_To Mr. H. B._
_On board the Minerva, Feb. 16, 1741._ _My dear brother in CHRIST_,
BEFORE this is brought to your hands, I suppose you will have been arraigned before the Chief Justice. I am persuaded our LORD will plead on your behalf, and strengthen you with his mighty power in the inner man. The greater progress you make in the divine life, the more you will discover of the enmity that is in the seed of the serpent. It bruised our master’s heel; it will also bruise ours. Here is our comfort, GOD who cannot lie, hath told us, that “we shall bruise his head.” In the strength of this promise, I can give men and devils the challenge. Whole legions are ready to beset me. By the help of my GOD, I shall triumph over all.――I hope we shall grow in grace before we meet again. You and I have weak crazy tabernacles; I hope you rejoice in the prospect of putting them off shortly; blessed be GOD, I do.――Dear Sir, get acquainted more and more with electing love; study the covenant of redemption, and see how GOD loved you with an everlasting love. This will cause you to glory only in the LORD, and to pass through the valley of the shadow of death, with a full assurance of faith; knowing that CHRIST hath engaged to lodge you safe in eternal glory. Thither your dear wife is gone before us; I often think of, I could almost say envy her; but perhaps that is wrong. Yet a little while, and our precious LORD shall take both you, and
Your affectionate friend, brother, and servant in CHRIST,