First, then it is an argument of the strength, and healthful temper of the inner man, when our apprehensions of God are always such, as bring us to holy wonderment and amazement, at the nature of incomprehensible God, at his properties, and works, from the Sun in the Firmament, to the poorest Worme, at his wonderfull dispensing of his justice, and mercy, and disposing, and ruling all things in Heaven, Earth, and Seas, from the highest Angels in heaven, to the lowest Devils in Hell.
Gods children ought to walk in constant amazedness of spirit as to God his nature, works, &c.
This was Davids temper when he cried out, (Psal: 104.) Oh Lord how wonderfull are thy works, in wisedome hast thou made them all! Also (Psal. 8.) O Jehovah our Lord, how wonderfull is thy Name in all the earth! And Psal: 139. he brings this wonder nearer to himself, saying, I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. As if he would say, fearfully and wonderfully bred in the womb, fearfully and wonderfully brought forth; and we may further say, ever since we came thus fearfully and wonderfully into the world, fearfully and wonderfully brought up, fearfully and wonderfully preserved, delivered, &c.
Obj. But may not naturall men, and Hypocrites admire the Nature, and works of God.
I answer, yes, but the wonder which doth possesse a child of God, causeth him to cry out with David, Psal. 119. Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me, give me understanding that I may learn thy statutes. Tis such a wonder as draweth up the heart unto God, with longings to be united unto him, to fear his Name, to partake of his divine Nature, and to be like unto Him in holines, and true Righteousnes.
Obj. The Devills believe, and tremble at God.
I answer, to tremble at the word of God, is alone the property of Gods Servants, Isa. 66 The Devills may wonder and tremble at the just sentence, and threatening part of Gods word: But Gods children tremble at the commanding part, yea at the comforting and promising part of it also, least they should depart or fall off from it, or loose, though but for a time as David, the joy and sweetnes of it.
The glorifying of God the great work of Gods children
Secondly, it is an Argument of health and spirituall strength, when the hallowing, the magnifying, and glorifying of the name of God is our great work and business in this world, unto which all the businesses and works we have in hand in the world beside give way, &c.
Thus Christ Jesus teacheth all his to make it their first request to God, that they may hallow, or glorifie his name: Thus he professeth (as it were upon his death bed) John 17. that he had done his work, that he had glorified his Father upon the earth: Hence he professeth at his most solemn Arraignment, Job 18. for this end was I born, and for this end came I into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth; that is, to give his Father the glory of his truth, and to destroy the lyes of the devill the father of them, who belyeth God in all his holy attributes, and works, and servants, and ordinances, and profaneth and dishonoreth his holy name in them all.