stantly during their lives, without such a contribution for their maintenance as they are not able to afford; yet the wisest of them do acknowledge an irregularity in what they do, and wish it remedied. But this hinders not, but that such church officers are indeed designed in the Scripture, and of whom frequent mention is made in the ancient writers, and footsteps also yet remain in most churches of their institution, though wofully corrupted. For besides, that some light in this matter may be taken from the church of the Jews, wherein the elders of the people were joined in rule with the priests, both in the sanhedrim, and all lesser assemblies, there is in the gospel express mention of persons that were assigned peculiarly for rule and government in the church; as 1 Cor. xii. 28. And it is in vain pretended that those words, 'helps, governments,' do denote gifts only, seeing the apostle expressly enumerates the persons in office, or officers, which the Lord Christ then used in the foundation and rule of the churches as then planted. He that ruleth, also is distinguished from him that teacheth, and him that exhorteth, Rom. xii. 8. and is prescribed diligence, as his principal qualification in the discharge of his duty. And the words of the apostle to this purpose, are express, 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule. well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.' For the words expressly assign two sorts of elders, whereof some only attend unto rule; others moreover labour in the word and doctrine. Neither doth that word, as some would have it, 'labour in the word,' intend any other labour but what is incumbent on all the pastors and teachers of their church as their constant duty. See Rom. vi. 12. Acts xx. 35. 1 Thess. v. 12. Now can we suppose that the apostle would affirm them to be worthy of double honour, whom comparing with others, he notes as remiss and negligent in their work? For it seems that others were more diligent in the discharge of that duty, which was no less theirs, if only one sort of elders be here intended. The Scripture is not wont to commend such persons as worthy of double honour, but rather to propose them as meet for double shame and punishment. Jer. xlviii. 10. 1 Cor. ix. 16. And they are unmindful of their own interest, who would have bishops that attend to the

rule of the church, to be distinctly intended by the elders that rule well; seeing the apostle expressly preferreth before and above them, those that attend constantly to the word and doctrine. And besides what is thus expressly spoken concerning the appointment of this sort of elders in the church, their usefulness in the necessity of their work and employment is evident. For whereas a constant care in the church, that the conversation of all the members of it be such as becometh the gospel, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be not evil spoken of, is of great concernment and importance, and the pastors and teachers being to give up themselves continually unto prayer and the ministry of of the word, cannot attend unto the constant and daily oversight thereof; the usefulness of these elders, whose proper and peculiar work it is to have regard unto the holy walking of the church, must needs be manifest unto all. But whereas in most churches there is little or no regard unto the personal holiness of the members of them, it is no wonder that no account should be had of them who are ordained by the Lord Christ to look after it and promote it.

The qualification of these elders, with the way of their call and setting apart unto their office, being the same with those of the teaching elders before insisted on, need not be here again repeated. Their authority also in the whole rule of the church is every way the same with that of the other sort of elders, and they are to act in the execution of it with equal respect and regard from the church. Yea, the business of rule being peculiarly committed unto them, and they required to attend thereunto, with diligence in an especial manner, the work thereof is principally theirs, as that of labouring in the word and doctrine doth especially belong unto the pastors and teachers of the churches. And this institution is abused, when either unmeet persons are called to this office, or those that are called, do not attend unto their duty with diligence, or do act only in it by the guidance of the teaching officers, without a sense of their own authority, or due respect from the church.

Quest. 32. Is there no other ordinary office in the church but only that of elders?

Ans. Yes, of deacons also.

Quest. 33. What are the deacons of the church ?

Ans. Approved men chosen by the church to take care for the necessities of the poor belonging thereunto, and other outward occasions of the whole church, by the collection, keeping, and distribution of the alms and other supplies of the church, set apart and commended to the grace of God therein, by prayer. Acts vi. 3. 5, 6. Phil. i. 1. 1 Tim. iii. 8-13.

EXPLICATION.

The office of the deacon, the nature, end, and use of it, the qualification of the persons to be admitted unto it, the way and manner of their election and setting apart, are all of them plainly expressed in the Scripture. Acts vi. 1—3. 5, 6. There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen,' &c. 'whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.' 1 Tim. iii. 8—13. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless; the husbands of one wife, ruling their children, and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith, which is in Christ Jesus.' These things are thus plain and express in the Scripture. But whereas many have grown weary of the observation of the institutions of the gospel, this office hath for a long time been lost amongst the most of Christians. By some the name is retained, but applied to another work, duty, and employment, than this to which it is peculiarly appropriated in the Scripture. Their proper and original work of taking care for the poor, they say, is provided for by others; and therefore that office being needless, another, unto another purpose, under the

same name, is erected. Such are deacons that may read ser vice, preach, and baptize, when they have license thereunto. But this choice, to reject an office of the appointment of Christ, under pretence of provision made for the duties of it another way, and the erecting of one not appointed by him, seems not equal. But whereas it is our duty in all things to have regard to the authority of Christ and his appointments in the gospel, if we claim the privilege of being called after his name, some think that if what he hath appointed may be colourably performed another way without respect unto his institutions, that is far the best. But omitting the practice of other men, the things that concern this office in the church are, as was said, clear in the Scripture.

First, The persons called unto it are to be of honest report, furnished with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, especially with wisdom, Acts vi. 3. and those other endowments useful in the discharge of their duty mentioned, 1 Tim. iii. 8.

Secondly, The way whereby they come to be made partakers of this office, is by the choice or election of the church, Acts vi. 2, 3. 5. whereupon they are solemnly to be set apart by prayer.

Thirdly, Their work or duty consists in a daily ministration unto the necessities of the poor saints, or members of the church; ver. 1, 2.

Fourthly, To this end that they may be enabled so to do, it is ordained, that every first day the members of the church do contribute according as God enables them of their substance for the supply of the wants of the poor; 1 Cor. xvi. 2. And also occasionally as necessity shall require, or God move their hearts by his grace.

Fifthly, Hereunto is to be added whatever by the providence of God may be conferred upon the church for its outward advantage, with reference unto the end mentioned, Acts iv. 34, 35.

Sixthly, These supplies of the church being committed to the care and charge of the deacons, they are from thence to minister with diligence and wisdom unto the necessities of the poor; that so the needy may be supplied, that there may be none that lack, the rich may contribute of their riches according to the mind of Christ, and in obedience unto his

stantly during their lives, without such a contribution for their maintenance as they are not able to afford; yet the wisest of them do acknowledge an irregularity in what they do, and wish it remedied. But this hinders not, but that such church officers are indeed designed in the Scripture, and of whom frequent mention is made in the ancient writers, and footsteps also yet remain in most churches of their institution, though wofully corrupted. For besides, that some light in this matter may be taken from the church of the Jews, wherein the elders of the people were joined in rule with the priests, both in the sanhedrim, and all lesser assemblies, there is in the gospel express mention of persons that were assigned peculiarly for rule and government in the church; as 1 Cor. xii. 28.. And it is in vain pretended that those words, 'helps, governments,' do denote gifts only, seeing the apostle expressly enumerates the persons in office, or officers, which the Lord Christ then used in the foundation and rule of the churches as then planted. He that ruleth, also is distinguished from him that teacheth, and him that exhorteth, Rom. xii. 8. and is prescribed diligence, as his principal qualification in the discharge of his duty. And the words of the apostle to this purpose, are express, 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine.' For the words expressly assign two sorts of elders, whereof some only attend unto rule; others moreover labour in the word and doctrine. Neither doth that word, as some would have it, 'labour in the word,' intend any other labour but what is incumbent on all the pastors and teachers of their church as their constant duty. See Rom. vi. 12. Acts xx. 35. 1 Thess. v. 12. Now can we suppose that the apostle would affirm them to be worthy of double honour, whom comparing with others, he notes as remiss and negligent in their work? For it seems that others were more diligent in the discharge of that duty, which was no less theirs, if only one sort of elders be here intended. The Scripture is not wont to commend such persons as worthy of double honour, but rather to propose them as meet for double shame and punishment. Jer. viii. 10. 1 Cor. ix. 16. And they are uninindful of their

interest, who would have bishops that attend to the