God loves to see his creatures happy; our lawful delight is His; they know not God that think to please Him with making themselves miserable. The idolaters thought it a fit service for Baal to cut and lance themselves; never any holy man looked for thanks from the true God by wronging himself.

I first adventure, follow me who list And be the second English satirist

Let me know myself; let others guess at me.

The godly man contrarily is afraid of nothing; not of God, because he knows Him his best friend, and will not hurt him; not of Satan, because he cannot hurt him; not of afflictions, because he knows they come from a loving God, and end in his good; not of the creatures, since "the very stones in the field are in league with Him;" not of himself, since his conscience is at peace.

...Covetousness, looking more at what we would have than at what we have.

Seldom was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart; the grace of this rich jewel is lost in concealment.

It is not sin that kills the soul, but impenitence.