that all my vouchers for Miss Ekin's money, all my Sermons and MSS. intended for the press, and among the rest the remainder of the Family Expositor, were all in such danger, that the fire, in another quarter of an hour, had probably consumed them. Observe, my dear friend, the hand of God, and magnify the Lord with me.

I earnestly beg your prayers, and entreat you to salute my praying friends with redoubled salutations in this view, and with this message: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all your spirits, and with your families.' cannot say how affectionately I am,

Dear Sir,

I

Your ever faithful Friend, Brother, and obliged Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

FROM THE REV. JOHN BARKER.

DEAR DOCTOR,

London, July 3, 1750. YESTERDAY we met as a committee for the last time, and agreed upon a Report to be made to the Managers of the Presbyterian Synod, at our first meeting in October next, concerning erecting an Academy here.

How much my heart has been set upon an Academy in London you may perhaps remember, when I invited you almost twenty years ago to Hackney, and would gladly have resigned the congregation to you, and have seen your Academy transplanted hither. I am still of opinion that there is no place in England like it, either for making scholars or preachers, as there are great advantages of conversation, preaching, and books.

I carefully attended to what you say about your Exposition on the Romans; and strongly suspected how matters

there would come out; but respect must be paid to truth and conscience, without regard to events. If ever it should happen that Northampton should become unworthy of your labours, there are places enough that would gladly receive you; but I am much more apprehensive of your death, than of the danger of your losing the esteem of that place, not you only, but your memory, will surely be blessed there. But are you aware what a creature you are? I love you beyond expression, and admire your abilities, furniture, and spirits, more than you imagine; and not a man in the world rejoices more in your usefulness than I do, and yet I often make myself merry with your character and conduct: I will give you a sketch of it. You are so entirely devoted to God, to truth, and holiness, that it is very easy to impose upon you under the appearance of any of these; and are so perfectly made up of candour and good nature, that a pious enthusiast, or a godly dunce, is welcome to your table, and heart. You are so good yourself that you think every body else ten times better than they are; see merit in the darkness of midnight; cannot see faults without a noonday sun; forgive injuries before they are confessed; confer favours as a reward for affronts, and will never believe but that all who are in good earnest in religion, and enter into the belief, practice, life, and spirit of it, are to be embraced by you, because Christ receives them, let their opinions or denominations be what they will: now how should you be a party man, or be likely to have your Academy supplied by people who live upon notions, phrases, and external forms! You— but I will not oblige you any further now, but thank you for that Sermon on Candour, which is the very picture of your mind, and highly relished by

Your faithful and affectionate

BROTHER BARKER.

MY DEAREST,

TO MRS. DODDRIDGE.

Clapham, July 30, 1750. Monday Morning. I HAVE now the happiness of writing to you from our incomparable friend, Mr. Neals, who brought me hither last night, after having preached in the morning for Mr. Price, and in the afternoon at Mr. Langford's. I thank God the weather was so moderate that I preached with great ease at both places, and was very well all the evening. I had a fine night's rest, and so could very well afford to rise at six, having waked at five this morning. My head was full of schemes relating to a philosophical tutor; which, on the whole, I am encouraged to think of introducing into our academy, on a foundation which I may have a more convenient opportunity of making you acquainted with. I find it is most probable the Presbyterian academy will go on, but I have no anxiety about it. I do not question but providence will support us at Northampton; and, if otherwise, if I may but do what is right, I shall be very ready to retreat whenever my master shall appear to give me the signal; for I do not merely talk of it, but I feel it at my heart, that the only important end of life, and the greatest happiness to be expected in it, consists in seeking in all things to please God, attempting all the good we can, and leaving our little weak schemes to be overruled by his infinite and unerring wisdom. I dined with Mr. Jackson, where I saw that excellent Mr. Barker, and pleasant was the momentary vision; and I also saw that plump, smiling, handsome widower, Mr. Spilsbury, who, I think, would do very well for our fair friend, whom the wise Doctor has driven from Northampton, and who I find has dropped some hints at Woburn, greatly confirming your conjecture as to the wounded hearts, all which

confirms me in the propriety of St. Paul's advice. 1. Tim. v. 14.

I fear that, after so many hindrances, I shall be forced to leave a great deal of my business undone, and many of my friends unseen; but I am determined that, if God grant me life, health, and opportunity, nothing shall prevent my setting out for St. Albans on Monday fortnight, and I hope nothing will prevent your indulging me and your other friends in the pleasure of meeting you there. At present, with due salutations, I must take my leave; and am,

My dearest,

Your ever affectionate
P. DODDRIDge.

FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.*

REV. SIR.

Lambeth, Aug. 9, 1750. I ESTEEM the part of your letter relating to Mr. Finne as a real act of friendship, of which nothing can be a greater proof than an honest and prudent endeavour to vindicate an injured character. I remember well, and have in my custody authentic evidence of my whole intercourse with Mr. Finne. The application to me consisted of two parts, first, to see what could be done by the favourable countenance of the great men in aid of the Protestants at Breslaw; and, secondly, what prospect there was of the assistance of the clergy, by an application to the bench of bishops. An answer to the first of those inquiries naturally required a long time. I did my best in it, but

* Dr. Herring.

had a negative at last. The other way required time too. The letter from Breslaw to me was dated the 13th of July, and consequently could have no proper answer till I saw the bishops, nor a satisfactory one till I saw them all together. The first opportunity I had I communicated to them all the abovementioned letter, and it was the general judgment, that the case was not a proper object for a collection here. Mr. Finne had this answer as soon as I could conveniently give it; and I remember upon that occasion, on his pressing me for my particular benefaction, I answered him, that what I could do would be quite inconsiderable, unless in conjunction with my brethren, meaning, that as I could not exert myself alone, in a manner becoming my station, I should desire to be excused; and I think it a little hard to be pressed to do otherwise. This is the true state of the case, and I am most positive, that I never promised Mr. F. that at all events; whatever the other bishops did, I would alone contribute to the assistance of the Protestants at Breslaw. I will not charge Mr. Finne with misrepresenting me wilfully, but he certainly mistook me. The words of my letter, which I transcribe to you, as sent to the gentlemen of Breslaw, will show that I thought and spoke of myself in this affair as joined with the rest of the bishops. They follow in the enclosed.

I am, Reverend Sir, your obliged Friend,

VOL. V.

N

T. CANTUAR.