The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

Sect. The Office of Deacons.

1. It was not ministerial or for the preaching of the word, but for providing for the poor; for as the occasion of their election was complaint of the poor, so the end of their choice was to provide for their relief. It is true indeed that these seven men, at the least two of them, Stephen and Philip, were Preachers of the word as well as overseers of the poor: but this their ministerial function they had before their Deaconry, not with it. For

it is not only the opinion of Epiphanius, but even sense and reason do give their vote with him, that these men were of the number of the Seventy, or at the least of the 108. that had been Christs constant followers and disciples: and so had received their ministerial function from Christ and not from the Apostles, and it was not an addition to their Dea∣conry, but their Deacon to it: For the Text telleth plainly that they were full of the Ho∣ly Ghost before they received the imposition of hands, and so had in all probability, yea indeed past denial, received the Holy Ghost when the 120. did, they being some of that number.

2. Those tables for which the office of Deaconry was ordained, were not holy Tables but common. For 1. The twelve set an inconsistence between serving these Tables, and preaching the Word, Vers. 2. which they would never have done, if serving of Tables had been the attending upon the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. 2. The serving of Ta∣bles that they mean, they put over from themselves to the Deacons, but none can think that they would ever resign or give over the administring the Sacrament. 3. There were Ministers enough already for the administration and attending upon the Sacrament, and there needed no new ordination or office for it.

3. The office of the Deacons was to take care of the poor according to their seve∣ral wants; to gather and receive collections for them, to distribute to them, to over∣see them, and to minister to them in their necessities, and therefore it is no wonder if the Apostles were so circumspect in their election, and so observant in their or∣dination. For these seven were to take this work of the Apostles out of their hands, and to dispose of the stock the Church, and upon whose care the support of the poor was to depend, and their welfare upon their incorruption, and then it is no marvel if they were chosen men of good report: and they were to converse with variety of languages and nations, and therefore it was needful they should be full of the Holy Ghost, inabling them to converse with them in their divers tongues.