Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

SECT. VII. Of the Office of Deacons in the Church of Christ.

The Deacons Office is a Sacred Ministry, and an Holy Trust or Cal∣ling in the Church of Christ, being also comprehended in the Apo∣stolical Office, and by them exercised till the opportunity of Preach∣ing and Prayer was so great, that they could not attend the Service of Tables, Act. 6. Whereupon Seven men are chosen by the Church to wait upon the Deacons Office, and solemnly ordained to that Em∣ployment by the Imposition of Hands. Hence we gather the Divine

Institution of this Office also. For the Apostles had no power to make Civil Officers, or to appoint men to any trust in the Magistra∣cy, but they acted here as Ministers of Christ, and therefore their Ordination, being an Act of Power, must needs be of Divine Autho∣rity. And the same appears from those Divine Rules left us by the Apostle touching their Qualification for this Sacred Office, being for the most part the same which is given in the Case of the Election of Bishops, 1 Tim. 3.

And though their Office do more precisely engage them to take care of the Necessities of the Poor in the Christian Churches, in a faithful distribution of the Alms of the Faithful People, &c. Yet I see no reason to doubt, but they are greatly concerned in all the matters of Religion, as Helps in Government: Yea these are the most likely to be intended by those Expressions, especially the First, to wit, Helps; for even therefore were they chosen to assist the Apo∣stles in the Work of the Ministry. And sith they are not only to be men of honest report, but also full of the Holy Spirit; it may inform us, that they were to be concern'd in the Mystery of the Faith; as it is also said, 1 Tim. 3. He that hath used the Office of a Deacon well, hath purchased to himself a good degree, and great boldness in the Faith; which implies a liberty or great freedom to preach the Faith, or Mystery of the Gospel.

The Antients (and particularly Tertull. in his Book of Baptism) in∣forms us, * 1.1 that the Deacons had authority to baptize, yet, saith he, it was by the appointment of the Bishop: But this was only for preventing inconveniencies; for unless God allow him to do this, the Bishop could not impower him. It is true, the Holy Scripture doth but hint at these things, and therefore we shall not be peremptory; only consi∣dering, that a Liberty in ministring the Word in the Churches is al∣lowed persons upon the account of the Gifts of God received, though not ordained to any Office, it must needs be rather greater on the Deacons part, who are chosen and ordained to serve the Churches of Christ in things pertaining to the Ministry.

In this Office we see the Wisdom and Goodness of God to the Poor of his Flock, in providing a distinct Office in his Church for their sake especially. And therefore let his Church take heed they despise them not, but know that God hath chosen the Poor of this World: And let his People chearfully communicate to their necessities, that God may bless them, and cause all grace to abound towards them, 2 Cor. 9. 6, 7, 8. For such as sow sparingly must expect to reap sparingly: Yea to do good, and to communicate according to the Will of God, is to sow to the Spirit, and the way not only to reap Blessings here, but in the end to obtain Eternal Life, Luke 14. 14. Ane thou shalt be blessed, for they (viz. the Poor) cannot recompence thee, for thou shalt be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just. And let the Deacons bless God for that he hath counted them worthy to be put into this Ministry, for they do not so much wait on the Poor as on the Lord; they shall shortly find that Christ will account their Visits of his Poor

as his own Visits. Let them also mark the Temper of those to whom they minister, and put them in mind of that Thankfulness which they owe to God, who hath so graciously provided for them; and let the Poor requite their Brethren with their Prayers to God; they may shew a grateful mind, and prevail with him for a Blessing, who both giveth Seed to the Sower and Bread to the Eater, and blesseth the Seed sown: And let them beware of a covetous and murmuring Spirit, lest the Lord see it and it displease him, and he eject them, as unworthy of his Provision.

It is here also to be observed, that we hear not a word of Arch-Deacons and Sub-Deacons, nor find any such Creatures in the Primi∣tive Churches: Men have found out this Device, to the great abuse of God's Ordinance, to the neglect of the Poor, yea rather to the grinding of their Faces than the relieving of them; according to the intent of this Sacred Institution. In the mean time those Arch-Dea∣cons live in great state, as men not knowing what belongs to the Simplicity of the Gospel, or the Nature of this self-abasing Office; being rather such as are ministred unto, than devoting themselves to minister to others. Whilst the Civil Magistrate is constrained to take care of the Poor, and to appoint Overseers for them, as if this were a Work too low for a Minister of Christ: But blessed Paul was of another mind, Gal. 2. 10. Only they would that we should remember the Poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tertull. L. de Bap.