Do not dissociate Jesus from our common manhood. It is a dark room which you are going through, but Jesus went through it before. It is a sharp fight which you are waging, but Jesus has stood foot to foot with the same enemy. Let us be of good cheer—Christ has borne the load before us, and the blood-stained

footsteps of the King of glory may be seen along the road which we traverse at this hour. There is something sweeter yet—Jesus was tempted, but Jesus never sinned. Then, my soul, it is not needful for you to sin, for Jesus was a man, and if one man endured these temptations and sinned not, then in his power his members may also cease from sin.

Where is the squirrel now, who but a little while ago all full of play was leaping from bough to bough? God has laid him asleep in the hollow of a tree, "on a bed of wool or matted leaves." He is safe enough, and snugly hidden from the howling blast.

And will not God care for you should the worst come to the worst? Yes, he will hide you in a refuge of his own preparing. Only trust in him and dread no ill.