Church-history of the government of bishops and their councils abbreviated including the chief part…

§. 65. The lesser Synods and correspondency of Pastors before there were Christian Magistrates were managed much more humbly and harmlessly than the great ones afterward: Because that men and their interest and motives differed. And even of later times, there have been few Councils called General, that have been managed so blamelessly, or made so many profitable Canons, as many Provincial or smaller Synods did. Divers Toletane Councils, and many others in Spain, England, and other Countries have laboured well to promote piety and peace: As did the African Synods, and many others of old. And such as these have been serviceable to the Church. And the Greater Councils, though more turbulent have many of them done great good, against Heresy and Vice; especially the first at Nice: And nothing in this Book is intended to cloud their worth and glory, or to extenuate any good which they have done: But I am thankful to God that gave his Church so many worthy Pastors, and made so much use as he did of many Synods for the Churches purity and peace.

§. 65. The lesser Synods and correspondency of Pastors before there were Christian Magistrates were managed much more humbly and harmlesly than the great ones afterward: Because that men and their interest and motives differed. And even of later times, there have been few Councils called General, that have been managed so blamelesly, or made so many profitable Canons, as many Provincial or smaller Synods did. Divers Toletane Councils, and many others in Spain, England, and other Countries have laboured well to promote piety and peace: As did the African Synods, and many others of old. And such as these have been serviceable to the Church. And the Greater Councils, though more turbulent have many of them done great good, against Heresie and Vice; especially the first at Nice: And nothing in this Book is intended to cloud their worth and glory, or to extenuate any good which they have done: But I am thankful to God that gave his Church so many worthy Pastors, and made so much use as he did of many Synods for the Churches purity and peace.

§. 66. But the true reason of this Collection, and why I have besides good products, made so much mention of the errors and mischiefs that many Councils have been guilty of, are these following.