The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…

For the second question; How far the Fraternity, or the Brethren of the church, may concur with the Elders in exercising the power of the Synod?

For the second question; How far the Fraternity, or the Brethren of the church, may concurre with the Elders in exercising the power of the Synod?

The Answer is; The power which they have received, is a power of liberty: As 1. They have liberty to dispute their doubts modestly and Christianly amongst the Elders: For in that Synod at Jerusalem, as there was much disputation, Act. 15.7. so the multitude had a part in the Disputation, v. 12. For after Peters speech, it is said, the whole multitude kept silence, and silence from what? to wit, from the speech last in hand amongst them, and that was, from Disputation. 2. The Brethren of the church had liberty to join with the Apostles and Elders, in approving of the sentence of James, and determining the same as the common sentence of them all. 3. They had liberty to join with the Apostles and Elders in choosing and sending messengers, and in writing Synodal Letters in the names of all, for the publishing of the sentence of the Synod. Both these points are expressed in the Text, v. 22.23. to 29. Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen men, and to write Letters by them. See the whole church distinguished from the Apostles and Elders; and those whom he called the whole Church, v. 22. he calleth the Brethren, v. 23. The Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren, &c.

The Answer is; The power which they have received, is a power of liberty: As 1. They have liberty to dispute their doubts modestly and Christanly amongst the Elders: For in that Synod at Jerusalem, as there was much disputation, Act. 15.7. so the multitude had a part in the Disputation, v. 12. For after Peters speech, it is said, the whole multitude kept silence, and silence from what? to wit, from the speech last in hand amongst them, and that was, from Disputation. 2. The Brethren of the church had liberty to joyn with the Apostles and Elders, in approving of the sentence of James, and determining the same as the common sentence of them all. 3. They had liberty to joyn with the Apostles and Elders in choosing and sending messengers, and in writing Synodall Letters in the names of all, for the publishing of the sentence of the Synod. Both these points are expressed in the Text, v. 22.23. to 29. Then pleased it the Apostles and Elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen men, and to write Letters by them. See the whole church distinguished from the Apostles and Elders; and those whom he called the whole Church, v. 22. he calleth the Brethren, v. 23. The Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren, &c.