John 4:23–24

Christ returneth to enlarge and explain his first assertion, and sheweth what is to come in place of the Jewish worship to be abolished; to wit, that the time was even at hand, wherein not onely there should be no distinction of place or Nations, in the matter of worship, but in place of carnal and typical worship, performed by the Jewes in one place, all true worshippers in every place, should worship in spirit, and truth; For which he giveth two reasons, first, that God requireth such worship; secondly, that this is most agreeable and pleasing to his spiritual nature. As for these two properties of worship, in spirit and truth, they must be taken in opposition to the properties of the former worship, and so they come to one in substance, that in stead of external ceremonies, which are called carnal, Heb. 7.16. and 9.10. and shadowes, Heb. 10.1. the Lord would have a spiritual worship, and the truth of what was represented by these shadowes, as Rom. 12.1. Heb. 13.15, 16. And this agreeth well with the reasons subjoyned; for, however the Lord did require, and was pleased with these external formes, in the infancie of the Church; yet he never did accept of them, save in so farre as they led to this, which is so agreeable to his nature, and were not rested on by the worshipper, But we may further extend these properties, not onely to the matter of worship, but to the manner of it also, that the Lord, who is a Spirit, doth require that lawful worship should be performed in spirit, as opposite to a formal way of worship, and in truth, as opposite to hypocrisie; Not that God did approve of the want of these before, but that by the removal of these external rites, wherewith worshippers were much taken up, and which the best saw not clearly enough through, he was to discover this way more fully, and make them more free to attend it; and by pouring out of his spirit, he was to work it more generally. Doctr. 1. The correction and reformation of the worship of God was reserved for the dayes of the Gospel; and to be brought about by Christ; Therefore, saith he, the hour cometh, and now is, when this change shall be; He saith, Now is, either because it was instantly approaching at his death, or because he was even now beginning this reformation by his Ministry. 2. They who professe themselves worshippers of the true God, ought to performe it with humble and affectionate reverence, and with subjection and submission to him, considering his majesty and their owne vilenesse; for, so much doth the word rendered worshippers import, being a similitude taken from dogs fawning and casting themselves down at their Masters feet. 3. Albeit all who professe the true God, and are not avowed Atheists, will have some sort of worship; yet all of them will not be found true and approven worshippers, either for matter, or manner; Therefore, are some called, true worshippers, by way of distinction from others. 4. The true worship of God under the Gospel doth not consist in the external pomp of ceremonies and observations, but is spiritual, simple and substantial; for, they shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, not in carnal shadowes; which if being Gods own Ordinance, yet did take up worshippers so, (through their own weaknesse,) as oft-times to keep them from minding this spiritual worship: how much more may it be expected, that the more external pomp there be of mens devising, there will be the lesse spiritual truth? 5. It is not sufficient to make an approven worshipper, that they do not multiply rites and ceremonies, but their worship must be chiefly inward, flowing from grace engaging the heart in Gods service, and from the breathing and influence of the spirit; not resting on an external forme of lawful worship, or any bodily exercise about it; So much also are we taught from this, that worship must be spirit, or spiritual for the manner of performance, as well as for its nature in it self. 6. God requires also in a worshipper, that, with avoiding of formality, which is but a deceitful hypocritical shew of worship, he studies sincerity and streightnesse of heart, not dealing negligently, or for by-ends in Gods service; for, worship must be in truth. 7 It is the Lords will and appointment alone that can give a being to true worship, and to this must all our reasonings about this matter be subject; And therefore his enjoyning of spiritual, substantial and sincere worship should commend it to his people; So much doth the subjoyning of this reason, for the Father seeketh such to worship him, teach. 8. All the true worship that God gets, is of his own seeking and procuring, and having wrought it, he takes pleasure in it: So much also may his seeking such import, that he sent Christ to make a conquest of spiritual worshippers, and seeketh such, as being these he delighteth in. 9. God in his nature is a most pure and simple substance, free of all mixture and composition, and infinite in perfections; and he is to be conceived of spiritually, avoiding all carnal and grosse conceptions; for, so much are we taught, God is a Spirit, infinitely above Angels or spirits of men, who yer are the most simple, pure, and perfect of creatures. 10. The right way of worshipping of God is, when men study to do that which is most agreeable to his nature, which is most pleasing unto him; And men who know him, cannot but see that it is not carnal and outward performances that please him, but that which is performed in inward sincerity and real substance; for, so much doth this second reason, confirming the former, teach, God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth.