A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

4. We love our selves unfeignedly, no man useth to dissemble with himself, or endeavours to feed himself with good words only, but is very real and cordial to himself in all things. And thus it is required we should be to others: God desireth truth in the inward parts; he would have us true to him, and true to one another, 1 John 3.18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth, Rom. 12.9. Let love be without dissimulation. Outward and dissembled love is little better than inward and real hatred: If blessing be only in the mouth, cursing is not like to be far from the heart; Psal. 2.4. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Such a blessing with the mouth had Christ from the Pharisees in this chapter, Master we know thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, ¹neither carest thou for any man; for thou regardest not the person of men: very well said; but Jesus perceived their wickedness. ²They came with words of love and respect to cover the wickedness of their hearts, and wanted that inward affection, that Titus is commended for toward the Corinthians, 2 Cor. 7.15.

1. 1ver. 16.
2. 2ver. 18.

5. We do not only love our selves truly and sincerely, but with some fervency: there is always some heat, as well as heart, in love to our selves: you may observe it ordinarily, that when self is concerned in any thing, that affection which is moved about it, hath some heat in it; if it be anger, there is heat in anger; if it be love, there is heat in love. Indeed all men are very apt to exceed, and go much beyond their bounds when self is concerned, as if they were to love themselves with all their hearts, with all their soul,