The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…

Answ. 1. There is no man to be maintained at the Churches charges, but either in respect of his present poverty and necessity, or in respect of his office, which calleth him off from the attendance to the maintenance of his private family unto the public service of ⟨p. 20⟩the Church. In the former case, if it fall out that the Deacons be in necessity, they may be supplied with some maintenance from the Church, as well as any other of the poor brethren; and so, though this Text saith nothing concerning them, yet other Scriptures take care for them: for the Deacons, by the very institution of their office, were to take up the function which the Apostles laid down (as over troublesome, and incompatible to their Ministerial employment,) now that which they laid down, was the serving of tables, and distributing to every brother according to his need, Acts 6.2. with 4.35. if then their own need require, they may with the Churches allowance, take themselves of that supply which they dispose to others. But in respect of their office, there is little cause they should expect maintenance from the Churches charge; for their office takes them very little off from attendance to the maintenance of their own family. Seeing by the Ordinance of Christ they spend no time to go in and out to collect monies, but only receive what is brought to them, as an oblation to the Lord, laid down before them every Lords day in the face of the Church, or else what is brought home to their own houses, according to the bills they put in on the Lords day; and look what time they may spend in keeping a just account of what they lay out, or in visiting any sick or poor brethren, their time and labour spent herein is sufficiently recompensed by the use of the Churches stock, or treasury lying in their hands. Secondly, besides, this Text calleth for maintenance to those Elders in respect of their office of ruling well, but neither are Deacons styled Elders in any place of Scripture, neither is their office a place of rule, but of service to Tables; so that this Text will by no force be racked to bear this interpretation.

Answ. 1. There is no man to be maintained at the Churches charges, but either in respect of his present poverty and necessity, or in respect of his office, which calleth him off from the attendance to the maintenance of his private family unto the publike service of ⟨p. 20⟩