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may they be pitied and pardoned, and become more zealous for the truth, and
gospel ordinance! My children are also returned home, but sick. Oh, may we
hear the Rod 88 and the Lord humble us under a sense of sin, and unto our heart to
fear His name. I am determined through grace, to cleave to the Lord Jesus, as my
advocate, against all accusations, and to look up unto Him for relief from
temptation, and an answer of prayer and peace. O Lord, be Thou my surety and
my all. Amen.
16. Blessed be the Lord for all humble access to and acceptance in prayer. May
my poor supplications of the morning be graciously heard and my petitions be
granted in the Lord’s own good time. I am conscious of own unworthiness
because of ingratitude, unbelief and impatience, but desire to be found at the door
of mercy, where the Lord distributes his favors and bounties to everyone who
knocks and seeks. His mercies towards me are new every morning and so
innumerable, astonishing, great. That I cannot but glorify my God even in the
fires; such a one, pitied, and put among the children, nay in the family to instruct
and feed others. Oh may my soul rejoice with fear and trembling and may the
Lord restore my bodily health and strength for the more vigorous service of His
Sanctuary. Amen.
17. My disease is through mercy much diminished and I am in hopes that my
strength will be restored for the ministry of the Church. Blessed be the Lord for
all undeserved mercies. For if He should remember my former sins, and present
transgressions, I could not stand before Him, but there is forgiveness with our
God, and Oh, may my sins be pardoned and my soul more and more sanctified. I
lament the remaining corruption of my heart and the many offenses I am guilty of
in words and deeds. May I become more prudent and considering on what to
speak and how to behave even in the midst of my house and them of my own
family be edified by a Holy Conversation and example of meekness and love, but
no connivance at nor indulgence in sin, which is the detestable thing accursed and
to be reproved, wherever it is found, and oh, may my instructions and warnings be
blessed and the Lord hear my prayers for my family and friends. Amen.
22. Blessed be the Lord for restoring and strengthening mercy. Yesterday I
preached a) twice [in margin: a) Fifth Commend[ment] and Acts 9.1 etc. 89 ] and
hope not in vain. May both parents and children learn to do their several duties,
and our families be sanctified and devoted to the service of our God, and even
enemies be converted to the Communion of Jesus Christ and His people. The
Lord hears our prayers. I humbly trust for a change of wet into fair weather to
gather in the corn and other fruits of the gardens; let this encourage our faith and
fervor in acknowledging Him in all our wants and ways, and may the Lord
prepare us for the Sacraments of His Table, strengthen His servant to visit the
congregation, and be graciously present in the midst of His people. Amen.
88
Used several times throughout Westerlo’s diary, the line stems from Micah 6:9: “Hear the Rod when
it is coming, before you see it.”
89
Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high
priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged
to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [The conversion and call of Saul
of Tarsus; “the Way” stands for Christianity.]
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