Gerhard and Walther

Every manifestation of good in the creature is but an image of the perfect goodness which is in God, nay, which is God Himself. Why then should we desire to leave the reality to grasp the image?—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation IX

The most glorious thing about all of this is that whoever seeks from his heart the salvation of the Gospel receives another heart that begins to glow in love of God and neighbor.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 772.