Five disputations of church-government and worship

But secondly, its pretended not to have been Necessary, because of the fewness of the people. But I answer, 1. The same persons say that in Ignatius his time all Churches had such Presbyters: And its manifest that many Churches in the Scripture times, were more populous or large, then many or most beside them were in Ignatius time. 2. Did the numerous Church at Jerusalem ordinarily meet on the Lords days for holy communion, or not? If they did, then it was but a Church of one Congregation (which is by most denied) If not, then the several Assemblies must have several Presbyters (for several Bishops they will not hear of,) Doubtless they did not celebrate the holy communion of the Church and Ordinances of God, by mere Laymen alone. 3. What man that knows the burden of Pastoral Oversight, can say that such Churches of thousands, as Jerusalem, Rome, Alexandria, &c. had need of no more than one man, to Teach them, and do all the Pastoral work? and so that assisting Ruled Presbyters were then needless? If they were needless to such numerous Churches then; let us even take them for needless still, and set up no new orders which were not seen in Scripture times.

But secondly, its pretended not to have been Necessary, because of the fewness of the people. But I answer, 1. The same persons say that in Ignatius his time all Churches had such Presbyters: And its manifest that many Churches in the Scripture times, were more populous or large, then many or most beside them were in Ignatius time. 2. Did the numerous Church at Ierusalem ordinarily meet on the Lords dayes for holy communion, or not? If they did, then it was but a Church of one Congregation (which is by most denyed) If not, then the several Assemblies must have several Presbyters (for several Bishops they will not hear of,) Doubtless they did not celebrate the holy communion of the Church and Ordinances of God, by meer Laymen alone. 3. What man that knows the burden of Pastoral Oversight, can say that such Churches of thousands, as Ierusalem, Rome, Alexandria, &c. had need of no more than one man, to Teach them, and do all the Pastoral work? and so that assisting Ruled Presbyters were then needless? If they were needless to such numerous Churches then; let us even take them for needless still, and set up no new orders which were not seen in Scripture times.