The best prayers have often more groans than words.

Prayer is a shield to the soul

The life blood streaming thro' my heart, Or my more dear immortal part, Is not more fondly dear.

Farewell, I wish our souls may meet with comfort at the journey's end.- The Heavenly Footman: A Puritan's View of How to Get to Heaven.

Then said he, ’I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.’.... So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven.

The Swamp of Despond is that place set before the narrow gate where true and false pilgrims alike are assaulted by their own internal corruption and pollution. The dirt and scum that has attached itself to our hearts and minds is agitated and revealed by both the workings of a guilty conscience and the devouring avarice of the enemy of our souls.The