No 16. APPENDIX. 459 That fcripture came feafonably to me fol my own private cafe, Dec. 4. 1729. ; and O but the faith of it is animating to a poor creature in a ftruggle in itfelf hopelefs ! I notice your friendlinefs, not only in forwarding my letters to Prof. Anderfon, but alfo writing him. I with to hear of your fon's welfare, who, I underftand, has been under fome illnefs. Pray, fail not to let me hear, though in never fo few words, concerning your wife, if in life. The God of all confolation comfort you in all your diftreffes, and after the florm fend a calm. I am, Dear Sir, yours, &c. Nov. 21. 1730. (19.) V. D. Sir, I had yours, with the melancholy news 1 was fearing, and with I could bear a part of your burden, which, I doubt not, preffeth fore. It will be your wifdom to confider it as the work of God, your God, in Chrift ; being perfuaded, that according to the meafure of that perfuafion, fo will the Chriftian carriage un- der the rod be. O, what kind of hearts do they imagine them- felves to have, that can think to employ them for one moment of the creature, farther than they can fill them farther witha God in Chrift, as their God, in its room and React ! By any ex- perience I have .had, I judge the heart of man to be fuch a hungry craving, and griping thing, that it will part with nothing, but for what it takes to be as good, or better than what it gives up with : fo that the gofpel- offer, by faith embra- ced, and the benefit thereof claimed, mutt, of neceffity, be the molt fovereign remedy againft the heart's hankering after the withdrawn comforts of the creature. I was fenfibly gladdened with your Chriftian condu&&, in going out on the Saturday and Sabbath ; and blets the Lord who gave you counfel. It is a defirable thing to fee Chriftians walking by the rules of Chrifti- anity in their greateft trials. Mr Davidfon has had no accefs yet to communicate your letter to me ; but what you fhewme, fufficiently feals the chara&er the bore in mine eyes ; and will, I hope, allievate your aflliótion ; fince, without controverfy, that mourning that is only for ourfelves, muff, with confidering per- fous, be the molt fupportable. My wife was much affeóted with your trial. Grace be with you and the child. I am, &c. Dec. 8. 1731. (20.) V. D. Sir, I have yours of O6tober 26. together with Sir Richard Ellys's letter to you, thecopy of the letter from Keydan, together with
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