The Sincere Convert

Fourthly, In judging of Gods love to them, by aiming sometimes at the glory of God. Is this possible, that a man should aim at Gods glory, and yet perish?¹ Yes, and ordinary too. A man may be liberal to the poor, maintain the Ministry, be forward and stand for good things, whence he may not doubt but that God loves him: But here is the difference, though a wicked man may make Gods glory in some particular things his end, yet he never makes it in his general course his utmost and last end: A subtle Apprentice may do all his Masters work, but he may take the gain to himself, or divide it betwixt his Master and himself, and so may be but a Knave, as observant as he seems to be: So a subtle heart, (yet a vile villainous heart) may forsake all the world, as Judas did, may bind himself Apprentice to all the duties God requireth outwardly ⟨p. 191⟩at his hands, and so do good works, but what's his last end? It's that he might gain respect or place, or that Christ may have some part of the glory, and he another. Simon Magus would give any money sometimes that he could pray so well, know so much, and do as others do, and yet his last end is for himself; but how can you believe, if you seek not that glory that comes from God, says Christ? there's many seek the honour of Christ, but do you seek his honour only; Is it your last end, where you rest and seek no more but that? If thou wouldest know whether thou makest Christs glory thy last end, observe this Rule:

Fourthly, In judging of Gods love to them, by aiming sometimes at the glory of God. Is this possible, that a man should aime at Gods glory, and yet perish?¹ Yes, and ordinary too. A man may be liberall to the poore, maintaine the Ministery, be forward and stand for good things, whence he may not doubt but that God loves him: But here is the difference, though a wicked man may make Gods glory in some particular things his end, yet he never makes it in his generall course his utmost and last end: A subtle Apprentice may doe all his Masters work, but he may take the gaine to himselfe, or divide it betwixt his Master and himselfe, and so may be but a Knave, as observant as he seemes to be: So a subtle heart, (yet a vile villanous heart) may forsake all the world, as Iudas did, may binde himselfe Apprentice to all the duties God requireth outwardly