the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o not_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o only_o believe_v himself_o but_o shall_v oblige_v other_o to_o believe_v what_o neither_o he_o nor_o they_o see_v any_o reason_n to_o receive_v for_o whatever_o in_o some_o man_n opinion_n a_o general_n council_n may_v be_v yet_o i_o hope_v no_o one_o will_v pretend_v that_o we_o must_v believe_v every_o particular_a convocation_n to_o be_v infallible_a in_o its_o definition_n let_v this_o then_o be_v the_o result_n of_o our_o second_o enquiry_n viz._n *_o that_o the_o christian_a prince_n have_v a_o right_a to_o prescribe_v to_o his_o synod_n the_o work_n they_o be_v to_o go_v upon_o and_o to_o restrain_v they_o from_o meddle_v with_o such_o thing_n as_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o them_o *_o that_o he_o may_v direct_v not_o only_o the_o subject_a but_o the_o order_n and_o method_n of_o their_o debate_n *_o that_o he_o may_v if_o he_o please_v sit_v and_o deliberate_a with_o his_o clergy_n in_o they_o and_o 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consent_n 33._o of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n i_o now_o add_v that_o neither_o be_v assemble_v can_v they_o dissolve_v themselves_o and_o depart_v from_o any_o such_o council_n till_o license_v by_o he_o so_o to_o do_v this_o be_v a_o right_n that_o have_v ever_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o clergy_n to_o belong_v to_o the_o christian_a prince_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v need_v to_o insist_v the_o less_o upon_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o when_o the_o father_n who_o be_v call_v by_o constantius_n to_o ariminum_n have_v do_v the_o business_n for_o which_o they_o be_v convene_v and_o send_v their_o delegate_n to_o attend_v the_o emperor_n with_o a_o account_n of_o their_o proceed_n they_o final_o beseech_v he_o that_o synod_n he_o will_v give_v they_o leave_v to_o return_v to_o their_o church_n lest_o they_o shall_v seem_v by_o their_o long_a stay_n to_o have_v be_v forsake_v by_o their_o bishop_n it_o be_v true_a we_o be_v tell_v by_o sozomen_n that_o the_o emperor_n be_v 568._o displease_v at_o their_o firm_a adherence_n to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n refuse_v to_o give_v any_o answer_n to_o they_o whereupon_o grow_v weary_a of_o stay_v any_o long_o at_o a_o place_n where_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v they_o return_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n to_o their_o several_a church_n but_o then_o he_o tell_v we_o withal_o that_o this_o the_o emperor_n resent_v as_o a_o very_a great_a affront_n which_o they_o put_v upon_o he_o and_o when_o he_o have_v a_o opportunity_n he_o express_v his_o resentment_n according_o against_o them_o but_o theodosius_n and_o valentinian_n take_v more_o care_n of_o the_o general_n council_n assemble_v by_o they_o at_o ephesus_n for_o have_v appoint_v candidian_a to_o look_v after_o it_o one_o part_n of_o that_o instruction_n which_o they_o give_v to_o he_o be_v this_o that_o he_o shall_v by_o all_o mean_n take_v care_n that_o none_o of_o the_o bishop_n leave_v the_o city_n till_o all_o thing_n be_v 〈◊〉_d finish_v for_o which_o they_o 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that_o none_o of_o you_o depart_v from_o the_o holy_a synod_n before_o all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d be_v full_o complete_v it_o be_v therefore_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o synod_n as_o they_o be_v convene_v by_o the_o prince_n authority_n so_o to_o tarry_v till_o they_o have_v the_o same_o authority_n for_o their_o dissolution_n as_o for_o the_o last_o particular_a wherein_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n viz._n 2_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o act_n of_o their_o synod_n it_o be_v i_o conceive_v allow_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o their_o definition_n be_v no_o far_o obligatory_a than_o as_o they_o be_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o civil_a authority_n for_o though_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n neither_o depend_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o man_n nor_o be_v subject_n to_o the_o power_n either_o of_o synod_n or_o prince_n as_o to_z what_o concern_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o yet_o what_o that_o faith_n be_v which_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v 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the_o consent_n of_o the_o prince_n be_v require_v so_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o government_n will_v not_o permit_v that_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_n shall_v be_v do_v within_o the_o state_n without_o his_o consent_n first_o obtain_v for_o the_o do_v of_o it_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o from_o the_o beginning_n christian_a prince_n have_v not_o only_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o confirm_v the_o act_n of_o their_o synod_n if_o they_o have_v think_v fit_a but_o have_v be_v petition_v to_o by_o their_o synod_n that_o they_o will_v do_v so_o thus_o constantine_n the_o great_a be_v desire_v by_o the_o first_o general_n 4._o council_n to_o ratify_v by_o his_o authority_n what_o the_o father_n have_v determine_v im._n the_o same_o be_v demand_v of_o theodosius_n by_o the_o second_o general_n council_n of_o constantinople_n 47._o in_o the_o three_o general_n council_n of_o ephesus_n the_o father_n in_o like_a manner_n address_v to_o the_o young_a theodosius_n and_o valentinian_n for_o the_o ratification_n of_o what_o have_v be_v do_v by_o they_o and_o so_o do_v those_o of_o the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n to_o marcian_n the_o emperor_n 4._o for_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o all_o these_o emperor_n answer_v their_o desire_n and_o confirm_v their_o act_n according_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o show_v that_o the_o same_o method_n still_o continue_v in_o all_o other_o country_n and_o kingdom_n after_o so_o that_o no_o prince_n ever_o suffer_v any_o canon_n to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n till_o they_o have_v first_o be_v view_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o they_o as_o no_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o their_o royal_a power_n and_o dignity_n but_o because_o this_o be_v a_o point_n that_o be_v not_o i_o conceive_v at_o all_o deny_v among_o we_o and_o that_o i_o look_v upon_o the_o power_n of_o the_o christian_a prince_n to_o extend_v much_o far_o than_o to_o
those_o day_n of_o which_o i_o be_o at_o present_a to_o discourse_v be_v brief_o this_o 1._o they_o have_v every_o year_n a_o general_n council_n of_o the_o kingdom_n make_v up_o of_o the_o chief_a man_n both_o in_o honour_n and_o employ_v whether_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a and_o therein_o law_n be_v make_v with_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o prince_n both_o for_o the_o church_n and_o state_n in_o matter_n pure_o spiritual_a such_o as_o the_o article_n of_o christian_a faith_n the_o clergy_n advise_v alone_o and_o what_o be_v upon_o their_o advice_n determine_v by_o the_o prince_n become_v a_o law_n as_o to_o those_o matter_n in_o matter_n of_o a_o mix_v nature_n as_o in_o regulate_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n the_o great_a lord_n deliberate_v together_o with_o the_o bishop_n and_o the_o prince_n confirm_v what_o by_o the_o common_a advice_n and_o consent_v of_o both_o be_v recommend_v to_o he_o but_o because_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o some_o affair_n may_v arise_v which_o neither_o can_v be_v foresee_v at_o those_o general_a meeting_n nor_o may_v be_v defer_v till_o their_o next_o assemble_v therefore_o 2._o to_o prevent_v any_o inconvenience_n that_o may_v happen_v by_o this_o mean_n there_o be_v another_o great_a council_n hold_v every_o year_n make_v up_o of_o a_o select_a number_n of_o those_o who_o come_v to_o the_o general_n assembly_n and_o by_o they_o be_v such_o matter_n determine_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o with_o the_o concurrence_n of_o the_o same_o authority_n by_o which_o the_o other_o proceed_v such_o be_v the_o method_n of_o proceed_v 10._o in_o these_o public_a affair_n abroad_o and_o the_o same_o be_v in_o effect_n the_o polity_n of_o our_o own_o country_n under_o the_o government_n of_o our_o saxon_a prince_n they_o have_v their_o general_n council_n first_o in_o which_o they_o deliberate_v of_o all_o public_a matter_n and_o these_o council_n consist_v of_o the_o archbishop_n bishop_n and_o abbot_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o of_o the_o wiseman_n great-man_n alder-man_n count_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o laity_n indifferent_o call_v in_o those_o time_n by_o any_o or_o all_o these_o name_n in_o these_o council_n they_o debate_v both_o of_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n and_o make_v law_n with_o the_o prince_n consent_n and_o concurrence_n for_o the_o order_v of_o both_o and_o this_o they_o do_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v judge_v after_o the_o like_a manner_n that_o we_o have_v see_v the_o french_a be_v wont_a to_o do_v the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n advise_v apart_o in_o matter_n pure_o spiritual_a but_o the_o great-man_n debate_v together_o with_o they_o in_o civil_a and_o mix_v affair_n and_o in_o which_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o state_n be_v concern_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o the_o church_n thus_o athelstan_n when_o he_o publish_v his_o bed_n ecclesiastical_a law_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o do_v it_o with_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o bishop_n but_o 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gregory_n arrive_v here_o and_o have_v with_o good_a success_n persuade_v ethelbert_n king_n of_o kent_n to_o become_v his_o proselyte_n he_o from_o thenceforth_o begin_v to_o have_v a_o very_a great_a authority_n with_o he_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o a_o monkish_a historian_n 1614_o that_o about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 605_o that_o king_n be_v now_o full_o confirm_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n do_v with_o bertha_n his_o queen_n and_o eadbald_a his_o son_n and_o with_o austin_n his_o bishop_n and_o the_o great_a lord_n of_o his_o land_n solemn_o keep_v his_o christmas_n at_o canterbury_n and_o there_o in_o a_o common_a council_n both_o of_o his_o clergy_n and_o people_n he_o endow_v the_o monastery_n which_o austin_n have_v found_v in_o that_o city_n and_o grant_v several_a large_a privilege_n and_o immunity_n to_o it_o i_o have_v before_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o ancient_a custom_n of_o our_o king_n to_o keep_v the_o three_o great_a festival_n of_o the_o year_n with_o a_o extraordinary_a state_n and_o solemnity_n their_o bishop_n and_o great_a man_n attend_v upon_o they_o and_o they_o appear_v in_o the_o high_a pomp_n of_o majesty_n they_o can_v put_v on_o among_o they_o and_o take_v those_o occasion_n to_o transact_v such_o affair_n as_o they_o think_v expedient_a for_o the_o public_a welfare_n if_o there_o be_v any_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o this_o relation_n for_o which_o i_o dare_v not_o answer_v then_o we_o must_v look_v upon_o this_o to_o have_v be_v such_o a_o civil_a council_n sure_o we_o be_v that_o in_o aftertime_n many_o be_v hold_v of_o the_o like_a kind_a but_o though_o in_o these_o day_n the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n determine_v in_o such_o meeting_n yet_o i_o have_v before_o say_v that_o some_o synod_n they_o have_v which_o be_v proper_o ecclesiastical_a and_o
have_v may_v easy_o be_v make_v appear_v be_v it_o needful_a to_o enlarge_v upon_o so_o know_v and_o melancholy_a a_o subject_n now_o this_o as_o it_o have_v oblige_v not_o only_o the_o best_a man_n but_o the_o wise_a emperor_n to_o be_v very_o careful_a how_o they_o either_o call_v or_o encourage_v such_o assembly_n unless_o they_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o hope_v for_o a_o good_a effect_n of_o they_o so_o may_v it_o suffice_v to_o convince_v we_o still_o that_o neither_o be_v all_o time_n nor_o all_o cause_n either_o proper_a for_o or_o worthy_a of_o such_o meeting_n and_o that_o the_o expediency_n of_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v very_o clear_o make_v out_o before_o it_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v expect_v that_o the_o prince_n shall_v consent_v to_o their_o assemble_v it_o have_v i_o think_v be_v general_o agree_v 4._o that_o the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o synod_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v assemble_v be_v either_o to_o establish_v the_o faith_n and_o to_o declare_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n in_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n or_o to_o advise_v and_o assist_v the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o discipline_n of_o it_o as_o for_o the_o exercise_n of_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n that_o in_o every_o well_o settle_a church_n be_v common_o provide_v for_o by_o some_o more_o ordinary_a mean_n so_o that_o except_o in_o a_o few_o case_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a nature_n there_o be_v seldom_o any_o occasion_n for_o a_o synod_n to_o meet_v upon_o any_o such_o account_n now_o as_o these_o be_v the_o end_v for_o which_o synod_n ought_v to_o be_v assemble_v so_o i_o believe_v 5._o it_o will_v be_v allow_v by_o all_o consider_v person_n that_o the_o prince_n ought_v never_o to_o call_v they_o when_o either_o one_a it_o be_v needless_a or_o two_o it_o will_v be_v hurtful_a so_o to_o do_v when_o there_o be_v no_o appearance_n of_o any_o good_a to_o come_v from_o their_o meeting_n but_o rather_o it_o may_v just_o be_v fear_v that_o 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manifest_a and_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n constant_n and_o out_o of_o doubt_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o definition_n either_o to_o declare_v its_o sense_n or_o to_o testify_v its_o agreement_n therefore_o neither_o can_v there_o be_v any_o need_n to_o assemble_v a_o convocation_n to_o judge_n or_o determine_v in_o such_o case_n if_o in_o a_o christian_a country_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v profess_v and_o its_o truth_n establish_v and_o man_n have_v for_o many_o age_n be_v breed_v up_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o belief_n of_o it_o a_o sort_n of_o libertine_n shall_v arise_v to_o deny_v not_o only_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n but_o the_o very_o be_v of_o a_o god_n the_o certainty_n of_o revelation_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o like_a common_a and_o avow_v principle_n of_o religion_n it_o will_v be_v not_o only_o needless_a but_o absurd_a for_o a_o synod_n to_o be_v call_v to_o debate_v over_o again_o the_o fundamental_o of_o piety_n and_o solemn_o to_o define_v against_o these_o sceptical_a profane_a disputer_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o he_o have_v reveal_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n and_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o all_o that_o they_o will_v gain_v by_o do_v of_o it_o will_v be_v only_o this_o that_o they_o will_v see_v their_o authority_n and_o their_o definition_n despise_v by_o they_o and_o may_v probable_o give_v offence_n to_o good_a man_n as_o if_o they_o have_v so_o much_o reason_n on_o their_o side_n or_o there_o be_v so_o much_o difficulty_n in_o this_o case_n as_o to_o need_v the_o solemnity_n of_o a_o convocation_n to_o interpose_v in_o it_o in_o such_o case_n as_o this_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n ought_v to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o protection_n of_o religion_n of_o the_o faith_n which_o he_o profess_v and_o of_o that_o saviour_n by_o who_o he_o hope_v to_o be_v save_v and_o so_o to_o order_n matter_n that_o such_o person_n shall_v either_o cease_v to_o blaspheme_v or_o they_o shall_v find_v out_o some_o other_o place_n than_o a_o christian_a country_n to_o do_v it_o in_o civil_a authority_n may_v restrain_v such_o bold_a man_n but_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o think_v that_o all_o the_o synod_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o persuade_v them_o again_o 2_o upon_o the_o same_o 7._o ground_n i_o affirm_v that_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o need_n of_o a_o new_a synod_n to_o declare_v the_o doctrine_n and_o consent_v of_o the_o church_n in_o such_o point_n in_o which_o it_o have_v by_o as_o great_a or_o even_o great_a authority_n be_v before_o declare_v thus_o suppose_v any_o church_n shall_v not_o only_o have_v solemn_o receive_v the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n but_o in_o far_a testimony_n of_o its_o agreement_n in_o faith_n with_o they_o shall_v have_v give_v their_o creed_n a_o place_n in_o its_o public_a liturgy_n and_o to_o strengthen_v all_o this_o shall_v have_v draw_v up_o a_o clear_a and_o full_a confession_n of_o its_o own_o upon_o the_o principle_n by_o they_o define_v and_o have_v require_v that_o confession_n to_o be_v receive_v and_o subscribe_v to_o by_o all_o who_o be_v admit_v to_o any_o spiritual_a office_n or_o function_n in_o it_o how_o ridiculous_a will_v it_o be_v for_o such_o a_o church_n to_o assemble_v a_o convocation_n to_o declare_v to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o it_o believe_v our_o saviour_n divinity_n and_o hold_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n what_o though_o there_o be_v some_o in_o such_o a_o church_n who_o deny_v this_o and_o take_v advantage_n of_o the_o liberty_n or_o rather_o licentiousness_n of_o evil_a time_n to_o dare_v even_o to_o write_v and_o argue_v against_o it_o the_o doctrine_n and_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n be_v still_o the_o same_o and_o it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v say_v that_o in_o our_o protestant_a reform_v church_n it_o be_v needful_a to_o call_v a_o convocation_n to_o protest_v again_o against_o the_o error_n and_o superstition_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o some_o not_o only_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o they_o but_o be_v busy_a also_o to_o make_v convert_v to_o they_o as_o for_o such_o a_o church_n to_o call_v a_o synod_n to_o declare_v that_o it_o have_v no_o part_n with_o those_o who_o write_v and_o argue_v against_o its_o own_o avow_v sense_n in_o the_o point_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n and_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n a_o convocation_n may_v sit_v and_o draw_v up_o what_o creed_n and_o confession_n it_o will_n but_o if_o they_o expect_v that_o those_o who_o despise_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_n general_a council_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v conclude_v by_o their_o definition_n it_o will_v i_o doubt_v appear_v that_o they_o have_v but_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o vain_a hope_n and_o they_o will_v find_v too_o late_o that_o those_o who_o be_v not_o to_o be_v restrain_v by_o what_o have_v be_v already_o determine_v will_v much_o less_o regard_v any_o new_a decision_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o them_o in_o this_o case_n again_o it_o be_v the_o civil_a power_n or_o nothing_o that_o must_v restrain_v their_o presumption_n a_o good_a law_n may_v oblige_v they_o to_o be_v silent_a but_o i_o doubt_v neither_o that_o nor_o any_o thing_n else_o will_v be_v able_a to_o cure_v they_o of_o their_o infidelity_n but._n three_o if_o a_o convocation_n ought_v 8._o not_o to_o be_v call_v without_o need_n than_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v necessary_a or_o even_o sit_v to_o assemble_v it_o for_o such_o matter_n as_o not_o only_o may_v be_v equal_o provide_v for_o by_o ordinary_a mean_n but_o which_o fall_n more_o proper_o under_o the_o cognizance_n of_o some_o other_o authority_n such_o be_v first_o
synod_n to_o frame_v their_o debate_n upon_o they_o when_o this_o emperor_n be_v dead_a and_o the_o difference_n between_o his_o son_n appease_v lewis_n to_o who_o the_o government_n of_o germany_n fall_v after_o his_o father_n example_n call_v the_o great_a council_n of_o mayence_n to_o regulate_v those_o disorder_n which_o the_o late_a praef._n distraction_n have_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n and_o because_o many_o thing_n remain_v which_o can_v not_o then_o be_v sufficient_o provide_v for_o he_o the_o next_o year_n after_o assemble_v another_o synod_n for_o the_o determination_n of_o they_o it_o be_v about_o twenty_o year_n after_o this_o that_o the_o same_o lewis_n convene_v a_o general_n council_n at_o worm_n and_o there_o in_o 868._o like_a manner_n order_v many_o thing_n relate_v both_o to_o the_o faith_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v not_o long_o after_o that_o arnulph_n his_o 467._o nephew_n have_v obtain_v the_o empire_n call_v together_o in_o like_a manner_n his_o bishop_n to_o a_o great_a council_n at_o trebur_n preside_v and_o assist_v in_o it_o and_o cause_v what_o be_v do_v not_o only_o to_o be_v subscribe_v by_o the_o bishop_n who_o he_o have_v assemble_v but_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o a_o great_a number_n both_o of_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n and_o of_o the_o laity_n of_o the_o empire_n and_o last_o not_o to_o metion_n any_o more_o henry_n the_o first_o after_o the_o example_n of_o his_o predecessor_n by_o his_o princely_a command_n assemble_v the_o great_a synod_n at_o erpsford_n with_o the_o advice_n of_o 591._o his_o great_a man_n and_o particular_o of_o archbishop_n hildibert_n who_o be_v chief_o consider_v by_o he_o 5._o and_o now_o have_v thus_o full_o show_v 12._o what_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o these_o prince_n in_o germany_n i_o may_v spare_v myself_o and_o reader_n the_o trouble_n of_o inquire_v into_o the_o method_n use_v in_o france_n which_o be_v general_o either_o in_o the_o same_o hand_n or_o govern_v by_o those_o of_o the_o same_o family_n that_o the_o empire_n in_o those_o day_n be_v yet_o because_o i_o think_v the_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n be_v no_o where_o better_o keep_v up_o or_o more_o exact_o follow_v than_o in_o that_o country_n and_o that_o i_o conceive_v our_o own_o synod_n be_v very_o much_o frame_v by_o the_o pattern_n of_o they_o i_o will_v take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o their_o convention_n also_o and_o so_o conclude_v these_o first_o general_n remark_n to_o begin_v then_o with_o the_o first_o of_o their_o christian_a king_n clovis_n the_o great_a and_o here_o we_o find_v that_o he_o not_o only_o call_v the_o first_o council_n of_o orleans_n and_o which_o have_v 511._o ever_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o model_n and_o pattern_n to_o all_o their_o succeed_a synod_n but_o moreover_o prescribe_v to_o it_o the_o point_n on_o which_o it_o be_v to_o debate_v and_o all_o this_o at_o the_o desire_n and_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o st._n remigius_n as_o hincmarus_n in_o the_o history_n of_o his_o life_n inform_v us._n it_o be_v by_o the_o like_a command_n of_o childebert_n praef._n and_o his_o brethren_n that_o the_o second_o council_n of_o the_o same_o place_n be_v hold_v the_o synod_n of_o clermont_n the_o next_o of_o any_o consequence_n praef._n that_o meet_v in_o france_n assemble_v with_o the_o consent_n of_o king_n theodebert_n and_o so_o do_v that_o of_o tours_n afterward_o with_o praef._n the_o like_a consent_n and_o allowance_n of_o charibert_n the_o five_o council_n of_o paris_n not_o only_o etc._n declare_v that_o it_o be_v assemble_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o clotharius_n but_o tell_v we_o that_o their_o assemble_v by_o his_o authority_n be_v as_o indeed_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n who_o have_v go_v before_o them_o and_o the_o synod_n of_o chalons_n own_v in_o like_a manner_n that_o it_o meet_v together_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o call_v and_o command_n of_o clovis_n the_o second_o their_o regis_fw-la king_n it_o be_v by_o the_o royal_a authority_n of_o pepin_n council_n that_o a_o general_n council_n be_v hold_v in_o his_o palace_n at_o vernis_fw-la anno_fw-la 755._o of_o charles_n the_o great_a that_o the_o second_o council_n of_o praefat._n rheims_n and_o the_o three_o of_o tours_n â—ere_z convened_a of_o lovis_n the_o emperor_n and_o his_o son_n lotharius_n that_o the_o 1596._o six_o council_n of_o paris_n be_v call_v and_o last_o not_o to_o instance_n in_o any_o more_o of_o charles_n the_o bald_a that_o the_o 53._o synod_n of_o quierzy_n be_v assemble_v for_o reform_v man_n manner_n and_o to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o that_o corruption_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n too_o which_o be_v about_o that_o time_n suppose_v to_o be_v break_v out_o in_o those_o part_n whaâ—_n the_o practice_n of_o our_o own_o country_n 13._o have_v be_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v particular_o consider_v when_o i_o come_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o right_n of_o our_o own_o king_n in_o this_o respect_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n from_o the_o account_n which_o have_v hitherto_o be_v give_v of_o that_o authority_n by_o which_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n have_v be_v wont_a to_o be_v call_v together_o into_o synod_n it_o appear_v that_o as_o in_o fact_n no_o council_n have_v meet_v without_o the_o permission_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n ever_o since_o the_o empire_n become_v christian_a so_o neither_o do_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o clergy_n have_v ever_o make_v any_o complaint_n against_o they_o as_o usurp_v herein_o upon_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n or_o plead_v any_o privilege_n as_o of_o divine_a authority_n for_o their_o meeting_n and_o act_v against_o their_o consent_n but_o to_o the_o end_v it_o may_v the_o more_o evident_o appear_v how_o far_o the_o power_n of_o christian_a prince_n have_v be_v account_v to_o extend_v as_o to_o this_o particular_a i_o shall_v to_o that_o general_a deduction_n i_o have_v now_o make_v of_o the_o authority_n by_o which_o the_o church_n have_v be_v accustom_v from_o the_o beginning_n to_o meet_v together_o in_o council_n subjoin_v a_o few_o more_o particular_a remark_n for_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o this_o whole_a matter_n and_o one_a it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o 14._o though_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v general_o advise_v with_o his_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n upon_o these_o occasion_n and_o ask_v their_o opinion_n whether_o it_o be_v fit_v or_o not_o to_o call_v a_o synod_n before_o he_o have_v give_v order_n for_o the_o meeting_n of_o it_o yet_o be_v this_o never_o look_v upon_o as_o any_o matter_n of_o right_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a prince_n have_v oftentimes_o assemble_v such_o council_n without_o ever_o consult_v they_o at_o all_o and_o at_o other_o when_o their_o bishop_n have_v not_o only_o advise_v but_o desire_v they_o so_o to_o do_v have_v yet_o upon_o their_o own_o judgement_n or_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o their_o council_n utter_o refuse_v to_o comply_v with_o their_o request_n if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o act_n of_o the_o several_a synod_n i_o have_v before_o mention_v we_o shall_v find_v indeed_o sometime_o that_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o bishop_n be_v take_v for_o their_o meeting_n but_o we_o shall_v often_o find_v they_o call_v by_o the_o prince_n with_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o great_a man_n and_o yet_o often_o no_o notice_n at_o all_o take_v of_o the_o advice_n of_o either_o how_o often_o do_v liberius_n and_o the_o catholic_n etc._n bishop_n in_o vain_a petition_n constantius_n that_o a_o free_a and_o orthodox_n council_n may_v be_v call_v to_o judge_v in_o the_o case_n of_o athanasius_n but_o can_v never_o obtain_v it_o and_o though_o the_o method_n take_v by_o that_o emperor_n to_o manage_v that_o affair_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o arian_n and_o the_o refusal_n of_o such_o a_o council_n as_o be_v desire_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o that_o enmity_n he_o have_v conceive_v against_o they_o and_o their_o doctrine_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o find_v the_o catholic_n bishop_n any_o where_o complain_v that_o in_o this_o the_o emperor_n do_v any_o more_o than_o what_o he_o have_v authority_n to_o do_v or_o pretend_v to_o any_o original_a ecclesiastical_a power_n leave_v they_o by_o christ_n to_o call_v such_o a_o synod_n whether_o he_o will_v or_o no._n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a notwithstanding_o the_o urgency_n of_o that_o affair_n and_o the_o eager_a desire_n they_o have_v to_o end_v it_o neither_o liberius_n nor_o any_o other_o attempt_v to_o meet_v against_o the_o emperor_n command_n but_o quiet_o submit_v to_o the_o prohibition_n he_o have_v lay_v upon_o they_o not_o to_o do_v so_o so_o little_o do_v the_o great_a bishop_n of_o the_o church_n in_o those_o day_n think_v it_o lawful_a to_o hold_v a_o council_n against_o the_o prince_n will_n that_o be_v forbid_v by_o a_o heretical_a emperor_n and_o that_o against_o
which_o 1._o all_o humane_a constitution_n be_v expose_v that_o though_o i_o have_v before_o sufficient_o show_v what_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o convocation_n at_o present_a be_v and_o what_o authority_n our_o king_n have_v over_o it_o yet_o we_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o this_o be_v always_o the_o case_n of_o it_o or_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o 25_o of_o king_n henry_n the_o viii_o do_v only_o restore_v our_o king_n to_o their_o ancient_a right_n over_o their_o clergy_n and_o not_o rather_o give_v they_o a_o great_a power_n than_o ever_o they_o before_o have_v or_o than_o the_o parliament_n ought_v to_o have_v put_v into_o their_o hand_n to_o clear_v this_o matter_n and_o withal_o to_o show_v how_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n have_v heretofore_o be_v transact_v in_o this_o realm_n i_o shall_v here_o take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o state_n of_o our_o convocation_n in_o time_n past_a and_o of_o the_o method_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o make_v of_o canonical_a order_n and_o constitution_n from_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o the_o settlement_n of_o it_o in_o that_o form_n under_o which_o it_o continue_v to_o this_o very_a day_n and_o the_o method_n i_o shall_v take_v for_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o this_o matter_n shall_v be_v this_o i._o i_o will_v consider_v how_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n be_v manage_v from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o norman_a conquest_n ii_o from_o the_o come_n in_o of_o k._n william_n the_o conqueror_n to_o the_o 23d_o of_o edward_n the_o first_o about_o which_o time_n both_o the_o parliament_n and_o the_o convocation_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v full_o settle_v upon_o the_o same_o foot_n on_o which_o they_o have_v both_o continue_a to_o stand_v ever_o since_o iii_o from_o the_o 23d_o of_o edward_n the_o first_o to_o the_o 25_o of_o henry_n the_o eight_o when_o the_o parliament_n and_o clergy_n restore_v the_o crown_n to_o 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every_o bishop_n be_v thereby_o distinct_o require_v to_o give_v notice_n to_o the_o dean_n appendix_n and_o chapter_n of_o his_o cathedral_n church_n and_o to_o the_o archdeacon_n and_o clergy_n of_o his_o diocese_n of_o the_o king_n pleasure_n to_o the_o end_n that_o they_o the_o say_v dean_n and_o archdeacon_n in_o their_o proper_a person_n their_o chapter_n by_o one_o and_o the_o clergy_n of_o every_o arch-deaconry_a by_o two_o proctor_n lawful_o choose_v and_o empower_v may_v together_o with_o the_o bishop_n attend_v upon_o the_o king_n in_o parliament_n and_o there_o consent_v to_o such_o thing_n as_o shall_v be_v agree_v upon_o for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n or_o state_n now_o this_o clause_n as_o it_o equal_o require_v the_o inferior_a clergy_n as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o writ_n do_v the_o bishop_n himself_o to_o come_v to_o parliament_n so_o have_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o be_v account_v so_o great_a that_o some_o have_v think_v this_o to_o be_v the_o reason_n 3._o why_o if_o the_o see_v be_v vacant_a the_o writ_n shall_v in_o such_o a_o case_n bedirect_v to_o the_o guardian_n of_o the_o spiritualty_n viz._n that_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o proxy_n of_o the_o clergy_n may_v by_o they_o be_v proemonish_v to_o come_v to_o the_o parliament_n according_a to_o their_o duty_n and_o as_o of_o ancient_a custom_n they_o have_v be_v require_v to_o do_v it_o must_v therefore_o be_v allow_v and_o according_o it_o be_v indeed_o confess_v by_o those_o who_o have_v be_v the_o best_a acquaint_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o constitution_n that_o the_o clergy_n be_v ancient_o a_o part_n of_o the_o parliament_n and_o that_o the_o dignitaries_n and_o proxy_n of_o the_o low_a order_n do_v together_o with_o the_o spiritual_a lord_n make_v up_o the_o three_o estate_n in_o it_o but_o now_o together_o with_o this_o parliamentary_a appendix_n writ_n send_v out_o to_o every_o bishop_n in_o particular_a there_o be_v another_o general_a order_n direct_v only_o to_o the_o archbishop_n of_o each_o province_n to_o call_v together_o the_o whole_a clergy_n of_o their_o several_a province_n to_o another_o place_n and_o usual_o upon_o another_o day_n the_o copy_n of_o this_o write_v the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n send_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o london_n as_o dean_n of_o the_o episcopal_a college_n and_o require_v he_o to_o summon_v the_o clergy_n of_o his_o province_n and_o to_o attend_v himself_o with_o the_o clergy_n of_o his_o own_o diocese_n according_a to_o the_o king_n command_n and_o this_o be_v more_o proper_o a_o provincial_a synod_n though_o at_o present_a it_o consist_v of_o the_o same_o person_n and_o be_v oftentimes_o heretofore_o employ_v to_o the_o same_o end_n that_o the_o clergy_n who_o come_v to_o the_o parliament_n be_v and_o consult_v at_o once_o both_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o how_o to_o supply_v the_o prince_n want_n and_o as_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o clergy_n at_o the_o present_a so_o if_o we_o 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prevail_v in_o which_o ecclesiastical_a person_n have_v not_o be_v by_o a_o kind_n of_o general_a consent_n admit_v to_o the_o management_n of_o civil_a affair_n and_o be_v advise_v with_o as_o well_o in_o matter_n relate_v to_o the_o state_n as_o in_o those_o which_o concern_v the_o church_n now_o as_o this_o first_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o great_a council_n of_o prince_n so_o be_v it_o the_o same_o opinion_n of_o their_o ability_n and_o integrity_n which_o first_o give_v original_a to_o that_o part_n they_o now_o have_v and_o ever_o do_v enjoy_v in_o the_o parliament_n of_o this_o nation_n for_o as_o our_o prince_n from_o the_o beginning_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v all_o thing_n of_o great_a moment_n with_o the_o advice_n of_o their_o great_a council_n so_o in_o all_o those_o council_n the_o clergy_n still_o have_v the_o chief_a place_n as_o in_o the_o progress_n of_o these_o remark_n i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n very_o plain_o to_o show_v nor_o be_v the_o laity_n any_o loser_n at_o all_o by_o this_o for_o the_o bishop_n and_o great_a clergyman_n be_v by_o these_o mean_n present_a at_o their_o council_n and_o the_o king_n by_o his_o very_a office_n have_v a_o original_n right_o to_o deliberate_v concern_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o state_n it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o these_o great_a council_n by_o degree_n transact_v both_o they_o deliberate_v as_o well_o of_o ecclesiastical_a as_o of_o civil_a affair_n and_o the_o cause_n that_o concern_v the_o church_n be_v no_o less_o determine_v by_o the_o judgement_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o laity_n than_o the_o civil_a one_o be_v by_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o clergy_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o advantage_n to_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o this_o whole_a subject_n to_o have_v a_o clear_a
knowledge_n of_o the_o method_n in_o which_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v transact_v in_o these_o most_o remote_a time_n upon_o which_o i_o be_o now_o enter_v and_o that_o the_o understanding_n of_o these_o will_v very_o much_o depend_v upon_o a_o right_a apprehension_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o those_o great_a council_n i_o shall_v have_v so_o much_o occasion_n to_o insist_v upon_o in_o this_o period_n i_o will_v endeavour_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o give_v the_o most_o distinct_a account_n i_o can_v of_o they_o and_o that_o from_o foreign_a historian_n as_o well_o as_o from_o those_o of_o our_o own_o country_n and_o here_o be_v the_o manner_n of_o hold_v 5._o parliament_n as_o true_o ancient_a as_o its_o preface_n pretend_v and_o as_o some_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o go_v on_o the_o 12._o more_o easy_o in_o our_o account_n of_o these_o council_n but_o because_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o make_v i_o just_o suspect_v the_o antiquity_n of_o that_o piece_n i_o must_v be_v force_v to_o look_v out_o for_o some_o other_o guide_n of_o a_o better_a note_n and_o of_o who_o sincerity_n there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n that_o there_o be_v all_o along_o in_o these_o day_n a_o very_a near_o affinity_n between_o the_o polity_n of_o france_n and_o that_o of_o our_o own_o country_n in_o its_o ecclesiastical_a as_o well_o as_o in_o its_o civil_a establishment_n may_v from_o many_o instance_n evident_o be_v make_v appear_v those_o northern_a nation_n who_o about_o 400_o year_n after_o christ_n begin_v to_o overrun_v the_o great_a part_n of_o europe_n be_v very_o much_o alike_o in_o their_o manner_n and_o constitution_n and_o the_o government_n which_o at_o the_o beginning_n they_o settle_v in_o those_o country_n in_o which_o they_o six_v though_o in_o some_o circumstance_n it_o may_v vary_v yet_o in_o the_o main_n be_v the_o same_o too_o now_o the_o parliament_n of_o france_n for_o so_o in_o aftertime_n the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o nation_n be_v call_v by_o they_o as_o well_o as_o with_o we_o be_v first_o bring_v into_o a_o settle_a order_n and_o method_n by_o pepin_n brother_n to_o carloman_n about_o the_o year_n 744_o in_o the_o very_a time_n we_o be_v noâ—_n discourse_v about_o and_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o he_o do_v it_o be_v this_o he_o call_v together_o 160._o his_o bishop_n and_o great_a lord_n to_o a_o council_n at_o soissons_fw-fr and_o there_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o both_o command_v the_o ancient_a canon_n to_o be_v observe_v and_o set_v out_o several_a new_a constitution_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o clergy_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o laity_n and_o to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o state_n of_o both_o may_v be_v keep_v in_o better_a order_n they_o far_o decree_v that_o from_o thenceforth_o such_o a_o synod_n shall_v be_v hold_v for_o the_o same_o purpose_n once_o every_o year_n and_o thus_o this_o affair_n stand_v for_o some_o time_n till_o about_o eleven_o year_n after_o be_v a_o little_a at_o leisure_n from_o those_o war_n which_o have_v almost_o continual_o exercise_v he_o he_o begin_v to_o put_v his_o kingdom_n into_o a_o better_a posture_n to_o which_o end_n have_v again_o call_v together_o almost_o all_o the_o bishop_n 170._o of_o france_n he_o resolve_v to_o have_v two_o meeting_n hold_v every_o year_n the_o first_o upon_o the_o kalend_n of_o march_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o king_n and_o at_o such_o place_n as_o he_o shall_v appoint_v the_o other_o upon_o the_o kalend_n of_o october_n at_o soissons_fw-fr or_o at_o such_o other_o place_n as_o the_o bishop_n at_o the_o former_a meeting_n shall_v agree_v and_o here_o begin_v a_o manifest_a difference_n 6._o to_o appear_v between_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n for_o at_o the_o former_a of_o 757._o these_o there_o meet_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n but_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o lay_v lord_n of_o the_o realm_n in_o that_o be_v law_n make_v both_o for_o the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a state_n and_o be_v frame_v by_o the_o council_n be_v examine_v and_o confirm_v by_o the_o king_n whereas_o at_o the_o latter_a there_o appear_v only_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n and_o these_o make_v no_o new_a constitution_n but_o only_o 24._o consult_v together_o about_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o need_n be_v prepare_v matter_n for_o the_o next_o state_n meet_v or_o else_o take_v care_n to_o order_v the_o reformation_n of_o man_n manner_n according_a to_o the_o law_n already_o make_v such_o be_v the_o polity_n which_o that_o king_n establish_v for_o the_o order_v both_o of_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n but_o now_o this_o settlement_n begin_v by_o pepin_n be_v very_o much_o improve_v by_o charles_n the_o great_a and_o because_o of_o this_o we_o have_v a_o very_a exact_a account_n give_v we_o by_o hincmarus_n etc._n out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o adalardus_n abbot_n of_o corbey_n and_o a_o near_a relation_n of_o charles_n himself_o it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o it_o in_o the_o first_o place_n than_o he_o appoint_v 7._o two_o assembly_n to_o be_v hold_v every_o year_n the_o one_o a_o general_n council_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n 239._o abbot_n and_o lord_n of_o the_o realm_n the_o other_o more_o select_a consist_v only_o of_o a_o certain_a number_n of_o the_o more_o age_a and_o honourable_a of_o all_o these_o such_o as_o the_o prince_n shall_v think_v sit_v to_o choose_v together_o with_o his_o principal_a minister_n of_o state_n who_o he_o also_o call_v to_o it_o in_o the_o general_n council_n all_o the_o public_a affair_n for_o the_o follow_a year_n be_v settle_v in_o the_o other_o be_v handle_v such_o incidental_a matter_n as_o not_o be_v foresee_v can_v not_o by_o consequence_n be_v provide_v for_o in_o that_o great_a assembly_n and_o yet_o be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v defer_v till_o that_o council_n shall_v meet_v again_o in_o both_o these_o council_n though_o chief_o in_o the_o general_n one_o law_n be_v make_v both_o for_o the_o church_n and_o realm_n the_o king_n propose_v to_o they_o what_o he_o will_v have_v they_o debate_v upon_o and_o have_v for_o three_o day_n consult_v together_o they_o lay_v the_o result_n of_o their_o debate_n before_o he_o and_o his_o choice_n and_o approbation_n determine_v the_o matter_n but_o that_o which_o i_o will_v chief_o observe_v 8._o in_o these_o council_n be_v this_o that_o as_o the_o cause_n which_o sell_v in_o to_o be_v handle_v by_o they_o be_v of_o a_o different_a kind_a so_o be_v they_o dispatch_v by_o they_o after_o a_o different_a manner_n if_o the_o matter_n to_o be_v deliberate_v upon_o be_v pure_o spiritual_a in_o that_o case_n the_o bishop_n and_o abbot_n go_v apart_o by_o themselves_o and_o debate_v upon_o it_o if_o it_o be_v whole_o civil_a or_o military_a the_o lord_n alone_o consult_v about_o it_o if_o it_o be_v of_o a_o mix_v nature_n as_o relate_v to_o the_o government_n or_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n then_o they_o both_o together_o treat_v of_o it_o but_o which_o soever_o it_o be_v still_o the_o king_n consider_v of_o their_o resolution_n and_o determine_v all_o as_o he_o see_v fit_a from_o this_o difference_n both_o of_o the_o matter_n debate_v in_o these_o assembly_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o deliberate_v upon_o they_o the_o same_o assembly_n be_v oftentimes_o call_v both_o a_o royal_a and_o synodical_a council_n thus_o sigebert_n style_v the_o council_n of_o trebur_n under_o the_o emperor_n conrade_n anno_fw-la 1031._o and_o thus_o may_v many_o of_o our_o ancient_a council_n be_v distinguish_v i_o shall_v mention_v only_o one_o in_o which_o a_o learned_a 529._o antiquary_n of_o our_o own_o country_n have_v make_v the_o same_o remark_n the_o famous_a synod_n of_o aenham_n at_o which_o not_o only_o the_o bishop_n and_o abbot_n but_o the_o lie_v nobility_n be_v present_a but_o yet_o the_o most_o part_n of_o what_o be_v do_v in_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o church_n and_o be_v conclude_v by_o the_o clergy_n alone_o who_o go_v apart_o from_o the_o other_o lord_n for_o that_o purpose_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o show_v that_o 9_o the_o same_o method_n of_o deliberation_n continue_v to_o be_v observe_v not_o only_o in_o our_o more_o ancient_a general_n council_n of_o this_o period_n but_o even_o after_o the_o reduction_n of_o our_o parliament_n to_o the_o form_n in_o which_o it_o now_o be_v but_o this_o will_v lead_v i_o too_o far_o away_o from_o those_o time_n i_o be_o now_o upon_o and_o i_o shall_v have_v a_o more_o proper_a occasion_n hereafter_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o method_n of_o transact_v public_a affair_n in_o france_n in_o
any_o pope_n but_o such_o as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n and_o particular_o that_o he_o will_v not_o endure_v any_o synod_n to_o be_v hold_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o england_n or_o any_o thing_n to_o be_v determine_v in_o any_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n without_o leave_n and_o authority_n first_o have_v from_o he_o to_o empower_v they_o so_o to_o do_v and_o the_o same_o be_v the_o resolution_n of_o his_o son_n after_o he_o and_o though_o be_v necessitate_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o civil_a interest_n to_o yield_v a_o little_a some_o of_o our_o follow_a prince_n do_v submit_v to_o the_o papal_a usurpation_n yet_o no_o soon_o be_v their_o government_n grow_v strong_a and_o their_o peace_n settle_v but_o both_o our_o king_n and_o our_o great_a man_n present_o begin_v to_o assert_v their_o freedom_n and_o to_o cast_v off_o those_o chain_n which_o the_o pope_n have_v watch_v his_o opportunity_n to_o put_v upon_o they_o so_o that_o now_o then_o to_o give_v a_o short_a account_n 25._o of_o the_o method_n of_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o period_n it_o be_v brief_o this_o in_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o realm_n and_o which_o though_o alter_v in_o some_o circumstance_n by_o the_o conqueror_n from_o what_o it_o be_v before_o yet_o still_o continue_v in_o the_o main_a the_o same_o as_o the_o bishop_n and_o most_o considerable_a of_o the_o abbot_n have_v a_o place_n so_o now_o as_o heretofore_o ecclesiastical_a as_o well_o as_o civil_a cause_n be_v handle_v by_o they_o and_o law_n pass_v for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n no_o less_o than_o of_o the_o state_n in_o the_o other_o and_o more_o select_a council_n of_o our_o king_n which_o in_o this_o period_n be_v hold_v sometime_o at_o the_o great_a feast_n and_o sometime_o at_o such_o other_o season_n as_o our_o prince_n think_v sit_v and_o to_o which_o they_o take_v such_o of_o their_o great_a man_n only_o both_o ecclesiastical_a and_o secular_a as_o 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in_o which_o any_o thing_n of_o great_a moment_n relate_v to_o the_o church_n have_v be_v conclude_v i_o have_v before_o observe_v how_o our_o conqueror_n prince_n very_o early_o begin_v with_o great_a solemnity_n to_o keep_v the_o three_o chief_a festival_n of_o the_o year_n and_o to_o be_v attend_v by_o their_o bishop_n and_o lord_n at_o they_o at_o one_o of_o these_o season_n present_o after_o he_o be_v settle_v in_o the_o government_n the_o conqueror_n command_v a_o synod_n to_o be_v hold_v and_o 1070._o make_v use_v of_o the_o pope_n au_o 〈…〉_z rity_n and_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o legate_n to_o strengthen_v what_o he_o have_v to_o do_v in_o it_o have_v thus_o assemble_v the_o bishop_n apart_o 968._o into_o a_o ecclesiastical_a council_n he_o proceed_v not_o only_o to_o deprive_v stigand_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n who_o in_o some_o measure_n deserve_v it_o but_o several_a other_o of_o the_o clergy_n for_o no_o other_o real_a reason_n but_o only_o that_o he_o do_v not_o love_v they_o or_o else_o want_v to_o have_v his_o norman_n in_o their_o place_n and_o have_v thus_o proceed_v as_o far_o as_o he_o think_v good_a in_o this_o council_n he_o stop_v still_o the_o next_o solemn_a festival_n and_o then_o in_o another_o synod_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n and_o assemble_v by_o the_o same_o authority_n he_o go_v on_o to_o far_a deprivation_n after_o the_o like_a manner_n as_o he_o have_v do_v before_o it_o be_v at_o a_o like_a meeting_n of_o his_o bishop_n 20._o and_o lord_n about_o two_o year_n after_o that_o resolve_v the_o great_a council_n into_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n he_o determine_v the_o primacy_n of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n over_o the_o archbishop_n of_o york_n and_o subscribe_v his_o name_n to_o the_o act_n of_o it_o what_o that_o synod_n be_v which_o lanfrank_n sometime_o after_o hold_v at_o westminster_n we_o be_v not_o tell_v this_o we_o be_v inform_v that_o it_o be_v call_v by_o the_o king_n command_n and_o that_o he_o be_v present_a at_o this_o as_o he_o have_v be_v at_o the_o other_o two_o whether_o this_o be_v the_o same_o council_n which_o we_o find_v record_v by_o malmsbury_n in_o the_o life_n of_o lanfranc_n or_o whether_o there_o be_v another_o assemble_v the_o same_o year_n i_o can_v tell_v but_o that_o a_o synod_n be_v hold_v about_o this_o time_n at_o london_n we_o be_v 10_o well_o assure_v in_o this_o many_o ancient_a canon_n be_v revive_v and_o the_o foundation_n lay_v for_o renew_v the_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n of_o the_o church_n and_o because_o this_o have_v not_o sufficient_o determine_v what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v the_o next_o year_n after_o he_o hold_v another_o at_o winchester_n etc._n in_o which_o several_a useful_a constitution_n be_v establish_v the_o head_n of_o which_o still_o remain_v to_o we_o these_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o those_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n that_o we_o be_v tell_v be_v assemble_v under_o k._n william_n the_o conqueror_n and_o the_o last_o of_o which_o however_o say_v to_o have_v be_v call_v by_o lanfranc_n who_o also_o preside_v in_o they_o yet_o still_o we_o must_v remember_v what_o we_o have_v before_o in_o general_a observe_v of_o this_o king_n that_o the_o 6._o archbishop_n call_v they_o by_o his_o command_n who_o also_o approve_v their_o act_n before_o he_o suffer_v they_o to_o have_v any_o authority_n in_o this_o realm_n for_o the_o far_a confirmation_n of_o which_o 27._o remark_n let_v we_o only_o cast_v our_o eye_n upon_o the_o conduct_n of_o this_o prince_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n in_o his_o own_o duchy_n of_o normandy_n and_o from_o thence_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a the_o more_o certain_o to_o judge_v what_o power_n he_o claim_v over_o his_o clergy_n in_o his_o new_a dominion_n and_o here_o we_o find_v that_o at_o whitsuntide_n anno_fw-la 1086_o he_o assemble_v his_o parliament_n at_o rouen_n the_o member_n who_o compose_v it_o be_v the_o same_o that_o in_o those_o day_n make_v up_o we_o there_o be_v present_a the_o archbishop_n bishop_n and_o abbot_n of_o his_o territory_n and_o with_o they_o the_o great_a lord_n of_o the_o laity_n be_v meet_v they_o 552._o make_v several_a law_n for_o the_o government_n both_o of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n and_o he_o be_v both_o present_a at_o their_o debate_n and_o by_o his_o authority_n confirm_v what_o have_v be_v agree_v on_o by_o they_o and_o when_o some_o time_n before_o the_o archbishop_n of_o rouen_n hold_v a_o provincial_a synod_n with_o his_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n pure_o to_o consult_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n and_o several_a canon_n be_v compile_v by_o they_o the_o act_n of_o it_o observe_v that_o the_o conqueror_n 311._o be_v himself_o both_o present_a at_o the_o make_n of_o they_o and_o that_o he_o afterward_o confirm_v they_o by_o his_o command_n such_o be_v the_o authority_n which_o this_o prince_n exercise_v over_o his_o synod_n as_o ii_o for_o his_o successor_n king_n william_n the_o second_o he_o be_v not_o at_o all_o less_o but_o rather_o be_v more_o stiff_a in_o assert_v his_o right_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n than_o ever_o his_o father_n have_v be_v insomuch_o that_o be_v on_o a_o time_n desire_v by_o anselm_n archbishop_n of_o 25._o canterbury_n to_o employ_v his_o authority_n to_o the_o restore_n of_o christianity_n almost_o utter_o deface_v in_o his_o realm_n he_o ask_v he_o what_o he_o will_v have_v he_o do_v command_v say_v anselm_n council_n to_o be_v renew_v according_a to_o ancient_a custom_n there_o let_v it_o be_v inquire_v what_o have_v be_v do_v a_o miss_n and_o let_v a_o seasonable_a provision_n be_v make_v for_o the_o remedy_n of_o it_o there_o have_v not_o be_v hold_v a_o general_a council_n of_o bishop_n since_o you_o come_v to_o the_o crown_n nor_o for_o some_o time_n before_o through_o this_o defect_n many_o
the_o authority_n of_o christian_a prince_n over_o their_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n assert_v with_o particular_a respect_n to_o the_o convocation_n of_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o realm_n and_o church_n of_o england_n occasion_v by_o a_o late_a pamphlet_n entitle_v a_o letter_n to_o a_o convocation_n man_n etc._n etc._n by_o william_n wake_v d._n d._n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o r._n sare_n at_o grays-inn-gate_n in_o holborn_n 1697._o to_o the_o most_o reverend_a father_n in_o god_n thomas_n by_o divine_a providence_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n primate_n of_o all_o england_n and_o metropolitan_a etc._n etc._n my_o lord_n that_o i_o presume_v to_o prefix_v your_o grace_n name_n to_o so_o rude_a and_o hasty_a a_o production_n it_o be_v not_o because_o i_o think_v the_o follow_a treatise_n deserve_v your_o acceptance_n but_o because_o i_o fear_v it_o may_v need_v your_o patronage_n to_o appear_v against_o a_o author_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o champion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o to_o stand_v up_o in_o defence_n of_o the_o long_o neglect_a right_n and_o privilege_n of_o its_o clergy_n have_v something_o in_o it_o so_o improper_a in_o any_o but_o especial_o so_o unbecoming_a a_o minister_n of_o that_o church_n that_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v requisite_a for_o i_o to_o take_v all_o the_o care_n i_o can_v to_o remove_v those_o prejudices_fw-la which_o this_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o raise_v in_o some_o against_o the_o very_a design_n of_o my_o discourse_n and_o i_o know_v no_o way_n more_o effectual_o to_o do_v this_o than_o by_o beg_a leave_n to_o inscribe_v what_o i_o have_v do_v to_o your_o grace_n who_o as_o by_o providence_n you_o be_v place_v in_o the_o first_o and_o high_a station_n in_o our_o church_n so_o have_v you_o upon_o all_o occasion_n no_o less_o eminent_o signalise_v yourself_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o it_o it_o will_v my_o lord_n look_v too_o much_o like_o vanity_n in_o i_o to_o say_v that_o i_o here_o publish_v nothing_o but_o what_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v before_o approve_v of_o by_o your_o grace_n it_o shall_v suffice_v i_o if_o i_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o declare_v thus_o much_o that_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o i_o go_v be_v such_o as_o in_o your_o grace_n judgement_n have_v nothing_o in_o they_o that_o be_v either_o contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n or_o otherwise_o injurious_a to_o the_o right_n and_o liberty_n of_o it_o who_o the_o person_n against_o who_o i_o write_v be_v i_o neither_o do_v know_v nor_o be_o at_o all_o solicitous_a to_o discover_v but_o as_o his_o principle_n seem_v but_o too_o much_o to_o look_v towards_o a_o party_n against_o which_o the_o church_n of_o england_n ever_o have_v and_o i_o be_o persuade_v will_v always_o be_v ready_a vigorous_o to_o oppose_v herself_o so_o the_o disaffection_n which_o appear_v in_o the_o whole_a process_n of_o his_o discourse_n to_o the_o present_a establishment_n sufficient_o show_v that_o he_o have_v some_o far_a design_n in_o the_o publish_n of_o it_o than_o bare_o to_o assert_v the_o right_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o convocation_n but_o of_o this_o let_v every_o one_o judge_n as_o he_o see_v cause_n my_o business_n be_v with_o his_o book_n not_o with_o his_o person_n or_o design_n in_o my_o reply_n to_o which_o as_o i_o have_v endeavour_v according_a to_o my_o ability_n to_o defend_v the_o cause_n both_o of_o the_o king_n and_o church_n so_o for_o the_o argument_n sake_n if_o for_o nothing_o else_o i_o think_v i_o may_v presume_v to_o commend_v the_o protection_n of_o it_o to_o your_o grace_n who_o have_v so_o great_a a_o zeal_n for_o both_o and_o will_v therefore_o i_o hope_v be_v the_o rather_o dispose_v to_o favour_v this_o honest_a though_o but_o imperfect_a performance_n of_o he_o who_o with_o all_o possible_a duty_n and_o respect_n shall_v ever_o remain_v my_o lord_n your_o grace_n most_o humble_a and_o obedient_a servant_n william_n wake_v errata_fw-la preface_n page_n iii._o line_n 23._o read_v of_o divine_a p._n vi_fw-la l._n 17._o r._n fell_a book_n p._n 7._o l._n â—4_n r._n yet_o p._n 24._o marg_n l._n 8._o r._n masticon_fw-la p._n 49._o l._n 13._o r._n ariminum_n p._n 81._o l._n 20._o r._n how_o far_o p._n 91._o l._n 12._o r._n of_o their_o p._n 92._o marg_n l._n 10_o r._n placeâ—it_n ibid._n l._n 16._o r._n define_v p._n 95._o l._n 8._o r._n country_n p._n 99_o l._n 5._o r._n convocation_n p._n 101._o l._n 24._o add_v consent_n p._n 109._o l._n 14._o r._n canon_n p._n 175._o l._n 11._o r._n gervilio_n p._n 203._o marg_n l._n 9_o r._n 271_o l._n 15._o r._n 502_o p._n 237._o l._n ult_n r._n two_o p._n 270._o l._n 22._o r._n than_o p._n 293._o l._n 27._o to_o r._n for_o p._n 311._o l._n 5._o r._n these_o p._n 376._o l._n 20._o r._n annihilate_v the_o preface_n i_o be_o so_o well_o assure_v that_o i_o have_v assert_v nothing_o in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o make_v the_o least_o apology_n for_o declare_v myself_o against_o a_o author_n who_o notion_n neither_o our_o own_o nor_o any_o other_o reform_a church_n that_o i_o know_v of_o have_v ever_o approve_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o expect_v that_o any_o christian_a prince_n shall_v be_v content_a to_o allow_v of_o they_o how_o this_o gentleman_n come_v to_o be_v engage_v to_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o suppose_a right_n of_o our_o convocation_n i_o can_v tell_v but_o sure_o i_o be_o he_o have_v do_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v not_o much_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o will_v i_o suppose_v at_o all_o encourage_v any_o one_o to_o stand_v up_o in_o defence_n of_o he_o that_o his_o main_a assertion_n be_v new_a and_o paradoxical_a contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o law_n and_o repugnant_a to_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o our_o convocation_n ever_o since_o the_o time_n of_o henry_n viii_o be_v certain_a nor_o do_v he_o himself_o deny_v it_o 40_o one_o will_v therefore_o have_v hope_v that_o his_o argument_n shall_v have_v bear_v some_o proportion_n to_o his_o allegation_n and_o that_o there_o shall_v have_v be_v at_o least_o as_o much_o weight_n in_o the_o one_o as_o there_o be_v assurance_n in_o the_o other_o but_o when_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v they_o i_o find_v there_o be_v nothing_o formidable_a in_o this_o author_n but_o his_o confidence_n and_o that_o like_o some_o empty_a spectre_n his_o power_n be_v only_o to_o fright_v such_o as_o have_v not_o the_o resolution_n to_o speak_v to_o he_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v ask_v how_o i_o come_v to_o oppose_v so_o large_a a_o answer_n to_o a_o letter_n so_o little_a in_o bulk_n and_o so_o much_o yet_o less_o in_o weight_n and_o substance_n he_o may_v please_v to_o know_v that_o the_o much_o great_a as_o well_o as_o most_o useful_a part_n of_o the_o follow_a book_n have_v no_o concern_n at_o all_o with_o it_o but_o be_v only_o write_v upon_o occasion_n of_o it_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o lay_v hold_n on_o the_o opportunity_n which_o this_o author_n have_v give_v i_o to_o search_v as_o far_o as_o my_o leisure_n will_v permit_v into_o this_o subject_a and_o have_v so_o do_v i_o be_v no_o less_o willing_a to_o communicate_v what_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o to_o the_o world_n not_o know_v but_o that_o some_o other_o may_v receive_v as_o much_o satisfaction_n from_o these_o researche_n as_o i_o be_v sensible_a i_o myself_o have_v do_v it_o have_v be_v complain_v of_o by_o this_o gentleman_n 28_o as_o no_o small_a neglect_n in_o those_o of_o our_o profession_n that_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n but_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o right_n and_o power_n of_o a_o english_a convocation_n and_o indeed_o a_o subject_a it_o be_v that_o have_v but_o very_o little_o be_v search_v out_o by_o they_o or_o examine_v by_o any_o other_o of_o our_o antiquary_n for_o them_o i_o may_v presume_v to_o say_v i_o have_v here_o publish_v more_o than_o i_o have_v ever_o yet_o meet_v with_o in_o any_o one_o piece_n upon_o this_o argument_n but_o yet_o when_o that_o be_v say_v i_o be_o not_o so_o carry_v away_o with_o a_o undue_a opinion_n of_o my_o own_o performance_n as_o not_o to_o know_v that_o what_o be_v here_o publish_v be_v at_o most_o but_o a_o imperfect_a essay_n and_o like_o the_o first_o line_n of_o a_o draught_n show_v rather_o what_o i_o design_v than_o what_o i_o have_v be_v able_a in_o any_o tolerable_a manner_n to_o finish_v i_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o next_o to_o the_o knowledge_n in_o divine_a thing_n there_o be_v nothing_o i_o shall_v rather_o
synod_n of_o this_o kind_n during_o this_o period_n §_o 14._o etc._n etc._n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n of_o most_o note_n that_o be_v transact_v in_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o same_o period_n §_o 18._o etc._n etc._n ii_o period_n from_o the_o come_n in_o of_o k._n william_n i._o to_o the_o 23d_o of_o k._n edward_n i._n the_o papal_a power_n begin_v about_o this_o time_n to_o prevail_v over_o the_o prince_n authority_n §_o 21._o by_o what_o degree_n it_o do_v so_o §_o 22_o etc._n etc._n william_n the_o conqueror_n stand_v out_o against_o its_o encroachment_n and_o continue_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o same_o state_n they_o be_v in_o before_o §_o 24._o so_o do_v his_o son_n after_o he_o §_o 25._o what_o that_o state_n be_v ibid._n a_o historical_a account_n of_o the_o chief_a ecclesiastical_a synod_n under_o king_n willam_n i._o §_o 26_o 27._o king_n william_n ii_o §_o 28._o king_n henry_n i._o §_o 29._o how_o the_o pope_n now_o begin_v to_o send_v his_o legate_n hither_o and_o by_o that_o mean_v encroach_v upon_o the_o king_n prerogative_n in_o the_o business_n before_o we_o §_o 30._o how_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n give_v the_o next_o shock_n to_o it_o §_o 31._o of_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n under_o k._n stephen_n §_o 31._o k._n henry_n ii_o §_o 32._o k._n richard_n i._o §_o 33._o k._n john_n §_o 34._o k._n henry_n iii_o §_o 35._o k._n edward_n i._o §_o 36._o how_o far_o our_o king_n during_o this_o period_n continue_v to_o transact_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n in_o their_o great_a council_n §_o 37_o iii_o period_n from_o the_o 23d_o of_o king_n edward_n i_o to_o the_o 25_o of_o king_n henry_n viii_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o civil_a government_n about_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o period_n particular_o of_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o nation_n §_o 43._o of_o the_o change_n which_o some_o suppose_v be_v about_o this_o time_n make_v in_o it_o §_o 44_o 45_o that_o the_o same_o change_n be_v make_v in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a which_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v make_v in_o the_o civil_a part_n of_o it_o §_o 46._o what_o place_n from_o thenceforth_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n have_v in_o it_o show_v from_o the_o parliament_n write_v §_o 47._o from_o the_o parliament_n roll_n §_o 48._o how_o our_o great_a council_n meet_v and_o act_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o establishment_n §_o 49._o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o convocation_n as_o it_o be_v a_o provincial_a synod_n about_o this_o time_n show_v from_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n write_v §_o 50_o 51._o how_o the_o convocation_n come_v to_o bè_v summon_v at_o or_o about_o the_o same_o time_n with_o the_o parliament_n §_o 51._o whether_o one_o may_v not_o be_v hold_v without_o the_o other_o §_o 52._o by_o who_o the_o convocation_n in_o these_o time_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v call_v §_o 53._o of_o the_o chief_a convocation_n hold_v under_o k._n edw._n i._o §_o 54._o k._n edw._n ii_o §_o 55._o k._n edw._n iii_o §_o 56._o of_o the_o opposition_n which_o begin_v about_o this_o time_n to_o be_v make_v to_o the_o pope_n usurpation_n ibid._n of_o the_o convocation_n under_o our_o follow_a king_n to_o the_o time_n of_o king_n henry_n viii_o §_o 58_o ad_fw-la 61._o period_n iu._n from_o the_o 25_o of_o k._n henry_n viii_o to_o our_o own_o time_n a_o historical_a account_n of_o the_o statute_n 25._o hen._n viii_o cap._n 19_o §_o 62_o 63_o 64._o of_o the_o dependence_n which_o the_o convocation_n have_v upon_o the_o parliament_n §_o 65._o whether_o the_o convocation_n as_o it_o now_o stand_v be_v any_o part_n of_o the_o parliament_n §_o 66._o of_o select_a committee_n and_o the_o great_a use_n that_o have_v be_v make_v of_o they_o under_o this_o period_n §_o 67._o the_o several_a way_n of_o transact_v ecclesiastical_a affair_n at_o this_o day_n consider_v in_o five_o particular_n §_o 68_o it_o be_v at_o the_o prince_n choice_n by_o which_o of_o these_o he_o will_v from_o time_n to_o time_n transact_v they_o §_o 69_o 70._o chap._n v._n the_o opinion_n advance_v in_o the_o late_a letter_n to_o a_o convocation_n man_n state_v and_o the_o argument_n examine_v by_o which_o the_o author_n of_o it_o pretend_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o the_o convocation_n have_v a_o right_a to_o meet_v whenever_o the_o parliament_n do_v and_o 2._o that_o be_v meet_v it_o have_v also_o a_o right_n to_o act_n without_o any_o licence_n from_o the_o king_n to_o empower_v it_o so_o to_o do_v the_o subject_a of_o this_o chapter_n propose_v §_o 1._o and_o the_o question_n in_o debate_n state_v from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o letter_n here_o to_o be_v examine_v §_o 2._o whether_o the_o church_n have_v any_o original_a inherent_a right_n of_o its_o own_o to_o assemble_v synod_n §_o 3._o the_o first_o question_n bring_v to_o its_o true_a state_n §_o 4._o the_o second_o question_n in_o like_a manner_n reduce_v to_o its_o true_a bound_n §_o 5._o i._o question_n §_o 6._o that_o the_o convocation_n have_v a_o right_a to_o sit_v as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n meet_v do_v not_o follow_v 1._o from_o any_o suppose_a parallel_n between_o they_o §_o 7._o which_o be_v examine_v and_o answer_v ib._n that_o there_o be_v more_o need_n of_o frequent_a parliament_n than_o of_o frequent_a convocation_n §_o 8._o 2._o nor_o from_o the_o 8_o hen._n vi_o §_o 9_o 3._o nor_o from_o its_o power_n to_o judge_v in_o matter_n of_o heresy_n §_o 10._o 4._o nor_o from_o the_o bishop_n parliament_n write_v §_o 11._o the_o objection_n of_o the_o archbishops_n be_v prohibit_v by_o the_o king_n justice_n to_o hold_v a_o synod_n by_o his_o own_o authority_n neither_o well_o relate_v nor_o to_o the_o purpose_n §_o 12._o 5._o nor_o from_o the_o description_n of_o a_o convocation_n in_o the_o law_n dictionary_n §_o 13_o ii_o question_n §_o 14._o that_o the_o convocation_n be_v meet_v may_v proceed_v to_o act_n without_o the_o king_n licence_n not_o prove_v 1._o from_o any_o thing_n unreasonable_a that_o will_v follow_v if_o it_o may_v not_o §_o 15._o 2._o nor_o from_o any_o suppose_a right_n which_o they_o have_v to_o the_o king_n licence_n if_o it_o be_v needful_a §_o 16._o 3._o nor_o from_o the_o parallel_n again_o urge_v between_o the_o convocation_n and_o the_o parliament_n §_o 17._o 4._o nor_o from_o the_o prohibition_n ancient_o send_v by_o the_o king_n to_o it_o §_o 18._o 5._o the_o stature_n 25._o hen._n viii_o vindicated_n from_o the_o new_a interpretation_n give_v of_o it_o by_o this_o author_n §_o 19_o 20._o the_o king_n be_v right_a to_o send_v commissioner_n to_o sit_v in_o convocation_n nothing_o to_o his_o advantage_n §_o 21._o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o convocation_n in_o point_n of_o judicature_n §_o 23._o the_o case_n between_o dr._n standish_n and_o the_o convocation_n relate_v as_o it_o stand_v in_o our_o ancient_a law_n book_n §_o 24._o chap._n vi_o some_o rule_n lay_v down_o by_o which_o to_o judge_v for_o what_o cause_n and_o at_o what_o time_n synod_n ought_v or_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v assemble_v and_o the_o allegation_n bring_v to_o prove_v a_o convocation_n to_o be_v at_o this_o time_n necessary_a to_o be_v hold_v examine_v by_o them_o it_o be_v confess_v that_o the_o king_n ought_v to_o suffer_v the_o convocation_n to_o sit_v when_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v real_o require_v it_o §_o 1_o the_o author_n position_n lay_v down_o and_o the_o method_n propose_v for_o the_o examine_v of_o it_o §_o 2._o i._o that_o synod_n be_v oftentimes_o useless_a and_o even_o hurtful_a to_o the_o church_n §_o 3._o the_o end_n for_o which_o synod_n ought_v to_o be_v call_v best_a show_n when_o it_o be_v fit_v to_o call_v they_o §_o 4._o the_o general_a measure_n from_o whence_o to_o judge_n of_o this_o from_o thence_o state_v §_o 5._o from_o those_o general_n measure_v the_o follow_v particular_a rule_n deduce_v 1._o synod_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v to_o determine_v plain_a and_o clear_a matter_n §_o 6._o 2._o nor_o for_o such_o as_o have_v by_o a_o equal_a or_o perhaps_o great_a authority_n be_v already_o determine_v §_o 7._o 3._o nor_o to_o do_v that_o which_o may_v be_v do_v by_o more_o easy_n and_o ordinary_a method_n §_o 8._o 4._o nor_o when_o there_o be_v no_o probable_a expectation_n of_o any_o good_a to_o come_v from_o their_o meeting_n §_o 9_o 5._o nor_o in_o unquiet_a and_o unsettled_a time_n §_o 10._o ii_o what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o letter_n etc._n etc._n have_v offer_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a a_o convocation_n shall_v now_o meet_v §_o 11._o it_o be_v confess_v that_o we_o stand_v in_o great_a need_n of_o a_o reformation_n but_o it_o do_v not_o thence_o follow_v that_o we_o
need_v a_o convocation_n §_o 12._o 1._o a_o convocation_n not_o necessary_a to_o condemn_v sceptic_n or_o deist_n §_o 13._o 2._o nor_o to_o censure_v socinian_n §_o 14._o 3._o nor_o against_o those_o who_o plead_v for_o a_o general_n toleration_n §_o 15._o 4._o nor_o to_o call_v some_o particular_a person_n to_o account_v §_o 16._o 5._o nor_o to_o prevent_v these_o thing_n from_o corrupt_v the_o manner_n of_o men._n §_o 17._o the_o far_a pretence_n of_o this_o author_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n consider_v and_o answer_v viz._n 1._o that_o the_o bishop_n can_v reform_v those_o abuse_n §_o 18._o the_o authority_n of_o christian_a prince_n assert_v etc._n etc._n chap._n i._n the_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n with_o a_o short_a account_n of_o the_o method_n that_o be_v propose_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o it_o though_o it_o be_v not_o very_o material_a in_o 1._o what_o order_n we_o examine_v the_o question_n here_o propose_v nor_o shall_v i_o therefore_o pass_v any_o ensure_v upon_o the_o method_n which_o our_o author_n have_v take_v in_o handle_v of_o they_o yet_o because_o i_o think_v the_o matter_n of_o right_n in_o this_o case_n be_v of_o much_o great_a concern_v in_o itself_o than_o that_o of_o expedience_n and_o the_o proof_n of_o which_o if_o it_o stand_v good_a will_v supersede_n the_o necessity_n of_o look_v any_o far_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o begin_v with_o that_o point_n which_o howsoever_o it_o be_v resolve_v will_v go_v a_o great_a way_n towards_o a_o determination_n of_o this_o whole_a controversy_n for_o if_o the_o convocation_n have_v a_o legal_a right_o to_o sit_v and_o act_n independent_a upon_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o if_o to_o deny_v they_o so_o to_o do_v as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n be_v assemble_v be_v to_o violate_v that_o right_n which_o by_o virtue_n of_o our_o constitution_n they_o ought_v to_o enjoy_v as_o this_o author_n doubt_v not_o to_o affirm_v then_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o present_a occasion_n for_o their_o sit_v as_o he_o pretend_v or_o no_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o clergy_n have_v have_v wrong_a enough_o already_o do_v they_o and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v encroach_v upon_o by_o any_o far_a adjournment_n on_o the_o contrary_a if_o the_o meeting_n and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o grace_n and_o pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n so_o that_o they_o can_v neither_o assemble_v nor_o consult_v without_o his_o permiss_a 〈…〉_z nor_o be_v he_o any_o far_o oblige_v to_o 〈◊〉_d of_o either_o than_o he_o be_v persuade_v 〈◊〉_d meeting_n and_o act_v will_v be_v for_o the_o 〈◊〉_d benefit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n then_o it_o must_v follow_v that_o in_o pretend_v to_o judge_n of_o these_o matter_n our_o convocation-man_n and_o his_o friend_n have_v meddle_v with_o that_o which_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o they_o and_o that_o in_o vain_a do_v they_o insist_v upon_o what_o seem_v agreeable_a to_o their_o apprehension_n whilst_o they_o can_v tell_v but_o that_o his_o majesty_n may_v have_v as_o good_a or_o better_a reason_n against_o their_o sit_v under_o the_o present_a circumstance_n of_o affair_n as_o they_o can_v imagine_v they_o have_v offer_v for_o it_o indeed_o if_o our_o author_n be_v at_o this_o time_n 2._o a_o member_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o as_o in_o one_o passage_n of_o his_o book_n he_o seem_v to_o intimate_v 28_o that_o he_o be_v and_o if_o his_o concern_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o 22._o church_n be_v so_o great_a as_o he_o will_v have_v we_o think_v it_o to_o be_v i_o can_v but_o wonder_v why_o he_o have_v so_o long_o suffer_v that_o honourable_a house_n to_o neglect_v this_o matter_n so_o far_o as_o never_o once_o to_o enter_v upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o it_o he_o know_v the_o commons_o have_v a_o stand_a committee_n for_o religion_n and_o he_o seem_v to_o lay_v it_o to_o their_o charge_n that_o notwithstanding_o this_o nothing_o have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v do_v by_o they_o since_o the_o revolution_n in_o favour_n of_o it_o but_o why_o then_o do_v not_o our_o zealous_a advocate_n choose_v rather_o to_o represent_v the_o injury_n that_o be_v do_v our_o church_n and_o the_o invasion_n that_o have_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o very_a fundamental_a frame_n of_o our_o constitution_n to_o those_o worthy_a gentleman_n and_o at_o such_o a_o committee_n where_o he_o have_v a_o right_a to_o speak_v and_o where_o this_o point_n will_v have_v be_v proper_o debate_v than_o to_o creep_v out_o into_o the_o world_n under_o the_o disguise_n of_o a_o nameless_a author_n and_o expose_v both_o himself_o and_o his_o cause_n to_o those_o censure_n which_o by_o this_o mean_n be_v so_o just_o pass_v upon_o both_o we_o can_v suppose_v that_o he_o decline_v this_o out_o of_o any_o distrust_n of_o the_o argument_n he_o have_v to_o allege_v to_o make_v good_a his_o pretension_n in_o favour_n of_o the_o convocation_n no_o we_o find_v he_o be_v so_o confident_a of_o their_o clearness_n that_o he_o assert_v it_o again_o and_o again_o with_o much_o assurance_n that_o to_o sit_v and_o act_n be_v their_o right_n and_o that_o the_o king_n can_v hinder_v they_o from_o do_v both_o without_o violate_v our_o constitution_n as_o well_o as_o injure_v the_o convocation_n and_o for_o his_o opinion_n of_o the_o readiness_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o to_o do_v we_o justice_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v need_v only_o to_o repeat_v his_o own_o word_n to_o show_v that_o he_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o except_o against_o that_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n say_v he_o that_o they_o be_v concern_v 16_o to_o maintain_v the_o right_n and_o privilege_n of_o their_o own_o body_n they_o will_v be_v careful_a not_o to_o invade_v those_o of_o another_o they_o be_v wise_a enough_o to_o know_v that_o the_o preserve_v the_o constitution_n as_o it_o be_v be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o preserve_v their_o true_a and_o real_a interest_n and_o that_o the_o constitution_n can_v no_o otherwise_o be_v uphold_v than_o by_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o be_v preserve_v in_o their_o just_a right_n and_o power_n allow_v to_o act_n in_o their_o proper_a sphere_n and_o circumscribe_v within_o they_o this_o i_o say_v they_o be_v wise_a enough_o to_o know_v and_o withal_o just_a enough_o to_o own_o that_o a_o convocation_n be_v as_o much_o a_o part_n of_o the_o constitution_n as_o a_o parliament_n itself_o but_o our_o author_n have_v take_v his_o own_o 3._o way_n and_o i_o must_v either_o follow_v he_o in_o it_o or_o must_v leave_v one_o great_a part_n of_o his_o letter_n unanswered_a and_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a but_o that_o in_o do_v this_o some_o may_v be_v so_o far_o bias_v in_o his_o favour_n as_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v unanswerable_a and_o though_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o in_o pursue_v of_o these_o consideration_n i_o shall_v meddle_v with_o such_o matter_n as_o do_v not_o at_o all_o belong_v to_o a_o private_a debate_n yet_o since_o other_o have_v have_v the_o boldness_n to_o arraign_v the_o government_n for_o not_o suffer_v the_o convocation_n to_o meet_v and_o to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o both_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n be_v concern_v in_o it_o and_o can_v be_v preserve_v without_o it_o i_o hope_v i_o may_v take_v the_o liberty_n to_o examine_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o so_o invidious_a a_o suggestion_n and_o have_v as_o much_o right_o to_o transgress_v in_o behalf_n of_o authority_n as_o this_o gentleman_n have_v take_v to_o offend_v against_o it_o and_o the_o method_n that_o i_o shall_v choose_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o subject_n shall_v be_v this_o first_o i_o will_v inquire_v as_o to_o the_o matter_n 21._o of_o right_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n that_o command_v or_o permit_v the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n beside_o the_o absolute_a free_a pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o if_o there_o be_v what_o that_o law_n be_v and_o how_o far_o the_o prince_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o which_o be_v settle_v i_o will_v second_o consider_v what_o occasion_n there_o be_v at_o present_a for_o a_o convocation_n 2._o and_o whether_o the_o necessity_n of_o its_o meeting_n and_o act_v be_v so_o great_a and_o the_o delay_n of_o it_o so_o dangerous_a as_o our_o author_n pretend_v it_o to_o be_v as_o for_o his_o three_o question_n which_o respect_v the_o validity_n of_o the_o act_n of_o a_o convocation_n any_o far_a than_o they_o be_v confirm_v and_o approve_v of_o by_o parliament_n that_o be_v not_o much_o insist_v upon_o by_o our_o author_n and_o what_o be_v needful_a to_o be_v say_v to_o it_o will_v incidental_o fall_v in_o in_o the_o prosecution_n
of_o the_o other_o two_n but_o though_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o general_n method_n which_o i_o shall_v observe_v yet_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o the_o former_a of_o these_o question_n i_o must_v take_v a_o much_o large_a compass_n than_o our_o author_n design_n lead_v he_o to_o do_v and_o to_o the_o end_n i_o may_v not_o bare_o answer_v his_o allegation_n but_o may_v also_o give_v some_o tolerable_a account_n of_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o right_n of_o our_o convocation_n which_o for_o all_o this_o gentleman_n have_v yet_o do_v may_v still_o continue_v to_o be_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o 20._o those_o of_o a_o jewish_a sanhedrim_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o examine_v this_o matter_n to_o the_o bottom_n as_o far_o as_o my_o skill_n will_v enable_v and_o my_o leisure_n permit_v i_o to_o do_v it_o for_o 27._o as_o our_o author_n have_v right_o observe_v that_o a_o exact_a and_o full_a account_n of_o this_o matter_n can_v be_v give_v but_o by_o one_o who_o have_v great_a skill_n in_o our_o english_a law_n and_o antiquity_n i_o may_v add_v and_o in_o the_o law_n and_o antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n too_o which_o diet_n must_v be_v competent_o understand_v oâ—_n this_o subject_n can_v never_o be_v thorough_o handle_v so_o must_v i_o free_o profess_v that_o neither_o will_v my_o other_o affair_n allow_v i_o to_o be_v very_o exact_a nor_o do_v my_o profession_n as_o a_o divine_a entitle_v i_o to_o so_o much_o skill_n as_o i_o be_o sensible_a be_v requisite_a to_o the_o perfect_a of_o such_o a_o undertake_n but_o however_o i_o will_v candid_o offer_v what_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o and_o where_o i_o chance_v to_o be_v mistake_v especial_o in_o matter_n of_o law_n which_o lie_v out_o of_o my_o way_n i_o hope_v those_o who_o be_v more_o learned_a will_v make_v a_o reasonable_a allowance_n for_o my_o error_n chap._n ii_o the_o first_o general_n point_v propose_v and_o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o handle_n of_o it_o in_o pursuance_n whereof_o a_o general_n enquiry_n be_v first_o make_v into_o that_o power_n which_o christian_n prince_n have_v always_o be_v allow_v to_o exercise_v over_o their_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o call_v of_o they_o to_o the_o manage_n of_o they_o when_o sit_v and_o to_o the_o confirm_v or_o annul_v their_o act_n after_o ward_n to_o come_v then_o without_o any_o more_o 1._o ado_n to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n the_o first_o and_o main_a thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v this_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n that_o command_v or_o permit_v the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n beside_o the_o absolute_a free_a pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o if_o there_o be_v what_o that_o law_n be_v and_o how_o far_o the_o prince_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n and_o i_o shall_v treat_v of_o it_o in_o this_o follow_a method_n i._o i_o will_v inquire_v what_o power_n christian_a prince_n in_o general_a have_v claim_v over_o such_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o their_o assemble_v and_o act_v and_o to_o the_o give_a force_n and_o authority_n to_o what_o be_v do_v by_o they_o ii_o i_o will_v consider_v whether_o our_o king_n have_v not_o the_o same_o authority_n over_o our_o convocation_n that_o all_o other_o christian_a prince_n have_v claim_v over_o their_o synod_n and_o iii_o upon_o this_o foundation_n i_o will_v examine_v what_o this_o author_n have_v allege_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o offer_v what_o i_o conceive_v may_v fair_o be_v reply_v to_o it_o and_o i._o let_v we_o inquire_v what_o power_n christian_a prince_n in_o general_a have_v claim_v over_o their_o synod_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o their_o meeting_n and_o act_v first_o and_o to_o the_o give_a force_n and_o authority_n to_o what_o be_v do_v by_o they_o that_o christian_a prince_n have_v a_o right_n 2._o not_o only_o to_o exercise_v authority_n over_o ecclesiastical_a person_n but_o to_o interpose_v in_o the_o order_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n too_o neither_o our_o own_o article_n and_o canon_n nor_o 2._o the_o consent_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n ever_o since_o the_o empire_n become_v christian_n will_v suffer_v we_o to_o doubt_v there_o be_v no_o one_o so_o great_a a_o stranger_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o not_o to_o know_v what_o authority_n the_o jewish_a prince_n under_o the_o law_n pretend_v to_o as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o far_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n follow_v their_o example_n be_v other_o author_n silent_a yet_o that_o one_o assertion_n of_o socrates_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v ignorant_a where_o he_o affirm_v that_o ever_o since_o they_o become_v c._n christian_n the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n have_v depend_v upon_o they_o and_o the_o great_a synod_n be_v assemble_v by_o their_o order_n and_o still_o say_v he_o continue_v to_o be_v assemble_v it_o be_v a_o famous_a say_v of_o constantine_n the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n to_o his_o bishop_n that_o they_o indeed_o be_v bishop_n in_o thing_n 24._o within_o the_o church_n but_o that_o he_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o be_v bishop_n as_o to_o those_o without_o and_o how_o far_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n continue_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o well_o order_v and_o govern_v of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v one_o great_a part_n of_o that_o duty_n which_o god_n expect_v from_o they_o the_o epistle_n of_o theodosius_n and_o valentinian_n to_o to_o st._n cyril_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o metropolitan_o 35._o who_o they_o summon_v to_o meet_v in_o the_o general_n council_n of_o ephesus_n abundant_o show_v let_v we_o look_v into_o the_o several_a collection_n of_o the_o roman_a law_n etc._n the_o code_n of_o theodosius_n 5._o the_o code_n and_o etc._n novel_n of_o justinian_n the_o yet_o late_a 5._o collection_n of_o basilius_n leo_n and_o constantine_n that_o follow_v after_o how_o many_o constitution_n shall_v we_o find_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o relate_n to_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o election_n and_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n and_o priest_n to_o the_o life_n office_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o the_o erection_n and_o liberty_n of_o church_n to_o the_o service_n of_o they_o nay_o and_o even_o to_o the_o very_a faith_n which_o be_v to_o be_v teach_v and_o profess_v in_o they_o and_o when_o the_o empire_n begin_v to_o be_v parcele_v out_o into_o several_a lesser_a state_n and_o kingdom_n we_o find_v their_o several_a prince_n still_o maintain_v the_o same_o authority_n as_o to_o all_o these_o thing_n that_o the_o emperor_n have_v do_v before_o as_o from_o the_o capitulary_n of_o the_o french_a and_o german_a prince_n the_o collection_n of_o the_o spanish_a council_n our_o own_o etc._n ancient_a law_n and_o the_o history_n which_o remain_v of_o the_o several_a other_o country_n do_v evident_o appear_v but_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o prince_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n and_o over_o ecclesiastical_a 3._o person_n in_o general_a there_o be_v no_o doubt_n nor_o shall_v there_o one_o will_v think_v be_v any_o more_o whether_o one_o great_a part_n of_o their_o authority_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n have_v not_o always_o be_v account_v to_o consist_v in_o the_o power_n to_o convenâ—_n synod_n and_o to_o order_v whatsoever_o relate_v both_o to_o the_o assemble_v and_o act_v of_o they_o and_o for_o the_o better_a proof_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v now_o distinct_o consider_v what_o their_o power_n be_v with_o respect_n 1_o to_o the_o call_n of_o such_o synod_n or_o convocation_n 2_o to_o the_o direct_n of_o their_o proceed_n when_o they_o be_v assemble_v and_o 3_o to_o the_o approve_v and_o confirm_v their_o constitution_n afterward_o and_o 1_o let_v we_o consider_v what_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v as_o to_o the_o convening_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n and_o convocation_n it_o have_v ever_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o one_o 4._o great_a part_n of_o the_o prince_n prerogative_n that_o no_o society_n shall_v be_v incorporate_v nor_o any_o company_n be_v allow_v to_o meet_v together_o without_o his_o knowledge_n and_o permission_n the_o roman_a law_n be_v especial_o very_o severe_a as_o to_o this_o particular_a and_o though_o after_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o emperor_n 1._o to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n a_o provision_n be_v make_v for_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n for_o divine_a service_n yet_o before_o that_o tertullian_n who_o understand_v these_o 13._o matter_n as_o well_o as_o any_o one_o of_o his_o time_n though_o he_o excuse_v their_o meeting_n upon_o all_o other_o account_n can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o they_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o
this_o law_n and_o that_o have_v not_o the_o prince_n leave_n to_o meet_v together_o they_o be_v in_o 3._o the_o construction_n of_o the_o law_n guilty_a of_o meet_v against_o it_o now_o a_o synod_n be_v no_o ordinary_a or_o siaâ—ed_v convention_n but_o which_o be_v assemble_v only_o upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n when_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n require_v the_o meeting_n of_o it_o as_o there_o be_v no_o general_n provision_n at_o the_o beginning_n make_v by_o the_o law_n for_o they_o so_o it_o be_v therefore_o necessary_a that_o in_o order_n to_o their_o meeting_n lawful_o the_o express_a command_n or_o allowance_n of_o the_o emperor_n shall_v be_v have_v for_o their_o so_o do_v and_o if_o we_o look_v up_o to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o first_o and_o most_o famous_a council_n of_o the_o 5._o church_n we_o shall_v according_o find_v that_o they_o be_v all_o convene_v by_o the_o imperial_a authority_n thus_o constantine_n the_o great_a not_o only_o summon_v 2._o but_o sit_v himself_o in_o that_o of_o nice_n 8._o theodosius_n the_o great_a both_o assemble_v the_o second_o general_n council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o at_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o father_n confirm_v the_o act_n of_o it_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n the_o next_o general_n council_n be_v not_o only_o etc._n call_v by_o the_o emperor_n theodosiuâ—_n the_o young_a and_o valentinian_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v decent_o and_o orderly_o in_o it_o they_o send_v *_o candidian_n as_o their_o commissioner_n to_o preside_v over_o the_o bishop_n and_o to_o direct_v their_o proceed_n according_a to_o the_o instruction_n which_o they_o have_v give_v he_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o when_o the_o heresy_n of_o eutyches_n give_v a_o new_a occasion_n â—o_o the_o same_o emperor_n to_o assemble_v another_o synod_n 1_o they_o in_o like_a manner_n appoint_v it_o to_o meet_v at_o the_o same_o place_n and_o command_v dioscorus_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n to_o preside_v in_o it_o it_o be_v the_o same_o authority_n that_o have_v cause_v this_o synod_n to_o meet_v at_o ephesus_n that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o theodosius_n appoint_v a_o review_n to_o be_v make_v of_o it_o in_o another_o ibid._n council_n which_o be_v summon_v first_o to_o nice_a and_o from_o thence_o be_v remove_v to_o chalcedon_n and_o this_o the_o emperor_n do_v not_o only_o upon_o their_o own_o authority_n but_o though_o quesâ—â—ll_n pope_n leo_n have_v desire_v with_o all_o imaginable_a earnestness_n that_o it_o may_v have_v be_v hold_v somewhere_o in_o italy_n to_o which_o they_o refuse_v to_o consent_v such_o be_v the_o authority_n by_o which_o the_o four_o first_o general_n council_n of_o the_o church_n be_v assemble_v nor_o be_v the_o next_o four_o call_v by_o any_o other_o it_o be_v by_o the_o express_a command_n of_o the_o 423_o elder_a justinian_n that_o the_o second_o general_n council_n of_o constantinople_n meet_v as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o like_a summons_n of_o 6._o constantinus_n pogonatus_n that_o the_o three_o in_o the_o same_o city_n be_v convene_v and_o because_o in_o these_o two_o no_o canon_n be_v make_v for_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n f._n justinian_n the_o young_a call_v another_o council_n to_o supply_v that_o defect_n and_o confirm_v the_o canon_n that_o be_v make_v by_o it_o the_o second_o council_n of_o nice_a tho'_o scarce_o right_a in_o any_o thing_n else_o yet_o in_o this_o be_v orthodox_n that_o it_o be_v assemble_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o 7._o irenè_fw-la the_o empress_n and_o her_o son_n constantine_n and_o last_o the_o four_o of_o constantinople_n the_o last_o of_o the_o eight_o general_a council_n be_v in_o like_a manner_n hold_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o c._n basilius_n the_o emperor_n and_o approve_v by_o he_o this_o than_o be_v the_o power_n which_o the_o 6._o christian_a emperor_n claim_v over_o the_o great_a council_n and_o which_o those_o council_n always_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v due_a to_o them_o if_o from_o these_o we_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o lesser_a synod_n that_o be_v assemble_v in_o those_o day_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n to_o be_v still_o the_o same_o and_o that_o these_o also_o be_v either_o express_o convene_v by_o they_o or_o be_v summon_v by_o some_o authority_n that_o be_v derive_v from_o them_o when_o the_o donatist_n be_v angry_a that_o they_o can_v not_o gain_v their_o end_n upon_o caecilian_a desire_v that_o a_o examination_n may_v be_v make_v of_o their_o case_n by_o some_o foreign_a bishop_n constantine_n the_o emperor_n grant_v their_o request_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o appoint_v a_o meeting_n to_o be_v hold_v at_o rome_n upon_o that_o affair_n and_o that_o three_o french_a bishop_n shall_v be_v join_v to_o fifteen_o out_o of_o italy_n for_o the_o hear_n of_o it_o and_o these_o together_o with_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n by_o the_o 1406._o emperor_n command_n judge_v of_o this_o matter_n and_o when_o those_o turbulent_a man_n be_v not_o yet_o satisfy_v to_o put_v a_o final_a end_n to_o their_o contention_n he_o cause_v a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n to_o meet_v in_o a_o synod_n at_o 5._o arles_n and_o there_o review_n the_o same_o cause_n and_o pass_v a_o final_a judgement_n in_o it_o to_o enumerate_v all_o the_o several_a instance_n that_o remain_v to_o we_o of_o council_n call_v in_o like_a manner_n by_o the_o imperial_a authority_n will_v be_v as_o infinite_a as_o it_o be_v needless_a it_o may_v suffice_v to_o say_v that_o what_o constantine_n thus_o begin_v the_o succeed_a emperor_n constant_o hold_v to_o and_o suffer_v not_o any_o assembly_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o be_v make_v but_o by_o their_o leave_n and_o according_a to_o their_o direction_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v a_o general_a order_n v._n make_v by_o the_o father_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a that_o for_o the_o better_a regulation_n of_o the_o church_n affair_n the_o bishop_n of_o every_o province_n shall_v meet_v together_o in_o a_o provincial_a synod_n under_o their_o metropolitan_a twice_o every_o year_n and_o this_o council_n be_v not_o only_o confirm_v by_o constantine_n who_o call_v it_o but_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o emperor_n that_o follow_v after_o and_o particular_o the_o constitution_n now_o mention_v be_v can._n provide_v for_o and_o adjust_v by_o the_o civil_a law_n themselves_o such_o council_n from_o thenceforth_o become_v legal_a assembly_n and_o be_v of_o course_n allow_v of_o though_o not_o express_o consent_v to_o by_o the_o emperor_n and_o yet_o when_o theodoret_n begin_v to_o be_v 82._o too_o busy_a in_o call_v the_o bishop_n together_o theodosius_n not_o only_o lay_v a_o prohibition_n upon_o he_o but_o confine_v he_o to_o cyrus_n his_o own_o little_a see_v as_o a_o punishment_n for_o what_o he_o have_v before_o do_v so_o little_o be_v it_o then_o think_v a_o matter_n of_o right_n for_o the_o clergy_n to_o meet_v as_o often_o as_o they_o think_v good_a in_o synod_n or_o that_o any_o injury_n be_v do_v they_o by_o their_o prince_n when_o they_o refuse_v to_o suffer_v they_o so_o to_o do_v but_o it_o may_v be_v these_o emperor_n have_v some_o eminent_a authority_n in_o they_o which_o cease_v 7._o together_o with_o the_o empire_n and_o which_o other_o prince_n though_o of_o sovereign_a authority_n within_o their_o several_a kingdom_n yet_o ought_v not_o to_o pretend_v to_o that_o this_o be_v not_o so_o in_o civil_a matter_n i_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o the_o writer_n of_o politic_n to_o argue_v and_o to_o the_o municipal_a law_n of_o their_o several_a kingdom_n to_o show_v as_o for_o what_o concern_v their_o ecclesiastical_a authority_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o this_o as_o in_o all_o other_o respect_n whatsoever_o power_n the_o emperor_n heretofore_o lay_v claim_n to_o in_o the_o whole_a the_o same_o these_o prince_n have_v continue_v to_o assert_v within_o their_o own_o particular_a state_n and_o dominion_n when_o the_o vandal_n have_v overrun_v the_o great_a part_n of_o africa_n and_o by_o their_o authority_n set_v up_o the_o arrian_n heresy_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n which_o before_o prevail_v in_o those_o part_n hunericus_n their_o king_n at_o the_o desire_n of_o his_o arrian_n 484._o bishop_n summon_v a_o general_n convention_n of_o all_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n to_o meet_v at_o carthage_n and_o there_o confer_v about_o the_o point_n in_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o according_o upon_o his_o summons_n they_o all_o come_v thither_o and_o refuse_v to_o renounce_v the_o term_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a be_v deprive_v of_o their_o bishopric_n and_o send_v into_o banishment_n by_o he_o but_o better_a be_v the_o success_n of_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n in_o their_o next_o conference_n hold_v by_o the_o like_a authority_n under_o gundebald_a at_o rome_n an._n 499_o who_o at_o the_o request_n of_o the_o catholic_n clergy_n consent_v to_o
all_o right_a and_o justice_n on_o purpose_n that_o he_o may_v oppress_v they_o so_o to_o do_v they_o yet_o submit_v to_o his_o command_n and_o choose_v rather_o to_o suffer_v by_o their_o obedience_n than_o to_o usurp_v a_o authority_n which_o they_o be_v sensible_a do_v not_o belong_v to_o them_o but_o lest_o this_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o have_v be_v only_o the_o perverseness_n of_o a_o heretical_a prince_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o same_o power_n both_o claim_v and_o exercise_v by_o the_o most_o orthodox_n emperor_n and_o such_o as_o be_v in_o all_o respect_n the_o most_o zealous_a for_o the_o church_n interest_n when_o eutyches_n begin_v to_o corrupt_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o it_o be_v think_v necessary_a that_o a_o general_n council_n shall_v be_v call_v to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o his_o error_n leo_n 〈…〉_z bishop_n of_o rome_n petition_v theodosius_n with_o all_o imaginable_a earnestness_n that_o he_o will_v consent_v to_o let_v a_o synod_n be_v assemble_v in_o italy_n for_o the_o judge_n of_o it_o this_o the_o emperor_n utter_o refuse_v to_o do_v and_o order_v the_o council_n to_o be_v hold_v at_o ephesus_n and_o the_o good_a bishop_n be_v so_o far_o from_o complain_v of_o it_o that_o he_o submit_v to_o his_o summons_n and_o thank_v he_o that_o he_o will_v at_o least_o vouchsafe_v to_o have_v it_o there_o and_o when_o by_o the_o practice_n of_o dioscorus_n that_o council_n answer_v not_o what_o be_v expect_v from_o it_o the_o same_o leo_n not_o only_o 〈…〉_z supplicate_v the_o emperor_n again_o with_o tear_n and_o groan_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o west_n that_o he_o will_v command_v another_o council_n to_o be_v hold_v somewhere_o in_o the_o west_n to_o determine_v that_o affair_n but_o moreover_o engage_v valentinian_n and_o eudoxia_n his_o wife_n with_o many_o other_o of_o the_o great_a note_n to_o join_v in_o the_o same_o request_n with_o he_o but_o theodosius_n not_o 〈…〉_z only_o now_o refuse_v he_o as_o to_o the_o place_n but_o deny_v he_o as_o to_o the_o call_n of_o any_o other_o synod_n nor_o will_v he_o be_v persuade_v to_o suffer_v any_o other_o to_o meet_v as_o long_o as_o he_o live_v and_o this_o bring_v i_o to_o a_o 2d_o observation_n 15._o which_o ought_v to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o upon_o this_o occasion_n viz._n that_o whenever_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v refuse_v to_o call_v a_o synod_n though_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n have_v never_o so_o much_o seem_v to_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o one_o and_o the_o bishop_n have_v never_o so_o earnest_o desire_v one_o yet_o have_v they_o quiet_o submit_v to_o the_o refusal_n and_o not_o presume_v on_o any_o pretence_n of_o right_n which_o they_o have_v in_o themselves_o to_o meet_v together_o without_o his_o leave_n or_o against_o his_o consent_n so_o liberius_n and_o the_o catholic_n bishop_n do_v to_o constantius_n first_o and_o leo_n and_o the_o western_a bishop_n to_o theodosius_n afterward_o and_o i_o believe_v it_o will_v be_v difficult_a in_o those_o best_a and_o most_o early_a time_n of_o the_o church_n to_o find_v out_o any_o instance_n wherein_o the_o orthodox_n bishop_n have_v ever_o depart_v from_o this_o rule_n or_o which_o be_v much_o the_o same_o thing_n have_v ever_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o church_n in_o those_o case_n in_o which_o they_o have_v depart_v from_o it_o nay_o but_o 3_o though_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a first_o and_o after_o that_o several_z other_z 16._o synod_n provide_v for_o the_o constant_a meeting_n of_o provincial_a council_n at_o a_o certain_a season_n every_o year_n and_o these_o be_v allow_v of_o by_o the_o emperor_n and_o other_o prince_n who_o confirm_v those_o canon_n and_o approve_v of_o what_o they_o have_v define_v may_v seem_v to_o have_v put_v these_o kind_n of_o synod_n at_o least_o out_o of_o their_o power_n yet_o even_o in_o these_o we_o find_v they_o still_o continue_v to_o exercise_n their_o authority_n and_o not_o suffer_v even_o such_o council_n to_o be_v hold_v without_o their_o leave_n or_o against_o their_o consent_n i_o have_v before_o observe_v how_o theodosius_n the_o emperor_n restrain_v theodoret_n when_o he_o think_v he_o too_o buisy_n in_o call_v together_o the_o bishop_n to_o these_o lesser_a synod_n and_o when_o in_o after_o time_n wolfolendus_fw-la bishop_n of_o bourge_n summon_v a_o provincial_a council_n according_a to_o these_o canon_n to_o meet_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o september_n yet_o 143._o have_v neglect_v to_o consult_v the_o king_n pleasure_n in_o it_o we_o find_v sigebert_n for_o that_o reason_n alone_o send_v a_o prohibition_n to_o his_o bishop_n to_o go_v to_o it_o and_o it_o be_v worthy_a our_o notice_n for_o what_o reason_n he_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o its_o assemble_v he_o profess_v he_o be_v well_o content_a that_o they_o shall_v meet_v some_o other_o time_n always_o provide_v that_o they_o first_o make_v he_o acquaint_v with_o it_o that_o so_o he_o may_v consider_v whether_o he_o shall_v allow_v of_o it_o as_o proper_a either_o for_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n or_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o kingdom_n or_o otherwise_o fit_a to_o be_v consent_v to_o and_o therefore_o when_o the_o five_o council_n 26._o of_o paris_n have_v resolve_v that_o it_o be_v expedient_a that_o provincial_a synod_n shall_v be_v hold_v every_o year_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o canonical_a custom_n establish_v in_o it_o they_o make_v it_o their_o request_n to_o lovis_n the_o emperor_n and_o lotharius_n 11._o his_o son_n that_o they_o will_v consent_v that_o at_o a_o fit_a season_n every_o year_n they_o may_v be_v assemble_v this_o request_n be_v again_o renew_v some_o year_n after_o in_o another_o synod_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o these_o general_a permission_n before_o they_o do_v 7._o come_v together_o they_o be_v to_o have_v a_o particular_a warrant_n for_o their_o so_o do_v as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o act_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o soissons_fw-fr which_o be_v hold_v about_o the_o same_o pit_n time_n that_o those_o very_a order_n i_o have_v now_o mention_v be_v make_v so_o entire_o have_v the_o assemble_v of_o synod_n be_v look_v upon_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o will_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o christian_a prince_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o 4thly_a when_o it_o be_v resolve_v that_o a_o 17._o synod_n shall_v be_v hold_v the_o prince_n evermore_o either_o determine_v or_o allow_v both_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n this_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o very_a act_n of_o all_o those_o synod_n of_o which_o any_o perfect_a accout_n remain_v to_o we_o and_o be_v most_o apparent_o confirm_v by_o the_o history_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a council_n of_o the_o church_n i_o have_v before_o observe_v how_o theodosius_n not_o only_o appoint_v the_o council_n which_o he_o have_v order_v to_o meet_v about_o the_o affair_n of_o eutyches_n to_o assemble_v at_o ephesus_n but_o utter_o refuse_v the_o request_n of_o leo_n and_o his_o bishop_n who_o earnest_o desire_v it_o may_v have_v be_v hold_v in_o italy_n but_o marcian_n 568._o the_o emperor_n go_v far_o he_o not_o only_o summon_v the_o four_o general_n council_n to_o nice_a first_o and_o then_o to_o chalcedon_n though_o request_v in_o like_a manner_n as_o theodosius_n have_v be_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o his_o suffragans_fw-la that_o it_o may_v meet_v in_o italy_n but_o when_o be_v press_v in_o time_n leo_n petition_v the_o emperor_n that_o he_o will_v defer_v it_o but_o a_o little_a while_n for_o his_o great_a convenience_n marcian_n refuse_v he_o that_o also_o and_o the_o good_a man_n content_o yield_v to_o he_o in_o both_o such_o power_n do_v the_o ancient_a emperor_n assume_v to_o themselves_o over_o their_o bishop_n as_o to_o these_o circumstance_n nor_o do_v the_o iv_o follow_a prince_n claim_v any_o less_o when_o pepin_n resolve_v that_o two_o synod_n shall_v be_v hold_v in_o france_n every_o year_n he_o not_o only_o specify_v the_o time_n for_o both_o viz._n the_o first_o of_o march_n and_o of_o october_n but_o reserve_v the_o nomination_n of_o the_o place_n where_o the_o former_a shall_v meet_v to_o his_o own_o appointment_n and_o for_o that_o of_o the_o latter_a determine_v 624._o that_o it_o shall_v either_o be_v at_o soissons_fw-fr or_o at_o such_o other_o place_n as_o the_o bishop_n shall_v agree_v upon_o in_o their_o first_o assembly_n and_o ludovicus_n pius_n have_v think_v fit_a for_o the_o better_a settle_v of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a discipline_n to_o have_v four_o synod_n meet_v at_o once_o that_o so_o they_o may_v separately_z consider_v of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n and_o then_o their_o opinion_n be_v altogether_o lay_v before_o he_o in_o one_o common_a view_n not_o only_o order_v this_o distribution_n of_o they_o but_o determine_v withal_o
both_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n and_o after_o what_o manner_n they_o shall_v proceed_v be_v met._n but_o 5thly_a and_o to_o conclude_v all_o that_o nothing_o may_v be_v want_v to_o show_v 18._o what_o a_o entire_a dependence_n the_o synod_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v ever_o have_v upon_o their_o respective_a prince_n i_o add_v that_o not_o only_o the_o convening_n of_o they_o and_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n depend_v upon_o their_o pleasure_n but_o that_o they_o have_v morever_o authority_n to_o appoint_v what_o person_n shall_v come_v to_o they_o and_o to_o direct_v the_o choice_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o they_o thus_o constantine_n the_o great_a do_v when_o 43._o he_o call_v the_o synod_n of_o arles_n and_o tyre_n and_o thus_o his_o successor_n continue_v to_o do_v in_o the_o most_o general_a council_n that_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o when_o theodosius_n have_v agree_v to_o call_v the_o general_n council_n of_o ephesus_n he_o direct_v his_o precept_n to_o the_o several_a 32_o metropolitan_o and_o command_v they_o to_o choose_v such_o and_o so_o many_o of_o their_o suffragans_fw-la as_o they_o think_v convenient_a to_o draw_v out_o of_o their_o province_n and_o to_o bring_v they_o with_o they_o to_o the_o council_n and_o the_o same_o method_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o labb_n next_o synod_n that_o meet_v there_o the_o emperror_n command_v dioscorus_n to_o summon_v ten_o metropolitan_o of_o his_o district_n with_o such_o other_o bishop_n as_o he_o think_v convenient_a and_o that_o none_o else_o shall_v presume_v to_o come_v to_o it_o and_o in_o another_o letter_n upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n the_o same_o theodosius_n 100l_n appoint_v barsumas_n the_o priest_n to_o come_v to_o the_o same_o council_n and_o appear_v in_o it_o as_o representative_a of_o all_o the_o archimandrites_n of_o the_o east_n it_o be_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o marcian_n the_o emperor_n assemble_v the_o four_o general_n council_n at_o chalcedon_n he_o write_v to_o the_o metropolitan_o to_o come_v to_o it_o and_o leave_v it_o to_o they_o to_o bring_v such_o of_o their_o 56._o suffragan_n bishop_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a along_o with_o they_o and_o when_o the_o prince_n who_o follow_v after_o summon_v their_o national_a synod_n they_o in_o like_a manner_n direct_v the_o choice_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o synod_n of_o vernis_fw-la and_o aix_n la_fw-fr chappelle_n assemble_v 562._o by_o ring_n pepin_n and_o charles_n the_o emperor_n an._n 755._o 816._o it_o be_v true_a the_o metropolitan_o in_o these_o case_n do_v oftentimes_o call_v a_o provincial_a synod_n and_o therein_o agree_v who_o among_o they_o shall_v attend_v upon_o their_o primate_n to_o the_o general_n council_n but_o neither_o do_v they_o always_o take_v this_o course_n nor_o when_o they_o do_v have_v they_o any_o direction_n from_o the_o emperor_n so_o to_o do_v they_o only_o send_v their_o order_n to_o the_o metropolitan_o and_o common_o leave_v the_o rest_n to_o they_o to_o choose_v such_o bishop_n out_o of_o their_o province_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a as_o for_o the_o lesser_a synod_n though_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o often_o interpose_v in_o they_o yet_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o choice_n leave_v to_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n to_o nominate_v the_o member_n of_o them_o to_o the_o provincial_a synod_n all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n be_v oblige_v if_o able_a to_o come_v and_o they_o bring_v with_o they_o for_o their_o companion_n such_o of_o their_o own_o priest_n and_o deacon_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a at_o the_o diocesan_n synod_n every_o benefice_a priest_n of_o the_o diocese_n be_v require_v to_o appear_v and_o they_o have_v not_o so_o much_o a_o right_n as_o a_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v present_a at_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v i_o show_v what_o the_o authority_n 19_o of_o the_o supreme_a civil_a magistrate_n be_v as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o assemble_v ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o have_v prove_v be_v in_o short_a this_o *_o that_o it_o be_v the_o right_n of_o christian_a prince_n to_o call_v such_o assembly_n and_o that_o they_o can_v lawful_o meet_v but_o as_o they_o be_v either_o command_v or_o allow_v of_o by_o them_o *_o that_o they_o and_o not_o the_o clergy_n be_v judge_n when_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o convene_v they_o *_o and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v censure_v for_o not_o assemble_v of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v persuade_v it_o be_v needless_a or_o will_v be_v inexpedient_a for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v *_o that_o even_o the_o ordinary_a synod_n require_v by_o the_o canon_n and_o allow_v of_o by_o themselves_o may_v yet_o upon_o just_a ground_n be_v stop_v by_o they_o and_o when_o there_o be_v a_o just_a reason_n for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v they_o be_v to_o judge_v and_o be_v so_o prohibit_v can_v be_v lawful_o assemble_v in_o short_a *_o that_o whenever_o they_o do_v meet_v the_o prince_n be_v not_o only_o to_o appoint_v or_o at_o least_o to_o approve_v of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n but_o may_v give_v direction_n for_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o compose_v they_o that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v such_o who_o piety_n and_o temper_n have_v fit_v they_o to_o serve_v the_o church_n and_o in_o who_o prudence_n and_o conduct_v himself_o may_v safe_o confide_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o argue_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o every_o one_o of_o these_o conclusion_n from_o the_o end_v of_o civil-government_n and_o the_o power_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v place_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n in_o order_n to_o those_o ends._n and_o i_o need_v not_o say_v that_o christianity_n come_v not_o to_o usurp_v upon_o the_o civil_a power_n but_o rather_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o render_v that_o duty_n which_o they_o owe_v to_o it_o it_o be_v true_a by_o these_o mean_n the_o busy_a temper_n of_o some_o forward_a man_n may_v be_v restrain_v and_o to_o such_o these_o limitation_n may_v seem_v very_o odious_a and_o unreasonable_a but_o they_o be_v such_o man_n and_o such_o temper_n that_o make_v these_o restriction_n necessary_a and_o their_o unwillingness_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o show_v but_o the_o more_o clear_o how_o fit_n it_o be_v that_o prince_n shall_v have_v all_o that_o power_n i_o have_v now_o mention_v to_o prevent_v they_o from_o do_v both_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n a_o mischief_n that_o prince_n may_v abuse_v this_o power_n to_o the_o detriment_n of_o the_o church_n be_v no_o more_o a_o argument_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o enjoy_v it_o than_o it_o will_v be_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v entrust_v with_o a_o civil_a power_n because_o they_o may_v abuse_v that_o too_o to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o state_n but_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o be_v the_o danger_n to_o be_v weigh_v it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o fatal_a both_o to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n to_o have_v some_o man_n entrust_v with_o a_o immoderate_a liberty_n than_o other_o with_o a_o sovereign_a power_n to_o restrain_v they_o and_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o answer_v all_o pretence_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o say_v that_o whenever_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n shall_v so_o far_o abuse_v his_o authority_n as_o to_o render_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o clergy_n by_o some_o extraordinary_a method_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n welfare_n that_o necessity_n will_v warrant_v their_o take_n of_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n such_o a_o authority_n as_o i_o have_v now_o show_v the_o prince_n have_v in_o these_o matter_n and_o till_o thing_n come_v to_o such_o a_o extremity_n we_o must_v leave_v he_o as_o of_o right_o he_o ought_v to_o enjoy_v it_o and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o first_o thing_n propose_v in_o this_o enquiry_n viz._n to_o show_v what_o power_n the_o christian_a prince_n have_v in_o the_o call_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n i_o go_v on_o 2_o to_o consider_v what_o authority_n he_o have_v over_o they_o when_o they_o be_v assemble_v now_o that_o may_v i_o conceive_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o 2_o particular_n 20._o one_a of_o his_o authority_n to_o direct_v and_o govern_v they_o in_o their_o proceed_n and_o two_o to_o sit_v with_o and_o to_o preside_v over_o they_o in_o order_n thereunto_o one_a then_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v a_o right_a to_o direct_v and_o govern_v they_o in_o their_o proceed_n and_o that_o with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o matter_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o debate_n and_o to_o the_o method_n which_o they_o areto_fw-la take_v in_o debate_v upon_o them_o one_a the_o civil_a
the_o bare_a confirmation_n of_o what_o the_o synod_n have_v determine_v i_o will_v proceed_v more_o particular_o to_o show_v what_o his_o authority_n in_o this_o respect_n be_v and_o how_o the_o final_a determination_n of_o such_o assembly_n fall_v at_o last_o under_o the_o power_n of_o the_o prince_n judgement_n and_o one_a as_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a to_o 23._o suppose_v that_o he_o shall_v so_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o prince_n be_v not_o oblige_v at_o all_o adventure_n to_o confirm_v whatsoever_o the_o clergy_n shall_v think_v â—it_a to_o determine_v this_o be_v not_o only_o to_o give_v a_o immoderate_a power_n to_o the_o one_o but_o unreasonable_o to_o confine_v and_o limit_v the_o other_o it_o be_v in_o truth_n to_o hoodwink_a the_o prince_n and_o not_o allow_v he_o the_o common_a privilege_n of_o a_o rational_a creature_n to_o know_v and_o examine_v his_o action_n and_o proceed_v with_o reason_n and_o discretion_n in_o them_o and_o it_o be_v as_o well_o plain_o to_o say_v that_o synod_n have_v a_o supreme_a authority_n and_o be_v no_o way_n accountable_a to_o any_o civil_a power_n in_o what_o they_o do_v as_o to_o pretend_v that_o the_o prince_n shall_v be_v oblige_v at_o all_o adventure_n to_o ratify_v and_o the_o people_n by_o consequence_n to_o submit_v to_o whatsoever_o it_o shall_v please_v they_o to_o determine_v it_o be_v indeed_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o such_o venerable_a assembly_n may_v always_o be_v compose_v of_o man_n so_o wise_a and_o prudent_a and_o that_o they_o will_v proceed_v in_o all_o thing_n so_o calm_o and_o impartial_o that_o the_o prince_n may_v evermore_o find_v it_o to_o be_v both_o just_a and_o honourable_a for_o he_o to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o protection_n and_o guardian-ship_n of_o their_o definition_n but_o because_o such_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o humane_a nature_n that_o passion_n and_o prejudice_n ignorance_n and_o interest_n noise_n and_o clamour_n oftentimes_o break_v in_o and_o confound_v the_o proceed_n of_o these_o as_o well_o as_o of_o all_o other_o assembly_n and_o many_o thing_n be_v debate_v hasty_o carry_v on_o with_o faction_n and_o conclude_v unreasonable_o it_o be_v very_o fit_a and_o just_a that_o the_o prince_n shall_v give_v direction_n to_o have_v their_o action_n careful_o review'd_n and_o consider_v before_o he_o assent_v to_o they_o that_o so_o he_o may_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o nor_o do_v either_o the_o church_n or_o himself_o a_o prejudice_n by_o a_o blind_a compliance_n with_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o clergy_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o power_n of_o examine_v the_o council_n act_n it_o follow_v two_o that_o he_o must_v also_o be_v allow_v to_o have_v a_o power_n of_o annul_v and_o reject_v what_o they_o have_v do_v if_o it_o shall_v appear_v to_o be_v hurtful_a or_o unjust_a as_o well_o as_o a_o power_n to_o ratify_v and_o confirm_v it_o if_o they_o shall_v be_v find_v to_o have_v proceed_v canonical_o and_o to_o have_v act_v for_o the_o good_a and_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o allow_v the_o prince_n a_o liberty_n of_o examination_n if_o there_o be_v not_o leave_v he_o a_o liberty_n of_o choice_n and_o resolution_n and_o a_o authority_n indifferent_o either_o to_o confirm_v or_o reject_v their_o definition_n according_a to_o the_o judgement_n which_o he_o shall_v final_o pass_v upon_o them_o but_o because_o where_o many_o thing_n be_v do_v and_o several_a constitution_n make_v it_o be_v possible_a a_o different_a judgement_n may_v final_o remain_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o prince_n concern_v they_o so_o that_o he_o may_v approve_v of_o some_o part_n of_o what_o the_o synod_n have_v determine_v and_o dislike_v the_o rest_n it_o will_v from_o hence_o far_o follow_v three_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o power_n not_o only_o to_o confirm_v or_o reject_v the_o whole_a of_o what_o the_o synod_n have_v do_v but_o to_o confirm_v that_o part_n of_o their_o act_n which_o he_o be_v persuade_v will_v be_v for_o the_o church_n benefit_n and_o to_o annul_v that_o which_o he_o think_v will_v be_v otherwise_o whether_o it_o will_v be_v think_v to_o be_v as_o reasonable_a 4thly_a that_o the_o prince_n shall_v be_v allow_v a_o far_a power_n to_o alter_v or_o improve_v what_o the_o synod_n have_v define_v to_o add_v to_o or_o to_o take_v from_o it_o so_o as_o to_o render_v it_o in_o his_o opinion_n more_o useful_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v design_v i_o can_v tell_v but_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o this_o prince_n have_v do_v and_o so_o i_o think_v they_o have_v authority_n to_o do_v for_o since_o the_o legis-lative_a power_n be_v lodge_v in_o their_o hand_n so_o that_o they_o may_v make_v what_o law_n or_o constitution_n they_o think_v fit_a for_o the_o church_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o state_n since_o a_o synod_n in_o matter_n relate_v to_o discipline_n be_v but_o a_o kind_n of_o council_n to_o they_o in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n who_o advice_n have_v take_v they_o may_v still_o act_v as_o they_o think_v fit_a see_v last_o a_o canon_n draw_v up_o by_o a_o synod_n be_v but_o as_o it_o be_v matter_n prepare_v for_o the_o royal_a stamp_n the_o last_o form_v of_o which_o as_o well_o enforce_v whereof_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o prince_n judgement_n i_o can_v see_v why_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n who_o confess_o have_v a_o power_n to_o confirm_v or_o reject_v their_o decree_n may_v not_o also_o make_v such_o other_o use_v of_o they_o as_o he_o please_v and_o correct_v improve_v or_o otherwise_o alter_v their_o resolution_n according_a to_o his_o own_o like_n before_o he_o give_v authority_n to_o they_o it_o be_v true_a in_o this_o case_n the_o prince_n will_v not_o so_o much_o confirm_v what_o the_o synod_n have_v do_v as_o take_v occasion_n from_o that_o which_o the_o synod_n have_v do_v to_o make_v another_o ecclesiastical_a law_n of_o his_o own_o but_o still_o this_o power_n the_o supreme_a civil_a magistrate_n have_v and_o if_o this_o be_v all_o the_o use_v he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v of_o his_o synod_n viz._n to_o suggest_v to_o he_o fit_a matter_n for_o the_o make_n of_o some_o seasonable_a and_o good_a law_n i_o do_v not_o see_v wherein_o he_o can_v be_v account_v to_o abuse_v his_o authority_n and_o sure_o i_o be_o it_o be_v no_o small_a service_n do_v the_o church_n to_o suggest_v such_o thought_n to_o the_o prince_n as_o otherwise_o perhaps_o may_v never_o have_v enter_v into_o his_o mind_n and_o as_o the_o prince_n have_v this_o authority_n 36._o over_o the_o canonical_a resolution_n of_o his_o synod_n so_o have_v he_o no_o less_o over_o their_o judicial_a determination_n which_o 5thly_a he_o may_v either_o confirm_v suspend_v or_o total_o annul_v as_o he_o think_v they_o have_v proceed_v either_o fair_o and_o impartial_o and_o with_o good_a judgement_n or_o else_o hasty_o and_o partial_o and_o with_o prejudice_n in_o they_o for_o the_o prince_n as_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a fountain_n of_o justice_n in_o the_o state_n so_o do_v it_o appertain_v to_o he_o to_o rectify_v the_o undue_a proceed_n of_o inferior_a judge_n and_o to_o his_o conscience_n there_o will_v always_o lie_v a_o appeal_n let_v the_o synod_n determine_v how_o it_o will_n these_o be_v the_o right_n of_o christian_a prince_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o action_n of_o synod_n after_o they_o have_v do_v their_o business_n and_o that_o these_o have_v all_o be_v confirm_v and_o allow_v of_o to_o they_o by_o such_o assembly_n i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v from_o a_o brief_a history_n of_o this_o matter_n to_o show_v when_o nestorius_n have_v infect_v the_o church_n with_o his_o heresy_n he_o be_v by_o two_o of_o the_o great_a patriarch_n of_o the_o world_n celestine_n bishop_n of_o rome_n and_o cyril_n bishop_n of_o alexandria_n in_o their_o several_a provincial_a synod_n just_o condemn_v unless_o he_o shall_v repent_v of_o his_o error_n within_o ten_o day_n be_v inform_v of_o these_o sentence_n thus_o pass_v against_o he_o he_o apply_v himself_o to_o theodosius_n the_o emperor_n complain_v of_o their_o proceed_n and_o desire_v that_o a_o general_n council_n may_v be_v call_v to_o judge_v of_o this_o matter_n theodosius_n who_o at_o the_o same_o time_n be_v move_v by_o other_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n resolve_v upon_o a_o general_n council_n to_o meet_v at_o ephesus_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n suspend_v the_o decree_n of_o the_o two_o provincial_a synod_n and_o order_n that_o nothing_o shall_v be_v innovate_v till_o that_o council_n shall_v meet_v and_o when_o the_o council_n be_v meet_v the_o father_n be_v so_o far_o from_o complain_v of_o this_o suspension_n as_o a_o hard_a thing_n that_o they_o appoint_v the_o emperor_n order_n to_o be_v insert_v into_o their_o act_n and_o thereby_o give_v
a_o kind_n of_o conciliary_a authority_n to_o it_o or_o if_o this_o be_v not_o yet_o plain_a enough_o let_v it_o far_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o council_n hereupon_o treat_v nestorius_n both_o in_o word_n and_o action_n as_o a_o catholic_n bishop_n and_o invite_v he_o to_o come_v and_o sit_v among_o they_o as_o such_o which_o evident_o show_v that_o the_o council_n make_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o the_o emperor_n have_v sufficient_a authority_n to_o suspend_v those_o synod_n decree_n and_o that_o by_o his_o suspension_n their_o sentence_n have_v not_o yet_o take_v place_n against_o he_o and_o the_o same_o be_v do_v in_o the_o case_n of_o eutyches_n the_o next_o great_a heretic_n that_o infest_a the_o church_n who_o be_v condemn_v by_o flavian_n patriarch_n of_o constantinople_n and_o his_o council_n obtain_v of_o theodosius_n another_o general_a council_n to_o meet_v at_o ephesus_n under_o the_o presidence_n of_o dioscorus_n patriarch_n of_o alexandria_n in_o this_o council_n by_o the_o power_n and_o fury_n of_o dioscorus_n all_o be_v tumultuous_o transact_v and_o flavian_n be_v condemn_v as_o have_v depose_v eutyches_n contrary_a to_o the_o canon_n against_o this_o sentence_n flavian_n appeal_v and_o pope_n leo_n be_v apply_v to_o call_v a_o synod_n at_o rome_n and_o therein_o reject_v the_o act_n of_o the_o ephesine_n council_n in_o which_o all_o thing_n have_v be_v carry_v in_o a_o very_a disorderly_a and_o â—ncanonical_a manner_n for_o the_o better_a repeal_n of_o which_o leo_n apply_v to_o theodosius_n for_o help_v he_o entreat_v he_o that_o he_o will_v by_o his_o authority_n rescind_v all_o that_o have_v be_v do_v either_o by_o flavian_n against_o eutyches_n or_o by_o dioscorus_n against_o flavian_n or_o at_o least_o will_v suspend_v it_o till_o a_o general_n and_o free_a council_n shall_v determine_v the_o matter_n it_o be_v true_a this_o theodosius_n will_v not_o consent_v to_o though_o leo_n have_v interest_v no_o less_o person_n than_o valentinian_n and_o his_o empress_n in_o the_o cause_n with_o he_o but_o yet_o leo_n request_n show_v that_o he_o think_v the_o emperor_n have_v power_n to_o rescind_v the_o act_n of_o both_o those_o council_n and_o his_o refusal_n convince_v we_o that_o he_o himself_o think_v he_o be_v no_o way_n conclude_v by_o what_o leo_n and_o his_o synod_n have_v resolve_v in_o opposition_n to_o the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n however_o what_o theodosius_n refuse_v marcian_n assent_v to_o he_o cause_v a_o general_n council_n to_o be_v hold_v at_o chalcedon_n and_o when_o he_o find_v flavian_n to_o be_v justify_v by_o it_o he_o revoke_v both_o the_o definition_n of_o the_o former_a synod_n and_o the_o constitution_n of_o theodosius_n against_o he_o such_o a_o authority_n be_v the_o emperor_n wont_a to_o exercise_v over_o the_o act_n of_o the_o most_o general_a council_n in_o confirm_v suspend_v or_o annul_v their_o sentence_n and_o so_o undoubted_o do_v the_o bishop_n in_o those_o time_n believe_v that_o they_o 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to_o show_v that_o it_o ought_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v neglect_v and_o therefore_o though_o i_o know_v no_o positive_a law_n that_o do_v determine_v the_o king_n be_v absolute_a and_o free_a will_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n yet_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o so_o ancient_a and_o settle_v a_o custom_n ought_v to_o be_v hold_v to_o and_o our_o prince_n according_o still_a order_n the_o one_o to_o be_v summon_v as_o often_o as_o the_o other_o be_v call_v but_o now_o second_o if_o by_o sit_v be_v mean_v as_o in_o the_o present_a question_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v their_o meeting_n to_o do_v business_n and_o be_v allow_v to_o come_v together_o for_o that_o purpose_n then_o i_o reply_v that_o for_o such_o their_o sit_v i_o know_v no_o law_n beside_o the_o absolute_a and_o free_a power_n of_o the_o prince_n custom_n we_o be_v sure_o be_v as_o much_o against_o this_o as_o it_o have_v be_v for_o the_o other_o and_o any_o statute_n or_o positive_a law_n for_o it_o have_v not_o that_o i_o 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business_n that_o be_v do_v by_o they_o more_o than_o that_o of_o grant_v subsidy_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v in_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o be_v time_n there_o be_v but_o few_o parliament_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v for_o convocation_n in_o that_o when_o his_o son_n king_n charles_n the_o second_o return_v the_o famous_a convocation_n of_o 1660_o meet_v to_o remedy_v those_o disorder_n which_o the_o civil_a war_n have_v occasion_v in_o order_n whereunto_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o at_o the_o first_o to_o sit_v and_o settle_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o be_v do_v they_o be_v by_o the_o king_n be_v write_v prorogue_v eighteen_o several_a time_n successive_o and_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o the_o journal_n of_o it_o which_o i_o have_v see_v that_o any_o thing_n material_a be_v afterward_o do_v by_o it_o and_o as_o their_o sit_v so_o three_o i_o affirm_v that_o their_o act_n too_o do_v depend_v upon_o the_o will_n of_o the_o 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most_o absolute_a sovereign_n in_o the_o world_n and_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v our_o king_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o prince_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o they_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n be_v a_o law_n by_o which_o every_o wise_a man_n do_v and_o every_o man_n as_o such_o be_v oblige_v to_o act_v the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o right_n and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v another_o law_n by_o which_o all_o christian_n of_o what_o bank_n or_o authority_n 〈◊〉_d both_o out_o of_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o with_o regard_n to_o their_o own_o conscience_n be_v require_v to_o attend_v and_o last_o the_o public_a good_a and_o welfare_n of_o the_o community_n be_v another_o law_n to_o which_o all_o prince_n even_o those_o who_o in_o other_o respect_n be_v the_o most_o absolute_a be_v oblige_v to_o look_v and_o with_o the_o observance_n of_o which_o they_o can_v dispense_v though_o no_o human_a constraint_n lie_v upon_o they_o to_o force_v they_o thereunto_o or_o to_o 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whenever_o the_o king_n be_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n convince_v that_o for_o the_o convocation_n to_o sit_v and_o act_n will_v be_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n or_o otherwise_o for_o the_o public_a good_a and_o welfare_n of_o his_o realm_n he_o be_v oblige_v both_o by_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n as_o a_o man_n by_o his_o duty_n to_o god_n as_o a_o christian_a and_o by_o his_o duty_n to_o his_o people_n as_o a_o ruler_n set_v over_o they_o for_o their_o good_a to_o permit_v or_o rather_o to_o command_v his_o clergy_n to_o meet_v in_o convocation_n and_o transact_v what_o be_v sit_v for_o any_o or_o all_o these_o end_n to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o as_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n whensoever_o he_o be_v clear_o and_o evident_o convince_v that_o for_o they_o thus_o to_o come_v together_o will_v be_v needless_a or_o hurtful_a to_o these_o end_n it_o be_v then_o his_o duty_n to_o restrain_v they_o from_o sit_v and_o that_o though_o he_o shall_v be_v never_o so_o importunate_o desire_v by_o some_o that_o they_o may_v sit_v or_o rail_v at_o by_o other_o for_o not_o allow_v they_o so_o to_o do_v these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o plain_a consequence_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n and_o by_o they_o i_o suppose_v a_o clear_a and_o full_a resolution_n be_v give_v to_o the_o first_o general_a question_n viz._n whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n that_o command_v or_o permit_v the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n beside_o the_o absolute_a and_o free_a pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o if_o there_o be_v what_o that_o law_n be_v and_o how_o far_o the_o prince_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o i_o may_v now_o proceed_v upon_o this_o foundation_n without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o examine_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v by_o our_o late_a author_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o so_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o some_o satisfaction_n as_o well_o as_o use_v to_o those_o who_o inquiry_n have_v not_o lie_v this_o way_n to_o know_v what_o have_v be_v the_o state_n of_o our_o convocation_n ever_o since_o we_o have_v any_o account_n that_o we_o can_v rely_v upon_o concern_v they_o i_o will_v therefore_o take_v leave_n to_o digress_v so_o far_o from_o my_o present_a business_n as_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v this_o in_o a_o short_a history_n of_o our_o convocation_n from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o christianity_n down_o to_o our_o present_a time_n chap._n iu._n in_o which_o the_o state_n of_o the_o convocation_n be_v historical_o deduce_v from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o our_o own_o day_n so_o great_a be_v the_o uncertainty_n to_o
those_o i_o shall_v therefore_o think_v myself_o concern_v in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o consider_v now_o among_o these_o not_o to_o mention_v the_o two_o conference_n of_o austin_n with_o the_o 15._o british_a bishop_n i_o know_v of_o none_o more_o ancient_a than_o that_o which_o be_v hold_v before_o king_n oswi_n and_o his_o son_n at_o streanshealch_n in_o the_o monastery_n of_o hilda_n concern_v the_o time_n of_o easter_n the_o form_n of_o tonsure_v and_o as_o florence_n of_o worcester_n add_v some_o 561._o other_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n whether_o king_n oswi_n by_o his_o authority_n call_v this_o synod_n it_o do_v not_o appear_v this_o we_o know_v that_o he_o not_o only_o consent_v to_o the_o meeting_n of_o it_o but_o also_o sit_v with_o his_o son_n in_o it_o and_o manage_v the_o debate_n of_o it_o he_o propose_v the_o business_n for_o which_o they_o meet_v and_o at_o last_o final_o resolve_v what_o be_v to_o be_v hold_v to_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o point_n that_o have_v be_v debate_v and_o though_o the_o argument_n that_o determine_v he_o to_o embrace_v st._n peter_n tradition_n rather_o than_o st._n john_n viz._n that_o he_o keep_v the_o door_n in_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o he_o dare_v not_o contradict_v he_o lest_o when_o he_o come_v thither_o the_o apostle_n shall_v resuse_v he_o entrance_n be_v but_o very_o mean_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o rudeness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o those_o time_n yet_o we_o see_v what_o authority_n our_o prince_n from_o the_o beginning_n have_v as_o to_o these_o matter_n and_o how_o considerable_a a_o part_n they_o be_v allow_v in_o their_o synod_n but_o more_o eminent_a as_o well_o as_o more_o 16._o exact_a be_v the_o synod_n hold_v by_o theodore_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n in_o the_o first_o of_o which_o at_o herudford_n as_o the_o bishop_n 5._o of_o several_a province_n be_v assemble_v so_o do_v they_o agree_v with_o theodore_n upon_o many_o useful_a constitution_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n and_o as_o this_o synod_n first_o settle_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o part_n so_o do_v that_o of_o heathfield_n which_o meet_v about_o seven_o year_n after_o establish_v the_o faith_n of_o it_o it_o admit_v of_o the_o decision_n of_o the_o five_o first_o general_n council_n and_o settle_v the_o catholic_n doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n against_o the_o several_a heresy_n which_o have_v be_v condemn_v in_o those_o council_n in_o both_o these_o synod_n it_o be_v express_o say_v that_o theodore_n preside_v and_o so_o he_o do_v in_o the_o next_o i_o be_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o which_o be_v hold_v at_o atwyford_n anno_fw-la 685._o in_o which_o among_o other_o thing_n st._n cuthbert_n be_v choose_v bishop_n of_o lindisfarn_n and_o upon_o easter-day_n be_v consecrate_a by_o seven_o bishop_n who_o attend_v upon_o the_o king_n at_o that_o solemn_a season_n by_o who_o authority_n these_o council_n be_v call_v it_o do_v not_o sufficient_o appear_v to_o we_o 46._o but_o that_o in_o this_o last_o king_n egfride_n be_v present_a we_o be_v express_o inform_v 43._o and_o the_o constant_a custom_n of_o the_o prince_n in_o those_o day_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o it_o be_v by_o their_o direction_n that_o their_o bishop_n both_o meet_v and_o act_v in_o them_o at_o the_o council_n of_o cloveshoe_n anno_fw-la 742_o not_o only_o ann._n aethelbald_a k._n of_o the_o mercian_n preside_v but_o his_o prince_n and_o officer_n be_v present_a too_o yet_o this_o be_v proper_o a_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n and_o the_o matter_n transact_v in_o it_o all_o relate_v to_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v this_o so_o much_o to_o be_v wonder_v at_o see_v in_o the_o legatine_n synod_n hold_v by_o gregory_n and_o theophylact_fw-mi send_v hither_o by_o pope_n adrian_n the_o first_o for_o that_o purpose_n our_o king_n not_o only_o direct_v the_o 293._o assemble_v of_o they_o but_o together_o with_o their_o noble_n sit_v in_o they_o and_o to_o testify_v their_o consent_n to_o what_o be_v do_v together_o with_o their_o lord_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n subscribe_v to_o the_o act_n of_o them_o and_o these_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o those_o ecclesiastical_a 18._o synod_n which_o be_v hold_v in_o these_o time_n as_o for_o the_o many_o other_o who_o act_n remain_v to_o we_o they_o be_v manifest_o civil_a convention_n and_o most_o of_o they_o such_o assembly_n of_o the_o state_n as_o be_v afterward_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o parliament_n among_o these_o as_o none_o ought_v more_o to_o be_v consider_v so_o be_v none_o more_o plain_o such_o than_o those_o in_o which_o our_o fol._n ancient_a saxon_a law_n be_v either_o draw_v up_o or_o publish_v and_o a_o very_a considerable_a part_n of_o which_o relate_v to_o the_o order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n thus_o ina_n make_v his_o law_n with_o the_o 1._o consent_n of_o his_o bishop_n and_o all_o his_o alderman_n k._n alfred_n collect_v his_o with_o 22._o the_o advice_n of_o all_o his_o wiseman_n k._n edward_n the_o elder_a and_o guthrun_n review_v and_o enlarge_v 41._o they_o as_o assist_v by_o their_o wiseman_n and_o though_o in_o the_o preamble_n to_o the_o law_n of_o k._n aethelstan_n we_o find_v mention_v only_o make_v of_o his_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n because_o they_o indeed_o only_o draw_v up_o those_o law_n which_o be_v more_o proper_o ecclesiastical_a yet_o in_o the_o close_a of_o they_o we_o 53._o be_v tell_v that_o all_o these_o constitution_n be_v publish_v in_o one_o of_o those_o synod_n at_o which_o not_o only_o wulfhelm_v the_o archbishop_n but_o all_o his_o great_a and_o wiseman_n be_v present_a that_o be_v be_v publish_v in_o one_o of_o his_o great_a council_n by_o he_o k._n edmund_n compile_v his_o law_n in_o the_o 58._o assembly_n of_o his_o wiseman_n as_o well_o ecclesiastic_n as_o layman_n so_o do_v edgar_n and_o ethelred_n afterward_o and_o last_o canutus_n in_o the_o preface_n to_o his_o law_n not_o only_o tell_v we_o that_o they_o be_v make_v with_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o wiseman_n to_o 88_o the_o glory_n of_o god-almighty_a the_o ornament_n of_o his_o kingly_a majesty_n and_o the_o good_a of_o the_o commonwealth_n but_o precise_o note_v the_o time_n when_o he_o compile_v they_o namely_o that_o they_o be_v make_v at_o christmas_n in_o the_o city_n of_o winchester_n where_o he_o than_o keep_v that_o feast_n and_o his_o noble_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a custom_n attend_v upon_o he_o and_o sit_v in_o council_n with_o he_o to_o run_v through_o all_o the_o other_o council_n of_o 19_o the_o like_a nature_n in_o which_o constitution_n have_v be_v make_v and_o debate_n hold_v concern_v thing_n relate_v to_o the_o church_n will_v engage_v i_o in_o a_o needless_a as_o well_o as_o tedious_a research_n i_o shall_v only_o mention_v a_o few_o of_o those_o of_o chief_a note_n which_o together_o with_o those_o before_o speak_v of_o may_v suffice_v to_o give_v we_o a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o they_o at_o becanceld_a about_o the_o year_n 694_o 219._o wither_a king_n of_o kent_n hold_v a_o general_n council_n and_o if_o the_o relation_n be_v true_a it_o be_v indeed_o of_o a_o extraordinary_a composition_n there_o be_v present_a at_o it_o not_o only_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o bishop_n of_o rochester_n with_o the_o lord_n and_o other_o of_o the_o laity_n but_o the_o abbot_n abbess_n priest_n and_o deacon_n of_o the_o clergy_n it_o be_v call_v by_o archbishop_n brithwald_n at_o the_o king_n command_n and_o not_o only_o the_o king_n and_o bishop_n but_o all_o other_o of_o the_o clerical_a order_n subscribe_v to_o it_o at_o berghamsted_n the_o same_o king_n about_o 194._o three_o year_n after_o hold_v another_o council_n with_o his_o bishop_n and_o military_a man_n and_o by_o their_o common_a consent_n make_v several_a constitution_n to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o kent_n but_o more_o remarkable_a be_v the_o council_n at_o 327._o which_o wulfred_n preside_v under_o kenulph_n king_n of_o the_o mercian_n anno_fw-la 816._o at_o which_o as_o at_o that_o of_o becanceld_a before_o not_o only_o a_o great_a number_n of_o bishop_n be_v present_a but_o together_o with_o the_o king_n come_v also_o his_o prince_n duke_n and_o lord_n and_o all_o these_o be_v surround_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o holy_a order_n abbot_n priest_n and_o deacon_n treat_v with_o one_o accord_n of_o what_o be_v useful_a or_o necessary_a for_o the_o church_n i_o insist_v not_o upon_o the_o synod_n of_o 334._o cloveshoe_n assemble_v by_o beornulfe_n king_n of_o the_o mercian_n anno_fw-la 822_o 824_o and_o both_o which_o be_v evident_o great_a council_n of_o that_o nation_n as_o be_v also_o the_o council_n of_o london_n an._n 833_o of_o kingston_n etc._n an._n 838_o of_o kingsbury_n an._n 851_o of_o winchester_n an._n 855_o of_o
london_n under_o edred_n an._n 948_o of_o brandenford_n an._n 959_o of_o london_n under_o edgar_n an._n 970_o of_o winchester_n and_o calne_n under_o dunstan_n archbishop_n of_o cant._n of_o aenham_n an._n 1009_o and_o of_o westminster_n an._n 1066._o it_o be_v sufficient_o evident_a from_o the_o instance_n i_o have_v already_o give_v that_o whatsoever_o the_o synod_n or_o council_n be_v in_o which_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n be_v transact_v they_o depend_v entire_o upon_o the_o prince_n authority_n who_o for_o the_o most_o part_n determine_v what_o be_v needful_a concern_v they_o in_o the_o great_a council_n of_o their_o realm_n and_o when_o they_o do_v not_o â—et_z still_o keep_v the_o management_n even_o of_o their_o ecclesiastical_a convocation_n in_o their_o own_o hand_n and_o suffer_v they_o not_o either_o to_o meet_v act_n or_o establish_v any_o thing_n but_o according_a to_o their_o good_a pleasure_n two_o period_n from_o the_o come_v in_o of_o william_n the_o first_o to_o the_o 23d_o of_o edward_n the_o first_o hitherto_o our_o prince_n maintain_v their_o 21._o right_n and_o assert_v that_o authority_n which_o their_o royal_a sovereignty_n give_v they_o over_o their_o clergy_n but_o now_o the_o papal_a power_n begin_v to_o show_v its_o self_n and_o to_o usurp_v upon_o their_o prerogative_n and_o among_o other_o instance_n in_o which_o it_o do_v so_o this_o before_o we_o be_v not_o the_o least_o till_o at_o last_o it_o grow_v up_o to_o that_o monstrous_a pitch_n in_o which_o we_o shall_v find_v it_o about_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o period_n when_o the_o king_n be_v become_v of_o little_a value_n to_o his_o synod_n which_o be_v whole_o subject_a to_o the_o pope_n direction_n and_o depend_v upon_o the_o will_v either_o of_o his_o extraordinary_a legate_n or_o of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n to_o who_o see_v a_o kind_n of_o perpetual_a legantine_n power_n and_o authority_n be_v in_o the_o end_n annex_v by_o he_o i_o shall_v depart_v too_o much_o from_o my_o present_a subject_n shall_v i_o look_v abroad_o and_o consider_v by_o what_o step_v these_o encroachment_n be_v carry_v on_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n and_o against_o which_o no_o prince_n either_o assert_v their_o authority_n with_o great_a vigour_n or_o take_v more_o care_n to_o recover_v it_o when_o lose_v by_o they_o than_o we_o do_v it_o shall_v suffice_v as_o a_o preparatory_a to_o what_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o meet_v with_o bare_o to_o point_v out_o to_o you_o the_o artifices_fw-la that_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o order_n to_o this_o end_n and_o to_o show_v by_o what_o secret_a and_o almost_o indiscernible_a work_n they_o first_o begin_v to_o restrain_v and_o at_o last_o utter_o destroy_v the_o right_n of_o prince_n in_o the_o point_n before_o we_o and_o first_o have_v either_o send_v their_o 22._o legate_n into_o a_o kingdom_n or_o else_o constitute_v some_o of_o the_o chief_a bishop_n to_o bear_v that_o character_n the_o prince_n indeed_o command_v the_o clergy_n to_o assemble_v but_o the_o other_o as_o the_o pope_n commissioner_n advise_v the_o do_v of_o it_o thus_o boniface_n begin_v the_o 555._o usurpation_n in_o the_o time_n of_o carloman_n anno_fw-la 745._o he_o assisted_z as_o pope_n zachary_n legate_n in_o the_o three_o council_n of_o germany_n in_o which_o gervitio_n bishop_n of_o mentz_n be_v depose_v and_o the_o say_v boniface_n put_v in_o his_o place_n and_o this_o council_n as_o the_o act_n of_o it_o speak_v be_v hold_v carlomanno_n jubente_fw-la &_o bonifacio_n consulente_fw-la the_o prince_n command_v the_o legate_n advise_v it_o to_o be_v hold_v but_o much_o great_a be_v the_o advance_v which_o pope_n john_n the_o viii_o make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o charles_n the_o bald_a anno_fw-la 876._o for_o now_o the_o pope_n call_v the_o synod_n and_o all_o the_o emperor_n have_v to_o do_v be_v to_o require_v the_o pope_n summons_n to_o be_v obey_v so_o the_o act_n of_o the_o synod_n of_o pontigon_n show_v where_o we_o read_v that_o 294_o the_o holy_a synod_n be_v gather_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o call_n of_o john_n the_o most_o bless_a and_o universal_a pope_n and_o at_o the_o command_n of_o charles_n the_o emperor_n and_o in_o the_o act_n of_o it_o among_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v determine_v by_o it_o we_o find_v this_o canon_n to_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o as_o 7._o the_o pope_n have_v with_o the_o connivance_n consent_n and_o joynt-determination_n of_o the_o emperor_n resolve_v to_o establish_v ansegisus_fw-la archbishop_n of_o sens_n to_o be_v his_o legate_n and_o have_v bestow_v upon_o he_o the_o primacy_n of_o france_n and_o germany_n in_o call_v of_o synod_n and_o canonical_o define_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v necessary_a so_o do_v the_o father_n of_o the_o synod_n agree_v to_o it_o and_o in_o like_a manner_n determine_v and_o establish_v i_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o many_o thing_n determine_v in_o this_o decree_n in_o manifest_a derogation_n of_o the_o emperor_n authority_n but_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o to_o observe_v how_o by_o this_o time_n the_o pope_n in_o those_o part_n have_v get_v the_o power_n of_o call_v synod_n whole_o into_o his_o hand_n and_o either_o himself_o express_o do_v it_o or_o else_o give_v commission_n to_o some_o other_o to_o do_v it_o in_o his_o name_n and_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o authority_n it_o be_v true_a the_o emperor_n consent_v to_o what_o be_v do_v in_o the_o present_a case_n but_o that_o be_v only_o to_o allow_v that_o particular_a person_n one_o of_o his_o own_o subject_n to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o character_n of_o the_o pope_n legate_n not_o to_o enable_v the_o pope_n to_o grant_v such_o a_o power_n which_o he_o now_o assume_v to_o himself_o a_o right_a to_o do_v and_o according_o in_o the_o second_o synod_n 311._o of_o troy_n hold_v but_o two_o year_n after_o the_o same_o pope_n come_v into_o france_n to_o remedy_v the_o disorder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o free_v it_o from_o some_o oppression_n which_o it_o lay_v under_o call_v that_o synod_n by_o his_o own_o authority_n made_n what_o canon_n he_o think_v needful_a for_o those_o time_n and_o publish_v they_o in_o the_o council_n and_o the_o council_n have_v the_o honour_n to_o approve_v and_o receive_v they_o from_o he_o but_o as_o encroachment_n of_o this_o nature_n 433._o be_v once_o begin_v run_v still_o on_o to_o a_o great_a excess_n so_o pope_n formosus_fw-la soon_o carry_v the_o usurpation_n yet_o far_o he_o assemble_v by_o his_o legate_n the_o council_n of_o vien_fw-it the_o metropolis_n of_o france_n and_o the_o bishop_n meet_v at_o his_o command_n and_o 750._o from_o henceforth_o it_o become_v a_o settle_a custom_n for_o the_o pope_n by_o his_o legate_n to_o call_v such_o synod_n and_o to_o sit_v with_o the_o bishop_n in_o those_o part_n nor_o do_v the_o pope_n only_o by_o his_o legate_n call_v such_o synod_n and_o assist_v at_o they_o but_o even_o when_o the_o king_n himself_o be_v present_a the_o legate_n now_o begin_v to_o preside_v over_o they_o and_o to_o draw_v even_o matter_n of_o a_o civil_a nature_n before_o he_o and_o judge_v of_o they_o so_o the_o synod_n of_o engelsheim_n under_o 626._o agapetus_n the_o second_o and_o otho_n the_o emperor_n do_v it_o judge_v of_o the_o wrong_n that_o have_v be_v do_v to_o lewis_n the_o four_o king_n of_o france_n and_o excommunicate_v the_o person_n by_o who_o it_o be_v do_v to_o such_o a_o slavery_n have_v the_o pope_n bring_v the_o christian_a world_n about_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o period_n i_o be_o now_o enter_v upon_o he_o call_v synod_n he_o preside_v over_o they_o he_o send_v what_o canon_n he_o please_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o and_o require_v their_o consent_n to_o they_o and_o last_o he_o draw_v not_o only_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n under_o their_o cognizance_n but_o judge_v of_o the_o affair_n of_o prince_n in_o they_o and_o the_o difference_n that_o arise_v among_o they_o concern_v their_o civil_a authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n but_o to_o none_o of_o these_o invasion_n will_v the_o conqueror_n ever_o submit_v but_o on_o the_o 24._o contrary_a he_o hold_v his_o bishop_n to_o the_o same_o subjection_n which_o they_o pay_v to_o their_o saxon_a prince_n and_o though_o upon_o occasion_n he_o make_v use_v of_o the_o pope_n authority_n to_o serve_v his_o own_o turn_n against_o stigand_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n yet_o that_o be_v do_v he_o quick_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o his_o jurisdiction_n and_o suffer_v he_o not_o to_o meddle_v in_o any_o matter_n but_o where_o it_o be_v for_o his_o interest_n to_o allow_v of_o it_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o one_o than_o who_o no_o 224._o one_o better_a understand_v the_o state_n of_o these_o matter_n that_o this_o prince_n will_v not_o suffer_v any_o of_o his_o subject_n to_o acknowledge_v
304._o archbishop_n and_o legate_n hold_v a_o synod_n at_o merton_n upon_o st._n barnabas_n day_n the_o pope_n have_v the_o year_n before_o grant_v to_o the_o king_n the_o ten_o of_o the_o clergy_n for_o three_o year_n but_o the_o clergy_n though_o they_o honour_v the_o pope_n much_o yet_o resolve_v not_o to_o part_v with_o their_o money_n and_o the_o archbishop_n hold_v this_o synod_n on_o purpose_n to_o oppose_v the_o payment_n of_o what_o he_o have_v grant_v upon_o another_o legate_n be_v send_v hither_o 379._o anno_fw-la 1261_o several_a council_n be_v this_o year_n call_v and_o hold_v in_o our_o country_n the_o two_o archbishop_n assemble_v their_o respective_a clergy_n at_o london_n and_o beverley_n and_o boniface_n hold_v another_o 80â—_n distinct_a council_n at_o lambeth_n and_o publish_v many_o excellent_a constitution_n in_o it_o but_o most_o famous_a in_o these_o time_n as_o of_o chief_a authority_n afterward_o be_v the_o council_n assemble_v by_o ottobon_n another_o legate_n about_o the_o year_n 1268._o he_o have_v 2454_o two_o year_n before_o at_o the_o parliament_n at_o northampton_n assemble_v the_o clergy_n who_o meet_v there_o and_o with_o they_o excommunicate_v all_o such_o as_o shall_v adhere_v to_o simon_n 1248._o montfort_n and_o his_o party_n and_o now_o he_o hold_v this_o other_o at_o london_n with_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n and_o therein_o publish_v those_o notable_a constitution_n we_o still_o have_v under_o his_o name_n it_o be_v now_o become_v a_o matter_n of_o custom_n i._n and_o account_v a_o matter_n of_o right_n for_o the_o legate_n extraordinary_a and_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n as_o legate_z of_o course_n to_o summon_v the_o clergy_n to_o convocation_n insomuch_o that_o we_o do_v not_o find_v this_o great_a king_n who_o otherwise_o be_v sensible_a enough_o of_o the_o encroachment_n that_o have_v be_v make_v and_o be_v daily_o make_v upon_o the_o royal_a authority_n to_o have_v be_v at_o all_o offend_v at_o it_o hence_o peckham_n the_o archbishop_n be_v return_v from_o rome_n anno_fw-la 1280_o the_o same_o 49._o year_n hold_v a_o council_n at_o redding_n and_o therein_o command_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o general_n council_n of_o lion_n to_o be_v observe_v and_o the_o next_o year_n he_o assemble_v 11â—6_n another_o at_o lambeth_n in_o which_o the_o order_n and_o constitution_n establish_v by_o otho_n and_o ottobon_n be_v confirm_v and_o some_o other_o add_v for_o the_o better_a government_n of_o the_o church_n about_o ten_o year_n after_o the_o same_o peckham_n again_o hold_v another_o synod_n at_o redding_n 198._o in_o which_o when_o the_o king_n hear_v that_o they_o be_v attempt_v some_o order_n in_o derogation_n to_o his_o authority_n he_o send_v to_o the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n to_o desist_v and_o upon_o his_o threaten_n they_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o their_o proceed_n and_o break_v up_o the_o council_n and_o thus_o have_v we_o see_v what_o encroachment_n be_v make_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o this_o period_n upon_o the_o prince_n authority_n in_o the_o subject_a before_o us._n there_o be_v within_o this_o period_n as_o all_o along_o after_o beside_o these_o national_a and_o provincial_a council_n several_a episcopal_n or_o diocesan_n synod_n assemble_v for_o the_o affair_n of_o that_o particular_a diocese_n in_o which_o they_o be_v hold_v and_o some_o rule_n be_v make_v by_o they_o to_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o clergy_n of_o that_o district_n only_o such_o be_v the_o constitution_n of_o alexander_n bishop_n of_o coventry_n 301._o anno_fw-la 1237_o of_o walter_n bishop_n of_o worcester_z make_v in_o his_o synod_n at_o worcester_n anno_fw-la 1240_o of_o walter_n bishop_n of_o norwich_n make_v in_o his_o synod_n at_o norwich_n monday_n after_o michaelmas_n anno_fw-la 1255_o of_o giles_n bishop_n of_o salisbury_n 302._o anno_fw-la 1256_o and_o of_o which_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o i_o shall_v take_v any_o particular_a notice_n on_o this_o occasion_n but_o though_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n 37._o be_v in_o great_a measure_n handle_v in_o these_o several_a kind_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n yet_o this_o do_v not_o hinder_v but_o that_o still_o our_o king_n with_o their_o great_a council_n do_v from_o time_n to_o time_n interpose_v in_o these_o matter_n and_o order_n many_o thing_n relate_v to_o ecclesiastical_a person_n and_o cause_n when_o wulstan_n bishop_n of_o worcester_n i_o challenge_v some_o land_n as_o belong_v to_o his_o see_n which_o be_v withhold_v from_o it_o by_o the_o archbishop_n of_o tork_n the_o cause_n between_o they_o be_v judge_v by_o william_n 203._o the_o conqueror_n in_o his_o parliament_n at_o pendrede_n the_o archbishop_n bishop_n lord_n and_o great_a man_n be_v present_a this_o be_v manifest_o a_o state_n assembly_n and_o by_o these_o be_v the_o right_n between_o the_o two_o bishop_n examine_v and_o determine_v but_o more_o proper_o ecclesiastical_a be_v anselm_n the_o cause_n which_o william_n the_o second_o examine_v in_o his_o parliament_n at_o rockingham_n upon_o anselm_n resolve_v to_o go_v to_o rome_n and_o to_o receive_v his_o pall_n from_o thence_o this_o the_o king_n vehement_o oppose_v and_o declare_v that_o the_o archbishop_n can_v not_o both_o preserve_v his_o fidelity_n to_o he_o and_o pay_v obedience_n to_o the_o pope_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o refer_v of_o this_o cause_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o parliament_n be_v at_o anselm_n own_o desire_n who_o can_v be_v suspect_v of_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o think_v in_o the_o least_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n the_o next_o great_a controversy_n that_o arise_v of_o this_o kind_n be_v in_o the_o second_o i._o year_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o first_o about_o the_o right_n of_o investiture_n this_o be_v a_o point_n much_o debate_v in_o those_o time_n not_o only_o here_o 1112._o but_o in_o most_o of_o the_o country_n of_o europe_n 〈◊〉_d to_o this_o the_o king_n lay_v a_o claim_n and_o account_v himself_o to_o have_v as_o good_a a_o title_n to_o it_o as_o his_o father_n and_o brother_n before_o he_o have_v upon_o this_o occasion_n the_o quarrel_n grow_v so_o high_a between_o the_o king_n and_o anselm_n that_o the_o latter_a be_v once_o more_o sorce_v to_o leave_v the_o kingdom_n but_o the_o cause_n be_v at_o last_o bring_v before_o the_o parliament_n and_o there_o it_o be_v by_o mutual_a consent_n 91._o resolve_v that_o from_o thenceforth_o no_o one_o shall_v be_v invest_v by_o the_o king_n or_o any_o other_o lie_v hand_n to_o a_o bishopric_n or_o abbey_n by_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o pastoral_n staff_n or_o ring_n but_o yet_o upon_o such_o a_o promotion_n they_o shall_v do_v homage_n to_o the_o king_n for_o it_o which_o be_v the_o other_o thing_n that_o pope_n urban_n have_v before_o insist_v upon_o as_o much_o as_o upon_o the_o point_n of_o investitute_a its_o self_n this_o matter_n be_v scarce_o end_v when_o 95._o another_o arise_v about_o the_o marriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n and_o this_o be_v in_o like_a manner_n end_v in_o parliament_n by_o the_o authority_n as_o well_o of_o the_o king_n and_o his_o lord_n as_o of_o the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n and_o a_o order_n make_v to_o prohibit_v all_o such_o as_o be_v in_o any_o clerical_a order_n to_o cohabit_v with_o their_o wife_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o great_a controversy_n 501._o remain_v concern_v the_o primacy_n of_o the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n and_o the_o subjection_n that_o be_v due_a from_o the_o archbishop_n of_o york_n to_o he_o this_o also_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o king_n at_o whitsuntide_n and_o determine_v by_o he_o with_o his_o bishop_n and_o lord_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n assert_v by_o they_o and_o when_o some_o time_n after_o this_o thurstine_n 1115._o archbishop_n of_o york_n refuse_v to_o be_v conclude_v by_o this_o decree_n he_o be_v in_o full_a parliament_n oblige_v either_o to_o renounce_v his_o bishopric_n or_o to_o pay_v obedience_n to_o the_o see_v of_o canterbury_n no_o soon_o be_v this_o king_n dead_a and_o stephen_n place_v in_o his_o throne_n but_o in_o 1138._o full_a parliament_n he_o confirm_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n and_o make_v very_o ample_a concession_n to_o it_o in_o his_o parliament_n at_o northampton_n two_o year_n after_o he_o dispose_v of_o several_a ecclesiastical_a preferment_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o customary_a manner_n of_o those_o time_n may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o last_o parliament_n of_o this_o king_n which_o be_v call_v 1040._o by_o he_o as_o well_o for_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o kingdom_n as_o to_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o church_n of_o york_n then_o vacant_a by_o the_o death_n of_o st._n william_n the_o late_a bishop_n of_o it_o how_o far_o the_o parliament_n still_o continue_v ii_o to_o meddle_v with_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n under_o the_o next_o king_n reign_n the_o
its_o determination_n proceed_v 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o next_o place_n for_o their_o sake_n who_o have_v no_o religion_n at_o the_o bottom_n nor_o any_o 〈◊〉_d notion_n of_o a_o church_n however_o for_o their_o worldly_a interest_n they_o may_v pretend_v to_o this_o or_o that_o party_n by_o join_v themselves_o to_o its_o communion_n to_o show_v what_o the_o law_n of_o their_o country_n say_v in_o this_o case_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v for_o ever_o silence_v in_o this_o question_n and_o not_o dare_v to_o mutter_v any_o more_o after_o what_o this_o new_a pythagoras_n shall_v have_v declare_v to_o them_o and_o have_v thus_o engage_v our_o attention_n he_o proceed_v oraculous_o to_o pronounce_v know_v therefore_o say_v he_o that_o a_o convocation_n be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a court_n or_o 21._o assembly_n essential_a to_o our_o constitution_n and_o establish_v by_o the_o law_n of_o it_o it_o be_v the_o high_a of_o all_o our_o ecclesiastical_a court_n 29._o or_o assembly_n be_v call_v and_o convene_v in_o parliament_n time_n by_o the_o king_n be_v write_v direct_v to_o the_o archbishop_n it_o consist_v of_o all_o the_o clergy_n of_o both_o province_n either_o personal_o or_o representative_o present_a in_o the_o upper_a house_n be_v the_o archbishop_n and_o bishop_n in_o the_o low_a house_n or_o house_n of_o commons_o spiritual_a be_v the_o dean_n archdeacon_n one_o proctor_n for_o every_o chapter_n and_o two_o for_o the_o clergy_n of_o each_o diocese_n this_o be_v the_o court._n the_o frequent_a sit_v of_o this_o court_n be_v 23._o one_o of_o the_o chief_a right_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v a_o national_a church_n and_o to_o such_o it_o be_v certain_o 60._o incident_a to_o have_v national_a synod_n or_o convocation_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n to_o those_o synod_n to_o have_v freedom_n of_o speech_n or_o debate_v about_o matter_n proper_a for_o their_o cognizance_n relate_v to_o the_o be_v or_o wellbeing_a of_o their_o body_n as_o a_o church_n and_o if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v any_o right_n 62._o or_o privilege_n this_o of_o assemble_v debate_v and_o confer_v be_v certain_o one_o and_o the_o chief_a of_o them_o it_o be_v true_a a_o convocation_n can_v assemble_v 30._o without_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o king_n his_o writ_n be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o it_o and_o his_o prerogative_n do_v empower_v he_o to_o prohibit_v 45._o the_o clergy_n assemble_v in_o synod_n without_o his_o summons_n but_o than_o it_o be_v as_o 27._o true_a too_o that_o the_o assemble_v of_o they_o be_v not_o entire_o dependent_a on_o his_o will_n nor_o lodge_v pure_o in_o the_o breast_n of_o the_o sovereign_n but_o it_o be_v with_o the_o convocation_n as_o it_o be_v with_o the_o parliament_n the_o king_n 34._o be_v entrust_v with_o the_o formal_a part_n of_o summon_v and_o conven_v it_o but_o so_o that_o by_o the_o very_a essence_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o church_n a_o convocation_n ought_v at_o certain_a time_n to_o meet_v sit_v and_o act_n and_o the_o fundamental_o of_o our_o government_n show_v he_o when_o and_o how_o his_o power_n in_o this_o respect_n be_v to_o be_v exercise_v and_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v at_o his_o free_a will_n and_o pleasure_n to_o grant_v therefore_o that_o the_o king_n writ_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o assemble_v of_o the_o convocation_n the_o question_n be_v whether_o 30._o that_o writ_n ought_v not_o to_o issue_n whensoever_o a_o summons_n go_v out_o for_o a_o parliament_n and_o to_o this_o we_o say_v that_o the_o law_n of_o the_o realm_n 38._o have_v direct_v the_o king_n or_o at_o least_o his_o chancellor_n keeper_n or_o other_o minister_n have_v the_o custody_n of_o the_o great_a seal_n to_o issue_n forth_o such_o writ_n and_o they_o can_v no_o more_o be_v omit_v than_o any_o single_a peer_n summons_n to_o parliament_n thus_o far_o our_o way_n be_v plain_a and_o clear_a 40._o but_o suppose_v all_o this_o the_o question_n still_o be_v whether_o or_o no_o the_o convocation_n may_v confer_v after_o their_o summons_n and_o meet_v without_o the_o king_n '_o be_v special_a licence_n and_o assent_n in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o common_a receive_a opinion_n be_v in_o the_o negative_a however_o if_o what_o have_v be_v offer_v already_o with_o regard_n to_o their_o convening_n have_v any_o weight_n in_o it_o it_o must_v hold_v also_o in_o some_o degree_n with_o respect_n to_o their_o confer_v and_o treat_v when_o meet_v about_o matter_n proper_a to_o their_o cognizance_n if_o they_o be_v a_o court_n and_o have_v their_o jurisdiction_n and_o be_v a_o legislature_n and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o make_v ecclesiastical_a law_n both_o which_o they_o certain_o be_v and_o have_v then_o the_o liberty_n of_o confer_v and_o discuss_v be_v necessary_a to_o their_o very_a existence_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o this_o author_n 3._o have_v assert_v as_o to_o the_o point_n in_o question_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v express_v in_o his_o own_o word_n let_v we_o now_o see_v wherein_o we_o differ_v from_o one_o another_o and_o reduce_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n between_o we_o to_o as_o narrow_a a_o compass_n as_o we_o can_v and_o one_a though_o i_o will_v not_o enter_v upon_o a_o new_a subject_n yet_o i_o must_v needs_o say_v i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v that_o the_o church_n have_v either_o command_n or_o authority_n from_o god_n to_o assemble_v synod_n or_o by_o consequence_n any_o inherent_a and_o unalterable_a right_n to_o make_v any_o such_o authoritative_a definition_n as_o he_o suppose_v in_o them_o i_o be_o not_o aware_a that_o either_o in_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a direction_n give_v for_o its_o so_o do_v and_o except_v the_o singular_a instance_n which_o we_o have_v act_n xvth_o i_o know_v of_o no_o example_n that_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n be_v offer_v of_o such_o a_o meeting_n and_o whether_o that_o be_v such_o a_o synod_n as_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o may_v very_o just_o be_v doubt_v the_o foundation_n of_o synod_n in_o the_o church_n be_v in_o my_o apprehension_n the_o same_o as_o of_o council_n in_o the_o state_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n when_o it_o begin_v to_o be_v enlarge_v first_o bring_v in_o the_o one_o as_o those_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n do_v the_o other_o and_o therefore_o when_o man_n be_v incorporate_v into_o society_n as_o well_o for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n as_o for_o their_o civil_a peace_n and_o security_n these_o assembly_n be_v to_o be_v as_o much_o subject_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n and_o to_o be_v regulate_v by_o they_o as_o any_o other_o public_a assembly_n of_o what_o kind_n soever_o be_v nor_o have_v the_o church_n any_o inherent_a divine_a right_n to_o set_v it_o at_o liberty_n from_o be_v conclude_v by_o such_o rule_n as_o the_o govern_v part_n of_o every_o society_n shall_v prescribe_v to_o it_o as_o to_o this_o matter_n this_o be_v my_o notion_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o thus_o i_o conceive_v synod_n be_v to_o be_v manage_v in_o christian_a state_n as_o for_o those_o realm_n in_o which_o the_o civil_a power_n be_v of_o another_o persuasion_n natural_a reason_n will_v prompt_v the_o member_n of_o every_o church_n to_o consult_v together_o the_o best_a they_o can_v how_o to_o manage_v the_o affair_n of_o it_o and_o to_o agree_v upon_o such_o rule_n and_o method_n as_o shall_v seem_v most_o proper_a to_o preserve_v the_o peace_n and_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o give_v the_o least_o offence_n that_o may_v be_v to_o the_o government_n under_o which_o they_o live_v and_o what_o rule_n be_v by_o the_o common-consent_n of_o every_o such_o church_n agree_v to_o aught_o to_o be_v the_o measure_n for_o the_o assemble_v and_o act_v of_o synod_n in_o such_o a_o country_n whether_o this_o notion_n will_v please_v this_o author_n or_o no_o i_o can_v tell_v if_o it_o do_v not_o i_o hope_v he_o will_v show_v i_o wherein_o my_o error_n lie_v and_o how_o i_o may_v correct_v it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n this_o security_n i_o have_v that_o if_o i_o be_o mistake_v i_o err_v with_o man_n of_o as_o great_a a_o judgement_n and_o as_o comprehensive_a a_o knowledge_n in_o these_o matter_n as_o any_o can_v be_v who_o differ_v from_o me._n but_o to_o come_v to_o that_o which_o i_o be_o now_o 4._o more_o proper_o to_o examine_v that_o the_o two_o convocation_n consider_v as_o a_o national_a synod_n be_v the_o high_a ecclesiastical_a assembly_n of_o this_o kingdom_n i_o ready_o agree_v nor_o shall_v i_o deny_v but_o that_o a_o convocation_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v essential_a to_o our_o constitution_n but_o that_o the_o frequent_a sit_v
convocation_n be_v call_v they_o 44._o shall_v not_o only_o meet_v formal_o but_o sit_v and_o act_n as_o the_o parliament_n do_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o session_n of_o convocation_n as_o well_o as_o a_o session_n of_o parliament_n now_o not_o to_o be_v too_o curious_a in_o examine_v the_o parallel_n here_o offer_v betwixt_o these_o two_o and_o which_o be_v it_o as_o exact_v as_o i_o be_o confident_a it_o be_v not_o will_v yet_o no_o more_o prove_v their_o privilege_n to_o be_v equal_a than_o the_o likeness_n of_o two_o corporation_n in_o have_v a_o mayor_n aldermen_z and_o common-council_n will_v prove_v that_o therefore_o in_o despite_n of_o their_o several_a charter_n they_o must_v have_v all_o the_o same_o privilege_n also_o one_a i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v that_o the_o convocation_n be_v of_o the_o same_o power_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o church_n that_o the_o parliament_n be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o state_n because_o i_o be_o tell_v by_o very_o good_a lawyer_n that_o the_o convocation_n in_o make_v ecclesiastical_a constitution_n must_v proceed_v by_o certain_a rule_n and_o can_v even_o with_o the_o king_n consent_n conclude_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n 19_o or_o statute_n or_o custom_n of_o the_o realm_n but_o now_o the_o parliament_n be_v not_o subject_a to_o any_o such_o limitation_n its_o power_n be_v arbitrary_a and_o uncontrollable_a and_o be_v join_v with_o the_o royal_a authority_n can_v enact_v what_o it_o will_v for_o the_o public_a good_a any_o law_n statute_n or_o custom_n to_o the_o contrary_a in_o any_o wise_n notwithstanding_o 2._o as_o for_o the_o word_n parliament_n i_o shall_v not_o much_o contend_v with_o he_o about_o it_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o it_o be_v a_o name_n bring_v in_o by_o the_o norman_n and_o but_o late_o receive_v among_o we_o to_o denote_v those_o meeting_n of_o state_n which_o be_v ancient_o call_v mycel_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d colloquium_fw-la concilium_fw-la synodus_fw-la and_o the_o like_a it_o be_v more_o extraordinary_a which_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o as_o wittenagemote_a be_v wont_a to_o signify_v what_o we_o call_v a_o parliament_n so_o church-gemote_a denote_v what_o we_o call_v a_o convocation_n and_o for_o which_o i_o be_o confident_a he_o will_v be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o 4_o to_o bring_v we_o any_o author_n elder_a than_o sir_n edw._n coke_n from_o who_o as_o poor_a godolphin_n first_o so_o have_v he_o now_o take_v it_o at_o all_o adventure_n though_o be_v this_o true_a the_o observation_n will_v amount_v in_o plain_a english_a to_o no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o as_o a_o parliament_n be_v ancient_o call_v a_o assembly_n of_o the_o wiseman_n so_o be_v a_o convocation_n call_v a_o assembly_n of_o churchman_n and_o of_o which_o if_o he_o can_v make_v any_o use_n i_o shall_v not_o envy_v he_o the_o honour_n of_o so_o weighty_a and_o critical_a a_o remark_n be_v it_o needful_a in_o return_n to_o these_o little_a remark_n to_o mention_v the_o several_a difference_n that_o may_v be_v assign_v between_o these_o two_o assembly_n i_o may_v easy_o enlarge_v they_o into_o many_o more_o particular_n and_o of_o much_o great_a importance_n than_o those_o which_o he_o have_v allege_v to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o convocation_n be_v multiply_v according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o province_n into_o which_o the_o church_n be_v divide_v and_o represent_v the_o clergy_n not_o of_o the_o whole_a church_n but_o only_o of_o one_o part_n of_o it_o whereas_o the_o parliament_n be_v a_o assembly_n for_o the_o whole_a realm_n the_o manner_n of_o consult_v resolve_v and_o act_v be_v very_o different_a in_o the_o one_o and_o in_o the_o other_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o archbishop_n be_v much_o other_o in_o the_o convocation_n than_o the_o lordkeeper_n be_v in_o the_o parliament_n but_o especial_o the_o power_n of_o the_o parliament_n in_o make_v law_n free_a and_o unbounded_a whereas_o the_o convocation_n be_v by_o authority_n of_o parliament_n determine_v both_o in_o its_o principle_n and_o power_n of_o act_v and_o can_v neither_o debate_n effectual_o nor_o resolve_v to_o any_o purpose_n of_o any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o realm_n and_o be_v no_o wise_a prejudicial_a to_o the_o civil_a interest_n of_o any_o but_o to_o allow_v of_o the_o suppose_a parallel_n between_o the_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n what_o will_v this_o gentleman_n infer_v from_o it_o not_o i_o hope_v that_o the_o one_o shall_v therefore_o â—it_n and_o act_n whenever_o the_o other_o do_v a_o father_n for_o example_n have_v two_o son_n they_o be_v both_o his_o child_n both_o of_o the_o same_o sex_n both_o equal_o relate_v to_o he_o perhaps_o and_o both_o equal_o belove_v by_o he_o but_o will_v this_o author_n from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o they_o have_v a_o equal_a right_n to_o his_o estate_n and_o ought_v equal_o to_o succeed_v in_o it_o this_o will_v be_v a_o very_a agreeable_a conclusion_n to_o many_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a will_v hardly_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o elder_a brother_n to_o be_v a_o just_a one_o it_o be_v true_a a_o father_n in_o this_o case_n may_v possible_o have_v leave_v they_o portion_n alike_o and_o have_v make_v they_o as_o equal_v in_o their_o fortune_n as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o relation_n to_o he_o and_o so_o perhaps_o our_o constitution_n may_v have_v make_v the_o parliament_n and_o the_o convocation_n but_o whether_o the_o father_n have_v do_v this_o must_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o settlement_n of_o his_o estate_n and_o not_o from_o any_o suppose_a equality_n of_o right_n in_o his_o son_n to_o his_o affection_n and_o whether_o our_o constitution_n have_v give_v these_o assembly_n a_o equal_a right_n to_o meet_v â—it_n and_o act_n must_v be_v determine_v by_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o realm_n and_o not_o be_v collect_v from_o imaginary_a parallel_n and_o wild_a inference_n which_o have_v neither_o any_o law_n and_o but_o very_o little_a sense_n in_o them_o 3._o as_o for_o those_o state_n maxim_n which_o he_o 8._o have_v final_o add_v to_o support_v this_o argument_n it_o will_v then_o be_v proper_a to_o give_v a_o reply_n to_o they_o when_o this_o author_n shall_v have_v show_v we_o that_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n in_o they_o to_o be_v reply_v to_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o must_v observe_v that_o whether_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n or_o end_v of_o the_o parliament_n the_o necessity_n of_o the_o civil_a affair_n or_o the_o interest_n which_o both_o the_o prince_n and_o people_n may_v have_v in_o the_o assemble_v of_o it_o there_o must_v in_o all_o probability_n be_v always_o a_o much_o great_a need_n of_o frequent_a parliament_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o state_n than_o of_o frequent_a convocation_n for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n when_o a_o national_a church_n be_v once_o thorough_o establish_v and_o neither_o need_v any_o far_a law_n to_o be_v make_v for_o the_o enforce_n of_o its_o discipline_n or_o any_o new_a confession_n to_o be_v frame_v for_o the_o security_n of_o its_o doctrine_n when_o its_o liturgy_n and_o other_o office_n be_v fix_v and_o state_v and_o there_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v any_o need_n of_o alter_v or_o improve_n any_o of_o these_o that_o it_o be_v think_v a_o crime_n but_o even_o to_o suppose_v that_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o improve_v they_o or_o to_o make_v any_o alteration_n but_o for_o the_o worse_o in_o they_o i_o can_v imagine_v until_o something_o arise_v to_o unsettle_v such_o a_o constitution_n what_o a_o convocation_n can_v have_v to_o meet_v about_o but_o this_o be_v not_o the_o case_n of_o the_o civil_a state_n which_o be_v god_n know_v subject_a to_o many_o more_o change_n than_o the_o ecclesiastical_a and_o will_v often_o want_v to_o have_v public_a remedy_n apply_v for_o the_o redress_n or_o prevention_n of_o its_o public_a evil_n perhaps_o a_o prince_n arise_v who_o affect_v a_o arbitrary_a sway_n and_o his_o minister_n join_v in_o the_o same_o design_n with_o he_o and_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o parliament_n can_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o their_o attempt_n this_o therefore_o may_v make_v it_o necessary_a in_o time_n of_o peace_n and_o quietness_n for_o the_o parliament_n to_o meet_v at_o certain_a time_n to_o prevent_v such_o attempt_n and_o to_o keep_v every_o member_n of_o the_o constitution_n within_o its_o due_a bound_n and_o such_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o last_o reign_n it_o may_v be_v the_o commonwealth_n be_v assault_v by_o its_o enemy_n from_o abroad_o and_o those_o enemy_n be_v countenance_v by_o a_o factious_a discontent_a party_n at_o home_n and_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o parliament_n to_o meet_v and_o to_o raise_v supply_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o realm_n against_o the_o one_o and_o to_o make_v some_o
new_a law_n for_o the_o suppression_n or_o discovery_n of_o the_o other_o and_o this_o have_v be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o present_a government_n but_o now_o what_o effect_v have_v all_o these_o civil_a exigency_n have_v upon_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o it_o be_v that_o a_o act_n of_o toleration_n have_v be_v make_v which_o our_o author_n profess_v he_o envy_v not_o to_o the_o dissenter_n or_o if_o he_o do_v i_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o have_v the_o convocation_n pretend_v to_o repeal_v it_o in_o short_a all_o he_o can_v allege_v be_v certain_a disorder_n which_o either_o there_o be_v a_o sufficient_a provision_n already_o make_v against_o or_o if_o there_o be_v not_o i_o doubt_v the_o convocation_n will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n far_o for_o the_o more_o effectual_a redress_n of_o them_o but_o however_o this_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n more_o particular_o to_o consider_v when_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v what_o he_o have_v say_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n which_o he_o pretend_v there_o be_v for_o the_o sit_v of_o a_o convocation_n and_o i_o must_v not_o anticipate_v here_o what_o will_v more_o proper_o as_o well_o as_o more_o full_o be_v handle_v there_o so_o little_o be_v there_o in_o his_o first_o argument_n which_o he_o have_v bring_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o convocation_n have_v a_o right_a to_o sit_v as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n meet_v and_o have_v be_v unwarrantable_o deny_v by_o the_o government_n 〈◊〉_d so_o to_o do_v let_v we_o see_v whether_o his_o next_o proof_n be_v any_o better_a now_o that_o 2_o be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o act_n 〈…〉_z of_o parliament_n 8_o hen._n vi_o ch_n 1._o the_o substance_n of_o which_o statute_n be_v this_o that_o the_o clergy_n who_o be_v call_v by_o the_o king_n be_v write_v to_o convocation_n shall_v full_o use_v and_o enjoy_v such_o liberty_n and_o defence_n in_o come_v tarry_v and_o return_v as_o the_o great_a man_n and_o commonalty_n of_o england_n call_v or_o to_o be_v call_v to_o the_o king_n parliament_n do_v enjoy_v and_o be_v wont_a to_o enjoy_v or_o in_o time_n to_o come_v aught_o to_o enjoy_v well_o be_v this_o so_o but_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o this_o statute_n which_o say_v that_o the_o clergy_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o convocation_n when_o ever_o the_o great_a man_n and_o commonalty_n of_o england_n do_v to_o the_o parliament_n that_o be_v not_o pretend_v but_o what_o be_v there_o then_o in_o this_o act_n to_o the_o purpose_n of_o our_o present_a enquiry_n why_o in_o the_o preamble_n to_o it_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o clergy_n come_v to_o convocation_n be_v oftentime_o and_o common_o molest_v from_o whence_o our_o author_n admirable_o conclude_v that_o therefore_o they_o do_v oftentimes_o and_o common_o in_o those_o day_n meet_v in_o convocation_n that_o this_o can_v reasonable_o be_v infer_v from_o those_o word_n i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n satisfy_v which_o only_o signify_v that_o when_o the_o clergy_n go_v to_o convocation_n they_o be_v very_o often_o molest_v by_o arrest_n etc._n etc._n but_o do_v not_o at_o all_o imply_v that_o the_o convocation_n use_v often_o to_o meet_v however_o let_v this_o be_v grant_v in_o henry_n the_o sixth_n time_n the_o convocation_n often_o meet_v therefore_o it_o meet_v whenever_o the_o parliament_n sit_v how_o do_v that_o appear_v nay_o but_o we_o must_v go_v far_a therefore_o of_o right_a it_o ought_v to_o meet_v now_o whenever_o the_o parliament_n do_v nay_o but_o this_o will_v not_o yet_o do_v therefore_o it_o ought_v not_o only_o formal_o to_o meet_v but_o to_o sit_v and_o act_v too_o as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n assemble_v this_o our_o author_n must_v mean_v or_o he_o allege_v this_o act_n to_o no_o purpose_n and_o he_o who_o can_v draw_v this_o consequence_n from_o that_o act_n must_v be_v a_o mighty_a man_n of_o reason_n indeed_o and_o too_o unequal_a a_o match_n for_o man_n of_o ordinary_a skill_n in_o logic_n to_o deal_v with_o and_o yet_o after_o all_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v true_a the_o convocation_n in_o those_o day_n do_v sit_v and_o act_v too_o for_o the_o most_o part_n as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n meet_v for_o the_o clergy_n in_o those_o day_n assess_v themselves_o and_o without_o their_o sit_v either_o as_o a_o member_n of_o the_o parliament_n which_o heretofore_o they_o be_v or_o in_o a_o provincial_a synod_n which_o common_o meet_v with_o the_o parliament_n the_o king_n can_v have_v no_o supply_n from_o the_o church_n but_o as_o for_o ecclesiastical_a business_n for_o aught_o i_o can_v find_v they_o do_v as_o little_a with_o their_o often-meeting_n then_o as_o they_o do_v with_o their_o seldom-meeting_n now_o and_o be_v this_o the_o case_n of_o the_o convocation_n still_o be_v the_o business_n of_o its_o assemble_v principal_o if_o not_o only_o to_o give_v money_n to_o the_o government_n i_o believe_v instead_o of_o this_o vindication_n of_o its_o right_n to_o â—it_n we_o shall_v rather_o have_v see_v a_o complaint_n against_o the_o charge_n and_o trouble_v of_o it_o at_o least_o i_o be_o pretty_a confident_a neither_o this_o gentleman_n nor_o his_o convocation-friend_n will_v have_v be_v much_o concern_v for_o their_o meeting_n or_o have_v be_v at_o all_o scandalized_a at_o those_o unwarrantable_a adjournmen_n they_o have_v now_o so_o tender_a a_o sense_n of_o but_o three_o the_o convecation_n say_v this_o author_n be_v a_o ecclesiastical_a court._n to_o it_o 36._o belong_v the_o punishment_n of_o heresy_n and_o in_o ancient_a time_n it_o be_v frequent_o and_o of_o necessity_n use_v for_o that_o end_n for_o without_o it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o punishment_n of_o heresy_n since_o the_o 25_o of_o hen_n viii_o this_o be_v in_o good_a measure_n again_o the_o case_n and_o it_o can_v reasonable_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o the_o king_n be_v absolute_a will_n whether_o it_o shall_v exercise_v this_o jurisdiction_n or_o not_o this_o be_v his_o next_o argument_n and_o shall_v we_o entire_o allow_v of_o it_o it_o will_v only_o prove_v that_o the_o king_n ought_v to_o permit_v they_o to_o meet_v and_o act_n whenever_o any_o heretic_n be_v to_o be_v convict_v by_o they_o but_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n show_v either_o that_o they_o have_v a_o right_n even_o in_o such_o a_o case_n to_o meet_v without_o the_o king_n leave_n or_o that_o the_o king_n ought_v of_o right_a to_o let_v they_o sit_v when_o there_o be_v no_o such_o need_n of_o it_o but_o indeed_o if_o my_o lord_n coke_n be_v in_o the_o 39_o right_n there_o be_v a_o manifest_a mistake_n in_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n have_v always_o power_n to_o convict_v of_o heresy_n and_o to_o proceed_v by_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n against_o heretic_n all_o that_o he_o be_v defective_a in_o be_v that_o he_o have_v no_o power_n to_o imprison_v and_o for_o want_v of_o that_o can_v not_o proceed_v oftentime_o to_o any_o purpose_n against_o they_o this_o power_n therefore_o be_v give_v to_o the_o bishop_n by_o the_o 2d_o of_o hen._n iu._n and_o though_o now_o the_o civil_a penalty_n that_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v inflict_v upon_o heretic_n be_v take_v away_o yet_o have_v it_o be_v resolve_v that_o the_o bishop_n may_v still_o proceed_v ib._n by_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n against_o them_o whether_o this_o be_v so_o or_o not_o i_o shall_v leave_v it_o to_o this_o gentleman_n to_o inquire_v who_o possible_o may_v be_v better_o acquaint_v with_o such_o matter_n than_o i_o be_o but_o if_o it_o be_v then_o it_o be_v manifest_a there_o can_v be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o convocation_n meet_v to_o do_v that_o which_o may_v be_v as_o well_o do_v by_o the_o bishop_n without_o it_o and_o these_o be_v only_o some_o lesser_a argument_n 11._o with_o which_o our_o author_n design_v to_o skirmish_n before_o we_o come_v to_o his_o main_a battle_n but_o now_o we_o be_v to_o begin_v to_o look_v to_o ourselves_o for_o 4thly_a his_o next_o proof_n be_v take_v from_o no_o less_o a_o topick_n than_o the_o parliamentary-writ_a and_o in_o his_o own_o opinion_n â—s_v a_o argument_n of_o invincible_a strength_n to_o establish_v 38._o the_o necessity_n of_o convocation_n meet_v as_o often_o as_o parliament_n in_o answer_v whereunto_o i_o do_v ready_o agree_v that_o when_o the_o proemonition_n to_o the_o bishop_n to_o summon_v his_o clergy_n to_o parliament_n be_v first_o put_v into_o that_o writ_n the_o clergy_n thereby_o summon_v have_v as_o much_o right_n to_o meet_v by_o virtue_n of_o it_o as_o the_o bishop_n himself_o have_v and_o it_o be_v according_o by_o our_o best_a antiquary_n acknowledge_v that_o in_o ancient_a time_n the_o inferior_a clergy_n be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o great_a council_n of_o the_o nation_n as_o well_o as_o the_o bishop_n and_o abbot_n but_o then_o this_o
either_o do_v or_o say_v when_o he_o be_v of_o council_n for_o his_o majesty_n but_o for_o other_o tenet_n elsewhere_o and_o at_o other_o time_n advance_v by_o he_o and_o therefore_o pray_v his_o assistance_n according_a to_o his_o coronation_n oath_n and_o as_o he_o desire_v to_o avoid_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n the_o clergy_n thus_o proceed_v the_o lord_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o realm_n at_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o address_v also_o to_o the_o king_n and_o desire_v he_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o coronation_n oath_n that_o he_o will_v assert_v his_o temporal_a jurisdiction_n and_o protect_v standish_n in_o the_o great_a peril_n in_o which_o he_o be_v against_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o clergy_n who_o evident_o object_v to_o he_o the_o same_o tenet_n which_o he_o have_v defend_v in_o right_a of_o the_o king_n authority_n be_v thus_o apply_v to_o on_o both_o side_n the_o king_n first_o consult_v with_o dr._n veysey_n dean_n of_o his_o chapel_n and_o have_v have_v his_o opinion_n order_v the_o justice_n of_o his_o court_n and_o his_o own_o council_n both_o spiritual_a and_o temporal_a with_o several_a member_n of_o the_o parliament_n to_o meet_v at_o the_o blackfriar_n and_o there_o to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o the_o cause_n between_o standish_n and_o the_o convocation_n and_o to_o hear_v what_o standish_n have_v to_o say_v for_o himself_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o point_n object_v to_o he_o the_o cause_n be_v hear_v and_o in_o conclusion_n standish_n be_v acquit_v and_o the_o whole_a convocation_n judge_v to_o have_v incur_v a_o praemunire_n by_o their_o citation_n and_o prosecution_n of_o he_o upon_o this_o the_o king_n come_v himself_o to_o baynard_n castle_n all_o the_o bishop_n and_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o parliament_n with_o the_o judge_n attend_v upon_o he_o be_v sit_v woolsey_n as_o cardinal_n and_o in_o high_a favour_n with_o the_o king_n first_o apply_v to_o he_o in_o behalf_n of_o the_o convocation_n and_o pray_v that_o the_o cause_n may_v be_v refer_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o court_n of_o rome_n this_o be_v second_v by_o warham_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o clergy_n and_o much_o be_v argue_v for_o and_o against_o this._n at_o length_n the_o king_n deliver_v himself_o to_o this_o effect_n to_o they_o that_o by_o the_o order_n and_o sufferance_n of_o god_n he_o be_v king_n of_o england_n and_o as_o such_o will_v maintain_v the_o right_n of_o his_o crown_n and_o his_o royal_a jurisdiction_n in_o as_o ample_a a_o manner_n as_o any_o of_o his_o progenitor_n have_v do_v before_o he_o then_o he_o command_v the_o convocation_n to_o dismiss_v standish_n which_o according_o they_o do_v and_o be_v content_a for_o that_o time_n to_o let_v the_o royal_a supremacy_n get_v the_o better_a of_o the_o spiritual_a jurisdiction_n chap._n vi_o some_o rule_n lay_v down_o by_o which_o to_o judge_v for_o what_o cause_n and_o at_o what_o time_n synod_n ought_v or_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v assemble_v and_o the_o reason_n suggest_v by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o letter_n etc._n etc._n to_o prove_v a_o convocation_n to_o be_v at_o this_o time_n necessary_a to_o be_v hold_v examine_v and_o answer_v hitherto_o we_o have_v be_v state_v the_o 1._o matter_n of_o right_n between_o the_o king_n and_o the_o convocation_n and_o if_o i_o do_v not_o very_o much_o deceive_v myself_o i_o have_v plain_o make_v it_o appear_v against_o the_o author_n of_o the_o late_a letter_n to_o a_o convocation-man_n that_o that_o venerable_a body_n have_v neither_o any_o right_a to_o meet_v nor_o power_n to_o act_n but_o as_o the_o king_n shall_v gracious_o allow_v they_o to_o do_v but_o now_o have_v assert_v this_o in_o vindication_n of_o the_o prince_n prerogative_n i_o must_v not_o forget_v what_o i_o have_v before_o confess_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o see_v no_o cause_n yet_o to_o retract_v viz._n that_o his_o majesty_n both_o as_o a_o christian_a and_o a_o king_n be_v oblige_v to_o permit_v his_o clergy_n to_o sit_v and_o act_n whensoever_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n require_v it_o and_o it_o will_v be_v for_o the_o public_a good_a of_o his_o people_n that_o they_o shall_v do_v so_o and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a the_o law_n have_v entrust_v he_o with_o the_o last_o judgement_n of_o this_o and_o without_o which_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o maintain_v his_o supremacy_n in_o this_o respect_n yet_o certain_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o careful_a to_o consider_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o public_a by_o how_o much_o the_o great_a the_o trust_n be_v which_o the_o public_a in_o confidence_n of_o such_o his_o care_n have_v repose_v in_o he_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v indeed_o that_o our_o present_a author_n have_v neither_o take_v a_o very_a proper_a method_n of_o communicate_v his_o advice_n to_o the_o king_n nor_o do_v it_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o if_o he_o design_v to_o persuade_v either_o the_o king_n or_o his_o minister_n to_o pay_v any_o great_a deference_n to_o his_o judgement_n on_o the_o contrary_a it_o appear_v that_o in_o all_o that_o he_o have_v say_v he_o intend_v rather_o to_o reflect_v upon_o the_o administration_n of_o affair_n and_o to_o raise_v discontent_n in_o man_n mind_n against_o the_o government_n than_o to_o do_v any_o service_n either_o to_o religion_n or_o the_o church_n but_o however_o i_o will_v consider_v nevertheless_o what_o he_o have_v allege_v to_o show_v that_o our_o present_a time_n call_v for_o a_o convocation_n and_o that_o the_o king_n ought_v not_o any_o long_a to_o prevent_v their_o sit_v the_o question_n to_o be_v examine_v be_v 3._o thus_o propose_v by_o he_o what_o occasion_n there_o be_v at_o present_a 1._o for_o a_o convocation_n and_o his_o answer_n to_o it_o be_v short_a and_o vehement_a full_a of_o warmth_n as_o be_v i_o suppose_v design_v to_o inflame_v that_o if_o ever_o there_o be_v need_n of_o 〈◊〉_d convocation_n 2._o since_o christianity_n be_v establish_v in_o this_o kingdom_n there_o be_v need_n of_o one_o now._n to_o clear_v this_o point_n and_o see_v how_o well_o this_o author_n make_v good_a so_o bold_a a_o assertion_n i_o shall_v take_v this_o method_n one_a i_o will_v lay_v down_o some_o general_n rule_v by_o which_o we_o may_v the_o better_a judge_n at_o what_o time_n and_o in_o what_o case_n it_o may_v be_v either_o necessary_a or_o expedient_a for_o a_o prince_n to_o call_v a_o convocation_n and_o then_o proceed_v 2_o to_o consider_v what_o this_o gentleman_n have_v offer_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o convocation_n under_o our_o present_a circumstance_n to_o be_v so_o exceed_v great_a and_o urgent_a as_o he_o pretend_v it_o be_v i._o that_o synod_n may_v in_o some_o case_n be_v as_o useless_a to_o the_o church_n as_o in_o other_o 3._o they_o be_v expedient_a every_o man_n be_v own_o reason_n will_v tell_v he_o and_o that_o such_o time_n may_v happen_v in_o which_o they_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o prove_v not_o only_o useless_a but_o hurtful_a we_o have_v not_o only_o the_o experience_n but_o the_o complaint_n of_o the_o best_a man_n to_o convince_v we_o it_o be_v a_o severe_a judgement_n which_o gregory_n nazianzen_n pass_v upon_o the_o synod_n of_o his_o time_n and_o be_v the_o more_o to_o be_v regard_v because_o it_o be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o frequent_a trial_n and_o a_o sad_a observation_n that_o he_o 814._o flee_v all_o such_o assembly_n as_o have_v never_o see_v any_o one_o of_o they_o come_v to_o a_o happy_a conclusion_n or_o that_o do_v not_o cause_n more_o mischief_n than_o it_o remedy_v their_o contention_n and_o ambition_n say_v he_o be_v not_o to_o be_v express_v and_o a_o man_n may_v much_o easy_a fall_n into_o sin_n himself_o by_o judge_v of_o other_o man_n than_o he_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o reform_v their_o crime_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o thing_n in_o antiquity_n that_o either_o more_o expose_v our_o christian_a profession_n heretofore_o or_o may_v more_o deserve_v our_o serious_a consideration_n at_o this_o day_n than_o the_o violence_n the_o passion_n the_o malice_n the_o falseness_n and_o the_o oppression_n which_o reign_v in_o most_o of_o those_o synod_n that_o be_v hold_v by_o constantine_n first_o and_o after_z he_o by_o the_o follow_a emperor_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o arian_n controversy_n bitter_a be_v the_o complaint_n which_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o great_a emperor_n make_v of_o them_o the_o barbarian_n say_v he_o in_o his_o letter_n 28._o to_o one_o of_o they_o for_o fear_n of_o we_o worship_n god_n but_o we_o mind_v nothing_o but_o what_o tend_v to_o hatred_n to_o dissension_n in_o one_o word_n to_o the_o destruction_n of_o mankind_n and_o what_o little_a success_n other_o synod_n have_v oftentimes_o
all_o private_a case_n which_o be_v determinable_a in_o other_o court_n and_o before_o some_o other_o judge_n which_o the_o law_n have_v provide_v for_o they_o and_o the_o king_n may_v as_o well_o assemble_v his_o parliament_n to_o try_v a_o thief_n or_o a_o felon_n as_o his_o convocation_n to_o convict_v a_o man_n of_o heresy_n or_o schism_n there_o be_v civil_a court_n appoint_v for_o the_o one_o and_o ecclesiastical_a court_n provide_v for_o the_o other_o and_o if_o these_o neglect_v or_o refuse_v to_o do_v their_o duty_n there_o be_v short_a way_n of_o apply_v a_o remedy_n to_o it_o than_o by_o call_v either_o a_o parliament_n or_o convocation_n for_o such_o a_o purpose_n and_o such_o be_v second_o such_o disorder_n as_o either_o the_o bishop_n in_o his_o diocese_n the_o archbishop_n in_o his_o province_n or_o the_o king_n in_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v sufficient_a power_n by_o their_o own_o immediate_a order_n or_o injunction_n to_o redress_v whether_o they_o be_v occasion_v by_o man_n depart_v from_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n already_o prescribe_v to_o they_o or_o for_o want_v of_o a_o vigorous_a execution_n of_o those_o law_n by_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v punish_v for_o their_o so_o do_v indeed_o where_o the_o discipline_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n its_o self_n be_v defective_a and_o irregularity_n both_o in_o the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n abound_v for_o want_v of_o a_o power_n sufficient_a to_o suppress_v they_o a_o convocation_n may_v be_v needful_a to_o consider_v how_o a_o remedy_n may_v be_v provide_v for_o this_o defect_n and_o the_o church_n be_v enable_v more_o successful_o both_o to_o guard_v the_o faith_n and_o to_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o its_o member_n and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v our_o circumstance_n be_v such_o that_o a_o convocation_n may_v meet_v for_o this_o purpose_n but_o i_o be_o afraid_a our_o distemper_n be_v become_v too_o great_a to_o be_v heal_v and_o that_o we_o be_v uncapable_a of_o such_o a_o discipline_n as_o above_o all_o thing_n we_o the_o most_o want_n and_o therefore_o 4thly_a and_o to_o go_v on_o with_o these_o 9_o remark_n as_o in_o such_o case_n as_o i_o have_v hitherto_o mention_v it_o be_v needless_a to_o call_v a_o convocation_n so_o will_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o assemble_v it_o for_o such_o purpose_n in_o which_o there_o be_v no_o probable_a expectation_n of_o success_n or_o hope_v that_o any_o good_a shall_v be_v do_v by_o it_o this_o as_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v it_o may_v be_v one_o great_a reason_n why_o a_o convocation_n be_v not_o call_v to_o review_n some_o of_o our_o public_a office_n to_o improve_v our_o discipline_n and_o to_o reform_v many_o disorder_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n so_o be_o i_o the_o rather_o confirm_v in_o my_o opinion_n of_o the_o little_a probability_n there_o be_v of_o any_o good_a to_o be_v yet_o do_v by_o a_o convocation_n in_o this_o respect_n that_o amid_o all_o the_o reason_n offer_v by_o this_o author_n to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o hold_v a_o convocation_n he_o have_v never_o once_o give_v any_o intimation_n of_o these_o matter_n though_o he_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o they_o convocation_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o the_o government_n as_o the_o principal_a thing_n for_o which_o a_o convocation_n may_v be_v want_v but_o 5thly_a and_o to_o have_v do_v as_o 10._o there_o be_v many_o case_n for_o which_o it_o will_v be_v improper_a to_o call_v a_o convocation_n so_o may_v there_o be_v some_o time_n too_o in_o which_o it_o â—ould_v be_v altogether_o unadvisable_a to_o assemble_v it_o when_o man_n passion_n be_v let_v loose_a and_o their_o mind_n disorder_v when_o their_o interest_n and_o design_n their_o friend_n and_o their_o party_n nay_o their_o very_a judgement_n and_o principle_n lead_v they_o different_a way_n and_o they_o agree_v in_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o in_o be_v very_o peevish_a and_o angry_a with_o one_o another_o when_o their_o very_a reason_n be_v deprave_v and_o they_o judge_v not_o according_a to_o truth_n or_o evidence_n but_o with_o respect_n of_o person_n and_o every_o one_o oppose_v what_o another_o of_o a_o different_a persuasion_n either_o move_v or_o approve_v of_o what_o good_a can_v the_o prince_n propose_v to_o himself_o or_o any_o wise_a man_n hope_v for_o from_o any_o assembly_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v together_o under_o the_o unhappy_a influence_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a prepossession_n it_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o make_v a_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o last_o age_n tell_v charles_n the_o vth_o that_o it_o appear_v by_o experience_n and_o may_v from_o reason_n be_v demonstrate_v that_o those_o affair_n seldom_o succeed_v well_o which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o many_o and_o if_o such_o be_v the_o inconvenience_n to_o which_o number_v alone_o expose_v such_o meeting_n in_o the_o best_a time_n sure_o i_o be_o both_o reason_n and_o experience_n will_v much_o more_o convince_v we_o that_o in_o time_n of_o doubt_n and_o discontent_n this_o will_v be_v more_o likely_a to_o be_v the_o case_n and_o that_o under_o such_o circumstance_n there_o be_v little_a good_a to_o be_v expect_v from_o they_o and_o this_o may_v suffice_v in_o general_n to_o 11._o show_v what_o those_o case_n and_o those_o time_n be_v in_o which_o the_o prince_n may_v have_v reason_n to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v either_o needless_a or_o improper_a for_o he_o to_o suffer_v his_o clergy_n to_o meet_v and_o act_n in_o convocation_n i_o go_v on_o ii_o second_o upon_o these_o principle_n to_o examine_v what_o this_o author_n have_v offer_v to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n or_o even_o expediency_n of_o their_o present_a assemble_v now_o this_o he_o pretend_v to_o make_v out_o by_o these_o 2_o way_n one_a by_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v upon_o many_o account_n a_o absolute_a necessity_n that_o something_o shall_v be_v do_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o church_n and_o two_o by_o show_v that_o what_o be_v thus_o necessary_a to_o be_v do_v can_v be_v do_v no_o other_o way_n but_o by_o a_o convocation_n one_a that_o something_o be_v necessary_a 2._o to_o be_v do_v he_o prove_v from_o the_o open_a looseness_n of_o man_n principle_n and_o practice_n and_o that_o settle_a contempt_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o priesthood_n which_o he_o say_v have_v prevail_v every_o where_o and_o upon_o this_o general_a ground_n he_o go_v on_o to_o dilate_v in_o several_a particular_n which_o must_v therefore_o he_o considere_v by_o us._n but_o before_o i_o proceed_v any_o far_a in_o this_o debate_n i_o must_v here_o once_o for_o all_o profess_v that_o i_o shall_v be_v far_o from_o oppose_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v reasonable_o be_v propose_v to_o be_v do_v in_o order_n to_o so_o good_a a_o end_n as_o the_o reform_v the_o open_a looseness_n of_o man_n principle_n and_o practice_n will_v certain_o be_v i_o be_o by_o no_o mean_n unsensible_a that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o what_o this_o author_n here_o complain_v be_v but_o too_o true_a though_o whether_o the_o looseness_n of_o man_n principle_n have_v corrupt_v their_o manner_n or_o the_o depravity_n of_o their_o manner_n may_v not_o rather_o have_v be_v at_o the_o bottom_n one_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o their_o principle_n i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o determine_v and_o be_v a_o convocation_n necessary_a to_o vindicate_v the_o church_n from_o be_v in_o any_o degree_n accessary_a to_o these_o crime_n or_o have_v it_o authority_n sufficient_a to_o reform_v this_o licentiousness_n i_o will_v much_o rather_o join_v with_o this_o author_n in_o petition_v for_o their_o sit_v than_o contend_v with_o he_o about_o the_o expediency_n of_o it_o but_o be_v full_o satisfy_v that_o the_o convocation_n have_v neither_o strength_n sufficient_a to_o grapple_n with_o these_o enormity_n nor_o be_v in_o any_o respect_n necessary_a to_o assert_v the_o church_n innocence_n but_o especial_o be_v persuade_v that_o shall_v it_o meet_v for_o any_o such_o purpose_n under_o our_o present_a circumstance_n it_o will_v only_o expose_v its_o own_o authority_n and_o our_o religion_n to_o the_o great_a contempt_n of_o profane_a and_o wicked_a man_n i_o shall_v proceed_v with_o all_o freedom_n to_o examine_v the_o reason_n here_o allege_v and_o to_o vindicate_v not_o only_o the_o king_n honour_n but_o the_o church_n too_o and_o show_v that_o if_o the_o other_o way_n which_o this_o author_n here_o rejects_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o reclaim_v man_n vice_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v hope_v that_o the_o convocation_n shall_v be_v able_a by_o any_o order_n it_o can_v make_v to_o reclaim_v them_o first_o then_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o as_o he_o allege_v scepticism_n deism_n and_o 13._o even_o atheism_n its_o self_n be_v pour_v in_o upon_o we_o will_v this_o gentleman_n have_v a_o convocation_n call_v to_o
declare_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n not_o only_o believe_v in_o god_n but_o in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n too_o have_v christ_n be_v thus_o long_o preach_v among_o we_o to_o leave_v it_o still_o in_o doubt_n whether_o after_o all_o our_o church_n be_v a_o christian_a church_n or_o no_o if_o neither_o our_o constant_a confession_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o christ_n nor_o our_o public_a worship_n of_o he_o and_o of_o the_o father_n by_o he_o if_o neither_o our_o public_a preach_v nor_o our_o public_a write_n in_o vindication_n of_o this_o faith_n neither_o what_o our_o convocation_n have_v former_o declare_v and_o we_o all_o continue_v to_o support_v and_o defend_v be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v mankind_n that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n condemn_v all_o atheism_n and_o deism_n and_o that_o however_o such_o person_n may_v live_v among_o we_o yet_o they_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n countenance_v or_o approve_v by_o she_o i_o can_v imagine_v what_o this_o author_n think_v a_o new_a convocation_n can_v do_v more_o to_o assert_v her_o innocence_n and_o the_o same_o i_o must_v answer_v second_o 14._o to_o the_o plea_n next_o offer_v from_o the_o open_a appearance_n of_o socinianism_n among_o we_o and_o the_o opposition_n that_o be_v make_v by_o some_o man_n to_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o let_v it_o be_v confess_v to_o be_v some_o scandal_n to_o our_o country_n as_o indeed_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v that_o such_o profaneness_n shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o go_v on_o without_o control_n in_o a_o christian_a kingdom_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v perhaps_o the_o best_a understand_v and_o the_o church_n the_o most_o careful_o reform_v of_o any_o in_o the_o world_n yet_o what_o have_v our_o church_n to_o answer_v for_o in_o this_o case_n complain_v she_o may_v that_o she_o be_v suffer_v to_o be_v thus_o tear_v in_o piece_n between_o presumptuous_a heretic_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o profane_a scoffer_n on_o the_o other_o but_o sure_a this_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v add_v to_o the_o rest_n of_o her_o sorrow_n to_o have_v she_o own_o faith_n and_o integrity_n call_v in_o question_n nay_o the_o very_a socinian_n themselves_o whilst_o they_o abuse_v she_o in_o other_o respect_n by_o their_o so_o do_v justify_v she_o in_o this._n they_o know_v and_o confess_v her_o faith_n to_o be_v against_o they_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v that_o they_o rail_v so_o despiteful_o at_o she_o and_o sure_o we_o ought_v not_o ourselves_o to_o lay_v that_o to_o her_o charge_n from_o which_o her_o great_a enemy_n acquit_v she_o in_o short_a our_o article_n our_o creed_n our_o liturgy_n our_o homily_n all_o bear_v witness_n to_o the_o catholic_n faith_n in_o opposition_n to_o these_o heretic_n our_o sermon_n and_o our_o write_n declare_v against_o them_o and_o what_o can_v any_o abroad_o or_o at_o home_o desire_n either_o the_o church_n or_o her_o minister_n shall_v do_v more_o or_o what_o more_o can_v a_o convocation_n be_v it_o to_o meet_v tomorrow_o do_v as_o for_o the_o next_o particular_a which_o he_o 3._o insist_o upon_o three_o concern_v the_o power_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o of_o the_o church_n which_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v strike_v at_o and_o that_o indifference_n of_o all_o religion_n which_o he_o say_v be_v endeavour_v to_o be_v establish_v by_o plea_n for_o the_o justice_n and_o necessity_n of_o a_o universal_a unlimited_a toleration_n even_o against_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o whole_a legislature_n i_o shall_v say_v but_o very_o little_a if_o such_o a_o toleration_n be_v so_o dangerous_a as_o this_o author_n apprehend_v and_o as_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v it_o may_v be_v and_o the_o magistrate_n have_v the_o same_o opinion_n of_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v the_o government_n will_v take_v care_n to_o secure_v its_o self_n by_o a_o constant_a denial_n of_o it_o and_o establish_v i_o be_o sure_a it_o can_v be_v against_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o whole_a legislature_n nor_o indeed_o without_o the_o concurrence_n of_o every_o part_n of_o it_o but_o however_o what_o can_v a_o convocation_n do_v in_o this_o case_n whether_o the_o civil_a power_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o grant_v or_o refuse_v such_o a_o toleration_n be_v a_o political_a as_o well_o as_o a_o ecclesiastical_a question_n and_o the_o government_n will_v act_n as_o it_o think_v fit_a in_o it_o and_o a_o convocation_n can_v neither_o help_v nor_o hinder_v their_o proceed_n what_o the_o opinion_n of_o our_o clergy_n be_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n be_v well_o know_v and_o i_o conceive_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o synod_n to_o meet_v to_o show_v that_o their_o sense_n be_v the_o same_o in_o convocation_n that_o it_o be_v out_o of_o it_o and_o those_o very_a plea_n which_o he_o refer_v to_o have_v have_v their_o answer_n which_o if_o they_o do_v nothing_o else_o yet_o certain_o thus_o much_o must_v be_v allow_v to_o they_o that_o they_o show_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n friend_n to_o be_v the_o same_o that_o it_o ever_o be_v in_o this_o particular_a hitherto_o therefore_o i_o do_v not_o see_v what_o 16._o need_n there_o be_v of_o a_o convocation_n or_o what_o it_o can_v do_v to_o make_v thing_n better_o than_o they_o be_v but_o now_o we_o come_v to_o the_o kill_a consideration_n and_o by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o be_v for_o ever_o silence_v for_o four_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v countenance_v by_o member_n of_o our_o own_o church_n nay_o by_o some_o of_o the_o clearical_a order_n and_o this_o have_v give_v great_a scandal_n to_o the_o church_n abroad_o and_o to_o remove_v this_o scandal_n and_o to_o animadvert_v upon_o these_o man_n a_o convocation_n ought_v to_o be_v suffer_v to_o meet_v and_o act._n the_o truth_n be_v it_o be_v a_o tragical_a account_n which_o our_o author_n give_v we_o of_o this_o matter_n and_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o i_o hope_v it_o be_v not_o true_a i_o will_v set_v it_o down_o in_o his_o own_o word_n indeed_o to_o 6._o be_v plain_a 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beyond_o all_o other_o if_o not_o to_o help_v to_o reform_v the_o world_n yet_o certain_o to_o take_v care_n that_o they_o do_v not_o help_v to_o make_v it_o worse_o whilst_o pride_n and_o peevishness_n hatred_n and_o evil-will_a division_n and_o discontent_n prevail_v among_o those_o who_o shall_v teach_v and_o correct_v other_o and_o instead_o of_o improve_n a_o true_a spirit_n of_o piety_n and_o purity_n of_o love_n and_o char_n 〈…〉_z of_o peaceableness_n and_o humility_n we_o mind_v little_a else_o but_o our_o several_a interest_n and_o quarrel_n and_o contention_n with_o one_o another_o what_o wonder_v if_o we_o see_v but_o little_a success_n of_o our_o ministry_n and_o be_v but_o little_o regard_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o it_o we_o must_v reverence_n our_o office_n ourselves_o if_o ever_o we_o mean_v that_o other_o shall_v reverence_n we_o upon_o the_o accou_o 〈…〉_z of_o it_o a_o teacher_n who_o be_v a_o heretic_n iâ—_n any_o point_n of_o doctrine_n may_v do_v somewhat_o to_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v the_o minister_n who_o show_v himself_o a_o infidel_n in_o his_o practice_n that_o root_n up_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o prompt_v man_n to_o cast_v off_o at_o once_o all_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o thus_o have_v i_o consider_v those_o evil_n from_o whence_o this_o author_n have_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a a_o convocation_n shall_v be_v call_v for_o the_o redress_n of_o they_o i_o go_v on_o two_o to_o examine_v what_o he_o have_v offer_v to_o prove_v that_o nothing_o but_o a_o convocation_n can_v do_v it_o and_o one_a the_o bishop_n he_o say_v 9_o can_v safe_o proceed_v in_o matter_n of_o heresy_n because_o of_o the_o danger_n they_o may_v incur_v thereby_o but_o this_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o either_o real_o prove_v nothing_o or_o if_o it_o do_v will_v prove_v more_o than_o he_o desire_v it_o shall_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o convocation_n can_v no_o more_o declare_v heresy_n 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they_o may_v be_v always_o liable_a to_o it_o however_o as_o i_o before_o observe_v be_v the_o hazzard_n what_o it_o will_v the_o convocation_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o same_o limitation_n that_o every_o single_a bishop_n lie_v under_o and_o the_o one_o if_o they_o be_v too_o busy_a may_v as_o easy_o run_v into_o a_o praemunire_n as_o the_o other_o 2._o as_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o university_n 11._o i_o confess_v it_o extend_v only_o to_o their_o own_o member_n but_o yet_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o those_o who_o make_v the_o chief_a figure_n among_o we_o when_o they_o be_v man_n have_v common_o their_o education_n there_o in_o those_o year_n in_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v well_o settle_v in_o their_o principle_n of_o religion_n as_o â—ell_v as_o in_o their_o other_o notion_n that_o i_o can_v but_o account_v it_o a_o kind_n of_o pâ—â—lick_n b_o 〈…〉_z sit_v to_o the_o church_n and_o kingdom_n not_o only_o that_o those_o great_a body_n hold_v so_o sound_v and_o entire_a but_o that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o sufficient_a power_n to_o hinder_v any_o contagious_a principle_n to_o spread_v within_o they_o and_o to_o infect_v their_o member_n his_o majesty_n authority_n be_v next_o except_v against_o as_o extend_v no_o far_a than_o 12._o to_o enforce_v the_o exercise_n of_o those_o power_n which_o say_v he_o i_o have_v already_o show_v and_o experience_n prove_v to_o be_v too_o short_a or_o clog_v with_o too_o much_o difficulty_n and_o discouragement_n to_o attain_v the_o end_n we_o all_o so_o much_o want_v and_o contend_v for_o it_o be_v true_a his_o majesty_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o enlarge_v his_o supremacy_n beyond_o those_o bound_n which_o the_o law_n of_o the_o realm_n have_v set_v to_o it_o nor_o have_v he_o any_o need_v so_o to_o do_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n in_o all_o these_o matter_n be_v by_o law_n very_o great_a and_o extensive_a and_o i_o believe_v few_o evil_n can_v happen_v to_o the_o church_n which_o may_v not_o in_o good_a measure_n be_v provide_v for_o by_o it_o but_o here_o our_o author_n open_v himself_o and_o give_v we_o a_o broad_a hint_n what_o it_o be_v he_o want_v he_o will_v have_v the_o bishop_n or_o rather_o the_o convocation_n empower_v to_o determine_v what_o they_o please_v to_o be_v heretical_a and_o when_o they_o have_v do_v so_o to_o proceed_v against_o their_o own_o member_n it_o not_o against_o other_o according_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o power_n whatsoever_o book_n be_v publish_v by_o man_n who_o they_o do_v not_o like_a shall_v be_v censure_v and_o execute_v as_o heretical_a and_o the_o author_n be_v oblige_v to_o a_o retractation_n of_o them_o and_o i_o be_o sometime_o afraid_a this_o gentleman_n do_v real_o fancy_v the_o convocation_n to_o have_v a_o certain_a original_a inherent_a right_n in_o it_o so_o to_o do_v shall_v this_o be_v so_o and_o shall_v there_o chance_v to_o be_v any_o considerable_a number_n of_o his_o convocation_n friend_n of_o the_o same_o opinion_n 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yet_o shall_v they_o now_o be_v deem_v to_o have_v fall_v under_o a_o praemunire_n by_o such_o a_o attempt_n who_o will_v ensure_v they_o that_o another_o prince_n shall_v not_o take_v the_o advantage_n of_o it_o but_o indeed_o though_o when_o man_n be_v resolve_v to_o maintain_v a_o hypothesis_n it_o be_v no_o great_a matter_n what_o they_o affirm_v and_o in_o such_o a_o case_n his_o majesty_n authority_n may_v seem_v nothing_o to_o they_o yet_o i_o can_v imagine_v what_o a_o convocation_n can_v do_v that_o the_o king_n may_v not_o as_o well_o and_o much_o more_o safe_o do_v in_o these_o matter_n he_o can_v forbid_v some_o man_n to_o affect_v new_a term_n can_v discourage_v other_o who_o advance_v new_a theory_n to_o the_o detriment_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o can_v publish_v rule_n for_o the_o preach_a of_o some_o and_o order_n to_o reform_v the_o vice_n of_o other_o but_o indeed_o he_o can_v by_o all_o this_o or_o by_o any_o thing_n else_o that_o he_o can_v do_v oblige_v some_o man_n and_o therefore_o ought_v the_o less_o to_o be_v blame_v if_o he_o do_v not_o trouble_v himself_o to_o go_v out_o of_o his_o way_n to_o gratify_v their_o peevish_a and_o unreasonable_a desire_n 4._o and_o now_o we_o be_v come_v to_o the_o last_o 15._o authority_n i_o mean_v that_o of_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n and_o if_o this_o also_o be_v think_v unable_a to_o do_v our_o business_n we_o may_v i_o think_v venture_v to_o conclude_v that_o the_o immoderate_a passion_n which_o this_o gentleman_n have_v for_o the_o sit_v of_o a_o convocation_n do_v so_o byass_n he_o that_o he_o can_v approve_v of_o nothing_o else_o but_o why_o may_v not_o the_o parliament_n be_v as_o well_o qualify_v to_o put_v a_o stop_n to_o
magistrate_n have_v a_o right_a to_o prescribe_v to_o they_o the_o matter_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o debate_n it_o be_v one_o great_a end_n which_o the_o prince_n 21._o propose_v to_o himself_o in_o call_v of_o such_o assembly_n to_o take_v their_o advice_n in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o church_n for_o the_o prince_n be_v the_o guardian_n of_o that_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o state_n and_o concern_v to_o provide_v for_o the_o welfare_n of_o the_o one_o no_o less_o than_o of_o the_o other_o oughts_z according_o to_o have_v his_o council_n with_o which_o to_o consult_v of_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o both_o now_o as_o in_o civil_a matter_n he_o have_v his_o minister_n of_o state_n and_o the_o council_n of_o his_o great_a man_n or_o people_n to_o advise_v he_o how_o to_o manage_v his_o secular_a concern_v so_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v of_o a_o pure_a ecclesiastical_a nature_n it_o have_v general_o be_v the_o method_n of_o christian_a prince_n to_o take_v the_o opinion_n of_o their_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n either_o single_a or_o convene_v together_o as_o the_o importance_n or_o difficulty_n of_o affair_n and_o the_o circumstance_n of_o time_n have_v prompt_v they_o to_o do_v but_o then_o if_o this_o be_v the_o main_a end_n for_o which_o synod_n be_v call_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o prince_n must_v have_v a_o right_n not_o only_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o supreme_a authority_n but_o from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o propose_v to_o they_o the_o subject_a on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o proceed_v it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o either_o a_o particular_a person_n shall_v be_v send_v for_o or_o a_o body_n of_o man_n be_v convene_v on_o purpose_n to_o give_v the_o prince_n their_o advice_n and_o the_o prince_n not_o be_v leave_v to_o propose_v his_o doubt_n to_o they_o and_o show_v they_o wherein_o it_o be_v that_o he_o needs_o or_o desire_n their_o opinion_n now_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o prince_n as_o to_o the_o subject_a of_o the_o synod_n debate_n may_v be_v either_o general_n or_o particular_a or_o it_o may_v be_v partly_o one_o and_o partly_o the_o other_o sometime_o the_o prince_n have_v only_o declare_v 22._o to_o his_o clergy_n that_o he_o call_v they_o to_o deliberate_v at_o large_a either_o upon_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o matter_n of_o discipline_n for_o the_o better_a demonstrate_v the_o church_n doctrine_n and_o consent_v in_o the_o one_o or_o for_o the_o better_a establish_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o other_o sometime_o the_o occasion_n of_o their_o meeting_n have_v be_v to_o examine_v some_o particular_a controversy_n that_o have_v rise_v up_o to_o corrupt_v the_o faith_n or_o to_o divide_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v especial_o see_v in_o the_o case_n of_o arius_n and_o the_o other_o heretic_n on_o who_o account_n the_o first_o general_n council_n of_o the_o church_n be_v call_v and_o in_o both_o these_o sometime_o the_o prince_n have_v limit_v 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