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Provision for.

Dt. 12. 19. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.

Mal. 3. 9. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Mat. 10. 9. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: (for the workman is worthy of his meat) 41. 42.

1 Cor. 9. 11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the tempie, and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Gal. 6. 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Ep 6. 18. Praying always-And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

1 Th. 5. 12. We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you; and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake. 25. Brethren, Pray for us.

2 Th. 3. 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you; And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.

1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth cut the And, the laborer is worthy of his reward.

corn.

Female teachers-Efforts to corrupt it.

451. Have women a right to act as public teachers in promiscuous assemblies ?

1 Cor. 14. 34. Let your women keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Tim. 2. 11. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

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1 Cor. 11. 4. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 13. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her.

452. Are mankind disposed to corrupt or silence their religious teachers?

Ex. 32. 21. And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said- -thou knowest the people that they are set on mischief. For they said unto me, Make us gods which shall go before us.

Is. 30. 9. This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

Corruption to be resisted-Their popularity.

Am. 2. 11. I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites-But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not.

Am. 7. 12. Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou Seer, go flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread and prophesy there: But prophesy not again any more at Beth-el: for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court.

Ac. 4. 18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus.

453 Are ministers required to guard against corruption?

Ez. 2. 8. But thou, Son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house.

Mat. 10. 16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men.

1 Tim. 4. 16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Tim. 4. 5. Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

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.

454. Have mankind been disposed to hear and encourage false and unfaithful religious teachers, and not the true and faithful?

Jer. 5. 30. A wonderful and horrible thing is com

Numerous.

mitted in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so.

Zec. 7. 11. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his Spirit by the former prophets.

Jn. 5. 43. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

2 Tim. 1. 15. This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

2 Tim. 4. 3. 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.

455. Have false teachers been numerous?

1 K. 18. 22. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

Jer. 10. 21. The pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

Mat. 7. 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you.

Mat. 24. 5. Many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 11. And many

false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. Ac. 20. 29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not spar

ing the flock. arise, speaking after them.

Plausibilty of.

Also of your own selves shall men perverse things, to draw away disciples

1 Jn. 4. 1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Jn. 7. Many deceivers are entered into the world.

456. Are false teachers usually plausible?

Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Rom. 16. 18. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

2 Cor. 11. 13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Ep. 4. 14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

2 Tim. 3. 13. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

Tit. 1. 10. There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

2 Pet. 2. 3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you. [See 162]

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