An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

I have insisted long on this Testimony, being led on by the Excellency of the writing itself. Nothing remains written so near the times of the Apostles; nor doth any that is extant which was written afterwards, give such an Evidence of Apostolical Wisdom, Gravity, and Humility. Neither is there in all Antiquity, after the writings of the Apostles, such a Representation of the State, Order, and Rule of first Evangelical Churches. And it is no small prejudice unto the pretensions of future Ages, that this Apostolical person handling a most weighty Ecclesiastical cause, makes not the least mention of such Offices, Power, and Proceedings, as wherein some would have all Church-rule and order to consist.

I have insisted long on this Testimony, being led on by the Excellency of the writing itself. Nothing remains written so near the times of the Apostles; nor doth any that is extant which was written afterwards, give such an Evidence of Apostolical Wisdom, Gravity, and Humility. Neither is there in all Antiquitie, after the writings of the Apostles, such a Representation of the State, Order, and Rule of first Evangelical Churches. And it is no small prejudice unto the pretensions of future Ages, that this Apostolical person handling a most weighty Ecclesiastical cause, makes not the least mention of such Offices, Power, and Proceedings, as wherein some would have all Church-rule and order to consist.

The Epistle of Polycarpus and the Elders of the Church at Smyrna with him, unto the Church of the Philippians, is the next on Roll of Antiquity. Nothing appears in the whole to intimate any other Church-state or Order than that described by Clemens. The Epistle is directed unto the whole Church at Philippi, not unto any particular ⟨p. 100⟩Bishop. [Greek or Hebrew]. This was the usual style of those days, so was it used as we have seen by Clemens; [Greek or Hebrew]; so it was used presently after the death of Polycarpus, by the Church at Smyrna, in the account they gave unto other Churches of his death and Martyrdom; [Greek or Hebrew]. And the same was the Inscription of the Epistle of the Churches at Vienna, and Lyons in France, unto the Churches in Asia and Phrygia, as we shall see immediately. And these are plain Testimonies of that Communion among the Churches in those days which was held in and by the Body of each Church, or the Community of the Brotherhood, which is a clear demonstration of their State and Order. And those whom the Apostle writing to the Philippians calls their Bishops and Deacons, Polycarpus calls their Presbyters and Deacons. It behoves you, saith he unto the Church there, to abstain from these things, [Greek or Hebrew], being subject unto the Elders and Deacons. Nor doth he mention any other Bishop among the Philippians. And it may be observed, that in all these Primitive Writings there is still a distinction made, after the Example of the Scripture, between the Church and the Guides, Rulers, Bishops, or Elders of it. And the name of the Church is constantly assigned unto the Body of the People, as distinct from the Elders; nowhere to the Bishops or Elders, as distinct from the people: though the Church in its complete state comprehendeth both sorts.