Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

§. 21. But for my part I believe the foundation unproved (that then there was but one Elder in a Church) and think many Texts of Scripture fully prove the contrary. But I join with Dr. Hammond in believing that in Scripture-times there was no particular Church that had more stated meetings for public Communion than one: For if there was so long but one Elder, there could be but one such Assembly at once; for they had no such Assemblies which were not guided by a Presbyter or Bishop, in Doctrine, Worship, Sacraments and Discipline: And they used to have the Eucharist every Lords day at least, and often much more. And one man can be at once but in one place.

§. 21. But for my part I believe the foundation unproved (that then there was but one Elder in a Church) and think many Texts of Scripture fully prove the contrary. But I join with Dr. Hammond in believing that in Scripture-times there was no particular Church that had more stated meetings for publick Communion than one: For if there was so long but one Elder, there could be but one such Assembly at once; for they had no such Assemblies which were not guided by a Presbyter or Bishop, in Doctrine, Worship, Sacraments and Discipline: And they used to have the Eucharist every Lords day at least, and often much more. And one man can be at once but in one place.

§. 22. I have elsewhere fully proved, that the ancient Churches that had Bishops were no bigger than our Parishes (and few a quarter so big as the greatest of them) and consisted of no more than might have such present personal Communion as is before described; the proofs are too large to be here recited. Ignatius is the plainest, who saith, that this was the note of a Churches Unity, that [To every Church there was one Altar, and one Bishop, with his Fellow Presbyters and Deacons:] And elsewhere chargeth the Bishop to take account of his Flock whether they all come to Church, even Servant-men and Maids.