Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

4. This notion of Sovereignty is inseparable from the notion of a God. To acknowledge the Existence of a God, and to acknowledge him a Rewarder are linked together. Heb. 11.6. To acknowledge him a Rewarder, is to acknowledge him a Governor: Rewards being the marks of Dominion. The very name of a God includes in it a supremacy, and an actual rule. He cannot be conceived as God, but he must be conceived as the highest Authority in the World. 'Tis as possible for him not to be God, as not to be supreme. Wherein can the exercise of his excellencies be apparent, but in his Sovereign rule? To fancy an infinite power without a supreme Dominion, is to fancy a mighty senseless Statue fit to be beheld, but not fit to be obeyed; as not being able or having no right to give out Orders, or not caring for the exercise of it. God cannot be supposed to be the chief being, but he must be supposed to give Laws to all, and receive Laws from none. And if we suppose him with a perfection of Justice and Righteousness (which we must do, unless we would make a lame and imperfect God) we must suppose him to have an entire Dominion, without which he could never be able to manifest his Justice. And without a supreme Dominion, he could not manifest the supremacy, and infiniteness of his Righteousness.

4. This notion of Soveraingty is inseparable from the notion of a God. To acknowledge the Existence of a God, and to acknowledge him a Rewarder are linkt together. Heb. 11.6. To acknowledge him a Rewarder, is to acknowledge him a Governor: Rewards being the marks of Dominion. The very name of a God includes in it a supremacy, and an actual rule. He cannot be conceived as God, but he must be conceived as the highest Authority in the World. 'Tis as possible for him not to be God, as not to be supream. Wherein can the exercise of his excellencies be apparent, but in his Soveraign rule? To fancy an infinite power without a supream Dominion, is to fancy a mighty senseless Statue fit to be beheld, but not fit to be obey'd; as not being able or having no right to give out Orders, or not caring for the exercise of it. God cannot be supposed to be the cheif being, but he must be supposed to give Laws to all, and receive Laws from none. And if we suppose him with a perfection of Justice and Righteousness (which we must do, unless we would make a lame and imperfect God) we must suppose him to have an intire Dominion, without which he could never be able to manifest his Justice. And without a supream Dominion, he could not manifest the supremacy, and infiniteness of his Righteousness.