Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. The Sovereignty of God is contemned in making additions to the Laws of God. The Authority of a Sovereign Law-giver is invaded and vilified, when an inferior presumes to make orders equivalent to his Edicts. 'Tis a Praemunire against Heaven, to set up an Authority distinct from that of God, or to enjoin any thing as necessary in matter of worship, for which a Divine Commission cannot be shown. God was alway so tender of this part of his prerogative, that he would not have any thing wrought in the Tabernacle, not a Vessel, not an instrument, but what himself had prescribed. Exod. 25.9. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the Tabernacle, and the pattern of all the Instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it, which is strictly urged again, ver. 40. Look that thou make them after their pattern; Look to it, beware of doing any thing of thine own head, and jostling with my Authority. It was so afterwards in the matter of the Temple, which succeeded the Tabernacle; God gave the model of it to David, and made him understand in writing by his hand upon him, even all the works of this pattern. 1 Chron. 28.19. Neither the Royal Authority in Moses, who was King in Jesurun; nor in David, who was a man after God's own heart, and called to the Crown by a special and extraordinary providence; nor Aaron and the High Priests his Successors invested in the Sacerdotal Office, had any Authority from God, to do any thing in the framing the Tabernacle or Temple of their own heads. God barred them from any thing of that nature, by giving them an exact pattern, so dear to him was always this flower of his Crown: And afterwards, the power of appointing Officers, and Ordinances in the Church was delegated to Christ, and was among the rest of those Royalties given to him, which he fully completed for the edifying of the body. Ephes. 4.11, 12. And he hath the Elogy by the Spirit of God, to be faithful as Moses was in all his house, to him that appointed him. Heb. 3.2. Faithfulness in a trust implies a punctual observing directions; God was still so tender of this, that even Christ the son should no more do any thing in this concern without appointment and pattern, than Moses a servant, ver. 5.6. It seems to be a vote of nature, to refer the Original of the modes of all worship to God: