a. And, let these also first be proved; then, let them use the Office of a Deacon, being found blameless: For, they that have used the Office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good Degree, and great Boldness in the Faith. which is in Chrift Jefus. b. Even fo must their Wives be grave; not Slanderers, Sober, Faithful in all Things. c. The Scripture faith, Whofoever believeth on the Lord Jefus, fhall not be ashamed; and, whofoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved. How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard? And how fhall they hear without a Preacher? And, how shall they preach, except they be fent? d. No Man taketh this Honour of Ministring for Men, in things pertaining to God, unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, and the Priests, and Levites, under the Old Teftament; and the Apostles, and other Minifters of the Gospel, under the New. e. No Man having put his Hand to thePlough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God. f. We have this Treasure in Earthen Veffels, that the Excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us. (b) 1 Tim. 3. 11. (a) 1 Tim. 3. 10. 13. (f) 2 Cor. 4.7. The The DUTY of CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS towards their MINISTERS. a. We beseech you, Brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them, very highly, in love, for their Works fake. b. Remember them which have the Rule over you; who have spoken unto you the Word of God; whofe Faith follow, confidering the end of their Conversation. 4 c. Let the Elders, that rule well, be counted worthy of double Honour; especially, they who labour in the Word, and Doctrine. d. Receive them, in the Lord, with all gladness; and, hold fuch in Reputation. e. Obey them that have the Rule over you, and fubmit your felves; for, they watch for your Souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with Joy, and not with Grief. f. Submit your felves unto fuch as have addicted themselves to the Ministry of the Saints, and to every one that helpeth with them, and laboureth. こ (a) 1 Theff. 5. 12, 13. (c) 1 Tim. 5. 17. (e) Heb. 13. 17. (b) Heb. 13.7. (d) Phil. 2. 29. (f) 1 Cor. 16. 16, 15, 16. U 4 a. For a. For, thus fpake our Saviour unto his Difciples; Verily, verily, I fay unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I fend, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that fent me: He that heareth you, heareth me: And he that defpifeth you, despiseth me: And he that despiseth me, despiseth him that fent me. He therefore that defpifeth, defpi feth not Man, but God. b. The Lord will not regard them, who have not respected the Perfons of the Priests, nor favoured the Elders. c. Thus faith the Lord of Hofts, Ask the Priests concerning the Law. d. Hearken unto the Priest, that standeth to minister before the Lord, thy God; and to the Levites, that teach the good Knowledge of the Lord. e. The Scribes and Pharifees fit in Mofes Seat; all, therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that obferve, and do; but, do not ye after after their Works, if they say, and do not. f. The time will come, when Men will not endure found Doctrine; but, after their own Lufts, shall they heap to themselves Teachers, having itching Ears; and they shall turn away (a) Joh. 13. 20. Luk. 10. 16. 1 Theff. 4.8, 2 Chron. 30. 22. (ƒ) 2 Tim. 4. 3,4. their Ears from the Truth, and shall be turned unto Fables. a. But, wo to the Rebellious Children, faith the Lord, that will not hear the Law of the Lord: which say to the Seers, fee not; and to the Prophets, prophely not unto us right things, fpeak unto us smooth things, prophefy Deceits: Get you out of the Way, turn afide out of the Path, cause the Holy One of Ifrael to ceafe from before us, b. Is any fick among you? Let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him; and, the Prayer of Faith fhall fave the Sick; and, if he have committed Sins, they shall be forgiven him. c. Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things. d. Do ye not know, that, among the Jews, they which miniftred about holy things, lived of the things of the Temple? and, they which waited at the Altar, were partakers with the Altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, fhould live of the Gospel. e. Who goeth a Warfare, at any time, at his own charge? Who planteth a Vineyard, and eateth not of the Fruit thereof? or, who (a) If. 30. 1, 9, 10, 11. 2 Tim. 4. 4. (e) 1 Cor. 9.7. feedeth feedeth a Flock, and eateth not of the Milk of the Flock? a. The Scripture faith, Thou shalt not muzzle the Ox that treadeth out the Corn ; and, the Labourer is worthy of his Reward. for our fakes, no doubt, this is written ; that he that ploweth, should plow in Hope; and that he that threfheth in Hope, fhould be partaker of his Hope. b. If, therefore, the Minifters of Chrift have fown unto us fpiritual Things, is it a great thing, if they fhall reap our carnal Things? c. Take heed to thy felf, that thou forfake not the Levite, as long as thou livest upon the Earth: But, remember to give the Portion of the Priests, and the Levites, that they may be encouraged in the Law of the Lord. I Cor. 9.7. I (a) 1 Tim. 5. 18. 1 Cor. 9. 10. (c) Deut. 12. 19. 2 Chr. 31. 4. CHAP. |