CHAP. XV. Of the first Synod.
NOw come we to the 2d. Peregrination or the Travel & Journey of Paul, &c. where of the Counsel held at Jerusalem by the Apostles, Elders and Brethren is the Introduc∣tion, Asts 15. Paul and Barnabas being returned from their first Travel unto Antioch (from whence they had been sent) and there resolving to refresh themselves for a time out of the heat of Contention, and Persecution. N.B. But behold the restless malice of an envious Devil against the Gospel and its Ministers; no sooner were they settled there in a resting posture, and scarce had warmed their Seats, but presently Satan sets a quarrel on foot by some [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] or false Brethren, Gal. 2.4. concerning the ab∣br••••ation of the Jewish Ceremonies: Those Incendiaries of Satan would have brought the Yoke of Molaick observances upon the neck of the Converted Gentiles: This bred the greater and the more dismal Disturbance at this present (as it did after the Apos∣tacy of exceeding many from the Gospel) because multitudes of the very Jews that believed, were yet Zealous of the Law, Acts 21.20. and it was a work of great diffi∣culty to work them off from those Typical Rites, which had been (as it were) an Inheri∣tance to them from their fore-fathers and wherein themselves had been Trai∣ned up by their Fathers from their Infancy. N.B. Those certain men, Acts 15.1. that kindled this spark of Contention (which had been enough to have fired all the Churches, had it not been seasonably smothered) The Antients (as Epi∣phanius, &c.) tell us, were Cerinthus with his Complices, that Old Heretick being the chief stickler in sowing dissention among the Churches concerning the Office of Christ, and the all-sufficiency of his Merits, or suppose they were pretenders only to believing, and therefore call'd False-Brethren: who ever they were (because not named) such they were as the Sowr Leaven of the Pharisees had sowred their Spirits, so as they attempted to subvert the Gospel among the Gentiles, Gal. 1.7. by endeavouring to exclude them from any hope of Salvation, except they submitted to the Law of Circumcision. Thus the Devil assaulted this new Gospel-Church at Antioch with this dividing Question; whether they could be justifyed by the Righteousnes of Christ apprehended by Faith, or the works of the Law must be joyned therewith, or whether we be justified by Faith in Christ, or by Works of the Law.
This little Vinegar (untowardly mingled among the Sincere Milk of the Word of God) had like to have Marr'd All: This unhappy Question (started by that Do-evil, contracted, the Devil) bred no small dissension and disputation, which caused that most Meek A∣postle Paul (who was willing to become all things to all men) to undertake an holy war against them that would Introduce Circumcision into the Christian Church; because he could not become sin to any man, verse 2. nor could he abate one Inch of the purchase of Christ which was so perfect in it self in order to Salvation, that it needed no Eeks or Addittions to it out of the Ceremonial Law. Therefore alloweth he not of any works of the Law to be an Ingredient into our Justification and Glorification, but he must have the free Grace of God in Christ to be all in all, Col. 3.11.
N.B. Besides, He well knew that the retaining still of Circumcision, would have rendred Christ and his Gospel less acceptable among the Gentiles, and also have kept possession for all the other legal ceremonies and their Re-entring amongst them; for the Circumcised person was obliged by his Circumcision to observe them all, Gal. 5. verse 3, 4. there being the same reason for the one as for the other. This was that which moved this Meek man to contend so earnestly for the Faith of the Gospel (as Jude v. 3.) being well assured that every small parcel of Divine Truth is pretious, none of the least filings of Gold are to be carelesly cast away. Oh how Zealous was mild Paul therefore in this Case, Gal. 1.7. and 2.5. and 5.12. He wished that those trou∣blers [non modó circumcidantur, Sed abscindantur] not only to have their praeputium or foreskin, but their very persons cut off, to trouble the Church no more.
N.B. When these false Apostles (pretending the Authority of the Church at Jerusalem for the maintenance of their Heresy) had greatly disturbed the peace of the Church