V. Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing

but that which is ecclesiastical ; and are not to intermeddle fv ith civil aftairs, which concern the commonwealth, unless
by
tfid elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Jndas Ktinianud Barsaha-s, and Silas, chief men among Ae brethren : Ver. 2'.i. And wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles, and elders, and hre- diren, send greeting unto the bre- thren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. Ver. '25. It seemed good unto us, ' / as«embled with one accord, d chosen men unto you, with loved Biirnabas and Paul. 1 Acts XV. 1 J, 1 9, LM, 27, 28, ■'), 31. (See in the Bible.] Acts itvi. 4, And as tlu*y went through rhe cities, they delivered them the decrees fcr to keep, that were or- Jaincd of the apoatles and elders which were at Jerusalem. Mat. xviii. 17. And if he .'-hall neglect o hear them, tell it unto the Iwiich ; but if h2 neglect to bear
the church, let him be unto thee a-s an heathen man, and a publican. Ver. 18. Verily I say unto you, V\'hatt^ever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven ; and what- soever ye shall loosf on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. Ver. 19. Avcain I say unto you, 'ihat if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Ver. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.