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and every individual, with precious blood of His dear Son, our common Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ, and unite our hearts and countries, to the fear of His great and
glorious name, that both nations may henceforth, though civilly separated, yet
spiritually be joined and knit together in the Holy Binds of brotherly love and
Christian peace, praying for each other’s prosperity and happiness in time and to
all eternity, and assisting one another in the propagation of the glorious gospel of
peace. May our trade and commerce be extended from Pole to Pole and all
America, with the several parts of the world ensuing with piety and gratitude, the
happiness effects of the glorious peace. France in particular be so connected with
the continent as to become a seat of religious liberty, 103 and our treaties with
Holland and Sweden 104 be established and followed with perpetual and reciprocal
felicity. The Lord of His infinite mercy bless the United States of America and
unite them in indissoluble bonds of liberty, concord and piety, that this new
empire be a domain of the Saints of the most High. May the rulers of our land,
state and city be established and prospered in all their counsels for the
confirmation of independency and peace upon us and become the Lord’s peculiar
treasure and glory; all the inhabitants devoted to the service of God in Christ; the
true Catholic Church be one throughout the whole land, the congregations and
schools be visited with saving grace, the soldiery sanctified, the illustrious
commander in chief and all the other patriotic officers be impressed with a humble
sense of Holy Gratitude and be rewarded for their faithful services by a grateful
generous people, and oh, may the Lord give them His Holy Spirit, and deliver
them from the servitude of sin adopting them in His family of love and peace.
The Lord pity the poor sufferers and restore their comfort in the metropolis and on
the frontiers, and may the Indians be pacified and brought in subjection to the
gospel of Holiness and salvation, and all this new world be a throne of the Lord’s
glory even unto the last period of time, such as these petitions and praises would I
fain offer unto the Lord, from the heights of our Zion and in the joyful assembly
of it, it shall please the Lord graciously to restore my health; if not I desire to
submit, and may the God of all grace accept of this my written testimony of His
loving kindness and of the united praises of all His people throughout the land, in
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen.
11. Alas, my disorder is so bad that I am obliged to stay home; a righteous
visitation, for my innumerable defects, imperfections, and the iniquities of for me
Holy Things and festivals. I desire to be still and patient under this present trial.
The Lord knows my spiritual willing, though the flesh be weak, wretched body of
sin and death. O, Father of mercies, preserve me in this hour of temptation from
murmuring against Thee and prepare me for all Thy will. I am unworthy to be
found among the joyful throng. May my affliction be mitigated and sanctified and
my health and strength restored in and for Thy glorious pleasing service. I rejoice
in the Lord, notwithstanding my distress and the assaults of an unbelieving heart
103
Due to the Seven Years’ War and its participation in the American Revolution, France was near
bankruptcy in 1783. At home, secularism was spreading, religious thought was becoming divided,
and the religious justifications for divine right and absolutism were losing credibility. Did Westerlo
sense the upcoming 1789 revolution in France?
104
John Adams signed a Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Netherlands in October 1782;
Sweden and the United States entered into a similar agreement in April 1783.
57