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With the call of the ministry constantly on his mind, Matthew Henry could hardly concentrate on his law studies at Gray’s Inn.  He wrote thus to his father:  “The more I see of the world and the various affairs of the children of men in it, the more I see of the vanity of it, and the more I would fain have my heart taken off from it, and fixed upon the invisible realities of the other world.”
Ordination

The following year, while on business in Chester, he was invited to take the pulpit at a house meeting.  His preaching so impressed a group of Nonconformists that they invited him to pastor a Presbyterian church in the town. 

Once again, Henry headed to London - this time for his ordination to the ministry.  On the eve of this important event, the young ordinand spent much time in earnest self-examination after which he recorded the results:

“I think I can say with confidence that I do not design to take up the ministry as a trade to live by, or to enrich myself, out of the greediness of filthy lucre.  No!  I hope I aim at nothing but souls; and if I gain those, though I should lose all my worldly comforts by it, I shall reckon myself to have made a good bargain.  I think I can say with as much assurance,  that my design is not to get myself a name amongst men, or to be talked of in the world as one that makes somewhat of a figure.  No; that is a poor business.  If I have but a good name with God I think I have enough, though among men I be reviled, and have my name trampled upon as mire in the streets.  I prefer the good word of my Master far before the good word of my fellow-servants.
I can appeal to God that I have no design in the least to maintain a party, or to keep up any schismatical faction;  my heart rises against the thoughts of it.  I hate dividing principles and practices, and whatever others are,  I am for peace and healing; and if my blood would be a sufficient balsam, I would gladly part with the last drop of it for the closing up of the bleeding wounds of differences that are amongst true Christians.” (“wholesomewords.org”)

On 9th March 1687, Henry was ordained by six Presbyterian pastors including Richard Steele (1629-1692), who had been involved in the ordination of the elder Henry thirty years’ earlier. 

Pastoral/pulpit ministry

The new pastor served the parish at Chester for more than twenty five years.  His congregation increased to more than 350. 

Besides his regular worship service, he conducted lectures on Thursday evenings.  Interestingly, the lectures, which lasted twenty years, were based on Scriptural questions.  In October 1692, he began with Genesis 3: 9 : “(Adam) Where art thou?” and it was May 1712 when he “arrived” at Revelation 18: 18: “What city is like unto this great city?”

Not surprisingly, his success as a pastor caused other churches to seek him as their minister.  After having several times declined overtures from London congregations, he finally accepted a call to Hackney, London.  He commenced the ministry in Hackney on 18th May 1712.  His two years in Hackney were hectic ones.  It was during this time that Henry became increasingly ill with diabetes and recurring episodes of kidney stones.

 Devotional habits

“As might easily be surmised from the extent of his writings, Mr. Henry was a hard student. His plan was to rise early: he was usually in his study at five o'clock, sometimes as early as four; and except the hour allowed for breakfast and morning worship, remained there till noon, often till four in the afternoon. Nothing more tried his meek and patient spirit than intrusions on his studying time. ‘I am always best when alone.  No place is like my own study: no company like good books, especially the book of God.’”
(wholesomewords.org)

Tragedy

It is significant to note that Henry maintained an intensive preaching and pastoral ministry through a period when his personal life was afflicted by tragedy.  His first wife Katherine died in child-birth in 1689 after only two years of marriage.  In 1690, he married Mary Warburton; they had one son Philip and eight daughters, three of whom died in infancy.  Henry refused to blame God for these painful losses.  Nor did he allow his personal grief to deter him since he believed, “weeping must not prevent sowing.”  Stoically, he went on with his labours for the Lord.   Humbly bowing to the Lord’s will, he responded,  “The Lord is righteous, He takes and gives, and gives and takes again.”  (… to be concluded)

- Pastor