The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

We then love Christ in Sincerity, when that affection in us is qualified according to the various Excellencies, that belong to the person of our Lord; when it respects him, according to the Manifestation made of him in the Gospel; viz. not simply as a person, who is Historically made known to us by such a Name; but according to the true Character of him, as God and man in one person; [[Greek or Hebrew]] as one filled with the spirit of God, above measure, by an ineffable Unction, ¹as one admirably Condescending, and laying aside his divine splendour, and Majesty, that he might appear in the form of a Servant, and be obedient to the death of the Cross, for the Salvation of Sinners; and lastly, as one raised from the dead by God, made able,² and declaring his high satisfaction in the access of sinners unto God by him; And so there are these four graces, which are always attendant upon, and are, (as it were,) Incorporated into the nature of this evangelical affection. 1. Humble and Reverent admiration; 'Tis an admiring Love, Objects that are incomparably Excellent, do always first affect with admiration, and though that affection dissolve into love, yet doth it not usually wholly cease, especially if the object be not throughly Comprehended:³ 'Tis thus with thy soul (Christian) that art a sincere lover of thy redeemer, and hast not set up some Image, of an ordinary person, in the place of him, thou admirest him, whom thou lovest, as never being able to comprehend his Glory: The Lord whom thou lovest being God as well as Man, and Man as well as God,⁴ and all this, in one person: An object in whom Heaven and Earth are so admirably blended together, that the acutest reason looseth it self, & stands amazed at the union,⁵ whence we find one of the Ancients thus speaking of it, I know that the word was made flesh, but how or in what manner this was done, I know not; Doest thou wonder, that I profess my Ignorance; why, the whole Creation is Ignorant of it as well as I: And another of them gives this advice; if Reason go about to cavil?⁶