The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

1. It is commonly granted that there must be Christian Assemblies fixed for ordinary Communion in Gods worship. 2. And it is agreed that these Assemblies cannot be held without the officiating and conduct of Ministers of Christ, authorized to teach and administer the Sacraments (Though there be also another sort of assemblies, even for some Religious exercises, which may be held by Princes, Judges and other Lay-men.) 3. And it is by Grotius and many others manifested, that Christ formed his Churches more to the similitude of the Synagogue than the Temple state of order and worship. 4. And it is agreed that though Apostles, Evangelists, and other itinerant Preachers might gather Sacred Assemblies where they came, and were as transient temporary Pastors to them, yet the Apostles were guided by the Spirit to settle Elders in every Church, as is proved before.

But here men make a great and distracting Controversy, 1. Whether this first Church-species may not consist of many Congregations, yea, many hundreds or thousands? 2. And whether every Church of the lowest species must have a Bishop?

But here men make a great and distracting Controversie, 1. Whether this first Church-species may not consist of many Congregations, yea, many hundreds or thousands? 2. And whether every Church of the lowest species must have a Bishop?

§. 20. To decide this Controversy I do in the definition express the specification of this Church relation from the End, as all such kind of relations must be. It must be a fixed association of Christians ⟨p. 236⟩[for personal presential Communion and assistance in holy doctrine, worship &c.] This definition is necessary and herein sufficient. 1. It is necessary that a difference be noted between a single Church and a Composition of Churches: Because, 1. Several ends show us that they are not univocally called Churches but are of several sorts. 2. The first is past controversy of Divine institution: The other are by some men taken for Divine, by some for Lawful humane, and by some for sinful inventions, and additions to Gods appointed order. Things that so much differ must be differenced.