V. Finally, and primarily, by divine precepts, whatsoever in matters of religion is commanded or forbidden by God in his word, that is accordingly a duty or sin, by divine right:  as, the duties of the whole moral law, the ten words, commanded of God, Exod. xx.; Deut. v.  Believing in Christ, commanded of God, 1 John iii. 23.  The plentiful and honorable maintenance of ministers, commanded of God, 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; 1 Cor. ix. 9-11, 13, 14; Gal. vi. 6.  The people’s esteeming, loving, and obeying their pastors and teachers, commanded of God, 1 Thess. v. 12; Heb. xiii. 7, 17.  Ministers’ diligence and faithfulness, in feeding and watching over their flocks, commanded of God, Acts xx. 28; 2 Tim. iv. 1-3; 1 Pet. iv. 1-3; with innumerable commands and precepts of all sorts:  now all things so commanded are evidently of divine right, and without gainsaying, granted on all hands, even by Erastians themselves.  But the question will be, how far we shall extend this head of divine commands.  For clearness’ sake, thus distinguish, thus resolve: 

God’s commands are either immediate or mediate.

1.  Immediate divine commands:  as those which God propounds and urges; as the ten commandments, Exod. xx., Deut. v., and all other injunctions of his in his word positively laid down.  Of such commands, the apostle saith, “I command, yet not I, but the Lord,” 1 Cor. vii. 10.

Now these immediate commands of God, in regard of their manner of publishing and propounding, are either explicit or implicit.

1.  Explicit:  which are expressly and in plain terms laid down, as the letter of the commandments of the decalogue, Exod. xx.  The commands of Christ, “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep,” John xxi.; “Go, disciple ye all nations,” &c., Matt, xxviii. 19; “Do this in remembrance of me,” Matt, xxvi; 1 Cor. xi. 23, 24, &c.  Now whatsoever is expressly commanded of God in plain, evident terms, that is of divine right, without all color of controversy.  Only take this caution, the divine right of things enjoined by God’s express command, is to be interpreted according to the nature of the thing commanded, and the end or scope of the Lord in commanding:  e.g. 1.  Some things God commands morally, to be of perpetual use; as to honor father and mother, &c.; these are of divine right forever. 2.  Some things he commands but positively, to be of use for a certain season; as the ceremonial administrations till Christ should come, for the Jewish church, and the judicial observances for their Jewish polity; and all these positive laws were of divine right till Christ abrogated them. 3.  Some things he commands only by way of trial, not with intention that the things commanded should be done, but that his people’s fear, love, and obedience may be proved, tried, &c.  Thus God commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac for a burnt-offering, Gen. xxii.:  such things are of divine right only in such cases of special infallible command. 4.  Some things he commands