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 6.1, 2, 3. There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because the 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. 3.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much Wine, not given to filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure ⟨p. 163⟩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 house 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 Service, Preach and Baptise, when they have license thereunto. But this choice, to reject an Office of the appointment of Christ, under pretence of ⟨p. 164⟩provision made for the duties of it another way, and the erecting of one not appointed by him, seems not equal.
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 6.1, 2, 3. There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because the Widdows 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. 3.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much Wine, not given to filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure ⟨p. 163⟩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 house 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 Scr•pture. 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 applyed 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 Service, Preach and Baptise, when they have license thereunto. But this choice, to rej•ct an Office of the appointment of Christ, under pretence of ⟨p. 164⟩provision made for the duties of it another way, and the erecting of one not appointed by him, seems not equall.
