4.  Yet, finally, These elders, vested with rule in the Church, and divinely approved in their rule, are distinct from all them that labor in the word and doctrine.  This may thus he evidenced from the text, as some[69] have well observed:  For, 1.  Here is a general, under which the several kinds of officers here spoken of are comprehended, elders; all here mentioned are elders. 2.  Here are two distinct kinds of elders, viz:  those that rule well, there is one kind; and they that labor in the word (as the pastors) and doctrine, (as the doctors and teachers,) here is the other kind. 3.  Here are two participles expressing these two species or kinds of elders—­ruling, and laboring:  those only rule, that is all their work, and therefore here are called ruling elders; not because they alone rule, but because their only work is to rule:  but these not only rule, but, over and besides, they labor in the word and doctrine. 4.  Here are two distinct articles distinctly annexed to these two participles—­they that rule; they that labor. 5.  Finally, here is an eminent disjunctive particle set betwixt these two kinds of elders, these two participles, these two articles, evidently distinguishing one from the other, viz. especially they that labor in the word, &c., intimating, that as there were some ruling elders that did labor in the word and doctrine, so there were others that did rule, and not labor in the word:  both were worthy of double honor, but especially they that both ruled and labored in the word also.  And wheresoever this word, here translated especially, is used in all the New Testament, it is used to distinguish thing from thing, person from person, that are spoken of; as, “Let us do good to all, but especially to those of the household of faith,” Gal. vi. 10:  therefore there were some of the household of faith, and some that were not; and accordingly we must put a difference in doing good to them.  “All the saints salute you, especially those of Caesar’s household;” some saints not of his household:  all saluted them, but especially those of Caesar’s household.  “He that provides not for his own, especially for them of his own house, he hath denied the faith,” 1 Tim. v. 8.  A believer is to provide for his friends and kindred, but especially for those of his own house, wife and children.  See also 1 Tim. iv. 10; Tit. i. 11; 2 Tim. iv. 13; 2 Pet. ii. 10; Acts xx. 38, and xxvi. 3; in all which places the word especially is used as a disjunctive particle, to distinguish one thing from another, without which distinction we shall but make nonsense in interpreting those places.  And generally the best interpreters[70] do from this text conclude, that there were two sorts of elders, viz:  the ruling elder, that only ruled; the preaching elder, that besides his ruling, labored in the word and doctrine also.

Now, therefore, seeing the officers here mentioned are, 1.  According to the word of Christ, (for this is the word of Christ,) styled elders; 2.  Vested with rule; 3.  Approved of God in their rule; and yet, 4.  Distinct from all that labor in the word and doctrine, as hath been particularly proved; we may conclude, that,