_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 write thus to your Ladyship, the native language of whose
heart I trust is, “GOD forbid that I should glory save in the cross of
CHRIST, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
The preaching of the cross hath been much blessed here. Multitudes
daily attend, and many are much affected. It would please your Ladyship
to see the alteration that has been made in a week’s time. But what
cannot GOD do? All things are possible to him. I hope your Ladyship
will not forget a poor pilgrim in your prayers. Neither you nor your
honoured sister are forgotten by him. I send most dutiful respects and
grateful acknowledgments to her Ladyship and Lady _G――――_ _H――――_, and
shall only now add, that I am, honoured Madam,
Your Ladyship’s most obliged, obedient humble servant,
for CHRIST’s sake,
_G. W._