The Second Book of Discipline

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The complete Chapter 8 (Of the Deacons and Their Office) and Chapter 9 (Of the Patrimony of the Kirk, and the Distribution Thereof), reproduced from the text at swrb.com. Bracketed glosses are the source edition’s.

Chapter 8: Of the Deacons and Their Office, the Last Ordinary Function in the Kirk

1. The word “diaconos” sometimes is largely taken comprehending all them that bear office in the ministry and spiritual function in the kirk. But now, as we speak, it is taken only for them unto whom the collection and distribution of the alms of the faithful and ecclesiastical goods do belong.

2. The office of the deacons so taken is an ordinary and perpetual ecclesiastical function in the kirk of Christ. Of what properties and duties he ought to be that is called to this function, we remit it to the manifest scriptures. The deacon ought to be called and elected as the rest of the spiritual officers, of the which election was spoken before.

3. Their office and power is to receive and to distribute the whole ecclesiastical goods unto them to whom they are appointed. This they ought to do according to the judgment and appointment of the presbyteries or elderships (of the which the deacons are not), that the patrimony of the kirk and poor be not converted to private men’s uses, nor wrongfully distributed.

Chapter 9: Of the Patrimony of the Kirk, and the Distribution Thereof

1. By the patrimony of the kirk, we mean whatsoever thing has been at any time before, or shall be in times coming, given, or by consent or universal custom of countries professing the Christian religion, applied to the public use, and utility of the kirk; so that under the patrimony we comprehend all things given, or to be given, to the kirk and service of God, as lands, buildings, possessions, annual rents, and all suchlike wherewith the kirk is doted [endowed], either by donations, foundations, mortifications, or any other lawful titles, of kings, princes, or any persons inferior to them; together with the continual oblations of the faithful. We comprehend also all such things as by laws, or custom, or use of countries, have been applied to the use and utility of the kirk: of the which sort are teinds [tithes], manses, glebes [clerical lands], and such like, which, by common and municipal laws and universal custom, are possessed by the kirk.

2. To take any of this patrimony by unlawful means, and convert it to the particular and profane use of any person, we hold it a detestable sacrilege before God.

3. The ecclesiastical goods ought to be collected and distributed by the deacons, as the word of God appoints, that they who bear office in the kirk be provided for without care or solicitude. In the apostolical kirk, the deacons were appointed to collect and distribute whatsoever was collected of the faithful, to be distributed unto the necessity of the saints, so that none lacked among the faithful. These collections were not only of that which was collected in manner of alms, as some suppose, but of other goods, movable and unmovable, of lands and possessions, the price whereof was brought to the feet of the apostles. This office continued in the deacons’ hands, who intromitted with the whole goods of the kirk ever, aye and while the estate thereof was corrupted by Antichrist, as the ancient canons bear witness.

4. The same canons make mention of a fourfold distribution of the patrimony of the kirk, whereof one part was applied to the pastor or bishop for his sustenance and hospitality; another to the elders and deacons and all the clergy; the third to the poor, sick persons, and strangers; the fourth to the uphold and other affairs of the kirk, specially extraordinary. We add hereunto the schools and schoolmasters also, who ought, and may be, well sustained of the same goods, and are comprehended under the clergy. To whom we join also clerks of assemblies, as well particular as general, syndics or procurators of the kirk affairs, takers up of psalms, and suchlike other ordinary officers of the kirk, so far as they are necessary.