Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

1 Thessalonians v. 12.
Synopsis. Their unanimity is wonderful and decisive. Dr.
Thornwell's statement is equivocal. The middle term (ruler)
in the syllogism-necessary to include ruling elders within the
affirmation-must be employed in different senses in the two
premises. This text does refer to rulers, and ruling elders are
rulers. But it does not follow that it refers to ruling elders,
since ministers are rulers in a very different sense from ruling.
elders. They are rulers of ruling elders, and before, and independently of them, by the very nature of their office, call,
qualifications, and authority given to them directly by Christ,
through the Holy Ghost and his word, and mediately by his
appointed church court. They are brought into relation to the
people only when licensed or ordained by that court to preach;
and to any particular church, only when called to become,
by mutual covenant, their pastor. "Ruling elders," however,
"are properly the representatives of the people, and chosen by
THEM for the purpose of exercising government and discipline
in CONJUNCTION WITH pastors or ministers." Now, it is exclusively to pastors or ministers commentators universally refer
this passage, and since it is closely analogous to 1 Tim. v. 17,
the whole weight of their authority is in favour of the same
interpretation of that passage. Calvin has a comment on this
passage of nearly three octavo pages, and refers it exclusively
to "pious teachers," "good ministers," "ministers who faithfully preside," "pastors," "teachers," "true pastors, that by
teachting govern properly and faithfully," fidles ministres de
la parole, "whom the Spirit of God honours with the distinction of presidency." This presidency denotes "spiritual
government... in the name and by the commandment
of Christ... presiding in the Lord. Unquestionably that
any one may be ranked among lawful pastors, it is necessary he should show he PRESIDES IN THE LORD... and what
else is this but that by pure doctrine he puts Christ in his
own seat," &c.
Dr. Owen, who is only second as authority to Calvin, with
these theorists, on Heb. iii. 3-6, where ministers are declared
by him to be partakers of the honour and glory of Christ as
the great builder of the church, and therefore to be highly
1860.]
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