Institutions of Christian religion framed out of Gods word, and the writings of the best diuines, methodically handled by questions and answers, fit for all such as desire to know, or practise the will of God. Written in Latin by William Bucanus Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Lausanna. And published in English by Robert Hill, Bachelor in Diuinitie, and Fellow of Saint Iohns Colledge in Cambridge, for the benefit of our English nation, to which is added in the end the practise of papists against Protestant princes.

ƲƲhich be the deacons?

The stewards of the house of God, lawfully chosen out of the common assembly of the Church,* 1.1 were properly called Dea∣cons, which had the charge of the Ecclesiasticall treasure or the office of assistance, that is, who were set ouer the receipts, and also the orderly laying our, and distributing of the holy almes and collections, and other goods of the Church which were to bee administred, as themselues, the Pastors, and the Elders should thinke good, and to the reliefe of the poore, the Orphans and ƲƲi¦dovves, and Strangers, but especially of such as were of the house∣hold of faith, and to other holy vsesc 1.2, vnto whom it is therefore thus commaunded, Rom. 12.8. He that distributeth, let him doe it in simplicitie, that is, in sinceritie of heart & without respect of per∣sons. And in veery deed they tooke the name of Deacons from their seruing at tables, because vpon them was laid the labour∣some charg of gathering and disposing the Collections and Offe∣rings, whereof the Loue feasts were made, which consisted partly in receiuing of common meatd 1.3, but especially in the ce∣lebration of the Lords Supper, and partly in holy speeches and the conferences at, and after meate: Tertul. in Apolog. cap. 39.

And when these Loue feastes were growne out of vse, yet there remayned the same charge of Deacons still in the admini∣stration of the Sacraments, but chiefely in the giuing about of the Cup, But they were neither Pastors nor Doctors, because the Apostles themselues professed, that they were not able to attend, both seruing at tales, and preaching, Act. 6, 2.

And Paule would haue Pastors, to bee apt to teachc 1.4: but in Deacons hee onely requires, that they hold the mysterie of the faith. And Stephen, Act. 6, 8, Because hee was a Deacon onely, hee is not said to haue taught in the Church, but in the Synagogue of the Iewes, where euerie one might speake as it appeareth, Luke. 2.46,d 1.5, And Philip being no longer a Deacon of the Church of Ierusalem, but of a Deacon made an E∣uangelist preached the Gospell, yet if such be found to be fit

for the Ministerie of the word, we must not denie, but that they are to bee preferred before others, of whome there is not so good proofe. Furthermore, since the Censuring and Iudgment of man∣ners is not a daily function, it cannot be denied, but that these two offices of Eldership and Deaconship may easily bee execu∣ted.

Further, the Church hath alwaies had a publike stocke, col∣lected iustly and certainely among the people, for the retayning of the holy exercises of Religion and faith. Hence it came that there was a treasurie in the templee 1.6, and God in times past ap∣pointed a taxe to be raised vpon the people, for the repayring of the Tabernacle, and the templef 1.7. And the tithes hee comman∣ded to be paid to the Priest, Deut. 14.28. yea and the Apostles themselues had a care to constitute a common treasurie of the Church, for the reliefe of the poore, and for other necessities of the Church. Heerupon Paul appointed, that Collection should be made vpon the Lords dayh 1.8, and afterward Churches waxed rich by the liberalitie of diuers Godly people: And lastly the paying of Tythes was againe restored. And these riches of the Church are honest and iust; considering that they are giuen of such, as had right to giue, them and whom the feare of God stirred vp to be∣stow them.

Further, Ecclesiasticall goods were deuided into foure parts: One part was distributed to the Cleargie, that is, to those which gaue themselues to the seruice of the Church, aswell in learning as in teaching. 2 Another part was giuen to the reliefe of the poore, who are members of the same bodie with vs vnder Christ our head. 3 A third part to the keeping of the buildings and vessels of the Church. A fourth part went to the Bishoppe, or to the Ruler, that therewith they might entertaine poore straun∣gers, and also comfort their brethren that were in Captiui∣tiei 1.9.

Vnto these Deacons there were adioned Deaconesses, or Wi∣dowes of three score yeares olde, appointed espetially to looke to the sicke, to receiue trauellers that were brethren, and for the ne∣cessities of others, vnto whom it is commaunded, Rom. 12.8 thus, He that shewes mercie, let him doe it with cheerefulnesse. The

vse of which office, if for the weaknesse of that sex, and other discommodities and inconueniences, it may not well be restored, yet it may be supplied by the bountie and godly care of holy women towards the poore, whether they be Noble, or of mea∣ner estate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.2

  Act, 6.1, 2 Gal. 6 16. Phil, 1, 1 1 Tim, 3.8 12, & 18
• d 1.3

  Act 2, 46 & 20 7 1 Cor 11.20 Iud. 6.12
• c 1.4

  1 Tim. 3.12.9 Luk. 4.7 Act. 13 15
• d 1.5

  Act. 8 5 & 21.8
• e 1.6

  Luk, 20, 1,
• f 1.7

  Exo. 30, 13
• h 1.8

  1. Cor. 16 Mat, 10.10 1 Cor. 9.19
• i 1.9

  Act. 6.1. & 1 Tim. 5, 9 10