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.

Title: 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.

Author: Prynne, William, 1600-1669.

Collection: Early English Books Online

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SECT. 3.Of Confirming, Ratifying the Canons, Decrees, and Resolutions of Coun∣cells, Synods, by Christian Princes, Peers, Parliaments, before they become valid or obligatory: Of the Presence and Power of Christian Princes, Nobles, and other Lay-men, in Councells. That many, or most Councells, Synods, in ancient and latter times (especially in England) were in truth meere Parliaments; wherein Christian Princes, Nobles, Senators, and Lay-men met and voted, as well as Bishops, and other Ecclesiasticall persons. And that no Canons, Lawes, Articles, concerning Gods Worship, Religion, Church-Government, Ceremonies, were ever lawfully prescribed, or imposed on any Subjects of our Realme, but by Parliament only.THirdly, As Bishops and Clergy-men have no power at all to summon Coun∣cells, Synods, or Convocations, nor yet to treat, or conclude of any Ecclesi∣asticall Canons, or Constitutions in them, &c. without the speciall licences of Kings, under their Great Seals authorizing them; so I shall next manifest, that when Councells, or Synods have, by vertue of their license, agreed on, and compo∣sed any such Articles, Canons, Constitutions, Orders, Ceremonies, &c. they can∣not print, publish, promulge, impose, execute, or put them in ure, nor are theySee Marli∣us Patavinus, Defensoris Pa∣cis, pars 2. cap. 21. 28.of any binding force or authority, till they are approved, ratified, confirmed by Kings, and Christian Princes Subscriptions, Imperiall Edicts, Patents, Acts of State and Parliament; and that most ancient Councells, Synods, were but Parlia∣ments: wherein Kings, Nobles, and Lay-men were present, as well as Clergy-men. This I shall manifest by some Presidents, both abroad and at home, in all ages.To begin with Scripture Testimonies.Iosh. 24. 24, 25, 26, 27. When all the whole Congregation of Israel, assembled by the summons of Joshua, had in their Convocation at Shechem made a Covenant, Ordinance, and Statute, that they would serve the Lord, and obey his voyce, Joshua being then their chiefe Governour, confirmed the same, by writing it in the Book of the Law of God, and erecting a great stone in the place, for a witnesse thereof. When the2 Chron. 30. 1. to 7. Princes, and all the Congregation in Jerusalem, as∣sembled by King Hezechiah, had took counsell together, and concluded to keep the Passeover in the second Moneth, because they could not doe it on the first, the King established their Decree, by his Proclamation and Letters. When the Jewes, upon Esther 3. 20. to 32.Mordecai his Letter to them, had in a publike Convocation ordained, and took upon them and their seed, to keep the feast of Purim throughout every generation, family, province, and city, in remembrance of their great deliverance from Ha∣mans conspiracy against them, Queene Esther and Mordecai wrote with all autho∣rity, and confirmed this Feast and Decree, by their Letters, & the Decree of Esther. Yea, we read, that when theDan. 6. 5. to 11. Presidents, Governours, Princes, Counsellours, and Captains of King Darius, to entrap Daniel, moved him to establish a royall Statute, 0