A curse lies upon those that, when the truth suffers, have not a word to defend it.

Christ chiefly manifests Himself in times of affliction, because then the soul unites itself most closely by faith to Christ. The soul, in time of prosperity, scatters its affections, and looses itself in the creature; but there is a uniting power in sanctified afflictions, by which a believer, (as in rain a hen collects her brood) gathers his best affections unto his Father and his God.

In all their jollity in this world, the wicked are but as a book fairly bound, which when it is opened is full of nothing but tragedies. So when the book of their consciences shall be once opened, there is nothing to be read but lamentations and woes.

It is Christ's manner to trouble our souls first, and then to come with healing in his wings.

Self-emptiness prepares us for spiritual fullness.

When we go to God by prayer, the devil knows we go to fetch strength against him, and therefore he opposes us all he can.

If we would make it evident that our conversion is sound, we must loathe and hate sin from the heart.