comfort, I hope you want for nothing. Thanks be to the Lord of all lords for his goodness to you in your old age! I hope you comfort yourself in him, who I trust will be your portion for ever. After Christmas I hope to see you. My wife sends you her most dutiful respects. If you would have any thing brought more than you have mentioned, pray write to, honoured mother,
Your ever dutiful, though unworthy son,
G. W.
LETTER DCCXCVIII. To Dr. B.
London, Dec. 15, 1749.
AND shall I forget my dear Dr. B? I cannot, though I have received no letter from him. I remember his labours of love, I have heard of the sickness of his dear yoke-fellow, I must not, I cannot withhold my pen from writing. And what shall I say? I trust your soul prospers, and that you can cry out with dear Mrs. B, now in heaven,
O happy rod,
That brought me nearer to my God.
Surely my dear friend has long ere now been convinced that good desires will not carry us to heaven. There must be a closing with Christ, a vital union of the soul with God, or, in other words, "Christ formed within us." This was the expression that first convinced me of the new birth. Since that, I hope it has been in a degree fulfilled in my heart. I want it to be more and more so, and to have the image of God stamped in more lively characters upon my soul. My dear Doctor, let you and I begin to strive, not by way of contention, but in a way of holy emulation, which shall love Christ most, and live most to his glory. I hope that Dr. W will join in this strife. Pray my love to him, to Mr. S and family, and to all Bohemia friends. I refer you to other letters for news, and beg leave to assure you that I am, my dear Doctor,
Yours most affectionately in our blessed Lord,
G. W.
