The Sincere Convert

Secondly, if they judge well of §2them, then they compare themselves to them, by taking a scantling only by their outside, and by what they see in them, and so, like children, seeing stars a great way off, think them no bigger nor brighter then winking candles. They stand a far off from seeing the inside of a child of God, they see not the glory of God filling that temple, they see not the sweet influence they receive from heaven, and that fellowship they have with their God; and hence they judge but meanly of them, because the out side of a Christian is the worst part of him, and his glory shines chiefly within.

Secondly, if they judge well of §2them, then they compare themselves to them, by taking a scantling onely by their outside, and by what they see in them, and so, like children, seeing stars a great way off, think them no bigger nor brighter then winking candles. They stand a far off from seeing the inside of a child of God, they see not the glory of God filling that temple, they see not the sweet influence they receive from heaven, and that fellowship they have with their God; and hence they judge but meanly of them, because the out side of a Christian is the worst part of him, and his glory shines chiefly within.

Thirdly, if they see, Gods people §3do excel them, that they have better ⟨p. 178⟩lives, and better hearts, & better knowledge, yet they will not conclude that they have no grace, because it hath not that stamp that honest mens money hath. But this prank they play, they think such and such good men have a greater measure, and a higher degree of grace then themselves, yet they dare be bold to think and say, their hearts are as upright, though they be not so perfect as others are; And so vilify the grace that shines in the best men, by making this gold to differ from their own copper, not essentially but gradually, and hence they deceive themselves miserably, not but that one (star or) sincere Christian differs from another in glory: I speak of those men only, that never were sixth in so high a sphere, as true honesty dwells, yet falsely father this bad conclusion, that they are upright for their measure, that they have not the like measure of grace received as others have.