Ans. I cannot well deny but it is apparent from Act. 6. 4. that the Apostles themselves were once those who cared for the poor, but I deny that hence it follows in the case of fewer poor, that the Office can return to the Pastors as to the first subject, except you suppose the intervention of a divine institution to place it again in the Pastors; as the power of judging Israel was once in Samuel, but upon supposition that Saul was dead, that power cannot return back to Samuel except you suppose that God by his authority shall re-deliver and translate it back again to Samuel. For seeing God by positive institution had turned the power of judging over from Samuel into the person of Saul, and changed the same into a regal and Kingly power, that same authority who changed the power must rechange it again, and place it in, and restore it to its first subject. 2. The fewness of poor; or no poor at all, cannot be supposed, Joh. 12. 8. for the poor you have always with you. And considering the afflictions of the Churches, the object of the Deacons giving and showing mercy, as it is Rom. 12. 8. cannot be wanting, as that the Churches fabric be kept in good frame, the poor, the captives of Christian Churches, the sick, the wounded, the stranger, the distracted be relieved, yea and the poor Saints of other Churches, 1 Cor. 16. be supported. 3. Not only because of the impossibility that Pastors cannot give both themselves to praying and the Word, and to the serving of Tables; but by reason of the wisdom of Christ in a positive Law, the Pastor cannot be the Deacon ex officie in any case. For 1. Christ hath made them distinct Offices, upon good grounds, Act. 6. 4. ⟨p. 164⟩2. The Apostle hath set down divers qualifications, for the Bishop, 1 Tim. 3. 1. and for the Deacon, V. 12, 13. And 3. the Pastor who is to give the whole man to the preaching of the Gospel, cannot entangle himself with Tables, 1 Tim. 4. 15. 2 Tim. 2. 3, 4, 5. if we should say nothing, that if there were need of Officers to take care of the poor, when there was such grace and love amongst the Saints and Apostles able and willing to acquit themselves toward the poor, and when all things were common Act. 2. 44, 45, 46, 47. Act. 4. 31. 32, 33, 34. far more now is the Office needful, when the love of many is waxen cold.
Ans. I cannot well deny but it is apparent from Act. 6. 4. that the Apostles themselves were once those who cared for the poore, but I deny that hence it followes in the case of fewer poore, that the Office can returne to the Pastors as to the first subject, except you suppose the intervention of a divine institution to place it againe in the Pastors; as the power of judging Israel was once in Samuel, but upon supposition that Saul was dead, that power cannot returne backe to Samuel except you suppose that God by his authority shall re-deliver and translate it backe againe to Samuel. For seeing God by positive institution had turned the power of judging over from Samuel into the person of Saul, and changed the same into a regall and Kingly power, that same authority who changed the power must rechange it againe, and place it in, and restore it to its first subject. 2. The fewnesse of poore; or no poore at all, cannot be supposed, Joh. 12. 8. for the poore you have alwaies with you. And considering the afflictions of the Churches, the object of the Deacons giving and shewing mercy, as it is Rom. 12. 8. cannot be wanting, as that the Churches fabricke be kept in good frame, the poore, the captives of Christian Churches, the sicke, the wounded, the stranger, the distracted be relieved, yea and the poor Saints of other Churches, 1 Cor. 16. be supported. 3. Not onely because of the impossibility that Pastors cannot give both themselves to praying and the Word, and to the serving of Tables; but by reason of the wisdome of Christ in a positive Law, the Pastor cannot be the Deacon ex officie in any case. For 1. Christ hath made them distinct Offices, upon good grounds, Act. 6. 4. ⟨p. 164⟩2. The Apostle hath set downe divers qualifications, for the Bishop, 1 Tim. 3. 1. and for the Deacon, V. 12, 13. And 3. the Pastor who is to give the whole man to the preaching of the Gospell, cannot entangle himselfe with Tables, 1 Tim. 4. 15. 2 Tim. 2. 3, 4, 5. if we should say nothing, that if there were need of Officers to take care of the poore, when there was such grace and love amongst the Saints and Apostles able and willing to acquit themselves toward the poore, and when all things were common
