_To Mrs. K――――, in London._
_Bristol, Jan. 4, 1742._ _My dear Sister_,
THIS morning, in a letter from brother _C――――_, I heard that your dear husband was dangerous ill of the small-pox. I was touched with a tender sympathy of your case; I immediately kneeled down, and laid your circumstances before our compassionate high-priest. I doubt not, but he is touched with a feeling of your afflictions, and will give you grace to help in time of need. I hope the language of your heart is this:
_Thy gifts, if call’d for, I resign, Pleas’d to receive, pleas’d to restore; Gifts are thy work, it shall be mine The giver only to adore._
I was, before I received the news of your dear husband’s illness, thinking that GOD’s people must meet with uncommon trials. We shall often find GOD’s providences as it were contradicting his promises. Thus it was with _Abraham_ and _Jacob_, and thus I believe it is in some degree or other with all the children of GOD; for otherwise, how can faith be exercised? I doubt not but the enemy of souls will now be very busy with you, and break in with his fiery darts upon your soul; but I pray JESUS to keep you from staggering through unbelief. May you be strong in faith, giving glory to GOD! Against hope, may you believe in hope. However your husband may be disposed of, my prayer for you is, “LORD! make her still and resigned.” I think the love of CHRIST constrains me to write you this letter. Who knows but the LORD may bless it to your soul? However, as you love the LORD JESUS, I hope you will receive it as a token of unfeigned christian sympathy and affection from, dear Sister,
Your most unworthy brother and servant in CHRIST,