This Office of ruling Elders in the Church, is much opposed by some, and in especial by them who have least reason so to do▪ For First, They object against them, that they are lay Elders ▪ ⟨p. 156⟩when those with whom they have to do, deny that distinction of the Church into the Clergy and Layity. For although they allow the distribution of […], into Officers, and the multitude of the Brethren, yet they maintain that the whole Church is Gods Clergy, his lot, and portion, 1. Pet. 5.3. Again, they affirm them to be Elders, and therein not merely of the members of the Church, but Officers set apart unto their Office according to rule, or the appointment of Christ. And if by Layity, the people distinct from the Officers of the Church are to be understood, the very term of a lay Elder implies a contradiction, as designing one, who is, and is not, a Church Officer. Besides, themselves do principally govern the Church by such whom they esteem Lay-men, as not in holy-Orders; to whom the principal part of its rule, at least in the execution of it is committed, which renders their objection to this sort of Church-Officers unreasonable. Others also have given advantage by making this Office annual, or biennial, in them that are chosen unto it; which though they ⟨p. 157⟩plead the necessity of their Churches for, as not having Persons meet for this work and duty, who are willing to undertake in constantly during their lives, without such a contribution for their maintenance as they are not able to afford; yet the wisest of them do acknowledge an irregularity in what they do, and wish it remedied. But this hinders not, but that such Church-Officers are indeed designed in the Scripture, and of whom frequent mention is made in the ancient writers, and footsteps also, yet remain in most Churches of their institution, though woefully corrupted. For besides, that some light in this matter may be taken from the Church of the Jews, wherein the Elders of the People, were joined in Rule with the Priests, both in the Sanhedrin, and all lesser Assemblies; there is in the Gospel express mention of persons that were assigned peculiarly for Rule and Government in the Church, as 1 Cor. 12.28.
This Office of ruling Elders in the Church, is much opposed by some, and in especial by them who have least rea•son so to do▪ For First, They object against them, that they are lay Elders ▪ ⟨p. 156⟩when those with whom they have to do, deny that distinction of the Church into the Clergy and Layity. For although they allow the distribution of 〈…〉, into Officers, and the multitude of the Brethren, yet they maintain that the whole Church is Gods Clergy, his lot, and portion, 1. Pet. 5.3. Again, they affirm them to be Elders, and therein not meerly of the members of the Church, but Officers set apart unto their Office according to rule, or the appointment of Christ. And if by Layity, the people distinct from the Officers of the Church are to be understood, the very term of a lay Elder implyes a contradiction, as designing one, who is, and is not, a Church Officer. Besides, themselves do principally govern the Church by such whom they esteem Lay-men, as not in holy-Orders; to whom the principal part of its rule, at least in the execution of it is committed, which renders their objection to this sort of Church-Officers unreasonable. Others also have given advantage by making this Office annual, or biennial, in them that are chosen unto it; which though they ⟨p. 157⟩plead the necessity of their Churches for, as not having Persons meet for this work and duty, who are willing to undertake in constantly during their lives, without such a contribution for their maintenance as they are not able to afford; yet the wisest of them do acknowledge an irregularity in what they do, and wish it remedied. But this hinders not, but that such Church-Officers are indeed designed in the Scripture, and of whom frequent mention is made in the ancient writers, and footsteps also, yet remain in most Churches of their institution, though wofully corrupted. For besides, that some light in this matter may be taken from the Church of the Jews, wherein the Elders of the People, were joyned in Rule with the Priests, both in the Sanhedrim, and all lesser Assemblies; there is in the Gospel express mention of persons that were assigned peculiarly for Rule and Government in the Church, as 1 Cor. 12.28.
