The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

¹First, The Names that Christians have had in the New Testament, and afterwards in the Church. For by wise Names, we come to know the nature of things. And

1. 1The Names that Christians have been called by.

First, Christ did often call those that followed him, his Disciples. Thus, He that would be his Disciple, must hate Father and Mother for his sake. And when the Apostles are sent out, their Instruction is, [Greek or Hebrew], make Disciples. Indeed, there are the seventy Disciples, who were in a Church-Office next the Apostles: but every follower of Christ, his Doctrine and way, was called a Disciple; but it is Christs Disciples.¹ They were never called the Apostles Disciples, or any mans Disciples. And certainly, this doth excellently denote what Christians should do, viz. Take that duty which God from Heaven commanded us concerning Christ. Hear him, Mat. 17.5. a Disciple is not to dispute, but to believe. A Disciple is wholly to learn and receive from his Master. And oh, how excellent would this be, if every Christian would thus hearken to what Christ saith! If thou art Christs Disciple, learn of him how to live; how to walk; how to obey. Lean not to thy own understanding; Lean not to others; for only Christ is Truth.

First, Christ did often call those that followed him, his Disciples. Thus, He that would be his Disciple, must hate Father and Mother for his sake. And when the Apostles are sent out, their Instruction is, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, make Disciples. Indeed, there are the seventy Disciples, who were in a Church-Office next the Apostles: but every follower of Christ, his Doctrine and way, was called a Disciple; but it is Christs Disciples.¹