The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…

Answ. But neither will this sense stand with the Apostles words and meaning: for hereupon this absurdity would follow, that if well-ruling in the former part of the sentence, held forth generally all the duties of good Ministers, and labouring in word and doctrine, (in the later part) one special part of their office, then the other, good Ministers, for doing all. Neither doth the instance given of Logicians help: for it may be truly said of Logicians; that Logicians who reason well, that is, all good Logicians, are worthy of honour, especially they who are judicious, because, if they only reason well in invention, though they be not judicious, yet such also are commendable. But it's not truly said of Ministers, that if they rule well, that is, do their office well in Discipline and Rule, though they labour not in word and Doctrine, that they are commendable; but otherwise, if Logicians, be good as well in judgement as in invention, and so perform both the parts of their art well; it may be said indeed, that they are commendable and honourable, but it cannot be said without absurdity, that such as are judicious are more commendable, or chiefly to be honoured above those that are both ingenuous and judicious, both parts are doubtless better then either alone: neither will the absurdity be helped by saying Logicians that reason well, both in invention and in judgement, are worthy of honour, or double honour, especially they that excel in judgement; for though speech be rational, yet the like cannot be applied in this Text: for it is not said in the Text, the Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, especially they that excel in preaching, which labour doth not hold forth excellency (as hath been showed before, but only positively and simply pains taking, in preaching, the common act and work of all good Ministers, 1 Thes. 5.12. The issue of all is, that when men of learning and judgement have wearied their wits and strength, to shoulder out ruling Elders, ⟨p. 25⟩from this Text, yet such is the evidence and wisdom of the holy Ghost, in the word, that it may well appear, the weakness of God is stronger then men, and the foolishness of God wiser then men; the words cannot but approve two sorts of Elders, and both worthy of double honour, both they that rule well, though they labour not in preaching, and especially they that do labour in preaching;

Answ. But neither will this sense stand with the Apostles words and meaning: for hereupon this absurdity would follow, that if well-ruling in the former part of the sentence, held forth generally all the duties of good Ministers, and labouring in word and doctrine, (in the later part) one speciall part of their office, then the other, good Ministers, for doing all. Neither doth the instance given of Logicians help: for it may be truly said of Logicians; that Logicians who reason well, that is, all good Logicians, are worthy of honour, especially they who are judicious, because, if they only reason well in invention, though they be not judicious, yet such also are commendable. But it's not truly said of Ministers, that if they rule well, that is, do their office well in Discipline and Rule, though they labour not in word and Doctrine, that they are commendable; but otherwise, if Logicians, be good as well in judgement as in invention, and so perform both the parts of their art well; it may be said indeed, that they are commendable and honourable, but it cannot be said without absurdity, that such as are judicious are more commendable, or chiefly to be honoured above those that are both ingenuous and judicious, both parts are doubtlesse better then either alone: neither will the absurdity be helped by saying Logicians that reason well, both in invention and in judgement, are worthy of honour, or double honour, especially they that excell in judgement; for though speech be rationall, yet the like cannot be applied in this Text: for it is not said in the Text, the Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, especially they that excell in preaching, which labour doth not hold forth excellency (as hath been shewed before, but only positively and simply pains taking, in preaching, the common act and work of all good Ministers,