Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Well then, let us not pretend to own God as our Lord, and yet act the part of Rebels. Let us give him the reverence, and pay him that obedience, which of right belongs to so great a King. Whatsoever he speaks as a true God, ought to be believed, whatsoever he orders as a Sovereign God, ought to be obeyed. Let not God have less than man, nor man have more than God. 'Tis a common principle writ upon the reason of all men, that respect and observance is due to the Majesty of a man, much more to the Majesty of God as a Law-giver.

Well then, let us not pretend to own God as our Lord, and yet act the part of Rebels. Let us give him the reverence, and pay him that obedience, which of right belongs to so great a King. Whatsoever he speaks as a true God, ought to be beleiv'd, whatsoever he orders as a Soveraign God, ought to be obey'd. Let not God have less than man, nor man have more than God. 'Tis a common principle writ upon the reason of all men, that respect and observance is due to the Majesty of a man, much more to the Majesty of God as a Law-giver.

2. As this Doctrine presents us motives, so it directs us to the manner and kind of our Obedience to God.

1. It must be with a respect to his Authority. As the veracity of God is the formal object of faith, and the reason why we believe the things he hath revealed; so the Authority of God is the formal object of our obedience, or the reason why we observe the things he hath commanded. There must be a respect to his will as the rule, as well as to his Glory as the end. 'Tis not formally obedience that is not done with a regard to the order of God, though it may be materially obedience, as it answers the matter of the Precept. As when men will abstain from excess and rioting, because it is ruinous to their health, not because it is forbidden by the great Law-giver; This is to pay a respect to our own conveniency and interest, not a Conscientious observance to God; a regard to our health, not to our Sovereign, a kindness to our selves, not a justice due to the rights of God. There must not only be a consideration of the matter of the Precept as convenient, but a consideration of the Authority of the Law-giver as Obligatory. Thus saith the Lord, Ushers in every order of his, directing our eye to the Authority enacting it. Jeroboam did God's will of prophecy in taking the Kingdom of Israel; And the devils may be subservient in God's will or providence; but neither of them are put upon the account of obedience, because not done intentionally with any Conscience of the Sovereignty of God. God will have this owned by a regular respect to it; So much he insists upon the honour of it, that the Sacrifice of Christ, God-man was most agreeable to him, not only as it was great and admirable in it self, but also for that ravishing obedience to his will, which was the Life and Glory of his Sacrifice, whereby the justice of God was not only owned in the Offering, but the Sovereignty of God owned in the Obedience.