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I. And that which first entitles the governors of the Church to a superiority over their subjects is that special ORDINATION AND COMMISSION which they have received from Christ to instruct the world in all necessary truths, and that charge which He hath laid upon others to obey them.

II. The reasonableness of this submission will appear from those PROMISES OF ASSISTANCE which Christ hath made to them. And those are illumination, direction, and power. Illumination in things obscure; direction in things difficult; power to encounter and overcome all opposition.

III. The reasonableness of this submission will appear from their STUDY AND LEARNING in Divine matters, and from the far less knowledge and ordinary capacity in others.

IV. The necessity of this submission appears as it is THE ONLY MEANS TO RESTORE PEACE AND UNITY TO THE CHURCH; HAPPINESS AND TRANQUILLITY TO THE STATE.

(Miles Barne, D. D.)

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KJV: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

WEB: Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you;