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Objection. AS concerning matters of Judicature, certainly neither them words of our Saviour, Mat. 18. 17. viz. Tell it to the Church, cannot be meant of the promiscuous multitude, seeing that in many places, the number may be so great, as that it
would be rediculous to acquaint so many, with every businesse, seeing the Church by that meanes would be continually imployed about trifles.
Ans. As touching the multitudes of Beleevers which you speake of, I have told you, that if the Brethren be so numerous, as that they cannot conveniently meet together in one place, that then they may divide into more, as there shall be occasion, so that they be all governed by one, and the same rule, with that from which they are divided; and being furnished with Pastors, and other Officers, may decide controversies amongst themselves, as if all in the City were met together about it; yea were there as many parts in that particular City, as there is such particulars in the Universall, yet if each of these particulars, be governed by the Universall rule, they are as compleat Churches, as the Uni∣versall, and may be termed a particular Church of a City, as all the Beleevers of that City may be termed a particular to the U∣niversall, or Catholick Church.
But put the case that twenty thousand Beleevers, were of one* 1.1 individuall Body, or Church, yet it is not of absolute necessity, that each of these particular members should meet together, up∣on every particular occasion, then it is for the members of each particular Church to meet together about a generall businesse of the Church.
For in such cases, it is with the Church, as with the Body pol∣litick, of the State, who in regard they cannot all meet together, to advise about the common good, therefore they divide into parts, each part electing two or more, to act for them, as their representatives, which we call Knights of Shires, as also in Townes Corporate.
Now in chusing of these Knights, it hath been the custome that every Free-holder of so much per annum, had a voyce in the election of such representatives, and yet was not every such Free∣holder bound of necessity, to make his appearance at such an election, but was at his owne choyse, to goe, or stay at home, and yet his, or their absence, did not retard the businesse; for if but any part of the Free-holders of the said County, or Counties did appeare, and make choyce of such representives, for their County, it was sufficient in Law; and the rest being lawfully
summoned, and not making appearance, at the time, and place proposed, must be forced to subscribe, and so in the other.
It is not re∣quisite that every member of a Church meet upon e∣very occasion.