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scene of a bloody war. Oh, may sinners and hypocrites tremble at the recollection
of past dangers and distress, the wages of sin and this peculiar instance of the
Lord’s undeserved mercy lead them to repentance, the gospel preaching abound,
and many be brought to the great Prince of Peace. I desire to be faithful in my
station and relations! Oh, for strength, courage, assiduity and success in the
Glorious Embassy to reconcile sinners with God in Christ. Let all the pious and
faithful ones rejoice with fear and trembling, guarding against idleness and pride
and cruelty and abounding in every good word and work. The Lord bless our
rulers and make them pious, unanimous and prosperous. May universal peace
flourish within our country, and even the savages be called by the gospel of peace
and the Communion of all its blessings in time and to eternity. O, that a general
reformation of manners and a gracious conversion of precious immortal souls may
be the blessed consequence of both war and peace. That the nations may share in
the privileges of light and liberty, and the Kingdom of Christ may be established
upon the ruins of sin and slavery. Blessed be God for the liberty of conscience
here and granted also to Germany, France and Spain. Hail the happy epoch of a
further illumination, when all the kingdoms shall become the Lord’s.
But alas, in the midst of these public mercies, the Lord has afflicted his poor
servant with a lasting and painful illness of his ministry handmaid, who is
lingering now for five weeks with uncommon and sometimes violent pains; my
own weak constitution also attacked by a cold – and feverish complaints with
spasms in my side and bowels. Oh, Lord, I desire not to murmur but to be still,
resigned to Thy Divine will and be submissive to the dispensations of Thy kind
providence. It is Thy forfeited mercy that we are not confirmed; thou hast heard
us in several days of trouble and given release from pains and trials. Thanks to my
God for all instances of sparing goodness and hopes of recovery. May the Lord
spare both our lives and restore our health. Bless the means, increase our
strengths, o Lord, and alleviate our present affliction. Pardon our unbelief,
impatience and ingratitude in the all-atoning blood of Thy Son, our savior and for
his pains and suffering’s sake, let us obtain mercy and help in a time of need.
Prepare us for all Thy will concerning us, and also for Thy Table. Oh, Father,
feed our immortal souls with Thy love and grace in Jesus Christ; spread peace to
our souls, and may Thy spirit be given unto Thy servant and all Thy people for
more knowledge, faith, Holiness, joy and hope. Blessed Jesus, appear gloriously
and manifest Thyself in the power of Thy death and resurrection. May we live
because Thou livest, and become more and more meet for Thy glorious
preservedness there to praise a Triune God with all who are gone before us. My
friend Johannes M. Roseboom 66 died of the stone, in the Lord, I hope. May God,
of his mercy, comfort his widow. Lord, spare my life and my poor consort for my
infant children and the glory shall be to God, Father, and the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Amen.
22. Yesterday the proclamation of a cessation of arms being read from the stairs
of the courthouse we went up to the church; and I preached to a very large
66
Possibly Johannes Myndertse Roseboom, 1716?-1783.
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