CONSTITUTIONS AND Canons Ecclesiastical TREATED UPON By the BISHOP of LONDON President of the CONVOCATION FOR THE Province of CANTERBURY AND The rest of the Bishops and Clergy of the said Province AND Agreed upon with the King's Majesty's Licence in their Synod begun at London Anno Domini 1603. And in the Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord JAMES by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland the First and of Scotland the Thirty seventh AND Now Published for the due Observation of them by His Majesty's Authority UNDER THE Great Seal of England LONDON Printed for Samuel Mearne Stationer to the King 's most Excellent Majesty and Robert Pawlet 1678. JAMES by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas our Bishops Deans of our Cathedral Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the other Clergy of every Diocess within the Province of Canterbury being summoned and called by Virtue of our Writ directed to the most Reverend Father in God John late Archbishop of Canterbury and bearing Date the 31. Day of January in the First Year of Our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the 37. to have appeared before him in our Cathedral Church of St. Paul in London the 20. Day of March then next ensuing or elsewhere as he should have thought it most convenient to treat consent and conclude upon certain difficult and urgent Affairs mentioned in the said Writ Did thereupon at the time appointed and within the Cathedral Church of St. Paul aforesaid assemble themselves and appear in Convocation for that purpose according to Our said Writ before the Right Reverend Father in God Richard Bishop of London duly upon a second Writ of Ours dated the 9. Day of March aforesaid authorized appointed and constituted by reason of the said Archbishop of Canterbury his Death President of the said Convocation to execute those things which by Virtue of Our first Writ did appertain to him the said Archbishop to have executed if he had lived We for divers urgent and weighty Causes and Considerations Us thereunto especially moving of Our especial Grace certain Knowledge and meer Motion did by Virtue of our Prerogative Royal and Supreme Authority in Causes Ecclsieastical give and grant by Our several Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England the one dated the 12. Day of April last past and the other the 25. Day of June then next following full free and lawful Liberty Licence Power and Authority unto the said Bishop of London President of the said Convocation and to the other Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the rest of the Clergy before mentioned of the said Province That they from time to time during Our first Parliament now Prorogued might confer treat debate consider consult and agree of and upon such Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they should think necessary fit and convenient for the Honour and Service of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better Government thereof to be from time to time observed performed fulfilled and kept as well by the Archbishops of Canterbury the Bishops and their Successors and the rest of the whole Clergy of the said Province of Canterbury in their several Callings Offices Functions Ministeries Degrees and Administrations as also by all and every Dean of the Arches and other Iudge of the said Archbishop's Courts Guardians of Spiritualties Chancellors Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Commissaries Officials Registers and all and every other Ecclesiastical Officers and their inferiour Ministers whatsoever of the same Province of Canterbury in their and every of their distinct Courts and in the order and manner of their and every of their Proceedings and by all other Persons within this Realm as far as lawfully being Members of the Church it may concern them as in our said Letters Patents amongst other Clauses more at large doth appear Forasmuch as the Bishop of London President of the said Convocation and others the said Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges with the rest of the Clergy having met together at the time and place before mentioned and then and there by Virtue of Our said Authority granted unto them treated of concluded and agreed upon certain Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to the end and purpose by Us limited and prescribed unto them and have thereupon offered and presented the same unto Us most humbly desiring Us to give Our Royal Assent unto their said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions according to the Form of a certain Statute or Act of Parliament made in that behalf in the 25. Year of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth and by Our said Prerogative Royal and Supreme Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical to ratifie by Our Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England and to confirm the same the Title and Tenour of them being word for word as ensueth Constitutions and Canons ECCLESIASTICAL Treated upon by the Bishop of London President of the Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of the said Province and agreed upon with the King's Majesty's Licence in their Synod begun at London Anno Dom. 1603. And in the year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord JAMES by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland the First and of Scotland the Thirty seventh Of the Church of ENGLAND I. The King's Supremacy over the Church of England in Causes Ecclesiastical to be maintained AS our Duty to the King 's most Excellent Majesty requireth We first decree and ordain That the Archbishop of Canterbury from time to time all Bishops of this Province all Deans Archdeacons Parsons Vicars and all other Ecclesiastical Persons shall faithfully keep and observe and as much as in them lieth shall cause to be observed and kept of others all and singular Laws and Statutes made for restoring to the Crown of this Kingdom the Ancient Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiastical and abolishing of all Foreign Power repugnant to the same Furthermore all Ecclesiastical Persons having Cure of Souls and all other Preachers and Readers of Divinity Lectures shall to the uttermost of their Wit Knowledge and Learning purely and sincerely without any colour or dissimulation teach manifest open and declare four times every Year at the least in their Sermons and other Collations and Lectures That all usurped and Foreign Power forasmuch as the same hath no Establishment nor ground by the Law of God is for most just Causes taken away and abolished and that therefore no manner of Obedience or Subjection within His Majesty's Realms and Dominions is due unto any such Foreign Power but that the King's Power within His Realms of England Scotland and Ireland and all other His Dominions and Countries is the Highest Power under God to whom all men as well Inhabitants as born within the same do by
God's Laws owe most Loyalty and Obedience afore and above all other Powers and Potentates in Earth II. Impugners of the King's Supremacy censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the King's Majesty hath not the same Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical that the godly Kings had amongst the Jews and Christian Emperours of the Primitive Church or impeach any part of His Regal Supremacy in the said Causes restored to the Crown and by the Laws of this Realm therein established Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of those his wicked Errors III. The Church of England a true and Apostolical Church WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the Church of England by Law established under the King's Majesty is not a true and an Apostolical Church teaching and maintaining the Doctrine of the Apostles Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of this his wicked Errour IV. Impugners of the Publick Worship of God established in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affim That the Form of God's Worship in the Church of England established by Law and contained in the Book of Common Prayer and Administration of Sacraments is a corrupt superstitious or unlawful Worship of God or containeth any thing in it that is repugnant to the Scriptures Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but by the Bishop of the Place or Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of such his wicked Errors V. Impugners of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That any of the Nine and thirty Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergy in the Convocation holden at London in the Year of our Lord God One thousand five hundred sixty two for avoiding diversities of Opinions and for the establishing of Consent touching true Religion are in any part superstitious or erroneous or such as he may not with a good Conscience subscribe unto Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but only by the Archbishop after his Repentance and publick Revocation of such his wicked Errors VI. Impugners of the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England by Law established are wicked Antichristian or superstitious or such as being commanded by lawful Authority men who are zealously and godly affected may not with any good Conscience approve them use them or as occasion requireth subscribe unto them Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored until he repent and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors VII Impugners of the Government of the Church of England by Archbishops Bishops c. censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm that the Government of the Church of England under His Majesty by Archbishops Bishops Deans Archdeacons and the rest that bear Office in the same is Antichristian or repugnant to the Word of God Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto and so continue until he repent and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors VIII Impugners of the Form of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm or teach That the Form and manner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons containeth any thing in it that is repugnant to the Word of God or that they who are made Bishops Priests or Deacons in that Form are not lawfully made nor ought to be accounted either by themselves or others to be truly either Bishops Priests or Deacons until they have some other calling to those Divine Offices Let him be Excommunicated ipso facto not to be restored until he repent and publickly revoke such his wicked Errors IX Authors of Schism in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter separate themselves from the Communion of Saints as it is approved by the Apostles Rules in the Church of England and combine themselves together in a new Brother-hood accompting the Christians who are conformable to the Doctrine Government Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England to be prophane and unmeet for them to joyn with in Christian Profession Let them be Excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but by the Archbishop after their Repentance and Publick Revocation of such their wicked Errors X. Maintainers of Schismaticks in the Church of England censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That such Ministers as refuse to subscribe to the Form and manner of God's Worship in the Church of England prescribed in the Communion Book and their Adherents may truly take unto them the Name of another Church not established by Law and dare presume to publish it That this their pretended Church hath of long time groaned under the Burthen of certain Grievances imposed upon it and upon the Members thereof before mentioned by the Church of England and the Orders and Constitutions therein by Law established Let them be Excommunicated and not restored until they repent and pulickly revoke such their wicked Errors XI Maintainers of Conventicles censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm or maintain That there are within this Realm other Meetings Assemblies or Congregations of the King 's born Subjects than such as by the Laws of this Land are held and allowed which may rightly challenge to themselves the Name of True and Lawful Churches Let him be Excommunicated and not restored but by the Archbishop after his Repentance and Publick Revocation of such his wicked Errors XII Maintainers of Constitutions made in Conventicles censured WHosoever shall hereafter affirm That it is lawful for any sort of Ministers and Lay-persons or of either of them to joyn together and make Rules Orders or Constitutions in Causes Ecclesiastical without the King's Authority and shall submit themselves to be ruled and governed by them Let them be Excommunicated ipso facto and not be restored until they repent and publickly revoke those their wicked and Anabaptistical Errors Of Divine Service and Administration of the SACRAMENTS XIII Due Celebration of Sundays and Holy-days ALL manner of Persons within the Church of England shall from henceforth celebrate and keep the Lord's Day commonly called Sunday and other Holy-days according to God's Holy Will and Pleasure and the Orders of the Church of England prescribed in that behalf that is in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publick Prayers in acknowledging their Offences to God and amendment of the same in reconciling themselves charitably to their Neighbours where displeasure hath been in oftentimes receiving the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ in visiting of the poor and Sick using all godly and sober Conversation XIV The prescript Form of Divine Service to be used on Sundays and Holy-days THE Common Prayer shall be said or sung
Sunday of every Month requiring all the said Masters Fellows and Scholars and all the rest of the Students Officers and all other the Servants there so to be ordered that every one of them shall communicate four times in the Year at the least kneeling reverently and decently upon their Knees according to the Order of the Communion Book prescribed in that behalf XXIV Copes to be worn in Cathedral Churches by those that Administer the Communion IN all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches the holy Communion shall be administred upon principal feast-Feast-days sometimes by the Bishop if he be present and sometimes by the Dean and at some times by a Canon or Prebendary the principal Minister using a decent Cope and being assisted with the Gospeller and Epistler agreeably according to the Advertisements published Ann. 7 Elizabethae The said Communion to be Administred at such times and with such limitation as is specified in the Book of Common-Prayer Provided that on such limitation by any construction shall be allowed of but that all Deans Wardens Masters or Heads of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches Prebendaries Canons Vicars Petty Canons Singing-men and all others of the Foundation shall receive the Communion four times yearly at the least XXV Surplices and Hoods to be worn in Cathedral Churches when there is no Communion IN the time o` Divine Service and Prayers in all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches when there is no Communion it shall be sufficient to wear Surplices saving that all Deans Masters and Heads of Collegiate Churches Canons and Prebendaries being Graduats shall daily at the times both of Prayer and Preaching wear with their Surplices such Hoods as are agreeable to their Degrees XXVI Notorious Offenders not to be admitted to the Communion NO Minister shall in any wise admit to the receiving of the holy Communion any of his Cure or Flock which be openly known to live in sin notorious without Repentance nor any who have maliciously and openly contended with their Neighbours until they shall be reconciled Nor any Churchwardens or Side-men who having taken their Oaths to present to their Ordinaries all such Publick Offences as they are particularly charged to enquire of in their several Parishes shall notwithstanding their said Oaths and that their faithful discharging of them is the chief means whereby publick Sins and Offences may be reformed and punished wittingly and willingly desperately and irreligiously incur the horrible Crime of Perjury either in neglecting or in refusing to present such of the said Enormities and Publick Offences as they know themselves to be committed in their said Parishes or are notoriously offensive to the Congregation there although they be urged by some of their Neighbours or by their Minister or by their Ordinary himself to discharge their Consciences by presenting of them and not to incur so desperately the said horrible Sin of Perjury XXVII Schismaticks not to be admitted to the Communion NO Minister when he celebrateth the Communion shall wittingly administer the same to any but to such as kneel under pain of Suspension nor under the like pain to any that refuse to be present at Publick Prayers according to the Orders of the Church of England nor to any that are common and notorious Depravers of the Book of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments and of the Orders Rites and Ceremonies therein prescribed or of any thing that is contained in any of the Articles agreed upon in the Convocation One thousand five hundred sixty and two or of any thing contained in the Book of ordering Priests and Bishops or to any that have spoken against and depraved His Majesty's Sovereign Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical except every such Person shall first acknowledge to the Minister before the Church-wardens his repentance for the same and promise by word if he cannot write that he will do so no more and except if he can write he shall first do the same under his Hand-writing to be delivered to the Minister and by him sent to the Bishop of the Diocess or Ordinary of the Place Provided That every Minister so repelling any as is specified either in this or in the next precedent Constitution shall upon complaint or being required by the Ordinary signifie the cause thereof unto him and therein obey his Order and Direction XXVIII Strangers not to be admitted to the Communion THE Church-wardens or Quest-men and their Assistants 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 lest perhaps they be admitted to the Lord's 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 XXIX Fathers not to be Godfathers in Baptism nor Children not Communicants NO Parent shall be urged to be present nor be admitted to answer as Godfather for his own Child nor any Godfather or Godmother shall be suffered to make any other Answer or Speech than by the Book of Common-Prayer is prescribed in that behalf Neither shall any Person be admitted Godfather or Godmother to any Child at Christening or Confirmation before the said Person so undertaking hath received the holy Communion XXX The lawful use of the Cross in Baptism explained VVE are sorry that His Majesty's most Princely care and pains taken in the Conference at Hampton Court amongst many other Points touching this one of the Cross in Baptism hath taken no better effect with many but that still the use of it in Baptism is so greatly stuck at and impugned For the further declaration therefore of the true use of this Ceremony and for the removing of all such scruple as might any ways trouble the Consciences of them who are indeed rightly Religious following the royal Steps of our most worthy King because he therein followeth the Rules of the Scriptures and the Practice of the Primitive Church we do commend to all the true Members of the Church of England these our Directions and Observations ensuing First It is to be Observed That although the Jews and Ethnicks derided both the Apostles and the rest of the Christians for preaching and believing in him who was crucified upon the Cross yet all both Apostles and Christians were so far from being discouraged from their Profession by the Ignominy of the Cross as they rather rejoyced and triumphed in it Yea the holy Ghost by the mouths of the Apostles did honour the Name of the Cross being hateful among the Jews so far that under it he comprehended not only Christ crucified but the force effects and merits of his Death and Passion with all the Comforts Fruits and Promises which we receive or expect thereby Secondly The honour and dignity of the Name of the Cross begat
a reverend Estimation even in the Apostle's times for ought that is known to the contrary of the Sign of the Cross which the Christians shortly after used in all their Actions thereby making an outward shew and profession even to the Astonishment of the Jews That they were not ashamed to acknowledge him for their Lord and Saviour who died for them upon the Cross. And this Sign they did not only use themselves with a kind of glory when they met with any Jews but Signed therewith their Children when they were Christened to dedicate them by that badge to his Service whose Benefits bestowed upon them in Baptism the name of the Cross did represent And this use of the Sign of the Cross in Baptism was held in the Primitive Church as well by the Greeks as the Latins with one consent and great applause At what time if any had opposed themselves against it they would certainly have been censured as Enemies of the Name of the Cross and consequently of Christ's Merits the Sign whereof they could no better endure This continual and general use of the Sign of the Cross is evident by many Testimonies of the Ancient Fathers Thirdly It must be confessed that in process of Time the Sign of the Cross was greatly abused in the Church of Rome especially after that corruption of Popery had once possessed it But the abuse of a thing doth not take away the lawful use of it Nay so far was it from the purpose of the Church of England to forsake and reject the Churches of Italy France Spain Germany or any such like Churches in all things which they held and practised that as the Apology of the Church of England confesseth it doth with reverence retain those Ceremoniâ—s which do neither endamage the Church of God nor offend the minds of sober men and only departed from them in those particular Points wherein they were fallen both from themselves in their Ancient Integrity and from the Apostolical Churches which were their first Founders In which respect amongst some other very Ancient Ceremonies the Sign of the Cross in Baptism hath been retained in this Church both by the Judgment and Practice of those reverend Fathers and great Divines in the Days of King Edward the Sixth of whom some constantly suffered for the Profession of the Truth and others being exiled in the time of Queen Mary did after their return in the beginning of the Reign of our late Dread Sovereign continually defend and use the same This Resolution and Practice of our Church hath been allowed and approved by the censure upon the Communion Book in King Edward the Sixth his Days and by the Harmony of Confessions of later Years because indeed the use of this Sign in Baptism was ever accompanied here with such sufficient Cautions and Exceptions against all Popish Superstition and Error as in the like Cases are either fit or convenient First The Church of England since the abolishing of Popery hath ever held and taught and so doth hold and teach still That the Sign of the Cross used in Baptism is no part of the Substance of that Sacrament For when the Minister dipping the Infant in Water or laying Water upon the face of it as the manner also is hath pronounced these Words I baptize thee in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost the Infant is fully and perfectly Baptized So as the Sign of the Cross being afterwards used doth neither add any thing to the virtue and perfection of Baptism nor being omitted doth detract any thing from the Effect and Substance of it Secondly It is apparent in the Communion-Book that the Infant Baptized is by virtue of Baptism before it be Signed with the Sign of the Cross received into the Congregation of Christ's Flock as a perfect Member thereof and not by any power ascribed unto the Sign of the Cross. So that for the very remembrance of the Cross which is very precious to all them that rightly believe in Jesu Christ and in the other respects mentioned the Church of England hath retained still the Sign of it in Baptism following therein the Primitive and Apostolical Churches and accounting it a lawful outward Ceremony and honourable Badge whereby the Infant is dedicated to the Service of him that died upon the Cross as by the Words used in the Book of Common Prayer it may appear Lastly The use of the Sign of the Cross in Baptism being thus purged from all Popish Superstition and Error and reduced in the Church of England to the primary Institution of it upon those true Rules of Doctrine concerning things indifferent which are consonant to the Word of God and the Judgments of all the Ancient Fathers we hold it the part of every private man both Minister and other reverently to retain the true use of it prescribed by Publick Authority considering that things of themselves indifferent do in some sort alter their Natures when they are either commanded or forbidden by a lawful Magistrate and may not be omitted at every man's pleasure contrary to the Law when they be commanded nor used when they are prohibited Ministers their Ordination Function and Charge XXXI Four Solemn Times appointed for the making of Ministers FOrasmuch as the Ancient Fathers of the Church led by Example of the Apostles appointed Prayers and Fasts to be used at the Solemn ordering of Ministers and to that purpose allotted certain times in which only Sacred Orders might be given or conferred We following their holy and religious Example do constitute and decree That no Deacons or Ministers be made and ordained but only upon the Sundays immediately following Jejunia quatuor temporum commonly called Ember-weeks appointed in Ancient time for Prayer and Fasting purposely for this cause at their first Institution and so continued at this Day in the Church of England And that this be done in the Cathedral or Parish-Church where the Bishop resideth and in the time of Divine Service in the presence not only of the Arch-deacon but of the Dean and two Prebendaries at the least or if they shall happen by any lawful cause to be lett or hindred in the presence of four other grave Persons being Masters of Arts at the least and allowed for Publick Preachers XXXII None to be made Deacon and Minister both in one Day THE Office of Deacon being a step or degree to the Ministery according to the Judgment of the Ancient Fathers and the Practice of the Primitive Church We do ordain and appoint That hereafter no Bishop shall make any Person of what qualities or gifts soever a Deacon and a Minister both together upon one day but that the order in that behalf prescribed in the Book of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons be strictly observed Not that always every Deacon should be kept from the Ministery for a whole Year when the Bishop shall find good cause to the contrary but that there being
be thereunto admitted unless he first consent and subscribe to the three Articles before mentioned in the presence of the Bishop of the Diocess wherein he is to Preach Read Lecture Catechise or Administer the Sacraments as aforesaid XXXVIII Revolters after Subscription censured IF any Minister after he hath once subscribed to the said three Articles shall omit to use the Form of Prayer or any of the Orders or Ceremonies prescribed in the Communion-Book let him be suspended and if after a Month he do not reform and submit himself let him be excommunicated and then if he shall not submit himself within the space of another Month let him be deposed from the Ministery XXXIX Cautions for Institution of Ministers into Benefices NO Bishop shall institute any to a Benefice who hath been Ordained by any other Bishop except he first shew unto him his Letters of Orders and bring him a sufficient Testimony of his former good Life and Behaviour if the Bishop shall require it and lastly shall appear upon due Examination to be worthy of his Ministery XL. An Oath against Simony at Institution into Benefices TO avoid the detestable sin of Simony because buying and selling of Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Functions Offices Promotions Dignities and Livings is execrable before God therefore the Arch-Bishop and all and every Bishop or Bishops or any other Person or Persons having Authority to Admit Institute Collate Install or to Confirm the Election of any Archbishop Bishop or other Person or Persons to any Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Function Dignity Promotion Title Office Jurisdiction Place or Benefice with Cure or without Cure or to any Ecclesiastical Living whatsoever shall before every such Admission Institution Collation Installation or Confirmation of Election respectively minister to every Person hereafter to be Admitted Instituted Collated Installed or Confirmed in or to any Archbishoprick Bishoprick or other Spiritual or Ecclesiastical Function Dignity Promotion Title Jurisdiction Place or Benefice with Cure or without Cure or in or to any Ecclesiastical Living whatsoever this Oath in Manner and Form following the same to be taken by every one whom it concerneth in his own Person and not by a Proctor IN. N. do swear That I have made no Simoniacal Payment Contract or Promise directly or indirectly by my self or by any other to my Knowledge or with my Consent to any Person or Persons whatsoever for or concerning the Procuring and Obtaining of this Ecclesiastical Dignity Place Preferment Office or Living respectively and particularly naming the same whereunto he is to be Admitted Instituted Collated Installed or Confirmed nor will at any time hereafter perform or satisfie any such kind of Payment Contract or Promise made by any other without my knowledge or consent So help me God through Jesus Christ. XLI Licences for Plurality of Benefices limited and Residence enjoined NO Licence or Dispensation for the keeping of more Benfices with Cure than one shall be granted to any but such only as shall be thought very well worthy for his Learning and very well able and sufficient to discharge his Duty that is who shall have taken the Degrce of a Master of Arts at the least in one of the Universities of this Realm and be a publick and sufficient Preacher Licensed Provided always That he be by a good and sufficient Caution bound to make his personal Residence in each his said Benefices for some reasonable time in every year And that the said Benefices be not more than thirty miles distant asunder and lastly that he have under him in the Benefice where he doth not reside a Preacher lawfully allowed that is able sufficiently to teach and instruct the People XLII Residence of Deans in their Churches EVery Dean Master or Warden or chief Governour of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church shall be resident in his said Cathedral or Collegiate Church fourscore and ten days Conjunction or Divisim in every Year at the least and then shall continue there in Preaching the Word of God and keeping good Hospitality except he shall be otherwise let with weighty and urgent Causes to be approved by the Bishop of the Diocess or in any other lawful sort dispensed with And when he is is present He with the rest of the Canons or Prebendaries resident shall take special Care that the Statutes and laudable Customs of their Church not being contrary to the Word of God or Prerogative Royal The Statutes of this Realm being in force concerning Ecclesiastical Order and all other Constitutions now set forth and confirmed by his Majesty's Authority and such as shall be lawfully enjoyned by the Bishop of the Diocess in his Visitation according to the Statutes and Customs of the same Church or the Ecclesiastical Laws of this Realm be diligently observed and that the petty Canons Vicars choral and other Ministers of their Church be urged to the Study of the Holy Scriptures and every one of them to have the New Testament not only in English but also in Latin XLIII Deans and Prebendaries to Preach during their Residence THE Dean Master Warden or chief Governour Prebendaries and Canons in every Cathedral and Collegiate Church shall not only Preach there in their own Persons so often as they are bound by Law Statute Ordinance or Custom but shall likewise Preach in other Churches of the same Diocess where they are Resident and especially in those Places whence they or their Church receive any yearly Rents or Profits And in case they themselves be sick or lawfully absent they shall substitute such licensed Preachers to supply their turns as by the Bishop of the Diocess shall be thought meet to Preach in Cathedral Churches And if any otherwise neglect or omit to supply his Course as is aforesaid the Offender shall be punished by the Bishop or by him or them to whom the Jurisdiction of that Church appertaineth according to the Quality of the Offence XLIV Prebendaries to be resident upon their Benefices NO Prebendaries nor Canons in Cathedral or Collegiate Churches having one or more Benefices with Cure and not being Residentiaries in the same Cathedral or Collegiate Churches shall under colour of their said Prebends absent themselves from their Benefices with Cure above the space of one Month in the Year unless it be for some urgent Cause and certain time to be allowed by the Bishop of the Diocess And such of the said Canons and Prebendaries as by the Ordinances of the Cathedral or Collegiate Churches do stand bound to be Resident in the same shall so among themselves sort and proportion the times of the Year concerning Residence to be kept in the said Churches as that some of them always shall be personally Resident there and that all those who be or shall be Residentiaries in any Cathedral or Collegiate Church shall after the days of their Residency appointed by their local Statutes or Customs expired presently repair to their Benefices or some one of them or to some other charge where the
Law requireth their Presence there to discharge their Duties according to the Laws in that Case provided And the Bishop of the Diocess shall see the same to be duly performed and put in Execution XLV Beneficed Preachers being Resident upon their Livings to Preach every Sunday EVery Beneficed man allowed to be a Preacher and residing on his Benefice having no lawful Impediment shall in his own Cure or in some other Church or Chappel where he may conveniently near adjoyning where no Preacher is preach one Sermon every Sunday of the Year wherein he shall soberly and sincerely divide the Word of Truth to the glory of God and to the best Edification of the People XLVI Beneficed men not Preachers to procure monthly Sermons EVery Beneficed man not allowed to be a Preacher shall procure Sermons to be Preached in his Cure once in every Month at the least by Preachers lawfully Licensed if his Living in the Judgment of the Ordinary will be able to bear it And upon every Sunday when there shall not be a Sermon preached in his Cure he or his Curate shall read some one of the Homilies prescribed or to be prescribed by Authority to the intents aforesaid XLVII Absence of Beneficed men to be supplied by Curates that are allowed Preachers EVery Beneficed man Licensed by the Laws of this Realm upon urgent Occasions of other Service not to reside upon his Benefice shall cause his Cure to be supplied by a Curate that is a sufficient and Licensed Preacher if the worth of the Benefice will bear it But whosoever hath two Benefices shall maintain a Preacher Licensed in the Benefice where he doth not reside except he preach himself at both of them usually XLVIII None to be Curates but allowed by the Bishop NO Curate or Minister shall be permitted to serve in any Place without Examination and Admission of the Bishop of the Diocess or Ordinary of the Place having Episcopal Jurissdiction in Writing under his Hand and Seal having respect to the greatness of the Cure and meetness of the Party And the said Curates and Ministers if they remove from one Diocess to another shall not be by any means admitted to serve without Testimony of the Bishop of the Diocess or Ordinary of the Place as aforesaid whence they came in Writing of their Honesty Ability and Conformity to the Ecclesiastical Laws of the Church of England Nor any shall serve more than one Church or Chapel upon one day Except that Chapel be a Member of the Parish Church or united thereunto and unless the said Church or Chapel where such a Minister shall serve in two places be not able in the Judgment of the Bishop or Ordinary as aforesaid to maintain a Curate XLIX Ministers not allowed Preachers may not Expound NO Person whatsoever not examined and approved by the Bishop of the Diocess or not Licensed as is aforesaid for a sufficient or convenient Preacher shall take upon him to Expound in his own Cure or elsewhere any Scripture or matter of Doctrine but shall only study to read plainly and aptly without glossing or adding the Homilies already set forth or hereafter to be published by Lawful Authority 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 Church wardens nor any other Officers of the Church shall suffer any man to preach within their Churches or Chapels but such as by shewing their Licence to Preach shall appear unto them to be sufficiently authorized thereunto as is aforesaid LI. Strangers not admitted to Preach in Cathedral Churches without sufficient Authority THE Deans Presidents and Residentiaries of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church shall suffer no Stranger to Preach unto the People in their Churches except they be allowed by the Archbishop of the Province or by the Bishop of the same Diocess or by either of the Universities And if any in his Sermon shall publish any Doctrine either strange or disagreeing from the Word of God or from any of the Articles of Religion agreed upon in the Convocation House Anno 1562. or from the Book of Common Prayers the Dean or the Residents shall by their Letters subscribed with some of their Hands that heard him so soon as may be give notice of the same to the Bishop of the Diocess that he may determine the Matter and take such Order therein as he shall think convenient LII The Names of Strange Preachers to be noted in a Book THAT the Bishop may understand if Occasion so require what Sermons are made in every Church of his Diocess and who presume to preach without Licence the Church-wardens and Side-men shall see that the Names of all Preachers which come to their Church from any other Place be noted in a Book which they shall have ready for that Purpose wherein every Preacher shall subscribe his Name the Day wherein he preached and the Name of the Bishop of whom he had Licence to Preach LIII No Publick Opposition between Preachers IF any Preacher shall in the Pulpit particularly or namely of purpose impugn or confute any Doctrine delivered by any other Preacher in the same Church or in any Church near adjoyning before he hath acquainted the Bishop of the Diocess therewith and received Order what to do in that Case because upon such publick and Dissenting and contradicting there may grow much Offence and Disquietness unto the People the Church-wardens or Party grieved 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 he faithfully promise to forbear all such matter of Contention in the Church until the Bishop hath taken further Order therein who shall with all convenient Speed so proceed therein that publick Satisfaction may be made in the Congregation where the Offence was given Provided That if either of the Parties Offending do appeal he shall not be suffered to preach pendentelite LIV. The Licences of Preachers refusing Conformity to be void IF any man Licensed heretofore to Preach by any Archbishop Bishop or by either of the Universities shall at any time from henceforth refuse to conform himself to the Laws Ordinances and Rites Ecclesiastical established in the Church of England he shall be admonished by the Bishop of the Diocess or Ordinary of the Place to submit himself to the Use and due Exercise of the same And if after such Admonition he do not conform himself within the space of one Month We determine and decree That the Licence of every such Preacher shall thereupon be utterly void and of none effect LV. The Form of a Prayer to be used by all Preachers before their Sermons BEfore all Sermons Lectures and Homilies the Preachers and Ministers shall move the People to joyn with them in Prayer in this Form or to this effect as briefly as conveniently they may Ye shall
and the other in refusing to learn as aforesaid Let them be suspended by their Ordinaries if they be not Children and if they so persist by the space of a month then let them be excommunicated LX. Confirmation to be performed once in three years FOrasmuch as it hath been a solemn ancient and laudable Custom in the Church of God continued from the Apostles times that all Bishops should lay their Hands upon Children baptized and instructed in the Catechism of Christian Religion praying over them and blessing them which we commonly call Confirmation and that this holy Action hath been accustomed in the Church in former Ages to be performed in the Bishops Visitation every third Year We will and appoint that every Bishop or his Suffragan in his accustomed Visitation do in his own Person carefully observe the said Custom And if in that year by reason of some Infirmity he be not able personally to Visit then he shall not omit the Execution of that Duty of Confirmation the next year after as he may conveniently LXI Ministers to prepare Children for Confirmation EVery Minister that has Cure and Charge of Souls for the better accomplishing of the Orders prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer concerning Confirmation shall take especial Care as that none shall be presented to the Bishop for him to lay his Hands upon but such as can render an account of their Faith according to the Catechism in the said Book contained And when the Bishop shall assign any time for the Performance of that part of his Duty every such Minister shall use his best endeavour 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 marry any Persons without Banns or Licence NO Minister upon pain of Suspension per triennium ipso facto shall celebrate Matrimony between any Persons without a Faculty or Licence granted by some of the Persons in these our Constitutions expressed except the Banns of Matrimony have been first published three several Sundays or Holy-days in the time of Divine Service in the Parish-Churches and Chapels where the said Parties dwell according to the Book of Common Prayer Neither shall any Minister upon the like pain under any Pretence whatsoever joyn any persons so Licensed in Marriage at any unseasonable times but only between the hours of Eight and Twelve in the Fore-noon nor in any private Place but either in the said Churches or Chapels where one of them dwelleth and likewise in time of Divine Service nor when Banns are thrice asked and no Licence in that respect necessary before the Parents or Governours of the Parties to be married being under the age of twenty and one years shall either personally or by sufficient Testimony signifie to him their Consents given to the said Marriage LXIII Ministers of Exempt Churches not to Marry without Banns or Licence EVery Minister who shall hereafter celebrate Marriage between any Persons contrary to our said Constitutions or any part of them under colour of any peculiar Liberty or Privilege claimed to appertain to certain Churches and Chapels shall be suspended per triennium by the Ordinary of the Place where the offence shall be committed And if any such Minister shall afterwards remove from the Place where he hath committed that Fault before he bo suspended as is aforesaid then shall the Bishop of the Diocess or Ordinary of the Place where he remaineth upon Certificate under the hand and Seal of the other Ordinary from whose Jurisdiction he removed excute that Censure upon him LXIV Ministers solemnly to bid Holy-days EVery Parson Vicar or Curate shall in his several Charge declare to the People every Sunday at the time appointed in the Communion Book whether there be any Holy-days or Fasting-days the Week following And if any do hereafter wittingly offend herein and being once admonished thereof by his Ordinary shall again omit that Duty let him be censured according to Law until he submit himself to the due performance of it LXV Ministers solemnly to denounce Recusants and Excommunicates ALL Ordinaries shall in their several Jurisdictions carefully see and give Order that as well those who for obstinate refusing to frequent Divine Service established by publick Authority within this Realm of England as those also especially of the better sort and condition who for notorious Contumacy or other notable Crimes stand lawfully Excommunicate unless within three months immediately after the said Sentence of Excommunication pronounced against them they reform themselves and obtain the Benefit of Absolution be every six months ensuing as well in the Parish Church as in the Cathedral Church of the Diocess in which they remain by the Minister openly in time of Divine Service upon some Sunday denounced and declared Excommunicate that others may be thereby both admonished to refrain their Company and Society and excited the rather to procure out a Writ De Excommunicato capiendo thereby to bring and reduce them into due order and obedience Likewise the Register of every Ecclesiastical Court shall yearly between Michaelmas and Christmas duly certifie the Archbishop of the Province of all and singular the Premises aforesaid LXVI Ministers to confer with Recusants EVery Minister being a Preacher and having any Popish Recusant or Recusants in his Parish and thought fit by the Bishop of the Diocess shall labour diligently with them from time to time thereby to reclaim them from their Errors And if he be no Preacher or not such a Preacher then he shall procure if he can possibly some that are Preachers so qualified to take pains with them for that purpose If he can procure none then he shall inform the Bishop of the Diocess thereof who shall not only appoint some Neighbour Preacher or Preachers adjoyning to take that Labour upon them but himself also as his important Affairs will permit him shall use his best Endeavour by Instruction Persuasion and all good means he can devise to reclaim both them and all other within his Diocess so affected LXVII Ministers to Visit the Sick VVHEN any Person is dangerously sick in any Parish the Minister or Curate having Knowledge thereof shall resort unto him or her if the Disease be not known or probably suspected to be infectious to instruct and comfort them in their Distress according to the Order of the Communion Book if he be no Preacher or if he be a Preacher then as he shall think most needful and convenient And when any is passing out of this Life a Bell shall be tolled and the Minister shall not then slack to do his last Duty And after the Parties Death if it so fall out there shall be rung no more but one short Peal and one other before the Burial and one other after the Burial LXVIII Ministers not to refuse to Christen or Bury NO Minister shall refuse or delay to Christen any Child according to the Form of the Book
Swearing Ribbaldry Usury or any other uncleanness and wickedness of Life the Church wardens or Quest-men and Sidemen in their next presentments to their Ordinaries shall faithfully present all and every of the said offenders to the intent that they and every of them may be punished by the severity of the Laws according to their deserts and such notorious offenders shall not be adâ—â—tted to the holy Communion till they be reformed CX Schismaticks to be presented IF the Church-wardens or Quest-men or Assistants do or 〈…〉 any man within their parish or elsewhere that is a hindereâ—… 〈◊〉 the Word of God to be read or sincerely preached or of the 〈…〉 these our Constitutions or a factour of any usurped or foreign 〈◊〉 by the Laws of this Realm justly rejected and taken away or a 〈…〉 Popish and erroneous Doctrin they shall detect and present the same to the Bishop of the Diocess or Ordinary of the place to be censured and punished according to such Ecclesiastical Laws as are prescribed in that behalf CXI Disturbers of Divine Service to be presented IN all Visitations of Bishops and Arch-Deacons the Church-wardens or Quest-men and Sidemen shall truly and personally present the names of all those which behave themselves rudely and disorderly in the Church or which by untimely Ringing of the Bells by walking talking or other noise shall hinder the Minister or Preacher CXII Not Communicants at Easter to be presented THE Minister Church-wardens Quest-men and Assistants of every Parish Church and Chappel shall yearly within forty days after Easter exhibit to the Bishop or his Chancellor the names or Sirnames of all the parishioners as well men as women which being of the age of sixteen years received not the Communion at Easter before CXIII Ministers may present BEcause it often cometh to pass that the Church-wardens Sidemen Quest-men and such other persons of the Layity as are to take care for the suppressing of sin and wickedness in their several Parishes as much as in them lieth by admonition reprehension and denunciation to their Ordinaries do forbear to discharge their duties therein either through fear of their Superiors or through negligence more then were fit the Licentiousness of these times considered We ordain That hereafter every Parson and Vicar or in the lawful absence of any Parson or Vicar then their Curates and Substitutes may joyn in every presentment with the said Church-wardens Sidemen and the rest above mentioned at the times hereafter limited if they the said Church-wardens and the rest will present such enormities as are apparent in the Parish or if they will not then every such Parson and Vicar or in their absence as aforesaid their Curates may themselves present to their Ordinaries at such times and when else they think it meet all such crimes as they have in charge or otherwise as by them being the persons that should have the chief care for the suppressing of sin and impiety in their Parishes shall be thought to require due Reformation Provided always that if any man confess his secret and hidden sins to the Minister for the unburthening of his conscience and to receive spiritual consolation and ease of mind from him We do not any way bind the said Minister by this our Constitution but do straitly charge and admonish him that he do not at any time reveal and make known to any person whatsoever any crime or offence so committed to his trust and secrecy except they be such crimes as by the Laws of this Realm his own life may be called into question for concealing the same under pain of irrgularity CXIV Ministers shall present Recusants EVery Parson Vicar or Curate shall carefully inform themselves every Year hereafter how many Popish Recusants Men Women and Children above the age of thirteen Years and how many being Popishly given who though they come to the Church yet do refuse to receive the Communion are Inhabitants or make their abode either as Sojourners or common Guests in any of their several Parishes and shall set down their true Names in writing if they can learn them or otherwise such names as for the time they carry distinguishing the obsolute Recusants from half Recusants and the same so far as they know or believe so distinguished and set down under their Hands shall truly present to their Ordinaries before the Feast of the Nativity next ensuing under pain of Suspension to be inflicted upon them by their said Ordinaries and so every year hereafter upon the like Pain before the Feast of St. John Baptist. Also we ordain That all such Ordinaries Chancellors Commissaries Arch-deacons Officials and all other Ecclesiastical Officers to whom the said Presentments shall be exhibited shall likewise within one Month after the Receipt of the same under pain of Suspension by the Bishop from the Execution of their Offices for the space of half a Year as often as they shall offend therein deliver them or cause to be delivered to the Bishop respectively who shall also exhibit them to the Archbishop within six Weeks and the Archbishop to his Majesty within other six Weeks after he hath received the said Presentments CXV Ministers and Churchwardens not to be sued for Presenting VVHereas for the Reformation of Criminous persons and disorders in every Parish the Churchwardens Questmen Sidemen and such other Church Officers are sworn 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 Dilinquents or their Friends We do admonish and exhort all Judges both Ecclesiastical and Temporal as they regard and reverence the fearful judgment-seat of the highest Judge 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 presâ—ntment that he shall make all the said presentments tending to the restraint of shameless Impiety and considering that the Rules both of Charity and Government do presume that they did nothing therein of Malice but for the discharge of their Consciences CXVI Churchwardens not bound to present oftner than twice a Year NO Churchwardens Questmen or Sidemen of any Parish shall be inforced to exhibit their Presentments to any having Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction above once in every Year where it hath been no oftner used nor above twice in any Diocess whatsoever except it be at the Bishops Visitation For the which presentments of every Parish Church or Chappel the Register of any Court where they are to be Exhibited shall not receive in one Year above four pence under pain for every offence therein of Suspension from the Execution of his Office for the space of a Month toties quoties Provided always that as good occasion shall require it shall be lawful for every Minister Churchwardens and Sidemen to present
distinctly and reverently upon such days as are appointed to be kept holy by the Book of Common-Prayer and their Eves and at convenient and usual times of those days and in such place of every Church as the Bishop of the Doicess or Ecclesiastical Ordinary of the Place shall think meet for the largeness or straitness of the same so as the People may be most edified All Ministers likewise shall observe the Orders Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer as well in reading the holy Scriptures and saying of Prayers as in Administration of the Sacraments without either diminishing in regard of preaching or in any other respect or adding any thing in the matter or form thereof XV. The Letany to be read on Wednesdays and Fridays THE Letany shall be said or sung when and as it is set down in the Book of Common-Prayer by the Parsons Vicars Ministers or Curats in all Cathedral Collegiate Parish Churches and Chapels in some convenient Place according to the discretion of the Bishop of the Diocess or Ecclesiastical Ordinary of the Place And that we may speak more particularly upon Wednesdays and Fridays weekly though they be not Holydays the Minister at the accustomed hours of Service shall resort to the Church and Chapel and warning being given to the People by tolling of a Bell shall say the Letany prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer whereunto we wish every Housholder dwelling within half a mile of the Church to come or send one at the least of his Houshold fit to joyn with the Minister in Prayers XVI Colledges to use the Prescript Form of Divine Service IN the whole Divine Service and Administration of the holy Communion in all Colledges and Halls in both Universities the Order Form and Ceremonies shall be duly observed as they are set down and prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer without any Omission or Alteration XVII Students in Colledges to wear Surplices in time of Divine Service ALL Masters and Fellows of Colledges or Halls and all the Scholars and Students in either of the Universities shall in their Churches and Chapels upon all Sundays Holydays and their Eves at the time of Divine Service wear Surplices according to the Order of the Church of England and such as are Graduats shall agreeably wear with their Surplices such Hoods as do severally appertain unto their Degrees XVIII A Reverence and Attention to be used within the Church in time of Divine Service IN the time of Divine Service and of every part thereof all due Reverence is to be used for it is according to the Apostle's Rule Let all things be done decently and according to order Answerable to which Decency and Order we judge these our Directions following No man shall cover his Head in the Church or Chapel in the time of Divine Service except he have some Infirmity in which case let him wear a Night-cap or Coif All manner of Persons then present shall reverently kneel upon their knees when the general Confession Letany and other Prayers are read and shall stand up at the saying of the Belief according to the Rules in that behalf prescribed in the Book of Common-Prayer And likewise when in time of Divine Service the Lord Jesus shall be mentioned due and lowly Reverence shall be done by all Persons present as it hath been accustomed testifying by these Outward Ceremonies and Gestures their inward Humility Christian Resolution and due acknowledgement that the Lord Jesus Christ the true Eternal Son of God is the only Saviour of the World in whom alone all the Mercies Graces and Promises of God to Mankind for this Life and the Life to come are fully and wholly comprized None either Man Woman or Child of what calling soever shall be otherwise at such times busied in the Church than in quiet attendance to hear mark and understand that which is Read Preached or Ministred saying in their due places audibly with the Minister the Confession the Lord's Prayer and the Creed and making such other Answers to the Publick Prayers as are appointed in the Book of Common-Prayer Neither shall they disturb the Service or Sermon by walking or talking or any other way nor depart out of the Church during the time of Service or Sermon without some urgent or reasonable cause XIX Loyterers not to be suffered near the Church in time of Divine Service THE Church-wardens or Quest-men and their Assistants shall not suffer any idle Persons to abide either in the Church-yard or Church-porch during the time of Divine Service or Preaching but shall cause them either to come in or to depart XX. Bread and Wine to be provided against every Communion THE Church-wardens of every Parish against the time of every Communion shall at the charge of the Parish with the advice and direction of the Minister provide a sufficient quantity of fine white Bread and of good and wholesom Wine for the number of Communicants that shall from time to time receive there which Wine we require to be brought to the Communion Table in a clean and sweet standing Pot or Stoop of Pewter if not of purer Metal XXI The Communion to be thrice a-Year received IN every Parish Church and Chapel where Sacraments are to be administred within this Realm the holy Communion shall be ministred by the Parson Vicar or Minister so often and at such times as every Parishioner may Communicate at the least thrice in the Year whereof the Feast of Easter to be one according as they are appointed by the Book of Common-Prayer Provided That every Minister as oft as he administreth the Communion shall first receive that Sacrament himself Furthermore no Bread or Wine newly brought shall be used but first the Words of Institution shall be rehearsed when the said Bread and Wine be present upon the Communion Table Likewise the Minister shall deliver both the Bread and the Wine to every Communicant severally XXII Warning to be given beforehand for the Communion VVHereas every Lay Person is bound to receive the holy Communion thrice every Year and many notwithstanding do not receive that Sacrament once in a year We do require every Minister to give warning to his Parishioners publickly in the Church at Morning Prayer the Sunday before every time of his administring that holy Sacrament for their better preparation of themselves Which said warning we enjoyn the said Parishioners to accept and obey under the penalty and danger of the Law XXIII Students in Colledges to receive the Communion four times a-Year IN all Colledges and Halls within both the Universities the Masters and Fellows such especially as have any Pupils shall be careful that all their said Pupils and the rest that remain amongst them be well brought up and throughly instructed in Points of Religion and that they do diligently frequent Publick Service and Sermons and receive the holy Communion which we ordain to be administred in all such Colledges and Halls the first and second
of Common Prayer that is brought to the Church to him upon Sundays or Holydays to be Christened or to Bury any Corps that is brought to the Church or Church-Yard convcnient Warning being given him thereof before in such manner and Form as is prescribed in the said Book of Common Prayer And if he shall refuse to Christen the one or Bury the other except the Party deceased were denounced Excommunicated Majori Excommunicatione for some grievous and notorious Crime and no man able to testifie of his Repentance he shall be suspended by the Bishop of the Diocess from his Ministery by the space of three months LXIX Ministers not to defer Christening if the Child be in Danger IF any Minister being duly without any manner of Collusion informed of the Weakness and Danger of Death of any Infant unbaptized in his Parish and thereupon desired to go or come to the Place where the said Infant remaineth to Baptize the same shall either wilfully refuse so to do or of Purpose or of gross Negligence shall so defer the time as when he might conveniently have resorted to the Place and have Baptized the said Infant it dieth through such his Default unbaptized the said Minister shall be suspended for three months and before his restitution shall acknowledge his Fault and promise before his Ordinary that he will not wittingly incur the like again Provided that where there is a Curate or a Substitute this Constitution shall not extend to the Parson or Vicar himself but to the Curate or Substitute present LXX Ministers to keep a Register of Christenings Weddings and Burials IN every Parish Church and Chapel within this Realm shall be provided one Parchment Book at the Charge of the Parish wherein shall be written the day and year of every Christening Wedding and Burial which have been in that Parish since the time that the Law was first made in that behalf so far as the ancient Books thereof can be procured but especially since the beginning of the Reign of the late Queen 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 severally so that neither the Minister without the two 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 or 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 Christened together with the Names and Surnames of their Parents and also the Names of all Persons Married and Buried in that Parish in the Week before and the day and year of every such Christening Marriage and Burial And that done they shall lay up that Book in the Coffer as before And the Minister and Church-wardens unto every Page of that Book when it shall be filled with such Inscriptions shall subscribe their Names And the Church-wardens shall once every year within one Month after the five and twentieth 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 five and twentieth day of March and the certain days and months in which every such Christening Marriage and Burial was had to be subscribed with the Hands of the said Minister and Church-wardens 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 Church-wardens shall be negligent in 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 LXXI Ministers not to preach or administer the Communion in Private Houses NO Minister shall Prench or Administer the holy Communion in any private House except it be in times of necessity when any being either so impotent as he cannot go to the Church or very dangerously sick are desirous to be Partakers of the holy Sacrament upon pain of Suspension for the first Offence and Excommunication for the second Provided that Houses are here reputed for Private Houses wherein are no Chapels dedicated and allowed by the Ecclesiastical Laws of this Realm And provided also under the pains before expressed that no Chaplains do Preach or Administer the Communion in any other places but in the Chapels of the said Houses and that also they do the same very seldom upon Sundays and Holy-days So that both the Lords and Masters of the said Houses and their Families shall at other times resort to their own Parish Churches and there receive the holy Communion at the least once every year LXXII Ministers not to appoint publick or private Fasts or Prophesies or to Exercise but by Authority NO Minister or Ministers shall without the Licence and Direction of the Bishop of the Diocess first obtained and had under his Hand and Seal appoint or keep any solemn Fasts either publickly or in any private Houses other than such as by Law are or by publick Authority shall be appointed nor shall be wittingly present at any of them under pain of Suspension for the first Fault of Excommunication for the second and of Deposition from the Ministery for the third Neither shall any Minister not Licensed as is aforesaid presume to appoint or hold any Meetings for Sermons commonly termed by some Prophesies or Exercises in Market-Towns or other places under the said Pains Nor without such Licence to attempt upon any Pretence whatsoever either of Possession or Obsession by Fasting and Prayer to cast out any Devil or Devils under pain of the Imputation of Imposture or Cozenage and Deposition from the Ministery LXXIII Ministers not to hold private Conventicles Forasmuch as all conventicles and secret Meetings of Priests and Ministers have been ever justly accounted very hurtful to the State of the Church wherein they live We do now Ordain and Constitute That no Priests or Ministers of the word of God nor any other Persons shall meet together in any private House or elsewhere to consult upon any matter or course to be taken by them or upon their motion or direction by any other which may any way tend to the Impeaching or Depraving of the Doctrine of the Church of England or of the Book of Common Prayer or any part of the Government and Discipline now established in the Church of England under pain of Excommunication ipso facto LXXIV Decency in Apparel enjoyned to Ministers THE true ancient and flourishing Churches of Christ being ever desirous that their Prelacy and Clergy might be had as well
in outward Reverence as otherwise regarded for the Worthiness of their Ministery did think it sit by a prescript Form of decent and comely Apparel to have them known to the People and thereby to receive the Honour and Estimation due to the special Messengers and Ministers of Almighty God We therefore following their grave Judgment and the ancient Custom of the Church of England and hoping that in time new-fangleness of Apparel in some Factious Persons will die of it self do constitute and appoint That the Archbishops and Bishops shall not intermit to use the accustomed Apparel of their Degrees Likewise all Deans Masters of Colleges Archdeacons and Prebendaries in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches being Priests or Deacons Doctors in Divinity Law and Physick Batchellors in Divinity Masters of Arts and Batchellors of Law having any Ecclesiastical Living shall usually wear Gowns with standing Collars and Sleeves strait at the Hands or wide Sleeves as is used in the Universities with Hoods or Tippets of Silk or Sarcenet and square Caps And that all other Ministers admitted or to be admitted into that Function shall also usually wear the like Apparel as is aforesaid except Tippets only We do further in like manner ordain That all the said Ecclesiastical Persons above mentioned shall usually wear in their Journeys Cloaks with Sleeves commonly called Priests Cloaks without Gards Welts long Buttons or Cuts And no Ecclesiastical Person shall wear any Coife or wrought Night-cap but only plain Night-caps of black Silk Satten or Velvet In all which Particulars concerning the Apparel here Prescribed our meaning is not to attribute any Holiness or special Worthiness to the said Garments but for Decency Gravity and Order as is before specified In private Houses and in their Studies the said Persons Ecclesiastical may use any comely and Scholar-like Apparel provided that it be not cut or pinckt and that in publick they go not in their Doublet and Hose without Coats or Cassocks And that they wear not any light coloured Stockings Likewise poor Beneficed men and Curates not being able to provide themselves long Gowns may go in short Gowns of the Fashion aforesaid LXXV Sober Conversation required in Ministers NO Ecclesiastical Person shall at any time other then for their honest Necessities resort to any Taverns or Alehouses neither shall they boad or lodge in any such Places Furthermore they shall not give themselves to any base or servile Labour or to drinking or Riot spending their time Idlely by day or by night playing at Dice Cards or Taâ—les or any other unlawful Game But at all times convenient they shall hear or read somewhat of the Holy Scriptures or shall occupy themselves with some other honest Study or Exercise always doing the things which shall appertain to Honesty and endeavouring to profit the Church of God having always in Mind that they ought to excel all others in Purity of Life and should be examples to the People to live well and Christianly under Pain of Ecclesiastical Censures to be inflicted with Severity according to the qualities of their Offences LXXV Ministers at no time to forsake their Calling NO man being admitted a Deacon or Minister shall from thenceforth voluntarily relinquish the same nor afterward use himself in the Course of his Life as a Lay-man upon pain of Excommunication And the Names of all such Men so forsaking their Calling the Church-wardens of the Parish where they dwell shall present to the Bishop of the Diocess or to the Ordinary of the Place having Episcopal Jurisdiction School-Masters LXXVII None to teach School without Licence NO Man shall teach either in publick School or private House but such as shall be allowed by the Bishop of the Diocess or 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 and also except he shall first subscribe to the first and third Articles aforementioned simply and to the two first Clauses of the second Article LXXVIII Curates desirous to teach to be Licensed before others IN what Parish Church or Chappel soever there is a Curate which is a Master of Arts or Batchelor of Arts or is otherwise well able to teach Youth and will willingly so do for the better increase of his Living and training up of Children in Principles of true Religion We will and ordain That a Licence to teach Youth of the Parish where he serveth be granted to none by the Ordinary of that place but only to the said Curate Provided always That this Constitution shall not extend to any Parish or Chappel in Countrey Towns where there is a publick School 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 School LXXXIX The Duty of School-Masters ALL School-Masters shall teach in English or Latin as the Children are able to bear the larger or shorter Catechism heretofore by publick Authority set forth And as often as any Sermon shall be upon Holy and Festival days within the Parish where they teach they shall bring their Schollars to the Church where such Sermon shall be made and there see them quietly and soberly behave themselves and shall examine them at times convenient after their return what they have born away of such Sermons Upon other days and at other times they shall train them up with such Sentences of holy Scriptures as shall be most expedient to induce them to all Godliness and they shall teach the Grammar set forth by King Henry the Eighth and continued in the times of King Edward the Sixth and Queen Elizabeth of noble Memory and none other And if any School-Master being Licensed and having subscribed as aforesaid shall offend in any of the premisses or either speak write or teach against any thing whereunto he hath formerly subscribed if upon admonition by the Ordinary he do not amend and reform himself let him be suspended from teaching School any longer Things appertaining to Churches LXXX The great Bible and Book of Common Prayer to be had in every Church THE Church-wardens or Quest-men of every Church and Chappel shall at the charge of the Parish provide the Book of Common Prayer lately explained in some few points by his Majesties Authority according to the Laws and his Highness Prerogative in that behalf and that with all convenient speed but at the furthest within two months after the publishing of these our Constitutions And if any Parishes be yet unfurnished of the Bible of the largest Volume or of the Books of Homilies allowed by Authority the said Church-wardens shall within convenient time provide the same at the like charge of the Parish LXXXI A Font of Stone for Baptism in every Church ACcording to a former Constitution too much neglected in many places we appoint That there shall be a Font of Stone in every
every thing in them contained as is aforesaid but do likewise propounid publish and straightway enjoyn and command by our said Authority and by these our Letters Patents the same to be diligently observed executed and equally kept by all our loving Subjects of this our Kingdom both within the Province of Canturbury and York in all points wherein they do or may concern every or any of them according to this our Will and Pleasure hereby signified and expressed and that likewise for the better observation of them every Minister by what Name or Title soever he be called shall in the Parish Church or Chappel where he hath charge read all the said Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions once every year upon some Sundays or Holy days in the afternoon before Divine Service dividing the same in such sort as that the one half may be read one day and the other another day the Book of the said Canons to be provided at the charge of the Parish betwixt this and the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God next ensuing Straightly charging and commanding all Archbishops Bishops and all other that exercise any Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction within this Realm every man in his place to see and procure so much as in them lieth all and every of the same Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to be in all points duly observed not sparing to execute the Penalties in them severally mentioned upon any that shall wittingly or wilfully break or neglect to observe the same as they tender the Honour of God the Peace of the Church the Tranquility of the Kingdom and their Duties and Service to Us their King and Sovereign In VVitness c. THE TABLE Of the Church of England 1 THE Kings Supremacy over the Church of England in Causes Ecclesiastical to be maintained Page 1 2 Impugners of the Kings Supremacy censured 2 3 The Church of England a true and Apostolical Church ib. 4 Impugners of the publick Worship of God established in the Church of England censured ib. 5 Impugners of the Articles of Religion established in the Church of England censured 3 6 Impugners of the Rites and Ceremonies established in the Church of England censured ib. 7 Impugners of the Government of the Church of England by Archbishops Bishops c. censured ib. 8 Impugners of the Form of consecrating and ordering Archbishops Bishops c. in the Church of England censured ib. 9 Authors of Schism in the Church of England censured 4 10 Maintainers of Schismaticks in the Church of England censured ib. 11 Maintainers of Conâ—nticles censured ib. 12 Maintainers of Constitutions made in Conventicles censured 5 Of Divine Service and Administration of the Sacraments 13 DUe celebration of Sundays and Holy-days 5 14 The prescript Form of Divine Service to be used on Sundays and Holy-days ib. 15 The Letany to be read on Wednesdays and Fridays 6 16 Colledges to use the Prescript Form of Divine Service ib. 17 Students in Colledges to wear Surplices in time of Divine Service ib. 18 A Reverence and Attention to be used within the Church in time of Divine Service 7 19 Loyterers not to be suffered near the Church in time of Divine Service 8 20 Bread and Wine to be provided against every Communion ib. 21 The Communion to be thrice a Year received ib. 22 Warning to be given beforehand for the Communion ib. 23 Students in Colledges to receive the Communion four times a Year 9 24 Copes to be worn in Cathedral Churches by those that Administer the Communion ib. 25 Surplices and Hoods to be worn in Cathedral Churches when there is no Communion 10 26 Notorious Offenders not to be admitted to the Communion ib. 27 Schismaticks not to be admitted to the Communion ib. 28 Strangers not to be admitted to the Communion 11 29 Fathers not to be Godfathers in Baptism nor Children not Communicants ib. 30 The lawful use of the Cross in Baptism explained 12 Ministers their Ordination Function and Charge 31 FOur Solemn Times appointed for the making of Ministers 14 32 None to be made Deacon and Minister both in one Day 15 33 The Titles of such as are to be made Ministers ibid. 34 The Quality of such as are to be made Ministers 16 35 The Examination of such as are to be made Ministers ib. 36 Subscriptions required of such as are to be made Ministers 17 37 Subscription before the Diocesan 18 38 Revolters after Subscription censured ib. 39 Cautions for Institution of Ministers into Benefices ib. 40 An Oath against Simony at Institution into Benefices ib. 41 Licences for Plurality of Benefices limited and Residence enjoined 19 42 Residence of Deans in their Churches 20 43 Deans and Prebendaries to Preach during their Residence ib. 44 Prebendaries to be resident upon their Benefices 21 45 Beneficed Preachers being Resident upon their Livings to Preach every Sunday 21 46 Beneficed men not Preachers to procure monthly Sermons ib. 47 Absence of Beneficed men to be supplied by Curates that are allowed Preachers 22 48 None to be Curates but allowed by the Bishops ib. 49 Ministers not allowed Preachers may not Expound ib. 50 Strangers not admitted to Preach without shewing their Licence 23 51 Strangers not admitted to Preach in Cathedral Churches without sufficient Authority ib. 52 The Names of Strange Preachers to be noted in a Book ib 53 No Publick Opposition between Preachers ib. 54 The Licences of Preachers refusing Conformity to be void 24 55 The Form of a Prayer to be used by all Preachers before their Sermons ib. 56 Preachers and Lecturers to read Divine Service and Administer the Sacraments twice a year at the least 25 57 The Sacraments to be refused at the hands of unpreaching Ministers 26 58 Ministers reading Divine Service and administring the Sacraments to wear Surplices and Graduates therewithal Hoods ib. 59 Ministers to Catechize every Sunday 27 60 Confirmation to be performed once in three years ib. 61 Ministers to prepare Children for Confirmation 28 62 Ministers not to marry any Persons without Banns or Licence ib. 63 Ministers of Exempt Churches not to Marry without Banns or Licence 29 64 Ministers solemnly to bid Holy-day ib. 65 Ministers solemnly to denounce Recusants and Excommunicates ib. 66 Ministers to confer with Recusants 30 67 Ministers to Visit the Sick ib. 68 Ministers not to refuse to Christen or Bury 31 69 Ministers not to defer Christning if the Child be in danger ib. 70 Ministers to keep a Register of Christenings Weddings and Burials ib. 71 Ministers not to preach or administer the Communion in Private Houses 32 72 Ministers not to appoint publick or private Fasts or Prophesies or to Exercise but by Authority 33 73 Ministers not to hold private Conventicles ib. 74 Decency in Apparel enjoyned to Ministers 34 75 Sober Conversation required in Ministers 35 76 Ministers at no time to forsake their Calling ib. School-Masters 77 NOne to teach School without Licence 35 78 Curates destrous to teach to be