Christ, deprived of his papers, be incapable
to plead so short a space in favor of his Master, and of the souls of
men?

NO. VI.[125]

_Of Ruling Elders._

The rule and government of the Church, or the execution of the authority
of Christ therein, is in the hand of the elders. All elders in office
have rule, and none have rule in the church but elders: _as such_, rule
doth belong unto them. The apostles by virtue of their special office
were intrusted with all church power; but therefore they were elders
also, 1 Pet. v. 1; 3 John i.: see Acts xxi. 17; 1 Tim. i. 17. They are
some of them on other accounts called bishops, pastors, teachers,
ministers, guides; but what belongs to any of them in point of rule, or
what interest they have therein, it belongs unto them as elders, and not
otherwise, Acts xx. 17, 18. The Scriptures affirm, 1st, That there is a
work and duty of rule in the Church, distinct from the work and duty of
pastoral feeding, by the preaching of the word and administration of the
sacraments, Acts xx. 28; Rom. xii. 8; 1 Cor. xii. 28; 1 Tim. v. 17; 2
Tim. iv. 5; Heb. xiii. 7, 17; Rev. ii. 3.

2d. Different and distinct gifts are required unto the discharge of
these distinct works and duties. This belongs unto the harmony of the
dispensation of the gospel. Gifts are bestowed to answer all duties
prescribed. Hence they are the first foundation of all power, work, and
duty in the church. Unto every one of us is given grace according to the
measure of the gift of Christ, that is, ability for duty, according to
the measure wherein Christ is pleased to grant it; Eph. iv. 7: see also
1 Cor. xii. 4, 7, 8-10; Rom. xii. 6-8; 1 Pet. iv. 10: wherefore
different gifts are the first foundation of different offices and
duties.

3d. That different gifts are required unto the different works of
pastoral teaching on the one hand, and practical rule on the other, is
evident, 1st, From the light of reason, and the nature of the works
themselves being so different. And, 2d, From experience; some men are
fitted by gifts for the dispensation of the word and doctrine in a way
of pastoral feeding, who have no useful ability in the work of rule; and
some are fitted for rule, who have no gifts for the discharge of the
pastoral work in preaching, Yea, it is very seldom that both these sort
of gifts do concur in any eminent degree in the same persons, or without
some notable defect.

4th. The work of rule, as distinct fr