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
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
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
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