Grace never thrives in a negligent and careless soul . . . We read of "being rooted and grounded." Grace in the heart is the root of every gracious word in the mouth, and of every holy work in the hand. Now in a heart not kept with care and diligence, these fructifying influences are stopped and cut off; a multitude of vanities break in and devour its strength. . . . "How precious are Thy thoughts to me O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand, when I awake I am still with Thee." "My soul is filled with marrow and fatness, when I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night-watches. My soul followeth hard after Thee; Thy right hand upholdeth me." . . . The stability of our souls in the hour of temptation will depend much upon the care we take in keeping our hearts. The careless heart is an easy prey to Satan in the hour of temptation … it is the watchful heart that discovers and suppresses the temptation before it comes to its strength. … I may say to the Christian who is remiss and careless in keeping his heart:" Thou shalt not excel." . . .

Furnish your heart richly with the word of God. … Be not discouraged Christian. The time is coming when thou shalt be discharged from thy labor, . . . when all vanity shall be removed from thy thoughts, and they shall be everlastingly and delightfully exercised upon the supreme goodness and excellence of thy God and Saviour; and when thou shalt lay down the weapons of prayers, tears, and groans, and put on the armor of light, not to engage in battle, but to triumph forever through Him who has loved you and left you this gracious encouragement:"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne."