HENRY, MATTHEW, an eminent Nonconformist divine, was born at Broad Oak, a farm-house in the township of Iscoyd iu Fliutehire, October 18, 1662. His father, Philip Henry, who was highly eateomed for his talents and piety, was one of the 2000 clergymen who left the church of England in 1662, in consequeuce of their refusal to comply with the regulations of the ' Aot of Uniformity.' Matthew Henry received the principal part of his education under Mr. Doolittle of London. In 1685 he commenced the study of the law in Gray's Inn, but he soon relinquished this profession; and after being ordained in 1687, settled at Cheater in the same year as minister of a Dissenting congregation. in 1712 he left Chester, and became the minister of another congregation at Hackney. lie died on tho 22nd of June 1714, of apoplexy, while he was travelling from Chester to Loudon.
Tho work by which Matthew Henry is principally known is his 'Exposition of the Old and New Testament,' which originally appeared in five volumes folio, and has since been frequently reprinted. This i work has been greatly admired by many persons, on account of the piety of the author and the lively style in which it is written; and perhaps it is the best Commentary on the Bible for the use of those persons who are more anxious to obtain a devout sentiment from a text than to understand the real meaning of the passage. Matthew
Henry did not live to complete the Exposition.' The remarks on the latter books of the New Testament, from Romans to Revelations, were written by the ministers whose names are printed in the Expo sition.' Matthew Henry was also the author of many other works, of which the principal are—' Inquiry into the Nature of Schism ;" Life of Philip Henry ;"Scripture Catechism ;" Communicant's Com panion ; " Discourses against Vice and Profaneness;' Method of Prayer,' and numerous sermons on separate anbjects. The miscellaneous works were republished in 8vo, London, 1830.
The life of Matthew Henry has been written by Tong, 8vo, 1716; but a fuller and more accurate account of his life and writings is given by Williams in his 'Memoirs of the Life, Character, and Writ ings of the Rev. M. Henry,' prefixed to the edition of the 'Exposition,' published in 3 vols. 8vo, London, 1828.