But without faith it is impossible to please
him
Or do things well pleasing in his sight; or any of the duties of
religion, in an acceptable way; as prayer, praise, attendance on
the word and ordinances, or any good works whatever; because such
are without Christ, and without his Spirit; and have neither
right principles, nor right ends: for this is not to be
understood of the persons of God's elect, as considered in
Christ; in whom they are well pleasing to him before faith; being
loved by him with an everlasting love; and chosen in Christ,
before the foundation of the world; (See Gill on Romans
8:8).
for he that cometh to God;
to the throne of, his grace, to pray unto him, to implore his
grace and mercy, help and assistance; to the house of God, to
worship, and serve him, and in order to enjoy his presence, and
have communion with him; which coming ought to be spiritual and
with the heart; and supposes spiritual life; and must be through
Christ, and by faith: wherefore such a comer to God,
must believe that he is;
or exists, as the Arabic version; and he must not barely believe
his existence, but that, as it is revealed in the word: he must
believe in the three Persons in the Godhead; that the first
Person is the Father of Christ; that the second Person is both
the Son of God, and Mediator; and that the third Person is the
Spirit of them both, and the applier of all grace; for God the
Father is to be approached unto, through Christ the Mediator, by
the guidance and assistance of the Spirit: and he must believe in
the perfections of God; that he is omniscient, and knows his
person and wants; is omnipotent, and can do for him, beyond his
thoughts and petitions; is all sufficient, and that his grace is
sufficient for him; that he is immutable, in his purposes and
covenant; that he is true and faithful to his promises; and is
the God of grace, love, and mercy: and he must believe in him,
not only as the God of nature and providence, but as his covenant
God and Father in Christ:
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
him;
who are such, as are first sought out by him; and who seek him in
Christ, where he is only to be found; and that with their whole
hearts, and above all things else: and, of such, God is a
rewarder, in a way of grace; with himself, who is their exceeding
great reward; and with his Son, and all things with him; with
more grace; and, at last, with eternal glory, the reward of the
inheritance.