A Booke of the forme of common prayers, administration of the sacraments, &c. agreeable to Gods Worde, and the vse of the reformed churches. To this fourth editiŏ is added the maner of ordination and admission of a pastor to his charge, according to the maner of the reformed churches. The contents of this booke, are conteyned in the page following..

THE MANNER OF OR∣DAINING ELDERS AND DEACONS, either iointly, or each of them seuerallie.

WElbeloued in the Lorde, you know that wee haue at diuers times pro∣pounded and declared vnto you the names of our brethen here present, who are cho∣sen to execute the charge of Eldership and Deaconship in this Congregation, to know whether anie thing could bee produced why they ought not to bee ordained in the said calling. Whervpon seeing that no mā hath appeared before vs, alleadging anie lawfull exception against them: Therefore we are at this present time to proceede in the name of the Lord to their ordination.

To this effect, you“ brother, who must be ordained, and all beside that be heere pre∣sent, are to heare out of the worde of God a short declaration of the institution and charge of Elders and Deacons. Cōcerning the Elders, wee must note that the worde Elder or Auncient (beeing taken from the old Testament, and signifying a person e∣stablished in some honorable callinge for the gouerning of others) is attributed vn∣to two maner of persons that serue in the Church of Christ. For the Apostle saieth: The Elders that rule well, let them bee had

in double honour, especiallie they which la∣bour in the worde and doctrine. Heere wee see in the Apostolike Church to haue bene two sortes of Elders, whereof the first did labour in the worde and doctrine, and the other not. The first were Ministers of the Word, and Pastors: who preached the Go∣spell and administred the Sacraments: but the other who laboured not in the worde, & yet were likewise seruing in the church, had a speciall office, namelie the ouersight of the Church, and the ruling of the same together with the Ministers of the Worde. For Paule hauing spoken of the offices of teaching, and of distributing or Deacon∣ship, speaketh afterward of this office spe∣ciallie, saying: He that ruleth, let him doe it with diligence. Likewise in an other place among the giftes and offices whiche the Lorde hath ordained in his Church, he doeth mention Gouuernours or Rulers. This sorte then of Church-Officers, were to helpe and assist the other that Preached the Gospell, as in the Old Testament the cōmon Leuites were ioyned to the Priestes in the Ministerie of the Tabernacle, to bee their helpers in thinges which the Priestes alone, were not able to performe: remay∣ning alwayes offices distinct and seuerall. Moreouer, it is good that such fellow ru∣lers

bee ioyned with the Ministers of the worde, to the end that hereby all tyrannie and dominion may more easilie bee bani∣shed out of the Church of God, the which may breake in the sooner, when the gou∣uernement consisteth but in one or verie fewe persons. So that the Ministers of the worde and the Elders togeather, make one fellowship, beeing as a Church-councill, & representing the whole Church. Wher∣vpon the Lorde Christ hath regard, when he sayeth, Tell it vnto the Church. The which can not be vnderstood of all and e∣uerie member of the Church seuerallie, but most fitlie of those that gouuerne the Church, by the which they are elected.

First, there is required of the Elders, to haue with the Ministers of the worde, an ouersight of the Church, that is cōmitted vnto them: carefullie to looke that euerie one behaue him selfe convenientlie in his profession and conuersation, To admo∣nishe those that giue offence: and to pro∣uide, as much as is possible, that the Sacra∣ments be not prophaned. Likewise, accor∣ding to the Christian discipline, to deale against the impenitent, and receiue againe the penitēt into the bosome of the church: as not onely it is made plaine by the for∣mer sentence of Christ, but also by other

testimonies of Scripture, that these things stande not by one or two persons only, but by manie that are appointed fot it.

Secondlie, seeing the Apostle comman∣deth that all thinges amonge Christians, shall be done comelie and by order, and that no mā without lawfull calling, ought to serue in the Church of Christ, as Chri∣stian order requireth: It belongeth also to the Elders to looke to this, and in all mat∣ters that fall out appertayning to a good constitution & order of the Church, with good coūsell to assiste the Ministers of the worde: yea with counsell and comfort to serue the whole Congregation.

Thirdlie, it is their charge to haue a spe∣ciall regarde of the doctrine and life of the Ministers of the worde, to the end that all thinges be seruing for the edifying of the Church: and that no straung doctrine be taught, as we see the Apostle doeth ex∣horte, that diligent watch bee held against the wolues that might enter into the sheep∣coat of Christ. For the performing where∣of, the Elders are bound carefully to search the word of God, & to exercise themselues continuallie in the meditation of the my∣steries of faith.

Concerning the Deacons, we may reade of their originall & institution in the Actes

of the Apostles. For there we doe finde that in the beginning the Apostles themselues, ministred to the poore, at whose feete the price of the sold goodes were brought, and the distribution was done to euerie one ac∣cording as his necessitie required. But be∣cause after this there arose a murmuringe, for that the widowes of the Graecians were neglected in the daylie ministring: By the admonitiō of the Apostles, certain men were chosen to supplie this busines of prouidinge for the poore, that the Apostles might giue themselues continuallie to prayer and to the ministration of the word. From which time this hath bin obserued in the Church, as ap∣reth by Paul the Apostle, who speaking of this charge, saith: That he who distributeth, shall doe it with simplicitie. And els where speaking of the HELPERS, he vnderstan∣deth those that are appointed to helpe the poore and afflicted, in their neede. Which places do sufficientlie shew what the office is of the Deacons: Namelie first, That they with fidelitie & carefulnesse doe gather and keepe the almes and goodes which are giuen to the poore: yea labour besides with all dili∣gence, that many good meanes may be found for the reliefe of the poore. The second parte of their charge consisteth in the distribution: wherevnto is requisit, not onelie discretion

& prudencie, least they should giue where is no need: but also a ioyfull mind & simplici∣tie, to helpe the poore with a cheerefull and mercifull heart, as the Apostle requireth. To which purpose it is verie good, that they succcour the poore & afflicted, not only with outwarde giftes, but likewise with comfor∣table consolations out of the word of God.

To the end therefore, deare brethren, N. N. that each one of you here present, may vnderstande that your intention is to em∣brace, receyue, and faithfullie execute the foresaide“ charge [namelie each of you his owne] you are to answere to these que∣stions:

First, I aske you Elders, and Deacons, whether you doe not feele in your heartes, that you are by the Church of God, and consequentlie by God him selfe, seuerallie called to this holy charge, [or charges?]

Secondlie, whether you holde the Scri∣pture of the Old and New Testament, to be the onelie worde of God, and the per∣fect doctrine of saluation, and doe reiect all doctrine contrarie vnto the same?

Thirdlie, whether you promise to admi∣nister your charge (as before it is described out of the said doctrine) with all fidelitie, according to your power: namely you El∣ders N.N, in the church gouernement, to∣geather

with the Ministers of the worde, And you Deacons N. N. in the ministring of the poore? Likewise whether all of you, doe promise to liue in a godlie conuersati∣on, & to submit your selues to the church∣lie admonitions and censures, if you at any time offend against the good order of the Church?

Vpon this they shall answer:

Yea, that we doe.

Then the Minister sayeth:

The Almightie God and Father, graunt vnto you all his grace, that in this your charge you may behaue your selues faith∣fullie and fruitfullie with comfort, Amen.

Then shall he admonish them and the Congregation in this maner:

Looke then ye Elders that ye be diligent in gouerning the Church that which (to∣gether with the Ministers of the worde) is committed vnto you. Be also good watch∣men ouer the house and citie of God, to admonish euerie one faithfully, and warne him of his destructiō. Haue a care to main¦taine the purenes of doctrine, and the inte∣gritie of life in the Church of the Lord.

And you Deacons, be carefull in the gathe∣ring of the Almes, circumspect and cheere∣full in bestowing them: helpe the distressed, prouide for the right Widowes and orphans:

doe good vnto all men, but speciallie vnto them which are of the housholde of faith.

Be all of you faithfull and trustie in your charge: and hold the mysterie of faith in a pure conscience, shewing good exāple vnto all the people. So shall you get to your sel∣ues a good degree and great libertie in the faith which is in Christ Iesus, & hereafter enter into the ioye of your Lord.

On the other side welbeloued Christians, receaue these men as the seruants of God. Estime the Elders that rule well worthy of double honor: submit your selues willing∣lie to their ouersight and rule: Prouide and furnish the Deacons of good meanes for the helping of the poore: Bee beneficiall ye that are rich, giue liberallie and impart readilie: And ye that are poore, be poore in spirit, & carie your selues reuerentlie towardes your prouiders: be thankefull towards them, and murmure not: follow Christ for the foode of the soule, and not for bread sake. Let him that hath stolen, or bene burthensome to his neighbour, steale no more, but let him rather labour and worke with his handes the thing which is good, that he may haue to giue vn∣to him that needeth. Doing so, each for his owne parte, you shall receaue of the Lorde the reward of righteousnesse. But seeing of our selues we are vnfit for this, let vs call

vpon the Almightie God in this sorte:

Lord our God and mercifull Father, we render thee thankes, because it hath plea∣sed thee for the better furtheringe of thy Church, to appoint in the same, besides the Ministers of the worde, Rulers, & Hel∣pers, Whereby thy Congregation might be maintained in good peace and prospe∣rous estate, and the poore people relieued: and that presentlie in this place thou hast graunted vnto vs men of good testimonie, and endued with thy Spirit: Wee beseeche thee, furnish them more and more of such giftes as they haue neede of in their admi∣nistration, namelie, the gift of wisedome, readines, and of discerning, as also of be∣neficence, to the ende that euery one may behaue him selfe duelie in his charge, the Elders in hauing a carefull regarde to do∣ctrine and conuersation, to the keeping out the wolues from the sheepe-folde of thy welbeloued Sonne, & in admonishing and reproving the disorderlie and vnrulie. Likewise the Deacons in collecting careful∣lie, and in bestowing liberally & prudently the almes of the poore, as also in comforting them with thy holie word. Graunt both vn∣to the Elders and vnto the Deacons, thy grace, that they may goe on constantlie in their faithfull worke, and that they neuer

waxe slow by reason of whatsoeuer paine, grief, trouble, or persecution of the world: Graunt likewise thy diuine blessing vnto this people especiallie, cōmitted vnto their charge, that they submit them selues wil∣linglie to the good admonition of the El∣ders, and giue due honour vnto them for their office sake. Graunt vnto the rich, li∣berall heartes, towardes the poore: and vnto the poore a thankefull spirit towards those that helpe and minister vnto them. In such sorte, that euerie one discharging himselfe in his callinge, thy holie Name thereby may be magnified, and the kingdome of Iesus Christ aduanced: In whose Name we conclude our prayer, sayinge, Our Father which art, &c.

Notes

• “

  or brothers if there be-more then one to be or∣dayned.
• 1 Tim. 5.1••
• Rom. 12.8.
• •• Cor. 12.2
• Mat. 18.17
• 1 Cor. 5.4 2 Cor. 2.6.7
• Cor. 14.40.
• Act. 20.28.29.
• Act. 6.1.5.
• Rom. 12.8.
• 1 Cor. 12.28.
• Rom. 12.8
• 2 Cor. 9.7.
• “

  or charges.