execution_n of_o some_o decree_n of_o the_o church-assembly_n such_o as_o the_o imposition_n of_o hand_n the_o pronounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n the_o receive_n of_o penitent_n the_o intimation_n of_o the_o deposition_n of_o minister_n and_o such_o like_a do_v belong_v to_o minister_n alone_o these_o be_v the_o duty_n and_o power_n of_o rule_v elder_n in_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n its_o requisite_a that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o ability_n and_o qualification_n as_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o exercise_v thereof_o but_o because_o all_o rule_v elder_n be_v not_o always_o call_v to_o sit_v in_o all_o these_o assembly_n but_o one_o from_o every_o session_n suffice_v to_o the_o presbytery_n and_o provincial_a synod_n and_o a_o few_o from_o every_o presbytery_n and_o from_o great_a congregation_n or_o burgh_n therein_o to_o the_o general_n assembly_n as_o also_o a_o few_o from_o the_o whole_a church_n throughout_o a_o land_n to_o a_o more_o universal_a assembly_n therefore_o though_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v and_o endeavour_v that_o all_o elder_n may_v have_v due_a qualification_n for_o all_o these_o thing_n and_o though_o special_a care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v every_o where_o to_o choose_v the_o most_o qualify_v yet_o in_o particular_a congregation_n man_n may_v be_v choose_v elder_n who_o have_v not_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o all_o these_o qualification_n they_o be_v otherwise_o man_n of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n and_o have_v such_o a_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n and_o prudence_n as_o be_v fit_a for_o govern_v that_o congregation_n and_o judge_v of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v handle_v in_o the_o session_n thereof_o which_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v matter_n of_o scandal_n and_o try_v and_o admit_v of_o penitent_n but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o who_o be_v not_o of_o a_o blameless_a and_o christian_a conversation_n and_o have_v not_o some_o measure_n of_o these_o qualification_n require_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o a_o rule_v elder_a no_o congregation_n ought_v to_o choose_v any_o such_o nor_o any_o session_n or_o presbytery_n to_o admit_v they_o to_o the_o charge_n for_o it_o be_v not_o seemly_a that_o the_o servant_n of_o corruption_n shall_v have_v authority_n to_o judge_v in_o the_o kirk_n of_o god_n and_o if_o any_o such_o have_v be_v admit_v they_o be_v to_o endeavour_v the_o removal_n of_o they_o as_o they_o will_v not_o partake_v of_o their_o sin_n and_o be_v find_v guilty_a before_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o blood_n of_o soul_n which_o can_v but_o suffer_v prejudice_n through_o negligence_n or_o ill_a guide_n of_o such_o man_n chap._n vii_o of_o the_o duty_n of_o elder_n in_o censure_a scandal_n and_o scandalous_a person_n and_o receive_v of_o penitent_n because_o the_o government_n and_o duty_n of_o elder_n in_o congregation_n lie_v for_o most_o part_n in_o censure_v scandal_n and_o scandalous_a person_n and_o try_v and_o admit_v of_o penitent_n therefore_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o speak_v somewhat_o of_o their_o right_a way_n of_o follow_v their_o duty_n in_o these_o thing_n 1._o for_o the_o person_n about_o who_o their_o 7._o censure_n be_v to_o be_v exercise_v it_o be_v all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n indifferent_o and_o impartial_o without_o respect_n of_o person_n the_o rich_a as_o well_o as_o the_o poor_a the_o high_a as_o well_o as_o the_o low_a their_o friend_n kinsman_n alliance_n neighbour_n and_o acquaintance_n as_o well_o as_o other_o ja._n 2._o sharp_o reprove_v these_o who_o have_v the_o faith_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o lord_n of_o glory_n with_o respect_n of_o person_n by_o prefer_v the_o rich_a to_o the_o poor_a and_o solomon_n say_v that_o divers_a weight_n and_o divers_a measure_n be_v a_o abomination_n to_o the_o lord_n must_v it_o not_o then_o be_v worthy_a of_o rebuke_n to_o have_v the_o censure_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n with_o respect_n of_o person_n and_o to_o weigh_v the_o rich_a and_o the_o poor_a the_o high_a and_o the_o low_a in_o divers_a balance_n by_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o one_o and_o pass_v by_o the_o other_o 2._o it_o be_v incumbent_n to_o they_o to_o exercise_v their_o power_n not_o only_o over_o the_o people_n of_o the_o congregation_n but_o also_o over_o these_o of_o their_o ps._n own_o number_n as_o all_o christian_n so_o so_o they_o in_o a_o special_a way_n who_o be_v yoke-fellow_n in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n aught_o to_o consider_v and_o admonish_v one_o another_o and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v find_v negligent_a or_o insufficient_a or_o do_v in_o any_o thing_n miscarry_v to_o the_o offence_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o blame_v of_o the_o eldership_n he_o be_v to_o be_v censure_v by_o the_o minister_n or_o minister_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o elder_n as_o the_o degree_n of_o his_o offence_n do_v require_v the_o apostle_n paul_n act_v 20._o 28._o give_v charge_n to_o all_o elder_n to_o take_v heed_n to_o themselves_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n 3._o as_o all_o sort_n of_o scandalous_a person_n whether_o in_o the_o congregation_n or_o among_o themselves_o so_o all_o sort_n of_o scandal_n and_o offence_n be_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o they_o the_o apostle_n 2_o thes._n 3._o 6._o command_n that_o we_o withdraw_v from_o every_o brother_n that_o walk_v disorderly_a and_o among_o disorderly_a walker_n he_o do_v vers_fw-la 11._o reckon_v idle_a person_n who_o do_v not_o work_v at_o all_o but_o be_v busy_a body_n intimate_v to_o we_o that_o even_o these_o scandal_n and_o disorder_n which_o be_v by_o many_o little_a take_v notice_n of_o &_o look_v upon_o as_o no_o fault_n aught_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o the_o church_n that_o all_o her_o member_n may_v walk_v honest_o and_o as_o it_o become_v the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ._n the_o act_n of_o our_o church_n do_v appoint_v that_o whatsoever_o it_o be_v that_o may_v spot_v that_o christian_a congregation_n ought_v not_o to_o escape_v either_o admonition_n or_o censure_n so_o in_o the_o order_n of_o ecclesiastic_a discipline_n 1567._o two_o great_a neglect_n there_o be_v that_o by_o ignorance_n or_o custom_n have_v creep_v in_o among_o elder_n in_o many_o congregation_n 1._o that_o they_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o omission_n of_o duty_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o commission_n of_o fault_n as_o for_o instance_n if_o there_o be_v any_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n who_o live_v idle_o and_o wait_v not_o upon_o his_o call_v who_o be_v not_o give_v to_o prayer_n who_o be_v not_o charitable_a to_o the_o poor_a who_o wait_v not_o upon_o the_o public_a ordinance_n if_o there_o be_v any_o master_n of_o a_o family_n who_o pray_v not_o in_o his_o family_n who_o do_v not_o bring_v up_o his_o child_n in_o the_o nurture_n and_o admonition_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o 2._o thar_z they_o do_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o fault_n and_o scandal_n of_o all_o sort_n but_o of_o some_o few_o only_a such_o as_o fornication_n adultery_n and_o profane_v of_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o suffer_v many_o other_o such_o as_o tipple_a drunkenness_n filthy_a communication_n lie_v curse_a swear_v oppression_n reproach_v of_o piety_n and_o godliness_n etc._n etc._n to_o pass_v without_o 6._o observation_n 4._o elder_n be_v to_o take_v heed_n that_o they_o bring_v in_o no_o civil_a question_n and_o debate_n before_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n and_o that_o they_o do_v not_o use_v nor_o inflict_v any_o civil_a mulct_n or_o punishment_n upon_o person_n convict_v of_o scandal_n these_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n the_o kingdom_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o censure_n thereof_o be_v spiritual_a and_o not_o of_o this_o world_n john_n 18._o 36._o 5._o in_o the_o take_a notice_n of_o offence_n 1571._o they_o be_v to_o observe_v this_o order_n if_o the_o offence_n be_v private_a and_o know_v to_o but_o a_o few_o then_o be_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o admonish_v the_o offender_n private_o and_o if_o he_o harken_v to_o the_o admonition_n and_o amend_v it_o needs_o go_v no_o further_o nor_o be_v dilate_v to_o the_o church_n if_o he_o do_v not_o hearken_v nor_o amend_v then_o be_v the_o elder_a to_o take_v with_o he_o some_o of_o his_o brethren_n and_o to_o admonish_v the_o offender_n before_o witness_n and_o if_o he_o harken_v the_o church_n need_v not_o be_v acquaint_v therewith_o but_o if_o he_o despise_v this_o second_o admonition_n then_o be_v â—e_n to_o be_v dilate_v by_o the_o elder_a to_o the_o church_n that_o he_o may_v be_v call_v before_o the_o session_n and_o convict_v and_o censure_v by_o they_o this_o be_v the_o order_n command_v and_o prescribe_v by_o jesus_n christ_n mat._n 18_o 12._o 15_o 16_o 17._o if_o the_o offence_n be_v
love_n patience_n meekness_n chap._n v._n of_o the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v which_o be_v more_o private_a the_o duty_n of_o chap._n their_o call_v be_v these_o that_o belong_v to_o their_o watch_v over_o and_o rule_v of_o the_o flock_n and_o they_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n some_o that_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v by_o themselves_o alone_o and_o so_o may_v 15._o be_v call_v more_o private_a duty_n other_o that_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v joint_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o over_o seer_n of_o the_o 107._o house_n of_o god_n and_o may_v be_v call_v more_o public_a the_o duty_n of_o their_o call_v that_o be_v more_o private_a be_v all_o these_o that_o private_a christian_n be_v bind_v to_o perform_v each_o of_o they_o unto_o another_o by_o the_o law_n of_o charity_n and_o love_n and_o these_o be_v first_o to_o instruct_v one_o another_o joh._n 4._o 29._o act_n 18._o 26._o second_o to_o exhort_v and_o stir_v up_o one_o another_o to_o provoke_v unto_o love_n and_o good_a work_n heb._n 10._o 24_o 25._o three_o to_o admonish_v and_o rebuke_v one_o another_o levit._n 19_o 17._o first_o privately_z and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v then_o before_o witness_n &_o if_o yet_o they_o will_v not_o hearken_v then_o to_o tell_v the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n then_o to_o tell_v the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v the_o church_n then_o let_v they_o be_v unto_o we_o as_o heathen_n and_o publican_n math._n 18._o 15_o 16_o 17._o four_o to_o comfort_v the_o afflict_a and_o to_o support_v the_o weak_a 1_o thess._n 5._o 11._o five_o to_o restore_v those_o who_o be_v fall_v gal._n 6._o 1._o sixthly_a to_o reconcile_v these_o who_o be_v at_o variance_n math._n 5._o 9_o seven_o to_o pray_v one_o for_o another_o judas_n 20._o eight_o to_o visit_v the_o sick_a and_o those_o who_o be_v in_o bond_n and_o distress_n math_n 25._o 36._o all_o these_o duty_n elder_n be_v to_o perform_v to_o the_o several_a member_n of_o the_o congregation_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o call_v the_o scripture_n do_v express_o mention_v some_o of_o they_o as_o incumbent_n unto_o they_o to_o wit_n admonish_v these_o over_o who_o god_n have_v set_v they_o 1_o thess._n 5._o 12._o visit_a and_o pray_v over_o the_o sick_a jam._n 5._o 14._o feed_v the_o flock_n by_o instruction_n exhortation_n rebuke_v and_o comfort_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v competent_a to_o their_o station_n act_n 20._o 28._o the_o rest_n we_o may_v warrantable_o gather_v by_o analogy_n and_o proportion_n from_o these_o if_o private_a christian_n be_v oblige_v thereto_o much_o more_o be_v christian_a elder_n who_o have_v the_o charge_n of_o soul_n in_o a_o special_a way_n oblige_v thereto_o these_o thing_n be_v well_o express_v in_o the_o six_o chap._n of_o the_o second_o book_n of_o discipline_n ch_z as_o the_o pastor_n and_o doctor_n say_v they_o shall_v be_v diligent_a in_o teach_v and_o sow_v the_o â—eed_n of_o the_o word_n so_o the_o elder_n shall_v be_v careful_a in_o seek_v of_o the_o fruit_n of_o the_o same_o of_o the_o people_n it_o appertain_v to_o they_o to_o assist_v the_o pastor_n in_o examination_n of_o they_o that_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n item_n in_o visit_v the_o sick_a they_o shall_v cause_v the_o act_n of_o the_o assembly_n aswell_o particular_a as_o general_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n careful_o they_o shall_v be_v diligent_a to_o admonish_v all_o man_n of_o their_o duty_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o evangel_n thing_n that_o they_o can_v correct_v by_o private_a admonition_n they_o shall_v bring_v to_o the_o eldership_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v these_o duty_n of_o rule_v elder_n these_o three_o thing_n follow_v first_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v man_n of_o such_o ability_n as_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n able_a to_o instruct_v exhort_v admonish_v rebuke_n comfort_n pray_v and_o do_v these_o duty_n now_o mention_v second_o that_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o they_o not_o only_o to_o have_v some_o measure_n of_o ability_n for_o these_o thing_n but_o also_o to_o have_v some_o measure_n of_o dexterity_n wisdom_n experience_n tenderness_n in_o follow_v the_o same_o three_o that_o they_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o the_o member_n thereof_o and_o therefore_o be_v careful_a to_o observe_v their_o carriage_n and_o frequent_o to_o visit_v and_o take_v inspection_n of_o family_n that_o they_o may_v instruct_v the_o ignorant_a exhort_v the_o negligent_a admonish_v the_o slothful_a and_o rebuke_v those_o who_o walk_v disorderly_a comfort_v the_o afflict_a establish_v those_o who_o waver_v visit_v the_o sick_a encourage_v these_o who_o do_v well_o and_o see_v piety_n and_o godliness_n promote_v in_o family_n and_o every_o one_o edify_v another_o in_o love_n walk_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n chap._n vi_o of_o these_o duty_n which_o be_v more_o public_a and_o which_o they_o be_v â—o_o perform_v joint_o with_o other_o the_o duty_n of_o elder_n which_o ps._n be_v more_o public_a and_o which_o they_o be_v to_o perform_v joint_o with_o other_o be_v these_o which_o lie_v upon_o they_o in_o the_o assembly_n or_o court_n of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o preach_v elder_n teach_v elder_n and_o rule_v elder_n these_o assembly_n be_v in_o our_o church_n of_o four_o sort_n either_o they_o be_v of_o the_o elder_n of_o particular_a congregation_n which_o be_v the_o church_n session_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o lie_v near_o together_o which_o be_v the_o presbytery_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n of_o more_o presbytery_n than_o one_o which_o be_v the_o provincial_a synod_n or_o of_o the_o elder_n commissioner_n from_o all_o the_o presbytery_n in_o the_o land_n which_o be_v the_o general_n or_o national_a assembly_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v a_o five_o sort_n to_o wit_n that_o which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o elder_n from_o all_o or_o diverse_a nation_n profess_v the_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ._n whilst_o we_o speak_v of_o elder_n of_o which_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n be_v make_v up_o we_o mean_v all_o sort_n of_o elder_n minister_n doctor_n and_o rule_v elder_n it_o be_v true_a that_o in_o the_o congregation_n of_o our_o church_n because_o of_o the_o want_n of_o maintenance_n there_o be_v few_o or_o no_o doctor_n or_o teach_v elder_n distinct_a from_o pastor_n or_o minister_n who_o perform_v the_o duty_n both_o of_o the_o preach_a elder_n and_o of_o the_o teach_v elder_a only_o in_o the_o school_n of_o divinity_n be_v such_o in_o all_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n rule_v 7._o elder_n be_v thereto_o right_o call_v have_v power_n to_o sit_v write_v debate_n vote_n and_o conclude_v in_o all_o matter_n that_o be_v handle_v therein_o act_v 15._o 2._o and_o 6._o 22_o 23._o the_o thing_n which_o be_v handle_v in_o the_o assembly_n 7._o of_o the_o church_n be_v either_o matter_n of_o faith_n matter_n of_o order_n matter_n of_o discipline_n or_o that_o which_o concern_v the_o send_n of_o church-officer_n according_a to_o which_o they_o have_v a_o fourfold_a power_n 1._o that_o which_o be_v call_v dogmatic_a whereby_o they_o judge_v of_o truth_n and_o error_n in_o point_n of_o doctrine_n according_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n only_o 2._o that_o which_o be_v callee_o diatactick_a by_o which_o they_o discern_v and_o judge_v of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o these_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o time_n place_n person_n and_o all_o such_o particular_n in_o ecclesiastic_a affair_n as_o be_v not_o determine_v in_o the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n thereof_o concern_v order_n and_o decency_n avoid_v of_o scandal_n do_v all_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o church_n 3._o that_o which_o be_v critic_n or_o corrective_a by_o which_o censure_n be_v exercise_v upon_o the_o scandalous_a and_o obstinate_a and_o such_o as_o be_v penitent_a again_o admit_v to_o the_o ordinance_n fellowship_n &_o society_n of_o the_o church_n 4._o that_o which_o be_v call_v exousiastick_a by_o virtue_n of_o which_o they_o send_v authorize_v and_o give_v power_n to_o church_n officer_n to_o serve_v in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n all_o these_o assembly_n be_v not_o to_o exer_n cise_n all_o these_o power_n but_o to_o keep_v themselves_o within_o their_o due_a bound_n the_o inferior_a leave_v these_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o more_o common_a concernment_n to_o the_o superior_a but_o in_o all_o these_o power_n rule_v elder_n have_v a_o share_n and_o do_v put_v forth_o the_o same_o in_o exercise_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o assembly_n whereof_o they_o be_v member_n act_n 15._o 6._o 22_o 23._o howbeit_o the_o
of_o the_o knowledge_n gift_n experience_n prudence_n and_o gravity_n wherewith_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v endue_v the_o officer_n in_o the_o 1._o house_n of_o god_n who_o in_o the_o scripture_n be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o elder_n be_v of_o several_a soit_n preach_v elder_n or_o minister_n teach_v elder_n or_o doctor_n and_o rule_v or_o govern_v elder_n all_o these_o three_o be_v often_o time_n in_o the_o n._n t._n comprise_v under_o the_o general_a name_n of_o elder_a act._n 15_o 6_o 22._o &_o 20._o 3._o 17._o 1._o pet._n 5_o it_o be_v the_o rule_v elder_a who_o we_o have_v now_o to_o do_v with_o who_o be_v so_o call_v not_o because_o the_o power_n of_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n belong_v to_o he_o alone_o for_o it_o also_o belong_v to_o the_o preach_a â—nd_n teach_v elder_n or_o to_o the_o minister_n and_o doctor_n but_o because_o to_o rule_v and_o govern_v be_v the_o principal_a and_o chief_a part_n of_o his_o charge_n and_o employment_n it_o be_v the_o high_a act_n of_o his_o office_n it_o be_v not_o competent_a for_o he_o to_o preach_v that_o belong_v to_o the_o pastor_n or_o minister_n nor_o to_o teach_v that_o belong_v to_o the_o doctor_n but_o his_o office_n be_v comprise_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o rule_v and_o govern_v the_o church_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v call_v the_o govern_n or_o rule_v elder_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o rome_n 8_o ch_z 1â—_n 8._o call_v he_o him_z that_o rule_v and_o 1_o cor._n 28._o 12._o 28_o he_o call_v they_o government_n put_v the_o abstract_n for_o the_o concrete_a government_n for_o governor_n thus_o than_o we_o have_v the_o proper_a or_o right_a name_n of_o these_o church_n officer_n which_o serve_v to_o correct_v a_o twofold_a mistake_n the_o 1._o be_v of_o these_o who_o either_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o disdain_n do_v call_v they_o lay-elder_n as_o if_o they_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o people_n only_o and_o not_o to_o be_v reckon_v among_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n who_o the_o popish_a church_n in_o their_o pride_n and_o other_o follow_v they_o call_v the_o clergy_n that_o be_v the_o lord_n inheritance_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o laity_n or_o people_n who_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o base_a and_o much_o inferior_a to_o the_o other_o in_o worth_n and_o excellency_n whereas_o all_o the_o lord_n people_n be_v his_o portion_n and_o the_o lot_n of_o he_o in_o heritance_n deut._n 32._o 9_o 1._o pet._n 5._o 3._o the_o second_o mistake_n be_v of_o these_o who_o do_v call_v these_o only_a ruling-elders_a who_o sit_v in_o presbytery_n synod_n and_o general_a assembly_n allow_v to_o other_o the_o name_n of_o elder_n but_o not_o of_o ruling-elders_a but_o every_o elder_a in_o the_o lord_n house_n be_v a_o ruling-eld_a because_o the_o power_n and_o exercise_v of_o rule_n and_o government_n belong_v to_o every_o elder_a though_o some_o of_o they_o upon_o special_a occasion_n be_v call_v to_o a_o more_o eminent_a exercise_n of_o it_o than_o other_o chap._n ii_o of_o the_o institution_n of_o ruling-elders_a the_o institution_n of_o 2._o the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_a be_v divine_a it_o be_v not_o a_o ordinance_n of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n the_o lord_n jesus_n upon_o who_o shoulder_n the_o government_n be_v and_o who_o be_v faithful_a in_o all_o his_o house_n have_v in_o his_o eternal_a wisdom_n think_v fit_a to_o appoint_v such_o a_o officer_n in_o his_o house_n for_o the_o right_n and_o orderly_o govern_v thereof_o it_o be_v true_a that_o by_o the_o sloth_n or_o rather_o by_o the_o pride_n of_o teacher_n while_o they_o alone_o will_v seem_v to_o be_v somewhat_o and_o by_o the_o policy_n of_o satan_n and_o inadvertance_n of_o the_o church_n these_o officer_n be_v for_o many_o age_n together_o out_o of_o use_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o certain_a it_o be_v that_o both_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n and_o after_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v seniores_fw-la or_o elder_n without_o who_o counsel_n nothing_o be_v do_v in_o the_o church_n that_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v such_o appear_v from_o 2_o chro._n 19_o 8._o jer._n 29._o 1._o mat._n 16_o 21_o 22_o 23_o 26_o 57_o 59_o act._n 4._o 5._o and_o that_o the_o christian_a 56._o church_n also_o have_v they_o in_o the_o primitive_a &_o pure_a time_n thereof_o appear_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o ancient_a writer_n as_o may_v be_v find_v by_o these_o who_o will_v take_v pain_n to_o search_v into_o these_o thing_n but_o we_o have_v a_o more_o sure_a word_n for_o the_o divine_a institution_n of_o elder_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n than_o any_o testimony_n of_o man_n to_o wit_n the_o testimony_n of_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o first_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v rom._n 12._o 6_o 7_o 8._o have_v then_o gift_n differ_v according_a to_o the_o grace_n that_o be_v give_v we_o whether_o pprophecy_n let_v we_o prophesy_v according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n or_o ministry_n let_v we_o wait_v on_o our_o minister_a or_o he_o that_o teach_v on_o teach_v or_o he_o that_o exhort_v on_o exhortation_n he_o that_o give_v let_v he_o do_v it_o wih_o simplicity_n he_o that_o rule_v with_o diligence_n he_o that_o show_v mercy_n with_o cheerfulness_n in_o which_o text_n the_o apostle_n do_v first_o comprehend_v all_o the_o several_a kind_n of_o ordinary_a stand_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n under_o two_o general_a head_n to_o wit_n prophecy_n whereby_o be_v mean_v the_o ordinary_a faculty_n of_o right_a understanding_n and_o expound_v the_o scripture_n and_o ministry_n under_o which_o be_v comprehend_v all_o other_o church-officer_n and_o employment_n to_o each_o of_o these_o the_o apostle_n add_v their_o general_a duty_n to_o wit_n that_o he_o who_o propehsy_v shall_v do_v it_o according_a to_o the_o proportion_n of_o faith_n h._n e._n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o the_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n of_o the_o word_n of_o faith_n that_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o god_n and_o he_o that_o minister_n let_v he_o wait_v on_o his_o minister_a h._n e._n let_v he_o not_o do_v it_o negligent_o or_o slothful_o but_o faithful_o and_o diligent_o then_o he_o subdivides_a these_o two_o general_n into_o the_o special_a office_n contain_v under_o they_o he_o divide_v he_o that_o propehsy_v into_o he_o that_o teach_v and_o he_o that_o exhort_v or_o into_o the_o doctor_n to_o who_o the_o word_n of_o teach_v or_o instruction_n belong_v and_o the_o pastor_n to_o who_o the_o word_n of_o exhortation_n be_v competent_a under_o he_o that_o minister_v he_o comprehend_v first_o he_o that_o give_v by_o who_o be_v mean_v the_o deacon_n who_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o supply_n of_o the_o poor_a second_o he_o that_o rule_v by_o who_o can_v be_v mean_v no_o other_o than_o the_o rule_v elder_a see_v a_o ordinary_a roll_a officer_n in_o the_o church_n who_o be_v different_a from_o the_o pastor_n and_o teacher_n be_v here_o speak_v of_o by_o the_o apostle_n the_o second_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o prove_v the_o office_n of_o rule_v elder_n be_v 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o and_o god_n have_v set_v some_o in_o the_o church_n first_o apostle_n second_o prophet_n three_o teacher_n afterward_o miracle_n than_o gift_n of_o heal_a help_n government_n kind_n of_o tongue_n some_o of_o the_o bibles_n of_o the_o late_a english_a translation_n read_v help_n in_o government_n but_o cross_a to_o the_o text_n in_o the_o first_o language_n that_o bear_v help_n government_n as_o two_o distinct_a thing_n and_o therefore_o in_o other_o edition_n of_o that_o translation_n this_o be_v help_v in_o this_o text_n the_o apostle_n reckon_v several_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n some_o extraordinary_a which_o be_v to_o continue_v but_o for_o a_o season_n such_o as_o apostle_n prophet_n power_n or_o miracle_n gift_n of_o heal_a kind_n of_o tongue_n some_o ordinary_a which_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o the_o church_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o these_o be_v teacher_n or_o the_o ordinary_a church_n officer_n who_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o word_n help_n h._n e._n the_o deacon_n who_o be_v appoint_v for_o the_o help_n and_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a and_o government_n h._n e._n the_o govern_n and_o rule_v elder_n for_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o the_o word_n that_o the_o apostle_n by_o government_n do_v mean_v a_o church-officer_n who_o god_n have_v set_v in_o his_o church_n for_o rule_v and_o govern_v thereof_o now_o this_o can_v be_v any_o other_o of_o the_o church-officer_n for_o these_o he_o have_v name_v beside_o and_o therefore_o it_o remain_v that_o it_o be_v the_o rule_v elder_a the_o three_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v 1tim_fw-la 5._o 17._o let_v the_o elder_n that_o rule_v well_o be_v count_v worthy_a of_o double_a honour_n special_o they_o that_o