Vox Populi Or the SENSE of the SOBER LAY-MEN OF THE Church of England Concerning the HEADS Proposed in his MAJESTIES COMMISSION TO THE CONVOCATION LONDON Printed for Randall Taylor near Stationers-hall 1690. The Bookseller to the Reader THese Papers were sent to me before the late Prorogation of the Parliament but yet I have thought fit to publish them hoping they may be useful to the Publick THE PREFACE WE pay too great a Deference to so venerable an Assembly as our Convocation to come before them tho with a Petition in our hands without making some Apology for this seeming Rudeness as tho we presum'd to instruct our Teachers and fancied our selves wiser than our Spiritual Guides We might plead by way of Excuse that a former Convocation not only allowed but desired more on our behalf than we do pretend to Burnet 's Hist of the Reform Vol. 1. p. 147 For they addressed to King Henry the 8th That an equal number of Lay-men might be joined to some of their own Body with a full power to abrogate or confirm Canons and Ecclesiastical Laws as to them should seem most expedient whereas we do neither presume nor desire to sit among the Clergy as Counsellors but only to be permitted to stand as Supplicants at their door We might further alledg in our own behalf that when we lately ventured with our Pens to defend the Doctrines of our Church against the Papists in which Controversy our Learned Clergy gain'd such immortal Trophies of Honour our Papers were not only kindly received but protected too Even Dr. Sherlock himself condescending to cover a Protestant Footman with his mighty Shield who like a small Squire had ventured to strike a blow or two for the Giant We are therefore apt to believe that what we now propose for the further advantage of our Church will be as favourably entertain'd And we are the rather encouraged to such a Persuasion because the Master of the Temple notwithstanding the Canon in this case which shall be observ'd in its proper Place under that Head hath lately revoked that Letter of Attourny which the Clergy seemed to pretend to for the warranting them alone to act in our Names while we sate still and held our Peace For saith he Tho the Clergy have of late in a great measure monopoliz'd the Name of the Church to themselves yet in propriety of Speech they do not belong to the Definition of it Dr. Sherlock's Disc of the Nature Vnity and Communion of the Catholick Church p. 32. 34. they are indeed the Governours of the Church as they have receiv'd Authority from Christ the supreme Lord and Bishop of the Church but they are no more the Church than the King is his Kingdom or the Shepherd his Flock the Bishops and Pastors of the Church consider'd as such represent the Head and not the Body c. But that which we shall insist on and stand by as the main Reason of our willing and publishing the following Papers and which we conceive will fully silence those that are most likely to raise a Clamour against us is to clear our selvâ—s from the injâ—â—ious Misrepresentation that Vox Cleri Vox Cleri p. 11 gives of us as tho we were as perverse Enemies to his Majesties excellent Design in his Commission to the Convocation as he himself is and those whose Judgment he pretends to express For one of the main Reasons he urges against all Alterations is that which he cites out of Dr. Burnet in Judg Hales's Life That as some might come in so others that were in our Communion might take offence by the Alterations and desert it and seeing our frequent Changes in some things might suppose there is nothing certain among us and from the many Disputes about our Liturgy proceed to question our Articles and at last fall off to the Church of Rome which they saw more constant to their Principles And as we shall not repeat what hath been already replied so we shall take the more effectual way of confuting him by declaring the common Sense of the wisest and best among our selves that we have convers'd with about these matters For tho we pay that Respect even to the violent Bigots of our Clergy which the great Learning of many of them does deserve yet we must beg their Pardon if we are unwilling all the blame of their unaccountable Stiffness and Rigour should lie at our door We should think our selves very unhappy if any unreasonable Sowrness or Humour of ours should be the great Obstacle to the Churches Reformation and Peace If we should any way contribute to the keeping open those bleeding Wounds which our Spiritual Physicians are called together to heal and close We that have been so well instructed by our Ministers have learnt to distinguish between the Substance of our Religion and the separable Appendages of it and shall not suspect a change of our Food every time the mode of garnishing the Dish is altered and have more of that Divine Charity they have preached to us than to stand at an irreconcileable Distance from Dissenting Protestants and to run both out of the Church and our Wits too if the Convocation should think fit to let them in on an honourable Accommodation of our Differences We have therefore thought fit to descend to the particular Heads mentioned in his Majesties Commission and under each of them to propose such Alterations as would not only not be offensive to us but are highly desirable because we suppose them equally conducive to the Beauty and Safety the Strength and Glory of our Church Of the Liturgy and Ceremonies TO begin with the Calendar we shall not insist on the Rule to find out Easter which hath been sometimes found not to be true because that does more concern the Clergy to look after than any of us But as to some of the Lessons appointed in it they being design'd for our Edification we hope we may have â—ibâ—â—ty to speak What a smutty Story is that in the 6th 7th and 8th Chapters of Tobit appointed for the Lessons on the last day of September and the first of August which is enough to make a Man laugh till he burst as certainly as the lumps of Pitch Fat and Hair did the Dragon Another precious Story which not being appointed formerly by our Church was by the New Reformers on the late Kings Restauration ordered to be read to us on the 23d of November The business in short is this Tobias luckily catcht a certain Fish that greedily snapt at him Tobit c. 6. Roasted it and Eat it but by the Direction of the Angel very carefully lays up the Heart the Liver and the Gall. Now an Ointment made of this Gall was a notable Remedy against Whiteness in the Eyes If it were as good against Dimness of Sight too we could wish for the sake of the Author of Vox Cleri we knew what sort of Fish this was Tobit
serve Almighty God in this Office to the glory of his name and the edifying and well-governing of his Church And further That they may be not only evermore ready to spread abroad the Gospel but also use the Authority given them not to destruction but to salvation And doth not the Bishop solemnly promise to correct and punish according to such Authority as he hath by Gods Word as well as to such as shall be committed to him by the Ordinance of this Realm And the Archbishop charges him when he delivers him the Bible not only to take heed to Doctrine but how he ministers Discipline too We can't think after all this that they do voluntarily neglect so essential a Branch of their Episcopal Office as Governing the Church Ruling and Discipline is their Duty according to Gods Word and if any Ordinance of this Realm hinder them from the discharge of a Duty Gods Word hath laid on them we think if they should patiently bear it they would give but a sad Account in that day when the Great Bishop shall appear when Pulton's or Keeble's Statutes are none of those Books that shall then be open'd We are sure that this Work is a thing of the highest Trust and Authority and wherein the greatest skill and tenderness is requisite and therefore we think it should be pâ—rsonally discharged and can't lawfully be deputed to another For as the Lord Bacon hath observed we sâ—â—â—n all Laws in the world Offices of Confidence and Skill cannot be put 〈◊〉 or exercised by Deputy exceâ—t it be especially contained in the Original Grant Considerat for the better Establish of the Ch. of Engl. p. 10. never did any Chancellor of England or Judg in any Court make a Deputy Surely ab initio non fuit ita but 't is probable that Bishops when they gave themselves too much to the Glory of the World and became Grandees in Kiâ—gdoms and Great Councellors to Princes thâ—n did they deleaguâ— their propâ—r Jurisdiction as things of too inferior a Nature for their Greatness and then after the Similitude and Imitation of Kings and Counts Palatine they would have their Chancellors and Judges His Life p 92. T is saith Bishop Bedel in his Dâ—fence one of the most essential parts of a Bishop's Duty to govern his Flock and 〈◊〉 iâ—flict the Spiritual Censures on obstinate Offenders A Bishop can no more delegate this Power to a Lay-man than he can delegate a Power to Baptise or Ordain since Excommunication and other Censures are a suspendiâ—g the Rights of Baptism and Orders and therefore the judging of these things can belong only to him that had the Power to give them and the delegating that Power is a thing null of it sâ—lâ— It was ever looked on as a necessary part of the Bishop's Duty â—o Exâ—mine and Censure the Scandals of his Clergy aâ—â—â—aity in Ancient and Modern Times And much morâ— mâ—y bâ— found to the same purpose in hiâ— Life But if this Sacr d Work must be put off to othâ—rs P. 93. were it committed to thâ— hands of any of our Clergy though never so mean we coulâ— bear it out of that profound Reverence we have for thâ—iâ— Gown and Character as we d'off our Hats in a mean Countrey-Church that looks little better than a Pigeon-house as wâ—ll as in a Cathedral for the sake of that GOD to whom the One is Consecrated as well as the other But we have hardly any patience left us when we consider That the Clergy both Superiour and Inferiour stand for Cyphers and the whole Power of Excommunication is lodged in Lay-mens hands for such are their Chancellors Officials Commissâ—â—ies c. 'T is a greater piece of Sacrilege for these Thieves to steal and run away with the Keys of the Church than for any to carry off the Communion-Plate Godly Discipline being a much richer Treasure than a Golden Chalicâ— We justly deride the Presbyteriâ—ns for their compound Assemblies where the Minister and the Lay-Elder sit Cheek by Joul intermingled like a Man and a Woman at a Dutch Feast But that Hâ—tch-potch-Miscellany is more tolerable than this Constitution of Ours whereby the whole Clergy being excluded the Lay-Chancellor alone sits to remit sins or retain them Men that we are sure have no Commission from the Blessed Jesus or his Holy Apostles and have no Power to deliver any Souls up to Satan unless it be their own 'T is true indeed They have a Patent for it and that sometimes given to gratifie a Friend sometimes perhaps purchasâ—d with a round Sum of Money whereby the present Bishops pass away this their Power from Themselves and their Successors too and so they are rendred uncapable of correcting their Extravagancies and Corruptions even though they are committed in their Names and by virtue of an Authority derived from them whereupon our Reverend Fathers bear the blame and these Varlets reap the advantage of their unjust Proceedings Nay to that degree of insolence do they proceed as sometimes to hector them if they offer but to interpose to stop or to rectify any of their Illegal and Oppressive Acts. Of this we have an instance given us by the Author of the Naked Truth I don't mean the blustring Hickeringill but as is commonly beliâ—ved P. 64. a grave and excellent Prelate of our Church I remember saith he when the Bishop of Wells hearing of a Cause corruptly managed and coming into the Court to rectifie it the Chancellor Dr. Duke fairly and mannerly bid him be gone for he had no Power there to act any thing and therewithal pulls out his Patent sealed by the Bishop's Predâ—cessor which like Perseus's Shield with the Gorgon's Head frighted the poor Bishop out of the Court. Bishop Bedel's Life by Doctor Burnet p. 88 89. Another remarkable Story of this nature we have in the Life of Bishop Bedel He saw and his Soul was grieved at the bare-faced Extortions and Briberies and Commutations of Penance and Vexatious Suits c. in the Chancellor that had bought his Place from his Predecessor and the prostitution of Excommunications in a sordid and base manner To correct these abuses he goes and with a competent number of his Clergy sits and hears Causes and gives Sentence But his Lay-Chancellor brought a Suit against him in Chancery for invading his Office and tho the other Bishops stood by him saying They were but half Bishops till they recover'd their Authority out of the hands of their Chancellors and though his Chancellor's Patent were a formless Chaos of Authority conferr'd on him against all reason and equity wherein was false Latin nonsâ—nse injustice prejudice to the Chapter contrariety to it self and the King 's Grant to the Bishop P. 102. and the Seal hanging to it none of the Bishop his Predecessor's Seal yet the Chancellor's Right was confirm'd and there was given him an Hundred Pound costs of the Bishop and great endeavours were used to possess Archbishop Vsher
and punished For it cannot be probably expected that they should discharge this Office with that Fidelity and Care which is requisite in a Business of such Importance If we consider either the manner of their present choice the Multiplicity of secular Affairs in which they are unavoidably ingag'd the Temptations to which they may be exposed either by Neighbourhood Acquaintance Friendship or Dependance upon others and not to mention the small Reverence which is paid to Oaths by the Generality of Persons in this dissolute Age which ought to be considered nor the Tricks of waving the taking them which the Corruption of our Spiritual Courts hath supplied us with it cannot be imagin'd but that while Men are called to this Office by turns and the worst as well as the best Parishioners are chosen to it and while Men are govern'd by their worldly Interest either no Presentations at all should be made or those that are should be Omnia Bâ—ne Besides should these Lay-Officers be Persons of Sobriety and Integrity and out of Regard to their Oaths the Peace of their own Consciences and the good Comfort of their Christian Neighbours make exact and just Presentations yet according to our present Constitution they are bound to carry them into the Spiritual Courts and what becomes of them when they are lodg'd there all the World knows instead of imposing suitable Penances Money shall be extorted by a Body of Men who have already shew'd us that they can set Indulgences to sale and that they are willing Men should ruin their own Souls and go very quietly to Hell provided they will pay them tole for their Passage We are therefore of the opinion that the present Convocation should consider whether the Inspection into the Manners of the People should not be intrusted solely with the Ministers and Priests and this determin'd and judg'd to be one part of the pastoral Care whether it be not now absolutely necessary to authorize and impower all Ministers and Curates to observe the Lives of their Parishioners to admonish them privately and publickly to pronounce the Censures of the Church either of Suspension or Excommunication according to their several Lives and Offences they may be appointed to do all this in Subordination to the Bishop or the Ordinary though we think 't is requisite theâ— should be exempted from the Jurisdiction of the Spiritual Courts they may â—e still a 〈…〉 to the Bishop and be obliged to acquaint him with the Reasons and manner of their Proceedings and be liable to be punish'd by him if they either mis-behâ—ve themselves or neglect their Duty Let this Authority and Power be 〈◊〉 sted in them in such a Subordination and let it be declared and esteem'd as an essâ—ntial Branch of the Pastoral Office and in our Apprehensions it will be a more effectual way to redress this Disorder than the other That which suggests and incourages this Proposal is our Communion-Rubrick which requires all Persons that intend to communicate to send in their Names to the Curate and orders him to admonish those that are unfit that they should not presume to come Now if this were duly observed and the Curates likewise impowered to reject such as shall notwithstanding their Admonition dare to present themselves and to pronounce either a Sentence of Suspension or Excommunication against them we conceive that this will be a more proper and effectual Method to preserve our Communions pure than that other of committing it to the Church-Wardens who are too often careless and unconcern'd about a matter of such a Spiritual Nature or such as deserve to fall under the Censures of the Church themselves It will be no hard Matter for the Convocation to fix and settle this Authority and Power that the Curates should be invested with its just Bounds and Limits This we propose with all Humility to Persons that by their Sagacity and Wisdom may soon find out better Ways than we are able to do But that which we earnestly and importunately request is that since his Majesty hath put an Opportunity into their Hands of reviewing the old Canons and making new that they would resolve upon some course for the preventing Men of the most profligate Lives and Principles from joyning themselves to our Communion and partaking of the most Holy Sacrament and we hope the Author of Vox Cleri and others of the same stamp will not charge us with a Design of pulling down the House since we only demand that these Spiders which have filled every Corner of it with their Cobwebs and Venome may be swept out and are willing thâ—t the Besom with which it is to be done should be put into the Hands of our Priests and Clergy The Reasons of our Request are such as these 1. Because according to the Doctrine of our Church these Persons have no Right at all to partake of the Sacrament and to celebrate these Holy Mysteries Râ—briâ—k 〈…〉 for she appoints the Curate to advertise and admoâ—ish such as these tâ—â—t in any wâ—sâ— thâ—y presumâ— not to come In her Exhortation she tells us that it is to be admiâ—isâ—râ—â— only to those who are devoutly and religiously disposed and that if any who do not repent of their Sins and live in them without Amendment do come the Communion does nothing else but increase their Damnatiâ—â— And we are told that Persâ—â—â— thâ—â— live in Variance and Contention or in any known Sin Q. Elizab. 〈…〉 must not be admitâ—â—d â—â—â—â—use t is contrary to the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ So that thâ—se ' Men are really Intruderâ— and thrust themselves as Guests to our most â—oly Tables contrary to the express Commands of the Church and when we desire that they may be cast out 't is no way injurious or prejudicial to them but tends to their Benefit and Advantage 't is â—s charitable and just as to snatch a Cup of Poison out of the Hands of a Mad man who is boldly going to drink it 2. The admitting such Persons to the Sacrament is a very high Incouragement to the Debauchery and Wickedness that now reigns among us when these shall have as free an Access to this Holy Table as Persons of the highest Sobriety and Vertue when they shall shelter themselves under our very Altars and none have any Power or Commission to pluck them from thence what can be expected but that Impiety and Profaness should overflow us as a mighty Stream They have already learned to stop the Mouths of their own Consciences and our Mouths too when we offer to rebuke them by saying that they are good Christians and Members of the Church as well as we they perswade themselves that their being of our Church here doth give them an undoubted Title to a Place among the Assembly of the First-born and while they have such Apprehensions as these we must expect they should indulge themselves in all manner of Immoralities and now shall the Holy