o discharge the work which is
allotted unto them. But that church, be it small or great, is defective,
which hath not more elders than one; so many as are sufficient for their
work. The pattern of the first churches constituted by the apostles,
which it is our duty to imitate and follow as our rule, plainly
declares, that many elders were appointed by them in every church, Acts
xi. 30, xiv. 23, xv. 2, 4, 6, 22, xvi. 4, xx. 17; 1 Tim. v. 17; Phil. i.
1; Tit. i. 5; 1 Pet. v. 1.

10th. We shall now make application of these things unto our present
purpose. I say then, 1st, Whereas there is a work of rule in the Church,
distinct from that of pastoral feeding: 2d, Whereas this work is to be
attended unto with diligence, which includes the whole duty of him that
attends unto it: 3d, That the ministry of the word and prayer, with all
those duties that accompany it, is a full employment for any man, and so
consequently his principal and proper work, which it is unlawful for him
to be remiss in, by attending on another with diligence: 4th, That, in
the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, distinct works did require distinct
offices for their discharge: and, 5th, Whereas there ought to be many
elders in every church, that both the works of _teaching_ and _ruling_
may be constantly attended unto; all which we have proved already: our
inquiry herein is, whether the same Holy Spirit hath not distinguished
this office of elders into those two sorts, namely, those who are called
unto teaching and rule also, and those who are called unto rule only,
which we affirm.

The testimonies whereby the truth of this assertion is confirmed are
generally known and pleaded. I shall insist on some of them only,
beginning with that which is of uncontrollable evidence, if it had any
thing to conflict with but prejudices and interest, and this is 1 Tim.
v. 17, the meaning of which is, the elders or presbyters in office,
elders of the church _that rule well_ or discharge their presidency for
rule in due manner, are worthy, or ought to be reputed worthy, _of
double honor_; especially those of them who labor, or are engaged in the
great labor and travail of the word and doctrine.

According to this sense the words of the text have a plain and obvious
signification, which at first view presents itself unto the common sense
and understanding of all men. On the first proposal of this text, that
the elders that rule well are worthy of double honor, especially those