The Ordinance for calling the Assembly of Divines.
An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for the calling of an Assembly of Learned and Godly Divines and others, to be consulted with by the Parliament, for the set∣tling of the Government and Liturgy of the Church of England, and for vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the said Church from false Aspersions and Interpretations.
[ V] WHereas amongst the infinite Blessings of Almighty God upon this Nation, none is or can be more dear unto us than the purity of our Religion, and for that as yet many things remain in the Liturgy, Discipline and Government of the Church, which do necessarily require a further and more perfect Reformation than as yet hath been attained; and whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that the present Church-government by Arch-bishops, Bishops, their Chancellours, Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Arch-deacons, and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchy, is evil and justly offensive and burthensom to the Kingdom; a great impediment to Reformation and growth of Reli∣gion, and very prejudicial to the State and Government of this Kingdom, and that there∣fore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away, and that such a Government shall be settled in the Church as may be most agreeable to Gods Holy Word, and most apt to procure and preserve the Peace of the Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland and other reformed Churches abroad: and for the better ef∣fecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the Church of England from all false Calumnies and Aspersions, it is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of Learned, Godly and Judicious Divines, who, together with some Mem∣bers of both the Houses of Parliament, are to consult and advise of such matters and things touching the Premisses as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament, and to give their Advice and Counsel therein to both or either of the said Houses, when and as often as they shall be thereunto required: Be it therefore ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, That all and every the Persons hereafter in this present Ordinance named, that is to say, Algernon Earl of Northumberland, William Earl of Bedford, Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, William Earl of Salisbury, Henry Earl of Holland, Edward Earl of Manchester, William Lord Viscount Say and Seal, Edward Lord Viscount Conway, Philip Lord VVharton, Ed∣ward Lord Howard of Escr. John Selden Esquire, Francis Rous Esquire, Edmund Prideaux