to_o show_v that_o it_o ought_v not_o easy_o to_o be_v neglect_v and_o therefore_o though_o i_o know_v no_o positive_a law_n that_o do_v determine_v the_o king_n be_v absolute_a and_o free_a will_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n yet_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o so_o ancient_a and_o settle_v a_o custom_n ought_v to_o be_v hold_v to_o and_o our_o prince_n according_o still_a order_n the_o one_o to_o be_v summon_v as_o often_o as_o the_o other_o be_v call_v but_o now_o second_o if_o by_o sit_v be_v mean_v as_o in_o the_o present_a question_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v their_o meeting_n to_o do_v business_n and_o be_v allow_v to_o come_v together_o for_o that_o purpose_n then_o i_o reply_v that_o for_o such_o their_o sit_v i_o know_v no_o law_n beside_o the_o absolute_a and_o free_a power_n of_o the_o prince_n custom_n we_o be_v sure_o be_v as_o much_o against_o this_o as_o it_o have_v be_v for_o the_o other_o and_o any_o statute_n or_o positive_a law_n for_o it_o have_v not_o that_o i_o know_v of_o be_v pretend_v to_o indeed_o whilst_o the_o clergy_n be_v wont_a to_o assess_v themselves_o and_o their_o sit_v upon_o that_o account_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o support_n of_o the_o government_n they_o be_v not_o only_o summon_v to_o meet_v but_o be_v wont_n actual_o to_o assemble_v and_o sit_v so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v requisite_a for_o they_o to_o do_v for_o this_o purpose_n but_o that_o be_v do_v they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n forthwith_o adjourn_v and_o meet_v no_o more_o till_o the_o king_n have_v some_o new_a occasion_n for_o their_o assistance_n and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o be_v think_v to_o speak_v this_o at_o all_o adventure_n i_o will_v offer_v a_o instance_n or_o two_o of_o it_o the_o convocation_n which_o meet_v the_o first_o of_o king_n james_n the_o first_o be_v by_o prorogation_n continue_v from_o time_n to_o time_n for_o seven_o year_n together_o yet_o except_o it_o be_v in_o his_o first_o year_n we_o do_v not_o hear_v of_o any_o great_a business_n that_o be_v do_v by_o they_o more_o than_o that_o of_o grant_v subsidy_n which_o i_o have_v mention_v in_o king_n charles_n the_o first_o be_v time_n there_o be_v but_o few_o parliament_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o look_v for_o convocation_n in_o that_o when_o his_o son_n king_n charles_n the_o second_o return_v the_o famous_a convocation_n of_o 1660_o meet_v to_o remedy_v those_o disorder_n which_o the_o civil_a war_n have_v occasion_v in_o order_n whereunto_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o at_o the_o first_o to_o sit_v and_o settle_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n but_o that_o be_v do_v they_o be_v by_o the_o king_n be_v write_v prorogue_v eighteen_o several_a time_n successive_o and_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v by_o the_o journal_n of_o it_o which_o i_o have_v see_v that_o any_o thing_n material_a be_v afterward_o do_v by_o it_o and_o as_o their_o sit_v so_o three_o i_o affirm_v that_o their_o act_n too_o do_v depend_v upon_o the_o will_n of_o the_o prince_n they_o can_v enter_v upon_o any_o business_n without_o his_o special_a commission_n for_o it_o and_o whether_o he_o will_v grant_v they_o such_o a_o commission_n or_o no_o depend_v entire_o upon_o his_o own_o will._n but_o when_o i_o say_v that_o the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n do_v depend_v upon_o the_o absolute_a and_o free_a will_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o which_o term_n i_o make_v use_n 1._o of_o only_o because_o they_o be_v prescribe_v to_o i_o by_o one_o who_o at_o present_a i_o be_o oblige_v to_o follow_v i_o must_v observe_v that_o by_o his_o absolute_a and_o free_a will_n i_o understand_v a_o will_v not_o determine_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n to_o act_v otherwise_o than_o according_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o a_o man_n be_v own_o reason_n and_o upon_o the_o last_o result_n of_o his_o own_o judgement_n he_o will_v do_v for_o otherwise_o there_o be_v law_n which_o in_o this_o as_o in_o all_o other_o case_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n determine_v the_o most_o absolute_a sovereign_n in_o the_o world_n and_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v our_o king_n as_o well_o as_o all_o other_o prince_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o they_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n be_v a_o law_n by_o which_o every_o wise_a man_n do_v and_o every_o man_n as_o such_o be_v oblige_v to_o act_v the_o positive_a law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o right_n and_o 〈◊〉_d be_v another_o law_n by_o which_o all_o christian_n of_o what_o bank_n or_o authority_n 〈◊〉_d both_o out_o of_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o with_o regard_n to_o their_o own_o conscience_n be_v require_v to_o attend_v and_o last_o the_o public_a good_a and_o welfare_n of_o the_o community_n be_v another_o law_n to_o which_o all_o prince_n even_o those_o who_o in_o other_o respect_n be_v the_o most_o absolute_a be_v oblige_v to_o look_v and_o with_o the_o observance_n of_o which_o they_o can_v dispense_v though_o no_o human_a constraint_n lie_v upon_o they_o to_o force_v they_o thereunto_o or_o to_o punish_v they_o if_o they_o do_v not_o by_o all_o these_o law_n prince_n be_v oblige_v and_o the_o will_n of_o the_o prince_n regulate_v by_o these_o law_n but_o not_o under_o the_o direction_n of_o any_o more_o particular_a obligation_n be_v that_o will_n on_o which_o i_o affirm_v the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n to_o depend_v the_o government_n have_v entrust_v he_o with_o the_o power_n of_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o sit_v and_o act_v when_o he_o please_v and_o when_o he_o please_v he_o may_v deny_v they_o to_o do_v either_o but_o still_o it_o be_v suppose_v when_o that_o trust_n be_v commit_v to_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v use_v it_o with_o prudence_n and_o moderation_n and_o as_o he_o shall_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v persuade_v will_v be_v most_o for_o the_o public_a good_a both_o of_o the_o church_n and_o state_n and_o therefore_o four_a notwithstanding_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v hitherto_o be_v say_v i_o shall_v not_o doubt_v to_o affirm_v that_o whenever_o the_o king_n be_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n convince_v that_o for_o the_o convocation_n to_o sit_v and_o act_n will_v be_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n or_o otherwise_o for_o the_o public_a good_a and_o welfare_n of_o his_o realm_n he_o be_v oblige_v both_o by_o the_o law_n of_o reason_n as_o a_o man_n by_o his_o duty_n to_o god_n as_o a_o christian_a and_o by_o his_o duty_n to_o his_o people_n as_o a_o ruler_n set_v over_o they_o for_o their_o good_a to_o permit_v or_o rather_o to_o command_v his_o clergy_n to_o meet_v in_o convocation_n and_o transact_v what_o be_v sit_v for_o any_o or_o all_o these_o end_n to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o as_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n whensoever_o he_o be_v clear_o and_o evident_o convince_v that_o for_o they_o thus_o to_o come_v together_o will_v be_v needless_a or_o hurtful_a to_o these_o end_n it_o be_v then_o his_o duty_n to_o restrain_v they_o from_o sit_v and_o that_o though_o he_o shall_v be_v never_o so_o importunate_o desire_v by_o some_o that_o they_o may_v sit_v or_o rail_v at_o by_o other_o for_o not_o allow_v they_o so_o to_o do_v these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o plain_a consequence_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n and_o by_o they_o i_o suppose_v a_o clear_a and_o full_a resolution_n be_v give_v to_o the_o first_o general_a question_n viz._n whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n that_o command_v or_o permit_v the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n beside_o the_o absolute_a and_o free_a pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o if_o there_o be_v what_o that_o law_n be_v and_o how_o far_o the_o prince_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o i_o may_v now_o proceed_v upon_o this_o foundation_n without_o any_o more_o ado_n to_o examine_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v by_o our_o late_a author_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o so_o pass_v on_o to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v a_o matter_n of_o some_o satisfaction_n as_o well_o as_o use_v to_o those_o who_o inquiry_n have_v not_o lie_v this_o way_n to_o know_v what_o have_v be_v the_o state_n of_o our_o convocation_n ever_o since_o we_o have_v any_o account_n that_o we_o can_v rely_v upon_o concern_v they_o i_o will_v therefore_o take_v leave_n to_o digress_v so_o far_o from_o my_o present_a business_n as_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v this_o in_o a_o short_a history_n of_o our_o convocation_n from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o christianity_n down_o to_o our_o present_a time_n chap._n iu._n in_o which_o the_o state_n of_o the_o convocation_n be_v historical_o deduce_v from_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o the_o saxon_n to_o our_o own_o day_n so_o great_a be_v the_o uncertainty_n to_o
of_o the_o other_o two_n but_o though_o this_o therefore_o be_v the_o general_n method_n which_o i_o shall_v observe_v yet_o i_o be_o sensible_a that_o in_o order_n to_o the_o better_a clear_n of_o the_o former_a of_o these_o question_n i_o must_v take_v a_o much_o large_a compass_n than_o our_o author_n design_n lead_v he_o to_o do_v and_o to_o the_o end_n i_o may_v not_o bare_o answer_v his_o allegation_n but_o may_v also_o give_v some_o tolerable_a account_n of_o the_o true_a nature_n and_o right_n of_o our_o convocation_n which_o for_o all_o this_o gentleman_n have_v yet_o do_v may_v still_o continue_v to_o be_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o 20._o those_o of_o a_o jewish_a sanhedrim_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o examine_v this_o matter_n to_o the_o bottom_n as_o far_o as_o my_o skill_n will_v enable_v and_o my_o leisure_n permit_v i_o to_o do_v it_o for_o 27._o as_o our_o author_n have_v right_o observe_v that_o a_o exact_a and_o full_a account_n of_o this_o matter_n can_v be_v give_v but_o by_o one_o who_o have_v great_a skill_n in_o our_o english_a law_n and_o antiquity_n i_o may_v add_v and_o in_o the_o law_n and_o antiquity_n of_o the_o church_n too_o which_o diet_n must_v be_v competent_o understand_v oâ—_n this_o subject_n can_v never_o be_v thorough_o handle_v so_o must_v i_o free_o profess_v that_o neither_o will_v my_o other_o affair_n allow_v i_o to_o be_v very_o exact_a nor_o do_v my_o profession_n as_o a_o divine_a entitle_v i_o to_o so_o much_o skill_n as_o i_o be_o sensible_a be_v requisite_a to_o the_o perfect_a of_o such_o a_o undertake_n but_o however_o i_o will_v candid_o offer_v what_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o and_o where_o i_o chance_v to_o be_v mistake_v especial_o in_o matter_n of_o law_n which_o lie_v out_o of_o my_o way_n i_o hope_v those_o who_o be_v more_o learned_a will_v make_v a_o reasonable_a allowance_n for_o my_o error_n chap._n ii_o the_o first_o general_n point_v propose_v and_o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o handle_n of_o it_o in_o pursuance_n whereof_o a_o general_n enquiry_n be_v first_o make_v into_o that_o power_n which_o christian_n prince_n have_v always_o be_v allow_v to_o exercise_v over_o their_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o call_v of_o they_o to_o the_o manage_n of_o they_o when_o sit_v and_o to_o the_o confirm_v or_o annul_v their_o act_n after_o ward_n to_o come_v then_o without_o any_o more_o 1._o ado_n to_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n the_o first_o and_o main_a thing_n to_o be_v consider_v be_v this_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o law_n that_o command_v or_o permit_v the_o sit_v and_o act_v of_o the_o convocation_n beside_o the_o absolute_a free_a pleasure_n of_o the_o prince_n and_o if_o there_o be_v what_o that_o law_n be_v and_o how_o far_o the_o prince_n be_v oblige_v by_o it_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o question_n and_o i_o shall_v treat_v of_o it_o in_o this_o follow_a method_n i._o i_o will_v inquire_v what_o power_n christian_a prince_n in_o general_a have_v claim_v over_o such_o convocation_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o their_o assemble_v and_o act_v and_o to_o the_o give_a force_n and_o authority_n to_o what_o be_v do_v by_o they_o ii_o i_o will_v consider_v whether_o our_o king_n have_v not_o the_o same_o authority_n over_o our_o convocation_n that_o all_o other_o christian_a prince_n have_v claim_v over_o their_o synod_n and_o iii_o upon_o this_o foundation_n i_o will_v examine_v what_o this_o author_n have_v allege_v to_o the_o contrary_a and_o offer_v what_o i_o conceive_v may_v fair_o be_v reply_v to_o it_o and_o i._o let_v we_o inquire_v what_o power_n christian_a prince_n in_o general_a have_v claim_v over_o their_o synod_n with_o respect_n both_o to_o their_o meeting_n and_o act_v first_o and_o to_o the_o give_a force_n and_o authority_n to_o what_o be_v do_v by_o they_o that_o christian_a prince_n have_v a_o right_n 2._o not_o only_o to_o exercise_v authority_n over_o ecclesiastical_a person_n but_o to_o interpose_v in_o the_o order_n of_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n too_o neither_o our_o own_o article_n and_o canon_n nor_o 2._o the_o consent_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n ever_o since_o the_o empire_n become_v christian_n will_v suffer_v we_o to_o doubt_v there_o be_v no_o one_o so_o great_a a_o stranger_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o not_o to_o know_v what_o authority_n the_o jewish_a prince_n under_o the_o law_n pretend_v to_o as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o far_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n follow_v their_o example_n be_v other_o author_n silent_a yet_o that_o one_o assertion_n of_o socrates_n will_v not_o suffer_v we_o to_o be_v ignorant_a where_o he_o affirm_v that_o ever_o since_o they_o become_v c._n christian_n the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n have_v depend_v upon_o they_o and_o the_o great_a synod_n be_v assemble_v by_o their_o order_n and_o still_o say_v he_o continue_v to_o be_v assemble_v it_o be_v a_o famous_a say_v of_o constantine_n the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n to_o his_o bishop_n that_o they_o indeed_o be_v bishop_n in_o thing_n 24._o within_o the_o church_n but_o that_o he_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o be_v bishop_n as_o to_o those_o without_o and_o how_o far_o the_o succeed_a emperor_n continue_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o well_o order_v and_o govern_v of_o the_o church_n to_o be_v one_o great_a part_n of_o that_o duty_n which_o god_n expect_v from_o they_o the_o epistle_n of_o theodosius_n and_o valentinian_n to_o to_o st._n cyril_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o metropolitan_o 35._o who_o they_o summon_v to_o meet_v in_o the_o general_n council_n of_o ephesus_n abundant_o show_v let_v we_o look_v into_o the_o several_a collection_n of_o the_o roman_a law_n etc._n the_o code_n of_o theodosius_n 5._o the_o code_n and_o etc._n novel_n of_o justinian_n the_o yet_o late_a 5._o collection_n of_o basilius_n leo_n and_o constantine_n that_o follow_v after_o how_o many_o constitution_n shall_v we_o find_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o relate_n to_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n to_o the_o order_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o election_n and_o consecration_n of_o bishop_n and_o priest_n to_o the_o life_n office_n and_o privilege_n of_o the_o clergy_n to_o the_o erection_n and_o liberty_n of_o church_n to_o the_o service_n of_o they_o nay_o and_o even_o to_o the_o very_a faith_n which_o be_v to_o be_v teach_v and_o profess_v in_o they_o and_o when_o the_o empire_n begin_v to_o be_v parcele_v out_o into_o several_a lesser_a state_n and_o kingdom_n we_o find_v their_o several_a prince_n still_o maintain_v the_o same_o authority_n as_o to_o all_o these_o thing_n that_o the_o emperor_n have_v do_v before_o as_o from_o the_o capitulary_n of_o the_o french_a and_o german_a prince_n the_o collection_n of_o the_o spanish_a council_n our_o own_o etc._n ancient_a law_n and_o the_o history_n which_o remain_v of_o the_o several_a other_o country_n do_v evident_o appear_v but_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o prince_n in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n and_o over_o ecclesiastical_a 3._o person_n in_o general_a there_o be_v no_o doubt_n nor_o shall_v there_o one_o will_v think_v be_v any_o more_o whether_o one_o great_a part_n of_o their_o authority_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n have_v not_o always_o be_v account_v to_o consist_v in_o the_o power_n to_o convenâ—_n synod_n and_o to_o order_v whatsoever_o relate_v both_o to_o the_o assemble_v and_o act_v of_o they_o and_o for_o the_o better_a proof_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v now_o distinct_o consider_v what_o their_o power_n be_v with_o respect_n 1_o to_o the_o call_n of_o such_o synod_n or_o convocation_n 2_o to_o the_o direct_n of_o their_o proceed_n when_o they_o be_v assemble_v and_o 3_o to_o the_o approve_v and_o confirm_v their_o constitution_n afterward_o and_o 1_o let_v we_o consider_v what_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v as_o to_o the_o convening_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n and_o convocation_n it_o have_v ever_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o one_o 4._o great_a part_n of_o the_o prince_n prerogative_n that_o no_o society_n shall_v be_v incorporate_v nor_o any_o company_n be_v allow_v to_o meet_v together_o without_o his_o knowledge_n and_o permission_n the_o roman_a law_n be_v especial_o very_o severe_a as_o to_o this_o particular_a and_o though_o after_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o emperor_n 1._o to_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n a_o provision_n be_v make_v for_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o church_n for_o divine_a service_n yet_o before_o that_o tertullian_n who_o understand_v these_o 13._o matter_n as_o well_o as_o any_o one_o of_o his_o time_n though_o he_o excuse_v their_o meeting_n upon_o all_o other_o account_n can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o they_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o
both_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n and_o after_o what_o manner_n they_o shall_v proceed_v be_v met._n but_o 5thly_a and_o to_o conclude_v all_o that_o nothing_o may_v be_v want_v to_o show_v 18._o what_o a_o entire_a dependence_n the_o synod_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n have_v ever_o have_v upon_o their_o respective_a prince_n i_o add_v that_o not_o only_o the_o convening_n of_o they_o and_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n depend_v upon_o their_o pleasure_n but_o that_o they_o have_v morever_o authority_n to_o appoint_v what_o person_n shall_v come_v to_o they_o and_o to_o direct_v the_o choice_n that_o be_v to_o be_v make_v of_o they_o thus_o constantine_n the_o great_a do_v when_o 43._o he_o call_v the_o synod_n of_o arles_n and_o tyre_n and_o thus_o his_o successor_n continue_v to_o do_v in_o the_o most_o general_a council_n that_o be_v hold_v by_o they_o when_o theodosius_n have_v agree_v to_o call_v the_o general_n council_n of_o ephesus_n he_o direct_v his_o precept_n to_o the_o several_a 32_o metropolitan_o and_o command_v they_o to_o choose_v such_o and_o so_o many_o of_o their_o suffragans_fw-la as_o they_o think_v convenient_a to_o draw_v out_o of_o their_o province_n and_o to_o bring_v they_o with_o they_o to_o the_o council_n and_o the_o same_o method_n be_v observe_v in_o the_o labb_n next_o synod_n that_o meet_v there_o the_o emperror_n command_v dioscorus_n to_o summon_v ten_o metropolitan_o of_o his_o district_n with_o such_o other_o bishop_n as_o he_o think_v convenient_a and_o that_o none_o else_o shall_v presume_v to_o come_v to_o it_o and_o in_o another_o letter_n upon_o the_o same_o occasion_n the_o same_o theodosius_n 100l_n appoint_v barsumas_n the_o priest_n to_o come_v to_o the_o same_o council_n and_o appear_v in_o it_o as_o representative_a of_o all_o the_o archimandrites_n of_o the_o east_n it_o be_v after_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o marcian_n the_o emperor_n assemble_v the_o four_o general_n council_n at_o chalcedon_n he_o write_v to_o the_o metropolitan_o to_o come_v to_o it_o and_o leave_v it_o to_o they_o to_o bring_v such_o of_o their_o 56._o suffragan_n bishop_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a along_o with_o they_o and_o when_o the_o prince_n who_o follow_v after_o summon_v their_o national_a synod_n they_o in_o like_a manner_n direct_v the_o choice_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o come_v to_o they_o as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o synod_n of_o vernis_fw-la and_o aix_n la_fw-fr chappelle_n assemble_v 562._o by_o ring_n pepin_n and_o charles_n the_o emperor_n an._n 755._o 816._o it_o be_v true_a the_o metropolitan_o in_o these_o case_n do_v oftentimes_o call_v a_o provincial_a synod_n and_o therein_o agree_v who_o among_o they_o shall_v attend_v upon_o their_o primate_n to_o the_o general_n council_n but_o neither_o do_v they_o always_o take_v this_o course_n nor_o when_o they_o do_v have_v they_o any_o direction_n from_o the_o emperor_n so_o to_o do_v they_o only_o send_v their_o order_n to_o the_o metropolitan_o and_o common_o leave_v the_o rest_n to_o they_o to_o choose_v such_o bishop_n out_o of_o their_o province_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a as_o for_o the_o lesser_a synod_n though_o the_o prince_n do_v not_o often_o interpose_v in_o they_o yet_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o choice_n leave_v to_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n to_o nominate_v the_o member_n of_o them_o to_o the_o provincial_a synod_n all_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o province_n be_v oblige_v if_o able_a to_o come_v and_o they_o bring_v with_o they_o for_o their_o companion_n such_o of_o their_o own_o priest_n and_o deacon_n as_o they_o think_v fit_a at_o the_o diocesan_n synod_n every_o benefice_a priest_n of_o the_o diocese_n be_v require_v to_o appear_v and_o they_o have_v not_o so_o much_o a_o right_n as_o a_o obligation_n lie_v upon_o they_o to_o be_v present_a at_o they_o and_o thus_o have_v i_o show_v what_o the_o authority_n 19_o of_o the_o supreme_a civil_a magistrate_n be_v as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o assemble_v ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n and_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o have_v prove_v be_v in_o short_a this_o *_o that_o it_o be_v the_o right_n of_o christian_a prince_n to_o call_v such_o assembly_n and_o that_o they_o can_v lawful_o meet_v but_o as_o they_o be_v either_o command_v or_o allow_v of_o by_o them_o *_o that_o they_o and_o not_o the_o clergy_n be_v judge_n when_o it_o be_v proper_a to_o convene_v they_o *_o and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v censure_v for_o not_o assemble_v of_o they_o when_o they_o be_v persuade_v it_o be_v needless_a or_o will_v be_v inexpedient_a for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v *_o that_o even_o the_o ordinary_a synod_n require_v by_o the_o canon_n and_o allow_v of_o by_o themselves_o may_v yet_o upon_o just_a ground_n be_v stop_v by_o they_o and_o when_o there_o be_v a_o just_a reason_n for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v they_o be_v to_o judge_v and_o be_v so_o prohibit_v can_v be_v lawful_o assemble_v in_o short_a *_o that_o whenever_o they_o do_v meet_v the_o prince_n be_v not_o only_o to_o appoint_v or_o at_o least_o to_o approve_v of_o the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o their_o meeting_n but_o may_v give_v direction_n for_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o person_n that_o be_v to_o compose_v they_o that_o so_o he_o may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o they_o be_v such_o who_o piety_n and_o temper_n have_v fit_v they_o to_o serve_v the_o church_n and_o in_o who_o prudence_n and_o conduct_v himself_o may_v safe_o confide_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o argue_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o every_o one_o of_o these_o conclusion_n from_o the_o end_v of_o civil-government_n and_o the_o power_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v place_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n in_o order_n to_o those_o ends._n and_o i_o need_v not_o say_v that_o christianity_n come_v not_o to_o usurp_v upon_o the_o civil_a power_n but_o rather_o to_o engage_v man_n to_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o render_v that_o duty_n which_o they_o owe_v to_o it_o it_o be_v true_a by_o these_o mean_n the_o busy_a temper_n of_o some_o forward_a man_n may_v be_v restrain_v and_o to_o such_o these_o limitation_n may_v seem_v very_o odious_a and_o unreasonable_a but_o they_o be_v such_o man_n and_o such_o temper_n that_o make_v these_o restriction_n necessary_a and_o their_o unwillingness_n to_o submit_v to_o they_o show_v but_o the_o more_o clear_o how_o fit_n it_o be_v that_o prince_n shall_v have_v all_o that_o power_n i_o have_v now_o mention_v to_o prevent_v they_o from_o do_v both_o themselves_o and_o the_o church_n a_o mischief_n that_o prince_n may_v abuse_v this_o power_n to_o the_o detriment_n of_o the_o church_n be_v no_o more_o a_o argument_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o enjoy_v it_o than_o it_o will_v be_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v entrust_v with_o a_o civil_a power_n because_o they_o may_v abuse_v that_o too_o to_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o state_n but_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o be_v the_o danger_n to_o be_v weigh_v it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o fatal_a both_o to_o the_o church_n and_o state_n to_o have_v some_o man_n entrust_v with_o a_o immoderate_a liberty_n than_o other_o with_o a_o sovereign_a power_n to_o restrain_v they_o and_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o answer_v all_o pretence_n of_o this_o nature_n to_o say_v that_o whenever_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n shall_v so_o far_o abuse_v his_o authority_n as_o to_o render_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o clergy_n by_o some_o extraordinary_a method_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o church_n welfare_n that_o necessity_n will_v warrant_v their_o take_n of_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n such_o a_o authority_n as_o i_o have_v now_o show_v the_o prince_n have_v in_o these_o matter_n and_o till_o thing_n come_v to_o such_o a_o extremity_n we_o must_v leave_v he_o as_o of_o right_o he_o ought_v to_o enjoy_v it_o and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o the_o first_o thing_n propose_v in_o this_o enquiry_n viz._n to_o show_v what_o power_n the_o christian_a prince_n have_v in_o the_o call_n of_o ecclesiastical_a synod_n or_o convocation_n i_o go_v on_o 2_o to_o consider_v what_o authority_n he_o have_v over_o they_o when_o they_o be_v assemble_v now_o that_o may_v i_o conceive_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o 2_o particular_n 20._o one_a of_o his_o authority_n to_o direct_v and_o govern_v they_o in_o their_o proceed_n and_o two_o to_o sit_v with_o and_o to_o preside_v over_o they_o in_o order_n thereunto_o one_a then_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v a_o right_a to_o direct_v and_o govern_v they_o in_o their_o proceed_n and_o that_o with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o matter_n on_o which_o they_o be_v to_o debate_n and_o to_o the_o method_n which_o they_o areto_fw-la take_v in_o debate_v upon_o them_o one_a the_o civil_a