If we had not winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
We must, therefore, be here as strangers and pilgrims, that we may plainly declare that we seek a city above.
Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending.
There is no object that we see; no action that we do; no good that we enjoy; no evil that we feel, or fear, but we may make some spiritual advantage of all: and he that makes such improvement is wise, as well as pious.
Let Greeks be Greeks, and women what they are.
The world no longer lets me love, My hope and treasure are above.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold or all the riches that the East doth hold.
If ever wife was happy in a man, compare with me, ye women if you can.
He that would be content with a mean condition must not cast his eye upon one that is in a far better estate than himself, but let him look upon him that is lower than he is, and, if he see that such a one bears poverty comfortably, it will help to quiet him.
I happy am, if well with you.
Iron till it be thoroughly heated is incapable to be wrought; so God sees good to cast some men into the furnace of affliction, and then beats them on His anvil into what frame He desires.
That when we live no more, We may live ever.
Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone, I here, though there, yet both but one.
A prosperous state makes a secure Christian, but adversity makes him Consider.
Some laborers have hard hands, and old sinners have brawny consciences.
Wickedness comes to its height by degrees. He that dares say of a less sin, Is it not a little one? will ere long say of a greater, Tush, God regards it not!
Satan, that great angler, hath his sundry baits for sundry tempers of men, which they all catch greedily at, but few perceive the hook till it be too late.
The spring is a lively emblem of the Resurrection.
It is reported of the peacock that priding himself in his gay feathers he ruffles them up; but spying his black feet he soon lets fall his plumes. So he that glories in his gifts and adornings should look upon his corruptions, and that will damp his high thoughts.
Fire hath its force abated by water, not by wind; and anger must be allayed by cold words, and not by blustering threats.
And time brings down what is both strong and tall.