1st. How sad an affair it is to leave the work of salvation to a time of sickness? “Experience has strongly taught me, that if my peace was not made before such an affliction (referring to a violent fever, as this was) it would never have been made, distraction, and almost madness would take up the time; and not repentance. Look O Jesus upon those who are putting the evil day afar off.” 2dly. That before each of his illnesses; he had had remarkable displays of the divine goodness towards him. Thus he says, “I cannot but remark the exceeding goodness of God, for before my illnesses for some years past, he always gives me a clear manifestation of his love.” The following account was after a fever, which lasted nine and twenty days, at a place called _Tirrelspass_ in _Ireland_. 1. “I had no joy for twenty days. The severity of my sickness and pain, pressed down my soul. Neither divine light nor love shone into my heart; yet I prayed often with freedom ♦and fervour.” ♦ duplicate word “and” removed 2. “I had no strong temptations; no fear of death, or hell: neither had I any desire to die. On the thirteenth day, I had an assurance, that I should not die in _Tirrelspass_. My greatest uneasiness arose from the place where I lay, which was a narrow room, with a shop adjoining, where was hurry and noise almost continually. This circumstance, thro’ the evil of my heart, often became a temptation to impatience. But I cried unto the Lord, and he made every thing more easy to me every day.” 3. “About the twentieth day, my soul and body much revived. I could after a night of heaviness rejoice in God. I experienced much of the love of Christ. But yet I felt the old man. Alas! what an evil heart have I! How hard is it to humble me, and wean my desires from earth? Lord, Thou knowest my heart and reins. And is it not my desire to love thee with all my soul, and serve thee with all my strength?” “Is there a thing beneath the sun, That strives with thee my heart to share? Ah, tear it thence, and reign alone The Lord of ev’ry motion there!” 4. “On the twenty-sixth day, early in the morning, the gracious Lord replenished my soul with his love. He poured out his Spirit upon me. The intercourse was open between heaven and my soul. I loved, and could pray for all the world, as for myself. O how does Christ inlarge the heart! What flames of divine charity does he kindle there! The twenty-seventh day I had such a sense of the mercy of God as quite overcame my soul. In the evening however, I felt a severe struggle: but the blessed Spirit soon set my heart at liberty.” “Lord, since it hath pleased thee, to spare me a little longer, make my life useful. Let me be wholly given up to thee, and thy service, that I may glorify thee, in all things, thro’ Jesus Christ, my dearest Lord and Saviour. _Amen._”