LETTER 11

[To the Rev. J. W. Brook.]

My dear Sir,

I was very desirous of seeing you when you were in town last, but things so happened that it could not be. I had much of God's goodness fresh upon my heart, and could have told you of many sweet interferences of God in my behalf. I have been sorely tried with distressing fears for many months respecting my old malady. These have exercised me nearly as much as the actual affliction; but all has brought me into the dust before God, to cry mightily to him, and has been the means of much intercourse between God and my soul, accompanied with the fullest and sweetest assurances of his love and favour. His kind familiarity and condescending care over me, have so endeared him to me, that even in my sorest troubles I have stood astonished, and said, Lord, I love this sore affliction, however hard to flesh and blood, while I feel such a close union with thee, my best and only Friend, who lovest at all times. How can I wish to be delivered from what seems to be the means of such inexpressible delight? I can have no other heaven. O let me be perfectly resigned, knowing that thou art righteous in all thy dealings

O how little did I appear in my own eyes, and yet how much strong confidence I had in the Rock of Ages! I see God's wonderful kindness, in taking such pains with us to make us understand his lovingkindness, and to hide pride from our eyes.

Yours &c. J. B.

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