often cast down by the weakness of your faith, and the sinfulness of your heart. Here you have many a conflict and many a doubt, much darkness and ignorance. But there all will be peace; all will be light; we shall "know even as we are known." May your eye be fixed on heaven, and may you be made daily more meet for the inheritance of the saints!

Thank God for His past dealings with you; and trust Him, oh trust Him, for what is before you. May the last steps of your wilderness journey be safe and peaceful! May you "lean on your beloved"; and say in the humble confidence of an assured hope, "The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: and now there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness"!

F

CHAPTER XI.

RECOVERY; A TIME FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND CAUTION.

I WILL Suppose that your complaint has taken a favourable turn, and that, through God's mercy, you are now recovering. Your illness, whether long or short, is leaving you; and health is coming back, with its many duties, blessings, and dangers. The season of recovery is a critical season: and not only does it call forth our gratitude, but also our watchfulness.

The illness which you have just passed through has, I trust, been blest to you. It leaves you better

than it found you-more thoughtful, more humble, more thankful, more in earnest. You have formed many a holy resolution, which you thoroughly mean to carry out; and you have declared before God, that you will henceforth live to Him, and give yourself to His blessed service.

These resolutions were made in the hour of your affliction, when God's heavy hand was upon you. And do you repent having made them? I trust not. I would hope that you are really anxious, God helping you, to live much nearer to Him than you have ever yet lived; and that the desire of your heart is to be His disciple. You are resolved to make a new start, and to live an altogether new life. And I promise you that, if these resolutions are kept, your course will indeed be a happy one, and you will for ever thank God

for having chastened you, and thus brought you to Himself.

But, if you remember, I told you in Chapter v. that your best resolutions will be worthless, and will fall to the ground, if they are made in your own strength. Even St. Paul felt that he needed greater power than he himself possessed; for he says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Let me then remind you, dear Friend, that in yourself you are powerless. The strength you need must come from above. It is God alone who can "work in you to will and to do his good pleasure." Never forget this. You must throw yourself upon God, entreating His gracious help, and that help will most assuredly be given to you.

But there is another caution I must give you. During the weeks

that are past you have been much in your Sick Room. You have been much alone. The world has for a time been shut out. But now you are going to plunge into it again; and Satan will try hard to make you forget your illness, your resolves, and the great mercies which God has shown you. He will whisper in your ear, "Death is no longer hovering over you: it is afar off. You may enjoy a little more of the world yet, and there will be ample time to think of religion."

Then again, there will be many who will try to persuade you that the Christian life is a hard and gloomy one. They will laugh at your religious feelings, and perhaps endeavour by persecution to turn you from the right path.

Now, it is well to be prepared for both these trials, for they will surely