The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

5. THERE was nothing imposed a new on the practice of the Churches, only direction is given▪ in one particular instance as unto Duty, necessary on many accounts unto the Gentile Converts, namely to abstain from Fornication, and from the use of their Liberty in such instances of its practice as whereon scandal would ensue, which was the Duty of all Christians even before this determination, and is so still in many other instances besides those mentioned in the Decree; only it was now declared unto them.

6. THE Grounds whereon the Synod proposed the Reception of and compliance with its Decrees were Four, (1.) That what they had determined was the mind of the Holy Ghost: It pleased the Holy Ghost. This mind they knew either by Inspiration, or immediate Revelation made unto themselves, or by what was Written or Recorded in the Scripture, which on all other occasions they alleged as what was the Word, and spoken by the Holy Ghost. And it is evident, that it was this latter way, namely, a discovery of the mind of the Holy Ghost in the Scripture that is intended. However, it is concluded that nothing be proposed or confirmed in Synods, but what is well known to be the mind of the Holy Ghost in the Scripture, either by immediate Inspiration, or by Scripture Revelation. (2.) The Authority of the Assembly as convened in the Name of Christ, and by virtue of his Presence, whereof we have spoken before: It pleased the Holy Ghost and us. (3.) That the things which they had determined were necessary, that is antecedently so unto that determination; namely, the abstaining from the use of their Liberty in things indifferent in case of scandal. (4.) From the Duty, with respect unto the Peace and mutual Communion ⟨p. 268⟩of the Jewish and Gentile Churches: Doing thus, say they, ye shall do well, which is all the Sanction of their Decree; manifesting that it was Doctrinal, not Authoritative in way of Jurisdiction.

6. THE Grounds whereon the Synod proposed the Reception of and compliance with its Decrees were Four, (1.) That what they had determined was the mind of the Holy Ghost: It pleased the Holy Ghost. This mind they knew either by Inspiration, or immediate Revelation made unto themselves, or by what was Written or Recorded in the Scripture, which on all other occasions they alledged as what was the Word, and spoken by the Holy Ghost. And it is evident, that it was this latter way, namely, a discovery of the mind of the Holy Ghost in the Scripture that is intended. However, it is concluded that nothing be proposed or confirmed in Synods, but what is well known to be the mind of the Holy Ghost in the Scripture, either by immediate Inspiration, or by Scripture Revelation. (2.) The Authority of the Assembly as convened in the Name of Christ, and by virtue of his Presence, whereof we have spoken before: It pleased the Holy Ghost and us. (3.) That the things which they had determined were necessary, that is antecedently so unto that determination; namely, the abstaining from the use of their Liberty in things indifferent in case of scandal. (4.) From the Duty, with respect unto the Peace and mutual Communion