Matthew Henry: The Bible, Prayer, and Piety

Matthew A. Collins is Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism at the University of Chester, UK.Paul Middleton is Senior Lecturer in New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Chester, UK

These excellent essays provide a more full-orbed picture of Henry than we have had to date. Henry’s interpretation of the Bible, his theological discussions of prayer and prayer’s practical implications, along with his prescriptions for a vital Protestant piety in the Puritan tradition make Henry a very important figure in Protestant life. His enduring legacy continues as these pieces convey. This is an important work for understanding Henry and the implications and ongoing significance of his life and labors. Finally, very valuable is Philip Alexander’s annotated bibliography of Henry’s work. This is a fitting conclusion to this excellent volume on Henry.

• List of FiguresList of ContributorsList of Abbreviations1. Introduction - Matthew A. Collins and Paul Middleton, University of Chester, United KingdomPART I. CONTEXT AND BIOGRAPHY2. The Church and Nonconformity in Later Stuart England: The Wider World of Matthew Henry - Jeremy Gregory, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom3. Matthew Henry: Minister and Preacher - David L. Wykes, Dr Williams’s Library, United Kingdom4. From Educated Underworld to the Queen’s First Knight: The Henrys in Context - Clyde Binfield, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom5. ‘For the Church or the Stable’: A Chester Consistory Court Case of 1693–94 - Peter Bamford, Chester Cathedral Library, United KingdomPART II. THE BIBLE6. Matthew Henry’s Commentary in Context: Reading Ecclesiastes - Stuart Weeks, Durham University, United Kingdom7. Professors of Religion and their Strange Wives: Diluvian Discord in the Eyes of Matthew Henry - Matthew A. Collins, University of Chester, United Kingdom8. ‘Filling up the Full Measure of their Sins’: Matthew Henry on the Destruction of the Jerusalem Temple - Paul Middleton, University of Chester, United Kingdom9. Matthew Henry’s Exposition of Joshua 7 in Socio-Legal and Sociological Perspective - David J. Chalcraft, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom10. Soul Prosperity: Reading Psalm 1 with Matthew Henry - George J. Brooke, University of Manchester, United Kingdom11. The Making of Ministry: Matthew Henry on the Parable of the Faithful Steward (Matt 24:45–51) - Loveday Alexander, University of Sheffield, United KingdomPART III. PRAYER AND PIETY12. Prayer and Providence: Matthew Henry and the Theology of the Everyday - Christine Helmer, Northwestern University, United States13. ‘The Expressing of Devout Affections of the Heart’: Piety and the Affections in the Works of Matthew Henry - Michael A.L. Smith, University of Manchester, United Kingdom14. Matthew Henry’s Legacy in Prayer and Piety - Ligon Duncan, Reformed Theological Seminary, United StatesPART IV. CATALOGUING THE WORKS OF MATTHEW HENRY15. Matthew Henry: An Annotated Bibliography - Philip Alexander, University of Manchester, United KingdomIndex of ReferencesIndex of Names