3. In order that _we_ may not incur the wrath of the divine majesty, let us consider wherein the true worship of God consists; for the punishment of temporal fire, inflicted on false worship under the _Old_ Testament, is to us a proof, that the Lord will also, under the _New_ dispensation, take the severest vengeance on all strange worship, not only with everlasting, but also with temporal fire, wars, desolations, and effusion of blood. 4. Now, we can learn wherein the true worship of God consists, when we compare the Old Testament with the New. The ceremonies which the former prescribed, referred typically to the Messiah. Devout Jews saw, as it were, the Messiah from afar, believed on him, and, according to the promise, obtained deliverance from sin and death through him. But our worship, according to the _New_ Testament, does not consist in external ceremonies; we are taught to worship God in spirit and in truth, that is, to believe in Christ, who fulfilled the Law. Thus he redeemed us from the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13), and made us free from all Jewish ceremonies (Gal. 5:1); so that now, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we serve God with a willing heart and mind (Jerem. 31:33; Rom. 8:14), and our conscience and faith are not bound by human ordinances. 5. To true, spiritual, internal Christian worship, three things belong. 1. The _true knowledge of God_. 2. The _knowledge of sin_, accompanied with unfeigned repentance. And 3. The _knowledge of grace_, attended with remission of sin. 6. The _knowledge of God_ consists in faith, which apprehends Christ, and in him, and through him, knows God, his omnipotence, love, mercy, righteousness, truth, wisdom; all which are God himself. For what is God? Surely no other than pure omnipotence, pure love and mercy, pure justice, truth, and wisdom. And the same is to be said of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. 7. But whatever God is, he is not to himself only, but also to _me_, by his gracious will, made manifest in Christ Jesus. Thus _to me_ is God omnipotent; _to me_ he is merciful; _to me_ eternal righteousness, through faith and remission of sins. _To me_, also, he is everlasting truth and wisdom. Thus it is, also, with Christ. He is made _to me_ eternal omnipotence, the almighty Head, and Prince of my life, my most merciful Saviour, everlasting love, unchangeable righteousness, truth, and wisdom; according to the words of the apostle: “Christ is of God made unto us, wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Cor. 1:30. All of which is also true of the Holy Spirit, who is _my_ eternal love, righteousness, truth, and wisdom.