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a handsome collection of 27 pounds was made; and I humbly pray the Lord to
accept of this labor of love, to bless my people and my family with gratitude for
all His mercies, and with peace and health in His favor, for His service and His
glory, pardoning our shortcomings and sins, for the sake of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. Amen.
22. Yesterday I was much troubled with pains in my bowels, but the contents of
Psalm 116 was also much impressed upon my troubled soul, especially I called
upon the name of the Lord and said, be gracious unto me. 264 The Lord supported
poor me until evening suppertime, when I sent for Dr. Stringer, who adviseth me
to take what had been blessed for the bleeding piles and colic pains to Dominee
Bunschoten. The medicine was sent, but conscious of my fearful apprehension, I
have not yet tried the prescribed means. I
bless the Lord for the rest and ease of the last night, and supposing my disorder to
be irritated by cold feet when attending family business in the stable and on the
garret, I most humbly pray the Father of mercies will be pleased to direct me in
the use of that medicine or any other way for the removal or alleviation of my
present uneasiness. His encouraging promise has comforted me this morning, but
having read Psalm 116 [in margin: “also the new Dutch version of verse. By
reading Mr. Hog’s Life 265 I find many troubles of which I am also no stranger.
May the Lord comfort me with His consolation. Amen”], I am ashamed of my
rash words and complaints of the unfaithfulness of me. Lord, keep me from
impatient murmuring, pity and pardon and remember that I am but weak, sinful
ashes. Blessed Jesus! Hear my cry, and help me. Strengthen me for the duties of
catechizing, and prepare me for all Thy will and work yet remaining for me.
Make me sincerely willing to suffer and to do Thy will, and deliver me from all
evil. Amen.
28. Blessed be the God of Heaven and Earth, who is also my faithful Creator,
and, I humbly hope, my God and Father in Christ! Blessed be forever His great
and gracious name, that I am still the living monument of His indulging goodness.
Last Lord’s Day I preached twice with vigor and strength, and o, may we
experience the efficacy of Christ’s intercession, and His Spirit be poured out upon
us to prepare and enable us for every duty which may be required, and especially
to wait on the Lord at His Table. This solemn pleasing work I desire to perform in
His fear, and in the name of His Son O. L. Jesus Christ, and fain would I be
prepared with the preparation of the heart. I have endeavored to set this day apart
for these salutary purposes, and oh, may the close thereof rejoice - my feeble
frame hardly allows me to fast - but may the Father of mercies give me a devout
spirit of mind, and my prayers and supplication with thanksgivings be acceptable
to our God. The Lord has been with me since my last engagements at His Table
and performed His Word of mercy and life unto poor, unworthy me unto this very
moment. What shall I render unto the Lord! By nature a child of disobedience, of
wrath, of Hell, I might have been cut off and have perished in my sins, but He has
263 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who
are members of my family, you did it to me.”
264 Psalm 116: Thanksgiving for healing, quoting from other psalms.
265 Andrew Stevenson’s Memoirs of the Life of Mr. Thomas Hog, Minister of the Gospel at Kiltearn,
[…]. Edinburgh. 1756.
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