LETTER DCCLIV.
To the Countess of H.
Portsmouth, May 13, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
WITH some degree of impatience have I been waiting to hear from your Ladyship, being very solicitous for your Ladyship's welfare. This morning your Ladyship's unexpected letter surprized me. I only expected to have a line from Mrs. C. Your Ladyship's writing under such weakness, put me in mind of Mr. C, who, when his friends advised him not to write on account of his illness, made this reply, "What! would you have my master come and find me idle?" Perhaps our Lord is fitting your Ladyship for some new work. Luther observed, that "he was never employed in any new thing, but he was beset with some temptations, or visited with a fit of sickness." I only wish I could bear it for your Ladyship; but then your crown would not be so bright, nor the inward purity of your heart so great. The more trials when sanctified, the more conformed we shall be to the ever-loving ever-lovely Jesus. O that the Lord of all Lords may water you every moment, and cause you to flourish like the burning bush unconsumed in fire! I have more good news to send your Ladyship from Portsmouth. Ever since my last, the prospect of doing good has increased. Thousands have attended, and even when it rained, when one could reasonably expect but very few, some thousands came to hear the word. I have contracted a cold by preaching in the rain; but what is that, if any soul can but get good!
My life, my blood, I here present,
If in thy cause they may be spent;
Fulfil thy sov'reign counsel, Lord;
Thy will be done, thy name ador'd.
On next Monday evening I intend, God willing, to set out for Salisbury, and from thence shall write to your Ladyship again. Yesterday I wrote to the Countess and Lady F, but did not send the letters to your Ladyship, not knowing
