"We take nothing to the grave with us, but a good or evil conscience... It is true, terrors of conscience cast us down; and yet without terrors of conscience we cannot be raised up again"

Samuel Rutherford's quote speaks deeply to the human condition concerning morality, tradition, and inner peace. The concept that "we take absolutely nothing to the tomb with us, however a great or wicked conscience" highlights the impermanence of product possessions and societal accolades. At the end of life, these external validations disappear, leaving only our conscience-- the internal registry of our actions, decisions, and their moral ramifications.

The conscience represents the inner voice that differentiates right from incorrect, and it is this voice that accompanies us beyond tangible presence. A "great conscience" suggests a life lived in moral accordance, characterized by virtuous deeds, generosity, and stability. Alternatively, an "evil conscience" reflects guilt, remorse, or misbehavior, showing a life ruined by actions that betray one's values or damage others.

Rutherford further brightens the double nature of conscience by acknowledging that "terrors of conscience cast us down". These are the minutes when guilt, remorse, or ethical anxiety confront us with the weight of our misdeeds. Although unpleasant, these 'horrors' serve a vital, transformative function. They prompt self-questioning, advising us to challenge unpleasant realities about ourselves and the implications of our actions. Rather than succumbing to anguish, this conflict can serve as a catalyst for growth, redemption, and positive change.

The latter part of the quote-- "yet without fears of conscience we can not be raised up again"-- recommends that the pain induced by a struggling conscience is required for moral and spiritual upliftment. In this view, the struggles with our conscience force recalibration, urging us towards improvement and aligning us closer to our ethical ideals. Through this struggle, one gets the chance to modify previous wrongs and desire a clearer, more tranquil conscience, eventually resulting in a more fulfilling and fairly meaningful presence.

In essence, Rutherford proposes that while our product achievements are finite, the enduring imprint of our conscience specifies our true tradition. It is through facing the 'horrors' of this moral compass that individuals discover the capacity for ultimate elevation and inner peace.