IV.
Then let our humble faith address
His mercy and his power;
We shall obtain delivering grace,
In the distressing hour.
This is, and shall be, honoured Madam, my daily prayer on your behalf. Fear not; our Lord will take care that all shall work for good. Those who are sincere, will soon get over such stumbling blocks; and those that are not, will stumble at any thing, nay every thing. I bless God, that some have got their faces set Zion-wards. Of the honourable women, ere long, I trust, there will be not a few who will dare to be singularly good, and confess the blessed Jesus before men. O with what a holy contempt may the poor despised believer look down on those, who are yet immersed in the pleasures of sense, and amidst all the refinements of their unassisted, unenlightened reason, continue slaves to their own lusts and passions. Happy, thrice happy they! who begin to feel and experience what it is to be redeemed from this present evil world. Well may they count all things but dung and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus their Lord. Well may they look upon the few righteous, as the only truly excellent ones of the earth; and choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. You, honoured Madam, I trust, are one of this happy number. May all your children add to it, and follow your Ladyship, as they see you follow Christ. I hope that some have been inclined to list under his banner, since I left town. Indeed the glorious Redeemer has dealt bountifully with his people, and with unworthy me. The good Lady H——n, I suppose, hath informed your Ladyship of some pleasing particulars. I hope to acquaint you of more at my return to town. In the mean while, I beg leave to subscribe myself, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, &c.
G. W.