spelling of the names. The information is repeated in ORME, Bibliotheca Biblica, 240–41 (No. 41) and WILLIAMS, Memoirs, 308 (No. 95). Watts’s note also summarizes his understanding of the extent to which the continuators relied on material left by Henry:
‘The Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry, before his death, had made some small preparations for this last volume. The Epistle to the Romans indeed was explained so largely by his own hand, that it needed only the labour of epitomizing. Some parts of the other Epistles were done, but very imperfectly, by himself; and a few other hints had been taken in short-hand, from his public and private expositions on some of the Epistles. By these assistances the ministers, whose names are here written, have endeavoured to complete this work in the style and method of the author’.
There does not seem to be any information here which is not contained in the prefaces quoted above.
12. For details of the consistory court case, see Peter Bamford’s contribution to the present volume. Also figure 1.4.
13. In chronological order. I have not seen everything, hence some bibliographical information is missing.