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I also will make them contempmy covenant. tible and base before all the people, according as they have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

(k) If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, as the steward of God; vigilant, and of good behaviour, sober, just, holy, temperate; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not a brawler, but patient; not covetous, not greedy of filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (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 which are without, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil: And be must hold fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

(1) Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, whose mouths must be stopped; wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

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(m) These things command and teach. Let no man despise thee.

(z) Be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he which is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

(0) Ordain elders in every city.

And the

things that thou hast heard of the apostles of Christ, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. But lay hands suddenly on no man: neither be partaker of other mens sins. C

(p) Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three wit

nesses.

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(4) Charge some, that they teach no other doctrine; neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying, which is in faith. For some have turned aside unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, and understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

(r) A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admoniation, reject; knowing that he that is such, is subverted and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

(m) 1 Tim. 4. 11.

Titus 2. 7, 8.

Titus 2. 15.

(n) 2 Tim.

2. 24, 25.

(0) Titus 1. 15. 2 Tim. 2. 2. 1 Tim 5. (r) Titus

22. (p) 1 Tim. 5. 20, 19. (g) 1 Tim. 1. 2, 3, 6, 7.

3. 10, II.

Observe

(t) Observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality; according to your authority which the Lord hath given you for edification, and not for destruction.

(u) Set in order the things that are wanting in all churches.

(w) Likewise must the deacons be grave; not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, and ruling their children and their own houses well.

(x) 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 Christ Jesus.

(y) Even so must their wives be grave; not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

(*) The scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus, shall not be ashamed; and, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shail 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 shall they, hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?

7. 17.

(t) 1 Tim. 5. 21. 2 Cor. to. 8. (w) 1 Tim. 3. 8, 9, 12. (y) 1 Tim. 3. 11. (x) Rom. 10, 11, 9, 13, 14, 15. M

(u) Titus 1.5.
(x) 1 Tim. 3. 10, 13.

I Cor.

No

(a) No man taketh this honour of ministering 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 and Testament; and the apostles, and other ministers of the gospel, under the New.

(b) No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

(c) We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

The DUTY of CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS towards their MINISTERS.

(d) 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 work's sake.

(e) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

(f) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour; especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

(g) Receive them in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in' reputation.

(b) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your

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souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.

(i) Submit yourselves unto such as have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, and to every one that helpeth with them and laboureth.

(k) For thus spake our Savionr unto his disciples: Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me: He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth me; and he that despiseth me, despiseth, him that sent me. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God.

(7) The Lord will not regard them who havé not respected the persons of the priests, nor favoured the elders.

(m) Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Ask the priests concerning the law.

(2) 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.

(0) The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat; all therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works, if they say, and do not.

(p) The time will come when men 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

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