another Congregation and call him to it And why not as well as to call one to be a preaching Elder that is a Brother of another Congregation for all Church Officers should be taken out of Churches and first made Members of that Church wherein they are to serve Christ in Office before they are solemnly set apart thereto Phil. What reasons may a Church be moved by to choose a ruling Elder or more Christ If there be a Brother aptly qualified and can attend it there need be no dispute about it though the Church be but small it may be much Comfort and help to the Pastor and tend to much Edification of the Church 2. The Church may see reason to chuse ruling Elders from the great encrease and largeness of the Church that the management of this part of the Pastoral Office lye not too heavily upon their Pastor 3. The Church may see reason for it because their Pastor qualified it may be with much of Grace Preaching Gifts and Learning may not be qualified with a Spirit of Government and it is very seldom that men of retired studious lives have so great an insight into the right ordering of Politick Affairs A man may be a great Mathematician but yet an ill Seaman not know how to work or stear a Ship so well as a Masters Mate or a Boatswain There is in spirituals as well as temporals a skill in practice to have the senses exercised by reason of use as well as a Knowledge and Understanding of the rule Phil. What is the Office-work of a ruling Elder Christ To have a special regard to admissions to make good enquiry after the Faith and Holy Conversations of such who offer themselves to Church Communion to propound them and bring them to the Church 2. To make inspection into the lives and conversations of actual members frequently to visit them to rebuke any seemingly walking as not becoming the Gospel to enquire after the reason of members absentments from Communion to exhort them to frequent assembling together for mutual edification to comfort the afflicted to support the weak to visit the sick to inform the ignorant c. 3. In all matters of admonition and censure to hear and prepare matters for the Church before hand that there be nothing done in Confusion and in Disquietment of Mind in the Church but with all meekness unanimity and authority in the Name of the Lord Jesus Phil. You have shewed that the Ministerial Offices of the Church are Pastoral or Diaconal and have shewed that the Pastoral or such as belong to the Pastoral care are Exhortation Teaching Administration of the Seals Rule and Government according to all which parts of a Pastors Office the Holy Ghost hath provided affisting Officers and helps such as Teachers and ruling Elders to the full edification of the Church I pray speak now something of the Deacons Office Christ The English word Deacon is derived from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a Minister or one that serves Christ and his Church in Office it is used for any Minister at large 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Deaconship is applyed to the Apostleship it self Act. 1.17 25. or to a part of their Ministry as it was at first Act. 6.4 It is applyed to any particular service of the Church Act. 11.29 ch 12.25 And Paul applyeth it to his whole Ministry as an Apostle Act. 20.24 Rom. 11.13 ch 15.31 2. Cor. 6.3 But it hath it's peculiar application to that Ministry which tends to the supply of the Churches and Saints necessities by way of distribution of Collections made to this end and purpose to whosesoever care it is committed and such a service Paul saith he undertook on the behalf of other Churches 2 Cor. 8.4 which is called the Deaconship of this Liturgy 2 Cor. 9.12 rendred the administration of this service Now we find as Office titles of large significancy are brought down by the Holy Ghost to denote a single particular Office in the Church as Apostle Pastor Bishop Presbyter c. So here the word Deacon is often used for all sacred Ministry Liturgy or Service is a Title put by the Spirit of God upon this Officer in the Church who is called and set apart to the Liturgy or service of the Church in this way of Administration by distribution Phil. When was the first Institution of Deacons Christ It was Act. 6. an Apostolick i. e. as much as to say a Divine Institution and it 's not amiss to observe the reason ground of it it was to ease the Apostles in that great burden that lay upon them when those that were converted sold their possessions and brought the Mony and laid it down at their feet and it was to be given forth again for an equal and necessary support to every one as need required This was too great a charge and burthen to the Apostles and likely afterward to be unto ordinary Pastors and hence they institute this Office of Deaconship and therefore is also a more remote Office of Assistance unto the ruling Episcopacy but being very distinct in nature and kind from that sort of Ministry wherefore the Apostles speak after that manner Act. 6.1 4. That the Church should choose them fit men for this daily care and trust and they would betake themselves to the Ministry of the Word and Prayer Phil. What ground have you for this Officer in the Church Christ. The very nature of such a Society as a Church requireth it and I take it to be a very good ground for an Office when it 's founded upon the well being of a Society and it 's ordinary necessities do require it But the Holy Ghost is most express upon this account that the Church of Jerusalem by the appointment of the Apostles chose such Officers for the necessary service of the Church And that they were afterward stated Officers in other Churches appears from Phil. 1.1 And the Apostle Paul doth expresly call their Ministry an Office 1 Tim. 3.10 13. As the Word is rendred and ought to be by our Interpreters Their Qualifications and Encouragements are also very particular v. 8.9 10 13. See Rom. 12.8 He it to be grave sober exemplary in Faith and Holiness c. Phil. What is the Office of a Deacon Christ. The Holy Ghost calls it serving of Tables the Lords Table and the Tables of the Saints in a faithful collection and distribution of the stock of the Church which is given for the maintenance of Ordinances Ministry and relief of the Poor which ought to be done with Simplicity Prudence and Chearfuâ—â—ness And of which they are accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church let that word Chearfulness be observed because many are apt to murmur at this Office as a burden to them Phil. How many Deacons are there to be Christ There were seven in the first Church of the Gospel but there have seldom Churches arrived to the bigness
stands in Doctrine exhortation and reproof c. to bring home the Scripture for the instruction of the Hearts and Minds of Men by exposition application catechism and defending the Truth against gain-sayers Phil. You give the whole Preaching Office unto the Pastor Christ It is in him and may ordinarily be performed by him providing his strength and ability can reach to it and other parts of his Office lye not too hard upon him or can be performed to the Churches full edification Phil. But what if it cannot be performed to the Church's full edification Christ Then it is requisite that a Coadjutor or assistant to him be chosen in this part of his Office to wit a Teacher or Teaching Elder who is to wait mostly on doctrinal expository and catechumenal teaching Phil. But this seems not a distinct Officer Christ Though he come into part of the Pastoral or Episcopal Office yet he becomes a distinct Officer for he comes in as a governing feeding Officer attending more particularly on the part of the Office to which he is appointed and chosen for he is to feed the Flock so far as the Holy Ghost hath made him overseer by the call of the Church for their necessary supply Neither doth his Office power curtalize at all the power of the Pastor only acting in conjunction with his Office is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opitulatio a help or assistance taking off part of the burthen from him and such Teachers were set in the Church 1 Cor. 12.28 and such an one is to wait on his teaching Rom. 12.7 Where teaching seems plainly to be specified as a distinct office-work in one called thereto as exhorting in him that is more especially called to exhortation And Teachers are plainly enough named in distinction from Pastors as Officers set by Christ in his Churches Eph. 4.11 12. For the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry i. e. Officers for the filling up the ministerial office and edifying the body of Christ Therefore when this Officer is necessary for full edification of the Church in the work of the Ministry then he is to be added Phil. Is there no Officer appointed to take up as a help to the Pastor in ruling and governing the Church For where a Church is large the oversight of the flock in way of rule according to the order of the Gospel will require much labour diligence and wisdom Christ There are ruling Elders or Presbyters called to attend and wait upon that part of the Pastoral Office to take up with him and be helps in Governments I conceive they are to be understood by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12.28 which should not be rendred miracles but ruling Officers or Powers as the same word is rendred Rom. 8.38 Persons in Power the abstract put for the concrete and the gifts for the edifying of the Church first and last are specified under the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gifts graciously bestowed among which are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gubernationes governing or ruling Gifts Phil. You make then a Ruling Elder a distinct Officer of the Church Christ I do not say that the Pastor or Teacher are not ruling Elders but that when one or both are not able to manage the ruling part for the sufficient edification of the Church there ought one or more to be called into that part of the Ministry and to attend thereto with Diligence And accordingly the Apostle Rom. 12.7 8 9. calls the whole Ministry of the Church Episcopal and Diaconal by the Name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Ministry and gives us an account of the several Offices to be attended to the Teacher that attends on Teaching the Exhorter that attends on Exhortation the Deacon that distributes with simplicity the ruling Elder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that presides in governing let him do it with Industry or Diligence Phil. But is there any Presbyter or Elder that is not teaching You seem to be for Lay-Elders Christ The distinction between Clergy and Laity comes from Rome we own it not in the sence it 's used by no means for the people are the Clergy in the sence of the Spirit of God The Apostle Peter shewing the Duty of Presbyters 1 Pet. 5.3 he saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not Lording it as Lord-Bishops over Gods heritage 2. They are no more Laymen than the Pastor and Teacher yea I may affirm if they that are ordained Officers of Christ in the Church are made thereby the Clergy then all the Ministers even Deacons as well as Pastors for there 's but one kind of Ordination to all the Officers Presbyters and Deacons 3. We deny not Pastors and Teachers to be ruling Elders neither do we deny that a ruling Elder may speak and teach as occasion requires to the edification of the Church especially in matters that concern his Office in Publick or Private And therefore it 's one qualification requisite to all Presbyters or ruling Elders preaching or not that they be apt to teach 1 Tim. 3.2 and 2 Tim. 2.24 The Elder must be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Bishop i. e. a ruling Elder or Presbyter must be apt to teach i. e. so far at least as to be able to give a Word of Exhortation as he is called thereto 4. But the Apostle doth speak very clearly in distributing the Elders into them whose ordinary and chief work is to labour in the Word and Doctrine And such whose more peculiar work is to attend Government though there never wants those that will endeavour to darken and baffle the expressions of Scripture that are clearest to common sence 1 Tim. 5.17 The Presbyters that rule well for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are Presiders or Presidents in rule and Government as all the Presbyters or Bishops are in the Church shall be worthy or let them be counted worthy of double honour i. e. by virtue of their Office and well management thereof Let such have greater honour than any aged person that is but an ordinary Brother for he had spoken before of our carriage to aged Brethren and Sisters But such as these we should esteem them for their work sake but especially they that labour in the Word and Doctrine the Preaching Presbyters let them in an especial manner be honoured or esteemed Phil. How many ruling Elders ought there to be Christ Christ hath not limited Churches here but left them to walk by the rule of edification The Church may be such as that it may be fully edified by a Pastor or Teacher as the sole Presbyter And there may be little or no use of a distinct ruling Elder till the Church encrease to a greater bigness and when it is encreased the Church may choose one or more according as is judged necessary to it's edification Phil. What if the Church have not a man or men duly qualified for that Office Christ. They may pitch upon a Brother not in Office of
Inventions whereby also all Antichristian Abominations over-spread the whole face of the Christian World Phil. But did not Christ give other Ministerial Officers to his Church Christ The Officers which Christ placed in his Church for Edification were Extraordinary or Ordinary but both Pastoral for they that are called Elders and set for Doctrine and Administration in seals and Government I call justly Pastoral for feeding the Flock comprehends both in the true sence of the Spirit of God Phil. Who were the Extraordinary Officers Christ They were Apostolick and such who were not succeeded after the first Churches were planted but by ordinary Pastoral Officers and these were Apostles and Apostolick helps in the performance of their Office-charge Eph. 4.11 and were Prophets and Evangelists and were extraordinarily furnished with the gifts of the Holy Ghost and Power for the propagation of the Gospel and plantation of Churches but at the disposition and direction for the most part of the Apostles as all other Church-Officers as well as Churches were during their lives Phil. And our Bishops say they succeed the Apostles and all other Ministers are subordinate and subject to them Christ They may as well say the Pope succeeds Peter for it 's plain they were extraordinarily sent and inspired and therefore could not be succeeded but by such as were extraordinarily assisted as they were which hath been none or ordinarily and such are Presbyters and no others The Charasteristick Notes of the Apostles were 1. That they were to be such who were ear and eye-witnesses of Christ from the Baptism of John to the time of his taking up Acts 1.22 viz. of his Ministry Miracles Resurrection and Ascension 2. That they should be extraordinarily inspired by the Holy Ghost for the revelation of the mind and will of Christ since which none ever were 3. To have the gifts of Tongues and working Miracles 4. That they should have the charge of the Churches for the plantation direction and government of them every Apostle having the charge of all Churches in every Church whatever power was afterward ordinarily in each Church And though a Bishop now in an Apish imitation by a pretended plea of Succession would lay claim to power over many particular Congregations yet each Bishop is not allowed power in another mans Diocess And as to the former characters where's the Bishop can with a shew of any just pretence lay claim unto them Phil. What were the Prophets that accompanied and assisted the Apostles in their Ministry Christ Of this sort it 's said Acts 13.1 there were certain Prophets and Teachers I suppose not much differing one from another in respect of the extraordinary Mission and Qualification being Church-Members of the Church of Jerusalem on which the Holy Ghost fell in the appearance of fiery Tongues whereby they were furnished with Preaching Gifts and those of Tongues in order to the propagation of the Gospel in all Nations and to whatsoever People they came Jew or Gentile and went forth for this end in subordination to and by direction of the Apostles And the first time we read of the Travels is Acts 11.19 occasioned by Saul's persecution some of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene who when they had passed through other places Preaching came at last unto Antioch and spake unto the Grecian Jews Preaching the Lord Jesus Christ the effect of which was the believing and turning of many unto the Lord. These by the command of the Holy Ghost laid hands on Paul and Barnabas but we read not that they baptized or did perform any other Ministerial Act if that were one Probably they might convey the Gifts of the Holy Ghost on others by imposition of hands too Phil. What were the Evangelists Christ They were extraordinarily called to assist the Apostles also in Preaching the Lord Jesus Baptism and planting Churches with Ordination of Officers in them Philip Preached and Baptized and wrought Miracles Acts 8.5 12 39. But did not convey the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost they were bestowed by the prayers of Peter and John as the laying on of hands verse 15 16. and Philip is called an Evangelist Acts 21.8 Timothy was an Evangelist 1 Tim. 4.5 and Assistant to Paul in his Apostolick Function and he did lay on hands Now as to this that Philip did not and Timothy did I judge these secondary Apostolick men acted not as the Apostles by a general Commission but by the immediate particular dictates of the Holy Ghost or by the mediate Commands from time to time given to them by the Apostles to whom they were assistant and subordinate in their Actings there were some which we call Evangelists from their writing the History of the Gospel two of which were primarily Apostles viz. Matthew and John Mark and Luke might be Evangelists in the other sense Phil. Who were left the Pastoral Officers in the Church at Jerusalem upon Christ's Ascension Christ The whole Ministerial Office in that Church was left and placed at first in the Apostles both Pastoral and Diaconal and either of the Apostles might have presided but that by consent it may be grounded on the words of our Saviour Mat. 16.19 Peter took the Chair viz. the orderly management of the Keys That the diaconal Office was in the said Apostles at first is manifest from the account we have Act. 2.4 5. of the Members bringing their possessions and laying them at their feet to dispose of as a Church stock and from the reason given by the twelve to the multitude for the choice of Deacons they finding the serving tables to be to great a Burthen to them upon such increase of the Church Afterwards also as the necessity and state of the Church required there were Elders or Presbyters chosen distinct from the Apostles which appears from Act. 15.23 And it 's most plain the increasing and multiplying Officers in the Church was according as the necessary reasons thereof did arise from the increase or otherwise which necessities by the Holy Ghost breathing through the Apostles were provided for and supplied Chap. V. Of ordinary Officers Phil. WHat Officers do compleatly Organize a particular Congregation Christ Pastoral and Diaconal so that Pastor and Deacon do make a Church compleatly Organiz'd but through multiplication of a Church or for other reasons there may be good ground to chuse coadjutors in each Office aforesaid for the encreasing the Officers of one kind or another that the Church may be edified Phil. What is the Pastors Office Christ The Pastors Office is to feed the Church as the flock of Christ over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer or Bishop Which Pastoral feeding consists in Gospel Preaching administration of Sacraments and Government In the last respect more especially he is called a Bishop or Overseer Act. 20. Phil. What do you mean by Gospel Preaching Christ I mean a right dividing of the Word of God according to the revealed Will of God and it