( 87 ) them did choofe out fome one endued With efpecial Gifts, that might in fome fort prefide amongst them, and who had quickly the name of Bifhop appropriated unto him. This Fra&ice is thought to have had its Original at Alexandria, and began generally to be re- ceived in the 3 Century : But this changed not the State of the Church; though it had no divine Warrant to authorife it. For this Order maybe agreed untoamong the Elders of a particular Congregation, and Sundry things may fall out, enclining unto the reception of it. But from a diftin& mention (if any fuch there be ) in the Writings of the fecond Century of Bifhóps and Presbyters to f.ncy Metropolitical and Diocefan Churches, is but a pleafarnt Dream. z. The Members of there Churches that were great and numerous, being under the care and Infpe&ion of their Elders in common, might for the ordinary Duty of Divine Wotfhip meet in parts or feveral actual A% femblies, and they did fo eípecially in time, of Perfccu.. tion. Nothing occurs more frequently in Ecclefiaftical Sto- ry, than the Meetings of Chriftians, in fecret Places, in private houfes, yea in cav, s and dens of the Earth, when in fome placesit was irnpofliblc that the whole Body of the Church fhould fo aflemble together, How this Dif pofition of ,the Members of the Church into feveral Parts, in each of which fome Elder or Elders of it did officiate, gave occafion unto the diftinaion of greater Churches into particular Titles or Tarifhes, is not here to be de- clared, it maybe fo Elfewhere : But neither-yet did this alter the State of the Churches, from their Original Inítitutson. For , 3.Upon all extraordinary occ :fions,all fuch as concerned. the whole Church, as the Choice of Elders, or the Depó/ition ofthem, the admiffìon or exclufien ofMembers, and the l,ke, the whole Church continued to meet togcth_ r, which Fra'nrce
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=