3. This is the substance of the truth in the text: — There are
OF THE KULE OF THE CHURCH, OR OF RULING ELDERS. 117
elders in the church; there are or ought to be so in every church. With these elders the whole rule of the church is intrusted ; all these, and only they, do rule in it. Of these elders there are ttvo sorts; for a description is given of one sort distinctive from the other, and comparative with it. The first sort doth ride and also labour in the word and doctrine. That these woi'ks are distinct and different was before declared; yet as distinct works they are not incompatible, but are committed unto the same person. They are so unto them who are not elders only, but moreover pastors or teachers. Unto pastors and teachers, as such, there belongs no rule ; although by the institu- tion of Christ the right of rule be inseparable from their office, for all that are rightfully called thereunto are elders also, which gives them an interest in rule. They are elders, with the addition of pastoral or teaching authority. But there are elders which are not pastors or teachers; for there are some who rule well, but labour not in the word and doctrine, — that is, who are not pastors or teachers.
Elders that nde well, hut labour not in the word and doctrine, are riding elders only ; and such are they in the text.
The most learned of our protestant adversaries in this case are Erastus, Bilson, Saravia, Downham, Scultetus, Mede, Grotius, Ham- mond ; who agree not at all among themselves about the sense of the words: for, —
1. Their whole design and endeavour is to put in exceptions against the obvious sense and interpretation of the words, not fixing on any determinate exposition of it themselves, such as they will abide by in opposition unto any other sense of the place. Now, this is a most sophistical way of arguing upon testimonies, and suited only to make controversies endless. Whose wit is so barren as not to be able to raise one exception or other against the plainest and most evident testimony? So the Socinians deal with us in all the testimonies we produce to prove the deity or satisfaction of Christ. They suppose it enough to evade their force if they can but pretend that the words are capable of another sense, although they will not abide by it that this or that is their sense; for if they would do so, when that is overthrown, the truth would be established. But every testimony of the Scripture hath one determinate sense. When this is contended about, it is equal that those at difference do express their apprehensions of the mind of the Holy Spirit in the words which they wmII abide by. When this is done, let it be examined and tried whether of the two senses pretended unto doth best comply with the signification and use of the words, the context or scope of the place, other Scripture testimonies, and the analogy of faith. No such rule is attended unto in this case by our adversaries. They think it enough to oppose our sense of the words, but will not fix upon any of their own, which if it be disproved, ours ought to take place, And hence, —
lis TEUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
2. They do not in the least agree among themselves, scarce any two of them, on what is the most probable sense of the words, nor are any of them singly well resolved what application to make of them, nor unto what persons, but only propose things as their con- jecture. But of very many opinions or conjectures that are advanced in this case, all of them but one are accompanied with the modesty of granting that divers sorts of elders are here intended; which, with- out more than ordinary confidence, cannot be denied. But, —
Some, by " elders that rule well," do understand bishops that are diocesans; and by " those that labour in the word and doctrine," ordinary preaching presbyters ; which plainly gives them the advan- tage of pre-eminence, reverence, and maintenance, above the others !
Some, by " elders that rule well," understand ordinary hishojjs and presbyters ; and by "those that labour in the word and doctrine," evangelists; so carrying the text out of the present concernment of the church. Deacons are esteemed by some to have an interest in the rule of the church, and so to be intended in the first place, and preaching ministers in the latter.
Some speak of two sorts of elders, both of the same order, or ministers; some that preach the word and administer the sacraments; and others that are employed about inferior offices, as reading and the like : which is the conceit of Scultetus.
Mr Mede weighs most of these conjectures, and at length prefers one of his own before them all, — namely, that by " elders that rule well" civil magistrates are intended, and by " those that labour in the word and doctrine" the ministers of the gospel.
But some, discerning the weakness and improbability of all these conjectures, and how easily they may be disproved, betake them- selves unto a direct denial of that which seems to be plainly asserted in the text, namely, that there are two sorts of elders here intended and described ; which they countenance themselves in by exception unto the application of some terms in the text, which we shall imme- diately consider.