Table of Contents - VU-DARE Home

introduction from Exodus 15.26 581 was comfortable, and I found much assistance
throughout the whole. Oh, may infinite mercy prevent me, and forgive all the
deficiencies of my public labors. May I be strengthened in the inner and outward
man to go on with all the faithful servants of the Lord, to preach Jesus Christ and
Him crucified, both able and willing to save. Lord, I believe. Help and increase
my faith, and let me experience that Thou art with me in every moment, and
especially in every day of temptation and time of need. Oh, may patience have its
perfect work, and restore and spare me yet for a blessing to my family. Heal
present diseases, Father of mercies, and renew strength and confidence in Thy
service. Blessed be the Lord for all His mercies towards us and my people during
the last visitation. May His sparing goodness be acknowledged with gratitude,
and we live to glorify God with our bodies and souls. Pity those who are still
afflicted, and sanctify all Thy dealings to our souls. Prepare us for all Thy will,
and make us all submission. Blessed Jesus, be Thou our surety and Savior; also
our physician in mercy and power, and may the Spirit of all grace and glory rest
upon us, and defend and make us more than conquerors, in time and all eternity.
Amen.
December ’89
8. I desire to bless the Lord for restoring and strengthening mercy and goodness.
Last Lord’s Day I was enabled to preach in the afternoon, with uncommon
strength, on the providence of God, preparatory to the solemn day of
Thanksgiving and prayer last Thursday, when I was also enabled to encourage the
heart of His people to expect still better times for the Reformed Churches, if found
in the way of duty, from Isaiah 58 ult., 582 whilst my colleague in the afternoon
preached, to much acceptance, on the Prayer of Moses, Psalm 90.13, 583 and both
in the fore and afternoon a collection was made for the poor (£25.19.6). Oh, may
our prayers and alms and thanksgiving have been acceptable to our God and
Father in Christ, and we live to rejoice in the Lord, perfecting everything for us.
Father of mercies! Pity my family, and especially my dear and afflicted wife.
Pardon our sins, and heal our present diseases. Lord, remember us in mercy, and
spare us yet together in Thy service. May we live Holy before the Lord, and this
affliction be sanctified and speedily removed. Oh, blessed Jesus, be Thou our
surety, our life and strength, and our Savior in time and to all eternity! Oh, may
the Spirit of Holiness dwell in us, and heal and comfort us in our most Holy and
precious Faith! O, most merciful God and Father, hear our poor, unworthy
prayers, and be Thou near unto us as a God of mercy and salvation, both for body
and soul. Help, o Lord, for Jesus’ sake, in whom is life. Amen.
581
He said: “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in his
sight, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not bring upon you any of
the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
582
If you refrain from trampling the Sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you
call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own
ways, serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs; then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride upon the height of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of your ancestor
Jacob, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
583
Turn, O Lord! How long? Have compassion on your servants!
214