The Bishops agrée not one whit the worse, when they haue a superior, by whom they may be called togither, and put in minde of their office and duetie. Neyther doth Cyprian deny this when he affirmeth the other. For thoughe the chiefe cause of vni∣tie is the consente and agreement of the Bishops one with another: yet to haue one that shall haue the chiefe care thereof, must néedes be a great helpe thervnto, euen as it is in other societies. For if the Bishops were deuided among themselues, & at variance, and had no superiour, who should compounde the controuersies?
Our Archbishops doe not take vpon them (neyther can they) to decide any contro∣uersie* 1.1 in doctrine and religion of their owne authoritie, but therein doe they deale ey∣ther according to the lawes of the Churche prouided for that purpose, or else expecte a newe Parliament or Synode. Neyther doth any Bishop in his Dioces, otherwise meddle in suche matters, than by the common consent of the Churche is appoynted vnto him: and yet it was neuer otherwise taught by any, but that a Bishop in hys owne Diocesse, or an Archebishop in his Prouince, mighte vse persuasions to ende controuersies, and execute the lawes prouided for the same: other kinde of deciding controuersies, by any priuate authoritie I knowe none in this Church of Englande. Wherfore al these allegations be but in vayne, for surely not in Cyprians time, was the determining of suche controuersies committed to the Pastor and Seigniorie of euery Parishe, neyther doth Cyprian make mention of any suche matter, if he did, yet for gouernment the diuersitie of the time, and state of the Church is to be considered,* 1.2 as I haue before noted.