Letter 49. To a Lady

My Dear Sister, 7 ^n, 7, 1614,

I have just received your letters, explaining the nature of your distress, which I see is very great by reason of the numerous accidental circumstances added to your first trouble. But, my dear sister, these mists are not so thick but that the sun can scatter them, and God, Who has led you so far, will uphold you with His Holy Hand. Only you must cast yourself with perfect confidence into the Arms of His Providence j now is the time for doing that. Almost any one can trust in God amid the peace and comfort of prosperity; but His children only know how to trust absolutely in Him through the storm and

ISO tempest If you can do this, dear sister, you will be amazed, some day, to see how all that now you dread will melt away from before your eyes. He expects this of you, for He has drawn you to Him in a very special way. As to the man whom you consider to be partly guilty in this matter, speak but little of him, and that very conscientiously. I mean, avoid complaining; and, if you must speak, do not say anything but what you know to be exactly true, without conjectures, and expressing yourself doubtfully as to what is doubtful As far as may be, soothe the minds of your relations gently and wisely. In such cases, to make the best of things does more to heal the mischief in an hour than resentment can do in a year. After all it must be mainly God^s doing.

C29*.] LI.