she_o shall_v advise_v nor_o in_o what_o case_n neighbour_n church_n may_v call_v a_o offend_a church_n to_o account_n or_o how_o oft_o they_o must_v do_v it_o nor_o when_o they_o may_v lawful_o non-communion_n a_o sister-church_n nor_o do_v the_o scripture_n limit_v the_o number_n of_o elder_n as_o three_o four_o five_o six_o etc._n etc._n which_o each_o congregation_n must_v have_v and_o neither_o more_o no_o less_o nor_o do_v it_o bind_v a_o congregational_a church_n say_v it_o must_v consist_v of_o one_o hundred_o two_o or_o three_o hundred_o five_o or_o six_o hundred_o or_o a_o thousand_o two_o three_o or_o more_o thousand_o nor_o that_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o habitation_n of_o its_o member_n shall_v be_v two_o three_o four_o ten_o twenty_o mile_n but_o these_o thing_n be_v leave_v to_o prudence_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o the_o word_n 4._o how_o much_o the_o great_a distance_n there_o be_v between_o church_n so_o much_o the_o less_o need_v the_o visible_a communion_n thereof_o to_o be_v because_o danger_n of_o scandal_n and_o infection_n and_o opportunity_n of_o mutual_a edification_n be_v less_o or_o more_o according_a as_o the_o distance_n of_o place_n be_v great_a or_o less_o and_o this_o occasion_n and_o justify_v the_o more_o strict_a ordinary_a visible_a ecclesiastical_a communion_n of_o the_o congregation_n within_o a_o classis_fw-la then_o within_o a_o province_n within_o a_o nation_n then_o in_o all_o the_o world_n 5._o god_n require_v no_o further_a association_n than_o he_o give_v opportunity_n to_o as_o in_o case_n a_o particular_a person_n have_v not_o opportunity_n of_o join_v to_o any_o congregation_n or_o a_o particular_a congregation_n have_v no_o neighbour_n to_o associate_v with_o that_o be_v supreme_a ecclesiastical_a authority_n to_o we_o which_o be_v the_o high_a we_o can_v get_v pro_fw-la hic_fw-la et_fw-la nunc_fw-la if_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n shut_v the_o door_n of_o high_a appeal_v that_o we_o can_v ascend_v above_o a_o national_a or_o a_o provincial_a assembly_n or_o above_o a_o particular_a church_n and_o this_o be_v true_a also_o in_o some_o necessary_a case_n that_o supreme_a civil_a power_n may_v be_v exercise_v in_o one_o assembly_n yea_o in_o one_o family_n the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o jewish_a synagogue_n in_o heathen_a country_n that_o they_o be_v independent_a when_o they_o can_v not_o have_v the_o benefit_n of_o superior_a judicatories_n though_o they_o be_v nothing_o so_o in_o indea_n where_o they_o may_v have_v that_o benefit_n 6._o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v several_a distinct_a presbytery_n or_o convention_n of_o elder_n subordinate_a one_o to_o another_o and_o as_o the_o word_n presbytery_n be_v translate_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n 14._o church_n 1_o tim._n 4_o 14._o so_o that_o subordination_n of_o presbytery_n be_v not_o ceremonial_a nor_o typical_a nor_o a_o temple-ordinance_n but_o ground_v on_o reason_n and_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o appear_v by_o jethro_n advice_n to_o moses_n etc._n moses_n exod._n 18_o 21_o 22_o 23_o etc._n etc._n and_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n warrantable_o mould_v civil_a government_n in_o such_o a_o subordination_n and_o god_n have_v not_o command_v man_n to_o lay_v aside_o their_o reason_n nor_o have_v he_o prohibit_v such_o subordination_n but_o command_v it_o rather_o mat._n 18._o for._n 1._o christ_n speak_v of_o a_o church_n then_o extant_a which_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o jewish_a church_n no_o christian_a church_n be_v then_o found_v with_o subordinate_a judicatory_n &_o appeal_n and_o therefore_o must_v needs_o be_v understand_v by_o tell_v the_o church_n to_o command_n appeal_v from_o the_o synagogue_n to_o the_o sanhedrim_n while_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o the_o government_n thereof_o stand_v undissolved_a 2._o there_o be_v no_o appearance_n in_o the_o word_n there_o or_o elsewhere_o that_o christ_n appoint_v that_o the_o christian_a church_n government_n shall_v be_v mould_v after_o another_o manner_n than_o the_o jewish_a in_o matter_n of_o moral_a equity_n 3._o subordination_n of_o a_o particular_a person_n offend_v to_o a_o particular_a church_n do_v by_o a_o like_a reason_n prove_v the_o subordination_n of_o a_o church_n to_o great_a assembly_n because_o the_o ground_n reason_n and_o end_n of_o subordination_n be_v the_o same_o in_o both_o 4._o the_o elder_n and_o governor_n be_v in_o scripture_n frequent_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o rahal_n and_o by_o the_o septuagint_n ecclesia_fw-la or_o church_n 8._o church_n deut._n 31_o 30._o with_o 28_o leu._n 4._o 14._o with_o 15._o 2_o chron._n 1_o 2._o with_o 3._o deut._n 23._o 1_o 2_o 3_o 8._o and_o sometime_o the_o word_n rahal_n or_o church_n be_v translate_v by_o the_o 70._o the_o synedrion_n 26._o synedrion_n prov._n 26_o 26._o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n may_v well_o understand_v our_o saviour_n by_o church_n to_o mean_v the_o elder_n and_o not_o the_o whole_a congregation_n especial_o he_o speak_v of_o judicial_a proceed_n when_o the_o elder_n come_v alone_o to_o the_o church-meeting_n then_o but_o one_o trumpet_n sound_v but_o if_o both_o trumpet_n sound_v than_o both_o elder_n and_o people_n meet_v together_o in_o one_o assembly_n 4._o assembly_n num._n 10_o 2_o 4._o they_o that_o interpret_v the_o word_n church_n of_o elder_n and_o brethren_n of_o a_o particular_a congregation_n be_v desire_v to_o show_v where_o elder_n and_o brethren_n without_o woman_n and_o child_n be_v call_v a_o church_n 7._o if_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a visible_a church_n and_o apostle_n teacher_n government_n 28._o government_n 1_o cor._n 12_o 28._o be_v seat_v primary_o in_o it_o and_o the_o whole_a be_v not_o subject_a to_o a_o part_n but_o the_o part_n to_o the_o whole_a than_o the_o near_a any_o assembly_n of_o church_n combine_v come_v to_o the_o universal_a visible_a church_n the_o more_o authority_n it_o be_v invest_v withal_o and_o a_o general_a council_n be_v of_o more_o authority_n than_o a_o national_a and_o a_o national_a than_o a_o provincial_a quest_n 19_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v warrant_v elective_a occasional_a synod_n such_o as_o that_o be_v act_v 15._o but_o do_v it_o mention_n or_o warrant_v set_v state_v synodical_a assembly_n to_o meet_v monthly_a or_o yearly_o answ_n this_o be_v but_o a_o circumstance_n of_o time_n which_o follow_v necessary_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o thing_n if_o synod_n sit_v they_o must_v sit_v in_o some_o time_n but_o what_o time_n or_o time_n they_o shall_v sit_v do_v depend_v upon_o circumstance_n and_o as_o the_o church_n business_n require_v the_o scripture_n mention_n not_o any_o state_v ecclesiastical_a meeting_n for_o government_n synodical_a or_o congregational_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v weekly_a monthly_o etc._n etc._n nor_o any_o set_a church-meeting_n except_o the_o lord_n day_n for_o preach_v hear_v fast_a prayer_n thanksgiving_n conference_n yet_o the_o church_n may_v upon_o occasion_n order_n weekly_a or_o monthly_o congregational_a meeting_n according_a to_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o god_n word_n the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o synodical_a assembly_n 2._o there_o be_v no_o such_o material_a difference_n between_o stand_a synod_n and_o occasional_a neither_o in_o point_n of_o lawfulness_n nor_o power_n both_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v may_v be_v of_o like_a divine_a authority_n triennial_n stand_v parliament_n may_v be_v as_o lawful_a and_o authoritative_a as_o occasional_a parliament_n 3._o there_o may_v be_v stand_v court_n at_o westminster_n though_o difference_n and_o suit_n in_o law_n be_v occasional_a and_o a_o stand_a college_n of_o physician_n though_o disease_n be_v occasional_a 2._o as_o to_o electiveness_n 1._o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o scripture_n that_o a_o erroneous_a and_o offend_a congregation_n shall_v choose_v their_o own_o judge_n see_v it_o be_v probable_a they_o will_v either_o choose_v none_o at_o all_o or_o such_o as_o they_o know_v before_o hand_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v of_o their_o judgement_n 2._o if_o those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o right_n shall_v choose_v the_o synod_n yet_o still_o the_o question_n will_v be_v who_o be_v in_o the_o right_a for_o of_o dissent_v party_n both_o pretend_v to_o it_o and_o neither_o will_v confess_v they_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n 3._o it_o a_o thing_n be_v agree_v on_o that_o all_o the_o church_n in_o a_o province_n be_v offend_v at_o a_o particular_a congregation_n may_v call_v that_o single_a congregation_n to_o account_v yea_o all_o the_o church_n in_o a_o nation_n may_v call_v one_o or_o more_o congregation_n to_o account_n that_o they_o may_v convent_n and_o call_v before_o they_o any_o person_n within_o their_o bound_n who_o the_o ecclesiastical_a business_n before_o they_o do_v concern_v may_v examine_v admonish_v and_o in_o case_n of_o obstinacy_n declare_v they_o to_o be_v subverter_n of_o the_o faith_n may_v give_v advice_n to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o matter_n
the_o main_a point_n of_o church-government_n and_o discipline_n plain_o and_o modest_o handle_v by_o way_n of_o question_n and_o answer_n very_o useful_a to_o such_o as_o either_o want_n money_n to_o buy_v or_o leisure_n to_o read_v large_a tract_n london_n print_v by_o j._n m._n for_o luke_n fawn_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n at_o the_o parrot_n ni_fw-fr paul_n churchyard_n 1649._o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o reader_n christian_n reader_n although_o the_o worth_n of_o the_o author_n and_o solidity_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o book_n may_v sufficient_o commend_v itself_o unto_o thy_o perusal_n yet_o i_o shall_v add_v this_o to_o its_o commendation_n that_o it_o be_v plain_a but_o profitable_a short_a but_o sound_n so_o that_o i_o may_v say_v of_o it_o as_o tully_n do_v of_o brutus_n his_o laconical_a epistle_n quam_fw-la multa_fw-la quam_fw-la paucis_fw-la how_o much_o in_o a_o little_a here_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o matter_n in_o a_o few_o word_n he_o study_v brevity_n yet_o solidity_n in_o this_o small_a piece_n by_o the_o reading_z whereof_z not_o only_o the_o weak_a may_v be_v instruct_v but_o the_o strong_a also_o establish_v in_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o hearty_a desire_n of_o he_o who_o subscribe_v himself_o thy_o in_o the_o lord_n christopher_z love_n a_o plain_a platform_n of_o presbyterial_a government_n catechistical_o and_o methodical_o propound_v quest_n i._o what_o government_n of_o the_o church_n be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n answ_n the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n by_o presbyter_n or_o elder_n for_o they_o have_v the_o rule_n 17._o rule_n heb._n 13._o 7_o 17._o 1_o tim._n 5._o 17._o the_o key_n which_o in_o the_o very_a notion_n of_o they_o do_v carry_v power_n and_o authority_n proper_o so_o call_v 7._o call_v isa_n 22_o 22_o rev._n 1._o 18_o &_o 3_o 7._o be_v commit_v to_o they_o 19_o they_o mat._n 16._o 19_o and_o power_n to_o remit_v and_o retain_v sin_n 28_o sin_n john_n 20_o 28_o they_o feed_v and_o govern_v the_o flock_n 28_o flock_n 1_o pet._n 5._o 2_o act._n 20_o 17_o 28_o and_o be_v over_o the_o people_n in_o the_o lord_n 12_o lord_n 1_o thes_n 5_o 12_o they_o be_v guide_n leader_n bishop_n governor_n pastor_n which_o title_n in_o scripture_n be_v use_v to_o express_v the_o power_n of_o civil_a magistrate_n 14._o magistrate_n josh_n 13._o 21._o numb_a 31._o 14._o mat._n 27._o 2._o jud._n 8_o 14._o act_n 23_o 14._o hence_o the_o angel_n the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v commend_v for_o good_a discipline_n and_o reprehend_v for_o bad_a 3_o bad_a rev._n 2._o 2_o 6_o 14_o 20_o &_o rev._n 3_o quest_n 2._o what_o kind_n of_o government_n have_v presbyter_n or_o elder_n over_o the_o church_n answ_n not_o kingly_a lordly_a or_o magisterial_a power_n which_o only_o belong_v to_o christ_n 22._o christ_n 1_o pet._n 5_o 3._o 1_o cor._n 8._o 6._o &_o 12._o 5_o psal_n 2_o 6_o col._n 1._o 18._o eph._n 2_o 22._o but_o steward_o and_o ministerial_a 38._o ministerial_a 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o 2_o cor._n 5_o 20._o mat._n 9_o 38._o quest_n 3._o from_o who_o receive_v they_o their_o stewardly_a and_o ministerial_a power_n answ_n from_o jesus_n christ_n 10_o christ_n mat._n 16._o 19_o &_o 28_o 18_o 19_o 20._o joh._n 20._o 21_o 23._o 2_o cor._n 8._o 10_o they_o be_v his_o steward_n i_o steward_n 1_o cor_n 4_o i_o his_o minister_n and_o ambassador_n 20._o ambassador_n 1_o cor._n 4._o 1._o 2_o cor._n 5._o 19_o 20._o have_v their_o office_n from_o he_o 29._o he_o eph_n 4._o 8._o 11._o 1_o cor._n 12._o 28._o act._n 20._o 28_o 29._o and_o they_o be_v to_o act_v in_o his_o name_n 5._o name_n mat._n 18._o 19_o 1_o cor._n 5._o 4_o 5._o and_o must_v give_v account_n to_o he_o 42._o he_o heb._n 13_o 17_o 18._o luc._n 12._o 41_o 42._o quest_n 4._o but_o do_v they_o not_o receive_v their_o govern_n power_n and_o authority_n from_o the_o church_n or_o body_n of_o the_o people_n answ_n no_o though_o they_o be_v for_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o the_o general_n visible_a church_n and_o of_o particular_a church_n 14_o church_n eph._n 4._o 7_o 10_o 11_o 12_o 2_o cor._n 12._o 14_o and_o aught_o to_o make_v themselves_o servant_n thereunto_o as_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o do_v not_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o thence_o do_v 7._o do_v math_n 20_o 26_o 27_o 28_o 2_o cor._n 4._o 5_o col._n 1._o 7._o and_o though_o they_o be_v elect_v by_o the_o people_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v their_o authority_n from_o they_o for_o 1._o the_o power_n of_o church-government_n be_v not_o convey_v to_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n by_o any_o authentic_a grant_n or_o commission_n from_o jesus_n christ_n as_o it_o be_v to_o the_o officer_n 2._o the_o people_n be_v not_o call_v governor_n guide_n leader_n as_o the_o officer_n be_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a be_v call_v the_o flock_n 2_o flock_n act_n 20._o 28._o 1_o pet._n 5._o 2_o the_o saint_n 1_o saint_n hebr._n 13_o 24._o phi_n 1._o 1_o as_o distinct_a from_o their_o bishop_n pastor_n ruler_n to_o who_o they_o be_v command_v to_o be_v subject_a and_o obedient_a 17._o obedient_a 1_o thess_n 5._o 12_o 1_o tim._n 5_o 17._o heb_fw-mi 13._o 7_o 17._o 3._o the_o people_n have_v not_o receive_v from_o christ_n due_a gift_n and_o qualification_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o government_n and_o jurisdiction_n 29_o jurisdiction_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 4_o 5_o 17_o 28_o 29_o as_o officer_n have_v 14_o have_v ephel_n 4._o 11_o 12_o 1_o tim_n 4._o 14_o 4._o it_o can_v be_v show_v that_o god_n in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n do_v erect_v any_o church_n without_o officer_n see_v adam_n be_v a_o priest_n to_o his_o wife_n ainsworth_n wife_n gen._n 4._o 3_o ainsworth_n and_o family_n as_o noah_n also_o be_v and_o the_o first_o bear_v be_v priest_n 22_o priest_n exod._n 19_o 22_o at_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o christ_n his_o apostle_n be_v officer_n in_o commission_n at_o the_o sound_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n 5._o it_o be_v more_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a that_o all_o the_o male_n shall_v govern_v in_o a_o church_n then_o in_o a_o city_n or_o commonwealth_n that_o the_o elder_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o people_n than_o that_o magistrate_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o their_o subject_n see_v the_o power_n of_o church-government_n be_v derive_v not_o from_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o place_v the_o original_a of_o civil_a government_n in_o the_o people_n but_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n which_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n concern_v church-government_n nor_o 6._o do_v it_o warrant_v that_o the_o people_n shall_v exercise_v power_n and_o authority_n in_o preach_v ordain_v administration_n of_o sacrament_n or_o censure_n therefore_o they_o have_v it_o not_o for_o such_o power_n be_v vain_a and_o impertinent_a as_o may_v not_o be_v draw_v into_o act_n by_o they_o that_o have_v it_o and_o therefore_o pastor_n preach_v baptise_v ordain_v etc._n etc._n do_v not_o put_v forth_o the_o people_n power_n but_o the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n 20_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 13_o 10._o math._n 28._o 19_o 20_o quest_n 5._o you_o speak_v of_o a_o general_n visible_a church_n do_v the_o scripture_n hold_v out_o such_o a_o church_n answ_n yes_o for_o 1._o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v general_a officer_n to_o which_o a_o general_a church_n be_v the_o adequate_a correlative_a and_o have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n 28_o church_n 2_o cor._n 11_o 28_o be_v say_v to_o set_v put_v or_o place_v in_o the_o church_n 28_o church_n 1_o cor._n 12_o 28_o as_o speak_v but_o of_o one_o paul_n be_v a_o minister_n of_o this_o church_n 25_o church_n col._n 1._o 25_o 2._o that_o one_o body_n that_o one_o fold_n into_o which_o all_o both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v baptise_a and_o bring_v 16_o bring_v 1_o cor._n 12_o 12_o 13._o eph_n 2._o 16._o &_o 36_o joh._n 10_o 16_o mast_n needs_o be_v the_o universal_a visible_a church_n 3._o that_o house_n or_o temple_n in_o which_o antichrist_n do_v sit_v 4_o sit_v 2_o thess_n 2._o 4_o that_o woman_n travel_v etc._n travel_v rev._n 12._o 1_o 2._o etc._n etc._n the_o bride_n and_o spouse_n of_o christ_n 2_o christ_n rev._n 21._o 2_o a_o child_n and_o in_o nonage_n under_o the_o law_n and_o at_o full_a age_n under_o the_o gospel_n 2_o gospel_n gal._n 4._o 1_o 2_o that_o assembly_n of_o 24_o elder_n and_o 4_o beast_n 4._o beast_n rev._n 4._o that_o one_o zion_n have_v many_o assembly_n in_o it_o 5_o it_o isa_n 4._o 5_o that_o one_o city_n one_o new_a jerusalem_n 2_o jerusalem_n rev._n 20._o 9_o &_o 21._o 2_o that_o one_o feast_n 2_o feast_n mat._n 22._o 2_o field_n 24._o field_n mit._n 13._o 24._o floor_n 12._o floor_n mat._n 3._o
the_o duty_n of_o their_o place_n become_v a_o church_n together_o sufficient_o distinguish_v from_o other_o and_o this_o be_v far_o from_o the_o church-covenant_n urge_v by_o some_o it_o be_v only_o a_o agreement_n employ_v in_o action_n as_o when_o a_o man_n dwell_v in_o a_o town_n join_v in_o choose_v constable_n and_o other_o office_n pay_v lay_n and_o tax_n assist_v officer_n and_o bear_v office_n if_o require_v do_v tacit_o agree_v that_o he_o be_v one_o of_o that_o town_n and_o yet_o we_o can_v say_v that_o he_o have_v enter_v into_o covenant_n or_o that_o enter_v into_o covenant_n do_v make_v he_o so_o quest_n 16._o how_o large_a or_o how_o little_o may_v particular_a church_n be_v answ_n a_o church_n must_v consist_v of_o more_o than_o two_o or_o three_o though_o when_o there_o be_v no_o more_o in_o the_o world_n but_o adam_n and_o eve_n they_o two_o make_v a_o church_n if_o there_o be_v any_o for_o two_o or_o three_o be_v to_o give_v the_o second_o admonition_n which_o if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o here_o they_o be_v to_o tell_v the_o church_n 17._o church_n math._n 18_o 15_o 16_o 17._o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n must_v of_o necessity_n consist_v of_o more_o than_o two_o or_o three_o yea_o there_o shall_v be_v in_o a_o church_n a_o competent_a number_n to_o be_v officer_n and_o member_n at_o least_o the_o member_n shall_v be_v as_o a_o flock_n that_o be_v many_z though_o there_o be_v no_o officer_n but_o one_o pastor_n the_o church_n in_o the_o gospel_n be_v numerous_a consist_v of_o thousand_o and_o that_o they_o may_v do_v so_o the_o apostle_n plant_v church_n only_o in_o city_n and_o in_o great_a town_n cenchrea_n the_o least_o be_v a_o much_o frequent_v populous_a and_o famous_a haven-town_n 16_o haven-town_n gualther_n in_o rom._n 16_o so_o also_o be_v the_o church_n of_o galatia_n macedonia_n judea_n place_v in_o the_o city_n of_o those_o country_n as_o antioch_n laodicea_n philippi_n thessalonica_n jerusalem_n lidda_n etc._n etc._n and_o how_o numerous_a soever_o any_o church_n do_v grow_v we_o read_v not_o that_o it_o be_v divide_v into_o two_o or_o more_o church_n or_o that_o there_o be_v more_o church_n than_o one_o in_o any_o one_o city_n or_o town_n as_o it_o be_v acknowledge_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o a_o particular_a church_n may_v consist_v of_o as_o many_o as_o may_v meet_v every_o lord_n day_n in_o ove_z place_n for_o edification_n so_o it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v consist_v of_o more_o than_o do_v or_o can_v meet_v with_o edification_n in_o one_o place_n 1._o by_o the_o multitude_n of_o believer_n jerusalem_n and_o all_o judea_n and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o jordan_n be_v baptize_v by_o john_n 7_o john_n mat._n 3._o 6_o 7_o and_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n baptize_v more_o disciple_n than_o john_n 1_o john_n joh._n 4._o 1_o and_o many_o of_o the_o people_n believe_v in_o jesus_n 30_o jesus_n joh_n 2._o 23_o &_o 7_o 31._o &_o 8_o 30_o the_o pharisee_n say_v the_o world_n be_v go_v after_o he_o 19_o he_o joh._n 12_o 19_o and_o after_o christ_n ascension_n there_o be_v add_v 3000_o soul_n 41_o soul_n act._n 2_o 41_o and_o 5000_o 4_o 5000_o act._n 4._o 4_o and_o afterward_o the_o disciple_n be_v multiply_v great_o and_o a_o great_a company_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v obedient_a to_o the_o faith_n 7_o faith_n act._n 6._o 1_o 7_o now_o all_o these_o which_o deserve_v to_o be_v call_v a_o city_n a_o world_n of_o people_n thousand_o and_o multitude_n for_o the_o holy_a ghost_n at_o the_o last_o leave_v number_v can_v not_o meet_v together_o in_o one_o place_n for_o hear_v the_o word_n for_o no_o one_o room_n in_o a_o private_a house_n can_v hold_v they_o all_o no_o one_o man_n voice_n can_v reach_v they_o much_o less_o can_v so_o many_o thousand_o orderly_o at_o once_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n together_o nor_o can_v be_v accommodate_v with_o bed_n to_o sit_v lie_v or_o lean_a upon_o which_o be_v christ_n gesture_n a_o table_n to_o receive_v at_o and_o cup_n to_o drink_v in_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o sever_v themselves_o into_o divers_a company_n for_o break_v of_o bread_n 46_o bread_n act_n 2_o 46_o and_o to_o meet_v distributive_o in_o their_o private_a house_n for_o that_o purpose_n hence_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o though_o proof_n be_v offer_v by_o some_o that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n do_v meet_v together_o in_o the_o temple_n to_o heat_v the_o word_n which_o be_v common_a to_o jew_n with_o christian_n and_o to_o choose_v officer_n which_o be_v not_o every_o lord_n day-work_n and_o to_o which_o the_o presence_n of_o woman_n and_o child_n the_o great_a half_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o require_v yet_o not_o one_o word_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o all_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n to_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n the_o chief_a church-ordinance_n 2._o twelve_o apostle_n 1_o apostle_n math._n 9_o 35._o &_o 10_o 1_o seventy_o disciple_n 2_o disciple_n luke_n 10_o 2_o beside_o elder_n mention_v act._n 11._o 30_o 11._o act._n 11._o 30_o as_o be_v extant_a before_o that_o time_n which_o doubtless_o be_v diligent_a preacher_n in_o jerusalem_n the_o chief_a place_n of_o their_o residence_n and_o can_v not_o all_o nor_o most_o of_o they_o be_v employ_v once_o every_o lord_n day_n if_o there_o be_v but_o one_o congregation_n in_o jerusalem_n 3._o the_o church_n that_o pray_v for_o peter_n meet_v many_o of_o they_o in_o the_o house_n of_o mary_n and_o other_o of_o they_o james_n and_o his_o brethren_n elsewhere_o 17_o elsewhere_o act._n 12._o 5._o with_o 12_o 17_o so_o that_o church_n do_v not_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n 4._o it_o be_v say_v that_o paul_n abode_n in_o jerusalem_n with_o peter_n fifteen_o day_n 18_o day_n gal._n 1._o 18_o and_o doubtless_o peter_n and_o he_o frequent_v the_o church-meeting_n yet_o he_o see_v no_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n save_v james_n the_o lord_n brother_n he_o say_v not_o they_o be_v not_o in_o jerusalem_n but_o he_o see_v they_o not_o which_o have_v be_v very_o improbable_a if_o not_o impossible_a see_v the_o apostle_n be_v diligent_a in_o preach_v if_o there_o have_v be_v but_o one_o church-meeting_n in_o jerusalem_n more_o may_v be_v say_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n consist_v of_o more_o than_o one_o congregation_n and_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a may_v be_v give_v in_o other_o church_n of_o samaria_n ephesus_n corinth_n etc._n etc._n q._n 17._o may_v not_o every_o congregation_n enjoy_v all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n within_o itself_o ans_fw-fr no_o 1._o synod_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o can_v be_v have_v in_o a_o particular_a congregation_n yea_o general_a counsel_n be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o can_v be_v find_v in_o any_o less_o church_n than_o the_o universal_a visible_a 2._o a_o particular_a congregation_n consist_v only_o of_o private_a member_n can_v enjoy_v ordination_n by_o presbyter_n which_o be_v a_o ordinance_n of_o god_n nor_o can_v she_o in_o that_o state_n regular_o partake_v in_o sacrament_n and_o censure_n therefore_o combination_n or_o consociation_n of_o church_n be_v useful_a and_o needful_a in_o the_o aforesaid_a case_n as_o also_o in_o case_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n insufficiency_n to_o transact_v she_o own_o business_n in_o case_n of_o business_n of_o common_a concernment_n to_o more_o church_n than_o one_o in_o case_n of_o a_o incompetent_a particular_a eldership_n of_o appellation_n of_o presume_a maladministration_n of_o division_n in_o a_o particular_a church_n of_o difference_n between_o church_n of_o spread_a heresy_n endanger_n truth_n &_o peace_n decision_n of_o hard_a question_n direction_n in_o hard_a case_n or_o the_o like_a 15_o like_a act._n 15_o quest_n 18._o do_v the_o scripture_n warrant_v the_o use_n and_o subordination_n of_o congregational_a classical_a provincial_a national_a and_o ecumenical_a assembly_n ans_fw-fr yes_o it_o do_v for_o 1._o of_o congregational_a assembly_n no_o question_n be_v make_v 2._o the_o prove_v of_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o consist_v of_o more_o congregation_n than_o one_o and_o their_o elder_n questionless_a convening_n for_o act_n of_o government_n of_o those_o congregation_n do_v also_o prove_v the_o warrantableness_n of_o a_o classical_a assembly_n 3._o there_o be_v warrant_v sufficient_a for_o combination_n of_o church_n and_o the_o scripture_n not_o limit_v it_o to_o such_o or_o such_o limit_n beyond_o which_o it_o may_v not_o exceed_v do_v sufficient_o warrant_v the_o great_a combination_n as_o occasion_n may_v require_v they_o and_o they_o may_v with_o conveniency_n be_v have_v the_o scripture_n do_v not_o determine_v those_o case_n in_o which_o a_o church_n may_v call_v neighbour_a church_n together_o for_o advice_n nor_o with_o how_o many_o church_n or_o with_o what_o church_n