Honoured Sir,
THE love of Jesus Christ constrains me to send you a few lines. They flow from a heart truly sympathizing with your beloved Baroness, under your present trials. O that patience may have its perfect work in your souls! O that with your tempted, afflicted, agonizing Jesus, you may be enabled to say, “The cup, which our heavenly Father hath given us, shall we not drink it?” I doubt not, but you find it sweetened with his love:—“for he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear; but will with the temptation make a way for us to escape.” The sacrificing our relations to his sovereign good will and pleasure, is no small trial, especially when unconverted. But what says the scripture? “Neither did his brethren believe on him.” Your Lord can sympathize with you under your present circumstances;
He knows what this temptation means,
For he has felt the same.
Look up, therefore, to him, honoured Sir, who has promised never to leave nor forsake you. He hath helped you out of six, he will also help you out of seven troubles. I write this out of the fulness of my heart. My poor prayers are continually ascending to the throne of grace in your behalf. I hope you will not be offended at my freedom in writing. Love and gratitude are my only motives. Good Lady H——n will sympathize with you, when she hears how you are situated. I left her some little time past abounding in the work of the Lord. I had a pleasant excursion into the country, and my Winter quarters are made very agreeable in town. What shall I render unto the Lord? Honoured Sir, I beg a continued interest in your prayers, and those of your honoured Baroness.—You know my name,—I am the chief of sinners, less than the least of all saints, but for Jesus Christ’s sake,
Your sympathizing ready servant,
G. W.
LETTER DCCCLXX.
To Mr. S——.