On the whole, sir, I do not ask you whether you would advise me to accept of Northampton, and to lay down the business of a tutor; for the great pleasure I find in it, and my hope of much usefulness in that character, and my repeated engagement to devote myself to its duties, both in the pulpit, and to those friends who have sent me their sons, prevent my entertaining a thought of that nature. The only question is, whether, under present circumstances, you would advise me to undertake both, or to send an absolute refusal to Northampton? Mr. Some and Mr. Saunders are the most capable judges of the affair here, and they neither of them oppose my removal, but are far from advising it.

I beg that you would communicate this letter to Doctor Calamy, and any other friend whom you may think it proper to consult. I desire the favour of a speedy answer, and a continued remembrance in your prayers; and am, with sincere respect,

Your obedient Servant, and faithful Friend,

PHILIP DODDridge.

FROM THE REV. DAVID JENNINGS.

DEAR SIR,

your

London, Nov. 14, 1729.

I HAVE had an opportunity of talking over your affair with two or three friends, but I cannot say to much purpose; the common answer is, "who can judge so well as Mr. Doddridge himself?" "and what ministers can pretend to advise so well as those in the neighbourhood?" The sum of the matter is, that nobody dares to advise you against accepting such a call from so large a church; and yet nobody will advise you to quit your academical undertaking; for friends in London are as warm for your pursuing that scheme, as those in the country. All that any ministers would advise was this (which I doubt not has been done already), " to lay all the difficulties before the people at Northampton, and let them try if they can find out expedients to get over them." For my own part, I most heartily wish that both their invitation could be accepted, and your academical design pursued; whether both can properly be attended to, you are the best judge. As for the Academy, that appears to me to be no longer a matter of choice; but that you actually stand engaged to your pupils and their friends to pursue it through one course; and if so, I suppose the question is only, whether you can, consistently with this prior engagement, accept of the Northampton call; if not, you do not refuse their call, but it is impossible for you to comply with it; and of this, perhaps, even they may

you

be made judges. I I suppose when you have gone through one course, your academical work will be much easier. Would it be possible after that to accept of such an invitation? If it would, and should incline to it, might not expedients be found out, as, perhaps, by a stated assistant for one part of the Lord's day, and for visiting most of the sick; but how shall an assistant be maintained? Would not the people strain one note higher for four years? And something might perhaps be done from London. But where shall we find the man? that I cannot tell. I am very sensible of the weight of your objections, from the neighbourhood of Mr. Some, nor can I help you over it upon the whole, the best service your friends can do you in this affair, is to wish and implore for you a better than human direction.

I am sincerely yours,

D. JENNINGS.

TO THE CONGREGATION AT NORTHAMPTON.

ON MY ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR INVITATION TO UNDERTAKE THE PASTORAL CHARGE.

MY DEAR FRIENDS,

December 6, 1729.

AFTER a serious and impartial consideration of your case, and repeated addresses to the Great Father of Light for his guidance and direction, I can at length assure you that I am determined, by his permission, to accept of your kind invitation, and undertake the

pastoral care of you, with the most ardent feelings of sincere gratitude and affection.

You will easily apprehend that I could not form this resolution without a great deal of anguish, both with regard to those friends whom I am called upon to resign, and in reference to that great and difficult work which lies before me, in the care of your large congregation and my Academy. But I hope that I have sincerely devoted my soul to God and my Redeemer; and therefore I would humbly yield myself up to what, in present circumstances, I apprehend to be his will. I take this important step with fear and trembling, yet with an humble confidence in HIM, and with the hope that, in the midst of these great difficulties, he will not leave me entirely destitute of that presence which I desire to prefer to every thing

which life can bestow.

As for you, my brethren, let me entreat of you, that if there be any consolation in Christ-if any comfort of love-if any fellowship of the Spirit—if any bowels of mercy-fulfil ye my joy! Let me beseech you to remember that, by accepting your call, I have entrusted the happiness of my life into your hands. Prepare yourselves, therefore, to cover my many infirmities with the mantle of your love, and continue to treat me with the same kindness and gentleness as those dear and excellent friends have done, whom I am now about to leave, in compassion to your souls; for God knows that no temporal advantage you could have offered would have engaged me to relinquish them.

May my Heavenly Father comfort my heart in what is now determined, by giving an abundant success to my ministrations among you, so that a multitude of souls may have reason to praise him on that account; and let me beg that you will bear me daily on your hearts before his throne in prayer, and seek for me that extraordinary assistance, without which I must infallibly sink under the great work I have thus undertaken.

I shall continue to recommend you, my dearly beloved, to the Grace of Almighty God, the great Shepherd of His sheep, with that affection which now so peculiarly becomes your most devoted Friend and Servant, in the bonds of our common Lord,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

TO THE REV. SAMUEL CLARK.

REVEREND SIR,

Harborough, Dec. 23, 1729. I CONFESS you had reason to be surprised at my silence; but hope you have long since received a letter, in which it is accounted for.

As for the removal to Northampton, my books are gone to-day, and, if God permit, I shall follow them

to-morrow.

Nothing can be more generous and affectionate than the reception which the people there have given me, in several visits which I have lately made them.