who labor in the word and doctrine, a rational man, who is unprejudiced,
and never heard of the controversy about ruling elders, can hardly avoid
an apprehension that there are _two sorts of elders_, some that labor in
the word and doctrine, and some who do not. This is the substance of the
truth in the text. There are elders in the Church; there are or ought to
be so in every church. With these elders the whole rule of the Church is
intrusted; all these, and only these, do rule in it. Of these elders
there are two sorts; for a description is given of one sort distinct
from the other, and comparative with it. The first sort doth rule, and
also labor in the word and doctrine. That these works are distinct and
different was before declared: yet by the institution of Christ the
right of rule is inseparable from the office of pastors or teachers. For
all that are rightly called thereunto are elders also, which gives them
an interest in rule. But there are elders which are not pastors or
teachers. For there are some who rule well, but labor not in the word
and doctrine; that is, who are not pastors or teachers.

Elders which rule well, but labor not in the word and doctrine, are
ruling elders only; for he who says, The elders who rule well are worthy
of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine,
saith that there are, or may be elders who rule well, who do not labor
in the word and doctrine; that is, who are not obliged to do so.

The argument from these words may be otherwise framed, but this contains
the plain sense of this testimony.

Our next testimony is from the same apostle, Rom. xii. 6, 7, _He that
ruleth with diligence_. Our argument from hence is this: there is in the
Church one that ruleth with authority by virtue of his office. For the
discharge of this office there is a differing peculiar gift bestowed on
some, ver. 7, and there is the special manner prescribed for the
discharge of this special office, by virtue of that special gift; it is
to be done with peculiar _diligence_. And this ruler is distinguished
from him that exhorteth, and him that teacheth, with whose special work,
as such, he hath nothing to do; even as they are distinguished from
those who give and show mercy; that is, there is an elder by office in
the Church, whose work and duty it is to _rule_, not to exhort or teach
ministerially, which is our ruling elder. He that ruleth is a distinct
officer, and is expressly disting