were his ultimate end of the goodness of the moral part of the
saints." Ver. 11–12, "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of his calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of God and our Lord Jesus Christ."
3. The Scripture speaks from time to time of God's glory, as though it were his ultimate end of the goodness of the moral part of the creation; and that end, in a respect and relation to which chiefly it is, that the value or worth of their virtue consists. As in Phil. 1:10–11, "That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere, and without offense till the day of Christ: being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Here the Apostle shows how the fruits of righteousness in them are valuable and how they answer their end, viz. in being "by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God." John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." Signifying that by this means it is that the great end of religion is to be answered. And in 1 Pet. 4:11 the Apostle directs the Christians to regulate all their religious performances with reference to that one end. "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified [through Jesus Christ]; to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever, Amen." And, from time to time, embracing and practicing true religion, and repenting of sin, and turning to holiness, is expressed by glorifying God, as though that were the sum and end of the whole matter. Rev. 11:13, "And in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand; and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." So, Rev. 14:6– 7, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth … saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him." As though this
were the sum and end of that virtue and religion, which was the grand design of preaching the gospel everywhere through the world. Rev. 16:9, "And repented not, to give him glory." Which is as much as to say, they did not forsake their sins and turn to true religion, that God might receive that which is the great end he seeks, in the religion he requires of men. See to the same purpose, Ps. 22:21–23; Is. 66:19, 24:15, 25:3; Jer. 13:15–16; Dan. 5:23; Rom. 15:5–6.
And as the exercise of true religion and virtue in Christians is summarily expressed by their glorifying God; so when the good influence of this on others, as bringing them by the example to turn to the ways and practice of true goodness, is spoken of, it is expressed in the same manner. Matt. 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men, that others seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven." 1 Pet. 2:12, "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak evil against you as evil-doers they may by your good works which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."
That the ultimate end of moral goodness or righteousness is answered in God's glory being attained, is supposed in the objection which the Apostle makes or supposes some will make, in Rom. 3:7, "For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory, why am I judged as a sinner?" I.e., seeing the great end of righteousness is answered by my sin, in God's being glorified, why is my sin condemned and punished: and why is not my vice equivalent to virtue?
And the glory of God is spoken of as that wherein consists the value and end of particular graces. As of faith, Rom 4:20, "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." Phil. 2:11, "That every tongue should confess
that Jesus is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Of repentance, Josh. 7:19, "Give I pray thee glory, to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him." Of charity, 2 Cor. 8:19, "With this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind." Thanksgiving and praise, Luke 17:18, "There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger." Ps. 50:23, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me, and to him that ordereth his conversation aright, will I show the salvation of God." Concerning which last place may be observed, God here seems to say this to such as abounded in their sacrifices and outward ceremonies of religion, as taking it for granted, and as what they knew already, and supposed in their religious performances, that the end of all religion was to glorify God. They supposed they did this in the best manner, in offering a multitude of sacrifices (see the preceding part of the Psalm). But here God corrects this mistake, and informs that this grand end of religion is not attained this way, but in offering the more spiritual sacrifices of praise and a holy conversation.
In fine, the words of the Apostle in 1 Cor. 6:19–20 are worthy of particular notice. "Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are his." Here not only is glorifying God spoken of, as what summarily comprehends the end of that religion and service of God, which is the end of Christ's redeeming us: but here I would further remark this. That the Apostle in this place urges that inasmuch as we are not our own, but bought for God, that we might be his; therefore we ought not to act as if we were our own, but as God's; and should not use the members of our bodies, or faculties of our souls for ourselves, as making ourselves our end, but for God, as making him our end. And he expresses the way in which we are to make God our end, viz. in making his glory our end. "Therefore glorify God in your body and in