of the Knowledge Gifts Experience Prudence and Gravity wherewith they ought to be indued The Officers in the House of God who in the Scriptures are called by the name of Elders are of severall soits Preaching Elders or Ministers Teaching Elders or Doctors and Ruling or Governing Elders all these three are often times in the N. T. comprized under the general name of Elder Act. 15 6 22. 20. 17. 1. Pet. 5 It is the Ruling Elder whom we have now to do with who is so called not because the power of ruling and governing the Church belongs to him alone for it also belongs to the Preaching â—nd Teaching Elders or to the Ministers and Doctors But because to rule and govern is the principal and chief part of his Charge and Imployment it is the highest Act of his Office It is not competent for him to Preach that belongs to the Pastor or Minister nor to teach that belongs to the Doctor but his Office is comprized within the compasse of Ruling and Governing the Church and therefore he is called the Governing or Ruling Elder The Apostle in the Epistle to the Rom ch 1â— 8. calleth him him that ruleth and 1 Cor. 12. 28 he calls them Governments putting the abstract for the concret Governments for Governours Thus then we have the proper or right name of these Church Officers which serves to correct a twofold mistake The 1. is of these who either out of ignorance or disdain do call them Lay-Elders as if they were a part of the People only and not to be reckoned amongst the Officers of the Lords House whom the Popish Church in their pride and others following them calls the Clergy that is the Lords Inheritance in opposition to the Laity or People whom they look upon as base and much inferior to the other in worth and Excellency whereas all the Lords People are his portion and the lot of his in heritance Deut. 32. 9. 1. Pet. 5. 3. The second mistake is of these who do call these only Ruling-Elders who sit in Presbyteries Synods and General Assemblies allowing to others the name of Elders but not of Ruling-Elders But every Elder in the Lords House is a Ruling-Elder because the power and exercise of rule and Government belongs to every Elder though some of them upon speciall occasions be called to a more eminent Exercise of it than others CHAP. II. Of the Institution of Ruling-Elders THE Institution of the Office of Ruling Elder is divine it is not an ordinance of man but of God The Lord Jesus upon whose shoulder the Government is and who is faithfull in all his House hath in his Eternal Wisdom thought fit to appoint such an Officer in his House for the right and orderly Governing thereof It is true that by the sloth or rather by the pride of Teachers whilest they alone would seem to be somewhat and by the policy of Satan and inadvertance of the Church these Officers were for many Ages together out of use in the Christian Church But certain it is that both the Jewish Synagogue and after the Christian Church had Seniores or Elders without whose counsel nothing was done in the Church That the Jewish Church had such appears from 2 Chro. 19. 8. Jer. 29. 1. Mat. 16 21 22 23 26 57 59. Act. 4. 5. And that the Christian Church also had them in the primitive purest times thereof appears from the testimony of ancient Writers as may be found by these who will take pains to search into these things But we have a more sure word for the Divine Institution of Elders in the Christian Church then any testimony of man to wit the Testimony of God in the Scriptures of the New Testament The first place of Scripture is Rom. 12. 6 7 8. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith or Ministery let us wait on our Ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation he that gives let him do it wih simplicity he that ruleth with diligence he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulnesse In which Text the Apostle doth first comprehend all the severall kindes of ordinary standing Officers in the Church of God under two general Heads to wit Prophecie whereby is meaned the ordinary facultie of right understanding and expounding the Scriptures and Ministery under which is comprehended all other Church-Officers and Imployments To each of these the Apostle addeth their generall duties to wit that he who prophesieth should do it according to the proportion of faith h. e. according to the measure of the measure of knowledge of the word of faith that he hath received of God And he that ministers let him wait on his ministring h. e. let him not do it negligently or slothfully but faithfully and diligently Then he sub-divides these two Generalls into the speciall Offices contained under them He divides him that prophesieth into him that teacheth and him that exhorteth or into the Doctor to whom the word of teaching or Instruction belongs and the Pastor to whom the Word of Exhortation is competent Under him that ministereth he comprehends first him that giveth by whom is meant the Deacon who is appointed for the supply of the poor Secondly him that ruleth by whom can be meant no other then the Ruling Elder seeing an ordinary ruling Officer in the Church who is different from the Pastor and Teacher is here spoken of by the Apostle The second place of Scripture that proves the Office of Ruling Elders is 1 Cor. 12. 28. And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers afterward miracles then gifts of healing helps governments kinds of tongues Some of the Bibles of the late English Translation read helps in governments but cross to the Text in the first Language that bears helps governments as two distinct things and therefore in other Editions of that Translation this is helped In this Text the Apostle reckons several Officers of the Church some extraordinary which were to continue but for a season such as Apostles Prophets Powers or Miracles gifts of healing kinds of tongues Some Ordinary which were to continue in the Church to the end of the World and these are Teachers or the ordinary Church Officers who are exercised in the Word Helps h. e. the Deacons who are appointed for the help and relief of the poor and governments h. e. the Governing and Ruling Elders for it is clear from the words that the Apostle by Governments doth mean a Church-Officer whom God hath set in his Church for Ruling and Governing thereof now this cannot be any other of the Church-Officers for these he hath named besides and therefore it remains that it is the Ruling Elder The third place of Scripture is 1Tim 5. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour specially they that
execution of some decrees of the Church-assemblies such as the Imposition of hands the pronouncing the Sentence of excommunication the receiving of Penitents the Intimation of the Deposition of Ministers and such like do belong to Ministers alone These being the Duties and Powers of Ruling Elders in the Assemblies of the Church its requisite that they be indued with such abilities and qualifications as are needful for the exercising thereof but because all Ruling Elders are not alwayes called to sit in all these Assemblies But one from every Session sufficeth to the Presbytery and Provincial Synods and a few from every Presbytery and from greater Congregations or Burghs therein to the General Assembly as also a few from the whole Church throughout a Land to a more universal Assembly Therefore though it is to be wished and endeavoured that all Elders may have due qualifications for all these things and though special care is to be taken every where to choose the most qualified yet in particular Congregations men may be chosen Elders who have not such a measure of all these qualifications they being otherwise men of a blameless and Christian Conversation and having such a measure of knowledge and prudence as is fit for Governing that Congregation and judging of the things that are handled in the Session thereof which for the most part are matters of scandal and trying and admitting of Penitents but if there be any who are not of a blameless and Christian conversation and have not some measure of these qualifications required by the Word of God in a Ruling Elder no Congregation ought to choose any such nor any Session or Presbytery to admit them to the charge for it is not seemly that the servants of corruption should have authority to judge in the Kirk of God and if any such have been admitted they are to endeavour the removal of them as they would not partake of their sin and be found guilty before the Lord of the blood of souls which cannot but suffer prejudice through negligence or ill guiding of such men CHAP. VII Of the Duty of Elders in censuring scandals and scandalous persons and receiving of penitents BEcause the Government and Duty of Elders in Congregations lyes for most part in censuring scandals and scandalous persons and trying and admitting of penitents Therefore it is fit to speak somewhat of their right way of following their Duty in these things 1. For the Persons about whom their censures are to be exercised it is all the Members of the Congregation indifferently and impartially without respect of persons the rich as well as the poor the high as well as the low their friends kinsmen alliance neighbours and acquaintance as well as others Ja. 2. sharply reproves these who have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons by preferring the rich to the poor and Solomon says that divers weights and divers measures are an abomination to the Lord must it not then be worthy of rebuke to have the censures of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons and to weigh the rich and the poor the high and the low in divers ballances by taking notice of the one and passing by the other 2. It is incumbent to them to exercise their power not only over the people of the Congregation but also over these of their own number as all Christians so so they in a special way who are yoke-fellows in the work of the Lord ought to consider and admonish one another and if any of them be found negligent or insufficient or do in any thing miscarry to the offence of the Gospel and blaming of the eldership he is to be censured by the Minister or Ministers and the rest of the Elders as the degree of his offence doth require the Apostle Paul Acts 20. 28. gives charge to all Elders to take heed to themselves as well as to the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them Over-seers 3. As all sorts of scandalous persons whether in the Congregation or amongst themselves so all sorts of scandals and offences are to be taken notice of by them The Apostle 2 Thes. 3. 6. commands that we withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly and amongst disorderly walkers he doth vers 11. reckon idle persons who do not work at all but are busie bodies intimating to us that even these scandals and disorders which are by many little taken notice of lookt upon as no faults ought to be taken notice of by the Church that all her members may walk honestly and as it becomes the Gospel of Iesus Christ. The Acts of our Church doth appoint that whatsoever it be that might spot that Christian Congregation ought not to escape either admonition or censures So in the order of Ecclesiastick Discipline 1567. Two great neglects there be that by ignorance or custom have crept in among Elders in many Congregations 1. That they do not take notice of the omission of Duties as well as of the commission of faults as for instance If there be any member of the Congregation who lives idlely and waits not upon his Calling who is not given to Prayer who is not charitable to the poor who waits not upon the publick Ordinances if there be any Master of a Family who prays not in his Family who does not bring up his Children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord or 2. Thar they do not take notice of the commission of faults and scandals of all sorts but of some few only such as fornication adultery and profaning of the Lords Day and suffering many others such as tipling drunkenness filthy communication lying cursing swearing oppression reproaching of Piety and Godliness c. to pass without observation 4. Elders are to take heed that they bring in no civil questions and Debates before the Assemblies of the Church and that they do not use nor inflict any civil mulct or punishment upon persons convict of scandal these being proper to the Civil Magistrat The Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the Censures thereof being Spiritual and not of this world John 18. 36. 5. In the taking notice of offences they are to observe this Order If the Offence be privat and known to but a few then are they in the first place to admonish the offender privatly and if he hearken to the admonition and amend it needs go no further nor be dilated to the Church If he do not hearken nor amend then is the Elder to take with him some of his Brethren and to admonish the offender before witnesses and if he hearken the Church needs not be acquainted therewith but if he despise this second admonition then is â—e to be dilated by the Elder to the Church that he may be called before the Session and convicted and censured by them This is the Order commanded and prescribed by Jesus Christ Mat. 18 15 16 17. if the offence be
in to swarthy a temper If we might find grace in the Lords sight to be throughly convinced of this great Church-evil whence many Church evils flow and be brought with some measure of sincerity to endeavour the remedy thereof what a branch of hope might it be that our reproach should be taken away and we become a People instructed in the way of the Lord and walking to the Praise and Commendation of the Gospel which is now evil spoken of because of the ignorance and loose conversation of many among us Therefore am I bold as pressed in spirit albeit one of the weakest and most unworthy to offer this little Treatise with an eye upon this end And let me without offence beseech all the Ministers Elders Deacons Congregations Presbyteries and Assemblies of this Church in the bowels of the Lord Iesus Christ yea let me obâ—est them by the blood of the everlasting Covenant by their Zeal of the Lord's honour by the credite of the Gospel by their love to souls and by the sury of the Lord which he hath caused to rest upon us because he purged us and we would not be purged and as they desire the Lord should bring us again and cause us stand before him and leave us a remnant and give us a nail in his holy place that they would each of them in their stations endeavour to take forth the precious from the vile and purge the Lord's house in this Land from corrupt Officers and corrupt members Oh will we not be made clean When will it once be To the CHRISTIAN READER THe inducements that perswaded me first to write and then to publish this little Treatise of Ruling Elders and Deacons were chiefly these 1. The sensible Impression that the Lord hath made upon my Spirit as also I know upon the spirits of the godly of the Land of the great prejudice that comes to this poor Church by a multitude of men in these offices who neither know their duty nor make conscience to perform it 2. The vindicating the Doctrine of our Church concerning these Church-Offiâ—ers that the mouths of such who speak evil may be stopped and others who stumble may be satisfied 3. The pressing desire of Brethren Ministers and Elders in the Presbytery and Congregation where the Lord hath set me all which did receive some spirit and life when I found my Name among those to whom the Gen. Assembly of this Church did commit and recommend this work long ago I have endeavoured to handle it with as much plainness and evidence of Truth and as shortly without wronging of the matter as I could It is not unlike that some may think that I have done no great business because I have brought no new thing I acknowledge that it is so what I have said is for the matter I trust and in many things for the words too the Doctrine of the Scriptures and of Protestant Divines and of our Church in the Act s and Policy thereof I have but put together in one and digested into some Method what was lying scattered of before that these who either could not or would not be at the pains to search for such things may now have them at their hand Others may look upon this Treatise as not plain enough or as not so exact full and perfect as it ought to be with these I shall not contend I have done what I could at least what I conceived best in order to the ends I propounded to my self If others shall find favour of the Lord to do better I shall blesse his Name on their behalf and receive and make use of their pains with thankfulness And some may happily think that there is here too much laid upon Ruling-Elders more nor they shall be able or willing to undertake yea more than the Lord doth require of them most of the things that are mentioned by us being incumbent to Ministers rather than to Elders It is true what is said of the Elders duty is also the duty of Ministers for what soever the Elder ought to do by vertue of his Calling that also ought the Minister to do and somewhat more but so far as we know nothing is spoken here of the Elder that doth not belong to him if through ignorance or want of abilitie or neglect or custome Elders have not done these things it is that which ought to be helped it is now high time for them to awake and to know and owne and follow their duty and for the Church of God in Scotland to know how much she hath smarted under the hands of ignorant and slothful yea and scandalous men we would not alwayes satisfie our selves with disguised and histrionical men puffed up with Titles or with Idols dead in sins to be Elders but would seek after holy men who being endued with faith in God and walking in his obedience God authorizing them and the Church his Spouse choosing them and calling them undertake the Government thereof that they may labour to the conservation and Edification of the same in Christ Neither needs the qualification or multitude or difficulties of the particulars here spoken of discourage or scarr any It is not so much the measure as the truth of the thing that is to be looked at We have set down what a Ruling Elder ought to be in regard of the whole extent of his Charge sundry particulars whereof the most part of Ruling Elders are seldom called to exercise and if they be in some measure fitted for these parts of the charge which God calls them to exercise and follow the same with singleness of heart they may believe that they shall be assisted and accepted of God in Iesus Christ the Imployment is not theirs but the Lords from whom they may expect both their furniture and also their reward let them arise and be doing and the Lord shall be with them A Short TREATISE OF Ruling Elders CHAP. I. Of their Names WHat is necessary to be understood concerning Ruling Elders may be taken up in the explication of these four 1. Their name 2. Their institution 3. Their Calling 4. Their Qualification and Duty The word Elder in the Scripture doth signifie divers things 1. It signifieth old men or men come to age 1 Tim. 5. 1. Rebuke not an-Elder but intreat him as a father and the younger men as brethren 2. It signifies those who have lived in the times of old Mat. 15. 2. Why do thy Disciples transgress the tradition of the Elders 3. It is taken for honourable and worthy men Isa. 3. 2. The Lord of Hosts doth take away from Jerusalem and Judah the Prudent and the Ancient 4. It is the name of a Spiritual Officer in the house of God Acts 14. 23. And when they had ordained them Elders in every city In this last signification it is taken in this place for these who bear Rule in the House of God who are called Elders because
love patience meekness CHAP. V. Of the duties of their Calling which are more private THe duties of their Calling are these that belong to their watching over and ruling of the flock and they be of two sorts some that they are to perform by themselves alone and so may be called More private duties others that they are to perform jointly with the rest of the Over seers of the House of God and may be called more publick The duties of their Calling that be more private are all these that private Christians are bound to perform each of them unto another by the Law of charity and love and these are first to instruct one another Joh. 4. 29. Acts 18. 26. Secondly to exhort and stir up one another to provoke unto love and good works Heb. 10. 24 25. Thirdly to admonish and rebuke one another Levit. 19. 17. First privately and if they will not hearken then before Witnesses if yet they will not hearken then to tell the Church and if they will not hear the Church then to tell the Church and if they will not hear the Church then let them be unto us as Heathens and Publicans Math. 18. 15 16 17. Fourthly to comfort the afflicted and to support the weak 1 Thess. 5. 11. Fifthly to restore those who are fallen Gal. 6. 1. Sixthly To reconcile these who are at variance Math. 5. 9. Seventhly To pray one for another Jude 20. Eighthly To visit the sick and those who are in bonds and distress Math 25. 36. All these duties Elders are to perform to the several Members of the Congregation by vertue of their Calling The Scriptures do expresly mention some of them as incumbent unto them to wit admonishing these over whom God hath set them 1 Thess. 5. 12. visiting and praying over the sick Jam. 5. 14. feeding the flock by Instruction Exhortation Rebuke and Comfort in such a way as is competent to their station Act 20. 28. The rest we may warrantably gather by analogie and proportion from these If privat Christians be obliged thereto much more are Christian Elders who have the charge of Souls in a special way obliged thereto These things are well expressed in the sixth Chap. of the second Book of Discipline As the Pastors and Doctors say they should be diligent in teaching and sowing the â—eed of the Word so the Elders should be careful in seeking of the fruit of the same of the People It appertains to them to assist the Pastor in Examination of them that come to the Lords Table Item in visiting the sick they should cause the Acts of the Assemblies aswell particular as general to be put in execution carefully they should be diligent to admonish all men of their duty according to the rule of the Evangel things that they cannot correct by privat admonition they should bring to the Eldership From what hath been said concerning these duties of Ruling Elders these three things follow First that they ought to be men of such ability as are in some measure able to instruct exhort admonish rebuke comfort pray and do these duties now mentioned Secondly That it is needful for them not only to have some measure of ability for these things but also to have some measure of dexterity wisdom experience tenderness in following the same Thirdly That they be well acquainted with the condition of the Congregation and the Members thereof and therefore be careful to observe their carriage and frequently to visit and take inspection of Families that they may instruct the ignorant exhort the negligent admonish the sloathful and rebuke those who walk disorderly comfort the afflicted establish those who waver visit the sick encourage these who do well and see piety and godliness promoted in Families and every one edifying another in love walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost CHAP. VI. Of these duties which are more publick and which they are â—o perform joyntly with others THe duties of Elders which are more publick and which they are to perform joyntly with others are these which ly upon them in the Assemblies or Courts of the Church which are made up of Preaching Elders Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders These Assemblies are in our Church of four sorts either they are of the Elders of particular Congregations which is the Church Session or of the Elders of moe Congregations than one lying near together which is the Presbyterie or of the Elders of moe Presbyteries then one which is the Provincial Synod or of the Elders Commissioners from all the Presbyteries in the Land which is the General or National Assembly To these we may adde a fifth sort to wit that which is made up of Elders from all or diverse Nations professing the Faith of Jesus Christ. Whilst we speak of Elders of which the Assemblies of the Church are made up we mean all sorts of Elders Ministers Doctors and Ruling Elders It is true that in the Congregations of our Church because of the want of maintenance there be few or no Doctors or Teaching Elders distinct from Pastors or Ministers who perform the duties both of the Preaching Elder and of the Teaching Elder only in the Schools of Divinity are such In all Assemblies of the Church Ruling Elders being therto rightly called have power to sit write debate vote and conclude in all matters that are handled therein Acts 15. 2. and 6. 22 23. The things which be handled in the Assemblies of the Church be either matters of Faith matters of Order matters of Discipline or that which concerneth the sending of Church-officers according to which they have a fourfold power 1. That which is called Dogmatick whereby they judge of Truth and Error in points of Doctrine according to the Word of God only 2. That which is callee Diatactick by which they discern and judge of the circumstances of these things that belong to the worship of God as Times Places Persons and all such particulars in Ecclesiastick Affairs as are not determined in the Word according to the general Rules thereof concerning order and decency avoiding of scandal doing all to the glory of God and to the edifying of the Church 3. That which is Critick or Corrective by which Censures are exercised upon the scandalous and obstinate and such as are penitent again admitted to the Ordinances Fellowship Society of the Church 4. That which is called Exousiastick by vertue of which they send authorize and give power to Church officers to serve in the house of God All these Assemblies are not to exer cise all these powers but to keep themselves within their due bounds the Inferior leaving these things that are of more common concernment to the Superiour but in all these Powers Ruling Elders have a share and do put forth the same in exercise according to the measure that belongs to the Assembly whereof they are Members Acts 15. 6. 22 23. Howbeit the
it is not taken in this large sense for any Church-officer of whatsoever sort but for a certain kind of Church Officers distinct from Pastors Teachers and Elders to whom the collection and distribution of the Goods of the Church doth belong for the supply of the necessities of the poor CHAP. II. Of the Institution of Deacons THe Institution of the Office of Deacon in the Church of Christ is Divine it 's a special Ordinance and Appointment of Jesus Christ that there should be Deacons in his House Act 6. 3. The Apostle gives command to the Disciples to choose out among themselves men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and of Wisdom whom they might appoint over the business of the poor which was accordingly done as may be seen in the 5 and 6 verses of that Chapter Neither was this a temporary institution upon this particular occasion for the Church of Jerusalem only but for all the Churches of Christ to the end of the world Therefore the Apostle Paul in several of his Epistles to the Churches doth mention them Rom. 12. 8. He exhorteth him that gives or imparts h. e. the Deacon to whom the care of giving and distributing is committed to do it with simplicity 1 Cor. 12. 28. he reckons helps h. e. Deacons who are appointed for helping the poor among these Officers whom God hath set in his Church and writing to the Philippians he directs his Epistle to all the Saints in Christ with the Bishops or Overseers under whom he comprehends Ministers Teachers and Elders and to the Deacons 1 Tim. wherein he gives Rules concerning the qualification and carriage of all Church-officers he treats of the Deacon at large chap. 3. 8 9 10 11 12 13. From the Divine Institution of Deacons we gather 1. That the Deacon is a distinct Officer from the Elder it is a defect and fault in some Congregations that they put no difference betwixt those two but so confounds and mingles them together as if they were both one either appointing none for the Office of Deacon but leaving that charge also upon the Elders or else giving the Deacons the same power and imployment with the Elders It 's true whatsoever the Deacon may do by vertue of his Office that same may be done by an Elder as whatsoever is done by an Elder may be done by a Minister because the higher and more eminent offices in the Church doth include the powers of the lower It 's also true that the Deacons may assist in judgment with the Minister and Elders and be helping to them in these things that concerns the oversight of the Congregation by information and advice Yet it is necessary that Congregations should so far regard the Ordinance and reverence the Wisdom of God in appointing these Officers as to have both Elders and Deacons and to preserve them distinct in their actings and operations not giving to the Deacon or suffering him to assume the Elders office 2. That Deacons are not to count light of this imployment or any others to esteem lightly of them because they are called thereunto and do exercise the same but that they themselves and all others ought to look upon it as one of these holy and honourable Imployments which the wisdom of God hath thought fit to appoint in his house for supplying the necessities of the Saints The Lord Jesus himself did not disdain to wash his Disciples feet Angels are all of them ministering Spirits sent forth to minister for their sakes who are appointed to be heirs of Salvation why then should any think it below them to serve the Church of Christ and to minister to the Saints in this Imployment 1 Tim. 3. 13. CHAP. III. Of the Calling of Deacons NOne is to step into this Office but he that is lawfully called therto Unto their Calling its needful First That they have abilities and gifts fit for the charge together with an honest purpose of heart to serve the Lord faithfully in the discharge of the same by seeking his honour and the good of the Church 2. That they be chosen by the Congregation in which they are to serve which choice is to be made after the same manner as that of Ruling Elder 3. That tryal be taken by the Minister and Elders concerning their conversation that it be blameless and holy And concerning their gifts that they have that tenderness discretion dexterity and prudence that is fit for that Imployment and that they be admitted to their Charge with Prayer and Supplication and opening of the Word concerning their duty publickly in the Congregation where they are solemnly to engage themselves to be faithful in the trust committed to them of God Act. 6. 3 5 6. 1 Tim. 3. 10. CHAP. IV. Of their Duty First of their Conversation THeir Duty is either that which concerns their Conversation or their office and calling for their conversation the Apostle shews what it must be 1 Tim. 3. 8 9 10 11 12. They must not be double tongued nor lyars nor dissemblers nor deceivers 2. They must not be given to much wine nor tiplers nor drunkards nor lovers nor followers of strong drink 3. They must not be greedy of filthy lucre nor such as are covetous and whose hearts run after the things of the world 4. They must be grave men of a pos'd and stayed carriage and not of a light and vain behaviour 5. They must be such as hold fast the mystery of Faith in a pure conscience h. e. Who do not only know the Doctrine of the Gospel but do hold fast the Faith thereof without wavering and study to have a good conscience in walking answerably thereto 6. They must be the husband of one wife such as abstain from all unlawful lusts satisfying themselves with the Remedy allowed of God 7. They must be such as rule their own houses and their children well such as command and instruct their children and houshold to keep the way of the Lord going before them in the practice of piety and godliness and all holy and religious duties CHAP. V. Of the Duties of their Calling THe Duties that Deacons are bound to perform in their calling may be reduced to these heads 1. That they be careful to take exact notice of such as are poor in the Congregation and have not wherewith to maintain themselves 2. That they be careful from time to time to collect and receive from the several Members of the Congregation and strangers that come among them what the Lord shall incline their hearts to give for a supply of the necessities of the poor and in a seasonable and Christian way to stir up and exhort to Charity and Liberality that the more may be given 3. That what is received and collected by them be faithfully delivered that it may be put in the Treasury of the Congregation 4. That they do timously make known the several conditions and necessities of the several poor