LETTER DCCLXVIII.
To the Bishop of W——.
Bristol, Aug. 7, 1749.
My Lord,
I Thank your Lordship for your kind and cordial letter. I shall take care to do your Lordship justice, by shewing it to such persons as I think have been more immediately concerned. This, I imagine, will be as much satisfaction as your Lordship will desire. I suppose the mistake has lain here: your Lordship might have insinuated, that by my present way of acting, I had broken the solemn engagement I had entered into at my ordination: and that might have been interpreted to imply a charge of Perjury. The relation in which I stand to the Right Honourable the Countess of H——, made me desirous to clear myself from such an imputation; and at the same time to give your Lordship an opportunity of vindicating yourself in the manner you have done. Was I not afraid of intruding too much upon your Lordship’s time, and of shewing the least inclination to controversy, I would endeavour, in the fear of God, to answer the other part of your Lordship’s letter; and, as far as lies in me, give your Lordship a satisfactory account of whatever may seem irregular and exceptionable in my present conduct. This I would be glad to do, not only before your Lordship, but all the Right Reverend the Bishops; for I highly honour them on account of the sacred character they sustain, and would make it my daily endeavour to obey all their godly admonitions. This, I presume, my Lord, is the utmost extent of the promise I made at my ordination. If I err or deviate from this, in any respect, it is through ignorance and want of better information, and not (as far as I know my own heart) but of obstinacy or contempt of lawful authority. But I forget myself. I beg your Lordship’s pardon for taking up so much of your time; I thank your Lordship for your prayers in my behalf; and beg leave to offer mine in return for your Lordship’s present and eternal welfare, who am, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s dutiful son, and obliged humble servant,
G. W.