Gentlemen, I profess myself a _Calvinist_ as to principle, and preach no other doctrines than those which your pious ancestors, and the founders of _Harvard College_, preached long before I was born. And I am come to _New-England_, with no intention to meddle with, much less to destroy the order of the _New-England_ churches, or turn out the generality of their ministers, or re-settle them with ministers from _England_, _Scotland_, and _Ireland_, as hath been hinted in a late letter written by the reverend Mr. _Clap_, Rector of _Yale-College_: such a thought never entered my heart; neither, as I know of, has my preaching the least tendency thereunto. I am determined to know nothing among you, but JESUS CHRIST and him crucified. I have no intention of setting up a party for myself, or to stir up people against their Pastors. Had not illness prevented, I had some weeks ago departed out of these coasts. But as it is not a season of the year for me to undertake a very long journey, and I have reason to think the great GOD daily blesses my poor labours, I think it my duty to comply with the invitations that are sent me; and, as I am enabled, to be instant in season and out of season, and to preach among poor sinners the unsearchable riches of JESUS CHRIST. This indeed I delight in. It is my meat and my drink. I esteem it more than my necessary food. This I think I may do, as a minister of the King of kings, and a subject to his present Majesty King _George_, upon whose royal head I pray GOD, the crown may long flourish. And as I have a right to preach, so I humbly apprehend the people, as christians, as men, and _New-England_ men in particular, have a right to invite and hear. If pulpits should be shut, blessed be GOD! the fields are open, and I can go without the camp, bearing the Redeemer’s sacred reproach: this I am used to, and glory in; believing that if I suffer for it, I shall suffer for righteousness sake. At the same time I desire to be humbled, and ask public pardon for any rash word I have dropped, or any thing I have written or done amiss. This leads me also to ask forgiveness, Gentlemen, if I have done you or your society, in my journal, any wrong. Be pleased to accept unfeigned thanks for all tokens of respect you shewed me when here last. And if you have injured me in the testimony you have published against me and my conduct (as I think, to say no more, you really have) it is already forgiven without asking, by Gentlemen,
Your affectionate humble servant,