The winter prepares the earth for the spring, so do afflictions sanctified prepare the soul for glory.

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.

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

The depths of our misery can never fall below the depths of mercy.

This is a life of faith, for God will try the truth of our faith, so that the world may see that God has such servants as will depend upon His bare word.

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

When we grow careless of keeping our souls, then God recovers our taste of good things again by sharp crosses.