Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

7. A principle of love (wheresoever it is planted) is our help; be the Yoke never so uneasy, yet love will make it light;¹ Solomon compares the estate of the Church to a chariot, and it is described to have Pillars of Silver, and a Bottom of Gold, and a Covering of Purple, the midst thereof being paved with Love; a strange expression, that the midst of a Chariot should be paved with love; but 'tis plain, the Chariots wherein Christ carries his people up and down in the World, and brings them to himself, is such a Chariot as the midst thereof is paved with love; in this case if there were neither Heaven, nor Hell, yet a soul would be in the duties of Christianity. I remember how Ivo, Bishop of Chartres, meeting a grave Matron on the way with fire in one hand, and water in the other, he asked her what those symbols meant? and what she meant to do with her fire and water? she answered, My purpose is with the fire to burn Paradise, and with the water to quench the flames of Hell, that men may serve God (said she) without the incentives of hope and fear, and purely for the love of God, and Jesus Christ. Surely it was an high expression; for my part I dare not separate those things which God hath joined together; only this I say, that where true love is, there is an excellent help in our way Heaven-wards.

7. A principle of love (wheresoever it is planted) is our help; be the Yoak never so uneasie, yet love will make it light;¹ Solomon compares the estate of the Church to a chariot, and it is described to have Pillars of Silver, and a Bottom of Gold, and a Covering of Purple, the midst thereof being paved with Love; a strange expression, that the midst of a Chariot should be paved with love; but 'tis plain, the Chariots wherein Christ carries his people up and down in the World, and brings them to himself, is such a Chariot as the midst thereof is paved with love; in this case if there were neither Heaven, nor Hell, yet a soul would be in the duties of Christianity. I remember how Ivo, Bishop of Chartres, meeting a grave Matron on the way with fire in one hand, and water in the other, he asked her what those symboles meant? and what she meant to do with her fire and water? she answered, My purpose is with the fire to burn Paradise, and with the water to quench the flames of Hell, that men may serve God (said she) without the incentives of hope and fear, and purely for the love of God, and Jesus Christ. Surely it was an high expression; for my part I dare not separate those things which God hath joyned together; only this I say, that where true love is, there is an excellent help in our way Heaven-wards.