Five disputations of church-government and worship

The same learned man (Right of Church p. 65.) saith that ⟨p. 86⟩[About Saint Cyprian's time, and not af•re, he finds mention of settled Congregations in the Country] By which it may be well conjectured what a small addition the Bishops had out of the Countries to their City Churches, and how many Congregations they Governed in the Apostle days and after.

The same learned man (Right of Church p. 65.) saith that ⟨p. 86⟩[About Saint Cyprians time, and not af•re, he finds men•ion of setled Congregations in the Country] By which it may be well conjectured what a small addition the Bishops had out of the Countreys to their City Chu•ches, and how many Congregations they Governed in the Apostle dayes and after.

He affirmeth also that [the power of the Keys belongeth to the Presbyters, and that its convertible with the power of celebrating the Eucharist, and that's the Reason Why it belongs to them, page 98. ibid. and that [the Power of the Keys, that is, the whole power of the Church whereof that power is the root and source, is common to Bishops and Presbyters] page 128 and that to this all sides agree, page 106. and that by their Grant Deacons and others may preach, but not Rule or administer the Lords Supper: see page 118.123. And he is far from being of their mind that think in Scripture times there was but one single Bishop without other Presbyters in a Diocesan Church: For he supposed many in a Congregation. Page 126 he saith [You see by St. Paul, 1 Cor. 14. that one Assembly whereof he speaks there, furnished with a great number of Prophets, whether Presbyters, or over and above them. In the Records of the Church, we find divers times a whole Bench of Presbyters presiding at one Assembly.] And before he had showed how they sate about the Bishop, and the congregation stood before them. And page 127. he saith that [Clemens the Disciple of the Apostles, in his Epistle to the Corinthians to compose a difference among the Presbyters of that Church partly about the celebration of the Eucharist, adviseth them to agree and take their turns in it.] I confess I know not whence he hath this (doubtless not in the true approved Epistle of Clement;) but it shows in his judgement, 1. That there were then many Presbyters in the Church of Corinth 2. And that that Church was but one Congregation, or not very many: Else what need the Presbyters take their turns, when they might have done it at once? 3. That the word Presbyter in Clemens signifieth not a Prelate. 4. And it seems this intimateth there was then no Bishop in Corinth: else no question but Clemens would have charged these disagreeing Presbyters to obey their Bishop, and used some of Ignatius language: 5. Nay if Bishops had been then known in the world, is it not likely that he would have charged them to get a Bishop if they had not, to Govern such a disagreeing Presbytery?