CONSTITUTIONS AND CANONS Ecclesiasticall Treated upon by the ARCHBISHOPS of Canterbury and York Presidents of the Convocations for the respective Provinces of Canterbury and York and the rest of the Bishops and Clergie of those Provinces And agreed upon with the KINGS Majesties License in their severall Synods begun at London and York 1640. In the yeer of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland the Sixteenth And now Published for the due observation of them by His Majesties Authority under the Great Seal of England LONDON Printed by ROBERT BARKER Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majestie And by the Assignes of JOHN BILL 1640. CHARLES 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 Arch-deacons Chapters and Colledges and the other Clergie of every Diocesse within the severall Provinces of Canterburie and Yorke being respectively summoned and called by vertue of our severall Writs to the most Reverend Father in God Our right trustie and right welbeloved Counceller William by divine providence Lord Arch-bishop of Canterburie Primate of all England and Metropolitan And to the most Reverend Father in God Our right trustie and welbeloved Counceller Richard by divine providence Lord Arch-bishop of York Primate and Metropolitan of England respectively directed bearing date the twentieth day of Februarie in the fifteenth yeer of Our reign to appear before the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterburie in Our Cathedrall Church of S. Paul in London And before the said Lord Arch-bishop of York in the Metropolitan Church of S. Peter in York the fourteenth day of April then next ensuing or elswhere as they respectively should think it most convenientâ— to treat consent and conclude â—pon certain difficult and urgent affairs contained in the said Writs Did thereupon at the time appointed and within the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul and the Metropolitan Church of S. Peter aforesaid assemble themselves respectively together and appear in severall Convocations for that purpose according to the said severall Writs before the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterburie and the said Lord Arch-bishop of York respectively And forasmuch as We are given to understand that many of Our subjects being misled against the Rites and Ceremonies now used in the Church of England have lately taken offence at the same upon an unjust supposall that they are not onely contrary to Our laws but also introductive unto Popish superstitions whereas it well appeareth unto Vs upon mature consideration that the said Rites and Ceremonies which are now so much quarrelled at were not onely approved of and used by those learned and godly Divines to whom at the time of Reformation under King Edward the sixth the compiling of the Book of Common Prayer was committed divers of which suffered Martyrdome in Queen Maries dayes but also again taken up by this whole Church under Queen Elizabeth and so duely and ordinarily practised for a great part of her Reign within the memory of divers yet living as that it could not then be imagined that there would need any Rule or Law for the observation of the same or that they could be thought to savour of Popery And albeit since those times for want of an expresse Rule therein and by subtile practises the said Rites and Ceremonies began to fall into disuse and in place thereof other forrain and unfitting usages by little and little to creep in Yet forasmuch as in Our own Royall Chappels and in many other Churches most of them have been ever constantly used and observed We cannot now but be very sensible of this matter and have cause to conceive that the authors and fomentors of these jealousies though they colour the same with a pretence of Zeal and would seem to strike onely at some supposed iniquity in the said Ceremonies Yet as We have cause to fear ayme at Our own Royall person and would fain have Our good Subjects imagine that We Our Self are perverted and do worship God in a superstitious way and that we intend to bring in some alteration of the Religion here established Now how far We are from that and how utterly We detest every thought therefore We have by many publike Declarations and otherwise upon sundry occasions given such assurance to the world as that from thence We also assure Our Self that no man of wisdom and discretion could ever be so beguiled as to give any serious entertainment to such brain-sick jealousies and for the weaker sort who are prone to be misled by crâ—fty seducers We rest no lesse confident that even of them as many as are of loyall or indeed but of charitable hearts will from henceforth utterly banish all such causlesse fears and surmises upon these Our sacred professions so often made by Vs a Christian Defender of the Faith their King and Soveraign And therefore if yet any person under whatsoever mask of zeal or counterfeit holinesse shall henceforth by speech or writing or any other way notwithstanding these Our right hearty faithfull and solemn protestations made before him whose Deputy We are against all and every intention of any Popish innovation be so ungracious and presumptuous as to vent any poisoned conceits tending to such a purpose and to cast these devilish aspersions and jealousies upon Our Royall and godly proceedings We require all Our loyall Subjects that they forthwith make the same known to some Magistrate Ecclesiasticall or Civill And We straightly charge all Ordinaries and every other person in any authority under Vs as they will answer the contrary at their utmost perill that they use no palliation connivence or delay therein but that taking particular information of all the passages they do forthwith certifie the same unto Our Court of Commission for causes Ecclesiasticall to be there examined and proceeded in with all fidelity and tendernesse of Our Royall Majestie as is due to Vs their Soveraigne Lord and Governour But forasmuch as We well perceive that the misleaders of Our well minded people do make the more advantage for the nourishing of this distemper among them from hence that the foresaid Rites and Ceremonies or some of them are now insisted upon but onely in some Diocesses and are not generally revived in all places nor constantly and uniformly practised thorowout all the Churches of Our Realm and thereupon have been lyable to be quarrelled and opposed by tâ—em who use them not We therefore out of Our Princely inclination to Vniformity and peace in matters especially that concern the holy worship of God proposing to Our self herein the pious examples of King Edward the sixth and of Queen Elizabeth who sent forth Injunctions and Orders about the divine Service and other Ecclesiasticall matters and of Our dear Father of blessed memory King James who published a book of Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiasticall and
or Ministers so appointed they shall be suspended by their Ordinary for the space of six moneths without a very reasonable cause alleadged to the contrary Provided that they be not â—ent above ten miles from their dwelling If the said Conferences prevail not the Church must and shall come to her Censures and to make way for them the said Ecclesiâ—sticall persons shall carefully inform themselves in the places belonging to their severall charges of all Recusants above the age of twelve yeers both of such as come not at all to Church as also of those who coming sometimes thither do yet refuse to receive the holy Eucharist with us as likewise of all those who shall either say or hear Masse and they shall in a more especiall manner enquire oâ—t all those who are â—ither dangerously active to seduce any persons from the Communion of the Church of England oâ— sâ—ditiously busie to disswade his Majesties subjects from taking the oath of Allegiance together with all them who abused by their Sophistry refuse to take the said oath And we straighâ—ly command all Parsons Viâ—ars and Curates that they carefully and severally present at all Visitations the names and surnamâ—s of the delinquents of these severall kindes in their own parishes undeâ— pain of suspension for sâ—â— moneths And likewise we straightly enjoyn all Church-wardens and the like sworn Officâ—rs whatsoever â—hat by vertue oâ— their oâ—thes they shall present at the said Visitations the names of such persons whom they know or hear of or justly suspect to be delinqâ—ent in all or any of these particulars and that under the pains of the highest censures of the Church that so these delinquents may be legally cited and being â—ound obstinate they shall be excommunâ—cated and such excommunication shall be pronounced both in the Cathedrall Church of the Diocesse and in the severall Parishes where such Recusants live and every third moneth they shall be again publikely repeated in the places aforesaid that all may take notice of those Sentencâ—s And because there are places which either have or pretend to have exemptions in which such delinquents do usually affect to make their aboad Therefore we enjoyn that all Bishops shall within their severall Diocesses send unto such places one or more of their Chaplains or some of their officers whom they may relie on to make strict inquiry after oâ—fâ—nders in those kindes who diligently returning their information accordingly the said Bishop shall certifie such informations to his Metropolitan that the aforesaid proceedings may forthwith issue from some higher Courts in these cases whereof by reason of the said exemptions the infâ—riour Courts can take no cognisanceâ— Buâ— if neithâ—r Confâ—rring nor Censures will prevail with such persons the Church hath no way left but complaints to the secular power and for them we sâ—â—aitly enjoyn that all Deanes and Arch-deacons and all having inferiour or exempt Jurisdiction shall every yeare within sixe moneths after any Visitation by them holden make Certificate unto their severall Bishops or Archbishop if it be within his Diocesse under their Seale of Office of all such persons who have been presented unto them as aforesaid under pain of suspension from their said Jurisdictions by the space of one whole yeare And we in like manner enjoyne all Archbishops and Bishops that once every yeare at the least they certifie under their Episcopall Seale in Parchment unto the Justices of Assise of every County in the Circuits and within their Diocesses respectively the names and sirnames not onely of those who have been presented unto them from the said Deanes Archdeacons c. but of those also who upon the oathes of Church-wardens and other sworne men at their Visitations or upon the information of Ministers imployed in the said Conferences have been presented unto them that so the said intended proceedings may have the more speedy and the more generall successe In particular it shall be carefully inquired into at all Visitations under the oathes of the Church-wardens and other sworne men what Recusants or Popish persons have been either married or buryed or have had their children baptized otherwise then according unto the Rules and Formes established in the Church of England and the names of such delinquents if they can learne them or otherwise such names as for the time they carry shall be as aforesaid given up to the Bishop who shall present them to the Justices of Assise to bee punished according to the Statutes And for the education of Recusants children since by Canon already established no man can teach Schoole no not in any private house except hee bee allowed by the Ordinary of the place and withall have subscribed to the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England We therefore straightly enjoyne that forthwith at all Visitations there bee diligent enquiry made by the Churchwardens or other sworne Ecclesiasticall Officers of each Parish under their oathes who are imployed as Schoole-masters to the children of Recusants and that their severall names be presented to the Bishop of the Diocesse who citing the said Schoole-masters shall make diligent search whether they have subscribed or no and if they or any of them bee found to refuse subscription they shall bee forbidden to teach hereafter and censured for their former presumption and withall the names of him or them that entertaine such a Schoole-master shall be certified to the Bishop of the Diocesse who shall at the next Assise present them to the Judges to bee proceeded against according to the Statutes And if they subscribe enquiry shall be made what care they take for the instruction of the said children in the Catechisme established in the Book of Common Prayer And all Ordinaries shall censure those whom they finde negligent in the said instruction and if it shall appeare that the Parents of the said children doe forbid such Schoole-masters to bring them up in the Doctrine of the Church of England they shall notwithstanding doe their duty and if thereupon the said Parents shall take away their children the said Schoole-masters shall forthwith give up their names unto the Bishop of the Diocesse who shall take care to returne them to the Justices of Assise in manner and forme aforesaid And because some may cunningly elude this Decree by sending their children to bee bred beyond the seas Therefore wee ordaine that the Church-wardens and other sworne Ecclesiasticall Officers shall likewise make carefull enquiry and give in upon their oathes at all Visitations the names of such Recusants children who are so sent beyond the seas to be bred there or whom they probably suspect to bee so sent which names as aforesaid shall be given up to the Bishop and from him returned to the Judges as aforesaid that their Parents who so send â—hem may be punished according to Law Provided alwayes that this Canon shall not take away or derogate from any power or authority already given or established by any other Canon now in force
Synod against the Books of Socinianisme shall also extend to the makers importers printers and publishers or dispersers of any Book writing or scandalous Pamphlet devised against the discipline and government of the Church of England and unto the maintainers and abettors of any opinion or doctrine against the same And further because there are sprung up among us a sort of factious people despisers and depravers of the Book of Common prayer who do not according to the Law resort to their parish Church or Chappel to joyn in the publique prayers service and worship of God with the congregation contenting themselves with the hearing of Sermons onely thinking thereby to avoid the penalties due to such as wholly absent themselves from the Church We therefore for the restraint of all such wilfull contemners or neglecters of the Service of God do ordain that the Church or Chappell Wardens and Questmen or Sidemen of every parish shall be carefull to enquire out all such disaffected pâ—rsons and shall present the names of all such dâ—linquents at all Visitations of Bishops and other Ordinaries And that the same proceedings and penalties mâ—ntioned in the Canon aforesaid respectively shall be used against them as against othâ—r Recusants unlesse within one whole moneth after they are â—irst denounced they shall make acknowledgement and reformation of that their fault Provided alwayes that this Canon shall not derogatâ— from any other Canon Law or Statute in that behalf provided against those Sectaries VI An Oath injoyn'd for the preventing of all Innovations in Doctrine and Government THis present Synod being desirous to declare their sincerity and constancie in the profession of the Doctrine and Discipline already established in the Church of England and to secure all men against any suspition of revolt to Poperie or any other superstition decrees that all Arch-bishops and Bishops and all other Priests and Deacons in places â—xempt or not exempt shall before the second day of November next ensuingâ— take this Oath following against all Innovation of Doctrine or Discipline and this Oath shall be tendred them and every of them and all others named after in this Canon by the Bishop in person or his Chancelour or some grave Divines named and appointed by the Bishop under his seal and the said Oath shall be taken in the presence of a publique Notarie who is hereby râ—quired to make an Act of it leaving the Universities to the Provision which followes The Oath is I A. B. Do swear That I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to salvation And that I will not endeavour by my self or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established Nor will I ever give my consent to altâ—r the Government of this Church by Arch-bishops Bishops Deanes and Arch-deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plain and common sence and understanding of the same words without any equivocation oâ— mentall evasion or secret râ—servation whatsoever And this I do heartily willingly and truely upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Jesus Christ And if any man Beneficâ—d or Dignified in the Church of England or any othâ—r Ecclesiasticall pâ—rson shall refuse to take this Oath the Bishop shall give him a moneths time to inform himsâ—lf and at the moneths end if he refuse to take it he shall be suspended ab Officio and have a second moneth granted and if then he refuse to take it he shall bâ— suspended ab Oâ—fiâ—io Beneficio and have a third moneth granted him for his better information but if at the end of that moneth he refuse to take the Oath above-named he shall by the Bishop be deprived of all his Ecclâ—siasticall Promotions whatsoever and execution of his function which he holds in the Church of England And we likewise Constitute and Ordain That all Masters of Arts the sons of Noble-men onely excepted all Bachelours and Doctors in Divinity Law or Physick all that are licenced to practise Physick all Registers Actuaries and Proctors all School-masters all such as being natives or naturalized do come to be incorporated into the Universities here having taken a Degree in any forraign Univeâ—sity shall be bound to take the said Oath And we command all Governours of Colledges and Halls in either of the Universities that they administer this said Oath to all persons resident in their severall Houses that have taken the degrees before mentioned in this Canon within six moneths after the publication hereof And we likewise Constitute That all Bishops shall be bound to give the said Oath unto all those to whom they give holy Orders at the time of their Ordination or to whomsoever they give Collation Institution or Licence to Preach or serve any Cure VII A Declaration concerning some Rites and Ceremonies BEcause it is generally to be wished that unity of Faith were accompanied with uniformity of practisâ— in the outward worship and service of God chiefly for the avoiding of groundlesse suspitâ—ons of those who are weak and the malicious aspersions of the professed enemies of our Religion the one fearing Innovations the other flattering themselves with a vain hope of our backslidings unto their Popish superstition by reason of the situation of the Communion Table and the approaches thereunto the Synod declareth as followethâ— That the standing of the Communion Table side-way under the East window of every Chancell or Chappell is in its own nature indifferent neither commanded nor condemned by the Word of God either expresly or by immediate deduction and therefore that no Religion is to be placed therein or scruple to be made thereon And albeit at the time of reforming this Church from that grosse superstition of Popery it was carefully provided that all meanes should be used to root out of the mindes of the people both the inclination thereunto and memory therof especially of the Idolatry committed in the Masse for which cause all Popish Altars were demolished yet notwithstanding it was then ordered by the Injunctions and Advertisements of Queen Elizabeth of blessâ—d memory that the holy Tables should stand in the place where the Altars stood and accordingly have been continued in the Royall Chappells of three famous and pious Princes and in most Cathedrall and some Parochiall Churches which doth sufficiently acquit the manner of placing the said Tables from any illegality or just suspition of Popish superstition or innovation And therefore we judge it fit and convenient that all Churches and Chappels do conform themselves in this particular to the example of the Cathedral or Mother Churches saving alwaies the generall liberty left to the Bishop by Law during the time
according to the Act of Parliament in this behalf having fully advised herein with Our Metropolitan and with Our Commissioners authorised under Our great Seal for causes Ecclesiasticall have thought good to give them free leave to treat in Convocation and agree upon certain other Canons necessary for the advancement of Gods glory the edifying of his holy Church and the due reverence of his blessed Mysteries and Sacraments that as We â—ver have been and by Gods assistance by whom alone We reign shall ever so continue carefull and ready to cut off superstition with one hand so We may no lesse expell irrâ—verence and profanenesse with the other whereby it may please Almighty God so to blesse Vs and this Church committed to Our government that it may at once return unto the true former splendour of Vniformity Devotion and holy Order the luster whereof for some yeers by past hath been overmuch obscured through the devices of some ill affected to that Sacred Order wherein it had long stood from the very beginning of the Reformation and through inadvertencie of some in authority in the Church under Vs We therefore by vertue of Our Prerogative Royall and Supream authority in causes Ecclesiasticall by Our severall and respective Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England dated the fifteenth day of Aprill now last past and the twelfth day of May then next following for the Province of Canterbury And by Our like Letters Patents dated the seven and twentieth day of the same mâ—neth of Aprill and the twentieth day of the moneth of May aforesaid for the Province of York did give and grant full free and lawfull libertie licence power and authoritie unto the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and unto the said Lord Arch-bishop of York President of the said Convocation for the Province of York and to the rest of the Bishops of the said Provinces and unto all Deanes of Cathedrall Churches Arch-deacons Chapters and Colledges and the whole Clergie of every severall Diocesse within the said severall Provinces and either of them that they should and might from time to time during the present Parliament and further during Our will and pleasure conferre treat debate consider consult and agree of and upon Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they should think necessary fit and convenient for the honour and service of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better government thereof to be from time to time observed performed fulfilled and kept as well by the said Arch bishop of Canterbury and the said Arch-bishop of York the Bishops and their successours and the rest of the whole Clergie of the said severall Provinces of Canterbury and York in their severall Callings Offices Functions Ministeries Degrees and Administrations As by all and every Dean of the Arches and other Judges of the said severall Arch-bishops of Courts Guardians of Spiritualties Chancellours Deanes and Chapters Arch-deacons Commissaries Officials Registers and all and every other Ecclesiasticall Officers and their inferiour Ministers whatsoever of the same respective Provinces of Canterbury and York in their and every of their distinct Courts and in the order and manner of their and every of their proceedings and by all other persons within this Realm as farre as lawfully being members of the Church it may concern them as in Our said Letters Patents amongst other Clauses more at large doth appear Now forasmuch as the said Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and the said Arch-bishop of York President of said Convocation for the Province of York and others the said Bishops Deans Arch-deacons Chapters and Colledges with the rest of the Clergie having met together respectively at the time and places before mentioned respectively and then and there by vertue of Our said authority granted unto them treated of concluded and agreed upon certain Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to the end and purpose of Vs limited and prescribed unto them and have thereupon offered and presented the same unto Vs most humbly desiring Vs to give Our Royall assent unto the same according to the form of a certain Statute or Act of Parliament made in that behalf in the 25th yeer of the Reign of King Henry the eighth and by Our said Prerogative Royall and Supream authority in Causes Ecclesiasticall to ratifie by Our Letters Patents under Our great Seal of England and to confirm the same The Title and Tenour of them being word for word as ensueth Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiasticall treated upon by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Presidents of the Convocations for the respective Provinces of Canterbury and York and the rest of the Bishops and Clergie of those Provinces And agreed upon with the Kings Majesties Licence in their severall Synods begun at London and York 1640. In the yeer of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland and Sixteenth I. Concerning the Regall power WHereas sundry Lawes Ordinances and Constitutions have been formerly made for the acknowledgment and profession of the most lawfull and independent authority of our dread Soveraign Lord the Kings most Excellent Majestie over the State Ecclesiasticall and Civil We as our dutie in the first place bindes us and so far as to us appertaineth enjoyn them all to be carefully observed by all persons whom they concern upon the penalties in the said Laws and Constâ—tutions expressed And for the â—uller and clearer instruction and information of all Christian people within this Realm in their duties in this particular We do further ordain and decree That every Parson Vicar Curate or Preacher upon some one Sunday in every quarter of the yeer at Morning prayer shall in the place where he serves treatably and audibly read these explanations of the Regall power here inserted THE most High and Sacred order of Kings is of Divine right being the ordinance of God himself founded in the prime Laws of nature and clearly established by expresse texts both of the old and new Testaments A supream Power is given to this most excellent Order by God himself in the Scriptures which is That Kings should rule and command in their severall dominions all persons of what rank or estate soever whether Ecclesiasticall or Civill and that they should restrain and punish with the temporall sword all stubborn and wicked doers The care of Gods Church is so committed to Kings in the Scripture that they are commendâ—d when the Church keeps the right way and taxed when it runs amisse and therefore her government belongs in chief unto Kings For othâ—rwise one man would be commended for anothers care and taxed but for anothers negligence which is not Gods way The power to call and dissolve Councels both nationall and provincial is the true right of all Christian Kings within their own Realms or Territories And
when in the first times of Christs Church Prelates used this power 't was therefore onely because in those dayes they had no Christian Kings And it was then so onely used as in times of persecution that is with supposition in case it were requirâ—d of submitting their very lives unto the very Laws and Commands even of those Pagan Princes that they might not so much as seem to disturb their Civill Government which Christ came to confirm but by no means to undermine For any person or persons to set up maintain or avow in any their said Realms or Territories respectively under any pretence whatsoever any independent Coactive power either Papall or Popular whether directly or indirectly is to undermine their great Royall office and cunningly to overthrow that most Sacred ordinance which God himself hath established And so is treasonable against God as well as against the King For subjects to bear Arms against their Kings offensive or defensive upon any pretence whatsoever is 〈◊〉 the least to resist the Powers which are ordained of God And though they do not invâ—de but onely resist St. Paul tels them plainly Thâ—y shall receive to themselves damnation And although Tribute and Custome and Aide and Subsidie and all manner of necessary support and sâ—pply be respectively due to Kings from their subjects by the Law of God Nature and Nations for the publike defence care and protection of them yet nâ—verthelesse subjects have not onely possession of but a true and just right title and propertie to and in all their goods and estates and ought so to have And these two are so far from â—rossing one another that they mutually go together for the honourable and comfortable support of both For as it is the dutie of the subjects to supply their King so is it part of the Kingly office to support his subjects in the property and freedom of their estates And if any Parson Vicar Curate or Preacher shall voluntarily or carelesly neglect his duty in publishing the said explications and conclusions according to the Order above prescribed he shall be suspended by his Ordinary till such time as upon his penitence he shall give sufficient assurance or evidence of his amendment and in case he be of any exempt jurisdiction he shall be Censurable by his Majesties Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiasticall And we do also hereby require all Archbishops Bishops and all other inferiour Priesâ—s and Ministers that they preach teach and exhort their people to obey honour and serve their King and that they presume not to speak of his Majesties power in any other way then in this Canon is expressed And if any Parson Vicar Curate Preacher or any other Ecclesiasticall person whatsoever any Deane Canon or Prebendarie of any Collegiate or Cathedrall Church any member or Student of Colledge or Hall or any Reader of Divinity or Humanity in either of the Universities or elswhere shall in any Sermon Lecture Common place Determination or Disputation either by word or writing publikely maintain or abett any position or conclusion in opposition or impeachment of the aforesaid explications or any part or article of them he shall forthwith by the power of his Majesties Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiasticall be excommunicated till he repent and suspended two yeers from all the profits of his Benefice or other Ecclesiasticall Academicall or Scholasticall preferments And if he so offend a second time he shal be deprived from all his spirituall promotions of what nature or degree soever they be Provided alwayes that if the offence aforesaid be given in either of the Universities by men not having any Benefice or Ecclesiasticall preferment that then the delinquent shall be censured by the ordinary authority in such Cases of that University respectively where the said fault shall be committed II. For the better keeping of the day of his Majesties most happy Inauguration THe Synode taking into consideration the most inestimable benefits which this Church enjoyeth under the peaceable and blessed government of our dread Sovereign Lord King CHARLES And finding that aswell the godly Christian Emperours in the former times as our own most religious Princes since the Reformation have caused the dayes of their Inaugurations to be publikely celebrated by all their Subjects with Prayâ—rs and Thanksgiving to Almighty God and that there is a particular form of Prayer appointed by authority for that day and purpose And yet with all considering how negligent some people are in the observance of this day in many places of this Kingdomâ— Doth therefore decree and ordain that all manner of persons within the Church of Englanâ— shall from henceforth celebrate and keep the morning of the said day in coming diligently and reverently unto their Parish Church or Chappâ—ll at the time of Prayer and there continuing all the while that the prayers preaching or other service of the day endureth in testimony of their humble gratitude to God for so great a blessing and dutifull affections to so benigne and mercifull a Sovereign And for the better execution of this our Ordinance the holy Synode doth straitly require and charge and by authority hereof enableth all Archbishops Bishops Dâ—anes Deanes and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiasticall persons having exempt or peculiar jurisdiction as also all Chancellors Commissaries and Officialls in the Church of England that they enquire into the keeping of the same in their Visitations and punish such as they shall finde to be delinquent â—ccording as by Law they are to censure and punish those who wilfully absent themselves from Church on Holy-dayes And that the said day may be the better observed We do enjoyn that all Church-wardens shall provide at the Parish charge two of those books at least appointed for that day and if there be any want of the said book in any Parish they shall present the same at all Visitations respectively III. For suppressing of the growth of Popery ALl and every Ecclâ—siasticall persons of what rankâ— or condition soever Arch-Bishops and Bishops Deanes Arch deacons all having exempt or pâ—culiar jurisdiction with their severall Chancellours Commissaries and Officials all pâ—rsons intrusted with cure of soules shall usâ— râ—spectivâ—ly all possible carâ— and diâ—igence by conferring privately with the parties and by â—ensures of the Church in inferiour and higher Courts as also by complaints unto the Sâ—cular power to reduce all such to the Church of England who are mislâ—d into Popish superstition And first these private Conferences shall be performed in each severall Diocesse either by the Bishop in person if his occasion will permit it or by some one or morâ— learned Ministers at his speciall appointment and the said Bishop shall also designe the time and place of the said severall Conferencâ—s and all such persons as shall be present therâ—atâ— which if Recusants refuse to observe they shall be taken for obstinate and so certified to the Bishop And if the said tiâ—e and place be not observed by the Minister
of Administration of the holy Communion And we declare that this situation of the holy Table doth not imply that it is or ought to be esteemed a true and proper Altar whereon Christ is again really sacrificed but it is and may be called an Altar by us in that sense in which the Primitive Church called it an Altar and in no other And because experience hath shewed us how irreverent the behaviour of many people is in many placâ—â— some leaning others casting their hats and some sitting upon some standing and others sitting under the Communion Table in time of Divine Service for the avoiding of these and the like abuâ—â—s it is thought meet and convenient by this present Synod that the said Communion Tables in all Chancells or Chappells be decently severed with Rails to preserve them from such or worse profanations And because the Administration of holy things is to be performed with all possible decency and reverence thereâ—ore we judge it fit and convenient according to the word of the Service-Book established by Act of Parliament Draw neer c. that all Communicants with all humble reverence shall draw neer and approach to the holy Table there to receive the divine Mysteries which have heretofore in some places been unfitly carried up and down by the Minister unlesse it shall be otherwise appointed in respect of the incapacity of the place or other inconvenienceâ— by the Bishop himself in his jurisdiction and other Ordinaries respectively in theirs And lastly whereas the Church is the house of God dedicated to his holy worship and therefore ought to minde us both oâ— the greatnesse and goodnesse of his Divine Majestie certain it is that the acknowledgement thereof not onely inwardly in our hearts but also outwardly with our bodies must needs be pious in it self profitable unto us and edifying unto others We therefore think it very meet and behoovefull and heartily commend it to all good and well affected people members of this Church that they be ready to tender unto the Lord the said acknowledgement by doing reverence and obeisance both at their coming in and going out of the said Churches Chancels or Chappels according to the most ancient custome of the Primitive Church in the purest times and of this Church also for many yeers of the Reign of Quâ—en Elizabeth The reviving therefore of this ancient and laâ—dable custome we heartily commend to the serious considâ—ration of all good people not with any intention to exhibite any Religious worship to the Communion Table the East or Church or any thing therein contained in so doing or to perform the said gesture in the celebration of the holy Euchaâ—ist upon any opinion of a corporall pâ—esence of the body of Jesus Christ on the holy Table or in tâ—e mysticall elements but onely for the advancement of Gods Majestie and to give him alone that honour and glory that is due unto him and no otherwise and in the practise or omission of this Rite we desire that the rule of Charity prescribed by the Apostle may be observed which is That they which use this Rite despise not them who use it not and that they who use it not condemn not those that use it VIII Of Preaching for Conformity WHerâ—as the Preaching of Order and Decencie according to St Pauls rule doth conduce to edification it is required that all Preachers as well Beneficâ—d men as others shall positively and plainly Preach and Inâ—truct the people in their publike Sermons twice in the yeer at the least that the Rites and Ceremonies now established in the Church of England are lawfull and commendable and that they the said people and others ought to conform themselves in their practise to all the said Rites and Ceremonies and that the people and others ought willingly to submit themselves unto the authority and government of the Church as it is now established under the Kings Majestie And if any Preacher shall refuse or neglect to do according to this Canon let him be suspended by his Ordinary during the time of his refusall or wilfull forbearance to do thereafter IX One Book of Articles of inquiry to be used at all Parochiall Visitations FOr the better settling of an Uniformity in the outward government and administration of the Church and for the more preventing of just grievances which may be laid upon Church-wardens and other Sworn-men by any impertinâ—nt inconvenient or illegall enquiries in the Articles for Ecclesiasticall Visitations This Synode hath now causâ—d a Summary or Collection of Visiâ—â—tory Articles out of the Rubricks of the Service-Book and the Canons and warrantable Rules of the Church to be made and for future direction to be deposited in the Records of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and we do decree and ordain that from henceforth no Bishop or other person whatsoever having right to hold use or exercise any Parochiall Visitation shall under the pain of a Moneths suspension upon a Bishop and two Moneths upon any other Ordinary that is delinquent and this to be incurred ipso facto cause to be printed or published or otherwise to be given in charge to the Church-wardenâ— or to any other persons which shall be sworn to make Presentmâ—nts any other Articles or formes of enquiry upon oath then such onely as shal be approved and in terminis allowed unto him upon due request made by his Metropolitan under his Seal of Office Provided alwaies that after the end of three yeers next following the date of these presents the Metropolitan shal not either at the instance of those which have right to hold Parochiall Visitations oâ— upon any other occasion make any addition or diminution from that allowance to any Bishop of Visitatory Articles which he did last before in any Diocesse within his Province approve of But calling for the same shall hold and give that onely for a perpetual Rule and then eveâ—y Paâ—ish shal be bound onely to take the said Book from the Arch-deacons and other having a Peculiar or exempt Jurisdiction but once from that time in three yeers in case they do make it appear that they have the said Book remaining in their publike Châ—st for the use of the Parish And from evâ—ry Bishop they shall receive the said Articles at the Episcopall Visitation onely and in manner and form as formerly they have been accustomed to do and at no greater price then what hath bin usually paied in the said Diocesse respectively X. Concerning the Conversation of the Clergie THe sober graveâ— and exemplary Conversation of al those that are imployed in Administration of holy things being of great avail for the furtherance of pietieâ— It hath beâ—n the Religious care of the Church of England strictly to enjoyn to all every one of her Clergie a pious regular and inoffensive dâ—meanourâ— and to prohibit all loose and scandalous carriage by severe censures to be inflicted upon such delinquents as appeares by the 74. and 75. Canons Anno 1603. provided