sorts of binding examples are propounded unto us in Scripture,
and which are those examples? Ans. There are principally three sorts,
viz: Examples of God, of Christ, of Christians.

I. Of God. The example of God is propounded in Scripture as obligatory
on us in all moral excellencies and actions: e.g. Matt. v. 44, 45, 48;
Eph. v. 1; 1 Pet. i. 14-16; 1 John iv. 10, 11.

II. Of Christ. That the example of Christ is obligatory, and a binding
rule to us for imitation, is evident by these and like testimonies of
Scripture, Matt. xi. 29; 1 Cor. xi. 11; Eph. v. 2, 3, 25, &c.; 1 John
ii. 6; 1 Pet. ii. 21-23. "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed
your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's feet. For I have given
you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you," John xiii. 14,
15. In this place we must follow the reason of the example, rather than
the individual act, viz: after Christ's example, we must be ready to
perform the lowest and meanest offices of love and service to one
another.

But which of Christ's examples are obligatory on Christians, will better
appear, by distinguishing the several sorts of Christ's actions.
Christ's actions were of several kinds; and to imitate them all is
neither needful, nor possible, nor warrantable. Orthodox writers thus
rank Christ's actions:

1. Some of Christ's actions were of divine power and virtue; as his
miracles, turning water into wine, John ii. 7, &c.; walking on the sea,
Mark vi. 48, 49; dispossessing of devils by his word, Mark i. 27; Luke
iv. 36; curing one born blind with clay and spittle, John ix.; healing
the sick by his word or touch, John iv. 50; Mark vi. 56; raising the
dead to life again, as John xii. 1; Matt. xi. 5; Luke vii. 22.

2. Some were acts of divine prerogative, as sending for the ass and
colt, without first asking the owner's leave, Matt. xxi. 2, &c.

3. Some mediatory, done by him as Mediator, Prophet, Priest, and King of
his Church: e.g. inditing the Scripture, called therefore the word of
Christ, Col. iii. 16; laying down his life _for the sheep_, John x. 15,
&c.; giving of the Spirit, John xx. 22; Acts ii.; appointing of his own
officers, and giving them commissions, Eph. iv. 7, 10, 11; Matt. x. and
xxviii. 18-20; instituting of new, and thereby abrogating of old
ordinances, Matt. xxviii. 18, 19; 1 Cor. xi. 23, &c.

4. Some accidental, occasional, incidental, or circumstantial, as in
the case of his celebrating his supper, that it