wrought by
them among the Gentiles," ver. 12. After them James speaks, approving
what Peter had spoken touching the conversion of the Gentiles,
confirming it by Scripture; and further adds (which Peter did but hint,
ver. 10, and Paul and Barnabas did not so much as touch upon) a remedy
against the present scandal, ver. 13-22. Here is now an ordinary way of
proceeding by debates, disputes, allegations of Scripture, and mutual
suffrages. What needed all this, if this had been a transcendent,
extraordinary, and not an ordinary synod?

2. They proceeded after all their deliberative inquiries and disputes
decisively to conclude and determine the matter, ver. 20-30. The result
of the synod (as there is evident) is threefold. 1. To set down in
writing their decrees and determinations. 2. To signify those decrees in
an epistle to the brethren at Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 3. To send
these letters by some from among themselves, viz. Judas and Silas,
together with Paul and Barnabas, to all the churches that were offended
or endangered, that both by written decrees and word of mouth, the
churches might be established in faith and peace.

Fifthly, Here were several authoritative and juridical acts of power,
put forth in this synod, according to the exigency of the present
distempers of the churches. This appears plainly,

1. By the proceedings of the synod in accommodating a suitable and
proportionable remedy to every malady at that time distempering the
Church, viz. a triple medicine for a threefold disease.

1. Against the heresy broached, viz. that they must be circumcised and
keep the ceremonial "law of Moses, or else they could not be saved,"
Acts xv. 2. The synod put forth a doctrinal power, in confutation of the
heresy, and clear vindication of the truth, about the great point of
"justification by faith without the works of the law," Acts xv. 7-23;
and (Independents themselves being judges) a doctrinal decision of
matters of faith by a lawful synod, far surpasseth the doctrinal
determination of any single teacher, or of the presbytery of any single
congregation; and is to be reverently received of the churches as a
binding ordinance of Christ.

2. Against the schism, occasioned by the doctrine of the false teachers
that troubled the Church, Acts xv. 1, 2, the synod put forth a censuring
power, stigmatizing the false teachers with the infamous brands of
troubling the Church with words, subverting of souls, and (tacitl