III. The word Church is sometimes used for the Place , where a particular Church or Congregation met for the Celebration of Divine Service . Thus Paulus Samosatenus the Heretical Bishop of Antioch ordered certain Women to stand 4 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Epist. Synod . Antioch . apud Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 30. p. 281. in the middle of the Church , and sing Psalms in his Praise . So Clemens Alexandrinui adviseth , that Men and Women should with all Modesty and Humility enter 5 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Paedag. lib. 3. c. 11. p. 189. into the Church . So the Clergy of the Church of Rome in their Letter to Cyprian , concerning the Restitution of the Lapsed , give as their advice , 6 6 Adeant ad limen Ecclesiae . Apud Cyprian . Epist . 31. §. 7. p. 71. That they should only come to the Threshold of the Church-door , but not go over it . And in this Sense is the Word frequently to be understood in 7 7 De praescript . advers. Haeret. p. 90. De Corona Militis , p. 336. And very often in his Book De Virginibus Velandis . Tertullian , 8 8 De Orat. §. 20. p. 132. Origen , and others , to recite whose Testimonies at large would be both tedious and needless .

IV. I find the Word Church once used by Cyprian for a Collection of many particular Churches , who mentions in the Singular Number , 9 9 In Provinciâ Africà & Numidiâ Ecclesiam Domini , Epist. 71. §. 4. p. 214. the Church of God in Africa and Numidia . Else I do not remember , that ever I met with it in this Sense , in any Writings either of this , or the rest of the Fathers ; but whenever they would speak of the Christians in any Kingdom or Province , they always said in the Plural , The Churches , never in the Singular , The Church of such a Kingdom or Province . Thus Dyonisius Alexandrinus doth not say the Church , 1 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Apud Euseb. lib. 7. c. 5. p. 251. but the Churches of Cilicia . And so Irenaeus mentions , 2 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Lib. 1. c. 3. p. 36. The Churches that were in Germany , Spain , France , the East , Egypt and Lybia . So also Tertullian speaks of the 3 3 Ecclesiis Asiae & Phrygiae . Adversus Praxeam , p. 314. Churches of Asia and Phrygia , and 4 4 Per Graeciam Ecclesiae . De Virgin . Veland . p. 386. the Churches of Greece . And so of every Country they always express the Churches thereof in the Plural Number .

V. The Word Church frequently occurs for that , which we commonly call the Invisible Church , that is , for those , who by a Sound Repentance and a Lively Faith , are actually interested in the Lord Jesus Christ : According to this signification of the Word must we understand Tertullian , when he says , that Christ had 5 5 Christus sibi sponsabat ecclesiam . Advers. Marcion . lib. 4. p. 196. espoused the Church , and , that 6 6 Spirituales nuptias Ecclesiae & Christi . Exhort . ad Castitat . p. 455. there was a Spiritual Marriage between Christ and the Church . And that of Irenaeus , 7 7 Ecclesia ad figuram imaginis filii ejus coap tetur . Lib. 4. c. 72. p. 308. That the Church was fitted according to the form of the Son of God . And in this Sense is the Word oftentimes used in others of the Fathers , as I might easily shew , if any one did doubt it .

VI. The Word Church is frequently to be interpreted of the Faith and Doctrine of the Church . In this Sense Irenaeus prays , That the 8 8 Conversos ad ecclesiam Dei , Lib. 3. c. 46. p. 229. Hereticks might be reclaimed from their Heresies , and be converted to the Church of God ; and exhorts all sincere Christians not to follow Hereticks , but to 9 9 Confugere ad Ecclesiam . Lib. 5. c. 17. p. 342. fly to the Church : Upon which account Hereticks are said to have left the Church , as Tertullian told Marcion , that when he became an Heretick , 1 1 Ab Ecclesiâ Christi recessisti . De carne Christi , p. 13. he departed from the Church of Christ , and their Heresies are said to be dissonant from the Church , as Origen writes , that the Opinion of the Transmigration of Souls was 2 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Comment. in Mat. Tom. 13. p. 304. Vol. 1. alien from the Church .

There are yet several other Significations of this Word , though not so usual as some of the forementioned ones , nor so pertinent to my Design , so that I might justly pass them over , without so much as mentioning them : But lest any should be desirous to know them , I will just name them , and then proceed to what is more material .

Besides then those former Significations , the Word according to its Original Import is also used for any Congregation in general ; sometimes it is applyed to any particular Sect of Hereticks , as Tertullian calls the Marcionites 3 3 Ecclesiam suam . Adversus Marcion . lib. 5. p. 255. the Church of Marcion : At other times it is attributed to the Orthodox in opposition to the Hereticks , as by the same 4 4 Haereses Ecclesiam lacessentes . De praescript . advers. Haeret. p. 69. Tertullian : Sometimes it is appropriated to the Heathen Assemblies , as by 5 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Contra Cels. lib. 3. p. 128. Origen , at other times in Opposition to the Jews it is ascribed to the believing Gentiles , as by 6 6 Ea quae ex gentibus est 〈◊〉 , Lib. 4. c. 37. p. 271. Irenaeus : In some places it is taken for the Deputies of a Particular Church , as in 7 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ad Philadelph . p. 52. Ignatius . In other places it signifies the Assembly of the Spirits of just Men made perfect in Heaven , which we commonly call the Church Triumphant , as in 8 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Padag . lib. 2. c. 1. p. 104. Clemens Alexandriaeus . Once I find it denoting the 9 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Apud 〈◊〉 . lib. 7. cap. 30. p. 279. Laity only , in opposition to the Clergy : And once signifying only 1 1 Ecclesia vero Christus . Tertullian . de 〈◊〉 , p. 382. Christ as the Head of the Faithful .

§ . 2. But the usual and common Acceptation of the Word , and of which we must chiefly treat , is that of a Particular Church , that is , a Society of Christians , meeting together in one place under their proper Pastours , for the Performance of Religious Worship , and the exercising of Christian Discipline .

Now the first thing that naturally presents its self to our Consideration , is to enquire into the Constituent Parts of a Particular Church , or who made up and composed such a Church . In the general , they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the 2 2 Epist. Eccles. Smirn. ad Eccles. Philomil . apud 〈◊〉 . lib. 4. c. 15. p. 134. Elect , 3 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Roman . Epist. 1. ad 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 1. the Called and Sanctified by the Will of God . And in innumerable places they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Brethren , because of their Brotherly Love and Affection ; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the Faithful , in opposition to the Pagan World , who had no Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ , nor in the Promises of the Gospel . But more particularly we may divide them into two Parts ; into the People that composed the Body of the Church , and those Persons who were set apart for Religious and Ecclesiastical Employments : Or to conform to our ordinary Dialect , into the Clergy and Laity , which is an early distinction , being mentioned by 4 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Epist. 1. ad Cor. p. 53. Clemens Romanus , and after him by 5 5 Homil , 11. in Jerem. p. 113 , 114. 〈◊〉 . 1. Origen , and several others .

§ . 3. Each of these had their particular Offices , and both together had their joynt Employments , to all which I shall distinctly speak in the ensuing Tract , as they naturally resolve themselves into these Three Particulars :

By the Resolution of which three Questions , some Discovery will be made of the Constitution and Discipline of the Primitive Church , and of their Practice with respect to many Points unhappily controverted amongst us .

§ . 4. I begin with the first of these , What were the Peculiar Acts of the Clergy ? Now here must be consider'd the Functions of every particular Order and Degree of the Clergy , which we may say to be three , viz. Bishops , Priests and Deacons , whose Employments we shall severally handle ; as also several other Points , which under those Heads shall offer themselves unto us . I shall begin first with the Bishop ; but for the better understanding both of him and the rest , it will be necessary , first of all , to consider the condition of the whole World , as it was before the Preaching of the Gospel , in a state of Paganism and Darkness , having their Understandings clouded with Ignorance and Error , alienated from God , and the true Worship of him , applauding their own bruitish Inventions , and adoring as God whatever their corrupted Reason and silly Fancies proposed to them as Objects of Adoration and Homage . Into this miserable state all Mankind , except the Jews , had wilfully cast themselves ; and had not Christ the Son of Righteousness enlightned them , they would have continued in that lost and blind condition to this very day : But our Saviour having on his Cross Triumph'd over Principalities and Powers , and perfectly conquered the Devil , who before had rul'd effectually in the Heathen World ; and being ascended into Heaven , and sat down at the Right Hand of the Father , on the day of Pentecost he sent down the Holy Ghost on his Apostles and Disciples , who were then assembled at Jerusalem , enduing them thereby with the Gift of Tongues , and working Miracles , and both commissionating and fitting them for the Propagation of his Church and Kingdom , who having received this Power and Authority from on high , went forth Preaching the Gospel , First , to the Jews , and then to the Gentiles , declaring those glad Tidings to all Kingdoms and Provinces ; so that as the Apostle Paul said , Rom. 10. 18. Their sound went into all the Earth , and their words unto the ends of the World ; every one taking a particular part of the World for his proper Province , to make known the joyful News of Life and Salvation through Christ therein . Thus St. Andrew principally preach'd the Gospel in Scythia , St. Bartholomew in India , St. Matthew in Parthia , St. John in the Lesser Asia , and all the rest of the Apostles had their particular Provinces allotted them , wherein they went forth preaching the Gospel ; and as they came to any City , Town or Village , they published to the Inhabitants thereof the blessed news of Life and Immortality through Jesus Christ , constituting the first Converts of every place through which they passed , Bishops and Deacons of those Churches which they there gathered . So saith Clemens Romanus , 2 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Epist. 1. ad Corinth . p. 54. The Apostles went forth preaching in City and Country , appointing the First Fruits of their Ministry for Bishops and Deacons , generally leaving those Bishops and Deacons to govern and enlarge those particular Churches , over which they had placed them , whilst they themselves passed forwards , planted other Churches , and placed Governors over them . Thus saith Tertullian , 3 3 Smirnaeorum Ecclesia habens Polycarpum ab Johanne conlocatum , Romanorum Clementem à Petro ordinatum . De 〈◊〉 script . advers. Haeret. p. 80. Clemens was ordained Bishop of Rome by St. Peter , and Polycarp Bishop of Smirna by St. John .

§ . 5. Whether in the Apostolick and Primitive days , there were more Bishops than one in a Church , at first sight seems difficult to resolve : That the Holy Scriptures and 4 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Epist. 1. ad Cor. p. 2. Clemens Romanus mention many in one Church , is certain : And on the other hand it is as certain , that Ignatius , Tertullian , Cyprian , and the following Fathers affirm , that there was and ought to be but one in a Church . These Contradictions may at the first view seem Inextricable ; but I hope the following Account will reconcile all these seeming Difficulties , and withal afford us a fair and easy Conception of the difference between the Ancient Bishops and Presbyters .

I shall then lay down as sure , that there was but one Supreme Bishop in a place , that was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , The Bishop , by way of Eminency and Propriety . The proper Pastor and Minister of his Parish , to whose Care and Trust the Souls of that Church or Parish , over which he presided , were principally and more immediately committed . So saith Cyprian , 5 5 Unus in Ecclesia ad 〈◊〉 Sacerdos . Epist. 55. §. 6. p. 138. There is but one Bishop in a Church at a time . And so Cornelius Objects to Novatian , That he did not remember , 6 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ad Fabium . Antioch . apud Euseb. lib. 6. c. 43. p. 244. that there ought to be but one Bishop in a Church . And throughout the whole Epistles of Ignatius , and the generality of Writers succeeding him , we find but one single Bishop in a Church , whose Quotations to which purpose would be fruitless to recite here , since the 〈◊〉 Practice of the Universal Church confirms it , and a great part of the following Discourse will clearly illustrate it .

Only it may not be impertinent to remark this by the way , that by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or Succession of Bishops , from those Bishops who were Ordained by the Apostles , the Orthodox were wont to prove the Succession of their Faith , and the Novelty of that of the Hereticks , 7 7 Edant origines ecclesiarum suarum , evolvant 〈◊〉 Episcoporum 〈◊〉 , ita per successiones ab initio decurrentem , ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aliquem ex 〈◊〉 vel Apostolicis 〈◊〉 , qui tamen cum 〈◊〉 perseveraverit , habuerit autorem & antecessorem . Hoc enim modo Ecclesiae Apostolicae census suos deserunt , sicut Smirnaeorum Ecclesia habens Polycarpum ab Johanne conlocatum 〈◊〉 , sicut Romanorum Clementem à Petro ordinatum proinde utique exhibent , quos ab Apostolis in Episcopatum constitutos , 〈◊〉 seminis traduces habeant . De praescript . advers. 〈◊〉 p. 78. Let them demonstrate the Original of their Churches , as Tertullian challenges the Marcionites , and other Hereticks ; Let them turn over the Orders of their Bishops , and see whether they have had a Succession of Bishops from any one who was Constituted by the Apostles or Apostolick Men : Thus the truly Apostolick Churches have , as the Church of Smirna has Polycarp there placed by St. John , and the Church of Rome Clement , ordained by Peter ; and other Churches can tell , who were ordained Bishops over them by the Apostles , and who have been their Successors to this very day . So also says Irenaeus , 8 8 Eam traditionem quae est ab Apostolis , quae per Successiones Presbyterorum in 〈◊〉 custoditur , provocamus eos . Lib. 3. c. 2. p. 170. We challenge the Hereticks to that Tradition , which was handed down from the Apostles by the Succession of Bishops .

And in the 9 9 Lib. 3. c. 3. p. 170 , 171. next Chapter of the same Book , the said Father gives us a Catalogue of the Bishops of Rome till his days , by whom the true Faith was successively transmitted down from the Apostles ; in which Catalogue we find but one Bishop at a time , and as he died , so another single Person succeeded him in the Charge of that Flock or Parish .

So that this Consideration evidences also , that there was but one Bishop strictly so called , in a Church at a time , who was related to his Flock , 1 1 A pastore oves , & filios 〈◊〉 parente 〈◊〉 . Cypr. Epist. 38. §. 1. p. 90. as a Pastor to his Sheep , and a Parent to his Children . The Titles of this Supreme Church-Officer are most of them reckoned up in one place by Cyprian , which are , 2 2 Episcopus , Praepositus , Pastor , Gubernator , Antistes , Sacerdos . Epist. 69. §. 5. p. 208. Bishop , Pastour , President , Governour , Superintendent and Priest . And this is he , which in the Revelations is called 3 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . De 〈◊〉 , §. 35. p. 34. the Angel of his Church , as Origen thinks , which Appellations denote both his Authority and Office , his Power and Duty , of both which we shall somewhat treat , after we have discoursed of the Circuit and Extent of his Jurisdiction and Superintendency , which shall be the Contents of the following Chapter .