(84) fiercely contending, that all Power and Rule in the Church belongs unto themalone. But z- Reputation was given unto force, by the long abode of force of the Apoftles in them ; Of this Advantage we find nothing in the Scripture : But certain it is it was much pleaded and contended about,among the PrimitiveChurches, yea fo far until by Dagrees Difputes arofe about the Places where this or that Apoitle frxcd his Seat ; which was looked onas a Preheminence for the prefent, and afecurity for the future. But yet we know how foonTome of them degene- rated from the ChurchOrder and Dif_ipiine, wherein they were inítru&ed by the Apoffles ; fee Rev. chap. z. and 3. 3.. TheGreatnefs, Power, Fame, or Civil Authority of the Place or City where any Church was planted, gave it an Advantage and Priviledge in Reputation above others. And the Churches planted in filch Cities were quickly more numerous in their Members, than others were, unlefs men ftri&ly kept themfelves unto the force of Primitive Inflitu- tions, it was very hard for them to think and Judge, thata a Church, it may be in afmall Village or Town in Galilee, fhduld be Equal with that at Hierufalem or at Antioch, or afterwards at Rome itfel£ The Generality of men eafly fuffered themfelves to be perfuaded. that fhofe Churches were advanced in State and Order, far above the other ob- fcure, poor Congregations. That there fhould be a Church at Rome, the Head City ofthe world, was a Matter of great Joy and Triumph unto many, and the Advancement of it in Reputation, they thought belonged unto the Honour of our Religion, Howbeit there is not in the Scripture, the leaft regard expreffed unto any of thefe things, of place, number,or poffibility of outwardfplendor,eitber in the Promi- fes ofthe Prefence ofChrift in,and with his Churches, or in the Communication ofPower &Priviledges unto them. Yet fuch an improvement did this foolifh Imagination find, that after thofewhoprefided in theChurches called in the principal Caries
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