ORIGIN OF COUNCILS.

CHAPTER I.

SEVEN JEWISH SYNODS.

IN the History of the Jews contained in the books of the Old Testament, we find the earliest mention made of Ecclesiastical Assemblies being held for purposes connected with the welfare of their Church. But as those Assemblies were only composed of individual members belonging to their own body, such as the Priests or Levites, they are more appropriately designated by the title here given them, than by that of Councils, which implies conventions of deputies from several distinct and independent bodies. The greater, and lesser SANHEDRIMS, the former consisting of seventy-two, and the latter of twenty-three persons, were of this minor description of Councils.

The following were the occasions on which the Jewish convocations were held.

The first was convened by JOSHUA, Eleazer being High Priest; in order to extirpate idolatry, "by putting away strange gods," and to

B

bury Joseph's bones as commanded by himself. On this occasion, the elders, judges and officers of Israel were "gathered together" at Shechem. JOSHUA, XXIV. 1, 23, 32.

The second Assembly of the Princes, Priests and Levites of Israel took place at Jerusalem, where the Levites were numbered, the Priests distributed into twenty-four classes, and their offices regulated. Although David is alone spoken of (1 CHRON. Xxiii.) as being engaged in this business; yet it appears from the history of Hezekiah's reign, who flourished 289 years subsequently, (2 CHRON. xxix. 25.) that he was assisted in it by GAD the king's seer, and NATHAN the prophet.

THIRDLY. Ahab and ELIJAH "gathered the Prophets together unto mount Carmel; that the worship of Baal might be suppressed, and that of Jehovah established. 1 Kings, xviii. 20.

FOURTHLY. The Priests and Levites were convened by king Hezekiah at Jerusalem; that the temple might be purified, the true worship of God set up, and a transcript made of the Proverbs of Solomon. Tomline, vol. 1. p. 103, and Gray.

FIFTHLY. Josiah the King, and Hilkiah the High Priest, called another assembly at Jerusalem for the purpose of repurifying the temple, extirpating the worship of Baal, and renewing the covenant with the Lord. 2 Kings, xxiii. 1, 4.

SIXTHLY. Under Zerubabel, Ezra and the Rulers of the Jews met together after their return from Babylon, and settled on the Canonicity of the Scriptures. For this fact, says Bishop Tomline, (ELEMENTS, vol. 1. p. 8.) there remains an uncontradicted Tradition in the Jewish Church.

Seventhly and lastly; John Hyrcanus, the High Priest, and the Elders, about 65 years before Christ, assembled in order to admit the Pharisees into communion, and to condemn the Saducees for their denial of the immortality of the soul.

THE

APOSTOLIC AGE, OR FIRST CENTURY.

CHAPTER II.

SEVEN CHRISTIAN SYNODS.

THE Assemblies properly termed Apostolic come next in succession after the Jewish ones, in the following order.

The first, for the election of a successor to the Apostleship in place of Judas. Acts, i. 26. The second, for the choice of seven Deacons. IBID, vi. 5.

The *third, like the two former, was convened in Jerusalem, according to some A. D. 47; according to others, A. D. 51:-that is, at the latest, eighteen years after Christ's Ascension. It originated in the attempt made to oblige the Gentile converts at Antioch to submit to the rite of circumcision. At the same time, that SS. Paul and Barnabas opposed such an attempt; (and it was after "no small dissension

* ACTS, xv. 6, 23, 28.

+ Cerinthus is supposed to be one of the "certain men" alluded to by the Apostle, who enjoined circumcision. ACTS, xv. 1.