of such a variety of tempers, interests, and education. This I acknowledge has a great deal of weight with me. All that I can say to it is, that the most difficult part of the work will certainly lie upon Mr. Warren. I should have little more to do than to treat every body with civility and respect, and not to make myself a party in any quarrels that may possibly happen. I should have Mr. Warren always at hand to consult with upon any difficulty, and to caution me against any imprudence that he thinks me in danger of. And when I know, And when I know, that my reputation, comfort, and usefulness so much depend upon the prudence of my behaviour, I hope it will engage me to be always upon my guard, and to maintain a constant dependance upon God to help me in a plain path.

Perhaps, sir, you may further object, that I shall have less time for my private studies when I am obliged to visit so many. I answer, Mr. Warren's visits will make mine the less necessary. It is also certain, that I need not visit above four days in a week, and I should have the morning and forenoon of those days to myself. Though the people are more numerous than at Kibworth, yet they lie much closer together, and therefore visits may be dispatched in less time. Then I should very seldom be obliged to preach above once a week. Mr. Tong and Mr. Warren's brother residing in Wiltshire, generally spend some weeks at Coventry every year. Others, on their journey towards Ireland, Chester, &c. sometimes spend a sabbath there, and upon all these occasions,

I

it is the assistant, and not the pastor, that is excused. may add, that Mr. R. used frequently to exchange with Mr. Smith, which I suppose will be expected from his successor. All these things will save my time for making sermons, which may be employed in private studies. So that, upon the whole, the difference will not be much, and what there is, may meet a sufficient compensation in the above-mentioned advantages.

The only remaining objection that I am aware of is this, will not the society at Kibworth be broken to pieces? I am sure they need not, unless it be their own fault: for there is Mr. Some, a young gentleman in our class, on many accounts my superior, who would, I believe, still be willing to settle among them, for some reasons peculiar to himself; or, if this should fail, they may apply to London, where I hear there are several young ministers out of employment; and I know some of the people have this in their thoughts as their dernier resource. If I should leave them in a little time, as I certainly should do if I had an invitation to a larger and more agreeable place, Mr. Some would then probably be otherwise engaged, and they would be in a greater plunge than

ever.

And now, sir, I heartily beg your pardon for the excessive length of this letter; but the affair is to me very important: and, as you are to judge of it, it was necessary that I should be thus particular. You see my inclinations are rather towards Coventry, but I

desire that may not bias you. I cheerfully refer the matter to Providence, and to your prudence and friendship, which I have so long and so frequently experienced; and I earnestly desire that God would direct you to such a determination as may be most for his glory, the public good, and my own present and eternal happiness.

I am, dear Sir,

Your most obliged, most obedient

and most humble Servant,

P. DODDRIDGE.

FROM MR. CLARK.

DEAR SIR, St. Albans, May 11, 1723. I HAVE received your last, in which you give me an account of the prospect you have of an invitation to settle at Coventry. I had some conversation relating to that matter with Mr. Jennings last Christmas; and we both united in the opinion, that it would be an agreeable situation for you. I think it must needs be of great advantage to you to be with such a person as Mr. Warren, whose good sense, prudence, piety, learning, and good temper will render his conversation, example, and ministry very useful to you. Pray give my humble service to him; and tell him I shall think it a very good providence, if a

person, for whom I have so much concerned myself, has the happiness of standing in such a relation to him. I do not know any thing that could be more conducive to fit you for eminent service in the church of God, if you wisely improve the advantage, as I doubt not but you will. I am extremely pleased with the measures you propose as to a prudent conduct of yourself, if you should settle at Coventry. Prudence is, I could almost say, above all things necessary to a minister in order to promote his usefulness. At first caution, circumspection, and observation will be necessary. Experience and an enlarged knowledge of men and things will afterwards enable you to act with greater freedom. The acceptance providence favours you with, makes it necessary, as I believe I have at other times observed, that you should be very much upon your guard against ebullitions of pride and vainglory, which are so natural to us all, and especially when we first come abroad into the world with advantage. Humility is the best ornament to valuable gifts. The shade it casts upon them makes them appear the more lovely, and gives them a greater efficacy. Let your heart be full of a sense of those manifold defects, which an inward acquaintance with yourself will easily discover. Have often before your eyes the nature and importance of the work you are engaged in, and the account you have to give, and you will then always find reason to from your heart, with the blessed apostle, "Who is sufficient for these things?" Let your great con

say

cern in all your ministrations and conversation be the advancement of the glory of God, and the salvation of souls, and you will then be the less desirous to obtain or be pleased with the applause of men. You will excuse my giving you these cautions. My experience and observations upon myself and others give me reason to think them not needless.

I entirely approve of your acceptance of Coventry rather than Kibworth, if you have the option; and I heartily beseech God that you may be an instrument of much service in that considerable place. I suppose you have received both the letters I wrote to you relating to Kibworth. Pray give my humble service to Mr. Jennings and his lady.

I am your affectionate Friend

and humble Servant,

TO MR. CLARK.

S. CLARK.

REV. SIR,

May 25, 1723. I HAVE received your letter, and am very glad to hear that you concur with me in your sentiments with relation to Coventry. I still think, that if the people had been all of one mind, it would have been as agreeable a settlement as I could have desired; but Providence had ordered it otherwise, and I have