_To Mrs. K――――, in London._
_Bristol, Jan. 4, 1742._
_My dear Sister_,
THIS morning, in a letter from brother _C――――_, I heard that your
dear husband was dangerous ill of the small-pox. I was touched with
a tender sympathy of your case; I immediately kneeled down, and laid
your circumstances before our compassionate high-priest. I doubt not,
but he is touched with a feeling of your afflictions, and will give
you grace to help in time of need. I hope the language of your heart
is this:
_Thy gifts, if call’d for, I resign,
Pleas’d to receive, pleas’d to restore;
Gifts are thy work, it shall be mine
The giver only to adore._
I was, before I received the news of your dear husband’s illness,
thinking that GOD’s people must meet with uncommon trials. We shall
often find GOD’s providences as it were contradicting his promises.
Thus it was with _Abraham_ and _Jacob_, and thus I believe it is in
some degree or other with all the children of GOD; for otherwise, how
can faith be exercised? I doubt not but the enemy of souls will now be
very busy with you, and break in with his fiery darts upon your soul;
but I pray JESUS to keep you from staggering through unbelief. May you
be strong in faith, giving glory to GOD! Against hope, may you believe
in hope. However your husband may be disposed of, my prayer for you
is, “LORD! make her still and resigned.” I think the love of CHRIST
constrains me to write you this letter. Who knows but the LORD may
bless it to your soul? However, as you love the LORD JESUS, I hope
you will receive it as a token of unfeigned christian sympathy and
affection from, dear Sister,
Your most unworthy brother and servant in CHRIST,
_G. W._