Matthew Henry – His Life & Influence

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) is highly–valued by contemporary preachers and Bible users. Here we get a closer look at the life of Matthew Henry by an author who has had a life–long interest in Matthew Henry and his writings. Matthew Henry was the son of a Puritan pastor who had been silenced by the government of the time. Nevertheless Philip Henry, a godly man reared his family on Christian principles and Matthew followed the Lord from an early age. Although it was difficult to find suitable ministerial training, Matthew Henry eventually studied for the ministry. With government opposition relaxing, he became a Presbyterian pastor in Chester in 1687 and later in London from 1712. It is astonishing to note the amount of preaching and writing that he accomplished despite suffering from ill–health and knowing intense sorrow in his family life.

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About the Author
Matthew Henry (1662-1714), a beloved commentator, was a pastor of a church in Chester and a prolific writer.

Endorsements

of great spiritual value. Henry deals with subjects such as pardon, peace, grace, afflictions, death and heaven from a covenantal perspective. His notes are relatively full, and with Harman’s unobtrusive editing (including translation of phrases in Greek, Latin and Hebrew), are easily read. Much more than a historical curiosity, these sermons by the great biblical commentator are full of sound theology and helpful personal application.

THE COVENANTER WITNESS

It is exactly 350 years since Matthew Henry was born. My edition of his world-famous Commentary on the whole Bible extends to six large volumes and was published 175 years ago. I have prized and read and quoted it for almost 60 years, but I knew little or nothing about Matthew Henry’s life. Allan Harman has put the whole Christian world in his debt by researching and writing this excellent and fascinating biography of a man outstanding in scholarship, preaching, prayerfulness, godliness and faithful pastoring of the same church for twenty years. Here we learn of his home and of the great privilege of being a son of his pastor, mentor and model, Philip Henry (‘He brought up his children in the fear of God, and with much tenderness’, Matthew tells us). His life had many trials and sorrows personally, and he lived through a most difficult period of church history (his birth coincided with the year of the Great Ejection). But his was a life of extraordinary fruitfulness. I found the story enthralling and deeply encouraging, and I earnestly hope that the book will have the widest readership. I for one am heartily grateful to Allan Harman and Christian Focus for it.

Eric Alexander, Conference speaker and formerly minister St George’s Tron, Glasgow for 20 years

To anyone who can read this brilliant biography without being humbled, challenged, inspired and motivated to ‘press on toward the goal’, I have only one thing to say – read it again. I am struggling to think of any biography that has spoken so clearly to me and it would be impossible for me to commend it too highly.”

John Blanchard, Internationally known Christian preacher, teacher, apologist and author

“Allan Harman’s biography puts in our hands a wealth of information about Matthew Henry. Here we discover his godly father, Philip Henry, his upbringing during times of persecution, and his faithful pastoral ministry in Chester, England. This book will be of great interest to historians, students of the Puritans, pastors, and thousands of others who continue to benefit from Henry’s Commentary.”

Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

“Allan Harman’s biography of Matthew Henry recounts the life of this faithful pastor, while also opening a window into the world of the 17th century English Puritans, whose heir Henry was. Henry’s life spent in service for God and communion with Him is an example needed in the 21st century church, and gratitude is owed to Allan Harman for introducing this godly man to us.”

Diana Lynn Severance, A historian with broad experience teaching in universities and seminaries, Spring, Texas

This volume is highly recommended for personal spiritual reading, for the student of the history of preaching (they are after all an outstanding example of consecutive puritan preaching), as a guide to an accurate theological understanding of some of the main themes of the Bible, and to provide much inspiration for sermon construction and preparation.

THE REFORMED THEOLOGICAL REVIEW

“This is a fascinating and well researched biography of one of the great fathers of expository preaching. It will refresh the spirit of all who read it.”

John Benton, Director of Pastoral Support, The Pastors’ Academy, London Seminary, London, UK

Christians of our own day, and especially preachers, will find much in this handsomely produced volume to inspire them and to set an example for thorough, faithful, practical and applied exposition of the Word of God. It will stand as a good and necessary corrective to the largely shallow preaching and publishing of the present time. But more importantly it will bring us to the realisation that those who preach the doctrines of grace should not do so as ‘chosen frozen’, but as ‘warm Reformed’.

New Life Magazine