1.  The former of these, viz.  That every one of these was one church, may be proved by induction of particulars. 1.  All the believers in Jerusalem were one church; hence they are often comprised under the word church, of the singular number:—­“Against the church which was at Jerusalem,” Acts viii. 1.  “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem,” Acts ii. 22.  “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders,” Acts xv. 4. 2.  All the believers in Antioch were one church.  “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch, certain prophets,” Acts xiii. 1.  “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch,” Acts xi. 26. 3.  All the believers in Ephesus were one church:  “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church,” Acts xx. 17.  And after he gives them this charge, “Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,” ver. 28; all were but one flock, one church.  “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus, write,” Rev. ii. 1. 4.  All the believers in Corinth were one church, and comprised under that singular word, church:  “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth,” 1 Cor. i. 2.  “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth,” 2 Cor. i. 1.  Thus in all these four instances it is clear beyond all contradiction, that they were every of them respectively one church.

The latter of these, viz. that these primitive apostolical churches of Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Corinth, were not every of them severally and respectively only one single congregation, (as some imagine,) but consisted every of them of more congregations than one.  This shall be manifested in these four churches severally, as followeth: 

The church of Jerusalem in Judea contained in it more congregations than one.  This may be convincingly evidenced divers ways, particularly from, 1.  The multitude of believers in that church. 2.  The multitude of church officers there. 3.  The variety of languages there. 4.  The manner of the Christians’ public meetings in those primitive times, both in the church of Jerusalem, and in other churches.

1.  From the multitude of believers in the church of Jerusalem.  For it is palpably evident to any impartial reader that will not wilfully shut his eyes, and subject his reason unto the groundless dictates of men, against the clear light of the Scripture, that there were more believers in the church of Jerusalem, than could ordinarily meet in one congregation, to partake of all the ordinances of Christ.