26 The Preface. verfion of all forts of men, with Tome extraordinary helps betides. But hereon the Exampleof the Apoffles was overfeen. Foron this account of the Converfion of many unto the Faith,in the Towns and Villages of any Province, they erec`fed and plantednew Churches among them, not obliging them all unto that firft Church, from whence the Word went forth for their Converfion. But thofe who facceeded them, being hindred by many Reafons. which may be eafily recounted, from Thoughts of the Multiplication ofChurches, chofe rather to give the Be- leivers fcattered up and down in the Countrey, occaffonal .ifance by Presbyters of their own, than to difpofe them into a Chrch State and Order. But after a while theirNumber greatly encreafing, theywere neceffitated to fùpply themwith a conffant .dinflry in feveral Par- cels or Divifions. TheMiniffers or Elders thus difpofed amongff them for their Edification in the Adminiftration ofthe Ordinances ofthe Gofpel, did ffill relate untoand depend upon that City fir.fl church, fromwhence they came. But the Numbers of Beleivers dayly encreafing anda Succefíionof Presbyters in their diffin t Affemblies being found neceffary, they came to be called churches, though continuing in dependance both for a fupply of Officers and for Rule,on the firft or City Church,where- unto they effeemed themfelves to belong. This was the way and manner of the Multiplication of Chriffian Af- femblies throughout the ?oman Empire. And hereby all the Biíhopsofthe firft Churches became by common con- tent to have a diffinEfion from and Preheminence above the Presbyters that were fixed in the Country, and a Rule over thole Affemblies orChurches themfelves. And therefore when they met together in the Council ofNice, among the firft things they. decreed, one was, to con- firm
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