_, 1 Cor. xii. 18.

5. Deacons have a divine approbation and commendation in Scripture, if
they execute their office well. "For they that have used the office of a
deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in
the faith which is in Christ Jesus," 1 Tim. iii. 13. Here the well
administration of deaconship is commended as producing two good effects
to such deacons, viz: 1. _A good degree_, i.e. great honor, dignity, and
reputation, both to themselves and to their office; they adorn, grace,
and credit their office in the church; not that they purchase to
themselves by desert a higher office in the church, that from deacons
they should be advanced to be presbyters, as some would interpret this
text. 2. _Much boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus._ For
nothing makes a man more bold than a good conscience in the upright and
faithful discharge of our duties in our callings; innocency and
integrity make brave spirits; such with great confidence and boldness
serve Christ and the church, being men that may be trusted to the
uttermost. Now where God thus approves or commends the well managing of
an office, he also divinely approves and allows the office itself, and
the officer that executes the same.[92]

SECTION II.

2. _Of the first receptacle, or subject of the power of church
government from Christ, viz. Christ's own officers._

Touching the second, that Jesus Christ our Mediator hath peculiarly
intrusted his own officers with the power of church government: take it
thus--

Jesus Christ our Mediator did immediately commit the proper, formal,
ministerial, or stewardly authority and power for governing of his
church to his own church guides as the proper immediate receptacle or
first subject thereof.

For explication of this proposition, four things are to be opened.

1. What is meant by proper, formal, ministerial or stewardly authority
and power for church government? See this already discussed, Part 2,
chapters III., V., and IX., in the beginning of Section 2, so that here
there needs no further addition, as to this point.

2. What is meant by church guides? By church guides here understand,
negatively, 1. Not the political magistrate. For though he be the
_nurse-father_ of the church, Isa. xlix. 23, _the keeper and avenger of
both the tables_; and _have an outward care of religion_, and _may
exercise a political power about sacred things_, as did Asa,
Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Jos