John Tillotson

Though all afflictions are evils in themselves, yet they are good for us, because they discover to us our disease and tend to our cure.

Men expect that religion should cost them no pains, that happiness should drop into their laps without any design and endeavor on their part, and that, after they have done what they please while they live, God should snatch them up to heaven when they die. But though the commandments of God be not grievous, yet it is fit to let men know that they are not thus easy.