8th.  As we observed at the entrance of this chapter, the whole work of the church, as unto authoritative teaching and rule, is committed unto the elders.  For authoritative teaching and ruling, is teaching and ruling by virtue of office:  and this office whereunto they do belong is that of elders, as is undeniably attested, Acts xx. 17, &c.  All that belongs unto the care, inspection, oversight, rule, fend instruction of the church, is committed unto the elders of it expressly.  For elders is a name derived from the Jews, denoting them that have authority in the church.

9th.  To the complete constitution of any church, or to the perfection of its organical state, it is required that there be many elders in it; at least more than one.  I do not determine what their number ought to be; but it is to be proportioned to the work and end designed.  Where the churches are small, the number of elders must be so also.  So many are necessary in each office as are able to discharge the work which is allotted unto them.  But that church, be it small or great, is defective, which hath not more elders than one; so many as are sufficient for their work.  The pattern of the first churches constituted by the apostles, which it is our duty to imitate and follow as our rule, plainly declares, that many elders were appointed by them in every church, Acts xi. 30, xiv. 23, xv. 2, 4, 6, 22, xvi. 4, xx. 17; 1 Tim. v. 17; Phil. i. 1; Tit. i. 5; 1 Pet. v. 1.

10th.  We shall now make application of these things unto our present purpose.  I say then, 1st, Whereas there is a work of rule in the Church, distinct from that of pastoral feeding:  2d, Whereas this work is to be attended unto with diligence, which includes the whole duty of him that attends unto it:  3d, That the ministry of the word and prayer, with all those duties that accompany it, is a full employment for any man, and so consequently his principal and proper work, which it is unlawful for him to be remiss in, by attending on another with diligence:  4th, That, in the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, distinct works did require distinct offices for their discharge:  and, 5th, Whereas there ought to be many elders in every church, that both the works of teaching and ruling may be constantly attended unto; all which we have proved already:  our inquiry herein is, whether the same Holy Spirit hath not distinguished this office of elders into those two sorts, namely, those who are called unto teaching and rule also, and those who are called unto rule only, which we affirm.

The testimonies whereby the truth of this assertion is confirmed are generally known and pleaded.  I shall insist on some of them only, beginning with that which is of uncontrollable evidence, if it had any thing to conflict with but prejudices and interest, and this is 1 Tim. v. 17, the meaning of which is, the elders or presbyters in office, elders of the church that rule well or discharge their presidency for rule in due manner, are worthy, or ought to be reputed worthy, of double honor; especially those of them who labor, or are engaged in the great labor and travail of the word and doctrine.