3. In this divisioun, wee call thais eldaris, quhome the Apostles callis presedentis or gouernouris.
4. Thair office, as it is ordinary, swa is it perpetuall, and alwayis necessar in the kirk of God.
5. The eldarschip is ane functioun spirituall, as is the ministrie.
6. Eldaris anis lawchfullie callit to the office, and having giftis of God meit to exercyse the same, may not leave it againe.
7. Albeit sic ane number of eldaris may be chosine in certane congregationis, that ane pairt of thame may releif ane uther for ane reasonable space, as was amang the Levittis under the law, in serving of the temple.
8. The number of the eldaris in euery congregatioun cane not be weill limitat, bot sould be according to the boundis and necessitie of the peple.
9. It is not necessar that all eldaris be also teachearis of the word, albeit they aucht cheiflie to be sic, and swa ar worthie of double honour.
10. Quhat manner of personis thay aucht to be, we refer to the expres word, and namelie, the Canonis wryttine be the Apostles.
11. Thair office is, als weill seuerallie as coniunctlie, to watche diligentlie upone the flok committit unto thair charge, bayth publicklie and privatlie, that no corruptioun of religioun or maneris enter thairin.
12. As the pastouris and doctouris sould be diligent in teacheing and sowing the seid of the word, so the eldaris sould be cairfull in seiking the fruitt of the same in the peple.