the devil and the world, he
always lifts them up again and gives them prophets and godly teachers
to restore his sinking church, and to break for a while the fury of
Satan.

306. Furthermore, it is the intention to lay down a logical definition
when it is claimed that the worship of God does not consist in
ceremonies devised and transmitted by men, in the erection of statues,
or the performance of other sport suggested by reason, but in calling
upon the name of Jehovah. Worship in its truest meaning, well-pleasing
to God, and subsequently made mandatory in the first commandment,
embraces the fear of God, trust in God, confession, prayer and
preaching.

307. The first commandment of the Law demands faith, that we believe
God is the only helper in time of need, Ps 9, 9. The second
commandment demands confession and prayer, that we call upon the name
of Jehovah in times of peril and give thanks unto God. The third
commandment requires that we teach the truth, and that we guard and
defend sound doctrine.

These are the true and appropriate acts of the worship of God, and
they are those which God requires. He requires not sacrifices nor
money nor anything of the kind. As regards the first table, he
requires that we hear, consider and teach the Word; that we pray to
God and fear him.

308. Where these things exist, the observances and works required by
the second table follow, as it were, of their own accord. It is
impossible that he who does the works and performs the worship of the
first table should not do and perform those of the second table also.
David saith: "His delight is in the law of Jehovah; and on his law
doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by
the stream of water; that bringeth forth its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also doth not wither." Ps 1, 2-3. These things are evident
consequences of the right worship of God, according to the
commandments of the first table. He who believes God, who fears God,
who calls upon God in tribulation, who praises God and gives thanks
unto him for his mercies, who gladly hears the Word of God, who
continually contemplates the works of God, and who teaches others to
do the same things--do you think that such a one will harm his
neighbor, or disobey his parents, or kill, or commit adultery?

309. The first table, therefore, is to be set forth first of all, and
instruction as regards the true worship is to receive precedence to
all else. Thi