Gerhard and Walther

If we were to be given a single moment to peek into heaven and get to see in what great joy and glory the elect in heaven are actually living, we would day and night solely see to it that we might be like them here on earth through godliness so that hereafter we might also be like them in joy and glory.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis I:299.

One of the certain signs of the true Church is the preaching of the pure and clear Word of God with its seals, the holy Sacraments. And where this heavenly seed is sown, we can be certain that, according to the infallible promise of God, it will rise up in at least some hearers.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 303.