CONSTITUTIONS AND Canons Ecclesiastical TREATED UPON By the BISHOP of LONDON President of the CONVOCATION FOR THE Province of CANTERBURY AND The rest of the Bishops and Clergy of the said Province AND Agreed upon with the King's Majesty's Licence in their Synod begun at London Anno Domini 1603. And in the Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord JAMES by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland the First and of Scotland the Thirty seventh AND Now Published for the due Observation of them by His Majesty's Authority UNDER THE Great Seal of England LONDON Printed for Samuel Mearne Stationer to the King 's most Excellent Majesty and Robert Pawlet 1678. JAMES by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas our Bishops Deans of our Cathedral Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the other Clergy of every Diocess within the Province of Canterbury being summoned and called by Virtue of our Writ directed to the most Reverend Father in God John late Archbishop of Canterbury and bearing Date the 31. Day of January in the First Year of Our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the 37. to have appeared before him in our Cathedral Church of St. Paul in London the 20. Day of March then next ensuing or elsewhere as he should have thought it most convenient to treat consent and conclude upon certain difficult and urgent Affairs mentioned in the said Writ Did thereupon at the time appointed and within the Cathedral Church of St. Paul aforesaid assemble themselves and appear in Convocation for that purpose according to Our said Writ before the Right Reverend Father in God Richard Bishop of London duly upon a second Writ of Ours dated the 9. Day of March aforesaid authorized appointed and constituted by reason of the said Archbishop of Canterbury his Death President of the said Convocation to execute those things which by Virtue of Our first Writ did appertain to him the said Archbishop to have executed if he had lived We for divers urgent and weighty Causes and Considerations Us thereunto especially moving of Our especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion did by Virtue of our Prerogative Royal and Supreme Authority in Causes Ecclsieastical give and grant by Our several Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England the one dated the 12. Day of April last past and the other the 25. Day of June then next following full free and lawful Liberty Licence Power and Authority unto the said Bishop of London President of the said Convocation and to the other Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the rest of the Clergy before mentioned of the said Province That they from time to time during Our first Parliament now Prorogued might confer treat debate consider consult and agree of and upon such Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they should think necessary fit and convenient for the Honour and Service of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better Government thereof to be from time to time observed performed fulfilled and kept as well by the Archbishops of Canterbury the Bishops and their Successors and the rest of the whole Clergy of the said Province of Canterbury in their several Callings Offices Functions Ministeries Degrees and Administrations as also by all and every Dean of the Arches and other Iudge of the said Archbishop's Courts Guardians of Spiritualties Chancellors Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Commissaries Officials Registers and all and every other Ecclesiastical Officers and their inferiour Ministers whatsoever of the same Province of Canterbury in their and every of their distinct Courts and in the order and manner of their and every of their Proceedings and by all other Persons within this Realm as far as lawfully being Members of the Church it may concern them as in our said Letters Patents amongst other Clauses more at large doth appear Forasmuch as the Bishop of London President of the said Convocation and others the said Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges with the rest of the Clergy having met together at the time and place before mentioned and then and there by Virtue of Our said Authority granted unto them treated of concluded and agreed upon certain Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to the end and purpose by Us limited and prescribed unto them and have thereupon offered and presented the same unto Us most humbly desiring Us to give Our Royal Assent unto their said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions according to the Form of a certain Statute or Act of Parliament made in that behalf in the 25. Year of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth and by Our said Prerogative Royal and Supreme Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical to ratifie by Our Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England and to confirm the same the Title and Tenour of them being word for word as ensueth Constitutions and Canons ECCLESIASTICAL Treated upon by the Bishop of London President of the Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of the said Province and agreed upon with the King's Majesty's Licence in their Synod begun at London Anno Dom. 1603. And in the year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord JAMES by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland the First and of Scotland the Thirty seventh Of the Church of ENGLAND I. The King's Supremacy over the Church of England in Causes Ecclesiastical to be maintained AS our Duty to the King 's most Excellent Majesty requireth We first decree and ordain That the Archbishop of Canterbury from time to time all Bishops of this Province all Deans Archdeacons Parsons Vicars and all other Ecclesiastical Persons shall faithfully keep and observe and as much as in them lieth shall cause to be observed and kept of others all and singular Laws and Statutes made for restoring to the Crown of this Kingdom the Ancient Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiastical and abolishing of all Foreign Power repugnant to the same Furthermore all Ecclesiastical Persons having Cure of Souls and all other Preachers and Readers of Divinity Lectures shall to the uttermost of their Wit Knowledge and Learning purely and sincerely without any colour or dissimulation teach manifest open and declare four times every Year at the least in their Sermons and other Collations and Lectures That all usurped and Foreign Power forasmuch as the same hath no Establishment nor ground by the Law of God is for most just Causes taken away and abolished and that therefore no manner of Obedience or Subjection within His Majesty's Realms and Dominions is due unto any such Foreign Power but that the King's Power within His Realms of England Scotland and Ireland and all other His Dominions and Countries is the Highest Power under God to whom all men as well Inhabitants as born within the same do by
God's Laws owe most Loyalty and Obedience afore and above all other Powers and Potentates in Earth II. Impugners of the King's Supremacy censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the King's Majesty hath not the same Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical that the godly Kings had amongst the Jews and Christian Emperours of the Primitive Church or impeach any part of His Regal Supremacy in the said Causes restored to the Crown and by the Laws of this Realm therein established Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of those his wicked Errors III. The Church of England a true and Apostolical Church WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the Church of England by Law established under the King's Majesty is not a true and an Apostolical Church teaching and maintaining the Doctrine of the Apostles Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of this his wicked Errour IV. Impugners of the Publick Worship of God established in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affim That the Form of God's Worship in the Church of England established by Law and contained in the Book of Common Prayer and Administration of Sacraments is a corrupt superstitious or unlawful Worship of God or containeth any thing in it that is repugnant to the Scriptures Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but by the Bishop of the Place or Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of such his wicked Errors V. Impugners of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That any of the Nine and thirty Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergy in the Convocation holden at London in the Year of our Lord God One thousand five hundred sixty two for avoiding diversities of Opinions and for the establishing of Consent touching true Religion are in any part superstitious or erroneous or such as he may not with a good Conscience subscribe unto Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his Repentance and publick Revocation of such his wicked Errors VI. Impugners of the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England by Law established are wicked Antichristian or superstitious or such as being commanded by lawful Authority men who are zealously and godly affected may not with any good Conscience approve them use them or as occasion requireth subscribe unto them Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors VII Impugners of the Government of the Church of England by Archbishops Bishops c. censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm that the Government of the Church of England under His Majesty by Archbishops Bishops Deans Archdeacons and the rest that bear Office in the same is Antichristian or repugnant to the Word of God Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and so continue until he repent and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors VIII Impugners of the Form of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm or teach That the Form and manner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons containeth any thing in it that is repugnant to the Word of God or that they who are made Bishops Priests or Deacons in that Form are not lawfully made nor ought to be accounted either by themselves or others to be truly either Bishops Priests or Deacons until they have some other calling to those Divine Offices Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto not to be restored until he repent and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors IX Authors of Schism in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter separate themselves from the Communion of Saints as it is approved by the Apostles Rules in the Church of England and combine themselves together in a new Brother-hood accompting the Christians who are conformable to the Doctrine Government Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England to be prophane and unmeet for them to joyn with in Christian Profession Let them be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but by the Archbishop after their Repentance and Publick Revocation of such their wicked Errors X. Maintainers of Schismaticks in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That such Ministers as refuse to subscribe to the Form and manner of God's Worship in the Church of England prescribed in the Communion Book and their Adherents may truly take unto them the Name of another Church not established by Law and dare presume to publish it That this their pretended Church hath of long time groaned under the Burthen of certain Grievances imposed upon it and upon the Members thereof before mentioned by the Church of England and the Orders and Constitutions therein by Law established Let them be Excommunicated and not restored until they repent and pulickly revoke such their wicked Errors XI Maintainers of Conventicles censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm or maintain That there are within this Realm other Meetings Assemblies or Congregations of the King 's born Subjects than such as by the Laws of this Land are held and allowed which may rightly challenge to themselves the Name of True and Lawful Churches Let him be Excommunicated and not restored but by the Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of such his wicked Errors XII Maintainers of Constitutions made in Conventicles censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That it is lawful for any sort of Ministers and Lay-persons or of either of them to joyn together and make Rules Orders or Constitutions in Causes Ecclesiastical without the King's Authority and shall submit themselves to be ruled and governed by them Let them be Excommunicated ipso facto and not be restored until they repent and publickly revoke those their wicked and Anabaptistical Errors Of Divine Service and Administration of the SACRAMENTS XIII Due Celebration of Sundays and Holy-days ALL manner of Persons within the Church of England shall from henceforth celebrate and keep the Lord's Day commonly called Sunday and other Holy-days according to God's Holy Will and Pleasure and the Orders of the Church of England prescribed in that behalf that is in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publick Prayers in acknowledging their Offences to God and amendment of the same in reconciling themselves charitably to their Neighbours where displeasure hath been in oftentimes receiving the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ in visiting of the poor and Sick using all godly and sober Conversation XIV The prescript Form of Divine Service to be used on Sundays and Holy-days THE Common Prayer shall be said or sung
said Arch-Bishop Bishop or Suffragan shall for Parchment Writing Wax Sealing or any other respect thereunto appertaining take above ten shillings under such pains as are already by Law prescribed CXXXVI A Table of the Rates and Fees to be set up in Courts and Registries VVE do likewise constitute and appoint That the Registers belonging to every such Ecclesiastical Judge shall place two Tables containing the several Rates and Sums of all the said Fees one in the usual place or Consistory where the Court is kept and the other in his Registry and both of them in such sort as every man whom it concerneth may without difficulty come to the view and perusal thereof and take a Copy of them the same Tables to be so set up before the Feast of the Nativity next ensuing And if any Register shall fail to place the said Tables according to the Tenour hereof he shall be Suspended from the execution of his Office until he cause the same to be accordingly done And the said Tables being once set up if he shall at any time remove or suffer the same to be removed hidden or any way hindered from sight contrary to the true meaning of this Constitution he shall for every such offence be Suspended from the exercise of his Office for the space of six Months CXXXVII The whole Fees for shewing Letters of Orders and other Licences due but once in every Bishops time FOrasmuch as a chief and principal cause and use of Visitation is that the Bishop Arch-Deacon or other assigned to Visit may get some good knowledge of the State Sufficiency and Ability of the Clergy and other persons whom they are to Visit We think it convenient that every Parson Vicar Curate Schoolmaster or other person Licensed whosoever do at the Bishops first Visitation or at the next Visitation after his Admission shew and exhibit unto him his Letters of Orders Institution and Induction and all other his Dispensations Licences or Faculties whatsoever to be by the said Bishop either allowed or if there be just cause disallowed and rejected and being by him approved to be as the custom is signed by the Register and that the whole Fees accustomed to be paid in the Visitations in respect of the Premisses be paid only once in the whole time of every Bishop and afterwards but half of the said accustomed Fees in every other Visitation during the said Bishops continuance Apparitors CXXXVIII The Number of Apparitors restrained FOrasmuch as we are desirous to redress such abuses and aggrievances as are said to grow by Somners or Apparitors We think it meet that the multitude of Apparitors be as much as is possible abridged or restrained Wherefore we decree and ordain That no Bishop or Archdeacon or their Vicars or Officials or other inferior Ordinaries shall depute or have more Apparitors to serve in their Jurisdictions respectively then either they or their Predecessors were accustomed to have thirty years before the publishing of these our present Constitutitions All which Apparitors shall by themselves faithfully execute their Offices neither shall they by any colour or pretence whatsoever cause or suffer their Mandates to be executed by any Messengers or Substitutes unless it be upon some good cause to be first known and approved by the Ordinary of the place Moreover they shall not take upon them the Office of Promoters or Informers for the Court neither shall they exact more or greater Fees than are in these our Constitutions formerly prescribed And if either the number of the Apparitors deputed shall exceed the fore said limitation or any of the said Apparitors shall offend in any of the Premisses the Persons deputing them if they be Bishops shall upon Admonition of their Superiour discharge the Persons exceeding the number so limited If inferiour Ordinaries they shall be suspended from the execution of their Office until they have dismissed the Apparitors by them so deputed and the Parties themselves so deputed shall for ever be removed from the Office of Apparitors and if being so removed they desist not from the exercise of their said Offices let them be punished by Ecclesiastical censures as persons contumacious Provided that if upon experience the number of the said Apparitors be too great in any Diocess in the judgment of the Archbishop of Canturbury for the time being they shall by him be so abridged as he shall think meet and convenient Authority of Synods CXXXIX A National Synod the Church Representative WHosoever shall hereafter affirm that the sacred Synod of this Nation in the Name of Christ and by the KING's Authority assembled is not the true Church of England by representation let him be Excommunicated and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke that his wicked Error CXL Synods conclude as well the absent as the present WHosoever shall affirm That no manner of person either of the Clergy or Laity not being themselves particularly assembled in the said sacred Synod are to be subject to the Decrees thereof in causes Ecclesiastical made and ratified by the Kings Majesties supream Authority as not having given their voices unto them let him be Excommunicated and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke that his wicked Error CXLI Depravers of the Synod censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the sacred Synod assembled as aforesaid was a company of such persons as did conspire together against godly and religious professors of the Gospel and that therefore both they and their proceedings in making of Canons and Constitutions in causes Ecclesiastical by the Kings Authority as aforesaid ought to be despised and contemned the same being ratified confirmed and enjoyed by the said Regal Power Supremacy and Authority let them be Excommunicated and not restored until they repent and publickly revoke that their wicked Error WE of our Princely inclination and Royal care for the maintenance of the present Estate and Government of the Church of England by the Laws of this our Realm now settled and established having diligently with great contentment and comfort read and considered of all these their said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions agreed upon as is before expressed and finding the same such as We are perswaded will be very profitable not only to our Clergy but to the whole Church of this our Kingdom and to all the true members of it if they be well observed Have therefore Us our Heirs and lawful Successors of our special Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion given and by these presents do give our Royal Assent according to the form of the said Statute or Act of Parliament aforesaid to all and every of the said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions and to all and every thing in them contained as they are before written And furthermore We do not only by our said Prerogative Royal and supream Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical ratifie confirm and establish by these our Letters Patents the said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions and all and
every thing in them contained as is aforesaid but do likewise propounid publish and straightway enjoyn and command by our said Authority and by these our Letters Patents the same to be diligently observed executed and equally kept by all our loving Subjects of this our Kingdom both within the Province of Canturbury and York in all points wherein they do or may concern every or any of them according to this our Will and Pleasure hereby signified and expressed and that likewise for the better observation of them every Minister by what Name or Title soever he be called shall in the Parish Church or Chappel where he hath charge read all the said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions once every year upon some Sundays or Holy days in the afternoon before Divine Service dividing the same in such sort as that the one half may be read one day and the other another day the Book of the said Canons to be provided at the charge of the Parish betwixt this and the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God next ensuing Straightly charging and commanding all Archbishops Bishops and all other that exercise any Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction within this Realm every man in his place to see and procure so much as in them lieth all and every of the same Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to be in all points duly observed not sparing to execute the Penalties in them severally mentioned upon any that shall wittingly or wilfully break or neglect to observe the same as they tender the Honour of God the Peace of the Church the Tranquility of the Kingdom and their Duties and Service to Us their King and Sovereign In VVitness c. THE TABLE Of the Church of England 1 THE Kings Supremacy over the Church of England in Causes Ecclesiastical to be maintained Page 1 2 Impugners of the Kings Supremacy censured 2 3 The Church of England a true and Apostolical Church ib. 4 Impugners of the publick Worship of God established in the Church of England censured ib. 5 Impugners of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England censured 3 6 Impugners of the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England censured ib. 7 Impugners of the Government of the Church of England by Archbishops Bishops c. censured ib. 8 Impugners of the Form of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. in the Church of England censured ib. 9 Authors of Schism in the Church of England censured 4 10 Maintainers of Schismaticks in the Church of England censured ib. 11 Maintainers of Conâ—nticles censured ib. 12 Maintainers of Constitutions made in Conventicles censured 5 Of Divine Service and Administration of the Sacraments 13 DUe celebration of Sundays and Holy-days 5 14 The prescript Form of Divine Service to be used on Sundays and Holy-days ib. 15 The Letany to be read on Wednesdays and Fridays 6 16 Colledges to use the Prescript Form of Divine Service ib. 17 Students in Colledges to wear Surplices in time of Divine Service ib. 18 A Reverence and Attention to be used within the Church in time of Divine Service 7 19 Loyterers not to be suffered near the Church in time of Divine Service 8 20 Bread and Wine to be provided against every Communion ib. 21 The Communion to be thrice a Year received ib. 22 Warning to be given beforehand for the Communion ib. 23 Students in Colledges to receive the Communion four times a Year 9 24 Copes to be worn in Cathedral Churches by those that Administer the Communion ib. 25 Surplices and Hoods to be worn in Cathedral Churches when there is no Communion 10 26 Notorious Offenders not to be admitted to the Communion ib. 27 Schismaticks not to be admitted to the Communion ib. 28 Strangers not to be admitted to the Communion 11 29 Fathers not to be Godfathers in Baptism nor Children not Communicants ib. 30 The lawful use of the Cross in Baptism explained 12 Ministers their Ordination Function and Charge 31 FOur Solemn Times appointed for the making of Ministers 14 32 None to be made Deacon and Minister both in one Day 15 33 The Titles of such as are to be made Ministers ibid. 34 The Quality of such as are to be made Ministers 16 35 The Examination of such as are to be made Ministers ib. 36 Subscriptions required of such as are to be made Ministers 17 37 Subscription before the Diocesan 18 38 Revolters after Subscription censured ib. 39 Cautions for Institution of Ministers into Benefices ib. 40 An Oath against Simony at Institution into Benefices ib. 41 Licences for Plurality of Benefices limited and Residence enjoined 19 42 Residence of Deans in their Churches 20 43 Deans and Prebendaries to Preach during their Residence ib. 44 Prebendaries to be resident upon their Benefices 21 45 Beneficed Preachers being Resident upon their Livings to Preach every Sunday 21 46 Beneficed men not Preachers to procure monthly Sermons ib. 47 Absence of Beneficed men to be supplied by Curates that are allowed Preachers 22 48 None to be Curates but allowed by the Bishops ib. 49 Ministers not allowed Preachers may not Expound ib. 50 Strangers not admitted to Preach without shewing their Licence 23 51 Strangers not admitted to Preach in Cathedral Churches without sufficient Authority ib. 52 The Names of Strange Preachers to be noted in a Book ib 53 No Publick Opposition between Preachers ib. 54 The Licences of Preachers refusing Conformity to be void 24 55 The Form of a Prayer to be used by all Preachers before their Sermons ib. 56 Preachers and Lecturers to read Divine Service and Administer the Sacraments twice a year at the least 25 57 The Sacraments to be refused at the hands of unpreaching Ministers 26 58 Ministers reading Divine Service and administring the Sacraments to wear Surplices and Graduates therewithal Hoods ib. 59 Ministers to Catechize every Sunday 27 60 Confirmation to be performed once in three years ib. 61 Ministers to prepare Children for Confirmation 28 62 Ministers not to marry any Persons without Banns or Licence ib. 63 Ministers of Exempt Churches not to Marry without Banns or Licence 29 64 Ministers solemnly to bid Holy-day ib. 65 Ministers solemnly to denounce Recusants and Excommunicates ib. 66 Ministers to confer with Recusants 30 67 Ministers to Visit the Sick ib. 68 Ministers not to refuse to Christen or Bury 31 69 Ministers not to defer Christning if the Child be in danger ib. 70 Ministers to keep a Register of Christenings Weddings and Burials ib. 71 Ministers not to preach or administer the Communion in Private Houses 32 72 Ministers not to appoint publick or private Fasts or Prophesies or to Exercise but by Authority 33 73 Ministers not to hold private Conventicles ib. 74 Decency in Apparel enjoyned to Ministers 34 75 Sober Conversation required in Ministers 35 76 Ministers at no time to forsake their Calling ib. School-Masters 77 NOne to teach School without Licence 35 78 Curates destrous to teach to be
pray for Christ's holy Catholick Church that is for the whole Congregation of Christian People dispersed throughout the whole World and especially for the Churches of England Scotland and Ireland And herein I require you most especially to pray for the Kings most excellent Majesty our Soveraingn Lord IAMES King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Supream Governor in these his Realms and all other his Dominions and Countreys over all Persons in all Causes as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal Ye shall also pray for our gracious Queen Anne the Noble Prince HENRY and the rest of the King and Queens Royal Issue Ye shall also pray for the Ministers of Gods holy Word and Sacraments as well Archbishops and Bishops as other Pastors and Curates Ye shall also pray for the Kings most honourable Council and for all the Nobility and Magistrates of this Realm that all and every of these in their several Callings may serve truly and painfully to the glory of God and the edifying and well governing of his People remembring the Account that they must make Also ye shall pray for the whole Commons of this Realm that they may live in the true Faith and Fear of God in humble Obedience to the King and Brotherly Charity one to another Finally let us praise God for all those which are departed out of this Life in the Faith of Christ and pray unto God that we may have Grace to direct our Lives after their good Example that this life ended we may be made Partakers with them of the glorious Resurrection in the Life everlasting always concluding with the Lord's Prayer LVI Preachers and Lecturers to read Divine Service and administer the Sacraments twice a year at the least EVery Minister being possessed of a Benefice that hath Cure and Charge of Souls although he chiefly attend to Preaching and hath a Curate under him to execute the other Duties which are to be performed for him in the Church and likewise every other stipendiary Preacher that readeth any Lecture or catechiseth or preacheth in any Church or Chappel shall twice at the least every year read himself the Divine Service upon two several Sundays publickly and at the usual times both in the Fore-noon and After-noon in the Church which he so possesseth or where he Readeth Catechiseth or Preacheth as is aforesaid and shall likewise as often in every year administer the Sacraments of Baptism if there be any to be baptized and of the Lords Supper in such Manner and Form and with the Observation of all such Rites and Ceremonies as are prescribed by the Book of Common-Prayer in that behalf which if he do not accordingly perform then shall he that is possessed of a Benefice as before be suspended and he that is but a Reader Preacher or Catechiser be removed from his Place by the Bishop of the Diocess until he or they shall submit themselves to perform all the said Duties in such manner and sort as before is prescribed LVII The Sacraments not to be refused at the hands of unpreaching Ministers WHereas divers Persons seduced by false Teachers do refuse to have their Children baptized by a Minister that is no Preacher and to receive the Holy Communion at his hands in the same respect as though the Vertue of those Sacraments did depend upon his Ability to preach Forasmuch as the Doctrine both of Baptism and of the Lord's Supper is so sufficiently set down in the Book of Common-Prayer to be used at the Administration of the said Sacraments as nothing can be added unto it that is material or necessary We do require and charge every such Person seduced as aforesaid to reform that their Wilfulness and to submit himself to the Order of the Church in that behalf both the said Sacraments being equally effectual whether they be ministred by a Minister that is no Preacher or by one that is a Preacher And if any hereafter shall offend herein or leave their own Parish Churches in that respect and communicate or cause their Children to be baptized in other Parishes abroad and will not be moved thereby to reform that their Error and unlawful Course Let them be presented to the Ordinary of the place by the Minister Church-wardens and Side-men or Quest-men of the Parishes where they dwell and there receive such punishment by Ecclesiastical Censures as such Obstinacy doth worthily deserve that is Let them persisting in their wilfulness be suspended and then after a months further Obstinacy excommunicated And likewise if any Parson Vicar or Curate shall after the publishing hereof either receive to the Communion any such persons which are not of his own Church and Parish or shall baptize any of their Children thereby strengthening them in their said Errors Let him be suspended and not released thereof until he do faithfully Promise that he will not afterwards offend therein LVIII Ministers reading Divine Service and administring the Sacraments to wear Surplices and Graduates therewithal Hoods EVery Minister saying the publick Prayers or ministring the Sacraments or other Rites of the Church shall wear a decent and comely Surplice with Sleeves to be provided at the Charge of the Parish And if any question arise touching the Matter Decency or Comeliness thereof the same shall be decided by the Discretion of the Ordinary Furthermore such Ministers as are Graduates shall wear upon their Surplices at such times such Hoods as by the Orders of the Universities are agreable to their Degrees which no Minister shall wear being no Graduate under pain of Suspension Notwithstanding it shall be lawful for such Ministers as are not Graduates to wear upon their Surplices instead of Hoods some decent Tippet of black so it be not Silk LIX Ministers to catechize every Sunday EVery Parson Vicar or Curate upon every Sunday and Holy-day before Evening Prayer shall for half an hour or more examine and instruct the Youth and ignorant Persons of his Parish in the Ten Commandments the Articles of the Belief and in the Lord's Prayer and shall diligently hear instruct and teach them the Catechism set forth in the Book of Common Prayer And all Fathers Mothers Masters and Mistresses shall cause their Children Servants and Apprentices which have not learned the Catechism to come to the Church at the time appointed obediently to hear and to be ordered by the Minister until they have learned the same And if any Minister neglect his Duty herein let him be sharply reproved upon the first Complaint and true notice thereof given to the Bishop or Ordinary of the Place If after submitting himself he shall willingly offend therein again let him be suspended If so the third time there being little hope that he will be therein reformed then excommunicated and so remain until he will be reformed And likewise if any of the said Fathers Mothers Masters or Mistresses Children Servants or Apprentices shall neglect their Duties as the one sort in not causing them to come
distinctly and reverently upon such days as are appointed to be kept holy by the Book of Common-Prayer and their Eves and at convenient and usual times of those days and in such place of every Church as the Bishop of the Doicess or Ecclesiastical Ordinary of the Place shall think meet for the largeness or straitness of the same so as the People may be most edified All Ministers likewise shall observe the Orders Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer as well in reading the holy Scriptures and saying of Prayers as in Administration of the Sacraments without either diminishing in regard of preaching or in any other respect or adding any thing in the matter or form thereof XV. The Letany to be read on Wednesdays and Fridays THE Letany shall be said or sung when and as it is set down in the Book of Common-Prayer by the Parsons Vicars Ministers or Curats in all Cathedral Collegiate Parish Churches and Chapels in some convenient Place according to the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocess or Ecclesiastical Ordinary of the Place And that we may speak more particularly upon Wednesdays and Fridays weekly though they be not Holydays the Minister at the accustomed hours of Service shall resort to the Church and Chapel and warning being given to the People by tolling of a Bell shall say the Letany prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer whereunto we wish every Housholder dwelling within half a mile of the Church to come or send one at the least of his Houshold fit to joyn with the Minister in Prayers XVI Colledges to use the Prescript Form of Divine Service IN the whole Divine Service and Administration of the holy Communion in all Colledges and Halls in both Universities the Order Form and Ceremonies shall be duly observed as they are set down and prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer without any Omission or Alteration XVII Students in Colledges to wear Surplices in time of Divine Service ALL Masters and Fellows of Colledges or Halls and all the Scholars and Students in either of the Universities shall in their Churches and Chapels upon all Sundays Holydays and their Eves at the time of Divine Service wear Surplices according to the Order of the Church of England and such as are Graduats shall agreeably wear with their Surplices such Hoods as do severally appertain unto their Degrees XVIII A Reverence and Attention to be used within the Church in time of Divine Service IN the time of Divine Service and of every part thereof all due Reverence is to be used for it is according to the Apostle's Rule Let all things be done decently and according to order Answerable to which Decency and Order we judge these our Directions following No man shall cover his Head in the Church or Chapel in the time of Divine Service except he have some Infirmity in which case let him wear a Night-cap or Coif All manner of Persons then present shall reverently kneel upon their knees when the general Confession Letany and other Prayers are read and shall stand up at the saying of the Belief according to the Rules in that behalf prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer And likewise when in time of Divine Service the Lord Jesus shall be mentioned due and lowly Reverence shall be done by all Persons present as it hath been accustomed testifying by these Outward Ceremonies and Gestures their inward Humility Christian Resolution and due acknowledgement that the Lord Jesus Christ the true Eternal Son of God is the only Saviour of the World in whom alone all the Mercies Graces and Promises of God to Mankind for this Life and the Life to come are fully and wholly comprized None either Man Woman or Child of what calling soever shall be otherwise at such times busied in the Church than in quiet attendance to hear mark and understand that which is Read Preached or Ministred saying in their due places audibly with the Minister the Confession the Lord's Prayer and the Creed and making such other Answers to the Publick Prayers as are appointed in the Book of Common-Prayer Neither shall they disturb the Service or Sermon by walking or talking or any other way nor depart out of the Church during the time of Service or Sermon without some urgent or reasonable cause XIX Loyterers not to be suffered near the Church in time of Divine Service THE Church-wardens or Quest-men and their Assistants shall not suffer any idle Persons to abide either in the Church-yard or Church-porch during the time of Divine Service or Preaching but shall cause them either to come in or to depart XX. Bread and Wine to be provided against every Communion THE Church-wardens of every Parish against the time of every Communion shall at the charge of the Parish with the advice and direction of the Minister provide a sufficient quantity of fine white Bread and of good and wholesom Wine for the number of Communicants that shall from time to time receive there which Wine we require to be brought to the Communion Table in a clean and sweet standing Pot or Stoop of Pewter if not of purer Metal XXI The Communion to be thrice a-Year received IN every Parish Church and Chapel where Sacraments are to be administred within this Realm the holy Communion shall be ministred by the Parson Vicar or Minister so often and at such times as every Parishioner may Communicate at the least thrice in the Year whereof the Feast of Easter to be one according as they are appointed by the Book of Common-Prayer Provided That every Minister as oft as he administreth the Communion shall first receive that Sacrament himself Furthermore no Bread or Wine newly brought shall be used but first the Words of Institution shall be rehearsed when the said Bread and Wine be present upon the Communion Table Likewise the Minister shall deliver both the Bread and the Wine to every Communicant severally XXII Warning to be given beforehand for the Communion VVHereas every Lay Person is bound to receive the holy Communion thrice every Year and many notwithstanding do not receive that Sacrament once in a year We do require every Minister to give warning to his Parishioners publickly in the Church at Morning Prayer the Sunday before every time of his administring that holy Sacrament for their better preparation of themselves Which said warning we enjoyn the said Parishioners to accept and obey under the penalty and danger of the Law XXIII Students in Colledges to receive the Communion four times a-Year IN all Colledges and Halls within both the Universities the Masters and Fellows such especially as have any Pupils shall be careful that all their said Pupils and the rest that remain amongst them be well brought up and throughly instructed in Points of Religion and that they do diligently frequent Publick Service and Sermons and receive the holy Communion which we ordain to be administred in all such Colledges and Halls the first and second
a reverend Estimation even in the Apostle's times for ought that is known to the contrary of the Sign of the Cross which the Christians shortly after used in all their Actions thereby making an outward shew and profession even to the Astonishment of the Jews That they were not ashamed to acknowledge him for their Lord and Saviour who died for them upon the Cross. And this Sign they did not only use themselves with a kind of glory when they met with any Jews but Signed therewith their Children when they were Christened to dedicate them by that badge to his Service whose Benefits bestowed upon them in Baptism the name of the Cross did represent And this use of the Sign of the Cross in Baptism was held in the Primitive Church as well by the Greeks as the Latins with one consent and great applause At what time if any had opposed themselves against it they would certainly have been censured as Enemies of the Name of the Cross and consequently of Christ's Merits the Sign whereof they could no better endure This continual and general use of the Sign of the Cross is evident by many Testimonies of the Ancient Fathers Thirdly It must be confessed that in process of Time the Sign of the Cross was greatly abused in the Church of Rome especially after that corruption of Popery had once possessed it But the abuse of a thing doth not take away the lawful use of it Nay so far was it from the purpose of the Church of England to forsake and reject the Churches of Italy France Spain Germany or any such like Churches in all things which they held and practised that as the Apology of the Church of England confesseth it doth with reverence retain those Ceremoniâ—s which do neither endamage the Church of God nor offend the minds of sober men and only departed from them in those particular Points wherein they were fallen both from themselves in their Ancient Integrity and from the Apostolical Churches which were their first Founders In which respect amongst some other very Ancient Ceremonies the Sign of the Cross in Baptism hath been retained in this Church both by the Judgment and Practice of those reverend Fathers and great Divines in the Days of King Edward the Sixth of whom some constantly suffered for the Profession of the Truth and others being exiled in the time of Queen Mary did after their return in the beginning of the Reign of our late Dread Sovereign continually defend and use the same This Resolution and Practice of our Church hath been allowed and approved by the censure upon the Communion Book in King Edward the Sixth his Days and by the Harmony of Confessions of later Years because indeed the use of this Sign in Baptism was ever accompanied here with such sufficient Cautions and Exceptions against all Popish Superstition and Error as in the like Cases are either fit or convenient First The Church of England since the abolishing of Popery hath ever held and taught and so doth hold and teach still That the Sign of the Cross used in Baptism is no part of the Substance of that Sacrament For when the Minister dipping the Infant in Water or laying Water upon the face of it as the manner also is hath pronounced these Words I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost the Infant is fully and perfectly Baptized So as the Sign of the Cross being afterwards used doth neither add any thing to the virtue and perfection of Baptism nor being omitted doth detract any thing from the Effect and Substance of it Secondly It is apparent in the Communion-Book that the Infant Baptized is by virtue of Baptism before it be Signed with the Sign of the Cross received into the Congregation of Christ's Flock as a perfect Member thereof and not by any power ascribed unto the Sign of the Cross. So that for the very remembrance of the Cross which is very precious to all them that rightly believe in Jesu Christ and in the other respects mentioned the Church of England hath retained still the Sign of it in Baptism following therein the Primitive and Apostolical Churches and accounting it a lawful outward Ceremony and honourable Badge whereby the Infant is dedicated to the Service of him that died upon the Cross as by the Words used in the Book of Common Prayer it may appear Lastly The use of the Sign of the Cross in Baptism being thus purged from all Popish Superstition and Error and reduced in the Church of England to the primary Institution of it upon those true Rules of Doctrine concerning things indifferent which are consonant to the Word of God and the Judgments of all the Ancient Fathers we hold it the part of every private man both Minister and other reverently to retain the true use of it prescribed by Publick Authority considering that things of themselves indifferent do in some sort alter their Natures when they are either commanded or forbidden by a lawful Magistrate and may not be omitted at every man's pleasure contrary to the Law when they be commanded nor used when they are prohibited Ministers their Ordination Function and Charge XXXI Four Solemn Times appointed for the making of Ministers FOrasmuch as the Ancient Fathers of the Church led by Example of the Apostles appointed Prayers and Fasts to be used at the Solemn ordering of Ministers and to that purpose allotted certain times in which only Sacred Orders might be given or conferred We following their holy and religious Example do constitute and decree That no Deacons or Ministers be made and ordained but only upon the Sundays immediately following Jejunia quatuor temporum commonly called Ember-weeks appointed in Ancient time for Prayer and Fasting purposely for this cause at their first Institution and so continued at this Day in the Church of England And that this be done in the Cathedral or parish-Parish-Church where the Bishop resideth and in the time of Divine Service in the presence not only of the Arch-deacon but of the Dean and two Prebendaries at the least or if they shall happen by any lawful cause to be lett or hindred in the presence of four other grave Persons being Masters of Arts at the least and allowed for Publick Preachers XXXII None to be made Deacon and Minister both in one Day THE Office of Deacon being a step or degree to the Ministery according to the Judgment of the Ancient Fathers and the Practice of the Primitive Church We do ordain and appoint That hereafter no Bishop shall make any Person of what qualities or gifts soever a Deacon and a Minister both together upon one day but that the order in that behalf prescribed in the Book of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons be strictly observed Not that always every Deacon should be kept from the Ministery for a whole Year when the Bishop shall find good cause to the contrary but that there being
be thereunto admitted unless he first consent and subscribe to the three Articles before mentioned in the presence of the Bishop of the Diocess wherein he is to Preach Read Lecture Catechise or Administer the Sacraments as aforesaid XXXVIII Revolters after Subscription censured IF any Minister after he hath once subscribed to the said three Articles shall omit to use the Form of Prayer or any of the Orders or Ceremonies prescribed in the Communion-Book let him be suspended and if after a Month he do not reform and submit himself let him be excommunicated and then if he shall not submit himself within the space of another Month let him be deposed from the Ministery XXXIX Cautions for Institution of Ministers into Benefices NO Bishop shall institute any to a Benefice who hath been Ordained by any other Bishop except he first shew unto him his Letters of Orders and bring him a sufficient Testimony of his former good Life and Behaviour if the Bishop shall require it and lastly shall appear upon due Examination to be worthy of his Ministery XL. An Oath against Simony at Institution into Benefices TO avoid the detestable sin of Simony because buying and selling of Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Functions Offices Promotions Dignities and Livings is execrable before God therefore the Arch-Bishop and all and every Bishop or Bishops or any other Person or Persons having Authority to Admit Institute Collate Install or to Confirm the Election of any Archbishop Bishop or other Person or Persons to any Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Function Dignity Promotion Title Office Jurisdiction Place or Benefice with Cure or without Cure or to any Ecclesiastical Living whatsoever shall before every such Admission Institution Collation Installation or Confirmation of Election respectively minister to every Person hereafter to be Admitted Instituted Collated Installed or Confirmed in or to any Archbishoprick Bishoprick or other Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Function Dignity Promotion Title Jurisdiction Place or Benefice with Cure or without Cure or in or to any Ecclesiastical Living whatsoever this Oath in Manner and Form following the same to be taken by every one whom it concerneth in his own Person and not by a Proctor IN. N. do swear That I have made no Simoniacal Payment Contract or Promise directly or indirectly by my self or by any other to my Knowledge or with my Consent to any Person or Persons whatsoever for or concerning the Procuring and Obtaining of this Ecclesiastical Dignity Place Preferment Office or Living respectively and particularly naming the same whereunto he is to be Admitted Instituted Collated Installed or Confirmed nor will at any time hereafter perform or satisfie any such kind of Payment Contract or Promise made by any other without my knowledge or consent So help me God through Jesus Christ. XLI Licences for Plurality of Benefices limited and Residence enjoined NO Licence or Dispensation for the keeping of more Benfices with Cure than one shall be granted to any but such only as shall be thought very well worthy for his Learning and very well able and sufficient to discharge his Duty that is who shall have taken the Degrce of a Master of Arts at the least in one of the Universities of this Realm and be a publick and sufficient Preacher Licensed Provided always That he be by a good and sufficient Caution bound to make his personal Residence in each his said Benefices for some reasonable time in every year And that the said Benefices be not more than thirty miles distant asunder and lastly that he have under him in the Benefice where he doth not reside a Preacher lawfully allowed that is able sufficiently to teach and instruct the People XLII Residence of Deans in their Churches EVery Dean Master or Warden or chief Governour of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church shall be resident in his said Cathedral or Collegiate Church fourscore and ten days Conjunction or Divisim in every Year at the least and then shall continue there in Preaching the Word of God and keeping good Hospitality except he shall be otherwise let with weighty and urgent Causes to be approved by the Bishop of the Diocess or in any other lawful sort dispensed with And when he is is present He with the rest of the Canons or Prebendaries resident shall take special Care that the Statutes and laudable Customs of their Church not being contrary to the Word of God or Prerogative Royal The Statutes of this Realm being in force concerning Ecclesiastical Order and all other Constitutions now set forth and confirmed by his Majesty's Authority and such as shall be lawfully enjoyned by the Bishop of the Diocess in his Visitation according to the Statutes and Customs of the same Church or the Ecclesiastical Laws of this Realm be diligently observed and that the petty Canons Vicars choral and other Ministers of their Church be urged to the Study of the Holy Scriptures and every one of them to have the New Testament not only in English but also in Latin XLIII Deans and Prebendaries to Preach during their Residence THE Dean Master Warden or chief Governour Prebendaries and Canons in every Cathedral and Collegiate Church shall not only Preach there in their own Persons so often as they are bound by Law Statute Ordinance or Custom but shall likewise Preach in other Churches of the same Diocess where they are Resident and especially in those Places whence they or their Church receive any yearly Rents or Profits And in case they themselves be sick or lawfully absent they shall substitute such licensed Preachers to supply their turns as by the Bishop of the Diocess shall be thought meet to Preach in Cathedral Churches And if any otherwise neglect or omit to supply his Course as is aforesaid the Offender shall be punished by the Bishop or by him or them to whom the Jurisdiction of that Church appertaineth according to the Quality of the Offence XLIV Prebendaries to be resident upon their Benefices NO Prebendaries nor Canons in Cathedral or Collegiate Churches having one or more Benefices with Cure and not being Residentiaries in the same Cathedral or Collegiate Churches shall under colour of their said Prebends absent themselves from their Benefices with Cure above the space of one Month in the Year unless it be for some urgent Cause and certain time to be allowed by the Bishop of the Diocess And such of the said Canons and Prebendaries as by the Ordinances of the Cathedral or Collegiate Churches do stand bound to be Resident in the same shall so among themselves sort and proportion the times of the Year concerning Residence to be kept in the said Churches as that some of them always shall be personally Resident there and that all those who be or shall be Residentiaries in any Cathedral or Collegiate Church shall after the days of their Residency appointed by their local Statutes or Customs expired presently repair to their Benefices or some one of them or to some other charge where the
Church and Chappel where Baptism is to be ministred the same to be set in the Ancient usual places In which only Font the Minister shall baptize publickly LXXXII A decent Communion Table in every Church VVHereas we have no doubt but that in all Churches within the Realm of England convenient and decent Tables are provided and placed for the celebration of the holy Communion we appoint that the same Tables shall from time to time be kept and repaired in sufficient and seemly manner and covered in time of Divine Service with a Carpet of Silk or other decent stuff thought meet by the Ordinary of the place if any question be made of it and with a fair Linen cloth at the time of the ministration as becometh that Table and so stand saving when the said holy Communion is to be administred At which time the same shall be placed in so good sort within the Church or Chancel as thereby the Minister may be more conveniently heard of the Communicants in his Prayer and Ministration and the Communicants also more conveniently and in more number may Communicate with the said Minister and that the Ten Commandments be set upon the East-end of every Church and Chappel where the people may best see and read the same and other chosen Sentences written upon the walls of the said Churches and Chappels in places convenient and likewise that a convenient Seat be made for the Minister to read Service in All these to be done at the charge of the Parish LXXXIII A Pulpit to be provided in every Church THE Church-wardens or Quest-men at the common charge of the Parishioners in every Church shall provide a comely and decent Pulpit to bo set in a convenient place within the same by the discretion of the Ordinary of the place if any question do arise and to be there seemly kept for the Preaching of Gods word LXXXIV A Chest for Alms in every Church THE Church-wardens shall provide and have within three months after the publishing of these Constitutions a strong Chest with a hole in the upper part thereof to be provided at the charge of the Parish if there be none such already provided having three Keys of which one shall remain in the custody of the Parson Vicar or Curate and the other two in the custody of the Church-wardens for the time being which Chest they shall set and fasten in the most convenient place to the intent the Parishioners may put into it their Alms for their poor Neighbours And the Parson Vicar or Curate shall diligently from time to time and especially when men make their Testaments call upon exhort and move their Neighbours to confer and give as they may well spare to the said Chest declaring unto them That whereas heretofore they have been diligent to bestow much substance otherwise then God commanded upon superstitious uses now they ought at this time to be much more ready to help the poor and needy knowing that to relieve the poor is a sacrifice which pleaseth God And that also whatsoever is given for their comfort is given to Christ himself and is so accepted of him that he will mercifully reward the same The which Alms and Devotion of the people the keepers of the Keys shall yearly quarterly or oftner as need requireth take out of the Chest and distribute the same in the presence of most of the Parish or six of the chief of them to be truly and faithfully delivered to their most poor and needy neighbours LXXXV Churches to be kept in sufficient reparations THe Churchwardens or Questmen shall take care and provide that the Churches be well and sufficiently repair'd and so from time to time kept and maintained that the Windows be well glazed and that the Floors be kept paved plain and even all things there in such an orderly and decent sort without dust or any thing that may be either noysome or unseemly as best becometh the House of God and is prescribed in an Homily to that effect The like care they shall take that the Church-yards be well and sufficiently repaired fenced and maintained with Walls Rails or Pales as have been in each place accustomed at their charges unto whom by Law the same appertaineth but especially they shall see that in every meeting of the Congregation peace be well kept and that all persons Excommunicated and so denounced be kept out of the Church LXXXVI Churches to be surveyed and the decays certified to the High Commissioners EVery Dean Dean and Chapter Archdeacon and others which have Authority to hold Ecclesiastical Visitations by Composition Law or Prescription shall survey the Churches of his or their Jurisdiction once in every three years in his own person or cause the same to be done and shall from time to time within the said three years certifie the High Commissioners for causes Ecclesiastical every year of such defects in any the said Churches as he or they do find to remain unrepaired and the names and sirnames of the parties faulty therein Upon which Certificate we desire that the said High Commissioners will ex officio mero send for such parties and compel them to obey the just and lawful Decrees of such Ecclesiastical Ordinaries making such Certificates LXXXVII A Terrier of Glebe-lands and other Possessions belonging to Churches WE Ordain That the Archbishops and all Bishops within their several Diocesses shall procure as much as in them lieth that a true Note and Terrier of all the Glebes Lands Medows Gardens Orchards Houses Stocks Implements Tenements and portions of Tythes lying out of their Parishes which belong to any Parsonage or Vicarage or rural Prebend be taken by the view of honest men in every Parish by the appointment of the Bishop whereof the Minister to be one and be laid up in the Bishops Registry there to be for a perpetual memory thereof LXXXVIII Churches not to be Prophaned THe Church-wardens or Quest-men and their Assistants shall suffer no Plays Feasts Banquets Suppers Church-ales Drinkings temporal Courts or Lets Lay-jurys Musters or any other prophane usage to be kept in the Church Chappel or Church-yard neither the Bells to be rung superstitiously upon Holy-days or Eves abrogated by the Book of Common Prayer not at any other times without good cause to be allowed by the Minister of the place and by themselves Church-wardens or Quest-men and Side-men or Assistants LXXXIX The choice of Church-wardens and their accompt ALL Church-wardens or Quest-men in every Parish shall be chosen by the joynt consent of the Minister and the Parishioners if it may be But if they cannot agree upon such a choice then the Minister shall chuse one and the Parishioners another and without such a joynt or several choice none shall take upon them to be Church-wardens neither shall they continue any longer then one year in that Office except perhaps they be chosen again in like manner And all Church-wardens at the end of their year or within a month after
at the most shall before the Minister and the Parishioners give up a just account of such Money as they have received and also what particularly they have bestowed in Reparations and otherwise for the use of the Church And last of all going out of their Office they shall truly deliver up to the Parishioners whatsoever Money or other things of right belonging to the Church or Parish which remaineth in their hands that it may be delivered over by them to the next Church-wardens by Bill indented XC The choice of Sidemen and their joynt Office with Church wardens THE Church-wardens or Quest-men of every Parish and two or three or more discreet persons in every Parish to be chosen for Sidemen or Assistants by the Minister and Parishioners if they can agree otherwise to be appointed by the Ordinary of the Diocess shall diligently see that all the Parishoners duly resort to the Church upon all Sundays and Holydays and there continue the whole time of Divine Service and none to walk or to stand idle or taking in the Church or in the Church-yard or the Church-porch during that time And all such as shall be found slack or negligent in resorting to the Church having no great or urgent cause of absence they shall earnestly call upon them and after due monition if they amend not they shall present them to the Ordinary of the place The choice of which persons viz. Church-wardens or Quest-men Side-men or Assistants shall be yearly made in Easter-week Parish Clerks XCI Parish Clerks to be chosen by the Minister NO Parish Clerk upon any vacation shall be chosen within the City of London or elsewhere within the Province of Canterbury but by the Parson or Vicar or where there is no Parson or Vicar by the Minister of that place for the time being Which choice shall be signified by the said Minister Vicar or Parson to the Parishioners the next Sunday following in the time of Divine Service And the said Clerk shall be of twenty years of age at the least and known to the said Parson Vicar or Minister to be of honest conversation and sufficient for his Reading Writing and also for his competent skill in Singing if it may be And the said Clerks so chosen shall have and receive their ancient Wages without fraud or diminution either at the hands of the Church-wardens at such times as hath been accustomed or by their own collection according to the most ancient custom of every Parish Ecclesiastical Courts belonging to the Archbishops Jurisdiction XCII None to be cited into divers Courts for probate of the same Will FOrasmuch as many heretofore have been by Aparitors both of inferiour Courts and of the Courts of the Archbishops prerogatives much distracted and diversly called and summoned for probate of Wills or to take Administrations of the goods of persons dying Intestate and are thereby vexed and grieved with many causeless and unnecessary troubles molestations and expences we constitute and appoint That all Chancellors Commissaries or Officials or any other exercising Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction whatsoever shall at the first charge with an Oath all persons called or voluntarily appearing before them for the probate of any Will or the Administration of any Goods whether they know or moved by any special inducement do firmly believe that the party deceased whose Testaments or Goods depend now in question had at the time of his or her death any Goods or good Debts in any other Diocess or Diocesses or peculiar Jurisdiction within that Province then in that wherein the said party died amounting to the value of five pounds And if the said person cited or voluntarily appearing before him shall upon his Oath affirm That he knoweth or as aforesaid firmly believeth that the said party deceased had Goods or good Debts in any other Diocess or Diocesses or peculiar Jurisdiction within the said Province to the value aforesaid and particularly specifie and declare the same then shall he presently dismiss him not presuming to intermeddle with the probate of the said Will or to grant Administration of the Goods of the party so dying Intestate neither shall he require or exact any other charges of the said parties more then such only as are due for the Citation and other Precess had and used against the said parties upon their further contumacy but shall openly and plainly declare and profess That the said cause belongeth to the Prerogative of the Archbishop of that Province willing and admonishing the party to prove the said Will or require Administration of the said Goods in the Court of the said Prerogative and to exhibite before him the said Judge the probate or Administration under the Seal of the prerogative within fourty days next following And if any Chancellor Commissary Official or other exercising Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction whatsoever or any their Register shall offend herein let him be ipso facto suspended from the execution of his Office not to be absolved or released until he have restored to the party all expences by him laid out contrary to the tenour of the Premisses and every such probate of any Testament or Administration of Goods so granted shall be held void and frustrate to all effects of the Law whatsoever Furthermore we charge and enjoyn that the Register of every inferiour Judge do without all difficulty or delay certify and inform the Apparitor of the Prerogative Court repairing unto him once a Month and no oftner what Executors or Administrators have been by his said Judge for the Incompetency of his own Jurisdiction dismissed to the said Prerogative Court within the Month next before under pain of a Months Suspension from the exercise of his Office for every default therein Provided that this Canon or any thing therein contained be not prejudicial to any Composition between the Archbishop and any Bishop or other Ordinary nor to any inferiour Judge that shall grant any Probate of Testament of Administration of Goods to any Party that shall voluntarily desire it both out of the said inferiour Court and also out of the Prerogative Provided likewise that if any Man dye in itinere the Goods that he hath about him at that present shall not cause his Testament or Administration to be liable unto the Prerogative Court XCIII The rate of Bona notabilia liable to the Prerogative Court FUrthermore we decree and ordain That no Judge of the Archbishops Prerogative shall henceforward Cite or cause to be Cited ex officio any Person whatsoever to any of the aforesaid Intents unless he have knowledge that the Party deceased was at the time of his death possessed of Goods and Chattels in some other Diocess or Diocesses or peculiar Jurisdiction within that Province than in that wherein he died amounting to the value of five Pounds at the least decreeing and declaring that whoso hath not Goods in divers Diocesses to the said sum or value shall not be accounted to have bona notabilia Always provided that this Clause