which others had
gotten, and govern those that others have gained."[85]

_Ans_. 1. If this be the sense, that there were some ministers fixed,
and limited to particular places and churches; others unfixed, having an
unlimited commission, and these are to be especially honored: then the
meaning is, that the apostles and evangelists who were unfixed, and had
unlimited commissions, and laid the foundation, were to be especially
honored above pastors and teachers that were fixed and limited, and only
built upon their foundation. But how should this be the meaning? For
this seems a needless exhortation; what church would not readily yield
an especial honor to apostles and evangelists above pastors and
teachers? This would savor too much of self-seeking in the apostle, and
providing for his own honor. This implies that the text hath reference
to apostles and evangelists, whereas it evidently speaks only of
ordinary ruling and preaching presbyters.

2. If this be the sense of Dr. Field and Bilson, that some mere
ordinary presbyters travelled laboriously to lay the foundation of
Christianity, others were fixed to certain places to build upon that
foundation: this seems to be false; for we read that mere ordinary
presbyters were ordained for several cities and places as their peculiar
charges, whom they were to feed, and with whom they were to remain, as
Acts xiv. 23; Tit. i. 5; herewith compare Acts xx. 28; 1 Pet. v. 2; 1
Thess. v. 12. But that mere ordinary presbyters were ordained and
employed in the Church without limitation of commission, where can it be
evidenced in all the Scriptures? Wandering presbyters are nowhere
commended; wandering stars are condemned, Jude, ver. 13.

3. To refer the word _laboring_ to them that travelled from place to
place for visiting and confirming of the churches, is very weak and
unjustifiable in this place; for this clashes with Dr. Field's former
gloss, (mentioned Except. 4, limiting _laboring_ to preaching.) But any
thing for a present shift. This word is sometimes given to the apostle,
as 1 Cor. xv. 10; 2 Cor. xi. 27: but where are apostles and evangelists
called _laboring_, merely in respect of their travelling from place to
place, to lay the foundation of Christianity, thereby to distinguish
them from ordinary pastors and teachers? Nay, the apostle himself makes
_them that rule_, and _them that labor_, the same, 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.
So here in 1 Tim. v. 17, _they that rule_--_and they