G. W.
LETTER MXIX.
To Mr. W.——.
London, January 5, 1754.
My dear Mr. W——,
YOUR letter much affected as well as surprized me.—I may say of it as Dr. G—— says of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, “It smelt of the prison.” Surely God’s thoughts are not as our thoughts, neither are his ways as our ways. How amazingly does he over-rule all things, for the spiritual and eternal good of those who love him in sincerity! Through his gracious and never-failing care, out of the eater cometh forth meat, and out of the strongest trial cometh forth unspeakable, spiritual sweetness. If this be the effect of affliction, then may the believer boldly say,
All hail reproach, and welcome pain!
Surely you may sing,
—— O happy rod,