Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	lord_n	right_a	trusty_a	3,080	5	13.6933	5	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91309	Truth triumphing over falshood, antiquity over novelty. Or, The first part of a just and seasonable vindication of the undoubted ecclesiasticall iurisdiction, right, legislative, coercive power of Christian emperors, kings, magistrates, parliaments, in all matters of religion, church-government, discipline, ceremonies, manners: summoning of, presiding, moderating in councells, synods; and ratifying their canons, determinations, decrees: as likewise of lay-mens right both to sit and vote in councells; ... In refutation of Mr. Iohn Goodwins Innocencies Triumph: my deare brother Burtons Vindication of churches, commonly called Independent: and of all anti-monarchicall, anti-Parliamentall, anti-synodicall, and anarchicall paradoxes of papists, prelates, Anabaptists, Arminians, Socinians, Brownists, or Independents: whose old and new objections to the contrary, are here fully answered. / By William Prynne, of Lincolnes Inne, Esquire.	Prynne, William, 1600-1669.	1645 (1645)	Wing P4115; Thomason E259_1; ESTC R212479	202,789	171

of Canterbury in their and every of their distinct Courts and in the order and manner of their and every of their proceedings and by all other persons within this Realme as far as lawfully being members of the Church it may concerne them And further to conferre debate treat consider consult and agree of and upon such other points matters causes and things as we from time to time shall deliver or cause to be delivered unto the sayd Lord Archbishop of Canterbury President of the sayd Convocation in writing under Our Signe Manuell or privie Signet to be debated concluded consulted and concluded upon the sayd Statute or any other Statute Act of Parliament Proclamation Provision or restraint heretofore had made provided or set forth or any other cause matter or thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding And we do also by these Presents give and grant unto the sayd Lord Archbishop of Canterbury President of the sayd Convocation and to the rest of the Bishops of the said Province of Canterbury and to all Deanes of Cathedrall Churches Archdeacons Chapter and Colledges and the whole Clergy of every severall Diocesse within the said Province full free and lawfull liberty licence power and authority That they the sayd Lord Archbishop of Canterbury President of the sayd Convocation and the rest of the sayd Bishops and other the Clergie of the same Province or the greater number of them whereof the sayd President of the sayd Convocation to be one all and every the sayd Canons Orders Ordinances Constitutions matters Causes and things so by them from time to time conferred treated debated considered concluded and agreed upon shall and may set down in writing in such forme as heretofore hath been accustomed and the same so set down in writing to exhibite and deliver or cause to be exhibited and delivered unto Us to the end that we upon mature consideration by us to be taken thereupon may allow approve confirme and ratifie or otherwise disallow annihilate and make voyd such and so many of the sayd Canons Orders Ordinances Constitutions matters causes and things so to be by force of these Presents considered consulted and agreed upon as wee shall thinke fit requisite and convenient Provided alwayes that the sayd Canons Orders Ordinances Constitutions matters and things or any of them so to be considered consulted or agreed upon as aforesaid be not contrary or repugnant to the Liturgy established or the Rubrick in it or the nine and thirty Articles or the Doctrine Orders and Ceremonies of the Church of England already established Provided also and our expresse will and commandement is That the sayd Canons Orders Ordinances Constitutions matters and things or any of them so to be by force of these presents considered consulted or agreed upon shall not be of any force effect or validity in the Law but only such and so many of them and after such time as we by our Letters Patents under our great Seale of England shall allow approve and confirme the same any thing before in these presents contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding c. In witnesse whereof We have caused these our Letters to be made Patents Witnesse Our selfe at Westminster the twelfth day of May in the sixteenth yeare of our Reigne Per Regem Ipsum Willys To which I shall adde the Kings further Warrant for making a particular Canon and Oath in the late Convocation Charles R. MOst reverend Father in God right trusty and right entirely beloved Councellour Right reverend Fathers in God right trust and well-beloved and trusty and well-beloved We great you well Whereas We out of our meere grace and favour and for the good and peace of the Church have granted to you our Arch-Bishop of Canterbury free leave and licence under our great Seale of England bearing date the twelfth of this instant May to propose treat and conclude upon all such necessary Articles and Canons which you shall finde fit to be ordered for the peace and government of this Church Provided that you shall thereby have no power to meddle with nor alter any thing ratified and confirmed by Act of Parliament And whereas we have further in that Licence which we have granted unto you reserved power to our selfe to command you to propose treat and determine of any such thing or things as we shall recommend unto you under our Signe Manuall or Signet These are therefore to will and require you to propose treat and conclude upon such a Canon as may secure us and all our loving subjects against all growth and encrease of Popery in this our Kingdom as also of any hereticall or schismaticall opinions to the prejudice of the doctrine or discipline of this Church of England established by Law And that in this case you agree upon some Oath to be taken by your selves and all the Clergie respectively and by all which shall hereafter take upon them holy Orders that they shall adhere constantly to the doctrine and discipline here established and never give way for so much as can any way concerne them to any innovation or alteration thereof And when you have made this Canon and inserted this Oath we require you to present it to us that we may advise upon it and if upon mature consultation we approve it we shall confirme it and then give you power under our great Seale both to take the said Oath your selves and to administer it to all such as the Canon appoints Given under our Signet at our Court at White-hall the seventeenth day of May in the sixteenth yeere of our Reigne To the most Reverend Father in God our right trusty and right entirely beloved Councellour the Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury Primate and Metropolitane of all England To the right Reverend Fathers in God our right trusty and well-beloved the Lords Bishops and to our trusty and well-beloved the rest of the Clergie now assembled in Convocation 3 ly by the Kings letters Patents for Confirmation of those Canons after they were made presented to be confirmed by him In the first canon whereof they thus truly resolve That a supream Power is given to this most excellent Order of Kings by God himself in the Scriptures which is That Kings should rule and command in their severall dominions all persons of what rank or estate soever whether Ecclesiasticall or Civill and that they should restrain and punish with the temporall sword all stubborn and wicked doers The care of Gods Church is so committed to Kings in the Scripture that they are commended when the Church keeps the right way and taxed when it runs amisse and therefore her government belongs in chief unto Kings For otherwise one man would be commended for anothers care and taxed but for anothers negligence which is not Gods way The power to call and dissolve Councels both nationall and provincial is the true right of all Christian Kings within their own Realms or Territories

in this point let him consult William Ranchin his Review of the Councell of Trent who is copious and zealous in this point though a Papist Bishop Jewels Defence of the Apologie part 6. cap. 12. 13 14. 15. and the ensuing Sections But to returne to the point proposed As in the forecited Councels abroad so in our Councels Synods and Convocations at home as our Kings and their Nobles were usually present and president as I shall shew hereafter so the Prelates could debate propound and conclude nothing without their privity and licence Hence Eadmerus records of King William the Conquerour that all divine and humane things did expect his approbation for he would not suffer any man living within any of his Dominions to receive the Bishop of Rome as Apostolicall unlesse he commanded him nor yet to accept his Letters upon any termes if they had not been first shewed to him Yea he did not suffer the Primate of his Kingdome to wit the Arch-bishop of Canterbury or Dover if he sate President in a generall Councell of Bishops gathered together to decree or prohibit any thing but those things which were sutable to his will and had been first ordained by himselfe William Rufus his sonne tooke the same jurisdiction on him and challenged it as part of his Prerogative Royall For when as Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury moved him to command if he pleased Councels to be renued according to the ancient use because there had not been a generall Councell of Bishops in England since his comming to the Crowne not in many yeares before he gave him this reply When I shall thinke fit I will do something concerning these things not at thine but my owne pleasure But of this I shall thinke some other time and adds by way of scoffe but thou whence speakest thou in a Councell After this the King demanded of him from what Pope he would receive his Pall he answered from Urbane which the King hearing replyed That he had not yet taken him for Apostolicall neither had it been the Custome in his or his Fathers time that any one should name a Pope in the Kingdome of England without or besides his license or election and whosoever would wrest from him the power of this dignity should do all one as if he had endeavoured to take his Crown from him If therefore thou recivest the same Vrban or aeny other for Pope in my Kingdome or holdest him being received thou doest against the faith and allegiance which thou owest to me neither dost thou offend mee lesse in this than if thou shouldest endeavour to take my Crown from me Wherefore know that thou shalt have no share or portion in my Kingdome if I shall not see thee by open assertions to deny all subjection and obedience to Vrban at my desire Which he refusing to doe the Bishops and Noblemen sent to him from the King told him Tha● the whole Kingdome complained against him that he endeavoured to take away from their common Lord the dignity of his Empire and his Crowne For whosoever deprives him of the customes of his Royall dignity takes away his Crown and Kingdome together with it for one cannot be decently enjoyed without the other So little power had the Pope or Prelates here in England in those times Anno 1234. there was a Councell held at Glocester to which the King sent this Mandate Mandatum est omnibus Episcopis qui conventuri sunt apud Gloucestriam die Sabbati in chrastino Sanctae Catharinae firmiter inhibendo quod sicut Baronias sua quas do lege tenent diligunt nullo modo praesumant Concilium tenere de aliquibus quae ad coronam Regis pertinent vel quae personam Regis vel statum suum vel statum Concilii sui contingunt scituri pro certò quod si fecerint Rex inde se capiet ad Baronias suas Teste Rege apud Hereford 23. Novembris c. Anno 1237. in the Councel held at London under Otho the Popes Legate the King sent the Earle of Lincolne with others to the Legate sitting in Councell with an Inhibition in the Kings name to determine of nothing against the Crowne and Dignity Ut dicto Legato writes Matthew Paris ex parte Regis Regni inhiberent ne ibi contra Regiam coronam dignitatem aliquid statuere attemptaret and William de Reel one of the Messengers remained in the Convocation house to see this Inhibition observed clothed in a Canonicall Cap and Surplis the others departing thence So in 26. Hen. 3. rot 21. 9. E. 1. rot 2. 11. E. 2. rot 10 18. E. 3. rot 21. in the Tower and in many other Records I finde a generall Prohibition usually directed to the Convocation the Prelates and Clergie therein such loyall subjects usually were they Ne quid attemptarent contra jus Regium Ne quid statuant contra Regem in Concilio suo Ne aliquid tentetur contra Coronam Regis in congregan●ione Cleri c. the King confining them of what to treat and conclude of what not to entermeddle without his speciall license Not to mention That our Kings have frequently prescribed the Convocation what Subsidies they should grant and how they have handled them in case they refused to grant them The Statute of 25. H. 8. c. 19. Records ` That the Clergie of the Realm of England submitting themselves to the Kings Majesty then promised in verbo Sacerdotii that they would never from thenceforth presume to attempt alleadge claime or put in ure or enact promulge or execute any new Canons Constitutions Ordinance provinciall or other by whatsoever other name they shall be called in the Convocation unlesse the Kings most Royall assent and Licence may to them he had to make promulge and execute the same and that His Majesty doe give His most Royall assent and authority in that behalfe And thereupon enacts according to the sayd submission and petition of the Clergie that they assembled together in Convocation ne any of them to wit in their severall Visitations Synods Constitutions Chapters from henceforth Shall presume to alleadge claime or put in ure any Constitutions or Ordinances provinciall or Synodals or any other Canons nor shall Enact Promulge or execute any such Canons Constitutions or Ordinance provinciall by what name or names they may be called in Convocation for time to come unlesse the sayd Clergy may have the Kings most Royall assent and licence to make promulge and execute such Canons Constitutions and Ordinances provinciall or Synodall upon pain of every one of the said Clergy doing the contrary to this being thereof Convict to suffer imprisonment and make fine at the Kings will Hence the whole Clergy of England in their Booke entituled The Institution of a Christian man dedicated to K. Henry the eight Anno 1543. subscribed with all their names in a Convocation Chapter of Orders acknowledge this sovereign jurisdiction of the Prince

such Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they shall thinke necessary fit and convenient for the honour and service of Almighty God and quiet of the Church and the better government therof c. And our present Soveraign King Charles in his Declaration printed before the 39. Articles of the Church of England made by the advise of so many of the Bishops as might conveniently be called twice printed by his speciall command An. 1628. resolves in these very words this point of his royall Prorogative derived from his Predecessors That We are supreame Governour of the Church of England and that If any difference arise about the externall policie concerning Iniunctions Canons or other Constitutions whatsoever thereto belonging the Clergy in their Convocation not the Bishops in their Consistories Visitations or high Commissions is to order and settle them having first obtained leave under Our broad Seale so to do and We approving their said Ordinances and Constitutions provided that none be made contrary to the Lawes and Customes of the Land What power our Kings have excercised in Convocations to direct and limit them in all their proceedings determinations Canons in former ages especially since 25. Hen. 8. c. 19. will appeare First by the forme of our Kings Writs for summoning a Convocation of which I shall give you onely one late president agreeing in forme and substance with all former Writs of this kinde CAROLVS Dei gratia Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Rex fidei defensor c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac fideli Conciliari● Nostro Gulielmo eadem gratia Cantur A chiepis totius Angliae Primati Metropolitano salutem Quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis Nos securitatem defensionem Ecclesiae Anglicanae ac pacem tranquilitatem bonum publicum Defensionem regni Nostri subditorum Nostrorum ejusdem concernentibus Vobis in fide dilectione quibus Nobis tenemini rogando mandamus quatenus remissis debito intuitu attentis ponderatis universos singulos Episcopos vestrae Provinciae ac Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium nec non Archidiaconos Capitula Collegia totumque Cle●um cujuslibet diocesios ejusdem Provinciae ad comparendum coram vobis in Ecclesia Catholica sancti Pauli London decimoquarto die Aprilis proximè futuro vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis cum omni celeritate accommoda modo debito convocari facias ad tractandum consentiendum concludendum super premissis aliis quae tibi clarius exponentur tunc ibidem ex parte Nostra Et hoc sicut Nos Statum Regni Nostri ac honorem utilitatem Ecclesiae praedictae diligitis nulla tenus omittatis Teste meipso apud Westmonast vicesimo die Februarii Anno regni Nostri quintodecimo Secondly by the forme of the Kings royall License commonly granted to the Convocation before they may or can debate of any thing particularly the forme whereof you may discerne in this subjoyned directed to the last Convocation 1640. CHARLES By the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Whereas in and by one Act of Parliament made at Westminster in the five and twentieth year of the Raigne of King Henry the Eighth reciting That whereas the Kings humble and obedient Subjects the Clergie of this Realme of England had not onely knowledged according to the truth that the Convocation of the same Clergie were alwayes had bin and ought to bee assembled by the Kings Writ but also submitting themselves to the Kings Majesty had promised in verbo Sacerdotii that they would never from thenceforth presume to attempt alledge claime or put in u●e or enact promulge or execute any new Canons Constitutions Ordinances provinciall or other or by whatsoever other name they should bee called in the Convocation unlesse the said Kings most Royall assent and license might to them be had to make promulge and execute the same and that the said King did give his most Royall assent and authority in that behalfe It was therefore enacted by the authority of the sayd Parliament according to the said submission and Petition of the said Clergie amongst other things that they nor any of them from thenceforth should enact promulge or execute any such Canons Constitutions or Ordinances provinciall by whatsoever name or names they might be called in their Convocations in time comming which alwayes shall bee assembled by authority of the Kings Writ unlesse the same Clergie might have the Kings most Royall assent and license to make promulge and execute such Canons Constitutions and Ordinances provinciall or Synodall upon pain of every one of the said Clergie doing contrary to the said Act and being thereof convict to suffer imprisonment and make fine at the Kings will c. Know ye that We for divers urgent and waighty causes and considerations Vs thereunto especially moving of Our especiall Grace certaine knowledge and meere motion have by vertue of Our Prerogative Royall and supream authority in Causes Ecclesiasticall given and granted and by these presents do give and grant full free and lawfull liberty license power and authority unto the most Reverend Father in God William Lord Arch-Bishop of Can●terbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan President of this Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and to the rest of the Bishops of the same Province and to all Deans of Cathedrall Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the whole Clergy of every severall Diocesse within the said Province that they or the greater number of them wherof the said President of the said Convocation to be alwayes one shall and may from time to time during our will and pleasure propose conferre treat debate consider consult and agree upon the exposition or alteration of any Canon or Canons now in force and of and upon such other new Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation and the rest of the said Bishops and other the Clergie of the same Province or the greater number of them wherof the sayd Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation to be one shall thinke necessary fit and convenient for the honor and service of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better government thereof to be from time to time observed performed fulfilled and kept as well by the sayd Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury the Bishops and their successors and the rest of the whole Clergy of the sayd Province of Canterbury in their severall callings offices Functions Ministeries degrees and administrations as also by all and every Deane of the Arches and other Iudges of the sayd Arch-bishops Courts Guardians of Spiritualties Chancellors Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Commissaries Officialls Registers and all and every other Ecclesiasticall Officers and their inferiour ministers whatsoever of the same Province

the stability of the Realme A cleare evidence it was both a Parliament and Synod too Anno 824. There was another Synodall Assembly held at Clovesho under the same king Beornulfe and Wulfred Archbishop of Canterbury assidentibus Episcopis Abbatibus PRINCIPIBVS MERCIORVM VNIVERSIS MVLTI SAPIENTISSIMI VIRI CONGREGATI to determine certaine Controversies and settle the lands of the Church which they did accordingly the Acts of this Councell were subscribed by the king his Dukes Nobles as well as by the Bishops as you may see in the close of it Anno 833. there was a Councell held at London the 26 of May which is intiuled Concilium Pan-Anglicum a Cauncell of all England wherein were present Egbert King of West-Saxons and Withlasius King of Mercians both the Archbishops of England with the Bishops and Nobles In which they con●●ted not onely of Church affaires but also about hindering the incursions of the Danes and confirmed divers Priviledges to the Abby of Crowland by a Charter granted by this King in this Councel subscribed by the King Dukes and other Laymen as well as by Bishops and Abbots Anno 838. I finde Concilium Pan-Anglicum held at Kingston wherein King Egbert and Ethelwolfe his Sonne sate Presidents together with Ceolueth Archbishop and the rest of the Bishops optimatibus Angliae and the chiefe men and Nobles at England wherein certain Charters of Lands given to the Church formerly accorded to by the Nobles were confirmed vnder pain of excommunication and curses to the infringers of them About which time Keneth king of Scots compiled and published certain Ecclesiasticall Lawes intermixed with temporall made in a Parliamentary Councell not an Episcopall Synod Anno 851. there was a Councell held at Kingsbury under Bertulph King of Mercia praesentibus Ceolnotho Dorobernensi Archiepiscopo caeterisque Regni Merciae Episcopis Magnatibus and another Councell at Benningdon under this King about the same year â Praelatis Proceribus Regni sub Bertolpho Rege In both these ample possessions and priviledges were granted to the Abbots and Monks of England Vnanimi consensu totius praesentis Cancilii pro Regni negotiis Congregati the Charters being subscribed by Dukes Lords and temporall Officers present in these Councels as well as by Bishops or Abbots An. 855. There was a generall Councel of all England held at Winchester Concilium V●ntoniae Pan-anglicum 5. Nov Judic 4. celebratum praesentibus Aethelwulfo Rege Westsaxoniae Beorredo Rege Merciae Edmundo Rege East-Anglorum una cum Archiepiscopis Cantuariae Eborum caeterisque totius Angliae Episcopis Magnatibus in which King Aethelwulph by his royall Charter granted the tenth part of his lands and goods to the Church cum coxsilio Episcoporum ac Principum meorum Praesentibus subscribentibus Archiepiscopis Episcopis Angliae Vniversis re●non Beorredo Rege Merciae Edmundo Eastanglorum Rege Abbatum Abbatissarum Ducum Comitium Procerumquetotius terrae aliorumque fidelium infintia multitudine qui omnes Regium Chirographum landaverunt Dignitates vero sua nomina subscripserunt These Councels therefore were no other but Parliaments The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of king Alured Anno 887. were made in Parliament and not in a Synod of Bishops Ex Consulto Sapientum Atque in ipsis discernendis ego Alredus Occiden alium Saxonum Rex prudent●ssimeram è nostris confilio usus sum atque eis omnibus placuit edici eorum observationem saith the Praeface to his Lawes The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of Alured or Alfred and Guthurne were accorded in a Councell wherein these Kings and their people made a League King Edward the elder upon the letter of Pope Formosus congregavit Synodum SENATORVM PROCERVM POPVLORVM ET NOBILIVM Gent's Anglae in quae prasedebat Plegmundus Archiepiscopus Tum sibi Rex cum suis Plegmundus Archiepiscopus salubre consilium iniverunt and constituted and elected five Bishops in the Province of the Gevisi where there were but two Bishopricks formerly dividing those two Bishopricks into five by a Parliament not Synod The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of King Edward the elder and Guthurne An. 905. were made in Parliaments of the Lords and Commons not Synods of the Clergie as appeares by this Proeme Haec ea sunt SENATVS-CONSVLTA ac instituta quae primo Aluredus Guthurnus Reges deinde Edovardus Guthurnus Reges illis ipsis temporibus tulere cum Pacis foedus Daci Angli ferierunt ac sese mutuo an●plexi sunt quae postea a SAPIENTIBVS recitata saepius atque ad communem Regni utilitatem aucta atque amplificata sunt The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of King Aethelstan An. 928. were made in Parliament not in a Convocation as is evident by the temporall lawes mixed with them made at the same time and by chap. 9. Decreta cictaque sunt haec in celebri Gratanleano Concilio cui Wulfhelmus interfuit Archiepiscopus cum eo Optimates Sapientes ab Aethelstano evocati frequentissimi The Ecclesiasticall lawes of Hoel Dha the good King of all Wales about the yeare 940. were made not by the Ecclesiasticall persons onely but by the Laiety too hee summoning sex Laicos viros auctoritate scientia pollentes six Laymen potent in authority and Learning out of every County and then selecting out of them twelve Laicos doctissimos unum Clericum doctissimum qui vocabatur Blanguindus ad instituendas sibi leges usus c. 12. most learned Laymen and but one learned Clerke to compile Ecclesiasticall Lawes for him and his people The Ecclesiasticall Lawes of King Edmund Anno 944. were made in a Parliament at London as appeares by the temporall lawes joyned with them and by the Proocme Edmundus Rex ipso solenni Paschatis festo frequentem Londini tam Ecclesiasticorum quam LAICORVM caetum celebravit c. A sci entissimis Regni mei in celebri tam Ecclesiasticorum quam LAICORVM frequentia studiose requisivisse quo tandem pacto Christiana proveheretur fides Atque NOBIS OMNIBVS commodissimum visum est Edmundus Rex congregavit magnam Synodum Dei ordinis SECVLI apud London c. Ego Edmundus Rex mando praecipio omni populo seniorum ac juvenum qui in regione mea sunt ea quae investigans investigovi cum sapientibus Clericis LAICIS Anno 948. There was a Councell as well of Lords and great men as Bishops and Abbots held in London In festo Nativitatis beatae Mariae cum universi Magnates Regni per regium edictum summoniti tam Archiepiscopi Episcopi ac Abbate quam caeteri totius Regni Proceres Optimates Londoniis convenissent ad tractandum de negotiis publicis totius regni consummatis Omnibus the K. in this Parlia granted a large Charter of lands priviledges to the Abbey of Croyland this Councell therefore was certainly no other but a Parliament An. 952.

of Florentius Wigorniensis records Among other things it was there decreed that Priests should not from thence forth marry That no married man should be made a Priest and that those Priests who were married should be either devorced from their wives or deprived of their livings Iohn de Crema there alleaging That it was an unseemely thing for a Priest to rise up from the side of an Harlot so hee called Priests wives and to goe and to make the body of Christ The Priests being much incensed at these Constitutions and very angry with this Legate the chiefe Author of them knowing him to be a leacherous companion watched him so narrowly that the very same night these Canons were ratified though himselfe had that very day consecrated the Sacrament and so made the body of his Saviour as hee thought they tooke him in bedde with a notable Where In excuse of which falt of his which was very publike and notorious he said that hee himselfe was no Priest but a corrector of Priests hee might better have alleadged if his owne reason were good that hee did it after hee had consecrated and made Christs body not before it and so he departed privily 〈◊〉 of England with shame the Priests by this meanes keeping their Wives for a time alleaging that it was better for them to lye with their own Wives then with Where 's or other mens as this lecherous Legate did In the yeare of our Lord 1127. William Archbishop of Canterbury by King Henry the first his assent called a Councell at Saint Peters in Westminster of all the Bishops Abbots and religious Persons of England there flocked thither also * Magnae multitudines Cloricorum Laicorum tam divitum quam mediocrium factus est Conventus grandis et inestimabilis saith the Historian Something 's were there debated somethings determined some things adjourned some things by reason of the tumult of the raiging people cast out from the Audience of the Judges but those things which were there decreed and established in the Councell it selfe by the consent of the Bishops At they were there publikely Recited and received I thought good saith he to note in this manner Then he reites the Canons and constitutions of this Councell and conclude thus Auditis Concilii gestis consensum prebuit authoritate Regia et potestatate conceffit et confirmavit Sta●ta Concili c. Having heard the Acts of the Councel read the K. assented to them and by his regall authority and power passed and confirmed the statuts or Canons of the Councell celebrated by William Archbishop of Canterbury and Legate of the holy Church of Rome at VVestminster Anno 1138. King Stephen on the fourth of Aprill held a Councell at Northampton in which ●urstlain Archbishop of Yorke was Prefident the Prelats Abbotts Earles Barons and all the Nobility of England being present at it The Bishoprick of Exeter then voyd by the death of William Warwast one Robert an Arch-deacon was elected Bishop of that See by the consent and suffrage of the Councell which likewise nominated and chose two Monks to be Abbotts of VVincelcombe and of Saint Maries in Yorke being then vacant The same yeare there was a Councell held at London wherein Theobald was chosen Arch-bishop of Canterbury Annuente Rege by the Kings consent Anno 1139. There was a Councell kept at VVinchester under Henry Bishop of VVinchester the Kings Brother and Legate to the Pope where Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury and all the Bishops there present ad pedes Regis devoluti sunt c. cast themselves downe at the Kings feet most devoutly and earn estly beseeching him to restore Roger Bishop of Salisbury and Alexander Bishop of Lincolne to their possessions and they would willingly pardon all the injuries the King had done them But the King despising the venerable supplication of so many great Prelates suffered them to obtaine no part of their request In the yeare of our Lord 1142. VVilliam Bishop of Lincolne as some record or VVilliam or Henry Bishop of VVinchester as others calhim held a Councell at London at which King Stephen was present where in it was decreed et Generaliter constitutum and generally ordained That he who violated a Church or Churchyard or laid violent hands on any Priest or Religious person should be excommunicated and not absolved but by the Pope The King writes Nubrigensis Concilio Benigne interfuit et favoris Regij Suffragium non negavit was graciously present at the Councell and denied not the suffrage o●his royall savor to its constitutions which without his confirmation had beene of no validitle By vertue of which constitution ratified in this manner If any laid violent hands on a Priest or Religious Person he might sue in the Spirituall Court to have him excommunicated and doe penance for it but not for dammages and no Prohibition could legally be granted to stay the proceedings there Anno 1152. There was a Synod held at London under Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury In which King Stephen with Eustace his Sonne were present The King required the Synod to consent to create Eustace King to which they could not be brought being inhibited by the Popes Letters and mandate to doe it Therefore the King and Eustace incensed with anger shutting them in and befieging them did evermuch vex and disquiet them that they might effect that by feare and terror which they could not doe by authority and favour And soe most of them were reduced to the Kings becke But Theobald the Archibishop departing privity and most craftily out of the Synod carried through the Thames in a Boate to the Sea side entered into a ship and passed into the parts beyond the Sea with whose departure the King being much more disturbed banished him againe with others and confiscated all his goods Anno 1159. There was a great Scisme at Rome betweene Pope Alexander and Victor concerning the Papacie hereupon Frederick the Emperor assembled by his Writ the Bishops of Italie and Germanie together to Papia to Councell where the Emperor his Dukes and Captaines were present who swaying the Councell Victor to whom the Emperor inclined was elected and declared to be the true Pope and successor of Peter and sentence given against Alexander by a Generall decree as against a Scismaticke and rebell to God Amplexus est Imperator cum omni frequentia Ducum et Procerum acta Concilij panam non recipientibus comminatus writes Neubrigensis After which the Emperor solicited the illustrious Kings of France and England by all meanes he could that to perpetuate mutuall amity they would consent to him in this they being inclined hereto cautelously suspended their sentence untill they should more fully know the truth of so doubtfull a businesse and thereupon they also called a famous Councell of Bishops and Nobles out of both their Kingdomes in a fitting time and place where the businesse was fully debated by Guido

all we desire two Prebends to be given us by all Cathedrall Churches and out of Abbies where the Monkes and Abbots have divers portions of each one Monkes intire allowance one from the Covent another from the Abbott which demand Otho urged the Bishops and Prelates to grant on the foresaid grounds Who consulting together hereupon returned this their common Answere by Iohn Archdeacon of Bedford That those things he had propounded to them did specially concerne the King of England and generally all the Patrons of Churches Archbishops Suffragans and Prelates of England since therefore the King was then absent by reason of his infirmitie and some Archbishops Bishops and other Prelates were absent likewise that in their absence they neither could nor ought to give any Answer And upon these words uttered came Iohn Lord Marshall of England and other Messengers from the King strictly commanding all what held Baronies of the King in Capite that that they should not obliege their lay Fee to the Church of Rome whereby he might be deprived of the services due unto him And so all returned to their owne home The same yeare there was another Councell assembled at Westminster under Stephen Langhton Archbishop of Canterbury about the same matter To which the King conferring a part with some of the Nobles and Bishops gave this Answer that these things concern all Christendom because we are placed in the remotest parts of the world when we shall see what other Kingdomes will say to these exactions and shall have an example from them the Pope shall finde us more ready to obey him And so this Councell brake up By both which presidents it is evident that Councells in those dayes were no other but Parliaments the King Nobles and Commons being present in them and that the Clergy alone could treat or conclude of nothing but by their concurring assents Anno 1231. There was a great Synod of Abbotts Priors Archdeacons with almost the whole Nobility Masters and Clerks of the Realme assembled at Saint Albans by the Popes Command to celebrate a divorse betweene the Countesse of Essex and her Husband if there were cause This divorse was but an Ecclesiasticall matte● as the Canonists deemed it yet both King Nobles and Commons as well as Abbots and Clergy-men were present at it and called to it by the Popes command In the yeare of our Lord 1236. there was a Councell of all the great men Prelates and Clergie of the Realme summoned to meet at London by King Henry the third under Othe the Popes Legate which being assembled together at Paules the second day thereof the King sent John Earle of Lincolne Iohn the son of Jeffery and William de Reele a Canon of Paules to inhibit the Legate in the behalfe of the King and Kingdome that he should not there Attempt or decree any thing against his Royall Crowne and dignity William Reele remained there to see this inhibition observed the others departed The next day folowing the Legate supported with divine assistance astantis concilij Suffragits et consensu and by the suffrages and consent of the Councel there present to conserve and reforme the State Ecclesiasticall in the parts of England besides other Canonicall institutions promulged certaine Canons digested into Chapters and Articles which Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury with divers others who departed from the Councell with little joy resolved to nullifie and revoke as not confirmed by the King the Lords and Commons for ought appeares which Otho understanding writ to the Pope to ratifie them who accordingly did it by his decretall Epistle Anno 1288. John Peckam Archbishop of Canterbury held a Provinciall Councell at Redding in which he made five Constitutions purposing to draw the conusance of Patronages of Churches anciently belonging to the Kings Court to the Ecclesiasticall to rescinde all Royall Prohibitions in suites depending in the Ecclesiasticall Court for goods and Chattels and to inhibitu that Ecclesiasticall Judges should be thenceforth prohibited to proceed in them But the King hearing of this designe sent certain selected messengers both to the Archbishop and the whole Councell commanding them with threats to resist whence it came to passe that the Archbishop wholy receeded from his presumption and the Councell being dissolved all the Prelates returned frustrate of their hope 31. An. 1296. Robert Winchelsee Archbishop of Canterbury held a Provinciall Councell at London where the Clergy to disapoint the King of his Subsidies and Tenths decreed among other things Ne quid inconsulto Papa Regibus a Clero solveretur That nothing should be payed to Kings without the Popes privity and consent A right loyall Constitution worthy Prelates The King having then called a Parliament to re-inburse his monyes spent in the Scottish Wars had a large Subsidie granted him by the Commons and Burgesses But the Clergy neither offered nor granted him any thing by reason of this their Constitution for confirmation whereof the Archbishop had gotten the Popes Bull The King being moved therewith proroged the Parliament to London commanding the Clergy to be there on the first day of Saint Hilary to give him a better answer The King in the mean time commanded all the Clergy mens Barnes which were full of corne to be sealed up with publike Seales which whiles his Officers were executing the Archbishop commanded the Popes decree to be published in Cathedrall Churches inhibiting under pain of Excommunication that no Tribute or ayd should be payd to the King or to any secular Prince out of Ecclesiasticall livings or revenues an high straine of Papall usurpation and presumption and when he and his Suffragans met in Pauls they resolved to stand to their former Constitution and to grant the King nothing Such dutifull good Subjects were these lordly Prelates Whereupon the King sending messengers to them to demand a supply from them they all returne him this answer It is sufficiently known that under God the Lord of all we have two Lords a spirituall the Pope our Lord and a temporall the King our Soveraigne and though we are bound to obey both yet we ought to obey our spirituall Lord more than our temporall And therefore we intend to send a Legate to the Pope that his leave first obtained wee may give the King what he desires of us The King receiving this answer tooke it very disdainfully that he should be thus mocked in his own Kingdome by the Pope and his Clergie and thereupon thrust the Clergie out of the Parliament and held a Councell with his Barons and Commons alone and presently put all the Clergie out of his protection that none of them should have power to sue any man in any of his Courts but might be sued there by any of his subjects upon which all the Clergie but the Archbishop were content to offer the King the fith part of their Ecclesiasticall goods and the Archbishop persisting in his obstinacy had all

Articles of Religion and enjoyning subscription thereunto under penalties losse of Benefices and other Ecclesiasticall penalties Limiting likewise the age of such who are to be made Ministers ch 17. Concerning the Leases of Benefices and Ecclesiasticall livings with Cure 18. Eliz. c. 6. Concerning the taking away of Clergy c. 23 Eliz. c. 1. To retain the Queens Majesties subjects in their due obedience made against Jesuits Semenary Priests and others receiving Orders from Rome and the harbourers of them under capitall penalties 27. Eliz. c. 2. Against Jesuits Seminary Priests and such other disobedient persons 29. Eliz. c. 6. Concerning Recusants 31. Eliz. c. 1. Against Symony 35 Eliz. c. 1. Against Seperatists and Schismaticks refusing conformity to our Church Service and Liturgie who are lyable to imprisonment fines and other penalties for it by the Law ch 2. For restraining Popish Recusants to some certaine plate of abode 29 Eliz. c. 8. For confirmation of the Deprivation of divers Bishops and Deanes in the beginning of the Queens Raigne ch 22. Concerning the Bishop of Norwich are plentifull evidences of what I plead for In King James his Raigne I finde many Acts of Parliament asserting the Kings and Parliaments Ecclesiasticall jurisdictions as 1 Jacobi c. 1● Concerning the Kings Title to the Crowne ch 2. Concerning Archbishopricks and Bishopricks ch 5. For the due execution of the Statutes against Jesuites Seminary Priests Recusants ch 12. Against second marriages till former wives or husbands bee dead ch 31. For building a new Church in Melcombe Regis to be the Parish Church of Radepoll and for making the Church of Radepoll a Chappell to it 3 Jacobi c. 3. for a publick thanksgiving to Almighty God every yeare on the fift day of November for the deliverance from the hellish Gunpowder treason ch 4. For the better discovering and suppressing of Popish Recusants which prescribes a new oath of Allegiance ch 5. To prevent and avoyd danger which may grow by Popish Recusants which likewise prohibits the Importations of any Popish Books Agnus Dei Crucifixes c. ch 20. To restraine abuses of Players 21. Jacobi ch 17. Against Usury ch 20. To prevent and reforme prophane swearing and cursing The Statutes in King Charles his Raigne are punctuall evidences of the Soveraign Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction of our Kings Parliaments in all which we find not onely severall Committees appointed concerning Religion frequent in all Queene Elizabeths and King James their Parliaments but also sundry Statutes concerning Religion and Church-matters as namely 1 Carols c. 1. For punishing divers abuses committed on the Lords day 3 Caroli c. 1. For further reformation of divers abuses on the Lords day ch 2. To restraine the passing or sending of any to be Popishly bred beyond the Seas But the severall Acts Ordinances and Proceedings of this present Parliament concerning all matters of Religion Church government and Ecclesiasticall affaires are presidents beyond all exception The Acts already passed For suppressing the High-Commission disabling any Clergy-man to meddle with any temporall offices or to be Justices of Peace The taking away of Bishops Votes and their sitting in the House of Peers The severall Acts Votes Ordinances which have passed both House for abolishing all new Canons Plaralities Non-residence punishing of scandalous Ministers Sanctifying the Lords day Keeping of Monethly and other Fasts Celebrating speciall dayes of thanksgiving for sundry Discoveries Victories Prohibiting the printing of erroneous books Suppressing Antinomians Socinians Anabaptists and other Sectaries Abolishing all Innovations Superstitions Idolatreus pictures Images Altars Copes Tapers Royals c. Payment of Tythes Probate of Wills Ordination of Ministers and above all their nominating and convening an Assembly of conscientious pious reverend learned orthodox Divines to assist them in reforming all errors and corruptions in Doctrine Worship Government Discipline and establishing such a pure Worship and Church-government in our Realme as shal be most agreeable to Gods Word wherein they have made a large progresse already the Directory for Worship being now finished and we expect a full accomplishment of this much desired Worke ere long All these with infinite other particulars are a most satisfactory and unanswerable evidence of the Parliaments jurisdiction and Legislative power in all matters of Religion Worship Government Discipline and other Ecclesiasticall things or proceedings whatsoever none of which have ever been settled among us in any age in a legall and obligatory way but onely in and by Parliaments I shall close up these 〈◊〉 Domestick authorities with the Ordinance of both Houses of Parliament concerning the present Assembly of Divines wherein all may clearly discerne the jurisdiction of our Parliaments in all Church affaires matters of Religion and over the Assembly it selfe together with the Instructions or Ruled prescribed to the Assembly which they have punctually observed and submitted to not yet in print An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the calling of an Assembly of learned and godly Divines and others to be consulted with by the Parliament for the setling of the Government and Liturgy of the Church of England and for vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the said Church from false uspertions and interpretations WHereas amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this Nation none is or can be more deate unto us then the purity of our Religion and for that as yet many things remaine in the Lyturgy Discipline and Government of the Church which doe necessarily require a further and more perfect reformation then as yet hath been attained And whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assmbled in Parliament that the present Church-Government by Archbishops Bishops their Chancellors Commissaries Deanes Deanes and Chapters Archdeacons and other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending upon the Hierarchy is evill and justly offensive and bu●thensome to the Kingdome a great impediment to reformation and growth of Religion and very prejudicial to the state and government of this Kingdome and that therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away and that such a Government shall be setled in the Church as may be most agreeable to Gods holy Word and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the Church at home and neerer agreement with the Church of Scotland and other reformed Churches abroad and for the better effecting hereof and for the vindicating and clearing of the doctrine of the Church of England from all false calumnies and aspersions It is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of learned godly and judicious Divines who together with some members of both the Houses of Parliament are to consult and advise of such matters and things touching the premises as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament and to give their advice and counsell therein to both or either of the said Houses when and as often as they shall be thereunto requited Be it therefore ordained by

seven to what Rules Covenants Orders Censures Government Discipline every private Minister Eldership or every major part of a congregation shall arbitrarily prescribe unto their members as suitable to the Word No doubt he that hath a doubtfull case in Law would rather have the advice of many solid Lawyers then one he that is sicke in body will give more credit to the opinion of the whole Colledge of Physitians upon debate then to one or two Doctors or Apothecaries Whence the policies of all States Churches in all Ages have reserved the power of making Lawes and setling matters of greatest moment to their most generall Councells Parliaments and Assemblies not to Cabinet Counsells or Vesteries Brother it is a true rule of Aristotle that men are better governed by Laws which continue constant inpartiall inflexible then by Men whose lusts passions interests and private ends doe for the most part byasse them awry holds as well in Ecclesiasticall as civill Constitutions Therefore this legislative power and Jurisdiction of Parliaments and Synods over particular Churches is so farre from being a prejudice or slavery to them that it is as great a priviledge and freedome as our Parliaments are to our Kingdomes which onely make binding Lawes for all and the only meanes to free us from an arbitrary Government The third thing my Brother objects is That all these Churches where the Apostles Preached were of absolute Authority among themselves respectively and equall one to another not one of them having jurisdiction over another The seven Churches of Asia the Churches of Ephesus Corinth Antioch c. exercising all jurisdiction within themselves alone not being subordinate to themselves or any other as others object And in the Primitive Churches next after Christ for two hundred yeares or more the Government was almost popular and every Church had equall power of ordaining and casting out their Minister and were independent one of another as appeares by the Centurists Cent. 1. c. 7. Tit de Conso●iatione Ecclesiarum and De Synodis privatis To this I answer 1. That there is no such thing in the first Century my Brother quotes nor any thing in the second but that one particular Church and Bishop was not then Lord and soveraign over another but it saith not they were not subject to the determinations of publick Synods 2. That none of the Churches planted by the Apostles were absolute and Independent as you pretend For first they were all subject to the Apostles rules and directions both Churches Ministers Elders as is evident by the whole History of the Acts and all the Epistles written to those Churches after they were planted prescribing Rules and Directions to them for to follow by Pauls sending for the Elders of the Church of Ephesus to him to Miletus and giving them there a charge concerning themselves and their flockes Acts 20. 15. to 36. by ● Cor. 11. 18. That which commeth upon me daily the care of all the Churches c. 1 Cor. 11. 34. The rest will I set in order when I come by his commanding them to deliver the incestuous Corinthian to Sathan 1 Cor. 5. 4 5. Tit. 1. 5 6. Therefore they were not Independent or absolute in themselves but subordinate to the Apostles 2. Though they were not subordinate immediately one to another as one single Parish Church now is not subordinate to another particular Church nor the Churches of one City Republike Kingdom subordinate to another yet they were all subject to a Parliament Synod or combination of many Churches in cases of differences new opinions c. which concern the purity of Religion the suppressing of Schismes the common Peace or weale of all Churches in which all have equall interest as is cleare by the Synodicall determination and decrees of the Apostles Elders and Brethren at Ierusalem who sent Decrees to all the Churches of the Gentiles to observe Acts 15. throughout c. 21. 24 25. which is thus expressed Ch. 16. v. 4 5. And as they went through the Cities they delivered them THE DECREES FOR TO KEEPE THAT WERE ORDAINED OF THE APOSTLES AND ELDERS WHICH WERE AT HIERVSALEM And marke the happy fruites and effects of those Decrees And so was the Church established in the Faith and increased in number daily It was well there were no Independents then they would have quarrelled both this Synod and its Decrees as they doe most strangly now or sought for to avoyd this unavoydable president argued as some doe now What we are Independent Congregations absolute and compleate within our selves what hath the Church or Synod at Jerusalem to doe to make Decrees for us to keepe who are under Christ alone as our onely King Head Governour Law-giver not under Apostles Elders Synods or any other Church who may not Lord it over us Hence then I argue that the Churches then were not Independent because they thus readily embraced submitted to the observation of these Synodall Decrees which our Independent Churches will not stoop to saying Their Churches are absolute intirely their owne who is Lord over them Adde to this that the Apostle in the 1 Cor. 11. 15. argues the unlawfulnesse of womens praying without vailes and of mens wearing long haire ad never longer in England then now in the Church of Corinth from the very custome of other Churches Neverthelesse saith he if any man seens to be contentious in opposing the premises we have no such custome NEITHER THE CHVRCHES OF CHRIST where Paul from the custome of all other Churches of Christ condemnes the irregularity of some in the Church of Corinth whence I argue If the lawful laudable customes only of all other or most of the Churches of Christ ought to oblige a sister Church that is singular and different from them to uniformity with them in things convenient and just as this Text manifests then by like reason the just Decrees and Canons of many Churches combined ought to oblige particular Churches which are under their precincts 3. Though the Church of Corinth did not exercise Jurisdiction or claime a power over the Church of Philippi nor one of the seven Churches exercise a Jurisdiction over the other as they were single Churches and under severall civill Government whose Magistrates then were not Christians yet Paul John and the other Apostles held a jurisdiction over them as their Epistles to them manifest and they all combined in a Synod had power by their Deputies one over another not as particular Churches but as a Synod wherein they were all combined as the second Century cap. 7. Master Rutherford his due Right of Presbitires Art 15. p. 355. to 480. to whom I sha refer the Reader My Brothers Argument therefore is but this in substance The Church of Sepulchres hath no jurisdiction over Saint Androwes nor the Church of Pauls over Westminster not the Church of England over the Church of France or Scotland Ergo a generall Councell or