_To the Countess D――――._
_Bristol, April 19, 1749._
_Honoured Madam_,
THE unfeigned regard I have for your Ladyship, will not suffer me to be long out of _London_ without sending a line to enquire after your Ladyship’s welfare. I hope this will find you perfectly recovered from, or meekly resigned under, your late bodily indisposition. I believe your Ladyship hath reason to say, “It is good for me, that I have been afflicted;”――and sanctified afflictions are undoubtedly signs of special love. To come purified out of the furnace, and to find that some of our dross is purged away by the LORD’s putting us into the fire, is indeed an evidence that he is praying for us, and that our faith, however tried, shall not finally fail. O Madam, what a blessing is it to be able to say, “I know in whom I have believed!” How does such an assurance sweeten every bitter cup, and make even death itself to appear with an angel’s face! O that all who are destitute of this unspeakable gift, were convinced of their want thereof, and set upon hungering and thirsting after it! I hope your honoured sister will be one of these. I have her Ladyship much upon my heart, and do earnestly pray that she may be strengthened, established, and settled in the love of GOD, and determine to know nothing but JESUS CHRIST and him crucified. I send her Ladyship my most dutiful respects, and beg you would accept of the same, from, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged humble servant, _G. W._