AN ACCOUNT OF THE ANCIENT CHURCHES, AND THEIR
SEVERAL PARTS, UTENSILS, CONSECRATIONS,
IMMUNITIES, ETC.
Of the several names and first original of churches among
Christians. 1. HAVING hitherto given an account of the persons, as of the well clergy as laity, that made up the great body of the name ec
clesia, and Christian Church, I now proceed to speak of churches in an- drkanoiaother sense: first, as taken for the material buildings, or
στήριον. places of assembly set apart for divine worship; and secondly, as taken for certain divisions or districts of dioceses, provinces, parishes, &c., into which the Church Catholic was divided. In speaking of the first, it will be proper to begin with their names, and make a little inquiry into the first original of churches among Christians.
One of the most common names of churches, as taken for the structures or buildings, is that of ecclesia ; which yet among the ancient Greek writers often signifies the assembly or convocation of people met together, either upon sacred or civil affairs, and so it is sometimes used in Scripture, Acts 19, 40.
BINGHAM, VOL. III.