The Lord's mercy often rides to the door of our heart upon the black horse of affliction.

Does the world satisfy thee? Then thou hast thy reward & portion in this life; make much of it, for thou shalt know no other joy

It seems to me that doubt is worse than trial. I had sooner suffer any affliction than be left to question the gospel or my own interest in it.

Money gained on Sabbath-day is a loss, I dare to say. No blessing can come with that which comes to us, on the devil's back, by our willful disobedience of God's law. The loss of health by neglect of rest, and the loss of soul by neglect of hearing the gospel, soon turn all seeming profit into real loss.

May your convictions be deep, your love real, and your desires earnest

Remember the man who truly repents is never satisfied with his own repentance.

When we believe that God hears us, it is but natural that we should be eager to hear Him. Only from Him can come the word which can speak peace to troubled spirits; the voices of men are feeble in such a case, a plaster far too narrow for the sore; but God's voice is power, He speaks and it is done, and hence when we hear Him our distress is ended.