N02341:348
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in the churches of New-England. : With interspersed and instructive reflections on the discipline of the primitive churches. : [Seven lines from Ezekiel]
Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
We return to our Deacons. They are, as he that goes under the Name of Ignatius calls them; ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΥΠΕΡΗΤΑΙ, The Servants of the Church of GOD; and they are constituted as Eusebius terms it, for the ΥΠΕΡΗΣΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΙΝΟΥ Service of the Public. And if the ΒΑΘΜΟΣ ΚΑΛΟΣ which we render a good Degree, assigned unto faithful Deacons by the Apostle, mean, as 'tis by some Critics imagined, A Seat of some Eminency in the Church Assemblies, the Churches of New England always have such a Seat, still a little below the Pulpit, facing the Congregation.
We return to our Deacons. They are, as he that goes under the Name of Ignatius calls them; ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΥΠΕΡΗΤΑΙ, The Servants of the Church of GOD; and they are constituted as Eusebius terms it, for the ΥΠΕΡΗΣΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΙΝΟΥ Service of the Publick. And if the ΒΑΘΜΟΣ ΚΑΛΟΣ which we render a good Degree, assigned unto faithful Deacons by the Apostle, mean, as 'tis by some Critics imagined, A Seat of some Eminency in the Church Assemblies, the Churches of New England always have such a Seat, still a little below the Pulpit, facing the Congregation.
But it is after this Manner that they are Introduced into it. The Pastor desires the Brethren, to choose a fit Number of Persons, from among themselves, for the Office of Deacons among them. And some little while after this Desire has been signified, the Brethren bring in their Votes, by Papers, which have written on them the Names of the Persons, which each Man would have to be chosen, according to the Number first agreed upon.
But it is after this Manner that they are Introduced into it. The Pastor desires the Brethren, to chuse a fit Number of Persons, from among themselves, for the Office of Deacons among them. And some little while after this Desire has been signified, the Brethren bring in their Votes, by Papers, which have written on them the Names of the Persons, which each Man would have to be chosen, according to the Number first agreed upon.