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

XVII. Is there any love so universally necessary, as the love of Christ? One man loves one thing, and a second another, and a third another, but there is no necessity that all men should love any one thing but Christ, and things appertaining to our having and enjoying of him; and love to Christ is necessary for poor and rich, for great and small, for noble and ignoble, for learned and unlearned, for bond and free. Oh then, what doings are these, that that love which is necessary, not only for the most, but for all, should be neglected not only by the most, but almost (comparatively) by all?

XVIII. Do not you want one great help against the temptations of Satan, while you are void of love to Christ? Is not Satan your Enemy? Is not your heart forward to yield to him? Doth it not concern you to resist him, when if you yield, you deserve to dye? But this love would Garrison your ⟨p. 174⟩Hearts, Fortify your Souls, make you Courageous and Resolute against all the batteries of Satan, assaults of Sin, and watchful against the Assurements and Ambushments of the World, and that you would say, Shall I offend my dearest Lord? Shall I displease him that hath had such good pleasure to do me such good, such everlasting good? Oh! how can I do this, or that great evil, and sin against him whom I do love! For do you not find that Love forbids, and exceedingly restrains, from grieving, offending, or wronging him, whom you do entirely love?

XVIII. Do not you want one great help against the temptations of Satan, while you are void of love to Christ? Is not Satan your Enemy? Is not your heart forward to yield to him? Doth it not concern you to resist him, when if you yield, you deserve to dye? But this love would Garrison your ⟨p. 174⟩Hearts, Fortifie your Souls, make you Couragious and Resolute against all the batteries of Satan, assaults of Sin, and watchful against the Assurements and Ambushments of the World, and that you would say, Shall I offend my dearest Lord? Shall I displease him that hath had such good pleasure to do me such good, such everlasting good? Oh! how can I do this, or that great evil, and sin against him whom I do love! For do you not find that Love forbids, and exceedingly restrains, from grieving, offending, or wronging him, whom you do entirely love?