Five disputations of church-government and worship

I had three or four passages ready to cite out of Ignatius, but these are so express, that I apprehend the rest the less necessary to be mentioned.

The next therefore that I shall mention shall be the forementioned words of Justin Martyr Apol. 2, cited by Mr. Mead, and by others frequently to this purpose: In which I observe all these particulars full to the purpose. 1. That they had but one Assembly each Lords day for Church communion for one Church. 2. That this was for reading and prayer and the Eucharist. 3. That the President (who is commonly by those of the Episcopal judgement said to be here meant the Bishop) did preach and give thanks and administer the supper: so that it was administered but to one Congregation as under that Bishop of that Church, for he could not be in two places at once. 4. That to the Absent the Deacons carried their portion after the consecration: so that they had not another Meeting and Congregation by themselves for that end. This is all so plain that I shall think it needeth no Vindication. So that were there but these two Testimonies, I should not marvel if Bishop Downam had extended his confession a little further, when he acknowledgeth (D•f. li. 2. cap. 6. page 104. that [At the first and namely in the time of the Apostle Paul, the most of the Churches so soon after their Conversion, did not each of them exceed the proportion of a ⟨p. 93⟩populous Congregation,] (And then we are not out in so interpreting the words of Paul and other writers of the holy Scripture.) The next that I shall mention (whoever was or when ever he lived) is Dionys. de Eccles. Hierarch. cap. 4. where he tells us that the Prefect (who was the Bishop, if there were any) did Baptize those that were converted, and the Presbyters and Deacons did but assist him: And abundance of work he mentioneth which they had with all that they Baptized, and they called all the Congregation together who joined in Prayers with the Bishop at the Baptism. All which shows that he was then the Bishop but of one particular Church, which ordinarily Assembled together for public worship. For, 1. If he had many such Churches or Congregations under him, he could not be thus present to celebrate Baptism in them all. Nor would one only be mentioned as his charge. 2.