How many 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 was at night, not in the morning; after supper, not before; with none but men, none but ministers; with unleavened, not with leavened bread, &c.; these circumstantials were accidentally occasioned by the passover, nature of his family, &c.

5.  Some acts of Christ were moral, as Matt. xi. 29; Eph. v. 2, 3, 25, &c.; or at least founded upon a moral reason and foundation, as John xiii. 14,15.