and Acts xxi. 20, James saith of the believers of this church, "how many
thousands of the Jews there are which believe, and are zealous of the
law;" or, as it is in the Greek, thou seest how many _ten thousands_
there are of the Jews which believe; this text will evince, that there
were many thousands in the church of Jerusalem after the dispersion, as
hath been observed: and if this number were not more after the
dispersion than could meet together to partake of all ordinances, let
the reader judge.

_Except_. But the text saith expressly, all were scattered except the
apostles.

_Ans_. _All_ must be understood either of all the believers, or all the
teachers and church officers in the church of Jerusalem, except
believers; but it cannot be understood of all the believers that they
were scattered: and therefore it must be understood that all the
teachers and church officers were scattered, except the apostles. That
all the believers were not scattered will easily appear: For, 1. 'Tis
said that Paul broke into houses, "haling men and women, committed them
to prison," ver. 3, and this he did in Jerusalem, Acts xxvi. 10;
therefore all could not be scattered. 2. "They that were scattered,
preached the word," ver. 4, which all the members, men and women, could
not do; therefore by all that were scattered must of necessity be meant,
not the body of believers in the church, but only the officers of the
church. 3. If all the believers were scattered, to what end did the
apostles tarry at Jerusalem--to preach to the walls? this we cannot
imagine.

_Except_. But can any think the teachers were scattered, and the
ordinary believers were not, except we suppose the people more
courageous to stay by it than their teachers?

_Ans_. It is hard to say, that those that are scattered in a
persecution, are less courageous than those that stay and suffer. In the
time of the bishops' tyranny, many of the Independent ministers did
leave this kingdom, while others of their brethren did abide by it,
endured the heat and burden of the day, "had trial of cruel mockings,
bonds and imprisonments:" now the Independent ministers that left us,
would think we did them wrong, should we say that they were less
courageous than those that stayed behind, enduring the hot brunt of
persecution.

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 the