The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 11. This holds as to the Presidents of all ranks of Synods, Classical, Diocesan, Metropolitical, Provincial, National or Patriarchal. To use them as Presidents of Councils for Concord is one thing; and to use them as the Pars Imperans, or the constitutive heads of a distinct Church-species is another. Arch-Bishop Usher told me himself his judgement, that Councils were but for Counsel and Concord, and not for the Government of each other or any of the members; and that they had no proper Governing power either over their Minor part, or over any absent Bishops: Though each Bishop was still the Governor of his own flock, and their power over their flocks was exercised with the greater advantage by their Concord in Councils. Diets and Councils of distinct independent Bishops are not distinct forms of policy or Churches.

§. 11. This holds as to the Presidents of all ranks of Synods, Classical, Diocesan, Metropolitical, Provincial, National or Patriarchal. To use them as Presidents of Councils for Concord is one thing; and to use them as the Pars Imperans, or the constitutive heads of a distinct Church-species is another. Arch-Bishop Vsher told me himself his judgement, that Councils were but for Counsel and Concord, and not for the Government of each other or any of the members; and that they had no proper Governing power either over their Minor part, or over any absent Bishops: Though each Bishop was still the Governour of his own flock, and their power over their flocks was exercised with the greater advantage by their Concord in Councils. Dyets and Councils of distinct independent Bishops are not distinct forms of policy or Churches.

§. 12. And if this hold true, that the Councils themselves are not thereby Rectors of a distinct political society, but for Concord of many, then it will follow that a President of such a Council, whether Diocesan, Provincial, National or more General, is not as such a Rector of the Bishops under him and their people, but only the Orderer or Guide of the Modes and Circumstances of the Council as such. And therefore could the Pope prove a right to preside in General Councils (orbis Romani, vel orbis terrarum) which he cannot, it were no proof that he is Regent Head of the Church universal. The same I may say of the other Presidents.