Over Mr. Henry's Grave, in Whitchurch Church, is a Marble Monument, with this Inscription: M. S. PHILIPPUS HENRY, de Broad Oak, in Comitatu Flint, A. M. Vir prisca Pietate et verè Christianâ, Memoriâ præstanti, magno et foecundo Ingenio, Divini Verbi Interpres exquisitissimus ; Conscionando pariter ac Vivendo palàm exhibens Prudens peritusque rerum; Lenis, Pacificus, Hospitalis, Viro opt. multùmque desiderato moerens posuit Gener ejus J. T. M. D.* The following words were afterwards substituted. Posuit hoc marmor in veris lachrymis [The following Translation is from a Copy preserved by the Family; and was most likely written by the Author of the Epitaph, Dr. Tylston: To the sacred memory Of Philip Henry, of Broad Oak, Some time Pastor of Worthenbury; Of Westminster School, and chosen Who always kept his own, and the Of the Word of God, It appears from Mr. Matthew Henry's diary, that the mural tablet was subsequently obnoxious : "1704-5. I had a letter from Mr. Travers of Lichfield, that the chancellor there designed to attempt the demolishing of my father's monument."* And afterwards, he writes: "1712, March 22. Wrote to Cos. Eddow, to return him thanks for his care this week of the remains of my dear father and mother in Whitchurch church, where they are laying the foundation of a new one, and have unworthily invaded my right there."† "When, by a good man's grave I muse alone, Like those of old, on that thrice-hallow'd night, Says, pointing upward,-That, he is not here; * Orig. MS. + Ib. Human Life; a Poem; by Sam. Rogers, p. 65. Mr. Rogers is descended from Mr. Henry, being the great grandson of his second daughter, Eleanor, Mrs. Radford. A SERMON, PREACHED AT BROAD OAK, JUNE 28, 1696, ON 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. BY HIS SON, THE REV. MATTHEW HENRY, V. D. M. NOW FIRST PUBLISHED. |