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2dly, By the many apostles and other preachers in the church of Jerusalem. And if there were but one congregation there, then each apostle preached but seldom *; which will not consist with Acts vi. 2.

3dly, The diversity of languages among the believers, mentioned both in the second and sixth chapters of the Acts, doth argue more congregations than one in that church.

Secondly, All those congregations were under one presbyterial government; because, 1st, They were one church. 2dly, The elders of the church are mentioned 2.

arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Ver. 7. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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w Acts ix. 31. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts xii. 24. But the word of God grew and mul tiplied. Acts xxi. 20. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe, and they are all zealous of the law.

X Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve calletl the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

y Acts viii. 1. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

3dly, The

Acts ii. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people: and the Lord added unto the church daily such as should be saved. Compared with Acts v. 11. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Acts xi 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts xv. 4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and élders; and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Z Acts xi. 30. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts xv. 4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders; and they declared all things that God had done with them. Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders came together to consider, of this matter. Ver. 22. Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Júdas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. Acts xxi. 17. And when we were come Bb 2

to

3dly, The apostles did the ordinary acts of presbyters, as presbyters in that kirk; which proveth a presbyterial church before the dispersion, Acts vi.

4thly, The several congregations in Jerusalem being one church, the elders of that church are mentioned as meeting together for acts of government; which proves that those several congregations were under one presbyterial govern

ment.

And whether these congregations were fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is also one as to the truth of the proposition.

Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the several congregations in Jerusalem, and the many collgregations now in the ordinary condition of the church, as to the point of fixedness required of officers or members.

Thirdly, Therefore the scripture doth hold forth, that many congregations may be under one presbyterial govern

ment.

II. Secondly, by the instance of the church of Ephesus; for, First, That there were more congregations than one in the church of Ephesus, appears by Acts xx. 31., where is mention of Paul's continuance at Ephesus în preaching for the space of three years; and Acts xix. 18, 19, 20. where the special effect of the word is mentioned; and ver. 10. and 17. of the

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same chapter, where is a distinction of Jews and Greeksd; and 1 Cor. xvi. 8, 9. where is a reason of Paul's stay at Ephesus until Pentecost; and ver. 19. where is mention of a particular church in the house of Aquila and Priscilla, then at Ephesus', as appears, Acts xviii. 19, 24, 26. All which laid together, doth prove that the multitudes of believers did make more congregations than one in the church of Ephesus. Secondly, That there were many elders over these many congregations, as one flock, appeareth ".

Thirdly, That these many congregations were one church, and that they were under one presbyterial government, appeareth'.

shewed their deeds. Ver. 19. Many also of them which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. Ver. 20. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.

d Acts xix. 10. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Ver. 17. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

e1 Cor. xvi. 8. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. Ver. 9. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

f 1 Cor. xvi. 19. The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

8 Acts xviii. 19. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Ver. 24.

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And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. Ver. 26. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

h Acts xx. 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Ver. 25. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Ver. 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Ver. 30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Ver. 36. And, when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. Ver. 37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him.

iRev. ii. 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These Bb 3 thing

Of Synodical Assemblies.

THE scripture doth hold out another sort of assemblies for the government of the church, beside classical and congregational, all which we call Synodical.

Pastors and teachers, and other church-governors, (as also other fit persons, when it shall be deemed expedient,) are members of those assemblies which we call Synodical, where they have a lawful calling thereunto.

Synodical assemblies may lawfully be of several sorts, as provincial, national, and oecumenical.

It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that there be a subordination of congregational, classical, provincial, and national assemblies, for the government of the church.

Of Ordination of Ministers.·

UNDER the head of Ordination of Ministers is to be

considered, either the doctrine of ordination, or the power of it.

things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; Ver. 2. I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. Ver. 3. And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Ver. 4. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Ver. 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Ver. 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. Joined

Touching

with Acts xx. 17, 28. [See in let• ter h.]

k Acts xv. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Ver. 6. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. Ver. 22. Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: Ver. 23. And wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia.

No

Touching the Doctrine of Ordination.

O man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the word without a lawful calling '. Ordination is always to be continued in the church ". Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some publick church office ".

1 John iii. 27. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Rom. x. 14. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Ver. 15. And how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Jer. xiv. 14. Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Heb.

v. 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

m Tit. i. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. Ver. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Every

n Numb. viii. 10. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: Ver. 11. And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord, for an offering of the children of Israel; that they may execute the service of the Lord. Ver. 14. Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of . Israel: and the Levites shall be mine. Ver. 19. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron, and to his sons, from among the children of Is rael, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

Ver.

22. And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tabernacle of the congregation, before Aaron, and before his sons: as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them. Acts vi. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. 5. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Bb 4

Parmenas,

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