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

If our love be sincere, it's an affection, which respecteth not a naked Christ, but Christ as Mediator: Or, it is a hearty desire of, and complacency in Christ in all his offices, as King, and Priest, and Prophet: And of such moment is the right knowledge of this Character, that (Christian) I must desire thee principally to study it, and pass a judgement upon thy self thereby: For what-ever fondness, and sudden flashings of love thou mayest find within thee, they will not so clearly tell thee what thou art, as the knowledge of thy self by this m•rk. Take it for a clear Truth. That if thou lovest not Christ as thy Sovereign Lord; if thy heart be not knit to him, as thy High Priest with God; if •h•• […] •ot ⟨p. 231⟩affectionately entertained him as thy Master and Teacher: In a word, if thou art not consecrated unto God by Christ, if thou art not a loyal subject, and a willing Disciple, love in sincerity doth not dwell in thee: Thou art still an enemy, and wilt so be judged; 'Tis not fondness of expression, nor any outward complement that men put upon Christ, which reacheth the New Testament notion of love to Christ, but when as loyal subjects,¹ and willing disciples, we are always doing the Things that are grateful, and are obedient to him: This is love; And hence it is, that in so many places, our Lord puts us upon trying our love by our obedience, by keeping his words and Commandments. And speaks of Libertines, Infidels, the carnally wise, Rebels and Apostates as enemies, and haters of him, what-ever their pretences are to the contrary. And verily, so essential is this to sincere love, that unless you understand it, you will be able to give but a lame account of most of the Scripture-Characters thereof (as if I had time, I could easily demonstrate) because they do all presuppose it. If thou wouldst know therefore whether this Grace be in thee in truth, take thy heart (Christian) to Christ in every office, and try it by such Interrogatories, as may result from the consideration of them; and this will tell thee thy case distinctly. Begin first with Christ as High Priest (for this did lay the foundation of the other two offices; and if thou hast any love to Christ in sincerity, it was the sight of him in this, that first kindled it) And thus bespeak thy self: