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Protestantism in Poland and Bohemia - James Aitken Wylie

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It was even provided <strong>in</strong> the Royal Charter that<br />

the Consistory should "direct, constitute, or reform<br />

anyth<strong>in</strong>g among their Churches without h<strong>in</strong>drance<br />

or <strong>in</strong>terference of his Imperial Majesty." In case<br />

they were unable to determ<strong>in</strong>e any matter among<br />

themselves, they were at liberty to advise with his<br />

Majesty's councillors of state, <strong>and</strong> with the judges,<br />

or with the Diet, the Protestant members of which<br />

were exclusively to have the power of deliberat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

on <strong>and</strong> determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the matter so referred, "without<br />

h<strong>in</strong>drance, either from their Majesties the future<br />

K<strong>in</strong>gs of <strong>Bohemia</strong>, or the party sub una " -- that is,<br />

the Romanist members of the Diet.[1]<br />

From among these twelve m<strong>in</strong>isters, one was to<br />

be chosen to fill the office of adm<strong>in</strong>istrator. He was<br />

chief <strong>in</strong> the Consistory, <strong>and</strong> the rest sat with him as<br />

assessors. The duty of this body was to determ<strong>in</strong>e<br />

<strong>in</strong> all matters apperta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g to the doctr<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong><br />

worship of the Church -- the dispensation of<br />

Sacraments, the ord<strong>in</strong>ation of m<strong>in</strong>isters, the<br />

<strong>in</strong>spection of the clergy, the adm<strong>in</strong>istration of<br />

discipl<strong>in</strong>e, to which was added the care of widows<br />

162

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