prerogative over and above that of civil government, but an inherent element in it: _cujus regio, illius et religio_. The historical development of the German Reformation gave support to this theory (§ 126, 6), as seen in the proceedings of the Diet of Spires in A.D. 1526, in the Augsburg and Westphalian Peace. A scientific basis was given it by Puffendorf of Heidelberg, died A.D. 1694, in alliance with Hobbes (§ 163, 3). It was further developed and applied by Christian Thomasius of Halle, died A.D. 1728, and by the famous J. H. Böhmer in his “_Jus Ecclesiasticum Potestantium_.” Thomasius’ connexion with the pietists and his indifference to confessions secured for the theory a favourable reception in that party. Spener himself indeed preferred the Calvinistic presbyterial constitution, because only in it could equality be given to all the three orders, _ministerium ecclesiasticum_, _magistratus politicus_, _status œconomicus_. This protest by Spener against the two systems was certainly not without influence upon the construction of a third theory, the =collegial system=, proposed by Pfaff of Tübingen, died A.D. 1760. According to this scheme there belonged to the sovereign as such only the headship of the church, _jus circa sacra_, while the _jura in sacra_, matters pertaining to doctrine, worship, ecclesiastical law and its administration, installation of clergy, and excommunication, as _jura collegialia_, belonged to the whole body of church members. The normal constitution therefore required the collective vote of all the members through their synods. But outward circumstances during the Reformation age had necessitated the relegating the discharge of these collegial rights to the princes, which in itself was not unallowable, if only the position be maintained that the prince acts _ex commisso_, and is under obligation to render an account to those who have commissioned him. This system, on account of its democratic character, found hearty supporters among the later rationalists. But as a matter of fact nowhere was any of the three systems consistently carried out. The constitution adopted in most of the national churches was a weak vacillation between all the three.[501] § 167.6. =Church Song= (§ 159, 3) received, during the first half of the century, many valuable contributions. Two main groups of singers may be distinguished: