_Ans_. 1. If this sentence [_especially they who labor_, &c.] were added only to explain who are well-ruling elders, viz. such as greatly labor in the word, &c., then few of the prelatical bishops were to be counted well-ruling elders, for very few, if any of them, were guilty of laboring greatly in the word and doctrine. 2. Then also the apostle would have said, either who especially labor, or simply without the article, especially laboring; then especially, they who labor, as here he doth, carrying his speech rather to distinct persons and officers, than to distinct duties or actions. 3. This word translated _especially_, hath been already in the minor proposition proved to be rather disjunctive, than explanatory; a term of distinction to point out a several sort of elders from only ruling elders, rather than a term of explication, signifying who are to be reputed these well-ruling elders. 4. The word _especially_ is used for a term of distinction, even in those places where the adversative _but_ is not joined to it, as in Tit. i. 10, "For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:" where _especially_ distinguishes _them of the circumcision_, from all other _vain talkers, and deceivers_; and in 1 Tim. iv. 10, "Who is the Saviour of all men, especially of them that believe;" here _especially_ without _but_ distinguishes them that believe from all other men, as capable of a special salvation from God; if here it were not a note of distinction, according to this gloss, we should thus read the place, "Who is the Saviour of all men, greatly believing;" but this were cold comfort to weak Christians of little faith. So here _especially_, though _but_ be wanting, distinguished them that labor in the word and doctrine, from them that labor not therein, and yet rule well. _Except_. 7. It is one thing to preach, another thing to labor in the word and doctrine. If there be here any distinction of elders it is between those that labor more abundantly and painfully, and between those that labor not so much. This objection takes much with some.[81] B. Bilson much presses this objection from the emphasis of the word _laboring_; signifying endeavoring any thing with greater striving and contention, &c., to this sense, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor and sweat, &c., in the word--who give themselves even to be tired and broken with labors;" and this, saith he, is the genuine signification of the word translated laboring, when it is borrowed from the labor of the body, to denote the contention or striving of the mind, &c.[82]