_To the Bishop of B――――._
_Tabernacle-House, February 2, 1756._
_My Lord_,
A FEW weeks ago, several serious persons chosen to be a committee for one Mr. _B――――_, applied to me in the name of JESUS CHRIST, and a multitude of souls desirous of hearing the gospel, to preach at a place commonly called _Long-Acre_ chapel. At the same time they acquainted me, “That the place was licensed; that Mr. _B――――_ either had taken, or was to take it for a certain term of years, and had preached in it for a considerable time, as a protestant Dissenting minister: notwithstanding, (they added) I might use the Liturgy if I thought proper, so that I would but come and preach once or twice a week.” Looking upon this as a providential call, from him, who in the days of his flesh taught all that were willing to hear, _on a mount_, _in a ship_, or _by the sea-side_, and who after his ascension, commanded us by his Apostle, to be “instant in season and out of season,” I readily complied, and humbly hope that my feeble, though I trust sincere labours, have not been altogether in vain in the LORD. This being the case, your Lordship will necessarily suppose, that I was somewhat surprized at the prohibition I received from your Lordship this evening. For I looked upon the place as a particular person’s property, and being, as I was informed, not only unconsecrated, but also licensed according to law, I thought I might innocently preach the love of a crucified Redeemer, and for his great name’s sake, loyalty to the best of princes our dread sovereign King _George_, without giving any just offence to _Jew_ or _Gentile_, much less to any bishop or overseer of the church of GOD. As I have therefore given notice of preaching to-morrow evening, and every _Tuesday_ and _Thursday_ whilst I am in town, I hope your Lordship will not look upon it as _contumacy_, or done out of contempt, if I persist in prosecuting my design, till I am more particularly apprized wherein I have erred. Controversy, my Lord, is what I abhor, and as raising popular clamours, and ecclesiastical dissentions must be quite unseasonable, especially at this juncture, when _France_ and _Rome_ and hell ought to be the common butt of our resentment, I hope your Lordship will be so good as to inform yourself and me more particularly about this matter; and upon due conviction, as I have no design but to do good to precious souls, I promise to submit. But if your Lordship should judge it best to decline this method, and I should be called to answer for my conduct, either before a spiritual court, or from the press, I trust the irregularity I am charged with, will appear justifiable to every true lover of _English_ liberty, and what is _all_ to me, will be approved of at the awful and impartial tribunal of the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, in obedience to whom I beg leave to subscribe myself, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most dutiful son and servant,