newly publish'd, I suffer'd myself to be unreasonably
transported, so far, as to inscribe you an angry, and
inconsiderate Preface; without previous Examination into the
Justness of my Proceeding. I have lately had the Mortification to
learn from your own Hand that you were entirely guiltless of the
fact charg'd upon you; so that, in attempting to retaliate a
suppos'd Injury, I have done a real Injustice.

The only Thing which an honest Man ought to be more asham'd of
than his faults, is a Reluctance against confessing them. I have
already acknowledg'd mine to yourself: But no publick Guilt is
well aton'd, by a private Satisfaction; I therefore send you a
Duplicate of my Letter, by way of the World, that all, who
remember my Offence, may also witness my Repentance.

Sir,

I am under the greatest Confusion I ever felt in my Life, to
find by your Letter, that I have been guilty of a Crime, which
I can never forgive Myself, were it for no other Reason, than
that You have forgiven it. I might have learnt from your
Writings the Extent of your Soul, and shou'd have concluded it
impossible for the Author of those elevated Sentiments, to sink
beneath them in his Practice.

You are generously moderate, when you mitigate my Guilt, and
miscall it a Credulity; 'twas a passionate, and most
unjustifiable Levity, and must still have remain'd
unpardonable, whatever Truth might have been found in its
mistaken Occasion.