or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence,” &c.  Here we have a list of the ordinary officers of Christ, one body, the church.  Here is the teacher:  he that teacheth.  Here is the pastor:  he that exhorteth.  Here is the deacon:  he that giveth.  And here is another officer distinct from all them, he that ruleth.  His description attests, that ruling is, if not his only, yet his principal work.  He that ruleth is here marked by a distinct character, as having a different gift, and a distinct work from his fellow-officers.  This office therefore must be distinct. 2.  From 1 Cor. xii. 28, where the Spirit of God informs us, that God hath set some in the Church, GOVERNMENTS.  These must be understood of governors, as miracles are afterwards explained of workers of miracles.  These governments and governors are said to be set in the church, not in the state; by God, not by men:  they are declared to be distinct officers by themselves.  Their title, government, implies, that ruling is their principal work. 3.  From 1 Tim. v. 17, where the divine warrant for ruling elders shines with more peculiar brightness than anywhere in the book of God:  “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.”  The ruling elders here mentioned necessarily pertain to the church.  Two sorts of ruling elders are here plainly distinguished:  some that only rule well; others that also labor in word and doctrine.  There is not one place in the New Testament, nor perhaps in any Greek author, where the word here translated ESPECIALLY does not distinguish between different persons or things, Gal. vi. 10; Phil. iv. 22; 1 Tim. iv. 10; 2 Tim. iv. 13; and it would be absurd to suppose, that it does not distinguish here also.  Therefore this single text shows the divine right of both the teaching and ruling elder.

Quest.  What are the duties of ruling elders?

Ans.  To exercise ecclesiastical rule in church courts with the same authority as the preaching elder; to watch over the flock; impartially to receive or exclude members; to warn and censure the unruly; and to visit and pray with the sick.

Quest.  Where is the divine warrant for deacons?

Ans.  From Acts vi., where we are informed of the original and design of their office; and from 1 Tim. iii. 8-12, where the inspired apostle describes their necessary qualifications.

Quest.  What are the duties of deacons?

Ans.  To look into the state and to serve the tables of the poor, by distributing the funds of the church, according to the respective necessities of the saints, 1 Tim. iii. 12.

Quest.  What are the courts in which presbyterian rulers meet?

Ans.  Congregational sessions, presbyteries, and synods.