es of this assembly did oblige, as synodal decrees, not
as apostolical and canonical Scripture: this appears several ways:

1. The apostles, in framing these canons, did proceed in a way synodal
and ecclesiastical, and far different from that which they used in
dictating of Scripture, and publishing divine truths; their decrees were
brought forth by much disputation, human disquisition, but divine
oracles are published without human reasonings, from the immediate
inditing of the Spirit, 2 Pet. i. 2.

2. Besides the apostles, there were here commissioned elders and other
brethren, men of ordinary rank, not divinely and infallibly inspired.
The apostles in the penning of Scripture consult not with elders and
brethren, (as our opposites here say they did:) our brethren make
mandates of ordinary believers divine and canonical Scripture.

3. Divine writ is published only in the name of the Lord; but these in
the name of man also, "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us," Acts
xv. 28.

4. Canonical and apostolical writing of new Scripture shall not continue
till Christ's coming, because the canon is complete, Rev. xxii. 18, 19,
&c.; but thus to decree through the assistance of the Holy Ghost, who
remaineth with the Church to the end, and to be directed by Scripture,
shall still continue. Therefore this decreeing is not as the inditing of
the Holy Scripture. The minor is clear both from Christ's promise,
"Where two or three are met together," Matt. xvii. 18-20; Matt. viii.
20; as also by the Spirit's inspiring those councils of Nice of old, and
Dort of late: Therefore the apostles here laid aside their apostolical
extraordinary power, descending to the places of ordinary pastors, to
give them examples in future ages.

To conclude, it is plain, that all the essentials in this assembly were
synodal, as whether we consider: 1. The occasion of the meeting, a
controversy; 2. The deputation of commissioners from particular
churches, for the deciding of that controversy; or 3. The convention of
those that were deputed; or 4. The discussion of the question, they
being so convened; or 5. The determination of the question so discussed;
or 6. The imposition of the thing so determined; or 7. The subjection to
the thing so imposed.

1 Tim. i. 17

TO THE IMMORTAL GOD ALONE BE GLORY FOR EVER AND EVER.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 1: This truth, that Jesus Christ is a king, and hath a kingdom
and government in his Church distin