FROM THE REV. SAMUEL CLARK.

DEAR PHIL,

St. Albans, April 22, 1723. I RECEIVED yours, and had answered it sooner, but that I thought to have an opportunity of talking over the affair with some friends in London; but being prevented from going there, I would not delay any longer. I had been informed of the invitation to Kibworth, by Mr. Some, before I had your letter; and what passed between us made me think more favourably of the affair than I should otherwise have done. Matters are at present upon such a footing in London, that it cannot be very desirable for you to be there; nor do I yet hear of any gentleman's family for you to reside in as chaplain or tutor. Perhaps you might be obliged to wait some time before you could be settled any where with satisfaction. The general concurrence of the people that now invite you, and the sentiments of the neighbouring ministers weigh so much with me, that I cannot well tell how they can be opposed. At least you may engage to preach to them for a year, without laying yourself under any further obligations in that time you will see how far you may be capable of doing service there, or how to dispose of yourself elsewhere. It will be I suppose some advantage to be so near your worthy tutor, with whom you may now and then spend some time for your further improvement.

The manner in which you speak of the young lady you are to live with gives me reason to think you are not so perfectly unengaged as you imagine. You do not say for what reason it would be so inconsistent with common sense and prudence to suffer your very great esteem to grow into love, and therefore I can say the less to it; only, I can assure you, you will find reason to be upon your guard when you are to be so constantly and intimately conversant with a young lady whom you already look upon as the most agreeable woman in the world.

I shall give directions to your sister as you desire. I am afraid I shall find it difficult, if not impossible, to raise money for defraying your expenses for this last half year: Mr. Jennings told me that by preaching up and down, you would be getting something towards answering your charges; but I perceive, by your demands on him, that it has not been much. Mr. Merril has promised me something for intend to apply to some others, that I may if possible procure what may be sufficient for your coming out clear into the world. I pray God to direct you to what may be most for his glory and your own comfort.

you:

I am your affectionate Friend,

S. CLARK.

I

P. S. Pray give my humble service to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, &c. All here join in due respects to

you.

TO MRS. CLARK.

DEAR CLIO, April 27, 1723. I ASK ten thousand pardons for not writing sooner. The true and only reason was, that I expected the young lady who brings this would have set out for London some weeks ago, and I stayed for such an opportunity.

I am heartily concerned to hear that you still remain inconsolable for the death of your father. Can you, my beloved friend, find no support in the thought of your interest in that everlasting Parent who will never forsake his mourning children? Is it nothing that you will meet your father in heaven, and meet him infinitely more amiable than ever he appeared upon earth? What are these few moments of absence, when you are sure of being in his company for ever; and when you know, that a wise, faithful, and merciful God intended your mutual advantage by the painful separation which you so much lament? Surely, Clio, if we could but maintain uninterrupted communion with God, and steady and affectionate regards to the unseen and eternal world, these light afflictions, that are but for a moment, would be supported with resignation and cheerfulness.

My business and my cares are increasing apace. I am frequently abroad four days in the week; and when I am at home, I am so taken up with affairs of absolute necessity, that I have hardly time

to write to my friends; but whoever I neglect, it cannot be Clio. I have lately received an invitation to settle at Kibworth, and Mr. Clark has given his consent; but some things have since occurred that considerably perplex, and will at least retard the affair. I am at present in a very uneasy agitation of mind; and earnestly beg you, as a dear and Christian friend, that you would join with me in prayer to that God, who is the author of every good and every perfect gift, that he would give me wisdom to direct my way, and providentially bring the affair to such an issue, as may be most for his glory, and my improvement and usefulness.

I long for the pleasure of attending you to my sister's at Hampstead; but cannot possibly tell whether I shall be at London or not, till the Kibworth affair be determined, and I have heard again from Mr. Clark. My most humble service to your good sister, and all other friends.

With the utmost sincerity, respect, and affection,

P. DODDRIDGE.

VOL. I.

ઝ

REVEREND SIR,

TO MR. CLARK.

May 4, 1723.

I QUESTION not but you conclude, that I am by this time engaged to Kibworth; but they cannot agree upon a place for my boarding, which will be tolerably convenient, and that was the reason why I did not give them my answer last Lord's day. Since that time, the providence of God has prevented me from determining the affair, as was expected, by giving me a prospect of another settlement, which seems to be abundantly more agreeable. The story is this:

Mr. R., who assisted Mr. Warren at Coventry, is lately removed. I went thither last Wednesday to preach the lecture, at Mr. Warren's particular desire. Some hours after the sermon, some of the principal persons of the congregation met me at my inn. They told me they had made it their business to inquire, and found that all who had been then present expressed themselves very well satisfied, and desired that no more candidates might be sent for from distant places, but that I might come and settle among them as soon as possible. They acknowledged they could not offer this as a certain and universal invitation, because a great many people were absent, as they always are upon these days; but they desired I would come over, and preach for them the next Lord's day that I was disengaged, and that in the mean time I would suspend the Kibworth