H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which now at length being 70. years…H. Zanchius his confession of Christian religion Which novve at length being 70. yeares…

& if by their admonitions they could not amend the same, then for the correction thereof they should call a Synod of bishops: for it was not granted unto them, that they should execute any judgement upon their own authority, over churches which had bishops of their own: for the power of judgment over both clergy & laity, was only in the hands of the bishop & elder of the same place. And the bishops themselves were judged by the Synods. Therefore when there were any bishops to be ordained for churches, it was decreed, that they should assemble at the same church, withal (if it might without hurt of the churches) if not with some, at the least two or three of the bishops of their own province, which (if he were not already elected) should guide and govern in the election of the bishop, and the election being done should examine it, and inquire of the man elected most severely, and make due proof of his whole life, and of his skill and ability to perform the office and duty of a bishop. And then at last ⟨p. 344⟩should invest him in his bishops function. All which things were instituted and served to this end, that there might be as much know ledge and mutual care between churches & the ministers thereof, as could be possible: both for the removing & expelling of all scandals of doctrine and life, and also to the earnests and more effectual maintaining, provoking & increasing of the edification of faith, & a life worthy of Christ our Lord. In so much as if any one did loiter or neglect their own duty, the other bishops might be ready to help, yea even so far forth as to the suspending of the obstinate, and utter casting them out of their bishops function. We should consider what Saint Cyprian writeth to Stephan the romaine bishop, concerning Martian bishop of Arelatensis: who fell into the sect of Novatian, book 2. Epist. 13, and which he wrote in his 3. epistle and first book, Of a certain flock distributed unto every one of the shepherds, and which he spake in the council of Carthage, as he wrote to Quirinus.

& if by their admonitions they could not amēd the same, thē for the correction therof they should call a Synode of bishops: for it was not graunted vnto thē, that they should execute any iudgement vpō their owne authority, ouer churches which had bishops of their owne: for the power of iudgmēt ouer both clergie & laity, was only in the hāds of the bishop & elder of the same place. And the bishops themselues were iudged by the Synods. Therefore when there were any bishops to bee ordained for churches, it was decreed, that they should assemble at the same church, withall (if it might without hurte of the churches) if not with some, at the least two or three of the bishops of their owne prouince, which (if he were not alreadie elected) should guide and gouerne in the election of the bishop, and the election being done should examine it, and inquire of the man elected most seuerelie, and make due proofe of his whole life, and of his skill and abllitie to performe the office and duetie of a bishopp. And then at last