The second reply of Thomas CartwrightThe second replie of Thomas Cartwright

He asketh where it appeareth, that the scripture divided national churches into congregations, and parishes? I answer that off that the scripture ¹willeth elders to be chosen for every competent congregation / and particular body off church / and also that thes assemblies (as all other things in the church) should be with the greatest convenience / so that as Jerusalem had commendation in having her building knit closely together / even so the church as much as may be conveniently / should have her parts not only in a spiritual bond off charity / but in neighbourhood of dwellings well trussed one with an other: it is apparent / that although the scripture doth not mention parishes / nor precisely define off the compass / yet it giveth the rule / whereby they are squared out. For when a parish well bounded / is nothing else but a number of those families / which dwelling near together may have a commodious resort: and the assemblies off the churches ought so to be ranged / as they may be nearest the place off their spiritual refection: it followeth that the scripture hath after a sort / given the churches tarriers / and that a parish well bounded for the spiritual intercommuning / hath testimony out off the word off God.

He asketh where it appeareth, that the scripture deuided nationall churches into congregations, and parishes? I answer that off that the scripture ¹willeth elders to be chosen for euery competent congregation / and particular bodie off church / and also that thes assemblies (as all other thinges in the church) should be with the greatest conuenience / so that as Ierusalem had commendation in hauing her building knit closely together / euen so the church as much as may be conueniently / should haue her partes not onely in a spirituall bond off charitie / but in neighbourhood of dwellinges well trussed one with an other: yt is apparant / that although the scriture doth not mention parishes / nor precisely define off the compasse / yet yt giueth the rule / wherby they are squared owt. For when a parish well bounded / is nothing els but a nomber of those families / which dwelling neere together may haue a commodious resort: and the assemblies off the churches owght so to be ranged / as they may be neerest the place off their spirituall refection: yt followeth that the scripture hathe after a sort / gyuen the churches tarriers / and that a parish well bounded for the spirituall intercommuning / hath testimonie owt off the word off God.