Changes

==Life==

==Life==

Matthew Henry was born in Broad Oak, near Bangor Iscoed, Flintshire, [[England]], on October 18, 1662, being the second son of pastor Phillip Henry, and his wife Katherine. Just prior to Matthew's birth his father had been ejected from his pastorate in the Established Church. The Act of Uniformity had come into effect on August 24, 1662, which was in radical opposition to things which Puritans such as Philip Henry stood for. Along with nearly two thousand other ministers, Phillip could not in good conscience submit to such. Endeavoring to "Train up a child in the way he should go", Prov 22:6) Matthew was primarily [[homeschooled]] by his father, and for a time by a Mr. William Turner, and later at the Thomas Doolittle academy.  

Matthew Henry was born in Broad Oak, near Bangor Iscoed, Flintshire, [[England]], on October 18, 1662, being the second son of pastor Phillip Henry, and his wife Katherine. Just prior to Matthew's birth his father had been ejected from his pastorate in the Established Church. The Act of Uniformity had come into effect on August 24, 1662, which was in radical opposition to things which Puritans such as Philip Henry stood for. Along with nearly two thousand other ministers, Phillip could not in good conscience submit to such. Endeavoring to "Train up a child in the way he should go", (Prov 22:6) Matthew was primarily [[homeschooled]] by his father, and for a time by a Mr. William Turner, and later at the Thomas Doolittle academy.  

Being born prematurely, during his childhood Matthew seems to have suffered from a weak constitution, but which was compensated for by spiritual vigor. It is reported that some credible evidence indicates that Matthew could read parts of the Bible distinctly at only three years old, with some apparent comprehension.  

Being born prematurely, during his childhood Matthew seems to have suffered from a weak constitution, but which was compensated for by spiritual vigor. It is reported that some credible evidence indicates that Matthew could read parts of the Bible distinctly at only three years old, with some apparent comprehension.  

"Dissenters" were prevented after 1662 from graduating from either of the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and nonconformist academies had come into existence. Matthew was schooled in Islington at the academy of eminent Presbyterian scholar, Thomas Doolittle (1631-1707) beginning in 1680, until "the persecuting temper of the times" compelled the academy to move in 1682, and so Henry returned home.  His formative years were therefore spent in a Christian community that carried the "cross" of pressure and persecution from the State to conform to its system.  

"Dissenters" were prevented after 1662 from graduating from either of the ancient universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and nonconformist academies had come into existence. Matthew was schooled in Islington at the academy of eminent Presbyterian scholar, Thomas Doolittle (1631-1707) beginning in 1680, until "the persecuting temper of the times" compelled the academy to move in 1682, and so Henry returned home.  His formative years were therefore spent in a Christian community that carried the "cross" of pressure and persecution from the State to conform to its system.  

Henry began studying law around 1685, at Grays Inn in London, yet he ever "kept in view" the vocation of pastoral ministry, according to John Bickerton Williams, in his biography of the Puritan commentator, and he started prayer groups and Bible studies among friends in local area. He soon returned home for a time the next year, and began to preach in private homes the Broad Oak area, his own "Jerusalem". (cf. Lk. 24:47)  In 1687 he was found speaking number of times in the house of a baker in Chester, and his ministering began to attract local non-conformists there. Henry was asked to pastor a church there, and was privately ordained in London in 1687 by six Presbyterian pastors, after the declaration of liberty of conscience by James II. For the first time the the king allowed dissenters to preach if they came to London and bought a license, which at the time cost 10 pounds. On June 2, 1687, he began his regular ministry as a non-conformist pastor of a Presbyterian congregation at Chester. Henry would remain a pastor for 25 years.

Henry began studying law around 1685, at Grays Inn in London, yet he ever "kept in view" the vocation of pastoral ministry, according to John Bickerton Williams, in his biography of the Puritan commentator, and he started prayer groups and Bible studies among friends in local area. He soon returned home for a time the next year, and began to preach in private homes the Broad Oak area, his own "Jerusalem". (cf. Lk. 24:47)  In 1687 he was found speaking number of times in the house of a baker in Chester, and his ministering began to attract local non-conformists there. Henry was asked to pastor a church there, and was privately ordained in London in 1687 by six Presbyterian pastors, after the declaration of liberty of conscience by James II. For the first time the king allowed dissenters to preach if they came to London and bought a license, which at the time cost 10 pounds. On June 2, 1687, he began his regular ministry as a non-conformist pastor of a Presbyterian congregation at Chester. Henry would remain a pastor for 25 years.

==Ministry==

==Ministry==

The congregation over which Henry shepherded increased to more than 350 members. Other churches sought him to be as their minister, with Henry refusing calls during a nine year period (1699 to 1708) from four London congregations, as well as one in Manchester. However, a renewed call in 1710 by one church in Hackney, London which Henry refused in 1699, resulted in much prayerful consideration by Henry and meetings between him and church leadership. Henry ultimately was persuaded this call was God's perfect will, writing down in mid-July, 1711, eleven reasons he believed God was leading him to London.  

The congregation over which Henry shepherded increased to more than 350 members. Other churches sought him to be as their minister, with Henry refusing calls during a nine-year period (1699 to 1708) from four London congregations, as well as one in Manchester. However, a renewed call in 1710 by one church in Hackney, London which Henry refused in 1699, resulted in much prayerful consideration by Henry and meetings between him and church leadership. Henry ultimately was persuaded this call was God's perfect will, writing down in mid-July, 1711, eleven reasons he believed God was leading him to London.  

A primary reason for this decision was that it enabled a much wider door opportunity to minister. (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9) In addition, Henry  was now working on his extensive commentary on the [[Word of God]], and London provided superior access to printers and libraries.  

A primary reason for this decision was that it enabled a much wider door opportunity to minister. (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9) In addition, Henry  was now working on his extensive commentary on the [[Word of God]], and London provided superior access to printers and libraries.