The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

4. THE sense which the words will give being so interpreted, as that a distinction of Elders is not made in them, is absurd; the subject and predicate of the Proposition being terms convertible; it must be so, if the Proposition be not allowed to have a Distinction in it. One sort of Elders only, it is said are here intended. I ask who they are, and of what sort? it is said, the same with Pastors and Teachers, or Ministers of the Gospel. For if the one sort of Elders intended, be of another sort, we obtain what we plead for, as fully as if two sorts were allowed. Who then are these Elders, these Pastors and Teachers, these Ministers of the Church? Are they not those who labour in the Word and Doctrine? Yes, it will be said, it is they and no other. Then this is the sense of the words; Those who labour in the Word and Doctrine, that Rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially if they labour in the Word and Doctrine. For if there be but one sort of Elders; then Elders, and those that labour in the Word and Doctrine, are terms convertible. But Elders, and labour in the Word and Doctrine, are subject and predicate in this Proposition.

4. THE sence which the words will give being so interpreted, as that a distinction of Elders is not made in them, is absurd; the subject and predicate of the Proposition being terms convertible; it must be so, if the Proposition be not allowed to have a Distinction in it. One sort of Elders only, it is said are here intended. I ask who they are, and of what sort? it is said, the same with Pastors and Teachers, or Ministers of the Gospel. For if the one sort of Elders intended, be of another sort, we obtain what we plead for, as fully as if two sorts were allowed. Who then are these Elders, these Pastors and Teachers, these Ministers of the Church? Are they not those who labour in the Word and Doctrine? Yes, it will be said, it is they and no other. Then this is the sence of the words; Those who labour in the Word and Doctrine, that Rule well, are worthy of double honour, especially if they labour in the Word and Doctrine. For if there be but one sort of Elders; then Elders, and those that labour in the Word and Doctrine, are terms convertible. But Elders, and labour in the Word and Doctrine, are subject and praedicate in this Proposition.