An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…

But it may be the next Commentary shall be better. The words, saith Sutcliffe, are to be rendered thus: Let Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, labouring greatly in the Word and Doctrine: so that the later part of the speech is added exegetically, to show who they be that rule well, to wit, these who labour greatly in the word and doctrine. That the words are so to be understood, he undertaketh to prove from the text it self: For, saith he, one who purposeth to say in Greek, especially they who labour, will not say, [Greek or Hebrew], but [Greek or Hebrew]. Thus changing the Participle into a Verb, and the prepositive article [Greek or Hebrew], which is written with an aspiration alone, into the subjunctive [Greek or Hebrew] cum accentu gravi, for this answereth to the relative who, which the prepositive article doth never. Moreover, saith he, if the Apostle would have distinguished Elders into these that preach, and these that preach not, he would have added the adversative particle [Greek or Hebrew] after [Greek or Hebrew]: for [Greek or Hebrew] signifieth indeed ⟨p. 53⟩especially, but [Greek or Hebrew] alone without • signifieth greatly, or much, as here it doth. Answ. 1. This reading of his is very harsh, and had need to sound better before it contradict both the English Translators, and the common current of Protestant Interpreters. 2. He is not so very well skilled in the Greek, as he boasteth to be, unless he make the Apostle Paul a great Ignoramus in that language. For he putteth a Participle with the Prepositive Article for a Verb and a Relative, Philip. 4.7. [Greek or Hebrew], and the peace of God which passeth all understanding. So Eph. 4.22. [Greek or Hebrew]. The old man which is corrupt, and v. 24. [Greek or Hebrew]. The new man which after God is created. 1 Thess. 5.12. [Greek or Hebrew]. To know them which labour among you. If S•tcliffs rule hold, we may not read it so, but thus, To know them labouring among you. So Apoc. 7.14. [Greek or Hebrew], These are they who come out of great tribulation. Many places of this kind there are, which I need not cite. 3. An Ellipsis of the particle , is no error, no not in members of an opposition, as