Whereas this is the constant use of the word in the Scripture (being principally used by this apostle in his writings), wherein it is distinctive and comparative of the things and persons that respect is had unto, it is to no purpose to pretend that it is here used in an- other sense or is otherwise applied, unless they can prove from the context that there is a necessity of their peculiar interpretation of it.
3. The use of the word in other authors is concurrent with that of it in the Scripture : Herodian, lib. ii. cap. xxviii., ^iXsoproi ds (pvffsi ^(jpor ^v fxdXiffra o'l rr^v ' AvTi6')(iiav yMroixovvTig, x.r.X. — "The Syrians are na- turally lovers of festivals, especially they that dwell at Antioch," It is the same plirase of speech with that here used; for all they that dwelt at Antioch were Syrians, but all the Syrians dwelt not at Antioch. There is a distinction and distribution made of the Syrians into two sorts, — such as were Syrians only, and such as, being Syrians,
OF THE RULE OF THE CHURCH, OR OF RULING ELDERS. 121
dwelt at Antioch, the metropolis of the country. If a man should say that all Englishmen were stout and courageous, especially the Lon- doners, he would both affirm the Londoners to be Englishmen and distinguish them from the rest of their countrymen. So, all that labour in the word and doctrine are elders. But all elders do not labour in the word and doctrine, nor is it their duty so to do; these we call " ruling elders," and, as I judge, rightly.
4. The sense which the words will give, being so interpreted as that a distinction of eldere is not made in them, is absurd, the sub- ject and predicate of the proposition being terms convertible. It must be so if the proposition be not allowed to have a distinction in it. " One sort of elders only," it is said, " is here intended." I ask who they are, and of what sort? It is said, "The same with pastors and teachers, or ministers of the gospel;" for if the one sort of elders in- tended be of another sort, we obtain what we plead for as fully as if two sorts were allowed. Who, then, are these elders, these pastors and teachers, these ministers of the church? are they not those who labour in the word and doctrine? "Yes," it will be said, "it is they, and no other." Then this is the sense of the words, " Those who labour in the word and doctrine, that rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially if they labour in the word and doctrine ; " for if there be but one sort of elders, then "elders" and "those that labour in the word and doctrine " are terms convertible. But " elders " and " labour in the word and doctrine " are subject and predicate in this proposition.
Wherefore there are few of any learning or judgment that make use of this evasion ; but, allowing a distinction to be made, they say that it is as to work and employment, and not as unto office, — those who, in the discharge of their office as elders, do so labour as is intended and included in the word xomuvrsg, which denotes a peculiar kind of work in the ministry. Yea, say some, " This word denotes the work of an evangelist, who was not confined unto any one place, but tra- velled up and down the world to preach the gospel." And those of this mind do allow that two sorts of elders are intended in the words. Let us see whether they have any better success in this their con- jecture than the others had in the former answer.
1. I grant that xoT/av, the word here used, signifies to labour with pains and diligence, " ad ultimum viriura, usque ad fatigationem," — unto the utmost of men's strength, and unto weariness. But, —
2. So to labour in the word and doctrine is the duty of all pastors and teachers, and whosoever doth not so labour is negligent in his office, and worthy of severe blame instead of double honour: for, —
(1.) Kr/Tog, whence is xo-mdu, is the labour of a minister, and so of any minister in his work of teaching and preaching the gospel: 1 Cor. iii. 8, "Exagrog 8i rov 'Ihiov [Middhv X^-vj^gra/ xolto. tov 'Ibiov tcotov' — * Every one " (that is, every one employed in the ministry, whether
122 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
to plant or to water, to convert men or to edify the church) " shall receive his o^vn reward, according to his own labour." He that doth not strive, xo'Triav, in the ministry, shall never receive a reward xaru Tov 7diov xo-TTov, accordiug to his own labom', and so is not worthy of double honour.
(2.) It is a general word, used to express the work of any in the service of God; whereon it is applied unto the prophets and teachers under the old testament : John iv. 38, " I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: aXXoi xgxoT/axaff/, xai vfisTg bIs tov x6'!rov ccuTjJv e/ssXriXvdarB," — " others have laboured, and ye have entered into their labours;" that is, of the prophets and John the Baptist. Yea, it is so unto the labour that women may take in the serving of the church: E,om. xvi. 6, "Salute Mary, r,Tig <iroXXa, IxoT/acs," — " who laboured much;" which is more than simply xo'Tnav. Verse 12, "Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, rag ■/.ovtusag h Kvpitfj," — "who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, ^ng voXXd ixomagsv Iv Kvpiw," — " who laboured much in the Lord." So wide from truth is it that this word should signify a labour peculiar to some sorts of ministers, which all are not in common obliged unto.