Note 342 — Chapter XII
Reading edition
Perhaps some one better versed in the controversy touching powers of Convocation than I am might shew that, after all, the power of decision, and the liberty of discussion in the two Houses, do not far exceed what was allowed to the Westminster Assembly. It is admitted on all hands that Convocation cannot meet without a royal writ, nor make canons without licence, nor publish them without confirmation by the Great Seal, and some contend that Convocation may not even discuss any matters without royal licence.—See Lathbury's History of Convocation, 112.
While I am revising this book for the press, I find the following in to-day's Times, January 11th, 1866: "Convocation is nothing more whatever than a general commission of enquiry into the affairs of the Church empowered to report its opinions to the Crown." Change "Crown" into "Parliament," and this passage describes the Westminster Assembly, so far as its power was concerned.