The great Infirmities of my Body forced me for some Years last past to decline all Publick Business: and tho' I am now very little better, nor indeed will my Age give me leave to expect much Amendment; yet the Desires, or rather the Commands of the Gentlemen and Freeholders, to whom I am so much in-[4] debted, are of more force than, and superiour to, my own Inclinations, and just Excuses. I am therefore once more come amongst you, and I cannot but think it probable, that in this Juncture of Affairs, you will expect and require from me some account of our present Circumstances. Give me leave therefore to look a little back: And from that Reflection I must observe to you, that out of Gratitude as well as Duty, we ought to be the most sober and religious People in the World; for there is no Nation under Heaven, that can shew so many signal, wonderful, and miraculous Preservations from the visible and immediate Hand of Providence.
A Charge Given to the Grand-Jury of the County of Gloucester, at the Midsummer-Sessions, 1723
