This blessed example, given us by the wisdom of the apostles, yea, of the Spirit of God in them, being eminently suited unto the nature of the thing itself, as we shall see immediately, and compliant with all other directions and apostolical examples in the like case, is rather to be followed than the practice of some degenerate churches, who, to cover the turpitude of their acting in deserting this example and rule, do make use of a mock show and pretence of that which really they deny, reject, and oppose.
The second example we have of the practice of the apostles in this case, whereby the preceding rule is confirmed, is given us Acts vi., in the election of the deacons. Had there ensued, after the choice of Matthias, an instance of a diverse practice, by an exclusion of the consent of the people, the former might have been evaded as that which was absolutely extraordinary, and not obliging unto the church : but this was the very next instance of the call of any church-officer, and it was the first appointment of any ordinary officers in the Chris- tian church; for, it falling out in the very year of Christ's ascension, there is no mention of any ordinary elders, distinct from the apostles, ordained in that church ; for all the apostles themselves yet abiding there for the most part of this time, making only some occasional ex- cursions unto other places, were able to take care of the rule of the church and the preaching of the word. They are, indeed, mentioned as those who were well known in the church not long afterward, chap, xi. SO; but the first instance of the call of ordinary teaching elders or pastors is not recorded. That of deacons is so by reason of the occa- sion of it; and we may observe concerning it unto our purpose, —
1. That the institution of the office itself was of apostolical autho- rity, and that fulness of church-power wherewith they were furnished by Jesus Christ.
2. That they did not exert that authority but upon such reasons of it as were satisfactory to the church ; which they declare, chaj). vi. 2.
8. That the action is ascribed to the twelve in general, without naming any person who spake for the rest ; which renders the pre- tence of the Romanists from the former place, where Peter is said to have spoken unto the disciples, — whereon they would have the act- ings of the church which ensued thereon to have been by his con- cession and grant, not of their own right, — altogether vain; for the rest of the apostles were as much interested and concerned in what
THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. 69
was then spoken by Peter as they were at this time, when the whole is ascribed unto the twelve.
4. That the church was greatly multiplied [at] that time, on the account of the conversion unto the faith recorded in the foregoing chapter. It is probable, indeed, that many, yea, the most of them, were returned unto their own habitations; for the next year there were churches in all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, chap. ix. 31. And Peter went about " throughout all quarters," to visit the saints that dwelt in them, verse 32, of whose conversion we read nothing but that which fell out at Jerusalem at Pentecost; but a great multitude they were, chap. vi. 1, 2.
5. This whole multitude of the church, — that is, the "brethren," verse 3, — assembled in one place, being congregated by the apostles, verse 2; who would not ordain any thing, wherein they were con- cerned, without their own consent.
6. They judged on the whole matter proposed unto them, and gave their approbation thereof, before they entered upon the practice of it: Verse 5, " The saying pleased the whole multitude."
7. The qualifications of the persons to be chosen unto the office intended are declared by the apostles: Yerse 3,-" Of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom."
8. These qualities the multitude were to judge upon; and so, abso- lutely, of the meetness of any for this office.
9. The choice is wholly committed and left unto them by the apostles, as that which of right did belong unto them, " Look ye out among you;" which they made use of, choosing them unto the office by their common suffrage, verse 5.
10. "Having thus chosen them, they presented them as their chosen officers unto the apostles, to be by them set apart unto the exercise of their office by prayer and imposition of hands, verse 6.
It is impossible there should be a more evident, convincing in- stance and example of the free choice of ecclesiastical officers by the multitude or fraternity of the church than is given us herein. Nor was there any ground or reason why this order and process should be observed, why the apostles would not themselves nominate and appoint persons whom they saw and knew meet for this office to receive it, but that it was the right and liberty of the people, accord- ing to the mind of Christ, to choose their own officers, which they would not abridge nor infringe.
So was it then, ovtu >tai vvv ymoCai 'ihi, saith Chrysostom on the place, " and so it ought now to be;" but the usage began then to de- cline. It were well if some would consider how the apostles at that time treated that multitude of the people, which is so much now de- spised, and utterly excluded from all concern in church affairs but what consists in servile subjection; but they have, in this pattern and