Thomas Sheraton, 98 Wardour Street, London, to John Rippon, London, 12 February 1798.

Dear Sir, and much esteemed servant of the Lord

         I do not address you in the style of Revd – as I am happy to hear that it has been agreed to by some Baptist ministers not to use that title in writing to them or speaking of them. This, little as it may appear to some, strikes me as a good sign amongst us – When the servants of the gospel of Christ agree to lay aside empty & fulsom modes of Address – they are then growing in the humility and copying the holy example and condescension of their Master. And I trust, such conduct will tend more to secure well founded esteem and real affection from the members of Christian churches than the empty bombast of Clerical pride and hautiness. If common Christians do not know how to esteem their ministers very highly for their works sake – and to love them for their humility – and the graces of God’s spirit appearing in them – then I say they can expect, on their own principles, nothing of a familiar condescending or lowly conduct in their teachers –

         Much respected Sir – I have not made this observation, from the least opinion that I ought to bear hard upon your self – God is witness – that I love you from viewing in you a very different spirit from that I mean to censure. You will please to pardon this digression, -- as my writing to you at present is to make acknowlidgment [sic] of the favourable & pious manner in which you was pleased to express yourself at the committee on the plan imperfectly suggested, before them, for the instruction of ignorant villages – I had thoughts to write to you, before the evening of the committee, believing you always very ready to encourage any likely attempt to spread the savor of the knowedge of Jesus – My connection however, and real esteem for my pastor made it my duty to consult him first. The Idea of which he communicated to Mr Fox our very worthy deacon the treasurer: with whom I have had some correspondence by letters on the subject. These transactions have prevented my writing sooner, together with doubts, fears, and hestitations about it. Honourable friend – you will, perhaps, recollect that when I was last with you – we touched on the subject of the trinity on which you observed – that the spirit had an equal claim in man’s salvation, with the Son, because notwithstanding that Jesus dyed & rose again, and thus laid the foundation of a sinners justification before God – Yet, it is positively declared – that without holiness, or the sanctification of the spirit – no man shall see the Lord – To this, you well remember I fully agreed – and had held it before, only I had not us’d so sppropriate a phrase for it as “The spirit’s equal claim in man’s redemption” – This sentiment I see more & more reason to cherish – as I think it is a great support to vital religion – which we so much want in this spiritually dead world and possessing such spiritually dead frames as we often do. Now as it is proposed that two brethren unitedly should make the attempt of conversing with the inhabitents [sic] of poor [benight’d] villages. I feel myself very desirous that you should look out for one of your church – who both feels & understands the above doctrine – for if the Committee please to confer a part of their work upon me, I am one who indeed stands much in need of a lively help mate – I have speculated, and have some light – but want much more heat – I mean godly zeal and vervor [fervor] of souls – much more love to God, and real value for my fellow man – To have a colleague possessed of the counter part of such defects – would, I hope, be attended with a real blessing to both, and to the important cause itself. I know the source of all spiritual gifts – and that he is able to perfect that which is lacking in us and the work of faith with power. I beg an interest in your prayers – and those of your church, that God may qualify – and find out an instrument for this branch of labour on his vineyard – and that my spirit may never weary in his service – That I may look for no rest but that which most certainly remains for the people of God, for no reward but that which Moses had a respect to – for no honour – but that which cometh of God only – And that no other principle might rule in me but a desire that Christ might be magnified in my body whether by life or by death –

         From your very affectionate

                     brother in the Lord

                                 Thomas Sheraton

No 98 Wardour Street Soho

Febry 12

1798

P.S. – Sir – in your Register – I see you have been so obliging as to insert in your Catalogue my poor attempt on subjection to civil government – I thank you – tho’ I know I am not worthy of such notice – What No is your last published one? I have not yet seen the finishing of the history of the Scots Baptists

Address: Mr Rippon | No 11 Grange Road | Southwark |London

Postmark: 13 Feb

Text: John Rippon Letters, British Library, Add. Ms. 25389, fols. 54-55.