Robert Traill (The Lord's Prayer, John 17:24), Works 2:161:
The name of God is love to sinners, John 3:16; 1 John 4:8-10, 16. It is impossible that a sinner can act any dependence on God for salvation, unless there be some manifestation of his name as love. Whenever any beam of this love darts in upon a poor sinner, the man begins to live and hope immediately. I mean not, that every one should believe this proposition, That God loves me; but only, that God hath a wonderful great love to save sinners, which he hath proved in giving his own Son to be a Saviour; that this love runs out to men in and by Jesus Christ; and all that would have it for themselves, should strive to get near to this Sun, that when its light and heat is seen and felt, they may be saved.
The name of God is love to sinners, John 3:16; 1 John 4:8-10, 16. It is impossible that a sinner can act any dependence on God for salvation, unless there be some manifestation of his name as love. Whenever any beam of this love darts in upon a poor sinner, the man begins to live and hope immediately. I mean not, that every one should believe this proposition, That God loves me; but only, that God hath a wonderful great love to save sinners, which he hath proved in giving his own Son to be a Saviour; that this love runs out to men in and by Jesus Christ; and all that would have it for themselves, should strive to get near to this Sun, that when its light and heat is seen and felt, they may be saved.
