which not only heathen writers, but also the Greek version of the Old
Testament by the Septuagint, and the very original of the New Testament
are wont to give to political officers, to express their political
authority, power, and government,) as, for instance:

1. _Presbyter or elder_, is ascribed often to Christ's church officers,
as in Acts xiv. 23, and xv. 2, 4, and xx. 17; 1 Tim. v. 17; Tit. v.; 1
Pet. v. 1. This same word is ascribed to _rulers political_, to _elders
in the gate_, by the Septuagint, in Judges viii. 14; Ruth iv. 2, 3; 2
Sam. v. 3; 1 Chron. vi. 3.

2. _Overseer_ or _bishop_, noting authority and power in having the
charge and oversight of the flock, is ascribed to church officers in
Acts xx. 28; Phil. i. 1; 1 Tim. iii. 2; Tit. i. 7. This same word is
used by the Septuagint, to denote the power of the civil magistrate, to
whom the care and oversight of the commonwealth is committed, Numb.
xxxi. 14; Judges ix. 28; 2 Kings xi. 15.

3. _Guide, leader, conductor, captain, governor_, signifies them all,
and is given to church officers, as contradistinct from the _church_ and
_saints_, Heb. xiii. 7, 17, 24. It is also attributed to civil rulers to
set forth their power, in Deut. i. 13; Micah iii. 9, 11; 2 Chron. v. 1;
Ezek. xliv. 3, and xlv. 7; Dan. iii. 2; Acts vii. 10. This very word
_governor_, is attributed to Christ himself, _out of thee shall come
forth a governor, that shall rule_ (or _feed_) _my people Israel_, Matt.
ii. 6.

4. _Steward, dispenser_. "Stewards of the mysteries of God," is the
title given to ministers, 1 Cor. iv. 1, 2. "Steward of God," Tit. i. 7.
"That faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his