Table of Contents - VU-DARE Home

1.15, 512 and humbly pray the Lord to follow with His blessings my poor
endeavors! I am almost too weak to undertake so much work, and in such a
manner, as I did yesterday. May the Lord pity poor me, and give me more
prudence and patience in well-doing, but, oh, my sinful unbelief, and murmuring,
complaining heart. How many of the Lord’s poor are traveling through cold and
almost naked to seek for a house to live in with their shivering little ones, and
shall I now be thankful for the conveniences of life, and all the affluence and ease
which I enjoy at home. Though in weariness and pains, it is the Lord’s mercy we
are not consumed, and I am still the living monument of His sparing goodness! O,
blessed Jesus, pardon my indolence, but remember the flesh is weak. 513 This be
my comfort, Lord, I have preached, not myself but Thee, the Savior of the helpless
and desperate! Be Thou unto me a Jesus 514 indeed, and save me with Thy people,
and oh, may some precious souls be added to the number of those who are already
saved, and keep Thy saved ones humble, and also trusting in Thee as a complete
Savior, a Savior to the uttermost, with whom are the issues of life and death. O,
restore health and strength to all Thy ministering servants, and make us both
faithful unto death. Spare us yet Lord, for a blessing and comfort to our families
and Thy Church, for Thy name’s sake. Amen.
8. Yesterday I was prevented from preaching by a cold and fever, which I got last
week. I would humbly acquiesce in the good, Holy and righteous Will of the
Lord, and pray for pardon and pity in every time of need and distress, but also
lament my imprudences and forwardness when called to duty, especially in cold
seasons of the year. May the Lord keep me in His fear all the days of my life, and
preserve me from pride and self-sufficiency as well as from scrupulousness and
causeless fears! But I would not complain except of my own sinful self. I had
engaged there 515 to preach and to ordain the elders and deacons, and therefore,
though indisposed, I thought it my duty to persevere in my purpose. Besides this,
the weather was not boisterous when I left home, and a ride was recommended to
me, even when I might be not so very well. Neither would I, if possible, give any
offense by my staying home to the people that assembled there. Oh, may my trust
in the Lord as my physician and strength have its perfect work, and my present
disease be sanctified to me and my family. The Lord speak peace to my soul, and
do Thou, oh my soul, return unto Thy rest in Jesus Christ, who is our peace.
Amen.
10. Blessed be the Lord, the God of my salvation. This morning the fever seems
to abate, and, I would humbly pray, my other weaknesses and pains may be also
removed, and I restored to the service of the Sanctuary. Oh, blessed Jesus, keep
and preserve me from unbelief and the power of the Wicked One. In Thee is
health and strength! May my poor body be pitied, and my soul live before the
Lord. Yesterday I read Manger on Psalm 62, 516 and met with many faithful and
512
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save
sinners – of whom I am the foremost.
513
Matthew 26:41: The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
514
Westerlo here probably means “savior’ as the meaning of ‘Jesus.’
515
i.e., in De Boght.
516
Sebald Godfried Manger (1703-1795), Het Betamelyke Stil Zyn en Vertrouwen, Waarin de
Liefhebbers der Zuivere Waarheid Hunne Sterkte Vinden [...] Voorgestelt in de Verklaring en
194