The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

HEREON the Apostles, by the Authority of Christ and direction of the Holy Spirit, under whose Infallible Guidance they were in all the general concernments of the Church, Instituted the Office of Deacons, for the discharge of this necessary and important Duty in the Church, which they could not attend unto themselves. And whereas the Lord Christ had in an especial manner committed the care of the Poor unto the Disciples, there was now a declaration of his Mind and Will, in what way and by what means he would have them provided for.

AND it was the Institution of a new Office, and not a present supply in a Work of Business which they designed. For the limitation of an especial Ecclesiastical Work, with the Designation of Persons unto that Work, with Authority for the discharge of it, (set over this business) with a separation unto it, do completely constitute an Office, nor is there any thing more required thereunto.

AND it was the Institution of a new Office, and not a present supply in a Work of Business which they designed. For the limitation of an especial Ecclesiastical Work, with the Designation of Persons unto that Work, with Authority for the discharge of it, (set over this business) with a separation unto it, do compleatly constitute an Office, nor is there any thing more required thereunto.

BUT whereas there are three things that concur and are required unto the ministration unto the Poor of the Church. (1.) The Love, Charity, Bounty and Benevolence of the Members of the Church, in contribution unto that ministration. (2.) The care and oversight of the discharge of it. And, (3.) The actual Exercise and Application of it; the last only belongs unto the Office of the Deacons, and neither of the first are discharged by the Institution of it. For the first is both a Duty of the Light and Law of Nature, and in its moral part ⟨p. 183⟩