_Prot._ No Person that is appointed by our Lord to be a Judge in any Controversie (as those Bishops you have mentioned were in the Cause of _Arius_) can rightly or properly be said to be, on that Side for which he gives Sentence, a Party. Nor doth their giving Sentence once against any Side, prejudice them (as supposed Enemies, or Opposites, or Interested) from sitting on the Bench, as oft as need requires, to pass it again, alone, or with others. But, if every one may be afterward called an Anti-party, who once declares himself of a contrary Judgment, I perceive Mr. _Chillingworth_'s Observation is right, [46]_That, in Controversies in Religion, it is in a manner impossible to be avoided, but the Judge must be a Party._ I add also, That in Matters of Religion, where every Man is concerned, and in great Controversies, especially where is any division of Communion, all, both _Laity_ and _Clergy_, speedily own, and range themselves on one side or other; _Clergy_ interessing themselves for the necessary direction of their _Subjects_; _Laity_, in obedience to their _Superiors_; neither can such a Judge be nominated, that is not to one side suspected. So that, in Controversies of Religion, we must deny any Judge (as he did[47]); or this Plea, That the ordinary Judge, that is assigned us, is a _Party_, must not be easily hearkened to. As for that you urge out of Bishop _Taylor_, concerning the _Laity_ in the first Council at _Jerusalem_ (the Pattern to all following) being Parties in the Decree, I suppose it is meant no further, than that also these may assist in the Council, and give there a consentient, or attesting, but not a decisive Vote: which neither did the Emperors claim, when they presided therein. _See Dr. Field of the Church, p._ 646. §. 19. _Soc._ But I have not yet said all. For Fifthly, Were there none of the forenamed defects in it, [48]_No Authority on Earth can oblige to_ internal assent _in matters of Faith, or to any farther Obedience than that of_ Silence. _Prot._ Yes, you stand obliged to yield a _conditional_ assent, at least to the Definitions of these highest Courts, _i. e._ unless you can bring evident _Scripture_, or _Demonstration_ against them.