Selected quad for the lemma: church_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
church_n	bishop_n	ordination_n	presbyter_n	9,874	5	10.5221	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88947	A modest & brotherly ansvver to Mr. Charles Herle his book, against the independency of churches. Wherein his foure arguments for the government of synods over particular congregations, are friendly examined, and clearly answered. Together, with Christian and loving animadversions upon sundry other observable passages in the said booke. All tending to declare the true use of synods, and the power of congregationall churches in the points of electing and ordaining their owne officers, and censuring their offendors. By Richard Mather teacher of the Church at Dorchester; and William Tompson pastor of the Church at Braintree in New-England. Sent from thence after the assembly of elders were dissolved that last met at Cambridg to debate matters about church-government.	Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.; Tompson, William, d. 1666.	1644 (1644)	Wing M1274; Thomason E37_19; ESTC R16954	50,642	62

therefore_o follow_v that_o in_o some_o case_n it_o may_v be_v perform_v by_o such_o as_o be_v not_o in_o office_n because_o the_o case_n may_v so_o be_v that_o otherwise_o it_o can_v be_v perform_v at_o all_o so_o that_o either_o no_o officer_n must_v be_v ordain_v nor_o any_o imposition_n of_o hand_n use_v at_o all_o or_o else_o imposition_n of_o hand_n in_o some_o case_n may_v be_v perform_v by_o they_o that_o be_v not_o in_o office_n now_o that_o it_o can_v always_o be_v perform_v by_o officer_n three_o instance_n make_v it_o manifest_a first_o when_o there_o be_v no_o officer_n of_o any_o other_o church_n to_o be_v have_v as_o at_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o the_o first_o christian_a church_n in_o a_o pagan_a country_n far_o remote_a from_o all_o church_n as_o here_o in_o america_n by_o the_o english_a and_o in_o the_o case_n which_o you_o put_v of_o a_o company_n of_o christian_n by_o shipwreck_n cast_v upon_o a_o island_n where_o no_o pastor_n be_v second_o when_o those_o that_o may_v be_v have_v be_v so_o exceed_o corrupt_a and_o the_o church_n to_o who_o they_o do_v belong_v that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v convenient_a to_o make_v use_n of_o they_o but_o very_o dangerous_a to_o fetch_v ordination_n only_o from_o they_o as_o at_o the_o first_o reformation_n after_o the_o time_n of_o popery_n when_o there_o be_v none_o to_o be_v have_v but_o from_o the_o popish_a bishop_n and_o priest_n from_o who_o to_o receive_v ordination_n be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v either_o that_o the_o minister_n of_o antichrist_n may_v ordain_v minister_n to_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n or_o else_o that_o popish_a bishop_n be_v true_a minister_n of_o christ_n and_o sure_o if_o christian_n may_v not_o have_v any_o minister_n unless_o ordain_v by_o the_o popish_a bishop_n the_o case_n be_v as_o pitiful_a as_o if_o sheep_n may_v have_v no_o shepherd_n but_o such_o be_v appoint_v to_o they_o by_o the_o wolf_n three_o when_o those_o that_o be_v more_o desirable_a have_v no_o sufficient_a call_n to_o dispense_v ordination_n in_o another_o church_n which_o be_v the_o case_n when_o they_o be_v not_o request_v thereto_o for_o sith_o ordinary_a elder_n be_v not_o like_o apostle_n to_o feed_v all_o flock_n but_o that_o flock_n of_o god_n which_o depend_v upon_o they_o 1_o pet._n 5._o 2._o that_o flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v they_o overseer_n act_n 20._o 28._o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o they_o can_v assume_v authority_n and_o power_n unto_o themselves_o to_o ordain_v elder_n to_o other_o church_n whereof_o themselves_o be_v neither_o elder_n nor_o member_n unless_o they_o have_v a_o call_n thereto_o by_o the_o request_n of_o that_o church_n where_o the_o elder_n be_v to_o be_v ordain_v so_o that_o by_o these_o instance_n it_o appear_v that_o sometime_o officer_n of_o other_o church_n be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v sometime_o those_o that_o may_v be_v have_v be_v as_o ill_a as_o none_o and_o not_o to_o be_v depend_v on_o or_o desire_v and_o sometime_o those_o that_o be_v more_o desirable_a have_v no_o sufficient_a call_n to_o ordain_v minister_n in_o any_o other_o church_n and_o therefore_o in_o such_o case_n as_o these_o sith_o officer_n must_v not_o be_v admit_v without_o imposition_n of_o hand_n imposition_n of_o hand_n must_v be_v perform_v by_o non-officer_n but_o you_o will_v say_v we_o read_v in_o sundry_a place_n where_o imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v perform_v by_o elder_n and_o not_o one_o place_n in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o it_o be_v perform_v by_o other_o whereto_o we_o answer_v that_o all_o this_o be_v true_a but_o nothing_o against_o what_o we_o have_v say_v because_o which_o be_v our_o three_o particular_a to_o be_v clear_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o this_o that_o be_v here_o allege_v be_v not_o as_o if_o ordination_n by_o non-elder_n be_v in_o every_o case_n unlawful_a but_o because_o in_o those_o time_n elder_n be_v not_o want_v for_o there_o be_v the_o apostle_n and_o apostolic_a man_n who_o be_v elder_n in_o all_o church_n and_o we_o do_v willing_o grant_v that_o where_o a_o church_n be_v furnish_v with_o elder_n imposition_n of_o hand_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o elder_n and_o so_o much_o the_o example_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v evince_v but_o we_o have_v also_o show_v from_o numb._n 8._o that_o if_o there_o be_v no_o elder_n as_o at_o the_o first_o nor_o any_o that_o can_v convenient_o be_v get_v from_o other_o church_n than_o imposition_n of_o hand_n may_v lawful_o be_v perform_v by_o other_o but_o you_o will_v prove_v that_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o the_o congregation_n with_o or_o without_o a_o pastor_n to_o ordain_v elder_n because_o the_o rule_n of_o direction_n how_o to_o proceed_v in_o ordination_n and_o the_o epistle_n wherein_o those_o rule_n be_v be_v not_o write_v or_o direct_v to_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o ephesus_n or_o crete_n but_o to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n only_o as_o their_o inscription_n speak_v answ._n if_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o people_n may_v not_o in_o any_o case_n meddle_v with_o ordination_n then_o by_o as_o good_a a_o reason_n a_o man_n may_v prove_v that_o ordination_n belong_v not_o to_o the_o presbytery_n nor_o to_o the_o synod_n but_o only_o to_o one_o man_n as_o the_o prelate_n will_v have_v it_o for_o a_o man_n may_v turn_v the_o reason_n against_o yourself_o and_o say_v the_o rule_n of_o direction_n how_o to_o proceed_v in_o ordination_n and_o the_o epistle_n wherein_o those_o rule_n be_v be_v not_o direct_v to_o any_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n at_o ephesus_n or_o crete_n or_o anywhere_o else_o but_o only_o to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n who_o be_v each_o of_o they_o but_o only_o one_o man_n but_o look_v how_o you_o will_v answer_v this_o plea_n for_o episcopal_a ordination_n the_o same_o answer_n may_v be_v give_v to_o you_o and_o for_o we_o we_o can_v but_o approve_v the_o answer_n give_v to_o this_o kind_n of_o reason_v by_o the_o refuter_n of_o doctor_n downham_n sermon_n at_o lambeth_n who_o in_o his_o reply_n part_n 2._o pag._n 107._o do_v show_v that_o the_o law_n of_o church-government_n prescribe_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v not_o provide_v for_o bishop_n alone_o nor_o elder_n alone_o but_o for_o a_o mix_a state_n wherein_o many_o presbyter_n under_o the_o guidance_n of_o one_o pastor_n or_o precedent_n do_v administer_v and_o execute_v all_o matter_n with_o the_o people_n consent_n and_o approbation_n in_o which_o affirmation_n he_o allege_v the_o consent_n of_o most_o and_o best_o divine_v of_o late_a time_n instance_v in_o calvin_n and_o beza_n and_o especial_o the_o apostle_n own_o warrant_n in_o the_o close_a of_o thoses_fw-fr epistle_n with_o these_o word_n grace_n be_v with_o you_o or_o with_o you_o all_o 2_o tim._n 4._o 22._o tit._n 3._o 15._o and_o by_o this_o say_v he_o it_o appear_v that_o what_o be_v write_v special_o by_o name_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v intend_v to_o be_v of_o common_a use_n not_o only_o for_o other_o minister_n but_o also_o in_o some_o sort_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n that_o then_o converse_v in_o those_o place_n now_o if_o what_o be_v write_v by_o name_n to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n be_v intend_v to_o be_v of_o common_a use_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n than_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n that_o you_o shall_v appropriate_v those_o rule_n only_o to_o the_o use_n of_o presbytery_n and_o synod_n no_o more_o than_o other_o only_o to_o the_o use_n of_o prelate_n especial_o this_o be_v consider_v withal_o that_o if_o once_o the_o saint_n be_v exclude_v from_o be_v at_o all_o concern_v in_o those_o rule_n they_o that_o will_v appropriate_v they_o to_o one_o man_n have_v a_o fair_a colour_n for_o their_o plea_n than_o they_o that_o will_v appropriate_v they_o to_o a_o presbytery_n or_o synod_n consist_v of_o many_o because_o timothy_n or_o titus_n to_o who_o those_o epistle_n be_v by_o name_n direct_v be_v not_o many_o person_n but_o either_o of_o they_o one_o only_a but_o it_o appear_v say_v you_o that_o we_o read_v in_o scripture_n that_o this_o part_n of_o jurisdiction_n be_v dispense_v by_o the_o eldership_n only_o and_o that_o a_o consociate_a eldership_n pag._n 27._o answ._n that_o it_o be_v dispense_v by_o the_o eldership_n we_o willing_o grant_v but_o that_o it_o be_v dispense_v by_o the_o eldership_n only_o and_o that_o the_o eldership_n by_o which_o it_o be_v dispense_v be_v a_o consociate_a eldership_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o synod_n neither_o of_o these_o do_v appear_v at_o all_o nay_o we_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a to_o both_o these_o may_v appear_v for_o as_o for_o the_o former_a we_o have_v show_v the_o contrary_a already_o and_o for_o the_o latter_a we_o will_v only_o

be_v the_o mean_n of_o paul_n escape_n final_o there_o be_v not_o any_o supreme_a judicatory_n upon_o earth_n neither_o civil_a nor_o ecclesiastical_a but_o if_o they_o consist_v of_o many_o person_n and_o be_v not_o absolute_a and_o mere_a monarchy_n consist_v of_o one_o alone_a the_o member_n thereof_o may_v be_v divide_v among_o themselves_o and_o yet_o they_o must_v be_v the_o final_a judge_n to_o determine_v matter_n within_o themselves_o if_o the_o matter_n must_v be_v determine_v at_o all_o so_o that_o this_o which_o you_o seem_v to_o reject_v as_o a_o absurdity_n that_o party_n shall_v be_v judge_n be_v in_o some_o case_n and_o namely_o when_o the_o supreme_a judicatory_n be_v divide_v into_o part_n about_o matter_n arise_v among_o themselves_o a_o matter_n of_o unavoidable_a necessity_n and_o can_v be_v otherwise_o this_o communion_n and_o mutual_a assistance_n in_o government_n god_n as_o by_o his_o word_n so_o by_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n teach_v all_o society_n whatever_o whether_o commonwealth_n or_o army_n university_n or_o navy_n pag._n 7._o answ._n either_o this_o passage_n mean_v that_o all_o commonwealth_n etc._n etc._n be_v teach_v such_o communion_n and_o assistance_n in_o government_n with_o other_o commonwealth_n etc._n etc._n as_o that_o none_o of_o they_o have_v entireness_n and_o supremacy_n of_o jurisdiction_n within_o themselves_o but_o be_v dependent_a on_o other_o the_o like_a society_n for_o the_o same_o or_o else_o that_o the_o member_n and_o part_n of_o a_o commonwealth_n etc._n etc._n be_v teach_v such_o communion_n and_o assistance_n in_o government_n as_o not_o to_o be_v entire_a of_o themselves_o but_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o whole_a society_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n and_o part_n if_o it_o be_v take_v in_o the_o latter_a sense_n than_o the_o thing_n be_v most_o true_a but_o no_o prejudice_n to_o our_o cause_n at_o all_o for_o we_o grant_v the_o same_o of_o the_o part_n and_o member_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o must_v be_v take_v in_o the_o former_a sense_n if_o it_o make_v any_o thing_n against_o we_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o will_v not_o hold_v true_a for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o commonwealth_n and_o university_n as_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o england_n for_o example_n and_o the_o university_n of_o oxford_n have_v no_o such_o communion_n and_o assistance_n in_o government_n with_o other_o commonwealth_n and_o other_o university_n but_o that_o they_o have_v entireness_n of_o jurisdiction_n within_o themselves_o and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o army_n and_o navy_n the_o member_n of_o all_o these_o society_n do_v depend_v on_o the_o society_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n but_o that_o be_v nothing_o against_o we_o if_o the_o society_n do_v depend_v upon_o other_o the_o like_a society_n this_o indeed_o be_v against_o we_o but_o this_o can_v be_v prove_v so_o to_o be_v not_o that_o therefore_o this_o government_n of_o church_n shall_v as_o those_o end_n in_o a_o monarchy_n on_o earth_n answ._n we_o suppose_v it_o be_v a_o clear_a mistake_n to_o say_v that_o the_o government_n in_o all_o those_o society_n do_v end_n in_o a_o monarchy_n for_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o rest_n commonwealth_n you_o know_v there_o be_v sundry_a who_o government_n be_v either_o democratical_a or_o aristocratical_a and_o do_v not_o end_n in_o any_o monarchy_n at_o all_o witness_v for_o example_n the_o low_a country_n but_o if_o church_n must_v be_v dependent_a upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n because_o the_o very_a light_n of_o nature_n teach_v a_o communion_n and_o assistance_n in_o government_n to_o all_o society_n whatever_o then_o we_o see_v not_o how_o it_o will_v be_v avoid_v but_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n church_n must_v end_v in_o a_o monarchy_n upon_o earth_n if_o it_o be_v once_o prove_v that_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n do_v teach_v all_o society_n whatever_o so_o to_o end_v for_o there_o be_v as_o good_a reason_n for_o this_o as_o for_o the_o other_o and_o the_o old_a plea_n for_o bishop_n and_o pope_n ut_fw-la capite_fw-la constituto_fw-la schismatis_fw-la occasio_fw-la tolleretur_fw-la will_v not_o be_v easy_o avoid_v if_o we_o yield_v thus_o much_o that_o what_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v other_o society_n the_o same_o must_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o government_n of_o church_n you_o say_v indeed_o that_o this_o will_v not_o follow_v because_o the_o church_n monarch_n or_o head_n be_v in_o heaven_n and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o though_o in_o heaven_n yet_o still_o present_a by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n here_o on_o earth_n too_o to_o all_o the_o office_n of_o a_o monarch_n pag._n 7._o but_o this_o we_o conceive_v do_v not_o remove_v the_o difficulty_n partly_o because_o the_o objection_n be_v for_o a_o visible_a head_n and_o not_o a_o invisible_a and_o partly_o because_o the_o time_n have_v be_v when_o there_o be_v one_o highpriest_n upon_o earth_n in_o who_o you_o say_v pag._n 6._o that_o all_o appeal_n and_o judgement_n be_v to_o determine_v and_o yet_o at_o that_o time_n the_o monarch_n or_o head_n of_o the_o church_n be_v in_o heaven_n and_o present_a on_o earth_n too_o by_o his_o word_n and_o spirit_n to_o all_o the_o office_n of_o a_o monarch_n as_o true_o then_o as_o now_o whereby_o we_o may_v see_v that_o if_o you_o will_v go_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v not_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n in_o heaven_n and_o his_o spiritual_a and_o invisible_a presence_n with_o his_o church_n on_o earth_n that_o will_v take_v away_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o visible_a head_n upon_o earth_n a_o sure_a answer_n to_o this_o plea_n be_v to_o fly_v to_o the_o institution_n and_o appointment_n of_o god_n who_o wisdom_n and_o will_v it_o be_v to_o appoint_v one_o high_a priest_n upon_o earth_n in_o former_a time_n but_o have_v not_o do_v the_o like_a in_o these_o day_n chap._n iii_o contain_v a_o answer_n to_o the_o second_o argument_n take_v from_o matth_n 18._o tell_v the_o church_n that_o this_o be_v speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n be_v the_o joint_a judgement_n of_o ambrose_n theodoret_n among_o the_o ancient_a melanchton_n strigetius_n peretius_fw-la aretius_n and_o even_o mr._n johnson_n himself_o and_o if_o so_o than_o our_o saviour_n here_o sufficient_o confirm_v to_o we_o as_o lawful_a and_o convey_v to_o we_o as_o useful_a so_o much_o of_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n as_o include_v a_o independency_n and_o liberty_n of_o appe_n des_fw-fr therein_o pag._n 9_o 10._o answ._n by_o dependency_n here_o speak_v of_o must_v be_v mean_v dependency_n upon_o the_o government_n of_o a_o synod_n and_o by_o appeal_n must_v be_v mean_v appeal_n from_o a_o particular_a congregation_n unto_o that_o synod_n or_o otherwise_o the_o argument_n conclude_v beside_o the_o question_n and_o the_o word_n be_v thus_o understand_v the_o form_n of_o the_o argument_n must_v be_v to_o this_o purpose_n viz._n if_o that_o which_o be_v here_o speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v speak_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n then_o particular_a congregation_n must_v depend_v upon_o the_o government_n of_o synod_n but_o the_o first_o be_v true_a therefore_o the_o second_o be_v true_a also_o but_o for_o confirmation_n of_o this_o minor_a proposition_n you_o bring_v no_o other_o proof_n but_o only_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o number_n of_o author_n all_o cite_v before_o by_o mr._n paget_n in_o his_o defence_n pag._n 46_o 47_o etc._n etc._n and_o for_o the_o consequence_n of_o your_o major_n you_o bring_v no_o proof_n at_o all_o nevertheless_o we_o be_v willing_a to_o consider_v what_o strength_n there_o may_v be_v in_o the_o argument_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n we_o must_v inquire_v into_o your_o meaning_n in_o this_o phrase_n of_o reference_n to_o the_o jewish_a church-government_n whereby_o we_o conceive_v you_o intend_v one_o of_o these_o two_o either_o that_o the_o word_n church_n in_o our_o saviour_n rule_n tell_v the_o church_n do_v signify_v the_o elder_n and_o governor_n alone_o as_o sometime_o the_o like_a word_n be_v use_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n or_o else_o that_o no_o new_a rule_n be_v prescribe_v hereby_o our_o saviour_n but_o the_o very_a same_o that_o be_v former_o give_v to_o the_o jew_n mr._n paget_n who_o also_o take_v his_o second_o argument_n from_o this_o place_n of_o mat._n 18._o do_v understand_v our_o saviour_n word_n in_o this_o late_a sense_n but_o whether_o way_n soever_o you_o intend_v our_o answer_n be_v brief_o thus_o first_o that_o though_o we_o will_v not_o now_o deny_v the_o minor_a proposition_n yet_o this_o we_o may_v say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o evident_a of_o itself_o but_o that_o it_o need_v some_o better_a proof_n than_o by_o you_o be_v give_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o for_o of_o itself_o it_o be_v

place_n for_o it_o be_v say_v that_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v dismiss_v from_o the_o council_n with_o threaten_n they_o go_v unto_o their_o own_o company_n and_o report_v what_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n have_v say_v unto_o they_o vers._n 23._o and_o when_o they_o hear_v that_o they_o lift_v up_o their_o voice_n in_o prayer_n to_o god_n with_o one_o accord_n vers._n 24._o and_o when_o they_o have_v pray_v the_o place_n be_v shake_v where_o they_o be_v assemble_v together_o vers._n 31._o by_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o all_o this_o company_n whether_o they_o be_v in_o all_o 5000._o or_o if_o you_o will_v have_v it_o so_o 5000._o beside_o the_o former_a number_n and_o so_o in_o all_o 8120._o yet_o still_o they_o be_v all_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n and_o when_o after_o this_o believer_n be_v more_o add_v to_o the_o lord_n multitude_n both_o of_o man_n and_o woman_n act_n 5._o 14._o yet_o all_o that_o time_n they_o be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o salomon_n porch_n vers._n 12._o which_o show_v they_o be_v not_o yet_o so_o many_o but_o all_o do_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o congregation_n furthermore_o when_o after_o this_o the_o number_n of_o disciple_n in_o jerusalem_n be_v more_o multiply_v act_n 6._o 1._o yet_o the_o apostle_n call_v the_o multitude_n of_o they_o together_o to_o propose_v unto_o they_o the_o choice_n of_o deacon_n vers._n 2._o and_o the_o matter_n be_v commend_v to_o they_o by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v say_v the_o say_v please_v the_o whole_a multitude_n and_o they_o choose_v seven_o who_o be_v there_o name_v vers._n 5._o which_o show_v that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n be_v not_o so_o many_o but_o they_o may_v assemble_v and_o come_v together_o in_o one_o place_n to_o hear_v matter_n propose_v and_o to_o make_v election_n of_o officer_n after_o this_o indeed_o this_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v all_o scatter_a by_o persecution_n except_o the_o apostle_n act_n 8._o 1._o but_o when_o a_o church_n be_v gather_v again_o by_o the_o apostle_n ministry_n that_o church_n even_o all_o the_o multitude_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n do_v all_o assemble_v and_o meet_v together_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o congregation_n about_o the_o business_n of_o the_o controversy_n that_o arise_v at_o antioch_n so_o it_o be_v plain_o say_v act_n 15._o that_o paul_n and_o barnabas_n come_v from_o antioch_n be_v receive_v of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n vers._n 4._o and_o it_o please_v the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n with_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o send_v messenger_n to_o antioch_n vers._n 22._o and_o to_o that_o church_n letter_n be_v write_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n and_o brethren_n vers._n 23._o be_v all_o assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n verse_n 25._o which_o plain_o show_v that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n at_o this_o time_n do_v not_o consist_v of_o apostle_n and_o elder_n alone_o as_o a_o representative_a church_n but_o of_o other_o also_o who_o be_v express_o distinguish_v from_o those_o officer_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o church_n do_v assemble_v with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n last_o for_o that_o place_n 21._o where_o you_o say_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o when_o the_o church_n meet_v collective_o it_o be_v in_o the_o presbyter_n and_o elder_n and_o that_o in_o this_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o collective_a meeting_n be_v representative_a in_o their_o elder_n the_o answer_n be_v that_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o elder_n may_v meet_v apart_o from_o the_o multitude_n if_o there_o be_v occasion_n and_o so_o much_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o verse_n 18._o where_o it_o be_v say_v paul_n go_v in_o unto_o james_n and_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v present_a but_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n be_v so_o numerous_a that_o all_o the_o member_n can_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o but_o in_o several_a congregation_n nay_o that_o very_a place_n though_o it_o speak_v of_o many_o thousand_o jew_n that_o do_v believe_v verse_n 20._o yet_o as_o it_o do_v not_o say_v that_o all_o these_o be_v of_o that_o one_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n so_o there_o be_v good_a divine_n that_o do_v think_v they_o be_v not_o but_o if_o they_o be_v it_o nothing_o prejudice_v our_o cause_n in_o this_o matter_n for_o when_o james_n and_o the_o elder_n speak_v to_o paul_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v tell_v he_o the_o multitude_n must_v needs_o come_v together_o for_o they_o will_v hear_v that_o thou_o be_v come_v verse_n 22._o it_o appear_v thereby_o that_o their_o multitude_n be_v not_o such_o but_o they_o may_v all_o assemble_v and_o come_v together_o if_o any_o say_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v that_o so_o many_o thousand_o as_o be_v member_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n shall_v all_o yet_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n beside_o what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o show_v that_o thus_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o may_v consider_v further_o that_o many_o thousand_o yea_o miriads_o be_v gather_v together_o luke_n 12._o 12._o and_o christ_n speak_v unto_o they_o all_o though_o unto_o his_o disciple_n first_o verse_n 1_o 14_o 15_o 54._o and_o that_o parish_n in_o england_n in_fw-la or_o about_o london_n and_o elsewhere_o as_o stepney_n giles_n sepulcher_n and_o other_o have_v many_o thousand_o inhabitant_n in_o they_o all_o member_n of_o one_o parishional_a church_n and_o yet_o all_o but_o one_o congregation_n and_o that_o of_o chrysostome_n on_o matth._n 24._o who_o as_o mr._n bayn_n report_v dioe_fw-la trial_n pag._n 16._o do_v esteem_v the_o company_n that_o hear_v his_o voice_n in_o one_o congregation_n to_o be_v about_o 5000._o person_n and_o that_o by_o mean_n of_o scaffold_n and_o gallery_n a_o man_n lift_v up_o his_o voice_n may_v so_o speak_v as_o to_o be_v hear_v of_o thousand_o at_o a_o time_n all_o which_o be_v consider_v do_v make_v it_o less_o incredible_a that_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n consist_v of_o such_o a_o great_a multitude_n yet_o for_o all_o that_o may_v be_v no_o more_o but_o one_o ordinary_a congregation_n next_o for_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n style_v everywhere_o in_o that_o epistle_n by_o the_o name_n of_o church_n not_o church_n pag._n 13._o answ._n we_o suppose_v it_o be_v a_o plain_a mistake_n that_o the_o church_n at_o rome_n be_v everywhere_o in_o that_o epistle_n style_v by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n for_o aught_o we_o remember_v in_o that_o epistle_n it_o be_v never_o so_o style_v at_o all_o and_o yet_o we_o deny_v not_o but_o it_o be_v a_o church_n and_o one_o church_n but_o say_v you_o can_v it_o be_v think_v that_o the_o faith_n and_o obedience_n of_o a_o church_n in_o such_o a_o city_n can_v be_v famous_a throughout_o all_o the_o world_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v rom._n 1._o 8._o and_o 16._o 19_o and_o yet_o but_o one_o single_a independent_a congregation_n answ._n we_o know_v nothing_o to_o the_o contrary_a but_o it_o may_v be_v so_o for_o the_o church_n at_o thessalonica_n be_v but_o one_o congregation_n and_o yet_o from_o they_o sound_v out_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n not_o only_o in_o macedonia_n and_o achaia_n but_o also_o in_o every_o place_n their_o faith_n to_o godward_o be_v spread_v abroad_o 1_o thess._n 1._o 8._o and_o there_o may_v be_v other_o mean_n to_o make_v their_o faith_n famous_a as_o well_o as_o plurality_n of_o congregation_n as_o the_o resort_n and_o confluence_n of_o people_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o nation_n to_o the_o place_n where_o this_o church_n dwell_v rome_n be_v the_o seat_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o the_o lady_n of_o kingdom_n at_o that_o time_n also_o the_o good_a will_n of_o the_o godly_a the_o malice_n of_o the_o wicked_a the_o newfangledness_n of_o most_o will_v open_v the_o mouth_n of_o many_o to_o talk_v of_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a roman_n though_o they_o be_v no_o more_o but_o one_o congregation_n those_o very_a person_n and_o family_n name_v in_o the_o apostle_n salutation_n of_o that_o church_n even_o those_o choice_a family_n be_v able_a to_o fill_v several_a congregation_n answ._n we_o dare_v not_o say_v so_o for_o there_o be_v not_o name_v above_o 30._o in_o all_o sure_o if_o 30._o family_n fill_v several_a congregation_n than_o those_o congregation_n must_v be_v very_o small_a one_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o his_o time_n the_o city_n be_v at_o least_o half_a christian_a and_o cornelius_n tell_v we_o that_o beside_o himself_o there_o be_v in_o that_o church_n 45._o presbyter_n answ._n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o many_o congregation_n be_v frequent_o call_v in_o scripture_n by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o church_n these_o testimony_n be_v not_o from_o scripture_n do_v not_o suit_v the_o