III.
In places where the Exercise of Religion is not setled, Christians shall be exhorted by the Colloques, to have Elders
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In places where the Exercise of Religion is not setled, Christians shall be exhorted by the Colloques, to have Elders
and Deacons, and to follow the Ecclesiastical Discipline; and at the said Colloques, they shall be inform'd to what Church to joyn themselves for their convenience and exercise of their Ministry; from whence also they may not depart without com∣municating it also to the said Colloques.
In the places where there is no publick exercise of our Religion, although there are a considerable number of Families which profess it, care must be taken they do not live without Discipline; and to this purpose there must be Establish'd amongst them Deacons and Elders, to take care of the Poor, and to watch over the Life and Conversation of private persons, whereof they shall give account at the Church-Consistory to the which they shall be joyn'd for the publick Exercises of Piety, and the Service of God; and there's no question to be made, but something of this Nature was done in the Primitive Church; * 1.1 for instance, in the days of St. Justin Martyr, that they Assembled from the Country and Cities unto one place; which sheweth plainly these Assemblies were not made every where, although according to all appear∣ance, there was in all places one and the same Order for the conduct of Christians, to the end they should do nothing unworthy the holiness of their Profession.
Apolog. p. 98.