young student in your house, and all dear friends. Indeed I do not forget though I cannot write to you. God will not forget your works of faith, and the many favours conferred on, my very dear Sir,
Yours most affectionately in Christ Jesus,
G. W.
LETTER DCCLII. To the Countess D.
Portsmouth, May, 12, 1749.
Honoured Madam,
I Just now rose from my knees, and have been interceding for you at the throne of grace. The same principle that led me to pray for, excites me also to write a few lines to your Ladyship. Ere now your late bodily indisposition, I hope is entirely removed, and you are up and ministring to Jesus Christ. I doubt not but your Ladyship will be helped to sing with a dear saint now with God,
O happy rod,
That brought me nearer to my God.
The end of all affliction, outward and inward, is to make us more and more partakers of a divine nature. The father of mercies hath dealt bountifully with your Ladyship; he hath blessed you in the decline of life. O that your latter end may greatly increase! May you be filled with all the fulness of God! This, Madam, is the privilege of a real christian, always growing, and making perpetual advances in the divine life. The path of the just shines more and more unto the perfect day. The way, thanks be to God, your Ladyship knows. We must always come by faith, and be continually drawing out of the Redeemer's inexhaustible fulness. If we are enabled to lean on him, we shall go comfortably on in a wilderness. That is the best name this world deserves. Cieled houses, gaudy attire, and rich furniture, do not make it appear less so to a mind truly enlightened to see the beauties that are in Jesus of Nazareth. These are things, which a watchful, well-informed christian will always look on with a jealous eye, lest they should divert him from looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of his faith. But I need not
