The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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⟩enforced by many especial Commands of Christ; so as that nothing can absolve Men from their obligation thereunto. The Office and Work of the Deacons is to excite, direct and help them in the exercise of that Grace, and discharge of the Duty therein incumbent on them. Nor is any Man, by the entrusting a due proportion of his good things in the hands of the Deacons for its distribution, absolved thereby from his own personal discharge of it also. For it being a moral Duty required in the Law of Nature, it receiveth peculiar obligations unto a present exercise by such Circumstances as Nature and Providence do suggest: The care also of the whole Work is as was said, still incumbent on the Pastors and Elders of the Church; only the ordinary Execution is committed unto the Deacons.