(Extract from Sibbes.)
As we say in nature, fire does all (as man can scarce work any instrument without fire), so grace does all with love. God first manifests to our souls His love to us in Christ, and quickens us by His Spirit, witnessing His love to us, wherewithal He warms our hearts, kindles and enflames them so with love that we love Him again; which love has a constraining, sweet violence to cause us to suffer, to do, to resist all opposition. If a man is in love with Christ, what will be harsh to him in the world? The devil knows this well enough; therefore one of his main engines and temptations is to weaken our hearts in the sense of God’s love and of Christ’s. Therefore let us be as wise for our souls as he is subtle and politic against them; as watchful for our own comfort as he is to discomfort us and make us despair. Let us be wise to gather all the arguments of Christ’s love that we can.