A42758:138
An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of…
An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of ruling-elders and of the authority of presbyteries and synods with a postscript in answer to a treatise lately published against presbyterial government.An assertion of the government of the Church of Scotland in the points of ruling-elders and of the authority of presbyteries and synods with a postscript in answer to a treatise lately published against presbyteriall government.
Edinburgh: printed for James Bryson, 1641Edinburgh: printed for Iames Bryson, 1641
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Bilson giveth yet another sense,1 That there were two sorts of Elders, some who laboured in the word and doctrine, some who had the care of the poor: both were worthy of double honour; but especially they who laboured in the word. Answ. Deacons are distinguished from Elders, Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. 1 Tim. 3. and by all antiquity. If we make Deacons to be Elders, and the care of the poor to be an act of ruling, then let us make what you will of the plainest Scriptures.
Bilson giveth yet another sense,1 That there were two sorts of Elders, some who laboured in the word and doctrine, some who had the care of the poore: both were worthy of double honour; but especially they who laboured in the word. Answ. Deacons are distinguished from Elders, Rom. 12. 1 Cor. 12. 1 Tim. 3. and by all antiquity. If wee make Deacons to bee Elders, and the care of the poore to be an act of ruling, then let us make what you will of the plainest Scriptures.
- 1De perpet. Eccl. gub. c. 10.
I find in Didoclavius three other interpretations beside the former:1 First, Bridges saith, That by Elders who labour not in the word and doctrine, are meant rulers or inferior Magistrates, chosen for compounding of civill controversies. Answ. 1. This is a strange language to call civill Magistrates by the name of Elders. 2. The Apostle is speaking of Ecclesiastical not of Civill office-bearers. 3. This exposition maketh Pastors who labour in the word and doctrine, to be a sort of civill Magistrates, because they are a kind of Elders that rule well.