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.
Samuel RutherfordHe who duly esteemeth Christ, is a noble bidder, and so a noble and liberal buyer.
Samuel RutherfordKeep God's covenant in your trials; hold you by His blessed word, and sin not; flee anger, wrath, grudging, envying, fretting; forgive a hundred pence to your fellow-servant, because your Lord hath forgiven you ten thousand talents: for, I assure you by the Lord, your adversaries shall get no advantage against you, except you sin, and offend your Lord, in your sufferings.
Samuel RutherfordPraise God for the hammer, the file, and the furnace. The hammer molds us, the file sharpens us, and the fire tempers us.
Samuel Rutherford