"Nor, secondly, is it possible that these services referred to should be omitted, if they were really so absolutely necessary to prevent 'the eternal reproach and infamy in this world, and the next,' of _us_ who are committed to your care. Your Lordship, receiving 300_l. per annum_ for watching over this flock, could never permit it to be involved in _eternal infamy_, when so small a boon (as your Lordship acknowledges) as 25_l. per annum_ would prevent it. Far from us be such imaginary fears as these! The great _Apostles_, to whom your Lordship succeeds in an uninterrupted line, were inspired with such divine zeal to promote the salvation of men, that so far from their hesitating to part with twenty-five pounds out of three hundred pounds _per annum_, which is but 8_l._ 6_s._ 8_d. per cent._ deduction, they calmly received 'bonds and afflictions, neither counted they their lives dear unto themselves, so that they might finish their course with joy, and the ministry which they had received.' (Acts xx. 24, &c.) 'They gloried in having coveted no man's silver or gold' (neither for themselves nor their Curates); and were enabled to make this honourable appeal to their flock,--'Ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto our necessities, and to those who were with us.' "For our part, therefore, we shall rest assured, that as 'the line of the Apostolic Succession is uninterrupted,' so also is the 'Apostolic Zeal;' and that, 'as the labourer is worthy of his hire,' so also is 'the hire worthy of a labourer;' and therefore we hope your Lordship will permit us to conclude, that when a wise, a learned, and pious Minister of Christ receives _the hire_, he will conscientiously perform _the labour_, or cause it to be performed. "Our dependance, therefore, on your Lordship's exact and devout views of this _awful_ and _responsible connection_ must necessarily calm every fear on our part concerning our _own_ 'eternal infamy and reproach on this account;' for we are legally committed to your care, for the established outward _means of grace_;--and such means as are absolutely necessary for rendering your Lordship a good Shepherd, or us a well-fed flock, we are very confident we shall never want, whilst we have the pleasure of being under your spiritual guidance and instruction. "We are, my Lord, your Lordship's "Most respectful, affectionate, "and obliged humble servants, A B C D E F G." _St. Mary-le-Bow, April 12, 1768._