Faith is conceived in the terrors of conscience...

In fact, we also say this:  Our love for God, even though it is small, cannot possibly be separated from faith.  For we come to the Father through Christ.  When the forgiveness of sins has been received, then we are truly certain that we have a God, that is, that God care for us.  We call upon Him, we give Him thanks, we fear Him, we love Him as 1 John 4:19 teaches, "We loved because He first loved us."  In other words, we love Him because He gave His Son for us and forgave us our sins.  In this way John shows that faith comes first and love follows.  Likewise, the faith of which we speak exists in repentance. I mean that faith is conceived in the terrors of conscience, which feels God's wrath against our sins and seeks forgiveness of sins, seeks to be freed from sin. In such terrors and other troubles, this faith ought to grow and be strengthened.
~BOC, AP, V (III), 20-21