This controversy troubled the har•es and consciences of the brethren: in so much that Paul & Barnabas were compelled too go unto Jerusalem unto Peter and James, and others, I think, of the apostles. Where a convention had: the question was proponed, whether the gentiles should be subject to observation of Moses law, or nor? That is whether only faith in Jesus Christ did justify, or necessary was also to justification the law observed. After great contention: Peter expounded: how that the house of Cornelius, being all1 gentiles, had by his preaching received Jesus Christ, & were decia red in his presence just & righteous before God: for they did receive the holy Ghost visibly, ⟨image 28⟩not only without observation of Moses law, but also before they had received any sacramental sign of Christs religion. Peter concludeth, that to p••••e a yoke upon the brethren's necks, which yoke might none of the Jews bear themselves, was nothing but to tempt god, that is, to prove if god would be pleased with such laws and ordinances as they would lay upon the necks of men without his2 own word, which were most extreme impiety: and so concludeth he that the gentiles ought not to be burdened with the law. Hereafter declared Paul and Barnabas what wonderouse works God had shown by them amongest the gentiles, who never observed Moses law▪ and last James, who appeareth unto me principal in that counsel, for he collecteth the scrip tures and pronounceth the final ⟨image 28⟩sentence, as ye shall hear plainly) declareth that the vocation of the gentiles was prophesied before. And that they should be accepted and accounted to be the people of God, without observation of Moses law: Adding that no man ought to enquire a cause of gods works. And so pronounceth he the sentence, that their liberty should not be diminished. Advert now the cause, the process and determination of this counsel. The cause was to enquire the verity of certain doctrine. That is, whether the gentiles should be charged with the observation of Moses law, as was affirmed and taught by some. In this matter they proceeded by example of God's works, finding that he had accepted the gentiles without any thraldom or ceremony observed. Last are produced scriptures, declaring so to ⟨image 29⟩before spoken.
This contrauersitrobled the har•es and cōsciēces of the brethern: in so muche that Paule & Barnabas were compelled too go vnto Ierusalē vnto Peter and Iames, and others, I thinke, of the apostles. Where a cōuention had: the question was proponed, whether the gentiles shoulde be subiect to obseruation of Moyses lawe, or nor? That is whether onely fayth in Iesus Christ did iustifie, or ne cessarye was also to iustification the law obserued. After great cō tention: Peter expoūded: howe yt the house of Cornelius, beyng all1 gentils, had by his preachinge receyued Iesus Christ, & were decia red in his presence iuste & righteouse before God: for they did receyue the holye Ghoste visiblye, ⟨image 28⟩not onely without obseruacion of Moses lawe, but also before they had receyued any sacramētal signe of Chrystes religion. Peter concludeth, that to p••••e a yoke vpon the brethrēs neck•s, which yoke might none of the Iewes beare thēselfes, was nothyng but to tempte god, that is, to proue if god woulde bee pleased with suche lawes and ordinaunces as they would lay vpō the neckes of men wythoute hys2 owne worde, whyche were moste extreme impretie: and so cōcludeth he that the gentils ought not to be burthened wyth the law. Hereafter declared Paule and Barnabas what wonderouse woorkes God had shewen by them amongest the gentils, who neuer obserued Moses lawe▪ and last Iames, who appeareth vnto me principall in that counseil, for he collecteth the scrip tures and pronounceth the fynall ⟨image 28⟩sentēce, as ye shall heare plainly) declareth that the vocation of the gentiles was prophecied before. And that they should be accepted and accompted to be the people of God, without obseruation of Moses lawe: Adding that no mā ought to enquyre a cause of gods workes. And so pronūceth he the sentence, that their libertie should not be diminished. Aduert now ye cause, the processe and determination of this counsayl. The cause was to enquyre the veritie of certeyn doctrine. That is, whether the gentils shoulde be charged wt the obseruation of Moses lawe, as was affirmed and taughte by some. In this matter they proceded bi example of goddes works, findinge that he had accepted the gentils without any thraldom or ceremony obserued. Last are produced scriptures, declaringe so to ⟨image 29⟩
- 1Cornelius.
- 2Conclusion of the con̄ sail.Conclusiō of the con̄ sayll.
