y, as
some conceive from that expression, "Unto whom we gave no such
commandment," ver. 24) of belying the apostles and elders of Jerusalem,
as if they had sent them abroad to preach this doctrine.

_Object_. But the synod proceeded not properly to censure the false
teachers by any ecclesiastical admonition, or excommunication; therefore
the power exercised in the synod was only doctrinal, and not properly
juridical.

_Ans_. 1. They censured them in some degree, and that with a mark of
infamy, ver. 24, as was manifested. And this was not only a warning and
hint to the churches, to note such false teachers, avoid them, and
withdraw from them, compare Rom. xvi. 17, 18, with 1 Tim. vi. 3-5; but
also was a virtual admonition to the false teachers themselves, while
their doctrines and ways were so expressly condemned. 2. They proceeded
not to present excommunication, it is granted; nor was it at first dash
seasonable, prudent, or needful. But the synod knew well, that if these
false teachers, after this synodal mark of disgrace set upon them,
should still persist in their course, incurably and incorrigibly
obstinate, they might in due time be excommunicated by course; it being
a clear case in itself that such heretics or schismatics, as otherwise
cannot be reduced, are not to be suffered, but to be cast out of the
churches. "An heretic, after once or twice admonition, reject," Tit.
iii. 10, 11; see Rev. ii. 2, 14, 20.

3. Against the scandal of the weak Jews, and their heart-estrangement
from the Gentiles, who neglected their ceremonial observances, as also
against the scandal of the Gentiles, who were much troubled and offended
at the urging of circumcision, and the keeping of the law as necessary
to salvation, ver. 1, 2, 19, 24, the synod put forth an ordering or
regulating power, framing practical rules or constitutions for the
healing of the scandal, and for prevention of the spreading of it,
commanding the brethren of the several churches to abstain from divers
things that might any way occasion the same: "It seemed good to the Holy
Ghost, and to us, to impose" (or lay) "upon you no further burden than
these necessary things," Acts xv. 28, 29. Here is _burden_ and
_necessary things_, (so judged to be necessary for those times, and that
state of the Church,) and imposing of these upon the churches: will not
this amount to a plain ordering power and authority? Especially
considering that the word _to impose_, or _lay o