so by custom conveyed to dukes,
archbishops, and (as some say) to marquesses and their wives.[55]

* * * * *

Unto this place I also refer our bishops, who are accounted honourable,
called lords, and hold the same room in the Parliament house with the
barons, albeit for honour sake the right hand of the prince is given unto
them, and whose countenances in time past were much more glorious than at
this present it is, because those lusty prelates sought after earthly
estimation and authority with far more diligence than after the lost sheep
of Christ, of which they had small regard, as men being otherwise occupied
and void of leisure to attend upon the same. Howbeit in these days their
estate remaineth no less reverend than before, and the more virtuous they
are that be of this calling the better are they esteemed with high and
low. They retain also the ancient name ("lord") still, although it be not
a little impugned by such as love either to hear of change of all things
or can abide no superiors. For notwithstanding it be true that in respect
of function the office of the eldership[56] is equally distributed between
the bishop and the minister, yet for civil government's sake the first
have more authority given unto them by kings and princes, to the end that
the rest may thereby be with more ease retained within a limited compass
of uniformity than otherwise they would be if each one were suffered to
walk in his own course. This also is more to be marvelled at, that very
many call for an alteration of their estate, crying to have the word
"lord" abolished, their civil authority taken from them, and the present
condition of the church in other things reformed; whereas, to say truly,
few of them do agree upon form of discipline and government of the church
succeedent, wherein they resemble the Capuans (of whom Livy doth speak) in
the slaughter of their senate. Neither is it possible to frame a whole
monarchy after the pattern of one town or city, or to stir up such an
exquisite face of the church as we imagine or desire, sith our corruption
is such that it will never yield to so great perfection; for that which is
not able to be performed in a private house will be much less be brought
to pass in a commonwealth and kingdom, before such a prince be found as
Xenophon describeth, or such an orator as Tully hath devised.[57]

* * * * *

Dukes, marquesses, earls,