Can you distinguish the permission to do something from the license, an official document?

Solution 1:

License is not only the document, it is also the permission. From the free dictionary:

license: formal permission from a governmental or other constituted authority to do something, as to carry on some business or profession.

It is from the Latin: freedom, licent-, s. of licēns, present participle of licēre, to be allowed. About St. Francis

He was considered a madman for 3 years until the Pope gave him license to preach in 1208 A.D. From that date, he began attracting thousands of followers.

Replace license with permission or freedom and that is how the word license can be used.