1904 CE, Robert Browne, A New Years Guift, Fred. S. Thacker; page #44:But what I iudge of the vse of theis names & offices I haue before written this onely I add, that the former elders in age & tyme in the cæremonial lawe, were figures of the elders or first & former in guifts & graces sence the abolishing of ceremonies, & therefore the names are not so much to be stuck vpon, nether the eldership by birth or continuance, but the vse of the guiftes & graces are specially to be regarded/.
