which I communicated to you, been taking a survey of the state of religion in my congregation. And I bless God, I find it in a better condition than I expected. My attempt to introduce prayer and a proper method of religious instruction into some families has, through the blessing of God, been so successful, that I shall be encouraged further to pursue it. The knowledge I have now obtained of the temper and disposition of the people, and the interest which I have in their affections, make me hope that my settling among them as their pastor may be to our mutual satisfaction and advantage. There are other particular reasons for this encouraging expectation, of which I cannot now enter into a full detail. The principal point is this: I like the genius and temper of the people, and have an opportunity of dealing very plainly in the pulpit, which perhaps among a more refined congregation I might not at present have the confidence to do*. I may also pursue many free schemes, and try many little experiments in speaking, without any ceremony; and I have more leisure to prosecute my studies: it may too in all probability secure the possession of my mistress. On all these accounts, and several others, with your approbation, I intend to propose myself for ordination this summer, and should be heartily glad, if it could be contrived, (with the permission of your good lady, who I believe is too much my friend to oppose

The simple and searching style of familiar exhortation here alluded to, is very evident in the four volumes of Sermons by Dr. Doddridge, published in 1826.

my request), for you to come down to Kibworth and preach my ordination-sermon. There will be two sermons; and if you will undertake that containing the charge to the minister, I believe Mr. Norris will preach to the people. You will be pleased to consider of the affair in general; and if you can let me know when Mr. Hunt is to be ordained at Newport, I, with Mr. Some or Mr. Arthur, will come and meet you there, and you shall hear such of the particulars as are not yet agreed upon. As for my affair with Miss Kitty, I apprehend that as things now stand, she could by no means be persuaded to think of marrying at present, nor should I very vigorously urge the question. If I am not however exceedingly mistaken, she is upon the point of coming to a resolution, which will make me as happy as I can expect to be while I am a bachelor. I beg the favour of you to write me a few lines next Wednesday; and having directed the messenger to call for them, if you have not sent the little Greek Testament to London, I should be very glad if you would please to deliver it to him. My most humble service waits upon your lady, Mr. and Mrs. Downe, Mrs. Pembroke, &c.

I am, Reverend Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

P. DODDRIDge.

MADAM,

TO MY SISTER.

Burton, Feb. 17, 1725.

I WOULD not put you to so much confusion as would probably arise from the mention of the words brother and sister, which might perhaps lead your thoughts to recollect a sort of distant relationship between us, that I once thought myself exceedingly happy in possessing. I therefore take the liberty humbly to insinuate, that a few lines from your fair hand in answer to two quarto pages, which I sent you about a quarter of a year ago, would be exceedingly agreeable to

Your most obedient Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

TO MY COUSIN DODDRIDGE.

DEAR COUSIN,

Burton, Feb. 17, 1725.

My sister intimated to me in a letter which she

you

wrote about half a year ago, that intended me the favour of an answer to my last. I am heartily sorry that you should have entertained so awful an idea of your affectionate cousin, as not to venture to write with less than six months' preparation. If

you are indeed alive-I desire you would send me word by next post; but if you be dead, I must leave you to your own discretion.

I am, dear Sir,

Your affectionately impatient Cousin, and

forgotten humble Servant,

PHILIP DODDRIDGE.

TO MY UNCLE NORTON *.

HONOURED SIR,

Burton, Feb. 17, 1725.

As I have now an opportunity of sending without putting you to the charge of double postage, I very cheerfully embrace it, and set myself with a great deal of pleasure to pay my duty to you and my dear aunt, and to return my humble thanks for the extraordinary kindness with which you both entertained me at Cookham, as well as for all other instances of your friendship. It is now in my power to make no other return than those of thankful acknowledgments and affectionate prayers to God on your account, in which I hope I shall not be wanting. It was a great pleasure to me to see how happily

Mr. Norton, who resided on a small property at Cookham, married the widow of Philip Doddridge, mentioned in the first Section of the preceding volume, as the Doctor's uncle, and as having been steward to the Duke of Bedford.

and agreeably you live in the affectionate and delightful enjoyment of each other, surrounded with the comfortable accommodations of life; and I question not, walking continually in the fear of God, and in a constant and diligent preparation for a happy immortality. May the great God of heaven and of earth long continue you together in that health and plenty and cheerfulness which you now enjoy! and, above all, may he continue to you the influences of his grace and holy spirit, whereby you may be enabled, with an increased ardency and vigour, daily to press forward towards the mark, even the glorious hope that is set before you; to entertain a constant and intimate communion with the divine Majesty, and to help each other forward, and all that are about you, in the way to heaven. These, my dear and honoured friends, are the prayers which I would put up for you with the greatest sincerity: and, in return, I earnestly beg that you would allow me an interest in yours.

I still continue where I was, I bless God, much to my satisfaction; and shortly intend, by the divine permission, to enter fully upon the pastoral charge. I bless God I do see some encouraging effects of my labours, and that personal religion and family devotion seem to be increasing; "but who is sufficient for these things?" I entreat you to pray for me, that God would give me health and resolution to pursue my private studies and my public ministrations; that he would give them efficacy and success;