Archdeacon but of the Deane and two Prebendaries at the least or if they shall happen by any lawful cause to be let or hindered in the presence of foure other graue persons being masters of Arts at the least and allowed for publike Preachers XXXII None to bee made Deacon and Minister both in one day THe Office of a Deacon being a step or degree to the Ministery according to the iudgment of the ancient Fathers and the practise of the Primitiue Church We doe ordaine and appoint that hereafter no Bishop shall make any person of what qualities or gifts soeuer a Deacon and a Minister both together vpon one day but that the order in that behalfe prescribed in the Booke of making and consecrating Bishops Priestes and Deacons be strictly obserued Not that alwayes euery Deacon should be kept from the Ministerie for a whole yeere when the Bishop shall find good cause to the contrary but that there being now foure times appointed in euery yeere for the ordination of Deacons and Ministers there may euer be some time of trial of their behauiour in the office of Deacon before they bee admitted to the Order of Priesthood XXXIII The Titles of such as are to be made Ministers IT hath beene long since prouided by many decrees of the ancient Fathers that none should be admitted either Deacon or Priest who had not first some certain place where he might vse his Function According to which examples we doe ordaine that henceforth no person shall be admitted into sacred Orders except he shall at that time exhibite to the Bishop of whome hee desireth Imposition of hands a presentation of himselfe to some Ecclesiasticall preferment then voyd in that Diocesse or shal bring to the said Bishop a true vndoubted Certificate that either he is prouided of some Church within the said Diocesse where he may attend the Cure of soules or of some Ministers place vacant either in the Cathedral Church of that Diocesse or in some other Collegiat Church therein also scituate where he may execute his Ministerie or that he is a Fellow or in right as a Fellow or to bee a Conduct or Chapleine in some Colledge in Cambridge or Oxford or except he be a Master of Arts of fiue yeeres standing that liueth of his owne charge in either of the Vniuersities or except by the Bishop himselfe that doth ordaine him Minister he be shortly after to be admitted either to some Benefice or Curateship then voyd And if any Bishop shall admit any person into the Ministery that hath none of these Titles as is aforesaid then he shal keepe and maintaine him with all things necessary till he doe preferre him to some Ecclesiastical liuing And if the said Bishop shall refuse so to doe hee shall bee suspended by the Archbishop being assisted with another Bishop from giuing of Orders by the space of a yeere XXXIIII The qualitie of such as are to bee made Ministers NO Bishop shall hencefoorth admit any person into sacred Orders which is not of his owne Diocesse except he be either of one of the Vniuersities of this Realme or except hee shall bring letters Dimissory so tearmed from the Bishop of whose Diocesse he is and desiring to be a Deacon is three and twentie yeeres olde and to bee a Priest foure and twenty yeeres complete and hath taken some degree of Schoole in either of the saide Vniuersities or at the least except hee be able to yeeld an accompt of his Faith in Latine according to the Articles of Religion approoued in the Synode of the Bishops and Cleargie of this Realme 1562 and to confirme the same by sufficient testimonies out of the holy Scriptures and except moreouer he shall then exhibite letters Testimoniall of his good life and conuersation vnder the Seale of some College in Cambridge or Oxford where before he remained or of three or foure graue Ministers together with the subscription and testimonie of other credible persons who haue knowen his life and behauiour by the space of three yeeres next before XXXV The examination of such as are to bee made Ministers THe Bishop before hee admit any person to holy Orders shall diligently examine him in the presence of those Ministers that shal assist him at the Imposition of hands And if the said Bishop haue any lawfull impediment he shall cause the said Ministers carefully to examine euery such person so to bee ordered Prouided that they who shall assist the Bishop in examining and laying on of handes shall bee of his Cathedrall Church if they may conueniently bee had or other sufficient Preachers of the same Diocesse to the number of three at the least And if any bishop or Suffragan shal admit any to sacred Orders who is not so qualified examined as before we haue ordeined the Archbishop of this prouince hauing notice thereof being assisted therein by one Bishop shall suspend the said Bishop or Suffragan so offending from making either Deacons or Priests for the space of two yeeres XXXVI Subscription required of such as are to bee made Ministers NO person shall hereafter be receiued into the Ministery nor either by Institution or Collation admitted to any Ecclesiastical liuing nor suffered to Preach to Catechize or to be a Lecturer or Reader of Diuinitie in either Vniuersity or in any Cathedrall or Collegiat Church City or market Towne parish Church Chappel or in any other place within this Realme except hee be licensed either by the Archbishop or by the Bishop of the Diocesse where he is to be placed vnder their handes and seales or by one of the two Vniuersities vnder their seale likewise and except he shall first subscribe to these three Articles following in such maner and sort as wee haue here appointed 1 That the Kings Maiestie vnder God is the onely supreme Gouernour of this Realme and of all other his Highnesse Dominions and Countreys aswell in all Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall things or causes as Temporall and that no forraine Prince person prelate State or potentate hath or ought to haue any Iurisdiction power superioritie preheminence or authoritie Ecclesiasticall or Spirituall within his Maiesties said Realmes Dominions and Countreys 2 That the Booke of Common prayer and of ordering of Bishops priests and deacons containeth in it nothing contrary to the word of God and that it may lawfully so be vsed and that he himselfe will vse the forme in the said Booke prescribed in publike prayer and administration of the Sacraments and none other 3 That he alloweth the booke of Articles of Religion agreed vpon oy the Archbishops and Bishops of both Prouinces and the whole Cleargie in the Conuocation holden at London in the yeere of our Lord God one thousand fiue hundred sixtie and two and that he acknowledgeth all euery the Articles therein contained being in number nine and thirty besides the ratification to be agreeable to the word of God To these three Articles whosoeuer will subscribe he shal for
for not presenting oftner then twice a yeere The olde Churchwardens to make their presentments before the new be sworne Conuenient time to bee assigned for framing Presentments None to bee Cited into Ecclesiasticall Courts by Processe of Quorum nomina None to be cited into seueral Courts for one crime No sentence of Depriuation or Deposition to bee pronounced against a Minister but by the Bishop No Acte to be sped but in open Court No Court to haue more then one Seale Conuenient places to bee chosen for the keeping of Courts Peculier and inferior Courts to exhibite the originall copies of Wills into the Bishops Registry ¶ Iudges of Ecclesiasticall Courts THe Qualitie and oath of Iudges The Qualitie of Surrogats ¶ Proctors PRoctors not to retaine Causes without the lawfull assignement of the parties Proctors not to retaine Causes without the counsell of an Aduocate Proctors not to conclude in any Cause without the knowledge of an Aduocate Proctors prohibited the oath In animam Domini sui Proctors not to be clamorous in Court ¶ Registers A Buses to be reformed in Registers A certaine rate of Fees due to all Ecclesiasticall Officers A Table of the rates of Fees to be set vp in Courts and Registries The whole Fees for shewing Letters of Orders and other Licences due but once in euery Bishops time ¶ Apparitors THE number of Apparitors restrained ¶ Authoritie of Synods A Nationall Synode the Church representatiue Synods conclude aswell the absent as the present Deprauers of the Synode censured IAMES 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 Deanes of our Cathedrall Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colleges the other Cleargie of euery Diocesse within the Prouince of Canterbury being summoned called by vertue of our Writ directed to the most reuerend father in God IOHN late Archbishop of Canterbury and bearing date the 31. day of Ianuary in the first yeere of our Raigne of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the 37. to haue appeared before him in our Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul in London the 20. day of March then next ensuing or elsewhere as he should haue thought it most conuenient to treat consent and conclude vpon certaine difficult and vrgent affaires mentioned in the said Writte Did thereupon at the time appointed and within the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul aforesaid assemble themselues and appeare in Conuocation for that purpose according to our said Writte before the Right reuerend Father in God Richard Bishop of London duely vpon a second Writte of Ours dated the 9. day of March aforesaid authorized appointed and constituted by reason of the saide Archbishop of Canterbury his death President of the said Conuocation to execute those things which by vertue of our first Writ did appertaine to him the said Archbishop to haue executed if he had liued Wee for diuers vrgent and weighty causes and considerations vs thereunto especially mouing of our especial grace certaine knowledge and meere motion did by vertue of our Prerogatiue royal and supreme Authoritie in causes Ecclesiastical giue and grant by our seuerall Letters Patents vnder our great Seale of England the one dated the 12. day of April last past and the other the 25. day of Iune then next following full free and lawfull libertie licence power and Authoritie vnto the said Bishop of London President of the said Conuocation and to the other Bishops Deanes Archdeacons Chapters and Colleges and the rest of the Cleargie before mentioned of the said Prouince That they from time to time during our first Parliament now prorogued might conferre treate debate consider consult and agree of and vpon such Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they should thinke necessary fit conuenient for the honour and seruice of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better gouernement thereof to be from time to time obserued perfourmed fulfilled and kept aswel by the Archbishops of Canterbury the Bishops their Successours and the rest of the whole Clergie of the sayd Prouince of Canterbury in their several Callings Offices Functions Ministeries Degrees and administrations as also by all and euery Deane of the Arches and other Iudge of the sayd Archbishops Courts Gardians of Spiritualties Chancellors Deanes and Chapters Archdeacons Commissaries Officials Registers and all and euery other Ecclesiasticall Officers and their inferiour Ministers whatsoeuer of the same Prouince of Canterburie in their and euery of their distinct Courts and in the order and maner of their and euery of their proceedings and by all other persons mthin this Realme as farre as lawfully being members of the Church it may concerne them as in our sayd Letters Patents amongst other clauses more at large doth appeare Forasmuch as the sayd Bishop of London President of the sayd Conuocation and others the sayd Bishops Deanes Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges with the rest of the Clergie hauing met together at the time and place before mentioned and then and there by vertue of our said authority granted vnto them treated of concluded and agreed vpon certaine Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to the end and purpose by Vs limited and prescribed vnto them and haue thereupon offred and presented the same vnto Vs most humbly desiring Vs to giue our Royal assent vnto their sayd Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions according to the forme of a certaine Statute or Acte of Parliament made in that behalfe in the xxv yeere of the Reigne of King Henry the eight and by our sayd Prerogatiue Royall and supreme Authority in causes Ecclesiasticall to ratifie by our Letters Patents vnder our great Seale of England and to confirme the same the title and tenour of them being word for word as ensueth Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiasticall treated vpon by the Bishop of London President of the Conuocation for the Prouince of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops and Cleargie of the said Prouince and agreed vpon with the Kings Maiesties licence in their Synode begun at London An. Dom. 1603 And in the yeere of the raigne of our Soueraigne Lord Iames by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland the first and of Scotland the 37. ⧠Of the Church of England I. The Kings supremacie ouer the Church of England in causes Ecclesiasticall to be maintained AS our duety to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie requireth wee first decree and ordaine That the Archbishop of Canterbury from time to time all Bishops of this prouince all Deanes Archdeacons Parsons Vicars and all other Ecclesiasticall persons shall faithfully keepe and obserue and as much as in them lieth shall cause to bee obserued and kept of others all and singuler Lawes and statutes made for restoring to the Crowne of this kingdome the ancient Iurisdiction ouer the state Ecclesiastical and abolishing of all forren power-repugnant to the same Furthermore al Ecclesiastical
Of diuine Seruice and administration of the Sacraments XIII Due celebration of Sundayes and Holy dayes ALl maner of persons within the Church of England shall from henceforth celebrate and keepe the Lords day commonly called Sunday and other Holy dayes according to Gods holy will and pleasure and the Orders of the Church of England prescribed in that behalfe that is in hearing the word of God read and taught in priuate and publike prayers in acknowledging their offences to God and amendement of the same in reconciling themselues charitably to their neighbours where displeasure hath bene in oftentimes receiuing the Communion of the body blood of Christ in visiting of the poore and sicke vsing all godly and sober conuersation XIIII The prescript forme of Diuine Seruice to bee vsed on Sundayes and Holy dayes THe Common prayer shal be said or sung distinctly and reuerently vpon such daies as are appointed to be kept holy by the Booke of Common prayer and their Eeues and at conuenient and vsuall times of those daies and in such place of euery Church as the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ecclesiasticall Ordinary of the place shall thinke meete for the largenesse or straitnesse of the same so as the people may bee most edified All Ministers likewise shall obserue the Orders Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the Booke of Common prayer aswell 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 forme thereof XV. The Letanie to bee read on Wednesdayes and Fridayes THe Letany shal be said or sung when and as it is set downe in the Booke of Common prayer by the Parsons Vicars Ministers or Curats in all Cathedrall Collegiat Parish Churches and Chappels in some conuenient place according to the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ecclesiasticall Ordinarie of the place And that wee may speake more particularly vpon Wednesdayes and Fridayes weekely though they bee not Holy dayes the Minister at the accustomed houres of Seruice shall resort to the Church and Chappel and warning being giuen to the people by tolling of a Bell shall say the Letanie prescribed in the Booke of Common prayer whereunto wee wish euery Housholder dwelling within halfe a mile of the Church to come or send one at the least of his Houshold fit to ioyne with the Minister in prayers XVI Colledges to vse the prescript forme of Diuine Seruice IN the whole Diuine Seruice and Administration of the holy Communion in all Colledges and Halles in both Vniuersities the Order Forme and Ceremonies shall be duely obserued as they are set downe and prescribed in the booke of Common prayer without any omission or alteration XVII Students in Colledges to weare Surplisses in time of Diuine Seruice ALl Masters and Fellowes of Colledges or Halles and al the Schollers and Students in either of the Vniuersities shall in their Churches and Chappels vpon all Sundayes Holy dayes and their Eues at the time of Diuine Seruice weare Surplisses according to the order of the Church of England and such as are Graduats shall agreeably were with their Surplisses such Hoods as doe seuerally appertaine to their Degrees XVIII A reuerence and attention to bee vsed within the Church in time of Diuine Seruice IN the time of Diuine Seruice and of euery part thereof all due reuerence is to be vsed For it is according to the Apostles Rule Let all things bee done decently and according to Order Answerable to which Decencie and Order We iudge these our directions following No man shall couer his head in the Church or Chappel in the time of Diuine Seruice except he haue some infirmitie In which case let him weare a Nightcap or Coife All maner of persons then present shall reuerently kneele vpon their knees when the Generall Confession Letanie and other Prayers are read and shall stand vp at the saying of the Beleefe according to the Rules in that behalfe prescribed in the Booke of Common Prayer And likewise when in time of Diuine Seruice the Lord IESVS shal be mentioned due and lowly reuerence shall bee done by all persons present as it hath bene accustomed testifying by these outward Ceremonies and gestures their inward humilitie Christian resolution and due acknowledgement that the Lord Iesus Christ the true and eternal Sonne of God is the onely Sauiour of the world in whom alone all the Mercies Graces and Promises of God to mankinde for this life and the life to come are fully and wholly comprised None either man woman or childe of what calling soeuer shall be otherwise at such times busied in the Church then in quiet attendance to heare marke and vnderstand that which is read preached or ministred Saying in their due places audibly with the Minister the Confession the Lords Prayer and the Creed and making such other answeres to the publique Prayers as are appointed in the Booke of Common prayer neither shall they disturbe the Seruice or Sermon by walking or Talking or any other way nor depart out of the Church during the time of Seruice and Sermon without some vrgent or reasonable cause XIX Loyterers not to bee suffered neere the Church in time of Diuine Seruice THe Churchwardens or Questmen and their assistants shall not suffer any idle persons to abide either in the Churchyard or Church porch during the time of Diuine Seruice or preaching but shall cause them either to come in or to depart XX. Bread and Wine to be prouided against euery Communion THe Churchwardens of euery Parish against the time of euery Communion shal at the charge of the Parish with the aduice and direction of the Minister prouide a sufficient quantitie of fine white Bread and of good and wholesome Wine for the number of Communicants that shall from time to time receiue there which Wine we require to bee brought to the Communion Table in a cleane and sweete standing Pot or Stoope of Pewter if not of purer mettall XXI The Communion to be thrice a yeere receiued IN euery Parish Church and Chappel where Sacraments are to bee administred within this Realme the holy Communion shall bee ministred by the Parson Vicar or Minister so often and at such times as euery Parishioner may Communicate at the least thrise in the yeere whereof the Feast of Easter to bee one according as they are appointed by the booke of Common Prayer Prouided that euery Minister as oft as hee administreth the Communion shall first receiue the Sacrament himselfe Furthermore no Bread or Wine newly brought shal be vsed but first the words of Institution shal be rehearsed when the said Bread and Wine bee present vpon the Communion Table Likewise the Minister shal deliuer both the Bread and the Wine to euery Communicant seuerally XXII Warning to be giuen beforehand for the Communion WHereas euery Lay person is bound to receiue the holy Communion thrice euery
the auoyding of all ambiguities subscribe in this order fourme of words setting downe both his christen and surname viz. I N. N. doe willingly and ex animo subscribe to these three Articles aboue mentioned and to all things that are contained in them And if any bishop shall ordaine admit or license any as is aforesaid except hee first haue subscribed in maner and fourme as here we haue appointed he shall be suspended from giuing of Orders and Licences to preach for the space of twelue moneths But if either of the Vniuersities shall offend therein wee leaue them to the danger of the Lawe and his Maiesties censure XXXVII Subscription before the Diocesan NOne licensed as is aforesaid to Preach Reade Lecture or Catechize comming to reside in any Diocesse shal be permitted there to Preach Read Lecture Catechize or Minister the Sacraments or to execute any other Ecclesiasticall function by what authoritie soeuer he be thereunto admitted vnlesse he first consent and subscribe to the three Articles before mentioned in the presence of the Bishop of the Diocesse wherin he is to preach Read Lecture Cathechize or administer the Sacraments as aforesaid XXXVIII Reuolters after Subscription censured IF any Minister after he hath once subscribed to the said three Articles shal omit to vse the fourme of Prayer or any of the Orders or Ceremonies prescribed in the Communion Booke let him be suspended and if after a moneth he doe not reforme and submit himselfe let him be excōmunicated and then if he shal not submit himself within the space of another moneth let him be deposed frō the Ministery XXXIX Cautions for Institution of Ministers into Benefices NO bishop shall institute any to a Benefice who hath bene ordained by any other Bishop except hee first shew vnto him his Letters of Orders and bring him a sufficient testimony of his former good life and behauiour if the Bishop shall require it and lastly shall appeare vpon due examination to be worthy of his Ministery XL. An Oath against Symonie at institution into Benefices TO auoid the detestable sinne of Symony because buying selling of Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Functions Offices Promotions Dignities and Liuings is execrable before God therefore the Archbishop and all and euery Bishop or Bishops or any other person or persons hauing authority to Admit Institute Collate Install or to confirme the election of any Archbishop Bishop or other person or persons to any Spirituall or Ecclesiasticall function Dignitie Promotion Title Office Iurisdiction Place or Benefice with Cure or without Cure or to any Ecclesiastical liuing whatsoeuer shall before euery such Admission Institution Collation Installation or Confirmation of Election respectiuely minister to euery person hereafter to be admitted Instituted collated Installed or confirmed in or to any Archbishopricke Bishopricke or other Spiritual or Ecclesiastical function Dignitie Promotion Title office Iurisdiction Place or Benefice with Cure or without Cure or in or to any Ecclesiasticall liuing whatsoeuer this Oath in maner and forme following the same to be taken by euery one whom it concerneth in his owne person and not by a Proctor I N. N. do sweare That I haue made no Symoniacall payment contract or promise directly or indirectly by my selfe or by any other to my knowledge or with my consent to any person or persons whatsoeuer for or concerning the procuring and obtaining of this Ecclesiasticall Dignity Place Preferment Office or Liuing respectiuely and particularly naming the same whereunto hee is to be Admitted Instituted Collated Installed or Confirmed nor will at any time hereafter perfourme or satisfie any such kind of paiment contract or promise made by any other without my knowledge or consent So helpe me God through Iesus Christ XLI Licenses for plurality of Benefices limitted and Residence enioyned NO License or dispensation for the keeping of more Benefices with Cure then one shal 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 duety that is who shall haue taken the degree of a Master of Arts at the least in one of the Vniuersities of this Realme and bee a publike and sufficient Preacher licensed Prouided alwayes that he bee by a good and sufficient caution bound to make his personall Residence in each his sayd Benefices for some reasonable time in euery yeere and that the sayd Benefices bee not more then thirty miles distant sunder and lastly that he haue vnder him in the Benefice where he doeth not reside a Preacher lawfully allowed that is able sufficiently to teach and instruct the people XLII Residence of Deanes in their Churches EVery Deane Master or Warden or chiefe Gouernour of any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church shall be resident in his said Cathedrall or Collegiate Church fourescore and ten dayes Coniunctim or Diuisim in euery yeere at the least and then shal continue there in preaching the word of God and keeping good hospitalitie except he shall be otherwise let with weighty and vrgent causes to bee approoued by the Bishop of the Diocesse or in any other lawfull sort dispensed with And when he is present he with the rest of the Canons or Prebendaries resident shall take speciall care that the Statutes and laudable Customes of their Church not being contrary to the word of God or Prerogatiue Royall the Statutes of this Realme being in force concerning Ecclesiasticall Order and all other Constitutions now set foorth and confirmed by his Maiesties Authoritie and such as shall bee lawfully enioyned by the Bishop of the Diocesse in his Visitation according to the Statutes and Customes of the same Church or the Ecclesiasticall Lawes of this Realme be diligently obserued and that the Pettie Canons Vicars chorall and other Ministers of their Church be vrged to the study of the holy Scriptures and euery one of them to haue the New Testament not onely in English but also in Latine XLIII Deanes and Prebendaries to Preach during their Residence THe Deane Master Warden or chiefe Gouernour Prebendaries and Canons in euery Cathedral Collegiat Church shal not onely preach there in their owne persons so often as they are bound by Law Statute Ordinance or Custome but shall likewise Preach in other Churches of the same Diocesse where they are resident and especially in those places whence they or their Church receiue any yeerely Rents or profits And in case they themselues bee sicke or lawfully absent they shall substitute such licensed Preachers to supplie their turnes as by the Bishop of the Diocesse shal be thought meete to Preach in Cathedrall Churches And if any otherwise neglect to omit or supply his course as is aforesaid the offendor shall be punished by the Bishop or by him or them to whome the iurisdiction of that Church appertaineth according to the quality of the offence XLIIII Prebendaries to be resident vpon their Benefices NO Prebendaries nor Canons in Cathedrall or Collegiate Churches hauing one or
moe Benefices with Cure and not beeing Residentaries in the same Cathedrall or Collegiat Churches shall vnder colour of the sayd Prebends absent themselues from their Benefices with Cure aboue the space of one moneth in the yeere vnlesse it be for some vrgent cause and certaine time to be allowed by the Bishop of the Diocesse And such of the said Canons and Prebendaries as by the Ordinances of the sayd Cathedrall or Collegiat Churches do stand bound to be resident in the same shall so among themselues sort and proportion the times of the yeere concerning residence to bee kept in the sayde Churches as that some of them alwayes shall be personally resident there and that all those who be or shall be Residentiaries in any Cathedrall or Collegiat Church shall after the dayes of their Residencie appointed by their locall Statutes or Customes expired presently repaire to their Benefices or some one of them or to some other Charge where the Law requireth their presence there to discharge their dueties according to the Lawes in that case prouided And the Bishop of the Diocesse shall see the same to be duely performed and put in execution XLV Beneficed Preachers beeing resident vpon their liuings to preach euery Sunday EVery Beneficed man allowed to bee a preacher and residing on his Benefice hauing no lawful impediment shall in his owne Cure or in some other Church or Chappell where he may conueniently neere adioyning where no Preacher is preach one Sermon euery Sunday of the yeere wherein hee shall soberly and sincerely diuide the word of trueth to the glory of God and to the best edification of the people XLVI Beneficed men not Preachers to procure monethly Sermons EVery beneficed man not allowed to be a Preacher shall procure Sermons to bee preached in his Cure once in euery moneth at the least by Preachers lawfully licenced if his liuing in the iudgement of the Ordinary will be able to beare it And vpon euery Sunday when there shall not bee a Sermon preached in his Cure hee or his Curate shall reade some one of the Homilies prescribed or to be prescribed by authoritie to the intents aforesaid XLVII Absence of Beneficed men to bee supplied by Curates that are allowed Preachers EVery Beneficed man licensed by the Lawes of this Realme vpon vrgent occasions of other seruice not to reside vpon his Benefice shall cause his Cure to be supplied by a Curate that is a suffiicient and licensed Preacher if the worth of the Benefice wil beare it But whosoeuer hath two Benefices shall maintaine a Preacher licensed in the Benefice where he doeth not reside except he preach himselfe at both of them vsually XLVIII None to be Curates but allowed by the Bishop NO Curat or Minister shall be permited to serue in any place without Examination and Admission of the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinary of the place hauing Episcopal Iurisdiction in writing vnder his hand and seale hauing respect to the greatnesse of the Cure and meetenesse of the party And the said Curates and Ministers if they remooue from one Diocesse to another shal not be by any means admitted to serue without testimonie of the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinarie of the place as aforesaid whence they came in writing of their honesty ability and conformitie to the Ecclesiasticall lawes of the Church of England Nor any shall serue more then one Church or Chappel vpon one day except that Chappell be a member of the Parish Church or vnited thereunto and vnlesse the sayde Church or Chappell where such a Minister shall serue in two places bee not able in the iudgement of the Bishop or Ordinary as aforesaid to maintaine a Curate XLIX Ministers not allowed Preachers may not expoūd NO person whatsoeuer not examined and approued by the Bishop of the Diocesse or not licensed as is aforesaid for a sufficient or conuenient Preacher shal take vpon him to expound in his owne Cure or elsewhere any Scripture or matter of doctrine but shall onely study to reade plainly and aptly without glozing or adding the Homilies already set foorth or hereafter to be published by lawfull Authoritie for the confirmation of the true Faith and for the good instruction and edification of the people L. Strangers not admitted to Preach without shewing their Licence NEither the Minister Churchwardens nor any other Officers of the Church shall suffer any man to preach within their Churches or Chappels but such as by shewing their Licence to preach shal appeare vnto them to be sufficiently authorized thereunto as is aforesaid LI. Strangers not admitted to Preach in Cathedrall Churches without sufficient authoritie THe Dea◅ Presidents Residentiaries of any Cathedrall or Collegiate Church shal suffer no stranger to preach vnto the people in their Churches except they be allowed by the Archbishop of the Prouince or by the Bishop of the same Diocesse or by either of the Vniuersities And if any in his Sermon shal publish any Doctrine either strange or disagreeing from the word of God or from any of the Articles of Religion agreed vpon in the Conuocation house Anno 1562. or from the booke of Cōmon prayers the Deane or the Residents shall by their Letters subscribed with some of their hands that heard him so soone as may be giue notice of the same to the Bishop of the Diocesse that he may determine the matter and take such order therein as he shall thinke conuenient LII The names of strange Preachers to bee noted in a Booke THat the Bishop may vnderstand if occasion so require what Sermons are made in euery Church of his Diocesse and who presume to preach without Licence the Churchwardens Sidemen shall see that the names of al preachers which come to their Church from any other place bee noted in a booke which they shall haue ready for that purpose wherein euery Preacher shall subscribe his name the day when hee preached and the name of the Bishop of whom he had Licence to preach LIII No publike opposition betweene Preachers IF any Preacher shall in the Pulpit particularly or namely of purpose impugne or confute any doctrine deliuered by any other Preacher in the same Church or in any church neere adioyning before he hath acquainted the Bishop of the Diocesse therewith and receiued order from him what to do in that case because vpon such publike dissenting and contradicting there may grow much offence and disquietnesse vnto the people the Church-wardens or party grieued shall forthwith signifie the same to the said Bishop and not suffer the said Preacher any more to occupy that place which he hath once abused except hee faithfully promise to forbeare all such matter of contention in the Church vntill the Bishop hath taken further order therein who shall with all conuenient speed so proceed therein that publike satisfaction may bee made in the Congregation where the offence was giuen Prouided that if either of the parties offending doe appeale hee shall not be
suffered to preach pendente lite LIIII The Licences of Preachers refusing Conformitie to be voyd IF any man licenced heretofore to preach by any Archbishop Bishop or by either of the Vniuersities shall at any time from henceforth refuse to conforme himselfe to the Lawes Ordinances and Rites Ecclesiasticall established in the Church of England he shall be admonished by the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinary of the place to submit himselfe to the vse and due exercise of the same And if after such admonition he doe not conforme himselfe within the space of one moneth We determine and decree That the licence of euery such Preacher shall thereupon bee vtterly voyde and of none effect LV. The forme of a Prayer to bee vsed by Preachers before their Sermons BEfore all Sermons Lectures and Homilies the Preachers Ministers shall moue the people to ioine with them in prayer in this forme or to this effect as briefly as conueniently they may Ye shal pray for Christs holy Catholike 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 Maiestie our Soueraigne Lord IAMES King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defendour of the Faith Supreme Gouernour in these his Realmes and all other his Dominions and Countries ouer all persons in all causes aswell Ecclesiasticall as Temporall Ye shall also pray for our gracious Queene ANNE the Noble Prince HENRY and the rest of the King and Queenes Royall Issue Ye shall also pray for the Ministers of Gods holy word Sacraments aswell Archbishops and Bishops as other Pastours and Curates Ye shall also pray for the Kings most honourable Counsell and for all the Nobilitie and Magistrates of this Realme that all euery of these in their seuerall Callings may serue truely and painefully to the glory of God and the edifying and well gouerning of his people remembring the accompt that they must make Also yee shall pray for the whole Commons of this Realme that they may liue in true Faith and feare of God in humble obedience to the King and brotherly charitie one to another Finally let vs praise God for all those which are departed out of this life in the Faith of Christ and pray vnto God that wee may haue grace to direct our liues after their good example that this life ended wee may be made partakers with them of the glorious Resurrection in the life Euerlasting alwayes concluding with the Lords prayer LVI Preachers and Lecturers to reade diuine Seruice and administer the Sacraments twise a yeere at the least EVery Minister being possessed of a Benefice that hath Cure and Charge of soules although he chiefly attend to preaching and hath a Curate vnder him to execute the other duties which are to be performed for him in the Church and likewise euery other stipendarie Preacher that readeth any Lecture or Catechizeth or Preacheth in any Church or Chappell shall twise at the least euery yeere reade himselfe the diuine Seruice vpon two seuerall Sundayes publikely and at the vsuall times both in the Forenoone and Afternoone in the Church which he so possesseth or where he Readeth Catechizeth or Preacheth as is aforesaid and shal likewise as often in euery yeere administer the Sacraments of Baptisme if there be any to be baptized of the Lords Supper in such maner forme and with the obseruation of all such Rites and Ceremonies as are prescribed by the booke of Common prayer in that behalfe which if hee doe not accordingly performe then shall he that is possessed of a Benefice as before bee suspended and he thatis but aReader Preacher or Catechizer be remoued from his place by the Bishop of the Diocesse vntil he or they shal submit themselues to performe all the said duties in such mater and â—ort as before is prescribed LVII The Sacraments not to be refused at the hands of vnpreaching Ministers WHereas diuers Persons seduced by false Teachers doe refuse to haue their children baptized by a Minister that is no Preacher and to receiue the holy Communion at his hands in the same respect as though the vertue of those Sacraments did depend vpon his ability to preach Forasmuch as the doctrine both of Baptisme and of the Lords Supper is sufficiently set downe in the booke of Common prayer to bee vsed at the administration of the said Sacraments as nothing can be added vnto it that is material and necessary We doe require and charge euery such person seduced as aforesayd to reforme that their wilfulnesse and to submit himselfe to the order of the Church in that behalfe 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 shal offend herein or leaue their owne Parish Churches in that respect and Communicate or causâ— their children to be Baptized in other Parishes abroad and will not bee mooued thereby to reforme that their error and vnlawfull course let them be presented to the Ordinarie of the place by the Minister Churchwardens and Sidemen or Questmen of the Parishes where they dwel and there receiue such punishment by Ecclesiasticall censures as such obstinacie doth worthily deserue that is Let them persisting in their wilfulnesse be suspended and then after a moneths further obstinacie Excommunicated And likewise if any Parson Vicar or Curate shal after the publishing hereof either receiue to the Communion any such persons which are not of his owne Church Parish or shall Baptize any of their children thereby strengthening them in their said errours Let him bee suspended and not released thereof vntill hee doe faithfully promise that hee will not afterwards offend therein LVIII Ministers reading Diuine Seruice and Administring the Sacraments to weare Surplisses and Graduats therewithall Hoods EVery Minister saying the publike Praiers or ministring the Sacraments or other Rites of the Church shall weare a decent and comely Surplisse with sleeues to be prouided at the charge of the Parish And if any question arise touching the matter decencie or comlinesse thereof the same shal be decided by the discretion of the Ordinary Furthermore such Ministers as are Graduats shall weare vpon their Surplisses at such times such Hoods as by the orders of the Vniuersities are agreeable to their degrees which no Minister shall weare being no Graduat vnder paine of suspension Notwithstanding it shal be lawfull for such Ministers as are not Graduats to weare vpon their Surplisses in stead of Hoods some decent Tippet of black so it be not silke LIX Ministers to Catechize euery Sunday EVery Parson Vicar or Curate vpon euery Sunday and Holy day before Euening prayer shall for halfe an houre or more examine and instruct the youth and ignorant persons of his Parish in the ten Commandements the Articles of the Beliefe
and in the Lords prayer and shall diligently heare instruct teach them the Catechisme set forth in the Booke of Common prayer And all Fathers Mothers Masters and Mistresses shall cause their children seruants and apprentices which haue not learned the Catechisme to come to the Church at the time appointed obediently to heare and to bee ordered by the Minister vntill they haue learned the same And if any Minister neglect his duetie herein let him bee sharpely reprooued vpon the first complaint and true notice thereof giuen to the Bishop or Ordinarie of the place If after submitting himselfe hee shall wilfully offend therein againe let him be suspended If so the third time there being little hope that he will bee therein reformed then Excommunicated and so remaine vntil he will be reformed And likewise if any of the saide Fathers Mothers Masters or Mistresses Children Seruants or Apprentices shall neglect their dueties as the one sort in not causing them to come and the other in refusing to learne as aforesaid Let them bee suspended by their Ordinaries if they be not children and if they so persist by the space of a moneth then let them bee Excommunicated LX. Confirmation to be performed once in three yeeres FOrasmuch as it hath beene a solemne ancient laudable Custome in the Church of God continued from the Apostles times that all Bishops should lay their hands vpon children Baptized and instructed in the Catechisme of Christian Religion praying ouer them and blessing them which wee commonly call Confirmation and that this holy action hath beene accustomed in the Church in former ages to be performed in the Bishops Visitation euery third yeere We will and appoint that euery Bishop or his Suffragan in his accustomed Visitation do in his owne person carefully obserue the said Custome And if in that yeere by reason of some infirmitie he be not able personally to Visit then he shal not omit the execution of that duetie of Confirmation the next yeere after as he may conueniently LXI Ministers to prepare children for Confirmation EVery Minister that hath Cure and charge of soules for the better accomplishing of the Orders prescribed in the Booke of Common prayer concerning Confirmation shall take such especiall care as that none may be presented to the Bishop for him to lay his hands vpon but such as can render an account of their Faith according to the Catechisme in the said Booke contained And when the Bishop shall assigne any time for the performance of that part of his duty euery such Minister shall vse his best endeuour to prepare and make able and likewise to procure as many as he can to be then brought and by the Bishop to be confirmed LXII Ministers not to marrie any persons without Bannes or Licence NO Minister vpon paine of suspension per triennium ipso facto shall celebrate Matrimonie betweene any persons without a Facultie or Licence granted by some of the persons in these our Constitutions expressed except the Bannes of Matrimonie haue bene first published three seueral Sundaies or Holy dayes in the time of diuine Seruice in the Parisâ—… churches and Chappels where the saide parties dwel according to the booke of Common prayer Neither shall any Minister vpon the like paine vnder any pretence whatsoeuer ioyne any persons so licenced in Marriage at any vnseasonable times but onely betweene the houres of eight and twelue in the forenoone nor in any priuate place but either in the said Churches or Chappels where one of them dwelleth and likewise in time of Diuine Seruice nor when Bannes are thrice asked and no Licence in that respect necessary before the Parents or Gouernours of the parties to be married being vnder the age of twentie and one yeeres shall either personally or by sufficient testimonie signifie to him their consents giuen to the said Marriage LXIII Ministers of exempt Churches not to Marry without Bannes or Licence EVery Minister who shal hereafter celebrate Marriage betwixt any persons contrary to our said Constitutions or any part of them vnder colour of any peculiar Libertie or Priuiledge claimed to appertaine to certaine Churches and Chappels shall be suspended per triennium by the Ordinarie of the place where the offence shal be committed And if any such Minister shall afterwards remooue from the place where he hath committed that fault before he be suspended as is aforesaid then shall the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinarie of the place where he remaineth vpon Certificat vnder the Hand and Seale of the other Ordinarie from whose Iurisdiction hee remooued execute that censure vpon him LXIIII. Ministers solemnly to bid Holy dayes EVery Parson Vicar or Curate shall in his seuerall charge declare to the people euery Sunday at the time appointed in the Communion Booke whether there bee any Holy dayes or Fasting dayes the weeke following And if any doe hereafter wittingly offend herein and beeing once admonished thereof by his Ordinary shall againe omit that duetie let him be censured according to Law vntill hee submit himselfe to the due performance of it LXV Ministers solemnly to denounce Recusants and Excommunicats ALl Ordinaries shall in their seuerall Iurisdictions carefully see giue order that aswell those who for obstinate refusing to frequent diuine Seruice established by publike authority within this Realme of England as those also especially of the better sort and condition who for notorious contumacie or other notable crimes stand lawfully excommunicate vnlesse within three moneths immediatly after the said sentence of Excommunication pronounced against them they reforme themselues and obtaine the benefit of Absolution bee euery sixe moneths ensuing aswell in the Parish Church as in the Cathedrall Church of the Diocesse in which they remaine by the Minister openly in time of Diuine Seruice vpon some Sunday denounced and declared Excommunicate that others may be thereby both admonished to refraine their company and society and excited the rather to procure out a Writ De excommunicate capiendo thereby to bring and reduce them into due order and obedience Likewise the Register of euery Ecclesiastical Court shal yeerely betweene Michaelmas and Christmas duely certifie the Archbishop of the Prouince of all and singuler the premisses aforesaid LXVI Miuisters to conferre with Recusants EVery Minister being a Preacher and hauing any Popish Recusant or Recusants in his Parish and thought fit by the Bishop of the Diocesse shall labour diligently wiâ—h them from time to time thereby to reclâ—ime them from their errours And if he be 〈◊〉 Preacher or not such a Preacher then hee shall procure if he can possibly some that are Preachers so qualified to take paines with them for that purpose If he can procure none then he shall informe the Bishop of the Diocesse thereof who shal not only appoint some neighbour Preacher or Preachers adioyning 〈…〉 labour vpon them but himselfe also 〈…〉 important affaires wil permit him shal 〈…〉 is best endeuour by instruction perswasion and all good meanes he
formerly subscribed if vpon admonition by the Ordinary he do not amend and reforme himselfe let him bee suspended from teaching Schoole any longer ¶ Things appertaining to Churches LXXX The great Bible and Booke of Common prayer to be had in euery Church THe Church-wardens or Questmen of euery Church Chappell shall at the charge of the Parish prouide the Booke of Common prayer lately explaned in some few points by his Maiesties authoritie according to the Lawes and his Highnesse prerogatiue in that behalfe and that with all conuenient speed but at the furthest within two moneths after the publishing of these our Constitutions And if any Parishes bee yet vnfurnished of the Bible of the largest volume or of the Bookes of Homilies allowed by Authoritie the said Church-wardens shall within conuenient time prouide the same at the like charge of the Parish LXXXI A Font of stone for Baptisme in euery Church ACcording to a former Constitution too much neglected in many places wee appoint That there shal be a Font of stone in euery Church and Chappell where Baptisme is to be ministred the same to bee set in the ancient vsuall places In which onely Font the Minister shall baptize publikely LXXXII A decent Communion Table in euery Church WHereas we haue no doubt but that in all Churches within the Realme of England conuenient and decent Tables are prouided and placed for the celebration of the holy Communion we appoint that the same Tables shall from time to time bee kept and repaired in sufficient and seemely manner and couered in time of diuine Seruice with a Carpet of Silke or other decent stuffe thought meet by the Ordinarie of the place if any question be made of it and with a faire Linnen cloth at the time of the ministration as becommeth that Table and so stand sauing when the said holy Communion is to bee administred At which time the same shall bee placed in so good sort within the Church or Chancell as thereby the Minister may be more conueniently heard of the Communicants in his prayer and ministration and the Communicants also more conueniently and in more number may communicate with the said Minister and that the ten Commandements be set vpon the East ende of euery Church and Chappell where the people may best see and reade the same and other chosen Sentences written vpon the walles of the said Churches and Chappels in places conuenient and likewise that a conuenient seate bee made for the Minister to reade Seruice in All these to bee done at the charge of the Parish LXXXIII A pulpit to be prouided in euery Church THe Churchwardens or Questmen at the common charge of the Parishioners in euery Church shall prouide a comely and decent Pulpit to bee set in a conuenient place within the same by the discretion of the Ordinarie of the place if any question doe arise and to be there seemely kept for the preaching of Gods word LXXXIIII A Chest for Almes in euery Church THe Churchwardens shall prouide and haue within three moneths after the publishing of these constitutions a strong Chest with a hole in the vpper part thereof to be prouided at the charge of the Parish if there be none such already prouided hauing three keyes Of which one shall remaine in the custody of the Parson Vicar or Curat and the other two in the custody of the Churchwardens for the time beeing which Chest they shall set and fasten in the most conuenient place to the intent the Parishioners may put into it their Almes for their poore neighbours And the Parson Vicar or Curate shall diligently from time to time and especially when men make their Testaments call vpon exhort and mooue their neighbours to conferre and giue as they may well spare to the said Chest declaring vnto them that whereas heretofore they haue bene diligent to bestow much substance otherwise then God commaunded vpon superstitious vses now they ought at this time to be much more ready to helpe the poore and needy knowing that to relieue the poore is a sacrifice which pleaseth God and that also whatsoeuer is giuen for their comfort is giuen to Christ himselfe is so accepted of him that he will mercifully reward the same The which Almes and deuotion of the people the Keepers of the keyes shall yeerely quarterly or oftner as need requireth take out of the Chest and distribute the same in the presence of most of the Parish or sixe of the chiefe of them to bee truely and faithfully deliuered to their most poore and needy neighbours LXXXV Churches to be kept in sufficient reparations THe Churchwardens or questmen shall take care and prouide that the Churches bee well and sufficiently repaired and so from time to time kept and maintained that the Windowes bee well glazed and that the Floores be kept paued plaine and euen and all things there in such an orderly and decent sort without dust or any thing that may bee either noisome or vnseemely as best becommeth the house of God and is prescribed in an Homily to that effect The like care they shall take that the Churchyards bee well and sufficiently repaired fenced and maintained with Walles Railes or Pales as haue beene in each place accustomed at their charges vnto whom by Lawe the same appertaineth but especially they shall see that in euery 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 suruayed and the decayes certified to the high Commissioners EVery Deane Deane and Chapter Archdeacon and others which haue authoritie to holde Ecclesiasticall Visitations by Composition Law or Prescription shall suruay the Churches of his or their Iurisdiction once in euery three yeeres in his owne person or cause the same to bee done and shall from time to time within the said three yeeres certifie the high Commissioners for causes Ecclesiasticall euery yeere of such defects in any the said Churches as hee or they doe finde to remaine vnrepaired and the names and surnames of the parties faultie therein Vpon which Certificat we desire that the sayd high Commissioners will Ex Officio mero send for such parties and compel them to obey the iust and lawfull Decrees of such Ecclesiasticall Ordinaries making such Certificates LXXXVII A Terrier of Glebelands and other Possessions belonging to Churches WE ordaine that the Archbishop and all Bishops within their seuerall Diocesses shall procure as much as in them lieth that a true note and Terrier of all the Glebes Lands Meadowes Gardens Orchards Houses Stockes Implements Tenements portions of Tithes lying out of their Parishes which belong to any Parsonage or Vicarage or rurall Prebend bee taken by the view of honest men in euery Parish by the appointment of the Bishop whereof the Minister to bee one and bee laid vp in the Bishops Registrie there to be for a perpetuall memorie thereof LXXXVIII Churches not to be prophaned THe Churchwardens
Of the Church of England THe Kings supremacie ouer the Church of England in causes Ecclesiasticall to be maintained Impugners of the Kings Supremacie censured The Church of England a true and Apostolicall Church Impugners of the publike worship of God established in the Church of England censured Impugners of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England censured Impugners of the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England censured Impugners of the gouernement of the Church of England by Archbishops Bishops c. censured Impugners of the forme of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. in the Church of England censured Authors of Schisme in the Church of England censured Maintainers of Schismatickes in the Church of England censured Maintainers of Conuenticles censured Maintainers of Constitutions made in Conuenticles censured ¶ Of Diuine Seruice and Administration of the Sacraments DVe celebration of Sundayes Holy daies The prescript forme of Diuine Seruice to be vsed on Sundayes and Holy dayes The Letanie to bee read on Wednesdayes and Fridayes Colledges to vse the prescript forme of Diuine Seruice Students in Colledges to weare Surplisses in time of Diuine Seruice Reuerence and attention to bee vsed within the Church in time of Diuine Seruice Loyterers not to bee suffered neere the Church in time of Diuine Seruice Bread and VVine to bee prouided against euery Communion The Communion to be thrice a yeere receiued VVarning to be giuen beforehand for the Communion Students in alledges to receiue the Communion foure times a yeere Copes to be worne in Cathedral Churches by those that administer the Communion Surplisses and Hoods to bee worne in Cathedrall Churches when there is no Communion Notorious offendours not to bee admitted to the Communion Schismaticks not to bee admitted to the Communion Strangers not to bee admitted to the Communion Fathers not to be Godfathers in Baptisme nor children not Communicants The lawfull vse of the Crosse in Baptisme explaned ¶ Ministers their Ordination Function and Charge FOure solemne times appointed for the making of Ministers None to bee made Deacon and Minister both in one day The Titles of such as are to be made Ministers The qualitie of such as are to be made Ministers The examination of such as are to be made Ministers Subscription required of such as are to bee made Ministers The Articles of Subscription The forme of Subscription Subscription before the Diocesan Reuolters after Subscription censured Cautions for institution of Ministers into Benefices An oath against Symonie at institution into Benefices Licences for pluralitie of Benefices limited and Residence enioyned Residence of Deanes in their Churches Deanes and Prebendaries to Preach during their Residence Prebendaries to be resident vpon their Benefices Beneficed Preachers being resident vpon their liuings to preach euery Sunday Beneficed men not Preachers to procure monethly Sermons Absence of Beneficed men to be supplied by Curates that are allowed Preachers None to be Curats but allowed by the Bishop Ministers not allowed Preachers may not expound Strangers not admitted to Preach without shewing their Licence Strangers not admitted to preach in Cathedrall Churches without sufficient authoritie The names of strange Preachers to bee noted in a Booke No publike opposition betweene Preachers The Licences of Preachers refusing Conformitie to be voyd The forme of a Prayer to bee vsed by Preachers before their Sermons Preachers and Lecturers to reade diuine Seruice and administer the Sacraments twise a yeere at the least The Sacraments not to bee refused at the hands of vnpreaching Ministers Ministers reading Diuine Seruice and Administring the Sacraments to weare Surplisses and Graduats therewithall Hoods Ministers to Catechize euery Sunday Confirmation to bee perfourmed once in three yeeres Ministers to prepare children for Confirmation Ministers not to marrie any persons without Bannes or Licence Ministers of exempt Churches not to marry without Bannes or Licence Ministers solemnly to bid Holy dayes Ministers solemnly to denounce Recusants and Excommunicats Ministers to conferre with Recusants Ministers to visite the sicke Ministers not to refuse to christen or bury Ministers not to deferre Christening if the childe be in danger Ministers to keepe a Register of Christnings Weddings and Burials Ministers not to Preach or administer the Communion in priuate houses Ministers not to appoint publike or priuate Fasts or Prophesies or to exorcize but by authority Ministers not to hold priuate Conuenticles Decencie in apparell enioyned to Ministers Sober conuersation required in Ministers Ministers at no time to forsake their Calling ¶ Schoolemasters NOne to teach Schoole without Licence Curats desirous to Teach to bee licenced before others The duetie of Schoolemasters ¶ Things appertaining to Churches THE great Bible and Booke of Common prayer to be had in euery Church A Font of stone for Baptisme in euery Church A decent Communion Table in euery Church A Pulpit to be prouided in euery Church A Chest for Almes in euery Church Churches to be kept in sufficient reparations Churches to be suruayed and the decayes certified to the high Commissioners A Terrier of Glebelands and other Possessions belonging to Churches Churches not to be prophaned ¶ Churchwardens Questmen and Sidemen THe choise of Churchwardens and their accompt The choise of Sidemen and their ioynt Office with Churchwardens ¶ Parish Clearks PArish Clearkes to bee chosen by the Minister ¶ Ecclesiasticall Courts belonging to the Archbishops Iurisdiction NOne to be Cited into diuers Courts for probate of the same Will The Rate of Bona notabilia liable to the Prerogatiue Court None to be Cited into the Arches or Audience but dwellers within the Archbishops Diocesse or Peculiars The restraint of double Quarrels Inhibitions not to be granted without the subscription of an Aduocate Inhibitions not to be graunted vntill the Appeale be exhibited to the Iudge Inhibitions not to bee granted to factious Appellants vnlesse they first subscribe None to marrie within the degrees prohibited None to marrie vnder xxj yeeres without their Parents consent By whom Licences to marrie without Bannes shal be granted and to what sort of persons Securitie to bee taken at the granting of such Licences and vnder what conditions Oathes to be taken for the Conditions An exception for those that are in Widowhood No Sentence for Diuorce to bee giuen vpon the sole confession of the parties No Sentence for Diuorce to be giuen but in open Court In all Sentences for Diuorce bond to be taken for not marrying during each others life The penaltie for Iudges offending in the premisses ¶ Ecclesiasticall Courts belonging to Bishops and inferior Ordinaries and the proceedings in them NOtorious crimes and scandals to be certified into Ecclesiastical Courts by presentment Schismatickes to be presented Disturbers of diuine Seruice to be presented Not Communicants at Easter to be presented Ministers may present Ministers shall present Recusants Ministers and Churchwardens not to bee sued for presenting Churchwardens not bound to present oftner then twice a yeere Churchwardens not to be troubled
persons hauing cure of soules and all other Preachers and Readers of Diuinitie lectures shall to the vttermost of their wit knowledge and learning purely and sincerely without any colour or dissimulation teach manifest open and declare foure times euery yeere at the least in their Sermons and other Collations and lectures That all vsurped and forren power forasmuch as the same hath no establishment nor ground by the law of God is for most iust causes taken away and abolished and that therefore no maner of obedience or subiection within his Maiesties Realmes and Dominions is due vnto any such forren power but that the Kings power within his Realmes of England Scotland and Ireland and all other his Dominions and Countreys is the highest power vnder God to whom all men aswell inhabitants as borne within the same do by Gods Lawes owe most loyalty and obedience afore and aboue all other Powers and Potentates in earth II. Impugners of the Kings supremacie censured WHosoeuer shal hereafter affirme that the Kings Maiesty hath not the same authority in causes Ecclesiastical that the godly Kings had amongst the Iewes and Christian Emperors in the Primitiue Church or impeach in any part his Regall supremacie in the said causes restored to the Crowne and by the Lawes of this Realme therein established let him bee excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his repentance and publike reuocation of those his wicked errours III. The Church of England a true and Apostolicall Church WHosoeuer shall hereafter affirme that the Church of England by Lawe established vnder the Kings Maiestie is not a true and an Apostolical Church teaching maintaining the doctrine of the Apostles let him be excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but onely by the Archbishop after his repentance and publike reuocation of this his wicked errour IIII. Impugners of the publike worship of God established in the Church of England censured WHosoeuer shall herafter affirme that the forme of Gods worship in the Church of England established by Law and conteined in the booke of Common Prayer and administration of Sacraments is a corrupt superstitious or vnlawfull 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 publike reuocation of such his wicked errors V. Impugners of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England censured WHosoeuer shall hereafter affirme that any of the nine and thirtie Articles agreed vpon by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Prouinces and the whole Cleargy in the Conuocation holden at LONDON in the yeere of our Lorde God one thousand fiue hundred sixty two for the auoiding of diuersities of opinions and for the establishing of consent touching true Religion are in any part superstitious or erroneous or such as hee may not with a good conscience subscribe vnto let him bee excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but onely by the Archbishop after his repentance and publike reuocation of such his wicked errors VI. Impugners of the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England censured WHosoeuer shal hereafter affirme that the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England by Law established are wicked Antichristian or superstitious or such as beeing commanded by lawfull authoritie men who are zealously and godly affected may not with any good conscience approue them vse them or as occasion requireth subscribe vnto them let him bee excommunicated ipso facto and not restored vntill he repent and publikely reuoke such his wicked errours VII Impugners of the gouernment of the Church of England by Archbishops Bishops c. censured WHosoeuer shal hereafter affirme that the gouernement of the Church of England vnder his Maiesty by Archbishops Bishops Deanes Archdeacons and the rest that beare office in the same is Antichristian or repugnant to the word of God let him be excommunicated ipso facto and so continue vntill he repent and publikely reuoke such his wicked errors VIII Impugners of the forme of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. in the Church of England censured WHosoeuer shall hereafter affirme or teach that the fourme and maner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests or Deacons conteineth any thing in it that is repugnant to the word of God or that they who are made Bishops Priestes or Deacons in that forme are not lawfully made nor ought to be accounted either by themselues or by others to be truly either Bishops Priests or Deacons vntil they haue some other calling to those diuine Offices let him bee excommunicated ipso facto not to bee restored vntill he repent and publikely reuoke such his wicked errours IX Authours of Schisme in the Church of England censured WHosoeuer shall hereafter separate themselues from the Communion of Saints as it is approoued by the Apostles rules in the Church of England combine themselues together in a new brotherhood accounting the Christians who are conformable to the Doctrine Gouernment Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England to be prophane and vnmeete for them to ioyne with in Christian profession let them bee excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but by the Archbishop after their repentance and publike reuocation of such their wicked errors X. Maintainers of Schismatickes in the Church of England censured WHosoeuer shall heerafter affirme That such Ministers as refuse to subscribe to the forme and maner of Gods worship in the Church of England prescribed in the Communion Booke and their adherents may truly take vnto them the name of another Church not established by Lawe and dare presume to publish it that this their pretended Church hath of long time groaned vnder the burden of certaine grieuances imposed vpon it and vpon 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 vntill they repent and publikely reuoke such their wicked errors XI Maintainers of Conuenticles censured WHosoeuer shall hereafter affirme or maintaine That there are within this Realme other meetings assemblies or congregations of the Kings borne Subiects then such as by the lawes of this land are held and allowed which may rightly challenge to themselues the name of true and lawful Churches let him be excommunicated and not restored but by the Archbishop after his repentance and publike reuocation of such his wicked errors XII Maintainers of Constitutions made in Conuenticles censured WHosoeuer shal hereafter affirme that it is lawfull for any sort of Ministers and Lay persons or either of them to ioyne together and make Rules Orders or Constitutions in causes Ecclesiasticall without the Kings authoritie and shall submit themselues to be ruled and gouerned by them let them be excommunicated ipso facto and not be restored vntill they repent and publikely reuoke those their wicked and Anabaptisticall errors
can deuise to reclaime both them and all other within his Diocesse so affected LXVII Ministers to visite the sicke WHen any person is dangerously sicke in any Parish the Minister or Curate hauing knowledge thereof shal resort vnto him or her if the disease bee not knowen or probably suspected to bee infectious to instruct and comfort them in their distresse according to the order of the Communion booke if he be no Preacher or if hee be a Preacher then as he shall thinke most needfull and conuenient And when any is passing out of this life a Bell shall bee tolled and the Minister shall not then slacke to doe his last duetie And after the parties death if it so fall out there shal be rung no more but one short peale and one other before the buriall and one other after the buriall LXVIII Ministers not to refuse to christen or bury NO Minister shal refuse or delay tâ— christen any child according to the forme of the booke of Common prayer that is brought to the Church to him vpon Sundayes or Holy-dayes to be christened or to bury any corps that is brought to the Church or Churchyard conuenient warning being giuen him thereof before in such manner and forme as is prescribed in the said booke of Common prayer And if he shall refuse to christen the one or bury the other except the party deceased were denounced excommunicated maiori excommunicatione for some grieuous and notorious crime and no man able to testifie of his repentance he shal be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocesse from his Ministerie by the space of three moneths LXIX Ministers not to deferre Christening if the childe be in danger IF any Minister beeing duely without any maner of collusion informed of the weaknesse and danger of death of any Infant vnbaptized in his Parish and thereupon desired to go or come to the place where the said Infant remaineth to baptize the same shal either wilfully refuse so to doe or of purpose or of grosse negligence shall so deferre the time as when he might conueniently haue resorted to the place and haue baptized the said Infant it dieth through such his default vnbaptized the said Minister shall be suspended for three moneths and before his restitution shall acknowledge his fault and promise before his Ordinarie that hee will not wittingly incurre the like againe Prouided that where there is a Curate or a Substitute this Constitution shall not extend to the Parson or Vicar himselfe but to the Curate or Substitute present LXX Ministers to keepe a Register of Christnings Weddings and Burials IN euery Parish Church and Chappell within this Realme shall be prouided one parchment Booke at the charge of the Parish wherein shall be written the day and yeere of euery Christning Wedding and Buriall which haue bene in that Parish since the time that the Law was first made in that behalfe so farre as the ancient Bookes thereof can be procured but especially since the beginning of the Raigne of the late Qneene And for the safe keeping of the said booke the Churchwardens at the charge of the Parish shall prouide one sure Coffer with three lockes keyes whereof the one to remaine with the Minister and the other two with the Churchwardens seuerally so that neither the Minister without the two Churchwardens nor the Churchwardens without the Minister shall at any time take that Booke out of the said Coffer And henceforth vpon euery Sabboth day immediatly after Morning or Euening prayer the Minister and Churchwardens shal take the said parchment Booke out of the said Coffer and the Minister in the presence of the Churchwardens shall write and record in the said Booke the names of all persons Christned together with the names and surnames of their Parents and also the names of all persons Married and Buried in that parish in the weeke before and the day and yeere of euery such Christning Marriage and Buriall And that done they shal lay vp that Booke in the Coffer as before and the Minister and Churchwardens vnto euery page of that Booke when it shall be filled with such inscriptions shall subscribe their names And the Churchwardens shall once euery yeere within one Moneth after the fiue and twentieth day of March transmit vnto the Bishop of the Diocesse or his Chancellor a true Copy of the names of al persons Christned Married or Buried in their Parish in the yeere before ended the said fiue and twentieth day of March and the certaine dayes and moneths in which euery such Christning Marriage and Buriall was had to be subscribed with the hands of the said Minister Churchwardens to the end the same may faithfully bee preserued in the Registrie of the said Bishop which Certificat shal be receiued without Fee And if the Minister or Churchwardens shall be negligent in performance of any thing herein contained it shall be lawfull for the Bishop or his Chancellor to conuent them and proceede against euery of them as contemners of this our Constitution LXXI Ministers not to Preach or administer the Communion in priuate houses NO Minister shall Preach or administer the holy Communion in any priuate house except it be in times of necessitie when any being either so impotent as hee cannot goe to the Church or very dangerously sicke are desirous to bee partakers of that holy Sacrament vnder paine of suspension for the first offence and Excommunication for the second Prouided that houses are here reputed for Priuate houses wherein are no Chappels dedicated and allowed by the Ecclesiasticall Lawes of this Realme And prouided also vnder the paine before expressed that no Chapleins doe Preach or administer the Communion in any other places but in the Chappels of the said houses and that also they do the same very seldome vpon Sundayes and holy dayes So that both the Lords and Masters of the said houses and their families shall at other times resort to their owne Parish Churches and there receiue the holy Communion at the least once euery yeere LXXII Ministers not to appoint publike or priuate Fasts or Prophesies or to exorcize but by authority NO Minister or Ministers shall without the Licence and direction of the Bishop of the Diocesse first obtained and had vnder his Hand and Seale appoint or keepe any solemne Fasts either publikely or in any priuate houses other then such as by Law are or by publike authoritie shall be appointed nor shall be wittingly present at any of them vnder paine of Suspension for the first fault of Excommunication for the second and of Deposition from the Ministerie for the third Neither shall any Minister not licensed as is aforesaide presume to appoint or hold any meetings for Sermons commonly termed by some Prophesies or Exercises in Market townes or other places vnder the said paines Nor without such License to attempt vpon any pretence whatsoeuer either of Possession or Qbsession by fasting and prayer to cast out any deuill or deuils vnder
paine of the imputation of Imposture or Cosenage and Deposition from the Ministerie LXXIII Ministers not to hold priuate Conuenticles FOrasmuch as all Conuenticles and secret meetings of Priestes and Ministers haue bene euer iustly accompted very hurtfull to the State of the Church wherein they liue We doe now ordaine and constitute That no Priests or Ministers of the word of God nor any other persons shall meete together in any priuate house or elsewhere to consult vpon any matter or course to bee taken by them or vpon their motion or direction by any other which may any way tend to the impeaching or deprauing of the doctrine of the Church of England or of the Booke of Common praier or of any part of the gouernment and Discipline now established in the Church of England vnder pain of Excōmunication ipso facto LXXIIII Decencie in apparell enioyned to Ministers THe true ancient and flourishing Churches of Christ being euer desirous that their Prelacie and Cleargie might be had as well in outward reuerence as otherwise regarded for the worthinesse of their Ministery did thinke it fit by a prescript forme of decent and comely Apparell to haue them knowen to the people and thereby to receiue the honor and estimation due to the special Messengers and Ministers of Almighty God Wee therefore following their graue iudgement and the ancient Custome of the Church of England and hoping that in time new fanglenesse of Apparell in some factious persons will die of it selfe do constitute and appoint That the Archbishop and Bishops shall not intermit to vse the accustomed Apparel of their degrees Likewise all Deanes Masters of Colledges Archdeacons and Prebendaries in Cathedrall and Collegiate Churches beeing Priests or Deacons Doctors in Diuinitie Law and Phisicke Bachelers in Diuinitie Masters of Arts and Bachelers of Lawe hauing any Ecclesiasticall liuing shall vsually weare Gownes with standing collers and sleeues streight at the hands or wide sleeues as is vsed in the Vniuersities with Hoods or Tippets of Silke or Sarcenet and square Caps And that all other Ministers admitted or to be admitted into that Function shall also vsually weare the like Apparell as is aforesaid except Tippets onely We doe further in like maner ordaine That all the said Ecclesiasticall persons aboue mentioned shall vsually weare in their iourneys Cloakes with sleeues commonly called Priests Cloaks without gards welts long Buttons or cuts And no Ecclesiastical person shall weare any Coife or wrought Nightcap but onely plaine Nightcaps of blacke silke Satten or Veluet In all which particulars concerning the Apparell here prescribed our meaning is not to attribute any holinesse or speciall worthinesse to the said garments but for decencie grauitie and order as is before specified In priuate houses and in their Studies the said persons Ecclesiasticall may vse any comely and Schollerlike Apparel Prouided that it be not cut or pinckt and that in publike they goe not in their Dublet and Hose without Coats or Cassocks and also that they weare not any light coloured Stockins Likewise poore beneficed men and Curats not being able to prouide themselues long Gownes may goe in short Gownes of the fashion aforesaid LXXV Sober conuersation required in Ministers NO Ecclesiastical persons shal at any time other then for their honest necessities resort to any Tauernes or Alehouses neither shall they board or lodge in any such places Furthermore they shal not giue themselues to any base or seruile labour or to drinking or riot spending their time idlely by day or by night playing at Dice Cardes or Tables or any other vnlawfull game but at all times conuenient they shall heare or reade somewhat of the holy Scriptures or shall occupie themselues with some other honest studie or exercise alwayes doing the things which shall appertaine to honestie and endeuouring to profit the Church of God hauing alwayes in minde that they ought to excell all others in puritie of life and should bee examples to the people to liue well and Christianly vnder paine of Ecclesiasticall censures to be inflicted with seueritie according to the qualities of their offences LXXVI Ministers at no time to forsake their Calling NO man being admitted a Deacon or Minister shall from thenceforth voluntarily relinquish the same nor afterward vse himselfe in the course of his life as a Lay man vpon paine of Excommunication And the names of all such men so forsaking ther calling the Church-wardens of the Parish where they dwell shall present to the Bishop of the Diocesse or to the Ordinarie of the place hauing Episcopall Iurisdiction ⧠Schoolemasters LXXVII None to teach Schoole without Licence NO man shal teach either in publike Schoole or priuate house but such as shall bee allowed by the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinarie of the place vnder his Hand and Seale being found meete aswell for his learning and dexteritie in teaching as for sober and honest conuersation and also for right vnderstanding of Gods true Religion and also except he shall first subscribe to the first and third Articles afore mentioned simply and to the two first clauses of the second Article LXXVIII Curats desirous to teach to bee licenced before others IN what Parish Church or Chappell soeuer there is a Curate which is a Master of Arts or Bacheler of Arts or is otherwise well able to teach youth and will willingly so doe for the better increase of his liuing and trayning vp of children in Principles of true Religion We will and ordaine That a Licence to teach youth of the Parish where he serueth be granted to none by the Ordinarie of that place but onely to the saide Curate Prouided alwayes That this Constitution shall not extend to any Parish or Chappell in countrey Townes where there is a publike Schoole founded already In which case wee thinke it not meete to allow any to teach Grammer but onely him that is allowed for the said publike Schoole LXXIX The duetie of Schoolemasters ALl Schoolemasters shall teach in English or Latine as the children are able to beare the larger or shorter Catechisme heretofore by publike authoritie set foorth And as often as any Sermon shall bee vpon Holy and Festiuall dayes within the Parish where they teach they shall bring their Schollers to the Church where such Sermon shall bee made and there see them quietly and soberly behaue themselues and shall examine them at times conuenient after their returne what they haue borne away of such Sermons Vpon other dayes and at other times they shal traine them vp with such sentences of holy Scripture as shall bee most expedient to induce them to all godlinesse and they shall teach the Grammer set forth by King HENRY the eight and continued in the times of King EDVVARD the sixt and Queene ELIZABETH of noble memory and none other And if any Schoolemaster being licenced and hauing subscribed as aforesaid shall offend in any of the premisses or either speake write or teach against any thing whereunto he hath
life contract Matrimonie with any other person And for the better obseruing of this last clause the said Sentence of Diuorce shall not be pronounced vntill the partie or parties requiring the same haue giuen good and sufficient caution securitie into the Court that they will not any way breake or trangresse the said restraint or prohibition CVIII The penaltie for Iudges offending in the premisses ANd if any Iudge giuing Sentence of Diuorce or Separation shall not fully keepe and obserue the premisses he shall be by the Archibishop of the Prouince or by the Bishop of the Diocesse suspended from the exercise of his Office for the space of a whole yere and the Sentence of Separation so giuen contrary to the forme aforesaid shal be held voyd to all intents and purposes of the Law as if it had not at all bene giuen or pronounced ¶ Ecclesiastical Courts belonging to the Iurisdiction of Bishops and Archdeacons and the proceedings in them CIX Notorious Crimes and Scandals to be certified into Ecclesiasticall Courts by presentment IF any offend their brethren either by Adulterie whoredome Incest or Drunkennesse or by Swearing Ribaldrie Vsurie or any other vncleannesse and wickednesse of life the Church-wardens or Questmen and Sidemen in their next Presentments to their Ordinaries shall faithfully present all and euery of the said offenders to the intent that they and euery of them may bee punished by the seueritie of the Lawes according to their deserts and such notorious offendours shall not be admitted to the holy Communion till they be reformed CX Schismaticks to be presented IF the Churchwardens or Questmen or Assistants doe or shall know any man within their Parish or elsewhere that is a hinderer of the word of God to bee read or sincerely Preached or of the execution of these our Constitutions or a fautor of any vsurped or forreine power by the Lawes of this Realme iustly reiected and taken away or a defender of Popish and erroneous doctrine they shall detect and present the same to the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinarie of the place to bee censured punished according to such Ecclesiastical Lawes as are prescribed in that behalfe CXI Disturbers of diuine Seruice to be presented IN all Visitations of Bishops and Archdeacons the Churchwardens or Questmen and Sidemen shall truely and personally present the names of all those which behaue themselues rudely or disorderly in the Church or which by vntimely ringing of Bels by walking talking or other noyse shall hinder the Minister or Preacher CXII Not Communicants at Easter to be presented THe Minister Church-wardens Questmen Assistants of euery Parish church and Chappell shall yeerely within fortie daies after Easter exhibite to the Bishop or his Chancellor the names and surnames of all the Parishioners aswell men as women which being of the age of sixteene yeeres receiued not the Communion at Easter before CXIII Ministers may present BEcause it often commeth to passe that the Churchwardens Sidemen Questmen and such other persons of the Laytie as are to take care for the suppressing of sinne and wickednesse in their seuerall Parishes as much as in them lieth by admonition reprehension denunciation to their Ordinaries doe forbeare to discharge their duties therein either through feare of their Superiours or through negligence more then were fit the licentiousnesse of these times considered Wee ordaine That hereafter euery Parson and Vicar or in the lawfull absence of any Parson or Vicar then their Curates and Substitutes may ioyne in euery presentment with the sayde Churchwardens Sidemen and the rest aboue mentioned at the times hereafter limited if they the said Churchwardens and the rest will present such enormities as are apparant in the Parish or if they wil not then euery such Parson and Vicar or in their absence as aforesaid their Curates may themselues present to their Ordinaries at such times and when else they thinke it meete all such crimes as they haue in charge otherwise as by them being the persons that should haue the chiefe care for the suppressing of sinne and impiety in their Parishes shall be thought to require due reformation Prouided alwayes that if any man confesse his secret and hidden sins to the Minister for the vnburthening of his conscience and to receiue spiritual consolation and ease of minde from him We do not any way binde the said Minister by this our Constitution but do straightly charge and admonish him that he do not at any time reueale make knowen to any person whatsoeuer any crime or offence so committed to his trust and secrecie except they bee such crimes as by the Lawes of this Realme his owne life may be called into question for concealing the same vnder paine of irregularitie CXIIII Ministers shall present Recusants EVery Parson Vicar or Curate shall carefully informe themselues euery yere hereafter how many Popish Recusants men women children aboue the age of thirteene yeeres and how many being popishly giuen who though they come to the Church yet doe refuse to receiue the Communion are inhabitants or make their abode either as Soiourners or common Guests in any of their seuerall Parishes and shall set downe their true names in writing if they can learne them or otherwise such names as for the time they cary distinguishing the absolute Recusants from halfe Recusants and the same so farre as they know or beleeue so distinguished set downe vnder their hands shall truely present to their Ordinaries before the Feast of the Natiuitie next ensuing vnder paine of suspension to bee inflicted vpon them by their said Ordinaries and so euery yeere hereafter vpon the like paine before the Feast of S. Iohn Baptist Also we ordaine that all such Ordinaries Chancellours Commissaries Archdeacons Officials and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers to whom the said presentments shall be exhibited shall likewise within one moneth after the receit of the same vnder paine of suspension by the Bishop from the execution of their Offices for the space of halfe a yere as often as they shall offend therein deliuer them or cause to be deliuered to the Bishop respectiuely who shall also exhibite them to the Archbishop within sixe weekes and the Archbishop to his Maiestie within other sixe weekes after he hath receiued the said presentments CXV Ministers and Churchwardens not to bee sued for Presenting WHereas for the reformation of criminous persons and disorders in euery Parish the Churchwardens Questmen Sidemen and such other Church Officers are sworne and the Minister charged to present as well the crimes and disorders committed by the said criminous persons as also the common fame which is spread abroad of them whereby they are often maligned and sometimes troubled by the said Delinquents or their friends We doe admonish and exhort all Iudges both Ecclesiasticall and Temporall as they regard and reuerence the fearefull iudgement seate of the highest Iudge that they admit not in any of their Courts any complaint plea suit or suits
against any such Churchwarden Questmen Sidemen or other Church officers for making any such presentments nor against any Minister for any presentment that hee shall make all the said presentments tending to the restraint of shamelesse impietie and considering that the rules both of Charitie and Gouernment doe presume that they did nothing therein of malice but for the discharge of their consciences CXVI Churchwardens not bound to Present oftner then twice a yeere NO Churchwardens Questmen or Side-men of any Parish shall bee inforced to exhibite their presentments to any hauing Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction aboue once in euery yeere where it hath bene no oftner vsed nor aboue twise in any Diocesse whatsoeuer except it be at the Bishops Visitation For the which presentments of euery Parish Church or Chappell the Register of any Court where they are to be exhibited shall not receiue in one yeere aboue foure pence vnder paine for euery offence therein of suspension from the execution of his Office for the space of a moneth toties quoties Prouided alwayes that as good occasion shall require it shall be lawfull for euery Minister Churchwardens and Side-men to present offenders as oft as they shall thinke meete And likewise for any godly disposed person or for any Ecclesiasticall Iudge vpon knowledge or notice giuen vnto him or them of any enormious crime within his Iurisdiction to moue the Minister Churchwardens or Sidemen as they tender the glory of God and reformation of sinne to present the same if they shall finde sufficient cause to induce them thereunto that it may bee in due time punished and reformed Prouided that for these voluntarie presentments there be no Fee required or taken of them vnder the paine aforesaid CXVII Churchwardens not to be troubled for not presenting oftner then twise a yeere NO Churchwardens Questmen or Side-men shall be called or cited but onely at the said time or times before limited to appeare before any Ecclesiasticall Iudge whosoeuer for refusing at other times to present any faults committed in their Parishes and punishable by Ecclesiasticall lawes Neither shall they nor any of them after their presentments exhibited at any of those times be any further troubled for the same except vpon manifâ—st and euident proofe it may appeare that they did then willingly and wittingly omit to present some such publike crime or crimes as they knew to be committed or could not be ignorant that there was then a publike fame of them or vnlesse there be very iust cause to call them for the explanation of their former presentments In which case of wilfull omission their Ordinaries shall proceed against them in such sort as in causes of wilfull periury in a Court Ecclesiasticall it is alreadie by Law prouided CXVIII The old Churchwardens to make their Presentments before the new be sworne THe office of al Churchwardens and Side-men shall bee reputed euer hereafter to continue vntill the new Churchwardens that shall succeed them be sworne which shal be the first weeke after Easter or some weeke following according to the direction of the Ordinary Which time so appointed shall alwayes be one of the two times in euery yeere when the Minister and Churchwardens and Sidemen of euery Parish shall exhibite to their seuerall Ordinaries the presentments of such enormities as haue happened in their Parishes since their last presentments And this duetie they shall performe before the newly chosen Churchwardens and Sidemen be sworne and shall not be suffered to passe ouer the said presentments to those that are newly come into office and are by intendment ignorant of such crimes vnder paine of those censures which are appointed for the reformation of such dalliers and dispensers with their owne consciences and oathes CXIX Conuenient time to be assigned for framing Presentments FOr the auoyding of such inconueniences as heretofore haue happened by the hasty making of Billes of Presentments vpon the dayes of the Visitation and Synods it is ordered That alwayes hereafter euery Chancellor Archdeacon Commissary and Officiall and euery other person hauing Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction at the ordinary time when the Churchwardens are sworne and the Archbishop and Bishops when he or they doe summon their Visitation shall deliuer or cause to be deliuered to the Churchwardens Questmen and Sidemen of euery Parish or to some of them such Bookes of Articles as they or any of them shall require for the yeere following the said Churchwardens Questmen and Sidemen to ground their Presentments vpon at such times as they are to exhibite them In which Booke shall be contained the forme of the oath which must be taken immediatly before euery such Presentment to the intent that hauing before hand time sufficient not onely to peruse and consider what their sayd oath shal be but the Articles also whereupon they are to ground their Presentments they may frame them at home both aduisedly and truely to the discharge of their owne conscienences after they are sworne as becommeth honest and godly men CXX None to bee Cited into Ecclesiasticall Courts by Processe of Quorum nomina NO Bishop Chancellor Archdeacon Officiall or other Ecclesiasticall Iudge shall suffer any generall Processes of Quorum nomina to bee sent out of his Court except the names of all such as thereby are to be cited shal be first expresly entred by the hand of the Register or his Deputie vnder the said Processes and the sayd Processes and names be first subscribed by the Iudge or his Deputie and his Seale thereto affixed CXXI None to bee Cited into seuerall Courts for one crime IN places where the Bishop and Archdeacon doe by prescription or composition visite at seuerall times in one and the same yeere least for one and the selfe same fault any of his Maiesties Subiects should bee challenged molested in diuers Ecclesiastical Courts We order and appoint That euery Archdeacon or his Officiall within one moneth after the Visitation ended that yeere and the Presentments receiued shall certifie vnder his Hand and Seale to the Bishop or his Chancellor the names and Crimes of all such as are detected and presented in his said Visitation to the end the Chancellor shall thencefoorth forbeare to conuent any person for any Crime or cause so detected or presented to the Archdeacon And the Chancellor within the like time after the Bishops Visitation ended and Presentments receiued shall vnder his Hand and Seale signifie to the Archdeacon or his Official the names and Crimes of all such persons which shall be detected or presented vnto him in that Visitation to the same intent as is aforesaid And if these Officers shall not certifie each other as is here prescribed or after such certificate shall intermeddle with the crimes or persons detected and presented in each others Visitation then euery of them so offending shall be suspended from all exercise of his Iurisdiction by the Bishop of the Diocesse vntill he shall repay the costs and expences which the parties grieued haue bene at by that
vexation CXXII No sentence of depriuation or deposition to bee pronounced against a Minister but by the Bishop WHen any Minister is complained of in any Ecclesiasticall Court belonging to any Bishop of this Prouince for any Crime the Chancellor Commissarie Officiall or any other hauing Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction to whom it shall appertaine shal expedite the cause by Processes and other proceedings against him and vpon contumacie for not appearing shal first suspend him afterward his contumacie continuing Excommunicate him But if he appeare and submit himselfe to the course of Law then the matter being ready for Sentence and the merits of his offence exacting by Law either depriuation from his liuing or deposition from the Ministery no such sentence shall bee pronounced by any person whatsoeuer but only by the Bishop with the assistance of his Chancellor the Deane if they may conueniently bee had and some of the Prebendaries if the Court be kept neere the Cathedrall Church or of the Archdeacon if he may bee had conueniently and two other at the least graue Ministers and Preachers to be called by the Bishop when the Court is kept in other places CXXIII No Act to be sped but in open Court NO Chancellor Commissary Archdeacon Officiall or any other person vsing Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction whosoeuer shall speed any iudiciall Act either of contentious or voluntary Iurisdiction except he haue the ordinary Register of that Court or his lawfull Deputy or if hee or they will not or cannot be present then such persons as by law are allowed in that behalfe to write or speede the same vnder paine of suspension ipso facto CXXIIII No Court to haue more then one Seale NO Chancellor Commissarie Archdeacon Official or any other exercising Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction shal without the Bishops consent haue any mo Seales then one for the Sealing of all matters incident to his Office Which Seale shall alwayes be kept either by himselfe or by his lawfull Substitute exercising Iurisdiction for him and remaining within the Iurisdiction of the said Iudge or in the Citie or principall Towne of the Countie This Seale shall containe the title of that Iurisdiction which euery of the said Iudges or their Deputies doe execute CXXV Conuenient places to bee chosen for the keeping of Courts ALl Chancellors Commissaries Archdeacons Officials and all other exercising Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction shall appoint such meete places for the keeping of their Courts by the assignement or approbation of the Bishop of the Diocesse as shall bee conuenient for entertainement of those that are to make their appearance there and most indifferent for their trauell And likewise they shall keepe and end their Courts in such conuenient time as euery man may returne homewards in as due season as may be CXXVI Peculiar and inferiour Courts to exhibite the originall copies of Willes into the Bishops Registrie WHereas Deanes Archdeacons Prebendaries Parsons Vicars others exercising Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction claime libertie to proue the last Willes Testaments of persons deceased within their seuerall Iurisdictions hauing no knowen nor certaine Registers nor publike place to keepe their Records in by reason whereof many Willes Rights and Legacies vpon the death or change of such persons and their priuate Notaries miscarry and cannot bee found to the great preiudice of his Maiesties Subiects We therefore order and inioyne that all such Possessours Exercisers of peculiar Iurisdiction shall once in euery yeere exhibite into the publike Registrie of the Bishop of the Diocesse or of the Deane Chapter vnder whose Iurisdiction the said Peculiars are euery originall Testament of euery person in that time deceased and by them proued in their seuerall peculiar Iurisdictions or a true Copie of euery such Testament examined subscribed and sealed by the peculiar Iudge and his Notarie Otherwise if any of them faile so to doe the Bishop of the Diocesse or Deane and Chapter vnto whom the said Iurisdictions doe respectiuely belong shall suspend the said parties and euery of them from the exercise of all such peculiar Iurisdiction vntill they haue performed this our Constituion ¶ Iudges Ecclesiasticall and their Surrogates CXXVII The qualitie and oath of Iudges NO man shall hereafter be admitted a Chancellor Commissary or Official to exercise any Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction except hee be of the full age of sixe and twentie yeeres at the least and one that is learned in the Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall Lawes and is at the least a Master of Arts or Bachelor of Law and is reasonably well practised in the course thereof as likewise well affected and zealously bent to Religion touching whose life and maners no euill example is had except before he enter into or execute any such Office hee shall take the oath of the Kings Supremacie in the presence of the Bishop or in the open Court and shall subscribe to the Articles of Religion agreed vpon in the Conuocation in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred sixtie and two and shall also sweare that he will to the vttermost of his vnderstanding deale vprightly and iustly in his Office without respect or fauour of reward the said oathes and subscription to be recorded by a Register then present And likewise all Chancellors Commissaries Officials Registers and all other that do now possesse or execute any places of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction or Seruice shall before Christmas next in the presence of the Archbishop or Bishop or in open Court vnder whom or where they exercise their Offices take the same oathes and subscribe as before is said or vpon refusall so to doe shall be suspended from the execution of their Offices vntill they shal take the said oathes and subscribe as aforesaid CXXVIII The qualitie of Surrogats NO Chancellor Commissary Archdeacon Officiall or any other person vsing Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction shall at any time substitute in their absence any to keepe any Court for them except hee bee either a graue Minister and a Graduate or a licensed publike Preacher and a Beneficed man neere the place where the Courts are kept or a Bachelor of Law or a Master of Arts at least who hath some skill in the Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall Law and is a fauourer of true Religion and a man of modest and honest conuersation vnder paine of Suspension for euery time that they offend therein from the execution of their Offices for the space of three moneths Toties quoties And hee likewise that is Deputed being not qualified as is before expressed and yet shall presume to be a Substitute to any Iudge and shall keepe any Court as is aforesaid shal vndergoe the same censure in maner and forme as is before expressed ⧠Proctors CXXIX Proctors not to retaine Causes without the lawfull assignement of the parties NOne shall Procure in any cause whatsoeuer vnlesse he be thereunto constituted and appointed by the partie himselfe either before the Iudge and by Act in Court or vnlesse in the beginning of the Suit hee be by a true and sufficient