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full of compassion. Pity, Father of mercies, pardon, spare, and prosper my poor,
weak endeavor for the preservation and propagation of Thy truth and worship, and
may my flock be fed with wisdom and understanding. Direct our councils, and
may I live to enjoy the happy effects thereof, that this city may yet be filled with
Thy knowledge and glory. Hear, o Lord, keep and preserve also my family from
sicknesses and distresses, and oh, may all my friends prosper, and if I have any
enemies, oh, forgive us and give us Thy mind and Spirit, to restore peace and live
in unity and love with each other. Pardon Thine enemies and make them Thy
friends! Amen.
March ’86
2. Thank to the Lord for all His mercies unto this day. Though much indisposed
in my bowels, yet fain would I be found doing something in the service of the
Lord. Oh, may it please the Father of mercies to remove my pains and to restore
my strength, to perform the instant duties of His Sanctuary. May I be prepared by
His grace and Spirit to remember and to commend redeeming love at His Table.
My strength is much spent by preaching last Lord’s Day when feverish, but the
strength is the Lord, who is able to renew and give power to the weakest. Do so,
merciful Father, and pity and pardon for Christ’s sake. Amen.
4. Blessed be the Father of all mercies for His aid and assistance to poor,
unworthy me! I went through much bowed down by a heavy weight of sins, guilt,
afflictions, and pain, but my strength was renewed, and I enabled to pray and
preach from 2 Corinthians 5.20. 226 Oh, may the Lord pardon my unbelief and
impatience, and restore further comfort. O, my God, Thou knowest my affliction
and temptation, pity me and my poor family, deliver us from the snares and whiles
of the Wicked One. O, for converting grace, may weakness and forbearance
prevail and the Lord grant strength equal to this hour. Blessed Jesus, be Thou my
advocate of propitiation and give me every grace which Thou knowest I need. I
am afraid for Thy judgments, but to whom shall I go but unto Thee, in whom is
life. May I live through faith, even in the flesh, and let me have rest and peace in
Thee. Increase my humble hope and waiting confidence, and keep me back from
presumptuous sins. Oh, preserve me from murmuring and despair. I desire to
submit, but oh, mitigate my afflictions and change my sorrows into songs of joy
and praise. Be Thou my light and life, my glory and great reward. I thank the
Triune God for creating and providential mercies, for Jesus Christ, the hope set
before us and revealed unto perishing me. Fain would I keep Thy faith and
persevere believing, trusting, and relying on Christ Jesus. Oh, may my sins be
pardoned in His precious blood, and I become more than conqueror against all my
enemies. Prepare me, Lord, for Thy Table, and feed my soul and body both.
Strengthen me in the inner and outward man, and oh, return to me and my family,
Thy Church and people, with Thy grace and blessings, for time and eternity.
Amen, Amen.
9. Blessed be the Father of mercies for His faithfulness and truth, even to
unworthy me. Last Lord’s Day I went to church with great heaviness, both of
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So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on
behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
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