Five disputations of church-government and worship

§. 18. And 2. That fixed Bishops may congregate new Churches where there are none, of such as they or others do convert, is in the foresaid constant practice of the Pastors of the ancient Churches, put past doubt. But so, as that they ought not to Congregate those Churches to themselves, and make themselves the Bishops or Archbishops of them, when they have a special charge already; but only settle them under Bishops of their own: And ⟨p. 290⟩this is but by directing them in their duties, and trying the person, and investing him that is to be their Pastor. Whether one or more must do this work, I have spoken already in the former Disputation.

§. 19. 3. And that such as thus convert a people, or Congregate them, may (according to the fore-mentioned Rules) Ordain them Pastors, by the peoples suffrages or Consent, is also sufficiently proved in that foregoing disputation: and therefore may be here past by.

§. 20. 4. And that such may take care of all the Churches within their reach, so far as to do them what good they can, is plain in the L•w of Nature that requireth it; and in the general commands of the Gospel seconding the Law of Nature; while we have time we must do good to all men; Especially to the household of faith. And its plain in the Nature of the Catholic Church and of its members, and in the nature of the work of Grace upon the soul. We are taught of God to love one another: and the End of the Catholic Society is, (as of all Societies) the common good, and the Glory of God: and the Nature of true members is to have the same care one for another, that so there may be no schism in the body, and that they all suffer and rejoice with one another, in their hurts, and in their welfare,