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N.B. The last verse of Psalm 91, 498 which was sung after sermon, gave me some
comfort, and encouraged me at the same time to continue in prayer to the Hearer
of Prayers.
5. Last night I was very sick of colic, and am still much indisposed, but I desire to
wait for Thy salvation, o Lord! Give help out of my present affliction, and spare
me yet for my family and Thy people. O Father, pity and pardon poor, unworthy
me, for Christ’s sake. Amen and Amen.
7. Yesterday morning I began to take a teacup of chamomile flower tea, and
desire to wait on the Lord for a blessing upon this as a remedy to relieve my pains,
and to restore strength to my stomach and bowels! May the Father of mercies pity
me and all the sick and weak ones of my flock in particular. O, Lord, spare us yet
in and for Thy service, and may we experience that in Thee is strength, also for us
in weakness! May our land also be blessed with the bounties of Divine
providence, and to rejoice in the happy prospect of further prosperity and peace,
both in the Church and state. The Lord bless also the schools, especially the one
under our care, and make the trustees faithful and able to fulfill their engagements.
The Lord reigneth, and oh, may we patiently wait on Him and His salvation.
Blessed Jesus, restore precious health and strength, and the glory shall be Thine.
Pity and forgive my ingratitude and unbelief, and grant me joy and peace in
believing through Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.
8. I am at present visited with a cold, and afraid of being prevented by it from
preaching next Lord’s Day, if I live so long, but why should I be careful and
distressed on account of these and other futurities, which are all in the hand and at
the disposal of our Heavenly Father, whose we are and whom we serve in the
gospel of His Son’s, and, though much tempted since my indisposition when in
the pulpit, yet I am also comforted by recollecting and reflecting upon what I hope
the Lord Jesus has done for and unto me. When, more than twenty years ago, 499 I
was cast down and ready to perish, He graciously appeared for my deliverance
and received me from the power of the Wicked One. May I not humbly hope that
the same Jesus, to whom I have been enabled to commit my all and who has been
with me and helped me hitherto, will graciously preserve and strengthen poor me
in the duties of my public station as long as He, in infinite wisdom, sees fit and
thinks best for me, and most conducive to His glory. Though unworthy and rather
deserving Thy indignation at my unbelief and ingratitude, Lord, I desire to renew
covenant with my Lord and Savior, and, in dependence on Thy grace and strength
alone, I would devote myself to Thy blessed service. Father of mercies, Thou
knowest my pains and weakness, and also the desire what Thou has kindled, I
hope, in my heart: to preach and to teach the doctrine as it is in Jesus Christ. O,
spare me awhile, and restore health and strength, that I may be enabled to go on
with my arduous but delightful work, and reap some delicious fruits of my
ministry. Pity me and my family and our land also, and preserve us from further
distresses. O Thou, God of love and peace, do Thou graciously arise for our
public safety, and may our rulers be ruled and directed to whatever is most for
Thy glory and our peace and prosperity, for Christ’s sake. Amen.
498
With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.
499
Referring to his experience of April 20, 1768.
189