II. From the multitude of church officers in Jerusalem, it may further appear, that there were more congregations than one in the church of Jerusalem. For there were many apostles, prophets, and elders in this church of Jerusalem, as is plain, if we consider these following passages in the Acts of the Apostles. After Christ's ascension, "the eleven apostles returned to Jerusalem, and continued in prayer and supplication," Acts i. 12-14. Matthias chosen by lot, was also "numbered with the eleven apostles," Acts i. 26. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place," Acts ii. 1. "Peter standing up with the eleven, lift up his voice and said," Acts ii. 14. "They were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts ii. 37. "And the same day there were added about three thousand souls, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers," Acts ii. 42. "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus," Acts iv. 33. "As many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet," Acts iv. 34, 35, 37. "Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them," Acts vi. 2. "Now, when the apostles which were at Jerusalem," Acts viii. 14. "They determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders; and the apostles and elders came together," Acts xv. 2, 4, 6, 22, 23; xi. 30. And "in those days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch," Acts xi. 27. In all which places, the multitude of apostles, elders, and prophets in this church of Jerusalem is evident. And it is further observable, that the apostles devolved the serving of tables upon the seven deacons, that they might wholly "give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word," Acts vi, 2; which needed not, nor would there have been full employment for the apostles, if there had not been divers congregations in that one church of Jerusalem. _Except_. 'Tis true, the apostles were for a time in Jerusalem, yet when in Judea or elsewhere any received the gospel, the apostles went abroad to erect other churches. _Ans_. Touching the apostles going abroad, there can be given but one instance, Acts viii. 14, where the whole twelve went not forth, but only two were sent, viz. Peter and John: but suppose it were granted, that upon some special occasions the apostles went out from Jerusalem, can it be imagined that the apostles' ordinary abode would be at Jerusalem, to attend only one single congregation, as if that would fill all their hands with work?