To be happy is not only to be freed from the pains and diseases of the body, but from anxiety and vexation of spirit; not only to enjoy the pleasures of sense, but peace of conscience and tranquillity of mind.

Though all afflictions are evils in themselves, yet they are good for us, because they discover to us our disease and tend to our cure.

In all the affairs of this world, so much reputation is in reality so much power.

There are two restraints which God has laid upon human nature, shame and fear; shame is the weaker, and has place only in those in whom there are some reminders of virtue.

For the spiritual efficacy of the Sacrament doth not depend upon the nature of the thing received, supposing we received what our Lord appointed, and receive it with a right preparation and disposition of mind, but upon the supernatural blessing that goes along with it, and makes it effectual to those spiritual ends for which it was appointed.

Surely modesty never hurt any cause; and the confidence of man seems to me to be much like the wrath of man.

None so nearly disposed to scoffing at religion as those who have accustomed themselves to swear on trifling occasions.