prohibited by the Bishop XCIII To see Churches and Church-yards kept in sufficient reparations THey shall take care and provide that the Churches be well and sufficiently repaired and so from time to time kept and maintained that the Windowes be well glazed and that the floores be kept paved plain and even and all things there in such an orderly and decent sort without dust or any thing that may be noisome or unseemly J as best becometh the house of God The like care they shall take that the church-yards be well and sufficiently repaired fenced and maintained with walls rayles and pales as have been in each place accustomed at their charge unto whom by law the same appertaineth XCIV To furnish all churches with things necessary for the celebration of Divine Service preaching and administration of the Sacraments THey shall provide in every church at the common charge of the Parish two books of common prayer one for the Minister and the other for the clerk with all convenient speed but at farthest within six moneths after the publishing of these canons And likewise the Bible of the last translation set forth in the time of King James of blessed memory And where all or the most part of the people are Irish they shall provide also the said books in the Irish tongue so soon as they may be had The charge of these Irish books being to be borne also wholly by the Parish They shall also at the same common charge provide a fit seat for the Minister to read Service in a comely and decent Pulpit to be set in a convenient place for the preaching of Gods word a Font of stone set in the ancient usual place for the ministration of baptism together with a fair Table to be placed at the East end of the church or chancel and a cup of Silver for the celebration of the Holy communion Which Table also shall stand covered in time of Divine Service with a carpet of Sikl or other decent stuffe thought meet by the Ordinary of the place if any question be made of it and with a fair linnen cloath at the time of the ministration as becometh that Table XCV To provide things fitting for every communion and to observe those that come or come not to the same LIkewise they shall at the charge of the Parish against the time of every communion with the advise and direction of the Minister provide a sufficient quantity of fine white bread and of good and wholsom Wine for the number of communicants that shall from time to time receive there which wine they shall cause to be brought to the communion Table in a clean and sweet standing pot or stoop of Pewter if not of purer mettal Also they shall mark as well as the Minister whether all and every of the Parishioners come so often every year to the holy communion as the laws and our constitutions do require and whether any strangers come often and commonly from other Parishes to their Church and shall shew their Minister of them least perhaps they be admitted to the Lords Table amongst others which they shall forbid and remit such home to their own Parish Churches and Ministers there to receive the communion with the rest of their own neighbours XCVI To provide a chest for Almes in every church THey shall provide and have within three moneths next after the publishing of these constitutions a strong chest with a hole in the upper part thereof to be provided at the charge of the Parish having three keys of which one shall remain in the custody of the Parson Viear or Curate and the other two in the custody of the churchwardens for the time being Which chest they shall set and fasten in the most convenient place to the intent the Parishioners may put into it the Almes for their poor neighbours And the Parson Vicar or curate shall diligently from time to time and especially when men make their Testaments call upon exhort and move their neighbours to conferr and give as they may well spare to the said chest declaring unto them that whereas heretofore they have been diligent to bestow much substance otherwise than God commanded upon superstitious uses now they ought at this time to be much more ready to help the poor and needy knowing that to relieve the poor is a sacrifice which pleaseth God and that also whatsoever is given for their comfort is given to Christ himself and is so accepted of him that he will mercifully reward the same The which Almes and devotion of the people the keepers of the keyes shall yearly quarterly or ofther as need requireth take out of the chest and distribute the same in the presence of most of the Parish or fix of the chief of them to be truly and faithfully delivered to their most poor and needy neighbours XCVII To abolish all Monuments of superstition MOreover they shall with the approbation of the Ordinary of the place see that all Rood-lofts in which wooden crosses stood all shrines and all coverings of shrines and all other Monuments of fained miracles pilgrimages idolatry and superstition be clean taken away and removed XCVIII None to teach School without licence and curates desirous to teach to be licenced before others IT shall not be lawfull for any to teach the Latine tongue or to instruct children either in publick Schoole or private house but such as shall be allowed by the Ordinary of the place under his hand and Seal being found meet as well for his learning and dexterity in teaching as for sober and honest conversation and also for right understanding of Gods true Religion saving to all Patrons and Founders of Schooles the right of nomination And in what Parish soever there is a Curate which is a Master of Arts or Bachellor of Arts or is otherwise well able to teach youth and will willingly so do for the better increase of his living and training of children in the principles of true Religion We will and ordain that the licence to teach Grammar shall be granted to none by the Ordinary of that place but only to the said Minister or Schoolemaster Provided alwayes that this constitution shall not extend to any Parish where there is a publick Schoole founded already In which case we think it not meet to allow any to teach Grammar but only him that is allowed for the said publick Schoole XCIX The duty of Schoolemasters ALl Schoolemasters and Ushers shall endeavour to train up the children committed to their charge in good learning civility and piety And in the latine tongue they shall teach the Grammar set forth in England by King Henry the eight and so continned ever since and none other They shall also teach such other books as shall be allowed and appointed by the Bishop of the Diocess Provided that according to the priviledge granted to the University near Duotin Logick and Philosophy shall not be taught in Grammar Schooles Provided also that none be admitted or licenced to be a Schoolemaster or Usher within this Kingdom unless he first by his subscription testifie his consent to the two first canons And also that every Archbishop and Bishop and other Ordinary having Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction shall by censures of the Church respectively compel all such as are subject to their Jurisdiction which do now teach Schoole or hereafter shall presume to teach Schoole not having testified their consent by subscription as aforesaid to desist from teaching of Schoole C. The authority of this National Synod established THis sacred Synod being the representative body of the Church of Ireland in the name of Christ and by the Kings authority lawfully assembled doth pronounce and decree that if any within this Nation shall despise and contemn the constitutions thereof being by the said Regal power ratified and confirmed or affirm that none are to be subject thereunto but such as were present and gave theirm voices unto them he shall be excommunicated and not restored untill he shall publickly revoke his error FINIS
Constitutions AND CANONS ECCLESIASTICAL Treated upon by the Archbishops and Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of IERLAND And agreed upon with the Kings Majesties Licence in their Synod begun at Dublin Anno Dom. 1634. And in the year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES by the grace of God King of Great Brittain France and Ireland the Tenth And published for the due Observation of them by His Majesties Authority under the Great Seal of IRELAND DVBLIN Printed by Benjamin Tooke Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty and are to be sold by Samuel Dancer in Castle street 1669. THE TABLE Of the Church of Ireland 1. OF the agreement of the church of England and Ireland in the profession of the same christian Religion 2. The Kings supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical to be maintained 3. Of the Prescript form of Divine service contained in the book of Common Prayer 4. Of the form of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. and of the churches established according to that order 5. Anthors of schismes and maintainers of conventicles censured ¶ Of Divine Service preaching of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments 6. DVe celebration of Sundayes and Holy-dayes 7. The prescrip form of Divine service to be used on sundayes and holy-dayes with all decency and due reverence 8 Of the ordering of certain parts of the service 9 Beneficed Preachers being resident upon their livings to preach every sunday 10. No publick opposition between Preacâ—ers 11. Ministers to Catechize every Sunday 12. The people to be informed in the body of Christian Religion and reformed in their conversation 13. Preachers and Lecturers to read Divine Service and administer the sacraments twice a year at the least 14. Ministers not to refuse to Christen or Bury 15. Ministers not to defer christening if the child be in danger 16. Fathers not to be Godfathers in Baptism nor children not communicants 17. Confirmation or laying hands upon children to be performed by the Bishop once in three years 18. Of the receiving of the holy communion 19. Warning to be given before hand for the communion 20. Notorious offenders not to be admitted to the communion 21. Ministers not to preach or administer the communion in private houses 22. Ministers not to hold private conventicles ¶ Of Bishops Archdeacons Deans and Prebendaries 23 OF Ordering Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 24. Of ordering the revennes of Ecclesiastical persons 25. Of Archdeacens 26. Residence of Deans in their Churches 27. Deans and Prebendaries to preach during their Residence 28. Prebendaries to be resident upon their benefices ¶ Of the Ordination function and charge of Ministers 29. FOur solemn times appointed for the making of Ministers 30. The titles of such as are to be made Ministers 31. The quality of such as are to be made Ministers 32. The examination of such as are to be made Ministers 33. Caution for Institution of Ministers into Benefices 34. Patrons of Ecclesiastical Benefices 35. Prevention of Symoniacal contract in those that are presented by them 36. Small Parishes to be united and residence enjoyned 37. Absence of Beneficed men and livings appropriated to be supplyed by Curats that are allowed Preachers 38. None to be Curats but allowed by the Bishop 39. Strangers not admitted to preach without Licence 40. Ministers to confer with Recusants 41. Ministers to visit the sick 42. Soberness of conversation and decency of apparel required in Ministers 43. Of Consecration of Churches 44. A Terrier of gleabe lands and other possessions belonging to Churches 45. Payment of Tythes 46. A Registry to be kept of Christnings Weddings and Burials ¶ Of Marriages and divorces 47. NOne to marry within the degrees prohibited 48. None to marry under XXI years without their Parents consent 49. Security to be taken at the granting of such Licences and under what conditions 50. Oaths to be taken for the conditions 51. An exception for those that are in Widowhood 52. Ministers not to marry any person without Bannes 53. No sentence for divorce to be given upon the sole confession of the parties 54. No sentence of divorce to be given but in open court 55. In all sentences for divorce bond to be taken for not marrying during each others life ¶ Of Ecclesiastical Courts and Jurisdiction 56. THe order of Jurisdictions to be kept 57. The restraint of double Quarrels upon the respite of Institution 58. Inhibitions not to be granted without the subscription of an Advocate 59. Inhibitions not to be granted until the Appeal be exhibited to the judge 60. Solemn denunciation of parties excommunicated 61. Notorious crimes and scandals to be certified into Ecclesiastical courts by presentments 62. Schismaticks to be presented 63. Not communicants at Easter to be presented 64. Ministers may present 65. Ministers and church-wardens not to be sued for presenting 66. church wardens not bound to present oftner than twice a year 67. Church wardens not to be troubled for not presenting oftner than twice a year 68. Convenient time to be assigned for framing presentments 69. None to be cited into Ecclesiastical courts by Process of Quorum nomina 70. Maturity required in proceeding 71. No sentence of deprivation or deposition to be prenounced against a Minister but by the Bishop 72. No Act to be sped but in open court 73. No court to have more than one Seal 74. Convenient places to be chosen for keeping of courts 75. Peculiar and inferiour courts to exhibit the original copies of Wills into the Bishops Registry 76. The quality and Oath of Judges and Surrogates 77. Proctors not to retain causes without the lawfull assignment of the parties 78. Proctors prohibited the Oath in animam domini sui 79. Proctors not to be clamorous in court 80. The Oath de calumniâ not to be refused 81. Abuses to be reformed in Registers 82. A certain rateof fees to all Ecclesiastical Officers 83. A table of the rates of fees to be set up in courts and Registries 84. The whole fees for shewing Letters of orders and other licences due but once in every Bishops time 85. The number of Apparators restrained ¶ Of Parish Clerks Church wardeus and Schoolmasters and their several duties 86. PArish clerks to be chosen by the Minister 87. The choice of church-wardens and their accompt 88. The choice of Sidermen and their joynt office with church-wardens 89. The old church-wardens to make their Presentments before the new besworn 90. The duty of church wardent touching such persons as are out of the church in the time of Gods worship on sundayes and Holy dayes 91. Their duty touching those persons that are in the church at that time 92. To keep the church from being prophaned at all other times 93. To see churches and church yards kept in sufficient reparation 94. To furnish all churches with things necessary for the celebration of Divine service Preaching and administration of the sacraments 95. To provide things sitting for every communion and to observe those that come
not sparing to execute the penalties in them severally mentioned upon any that shall wittingly or wilfully break or neglect to observe the same as they tender the honour of God the peace of the Church tranquillity of the Kingdom and their duties and sorvice unto Us their King and Soveraign In witness c. Constitutions AND CANONS ECCLESIASTICAL Treated upon by the Archbishops and Bishops and the rest of the Clergy of Ireland and agreed upon by the Kings Majesties licence in their Synod begun and holden at Dublin Anno Domini 1634. and in the year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles by the Grace of God King of Great Brittain France and Ireland the Tenth I. Of the agreement of the Church of England and Ireland in the profession of the same Christian Religion FOR the manifestation of our agreement with the church of England in the confession of the same christian faith and the doctrine of the Sacraments We do receive and approve the book of Articles of Religion agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops and the whole clergy in the convocation holden at London in the year of our Lord God 1562. for the avoiding of diversities of opinions and for the establishing of consent touching true Religion And therefore if any hereafter shall affirm that any of those Articles are in any part superstitious or erroneous or such as he may not with a good conscience subscribe unto let him be excommunicated and not absolved before he make a publick revocation of his errour II. The Kings supremacy in causes Ecclesiastical to be maintained ALl Ecclesiastical persons having cure of souls and all other Preachers and Readers of Divinity lectures shall to the uttermost of their wit knowledge and learning purely and sincerely without any colour or dissimulation teach manifest open and declare four times every year at the least in their Sermons and other collations and lectures That all usurped and sorrain power forasmuch as the same hath no establishment nor ground by the law of God is for most just causes taken away and abolished and that therefore no manner of obedience or subjection within his Majesties Realms and Dominions is due unto such forreign power but that the Kings power within his Realm of Ireland and all other his Dominions and Countries is the highest power under God to whom all men as well Inhabitants as born within the same do by Gods laws owe all loyalty and obedience and to no other forreign power and potentate in the earth And whosoever shall hereafter maintain that the Kings-Majesty hath not the same authority in causes Ecclesiastical that the godly Kings had amongst the Jews and Christian Emperours in the Primitive Church or impeach in any part his Regal supremacy in the said causes restored to the Crown and by the laws of this Realm therein established let him be excommunicated and not restored but only by the Archbishop of the Province after his repentance and publick revocation of his errour III. Of the prescript form of Divine Service contained in the book of Common Prayer THat form of Liturgy or Divine Seâ—vice and no other shall be used in any Church of this Realm but that which is established by the law and comprised in the book of Common-Prayer and administration of Sacraments And if any one shall preach or by other open words declare or speak any thing in the derogation or despising of the said book or of any thing therein contained let him be excommunicated and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke his errour IV. Of the form of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. and of the churches established according to that order THat form of ordination and no other shall be used in this Church but that which is contained in the book of Ordering Bishops Priests and Deacons allowed by authority and hitherto practised in the Churches of England and Ireland And if any shall affirm that they who are consecrated or ordered according to those rites are not lawfully made nor ought to be accounted either Bishops Priests or Deacons or shall deny that the Churches established under this government are true Churches or refuse to joyn with them in christian profession let him be excommunicated and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke his errour V. Authors of Schisme and maintainers of Conventicles censured WHosoever shall separate themselves from the communion of Saints as it is approved by the Apostles rules in the Church of Ireland and combine themselves rogether in a new brotherhood accounting the christians who are conformable to the doctrine government rites and ceremonies of the Church of Ireland to be prophane and unmeet for them to joyn with in christian profession or shall affirm and maintain that there are within this Realm other meetings assemblies or congregations than such as by the laws of this Land are held and allowed which may rightly challenge to themselves the name of true and lawful Churches let him be excommunicated and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke his errour VI. Due celebration of Sundayes and Holy-dayes ALl manner of persons shall celebrate and keep the Lords day commonly called Sunday and other Holy-dayes according to Gods holy will and pleasure and the orders of this Church that is in hearing the word of God read and taught in private and publick prayers in acknowledging their offences to God and amendment of the same in reconciling themselves charitably to their neighbours where displeasure hath been in oftentimes receiving the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ in visiting the poor and fick using all godly and sober conversation VII The prescript form of Divine Service to be used on Sundayes and Holy-dayes with all decency and due reverence EVery Sunday and Holy-day the Parsons Vicars and Curates shall celebrate Divine Service at convenient and usual times of the day and in such place of every Church as the Bishop of the Diocess or Ecclesiastical Ordinary of the place shall think meet for the largeness or straitness of the same so as the people may be most edified All Ministers likewise shall use and observe the Orders Rites Ornaments and Ceremonies prescribed in the book of Common prayer and in the Act for Uniformity printed therewith as well in reading the holy Scriptures and saying of prayers as in administration of the Sacraments without either diminishing in regard of preaching or in any other respect or adding any thing in the matter or form thereof And in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches all Deans Masters and Heads of Collegiate Churches Canons and Prebendaries being Graduates shall daily at the times both of Prayer and Preaching wear with their Surplices such Hoods as are agreeable to their degrees No man also shall cover his head in any Church or Chappel in the time of Divine Service except he have some infirmity in which case he may wear a night-cap or coise Neither shall any person be otherwise at such times
at the charge of the Parish wherein shall be written the day and year of every christning wedding and burial which shall be in the Parish from the time that this canon shall be established And for the safe keeping of the said book the Church-wardens at the charge of the Parish shall provide one sure coffer with three locks and keys whereof the one to remain with the minister and the other two with the church-wardens several So that neither the minister without the church-wardens nor the church-wardens without the minister shall at any time take that book out of the said coffer And henceforth upon every Sabbath-day immediately after morning and evening prayer the minister and church-wardens shall take the said parchment book out of the said coffer And the minister in the presence of the church-wardens shall write and Record in the said book 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 the week before by the minister or his curate and the day and the year of every such christening marriage and burial And that done they shall lay up the book in the coffer as before And the minister and churchwardens unto every page of that book when it shall be filled with such inscriptions shall subscribe their names And the churchwardens shall once every year within one moneth after the 25. day of March transmit unto the bishop of the Diocess or his chancellor a true copy of the names of all persons christened married or buried in their parish in the year before ended the said 25. day of March and the certain dayes and moneths in which every such christening marriage and burial was had to be subscribed with the hands of the said minister and churchwardens to the end the same may faithfully be preserved in the Registry of the said bishop which certificate shall be received without Fee And if the minister or churchwardens shall be negligent in the performance of any thing herein contained it shall be lawful for the Bishop or his chancellor to convent them and proceed against every of them as contemners of this our constitution XLVII None to marry within the degrees prohibited NO persons shall marry within the degrees prohibited by the laws of God and expressed in a Table set forth by authority in England in the year of our Lord God 1563. And all marriages so made and contracted shall be adjudged incestuous and unlawfull and consequently shall be dissolved as void from the beginning And the parties so married shall be by course of law separated And the aforesaid Table shall be in every Church publickly set up and fixed at the charge of the Parish XLVIII None to marry under XXI years without their Parents consent NO children under the age of XXI years compleat shall contract themselves or marry without the consent of their Parents or of their Guardians and Governours if their Parents be deceased XLIX Security to be taken at the granting of such licences to marry without publication of banns and under what conditions THe security mentioned shall contain these conditions First that at the time of the granting every such licence there is not any impediment of precontract consanguinity affinity or other lawfull cause to hinder the said marriage Secondly that there is not any controversie or suit depending in any court before any Ecclesiastical Judge touching any contract or marriage of either of the said parties with any other Thirdly that they have obtained thereunto the express consent of their Parents if they be living or otherwise of their Guardians or Governours Lastly that they shall celebrate the said matrimony publickly in the Parish church or chappel where one of them dwelleth and in no other place and that between the hours of eight and twelve in the sorenoon Neither in the time of Lent nor of any publick fast nor of the solemn festivities of the Nativity Resurrection and Ascension of our lord or of the Descension of the holy Ghost L. Oaths to be taken for the conditions FOr the avoiding of all fraud and collusion in the obtaining of such licences and dispensations We further constitute and appoint that be ore any licence for the celebration of Matrimony without publication of bannes be had and granted it shall appear to the Judge by the Oaths of two sufficient witnesses one of them to be known to the aforesaid Judge himself or to some other person of good reputation then present and known likewise to the said Judge That the express consent of the Parents or Parent if one be dead or guardians or guardian of the parties is thereunto had and obtained And furthermore that one of the parties personally swear that he believeth there is no let or impediment of precontract kindred or allyance or of any other lawfull cause whatsoever nor any suit commenced in any Ecclesiastical court to bar or hinder the proceeding of the said Matrimony according to the Tenor of the aforesaid licence LI. An exception for those that are in Widdew-bood IF both the parties which are to marry being in Widdow hood do seek a faculty for the forbearing of Bannes Then the clause before mentioned requiring the Parents consent may be omitted but the Parishes where they dwell both shall be expressed in the licence as also the Parish named where the marriage shall be celebrated And if any having power to grant licence shall offend in the premisses or any part thereof he shall for every time so offending be suspended from the execution of his Office for the space of six moneths and every such licence or dispensation shall be held void to all effects and purposes as if there had never been any such granted and the parties marrying by vertue thereof shall be subject to the punishments which are appointed for Clandestine marriages LII Ministers not to marry any person without Bannes NO minister of what place soever nor under colour of any peculiar liberty or priviledge claimed to appertain to any Church or Chappel shall upon pain of deprivation if he be beneficed or degradation if he be not beneficed celebrate matrimony between any persons without a faculty or licence granted except the bannes of matrimony have been first published three several Sundays or holy dayes in the time of Divine service in the Parish churches and chappels wherein the said parties have dwelled by the space of three moneths before Neither shall any minister upon the like pain under any pretence whatsoever joyn any persons in marriage at any unseasonable times but only between the hours of eight and twelve in the forenoon nor in any private place but either in the said churches or chappels where one of them dwelleth and likewise in time of Divine service nor when Bannes are thrice asked before the parties and Governors of the parties to be married being under the age of 21. years shall either personally or by sufficient