Worship belonging to his said Benefice or Promotion upon some Lords Day before the Feast of Saint Bartholomew which shall be in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred sixty and two openly publiquely and solemnly Read the Morning and Evening Prayer appointed to be Read by and according to the said Book of Common Prayer at the times thereby appointed and after such reading thereof shall openly and publikely before the Congregation there assembled declare his unfeigned assent and consent to the use of all things in the said Book contained and prescribed In these words and no other I A. B. Do here declare my unfeigned assent and consent to all and every thing contained and prescribed in and by the Book intituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches and the Form or manner of Making Ordaining and Consecrating of Bishops Priests and Deacons The Penalty for refusing And that all and every such person who shall without some lawful impediment to be allowed and approved of by the Ordinary of the place neglect or refuse to do the same within the time aforesaid or in case of such Impediment within one Moneth after such Impediment removed shall ipso facto be deprived of all his Spiritual Promotions And that from thenceforth it shall be lawful to and for all Patrons and Donors of all and singular the said Spiritual Promotions or of any of them according to their respective Rights and Titles to present or collate to the same as though the person or persons so offending or neglecting were dead Every person hereafter to be promoted to any Ecclestiastical Benefice shall read the Common Prayer and declare his assent thereto And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every person who shall hereafter be presented or collated or put into any Ecclesiastical Benefice or Promotion within this Realm of England and places aforesaid shall in the Church Chappel or place of publick worship belonging to his said Benefice or Promotion within two moneths next after that he shall be in the actual possession of the said Ecclesiastical Benefice or Promotion upon some Lords Day openly publickly and solemnly Read the Morning and Evening Prayers appointed to be Read by and according to the said Book of Common Prayer at the times thereby appointed and after such reading thereof shall openly and publickly before the Congregation there assembled declare his unfeigned assent and consent to the use of all things therein contained and prescribed according to the form before appointed The penalty for not so doing the same And that all and every such person who shall without some lawful Impediment to be allowed and approved by the Ordinary of the place neglect or refuse to do the same within the time aforesaid or in case of such Impediment within one moneth after such Impediment removed shall ipso facto be deprived of all his said Ecclesiastical Benefices and Promotions And that from thenceforth it shall and may be lawful to and for all Patrons and Donors of all and singular the said Ecclesiastical Benefices and Promotions or any of them according to their respective Rights and Titles to present or collate to the same as though the person or persons so offending or neglecting were dead Incumbents of Livings keeping Curates shall read the same once every moneth And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That in all places where the proper Incumbent of any Parsonage or Vicarage or Benefice with Cure doth reside on his Living and kéep a Curate the Incumbent himself in person not having some lawful Impediment to be allowed by the Ordinary of the place shall once at the least in every moneth openly and publickly read the Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book prescribed and if there be occasion Administer each of the Sacraments and other Rites of the Church in the Parish Church or Chappel of or belonging to the same Parsonage Vicarage or Benefice in such order manner and form The penalty and manner of conviction for not doing it as in and by the said Book is appointed upon pain to forfeit the sum of Five pounds to the use of the poor of the Parish for every offence upon conviction by confession or proof of two credible Witnesses upon Oath before two Iustices of the Peace of the County City or Town Corporate where the offence shall be committed which Oath the said Iustices are hereby impowred to Administer and in default of payment within ten dayes to be levied by distress and sale of the Goods and Chattels of the Offender by the Warrant of the said Iustices by the Church-wardens or Overséers of the poor of the said Parish rendring the surplusage to the party Deans Canons Prebendaries c. shall subscribe the Declaration 15 Car. 2. cap. 6. And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every Dean Canon and Prebendary of every Cathedral or Collegiate Church and all Masters and other Heads Fellows Chaplains and Tutors of or in any Colledge Hall House of Learning or Hospital and every publick Professor and Reader in either of the Vniversities and in every Colledge elsewhere and every Parson Vicar Curate Lecturer and every other person in holy Orders and every School-master kéeping any publick or private School and every person Instructing or Teaching any Youth in any House or private Family as a Tutor or School-master who upon the First day of May which shall be in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred sixty two or at any time thereafter shall be Incumbent or have possession of any Deanry Canonry Prebend Mastership Headship Fellowship Professors place or Readers place Parsonage Vicarage or any other Ecclesiastical Dignity or Promotion or of any Curates place Lecture or School or shall instruct or teach any Youth as Tutor or School-master shall before the Feast-day of St. Bartholomew which shall be in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty two or at or before his or their respective admission to be Incumbent or have possession aforesaid subscribe the Declaration or Acknowledgment following Scilicet The Decla ∣ ration I A. B. Do declare That it is not lawful upon any pretence whatsoever to take up Arms against the King and that I do abhor that Traiterous Position of taking Arms by His Authority against His Person or against those that are Commissionated by him And that I will conform to the Liturgy of the Church of England as it is now by Law established And I do declare That I do hold there lies no Obligation upon me or on any other person from the Oath commonly called The Solemn League and Covenant to endeavour any change or alteration of Government either
in Church or State And that the same was in it self an unlawful Oath and Imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm against the known Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome Which said Declaration and Acknowledgment shall be Subscribed by every of the said Masters and other Heads Fellows Chaplains and Tutors of or in any Colledge Hall or House of Learning and by every publick Professor and Reader in either of the Vniversities before the Vice-Chancellor of the respective Vniversities for the time being or his Deputy And the said Declaration or Acknowledgment shall be Subscribed before the respective Archbishop Bishop or Ordinary of the Diocess by every other person hereby enjoyned the same The penalty for not subscribing upon pain that all and every of the persons aforesaid failing in such Subscription shall lose and forfeit such respective Deanry Canonry Prebend Mastership Headship Fellowship Professors place Readers place Parsonage Vicarage Ecclesiastical Dignity or Promotion Curates place Lecture and School and shall be utterly disabled and ipso facto deprived of the same And that every such respective Deanry Canonry Prebend Mastership Headship Fellowship Professors place Readers place Parsonage Vicarage Ecclesiastical Dignity or Promotion Curates place Lecture and School shall be void as if such person so failing were naturally dead And if any School-master or other person Instructing School-Masters in private houses or Teaching Youth in any private House or Family as a Tutor or School-Master shall Instruct or Teach any Youth as a Tutor or School-Master before Licence obtained from his respective Archbishop Bishop or Ordinary of the Diocess according to the Lawes and Statutes of this Realm for which he shall pay twelve-pence only and before such Subscription and Acknowledgment made as aforesaid Then every such School-master and other Instructing and Teaching as aforesaid shall for the first offence suffer thrée months Imprisonment without bail or mainprize and for every second and other such offence shall suffer thrée months Imprisonment without bail or mainprize and also forfeit to his Majesty the sum of Five pounds And after such Subscription made every such Parson Vicar Curate and Lecturer shall procure a Certificate under the Hand and Seal of the respective Archbishop Bishop or Ordinary of the Diocess who are hereby enjoyned and required upon demand to make and deliver the same and shall publickly and openly Read the same together with the Declaration or Acknowledgment aforesaid upon some Lords Day within thrée months then next following in his Parish Church where he is to officiate in the presence of the Congregation there assembled in the time of Divine Service upon pain that every person failing therein shall lose such Parsonage Vicarage or Benefice Curates place or Lecturers place respectively and shall be utterly disabled and ipso facto deprived of the same And that the said Parsonage Vicarage or Benefice Curates place or Lecturers place shall be void as if he was naturally dead Provided alwayes That from and after the Twenty fifth day of March What to be omitted in the Declaration after the 25. March 1682. which shall be in the year of our Lord God One thousand six hundred eighty two there shall be omitted in the said Declaration or Acknowledgment so to be Subscribed and Read these words following Scilicet ANd I do declare That I do hold there lies no Obligation on me or on any other person from the Oath commonly called the Solemn League and Covenant to endeavour any change or alteration of Government either in Church or State and that the same was in it self an unlawful Oath and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm against the know Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom So as none of the persons aforesaid shall from thenceforth be at all obliged to Subscribe or Read that part of the said Declaration or Acknowledgment Provided alwayes and be it Enacted That from and after the Feast of St. Bartholomew Persons not Ordained Priests or Deacons according to Episcopal Ordination shall not hold any Ecclesiastical Promotion which shall be in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and two no person who now is Incumbent and in possession of any Parsonage Vicarage or Benefice and who is not already in Holy Orders by Episcopal Ordination or shall not before the said Feast-day of St. Bartholomew be Ordained Priest or Deacon according to the form of Episcopal Ordination shall have hold or enjoy the said Parsonage Vicarage Benefice with Cure or other Ecclesiastical Promotion within this Kingdom of England or the Dominion of Wales or Town of Berwick upon Tweed But shall be utterly disabled and ipso facto deprived of the same And all his Ecclesiastical Promotions shall be void as if he was naturally dead Nor shall consecrate or administer the Holy Sacrament if not Ordained according to the Book of Common Prayer And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no person whatsoever shall thenceforth be capable to be admitted to any Parsonage Vicarage Benefice or other Ecclesiastical Promotion or Dignity whatsoever nor shall presume to Consecrate and Administer the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper before such time as he shall be Ordained Priest according to the form and manner in and by the said Book prescribed unless he have formerly béen made Priest by Episcopal Ordination upon pain to forfeit for every offence the sum of One hundred pounds The Penalty One moyety thereof to the Kings Majestie the other moyety thereof to be equally divided betwéen the poor of the Parish where the offence shall be committed and such person or persons as shall sue for the same by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Information in any of His Majesties Courts of Record wherein no Essoign Protection or Wager of Law shall be allowed And to be disabled from taking or being admitted into the Order of Priest by the space of one whole year then next following Provided That the penalties in this Act shall not extend to the Forreiners or Aliens of the Forrein Reformed Churches allowed or to be allowed by the Kings Majesty his Heirs and Successors in England Provided alwayes That no title to confer or present by lapse shall accrue by any avoidance or deprivation ipso facto by vertue of this Statute but after six months after notice of such voidance or deprivation given by the Ordinary to the Patron or such sentence of deprivation openly and publickly Read in the Parish Church of the Benefice Parsonage or Vicarage becoming void or whereof the Incumbent shall be deprived by vertue of this Act. No other form of Common Prayer to be openly used in any Church or publique place And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Form or Order of Common Prayers Administration of Sacraments Rites or Ceremonies shall be openly used in any Church Chappel or other publick place of or in any Colledg or Hall in either of the Vniversities the Colledges of
Westminster Winchester or Eaton or any of them other then what is prescribed and appointed to be used in and by the said Book And that the present Governour or Head of every Colledge and Hall in the said Vniversities and of the said Colledges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton within one month after the Feast of St. Bartholomew which shall be in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and two And every Governour or Head of any the said Colledges or Halls hereafter to be elected or appointed within one month next after his Election or Collation and Admission into the same Government or Headship shall openly and publickly in the Church Chappel or other publick place of the same Colledg of Hall and in the presence of the Fellows and Scholars of the same Subscription to the 39 Articles mentioned in the Stat. 13 El. cap. 12. or the greater part of them then Resident Subscribe unto the Nine and thirty Articles of Religion mentioned in the Statute made in the Thirtéenth year of the Reign of the late Quéen Elizabeth And unto the said Book and declare his unfeigned assent and consent unto and approbation of the said Articles and of the same Book and to the use of all the Prayers Rites and Ceremonies Forms and Orders in the said Book prescribed and contained according to the form aforesaid And that all such Governours or Heads of the said Colledges and Halls or any of them as are or shall be in Holy Orders shall once at least in every Quarter of the year not having a lawful Impediment openly and publickly Read the morning Prayer and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be Read in the Church Chappel or other publick place of the same Colledge or Hall upon pain to lose and be suspended of and from all the Benefits and Profits belonging to the same Government or Headship by the space of Six months by the Visitor or Visitors of the same Colledge or Hall And if any Governour or Head of any Colledge or Hall Suspended for not Subscribing unto the said Articles and Book or for not Reading of the Morning Prayer and Service as aforesaid shall not at or before the end of Six months next after such suspension Subscribe unto the said Articles and Book and declare his consent thereunto as aforesaid or Read the Morning Prayer and Service as aforesaid then such Government or Headship shall be ipso facto void Who may use the Service in Latin Provided alwayes That it shall and may be lawful to use the Morning and Evening Prayer and all other Prayers and Service prescribed in and by the said Book in the Chappels or other publick places of the respective Colledges and Halls in both the Vniversities in the Colledges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton and in the Convocations of the Clergies of either Province in Latine any thing in this Act contained to the contrary notwithstanding Lecturers And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no person shall be or be received as a Lecturer or permitted suffered or allowed to preach as a Lecturer or to Preach or Read any Sermon or Lecture in any Church Chappel or other place of Publick Worship within this Realm of England or the Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed unless he be first approved and thereunto Licensed by the Archbishop of the Province or Bishop of the Diocess or in case the Sée be void by the Guardian of the Spiritualties under his Seal and shall in the presence of the same Archbishop or Bishop or Guardian Read the Nine and thirty Articles of Religion mentioned in the Statute of the Thirtéenth year of the late Quéen Elizabeth with declaration of his unfeigned assent to the same And that every person 13 El. cap. 12. and persons who now is or hereafter shall be Licensed Assigned Appointed or Received as a Lecturer to Preach upon any day of the week in any Church Chappel or place of Publick Worship within this Realm of England or places aforesaid the first time he Preacheth before his Sermon shall openly publickly and solemnly Read the Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be read for that time of the day and then and there publickly and openly declare his assent unto and approbation of the said Book and to the use of all the Prayers Rites and Ceremonies Forms and Orders therein contained and prescribed according to the form before appointed in this Act And also shall upon the first Lecture-day of every month afterwards so long as he continues Lecturer or Preacher there at the place appointed for his said Lecture or Sermon before his said Lecture or Sermon openly publickly and solemnly Read the Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be read for that time of the day at which the said Lecture or Sermon is to be preached and after such Reading thereof shall openly and publickly before the Congregation there assembled declare his unfeigned assent and consent unto and approbation of the said Book and to the use of all the Prayers Rites and Ceremonies Forms and Orders therein contained and prescribed according to the form aforesaid And that all and every such person and persons who shall neglect or refuse to do the same shall from thenceforth be disabled to preach the said or any other Lecture or Sermon in the said or any other Church Chappel or place of publick Worship until such time as he and they shall openly publickly and solemnly Read the Common Prayers and Service appointed by the said Book and Conform in all points to the things therein appointed and prescribed according to the purport true intent and meaning of this Act. Provided alwayes That if the said Sermon Lectures in Cathedral or Collegiate Churches or Lecture be to be Preached or Read in any Cathedral or Collegiate Church or Chappel it shall be sufficient for the said Lecturer openly at the time aforesaid to declare his assent and consent to all things contained in the said Book according to the form aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid The Penalty upon persons disabled that Preach 15 Car. 2. cap. 6. in fine That if any person who is by this Act disabled to preach any Lecture or Sermon shall during the time that he shall continue and remain so disabled preach any Sermon or Lecture That then for every such offence the person and persons so offending shall suffer Thrée months Imprisonment in the Common Goal without bail or mainprise And that any two Iustices of the Peace of any County of this Kingdom and places aforesaid and the Mayor or other chief Magistrate of any City or Town Corporate within the same upon Certificate from the Ordinary of the place made to him or them of the offence committed shall and are hereby required to commit the person or persons so offending to the
Goal of the same County City or Town Corporate accordingly Provided alwayes and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid Common Prayer to be read before every Lecture and the Lecturer to be present That at all and every time and times when any Sermon or Lecture is to be Preached the Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be Read for that time of the day shall be openly publickly and solemnly Read by some Priest or Deacon in the Church Chappel or place of Publick Worship where the said Sermon or Lecture is to be Preached before such Sermon or Lecture be preached And that the Lecturer then to Preach shall be present at the Reading thereof Provided nevertheless That this Act shall not extend to the Vniversity Churches Proviso for Sermons and Lectures in the Vniversities in the Vniversities of this Realm or either of them when or at such times as any Sermon or Lecture is Preached or Read in the said Churches or any of them for or as the publick Vniversity Sermon or Lecture but that the same Sermons and Lectures may be preached or read in such sort and manner as the same have béen heretofore preached or read this Act or any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the several good Laws The Lawes and Statutes formerly made for Vniformity of Common Prayer confirmed and to be executed for punishing offendors against this Law and Statutes of this Realm which have béen formerly made and are now in force for the Vniformity of Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments within this Realm of England and places aforesaid shall stand in full force and strength to all intents and purposes whatsoever for the establishing and confirming of the said Book Intituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches and the form or manner of Making Ordaining and Consecrating of Bishops Priests and Deacons herein before mentioned to be joyned and annexed to this Act and shall be applied practised and put in ure for the punishing of all offences contrary to the said Lawes with relation to the Book aforesaid and no other Provided alwayes and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid Letanies and Collects relating to the King Queen c. That in all those Prayers Letanies and Collects which do any way relate to the King Quéen or Royal Progeny the Names be altered and changed from time to time and fitted to the present occasion according to the direction of lawful Authority True printed Copies of the Book of Common Prayer to be provâ—ded in all Parishes and Churches Provided also and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That a true Printed Copy of the said Book Entituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches and the form and manner of Making Ordaining and Consecrating of Bishops Priests and Deacons shall at the costs and charges of the Parishioners of every Parish-Church and Chappelry Cathedral Church Colledg and Hall be attained and gotten before the Feast-day of St. Bartholomew in the year of our Lord One thousand six hundred sixty and two upon pain of forfeiture of thrée pounds by the moneth for so long time as they shall then after be unprovided thereof by every Parish or Chappelry Cathedral Church Colledge and Hall making default therein Proviso for the Bishops of Hereford St. Davies Asaph Bangor Landaff Provided alwayes and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Bishops of Hereford St. Davies Asaph Bangoâ— and Landaff and their Successors shall take such order among themselves for the souls health of the Flocks committed to their Charge within Wales That the Book hereunto annexed be truly and exactly Translated into the Brittish or Welsh Tongue and that the same so Translated and being by them or any thrée of them at the least viewed perused and allowed be Imprinted to such number at least so that one of the said Books so Translated and Imprinted may be had for every Cathedral Collegiate and Parish Church and Chappel of Ease in the said respective Diocesses and places in Wales where the Welsh is commonly spoken or used before the First day of May One thousand six hundred sixty five And that from and after the Imprinting and publishing of the said Book so Translated the whole Divine Service shall be used and said by the Ministers and Curates throughout all Wales within the said Diocesses where the Welsh Tongue is commonly used in the Brittish or Welsh Tongue in such manner and form as is prescribed according to the Book hereunto annexed to be used in the English Tongue differing nothing in any order or form from the said English Book for which Book so Translated and Imprinted the Church-Wardens of every the said Parishes shall pay out of the Parish-money in their hands for the use of the respective Churches and be allowed the same on their Accompt And that the said Bishops and their Successors or any thrée of them at the least shall set and appoint the price for which the said Book shall be sold And one other Book of Common Prayer in the English Tongue shall be bought and had in every Church throughout Wales in which the Book of Common Prayer in Welsh is to be had by force of this Act before the First day of May One thousand six hundred sixty and four and the same Book to remain in such convenient places within the said Churches that such as understand them may resort at all convenient times to read and peruse the same and also such as do not understand the said Language may be conferring both Tongues together the sooner attain to the knowledg of the English Tongue Any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding and until Printed Copies of the said Book so to be Translated may be had and provided The Form of Common Prayer established by Parliament before the making of this Act shall be used as formerly in such parts of Wales where the English Tongue is not commonly understood And to the end that the true and perfect Copies of this Act and the said Book hereunto annexed may be safely kept and perpetually preserved and for the avoiding of all disputes for the time to come True and perfect Copies of this Act and the Book of Common Prayer by whom and how to be had and kept Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the respective Deans and Chapters of Every Cathedral or
Commission And in regard of the extraordinary duties which the Forces of the said City that now are and formerly were raised in Order to his Majesties happy Restauration have of late and may again be put to for the safety of his Majesties Person and for suppressing or preventing of Insurrections That it shall and may be lawful for his Majesties Lieutenants of the said City by Warrant from his Majesty to impose and levy yearly in the same so much money as they shall find néedful for defraying the Arrears of those first raised for his Majesties happy Restauration and the Arrears and necessary charge of those that now are and shall be raised with the Ammunition and other incident expences of their Militia in such manner as the present Assessment is now levied and not excéeding in any one year the proportion of One moneths Tax which the said City now pays towards the Tax of Seventy thousand pounds by the moneth And shall be accomptable for the same as by this Act is Ordained Any thing in this Act to the contrary of this Proviso in any wise notwithstanding Proviso for the Officers of Militia of cities and towns corporate Provided always That no Officer or Souldier of the Militia or Trained Bands belonging to any City Borough or Town Corporate being a County of it self or to any other Corporation or Port-Town who have used and accustomed to be Mustered only within their own Precincts shall be compellable to appear out of the Precincts or Liberties of the same City Borough Town-Corporate or Port-Town at any Muster or Exercise only and every of the said Cities Boroughs Towns-Corporate and Port-Towns are hereby chargeable to find their usual Number of Souldiers unless the respective Lieutenants find cause to lessen the same Any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding Covenants between Landlords and Tenants for providing Arms not to be avoyded by this Act. Provided That this Act or any thing herein contained shall not extend to avoid any Covenant or Agréement which hath béen or shall be made betwéen any Landlord and Tenant concerning the finding Horses or Arms or the bearing or paying of any Tares Rates or other charges by any Tenant either by general or special Covenants but that the said Taxes Rates or other Charges shall be born and paid by all respective Tenants according to the said Covenants and Agréements Any thing in this Act to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding Isle of Wight Provided That this Act or any thing therein contained shall not extend to make any alteration in the Isle of Wight as to the Militia in that place either to raise Horse or Foot within the said Island in any other manner then hath béen formerly and is now used and practised there Militia of the Tower Dâ—vision in Middlesex Provided also And be it Enacted That whereas the Militia of the Tower-Division in the County of Middlesex commonly known by the name of the Tower-Hamlets are and alwayes have béen under the Command of his Maiesties Constable or Lieutenant of the Tower for the Service and Preservation of that his Royal Fort That it shall and may be lawful for his Majesties Constable or Lieutenant of the Tower for the time being to continue to levy the Trained Bands of the said Division or Hamlets of the Tower in such manner and form as to the number and quality of persons as was observed in forming the present Forces thereof Any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding Proviso touching compelling men to march out of this Kingdom Provided That neither this Act nor any matter or thing therein contained shall be déemed construed or taken to extend to the giving or declaring of any power for the transporting of any the Subjects of this Realm or any way compelling them to march out of this Kingdom otherwise then by the Laws of England ought to be done Peers of the Realm how to be charged Provided always And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Péer of this Realm shall be charged with Horse Horse-men and Arms or Foot-souldiers and Arms otherwise or in any other manner then is herein after expressed that is to say that his Majesty his Heirs and Successors shall and may from time to time issue out Commissions under the great Seal of England to so many Péers not fewer then twelve as his Majesty his Heirs and Successors shall think fit who or any five or more of them shall have power from time to time to Assess all and every or any the Péers of this Realm according to the Limitations and Proportions in this Act appointed for the finding of horse Horse-men and Arms or Foot-Souldiers and Arms and for other the purposes in this Act mentioned except the Monethly Taxes which are to be levied as is before prescribed in this Act and shall have power to put in execution all and every the Powers and Authorities of this Act as well for laying Assessments as imposing of penalties Imprisonment of the person of any Péer of this Realm only excepted which Assessment or Charge so made together with such penalties as shall be so imposed imprisonment as aforesaid onely excepted shall be from time to time respectively certified to the respective Lieutenants of each County to the intent that the said Charge may be born and the penalties not before excepted levied according to the intent of this Act And that in case there shall be any default in performance of any thing to be done or paid by any Péer by vertue of this Act that then it shall be lawful for the respective Lieutenants Deputy-Lieutenants or any thrée of them to cause Distresses to be taken for the same in any of the lands of such Defaulter within their said Counties or Limits respectively And in case satisfaction shall not be given within the space of one wéek after such Distress taken then such Distresse to be sold for the performance of the said Service and the charge incident thereunto and the Overplus if any be to be restored to the Owner And if a Tenant of any Péer of this Realm shall be distrained for such default as aforesaid the Tenant so distrained is hereby enabled to deduct the sum levied out of his next Rent CAP. XIV There shall be Uniformity of Publique Prayers and administration of Sacraments other Rites and Ceremonies And of Ordaining and Consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons in the Church of England VVHereas in the first year of the late Quéen Elizabeth there was one Vniforme Order of Common Service and Prayer and of the Administrations of Sacraments Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England agréeable to the Word of God and usage of the Primitive Church compiled by the Reverend Bishops and Clergy set forth in one Book entituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England and enjoyned to be
used by Act of Parliament holden in the said first year of the said late Quéen 2 El. cap. 2. Entituled An Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church and Administration of the Sacraments very comfortable to all good people desirous to live in Christian conversation and most profitable to the Estate of this Realm upon the which the Mercy Favour and Blessing of Almighty God is in no wise so readily and plentifully poured as by Common Prayers due using of the Sacraments and often Preaching of the Gospel with Devotion of the Hearers And yet this notwithstanding a great number of people in divers parts of this Realm following their own sensuality and living without knowledg and due fear of God do Wilfully Schismatically abstain and refuse to come to their Parish-Churches and other publick places where Common Prayer Administration of the Sacraments and preaching of the Word of God is used upon the Sundays and other days ordained and appointed to be kept and observed as Holy-days And whereas by the great and scandalous neglect of Ministers in using the said Order or Liturgy so set forth and enjoyned as aforesaid great mischiefs and inconveniences during the times of the late unhappy Troubles have arisen and grown and many people have béen led into Factions and Schisms to the great decay and scandal of the Reformed Religion of the Church of England and to the hazard of many souls For prevention whereof in time to come for setling the Peace of the Church and for allaying the present distempers which the indisposition of the time hath contracted The Kings Declaration and Commission for reviewing the Book of Common Prayer and Alterations to be propounded therein The Kings Majesty according to his Declaration of the Five and twentieth of October One thousand six hundred and sixty granted his Commission under the Great Seal of England to several Bishops and other Divines to review the Book of Common Prayer and to prepare such Alterations and Additions as they thought fit to offer And afterwards the Convocations of both the Provinces of Canterbury and York being by His Majesty called and assembled and now sitting His Majesty hath béen pleased to Authorize and require the Presidents of the said Convocations and other the Bishops and Clergy of the same to re-view the said Book of Common Prayer and the Book of the Form and manner of the Making and Consecrating of Bishops Priests and Deacons And that after mature consideration they should make such Additions and Alterations in the said Books respectively as to them should séem méet and convenient And should exhibit and present the same to his Majesty in writing for his further allowance or confirmation since which time upon full and mature deliberation they the said Presidents Bishops and Clergy of both Provinces have accordingly re-viewed the said Books and have made some Alterations which they think fit to be inserted to the same and some Additional Prayers to the said Book of Common Prayer to be used upon proper and emergent occasions And have exhibited and presented the same unto his Majesty in writing in one Book Entituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches and the Form and Manner of Making Ordaining and Consecrating of Bishops Priests and Deacons All which His Majesty having duly considered hath fully approved and allowed the same and recommended to this present Parliament that the said Books of Common Prayer and of the Form of Ordination and Consecration of Bishops Priests and Deacons with the Alterations and Additions which have béen so made and presented to His Majesty by the said Convocations be the Book which shall be appointed to be used by all that Officiate in all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches and Chappels and in all Chappels of Colledges and Halls in both the Vniversities and the Colledges of Eaton and Winchester and in all Parish-Churches and Chappels within the Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed and by all that Make or Consecrate Bishops Priests or Deacons in any of the said places under such Sanctions and Penalties as the Houses of Parliament shall think fit Now in regard that nothing conduceth more to the setling of the Peace of this Nation which is desired of all good men nor to the honour of our Religion and the propagation thereof The Peace and Honour of Religion much advanced by Vniform agreement in the Publique Worship of God then an Vniversal argréement in the publique Worship of Almighty God and to the intent that every person within this Realm may certainly know the rule to which he is to conform in Publique Worship and Administrations of Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England and the manner how and by whom Bishops Priests and Deacons are and ought to be Made Ordained Consecrated Be it Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by the Advice and with the Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That all and singular Ministers in any Cathedral Collegiate or Parish-Church or Chappel or other place of Publique Worship within this Realm of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Berwick upon Tweed The Book of Common Prayer shall be used shall be bound to say and use the Morning Prayer Evening Prayer Celebration and Administration of both the Sacraments and all other the Publique and Common Prayer in such order and form as is mentioned in the said Book annexed and ioyned to this present Act and Entituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches and the form or manner of Making Ordaining and Consecrating of Bishops Priests and Deacons And that the Morning and Evening Prayers therein contained shall upon every Lords Day and upon all other dayes and occasions and at the times therein appointed be openly and solemnly Read by all and every Minister or Curate in every Church Chappel or other place of publique Worship within this Realm of England All Parsons Vicars and Ministers to read and declare their assent to use the same and places aforesaid And to the end that Vniformity in the publique Worship of God which is so much desired may be spéedily effected Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every Parson Vicar or other Minister whatsoever who now hath and enjoyeth any Ecclesiastical Benefite or Promotion within this Realm of England or places aforesaid shall in the Church Chappel or place of publique
for the same in the Custome-house according to the true meaning of this Act that then from the said four and twentieth day of June all the same Wines Goods and Merchandizes whatsoever shall be forfeit to your Majesty the one moyety of the rate thereof to your Majesty and the other moyety to him or them that will seize the same or sue for the same And that it may please Your Majesty Merchants strangers shall be well intreated That all Merchants aswell Denizens as Strangers coming into this Your Realm be well and honestly intreated and demeaned for such things as Subsidy by this Act is granted as they were in the time of Your Noble Progenitors and Predecessors without oppression to them to be done paying the Subsidies aforesaid And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid That if any Goods or Merchandize A Proviso for such whose goods be taken by Pirates or perished on the Sea as aforesaid of any Merchant being born Denizen after the said four and twentieth day of June hath béen or at any time hereafter during Your Majesties life shall be taken by any Enemies or Pyrates upon the Sea or perished in any Ship or Ships that shall happen to be taken or perished during Your Majesties Life whereof the Subsidies and other Duties aforesaid are or shall be duly paid or agréed for as aforesaid and that duly proved before the Treasurer of England Commissioners of the Treasury or Chief Baron of the Exchequer for the time being by the examination of the same Merchants if they be alive or of their Executors or Administrators if they be dead or by two credible Witnesses at the least sworn or other reasonable Witness and proof sworn then the same Merchant or Merchants his or their Executors or Administrators shall or may newly ship in the same Port where the goods and Merchandize aforesaid were or shall be Customed so much other Merchandize or Goods as the same goods or Merchandize are or shall be lost as aforesaid shall amount unto in custome without paying of any thing for the same so as the same Proof be recorded and allowed of in the Court of Exchequer The Customs of any goods shipped in Carracks or Gallies and certified unto the Collectors of the Customes of the Port where the same Wares or Merchandizes are to be newly shipped without Custome as aforesaid And further That every Merchant-Denizen who shall hereafter Ship any Goods or Merchandize in any Carrack or Gally shall pay to your Majesty all manner of Customs and all the subsidies aforesaid as any Alien born out of the Realm Provided alwayes that it shall and may be lawfull to all and every Your Subjects Shipping of Herrings at his and their will and pleasure to convey and transport out of this Realm in Ships and other Vessels of any the Subjects of this Realm all and every kind of Herrings and other Sea fish to be taken on the sea by any the Subjects aforesaid from or out of any Port or Harbor of this Realm to any place out of your Majesties Dominions without paying any Custome Subsidy or Poundage-moneys for the same Herrings or other Fish so carried or transported during your Majesties life any thing herein before contained to the contrary notwithstanding And because no rates can be Imposed upon Merchandize No rates to be imposed on Merchandize without authority of Parliament imported or exported by Subjects or Aliens but by common consent in Parliament Be it further Enacted and Declared by the Authority aforesaid that the Rates intended by this present Act shall be the rates mentioned and expressed in one Book of Rates intituled The Rates of Merchandize That is to say the Subsidy of Tonnage the Subsidy of Poundage and the Subsidy of Woollen cloths or old Draperies as they are rated and agréed on by the Commons House of Parliament A book of rates agreed by the Commons house of Parliament set down and expressed in this Book to be paid according to the Tenor of the Act of Tonnage and Poundage from the four and twentieth day of June inclusively in the twelfth year of his Majesties Reign during his Majesties Life and subscribed with the hand of Sir Harbottle Grimston Baronet Speaker of the House of Commons Which said Book of Rates composed and agréed on by Your Majesties said Commons and also every Article rule and clause therein contained shall be and remain during Your Majesties Life as effectual to all intents and purposes as if the same were included particularly in the Body of this present Act. And it is further Enacted That during the continuance of this present Grant The fees of the Custome Officers where the Goods Exported or Imported amount to the value of five pounds or more the Customers and Collectors and all other his Majesties Officers in the several Ports shall take and receive such Fées and no other as were taken in the Fourth year of the late King James until such time as the said Fées shall be otherwise setled by Authority of Parliament Provided alwayes That no Person or Persons who after the Four and twentieth of June A Proviso for such as paid before the 24. Iuly 1660. in the year One thousand six hundred and sixty and before the Four and twentieth of July in the same year have paid received or collected any Duties or Customes according to the Rates used in April One thousand six hundred and sixty shall be molested or any way Impeached for or concerning the payment or Receipt of the said duties or any other duties by this Act Imposed And it is hereby further Declared That no person who hath shipped any Goods since the said four and twentieth of June and before the said four and twentieth of July shall be liable to the payment of any duties therefore other then such as were used to be paid in the said moneth of April One thousand six hundred and sixty Goods which may be exported immediately after the passing this Act. Provided alwayes and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawful for any Person or Persons immediately from and after the passing of this Act to transport ship and carry out of this Kingdome or out of any Port thereof by way of Merchandize any of these Commodities Goods and Merchandizes following That is to say Iron Armour Bandeléers Bridle-Bitts Halbert Heads and Sharps Holsters Muskets Carbines Fowling-Peices Pistols Pike-Heads Sword or Rapier-Blades Saddles Snaffles Styrropes Calveskins dressed or undressed Geldings Oxen Shéep-skins dressed without the Wooll and all sorts of Manufactures made of Leather paying the respective Rates appointed by this Act and no other any Law Statutes Prohibitions and Customes to the contrary notwithstanding Goods which may be exported being at certain pâ—â—ses And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawful immediately after the passing of this Act for any person or
herein contained The eights and duties of Aulnage saved shall extend or be construed to extend to take away any of the Rights Duties or Customs of or belonging to the Office and Place of his Majesties Aulnager or his Deputy or Deputies within the said West-Riding But that he or they shall or may from time to time do and perform all and every matter and thing to him or them belonging according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm And also receive all Fées due and accustomed to the said Office belonging in as large and ample manner as he or they might or ought to have done before the making of this present Act Any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding Provided always and it is further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That neither the said Supervisers Masters Wardens and Assistants nor any of them Proviso that Rates of wages of workmen may not be set by colour of this Act. nor any other person or persons frée of the said Corporation of Broad Woollen Clothiers shall by any Authority derived from this Act or by colour thereof set or impose any other or lesser Rates or Wages upon any inferiour Workmen Servants or Labourers to be imployed by them or any of them in the said Manufacture then such as shall be from time to time allowed and approved of by the Iustices of the Peace in their Quarter-Sessions according to the Laws and Statutes touching Labourers in that case made and provided Provided also That this Act continue to the end of the First Session of the next Parliament The Continuance of this Act. and no longer CAP. XXXIII For preventing Abuses in Printing Seditious Treasonable and Unlicensed Books and Pamphlets and for Regulating of Printing and Printing-Presses WHereas the well-government and Regulating of Printers and Printing-Presses is matter of Publick care and of great Concernment especially considering Regulating of Printing of great Concirnment that by the general Licentiousness of the late Times many evil-disposed persons have béen encouraged to Print and Sell Heretical Schismatical Blasphemous Seditious and Treasonable Books Pamphlets and Papers and still do continue such their unlawful and exorbitant practice to the high dishonour of Almighty God the endangering the peace of these Kingdoms and raising a disaffection to His most Excellent Majesty and His Government For prevention whereof no surer means can be advised then by reducing and limiting the number of Printing-Presses and by ordering and setling the said Art or Mystery of Printing by Act of Parliament in manner as herein after is expressed The Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Consent and Advice of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled Pamphlets and Books prohibited to be printed published or sold doth therefore Ordain and Enact and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no person or persons whatsover shall presume to Print or cause to be Printed either within this Realm of England or any other His Majesties Dominions or in the parts beyond the Seas any Heretical Seditious Schismatical or offensive Books or Pamphlets wherein any Doctrine or Opinion shall be asserted or maintained which is contrary to Christian Faith or the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church of England or which shall or may tend or be to the scandal of Religion or the Church or the Government or Governors of the Church State or Common-wealth or of any Corporation or particular person or persons whatsoever nor shall Import Publish Sell or dispose any such Book or Books or Pamphlets nor shall cause or procure any such to be Published or put to Sale or to be bound Stitched or Sewed together And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no private person or persons whatsoever shall at any time hereafter Print or cause to be Printed any Book or Pamphlet whatsoever unless the same Book and Pamphlet together with all and every the Titles Epistles Prefaces Proems Preambles Introductions Tables Dedications and other matters and things thereunto annexed Entry of printed Books with the Register of the Company of Stationers London be first Entred in the Book of the Register of the Company of Stationers of London Except Acts of Parliament Proclamations and such other Books and Papers as shall be appointed to be Printed by vertue of any Warrant under the Kings Majesties Sign Manual or under the hand of one or both of His Majesties Principal Secretaries of State and unless the same Book and Pamphlet and also all and every the said Titles Epistles Prefaces Proems Preambles Introductions Tables Dedications and other matters and things whatsoever thereunto annexed or therewith to be Imprinted shall be first lawfully Licensed and Authorized to be Printed by such person and persons only as shall be constituted and appointed to License the same according to the direction and true meaning of this present Act herein after expressed Who may Licence Books concerning the Common Laws to be-Printed and by no other that is to say That all Books concerning the Common Laws of this Realm shall be Printed by the special allowance of the Lord Chancellor or Lord Kéeper of the Great Seal of England for the time being the Lords Chief Iustices and Lord Chief Baron for the time being or one or more of them or by their or one or more of their appointments And that all Books of History concerning the State of this Realm or other Books concerning any Affairs of State Books of History and Affairs of State Concerning Heraldry shall be Licensed by the Principal Secretaries of State for the time being or one of them or by their or one of their appointments And that all Books to be Imprinted concerning Heraldry Titles of Honour and Armes or otherwise concerning the Office of Earl Marshal shall be Licensed by the Earl Marshal for the time being or by his appointment or in case there shall not then be an Earl Marshal shall be Licensed by the Thrée Kings of Armes Garter Clarencieux and Norroy or any two of them whereof Garter Principal King of Armes to be one Divinity Physick Philosophy or other Science And that all other Books to be Imprinted or Reprinted whether of Divinity Physick Philosophy or whatsoever other Science or Art shall be first Licensed and allowed by the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Bishop of London for the time being or one of them or by their or one of their appointments or by either one of the Chancellors or Vice-Chancellors of either of the Vniversities of this Realm for the time being Provided always that the said Chancellors or Vice-Chancellors of either of the said Vniversities shall onely License such Books as are to be Imprinted or Reprinted within the limits of the said Vniversities respectively but not in London or elsewhere not medling either with Books of the Common Laws or matters of State or
Government Books belonging to particular persons nor any Book or Books the right of Printing whereof doth solely and properly belong to any particular person or persons without his or their Consent first obtained in that behalf Every Licenser shall have a written copy of the Book licenced And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every person and persons who by vertue of this present Act are or shall be appointed or authorized to License the Imprinting of Books or Reprinting thereof with any Additions or Amendments as aforesaid shall have one written Copy of the same Book or Books which shall be so Licensed to be Imprinted or Reprinted with the Titles Epistles Prefaces Tables Dedications and all other things whatsoever thereunto annexed How and where the said Copy shall be kept which said Copy shall be delivered by such Licenser or Licensers to the Printer or Owner for the Imprinting thereof and shall be solely and intirely returned by such Printer or owner after the Imprinting thereof unto such Licenser or Licensers to be kept in the publick Registries of the said Lord Archbishop or Lord Bishop of London respectively or in the Office of the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor of either the said Vniversities or with the said Lord Chancellor or Lord Kéeper of the great Seal for the time being English Books how to be Licensed or Lords Chief Iustices or Chief Baron or one of them or the said Principal Secretaries of State or with the Earl Marshal or the said Kings of Armes or one of them of all such Books as shall be Licensed by them respectively And if such Book so to be Licensed shall be an English Book or of the English Tongue there shall be two Written Copies thereof delivered to the Licenser or Licensers if he or they shall so require one Copy whereof so Licensed shall be delivered back to the said Printer or Owner and the other Copy shall be reserved and kept as is aforesaid to the end such Licenser or Licensers may be secured that the Copy so Licensed shall not be altered without his or their privity And upon the said Copy Licensed to be Imprinted he or they who shall so License the same shall Testifie under his or their hand or hands That there is not any thing in the same contained that is contrary to the Christian Faith or the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church of England or against the State or Government of this Realm or contrary to good life or good manners or otherwise as the nature and subject of the Work shall require which License or Approbation shall be Printed in the beginning of the same Book with the Name or Names of him or them that shall Authorize or License the same All Books from beyond Sea shall be brought to the Port of London only for a Testimony of the allowance thereof And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That every Merchant of Books and person and persons whatsoever who doth or hereafter shall Import or bring any Book or Books into this Realm from any parts beyond the Seas shall Import the same in the Port of London only and not elsewhere without the special License of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London for the time being or one of them who are hereby authorized to grant Licenses for that purpose and shall before such time as the same Book or Books or any of them be delivered forth or out of his or their hand or hands or exposed to Sale give and present a true Note or Catalogue in writing of all and every such Book or Books unto the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Bishop of London for the time being or to one of them and no Merchant or other person or persons whatsoever which shall import or bring any Book or Books into the Port of London aforesaid from any parts beyond the Seas shall presume to open any Dry-Fats Bales And not to be opened or uttered until viewed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop of London or some other by one of them appointed Packs Maunds or other Fardles of Books or wherein Books are nor shall any Searcher Waiter or other Officer belonging to the Custom-house upon pain of losing his or their place or places suffer the same to pass or to be delivered out of his or their hands or Custody before such time as the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Bishop of London for the time being or one of them shall have appointed some Scholar or learned man with one or more of the said Company of Stationers and such others as they shall call to their Assistance to be present at the opening thereof and to view the same And if there shall happen to be found any Heretical Seditious Scandalous Schismatical or other dangerous or offensive Book or Books or any part of such Book or Books Printed in English they shall forthwith be brought to the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Bishop of London for the time being or to one of them or to some publick place to be assigned and chosen by the said Lord Archbishop Hereticall Seditious or dangerous Books Imprinted upon ported how to be proceeded upon and Lord Bishop for the time being to the end the person and persons which Importeth or causeth the said Offensive Books to be Imported may be procéeded against as an offender against this present Act And also that such further course may be taken concerning the same offensive Book or Books as by the said Lord Archbishop and Bishop for the time being shall be thought fitting for the suppressing thereof And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no person or persons shall within this Kingdom or elsewhere Imprint or cause to be Imprinted nor shall Import or bring in or cause to be Imported or brought into this Kingdom from or out of any other His Majesties Dominions nor from any other parts beyond the Seas any Copy or Copies Book or Books or part of any Book or Books or Forms of blank Bills or Indentures for any His Majesties Islands Printed beyond the Seas or elsewhere Copies of Books Forms of blank Bills or Indenturs whereof any have Letters Patents for sole Printing which any person or persons by force or vertue of any Letters Patents granted or assigned or which shall hereafter be granted or assigned to him or them or where the same are not granted by any Letters Patents by force or vertue of any Entry or Entries thereof duly made or to be made in the Register Book of the said Company of Stationers or in the Register Book of either of the Vniversities respectively have or shal have the right Priviledge Authority or Allowance solely to Print without the consent of the Owner or Owners of such Book or Books Copy or Copies Form or Forms of such blank Bills nor shall Binde Stitch or put to Sale any such Book or Books or