The Unreasonableness of Separation, Part 3 · Section 6
Sect. 6. (3.) Dr. O. saith that the Christians of one City might not exceed the bounds of a particular Church or Congregation, although they had a multiplication of Bishops or Elders in them, and occasional distinct Assemblies for some Acts of Divine Worship. Then, say I, the notion of a Church is not limited in Scripture to a single Congregation: For if occasional Assemblies be allowed for some Acts of Worship, why not for others? if the number of Elders be unlimitted, then every one of these may attend the occasional distinct Assemblies for Worship, and yet all together make up the Body of one Church; to which, if he had but allowed a single Bishop over these, he had made up that representation of a Church, which we have from the best and purest Antiquity.Orig. c. Cels. l. 3. And so Origen compares the Churches of Athens, Corinth and Alexandria with the Corporations in those Cities; the number of Presbyters with the Senates of the Cities; and at last the Bishop with the Magistrate. But Dr. O. adds, that when they did begin to exceed in number, beyond a just proportion for Edification; they did immediately erect other Churches among them, or near them. Name any one new Church erected in the same City, and I yield. And what need a new Church when himself allows occasional distinct Assemblies for greater Edification? But he names the Church at Cenchrea, which was a Port to the City of Corinth; because of the mighty increase of Believers at Corinth, Act. 18. 10. with Rom. 16. 1. I answer, (1.) It seems then there was such an increase at Corinth, as made them plant a distinct Church; and yet at Ephesus, where Saint Paul used extraordinary diligence, and had great success, there was no need of any new and distinct Church. And at Corinth he staid but a year and six months,Act. 18. 11. but at Ephesus three years;Act. 20. 31. as the time is set down in the Acts. Doth not this look very improbably? (2.) Stephanus Byzant. reckons Cenchrea as a City distinct from Corinth;S…t. l. 8. and so doth Strabo, who placeth it in the way from Tegea to Argos through the Parthenian Mountain; and it is several times mentioned by Thucydides as distinct from Corinth:Thucyd. l. 4. & l. 8. and so it is most likely was a Church originally planted there, and not formed from the too great fulness of the Church of Corinth.
As to the Church of Ierusalem,p. 41. he saith, that the 5000 Converts were so disposed of or so dispersed, that some years after, there was such a Church there, as did meet together in one place, as occasion did require, even the whole multitude of the Brethren; nor was their number greater when they went unto Pella. To which I answer (1.) the force of the Argument lies in the 5000 being said to be added to the Church,Act. 4. 4. before any dispersion, or persecution. In which time we must suppose a true Church to be formed, and the Christians at that time performing the Acts of Church-communion: the Question then is, whether it be in the least probable, that 5000 persons should at that time, make one stated and fixed Congregation for Divine Worship and all the Acts of Church-communion? What place was there large enough to receive them, when they met for Prayer and Sacraments? Dr. O. was sensible of this inconvenience, and therefore onelyonly speaks of the Church of Ierusalem when these were dispersed; but my question was about them, while they were together. Were they not a Church then? Did they not continue in the apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and breaking of Bread and Prayers? But how could 5000 then doe all this together? Therefore a Church according to its first Institution is not limited to a single Congregation. (2.) A Church consisting of many Congregations, may upon extraordinary occasions assemble together; as the several Companies in a Common-Hall for matters of general concernment, which yet manage their particular interests apart: so for Acts of Worship and Christian Communion particular Congregations may meet by themselves; but when any thing happens of great concernment they may occasionally assemble together;S…. l. 9. Eustar. ad Il. …. as in the two debates mentioned Act. 15. 4. and 21. 22. so the several Tribes in Athens did, Euseb. l. 3. c. 5.at their general Assemblies; which Strabo and Eustathius say, were 174. (3.) There is no number mentioned of the Christians that went to Pella,Epiph. haer. 29. neither by Eusebius, nor Epiphanius who relate the story, so that nothing can thence be concluded; but if the force lies, in his calling Pella a Village, I am sure Eusebius calls it a City of Peraea, beyond Iordan; and Epiphanius adds, that they spread themselves from thence to Coelesyria, and Decapolis, and Basanitis. So that all this put together makes no proof at all, that the Christian Churches by their first Institution were limited to single Congregations.