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

7. Character,

We may know our Sincerity in love, by the value we put upon our selves, as well as upon Christ; if our interest in Christ be the rule by which we value our selves, that will argue true love; when this makes it day in our souls, that Christ smiles upon us, and on the other side, when this spreads the darkness of the night over us, that he ⟨p. 235⟩hides his face from us; then we love him. David loved God heartily, and therefore when God smiled, he rejoiced, Psalm. 4.6.¹ and when God hid his face, he was as much troubled then, as before delighted; 'Tis thus in every relation, where there is sincerity of affection, as the bond thereof, and a dependence between them, of the one upon the other; 'Tis thus between a Prince, and a loyal favourite; between a Husband, and a loving wise; 'tis thus between the lovesick soul, and Christ; when she enjoys him, then none so lightsome in Countenance as she? According to the nature of love, her affections are hardly concealed; they are even too big for her heart to cover, and therefore she can scarce with hold her self from a Holy exultation before every one that meets her. Whereas on the other side if Christ but withdraws, if she calls, and he gives no answer; if he seems to avoid her Company, and to despise her familiarity; what then? Oh then her Joy is turned into Gall, and her Pleasantness into Wormwood; then her Countenance grows dark and sable, and her thoughts within her are full of horror, dejection, and confusion; she goes up and down like a person almost distracted, and every place is made to Echo to her griefs, and mournings; she goes from Ordinance to Ordinance, and from one Watchman to another, and proclaims to them all the sickness of her soul, If peradventure she may recover again the sight of her Beloved. All this and much more with incomparable elegance you may read described in the Song of Solomon. Thus as the Marigold opens to the Sun in the firmament, so doth the heart of a Sincere Christian to the Sun of Righteousness, Christ in Glory.