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Expositor, als mede Haweis en
anderen over ’t geestelijke, en
Godvrugtige van ’t Evangelium der
heerlijkheid des Zaligen Gods; met
reden ver-heugd, dat ik deezer
taalen en Schriften machtig was.
Witzius, Burman, Elsnerus, en
diergelijke mannen, als mede
Vitringa, Lampe, Hillenius, waren
mij bijzonder dienstig in ’t
naspooren van de beginzels,
voordgangen en toevallen des
geestelijken levens, boven al wierd
ik t’elkens in de leere der waarheid
bevestigd door middel van
Alberthoma’s Catechizatie boekjes,
die ik weeklijks verklaarde, en
neffens, op onze onderlinge bijeenkomsten
langs zommige huizen
in de gemeente; onder ’t hooren
20
the context, and Doddridge’s
Family Expositor, 23 as well as
Haweis 24 and others concerning
the spirituality and piety of the
Gospel of the bliss of the heavenly
God, rejoicing with reason that I
mastered these languages and the
Scriptures. Witsius, 25 Burman, 26
Elsnerus, 27 and similar men such
as also Vitringa, 28 Lampe, 29
Hillenius, 30 have been especially
helpful to me in searching the
principles, progress, and occurrences
of the spiritual life. Above
all, I have been confirmed, again
and again, in the teachings of the
truth by means of Alberthoma’s
Catechism 31 book-lets, which I
interpreted every week, and also
during our mutual gatherings at
23 Philip Doddridge (1702-1751), The Family Expositor, or a Paraphrase and Version of the New
Testament: with Critical Notes, and a Practical Improvement of each Section. London: James
Rivington et al. Six volumes, 1731-1756.
24 Thomas Haweis (1734-1820), The Evangelical Expositor, or a Commentary onthe Holy Bible,
wherein the Sacred Text of the Old and New Testament is Inserted at Large […]. London: Edward and
Charles Dilly. 1765-66.
25 Herman Witsius (1636-1708), De Oeconomia Foederum Dei cum Hominibus, Libri Quator.
Leeuwarden: Jacob Hagenaar. 1677.
26 Franciscus Burman (1628-1679). Burman’s Synopsis in 2 volumes was part of Westerlo’s collection
of books.
27 Jakob Elsner (1692-1750). Among Westerlo’s books: his Op de Romeinen, Over de Filipijnen, and
Over Johannes’ Brieven.
28 Campegius Vitringa (1669-1722), a follower of Cocceius. Six works by Vitringa are in Westerlo’s
collection.
29 Friedrich Aldolf Lampe (1683-1729). Ten works by Lampe, a student of Vitringa’s and the most
influential teacher of Gerdes, were in Westerlo’s collection.
30 Likely Jesaias Hillenius (1700-1759), De Mensch Beschouwt in de Staat der Elende, der Genade en
der Heerlikheit, of een Uitvoerige Verhandeling van eenige Voorname Leerstukken, welke die
Driederley Staat des Menschen Vertonen [...]. Leeuwarden: Pieter Koumans. 1751/1752. Westerlo
owned a copy of this book, and he wrote opposite the title page [he rarely wrote more than his name in
his books]: “Note: This book has served me well and often, it being wise, experiential, and filled with
learned and pious teachings, decisions and consolations.”
31 Westerlo’s translation of this work officially appeared in 1789, as The Principles of the Christian
Religion, as Taught in the Reformed Protestant Dutch Churches, but the entry of March 2, 1790 in his
Memoirs, see below, clearly proves it was not available until 1790.
32 He is referring to gatherings known as conventicles.
33 Justus Vermeer (1697-1745), Verzameling van Eenige Oeffeningen, Behelsende Uitgelese
Verhandelingen over Verscheide Plaatsen des Ouden en Nieuwen Testaments, [...] of 1747 – part of
Westerlo’s collection in 1771.
34 Abraham Hellenbroek (1658-1731), Bybelsche Keurstoffen, Zynde een Verzameling van Verscheide
Texten, zo des Ouden als des Nieuwen Testaments naar Gelegentheid van Tyden en Zaken, Verklaart
en Toegepast, Amsterdam: Adrianus Douci. 1733. – Not part of Westerlo’s collection in 1771.