150 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
unto such deacons, where with boldness and confidence they may as- sist in the management of the affairs of the church, which belongs unto the profession of the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
If any shall rather think that both of the expressions do signify an increase in gifts and grace, which is a certain consequence of men's faithful discharge of their office in the church, wherein many deacons of old were eminent unto martyrdom, I shall not contend against it.
2. Whereas there are qualifications expressly required in the wives of deacons, as that they should be " grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things,'" 1 Tim. iii. 11, which are to be considered before their call to office, supposing that any of them do fall from the faith, as becoming Papists, Socinians, or Quakers, [it is asked] whether their husbands may be continued in their office?
Ans. 1. He who in his own person faithfully dischargeth his office may be continued therein, yea, though his wife should be actually excommunicated out of the church. Every one of us must give an account of himself unto the Lord. He rejects us not for what we cannot remedy. The sinning person shall bear his own judgment. 2. Such an one ought to take care, by virtue of his authority as a husband, that as little offence as possible may be given to the church by his wife, when she loseth the qualification of not being a slan- derer, which is inseparable from such apostates.
3. May a deacon be dismissed from his office wholly, after he hath been solemnly set apart unto it by prayer?
Ans. 1. The very end of the office being only the convenience of the church and its accommodation, the continuation of men in this office is to be regulated by them; and if the church at any time stand not in need of the ministry of this or that person, they may, upon his desire, discharge him of his office. 2. Things may so fall out Avith men as unto their outward circumstances, with respect unto either their persons in bodily distempers and infirmities, or their condition in the world, as that they are not able any longer to attend unto the due discharge of this office ; in which case they ought to be released. 8. A man may be solemnly set apart unto a Avork and duty by prayer for a limited season, suppose for a year only; wherefore this doth not hinder but that a man may, on just reasons, be dismissed at any time from his office, though he be so set apart unto it. 4. A deacon, by unfaithfulness and other offences, may forfeit his office and be justly excluded from it, losing all his right unto it and interest in it; and therefore, on just reasons, may be dismissed wholly from it. 5. For any one to desert his office, through frowardness, covetousness, sloth, or negligence, is an offence and scandal which the church ought to take notice of. 6. He who de- sires a dismission from his office ouq-ht to crive an account of his desires and the reasons of them unto the church, tliat the ministry
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wliicli he held may be duly supplied, and love continued between him and the church.
4. How many deacons may there be in one congregation?
Ans. As many as they stand in need of for the ends of that ministry, and they may be at all times increased as the state of the church doth require; and it is meet that there should always be so many as that none of the poor be neglected in the daily ministration, nor the work be made burdensome unto themselves.
5. What is the duty of the deacons towards the elders of the church ?
Ans. Whereas the care of the whole church, in all its concernments, is principally committed unto the pastors, teachers, and ruling elders, it is the duty of the deacons, in the discharge of their ofSce, — 1. To acquaint them from time to time with the state of the church, and especially of the poor, so far as it falls imder their inspection ; 2. To seek and take their advice in matters of greater importance relating unto their office ; 3. To be assisting unto them in all the outward concerns of the church.
6. May deacons preach the word and baptize authoritatively by virtue of their office?
Ans. 1. The deacons, whose office is instituted. Acts vi., and whose qualifications are fixed, 1 Tim. iii., have no call unto or ministerial power in these things. The limitation of their office, work, and power is so express as will not admit of any debate. 2. Persons once called unto this office might of old in an extraordinary manner, may at present in an ordinary way, be called unto the preacliing of the word ; but they were not then, they cannot be now, authorized thereunto by virtue of this office. 3. If a neiv office be erected under the name of deacons, it is in the will of them by whom it is erected to assign what power unto it they please.
CHAPTER X.
Of excommunication.
The power of the church towards its members (for it hath nothing to do with them that are without) may be referred unto three heads: — 1. The admission of members into its society; 2. The rule and edification of them that belong unto it ; 3. The exclusion out of its society of such as obstinately refuse to live and walk according unto the laws and rules of it. And these things belong essentially and inseparably unto every free society, and are comprehensive of all church-power whatever.