LETTER DCCXXXVI.
To Lady G——.
Plymouth, Feb. 22, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
YOUR Ladyship’s letter I received yesterday; I trust under some sense of the honour your Ladyship has done me, through the King of kings making me instrumental in quickening or building up your Ladyship’s precious and immortal soul. Like a pure chrystal, I would transmit all the glory he is pleased to pour upon me, and never claim as my own, what is his sole propriety. Thanks be to his great and glorious name, for putting it into your Ladyship’s heart to say sincerely, “Lord, increase my faith.” When I had read your Ladyship’s letter, I could not help observing what a connection there was between the present frame of your Ladyship’s heart, and your present circumstances in respect to your servant. For how is it, honoured Madam, that our faith is to be increased, but by our being exercised with trials? By these the christian grows; and faith, like the burning bush amidst the furnace of affliction, flourishes unconsumed. Blessed be God, that your Ladyship hath taken hold of a great and precious promise. Our Lord has promised, “that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear.” And he is faithful that hath promised. We have nothing to do, but to plead his promise in prayer. Be pleased, therefore, honoured Madam, to solace yourself, under your present distress, with these lines:
I.
With joy we meditate the grace
Of our High-priest above;
His heart is made of tenderness,
His bowels melt with love.