Robert Robinson, London, to Robert Kitchener, Lakenheath,   1 October 1757.

Moorfields, London Oct. 1st 1757

Dr Friend,

  I had yesterday the pleasure of presenting your letter to Mr Shelton.  I staid all the remaining last of ye day with him, and laid open all your affairs, and proceedings to him.  He sensibly felt your sorrows & like a true member of our dear Lords mystical body, felt a sympathy for the suffering member.  He highly approved of the method I proposed among’st you, and says he mentioned the same thing when he was down both at Bury, & Lakenheath and heartily wishes to see you established in gospel order, as the people here are, and as even the ministers of the Establishment highly approve on—to this end he intends to send you some books, perhaps next week, to read among the people, and will shortly come himself and see you, perhaps in 3 weeks or a month.  I’ll prevail with him to come as soon as I can— mean time my dear Br do not be discouraged, that God (I am firmly persuaded), who delivered you out of the jaw of the lion, and the bear, will certainly destroy every circumscribed Philistine; who dare’s defy Gods Israel, whom God hath not defied, when God works who can let it.  Methinks I see that word engraved on Lakenheath believers.  I have blessed him, yea, and he shall be blessed.  Come David, put off Sauls cumbersome armour, take thy sling, & thy stone, and go forth, against Goliah.  Do not object, I am a stripling, Remember the battle is not mans but Gods.  O how sweet is one days peace after many years war, how agreeable is a pleasant calm evening at ye close of a stormy blustering day, so pleasant, & infinitely more so, will your peace & satisfaction be, after all your trouble and contempt.  Come, God has not, God will not, forsake, the work of his own hands, only believe, and all things are possible.  Do dear friend strengthen the poor, dear, weak souls at Lakenheath, O if you knew how near my heart they lay, and what I feel for your troubled souls.—O tell them, our God is faithful, again & again preach a faithful God to them, O inexhaustible fountain.  A faithful God—but I must conclude.  My kindest, tenderest love to all. 

  Thine in Christ.

    R. Robinson

Text:  Crabb Robinson Correspondence, Vol. 1 (725-99), no. 8, Dr. Williams's Library.