WILLIAM GURNALL - Christian in Complete Armor    

                                

 The trials of life are to prove what we are, to see

if we are fitted for larger things. We are tested in

the use of the ten talents to prove whether we are

fitted to rule the ten cities. The rope is tested by a

weight, not to break it, but to see if it is fitted to hold

up more precious things. The ship is tested, not to

destroy it, but to see if it is strong enough to carry

costly freight and precious lives through the storm.

2. The meaning of trial is not only to test worthiness

but to increase it, as the oak tree is not only tested by

the storms, but toughened by them. "The fire doth

not only discover which is true gold, but makes the

true gold more pure."       —  Wm.  Gurnall.

"But noble souls through dust and heat

Rise from disaster and defeat 

The stronger." — Longfellow.