by Robert Barclay

“ Vigilant, Sober, of good Behaviour, 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; (for if a Man know not how to rule his own House, how shall he take Care of the Church of God?) ”

“ The Elders which are among you, I exhort, who am also an Elder, and a Witness of the Sufferings of Christ, and also a Partaker of the Glory that shall be revealed; Feed the Flock of God which is among you, taking the Oversight thereof, not by Constraint, but willingly ”

“ A. Perverse Disputings of Men of Corrupt Minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that Gain is Godliness; from such withdraw thy self; But Godliness with Contentment is great Gain; For we brought nothing into the World, and its certain we can carry nothing out ”

“ But there were False Prophets also among the People, even as there shall be False Teachers among you, who privily shall bring in Damnable Heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift Destruction: And many shall follow their Pernicious Wayes, by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be Evil spoken of. ”

“ If others be Partakers of this Power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this Power, but suffer all Things, lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ: Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy Things, live of the Things of the Temple ”

“ Or what else saith the Scripture of such?
A. Yea, they are greedy Dogs, which can never have enough; & they are Shepherds that cannot understand; they all look to their own Way, every one for his Gain from his Quarter [Isa. 56:11] .
Son of Man, Prophesie against the Shepherds of Israel, Prophesie, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the Shepherds, Wo to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves: Should not the Shepherds feed the Flock? Ye eat the Fat, and ye cloath you with the Wool, ye kill them that are fed, but ye feed not the Flock. ”

“ Doth not the same Apostle give Directions how Women that speak should behave themselves in the Church?
A. Every man Praying or Prophesying, having his Head covered, dishonoureth his Head: But every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her Head uncovered, disonoureth her Head ”