Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. 'Tis Comely and Orderly. Is it not a more becoming thing to be ruled by the will of our sovereign, than by that of our lusts? To observe a wise and gracious Authority, than to set up inordinate appetites in the room of his Law? Would not all men account it a disorder, to be abominated, to see a slave or vassal control the just orders of his Lord, and endeavour to subject his Masters will to his own? Much more to expect, God should serve our humour, rather than we be regulated by his Will? 'Tis more orderly that subjects should obey their Governors, than Governors their Subjects; that Passion should obey Reason, than Reason obey Passion. When good Governors are to conform to Subjects, and reason veil to passion, 'tis monstrous; the one disturbs the order of a community, and the other defaceth the beauty of the Soul. Is it a comely thing for God to stoop to our meanness, or for us to stoop to his greatness?

1. 'Tis Comely and Orderly. Is it not a more becoming thing to be ruled by the will of our soveraign, than by that of our lusts? To observe a wise and gracious Authority, than to set up inordinate appetites in the room of his Law? Would not all men account it a disorder, to be abominated, to see a slave or vassal controul the just orders of his Lord, and endeavour to subject his Masters will to his own? Much more to expect, God should serve our humour, rather than we be regulated by his Will? 'Tis more orderly that subjects should obey their Governours, than Governours their Subjects; that Passion should obey Reason, than Reason obey Passion. When good Governours are to conform to Subjects, and reason vail to passion, 'tis monstrous; the one disturbs the order of a community, and the other defaceth the beauty of the Soul. Is it a comely thing for God to stoop to our meanness, or for us to stoop to his greatness?

2. In regard of the Divine Sovereignty, 'tis both honourable and advantageous to obey God. 'Tis indeed the glory of a Superior, to be obeyed by his Inferior; but where the sovereign is of transcendent excellency and dignity, 'tis an honour to a mean person, to be under his immediate commands, and enrolled in his service. 'Tis more honour to be Gods Subject, than to be the greatest worldly Monarch; his very service is an Empire, and disobedience to him is a slavery.