The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

9. TO the complete constitution of any particular Church, or the perfection of its Organical State, it is required that there be many Elders in it; at least more than one. In this proposition lies the next foundation of the Truth which we plead for, and therefore it must be distinctly considered. I do not determine what their number ought to be; nor is it determinable, as unto all Churches. For the Light of Nature sufficiently ⟨p. 137⟩directs, that it is to be proportioned unto the Work and End designed. Where a Church is numerous, there is a necessity of increasing their number proportionable unto their Work. In the days of Cyprian there was in the Church of Carthage Ten or Twelve of them that are mentioned by Name; And at the same time, there were a great many in the Church of Rome under Cornelius. Where the Churches are small, the number of Elders may be so also. For no Office is appointed in the Church for pomp or show, but for labour only. And so many are necessary in each Office as are able to discharge the Work which is allotted unto them. But that Church, be it small or great, is not complete in its state, is defective, which hath not more Elders than one; who have not so many as are sufficient for their Work.

9. TO the compleat constitution of any particular Church, or the perfection of its Organical State, it is required that there be many Elders in it; at least more than one. In this proposition lies the next foundation of the Truth which we plead for, and therefore it must be distinctly considered. I do not determine what their number ought to be; nor is it determinable, as unto all Churches. For the Light of Nature sufficiently ⟨p. 137⟩directs, that it is to be proportioned unto the Work and End designed. Where a Church is numerous, there is a necessity of encreasing their number proportionable unto their Work. In the days of Cyprian there was in the Church of Carthage Ten or Twelve of them that are mentioned by Name; And at the same time, there were a great many in the Church of Rome under Cornelius. Where the Churches are small, the number of Elders may be so also. For no Office is appointed in the Church for pomp or show, but for labour only. And so many are necessary in each Office as are able to discharge the Work which is allotted unto them. But that Church, be it small or great, is not compleat in its state, is defective, which hath not more Elders than one; who have not so many as are sufficient for their Work.