III. The church of Ephesus (_in Asia Minor_, Acts xix. 22) had in it
more congregations than one: For,

1. The number of prophets and preachers at Ephesus were many. _Paul_
continued there _two years and three months_, Acts xix. 8, 10; and
_Paul_ settled there about twelve _disciples who prophesied_, Acts xix.
1, 6, 7. And how should these thirteen ministers be employed, if there
were not many congregations? Compare also Acts xx. 17, 28, 36, 37, where
it is said of the bishops of Ephesus, that "Paul kneeled down and prayed
with them all, and they all wept sore." Here is a good number implied.

2. The gift of tongues also was given unto all these twelve prophets,
Acts xix. 6, 7. To what end, if they had not several congregations of
several languages, to speak in these several tongues unto them?

3. The multitude of believers must needs be great at Ephesus: For, 1.
Why should _Paul_, who had universal commission to plant churches in all
the world, stay _above two years together_ at Ephesus if no more had
been converted there than to make up one single congregation? Acts xix.
8, 10. 2. During this space, "all that dwelt in Asia," usually meeting
at Ephesus for worship, "heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and
Greeks," Acts xix. 10. 3. At the knowledge of _Paul's_ miracles, "fear
fell upon all the Jews and Greeks dwelling at Ephesus, and the name of
the Lord Jesus was magnified," Acts xix. 17. 4. _Many_ of the believers
_came and confessed, and showed their deeds_, ver. 18, whereby is
intimated that more did believe than did thus. 5. "Many also of them
that used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them
before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty
thousand pieces of silver," (this they would never have done publicly if