1693 MATTHEW HENRY. Manuscript Sermon on Psalm 119 - "I have been Afflicted that I Might Learn Thy Statutes."

An exceptional opportunity to own a complete manuscript sermon entirely in the hand of Matthew Henry [1662-1714], the most influential Biblical commentator of the 17th century.

While other non-conformists certainly exerted considerable influence on the theological imagination of the 17th through 21st centuries, it would be difficult to argue that at the popular level, any divine of the era has had such a durable influence on the way Christians interact with the text of Scripture. 

His warm, highly quotable prose made the Scriptures approachable for everyday readers and warmed the hearts of those preparing to preach the Sacred Text, directly influencing generations of prominent preachers and writers like George Whitefield, John Wesley, and Charles Spurgeon, each of whom routinely urged their followers to read Henry daily. 

The present sermon, entirely in his distinctive hand, offers a wonderful opportunity to own a fascinating artifact from Henry's life. It is 16pp in length, on 8 leaves, and is a complete sermon delivered in May of 1693. 

The text is Psalm 119.71, It is Good for mee that I have been Afflicted that I might learn thy statutes . . . 

. . . the common error concerning Afflictions is that they are Evils, only Evils, no souls can say there is good in them. . . . [yet] David you sayes so. . . 

. . . there is the good of pleasure, so wine is good, it pleases; and delicate fare is good & sports & pastimes & other delights of ye soul of men, are good, i.e. pleasant. There is the good of profit & so there are many things Good that are not Pleasant. Physique is good, lancing, cutting, cutting off [is] troublesome, but profitable. Plowing is good, toylsome, but yt good. Going to sea, perilous, but enriching to ye merchant in his returns. Now such a good as this latter is affliction . . . 

Housed in a custom pressure held archival folder crafted by Specs Fine Bindery. This makes it practical for shelf storage, and the eight magnet enclosure ensures it remains safe and secure.