Love to Christ, necessary to escape the curse at his coming

VII. Do you love Christ, when you had rather sin against him than suffer for him? Is that your Love, when you had rather forsake him, than in danger follow him? When you had rather deny him, than dye for him? And though you do as Peter did, you do not repent, and weep bitterly as Peter did. Did not Love move Christ to suffer and dye for us? Was not Love the chain that did fasten him to the Cross? And if you loved Christ, would the Waters of Affliction and Persecution quench your Love? You love him, but cannot suffer for him. Worthy Love! but such as with which Christ doth not count you worthy of him, or to have any saving benefit by him, Mat. 10.37, 38. The Martyrs loved Christ, when they did go to Prisons for him, and went to the Stake, and were burned into Ashes for him. You would think it a hard saying, to assert, None but Martyrs love Christ. But with a distinction, I think it is a true saying, A Martyr is either actually so, or intentionally. It is the purpose and resolution of the Heart, to dye for Christs sake, if called to it; he is one that doth dye for Christ, or is ready, willing, and b• the help of Grace is resolved to lose his Life, ⟨p. 139⟩than leave Christ. And then it is safe to say, That he that loves his Life more than Christ, and will part with Christ, rather than his Life, hath no sincere love to Christ; for Christ doth say it, Mat. 10.37, 38. And this was the resolution, and disposition of Paul's heart, before he was actually put to death. Act. 21.13. Paul said, What mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

VIII. Do you love Christ, that never were convinced of your need of Christ? Of your undone and lost estate? Of your deplorable condition without Christ? Are you ignorant of your Malady, and can you then value the Remedy? Doth not the Soul, first feeling its wounds by Sin, enquire what to do to be saved? And then upon the sight of the power of Christ, that he is able to save, and of the freeness of Christ, that he is willing to help, the Soul is drawn to love him, and to set his heart upon him. Blessed Lord! wilt thou help me out of my misery? When none can deliver, wilt thou? I am undone! Wilt thou succour me? I am lost! Wilt thou save me? Why, poor Sinner, saith Christ, I do pity thee: my bowels yearn over thee: I will keep thee: I will save thee both from Sin and Hell. Wilt thou so, dear Lord? Thou shalt have my heart; my love shall be to thee.