_To Mr. J―――― W――――._
_Norwich, August 9, 1755._
_Reverend and dear Sir_,
TILL _Tuesday_ evening, I knew no more of coming to _Norwich_ than the child unborn. Had I been well enough, and my private business permitted, I should have been some miles in my way towards ♦_Donnington_ park. This I told Mr. _H――――ly_, and acquainted him with every step; he should have written himself, and not retailed our conversation. As I expect to be in town some time next week, I choose to defer writing more till we have a personal interview. My time is too precious to be employed in hearkening to, or vindicating of myself against, the false and invidious insinuations of narrow and low-life informers. Never was I more satisfied of my call to any place, than of my present call to _Norwich_. The Redeemer knows the way that I take. I came hither purely for his glory, without the least design to make a party for myself, or to please or displease any other party whatsoever. In this way, and in this spirit, through his divine assistance, I hope to go on. Blessed be his name, I trust my feeble labours have not been in vain. Sin, I hope, hath been prevented, errors detected, sinners convicted, saints edified, and my own soul sweetly refreshed. But I must add no more. That JESUS may give us all a right judgment in all things, and keep all parties whatsoever from giving a wrong touch to the ark, is and shall be the constant prayer of, reverend and dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in our common LORD,