"Though I have now been your Rector, as I said, these four-and-twenty years, yet I have never in all that time asked any thing of you. I have not sent any person to collect your Easter offerings, as other City Rectors do, and I might also justly have done. I have received nothing from you but what is strictly my due, and what you are obliged by law to pay: and I shall think I have very little weight and interest with you, I shall think that either I have preached the word of God, or you have heard it, to very little purpose, if after all my services I cannot obtain this favour from you; not that it is any favour to me, but as it is a real benefit to yourselves, and may prove the happy means of your salvation. Your not complying with this request would be such a disparagement and discouragement to my ministry, that I should almost despair of ever doing any further good among you, and could only leave you to your own reflections upon that solemn commination of Christ unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, Rev. ii. 5: 'Remember from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and remove thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.' God forbid that this should ever be your case! On the contrary I wish to say with the Apostle, Heb. vi. 9, 10, 11: 'Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed towards his name, in that ye have ministered unto the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end:' And with this trust and confidence in you, I remain, Gentlemen, "Your loving Friend, and faithful Servant in Christ Jesus, "THOMAS BRISTOL." _March 21, 1768._ "To the Right Reverend Father in God THOMAS Lord Bishop of Bristol, Rector of the Three United Parishes of St. Mary-le-Bow, St. Pancras, and Allhallows, Honey-lane. "My Lord, "The first sentence in your Address to our united Parishes gave us inexpressible concern, as we found ourselves charged with some behaviour which had been the occasion _of great pain and grief to your Lordship_; but we were happily relieved from this distress, as soon as your Lordship condescended to mention the nature of the crime with which we are charged; _viz._ 'That we had suffered the subscription for the daily prayers to be diminished, and reduced almost to nothing.' "When we reflect for twenty-four years past you have laboured amongst us in the Lord, we can have no doubt but this endearing connection which has so long subsisted between us will occasion your Lordship to receive with _paternal candour_ every plea we have to offer in our defence.