Grace grows best in winter.

Set not your heart upon the world, since God hath not made it your portion.

You will not get to steal quietly into heaven, into Christ's company, without a conflict and a cross. I find crosses to be Christ's carved work that he marks out for us and that with crosses he portraits us to his own image, cutting away pieces of our ill and corruption. Lord cut - Lord carve - Lord wound - Lord do anything that may perfect thy Father's image in us and make us ready for glory.

Your heart is not the compass that God steers by.

Humility is a strange flower; it grows best in winter weather, and under storms of affliction.

Desires going before conversion are not such as can calm a storming conscience.

I assure you by the Lord, your adversaries shall get no advantage against you, except you sin, and offend your Lord, in your sufferings.