_To ――――._
_London, Nov. 15, 1742._ _My Lord_,
IT has given me some concern, that I could not write to your Lordship before I left _E――――_. My departure from thence was very sudden, and it was but a few days before that I heard of your Lordship’s illness. However, I have not been unmindful of your Lordship, and I trust, in answer to prayer, our LORD has rebuked your fever, and that this will find you risen and ministring unto him. O, my Lord, I think I can say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted;” for had it not been so, I should have gone astray. How apt are we when in health, to follow JESUS afar off, and sink into tepidity and a laodicean spirit? May this sickness be sanctified to the purging of your Lordship’s soul, and be a means of drawing you nearer to GOD! Our glorious High-priest still continues to load me with his benefits. He dealt most tenderly with me on the road, and blesses me much here. I am now in my winter quarters, preparing for a fresh campaign. Happy they that fight under the Redeemer’s banner! That your Lordship may be always fighting the good fight of faith, and at length lay hold on eternal life, is the earnest prayer of, my Lord,
Your Lordship’s most obedient and obliged humble servant,