The real Christian, or, A treatise of effectual calling wherein the work of God…

Fifthly and lastly, I answer, It is very true, the holy Scriptures do clearly manifest, that Divine worship is due unto Christ, and it must be given to him; both natural and instituted worship, we shall find given to him.

But first, That this depends upon the mere pleasure of God I deny; as if God might have otherwayes disposed it, that no religious worship should be due to him, unless that Thesis I mentioned before be true, That the good pleasure of God is the first Rule of all Righteousness, which some do maintain, and from hence argue, that if the Lord had so pleased, there should have been no worship due to himself from his Creature; the Creature should not have needed to love God above all, to fear him, ⟨image 16⟩trust in him, or serve him any way; pray unto him, &c. only it was his good pleasure to have it so; but this makes all the worship due to the Father depend upon his mere pleasure, and doth not hurt our Cause at all: whether that Thesis be true or no, doth not now concern me.

But first, That this depends upon the meer pleasure of God I deny; as if God might have otherwayes disposed it, that no religious worship should be due to him, unless that Thesis I mentioned before be true, That the good pleasure of God is the first Rule of all Righteousness, which some do maintain, and from hence argue, that if the Lord had so pleased, there should have been no worship due to himself from his Creature; the Creature should not have needed to love God above all, to fear him, ⟨image 16⟩trust in him, or serve him any way; pray unto him, &c. only it was his good pleasure to have it so; but this makes all the worship due to the Father depend upon his meer pleasure, and doth not hurt our Canse at all: whether that Thesis be true or no, doth not now concern me.