( 242 ) there Churches Multiplying dayly, there was a neceffity ofthe Multiplication ofBithops or Elders among. them. Hereon the Advantage of fome one Perfon =in. Priority of Converfion, or of Ordination, in Age, Gifts and Graces, efpecially in Ability for Preaching the Gofpel and adminiftring the Holy Ordinances of the Church, with the Necefiìty of preferving Order in the Society of the Elders themfelves, gave him peculiar Dignity, Preheminence and Title. He was Coon after the B f op without any difadvantage to the Church. For in thofe Churches, in Tome of them at leaf, E- vangelifs continued for a long Seafon , who had the Adminifration of Church Affairs in their hands. And fame there were, who were of Tote among the Apo s` Ies and eminently efeemed by them, who had eminent, yea, Ilpofiolical Gifts, as to `Preaching of the Word and gayer, which was the peculiar work of the Apofle. Thefe were the 4141'6; " & 1 mentioned by Clemens. Of the many other Elders who were aífociated in the Rule ofthe Church, it may be not many had Gifts for the conant Preaching of the Word, . nor were called there- unto. Hence Yugin Martyr feemes to affign the con- fant publick Adminifrätion ofSacred Ordinances unto one °Pr f dent. And . this all'o promoted theconfant prefdency of one, in whom the Apofolical Aid by E- vangelifs might be fùpplyed. Thefe Churches thus fix- ed and fettled in one place, (each ofthem) City,Town, or Village, were each of them intrufedwith all the Po- wer and Priviledges which the LordChrif hathgranted unto, or endued his Church withal. This Power is called the power of the Keys, or of bindingand looting, which hath refpea only unto the Confciences of Men, as
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