part to take up their whole
time and strength. It is gross ignorance or negligence that causeth any
to be otherwise minded. As the work of the ministry is generally
discharged, consisting only in a weekly provision of sermons, and the
performance of some stated offices by reading, men have time and liberty
enough to attend unto other occasions. But in such persons we are not at
present concerned. Our rule is plain, 1 Tim. iv. 12-17.

7th. It doth not hence follow, that those who are called unto the
ministry of the word, as pastors and teachers, who are elders also, are
divested of their right to rule in the church, or discharged from the
exercise of it, because others, not called unto their office, are
appointed to be assistant unto them, that is, _helps in the government_.
For the right and duty of rule is inseparable from the office of elders,
which all bishops and pastors are. The right is still in them, and the
exercise of it, consistent with their more excellent work, is required
of them. The apostles in the constitution of elders in every church
derogated nothing from their own authority, nor discharged themselves of
their care. So when they appointed deacons to take care of supplies for
the poor, they did not forego their own right, nor the exercise of their
duty as their other work would permit them, Gal. ii. 9, 10. And in
particular the apostle Paul manifested his concernment herein, in the
care he took about _collection for the poor_ in all churches.

8th. As we observed at the entrance of this chapter, the whole work of
the church, as unto authoritative teaching and rule, is committed unto
the elders. For authoritative teaching and ruling, is teaching and
ruling by virtue of office: and this office whereunto they do belong is
that of elders, as is undeniably attested, Acts xx. 17, &c. All that
belongs unto the care, inspection, oversight, rule, fend instruction of
the church, is committed unto the _elders_ of it expressly. For _elders_
is a name derived from the Jews, denoting them that have _authority_ in
the church.

9th. To the complete constitution of any church, or to the perfection of
its organical state, it is required that there be _many elders_ in it;
at least more than one. I do not determine what their number ought to
be; but it is to be proportioned to the work and end designed. Where the
churches are small, the number of elders must be so also. So many are
necessary in each office as are able t