I AM sorry to hear you continue so very ill. I did intend to have called on you this week if I had gone to Richmond, but I have provided another in my room, having lately preached for him. I was very sorry when your spouse informed me of your continual weakness, which it seems still increases on you; but I hope our blessed Saviour will fortify your mind with spiritual strength, as bodily strength decays in you. My dear sister knows that our life is in the hand of the Lord, and that the number of our months are with him. He sometimes cuts short a work of grace, and perfects it in righteousness, so that a babe in grace dies an hundred years old, Isa. lxv. 20.
Sometimes he brings down to the grave and lifteth up again, to spew his power, and make it known. Give not way to fear. The Lord's eye is over all the poor in spirit, and a present help to all that call upon him in the time of trouble. If thou simply let thy request be made known unto him, he will grant thee the desire of thine heart, and if thou trust in him he will bring thy wishes to pass. Thou hast a precious Saviour to plead, whose blood cleanses from all sin, and who perfects our imperfections; and as a Mediator intercedes for us, and sends our requests pure to the Father of all mercies. In him God can view a poor sinner with acceptance, and save him to the glory of his own grace; and indeed he takes pleasure in all that trust in his dear Son. It is a simple looking to Christ that calms our consciences, sweetens our untractable spirits, disarms our souls of fear, and brings us humbly to hope and submit to the will of God.
I think thou lookest too much within thee, and porest upon thy hard fate too much; you inwardly think that none are tried like you; you view your trials as severe judgments from God, and think all these things are against you-this is making the worst use of it, and has a tendency to bow us down. But if you read the scriptures leisurely, you will see the end of Christians' trials have been for their profit. I will call on thee next week, but not to dine; therefore I shall not let thee know what hour I shall call on thee. Farewell.
Thy willing pastor, and willing servant at command in Christ Jesus,
W. HUNTINGTON.
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