The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

Name: The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…
Author: Samuel Rutherford

The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the Church of Scotland ... by Samuel Rutherfurd ...

Samuel Rutherford 1600?–1661London: printed by E. Griffin for Richard Whittaker and Andrew Crook, 1644

[24], 468 [i.e. 768] p. · 318k words · Wing R2378 · ESTC R12822

Title page typeset from the transcription.

[figure] › Chapter 7 › Of Deacons. › Objection 3: Ob. 3. But if the civill Magistrate had been a friend to the Church, Acts 6. his place…

Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.

[ Earlier:712–726 of 2,256

:712p. 161

Ob. 3. But if the civill Magistrate had been a friend to the Church, Acts 6. his place had been to care for the poor, for the law of nature obligeth him to take care of the poor, therefore did a woman in the famine at the siege of Samaria cry, Help O King; and if this were done by Christian Magistrates, Pastors should be eased thereof, that they might give themselves to the Word and Prayer, and there should be no need of a divine positive institution of Deacons for this charge.

Ob. 3. But if the civill Magistrate had been a friend to the Church, Acts 6. his place had beene to care for the poore, for the law of nature obligeth him to take care of the poore, therefore did a woman in the famine at the siege of Samaria cry, Helpe O King; and if this were done by Christian Magistrates, Pastors should be eased thereof, that they might give themselves to the Word and Prayer, and there should be no neede of a divine positive institution of Deacons for this charge.

:713p. 162

Answ. That the godly Magistrate is to take care of the poor, as they are members of the Common wealth, I could easily grant. But this is not now in question; but whether, or not, the Church, as it is an Ecclesiastical society, should not have a treasure of the peoples Evangelic free-will-offering for the necessity of the Saints, as Heb. 13. 16. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6, 7, 8, and consequently, whether or not Christ hath ordained, not the Pastors, but some officers besides, to attend this work? We affirm he hath provided for his poor members, even their bodily necessi jes. Secondly, if this be true, that there should be no Deacon but the Christian Magistrate, then were these seven Deacons but the Substitutes and Vicars of the Emperor and King. Now certainly, if Apostolic benediction and laying on of hands, in the wisdom of God was thought fit for the Vicars and Deputies of the Magistrates, it is like that beside the coronation of the Roman Emperor, the twelve Apostles ought to have blessed him with prayer, and separated him by laying on of hands for this Deaconry; for what Apostolic calling is necessary, for the temporary substitute is more necessary, and at least that same way necessary for the principal. But that civill Magistrates, ex officio, are to be separated for this Church-office so holden forth to us,

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The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

Object. 5. But if there were a community of goods, and no man lacked any thing, Act. 5. 34. there were no poor at all, and so no need of Deacons.

Object. 5. But if there were a community of goods, and no man lacked any thing, Act. 5. 34. there were no poore at all, and so no need of Deacons.

Object. 6. Distribution of earthly goods is not such a thing, at requireth a spiritual Office; for money given by a Church-officer hath no spiritual influence on the poor's necessity, more then money given by the Magistrate, or one who hath no Church-office.

Object. 6. Distribution of earthly goods is not such a thing, at requireth a spirituall Office; for money given by a Church-officer hath no spirituall influence on the poores necessity, more then money given by the Magistrate, or one who hath no Church-office.

Object. 7. The Office of a Deacon is not mentioned in the Word, and what should be his charge is scarcely holden forth in Scripture.

Object, 9. 1 Tim. 3. 9. The Deacon must hold the mystery of the faith; Ergo, he must be able to preach.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36