A survey of the summe of church-discipline. Wherein the vvay of the churches of New-England is warranted out of the vvord, and all exceptions of weight, which are made against it, answered : whereby also it will appear to the judicious reader, that something more must be said, then yet hath been, before their principles can be shaken, or they should be unsetled in their practice. / By Tho. Hooker, late pastor of the church at Hartford upon Connecticott in N.E.

Of Deacons.

We have done with those Offices, and Officers, which look at the whole Church, and whose dispensations meerely and immediately reach the speciall good of the soul: But the Lord Christ, as a King of infinite mercy as well as wisdome, he provides for the outward good and comfort of all his houshold and subjects, in regard of their estates, that they may be maintained, and their health also, and so their lives preserved in a prosperous condition, and to this end he hath appointed Officers, that should in a peculiar manner look to the Church, and so provide for the good of both.

The Office that is to look to, and relieve the Estates of such as are commended to their care, is the Office of Deacons, of which we shall inquire: First, their Name: secondly, their Office, as it is distinct from the rest: thirdly, the bounds wherein their duties ought to be confined.

The name Deacon in our English comes from the originall Greek word, which in the generall and largest acceptation of the word, signifies as much as to administer, and implies any kind of administration, whether

• Civill or
• Ecclesiasticall.

Mat. 22.13. Then said the King unto his servants; the word is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and it is used also to expresse the administratiō of the civil Magistrate, Rom. 13.4. when their administratiōs are con∣sidered as under God, being his servants, he is the Minister of God to thee for good, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And in this large circuit of signi∣fication, it compriseth all speciall Officers in the Church, as A∣postles, Evangelists, &c. 1 Cor. 3.5. Who is Paul? Who is Apollo? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. but Ministers, &c. Secondly, sometime•• it is taken in a more speciall significa••ion and includes these two last remaining, to wit,

• Deacons,
• Widows.

As in that place, Phil. 1.1. a place very remarkable, when Paul in his salutations begins with the whole, and so proceeds to

the severall officers, he thus writes; To all th•• Saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi: There is the body of the Congre∣gation, and then adds with the Bishops and Deacons. In these two expressions all the Rulers are to be understood; Pa∣stors, and Doctors, and Elders are comprehended under the name of Bishops, Paul stiles them, Act. 20.28.

Where observe, 1. There were many Bishops in one Church, not one over many.

2. That amongst these there was no Metropolitan, or su∣periour Arch-Bishop. For then Paul had been much to blame, in passing him by, or omitting his title and due remembrance.

The second word is Deacons, such as administer to mem∣bers weak in their estates, as the poor, or weak in their bo∣dies, or such as be sick; and so both these are comprehended in 1. Cor. 12.28. by those whom the Apostle calls Helps.

3. But lastly, when it is taken most strictly, and as it con∣cerns our purpose in hand, it sets out such officers, who are de∣signed by the Church to dispose the state & treasure thereof to those severall pu••poses for w^ch God hath appointed, the occasi∣ons & necessities of the body & any member therof may require.

I. That this is a distinct office in the Church, severall Scrip∣tures give in undeniable evidence: Rom. 12.8. He that distri∣butes. Here the Apostle reckons these, as a distinct kinde, from those that went before.

1. It being the Apostle his aime, by a similitude drawn from the body, ver. 4. to discover severall parts by the acti∣ons, which were in a peculiar manner appropriate to them. As there be many members in the body, and all have not one of∣fice or action: so in the Church there be many members, but there be severall offices appropriate to them.

Whereas, was this a Christian duty common to all, the Apostle should overthrow his owne purpose: For he should have shewed things agreeing to all alike, when he should have shewen that some things are peculiar

Obje. If it be said that this was done before, and now he comes to set forth such dutyes as appertaines to all.

Answ. The words of the text bear down that conceit. Be∣cause that which went before, and that which comes after are publike officers, and how can these be private? Adde unto this, That the following words, ver. 9. begin a fair alte∣ration at the first view.

The acts are so generall, that the Reader should not misse the aime of the Spirit, if he would but lend the least wary attention. Besides, the words hold forth a plaine distinction continued in the severall members of it. Now the members of a division are opposi••e one to another, and therefore must have something peculiar one from the other.

2. The Apostle intending to lay out the severall officers of the Church in a sūmary way (as we have formerly heard) he addresseth himself to a distinct description and discovery of this Officer, as select from the other of Elders, 1. Tim. 3.8, 10. Deacons must be grave, and being approved and tryed, let them exercise the Deacons office.

3 And lastly, Do we look into Acts 6.1, 2, 6. we may see the ground and occasion of the institution and scope of their calling, and at what it especially aymes, when there fell a murmuring betwixt the Graecians and the Hebrews, in that their poore were not so comely and comfor∣tably attended, as they desired and expected: the Apostles perceiving the multitude increasing, and that it would take up their time and pains too much to give full attendance thereunto, as the necessities thereof did require, they there∣fore directed, that they should choose men amongst themselves fitly qualified for that purpose, and they would settle them in that imployment. According to the Apostles counsell, the Church elected, the Apostles prayed, and laid on their hands and appointed them to the performance of that service. Whence it is apparant,

1 That this was a publick Office, because they were elected in a solemne manner thereunto, and received a solemne insti∣tution from the Apostles, and so from Christ, for the underta∣king of that service.

2 That this their service it was about the attendance of Tables, because the provision for the maintenance of the Widows and poore, by a dayly supply as the condition and necessity of the Church did at that time require, gave occasion hereunto; ergo, that name is used, and implies the dispensation of the treasu∣ry, state, and provision of the Church, for those ends and pur∣poses as should appeare usefull, and behovefull for the benefit of the Church, or any member thereof, as far as served for a spirituall end.

3 The full and carefull attendance unto this work could not stand with carefull, constant, and conscientious attendance unto the Ministery of the word, as the Office of a Minister so imployed did require, as the words of the text witnesse; It is not fit for us to lay aside the eare of the word to attend tables, v. 3. ergo, provide men fit for this thing, and we will give our selves to the word and prayer, v. 4. q. d, these cannot stand together, we must either lay aside the one or prejudice the work of bo••h. These con∣clusions being faire and infallible from former grounds it ap∣pears, What the Episcopall Ordination of a Deacon is where∣by they make him half a Priest, or a Priest in preparation, and invest him with power to serve the Priest in the distribution of the Supper, to look to the Poore, to Marry, to Bury, Bap∣tise and Preach, if hee shall be counted worthy to have a licence granted thereunto. But to consecrate the Sup∣per of the Lord, that is wholly forbidden him, untill he be made a compleat Priest, which at the next time of Ordination he may attain, if he can provide money to pay for the Parch∣ments and Orders. Thus the mystery of iniquity hath eaten into the frame, and wholly defaced the institution of our Sa∣viour, so that there is nothing of an Evangelicall ordinance, that can be discerned.

The first errour (which was indeed the first in let into the u∣surpation of the Bishop, and exaltation of the man of Sin) was, that they lifted him up above his own pl••ce, and crowded him into a corner of the Pastors Office, giving him right to Bap∣tise, which is directly crosse to the order of Christ.

1 That which is made by Christ, a distinct Office from Pa∣stor and Teacher, that cannot be any part of either, or prepa∣ration to them; But so the Office of a Deacon is.

2 That Office which is to attend tables, that hath nothing ••o do with Pastors or Doctors place, either of preaching or ad∣ministring Sacraments. But this is ••o attend tables Act. 6.3. If any man shall say, they may attend both: The practise and profession of the Apostle will confute and confound such a conceit, Act. 6. We will give our selves to the word and prayer. They conceived and concluded, they could not do both, but they should wrong both.

1 If the Apostles, who were extraordinary persons, could not, shall men of ordinary abilities be sufficient to undergo both?

2 Shall the Apostles directed by Christ sever them, who will dare to conjoyn them, unlesse he will go against the direction of the Lord Jesus?

3 The gifts of Deacons, which are described by the Apostle, (1. Tim. 3.8.) are such as will not furnish a man to be a Mi∣nister, (for of him it is not required) he should be apt to teach; to be a teacher and not apt to teach, is to be a Bell without a Clapper.

1. Obje.

• 1. That Stephen a Deacon preached, Act. 7.
• 2. That Philip Baptised. Act. 8, 38.
• 3. That Deacons, by using well their office, pur∣chase to themselves a good degree, i. e. a degree to the Mini∣stery.

Answ. 1. Stephens speech was not a sermon, but an Apologie made by him, for the clearing of his person and cause from the accusations and aspersions that were cast upon him by his adversaries.

2. That Philip was an Evangelist, and so appointed by God, as afterwards appeares, and by vertue of that, and not of his Deaconship, did baptize.

3. That 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, mentioned in 1. Tim. 3.13. is not a degree of the Ministery; but he that doth so, and is so, shall purchase a good standing in the Church, whereby he may boldly administer his office, and with more fruit. For as we have formerly said; If a man may be a fit Deacon, and yet by some impediment in his utterance can never be a Minister, then is he not by, his Deaconship in any necessary preparation thereunto.

The limits of the office will appeare, by shewing

• 1. What he must doe.
• 2. How he must doe it.

I. What he must doe.

This Deacon being the steward or Treasurer of the Church, the thing for which he is mainly to be imployed, as for which he was ordained, it is, for the husbanding of the estate and temporalls of the Church, as may be every way most behovefull for the be∣nefit of the body, according to the rules of the Gospel. And this his service will shew it self in three things.

1. He must addresse himself with much observance to re∣ceive those provisions, which shall, or ought to be commited

to his trust. I say, due observance in gathering in the state of the Church.

1. It is for him to inform himself by advice and counsell from the body, what every mans free-wil-offering should be in making provisions for supplies & paiments of the Congregati∣on. For though the Church-contribution be a free-will offer∣ing, in regard it should willingly and wi h a ready heart be tendred unto God: yet neither in the old Testament, nor un∣der the new, the thing it self, nor yet the measure was left to a mans own dispose or libertie. Compare Deut. 16.10. with Levit. 22.18, 19. If God hath blessed a man with so many Oxen, he must not offer so many Goats.

Vpon this information and direction given by the Body,

2. He must observe, whether each member performe this his due and dutie: and in case he shall faile he is to admonish him, as swerving from a rule: and in case he reform not, he must follow the action against him, by the rule of our Savi∣our provided in that behalf, and bring him to the censure of the Church.

3. What is not offered or given, but promised, he must give attendance with the first to require it, that thus being ob∣servant to gather in the stock and provision of the Church, he may not be to seek; nor succour may be wanting, when sup∣ply should be tendered.

II.

As thus he must give attendance, as Christs receiver, to gather in his rents and revenues of the Church: so he must be carefull to keep it, when it is in his custody, so that no lack come thereto; neither mispend it himself, nor suffer it to spoil in the keeping, nor lend it with disadvantage, so that it should returne lesse in worth, or be unready, when the Church hath occasion to have the improvement thereof.

III.

He must be prudent in the dispersing and disposing of it to such uses and to such persons as the body of the congregation shall, according to the rules of the Scripture, require at his hand herein, because the weight and work of his office is especially to be seen here; ergo, this is especially and particularly mentio∣ned, Rom. 12. He that distributes: and this implies and includes all the rest.

For he that must distribute, He must gather; He must keep it by him.

Thus his office is said to attend tables. i e. To lay out the re∣venues and treasurie of the Church, as may be behoovefull: For to provide Elements for the Lords table, when that should be attended: For the table of the poor, i. e. for all their wants, that they may be supplied. For the tables of the Minister, i. e. what ever provision the Church shall put into their hands, as by them to be administred to them, according to that debt which the Church owes to them in the way of wages.

And here his providence, faithfulnesse, and paines will fully be imployed.