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 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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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bishop_n to_o require_v their_o come_n together_o sometime_o only_a a_o glance_n have_v in_o general_a be_v give_v in_o those_o at_o their_o business_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v reserve_v to_o be_v more_o full_o open_v to_o they_o at_o their_o convention_n and_o that_o also_o have_v be_v do_v sometime_o by_o a_o synodical_a epistle_n or_o commission_n send_v to_o they_o sometime_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o that_o again_o either_o by_o the_o prince_n himself_o if_o he_o have_v think_v fit_a as_o oftentimes_o prince_n have_v to_o sit_v with_o they_o or_o by_o some_o other_o person_n who_o he_o have_v depute_v to_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o they_o but_o how_o great_a a_o variety_n soever_o there_o 23._o have_v be_v in_o the_o method_n that_o have_v be_v take_v to_o lay_v open_a their_o business_n to_o they_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o as_o the_o call_n of_o such_o assembly_n have_v always_o depend_v upon_o the_o consent_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o prince_n so_o when_o they_o 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concern_v them_o when_o this_o do_v not_o prevail_v but_o that_o the_o arian_n faction_n be_v resolve_v at_o any_o rate_n to_o ruin_n athanasius_n and_o since_o they_o can_v not_o corrupt_v the_o catholic_n faith_n be_v determine_v at_o least_o to_o overwhelm_v he_o who_o have_v be_v the_o main_a supporter_n of_o it_o and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o another_o synod_n be_v obtain_v of_o the_o emperor_n to_o meet_v at_o tyre_n the_o same_o constantine_n not_o only_o prescribe_v they_o their_o business_n viz._n to_o examine_v 43._o into_o the_o dissension_n of_o the_o church_n of_o egypt_n but_o send_v dionysius_n in_o his_o own_o stead_n to_o be_v present_a at_o their_o assembly_n and_o to_o take_v care_n that_o his_o order_n be_v in_o all_o thing_n observe_v by_o they_o and_o the_o same_o be_v the_o method_n which_o constantius_n his_o son_n observe_v as_o to_o these_o matter_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o his_o management_n of_o the_o great_a synod_n of_o arminum_fw-la in_o 17._o which_o above_o 400_o bishop_n be_v by_o his_o order_n assemble_v he_o command_v they_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o debate_v the_o matter_n of_o faith_n then_o to_o judge_v the_o cause_n of_o those_o bishop_n who_o complain_v that_o they_o have_v be_v unjust_o either_o depose_v or_o banish_v after_o that_o to_o examine_v the_o crime_n lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o certain_a other_o and_o last_o have_v do_v what_o he_o have_v command_v they_o to_o do_v to_o send_v a_o certain_a number_n of_o their_o body_n to_o he_o to_o account_v to_o he_o what_o have_v be_v resolve_v by_o them_o but_o above_o all_o most_o plain_a be_v that_o authority_n which_o the_o emperor_n theodosius_n and_o valentinian_n show_v in_o this_o particular_a 436._o at_o the_o general_n council_n of_o ephesus_n they_o not_o only_o declare_v at_o large_a to_o the_o father_n the_o cause_n of_o their_o meeting_n in_o the_o letter_n of_o summons_n which_o they_o send_v to_o the_o several_a metropolitan_o but_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v together_o they_o send_v a_o synodical_a epistle_n to_o they_o by_o candidian_n and_o appoint_v he_o to_o preside_v over_o they_o in_o their_o stead_n both_o to_o preserve_v a_o due_a freedom_n of_o vote_v and_o debate_v among_o they_o and_o also_o not_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o enter_v upon_o any_o other_o matter_n till_o they_o have_v first_o come_v to_o a_o resolution_n in_o that_o for_o which_o they_o be_v call_v together_o and_o when_o candidian_n report_v to_o the_o emperor_n that_o the_o bishop_n have_v not_o stick_v so_o close_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o their_o prescription_n the_o emperor_n 7â—4_n not_o only_o severe_o reprove_v they_o for_o their_o presumption_n but_o annul_v their_o act_n and_o command_v they_o to_o have_v a_o better_a regard_n both_o to_o the_o business_n and_o method_n which_o they_o have_v lay_v before_o them_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 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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 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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
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 their_o meeting_n will_v turn_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o short_a that_o the_o prince_n ought_v never_o to_o call_v his_o clergy_n together_o but_o for_o some_o rational_a and_o good_a end_n when_o there_o be_v something_o proper_a for_o such_o a_o assembly_n to_o do_v and_o they_o may_v be_v likely_a to_o do_v it_o so_o as_o to_o advance_v the_o welfare_n of_o the_o church_n by_o it_o this_o i_o conceive_v must_v be_v allow_v in_o point_n of_o prudence_n to_o be_v the_o general_n measure_n by_o which_o the_o prince_n ought_v upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v necessary_a or_o even_o expedient_a for_o he_o to_o suffer_v a_o convocation_n to_o meet_v or_o no._n and_o from_o these_o general_n measure_v we_o will_v proceed_v to_o draw_v some_o far_a and_o more_o particular_a direction_n for_o our_o better_a judge_v in_o the_o point_n before_o us._n and_o one_a because_o in_o clear_a and_o 6._o evident_a case_n where_o both_o the_o truth_n be_v 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
desire_v to_o understand_v than_o the_o law_n and_o antiquity_n of_o the_o country_n in_o which_o i_o live_v but_o especial_o of_o the_o church_n in_o which_o i_o minister_v and_o i_o be_o not_o a_o little_a please_v to_o see_v that_o there_o be_v at_o this_o time_n so_o many_o person_n of_o excellent_a part_n no_o less_o addict_v to_o these_o researche_n and_o much_o better_a able_a to_o pursue_v they_o than_o i_o be_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v some_o provocation_n to_o one_o or_o other_o of_o these_o to_o give_v we_o a_o more_o perfect_a account_n of_o the_o present_a subject_n to_o see_v how_o little_a be_v here_o do_v in_o it_o the_o argument_n certain_o deserve_v consideration_n and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v it_o a_o better_a hand_n and_o a_o better_a head_n too_o than_o any_o that_o have_v yet_o appear_v upon_o it_o in_o the_o follow_a treatise_n have_v first_o state_v the_o subject_a i_o be_v to_o go_v upon_o and_o settle_v the_o method_n i_o think_v most_o proper_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o it_o i_o in_o the_o next_o place_n go_v on_o to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v with_o reference_n to_o our_o own_o law_n and_o constitution_n upon_o the_o practice_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n and_o of_o all_o the_o christian_a country_n round_o about_o we_o for_o above_o 800_o year_n after_o christ._n i_o consider_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n beyond_o most_o church_n in_o the_o world_n have_v a_o peculiar_a veneration_n for_o the_o discipline_n as_o well_o as_o doctrine_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o i_o think_v it_o will_v be_v no_o small_a evidence_n of_o my_o good_a intention_n towards_o it_o upon_o this_o occasion_n to_o show_v that_o i_o pretend_v to_o nothing_o in_o behalf_n of_o our_o own_o king_n but_o what_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n from_o the_o four_o century_n downward_o have_v ready_o allow_v to_o their_o emperor_n and_o what_o all_o other_o christian_a prince_n continue_v to_o enjoy_v till_o the_o papal_a authority_n prevail_v over_o they_o and_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o supremacy_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n which_o they_o original_o have_v and_o to_o which_o the_o reformation_n have_v again_o so_o just_o restore_v they_o and_o now_o have_v lay_v so_o good_a a_o foundation_n i_o think_v i_o may_v proceed_v the_o more_o free_o to_o inquire_v into_o the_o case_n of_o our_o own_o country_n and_o see_v what_o authority_n the_o king_n of_o england_n have_v over_o his_o convocation_n and_o by_o what_o law_n or_o custom_n he_o enjoy_v that_o authority_n in_o this_o i_o be_v force_v to_o confine_v myself_o within_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n because_o it_o be_v about_o the_o beginning_n of_o that_o that_o our_o king_n be_v restore_v to_o their_o supremacy_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o matter_n or_o at_o least_o have_v their_o authority_n more_o solemn_o recognize_v by_o the_o clergy_n and_o establish_v by_o the_o parliament_n than_o ever_o it_o have_v be_v before_o but_o lest_o such_o a_o supremacy_n as_o this_o shall_v seem_v to_o depend_v rather_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n than_o to_o be_v derive_v from_o that_o original_a power_n in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n which_o belong_v to_o all_o christian_a prince_n and_o to_o we_o as_o well_o as_o to_o any_o and_o which_o be_v exercise_v by_o they_o many_o age_n before_o any_o statute_n be_v make_v to_o entitle_v they_o thereunto_o have_v show_v what_o the_o law_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n now_o be_v i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o enlarge_v my_o enquiry_n and_o to_o see_v how_o the_o case_n have_v stand_v in_o this_o particular_a from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o the_o time_n wherein_o i_o begin_v my_o former_a disquisition_n and_o upon_o search_n i_o find_v and_o i_o think_v have_v plain_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o authority_n i_o here_o assert_v to_o the_o king_n be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o our_o most_o ancient_a prince_n till_o about_o 1100_o year_n after_o christ_n continue_v to_o exercise_n and_o even_o then_o claim_v a_o right_a too_o when_o they_o be_v not_o any_o long_o permit_v to_o excercise_n it_o if_o in_o pursue_v of_o this_o enquiry_n through_o so_o many_o past_a age_n i_o have_v sometime_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o fill_v up_o those_o vacancy_n which_o through_o the_o want_n of_o material_n proper_a for_o such_o a_o undertake_n often_o fall_v in_o my_o way_n with_o reflection_n a_o little_a foreign_a to_o my_o proper_a business_n i_o hope_v it_o will_v not_o be_v take_v for_o any_o great_a offence_n in_o a_o work_n of_o this_o nature_n especial_o consider_v that_o my_o very_a digression_n be_v rather_o not_o direct_o to_o the_o purpose_n of_o my_o present_a subject_n than_o altogether_o distant_a from_o it_o as_o for_o the_o remainder_n of_o my_o discourse_n which_o be_v spend_v in_o answer_v the_o letter_n to_o a_o convocation-man_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v thus_o much_o that_o i_o have_v not_o design_o either_o overlooked_a any_o of_o its_o argument_n or_o make_v a_o imperfect_a much_o less_o a_o false_a representation_n of_o they_o i_o have_v examine_v every_o thing_n that_o seem_v considerable_a enough_o to_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o and_o i_o hope_v have_v full_o answer_v what_o i_o have_v examine_v i_o be_o not_o aware_a that_o in_o do_v of_o this_o i_o have_v give_v my_o adversary_n any_o hard_a treatment_n though_o i_o can_v but_o say_v he_o have_v take_v care_n oftentimes_o to_o deserve_v it_o but_o i_o think_v it_o unreasonable_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o that_o myself_o which_o i_o look_v upon_o to_o have_v be_v a_o fault_n in_o he_o it_o be_v true_a i_o have_v all_o along_o speak_v my_o mind_n with_o great_a freedom_n and_o where_o i_o sound_v any_o thing_n amiss_o have_v not_o stick_v to_o own_o it_o tho'it_n seem_v to_o reflect_v upon_o those_o of_o my_o own_o order_n till_o clergyman_n cease_v to_o be_v man_n they_o will_v be_v guilty_a not_o only_o of_o folly_n and_o imprudency_n but_o of_o sin_n too_o as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v i_o dissemble_v that_o which_o whether_o it_o be_v confess_v or_o not_o all_o the_o world_n know_v to_o be_v but_o too_o true_a be_v our_o fault_n so_o private_a that_o to_o allow_v of_o they_o be_v to_o publish_v they_o i_o be_o sure_a no_o one_o shall_v be_v more_o careful_a to_o hide_v they_o than_o i_o will_v be_v but_o i_o can_v conceive_v it_o to_o be_v either_o for_o the_o credit_n or_o interest_n of_o the_o church_n to_o dissemble_v those_o vice_n which_o those_o who_o commit_v they_o take_v no_o care_n to_o conceal_v if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o take_v occasion_n from_o hence_o to_o think_v hardly_o of_o our_o profession_n or_o to_o be_v scandalize_v at_o our_o religion_n for_o the_o fault_n of_o those_o who_o minister_v in_o it_o i_o will_v only_o desire_v they_o to_o consider_v that_o we_o live_v in_o a_o unhappy_a age_n and_o make_v up_o a_o large_a number_n of_o man_n and_o it_o can_v hardly_o be_v think_v but_o that_o where_o so_o many_o thousand_o wait_n at_o the_o altar_n some_o there_o shall_v be_v who_o be_v much_o fit_a to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n than_o to_o officiate_v in_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n god_n be_v thank_v many_o there_o be_v who_o be_v as_o eminent_a for_o their_o piety_n as_o some_o other_o be_v notorious_a for_o their_o irregularity_n and_o this_o advantage_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v to_o recommend_v our_o religion_n beyond_o what_o the_o other_o shall_v have_v to_o defame_v it_o that_o these_o live_v agreeable_o to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o holy_a profession_n whereas_o the_o other_o must_v be_v confess_v to_o have_v scandalous_o depart_v from_o they_o to_o conclude_v the_o follow_a treatise_n as_o it_o be_v true_o intend_v for_o the_o service_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o i_o hope_v it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o many_o in_o it_o at_o least_o it_o will_v satisfy_v those_o who_o have_v take_v offence_n at_o the_o letter_n here_o examine_v that_o it_o speak_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o if_o of_o any_o of_o our_o clergy_n and_o show_v that_o many_o there_o be_v who_o no_o less_o disapprove_v the_o assertion_n of_o this_o author_n than_o they_o be_v just_o offend_v at_o his_o bold_a and_o scandalous_a reflection_n the_o content_n chapter_n i._n the_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a treatise_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 the_o order_n of_o the_o question_n propose_v in_o the_o letter_n to_o a_o convocation_n man_n change_v and_o a_o enquiry_n design_v to_o
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 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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
atheist_n deist_n socinian_n and_o i_o know_v not_o what_o monster_n of_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n will_v such_o a_o scanty_a induction_n suffice_v to_o vindicate_v he_o either_o to_o god_n or_o the_o world_n for_o those_o barbarous_a suggestion_n by_o which_o he_o have_v appeal_v to_o both_o against_o we_o what_o he_o have_v to_o object_v against_o the_o last_o of_o those_o book_n we_o be_v concern_v with_o i_o can_v tell_v and_o therefore_o must_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o make_v no_o apology_n for_o it_o as_o for_o the_o second_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o the_o learned_a author_n of_o it_o have_v advance_v such_o a_o explication_n of_o that_o great_a mystery_n as_o be_v critical_o examine_v may_v fall_v under_o the_o inconvenience_n so_o warm_o allege_v against_o it_o nay_o from_o whence_o tritheism_n not_o only_o may_v possible_o be_v infer_v but_o necessary_o must_v follow_v and_o that_o be_v as_o much_o as_o his_o most_o 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de_fw-fr â—eretico_fw-la comburendo_fw-la be_v determine_v or_o else_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v his_o next_o motion_n may_v be_v from_o his_o own_o chapterhouse_n into_o smithfield_n well_o but_o what_o if_o in_o the_o convocation_n some_o such_o dull_a man_n shall_v be_v find_v as_o it_o be_v plain_a there_o still_o be_v out_o of_o it_o who_o after_o all_o that_o either_o the_o animadverter_n have_v write_v or_o the_o university_n decree_v do_v not_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n of_o tritheism_n to_o be_v so_o necessary_o consequent_a upon_o his_o hypothesis_n as_o to_o warrant_v they_o to_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v heretical_a what_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o other_o who_o though_o no_o friend_n to_o the_o hypothesis_n shall_v yet_o have_v so_o much_o charity_n for_o the_o dean_n as_o to_o be_v unwilling_a to_o fall_v so_o severe_o upon_o he_o as_o some_o warm_a man_n will_v have_v they_o do_v in_o short_a what_o if_o a_o yet_o great_a number_n of_o other_o shall_v appear_v who_o 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party_n and_o after_o much_o contention_n nothing_o to_o be_v do_v and_o then_o the_o enemy_n without_o will_v smile_v and_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o trial_n the_o convocation_n itself_o can_v not_o agree_v about_o this_o matter_n and_o from_o thence_o draw_v a_o untoward_a consequence_n against_o the_o very_a doctrine_n itself_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o be_o neither_o engage_v by_o my_o opinion_n to_o support_v dr._n sherlock_n explication_n nor_o will_v i_o ever_o become_v a_o advocate_n for_o any_o man_n to_o the_o public_a detriment_n of_o the_o church_n or_o its_o doctrine_n but_o as_o i_o be_o persuade_v he_o have_v no_o heretical_a design_n nor_o be_v know_o involve_v in_o any_o tritheistical_a opinion_n so_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o very_o hard_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o believe_v a_o plurality_n of_o god_n whether_o he_o do_v believe_v any_o such_o doctrine_n or_o no._n and_o if_o to_o err_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n as_o 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the_o account_n of_o those_o mischievous_a effect_n which_o these_o various_a opinion_n and_o heresy_n have_v produce_v among_o the_o laity_n they_o be_v such_o that_o if_o we_o may_v credit_v he_o a_o convocation_n seem_v necessary_a 7._o not_o only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o english_a church_n but_o even_o to_o preserve_v the_o belief_n of_o any_o revelation_n i_o be_o loath_a say_v he_o to_o be_v more_o particular_a but_o the_o cause_n and_o the_o effect_n be_v both_o plain_a this_o be_v the_o last_o effort_n and_o it_o be_v push_v home_n by_o he_o and_o here_o i_o will_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o the_o dispute_n which_o have_v arisen_a among_o we_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n advance_v thereupon_o may_v have_v do_v their_o part_n to_o corrupt_v the_o mind_n and_o manner_n of_o many_o when_o man_n of_o part_n and_o passion_n fall_v foul_a upon_o one_o another_o and_o religion_n be_v the_o subject_a and_o each_o account_n it_o a_o proof_n of_o his_o zeal_n for_o god_n to_o maintain_v his_o point_n and_o his_o honour_n together_o whatever_o party_n prevail_v religion_n be_v sure_a to_o suffer_v and_o it_o be_v great_a odds_o but_o both_o the_o litigant_n be_v the_o worse_a man_n for_o it_o as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v i_o need_v not_o say_v what_o a_o indecent_a heat_n have_v appear_v in_o several_a of_o our_o late_a controversy_n and_o what_o a_o vein_n of_o levity_n and_o ra_o 〈…〉_z ry_o have_v run_v through_o some_o other_o and_o what_o a_o tincture_n all_o these_o be_v apt_a to_o leave_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o interest_n themselves_o in_o these_o kind_n of_o quarrel_n and_o what_o a_o diversion_n they_o afford_v to_o man_n of_o more_o wit_n than_o judgement_n of_o more_o ill-nature_n than_o piety_n we_o have_v too_o much_o experiment_v but_o can_v this_o author_n yet_o find_v out_o no_o other_o cause_n that_o may_v have_v contribute_v its_o part_n to_o these_o 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