fewer, (saith the author of the Assertion of the Government of the
Church of Scotland,[109]) though we cannot determine how many. However
this, the Holy Ghost clearly testifieth that "The word of God increased,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied greatly." 9.
"And a great company of the priests became obedient to the faith," Acts
vi. 7; and probably the example of the priests drew on multitudes to the
Gospel. All these forementioned were in a short time converted, and
became members of this one church of Jerusalem, and that before the
dispersion occasioned by the persecution of the Church, Acts viii. 1.
Now should we put all these together, viz. both the number of believers
expressed in particular, which is 8,620, and the multitudes so often
expressed in the general, (which, for aught we know, might be many more
than the former,) what a vast multitude of believers was there in
Jerusalem! and how impossible was it for them to meet all together in
one congregation, to partake of all the ordinances of Jesus Christ! 10.
In like manner, after the dispersion forementioned, the word so
prospered, and the disciples brought into the faith by it, so
multiplied, that it was still far more impossible for all the believers
in the church of Jerusalem to meet in one congregation to partake of
all the ordinances of Christ, than before. For it is said, "Then had the
churches rest throughout all Judea" (and the church of Jerusalem in
Judea was doubtless one of those churches) "and Galilee and Samaria, and
were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and comfort of the
Holy Ghost, were multiplied." 11. Again, "the word of the Lord increased
and multiplied," Acts xii. 24. 12. Furthermore, when Paul, with other
disciples, his fellow-travellers, came to Jerusalem, and "declared to
James and the elders, what things God had wrought by his ministry among
the Gentiles--They glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest,
brother, how many" myriads (or ten thousands) "of believing Jews there
are, and they are all zealous of the law"--Acts xxi. 20. Our translation