Isaac Watts, Stoke Newington, to Philip Doddridge, Northampton, 26 January 1746/7.

Stoke Newington

January 26. 1746/7.

My Dear Doctor

         I know of nothing that I have taken amiss from you, nor would I have you suspect it; let my Letter of recommendation which I wrote to Mr Longueville be a constant Memorial to you how near you are to my heart, and that I suffer no slanders or storys to make any Division betwixt us I have much to thank you for, besides your daily prayers; but I would take leave to admonish you that your speaking of the Books you design to publish to many Mouths before any of them appear, does not do you much Service: Your Comment on ye Acts especially, and your Life of Colonel Gardiner are long expected with tiresome desires, tho I know your daily calls of Duty fill up almost every inch of time. – I have hinted to my Lady the Substance of your last Letter; but she cannot see it convenient in her family to make so many interruptions in the Morning and Evening Worship.

         May the Grace of God ever assist and bless you in all your Labors & Designs for his honor, and the praise of our Dear Redeemer, which is much more on my heart as I come nearer to the End of my Race.

         I shall order the Bookseller, Mr Oswald, ^to send^ you a Book I have just printed called Evangelical Discourses which I hope you will receive within a fornight ^Week^ I am, Dear sir, (upon the Borders of Life)

                     Your Constant & Affectionate Bro. & Servt

                                             Isaac Watts.

Address: For | The Revd Dr Doddridge | at | Northamton

Postmark: 29 JA

Endorsed: Dr Watts | Jan. 26. 1747

Text: MA 514.15, 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. 516.