Man therefore, had he continued in a state of innocence, and without revelation, might have lived in an awful fear, and pious regard of God, and observed every duty both of moral and civil life, as an act of obedience to him. But he could have no foundation either to invent any particular _manner_ of divine worship himself, or to reject any that was appointed by God, as _unnecessary_. It would have been ridiculous to have pleaded his innocence, as having no need of a divine worship. For who can have greater reason, or be fitter to worship God, than innocent beings? It would have been more absurd, to have objected the sufficiency of their reason; for why should men reject a _revealed manner_ of divine worship, because God had given them reason of their own, sufficient for the duties of social and civil life? And as reason in a state of innocence and perfection, could not have any pretence to appoint the manner of divine worship, so when the state of innocence was changed for that of sin, it became more difficult for bare reason to know what kind of worship could be acceptable to God from sinners. For what the _relation_ betwixt God and sinners makes it fit for God to require or accept of them, cannot be determined by human reason. This is a _new state_, and the foundation of a _new relation_, and nothing can be fit for God to do in it, but what has its _fitness resulting_ from it. We have nothing to help our conceptions of the fore-mentioned _relative characters_ of God, as our _Governor_ and _Preserver_, but what we derive from our idea of human _fathers_ and _governors_: which idea only helps us to comprehend these _relations_, just as our idea of human power helps us to comprehend the _omnipotence_ of God. For a father or governor, no more represents the _state_ of God as our _Governor_ and _Preserver_, than our living in our father’s _family_, represents the _manner_ of our living in God. These relations are both very plain, and very mysterious; they are very plain, as to the _reality_ of their existence; and highly mysterious and inconceivable, as to the _manner_ of their existence. That which is _plain_, in these relative characters of God, plainly shews our obligations to every instance of _duty_, _homage_, _love_, and _gratitude_. And that which is _inconceivable_ in them, is a solid foundation of that _profound humility_, _awful reverence_, _internal piety_ and _tremendous sense_ of the divine Majesty, with which devout persons think of God, and assist at the _offices_ of religion. Which excites in them a higher zeal for doctrines and institutions of divine revelation, than for all things human; that fills them with reverence for all _things_, places, and offices, that are either by divine or human authority, appointed to assist their desired intercourse with God.