Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

3. A confidence in him gives him the glory of his goodness. Most Nations that had nothing but the light of Nature, thought it a great part of the Honour that was due to God, to implore his Goodness; and cast their Cares upon it. To do good, is the most honourable thing in the World, and to acknowledge a goodness in a way of confidence, is as high an honour as we can give to it, and a great part of gratitude for what it hath already expressed: Therefore we find often, that an acknowledgement of one Benefit received, was attended with a trust in him, for what they should in the future need;^* Thou hast delivered my Soul from Death, wilt thou not deliver my Feet from falling? So 2 Cor. 1.10. And they who have been most eminent for their trust in him, have had the greatest Elogies and Commendations from him. As a diffidence doth disparage this Perfection, thinking it meaner and shallower, than it is; so Confidence highly honours it. We never please him more, than when we trust in him,^* The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his Mercy. He takes it for an Honour, to have this Attribute exalted by such a Carriage of his Creature. He is no less offended, when we think his heart straitened, as if he were a Parsimonious God, than when we think his Arm shortened, as if he were an impotent and feeble God.

3. A confidence in him gives him the glory of his goodness. Most Nations that had nothing but the light of Nature, thought it a great part of the Honour that was due to God, to implore his Goodness; and cast their Cares upon it. To do good, is the most honourable thing in the World, and to acknowledge a goodness in a way of confidence, is as high an honour as we can give to it, and a great part of gratitude for what it hath already exprest: Therefore we find often, that an acknowledgment of one Benefit received, was attended with a trust in him, for what they should in the future need;^* Thou hast delivered my Soul from Death, wilt thou not deliver my Feet from falling? So 2 Cor. 1.10