Antiquity of.

Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

Jn. 7. 14. Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

Ac. 5. 42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Ac. 17. 2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath-days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.

2 Cor. 1. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy.

2 Cor. 5. 20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Col. 1. 28. Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

1 Th. 2. 11. We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Heb. 13. 17. They watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.

1 Pet. 5. 2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

434. Did the ancient nations sustain religious teachers?

Gen. 47. 22. The land of the priests bought he not; for the priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh, and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them; wherefore they sold not their lands.

Requires undivided attention-Qualifications for.

Ex. 3. 1. Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian.

435. Ought ministers to give themselves wholly to their proper work?

Mat. 8. 21. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

1 Cor. 2. 2. I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

1 Tim. 4. 15. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to

all.

436. What are the scriptural qualifications for the christian ministry?

Mat. 13. 52. Every scribe which is instructed into the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Ac. 4. 29. Grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.

Rom. 2. 21. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest, a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest, a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law, dishonorest thou God?

1 Cor. 4. 2. It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.

1 Tim. 3. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

Authority to reprove.

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must have a good report of them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

2 Tim. 2. 2. The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 24. The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.

Tit. 1. 6. If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God: not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may he able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Tit. 2. 7. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Is. 52. 11.

437. Have pastors and religious teachers any special authority to reprove, rebuke, and exhort, by virtue of their office?

2 Cor. 10. 8. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.

2 Cor. 13. 10. I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification.

Tit. 2. 15. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Ministerial equality and rank-Faithfulness enjoined. Heb. 13. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.

438. Did Christ or his apostles ordain different orders in the christian ministry, or confer any special civil or ecclesiastical authority upon religious teachers?

Mat. 20. 25. Jesus called them [his disciples] unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosover will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mk. 10. 42.

Mat. 23. 8. Be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters.

439. Are ministers bound to declare all the counsel of God?

Jer. 1. 17. Speak unto them all that I command thee.

Jer. 23. 28. He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.

Jer. 26. 2. Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; dimin ish not a word

Boldness and moral heroism required.

Ezk. 2. 7. And thou shalt speak my words unto them; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

Ezk. 3. 10. Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thy heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people; and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

2 Tim. 2. 15. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim. 4. 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

440. Are christian boldness and moral heroism required, and the fear of man forbidden?

Dt. 1. 17. Ye shall not be afraid of the face of man. Pr. 29. 25. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Is. 41. 14. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Jer. 1. 7. The Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be