Sentence shall bind to submission though the Superiours may err in the sentence Thus God ordered it Deut. 17. that in doubts the Inferiour were to stand to the decision and sentence of the Priests and the Judge and yet their judgement was not infallible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the whole Assembly the chiefest Senate might err and sin through Ignorance and a sacrifice is appointed for the expiation of their errour Lev. 4.13 Better that Inferiours be bound to stand to such fallible judgment as to quiet submission in such kind of controversies as afore-mentioned than that every man be suffered to interpret Laws and determine controversies which will bring into the Church certain confusion Nor will such submission in the Inferiours be damnable seeing in this submission to Authority they follow Gods method obeying them that have the oversight over them Heb. 13. and keep order of which God is the Author 1 Cor. 14.33 God is not the Author of Confusion but of order and peace as in all Churches of the Saints This Authority in determining doubts and controversies the Church hath practised in all Ages and her constant practice is the best interpreter of her right We read not only of St. Pauls determining controversies about rites and circumstances 1 Cor. 14. but also of the Churches determining controversies of Doctrines and matters of belief in a full Council Act. 15. and requiring submission to those determinations from inferiour members The like did the Church afterwards in her general Councils of NICE CONSTANTINOPLE EPHESUS CHALCEDON And not only the General Councils have exercised this Authority but particular Churches also in National Councils in the Council of ORANGE MILEVIS and others have used the same power over their children whom they were bound to teach and govern and for whose souls they were to account to God and they did no more than was their right so long as they did it with submission to the general Church to whom they are subject Christ said to the Apostles and by this to all the guides of souls that should succeed them in a lawful Ordination he that hears you hears me and he that despises you despises me St. Cypr. Ep. 69. From these premises it plainly follows that our dear Mother the Church of England in makeing these Canons and Articles for determining the controversies in matters of belief which you may see in the ensuing Collection did no more than what was both her right and her duty to do both for the preservation of her peace and the guidance and conduct of the souls committed to her charge and what her care hath been in the exercise of this power for the good of her members ever since the Reformation will evidently to her honour appear by this following Collection made up not without great care and industry of the Publisher By which he hath done our Mother this farther right that now whosoever will may easily see the notorious slander which some of the Roman perswasion have endeavoured to cast upon her That her Reformation hath been altogether Lay and Parliamentary for by the Canons and Articles following which were formerly scattered and hard to be seen by every one now gathered together into a body it easily appears to any that will but open their eyes and read that the Reformation of this Church was orderly and Synodical by the Guides and Governors of souls and confirmed by Supreme Authority and so in every particular as legal as any Reformation could or ought to be Anth. Sparrow Books newly Printed for Robert Pawlet at the Bible in Chancery Lane 1675. AN Historical Vindication of the Church of England in point of Schisme as it stands separated from the Roman and was Reformed I. Elizabeth Written by Sir Robert Twisden Knight and Baronet XIX Sermons Preached by that Eminent Divine Henry Hammond D. D. Published by the Authors own Copies Golden Remains of the ever Memorable Mr. John Hales of Eaton Colledge Also Letters and Expresses concerning the Synod of Dort with many new Additions from an Authentick hand INJUNCTIONS Given by the most Excellent Prince EDWARD VI. By the Grace of God KING of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith And in Earth under Christ of the Church of England and Ireland the Supreme Head To all and singular his loving Subjects as well of the Clergy as of the Laity Imprinted at London by Richard Grafton MDXLVII Injunctions given by the most Excellent Prince Edward the Sixth by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and in Earth under Christ of the Church of England and of Ireland the supreme Head To all and singular his loving Subjects as well of the Clergy as of the Laity THE Kings most Royal Majesty by the advice of his most dear Vncle the Duke of Somerset Lord Protector of all his Realms Dominions and Subjects and Governor of his most Royal Person and residue of his most honourable Council intending the advancement of the true honor of Almighty God the suppression of Idolatry and Superstition throughout all his Realms and Dominions and to plant true Religion to the extirpation of all Hypocrisie Enormities and Abuses as to his duty appertaineth doth minister unto his loving Subjects these godly Injunctions hereafter following whereof part were given unto them heretofore by the Authority of his most dear beloved Father King Henry the Eighth of most famous memory and part are now ministred and given by His Majesty All which Injunctions his Highness willeth and commandeth his said loving Subjects by his supreme Authority obediently to receive and truly to observe and keep every man in their offices degrees and states as they will avoid his displeasure and the pains in the same Injunctions hereafter expressed 1. The first is That all Deans Archdeacons Parsons Vicars and other Ecclesiastical persons shall faithfully keep and observe and as far as in them may lie shall cause to be kept and observed of other all and singular Laws and Statutes made as well for the abolishing and extirpation of the Bishop of Rome his pretensed and usurped power and jurisdiction as for the establishment and confirmation of the Kings authority jurisdiction and supremacy of the Church of England and Ireland And furthermore all Ecclesiastical persons having cure of souls shall to the uttermost of their wit knowledge and learning purely sincerely and without any colour or dissimulation declare manifest and open four times every year at the least in their Sermons and other Collations that the Bishop of Rome's usurped power and jurisdiction having no establishment nor ground by the Laws of God was of most just causes taken away and abolished and that therefore no manner of obedience or subjection within his Realms and Dominions is due unto him And that the Kings power within his Realms and Dominons is the highest power under God to whom all men within the same Realms and Dominions by Gods Laws owe most Loyalty and
past and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life to the honor and glory of thy Name through Iesus Christ our Lord. Then shall the Priest stand up and turning him to the people say thus Our blessed Lord who hath left power to his Church to absolve penitent sinners from their sins and to restore to the grace of the heavenly Father such as truly believe in Christ have mercy upon you pardon and deliver you from all sins confirm and strengthen you in all goodness and bring you to everlasting life Then shall the Priest stand up and turning him toward the people say thus Hear what comfortable words our Saviour Christ saith to all that truly turn to him COme unto me all that travel and be heavy laden and I shall refresh you So God loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son to the end that all that believe in him should not perish but have life everlasting Hear also what St. Paul saith THis is a true saying and worthy of all men to be embraced and received that Iesus Christ came into this world to save sinners Hear also what St. John saith IF any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous he it is that obtained grace for our sins Then shall the Priest kneel down and say in the name of all them that shall receive the Communion this Prayer following WE do not presume to come to this thy Table O merciful Lord trusting in our own righteousness but in thy manifold and great mercies we be not worthy so much as to gather up the crums under thy Table but thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy grant us therefore gracious Lord so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Iesus Christ and to drink his blood in these holy Mysteries that we may continually dwell in him and he in us that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood Amen Then shall the Priest rise the people still reverently kneeling and the Priest shall deliver the Communion first to the Ministers if any be there present that they may be ready to help the Priest and after to the other And when he doth deliver the Sacrament of the body of Christ he shall say to every one these words following THe body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee preserve thy body unto everlasting life And the Priest delivering the Sacrament of the blood and giving every one to drrnk once and no more shall say THe blood of our Lord Iesus Christ which was shed for thee preserve thy soul unto everlasting life If there be a Deacon or other Priest then shall he follow with the Chalice and as the Priest ministreth the Bread so shall he for more expedition minister the Wine in form before written Then shall the Priest turning him to the people let the people depart with this blessing THe peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Iesus Christ our Lord. To which the people shall answer Amen Note That the Bread that shall be consecrated shall be such as heretofore hath been accustomed And every of the said consecrated Breads shall be broken in two pieces at the least or more by the discretion of the Minister and so distributed And men must not think less to be received in part than in the whole but in each of them the whole body of our Saviour Iesus Christ Note That if it doth so chance that the Wine hollowed and consecrate doth not suffice or be enough for them that do take the Communion the Priest after the first Cup or Chalice be emptied may go again to the Altar and reverently and devâ—utly prepare and Consecrate another and so the third or more likewise beginning at these words Simili modo postquam coenatum est and ending at these words qui pro vobis promultis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum and withiout any leavation or lifting up Articles to be enquired of in the Visitations to be had within the Diocese of Canterbury in the second year of the Reign of our Dread Soveraign Lord Edward the Sixth by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and in Earth of the Church of England and also of Ireland the Supreme Head FIrst Whether Parsons Vicars and Curates and every of them have purely and sincerely without colour or dissimulation four times in the year at the least preached against the usurped power pretended authority and jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome Item Whether they have preached and declared likewise four times in the year at the least that the Kings Majesties power authority and preheminence within his Realms and Dominions is the highest power under God Item Whether any person hath by writing cyphring preaching or teaching deed or act obstinately holden and stand with to extol set forth maintain or defend the authority jurisdiction or power of the Bishop of Rome or of his See heretofore claimed and usurped or by any pretense obstinately or maliciously invented any thing for the extolling of the same or any part thereof Item Whether in their Common-prayers they use not the Collects made for the King and make not special mention of his Majesties name in the same Item Whether they do not every Sunday and Holy-day with the Collects of the English procession say the prayer set forth by the Kings Majesty for peace between England and Scotland Item Whether they have not removed taken away and utterly extincted and destroyed in their Churches Chappels and Houses all Images all Shrines coverings of Shrines all Tables Candlesticks Trindels or Rolls of Wax Pictures Paintings and allother Monuments of feigned Miracles Pilgrimges Idolatry and Superstition so that there remain on memory of the same in walls glass-windows or elsewhere Item Whether they have exhorted moved and stirred their Parishioners to do the like in every of their houses Item Whether they have declared to their Parishioners the Articles concerning the abrogation of certain superfluous Holy-dayes and done their endeavor to perswade the said Parishioners to keep and observe the same Articles inviolably and whether any of those abrogate dayes have been kept as Holy-days and by whose occasion they were so kept Item Whether they have diligently duly and reverently ministred the Sacraments in their Cures Item Whether they have preached or caused to be preached purely and sincerely the word of God in every of their Cures every quarter of the year once at the least exhorting their Parishioners to words commanded by the Scripture and not to works devised by mens phantasies besides Scripture as wearing or praying upon Beads or such like Item Whether they suffer any Torches Candles Tapers or any other lights to be in your Churches but only two lights upon the
Trentals Masses satisfactory decking of Images offering of Candles giving to Friers and upon other like blind devotions Item whether they have denied to visit the sick or bury the dead being brought to the Church Item whether they have bought their Benefices or come to them by fraud or deceit Item whether they have every Sunday when the people be most gathered read one of the Homilies in order as they stand in the book set forth by the Kings Majesty Item whether they do not omit prime and hours when they have any Sermon or Homily Item whether they have said or sung any Mass in any Oratory Chappel or any mans house not being hallowed Item whether they have given open monition to their Parishioners that they should not wear Beads nor pray upon them Item whether they have moved their Parishioners lying upon their death-beds or at any other time to bestow any part of their substance upon Trentals Masses satisfactory or any such blind devotions Item whether they take any Trentals or other Masses satisfactory to say or sing for the quick or the dead Item whether they have given open monition to their Parishioners to detect and present to their Ordinary all adulterers and fornicators and such men as have two wives living and such women as have two husbands living within their Parishes Item whether they have not monished their Parishoners openly that they should not sell give nor otherwise alineate any of their Churches goods Item whether they or any of them do keep more Benefices and other Ecclesiastical promotions than they ought to do not having sufficient license and dispensations thereunto and how many they be and their names Item whether they minister the Communion any other ways then only after such form and manner as is set forth by the Kings Majesty in the book of the Communion Item whether they hallowed and delivered to the people any Candles upon Candlemas-day and Ashes upon Ash-Wednesday or any Palms uyon Palm-Sunday last past Item whether they had upon Good-Friday last past the Sepulchres with their lights having the Sacrament therein tem whether they upon Easter-even last past hallowed the Front Fire or Paschal or had any Paschal set up or burning in their Churches Item whether your Parsons and Vicars have admitted any Curates to serve their Cures which were not first examined and allowed either by my Lord of Canterbury Master-Archdeacon or their Officers Item whether you know any person within your Parish or elfewhere that is a letter of the word of God to be read in English or sincerely preached or of the execution of the Kings Majesties Injunctions or other his Majesties proceedings in matters of Religion Item whether every Parish have provided a Chest with two locks and for the book of VVedding Christning and Burying Item whether in the time of the Letany or any other Common-prayer in the time of the Sermon or Homily and when the Priest readeth the Scripture to the Parishioners any person have departed out of the Church without a just and necessary cause Item whether any Bells have been knowled or rung at the time of the premisses Item whether any person hath abused the Ceremonies as in casting holy water upon his bed or bearing about him holy-bread St. Johns Gospel ringing of holy Bells or keeping of private holy-days as Taylors Bakers Brewers Smiths Shoomakers and such other Item whether the money coming and rising of any Cattle or other moveable stocks of the Church and money given or bequeathed to the finding of Torches Lights Tapers or Lamps not paid out of any Lands have not been employed to the poor mens Chest Item who hath the said stocks and money in their hands and what be their names Item whether any undiscreet persons do uncharitably contemn and abuse Priests and Ministers of the Church Item whether they that understand not the Latine do pray upon any Primer but the English Primer set forth by the Kings Majesties Authority and whether they that understand Latine do use any other then the Latine Primer set forth by like Authority Item whether there be any other Grammar taught in any other School within this Diocess then that which is set forth by the Kings Majesty Item whether any person keep their Church holy-day and the Dedication day any otherwise or at any other time then is appointed by the Kings Majesty Item whether the service in the Church be done at due and convenient hours Item whether any have used to commune jangle and talk in the Church in the time of the Common-prayer reading of the Homily Preaching reading or declaring of the Scripture Item whether any have wilfully maintained and defended any Heresies Errours or false Opinions contrary to the faith of Christ and holy Scripture Item whether any be common drunkards swearers or blasphemers of the Name of God Item whether any have committed adultery fornication or incest or be common Bawds and receivers of such evil persons or vehemently suspected of any of the premisses Item whether any be brawlers slanderers chiders scolders and sowers of discord between one person and another Item whether you know any that use Charms Sorcery Enchantments VVitchcraft Southsaying or any like craft invented by the Devil Item whether the Churches Pulpits and other necessaries appertaining to the same be sufficiently repaired Item whether you know any that in contempt of your own Parish Church do resort to any other Church Item whether any Inholders or Alehouse-keepers do use commonly to sell meat and drink in the time of Common prayer Preaching or Reading of the Homilies or Scripture Item whether you know any to be married within the degrees prohibited by the Laws of God or that be separated or divorced without a just cause allowed by the Law of God and whether any such have married again Item whether you know any to have made privy contracts of matrimony not calling two or more thereunto Item whether they have married solemnly the Banns not first lawfully asked Item whether you know any Executors or Administrators of dead mens goods which do not bestow such of the said goods as were given and bequeathed or appointed to be distributed among the poor people repairing of high-ways finding of poor Scholars or marrying of poor Maids or such other like charitable deeds Item whether any do contemn married Priests and for that they be married will not receive the Communion or other Sacraments at their hands Item whether you know any that keep in their houses undefaced any abused or feigned Images any Tables Pictures Paintings or other monuments of feigned miracles Pilgrimages Idolatry or Superstition ARTICLES TO BE ENQUIRED of IN THE VISITATION OF THE DIOCESS of LONDON By the Reverend Father in God NICOLAS BISHOP of LONDON In the fourth year of our Soveraign Lord King Edward the Sixth by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and in Earth of the Church of England and also of Ireland the supreme
that Christian Religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth in a cause of faith and charity so it be done according to the Prophets teaching in justice judgment and truth R. Edv. 6. Art 39. Resurrectio mortuorum nondum est facta REsurre Aio mortuorum non adhuc facta est quasi tantum ad animum pertineat qui per Christi Gratiam à morte peccatorum excitetur sed extremo die quoad omnes qui obierunt expectanda est tunc enim vita defunctis ut scripturae manifestissimè testantur propria corpora earnes ossa restituentur ut homo integer prout vel recte vel perdite vixerit juxta sua opera sive praemia sive poenas reportet Art R. Ed. 6. R. Ed. 6. Art 40. Defunctorum animae neque cum corporibus intereunt neque etiose dormiunt QUi animas defunctorum p rdicant usque ad diem judicii absque omni sensu dormire aut illas asserunt una cum corporibus mori extrema die cum illis excitandas ab orthodoxa fide quae nobis in sacris literis traditur prorsus dissentiunt R. Edv. 6. Art 41. Millenarii QUi Millenariorum fabulam revocare conantur sacris literis adversantur in Judaica deliramenta sese praecipitant R. Edv. Art 42. Non omnes tandem servandi sunt HI quoque damnatione digni sunt qui conantur hodie perniciosam opinionem instaurare quod omnes quâ—ntumvis impii servandi sunt tandem cum definito tempore à justitia divina poenas de admissis flagitiis luerunt The Ratification THis Book of Articles before rehearsed is again approved and allowed to be holden and executed within the Realm by the assent and consent of our Soveraign Lady Elizabeth by the grace of God of England France and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith c. Which Articles were deliberately read and confirmed again by the subscription of the hand of the Archbishop and Bishops of the upper House and by the subscription of the whole Clergy in the nether House in their Convocation in the year of our Lord 1571. THE TABLE 1 OF Faith in the Trinity 2 Of Christ the Son of God 3 Of his going down into Hell 4 Of his Resurrection 5 Of the holy Ghost 6 Of the sufficiency of the Scripture 7 Of the Old Testament 8 Of the three Creeds 9 Of the original sin 10 Of free-will 11 Of Justification 12 Of good works 13 Of Works before Justification 14 Of Works of Supererogation 15 Of Christ alone without sin 16 Of sin after Baptism 17 Of Predestination and Election 18 Of obtaining salvation by Christ 19 Of the Church 20 Of the Authority of the Church 21 Of the Authority of the General Councils 22 Of Purgatory 23 Of ministring in the Congregation 24 Of speaking in the Congregation 25 Of the Sacraments 26 Of the worthiness of Ministers 27 Of Baptism 28 Of the Lords Supper 29 Of the wicked which eat not the body of Christ 30 Of both kinds 31 Of Christs one Oblation 32 Of the marriage of Priests 33 Of Excommunicate persons 34 Of Traditions of the Church 35 Of Homilies 36 Of Consecration of Ministers 37 Of Civil Magistrates 38 Of Christian mens Goods 39 Of a Christian mans Oath 40 Of the Ratification Anno primo Reginae Eliz. cap. 2. There shall be Uniformity of Prayer and Administration of Sacraments WHere at the death of our late Soveraign Lord King Edward the sixth there remained one uniform Order of Common Service and Prayer and of the Administration of Sacraments Rights and Ceremonies in the Church of England which was set forth in one Book entituled The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of Sacraments and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England authorised by Act of Parliament Stat. 5. 6. Ed. 6. 1. holden in the fifth and sixth years of our said late Soveraign Lord King Edward the sixth entituled An Act for the Uniformity of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments the which was repealed and taken away by Act of Parliament in the first year of the raign of our late Soveraign Lady Queen Mary Stat. 1. M. 2. to the great decay of the due honor of God and discomfort to the professors of the truth of Christs Religion A Repeal of the Satute 1. M. 2. and the Book of Common prayer shall be of effect Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament That the said Statute of Repeal and every thing therein contained only concerning the said Book and the Service Administration of the Sacraments Rites and Ceremonies contained or appointed in or by the said Book shall be void and of none effect from and after the Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist next coming And that the said Book with the Order of Service and of the Administration of Sacraments Rites and Ceremonies with the Alteration and Additions therein added and appointed by this Estatute shall stand and be from and after the said Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist in full force and effect according to the tenour and effect of this Estatute any thing in the foresaid Estatute of Repeal to the contrary notwithstanding And be it further Enacted by the Queens Highness with the assent of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled the authority of the same That all and singular Ministers in any Cathedral or Parish-Church The book of Common-prayer shall be used 8. Eliz. or other place within this Realm of England Wales and the Marches of the same or other the Queens Dominions shall from and after the feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist next coming be bounden to say and use the Mattens Even-song Celebration of the Lords Supper and Administration of each of the Sacraments and all the Common and open Prayer in such order and form as is mentioned in the said Book so authorised by Parliament The alteration of the Book set forth 5 6. Ed. 6. 1. in the said 5. and 6. years of the Reign of King Edward the sixth with one alteration or addition of certain Lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year and the form of the Letany altered and corrected and two sentences only added in the delivery of the Sacrament to the Communicants and none other or otherwise And that if any manner of Parson Vicar The forfeiture of those which use any other Service than the Book of Common-prayer or other whatsoever Minister that ought or should sing or say Common-Prayer mentioned in the said Book or minister the Sacraments from and after the feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist next coming refuse to use the said Common-prayer or to minister the Sacraments in such Cathedral or Parish-Church or other places as he should use to minister the same in such order or form as they be mentioned and set forth in the said Book or
eisdem Archiepiscopo Episcopo vel Suffragano subservientes pro membrana scriptione cera sigillatione vel alia quavis causa hoc negotium contingente supra decem solidos percipient sub paenis hac in parte lege constitutis 136. Statarius Feodorum census in tabulas relatus publicè in Consistoriis Archivis proponendus STatuimus porrò ordinamus ut cujusque Judicis Ecclesiastici Registrarius tabulas binas in quibus certae singulorum feodorum summae separatim exprimentur publicè figi curet proponi unam in Confistorio vel loco consueto ubi dicta Curia teneri solet alteram in suo Archivo utramque in loco ita congruo ut quilibet cujus intererit ejusdem inspiciendae legendae vel etiam transcribendae liberam habeat facultatem quod ante Festum Nativitatis proximè futurum perfici volumus Quod siquis Registrarius dictas tabulas juxta tenorem praemissorum publicê figendas non curaverit ab executione Officii sui eousque suspendetur quoad praemissa modo forma specificatis perfecerit easque tabulas semel fixas siquando vel auferet vâ—l in fraudem hujus Constitutionis ex loco in quo primùm positae erant removeri vel quovis pacto occultari patietur tunc pro singulis ejusmodi delictis ab exercitio muneris sui per semestre spatium suspendetur 137. Feoda pro ordinum literis aliisque licentiis Episcocopo exhibendis tantùm dimidia praeterquam in prima Episcopi visitatione persolvenda CUm non minima sit Visitationis causa effectus ut Episcopus Archidiaconus aut alius Visitans de statu sufficientia facultatibus Cleri aliorum visitandorum perfectiorem aliquem notitiam consequantur aequum duximus ut quilibet Rector Vicarius Curatus Ludimagister alius quicunque licentiatus literas Ordinum Institutionis Inductionis itemque Dispensationes Licentias Facultates suas quascunque in Visitatione prima illius Episcopi vel in proxima post ejus admissionem exhibeat per dictum Visitantem approbandas aut si justa fuerit causa rejiciendas si approbatae fuerint per Registrarium uti moris est consignandas quodque feoda in Visitationibus intuitu praemissorum consueta solvi semel duntaxat tempore alicujus Episcopi integra persolvantur in reliquis verò ejusdem Visitationibus quamdiu in ea sede permanserit dictorum feodorum dimidium tantùm exigatur Apparitores 138. Apparitorum excessus coerciti QUoniam excessibus gravaminibus quae per Apparitores inferri dicuntur remedium cupimus adhibere opportunum censemus Apparitorum multitudinem quantum fieri poterit restringendam Statuimus ergo ordinamus nullatenùs licitum fore Episcopis vel Archidiaconis eorumve Vicariis seu Officialibus aliisque inferioribus Ordinariis deputare habere plures Apparitores jurisdictionibus suis respectivè infervientes quà m ante triginta annos praetâ—ritos vel ipsi vel ipsorum praedecessores habere consueverunt qui omnes per se suum fideliter exequantur Officium nec per nuntios aut substitutos quocunque quaesito colore suâ vice mandatorum executiones demandent aut permittant nisi ex causa à loci O dinario priùs cognita approbata neque vero promotorum Officii vel denunciatorum personas omninô sustinebunt feodave ampliora vel majora quà m quae his Constitutionibus superiùs statuuntur ullatenùs exiget Quòd si vel plures quà m superiùs est expressum deputati extiterint vel illorum aliqui praemissa violaverint deputantes si Episcopi sint per Superiorem moniti supernumerarios dimittant si Ordinarii Episcopis inferiores ab executione Officii suspendantur donec hujusmodi deputatos amoverint Deputati autem ipsi ab Apparitorum Officio amoveantur perpetuô si amoti non desistant tanquam contumaces Canonicis censuris coerceantur Proviso semper quòd si Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis experientia compertum habuerit Apparitorum numerum in aliqua Dioecesi redundare tum omnem ejusmodi redundantiam dicto Archiepiscopo relinquimus pro ipsius beneplacito minuendam Authoritas Synodorum 139. Synodus nationalis Ecclesia repraesentativa QUisquis de caetero affirmabit sacrosanctam hujus Nationis Synodum in Christi nomine ac de Regis mandato congregatam non esse repraesentativè veram Ecclesiam Anglicanam excommunicetur nequaquà m absolvendus priusquam resipuerit impium hunc errorem publicè revocârit 140. Synodi acta tà m absentes quà m praesentes obligant QUisquis de caetero affirmabit nullos sive Clericos sive Laicos qui in eà dem sacra Synodo personaliter non convenerint ejusdem Decretis Ecclesiasticas causas concernentibus quantumvis ex suprema Regiae Majestatis authoritate conditis per eandem ratihabitis ullatenùs obligari ut quibus ipsi votum consensum suum non praebuerint excommunicetur nequaquam absolvendus priusquam resipuerit ac impium hunc errorem publicè revocârit 141. Synodi authoritati derogantes coerciti QUsquis de caetero affiâ—mabit dictam sacram Synodum congregatam ut suprà fuisse coetum ex talibus conflatum qui in pios religiosos Evangelii professores conspirabant ac proinde tùm ipsos tùm ipsorum actâ— in Canonibus sive Constitutionibus circa causas Ecclesiasticas ex Regis authoritate ut praedictum est condendis ac sanciendis rejici ac contemni debere quantumvis eaedem per dictam potestatem Regiam ac supremam ej sdem authoritatem ratihabitae confirmatae ac injunctae sint excommunicetur haudquaquam absolvendus priùsquam resipuerit ac impium hunc errorem publicè revocârit FINIS CONSTITUTIONS AND CANONS ECCLESIASTICAL Treated upon by the ARCHBISHOPS OF CANTERBVRY YORK Presidents of the Convocations for the respective Provinces of Canterbury and York and the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of those Provinces And agreed upon with the Kings Majesties License in their several Synods begun at London and York 1640. In the year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland the Sixteenth And now published for the due observation of them by His Majesties Authority under the Great Seal of England London Printed by Robert Barker Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty and by the Assigns of John Bill 1640. CHARLES By the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all to whom these Presents shall come Greeting WHereas our Bishops Deans of our Cathedral Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the other Clergy of every Diocess within the several Provinces of Canterbury and York being respectively summoned and called by vertue of our several Writs to the most Reverend Father in God Our right trusty and right well-beloved Councellor William by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of Canterbury Primate of all England and Metropolitan and to the most Reverend Father in God Our right
the twelfth day of May then next following for the Province of Canterbury And by Our like Letters Patents dated the seven and twentieth day of the same month of April and the twentieth day of the month of May aforesaid for the Province of York did give and grant full free and lawful liberty license power and authority unto the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and unto the said Lord Archbishop of York President of the said Convocation for the Province of York and to the rest of the Bishops of the said Provinces and unto all Deans of Cathedral Churches Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges and the whole Clergy of every several Diocess within the said several Provinces and either of them that they should and might from time to time during the Present Parliament and further during Our will and pleasure confer treat debate consider consult and agree of and upon Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions as they should think necessary fit and convenient for the honor and service of Almighty God the good and quiet of the Church and the better Government thereof to be from time to time observed performed fulfilled and kept as well by the said Archbishop of Canterbury and the said Archbishop of York the Bishops and their Successors and the rest of the whole Clergy of the said several Provinces of Canterbury and York in their several Callings Offices Functions Ministeries Degrees and Administrations As by all and every Dean of the Arches and other Iudges of the said several Archbishops of Courts Guardians of Spiritualties Chancellours Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Commissaries Officials Registers and all and every other Ecclesiastical Officers and their inferiour Ministers whatsoever of the same respective Provinces of Canterbury and York in their and every of their distinct Courts and in the order and manner of their and every of their proceedings and by all other persons within this Realm as 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 Now forasmuch as the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury President of the said Convocation for the Province of Canterbury and the said Archbishop of York President of the said Convocation for the Province of York and others the said Bishops Deans Archdeacons Chapters and Colledges with the rest of the Clergy having met together respectively at the time and places before mentioned respectively and then and there by vertue of Our said Authority granted unto them treated of concluded and agreed upon certain Canons Orders Ordinances and Constitutions to the end and purpose by Vs limited and prescribed unto them and have thereupon offered and presented the same unto Vs most humbly desiring Vs to give Our Royal assent unto the same according to the form of a certain Statute or Act of Parliament made in that behalf in the five and twentieth 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 Archbishops of Canterbury and York Presidents of the Convocations for the respective Provinces of Canterbury and York and the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of those Provinces And agreed upon with the Kings Majesties License in their several Synods begun at London and York 1640. In the year of the Raign of our Soveraign Lord CHARLES by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland the Sixteenth I. Concerning the Regal Power WHereas sundry Laws Ordinances and Constitutions have been formerly made for the acknowledgment and profession of the most lawful and independent Authority of our dread Soveraign Lord the Kings most Excellent Majesty over the State Ecclesiastical and Civil We as our duty in the first place binds us and so far as to us appertaineth enjoyn them all to be carefully observed by all persons whom they concern upon the penalties of the said Laws and Constitutions expressed And for the fuller and clearer instruction and information of all Christian people within this Realm in their duties in this particular We do further ordain and decree That every Parson Vicar Curate or Preacher upon some one Sunday in every quarter of the year at Morning-prayer shall in the place where he serves treatably and audably read these Explanations of the Regal Power here inserted THE most High and Sacred Order of Kings is of Divine Right being the Ordinance of God Himself founded in the prime Laws of Nature and clearly established by express Texts both of the Old and New Testaments A supreme Power is given to this most excellent Order by God Himself in the Scriptures which is That Kings should Rule and Command in their several Dominions all persons of what rank or estate soever whether Ecclesiastical or Civil and that they should restrain and punish with the Temporal Sword all stubborn and wicked doers The care of Gods Church is so committed to Kings in the Scripture that they are commended when the Church keeps the right way and taxed when it runs amiss and therefore her Government belongs in chief unto Kings For otherwise one man would be commended for anothers care and taxed but for anothers negligence which is not Gods way The Power to call and dissolve Councils both National and Provincial is the true right of all Christian Kings within their own Realms and Territories And when in the first times of Christs Church Prelates used this Power 't was therefore only because in those days they had no Christian Kings And it was then so only used as in times of persecution that is with supposition in case it were required of submitting their very lives unto the very Laws and Commands even of those Pagan Princes thar they might not so much as seem to disturb their Civil Government which Christ came to confirm but by no means to undermine For any person or persons to set up maintain or avow in any their said Realms or Territorities respectively under any pretence whatsoever any independent Coactive Power either Papal or Popular whether directly or indirectly is to undermine their great Royal Office and cunningly to overthrow that most sacred Ordinance which God Himself hath established And so is treasonable against God as well as against the King For Subjects to bear Arms against their Kings Offensive or Defensive upon any pretence whatsoever is at least to resist the Powers which are ordained of God And though they do not invade but only resist St. Paul tells them plainly They shall receive to themselves damnation And although Tribute and Custom and Aid and Subsidy and all manner of necessary support and supply be respectively due to Kings from their Subjects by the Law of God
to use themselves in such wise as may be to Gods glory the Kings honor and the weal of this Realm Thirdly ye shall pray for all them that be departed out of this world in the faith of Christ that they with us and we with them at the day of Iudgment may rest both body and soul with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven ALL which singular Injunctionsr the Kings Majesty ministreth unto his Clergy and their Successors and to all his loving Subjects straightly charging and commanding them to observe and keep the same upon pain of deprivation sequestration of fruits or Benefices suspension excommunication and such other coertion as to Ordinaries or other having Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction whom his Majesty hath appointed for the due execution of the same shall be seen convenient charging and commanding them to see these Injunctions observed and kept of all persons being under their jurisdiction as they will answer to his Majesty for the contrary and his Majesties pleasure is that every Iustice of Peace being required thall assist the Ordinaries and every of them for the due execution of the said Injunctions THE ORDER Of the Communion Imprinted at London by Richard Grafton MDXLVII The PROCLAMATION EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and of the Church of England and Ireland in Earth the Supreme Head to all and singular Our loving Subjects Greeting For so much as in Our high Court of Parliament lately holden at Westminster it was by Vs with the consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons there assembled most godly and agreably to Christs holy institution Enacted That the most blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of Our Saviour Christ should from thenceforth be commonly delivered and ministred unto all persons within Our Realm of England and Ireland and other Our Dominions under both kinds that is to say of Bread and Wine except necessity otherways require lest any man phansying and devising a sundry way by himself in the use of this most blessed Sacrament of Vnity there might thereby arise any unseemly and ungodly diversity Our pleasure is by the advice of Our most dear Vncle the Duke of Somerset Governour of our Person and Protector of all Our Realms Dominions and Subjects and other of Our Privy Council That the said blessed Sacrament be ministred unto Our people only after such form and manner as hereafter by Our Authority with the advice beforementioned is set forth and declared willing every man with due reverence and Christian behaviour to come to this holy Sacrament and most blessed Communion lest by the unworthy receiving of so high mysteries they become guilty of the body and blood of the Lord and so eat and drink their own damnation but rather diligently trying themselves that they may so come to this holy Table of Christ and so be partakeres of this holy Communion that they may dwell in Christ and have Christ dwelling in them And also with such obedience and conformity to receive this our Ordinance and most godly direction that we may be encouraged from to time time further to travel for the reformation and setting forth of such godly Orders as may be most to Gods glory the edifying of Our Subjects and for the advancement of true Religion Which thing we by the help of God most earnestly intend to bring to effect willing all Our loving Subjects in the mean time to stay and quiet themselves with this Our direction as men content to follow Our Authority according to the bounden duty of Subjects and not enterprising to run a fore and so by their rashness become the greatest hinderers of such things as they more arrogantly than godly would seem by their own private Authority most hotly to set forward We would not have Our Subjects so much to mislike Our Iudgment so much to mistrust Our Zeal as though we either could not discern what were to be done or would not do all things in due time God be praised we know both what by his word is meet to be redressed and have an earnest mind by the advice of Our most dear Vncle and other of Our Privy Council with all diligence and convenient speed so to set forth the same as it may most stand with Gods glory and edifying and quietness of Our people which we doubt not but all Our obedient and loving Subjects will quietly and reverently tarry for God save the KING The order of the Communion First the Parson Vicar or Curate the next Sunday or Holy-day or at the least one Day before he shall Minister the Communion shall give warning to his Parishoners or those which be present that they prepare themselves thereto saying to them openly and plainly as hereafter followeth or such like DEar Friends and you especially upon whose souls I have cure and charge upon day next I do intend by Gods Grace to offer to all such as shall be there godly disposed the most comfortable Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ to be taken of them in the remembrance of his most fruitful and glorious Passion by the which Passion we have obtained remisson of our sins and be made partakers of the Kingdom of Heaven whereof we be assured and ascertained if we come to the said Sacrament with hearty repentance for our offences stedfast faith in Gods mercy and earnest minds to obey Gods will and to offend no more wherefore our duty is to come to these holy mysteries with most hearty thanks to be given to Almighty God for his infinite mercy and benefits given and bestowed upon us his unworthy servants for whom he hath not only given his body to death and shed his blood but also doth vouchsafe in a Sacrament and mystery to give us his said body and blood spiritually to feed and drink upon The which Sacrament being so divine and holy a thing and so comfortable to them which receive it worthily and so dangerous to them that will presume to take the same unworthily my duty is to exhort you in the mean season to consider the greatness of the thing and to search and examine your own consciences and that not lightly nor after the manner of dissemblers with God But as they which should come to a most godly and heavenly banket not to come but in the Marriage-garment required of God in Scripture that you may so much as lyeth in you be found worthy to come to such a Table The ways and means thereto is First That you be truly repentant of your former evil life and that you confess with an unfeigned heart to Almighty God your sins and unkindness towards His Majesty committed either by will word or deed infirmity or ignorance and that with inward sorrow and tears you bewail your offences and require of Almighty God mercy and pardon promising to him from the bottom of your hearts the amendment of your former life And amongst all
of difference whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not Christned but it is also a sign and seal of our new-birth whereby as by an instrument they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church the promises of forgiveness of sin and of our adoption to be the sons of God are visibly signed and sealed faith is confirmed and grace increased by vertue of prayer unto God The Custom of the Church to Christen young Children is to be commended and in any wise to be retained in the Church Of the Lords Supper THe Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another but rather it is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christs death Insomuch that to such as rightly worthily and with faith receive the same the bread which we break is a communion of the body of Christ likewise the Cup of blessing is a communion of the blood of Christ Transubstantiation or the change of the substance of Bread and VVine into the substance of Christs Body and Blood cannot be proved by holy VVrit but it is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture and hath given occasion to many superstitions For as much as the truth of mans nature requireth that the body of one and the self same man cannot be at one time in divers places but must needs be in some one certain place therefore the body of Christ cannot be present at one time in many divers places and because as holy Scripture doth teach Christ was taken up into heaven and there shall continue unto the end of the world a faithful man ought not either to believe or openly confess the real and bodily presence as they term it of Christs flesh and blood in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not commanded by Christs Ordinance to be kept carried about lifted up nor worshipped Of the perfect Oblation of Christ made upon the Cross THe offering of Christ made once for ever is the perfect redemption the pacifying of Gods displeasure and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world both original and actual and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone VVherefore the sacrifices of Masses in the which it was commonly said that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead to have remission of pain or sin were forged fables and dangerous deceits The state of single life is commanded to no man by the Word of God BIshops Priests and Deacons are not commanded to vow the state of single life without marriage neither by Gods law are they compelled to abstain from matrimony Excommunicate persons are to be avoided THat person which by open denunciation of the Church is rightly cut off from the unity of the Church and Excommunicate ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful as an Heathen and Publican until he be openly reconciled by penance and received into the Church by a Iudge that hath authority thereto Traditions of the Church IT is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one or utterly like for at all times they have been divers and may be changed according to the diversity of Countries and mens manners so that nothing be ordained aginst Gods VVord VVhosoever through his private judgment willingly and purposely doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church which be not repugnant to the Word of God and be ordained and approved by common authority ought to be rebuked openly that other may fear to do the like as one that offendeth against the common order of the Church and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren Of Homilies THe Homilies of late given and set out by the Kings authority be godly and wholsom containing Doctrine to be received of all men and therefore are to be read to the people diligently distinctly and plainly Of the Book of Prayers and Ceremonies of the Church of England THe book which of very late time was given to the Church of England by the Kings Authority and the Parliament containing the manner and form of praying and ministring the Sacraments in the Church of England likewise also the book of ordering Ministers of the Church set forth by the aforesaid Authority are godly and in no point repugnant to the wholsom Doctrine of the Gospel but agreable thereunto furthering and beautifying the same not a little and therefore of all faithful members of the Church of England and chiefly of the Ministers of the word they ought to be received and allowed with all readiness of mind and thanksgiving and to be commended to the people of God Of Civil Magistrates THe King of England is supreme head in Earth next under Christ of the Church of England and Ireland The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England The Civil Magistrate is ordained and allowed of God wherefore we must obey him not only for fear of punishment but also for conscience sake The Civil Laws may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grievous offences It is lawful for Christians at the commandment of the Magistrate to wear weapons and serve in lawful wars Christian mens Goods are not common THe riches and goods of Christians are not common as touching the right title and possession of the same as certain Anabaptists do falsly boast Notwithstanding every man ought of such things as he possesseth liberally to give alms to the poor according to his ability Christian men may take an Oath AS we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Iesu Christ and his Apostle James so we judge that Christian Religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth in a cause of faith and charity so it be done according to the Porphets teaching in justice judgment and truth The Resurrection of the Dead is not yet brought to pass THe Resurrection of the dead is not as yet brought to pass as though it only belonged to the soul which by the grace of Christ is called from the death of sin but it is to be lookt for at the last day For then as Scripture doth most manifestly testifie to all that be dead their own bodies flesh and bone shall be restored that the whole man may according to his works have either reward or punishment as he hath lived virtuously or wickedly The Souls of them that depart this life do neither die with the bodies nor sleep idlely THey which say that the souls of such as depart hence do sleep being without all sense feeling or perceiving until the day of judgment or affirm that the souls die with the bodies and at the last day shall be raised up with the same do utterly dissent from the right belief declared to us in holy Scripture Hereticks called Millenarii THey that
and other days ordained and used to be kept as holy-days and then and there to abide orderly and soberly during the time of the Common-prayer Preaching or other service of God there to be used and ministred upon pain of punishment by the censures of the Church And also upon pain that every person offending shall forfeit for such offence twelve pence to be levied by the Church-wardens of the Parish where such offence shall be done The forfeiture for not coming to Church 32 Eliz. 1. to the use of the poor of the same Parish of the goods lands and tenements of such offender by way of distress And for due execution hereof the Queens most excellent Majesty the Lords Spiritual and all the Commons in this present Parliament assembled do in Gods Name earnestly require and charge all the Archbishops Bishops and other Ordinaries that they shall endeavour themselves to the uttermost of their knowledges that the due and true execution hereof may be had throughout their Diocess and Charges as they will answer before God for such evils and plagues wherewith Almighty God may justly punish his people for neglecting this good and wholsom Law And for their Authority in this behalf be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid The Ordinary may punish Offenders by the Censures of the Church That all and singular the said Archbishops Bishops and all other their Officers exercising Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction as well in place exempt as not exempt within their Diocess shall have full power and Authority by this Act to reform correct and punish by Censures of the Church all and singular persons which shall offend within any their Iurisdictions or Diocess after the said Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist next coming against this Act and Statute any other Law Statute Priviledge Liberty or Provision heretofore made had or suffered to the contrary notwithstanding Which Justices may punish their offences And it is Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every Iustices of Oyer and Determiner or Iustices of Assize shall have full power and Authority in every of their open and general Sessions to enquire hear and determine all and all manner offences that shall be committed or done contrary to any Article contained in this present Act within the limits of the Commission to them directed and to make Process for the execution of the same as they may do against any person being indicted before them of trespass or lawfully convicted thereof Provided always A Bishop may join with the Justices to enquire of offenders and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every Archbishop and Bishop shall or may at all time and times at his liberty and pleasure join and associate himself by vertue of this Act to the said Iustices of Oyer and Determiner or to the said Iustices of Assize at every of the said open and general Sessions to be holden in any place within his Diocess for and to the enquiry hearing and determining of the offences aforesaid Provided also and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Books concerning the said Services shall at the costs and charges of the Parishioners of every Parish and Cathedral Church be attained and gotten before the said feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist next following At whose charges the Books of Common-prayer shall be gotten and that all such Parishes and Cathedral Churches or other places where the said Books shall be attained and gotten before the said feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist shall within three Weeks next after the said Books to attained and gotten use the said Service and put the same in ure according to this Act. Within what time offenders be impeached And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no person or persons shall be at any time hereafter impeached or otherwise molested of or for any of the offences abovementioned hereafter to be committed or done contrary to this Act unless he or they so offending be thereof Indicted at the next General Session to be holden before any such Iustices of Oyer and Determiner or Iustices of Assize next after any offence committed or done contrary to the tenour of this Act. Trial of Peers Provided always and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and singular Lords of the Parliament for the third offence abovementioned shall be tried by their Peers Chief Officers of Cities and Boroughs shall enquire of offenders Provided also and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that the Mayor of London and all the Mayors Bayliffs and other head Officers of all and singular Cities Boroughs and Towns Corporate within this Realm Wales and the Marches of the same to the which Iustices of Assize do not commonly repair shall have full power and authority by vertue of this Act to enquire hear ad determine the offences abovesaid and every of them yearly within fifteen days after Easter and St. Michael the Archangel in like manner and form as Iustices of Assize and Oyer and Determiner may do The Ordinaries Jurisdiction in their cases Provided always and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and singular Archbishops and Bishops and every of their Chancellours Commissaries Archdeacons and other Ordinaries having any peculiar Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction shall have full power and authority by vertue of this Act as well to enquire in their Visitation and elsewhere within their Iurisdiction at any other time and place to take accusations and informations of all and every the things abovementioned done committed or perpetrated within the limits of their Iurisdictions and Authority and to punish the same by Admonition Excommunication Sequestration or Deprivation and other Censures and Process in like form as heretofore hath been used in like cases by the Queens Ecclesiastical Laws Provided always and be it Enacted None shall be punished above once for one offence That whatsoever persons offending in the premises shall for their offences first receive a punishment of the Ordinary having a Testimonial thereof under the said Ordinaries Seal shall not for the same offence eftsoons be convicted before the Iustices And likewise receiving for the said first offence punishment by the Iustices shall not for the same offence eftsoons receive punishment of the Ordinary Any thing contained in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding Provided always and be it Enacted Ornaments of the Church and Ministers That such Ornaments of the Church and of the Ministers thereof shall be retained and be in use as was in this Church of England by Authority of Parliament in the second year of the Reign of King Edward the sixth until other order shall be therein taken by the Authority of the Queens Majesty with the Advice of her Commissioners appointed and authorized under the Great Seal of England for causes Ecclesiastical or of the Metropolitan
the Diocess of London 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 Juramentum de Canonica Obedientia EGo A. B juro quod praestabo veram Canonicam Obedientiam Episcopo Londinensi ejusque successoribus in omnibus Licitis honestis Sic me Deus adjuvet Juramentum de continuâ Residentiâ in Vicariâ EGo A. B. juro Quod ero residens in Vicariâ meâ nisi aliter dispensatum fuerit à Diocesano meo By the KING A Proclamation declaring that the proceedings of his Majesties Ecclesiastical Courts and Ministers are according to the Laws of the Realm WHereas in some of the Libellous Books and Pamphlets lately published the most Reverend Father in God the Lord Archbishop and Bishops of this Realm are said to have usurped upon his Majesties Prerogative Royal and to have proceeded in the high Commission and other Ecclesiastical Courts contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm It was ordered by his Majesties high Court of Star-Chamber the twelfth day of June last that the opinion of the two Lords chief Justices the Lord chief Baron and the rest of the Judges and Barons should be had and certified in those particulars viz. Whether Processes may not issue out of the Ecclesiastical Courts in the Name of the Bishops Whether a Patent under the great Seal be necessary for the keeping of the Ecclesiastical Courts and enabling Citations Suspensions Excommunications and other censures of the Church And whether Citations ought to be in the Kings Name and under his Seal of Arms and the like for Institutions and Inductions to Benefices and Correction of Ecclesiastical offences Whether Bishops Arch-Deacons and other Ecclesiastical persons may or ought to keep any Visitation at any time unless they have express Commission or Patent under the great Seal of England to do it and that as his Majesties Visitors only and in his name and right alone Whereupon his Majesties said Judges having taken the same into their serious consideration did unanimously concur and agree in opinion and the first day of July last certified under their hands as followeth That Processes may issue out of the Ecclesiastical Courts in the name of the Bishops and that a Patent under the great Seal is not necessary for the keeping of the said Ecclesiastical Courts or for enabling of Citations Suspensions Excommunications and other censures of the Church And that it is not necessary that Summons Citations or other Processes Ecclesiastical in the said Courts or Institutions or Inductions to Benefices or correction of Ecclesiastical offences by censure in those Courts be in the Kings name or with the style of the King or under the Kings Seal or that their Seals of office have in them the Kings Arms And that the Statute of Primo Edvardi sexti cap. secundo which enacted the contrary is not now in force And that the Bishops Arch-Deacons and other Ecclesiastical persons may keep their Visitations as usally they have done without Commission under the great Seal of England so to do Which Opinions and Resolutions being declared under the hands of all his Majesties said Judges and so certified into his Court of Star-chamber were there recorded And it was by that Court further ordered the fourth day of the said month of July that the said Certificate should be enrolled in all other his Majesties Courts at Westminster and in the High Commission and other Ecclesiastical Courts for the satisfaction of all men that the proceedings in the High Commission and other Ecclesiastical Courts are agreeable to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm And his Royal Majesty hath thought fit with advice of his Council that a publick Declaration of these the Opinions and Resolutions of his Reverend and Learned Judges being agreeable to the Judgment and Resolutions of former times should be made known to all his Subjects as well to vindicate the legal proceedings of his Ecclesiastical Courts and Ministers from the unjust and scandalous imputation of invading or entrenching on his Royal Prerogative as to settle the minds and stop the mouths of all unquiet spirits that for the future they presume not to censure his Ecclesiastical Courts or Ministers in these their just and warrantable proceedings And hereof his Majesty admonisheth all his Subjects to take warning and as they shall answer the contrary at their perils Given at the Court at Lyndhurst the 18 day of August in the 13 year of his Majesties Reign God save the KING Imprinted at London by Robert Barker Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty and by the Assigns of John Bill MDCXXXVII THE FORM and MANNER OF Making and Consecrating Bishops Priests AND DEACONS According to the Appointment of the CHURCH OF England LONDON Printed by Bonham Norton and John Bill Printers to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty 1629. The PREFACE IT is evident unto all men diligently reading holy Scripture and ancient Authors that from the Apostles time there hath been these Orders of Ministers in Christs Church Bishops Priests and Deacons which Offices were evermore had in such reverent estimation that no man by his own private authority might presume to execute any of them except he were first called tried examined and known to have such qualities as were requisite for the same and also by publick prayer with imposition of hand approved and admitted thereunto And therefore to the intent these Orders should be continued and reverently used and esteemed in this Church of England it is requisite that no man not being at this present Bishop Priest nor Deacon shall execute any of them except he be called tried examined and admitted according to the form hereafter following And none shall be admitted a Deacon except he be twenty one years of age at the least And every man which is to be admitted a Priest shall be full four and twenty years old And every man which is to be consecrated a Bishop shall be fully thirty years of age And the Bishop knowing either by himself or by sufficient testimony any person to be a man of vertuous conversation and without crâ—me and after examination and trial finding him learned in the Latine Tongue and sufficiently instructed in holy Scripture may upon a Sunday or Holy-day in the face of the Church admit him a Deacon in such manner and form as hereafter followeth The form and manner of Ordering DEACONS FIrst When the day appointed by the Bishop is come there shall be an Exhortation declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted Ministers how necessary such Orders are in the Church of Christ and also how the people ought to esteem them in their Vocation After the Exhortation ended the Archdeacon or his Deputy shall present such as shall come to the Bishop to be admitted saying these words REverend Father in God I present unto you these persons present
graces strayght commaundment to signifie his farther pleasure to all Colleges Religious houses and Curates within theyr diocesse for the publicacyon and also effectual and universal observacion of the same An. 1536. FOr as moch as the nombre of holy-dayes is so excessyuely grown and yet dayly more and more by mens deuocyen yea rather supersticyon was like further to encrease that the same was and sholde be not onely preiudiciall to the common weale by reason that it is occasion as well of moche slouth and ydleness the very nourishe of theues vacaboundes and of dyuers other unthriftynesse and inconuenyences as of decaye of good mysteryes and artes utyle and necessary fort the common welthe and losse of mans fode many tymes beynge clene destroyed through the supersticious obseruance of the said holy-dayes in not taking thoportunitie of good and serene wheather offered upon the same in time of harvest but also pernicyous to the soules of many men whiche beyng entysed by the lycencyous vacacyon and lybertye of those holy-dayes do upon the same commonly vse and practise more excesse ryote and superfluitie than upon any other dayes And sith the Sabboth-day was ordeyned for mans use and therefore ought to gyue place to the necessitie and behove of the same whan soever that shall occurre mouch rather any other holy day institute by man It is therefore by the kyngs hyghnes auctority as supreme head in earth of the Church of Englande with the Common assent and consent of the prelates and clergy of this his realme in Convocacyon laufully assembled and congregate among other thyngs decreed ordeyned and established ¶ Fyrst that the feest of Dedicacyon of the church shall in all places throughout this realm be celebrated and kepte on the fyrst sonday of the moneth of Octobre for ever and upon none other day ¶ Item that the feest of the patrone of every church within this Realm called commonly the Church-holy-day shall not from henceforth be kepte or observed as a holy-day as heretofore hath been used but that it shall be lauful to all and singular persons resydent or dwelliynge within this realme to go to their work occupacyon or mystery and the same truely to exercyse and occupy upon the said feest as upon any other workeyday excepte the said feest of the Church-holy day be such as must be ells universally observed as a holy-day by this ordynance following Also that all those feests or day holy-days which shall happen to occurre eyther in the harvest time which is to be compted from the fyrst day of Iuly unto the xxix day of Septembre or elles in the terme time at Westmynster shall not be kepte or observed from henceforth as holy dayes but that it may be lauful for every man to go to his work or occupacyon upon the same as upon any other workyeday excepte alwayes the feests of the apostles of our blessed lady and of saynt George And also such feestes as wherein the Kings Iudges as Westminster-hall do not use to sytte in Iudgment all which shall be kepte holy and solempne of every man as in tyme past have been accustomed Prouyded alwayes that it may be laufull unto all preests and clerkes as well secular as regular in the foresayd holy-dayes now abrogate to synge or saye their accustomed seruyce for those holy dayes in their churches so that they do not the same solempnely nor do rynge to the same after the manner vsed in hygh holy-dayes ne do commaunde or indict the same to be kepte or observed as holy-dayes Finally That the feest of the Nativitie of our lord of Easter of the Nativitie of saynt Iohn the baptiste and of Saynt Michaell shall be from henceforth compted and accepted and taken for the iiii general offering days And for further declaracyon of the premysses be it known that Easter terme begyneth alwayes the xviii day after Easter reckoning Easter-day for one and endeth the monday next after thascencyon day Trinitie terme begynneth alwayes the wednesday next after thoctaues of Trinitie sonday and endeth the xi or xii day of Iuly Myghelmas terme beginneth the ix or x. day of October and endeth the xxviii or xxix day of Nouember Hillary terme begynneth the xxiii or xxiiii day of Ianuary and endeth the xii or xiii day of February In Easter terme upon the tascension daye In Trinitie terme upon the Nativity of saynt Iohn Baptist In Mighelmas terme upon Alhollen day In Hillary terme upon Candlemas day The Kings Iudges at Westminster do not use to syt in Iudgment nor upon any sondayes ¶ Imprynted at London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the Sonne by me Iohn Byddel Cum priuilegio Anno 1536. By the Queen A Proclamation against the Despisers or Breakers of the Orders prescribed in the Book of Common-prayer THe Queens Majesty being right sorry to understand that the order of Common-prayer set forth by the common consent of the Realm and by authority of Parliament in the first year of her Reign wherein is nothing contained but the Scripture of God and that which is consonant unto it is now of late of some men despised and spoken against both by open preachings and writings and of some bold and vain curious men new and other Rites found out and frequented whereupon contentions sects and disquietness doth arise among her people and for one godly and uniform order diversity of Rites and Ceremonies Disputations and Contentions Schisms and Divisions already risen and more like to ensue The cause of which disorders her Majesty doth plainly understand to be the negligence of the Bishops and other Magistrates who should cause the good Laws and Acts of Parliament made in this behalf to be better executed and not so dissembled and winked at as hitherto it may appear that they have been For speedy remedy whereof her Majesty straightly chargeth and commandeth all Archbishops and Bishops and all Iustices of Assises and Oyer and Terminer and all Mayors head Officers of Cities and Towns Corporate and all other who have any authority to put in execution the Act for the Vniformity of Common-prayer and the Administration of the Sacraments made in the first year of her gracious Reign withal diligence and severity neither favouring nor dissembling with one person nor other who doth neglect despise or seek to alter the godly Orders and Rites set forth in the said Book But if any person shall by publick preaching writing or printing contemn despise or dispraise the Orders contained in the said Book they shall immediately apprehend him and cause him to be imprisoned until he hath answered to the Law upon pain that the chief Officers being present at any such preaching and the whole Parish do answer for their contempt and negligence Likewise if any shall forbear to come to the Common-prayer and receive the Sacraments of the Church according to the Order in the said Book allowed upon no just and lawful cause all such persons they shall enquire of present and see punished and
trusty and well-beloved Councellor Richard by Divine Providence Lord Archbishop of York Primate and Metropolitan of England respectively directed bearing date the twentieth day of February in the fifteenth year of Our Reign to appear before the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury in Our Cathedral Church of St. Paul in London and before the said Lord Archbâ—shop of York in the Metropolitan Church of St. Peter in York the fourteenth day of April then next ensuing or elsewhere as they respectively should think it most convenient to treat consent and conclude upon certain difficult and urgent affairs contained in the said Writs Did thereupon at the time appointed and within the Cathedral Church of S. Paul and the Metropolitan Church of S. Peter aforesaid assemble themselves respectively together and appear in several Convocations for that purpose according to the said several Writs before the said Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and the said Lord Archbishop of York respectively And forasmuch as We are given to understand that many of Our Subjects being misled against the Rites and Ceremonies now used in the Church of England have lately taken offence at the same upon an unjust supposal that they are not only contrary to Our Laws but also introductive unto Popish Superstitions whereas it well appeareth unto Vs upon mature consideration that the said Rites and Ceremonis which are now so much quarrelled at were not onely approved of and used by those learned and godly Divines to whom at the time of Reformation under King Edward the sixth the compiling of the Book of of Common-Prayer was committed divers of which suffered Martyrdom in Queen Maries days but also again taken up by this whole Church under Queen Elizabeth and so duly and ordinarily practised for a great part of her Reign within the memory of divers yet living as that it could not then be imagined that there would need any Rule or Law for the observation of the same or that they could be thought to savour of Popery And albeit since those times for want of an express Rule therein and by subtile practises the said Rites and Ceremonies began to fall into disuse and in place thereof other forraign and unfitting usages by little and little to creep in Yet forasmuch as in our own Royal Chappels and in many other Churches most of them have been ever constantly used and observed We cannot now but be very sensible of this matter and have cause to conceive that the Authors and Fomentors of these jealousies though they colour the same with a pretence of Zeal and would seem to strike only at some supposed iniquity in the said Ceremonies Yet as we have cause to fear aim at Our own Royal Person and would fain have Our good Subjects imagine that we Our Self are perverted and doe worship God in a Superstitious way and that we intend to bring in some alteration of the Religion here established Now how far we are from that and how utterly We detest every thought thereof We have by many publick Declaracions and otherwise upon sundry occasions given such assurance to the World as that from thence We also assure Our Self that no man of wisdom and discretion could ever be so beguiled as to give any serious entertainment to such brain-sick jealousies and for the weaker sort who are prone to be misled by crafty seducers We rest no less confident that even of them as many as are of loyal or indeed but of charitable hearts will from henceforth utterly banish all such causeless fears and surmises upon these our sacred professions so often made by Vs a Christian Defender of the Faith their King and Soveraign And therefore if yet any person under whatsoever mask of Zeal or counterfeit Holiness shall henceforth by speech or writing or any other way notwithstanding these Our right hearty faithful and solemn Protestations made before Him whose Deputy We are against all and every intention of any Popish Innovation be so ungracious and presumptuous as to vent any poisoned conceits tending to such a purpose and to cast these develish aspersions and jealousies upon Our Royal and Godly proceedings We require all Our loyal Subjects that they forthwith make the same known to some Magistrate Ecclesiastical or Civil And We straightly charge all Ordinaries and every other person in any Authority under Vs as they will answer the contrary at their utmost peril that they use no palliation connivance or delay therein but that taking particular information of all the passages they do forthwith certifie the same unto Our Court of Commission for causes Ecclesiastical to be there examined and proceeded in with all fidelity and tenderness of Our Royal Majesty as is due to Vs their Soveraign Lord and Governour But forasmuch as we well percieve that the misleaders of Our well-minded people do make the more advantage for the nourishing of this distemper among them from hence that the foresaid Rites and Ceremonies or some of them are now insisted upon but only in some Diocesses and are not generally revived in all places nor constantly and uniformly practised thorowout all the Churches of Our Realm and thereupon have been liable to be quarrelled and opposed by them who use them not We therefore out of Our Princely inclination to Vniformity and Peace in matters especially that concern the holy worship of God proposing to Our Self herein the pious examples of King Edward the sixth and of Queen Elizabeth who sent forth Injunctions and Orders about the Divine Service and other Ecclesiastical matters and of Our dear Father of blessed memory King James who published a Book of Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical and according to the Act of Parliament in this behalf having fully advised herein with Our Metropolitan and with Our Commissioners authorised under Our great Seal for causes Ecclesiastical have thought good to give them free leave to treat in Convocation and agree upon certain other Canons necessary for the advancement of Gods glory the edifying of his holy Church and the due reverence of his blessed Mysteries and Sacraments that as We ever have been and by Gods assistance by whom alone We Reign shall ever so continue careful and ready to cut off Superstition with one hand so We may no less expel Irreverence and Profaneness with the other whereby it may please Almighty God so to bless Vs and this Church committed to Our Government that it may at once return unto the true former splendour of Vniformity Devotion and holy Order the lustre whereof for some years by-past hath been overmuch obscured through the devices of some ill-affected to that sacred Order wherein it had long stood from the very beginning of the Reformation and through inadvertency of some in Authority in the Church under Vs We therefore by vertue of Our Prerogative Royal and supreme Authority in causes Ecclesiastical by Our several and respective Letters Patents under Our Great Seal of England dated the fifteenth day of April now last past and
Porta clauditur Prior Sacellanus pergit legendo sententias illas hortatorias ad Eleemosynas interea dum alter Sacellanus singulos Communicaturos adit atque in patinam argenteam oblationes colligit Collecta est summa 4. l. 12 s. 2. d. quam Dominus Episcopus convertandam in Calicem huic Capellae donandum decernit Caeteris rebus ordine gestis demum Episcopus sacram Mensam redit Sacellanis utrisque ad aliquantulum recedentibus lotisque manibus pane fracto vino in Calicem effuso aqua admista stans ait ALmighty God our Heavenly Father c. Eucharistiam ipse primo loco accipit sub utraque specie proximo loco tradit Fundatori quem jam coram sacra Mensa in genua supplicem collocarant dein utrique Sacellano Ad caeteros vero pergentem Episcopum atque panem iis tradentem prior Sacellanus subsequitur Calicem ordine porrigit Cum vinum quod prius effuderat non sufficeret Episcopus de novo in Calicem ex poculo quod in sacra Mensa stabat effundit admistaque aqua recitat clare verba illa consecratoria Finita tandem exhibitione Dominus Episcopus ad Sacrae Mensae Septentrionem in genibus recitante quoque populo ait OUr Father c. O Lord our Heavenly Father c. GLory be to God on high c. Concludit denique cum hac precatione BLessed be thy name O Lord that it hath pleased thee to put into the heart of this thy servant to erect an house to thy worship and service by whose Pains Care and Cost this work was begun and finished Bless O Lord his substance and accept the work of his hands Remember him O our God concerning this wipe not out this kindness of his that he hath shewed for the house of his God and the offices thereof and make them truly thankful to thee that shall injoy the benefit thereof and the ease of it and what is by him well intended make them rightly to use it which will be the best fruit and to God most acceptable Post haec vota populum stans dimitit cum Benedictione hac THe peace of God which passeth all understanding keep your hearts and Minds in the Knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord and the Blessing of God Almighty the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost be amongst you and remain with you always Amen Consecratio COEMETERII STatim à prandio quod in aedibus suis vicinis Fundator Capellae satis lante appararat Domino Episcopo atque convenarum magnae frequentiae ad rem divinam reversis alter Sacellanorum praeit OUr Father c. Post Responsas Psalmus 90. recitatur alternis Post Psalmum Episcopus cum universa multitudine egreditur Capella atque ad Orientalem Coemeterii partem stans denuo sciscitatur Captain Smith for what have you called us hither again Ille schedulam ut prius humillime porrigit quam praefatus à Registris recitat in haec verba IN the name of Richard Smith of Peer-tree in the County of Southampton Esquire R. Reverend Father in God I present unto you the state of the Village of Weston c. ut prius usque ad the River cannot be passed whereby it often cometh to pass that they have been constrained to bury their dead in the open fields the water not being passable or if they durst venture over yet the dead body was followed with so little Company as was no way seemly And thus much formerly having been presented to your Predecessor the R.R.F. in God James late Bishop of Winton and Petition to him made to give and to grant leave unto the said Richard Smith to enclose a piece of ground for a Burial-place on the east side of the said River he favorably gave licence and granted power unto the said Richard Smith so to do as may appear by an instrument under his Episcopal Seal bearing date the 23 of February in the year of our Lord God according to the Computation of the Church of England 1617. Which place of Burial being now enclosed with a decent Rail of Timber at the only proper cost and charges of him the said Richard Smith with intent and purpose that it might be dedicated and consecrated only and wholly for Christian burial for him the said Richard Smith and his Family and the said inhabitants and none other In which respect I beseech God to accept of this sincere intent and purpose and both he and they are together humble Suiters to your Lordship as Gods Minister the Bishop and Ordinary of this Diocess in Gods stead to accept this his free-will offering and to decree this ground severed from all former common and profane uses and to sever it as by the Word of God and prayer and other special Religious duties to dedicate and consecrate it to be a Coemeterie or place of christian burial as aforesaid wherein their bodies may be laid up until the day of general Resurrection promising that they will ever so hold it for holy ground and use it accordingly applying it to no other use but that only and that they will from time to time and ever hereafter as need shall be see it conveniently repaired and fenced in such sort as a Coemetery or Burying-place ought to be Hoc ipsum vero ab Episcopo paucis interrogatis viva voce confirmant Fundator qui è vicinia Lectio prima desumitur è 23. Gen. Secunda Lectio destinabatur è prima Epist ad Cor. cap. 15. à vers 15. ad finem propter angustias temporis omissa Tum Dominus Episcopus in genua ibi submissus precatur O Lord God thou hast been pleased to teach us in thy holy Word as to put a difference between the soul of a Beast and the spirit of a Man for the soul of a Beast goes down to the earth from whence it came and the spirit of a Man returneth unto God that gave it so to make diverse accompts of the Bodies of Mankind and the Bodies of other living creatures in so much as the Body of Adam was resolved on and afterwards the workmanship of thine own hands and endued with a soul from thine own breath But much more since the second Adam thy blessed Son by taking upon him our nature exalted this flesh of ours to be flesh of his flesh whose flesh thou sufferedst not to see Corruption so that the Body returns to the earth and the soul to him that gave it It shall from thence return again it is but a rest and a rest in hope as saith the Psalmist for it is a righteous thing with God that the Body which was partaker with the soul both in doing and suffering should be raised again from the Earth to be partaker also with the soul of the reward or punishment which God in Mercy or Justice shall reward not to one of them alone but joyntly to them both There being then so