From William Seward in Gloucester to his 'dear cousin'. He was grateful for his cousin’s kind letter of the 7th inst. and 'for the copy of my namesakes Roger Seward.' William has sent to their dear friend at Badsey word about Brother Tom’s letter and his cousin’s son Benjamin. 'The Lord sanctify this dispensation and make you willing to resign him to God who gave him, if it be his will to take him.'>
They had the account of the April day’s joke in the news and 'here are daily things of that sort in abundance which serve for our table mirth. At Bristol there is handed about the title of a pretended farce wherein Mr [George] Whitefield is [an] enthusiast, Mr Wathen [a] ghost, Mr Hutchinson terribilo damnato, Mr [John or Charles] Westley regenerato, Mrs [Elizabeth] Grevill [see note below] sigho-gronisso, and I am esquire Noodle etc. Poor men, little do they think what comfort and joy they give us, while they think to gall us; little do they think they are fulfilling the scripture by reviling us...' Spiritual matters are further discussed in detail, with specific regard to the need for William’s cousin to seek God before it is too late. 'If you believe not me, write to my dear brother Benjamin for his advice and he will tell you that till lately he knew no more of true Christianity than Mahomet did, and I believe you thought him a good Christian, but the name of Christian will do us no good unless we live as Christ lived...' Spiritual matters are further discussed in detail.
In a postscript, William mentions that he has directed Harry Symonds’ letter for his cousin’s information. His love should be passed on to his cousin’s wife.