Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsActs 6

Murmuring.

^◦ It cometh of human infirmity, that in every society of men (be it never so holy) there is some cause given or taken by the weak, of murmur and difference, which must ever be provided for and stayed in the beginning, lest it grow to further schism or sedition. And to all such defects, the more the Church increaseth in number and diversity of men and Provinces, the more it is subject. In all which things the spiritual Magistrates, by the Apostles' example and authority, must take order, as time and occasion shall require.

• ◦ Murmuring & emulation.

Seven men.

^[1] We may not think that these Seven (here made Deacons) were only chosen to serve profane tables or dispose of the Church's mere temporals, though by that occasion only they may seem to some now elected, no express mention being made of any other function. For, diverse circumstances of this same place give evidence, and so doth all antiquity, that their Office stood not principally about profane things, but about the holy Altar. The persons to be elected, must be full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, they must after public prayer be ordered and consecrated by the Apostles' imposition of hands, as Bishops and Priests were afterward ordered. ep. ad Tim. ^[2] Where S. Paul also requireth in a manner the same conditions in them as in Bishops. All which would not have been prescribed for any secular stewardship. Yea straight upon their Ordering here (no doubt by commission of the Apostles, which they had not before their election) they preached, baptized, disputed, and as it may appear by the words spoken of S. Steven ^[3], that he was full of grace and fortitude, they received great increase of grace by their Deaconship.

• 1 The 7. Deacons
• 2 1. Tim. 3. & 4.
• 3 Act. 6, 8.

^[1]

But S. Ignatius ep. 2 ad Tral. can best witness of their Office and the Apostles' manner and meaning in such things, who writeth thus: It behoveth also to please by all means the Deacons, which are for the ministry of Jesus Christ. For they are not servitors of meat and drink, but ministers of the Church of God. For what are Deacons but imitators or followers of Christ, ministering to the Bishops, as Christ to his Father, & working unto him a clean and immaculate work, even as S. Steven to S. James &c. S. Polycarpe hath the like in his epistle ad Philippenses. And S. Denys ^[2] writeth that their Office was about the Altar, and putting the holy bread and chalice upon the same. S. Clement also (Apost. Const. li. 2. c. 61.) that their Office among other things, is to assist the Bishops, and read the Gospel in the Service &c. S. Cyprian in diverse places (ep. 65. & ep. 49. ad Cornel.) calleth Deacons, the Church's and the Apostles' Ministers, and their Office, administrationem sacram, an holy administration. S. Hierom affirmeth, in caput 7 Micheæ. and in episto. 85. ad Evagrium tom. 2, where he checketh some of them for preferring themselves before Priests, and putteth them in remembrance of their first calling, that they be as the Levites were in respect of the Priests of the old Law. Finally by S. Ambrose li. 1. Offic. c. 41. and Prudentius in Hymno de S. Laurent. speaking of S. Laurence the Deacon, we may see their Office was most holy. See S. Augustine also of the dignity of Deacons ep. 148. ad Valerium. Conc. Carthag. 4. can. 37. 38. 39. 41.

• 1 The office of Deacons.
• 2 Li. Eccl. Hier. c. 3. part. 2.