( 4.9 ) out of Scripture, that a'Bifhopmuff have more then one Parini, much leis more then three or four, or a few. For it is confeft by them, for ought I know, that Scripture doth not determine how many Presbyters, or Churches a Bithop muff have under him, ( only we fay he mull have butone :) for the main thing that they labour to prove is, that a Bithop is above Presby- ters as to Ordination and Jurisdi&ion : and fo he may be if he be a Parifh_Bifhop : for a Parifh-Church may have a Curate, and 2 or 3 Chappels with Curates at them, betides Deacons ; and according to theoldcourfe, perhaps many Presbyters more that did not publikely preach ( though they wanted not author rity) but overfee theflock:, Now one man may have all that moll of their Arguments reci4ire,if he be but the chief over this Parifh Presbytery. '\. But perhaps they will ßáY, that according toScripture, every City only mull have a Bithop,'.and therefore all the Country about mutt be hi,Diocefs, though the number of Churches and Presbyters ur.er him benot deterrnined. To which I anfwer, that the p,,cd Only, is not in ScripturesnoText faith that it was Only ; -'nes that Churches or Bithops`were to be feated.There is r proh;bitionof fetl ng them in Villages. it will b4 faid, that There isno example of anyBklbop at in a City. To which I anfwer. i. Themfelves ordinarily tell us in cafe ofSacrament gelture, and many other things, that examples do not alway bind affirmatively ; much lefscan they prove that they bind negatively ; I mean, not to do that which was not done. Can you prove in Scripture that there were anyparticular Churches or Atfemblics for Sacraments and other worfhip in Villages ? If not, then is it lawful now to haveany ? Ifnot, then all our Parif]a Churches in the Country are unlawful. If i ea, then why may we not have Bifhops in the Countreys without Scripture example, as well as Churches ? for we thall prose that thereafons why there were noneor few Bifbops in the Country; was tor want`f Churches for them to overfee. The Gofpei was not then preached, nor any Bifhops placed in manyNa ions oftheworld it cloth not follow therefore that there muff be none lince. 2. The reafon is evident why Churches and Bifbops were firft planted in Cities ; becaufe there was the g'eactft Concourfe ofpeople t not that God loves a Citizen better then a K Countrey;
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