commaundementes the Artycles of the beliefe and in the Lordes prayer and dylygentlye examyne them and teache the Cathechisme sette forth in the booke of publike prayer Item that the ordinaries do exhibite vnto our visitoures theyr bookes or a true copye of the same conteynyng the causes why any person was imprysoned famyshed or put to death for religion Item that in euery paryshe three or foure discrete men which tender Gods glorye and his true relygyon shalbe appoynted by the Ordinaries diligentlye to see that all the paryshyoners duely resorte to theyr Churche vppon all Sundayes and holy dayes and there to contynue the whole tyme of the Godly seruice And all suche as shalbe founde slacke or negligente in resortyng to the Churche hauynge no great nor vrgent cause of absence they shall strayghtly call vpon them and after due monition yf they amende not they shall denounce them to the ordinarye Item that the Churchwardens of euery paryshe shall delyuer vnto our visitours the inueÌ„tories of vestmentes copes and other ornamentes plate bookes and specyallye of Grayles Couchers Legendes Processionalles Hymnalles Manuelles Portuesses and suche lyke apperteynyng to theyr Church Item that wekely vppon Wenesdayes and Frydayes not beynge holly dayes the curate at the accustomed houres of seruice shall resort to Churche and cause warning to be geuen to the people by knollyng of the bell and say the Letany and prayers Item because dyuers Collegiate and also some paryshe Churches heretofore there hathe ben lyuynges appoynted for the maintenaunce of menne and chyldren to vse syngynge in the Churche by meanes whereof the lawdable science of musike hath ben had in estimation and preserued in knowledge The Quenes Maiestie neyther meanyng in any wyse the decaye of any thyng that myght conuenientlye tende to the vse and contynnaunce of the sayde science neyther to haue the same in anye parte so abused in the Churche that thereby the common prayer shoulde bee the worse vnderstande of the hearers Wylleth and commaundeth that fyrste no alteration be made of such assignementes of lyuynge as heretofore hath been appoynted to the vse of syngynge or musyke in the Churche but that the same so remayne And that there bee a modeste and destyncte songe so vsed in all partes of the common prayers in the Church that the same maye be as playnely vnderstaÌ„ded as if it were read without singing And yet neuertheles for the comforting of such as delyte in musicke it maye be permitted that in the beginnyng or in thend of common prayers eyther at mornyng or euenynge there maye be songe an hymne or suche lyke songe to the prayse of almyghtye God in the best sore of melodye and musicke that maye be conuenientlye deuysed hauynge respecte that the sentence of the hymne maye bee vnderstanded and perceyued Item because in all alterations specially in rytes and ceremonies there happeneth discord emonges the people and thervpon slaunderous wordes and â—â—â—linges wherby charitie the knot of all christian societie is losed The Quenes Maiestie beyng most desirous of all other earthly thynges that her people shoulde lyue in charitie both towardes God and man and therin abounde in good woorkes wylleth and straightly commaundeth al maner her subiectes to forbeare all vayne contencious disputacions in matters of Religion and not to vse in despite or rebuke of any person these conuitious wordes papyst or papisticall hereticke scysmaticke or sacramentary or any suche lyke wordes of reproche But yf anye maner of person shall deserue the accusation of any such that fyrste he bee charytablye admonysshed thereof And yf that shall not amende hym then to denounce the offendours to the ordinary or to some higher power hauing aucthoritie to correcte the same Item because there is a great abuse in the printers of bokes which for couetousnes cheifly regard not what they print so thei may haue gaine whereby arriseth great dysorder by publicatyon of vnfrutefull vayne and infamous bokes and papers The Quenes maiestie straytly chargethe and commaundeth that no manner of person shall print any maner of boke or paper of what sort nature or in what laÌ„guage soeuer it be excepte the same be first licenced by her maiestie by expresse wordes in writynge or by .vi. of her priuy counsel or bs perused licensed by the archbyshops of Cantorbury yorke the bishop of London the chauncelours of both vnyuersities the bishop beyng ordinary and the Archdeacon also of the place where any suche shalbe printed or by two of them wherof the ordinary of the place to be alwaies one And that the names of such as shal allows the same to be added in thende of euery such worke for a testymonye of the allowaunce therof And bycause many pampheletes playes and balletes be often times printed wherein regard wold be had that nothinge therin should be either heretical sedicious or vnsemely for Christian eares Her maiestie likewise commaundeth that no manner of person shall enterprise to print any such except the same be to him lycenced by suche her maiesties commyssioners or .iii of them as hâ— appoynted in the citye of London to here and determine diuers causes ecclesiasticall tending to the execution of certayne statutes made the last parliameÌ„t for vnyformitye of order in religion And yf any shall sell or vtter any manner of bokes or papers beynge not licensed as is abouesaid That the same party shalbe punyshed by order of the sayde commyssyoners as to the qualitie of the faulte shalbe thought mete And touchinge all other bokes of matters of religyon or polycye or gouernaunce that hathe ben printed eitheir on thisside the Seas or on thother side bicause the diuersitie of theÌ„ is great and that there nedeth good consideration to be had of the perticularyties therof her maiestye referreth the prohibition or permission therof to thorder whiche her saide commissioners within the Citie of London shall take and notifye Accordynge to the whyche her maiestye straightly commaundeth al manner her subiectes and specially the wardens and company of Stacyoners to be obedyent Prouyded that these orders do not extend to anye prophane aucthours and workes in any language that hath ben heretofore commonly receyued or allowed in any the vnyuersities or Scoles But the same may be prynted and vsed as by good order they were accustomed Item althougthe almightye god is at all tymes to be honored wyth all manner of reuerence that maye be deuysed yet all other tymes in tyme of common prayer the same is most to be regarded Therfore it is to be necessaryly receiued that in tyme of the Letanye and of all other collectes and common supplicatyons to almyghty god all manner of people shal deuoutly and humblye knele vpon their knees and gyue eare therunto And that whensoeuer the name of Iesus shalbe in anye Lesson Sermon or otherwyse in the churche pronounced That due reuereÌ„ce be made of all parsons yong and olde with lowlynes of cursey and vncouerynge of heddes of
the men kynde as therunto doth necessarylye belonge and heretofore hath ben accustomed Item that all ministers and readers of publicke prayers chapyters and homelyes shalbe charged to reade leasurly playnly and dystynctly and also such as are but meane readers shal peruse ouer before once or twyse the chapyters and homelyes to thintent they maye reade to the better vnderstanding of the people and the more encoragement to godlynes ¶ An admonition to simple men deceyued by malicious THE Quenes Maiestie beyng informed that in certeyne places of this realme sundry of her natiue subiectes beynge called to Ecclesiasticall ministerie in the Church be by sinister persuasion and peruerse construction induced to fynd some scruple in the fourm of an othe which by an Act of the last parliament is prescrybed to be required of dyuers persons for the recognition of theyr allegiaunce to her Maiestie which certeinly neither was euer mentâ—â—e by any equitie of words or good sence caÌ„ be ther of gathered Woulde that all her louynge subiectes should vnderstand that nothyng was is or shalbe ment or intended by the same othe to haue any other duetie allegiaunce or bonde required by the same othe then was acknowledged to be due to the mooste noble kynges of famous memory kyng Henry the .viii. her Maiesties father or kyng Edwarde the syxt her Maiesties brother And further her Maiestie forbyddeth all maner her subiectes to geue eare or credit to suche peruerse malitiouse persons which most sinisterly malitiously labour to notifie to her louing subiectes how by the wordes of the sayde othe it may be collected y t the kinges or Quenes of this realme possessours of the Crowne may chalenge aucthoritie and power of ministrie of diuine offices in the Churche wherein her said subiectes be much abused by such euyll disposed persons For certeinlye her Maiestie neither doth ne euer wyll challenge any other aucthoritie than that was challenged and lately vsed by the sayde noble kynges of famous memorye kyng Henry the eyght and kynge Edwarde the syxt which is and was of auncient tyme due to the Imperyall Crowne of this realme That is vnder God to haue the soueraintie rule ouer all maner persons borne within these her realmes dominions and countreys of what estate either ecclesiasticall or temporall so euer they be so as 〈◊〉 ther forraine power shal or ought to haue any superioritie ouer them And if any person that hath conceiued anye other sence of the fourme of the sayde othe shall accepte the same othe with this interpretacion sence or meanyng her maiestie is well pleased to accept euery such in that behalfe as her good and obedient subiectes shall acquite them of all maner penalties conteyned in the saide acte against such as shal peremptorily or obstinately refuse to take the same othe For the Tables in the church WHeras her Maiestie vnderstandeth that in many and sundry partes of the realme the Alters of the Churches be remoued tables placed for ministratioÌ„ of the holy sacrament accordynge to the fourme of the lawe therefore prouyded and in some other places the Alters be not yet remoued vpon opinion conceiued of some other order therin to be taken by her Maiesties visitours In thorder whereof sauynge for an vniformitie there semeth no matter of great moment so that the sacrament be duely and reuerently mynystred yet for obseruation of one vniformitie through the hole Realme for the better imitacion of the lawe in that behalfe it is ordered that no Alter be taken down but by ouersyght of the curate of the Churche and the churchwardens or one of them at the least wherin no riotous or disordred maner to be vsed and that the holy table in euery Churche be decently made and set in the place where the alter stode and there coÌ„monly couered as therto belongeth and as shalbe appoynted by the visitours and so to stande sauing when the coÌ„munion of the sacrament is to be distributed at whiche tyme the same shalbe so placed in good sorte within the Chauncell as wherby the minister may be more conueniently hearde of the communicantes in his prayer and ministration the coÌ„municantes also more conueniently in more nomber communicate with the sayde minister and after the Communion done from tyme to tyme the same holy table to be placed where it stode before Item where also it was in the tyme of kyng Edward the syxt vsed to haue the sacramentall bread of common fine bread It is ordered for the more reuerence to be geueÌ„ to these holy misteries being the sacramentes of the bodye and bloud of our sauior Iesus Chryst that the same sacramentall bread be made and formed plaine without any figures thervpon of the same finenesse fashion rounde though somwhat bygger in compasse and thickenes as the vsuall breade and wafer heretofore named syngynge cakes which serued for the vse of the priuate masse ¶ The forme of biddinge the prayers to be vsed generally in this vniforme sorte YE shall pray for Christes holy catholike church that is for the whole coÌ„gregation of christen people dyspersed throughoute the whole worlde and specially for the church of Englande and Irelande And herein I require you most specially to pray for the Quenes moste excellent maiestie our soueraigne lady Elizabeth Quene of Englande Fraunce and Irelande defendour of the faith and supreme gouernour of this realme aswell in causes ecclesyasticall as temporall you shal also pray for the ministers of gods holy word and Sacramentes aswel Archbyshops and bishoppes as other pastures and curates you shall also pray for the Quenes moste honorable counsayle and for all the nobylitie of this realme that al and euerye of these in their callynge maye serue truly and painfully to the glory of god and edifiyng of his people remembringe thaccompte that they must make Also you shall praye for the whole commons of this realme that they may liue in true faith and feare of god in humble obedyence and brotherly charytie one to thother Finally let vs prayse god for all those whych are departed out of this life in the faith of christ and pray vnto god that we maye haue grace so to direct our lyues after their good exaÌ„ple that after this lyfe we with them may be made partakers of the gloriouse resurrection in the lyfe euerlastinge ¶ And thys done shewe the holly dayes and fasting dayes ALl which and synguler Iniunctions the Quenes maiestye mynystreth vnto her clergye and to all other her louyng subiectes straytly charginge and commaundynge them to obserue and kepe the same vpon payne of depryuatyon Sequestratyon of fruites and benefyces Suspension excommunication and such other cohertion as to ordinaries or other hauinge ecclesiasticall Iurysdiction whom her maiestie hath appointed or shall apoint for the due execution of the same shalbe seen conuenient Charging and commaunding them to see these Iniunctyons obserued and kept of al personnes beynge vnder their Iurisdictyon as they wil answere to her maiestie for the contrary And her highnes pleasure is that euery Iustice of peace beyng required shall assiste the ordinaryes and euery of them for the due execution of the sayd Iniunctions ¶ Imprinted at London in Poules Church yarde by Richard lugge and Iohn Cawood prynters to the Quenes Maiestie Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis Vsurped and forraine aucthoritiâ—â— Images A sermon euery moneth workes of Fayth workes of maÌ„s deuise Quarter Sermon or Homely The pater noster Credo ten commauÌ„dementes The Byble Paraphrasis Hauntyng of Alehouses by Ecclesiasticall persons Preaâ—hers not licensed Letters of the worde Faâ—â—â—â—rs of the vsurped power A Regesteâ— Distribution of the .xl. part Exhibition for scholers The fifte parte for reparations Readinge of the Iniunctions Payments of Tithes The newe Testamente and paraphrasis Comfortable Sentences for the syck Procession to be lefte The letanye Leâ— bearinge of deuine seruice Perambulation of parishes Spendinge al the holy day Open contenders to be recoÌ„ciled openly Contemners of laudible Ceremonies The abolishement of thinges supersticioâ—â— The pulpit The Cheste for the poore The distribution of the Almes Simony Homelies to be read ConteÌ„pt of ministers Of apparell of ministers Heresies Charmes Absente froÌ„ coÌ„mon prayer Inholders alehouses Images in houses Disturbers of Sermons or seruice Rashe talkers of scripture AttendauÌ„ce to the seruice The Gramer of kyng HeÌ„ry the eyght Allowance of Scolemasters Duetie of scolemasters Sentences of scripture for scollers Vnlearned priestes The Cathechisme The boke of the afflictiâ—â—s for religion Ouerseers for seruâ—â—e on the â—â—ly dayes Inuentories of churche goods Seruice on wenesdayes frydayes Continuaunce of syngyng in the church Agaynst sclauÌ„derous and infâ—mus wordes Against heretical and sediciouse bokes Reuerence at prayers Honor to the name of Iesus Curates to reade distinctly The Sacramentall breade
or shall knowe anye manne within theyr paryshe or els where that is a letter of the worde of God to be readde in Englyshe or sincerely preached or of thexecution of these the Quenes Maiesties Iniunctions or a fawter of anye vsurped and forrayne power nowe by the lawes of this Realme iustelye reiected and taken awaye they shall detecte and present the same to the Quenes Maiestie or to her counsayle or to the Ordinarye or to the Iustyce of peace next adioynyng Also that the Parson Uycar or Curatte and paryshyoners of euery paryshe within this Realme shall in theyr Churches and Chappels kepe one booke or Regester wherein they shall wryte the daye and yeare of euerye weddynge Chrystenynge and Buryall made within the Paryshe for theyr tyme and so euerye manne succeadynge theym lykewyse and also therein shall wryte euerye persones name that shalbe so wedded chrystened and buryed And for the safe kepyng of the same booke the Paryshe shalbe bounde to prouyde of theyr common charges one suer coffer with twoo lockes and keyes wherof the one to remayne with the Parson Uicar or Curate and thother with the Wardens of euery paryshe Churche or chappell wherin the sayde booke shalbe layde vp whiche booke they shall euery Sundaye take forth and in the presens of the sayde Wardens or one of them wryte and recorde in the same al the weddynges chrystenynges and buryalles made the whole weke before And that done to lay vp the booke in the sayde coffer as afore And for euery tyme that the same shalbe omitted the partie that shalbe in the faulte thereof shall forfeit to the sayd Church .iii. s. iiii d. to be employed the one halfe to the poore mennes boxe of that Paryshe the other halfe towardes the repayre of the Churche Furthermore because the gooddes of the Churche are called the goodes of the poore and at these dayes nothynge is lesse sene then the poore to be sustayned with the same All persons Uicars Pentionaries Prebendaries and other benefyced men within this Deanrye not beynge resydente vpon theyr benefices whiche may dispend yerely twenty pound or aboue eyther within this Deanry or ells where shall dystrybute heareafter amonge theyr poore parisshioners or other inhabitauntes there in the presence of the churche wardens or some other honest men of the parishe the fortye part of the fruites and reuenues of their said benefice leaste they be worthely noted of ingratitude which reseruing so many partes to them selues cannot vouchsafe to impart the fortie portion therof emonge the poore people of that parish that is so fruitfull and porfytable vnto them 12 And to thintent that learned men may herafter spring the more for thexecucion of the premisses euerie person vycar clearke or beneficed man within this Deanry hauing yerely to dispende in benefices and other promocions of the church an hundreth poundes shall gyue iii.li.vi s. viii d. in exhibicion to one scoler in any of the vniuersities and for as many C.li. more as he may dispend to so many scholers more shall giue like exhibiciō in the vniuersitie of Oxford of Cābridge or some gramer schole which after they haue profyted in good learning maye be parteners of their patrones Cure and charge as well in preaching as otherwise in execution of their offices or may when neade shalbe other wise profite the comon weale with their counsayle and wisedome 13 Also that all proprietaries persons vicars and clearkes hauing churches chappels or māsions within this deanry shall bestowe yearely hereafter vppon the same mansions or chaunselles of their churches being in decay the fift parte of that their benefices tyll they be fullye repayred and shal alwayes kepe and maintaine in good estate 14 Also that the said persons vicars Clearkes shall once euery quarter of the yeare reade these Iniunctions giuen vnto them openly and deliberatly before al their parishioners at one time or at two seueral times in one day to thentent that both thei may be the better admonyshed of their dutie and their said parishioners the more moued to folowe the same for their parte 15 Also forasmuche as by lawes established euery man is bounde to pay his tithes no man shal by colour of duetie omitted by there curattes deteine their tithes so requite one wrong with another or be hys owne Iudge but shall truely pay y e same as he hath bene accustomed to their persons vicars and Curates withoute any restrainte or diminucion And suche lacke and defaulte as they cane Iustly finde in their persons and Curattes to call for reformacyon therof at their ordinaries other superiours who vpon complaynte and dewe proffe therof shall reforme the same accordingly 16 Also that euerye person vicar Curate and Stipendary prieste beinge vnder the degree of a maister of arte shall prouide and haue of hys owne within three monethes after this visitacion the newe testament both in latten and in Englishe with paraphrases vpon the same conferryng thone with thother And the bishops other ordynaryes by them selfes or their offycers in their synodes and visitacions shall examyne the sayde ecclesiastycal personnes howe they haue profyted in the studye of holye scrypture 17 Also that the vyce of damnable dyspayre may be clearely taken a waye and that firme beleife and Stedfast hope may be surely conceiued of al their parishioners being in any daunger they shall learne and haue alwayes in a redynes suche comfortable places sentences of Scripture as do set forth the mercye benefites and goodnes of almyghtye god towardes all penytente and beleauynge persons that they maye at all tymes when necessity shall require promptly comforte their flocke with the lyuely worde of god whiche is thonely staye of mans conscience 18 Also to avoyde all contentyon and stryfe which heretofore hath risē emong the Quenes maiestyes subiectes in sundrye places of her realmes and dominions by reason of fond Curtesy and chalengynge of places in processyon and also that they maye the more quietly heare that whiche is sayde or songe to their edifiyng they shall not from henceforth in anye paryshe Churche at any tyme vse any procession about the Churche or Churche yarde or other place but immediatly before the tyme of communion of the Sacramente the priestes wyth other of they quyre shall kneele in the myddes of the Church and syng or saye playnely and distintly the letany which is set fourth in Englysh with all the Suffrages following to thintente the people may heare and answere and none other procession or Letanye to be had or vsed but the sayde Letanye in Englishe addynge nothynge therto but as it is nowe appointed And in Cathedrall or Collegiat churches the same shalbe done in suche places and in suche sorte as our commissioners in our visitacion shall appoint and in the tyme of the letanye of the common prayer of the Sermon and when the priest readeth the scripture to the parisshioners no maner of persons