Chap. 2. the. 12. Diuision.
M. Doctor procedeth and sayth, it can not be gouerned in a whole realme, as it may be in a citie
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M. Doctor procedeth and sayth, it can not be gouerned in a whole realme, as it may be in a citie
or towne. This gouernment by Seniors is not only in one citie, but also hath bin of late through∣out the whole realme of Fraunce, where there were any churches: and M. Doctor confesseth, that it was in all the prinutiue Churches, and therfore not onely in one realme, but almost tho∣roughout the whole worlde: and therfore the large spreading of the Churche, can not hynder it. So that the difference lyeth stil in the peace aud persecution of the churche, and not in the capa∣citie and largenesse of the place where the churches abyde. So myghte one reason agaynste the lawfull estate of a Monarchie: for he might say that although the rule of one be needful and conue∣ment in a houshold, yet it is not conuenient in a towne, and although it be conuenient in a towne, yet it is not in a citie, and although in a citie, yet not in a realme.
If you will so deuide these seueral cities, and Churches in one kingdome, that they be not vnder one gouernoure, ruled by the same lawes, members of one king∣dome, but euery one of them as it were a common wealth within it selfe, (as it is in* 1.1 seuerall Churches within one kingdome in the time of persecution) then it is true that you say, and in this case were the primitiue Churches, and so were the Chur∣ches in Fraunce. But when as all the Townes and Churches in one kingdome, be subiect as wel in causes Ecclesiastical as ciuil, to one prince, ruled by the same lawes &c. then can you not establish this your Seigniorie without great confusion, and vn∣tollerable iniurie to the minister of God: I meane the Christian Magistrate.
The authoritie of the Master of the housholde ouer his family derogateth nothing from the authoritie of the Prince, but doth confirme and establish it rather. But the authoritie of your Seniors in euery congregation, spoyleth the prince of his Iuris∣diction, and maketh him subiect where he ought to be ruler, and therefore your rea∣son is not like.
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