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

But this course and duty in many places not long after became to be much omitted; whether out of Ignorance or Negligence, or unwillingness of men to undertake the Pastoral Charge in poor Country-Churches; I know not. But so it was, that Believers in the Regions round about any City, [Greek or Hebrew], were looked on as those which belonged unto the City-Churches, and were not settled in particular Congregations for their edification, which they ought to have been. And the Councils that afterwards ensued, made Laws and Canons that they should be under the Government of the Bishops of those City-Churches. But when the number of such Believers was greatly increased, so as that it was needful to have some always attending the Ministry among them, they came I know not how to have Chorepiscopi among them and over them. The first mention of them is in the Synod of An•yra in Galatia, about the year 314, Can. 13. and mention is again made of them in a Synod of Antioch, An. 341. and somewhat before at the Council of Neocaesarea, Can. 13. ⟨p. 117⟩and frequently afterwards, as any one may see in the late Collections of the ancient Canons. I verily believe, nor can the contrary be proved, but that these Chorepiscopi at first were as absolute and complete in the Office of Episcopacy, as any of the Bishops of the greater Cities, having their name or denomination from the places of their Residence; [Greek or Hebrew], and not for an intimation of any inferiority in them unto other City-Bishops. But so it came to pass, that through their poverty and want of Interest, their Ministry being confined unto a small Country-Parish, & perhaps through a comparative meanness of their Gifts or Abilities, the City-Bishop claimed a Superiority over them, and made Canons about their Power, the bounding and exercising of it, in Dependence on themselves. For a while they were esteemed a degree above mere Presbyters, who accompanied or attended the Bishop of the City-Church in his Administrations; and a degree beneath the Bishop himself, in a posture never designed by Christ nor his Apostles. Wherefore in process of time, the name and thing were utterly lost, and all the Country-Churches were brought into an absolute subjection unto the City-Church; something being allowed unto them for Worship, nothing for Rule and Discipline;

But this course and duty in many places not long after became to be much omitted; whether out of Ignorance or Negligence, or unwillingness of men to undertake the Pastoral Charge in poor Country-Churches; I know not. But so it was, that Believers in the Regions round about any City, , were look'd on as those which belonged unto the City-Churches, and were not setled in particular Congregations for their edification, which they ought to have been. And the Councels that afterwards ensued, made Laws and Canons that they should be under the Government of the Bishops of those City-Churches. But when the number of such Believers was greatly increased, so as that it was needful to have some always attending the Ministry among them, they came I know not how to have Chorepiscopi among them and over them. The first mention of them is in the Synod of Anyra in Galatia, about the year 314, Can. 13. and mention is again made of them in a Synod of Antioch, An. 341. and somewhat before at the Council of Neocaesarea, Can. 13.