It is the Lord's kindness that he will take the scum off us in the fire. Who know how needful winnowing is to us and what dross we have before we enter the kingdom of God? So narrow is the entry to heaven that our knots, lumps of pride, self-love, idol-love, and world-love must be hammered off us, that we may stoop low and creep through into that narrow entry.
Samuel RutherfordWhy should I tremble at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep furrows on my soul? I know He is no idle husbandman, He purposeth a crop.
Samuel RutherfordHe who duly esteemeth Christ, is a noble bidder, and so a noble and liberal buyer.
Samuel RutherfordHowbeit your faith seeth but the black side of providence, yet it hath a better side, and God shall let you see it. ... โFor we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,โ ergo, shipwreck, losses, &c., work together for the good of them that love God: hence I infer, that losses, disappointments, ill tongues, loss of friends, houses, or country, are God's workmen, set on work to work out good to you, out of everything that befalleth you.
Samuel Rutherford