I was not, I confess, aware of this objection to our theory, which is
very specious. Yet it may be sufficient, as I suppose, to reply to it,
that the work of reformation was carried on and established by the
whole legislature; and that the supremacy, in particular, though it of
right belonged to the three estates, was by free consent surrendered
and given up into the hands of the king. It is certain this power,
though talked of as the ancient right of the crown, was solemnly
invested in it by act of parliament.