What is the gospel itself but a merciful moderation, in which Christ's obedience is esteemed ours, and our sins laid upon him, wherein God, from being a judge, becomes our Father, pardoning our sins and accepting our obedience, though feeble and blemished? We are now brought to heaven under the covenant of grace by a way of love and mercy.

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

It is better to go bruised to heaven than sound to hell.

The tenets of [the Christian life] seem paradoxes to carnal men; as first, that a Christian is the only freeman, and other men are slaves; that he is the only rich man, though never so poor in the world; that he is the only beautiful man, though outwardly never so deformed; that he is the only happy man in the midst of all his miseries.

What coward would not fight when he is sure of victory?

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.

Poverty and affliction take away the fuel that feeds pride.