( 86 ) fiderable Appendixes unto them, to be ruled at their Plea- fare. But thefe things fell out long after the times which we enquire into; only their occafion began to prefent it felt unto men of corrupt minds from the Beginning, but we have before at large difcourfed of them. q.. Some Churches had a great Advantage in that the Goipel, as the Apoftle fpeaks, went forth from them, unto others. They in their Miniftry were the Means firft of the Converfion of others unto the Faith, and then oftheir gathering into a Church-State, affording them Affiftance in all things they flood in need of. Hence thefe newly formed Churches, in leffer Towns and Villages, had al- waies a great Reverence for the Church by whofe means they were converted unto God, and Stated in Church Order. And it was meet that fo they fhould have. But in procefs of time, as thefe le_Ter Churches decreafed in fpiritual Gifts , and fell under a fcarcity of able Guides, this Reverence was turned into Obedience and Dependence; and they thought it well enough to be under the Rule of others, being unable well to rule themfelves. On thefe and the like Accounts there was quickly introduced an Inequality among Churches, which by vertueof their firft Institution were equal as unto State and Power. 4. Churches may admit of many Variations, as unto their outward Form and Order, which yet change not their State, nor caufe them to ceafe from being Congre- gational. As, i. Suppofing that any of them might have many Eiders or Presliters in them, as it is apparent that moft of them liad, yea all that are mentioned in the Scripture had fo; Aac ?. I i. 3c. chap. 14. 23. chap. 15.. 6, 22, 23. chap. i6. 4. chap. 20. 17, 18. chap. zi. i8. Phil, i. i. i.Tim. 5. i7. 7ít. i. 5. they might, and force of them
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