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/256

 much of that rest which remains for the people of, I shall subscribe myself, honoured Madam,

Your Ladyship's most obliged humble servant, G. W.    LETTER DCCXLIX. To the Countess D.

Honoured Madam,              Bristol, April 19, 1749.  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 '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, and determine to know nothing but 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.     LETTER DCCL. To Lady Hn.

Honoured Madam,            Portsmouth, May 8, 1749.

GLAD, very glad was I to hear, in a letter sent me by Mr. H, that your Ladyship was better; and glad am I,