Q. Is that worshipping of God?—A. Yes; 'After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets,' &c. (Acts 24:14).
Q. Why should believing be counted a part of God's worship?—A.
Because without faith it is impossible to please him (Heb 11:6).
Q. Why not possible to please him without believing?—A. Because in all true worship, a man 'must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' Besides, he that worships God, must also of necessity believe his word, else he cannot worship with that reverence and fear that becomes him, but will do it in a superstitious profane manner: 'For whatsoever is not of faith is sin' (Rom 14:23).
Q. But do not all believe as you have said?—A. 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh: and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit' (John 3:6). And again 'the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed' (Rom 9:8).
Q. What do you mean by that?—A. Thou must be born twice before thou canst truly believe once (John 3:3,5).
Q. How do you prove that?—A. Because believing is a christian act, and none are true Christians but those that are born again. But I mean by believing, believing unto salvation.
Q. Can you prove this?—A. Yes. They that believe in the name of Christ are such which are born 'not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God' (John 1:13).
Q. What is believing?—A. It is such an act of a gracious soul, as layeth hold on God's mercy through Christ (Acts 15:11).
Q. Why do you call it an act of a gracious soul?—A. Because their minds are disposed that way, by 'the power of the Holy Ghost' (Rom 15:13).
Q. If such a poor sinner as I am would be saved from the wrath to come, how must I believe?—A. Thy first question should be on whom must I believe? (John 9:35,36).