The Sincere Convert

Thus they pinch God; they labour not after so much holiness as will honour Christ, but after just so much as will bear their charges to heaven, and save themselves. For this is one of the greatest differences betwixt a child of God and an Hypocrite. In their obedience, the one takes up duties out of love to Christ, to have him, and hence he mourns daily, because Christ is no greater gainer by him: the other o it of love to himself, merely to save his own soul; and hence he mourns for his sins, because they may damn him; Remember that place therefore, 1 Cor. 15. ult.

Thus they pinch God; they labour not after so much holinesse as will honour Christ, but after just so much as will beare their charges to heaven, and save themselves. For this is one of the greatest differences betwixt a child of God and an Hypocrite. In their obedience, the one takes up duties out of love to Christ, to have him, and hence he mournes daily, because Christ is no greater gainer by him: the other o it of love to himselfe, meerely to save his owne soule; and hence he mournes for his sins, because they may damne him; Remember that place therefore, 1 Cor. 15. ult.

Lastly, labour to get this Image of GOD renewed again.¹ Honest men will labour to pay their debts; this is ⟨p. 40⟩Gods debt. How do men labour to be in the fashion; better to be out of the world, then out of the fashion. To be like God is heavens fashion, Angels fashion, and it will be in fashion one day, when the Lord Jesus shall appear. Then if thou hast the superscription and Image of the devil, and not the Image of GOD upon thee, GOD and Christ will never own thee at that day. Labour therefore to have Gods image restored again, and Satan's washed out, seek not, as many do, to purchase such and such a grace first: but.