Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A., late of Pembroke-College, Oxford, and Chaplain to the Rt. Hon. the Countess of Huntingdon (1771 Volume 2).djvu/241

 *nection there was between the present frame of your Ladyship's heart, and your present circumstances in respect to your servant. For how is it, honoured Madam, that our faith is to be increased, but by our being exercised with trials? By these the christian grows; and faith, like the burning bush amidst the furnace of affliction, flourishes unconsumed. Blessed be, that your Ladyship hath taken hold of a great and precious promise. Our has promised, "that he will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to bear." And he is faithful that hath promised. We have nothing to do, but to plead his promise in prayer. Be pleased, therefore, honoured Madam, to solace yourself, under your present distress, with these lines:

I.

''With joy we meditate the grace Of our High-priest above; His heart is made of tenderness, His bowels melt with love.''

II.

''Touch'd with a sympathy within, He knows our feeble frame; He knows what sore temptations mean, For he has felt the same.''

III.

''He, in the days of feeble flesh, Pour'd out his cries and tears; And in his measure feels afresh, What every member bears.''

IV.

''Then let our humble faith address His mercy and his power; We shall obtain delivering grace, In the distressing hour.''

This is, and shall be, honoured Madam, my daily prayer on your behalf. Fear not; our will take care that all shall work for good. Those who are sincere, will soon get over such stumbling blocks; and those that are not, will stumble at any thing, nay every thing. I bless, that