first_o place_n resolve_v that_o a_o synod_n shall_v be_v hold_v every_o year_n and_o that_o the_o emperor_n 145._o be_v present_a the_o decree_n of_o the_o canon_n and_o the_o right_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v renew_v and_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v amend_v and_o how_o far_o the_o design_n of_o this_o canon_n be_v to_o extend_v may_v at_o large_a be_v see_v in_o the_o injunction_n make_v thereupon_o by_o the_o emperor_n which_o we_o find_v in_o the_o collection_n of_o the_o same_o capitulary_n according_a to_o the_o edition_n of_o benedictus_n levita_n pag._n 823._o num._n two_o ibid._n and_o now_o if_o from_o germany_n we_o pass_v into_o 30._o france_n we_o shall_v there_o also_o meet_v with_o the_o like_a practice_n it_o be_v the_o constant_a method_n of_o charles_n the_o great_a in_o that_o kingdom_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o empire_n to_o preside_v over_o his_o clergy_n thus_o we_o see_v he_o do_v in_o most_o of_o those_o synod_n who_o act_n remain_v to_o we_o and_o in_o a_o ancient_a ms._n of_o st._n 1036._o germains_n wherein_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bishop_n of_o langre_n be_v transcribe_v the_o first_o chapter_n carry_v this_o inscription_n out_o of_o the_o council_n of_o bishop_n where_o charles_n the_o emperor_n preside_v and_o charles_n the_o bald_a not_o 80._o only_o sit_v in_o the_o second_o council_n of_o soissons_fw-fr anno_fw-la 853_o but_o propose_v to_o the_o father_n what_o he_o desire_v they_o shall_v debate_v about_o and_o oftentimes_o prescribe_v to_o their_o very_a resolution_n also_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v i_o may_v now_o i_o conceive_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o 31._o prince_n have_v a_o right_a either_o to_o preside_v over_o his_o synod_n in_o person_n or_o if_o he_o rather_o think_v fit_a to_o appoint_v his_o commissioner_n to_o do_v it_o in_o his_o stead_n the_o only_a difficulty_n will_v be_v to_o determine_v how_o far_o he_o may_v be_v account_v a_o part_n of_o the_o synod_n and_o be_v allow_v not_o only_o to_o preside_v over_o it_o but_o also_o to_o sit_v and_o vote_n in_o it_o and_o one_a as_o i_o have_v observe_v that_o one_o great_a end_n of_o his_o sit_v there_o be_v to_o keep_v the_o public_a peace_n and_o to_o see_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v regular_o and_o quiet_o transact_v by_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n in_o they_o so_o it_o must_v also_o be_v allow_v that_o he_o have_v all_o that_o power_n over_o they_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o obtain_n of_o this_o end_n he_o may_v therefore_o without_o controversy_n commend_v the_o modest_a and_o ingenuous_a reprove_v the_o factious_a may_v keep_v all_o to_o their_o proper_a business_n and_o not_o suffer_v they_o to_o wander_v into_o other_o matter_n or_o pursue_v any_o other_o method_n than_o what_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o them_o and_o if_o any_o shall_v become_v so_o disorderly_a as_o to_o need_v it_o he_o may_v as_o the_o ancient_a emperor_n do_v not_o only_o commit_v such_o turbulent_a seditious_a person_n to_o safe_a custody_n and_o punish_v they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o offence_n but_o if_o need_v be_v may_v annul_v the_o act_n that_o be_v so_o tumultuous_o and_o irregular_o do_v by_o them_o 2_o in_o the_o debate_n of_o every_o such_o synod_n of_o whatever_o kind_n they_o be_v the_o prince_n may_v free_o join_v with_o the_o synod_n and_o offer_v any_o objection_n or_o propose_v any_o difficulty_n he_o shall_v think_v fit_a in_o order_n to_o his_o being_n better_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o of_o the_o expediency_n of_o what_o be_v determine_v by_o it_o for_o prince_n be_v man_n of_o reason_n and_o capacity_n as_o well_o as_o bishop_n and_o priest_n and_o when_o a_o matter_n be_v debate_v may_v be_v as_o capable_a of_o make_v a_o sound_a judgement_n as_o any_o one_o that_o be_v there_o assemble_v it_o have_v i_o know_v be_v specious_o object_v against_o this_o that_o prince_n have_v common_o other_o thing_n to_o do_v than_o to_o study_v divinity_n to_o read_v commentator_n father_n council_n and_o the_o like_a book_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a subject_n of_o the_o clergy_n meditation_n this_o indeed_o be_v true_a nor_o shall_v i_o go_v about_o to_o deny_v it_o but_o be_v they_o sure_a it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o prince_n shall_v have_v study_v all_o these_o book_n to_o be_v able_a to_o make_v a_o sound_a judgement_n of_o what_o may_v be_v allege_v out_o of_o they_o may_v not_o a_o point_n be_v propose_v and_o scripture_n be_v quote_v and_o antiquity_n allege_v and_o learned_a man_n canvas_v these_o matter_n so_o long_o till_o a_o slander_n by_o who_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o good_a natural_a judgement_n shall_v be_v able_a very_o evident_o to_o discern_v on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n and_o authority_n lie_v if_o not_o i_o be_o sure_a the_o generality_n of_o christian_n will_v be_v leave_v under_o very_o hard_a circumstance_n who_o must_v at_o last_o believe_v as_o the_o church_n believe_v and_o pin_v their_o faith_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o their_o clergy_n and_o neither_o be_v allow_v to_o judge_v of_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o nor_o if_o once_o in_o a_o error_n be_v capable_a of_o ever_o be_v convince_v of_o it_o but_o if_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o a_o argument_n may_v be_v manage_v by_o learned_a man_n in_o such_o wise_a as_o to_o convince_v those_o that_o be_v not_o learned_a on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n lie_v then_o certain_o the_o prince_n may_v also_o be_v capable_a of_o discern_v whether_o his_o synod_n have_v reason_n for_o their_o definition_n or_o not_o though_o he_o have_v not_o perhaps_o himself_o read_v so_o much_o divinity_n as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o learned_a part_n of_o the_o debate_n with_o the_o father_n of_o it_o whether_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o faith_n or_o a_o matter_n of_o discipline_n i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o prince_n if_o he_o think_v fit_a may_v not_o only_o be_v present_a when_o the_o synod_n debate_v about_o it_o but_o may_v not_o also_o enter_v into_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n with_o they_o and_o propose_v his_o doubt_n and_o manage_v his_o argument_n and_o do_v whatsoever_o be_v requisite_a to_o his_o full_a information_n and_o satisfaction_n concern_v it_o and_o have_v do_v this_o i_o add_v three_o that_o as_o charles_n the_o emperor_n do_v in_o the_o great_a synod_n of_o frankford_n so_o may_v every_o other_o christian_a prince_n if_o he_o please_v do_v still_o i_o mean_v may_v vote_n with_o they_o in_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n because_o in_o these_o both_o the_o right_n of_o the_o people_n and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o prince_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n very_o near_o concern_v whether_o the_o prince_n may_v judicial_o concur_v with_o the_o clergy_n in_o their_o decision_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o dispute_v thus_o much_o i_o dare_v confident_o affirm_v that_o if_o he_o may_v not_o judge_v with_o they_o he_o not_o only_o may_v but_o must_v judge_n after_o they_o for_o as_o much_o as_o he_o be_v not_o only_o concern_v in_o common_a with_o his_o subject_n to_o believe_v aright_o but_o as_o a_o christian_a prince_n aught_o to_o assert_v the_o right_a faith_n too_o and_o do_v what_o in_o he_o lie_v to_o promote_v the_o belief_n and_o profession_n of_o it_o in_o his_o dominion_n for_o give_v i_o leave_v thus_o far_o to_o anticipate_v what_o i_o shall_v present_o have_v occasion_n more_o particular_o to_o consider_v when_o the_o synod_n have_v settle_v the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o frame_v as_o they_o conceive_v a_o just_a and_o orthodox_n confession_n of_o it_o be_v it_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o prince_n to_o receive_v and_o give_v countenance_n to_o their_o definition_n or_o be_v it_o not_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o be_v to_o sink_v the_o credit_n of_o such_o meeting_n very_o low_o indeed_o and_o to_o make_v their_o assemble_v of_o very_o little_a consequence_n if_o when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o they_o can_v to_o fix_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n neither_o the_o prince_n have_v any_o obligation_n to_o support_v their_o definition_n nor_o the_o people_n to_o receive_v it_o but_o if_o when_o the_o synod_n have_v do_v and_o their_o sentence_n be_v pass_v and_o perhaps_o their_o anathema_n too_o have_v be_v thunder_v out_o against_o all_o that_o shall_v presume_v to_o call_v their_o decision_n in_o question_n the_o prince_n be_v oblige_v to_o add_v his_o sanction_n to_o their_o definition_n then_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v think_v it_o to_o be_v their_o duty_n in_o order_n to_o his_o confirm_v their_o decree_n with_o a_o good_a conscience_n to_o convince_v he_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
be_v first_o make_v whether_o the_o convocation_n have_v a_o right_a to_o meet_v and_o act_n as_o often_o as_o the_o parliament_n do_v §_o 1._o the_o method_n which_o this_o author_n have_v take_v to_o vindicate_v this_o suppose_a right_n of_o the_o convocation_n censure_v §_o 2._o the_o design_n of_o the_o follow_a treatise_n lay_v out_o §_o 3._o chap._n ii_o the_o first_o general_n point_v propose_v and_o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o handle_n of_o it_o in_o pursuance_n whereof_o a_o general_a enquiry_n be_v first_o make_v what_o power_n christian_a prince_n have_v always_o be_v allow_v to_o exercise_v over_o their_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o sit_v of_o they_o to_o the_o manage_n of_o they_o when_o sit_v and_o to_o the_o confirm_v or_o annul_v of_o their_o act_n after_o the_o first_o general_n question_v propose_v and_o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o a_o full_a resolution_n of_o it_o §_o 1._o that_o christian_a prince_n have_v authority_n over_o ecclesiastical_a person_n and_o in_o ecclesiastical_a cause_n §_o 2._o and_o that_o particular_o with_o reference_n to_o their_o synod_n and_o convocation_n §_o 3._o which_o 1_n can_v meet_v without_o their_o permission_n or_o against_o their_o consent_n §_o 4._o that_o the_o eight_o first_o general_n council_n be_v all_o call_v by_o the_o emperor_n authority_n §_o 5._o so_o be_v all_o the_o lesser_a synod_n hold_v under_o the_o roman_a emperor_n §_o 6._o the_o gothish_a prince_n in_o the_o empire_n keep_v their_o synod_n to_o the_o same_o rule_n §_o 7._o so_o do_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o several_a kingdom_n which_o rise_v up_o out_o of_o the_o ruin_n of_o it_o of_o spain_n §_o 8._o portugal_n §_o 9_o burgundy_n §_o 10._o germany_n §_o 11._o france_n §_o 12._o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n never_o oppose_v this_o or_o make_v any_o complaint_n against_o it_o §_o 13._o 1_o christian_n prince_n have_v often_o call_v such_o council_n by_o their_o own_o authority_n without_o the_o advice_n of_o their_o clergy_n and_o refuse_v to_o do_v it_o when_o the_o bishop_n have_v desire_v it_o §_o 14._o who_o 2_o be_v so_o refuse_v have_v never_o pretend_v to_o meet_v in_o council_n against_o their_o will_n or_o assert_v any_o right_n so_o to_o do_v §_o 15._o 3_o no_o not_o in_o provincial_a council_n for_o which_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v some_o right_n on_o their_o side_n §_o 16._o 4_o that_o the_o prince_n have_v a_o right_a to_o determine_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n §_o 17._o 5_o and_o may_v direct_v what_o person_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o come_v to_o they_o §_o 18._o the_o first_o point_n sum_v up_o §_o 19_o ii_o of_o the_o prince_n authority_n over_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n when_o they_o be_v meet_v §_o 20._o 1._o he_o have_v a_o right_a to_o prescribe_v to_o they_o what_o they_o shall_v debate_v about_o §_o 21._o the_o ground_n of_o this_o ibid._n the_o several_a method_n that_o have_v be_v take_v by_o they_o to_o do_v this_o §_o 22._o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n in_o confirmation_n hereof_o in_o the_o roman_a empire_n §_o 23._o in_o other_o place_n §_o 24._o 2._o to_o determine_v in_o what_o manner_n and_o order_n they_o shall_v proceed_v in_o their_o debate_n §_o 25._o the_o practice_n of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n in_o confirmation_n hereof_o §_o 26._o 3._o to_o sit_v with_o they_o and_o to_o preside_v over_o they_o so_o the_o emperor_n do_v §_o 27._o and_o so_o do_v the_o prince_n who_o succeed_v they_o in_o their_o several_a state_n §_o 28_o etc._n etc._n how_o far_o the_o prince_n thus_o preside_v may_v act_v synodical_o with_o his_o clergy_n §_o 31._o iii_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prince_n over_o these_o convention_n after_o they_o have_v end_v what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o §_o 32._o the_o clergy_n can_v regular_o break_v up_o their_o synod_n without_o his_o leave_n §_o 33._o their_o act_n be_v of_o no_o authority_n till_o confirm_v by_o he_o §_o 34._o how_o far_o the_o prince_n be_v at_o liberty_n to_o examine_v their_o determination_n to_o confirm_v annul_v or_o amend_v they_o §_o 35._o what_o power_n he_o have_v over_o their_o judgement_n §_o 36._o what_o over_o their_o constitution_n §_o 37._o the_o whâ—lâ—_n apply_v to_o our_o own_o case_n §_o 38._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o authority_n which_o our_o own_o king_n have_v over_o their_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o their_o meeting_n and_o act_v first_o and_o to_o the_o confirm_v or_o annul_v their_o act_n after_o that_o our_o prince_n ought_v of_o right_a to_o have_v the_o same_o authority_n over_o their_o convocation_n as_o any_o other_o prince_n have_v before_o be_v show_v to_o have_v §_o 1._o i._o that_o the_o convocation_n can_v meet_v without_o the_o king_n be_v write_v to_o empower_v they_o so_o to_o do_v §_o 2._o the_o judge_n opinion_n to_o this_o purpose_n ibid._n the_o parliament_n and_o convocation_n §_o 3._o the_o king_n have_v a_o right_a to_o name_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n §_o 4._o as_o also_o to_o appoint_v what_o person_n shall_v come_v to_o it_o §_o 5._o be_v summon_v it_o lie_v in_o his_o breast_n whether_o they_o shall_v sit_v or_o no._n §_o 6._o ii_o that_o be_v meet_v they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o act_n but_o by_o the_o king_n permission_n §_o 7._o this_o also_o confirm_v by_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o judge_n agreeable_o to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o 25_o hen._n 8._o and_o far_o prove_v from_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o convocation-writ_a §_o 8._o the_o form_n of_o which_o be_v the_o same_o now_o that_o ancient_o it_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v §_o 9_o as_o also_o from_o the_o commission_n wont_a to_o be_v send_v to_o they_o for_o that_o purpose_n §_o 10._o several_a instance_n of_o which_o be_v offer_v §_o 11._o from_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o convocation_n in_o the_o 1._o edw._n vi_o §_o 12._o of_o the_o power_n of_o our_o king_n to_o sit_v with_o or_o to_o send_v commissioner_n to_o their_o convocation_n §_o 13._o whether_o the_o convocation_n as_o a_o court_n may_v proceed_v to_o judge_v any_o cause_n without_o the_o king_n licence_n §_o 14._o the_o convocation_n do_v ancient_o judge_v of_o heresy_n §_o 15._o how_o it_o judge_v §_o 16._o it_o be_v most_o probable_a that_o it_o can_v judge_v any_o person_n without_o the_o king_n leave_n §_o 17._o it_o be_v certain_a the_o king_n may_v in_o a_o particular_a case_n prohibit_v they_o so_o to_o do_v §_o 18._o and_o suspend_v or_o annul_v their_o sentence_n ib._n iii_o of_o the_o authority_n which_o our_o king_n have_v over_o their_o convocation_n after_o they_o have_v do_v what_o they_o be_v call_v for_o they_o can_v break_v up_o without_o the_o king_n licence_n §_o 19_o his_o authority_n requisite_a to_o confirm_v their_o acts._n §_o 20._o how_o far_o and_o in_o what_o case_n he_o be_v empower_v to_o confirm_v they_o ibid._n the_o king_n have_v power_n not_o only_o to_o review_n their_o act_n himself_o but_o to_o submit_v they_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o his_o council_n §_o 21._o the_o practice_n of_o this_o prove_v to_o §_o 24._o whether_o he_o may_v alter_v and_o correct_v their_o definition_n ibid._n from_o the_o whole_a a_o answer_n be_v distinct_o give_v to_o the_o first_o question_n propose_v §_o 25._o chap._n iu._n in_o which_o the_o state_n of_o the_o convocation_n be_v historical_o deduce_v from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o our_o own_o time_n the_o occasion_n of_o this_o enquiry_n and_o the_o method_n propose_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o it_o §_o 1._o 1._o period_n how_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n be_v transact_v from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o the_o time_n of_o the_o norman_a conquest_n the_o clergy_n summon_v to_o convocation_n after_o two_o very_a different_a manner_n by_o the_o parliament_n write_v §_o 2._o by_o the_o provincial_a writ_n §_o 3._o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o lay_v in_o these_o first_o time_n wherein_o the_o clergy_n be_v member_n of_o the_o civil_a council_n as_o well_o as_o of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n §_o 4._o of_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o great_a council_n in_o these_o time_n and_o how_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n be_v transact_v in_o they_o §_o 5._o show_v from_o the_o like_a council_n in_o france_n under_o pepin_n §_o 6._o under_o charles_n the_o emperor_n §_o 7._o their_o manner_n of_o debate_v §_o 8._o their_o polity_n clear_v §_o 9_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o own_o great_a council_n state_v upon_o this_o foundation_n §_o 10_o 11_o 12_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n of_o these_o time_n of_o what_o person_n they_o consist_v by_o what_o authority_n they_o be_v hold_v §_o 13._o a_o particular_a view_n take_v of_o the_o principal_a
of_o a_o priestly_a mind_n you_o have_v command_v your_o priest_n to_o be_v gather_v together_o into_o one_o place_n to_o treat_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v necessary_a we_o have_v according_a to_o the_o purpose_n of_o your_o will_n and_o the_o head_n which_o you_o give_v to_o we_o answer_v in_o our_o definition_n as_o to_o we_o seem_v good_a so_o that_o if_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v establish_v be_v also_o approve_v of_o as_o right_o by_o your_o judgement_n the_o consent_n of_o so_o great_a a_o king_n and_o lord_n may_v confirm_v the_o sentence_n of_o the_o priest_n to_o be_v observe_v with_o the_o great_a authority_n and_o thus_o have_v i_o do_v with_o the_o first_o 38._o thing_n which_o i_o propose_v to_o consider_v i_o have_v show_v what_o authority_n the_o christian_a prince_n have_v always_o be_v account_v to_o have_v over_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o assemble_v of_o they_o to_o their_o proceed_n whilst_o they_o be_v sit_v and_o to_o the_o confirm_v or_o annul_v their_o decree_n afterward_o i_o shall_v make_v only_o a_o observation_n or_o two_o upon_o the_o whole_a with_o respect_n to_o our_o present_a purpose_n and_o so_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n and_o one_a i_o must_v take_v notice_n that_o whatever_o privilege_n i_o have_v here_o show_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o christian_a magistrate_n they_o belong_v to_o he_o as_o such_o they_o be_v not_o derive_v from_o any_o positive_a law_n and_o constitution_n but_o result_n from_o that_o power_n which_o every_o such_o prince_n have_v original_o in_o himself_o and_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o part_v of_o those_o right_n which_o natural_o belong_v to_o sovereign_a authority_n hence_o we_o find_v that_o all_o prince_n in_o all_o wountry_n how_o different_a soever_o they_o have_v be_v in_o other_o respect_n have_v yet_o evermore_o claim_v a_o equal_a authority_n in_o these_o matter_n and_o the_o little_a king_n of_o suevia_n and_o burgundy_n account_v themselves_o to_o have_v as_o good_a a_o title_n to_o they_o as_o the_o roman_a emperor_n in_o their_o most_o flourish_a estate_n have_v which_o be_v so_o it_o will_v follow_v two_o that_o every_o sovereign_a prince_n have_v a_o right_a to_o exercise_n this_o authority_n within_o his_o dominion_n and_o that_o to_o prove_v this_o right_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o he_o be_v a_o sovereign_a prince_n and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v any_o of_o those_o prerogative_n which_o belong_v to_o such_o a_o prince_n among_o which_o this_o authority_n be_v one._n it_o be_v true_a such_o prince_n may_v by_o their_o own_o act_n limit_v themselves_o as_o they_o think_v fit_v and_o these_o limitation_n may_v give_v such_o assembly_n a_o privilege_n in_o one_o country_n beyond_o what_o they_o have_v in_o another_o but_o then_o these_o limitation_n must_v be_v plain_o prove_v to_o have_v be_v make_v in_o their_o favour_n and_o till_o they_o be_v so_o the_o prince_n must_v be_v account_v to_o have_v a_o right_n to_o that_o power_n which_o as_o a_o prince_n belong_v he_o and_o be_v not_o yet_o prove_v to_o have_v be_v give_v away_o by_o he_o and_o therefore_o 3_o whereas_o it_o be_v now_o to_o be_v inquire_v what_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o king_n be_v over_o our_o convocation_n we_o have_v thus_o far_o procee_v towards_o the_o discovery_n of_o it_o that_o we_o have_v show_v what_o power_n they_o have_v original_o over_o they_o and_o as_o christian_a prince_n ought_v still_o to_o enjoy_v and_o those_o who_o will_v restrain_v they_o with_o narrow_a bound_n must_v first_o show_v how_o they_o come_v to_o lose_v that_o power_n which_o they_o will_v take_v from_o they_o and_o which_o till_o this_o shall_v be_v clear_v they_o must_v be_v presume_v still_o to_o have_v a_o right_n to_o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o authority_n which_o our_o own_o king_n have_v over_o their_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o their_o meeting_n and_o act_v first_o and_o to_o the_o confirm_v or_o annul_v of_o their_o act_n after_o we_o have_v now_o see_v what_o authority_n 22._o all_o other_o christian_a prince_n have_v claim_v and_o exercise_v over_o their_o clergy_n from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o empire_n to_o christianity_n till_o the_o prevalence_n of_o the_o papal_a power_n begin_v to_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o supremacy_n which_o of_o right_a belong_v to_o them_o let_v we_o go_v on_o upon_o this_o foundation_n to_o inquire_v ii_o whether_o our_o own_o king_n have_v not_o as_o great_a a_o authority_n over_o their_o convocation_n as_o any_o other_o prince_n have_v ever_o pretend_v to_o over_o their_o council_n that_o this_o of_o right_a they_o ought_v to_o have_v i_o have_v before_o observe_v the_o only_a question_n be_v whether_o our_o own_o particular_a constitution_n have_v interpose_v to_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o authority_n which_o we_o have_v already_o show_v do_v original_o belong_v to_o them_o and_o here_o i_o may_v just_o leave_v it_o to_o those_o who_o advance_v such_o pretence_n to_o produce_v their_o proof_n and_o show_v we_o upon_o what_o ground_n they_o do_v it_o and_o account_v the_o right_n of_o our_o king_n to_o this_o authority_n to_o have_v be_v sufficient_o establish_v in_o that_o common_a claim_n which_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v all_o christian_a prince_n as_o such_o have_v ever_o make_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o of_o it_o but_o that_o nothing_o may_v be_v want_v to_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o matter_n beyond_o all_o reasonable_a exception_n i_o shall_v to_o the_o general_n argument_n i_o have_v before_o make_v use_n of_o add_v those_o particular_a confirmation_n which_o our_o own_o law_n and_o custom_n afford_v we_o of_o this_o truth_n and_o show_v that_o by_o our_o own_o constitution_n the_o king_n of_o england_n have_v all_o that_o power_n at_o this_o day_n over_o our_o convocation_n that_o ever_o any_o christian_a prince_n have_v over_o his_o synod_n one_a then_o if_o we_o consider_v his_o authority_n as_o to_o the_o first_o thing_n beforementioned_a viz._n of_o call_v together_o of_o the_o clergy_n in_o convocation_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o one_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a professor_n of_o our_o law_n that_o it_o be_v among_o other_o point_n resolve_v by_o the_o two_o chief_a justice_n and_o other_o judge_n at_o a_o committee_n of_o lord_n in_o parliament_n trin._n 8._o jac._n 1._o that_o a_o convocation_n can_v assemble_v at_o their_o onvocation_n without_o the_o assent_n of_o the_o king_n and_o one_o will_v think_v such_o person_n shall_v not_o only_o be_v very_o well_o qualify_v to_o know_v what_o our_o law_n be_v but_o shall_v also_o be_v very_o careful_a especial_o at_o such_o a_o time_n and_o in_o such_o a_o place_n not_o to_o deliver_v any_o thing_n for_o law_n which_o they_o be_v not_o very_o well_o assure_v be_v so_o but_o because_o some_o have_v except_v against_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o report_n as_o a_o piece_n that_o be_v publish_v after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o author_n and_o in_o suspect_v time_n though_o i_o can_v see_v what_o interest_n any_o one_o shall_v have_v to_o falsify_v his_o relation_n in_o the_o instance_n before_o we_o we_o will_v take_v his_o opinion_n from_o a_o book_n which_o we_o be_v sure_o be_v authentic_a and_o lie_v open_a to_o no_o exception_n 4._o instit._fw-la pag._n 322._o where_o treat_v express_o about_o the_o court_n of_o convocation_n he_o affirm_v that_o the_o clergy_n be_v never_o assemble_v or_o call_v together_o at_o a_o convocation_n but_o by_o the_o king_n be_v write_v and_o in_o which_o though_o i_o be_o sensible_a he_o have_v speak_v a_o little_a too_o general_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n yet_o in_o point_n of_o law_n and_o in_o which_o only_o i_o make_v use_n of_o his_o authority_n i_o can_v but_o look_v upon_o he_o to_o have_v be_v absolute_o in_o the_o right_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o clergy_n not_o only_o now_o can_v but_o never_o can_v be_v lawful_o call_v together_o in_o convocation_n but_o by_o the_o king_n be_v â—rit_v or_o with_o his_o consent_n and_o in_o assirm_v this_o i_o say_v no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v the_o joint_a opinion_n of_o the_o whole_a representative_a body_n of_o the_o nation_n as_o well_o of_o the_o clergy_n in_o their_o convocation_n as_o of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o realm_n in_o parliament_n 25_o hen._n 8._o and_o from_o whence_o if_o from_o any_o authority_n we_o may_v certain_o the_o best_a take_v our_o measure_n to_o judge_v whether_o a_o thing_n do_v of_o right_a belong_v to_o the_o king_n and_o be_v a_o part_n of_o his_o royal_a prerogative_n or_o no._n for_o one_a as_o for_o the_o clergy_n we_o be_v tell_v in_o the_o preamble_n to_o the_o act_n of_o the_o 25_o hen._n 8._o chap._n 19_o that_o the_o clergy_n of_o this_o realm_n of_o england_n have_v acknowlege_v
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