Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. First, Faith must be acted in worship. A confidence in God. A natural worship cannot be performed without a natural confidence in the goodness of God. Whosoever comes to him, must regard him as a Rewarder and a faithful Creator.^* A Spiritual worship cannot be performed without an Evangelical confidence in him as a gracious Redeemer. To think him a Tyrant meditating revenge, damps the Soul; to regard him as a gracious King full of tender bowels, Spirits the affections to him. The mercy of God is the proper object of trust; Psal. 33.18. The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. The worship of God in the old Testament is most described by fear: In the new Testament by faith. Fear, or the worship of God and hope in his mercy are linked together; ⟨p. 147⟩when they go hand in hand, the accepting eye of God is upon us: When we do not trust, we do not worship.^* Those of Judah had the Temple worship among them, especially in Josiah's time, Zeph. 3.2. the time of that Prophecy; yet it was accounted no worship, because no trust in the Worshippers. Interest in God, cannot be improved without an exercise of Faith. The Gospel worship is prophesied of, to be a confidence in God, as in a Husband more than in a Lord, Hos. 2.16. Thou shalt call me Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali: Thou shalt call me, that is, thou shalt worship me, Worship being often comprehended under Invocation. More confidence is to be exercised in a Husband or Father, than in a Lord or Master.

1. First, Faith must be acted in worship. A confidence in God. A natural worship cannot be performed without a natural confidence in the goodness of God. Whosoever comes to him, must regard him as a Rewarder and a faithful Creator.^* A Spiritual worship cannot be performed without an Evangelical confidence in him as a gracious Redeemer. To think him a Tyrant meditating revenge, damps the Soul; to regard him as a gracious King full of tender bowels, Spirits the affections to him. The mercy of God is the proper object of trust;