[figure] › Chapter 7: SECT. 7., The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the… by Samuel Rutherford (1644) | AskReformation

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:653p. 142–143

Answ. 1. Paul would not speak so honourably of Deacons, as to allow them the worth of a double honourable reward. Yea Gods Word putteth the Deacons out of the roll of Rulers and governors in Gods house, as having nothing to do by ¹their office to labour in the Word and Prayer, but are in Gods wisdom set lower to attend Tables, nor doth the word call them Elders, or [Greek or Hebrew] in relation to the Church but only in relation to their own family and house. 2 Tim. 3. 12. their office is an office of mere service of Tables. 2. He is a labouring Elder worthy of wages, that the Apostle speaketh of here, as, v. 18. The Deaconship being to receive the mercy and charity, which is alms, and not debt, cannot be such an office as taketh up the whole man, so as he must live upon the Churches charges. 3. Bilson ^aa man partial in this cause, against the mind of all the ancients (saith Didoclavius ^bgiveth this interpretation. But it is seconded with no ⟨p. 143⟩warrant of Gods Word, for Governors and Deacons are made two species of officers, Rom. 12. 8. [Greek or Hebrew] he who ruleth with diligence, and he who hath mercy with cheerfulness. And two opposite species are not predicated, the one of the other. And if well governing, Rom. 12. be •ell teaching and diligent exhorting, all are confounded in that Text, where the Apostle marshalleth the officers and their several exercises so accurately.

Answ. 1. Paul would not speake so honorably of Deacons, as to allow them the worth of a double honorable reward. Yea Gods Word purteth the Deacons out of the roll of Rulers and governours in Gods house, as having nothing to doe by ¹their office to labour in the Word and Prayer, but are in Gods wisdome set lower to attend Tables, nor doth the word call them Elders, or 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 in relation to the Church but onely in relation to their owne family and house. 2 Tim. 3. 12. their office is an office of meere service of Tables. 2. He is a labouring Elder worthy of wages, that the Apostle speaketh of here, as, v. 18. The Deaconship being to receive the mercy and charity, which is almes, and not debt, cannot be such an office as taketh up the whole man, so as hee must live upon the Churches charges. 3. Bilson ^aa man partiall in this cause, against the minde of all the ancients (saith Didoclavius ^bgiveth this interpetation. But it is seconded with no ⟨p. 143⟩warrant of Gods Word, for Governours and Deacons are made two species of officers, Rom. 12. 8. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 he who ruleth with diligence, and he who hath mercy with chearefulnesse. And two opposite species are not predicated, the one of the other. And if well governing, Rom. 12. be •ell teaching and diligent exhorting, all are confounded in that Text, where the Apostle marshalleth the officers and their severall exercises so accurately.

1Acts 6. v. 2.
aBilson. de gube• nat. Eccles. c. 0. p. 179.
bDidoclav. in altar Damascene. p. 918.Didoclav. in altar Damascen. p. 918.