Isaac Watts, Stoke Newington, to Philip Doddridge, Northampton, 20 September 1743.

Septr 20th 1743.

Revd & Dear Sir

         I have run over your Principles of the Christian Religion in verse, I find but very few words to alter, and am so very much pleased with them, that I am very glad they will be shortly printed, and perhaps may do more good than ever my little Songs did. I pray God to give you all success herein; but I cannot but think they should be introduced with a Preface. I have this Day sent them again to Mrs Fenner.

         I am sorry since your Departure I have so many Questions asked me about your preaching or praying at ye Tabernacle and of sinking ye Character of a Minister, especially a Tutor among the Dissenters so low thereby. I find many of your Friends [aroin?] this Sentiment; but I can give no Answer to it, as not knowing how much you have been ingaged there. I pray God to guard us from every Temptation.

         I find since ye Errors of ye Moravians are reprinted here in England that their Doctrines are worse than I imagined tho I had read Count Zinzendorfs Sermons before.

         Since you were pleased to read me some Chapters of the Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul I am more zealous for its speedy Conclusion & Publication & beg you would not suffer any other things to divert you, since I question whether you can do any thing more necessary.

         My Health is just ye same as when you saw me, I wait hourly on ye Will of God. Farewell, Dear Sir, Grace be always with you. Amen.

                     Yours affectionately

                                             [Signature cut out]

Address: To | the Revd Dr Doddridge | at | Nothampton

Postmark: 20 SE

Endorsed: Dr Watts | 20 Sep. 43

Text: MA 514.13, Isaac Watts Letters, The Morgan Library, New York. The MS of this letter was not known to Nuttall; he cites the printed version that appeared in J. D. Humphreys, ed., Correspondence and Diary of Philip Doddridge (1829-31), vol. 4, p. 269.