A Body of Practical Divinity

1. It must be done by a right Rule: Obedience must have the Word for its Rule; Lydius Lapis: Isa. 8.20. To the law, to the testimony. If our Obedience be not according to the Word, it is offering up strange Fire; it is [Greek or Hebrew], Will-worship; and God will say, Who hath required this at your hand? The Apostle condemns worshipping of Angels, which had a show of Humility, Col. 2.18. The Jews might say, they were loath to be so bold as to go to God in their own Persons, they would be more humble, and prostrate themselves before the Angels, desiring them to be their Mediators to God. Here was a show of Humility in their Angel-worship, but it was abominable, because they had no Word of God to warrant it: It was not Obedience but Idolatry. Child-like Obedience is that which is consonant to our Father's revealed Will.

1. It must be done by a right Rule: Obedience must have the Word for its Rule; Lydius Lapis: Isa. 8.20. To the law, to the testimony. If our Obedience be not according to the Word, it is offering up strange Fire; it is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Will-worship; and God will say, Who hath required this at your hand? The Apostle condemns worshipping of Angels, which had a show of Humility, Col. 2.18. The Iews might say, they were loath to be so bold as to go to God in their own Persons, they would be more humble, and prostrate themselves before the Angels, desiring them to be their Mediators to God. Here was a show of Humility in their Angel-worship, but it was abominable, because they had no Word of God to warrant it: It was not Obedience but Idolatry. Child-like Obedience is that which is consonant to our Father's revealed Will.