failure of Justice at the Common Law, and otherwise in many several particulars of great
importance to the Subjects of this Kingdom, which for ought appears to us, is not yet
provided for, and that by a particular
Clause in the Bill His Majesty's ancient and
undoubted power of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction is wholly taken away; besides, it
may be very considerable what inconveniencies would ensue by the passing this Bill
now, which looks back and is to begin from November was twelve-month, whereby
all those Acts of Jurisdiction exercised by Bishops since that time are already void,
which would produce great inconveniences and mischiefs touching the probates of
Wills and Administrations throughout the Kingdom; not to speak of the doubts which
may arise in many consciencious Men who have been ordained by Bishops since that
time, which may seem to be likewise declared void by this Bill, and so at least to dis∣countenance
all Acts which have insued by virtue of that Ordination, and thereby
many Questions may arise in Law concerning Marriages, Legitimations and Descents
of Inheritance; and for many other reasons exprest in our Conference and Debate, we
conceive that your Lordships may be satisfied, that this individual Bill ought not to
pass.
For the matter then of the said Bill, the Extirpation of Episcopacy, we desire your
Lordships to consider, That it is evident, and we conceive consented to on all parts,
that it hath continued even from the Apostles times by continual Succession in the
Church of Christ, till within these few years, without intermission or interruption;
and then how perilous a thing it must be, and prejudicial to the publick Peace, to re∣move
and destroy a Form of Government so long exercised in this Kingdom, and under
which we have enjoyed as great a measure of Happiness (to say no more) as any Na∣tion
in Christendom, and which your Lordships have not pretended to be unlawful, be∣fore
we particularly see the Model of that Government and Jurisdiction which is to be
established in the place thereof, that thereby we may be assured that it be such, to
which as well those who like, as all those who dislike the present Government, will sub∣mit;
otherwise Peace, which is the main end and pretence for Alterations, cannot be
established: And therefore we very earnestly beseech your Lordships to consider and
weigh, whether, without shaking Foundations, it be not much better, and more
agreeable to Christian Prudence and Charity, to remove those particulars from the
present Government, and make such Alterations therein as may most probably give
satisfaction to all persons seriously disturbed or afflicted in their Consciences, than by
destroying the whole, to give just Offence and Scandal to very many Pious and Re∣ligious
Persons.
Under these Considerations, and for the uniting and reconciling all Differences be∣tween
us in the matter of Religion, and procuring a blessed Peace, we are willing,
That Freedom be left to all Persons, of what Opinion soever, in matters of Cere∣mony,
and that all the Penalties of the Laws and Customs which enjoyn those Cere∣monies
be suspended.
That the Bishop shall exercise no Act of Jurisdiction or Ordination without the con∣sent
and counsel of the Presbyters, who shall be chosen by the Clergy of each Diocess
out of the learned stand gravest Ministers of that Diocess.
That the Bishop keep his constant residence in his Diocess, except when he shall be
required by His Majesty to attend him on any occasion, and that (if he be not hindred
by the infirmities of old Age or Sickness) he Preach every Sunday in some Church
within his Diocess.
That the Ordination of Ministers shall be always in a publick and solemn manner,
and very strict Rules observed concerning the Sufficiency and other Qualifications of
those Men who shall be received into Holy Orders; and the Bishop shall not receive
any into Holy Orders without the approbation and consent of the Presbyters, or the
major part of them.
That competent maintenance and provision be established by Act of Parliament to
such Vicarages as belong to Bishops, Deans and Chapters, out of the Impropriations, and
according to the value of those Impropriations, of the several Parishes.
That for the time to come, no Man shall be capable of two Parsonages or Vicarages
with Cure of Souls.
That towards the settling of the publick Peace, one hundred thousand pounds shall
be raised by Act of Parliament out of the Estates of Bishops, Deans and Chapters, in such
manner as shall be thought fit by the King and two Houses of Parliament, without the
Alienation of any of the said Lands.