the
_church_; and in chap. xviii. 22, it is said that Paul saluted the
_church_ at Jerusalem. Now, it is not credible that all the Christian
professors at Antioch would attend their commissioners a part of the way
to Jerusalem; or that Paul saluted the many ten thousand Christians at
Jerusalem, Acts xxi. 20. And the _whole church_ does not necessarily
mean the whole individual members of the church, more than the _whole
world_ mentioned, 1 John ii. 2, means every individual in the world. If
any, to support a favorite opinion, will still insist that the whole
members of the church actually met and judged of this affair equally
with the apostles and elders, they may inform us where they obtained a
proper place for so many judges to reason and determine with
distinctness or order. That the brethren who joined in judgment with the
apostles and elders were not private persons, but rather delegates from
the troubled churches around, appears from Judas and Silas, two of them
being preachers, v. 22.

_Quest_. How does it appear that the power of all the members was
ordinary and equal?

_Ans_. As every member, inspired or not, acted equally in the whole
business laid before them. Paul and Barnabas were delegated by the
church of Antioch: and the elders, who convened, had the same power as
the apostles. To the elders, teaching or ruling, as well as to the
apostles, was the matter referred: both met to consider of it: both were
equally concerned in the decision, saying, _It seemed good to the Holy
Ghost and to us_. Elders, as well as apostles, imposed the necessary
things upon the churches, and authoritatively determined the decrees. In
the name of the elders, as well as of the apostles, the letters of the
meeting, containing their decision, were written to the churches. And
the only reason why the inspired members put themselves on an equality
with others was to exhibit a pattern to after ages.

_Quest_. How does it appear, that this synod followed the ordinary
method of procedure in such courts?

_Ans_. As they examined the cause by much reasoning and dispute. In
consequence of mature deliberation they determined the question, and
sent letters, containing their decrees, by proper messengers, to the
churches concerned. In their disputation they reasoned from the oracles
of God: on these they founded their decision; and hence therein they
say, _It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us_. And if this had not
been to have giv