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« Boston July 19th: 1772 My dear friend I rec'd your kind Epistle a few days ago ; much disappointed to hear that you had not rec'd my answer to your first letter.* I have been in a very poor state of health all the past winter and spring, and now reside in the country for the benefit of its more wholesome air. I came to town this morning to spend the Sabbath with my master and mistress: Let me be interested in yr. Prayers that God would please to bless to me the means us'd for my recovery, if agreable to his holy Will. While my outward man languishes under weakness and pa[in], may the inward be refresh'd and strengthend more abundantly by him who declar'd from heaven that his strength was made perfect in weakness ! may he correct our vitiated taste, that the meditation of him may be delightful to us. No longer to be so excessively charm'd with fleeting vanities : But pressing forward to the fix'd mark f [or] the prize. How happy that man who is prepar'd for that Night Wherein no man can work! Let us be mindful of our high calling, continually on our guard, lest our treacherous hearts Should give the adversary an advantage over us. O ! who can think without horror of the snares of the Devil. Let us, by frequent meditation on the eternal Judgment prepare for it. May the Lord bless to us these thoughts, and teach us by his spirit to live to him alone, and when we leave this world may We be his: That this may be our happy case, is the sincere desire of, your affectionate friend, & humble servt. Phillis Wheatley *I sent the letter to Mr. Whitwell's who said he wou'd forward it. »