the gentle Disposition of the _French_, let us but consider that _Convention_ of the _Three Estates_ held at _Tours_, Anno 1484, after the Decease of our King _Lewis_ the _Eleventh_: About that time the wholsome Institution of the _Convention_ of the _Three Estates_ began to be thought a dangerous Thing; and there were some inconsiderable Fellows who said then, and often since, that it was High-Treason to make so much as mention of Convocating the _States_, because it tended to lessen and diminish the King's Authority; but it was they themselves who were _guilty of High-Treason against God, the King, and the Commonwealth_. Neither do such-like Sayings turn to the Benefit of any Persons, but such as have got great Honours or Employments without any Merit of their own; and have learnt how to flatter and sooth, and talk impertinently; and who fear all great Assemblies, lest there they shou'd appear in their proper Colours, and have all evil Actions condemned." * * * * * CHAP. XIX. _Of the Authority, of the Assembly of the States concerning the most important Affairs of Religion._ We have hitherto demonstrated, that the Assembly of the States had a very great Power in all Matters of Importance relating to our Kingdom of _France_. Let us now consider, what its Authority has been, in Things that concern Religion. Of this our Annals will inform us under the Year MCCC. when Pope _Boniface_ the Eighth sent Ambassadors to King _Philip the Fair_, demanding of him, whether he did not hold and repute himself to be subject to the Pope in all Things temporal as well as spiritual; and whether the Pope was not Lord over all the Kingdoms and States of _Christendom_? In Consequence of these Principles, he required of _Philip_ to acknowledge him for his Sovereign Lord and Prince, and to confess that he held his Kingdom of _France_ from the Pope's Liberality; or that if he refused to do this, he should be forthwith excommunicated, and declar'd a Heretick. After the King had given Audience to these Ambassadors, he summon'd the States to meet at _Paris_, and in that Assembly the Pope's Letters were read, to the Purport following. _Boniface, universal Bishop, the Servant of the Servants of God, to_ Philip _King of_ France. _Fear God and keep his Commandments. It is our Pleasure thou shouldst know, that thou art our Subject, as well in things temporal as Spiritual, and that it belongs not to thee to bestow Prebends or collate Benefices, in any Manner whatever. If thou hast the Custody of any such that may be now vacant, thou must reserve the Profits of them for the Use of such as shall succeed therein: and if thou hast already collated any of them, we decree by these Presents such Collation to be_ ipso facto _void, and do revoke whatever may have been transacted relating thereunto; esteeming all those to be Fools and Madmen, who believe the contrary. From our Palace of the_ Lateran _in