afterwards shall appear more fully;) stating the question, proving and
evidencing from Scripture what was _the good and acceptable will of God_
concerning the present controversy, and upon evidence of Scripture
concluding, _It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us_, Acts xv. 28;
which words, any assembly, having like clear evidence of Scripture for
their determination, may without presumption use, as well as this synod
did.[114]

3. Because the elders and brethren (who are as authoritatively members
of the synod as the apostles) did in all points as authoritatively act
as the apostles themselves. For, 1. Certain other of the church of
Antioch, as well as _Paul_ and _Barnabas_, were sent as delegates from
the church of _Antioch_, Acts xv. 2. 2. They were all sent as well to
the _elders_, as to the _apostles_ at _Jerusalem_, about this matter,
ver. 2. 3. They were received at _Jerusalem_, as well by the _elders_,
as the _apostles_, and reported their case to them both, ver. 4. 4. The
_elders_, as well as the _apostles_, met together to consider thereof,
ver. 6. 5. The letters containing the synodal decrees and
determinations, were written in the name of the _elders and brethren_,
as well as in the name of the _apostles_, ver. 23. 6. The _elders and
brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, blame the false teachers for
troubling of the Church, _subverting of souls_; declaring, that they
gave the false teachers _no such commandment_ to preach any such
doctrine, ver. 24. 7. The _elders and brethren_, as well as the
_apostles_, say, "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us," ver. 28.
8. The _elders_ and _brethren_, as well as the _apostles_, did impose
upon the churches "no other burden than these necessary things," ver.
28. 9. The _elders_, as well as the _apostles_, being assembled,
"thought good to send chosen men of themselves," viz. _Judas_ and
_Silas_, with _Paul_ and _Barnabas_, to _Antioch_, to deliver the