Five disputations of church-government and worship

¹§. 2. I. We shall consent that the Ancient Parochial Episcopacy be restored: that is, that in every Parish that hath a particular Church, there may be a Pastor or Bishop settled to govern it, according to the word of God: And that he may be the chief among the Presbyters of that Church, if there be any: And may assume fit men to be assisting Presbyters to him, if there be such to be had. If not, he may be content with Deacons. And these Parochial Bishops are most ancient, and have the Power of Ordination.

¹§. 2. I. We shall consent that the Ancient Parochial Episcopacy be restored: that is, that in every Parish that hath a particular Church, there may be a Pastor or Bishop setled to govern it, according to the word of God: And that he may be the chief among the Presbyters of that Church, if there be any: And may assume fit men to be assisting Presbyters to him, if there be such to be had. If not, he may be content with Deacons. And these Parochial Bishops are most antient, and have the Power of Ordination.

1. 11. Parochial Bishops.

§. 3. Yet do we not so tie a Church to a Parish, but that in places where the ignorance, infidelity, or impiety of the people, or the smallness of the Parishes is such, as that there are not fit persons enough in a Parish to make a convenient particular Church, it may be fit for two, or three, or four (in necessity) Neighbour Parishes to join together, and to be formed into one particular Church. The several Ministers keeping their stations, for the teaching of the rest as Catechumens, but joining as one Presbytery, for Governing of that one particular Church, that is Congregate among them. And having one President, without whom nothing should be done in matters left to humane determination. Yet so, that the Presbyters be not forced to this, but do it freely.