5-27; so he proves that in like case of
necessity it was lawful for his disciples on the sabbath-day to rub ears
of corn and eat them, &c., from David's example of eating show-bread when
he had need, Matt. xii. 1-5.

7. Those acts that were done from extraordinary calling and gifts, are
to be imitated (in regard of their special way of acting) only by those
that have such extraordinary calling and gifts. Christ therefore blames
his apostles for desiring to imitate Elijah's extraordinary act in
calling for fire from heaven, &c., when they had not his spirit, Luke ix.
54, 55. Papists are blameworthy for imitating the extraordinary forty
days' and nights' fast of Moses, Elijah, and Christ, in their Lent fast.
Prelates argue corruptly for bishops' prelacy over their brethren the
ministers, from the superiority of the apostles over presbyters.

CHAPTER V.

_Of a Divine Right by Divine Approbation._

III. By divine approbation of the Spirit of Jesus Christ in his word.
Whatsoever in matters of religion hath the divine approbation of the
Spirit of Christ in the Scriptures, that is of divine right, and by the
will and appointment of Jesus Christ. God's approving or allowing of any
thing, plainly implies that it is according to his will and pleasure,
and so is equivalent to a divine institution or appointment; for what is
a divine institution or law but the publishing of the divine will of the
legislator, touching things to be acted or omitted? and God cannot
approve any thing that is against his will. Contrariwise, God's
disallowing of any thing, plainly implies that it is against his will,
and so of divine right prohibited, and unlawful. God allows or disallows
things not because they are good or evil; but things are, therefore,
good or evil, because he approves or disallows them.

Now God approves or disallows things divers ways:

1. By commending or discommending. God commended king Josiah for his
zeal and impartiality in completing of the reformation of religion, 1
Kings xiii. 25. This is a rule for all princes and magistrates how they
should reform. The angel of the church of Ephesus is commended, for not
bearing of those that were evil, for trying and detecting the false
apostles, and for hating the works of the Nicolaitans, Rev. ii. 2, 3, 6.
The angel of the church of Pergamus is praised, for holding fast
Christ's name, and not denying his faith in places of danger, and days
of deepest persecution, Rev. ii.