J. C. Ryland, Northampton, to Joseph Flight, London, 26 February 1770.

To M.r Joseph Flight

Dear Sir

   Not knowing which Day you have your General Meeting of the Fundees, I was willing to send Time enough and therefore did not stay till the Letter of Dismission from Tottlebank for these young Men should come to our Church – we suppose it will be here in four or five Days. –

   I must now desire you Sir to use your best Endeavours with your Brethren for these young Men as you provoked me to Love and good Works let me now return the Favour and desire that your public Spirit and Zeal for the best of all Causes may not evaporate into Smoke.

   I shall send the same Testimonial as the inclosed to your Brother the Banker, and another to the Secretary of your Fund – so that I trust a threefold Cord will not be easily broken –

   I hope the Subscription which I left with you goes on briskly – our Meeting of Baptist Ministers will be next Week at Northampton, March 7. –

Rev.d M.r Brown defends the Godhead of Christ

Rev.d M.r Isaac Woodman defends the Person and Godhead of the Holy Ghost

Rev.d M.r Rob.t Hall states and defends the real and perfect Satisfaction of Christ

   I hope we shall have a glorious Day, I wish you was to be here – we disdain childish and frivolous Divinity and trifling preaching, and are determined by the Help of GOD that we will oppose Socinianism and every capital Error to the very utermost of our power. – [M]ay GOD give your Ministers the same Resolution – Dr Gill has set us all a noble Pattern for 50 years past – I am whilst you are a zealous Friend to Christs Interest

         Dear Sir

                     at your Command

                                 with Chearfulness

                                             John Ryland

Northampton Feb. 26. 1770

Text: MS. II.c.5.(2.), Congregational Library, London. Joseph Flight was a member of the Baptist meeting in Maze Pond, at that time under the ministry of Benjamin Wallin. The above letter concerns Benjamin Hartley and John Sandys and the upcoming meeting of the Northamptonshire Association at Ryland’s church in Northampton. The letter also mentions Flight’s brother “the banker,” and the “subscription” he left with Flight (probably about Ryland's book, Contemplations.