_To Mr. ――――._
_Bristol, Feb. 4, 1749._
_My dear Sir_,
THE contents of your letter surprized me; and yet it is time for me to
learn to be surprized at nothing. But what shall we say? It must needs
be that these trials should come, to wean us from every creature, and
teach us to live by faith in the Son of GOD. Had you succeeded, you
certainly would have met with some thorn in the flesh, to keep you from
being elated too much. Persons of such sanguine dispositions as you and
I are, always need one from some quarter or another. By your letter,
this trial has done you good already. Be thankful for it, therefore,
my dear Sir, and say from your inmost soul, “the cup, which my heavenly
Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”――We are but poor choosers
for ourselves. GOD sees not as we see. It is a comfort when we can
say, we have eyed GOD in any affair; but if that affair be plainly
disconcerted by his providence, we may be certain it is for good. I
found it so in a like circumstance, when my affections were much more
engaged than yours necessarily must have been. I wish you joy of being
called to leave a worm for GOD, and in your submission to his divine
appointment. “Surely,” (says the prophet that was sent to anoint one of
_Jesse_’s sons) “the LORD’s anointed is before me.” He guessed several
times; but always guessed wrong, till little _David_ was sent for, who
was thought nothing of. And if a prophet was mistaken, when thus sent
in a peculiar manner, and no doubt particularly engaged in prayer for
direction, is it any wonder, that we should find ourselves mistaken in
many things, even when we have been most earnest with GOD for guidance
and direction? GOD often guides us by disappointments; and I doubt not
but you will find some better thing is prepared for you. What the LORD
hath done to you, though you know not now, yet you shall know hereafter.