The Sincere Convert

Thirdly, the understandings Obscurity §3or ignorance of the infinite exactness, glorious purity, and absolute perfection of the Law of God; whence it cometh to pass, that this burning Lamp or bright sun of Gods Law, ⟨p. 172⟩being set in their minds, rotten grounds of their own righteousness, doing some things according to the Law of God, shines and glisters gloriously in their eyes, in the dark night time of dismal darkness, by doing of which they think they please GOD, and their estates are very good, I was alive, saith Paul, Rom. 7. 9. without the Law, and he gives the reason of it, because sin did but sleep in him like a cut-throat in an house, where all is quiet. Before the Law came, he saw not that deadly secret core of corruption, and that litter of Rebellion that was lurking in his heart, and therefore thought highly of himself for his own Righteousness. The Gospel is a glass to show men the face of God in Christ, 2 Cor. 2. ult. The Law is that glass that showeth a man his own face, and what he himself is. Now if this glass be taken away, and not set before a deformed heart, how can a man but think himself fair? And this is the reason why civill men, formalists, almost every one, think ⟨p. 173⟩better of themselves then indeed they are, because they reckon without their host, that is, they judge of the number, nature, and greatness of their sins by their own books, by their own reason, they look not Gods debt-book, Gods exact laws over, and compare themselves therewith; If they did, it would amaze the stoutest heart, and pluck down mens plumes, and make them say, is there any mercy so great as to pass by such sins, and to put up such wrongs, and to forgive such sins and debts, one of which alone may undo me, much more so many?

Thirdly, the understandings Obscurity §3or ignorance of the infinite exactnesse, glorious purity, and absolute perfection of the Law of God; whence it commeth to passe, that this burning Lamp or bright sunne of Gods Law, ⟨p. 172⟩