LETTER DCCCLIX.
To Lady Hn.
Honoured Madam, Portsmouth, Sept. 8, 1750.
To day my wife sent me the melancholy news of the death of your Ladyship's eldest daughter, but withal wrote me that she died very comfortably. Indeed when I left her, God's spirit seemed to be working so strongly upon her heart, that I thought she would soon go to heaven, or shine as a glorious saint on earth. It hath pleased a sovereign God to cut short his work in righteousness, and call her home. A trial this indeed, for your Ladyship! but a trial, in which I hope your Ladyship will have grace given to acquiesce. O that with Aaron you may be enabled to hold your peace, and with the bereaved Shunamite to say, "It is well." And if the Redeemer should call your Ladyship to part with another daughter (hard trial for flesh and blood) may you be strengthened chearfully to give her up, and hear the Lord of all Lords saying unto you, "Now know I that thou lovest me, since thou hast not with-held two dear daughters from me." Now is the time, honoured Madam, to prove the strength of Jesus to be yours. Now is the time to be strong in faith, and give glory to God. The Redeemer will be better to you than seven daughters. What a comfort is it, honoured Madam, for you to think that Miss C gave such comfortable evidences of her dying in the Lord. She is blessed indeed, and the language of her departed soul is, "weep not for me." Comfort yourself, honoured Madam, with this thought, and say like David, "I shall go to her, but she will not return to me." May this trial be sanctified to your Ladyship's whole household, and may your surviving children learn to die betimes! I could enlarge, but am afraid of being troublesome. On Tuesday, God willing, I hope to be in London for one day, and shall be impatient to know how the all-wise God is pleased to dispose of your Ladyship's other daughter. In the mean while, my poor prayers shall be put up night and day, that your Ladyship may have grace given you to glorify Christ
