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 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,”