Chapter CCXXXV: Letter DCCXXXI: To Mr. ――――

_Bristol, Feb. 4, 1749._

_My dear Sir_,

THE contents of your letter surprized me; and yet it is time for me to learn to be surprized at nothing. But what shall we say? It must needs be that these trials should come, to wean us from every creature, and teach us to live by faith in the Son of GOD. Had you succeeded, you certainly would have met with some thorn in the flesh, to keep you from being elated too much. Persons of such sanguine dispositions as you and I are, always need one from some quarter or another. By your letter, this trial has done you good already. Be thankful for it, therefore, my dear Sir, and say from your inmost soul, “the cup, which my heavenly Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”――We are but poor choosers for ourselves. GOD sees not as we see. It is a comfort when we can say, we have eyed GOD in any affair; but if that affair be plainly disconcerted by his providence, we may be certain it is for good. I found it so in a like circumstance, when my affections were much more engaged than yours necessarily must have been. I wish you joy of being called to leave a worm for GOD, and in your submission to his divine appointment. “Surely,” (says the prophet that was sent to anoint one of _Jesse_’s sons) “the LORD’s anointed is before me.” He guessed several times; but always guessed wrong, till little _David_ was sent for, who was thought nothing of. And if a prophet was mistaken, when thus sent in a peculiar manner, and no doubt particularly engaged in prayer for direction, is it any wonder, that we should find ourselves mistaken in many things, even when we have been most earnest with GOD for guidance and direction? GOD often guides us by disappointments; and I doubt not but you will find some better thing is prepared for you. What the LORD hath done to you, though you know not now, yet you shall know hereafter.

I.

_Leave to his sovereign sway_
_To choose and to command;_
_So shalt thou wond’ring own his way,_
_How wise, how strong his hand._

II.

_Far, far above thy thoughts,_
_His counsel shall appear,_
_When fully he the work hath wrought,_
_Which caus’d thy needless fear._

You see, dear Sir, my concern for you by the length of this letter. As you are, I trust, my own son in the faith, so I cannot avoid naturally caring for you. My letter shall be followed with my prayers. Be resigned. I am better in health than when I left town; and am much blessed in preaching. You know how to give thanks in behalf of

Your sympathizing friend,
_G. W._