s matter, (which these disputes could not effect,)
_they decreed_ (or ordained) _that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of
themselves, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about
this question, ver_. 2. Here was an authoritative mission of delegated
officers from the presbyterial church at Antioch, and from other
churches of Syria and Cilicia also, ver. 23, 41, to a synodal assembly
with the presbyterial church at Jerusalem.

Secondly, Here were proper members of a synod convened to consider of
this question, viz. the officers and delegates of divers presbyterial
churches: of the presbyterial church at Jerusalem, the apostles and
elders, Acts xv. 6: of the presbyterial church at Antioch, Paul,
Barnabas, and others; compare verse 2 and 12. And besides these, there
were brethren from other churches, present as members of the synod; as
may appear by these two considerations, viz:

1. Partly, because it is called "The whole multitude," ver. 12; "The
apostles and elders with the whole church," ver. 22; "The apostles, and
elders, and brethren," ver. 23. This whole multitude, whole church, and
brethren, distinct from the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem,
cannot be _the company of all the faithful at Jerusalem_, for (as hath
been evidenced, Chap. XIV., Position 2,) they were too many to meet in
one house. But it was the synodal multitude, the synodal church,
consisting of apostles, and elders, and brethren; which brethren seem to
be such as were sent from several churches, as Judas and Silas, ver. 24,
who were assistants to the apostles and evangelists--Judas, Acts xv. 22,
32; Silas, Acts xv. 32, 40, and xvi. 19, and xvii. 4, 14, 15, and xviii.
5. Some think Titus was of this synod also.

2. Partly because the brethren of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, were
troubled with this question, ver. 23, 24. Therefore it cannot be
reasonably imagined, but all those places sought out for a remedy; and
to that end, severally and respectively sent their delegates to the
synod at Jerusalem: else they had been very regardless of their own
church peace and welfare. And the epistle of the synod was directed to
them all by name, ver. 23; and so did formally bind them all, having men
of their own members of the synod, which decrees did but materially, and
from the nature of the thing, bind the other churches at Lystra and
Iconium, Acts xvi. 4. Now, if there were delegates but from two
presbyterial churches, they were su