An account of the Isle of Jersey, the greatest of those islands that are now the only reminder of the English dominions in France with a new and accurate map of the island / by Philip Falle ...

CHAP. V. Religion.

THere are yet remaining in this Island some old Monuments of Paganisine. We call them Pouquelays. They are great flat Stones of vast bigness and weight, some Oval, some Quadrangular, raised three or four foot from the ground, and supported by others of a less size. 'Tis evident both from their Figure, and great quantities of Ashes found in the ground there abouts, that they were used for Altars in those Times of Superstition. And their standing on Emi∣nencies near the Sea inclines me also to think that they were Dedicated to the Divinities of the Ocean. At ten or twelve foot di∣stance, there is a smaller Stone set up on end, in manner of a Desk, where 'tis supposed the Priest kneeled, and performed some Cere∣monies, while the Sacrifice was burning on the Altar.

The Christian Religion was planted in this Island about the Year 565. Of which we have this Account. St. Sampson the last Archbishop of Menevia (now called St. Da∣vid's)

in Wales k, being forced by the Invasion of the Saxons, or, as other write, by a Pestilence raging in those Parts, to a∣bandon his See, and retire into Armorica or Bretagne, he was kindly received by Hoel II. King of that Countrey. In favour of him the See of Dol, given him by the King, was made the Metropolis of all Bretagne, and the Pope sent him the Archi-Episcopal Pall †, which Honour was transmitted to his Successors, Archbishops of Dol, and en∣joyed by them above 600 years. But the Territory of Dol being of small Extent, JERSEY and the adjacent Isles on the Coast of Neustria l were added to that Diocess by Childebert Son of Clovis, King of France, to whom they then belonged.

These Islands being thus become part of his Care, he applied his thoughts to the Con∣version of them to Christianity †, but lived not to effect it. He was succeeded in the See of Dol by St. Magloire, a Britain also, his Kinsman and Companion in Exile, who resigning soon after his Bishoprick to St. Bu∣dic, one of his Disciples, came over himself into these Islands, and landed in Sargia, now called Serk m, where he built a little Mo∣nastery, or Colledge of Priests, which stood in that Island about 800 years, viz. till the

time of K. Edward III, there being yet to be seen in the Remembrancers Office in the Exchequer, an account mentioning a yearly Pension paid by the Crown to the Monks of this Convent, under the Name of Con∣ventus S. Maglorii in Insul. Sarg. From thence he sailed to JERSEY, where by his powerful Preaching, his holy and exemplary living, and the mighty Works which God wrought by him in the midst of Us, if the Writers of his Life may be credited, he la∣boured so successfully, that the Count or Go∣vernor Loyescon, and all the Inhabitants, came over to the Faith. He died in this Island, and was buried in a little Chappel erected to his Memory in the Parish of St. Sa∣viour, hard by the Free-School called from him to this day St. Magloire, corruptly St. Manlier. About 250 years after, this Island being much infested by the Danes and Nor∣mans, his Body, which after the manner of those times was visited by Pilgrims from all Parts, was, by command of Neomenius King of Bretagne, transported thither, and depo∣sited in the little Priory of Lehon n near Dinant, built for its Reception, where it rested 66 years. But the Normans entring into Bretagne also, it was removed again, and translated to Chartres, and at last to Paris o, where it lies in the Royal Chap∣pel of St. Bartholomew, now become an Ab∣by under the Name of St. Barthelemi & Saint Magloire p. This was the Instru∣ment

which God was pleased to make use of to bring the Inhabitants of this Isle to the knowledge of himself, who were before Gentiles and Idolaters.

While St. Magloire was living, and do∣ing the Work of an Evangelist amongst Us, Pretextatus Archbishop of Rouen in Nor∣mandy, oppressed by the hatred and Calum∣nies of Fredegund Wife of Chilperic King of France, was banished here into JERSEY q. He associated himself to St. Magloire, and with great Zeal and Fervency laboured with him in Preaching the Gospel, and car∣rying on the work of God in this Island. Being recalled from Banishment, and resto∣red to his See, he was sometime after mur∣dered in his Church by Command of that cruel Woman; for which he has been de∣servedly reputed a Martyr, according to the following Distych of Orderic Uticensis r.

Occubuit Martyr Pretextatus Fredegundis Reginae Monitu, pro Christi nomine Jesu.

What progress Christianity made in JERSEY appears from the Foundation of Twelve Parish-Churches, (which have a Beau∣ty and Solidity beyond what is usually seen in ordinary Country Churches) A noble and stately Abby, (that of S. Helier) Four Prio∣ries,

(viz. Noirmont, S. Clement, Bonnenuit and de Leck) and above twenty Chappels, of which the greater part are now in rubbish. Of those that are left standing there are two of special Note. The one is La Chapelle de Nostre Dame des Pas, so called from a pretended Apparition of the blessed Virgin, and the impression of her Footsteps in the Rock whereon the Chappel stands. The other is la Hougue, so called from a high Artificial Hill on the top whereof it is loftily seated. For Hougue in French is properly what the Latines call Agger or Tumulus, i. e. a Mount of Turf or Earth, made with hands, and raised more or less above the circumjacent Level. And those Aggeres or Tumuli were in former days raised on the Bodies of He∣roes and Great men slain in the Wars; rai∣sed (I say) in the Field, and on the very place where they fell. And such I take the Hougue in JERSEY to be The Old Tra∣dition is, that a Gentleman of Normandy s coming into this Island, was there slain, and that his Wife caused this noble Monu∣ment to be erected over him, carrying it up to that height purposely that from her house in Normandy she might have a prospect of the Place where lay the Ashes of him whose Memory was so dear to her even then when he was but cold Earth. The Chappel on the top I guess to have been added for Masses to be said therein for the Soul of the De∣ceased, according to the Superstition of

those days. And this I take to be the best account that can be given of this ancient Chappel, and the Moles on which it is e∣rected: which differs from that of Mr. Poing∣destre, who thinks this Eminency was raised at the time that the Danes and other Nor∣thern Nations made their inroads into this Island, and was designed for a Specula, or Watch-Hill, to discover them at Sea, and to give Notice of their approach; and that the Chappel was built long after by one Mabon, who was Dean of this Island about the Year 1520; Mabon indeed did cause the East end to be new built, and a passage with a Repository under ground, and under the Altar, to be made in imita∣tion of the Holy Sepulcher at Jerusalem, where he had sometimes been.

I shall pass over those dark Ages of Po∣pery which too soon followed the Planting of Christianity in this Island, and shall ha∣sten to give some account of the State of Religion here from the Reformation. The same Change of Religion that was made in England, in the Reign of K. Edward VI, was made here also. The English Liturgy was translated into French, and sent hither. In Q. Mary's time the Mass was set up a∣gain, as it was in England. But through a singular Mercy of God, the Persecution did not rage here, as it did there. While that Queen made Bonfires of Protestants in Eng∣land, Richard Averty a Popish Priest in this

Island, was hanged for Murder by Sentence of the Royal Court. He was a great Ene∣my and Persecutor of the married Clergy, but himself at the same time kept a Whore, who being brought to bed, he, to conceal his Shame, murdered the Infant, unknown to the Mother; for which he was apprehend∣ed, and notwithstanding the opposition of Pawlet the Popish Dean, who would have had him convened before the Bishop of Coûtance as his proper Judge, suffered as he deserved. This must seem an Action of great Boldness and Resolution in the Court at that time, to any that considers the Power and Interest of the Popish Clergy under that Reign. It was not so in Guerne∣sey. There such an Act of Cruelty was committed as is not to be matched by any thing we meet with in ancient or modern Martyrologies t A poor aged Widow, and her two Daughters, whereof one named Per∣rotine Massey was the Wife of a Minister who was fled because of the Persecution, were condemned to be burnt for Heresie. The Ministers Wife was big with Child. When she came to suffer, her Belly burst through the violence of the Flame, and a lovely Boy issued forth, who falling gently on the Fa∣gots, tumbled off without receiving any in∣jury from the Fire. The Child was taken up, and carried to the Dean and Magistrates, who sent it back, and ordered it to be thrown in with the Mother. The cruel

Command was obeyed, and the innocent Babe was baptized in Fire.

Upon Q. Elizabeth's happy Inaugura∣tion, her first Care was the Settlement of Re∣ligion. But in this Island we fell into the other extreme. 'Tis well known what Per∣secutions the French Protestants suffered un∣der the Reigns of Francis I, Henry II, Fran∣cis II, Charles IX, and Henry III. The Neighbourhood of this Island invited great numbers of them, and among them some of their Ministers, to take Sanctuary here; and their Example soon begot in the minds of too many of our People a dislike of the English Reformation: wherein also they were too much countenanced and encoura∣ged by the Governor, who, whether out of Inclination, or Affectation of Popularity, or (which I rather think) the hope of adding to his Government the Revenue of the sup∣pressed Deanry, favoured that Party. They possessed themselves of the Parish Church of St. Helier, where the Sieur de la Ripaudiere, a French Minister, preached and gave the Sacrament after the manner of Geneva: and soon after a solemn Deputation was made to the Queen, for leave to have all the other Churches in the Island modell'd after that way. This the Queen denied; allow∣ing them only that Church of which they were possessed, and strictly Commanding that Form and Order of Service, which was set forth within her Realm, to be continued in

the Residue of the Parishes of this Isle; as ap∣pears from the following Letter sent by the Council to the Bailly and Jurats, bearing Date Aug. 7. 1565.

After our very hearty Commendati∣ons unto you; Whereas the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty understandeth that the Isles of JARSEY and Guernezey have anciently depended on the Diocese of Constance, and that there be certain Churches in the same Diocese well Re∣formed, agreably throughout in Doctrine as it is set forth in this Realm: Know∣ing therewith that you have a Minister, who, ever since his Arrival in JARSEY, hath used the like Order of Preaching and Administration as in the said Re∣formed Churches, or as it is used in the French Church at London; Her Maje∣sty for divers Respects and Considerati∣ons moving her Highness, is well plea∣sed to admit the same Order of Preach∣ing and Administration to be continued at St. Helier's, as hath been hitherto accustomed by the said Minister. Pro∣vided always that the Residue of the Parishes in the said Isle shall diligently

put apart all Superstitions used in the said Diocese, and so continue there the Order of Service ordained and set forth within this Realm, with the Injunctions necessary for that Purpose; wherein you may not fail diligently to give your Aids and Assistance, as best may serve for the Advancement of God's Glory. And so fare you well.

From Richmond the 7th Day of August, Anno 1565.

[Signed]

• N. Bacon.
• R. Leicester.
• R. Rogers.
• Will. Northampton.
• Gul. Clynton.
• Fr. Knolls.
• Will. Cecil.

Notwithstanding this Letter, all the other Churches in the Island soon followed the Example of that of St. Helier, and the En∣glish Liturgy came to be generally disused. This gave mighty Encouragement to the Puritans in England, who hoped to draw great Advantages from it, and indeed grew very insolent upon it. To improve the Op∣portunity, Cartwright and Snap, those Two great Incendiaries of the English Church, were sent into these Islands. At whose coming a Synod of the Ministers and El∣ders of JERSEY, Guernezey, Serk, and Al∣derney,

was Convened at the Town of St. Peter-Port in Guernezey, June 28, 1576. And there in Presence of both Governors, a Form of Classical Discipline u digested into twenty Chapters, and each Chapter into several Articles, was agreed on to be used from thenceforth in the four Islands: Which Discipline was again confirmed in another Synod held at Guernezey the 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17th Days of Octo∣ber, 1597.

It was a bold Step in the Governors not only to tolerate that unlawful Assembly, but to countenance (as they did) all the Acts of it by their Presence and their Sig∣nature. I call it an unlawful Assembly, be∣cause it met, and enacted Laws Ecclesiasti∣cal, binding the Subject, without the Royal Authority; throwing the Liturgy out of those Churches where by Express Command of the Queen it had been injoyned to be continued, to make way for their Model, which was only indulged to St. Helier in JERSEY, and to St. Peter-Port in Guerne∣zey. But the Governors got well by it, for by that means the Spoils of the poor Dean∣ries fell into their Hands.

Timely Application was made by that Party to K. James, at his coming to the

Crown; to whom it was falsly suggested that the Discipline had been permitted and allowed by Q. Elizabeth: Whereupon a Letter under the Privy-Seal, dated Aug. 8. 1603. was easily obtained, confirming that pretended Permission, and setling the Di∣scipline in both Islands as it was alledged to have been in the Days of that Queen. The Letter was as followeth.

JAMES R.

JAMES by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, &c.

Ʋnto all those whom these Presents shall concern, Greeting.

Where∣as We Our Selves, and the Lords of Our Council, have been given to understand, that it pleased God to put it into the Heart of the Late Queen, our most dear Sister, to permit and allow unto the Isles of JARSEY and Guernezey, parcel of our Dutchy of Normandy, the Ʋse of the Government of the Reformed Churches in the said Dutchy, whereof they have stood possessed until our com∣ing to this Crown: For this Cause we desiring to follow the Pious Example of our said Sister in this behalf, as well for the Advancement of the Glory of

Almighty God, as for the Edification of his Church, do will and ordain, that our said Isles shall quietly enjoy their said Liberty in the Ʋse of the Ecclesiastical Discipline there now Established; for∣bidding any one to give them any trou∣ble or impeachment as long as they con∣tain themselves in our Obedience, and attempt not any thing against the Pure and Sacred Word of God.

Given at our Palace at Hampton-Court, the 8th Day of August, Anno Dom. 1603▪ and of our Reign in England the First.

'Tis plain the Grant in this Letter was void and null from the beginning, being founded on an Allegation manifestly untrue, viz. that Q. Elizabeth had given way to the Establishment of the Discipline throughout all the Churches in these Islands; The con∣trary whereof appears from the very Words of the Letter written by her Council. How∣ever, matters stood thus till a New Gover∣nor coming to JERSEY, and clashing with the Colloquy about the Right of collating to vacant Benefices, which both Sides lay∣ed equally claim to, He in the Right of the King as the true Patron, They by Virtue of the Discipline which empowered them to confer Orders and fill up vacant Livings with such only as had a Call from them∣selves,

the Altercation grew so high that it endangered the publick Peace, and many of the Principal Inhabitants became humble Suiters to His Majesty to restore to them the Liturgy, and to settle among them a Form of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction suitable to that of the Church of England, with regard to their ancient Customs and Priviledges, to which they prayed His Majesty at the same time not to derogate. The Address was well received at Court. The Liturgy was restored, and the Office of Dean (which had been above 60 Years disused) was Re∣vived, and conferred on the reverend Mr. David Bandinel †, one of the Ministers of the Island; The New Dean and Ministers were injoyned to draw up a Body of Ca∣nonsw to be approved by the King; which after several Corrections and Amend∣ments made therein by Archbishop Abbot, the Lord-Keeper Williams, and the Lear∣ned Andrews Bishop of Winchester (com∣missioned thereunto by the King) received the Royal Assent June 30. in the 21st Year of His Majesty's Reign, and were thereup∣on transmitted to JERSEY, to have there the Force of Laws in Matters Ecclesiastical, as they have to this Day. A Copy of which Canons, collated with the old French Original extant in our Records, is hereunto added for publick Satisfaction.

JAMES R.

JAMES by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.

To our right Trusty and well beloved Coun∣seller the Reverend Father in God Lan∣celot Bishop of Winton, and to our Trusty and well beloved Sir John Pey∣ton Knight Governor of our Isle of JAR∣SEY, and to the Governor of the said Isle for the time being; To the Bailiff and Jurats of the said Isle for the time being; and to the Officers, Ministers, and Inhabitants of the said Isle for the time being, To whom it shall or may apper∣tain, Greeting. Whereas we held it fit∣ting heretofore upon the Admission of the now Dean of that Island unto his Place, in the Interim (until we might be more fully informed what Laws, Canons, or Constitutions were meet and fit to be made and established for the good Go∣vernment of the said Island in Causes Ecclesiastical appertaining to the Eccle∣siastical Jurisdiction) to command the said Bishop of Winton, Ordinary of the said Island, to grant his Commission unto

David Bandinel now Dean of the said Island, to exercise the Ecclesiastical Ju∣risdiction there according to certain In∣structions signed with our Royal Hand, to continue only until we might establish such Constitutions, Rules, Canons, and Ordinances, as we intended to settle for the regular Government of that our Island in all Ecclesiastical Causes, con∣formed to the Ecclesiastical Government established in our Realm of England, as near as conveniently might be: And whereas also to that purpose our Plea∣sure was that the said Dean with what convenient Speed he might, after such Authority given unto him as aforesaid, and after his Arrival into that Island, and the publick Notice given of his Admission unto the said Office, should, to∣gether with the Ministers of that our Isle, consider of such Canons and Con∣stitutions as might be fitly accommoda∣ted to the Circumstances of Time and Place, and the Persons whom they con∣cern, and that the same should be put into Order, and intimated to the Go∣vernor, Bailiff and Jurats of that our Isle, that they might offer to us and to

Our Council such Acceptions †, and give such Informations touching the same, as they should think good: And whereas the said Dean and Ministers did con∣ceive certain Canons and presented the same unto Ʋs on the one part, and on the other part the said Bailiff and Jurats excepting against the same did send and depute Sir Philip de Carteret Knight, Joshua de Carteret and Philip de Car∣teret Esquires, three of the Jurats and Justices of Our said Isle: All which Parties appeared before Our right Trusty and well beloved Councellors, the Most Reverend Father in God the Lord Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, the Right Reve∣rend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Lincoln Lord-Keeper of Our great Seal of England, and the Right Reverend Father in God the said Lord Bishop of Winton, to whom We gave Commission to examine the same, who have accor∣dingly heard the said Parties at large, read, examined, corrected, and amen∣ded the said Canons, and have now made Report unto Ʋs under their Hands, that by a mutual Consent of the said De∣puties and Dean of our Island, they have

reduced the said Canons and Constitu∣tions Ecclesiastical into such Order as in their Judgments may well fit the State of that Island: KNOW ye there∣fore, that We out of Our Princely Care of the quiet and peaceable Government of all Our Dominions, especially affecting the Peace of the Church, and the Esta∣blishment of true Religion, and Ecclesi∣astical Discipline in one uniform Order and Course throughout all Our Realms and Dominions, so happily united under Ʋs, as their supreme Governor on Earth, in all Causes as well Ecclesiastical as Civil; having taken consideration of the said Canons and Constitutions, thus drawn, perused, and allowed, as afore∣said, do by these Presents, ratify, con∣firm, and approve thereof. AND fur∣ther, We out of Our Princely Power, and Regal Authority, do by these Presents signed with Our Royal Hand, and sealed with Our Royal Signet, for Ʋs, Our Heirs and Successors, will and command that the said Canons and Constituti∣ons hereafter following, shall from hence∣forth in all Points be duely observed in Our said Isle, for the perpetual Government

of the said Isle in Causes Ecclesiastical: unless the same, or some Part or Parts thereof, upon further Experience and Trial thereof, by the mutual Consent of the Lord Bishop of Winton for the Time being, the Governor, Bailiffs and Jurats of the said Isle, and of the Dean and Ministers, and other Our Officers of Our said Isle, for the time being, repre∣senting the Body of Our said Isle, and by the Royal Authority of Ʋs, Our Heirs, or Successors, shall receive any Additi∣ons or Alterations, as Time and Occasion shall justly require. And therefore We do further will and command the said Right Reverend Father in God Lance∣lot now Lord Bishop of Winton, that he do forthwith by his Commission under his Episcopal Seal, as Ordinary of that Place, give Authority unto the said now Dean, to exercise Ecclesiastical Jurisdi∣ction in Our said Isle, according to these Canons and Constitutions thus made and established.

De la Souveraine∣té du Roy.

PRemierement, se∣lon le Devoir que nous devons a la Tres-Excellente Majesté du Roy, il est Ordonné que le Doyen & Ministres ayans cure des Ames, seront tenus un chascun de tout leur Pouvoir, Scavoir, & Cognois∣sance, d'enseigner, mettre en Evidence, & desclarer purement, & sincérement, sans aucune feintise ou dis∣simulation, & le plus souvent que faire se pourra, & que les oc∣casions s'en presente∣ront, que toute Puis∣sance Forreine, estran∣gere, & Ʋsurpée, pour autant qu' elle nâ aucun fondement en la Parole

de Dieu, est totale∣ment, pour bonnes & justes Causes, ostée & abolie; & par consé∣quent que nulle sorte d'Obeissance, ou Sub∣jection, dedans les Roy∣aumes & Dominions de sa Majesté, n'est deüe à aucune telle Puissance: Ains que la Puissance du Roy dedans les Roy∣aumes d'Angleterre, d'Ecosse & d'Irlande, & autres ses Dominions & Contrées, est la plus haute Puissance sous Dieu, à laquelle Tou∣tes Personnes, habitans & natifs dans icelles, doivent par la Loy de Dieu toute Fidélité & Obeissance, avant & par dessus toute autre Puissance.

2. Quiconque affer∣mera & maintiendra

que la Majesté du Roy n'a la méme Autho∣ritè en causes Eccle∣siastiques, comme entre les Juiss ont eû les Rois Religieux, & les Em∣pereurs Chrestiens en l'Eglise Primitive; Ou quiconque donnera au∣cun Empeschement, en quelque maniere que ce soit, a la Souverai∣netè du Roy esdites Causes; & quiconque affermera que l'Eglised' Angleterre, comme elle est establie sous la Ma∣jesté du Roy, n'est une Vraie & Apostolique Eglise, enseignant pu∣rement la Doctrine des Prophetes & Apostres; Ou quiconque impug∣nera le Gouvernement de la dite Eglise qui est par les Archevesques, Evesques, & Doyens, l'affirmans estre de

l'Ante-christ; quil soit Excommunié ipso fa∣cto, & non restabli que par le Doyen en Cour Sêante, apréz sa Re∣pentance & Revocation publique de son erreur.

Du Service Divin.

3. Il est enjoint a tou∣tes sortes de Person∣nes de se sousmettre au Service Divin con∣tenu au Livre des Communes Prieres de l'Eglise d'Angleterre: & quant aux Ministres, ils seront obligès d'Ob∣server avec Ʋnifor∣mitè la dite Liturgie, sans Addition, ou Alter∣ation; & ne souffrira on aucun Conventicule, on Congrégation, pour faire Secte apart, ou se distraire du Gou∣vernement Ecclesiasti∣que

establi en l'Isle.

4. Le jour du Diman∣che sera sanctifié par Exercices de Prieres Publiques, & oüye de la Parole de Dieu; se∣ra un chascun tenu de s'y ranger a heure con∣venable, & observer l'ordre & bienseánce à ce requise; se rendans attentifs à la Lecture & Prèdication, e∣stans a genoux durant les Prieres, & se te∣nans debout à la Con∣fession de Foy, & doi∣vent testifier leur Consentement & Parti∣cipation en disant A∣men. Et partant du∣rant aucune partie du Service Divin les Sur∣veillans nepermettront aucune interruption ou empèschement par In∣solence ou devis d'au∣cune

personne soit au Temple ou Cimetiere.

5. Il y aura Ex∣ercice Public en cha∣cune Paroisse les Me∣credys & Vendredys Matin, par la Lecture des Communes Prie∣res.

6. Quand quelque Ʋrgente Occasion re∣querra de célébrer un Jeusne Extraordi∣naire, le Doyen avec l'avis des Ministres en avertira le Gouver∣neur & le Magistrat Civil, à ce que par leur Consentement & Authorité il soit ob∣servé généralement, pour appaiser le Cou∣roux & ire de Dieu par une vraye & seri∣euse Repentance.

Du Baptesme.

7. Le Baptesme ser a administré en l'E∣glise avec eau pure & commune, suivant l'Institution de Jesus Christ, & sans limi∣tation de jours; & nul ne différera de pre∣senter son enfant au Baptesme plus outre que le prochain Di∣manche, ou Assemblée publique, s'il se peut faire commodément; & ne pourra aucun estre receû à y presenter en∣fant s'il ne Communi∣que à la Sainte Céne; Et ne pourront les femmes seules estre Marraines.

De la Céne.

8. En chaque Egli∣se la Ste. Céne se célè∣brera quatre fois l'An, dont l'une sera à Pas∣ques, & l'autre à Noel; & chaque Ministre en l'Administration de la Céne recevra premie∣rement le Sacrament, & baillera le pain & le vin à un chascun Communiquant, en u∣sant les Mots de l'In∣stitution.

9. Tous Péres & Maistres de Famille se∣ront exhortés & en∣joints de faire instrui∣re leurs enfans & Do∣mestiques en la Cog∣noissance de leur salut, & pour ce faire auront

soin de les envoyer aux Catéchismes ordi∣naires.

Du Marriage.

10. Aucun ne se Marriera contre les Degrés qui sont prohi∣bés par la Parole de Dieu; selon qu'ils sont exprimés en la Table faite par l'Eglise d'Angleterre, sur peine de Nullité & Censure.

11. Les Annonces se feront par trois Dimanches consècutifs aux Paroisses des Parties, & sera obli∣gée la Partie de l'autre Paroisse où le Mar∣riage ne sera Celebré d'apporter Attesta∣tion de la Publica∣tion de ses Annonces en sa Paroisse. Neant∣moins

sur causes légi∣times on pourra avoir Licence & Dispensati∣on dès dites Annonces par l'authorité du Doy∣en, qui prendra suffisan∣te Caution de la Liber∣té des Parties.

12. Il ne se fera aucune Sèparation à Thoro & Mensâ qu'a cause d'Adultère, cru∣auté, & danger de Vie, dûement prouvés, & ce à l'Instance des Parties: & pour l'Al∣loûance de la femme durant la Sèparation, elle aura recours au Bras séculier.

Des Ministres.

13. Nul qui ne soit propre à enseigner, & capable de Prescher la Parole de Dieu, ne se∣ra

admis en aucun Bè∣nèfice de l'Isle; & qui n'ait receû l'Impositi∣on des Mains, & Or∣dination, selon la For∣me de l' Eglise d'An∣gleterre.

14. Nul, ne Doyen, ne Ministre, ne pour∣ra occuper ensemble deux Bènèfices, si non en temps deVacance; & seront les Originaires, ou Natifs de l'Isle, prè∣fèrès au Ministère.

15. Les Ministres au jour de Dimanche aprés les Priéres pub∣liques expliqueront le Matin quelque Passage de l'Escriture sainte, & Aprés-midy traite∣ront les Points de la Religion Chrestienne contenus au Catéchis∣me du livre des Com∣munes Prieres.

16. En leur Prieres ils Observeront les Ti∣tres qui appartiennent au Roy, le recognois∣sans Souverain Gou∣verneur sous Christ en toutes Causes & sur toutes personnes, tant Ecclesiastiques que Ci∣viles, Recommandans la Prosperité de sa Personne, Estat, & Posterité Royale.

17. Ʋn chascun des Ministres advisera diligemment de dé∣monstrer la bienséance & gravité en habits qui conviennent à sa Charge, & qui préser∣vent le Respect deû à sa personne; & seront aussy Circonspects en tout le Cours de leur vie de se preserver de telles Compagnies, A∣ctions, & hantises de

places, qui leur puisse apporter blasme ou fle∣strisseure; & partant ne deshonoreront leur Ro∣be par Jeux, Taver∣nes, Ʋsures, Compag∣nies, & Occupations qui ne Conviennent à leur Fonction; Ains s'estudieront à excel∣ler par dessus les au∣tres en pureté de vie, Gravité, & Vertu.

18. Ils auront soin que Registre soit gardé des Baptesmes, Marri∣ages, & Enterrements; & seront obligés de Pu∣blier, au jour qui leur sera appointê, les Or∣donnances de la Cour, qui leur seront en∣voyées, signées & sée∣lées du Doyen, leur estans delivrées Quin∣ze jours avant la Pub∣lication.

19. Les Ministres seront avertis en temps convenable pour assister aux Enterremens qui se feront en leur Pa∣roisses, & là observe∣ront la Forme prescrite au livre des Commu∣nes Prieres; & nul ne sera enterré dans le Temple sans congé du Ministre, qui aura é∣gard à la Qualité des Personnes, ensemble à ceux qui sont Bienfai∣teurs à l'Eglise.

Du Doyen.

20. Le Doyen se∣ra Ministre de la Pa∣role de Dieu, estant Maistre aux Arts, ou gradué au Droict Ci∣vil pour le moins; ayant les Dons pour exercer la dite Charge, de bonne vie & Conver∣sation,

& bien affecti∣onné & Zelé à la Re∣ligion & service de Dieu.

21. Le Doyen, aux Causes qui se traite∣ront en Court, deman∣dera l'Advis & Opi∣nion des Ministres qui pour lors seront pre∣sents.

22. Il aura la cog∣noissance de toutes cho∣ses qui concernent le Service de Dieu, Prê∣dication de la Parole, Administration des Sa∣cremens, Causes Ma∣trimoniales, examen & Censure de tous Papi∣stes, Récusans, Héréti∣ques, Idolatres, & Shis∣matiques, Parjures en Causes Ecclesiastiques, Blasphemateurs, ceux qui ont recours aux

Sorciers, Incestueux, Adultéres, Paillards, Tvrognes Ordinaires, & publics Profana∣teurs du Sabbat; com∣me aussy la Profanati∣on des Temples & Ci∣metieres, du Mespris & Offenses commises en Court, ou contre au∣cuns des Officiers d'i celle en exécution des Mandats de la Court, des Divorces, & Se∣paration à Thoro & Mensâ; avec pouvoir de les Censurer, & punir selon les Loix Ecclesiastiques, sans exclurre la Puissance du Magistrat Civil au regard de la Punition Corporelle pour les dits Crimes.

23. Le Doyen ac∣compagné de deux ou

trois Ministeres visitera une fois en deux Ans chaque Paroisse en sa personne, & donnera Or∣dre quil y ait Presche le jour de la Visitati∣on, ou par soy méme, ou par quelquun par luy appointé; & se fera la∣dite Visitation pour Ordonner que toutes Choses appartenantes à l'Eglise, au Service de Dieu, & Administra∣tion des Sacremens, soyent pourveûes par les Surveillans, & le Temple, Cimetiere, & Maison Presbyteriale soyent entretenues & reparées: Et aussy re∣cevra Information des dits▪ Surveillans (ou faute à iceux à faire leur devoir) du Mi∣nistre, de toutes Of∣fences & abus qui se∣ront à reformeren au∣cun,

soit Ministre, Of∣ficiers de l'Eglise, ou autres de la Paroisse; & recevra ledit Doy∣en pour la dite Visita∣tion 40 sols de la Rente du Thresor à cha∣que fois.

24. En cas de Va∣cance d'aucun Bénéfice, soit par mort, ou au∣trement, le Doyen donnera Ordre presen∣tement que les Fruits d'iceluy Bénéfice soint Sequestrés, & que du provenu d'iceux la Cure soit supplée; & aussy que la Veuve ou Heritiers du Deffunct re••oivent selon la Pro∣portion du temps de son Service, suivant à l'Ʋsage de l▪ Isle, saufce qui seroit necessaire à deduire pour les De∣lapidations, sily en a;

& donnera Terme con∣venable à la Veuve du Deffunct de se pour∣voir de Domicile; & baillera ce qui sera de residu au prochain In∣cumbant, auquel le Se∣questrataire en rendra compte

25. Sur la mésme occasion de Vacance d'a∣ucun Bénéfice, si dans six mois le Governeur ne presente aucun au Revérend Pére en Dieu l'Evesque de Winchestre, ou en cas de vacance de ce Siége, au Trés Revérend Pé∣re en Dieu l'Archeves∣que de Canterbury, pour estre admis & In∣stitué audit Bénéfice, alors le Doyen certi∣fiera du Temps de la Vacance aux dits Seig∣neurs Evesque ou Ar∣chevesque,

selon quil escherra, à ce qu'ils ordonnent pour la Col∣lation du Bénéfice: & lors qu' aucun leur sera Presenté, le Doyen donnera Attestation du Comport & Suffisance de la Partie, pour estre approuvé par iceux, devant que d'estre ad∣mis actuellement par le Doyen en Possession du dit Bénéfice.

26. Le Doyen au∣ra l'Insinuation & Ap∣probation des Testa∣mens; lesquels seront approuvés sou•• le sceau de l'Office, & Enregi∣strés; Aura aussy l'En∣registrement des In∣ventaires des Biens Meubles des Pupilles, desquels il gardera fidéle Registre, pour en donner Copie tou∣tes fois & quantes qu'il

en sera requis. Item, baillera Lettres d'Ad∣ministration des biens des Intestats, qui mourront sans hoirs de leur Chair, au prochain heritier.

27. Ceux qui seront saisis du Testament, soit Heritiers, Exé∣cuteurs, ou autres, se∣ront obligés de l'ex∣hiber & apporter au Doyen dans un Mois; faute dequoy seront convenus en Court par Mandat, en payant doubles Coustages pour la Compulsoire; & au∣ra le dit Doyen pour les dits Testamens, In∣ventaires, & Lettres d'Administration, tels Droicts qui sont Spé∣cifiés en la Table sur ce faite.

28. Toutes Léga∣tions Mobiliaires fai∣tes à l'Eglise, Mini∣stres, Escoles, ou Pau∣vres, seront de la Cog∣noissance du Doyen; Mais sur l'Opposition qui pourroit estre faite de la validité du Te∣stament, la Court Tem∣porelle en détermine∣ra entre les Parties.

29. Il appartient au Doyen de cognoi∣stre de toute Substra∣ction de Dixmes af∣fectées à l'Eglise, de quelque Espéce qu'elles soyent, qui ont esté pa∣yées au Ministres, & dont ils ont jouy & sont en possession de∣puis Quarante ans; & toute personne convain cûe de Substraction, fraude, ou Detention d'icelles Dixmes, sera

adjugé a Restitution, avec les frais & cou∣stages de la partie; & pour la Conserva∣tion de tous & chas∣cun les Droicts Béné∣ficiaux, Dixmes, Ren∣tes, Terres, & Pos∣sessions, il y aura un Ter∣rier fait par le Bailly & Jurétz, assistés du Doyen & Procureur du Roy.

30. Le Doyen au∣ra Liberté de faire choix d'un Deputé ou Commissaire, lequel pourra excercer & suppléer la Charge & Office du Doyen en∣tant que sa Commission le portera, & dont y aura Acte Authen∣tique aux Rolles de la Court.

Des Surveillans, autrement dits Gardiens de l'Eglise.

31. Chasque semaine aprés Pasques, le Mi∣nistre & les Paroissiens de chaque Eglise choisi∣ront deux Surveillans, gens discrets, & de bonne Conversation, & des plus capables, sca∣chans lire & escrire, s'il est possible. Que si les dits Paroissiens ne peuvent accorder en l'Election, le Ministre aura pouvoir d'en nommer un, & les Pa∣roissiens l'autre, par la Majeure Voix d'iceux; & seront puis aprés Assermentés à la pro∣chaine Court, & hien advertis de leur De∣voir.

32. Le Devoir d'i ceux sera de voir que les Temples & Cime∣tieres ne soint profanés par aucuns Exercices ou Actions profanes, comme aussy de ne per∣mettre l'Entrée du Temple à aucun Ex∣communié, duquel la Sentence à esté Publi∣ée en leur Paroisse: Et seront soigneux de Pre∣senter de temps en temps ceux qui neg∣ligent les Exercices Publics du Service Divin, & l'Ʋsage des saints Sacremens, & généralement tous De∣licts qui sont de Cog∣noissance Ecclesiastique; & bailleront les dites Presentations sous leur signes, & ne pourront estre contraints de Pre∣senter que deux fois par An.

33. Ils auront soin pareillement d'entre∣tenir le Temple en bon∣ne Reparation, & les Cimetieres en bonne Closture; & de voir que toutes choses ap∣partenantes à l'Eglise, à l'Administration de la parole & des Sa∣cremens, soyent pour∣veûes & entretenùes de temps en temps; comme sont la Bible de la meilleure Transla∣tion & en plus grosses Lettres, le livre des Communes Prieres tant pour le Ministre que pour le Clerc ou Cousteur de la Paroisse, un livre de Parche∣min pour Enregistrer les Baptesmes Mar∣riages & Enterremens, une Table convenable pour Administrer la Sainte Cene, avec un

Tapis pour mettre sus durant le Service divin, des Fonds pour le Ba∣ptesme, Coupes, & Vais∣seaux dédiézseulement a cet Ʋsage, Nappes, Serviettes, avec un Coffre pour retirer les dites Ʋtensiles, un Tronc pour les Aumos∣nes, un Tapis & Carreau pour la Chaire, & pour∣voyront aussy le Pain & le Vin de la Céne. Item, verront que les Bancs & Siéges soyent appropriés pour la Commodité du Mini∣stre & des Paroissiens, & ce par l'advis & conseil de leur Mini∣stre; & le tout des Rentes & Revenus du Thresor de l'Eglise.

34. Les dits Sur∣veillans seront obligés de garder un bon &

loyal Compte dans un Livre de leur Mises & Recéptes, & de l'emploite ••qu'ils fe∣ront des Deniers du Thresor; lequel sera banni de temps en temps selon la Cou∣stume, & ce entre les mains dés dits Sur∣veillans, & Procureurs de la Paroisse, lesquels employront le dit Thre∣sor pour les Choses ne∣cessaires & convena∣bles a l'Eglise, ou Bien Public; se Gouvernans par l'Advis du Mini∣stre & Principaux de la Paroisse en toutes choses Extraordinai∣res qui concernent la dite Paroisse; & en cas d'Affaires Publiques, l'Assemblée des Estats leur prescrira ce qui sera trouvé expédient pour l'Ʋtilité Publi∣que:

& devant qu'estre deschargés donneront Advertissement aux Paroissiens pour o••ir leur Comptes la Se∣maine de Pasques, les∣quelsseront Signés par le Ministre & Princi∣paux de la Paroisse: & si aucuns dés dits Pa∣roissiens, ou autres, re∣fusent de payer les Rentes qu'ils doivent audit Thresor, les dits Procureurs & Surveil∣lans, ou aucun d'iceux, les poursuivront par les voyes Ordinaires de Justice: Mais cas advenant de Contro∣verse aux dits Accomp∣tes, ou abus qui seroient à Reformer, le Doyen & Ministre de la Pa∣roisse où la dite Contro∣verse ou abus se trou∣vera, se joindront a∣vec

le Bailly & Juréts pour y donner Ordre convenable.

35. Lesdits Sur∣veillans durant le Ser∣vice Divin au jour de Dimanche visiteront les lieux suspects de Jeux & Dissolutions; & ayans le Connesta∣ble pour les assister, visiteront paréillement les Tavernes & Mai∣sons de Debauche.

36. Ils auront soin qu'il ny ait aucune Sub∣straction. & recelle∣ment des choses ap∣partenantes à l'Eglise; comme aussy ils se pour∣ront saisir, & poursui∣vre tous dons & Le∣gats Mobilaires faits à l'Eglise & aux Pau∣vres, selon les loix du Pais.

37. Il y aura deux Collecteurs des Aus∣mosnes des Pauvres en chasque Paroisse, qui feront Office d'Assi∣stans, & seront esleus comme les Surveillans; & auront serment en Court pour sebien com∣porter en leur Charge: & rendront compte de leur Administration deux fois l'An par de∣vant le Ministre & Paroissiens, s••avoir est à Pasques & à la St. Michel.

Des Clercs, ou Cousteurs.

38. Les Clercs ou Cousteurs des Parois∣ses seront choisis par le Ministre & Principaux de la Paroisse, de l'age de XX ans pour le moins, de bonne vie &

Conversation, scachans lire posément, distin∣ctement, & intelligible∣ment, & escrire, & qui entendent aucune∣ment le Chant des Pseaumes, s'il est possi∣ble.

39. Leur Charge est d'appeller le Peu∣ple par le son de la Cloche au Service Di∣vin, & où ye de la Pa∣role de Dieu, à heure propre & convenable suivant l'ordinaire; tenir le Temple fermé & net, comme aussy les Bancs & la Chaire; conserver les Livres & autres choses ap∣partenantes à l'Eglise dont ils auront la Charge; pourvoir l'Eau pour le Baptesme, faire les Criées & Denon∣ciations qui leur seront

enjointes par la Court, ou par le Ministre; & auront leur Gages & Salaires par la Con∣tribution des Paroissi∣ens, soit en bled, fro∣ment, ou Argent, selon l'Ʋsage du Pais.

Des Maistres d'Eschole.

40. Il y aura un Maistre d'Eschole en chasque Paroisse, choisi par le Ministre, Sur∣veillans, & Principaux d'icelle, & par aprés presenté au Doyen pour estre Authorizé en cette Charge; & ne sera loisible à aucun de l'Exercer sans y estre ainsy apellé: & les Ministres auront soin de les visiter, & exhorter à faire leur Devoir.

41. Ils useront de toute laborieuse dili∣gence à Instruire les Enfans à lire, escrire, Prier Dieu, respondre au Catéchisme, les dui∣ront aux bonnes Mo∣eurs, les conduiront au Presche, & Prieres Publiques, les y fai∣sant comporter comme il appartient.

De la Court.

42. La Court se ti∣endra une fois la Se∣maine au Lundy, & observera les mesmes Termes de Vacations que la Court Civile.

43. A chasque sé∣ance, au Commencement d'icelle, les Noms des Assesseurs seront Inti∣tulés, le jour, & le mois, & les Sentences leües.

44. Aprés Jugement & Sentence donnée du Principal, les Cou∣stages des Parties, & Substraction de salaire aux Officiers de la Court, se poursuivront par les Consures Ec∣clesiastiques.

45. Il y aura deux Avocats de••ement as∣sermentés à la Court, a∣fin▪ que le Peuple puisse agir formellement & Juridiquement, sans Confusion ou Surprise. Et le Greffier aussy e∣stant assermenté en∣registrer•…•… sidélement la Sentence qui aura esté prononcée, & bail∣lera Copie des Actes à ceux qui le requer∣ront.

46. Le Procureur du Roy, & en son Ab∣sence

l'Avocat, pour∣ront assister de temps en temps a la Court, pour poursuivre la Censure & Punition de toutes Causes de Crime & Scandale.

47. Pour exécuter les Citations & Sé∣monces, le Doyen as∣sermentera les Cou∣steurs des Paroisses, & un Appariteur, lesquels donneront fidéle Re∣cord de leurs Exploits, en donnant Copie des Citations & Mandats Originels à ceux qui le requerront, & en ab∣sence de la Partie aux Domestiques; & les Causes de la Compa∣rence seront exprimées dedans lesdites Cita∣tions, & Mandats.

48. Si la Partie ne se trouve point, soit en se cachant, ou autre Collusion, la Citation sera affichée à l'huis du Temple Paroissial d'i∣celle, en cas qu'il n'ayt aucun Domicile, & ce en jour de Dimanche.

49. S'il parvient aux oreilles du Doyen par Relation de gens de bien, que quelqu' un vit notoirement ▪en quel∣que Scandale, il en pour∣ra avertir le Ministre & les Surveill••ns de la Paroisse, afin que s'en estant informés, ils Presentent telles per∣sonnes qui meritent d'estre punies ou Cen∣surées.

50. Là où il con∣stera de la faute com∣mise

par quelque Mi∣nistre, le Doyen, aprés Monition réitérée, pro∣cédera à la Reforma∣tion par l'avis & Consentement de deux Ministres, jusqu'a Sus∣pension & Sequestra∣tion; & en cas que le∣dit Ministre demeure Refractaire, le Doyen procédera, par le Con∣sentement de la plus part des Ministres presents en l'Isle, jus∣qu'a Déprivation.

51. On ne fera point de Commutation pour Pénitence sinon avec grande Circonspection, ayant égard à la qua∣lité des Personnes, & Circonstances des fau∣tes; Et sera la Com∣mutation enregistrée ès Actes de la Court, pour estre employée

aux Pauvres, & usa∣ges pi eux, & dont Ac∣comptes seront rendus selon ledit Registre.

52. Aprés la premi∣ere Defaute, la Non∣comparence de ceux qui seront derechef ci∣tés par Mandat sera reputée Contumace; & si estans cités par aprés en Pé∣remptoire ils ne com∣paroissent, on pourra procéder à l'encontre d'eux à l'Excom∣munication. Que si dans le prochain jour de Court la Partie ne fait devoir d'obtenir Absolution, on procé∣dera à la Publication de la Sentence, & Mi∣neure Excommunica∣tion, laquelle sera de∣livrée au Ministre de la Paroisse pour en faire lecture à jour

Solennel, & à l'o••ye de la plus part des Paroissiens assemblés; & lapartie persistant en son Endurcissement, on procédera à la Majeure Excommunication, qui forclost le Pécheur à Sacris & Societate Fi∣delium. Que si cette Censure ne sert pour l'induire à Obéissance, & se ranger dans le Terme de 40 jours, alors le Doyen parson Certificat authentique donnera Avertissement au Bailly & Jurétz de ladite Contumace, & les requerra en Assi∣stance de sa Jurisdi∣ction de le faire saisir par les Officiers Civils, pour le rendre Prison∣nier en Détention Corporelle, jusqu'a ce quil se soit submis, & obligé d'obtemperer à l'Ordonnance de l'E∣glise;

& devant qu'estre Absous, sera tenu de payer les frais & Cou∣stages de la poursuite de la Cause.

53. En Causes de Paillardise, sur la Pre∣sentation des Surveil∣lans, avec les Proba∣bilités, commun Bruit, Scandale, & Presum∣ptions à ce requises, la partie sera sujette de subir le Serment de sa Purgation, ou autre∣ment sera tenu pour Convaincu.

54. En cas d'A∣dultére à l'Instance de Partie, on y procédera meurement par bonnes preuves & Informations, pour avoir Evidence du faict objecte; & le su∣jet & Preuve du fait le requerant, on pour∣ra conclurre jusqu'a Sé∣paration

à Thoro & Mensâ.

55. Là où il y aura Calomnie ou Diffa∣mation prouvée, on fe∣ra Recognoissance des Injures selon l'Exi∣gence du cas; pourveu que l'Action ne soit prescrite par lapse de temps, d'un an entier; & pourveu que le su∣jet de l'Action soit de Crimes Ecclesiastiques cy devant Specifiés.

Des Appellations.

56. Les Appeaux en Causes Ecclesiasti∣ques seront oûis & dé∣finis par le Révérend Pére en Dieu l'Eves∣que de Winchestre▪ en personne; & en cas de

Vacance de ce Siége, par le Trés Révérend Pére en Dieu l'Arch∣vesque de Canterbury en personne.

57. Tout Appels in∣terjettera dans Quin∣ze jours aprés Cog∣noissance de la Sen∣tence, & sera la partie obligée de prendre & exhiber tout le Procés, & Actes du Registre, ou Rolles de la Court; & lesquels Actes aussy luy seront delivrés en forme & temps conve∣nable, authentiqués sous le sceau de l'Office; & sera l'Appellant sujet de le poursui∣vre dans an & jour, aut Sententiae latae stare compellitur.

58. Il ne sera li∣cite d'Appeller qu'a∣prés

Sentence Défini∣tive de la Cause, sinon pour ces deux égards; ou quand l'Interlocu∣toire est telle qu'elle met fin à la Cause; ou quand ladite Inter∣locutoire estant obéie elle apporte tel Dama∣ge irreparable à la partie qu'il ne peut e∣stre amendé par Appel de la Définitive.

Of the King's Supremacy.

FIrst, according to the Duty we owe to the King's most Excellent Ma∣jesty, it is ordained that the Dean and Ministers, having Cure of Souls, shall be o∣bliged to the utmost of their Power, Know∣ledge, and Learning, purely and sincerely, without any Back∣wardness or Dissimu∣lation, to teach, pub∣lish, and declare, as often as they may, and as occasion shall offer it self, that all for∣reign, strange and u∣surped Power, for as much as it has no ground in the Word of God, is wholly for good and just Causes taken away, and abo∣lished; and that there∣fore no manner of O∣bedience

or Subjecti∣on within His Maje∣sty's Kingdoms and Dominions is due un∣to any such Power: But that the King's Power within his Kingdoms of Eng∣land, Scotland, and Ireland, and other his Dominions and Countries, is the high∣est Power under God, to which all Persons, Natives and Inha∣bitants within the same, do by God's Law owe Loyalty and Obedience, before and above all other Power.

2. Whosoever shall affirm and maintain that the King's Ma∣jesty

hath not the same Authority in Causes Ecclesiastical which Godly Kings had among the Jews, and Christian Empe∣rors in the Primitive Church; or shall in any manner of way impeach or obstruct the King's Suprema∣cy in the said Causes; Moreover, whosoever shall affirm that the Church of England, as it is established under the King's Ma∣jesty, is not a true and Apostolical Church, purely teaching the Doctrine of the Pro∣phets and Apostles; or shall impugne the Government of the said Church by Arch∣bishops, Bishops, and Deans, affirming it to be Anti-christian; shall be ipso facto Ex∣communicated, and not restored but by the Dean sitting in Court, after his Re∣pentance,

and publick Recantation of his Error.

Of Divine Service.

3. It is injoyned un∣to all sorts of Per∣sons to submit to the Divine Service contained in the Book of Common - Prayers of the Church of England: And for as much as concerns the Ministers, they shall be obliged to observe with Unifor∣mity the said Liturgy, without Addition, or Alteration; And no Conventicle or Con∣gregation shall be suf∣fered to make Sect apart, or withdraw themselves from the Ecclesiastical Govern∣ment

established in the Island.

4. The Lord's Day shall be sanctified by the Exercises of pub∣lick Prayer, and hear∣ing of God's word; whereat every one shall be bound to as∣sist at a convenient hour, and to observe the Order and De∣cency in that Case requisite; being atten∣tive at the reading and preaching of the Word, kneeling on their Knees during the Prayers, and stan∣ding up at the Con∣fession of Faith, and shall also testifie their Consent and Partici∣pation in saying A∣men. And in pursu∣ance thereunto, du∣ring any part of Di∣vine Service, the Church - Wardens shall not suffer any interruption or hin∣derance to be made

by the Insolence or Talk of any per∣son either in Church or Church-yard.

5. There shall be Publick Exercise in every Parish on Wednesday and Fri∣day Mornings, by rea∣ding the Common Prayer.

6. When any ur∣gent Occasion shall re∣quire an Extraordina∣ry Fast to be celebra∣ted, the Dean with the advice of the Mi∣nisters shall give no∣tice thereof to the Governor and to the Civil Magistrate, to the end that by their Consent and Autho∣rity, it may be gene∣rally observed, for the appeasing of the wrath and indigna∣tion of God, by a true and serious Re∣pentance.

Of Baptism.

7. Baptism shall be administred in the Church with fair and common water, ac∣cording to the Insti∣tution of Jesus Christ, and without Limita∣tion of days; nor shall any delay the bring∣ing of his Child to Baptism longer than the next Sunday, or publick Assembly, if it may conveniently be done; and no one shall be admitted to be a Godfather that does not participate to the Holy Com∣munion; Women a∣lone (viz. without the Presence of a Man to be Godfather) shall not be admitted to be Godmothers.

Of the Lord's Supper.

8. The Lord's Sup∣per shall be admini∣stred in every Church four times a Year, whereof one shall be at Easter, and the o∣ther at Christmas; And every Minister in the Administration of the said Supper, shall first receive the Sacrament himself, and after distribute the Bread and Wine to each of the Commu∣nicants, using the Words of the Insti∣tution.

9. All Fathers and Masters of Families shall be exhorted and injoyned to cause their Children and Dome∣sticks to be instructed in the Knowledge of their Salvation, and to this End shall take

care to send them to the Ordinary Cate∣chizing.

Of Marriage.

10. None shall Mar∣ry contrary to the De∣grees prohibited by the Word of God; as they are expressed in the Table made by the Church of England, on pain of Nullity and Censure.

11. The Banes shall be asked three Sun∣days successively in the Parish Churches of both Parties, and the Party of the Parish where the Marriage shall not be celebra∣ted shall be obliged to bring Certificate of the Publication of his Banes in his own Pa∣rish. Nevertheless in lawful Cases there

may be Licence and Dispensation of the said Banes given by the Authority of the Dean, who shall take good Security of the Liberty of the Par∣ties.

12. There shall be no Separation à Tho∣ro & Mensâ but in Case of Adultery, Cruelty, and Danger of Life, duly proved, and this at the In∣stance of the Parties: And as for the Main∣tenance of the Wo∣man during the Sepa∣ration, she shall have recourse to the Secu∣lar Power.

Of Ministers.

13. None that is not fit to, Teach, nor able to Preach the Word of God, shall be admitted to any

Benefice within the Isle; or that has not received Imposition of Hands, and been Or∣dained after the Form used in the Church of England.

14. None, either Dean or Minister, shall hold two Benefices to∣gether, unless in time of Vacancy; And the Originaries, or Natives of the Isle, shall be preferred before o∣thers to the Ministe∣ry.

15. The Ministers every Sunday after the Publick Morning Prayers shall expound some Place of Holy Scripture, and in the Afternoon shall han∣dle some of the Points of the Christian Re∣ligion contained in the Catechism of the Book of Common-Prayers.

16. In their Pray∣ers they shall observe the Titles due to the King, acknowledging him Supreme Gover∣nor under Christ in all Causes and over all Persons, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, recommending [unto God] the Prosperity of his Royal Person, Estate, and Posterity.

17. Every one of the Ministers shall be careful to shew that Decency and Gravity of Apparel which be∣comes his Profession, and may preserve the Respect due to his Person; And they shall be very circum∣spect in the whole Course of their Lives to keep themselves from such Company, Actions, and Haunts, as may bring any blame or blemish up∣on

them; nor shall they dishonour their Calling, by Games, Taverns, Usuries, Trades or Occupati∣ons not befitting their Function; but shall study to excell others in Purity of Life, Gravity, and Vertue.

18. They shall take care that a Register be kept of Christ∣nings, Marriages, and Burials; And shall be obliged to publish on the Day that shall be appointed them, the Ordinances of the Court, which shall be sent to them signed and sealed by the Dean, they being de∣livered to them fifteen Days before the Pub∣lication.

19. The Ministers shall have notice in convenient time to assist at such Burials as shall be in their Parishes, whereat they shall observe the Form prescribed in the Book of Common - Prayers; And none shall be interred within the Church without leave of the Minister, who shall have regard to the Quality of the Persons, and withall to those that are Benefactors to the Church.

Of the Dean.

20. The Dean shall be a Minister of the Word of God, being a Master of Arts, or Graduate in the Civil-Law, at the least; ha∣ving Abilities to ex∣ercise the said Office, Of good Life and Conversation, zealous, and well affected to

Religion, and the Service of God.

21. The Dean, in Causes which shall be handled in Court, shall demand the Advice and Opinion of the Ministers who shall then be present.

22. He shall have the Cognizance of all Matters which con∣cern the Service of God, the Preaching of the Word, Admi∣nistration of the Sa∣craments, Matrimo∣nial Causes, the Ex∣amination and Cen∣sure of all Papists, Recusants, Hereticks, Idolaters, and Schis∣maticks, Persons per∣jured in Causes Ec∣clesiastical, Blasphe∣mers, such as have recourse to Wizzards,

Incestuous Persons, Adulterers, Fornica∣tors, common Drun∣kards, and publick Prophaners of the Lord's Day; as also of the Prophanation of Churches and Church-yards, Con∣tempt and Offences committed in Court, or against any Offi∣cers thereof in the Execution of the Mandats of the Court, Divorces, and Sepa∣ration à Thoro & Mensâ; with Power to censure and pu∣nish them according to the Ecclesiastical Laws, without Pre∣judice to the Power of the Civil Magi∣strate in regard of bo∣dily Punishment for the said Crimes.

23. The Dean ac∣companied by two or three Ministers shall

once in two Years Vi∣sit every Parish in person, and shall give order that there be a Sermon on the Visita∣tion-day, either by himself, or some o∣ther by him appoint∣ed; which Visitation shall be made for the ordering that all things appertaining to the Church, the Service of God, and the Administration of the Sacraments, be provided by the Church - Wardens, and that the Church, Church - Yard, and Parsonage-House, be maintained and re∣paired: And likewise shall receive informa∣tion from the said Church - Wardens, or (if they should fail in doing their Duty) from the Mi∣nister, of all Offences and Abuses which need to be reformed, whether in the Mini∣ster,

Officers of the Church, or others of the Parish; And the said Dean for the said Visitation shall each time receive 40 Sols out of the Treasury of the Church.

24. In case of Va∣cancy of any Benefice, either by Death, or otherwise, the Dean shall give present Or∣der that the Profits of the said Benefice be sequestred, and that out of the Revenue there∣of the Cure be sup∣plied; and also that the Widow or Heirs of the Deceased be satisfied in proportion to the Time of his Service, according to the Custom of the Isle, with such neces∣sary Deductions as must be made for Di∣lapidations, if there be any; and shall give convenient Time to the Widow of the De∣ceased

to provide her self of a Dwelling; and shall dispose of the Residue to the next Incumbent, to whom the Sequestrator shall be accountable.

25: In the same Case of Vacancy of a∣ny Benefice, if within six Months the Go∣vernor does not Pre∣sent some person to the Right Reverend Fa∣ther in God the Bi∣shop of Winchester, or in the Vacancy of that See, to the most Re∣verend Father in God the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be ad∣mitted and instituted to the said Benefice, then the Dean shall give notice of the Time of the Vacancy to the said Lords Bi∣shop or Archbishop, as

it shall happen, to the end they may give Order for collating to the Benefice: And when any shall be Pre∣sented to them, the Dean shall give Certi∣ficate of the behaviour and Sufficiency of the Party, to be appro∣ved by them, before he be actually admit∣ted by the Dean into Possession of the said Benefice.

26. The Dean shall have the Entry and Probate of Wills; which shall be appro∣ved under the Seal of his Office, and Regi∣stred; He shall have also the Registring of the Inventories of Goods Mobiliary be∣longing to Orphans, whereof he shall keep a faithful Register, that he may give Co∣pies of them when∣ever he shall be requi∣red. Moreover, he

shall give Letters of Administration of the Goods of Intestates, dying without Heirs of their Body, to the next of Kindred.

27. They that have the Will in their Cu∣stody, whether they be Heirs, Executors, or others, shall be o∣bliged to exhibit and bring the same to the Dean within one Month; in default whereof they shall be convened into Court by Mandate, paying double Charges for the Compulsory; and the said Dean shall have for the said Wills, Inventories, and Letters of Ad∣ministration, such Fees as are specified in the Table made for that purpose.

28. All Legacies Mobiliary made to the Church, Mini∣sters, Schools, or Poor, shall be of the Cog∣nizance of the Dean; But upon any Oppo∣sition made concern∣ing the Validity of the Will, the Civil Court shall determine it betwixt the Par∣ties.

29. It appartains to the Dean to have Cognizance of all Substraction of Tythes belonging to the Church, of what kind soever they be, which have been paid to the Ministers, and which they have enjoyed and have been possessed of forty Years; and eve∣ry Person convict∣ed of Substraction, Fraud, or Detention of the said Tythes, shall be adjudged to

make Restitution, and pay the Cost and Charges of the Par∣ty; And for the pre∣servation of all and singular the Rights, Tythes, Rents, Lands and Possessions Bene∣ficiary, there shall be a Terrice made by the Bailly and Jurats, assi∣sted by the Dean and King's Procurator.

30. The Dean shall have Power to make choice of a Deputy or Commmissary, who shall execute and sup∣ply the Place and Of∣fice of the Dean so far as his Commissi∣on shall extend, of which there shall be an Authentick Act in the Rolls of the Court.

Of the Church-Wardens.

31. Every Week next after Easter, the Minister and People of each Parish shall choose two Church-Wardens, discreet Men, of good Con∣versation and Capaci∣ty, able to read and write, if possible. But if they cannot agree in the Election, the Minister shall have Power to name one, and the Parishioners another, by the Ma∣jority of Voices; which two shall be after sworn in the next Court, and there well admonished of their Duty.

32. Their Duty shall be to see that the Churches and Church-yards be not abused by any pro∣phane Exercises or Actions, as also not to suffer any Excom∣municated Person to come into the Church, after the Sentence has been published in their Pa∣rish: And they shall be careful to Present from time to time those that neglect the publick Exercises of Divine Service, and the Use of the Holy Sacraments, and ge∣nerally all Delinquen∣cies that are of Eccle∣siastical Cognizance; Which Presentations they shall exhibit un∣der their Hands, nor shall they be constrai∣ned to Present above twice a Year.

33. They shall have care moreover to keep the Church in good Repair, and the Church-Yards well fenced; and to see that all things ap∣partaining to the Church, the Admi∣nistration of the Word and Sacraments, be provided and main∣tained from time to time; such are, a Bi∣ble of the best Tran∣slation and largest Character, the Book of Common-prayer both for the Minister and Clerk or Sexton of the Parish, a Book of Parchment to Regi∣ster the Christnings Marriages and Buri∣als, a decent Table to administer the Ho∣ly Supper, with a Carpet to cover it during Divine Ser∣vice, Fonts for Bap∣tism, Cups and Vessels serving only to that

Use, Table - cloths, Napkins, with a Cof∣fer wherein to keep the said Utensils, a Trunk or Box for Alms, a Cloth and Cushion for the Pul∣pit, and shall also provide the Bread and Wine for the Sacra∣ment. Moreover, They shall see that the Pews and Seats be well fitted for the Conveniency of the Minister and Parishioners, and that with the Advice and Council of their Mi∣nister; All this, out of the Rents and Re∣venues of the Treasu∣ry of the Church.

34. The said Church-Wardens shall be obli∣ged to keep in a Book, a good and faithful

Account of their Dis∣bursements and Re∣ceipts, and of the Use they shall make of the Moneys of the Treasury; which shall be published (in Or∣der to be let out to Farm) from time to time according to Custom, and that in the Name of the said Church-Wardens, and Procurators of the Parish; who shall em∣ploy the said Treasu∣ry in things necessary and convenient for the Church, or the pub∣lick Occasions; Go∣verning themselves by the Advice of the Mi∣nister and Chief of the Parish in all things Extraordinary which concern the said Pa∣rish; And in case of publick Business, the Assembly of the States shall prescribe to them what shall be found expedient for the common Good: And

before they quit their Charge, they shall give notice to the Pa∣rishioners that they may Audit their Ac∣counts in Easter-Week, which Ac∣counts shall be signed by the Minister and Chief of the Parish: And if any of the said Parishioners, or o∣thers, refuse to pay the Rents they owe to the said Treasury, the said Procurators and Church-Wardens, or any of them, shall prosecute them by the ordinary Ways of Ju∣stice: But in case of any Controversie a∣bout the said Ac∣counts, or of any A∣buse to be reformed, The Dean and Mini∣ster of the Parish where the said Con∣troversie or Abuse shall be, shall, toge∣ther with the Bailly and Jurats, deter∣mine

it as shall be found convenient.

35. The said Church-Wardens during Di∣vine Service on the Sunday shall search Places suspected of Gaming, idle and ri∣otous Practices; and having the Constable to assist them, shall al∣so search Taverns, and scandalous Houses.

36. They shall be careful that there be no with-holding or concealing of things appertaining to the Church; They may also seize into their Hands, or prosecute the Delivery of all Donations and Lega∣cies Mobiliary made to the Church and Poor, according to the Laws of the Country.

37. There shall be Two Collectors of the Alms for the Poor in each Parish, who shall also discharge the Place of Sidesmen, and shall be chosen as the Church-Wardens; and shall be sworn in Court to behave themselves well in their Office: And shall give an Ac∣count of their Ad∣ministration twice a Year, before the Mi∣nister and Parishio∣ners, Viz. at Easter, and at Miohaelmas.

Of the Clerks, or Sextons.

38. The Clerks or Sextons of the Pari∣shes shall be chosen by the Minister and Chief of the Parish, and shall be of the Age of XX Years at the least, of good Life

and Conversation, a∣ble to read fairly, di∣stinctly, and intelli∣gibly, and to write also, and sitted some∣what for the singing of the Psalms, if it may be.

39. Their Charge is, by ringing of the Bell, to call the People to Divine Service, and hearing of the Word of God, at a proper and convenient Hour, according to Custom; To keep the Church shut, and clean, as al∣so the Pews and Pul∣pit; To preserve the Books, and other things belonging to the Church, whereof they shall have the Custody; To provide Water for Baptism, and to make such Proclamations and Denunciations as shall be injoyned them by

the Court, or by the Minister; and shall receive their Wages and Salaries by the Contribution of the Parishioners, whether in Corn or Mony, ac∣cording to the Cu∣stom of the Country.

Of School-masters.

40. There shall be a School-master in eve∣ry Parish, chosen by the Minister, Church-Wardens, and prin∣cipal Persons thereof, and after presented to the Dean to be li∣censed thereunto; And it shall not be lawful for any to exercise this Charge, not being in this manner called unto it: The Mini∣sters shall take care to visit them, and ex∣hort them to do their Duty.

41. They shall use all laborious Dili∣gence to teach the Children to read, and write, say their Pray∣ers, answer to the Ca∣techism, they shall form them to good Manners, shall bring them to Sermon, and Common - Prayers, seeing them behave themselves there as becometh.

Of the Court.

42. The Court shall be kept once a Week, on the Monday, and shall observe the same Terms and Vacations as the Court Civil.

43. At every Ses∣sion, in the beginning thereof, the Names of the Assessors shall be enrolled, the Day, and the Month, and the Sentences peru∣sed.

44. After Judge∣ment and Sentence given in the principal Matter, the Costs of the Parties, and the Fees of the Officers of the Court, shall be awarded by the Ec∣clesiastical Censures.

45. There shall be two Advocates (or Proctors) duly sworn to the Court, to the end the People may proceed formally and juridically, without Confusion or Sur∣prize. And the Gref∣fier (or Register) be∣ing also sworn shall faithfully record the Sentence which shall be pronounced, and shall give Copy of the Acts to such as shall require it.

46. The King's Pro∣curator, and in his Absence the Advo∣cate,

may be present from time to time in the Court, and there prosecute the Cen∣sure and Punishment of all Causes of Crime and Scandal.

47. For executing or serving the Citati∣ons and Summons, the Dean shall swear the Clerks of the Parishes, and an Apparitor, who shall give a faithful Report of their Ex∣ploits, giving also Copies of the Ori∣ginal Citations and Mandats to such as shall require them, or in the Absence of them to their Dome∣sticks; And the Cau∣ses of the Appearance shall be expressed in the said Citations and Mandats.

48. If the Party will not be found, as either concealing himself, or using some other Collusion, the Citation shall be af∣fixed, in case he has no setled Habitation, on the Door of his Parish-Church, and that upon a Lord's Day.

49. If it comes to the notice of the Dean by the Report of ho∣nest Men, that any one liveth notoriously in some Scandal, he may advertise the Minister and Church-Wardens of the Pa∣rish, to the end that informing themselves thereof, they may Present such Persons as deserve to be pu∣nished or censured.

50. Upon good Proof of a Crime

committed by any Minister, the Dean, after repeated Admo∣nitions, shall proceed to the Reformation of him, by the Ad∣vice and Consent of two Ministers, even unto Suspension and Sequestration; And in case the said Minister continues refractary, the Dean, by the Con∣sent of the greater Part of the Ministers present in the Island, shall proceed even to Deprivation.

51. No Commuta∣tion shall be made for Penance but with great Circumspecti∣on, having regard to the Quality of the Persons, and Circum∣stances of the Crimes; And the Commutation shall be enrolled in the Acts of the Court, in order to be im∣ployed upon the Poor

and in Pious Uses, whereof account shall be given according to the said Register.

52. After the first Default, the Non-ap∣pearance of such as shall be cited again by Mandate shall be re∣puted Contumacy; And if being afterwards peremptorily cited they do not appear, they may be proceeded a∣gainst by Excommuni∣cation. If before the next Court-day the Party doesnot endea∣vour to obtain Abso∣lution, the Court shall proceed to the Publi∣cation of the Sen∣tence, and Minor Ex∣communication, which shall be delivered to the Minister of the Parish to be read up∣on some solemn Day, and in the hearing of the greater part of the Parishioners assem∣bled;

And the Party persisting in his Ob∣stinacy, the Court shall proceed to the Ma∣jor Excommunication, which excludes the Sinner à Sacris & Societate Fidelium. If this Censure cannot induce him to Obe∣dience and Submission within the Space of forty Days, then the Dean by his Authen∣tick Certificate shall give advice to the Bailly and Jurats of the said Contuma∣cy, and shall require them in Support of his Jurisdiction to cause him to be sei∣zed by the Civil Of∣ficers, and constituted Prisoner, under Bo∣dily Detention, till such time as he has submitted, and obli∣ged himself to obtem∣perate to the Ordi∣nance of the Church; And before he be absolved, he shall be

bound to pay the Costs and Charges of the Prosecution of the Suit.

53. In cases of In∣continency, upon Pre∣sentment of the Church - Wardens, together with Pro∣babilities, common Fame, Scandal, and Presumptions in this Case requisite, the Party shall be subject to undergo Purgation upon Oath, or other∣wise shall be held as if he were convicted.

54. In Cases of Adultery at the In∣stance of either of the Parties, the Procee∣dings shall go on ma∣turely, by good Proofs and Informations, in order to have Evi∣dence of the Fact ob∣jected; And the Sub∣ject, and Proof of the

Fact requiring it, the Court may proceed to Separation à Tho∣ro & Mensâ.

55. Upon Proof of Calumny or Defama∣tion, the Party guil∣ty shall make ac∣knowledgment of the injury according to the Exigency of the Case; provided the Suit be prosecuted before Lapse of Time, or that a Year be ex∣pired; and provided that the Matter of the Suit be of Crimes Ecclesiastical before specified.

Of Appeals.

56. Appeals in Cau∣ses Ecclesiastical shall be heard and deter∣mined by the Reve∣rend Father in God the Bishop of Win∣chester in Person; or in the Vacancy of that See, by the most Re∣verend

Father in God the Archbishop of Canterbury in Per∣son.

57. All Appeals shall be entered with∣in fifteen Days after notice of the Sen∣tence, and the Party shall be obliged to take out and exhibit the whole Process, and Acts of the Re∣gister or Rolls of the Court; which Acts shall also be delivered to him in Form and Time convenient, au∣thenticated under the Seal of the Office; And the Appellant shall be bound to prosecute his Appeal within a Year and a Day, aut Sententiae latae stare compellitur.

58. It shall not be lawful to appeal but after Sentence Defini∣tive

of the Cause, un∣less in these two Ca∣ses; either when the Interlocutory is such as puts an End to the Cause; or when the said Interlocutory be∣ing obeyed brings such irreparable Damage to the Party that he cannot be relieved by Appeal from the Sen∣tence Definitive.

Table des Droicts appartenants au Doyen & a ses Officiers pour toutes Causes Ecclesiastiques.

POur l'Approbation des Testaments où les Biens du Deffunct n'excéderont la Valeur de 50 l. Tournois, de claro, au Doyen o; au Greffier pour l'Escriture & Enregistrement 5 s. Pour l'Approbation des Testaments au dessus de la Valeur de 50 l. Tournois, au Doyen 20 s; au Greffier 10 s.

Pour Lettres d'Administration où les Biens du Deffunct n'excéderont la Valeur de 50 l. Tournois, de claro, au Doyen o; au Greffier pour l'Escriture de ladite Let∣tre, 5 s. Pour Lettres d'Administration au dessus de ladite Somme, au Doyen 30 s; au Greffier 10 s.

Pour Enregistrement des Inventoires des Biens des Pupilles là où ledit Inventoire ne se montera à 50 l. Tournois, au Doyen o; au Greffe pour ledit Enregistrement 3 s. Pour Enregistrement des dits Inventoires excédants la Somme de 50 l. Tournois, au Doyen 20 s; au Greffe 10 s.

Pour Copie authentique desdits Testa∣ments, Lettres d'Administration, ou In∣ventoires, au Doyen pour son Sceau 5 s. au Greffe 5 s. Pour le Compulsoire des Te∣staments, au Doyen & Appariteur 10 s.

Pour Dispense des Bans de Marriage, au Doyen 30 s.

Four la Sequestration des Fruicts d'aucun Bénéfice, au Doyen 60 s. Pour Induction des Ministres, au Doyen 30 s.

Pour les Mandats & Citations, au Doyen 2 s. au Greffe pour l Escriture d'yceux, 1 s. à l'Appariteur pour exécuter les Citati∣ons ou Mandats, 2 s. 6 d. au Cousteur

pour les Citations qu'il fera dans sa Pa∣roisse, 1 s.

Au Doyen pour l'Absolution de la Mi∣neure Excommunication, 10 s. au Greffe 2 s. a l'Appariteur 2 s. 6 d. Au Doyen pour l'Absolution de la grande Excommu∣nication, 20 s. au Greffier 5 s. a l'Appari∣teur 5 s.

Pour Causes entre Parties litigants, la Partie succombante payera les Salaires & Droicts des Officiers, & 3 s. par Acte a la Partie, & a chasque Tesmoin produit en Court 3 s.

Aux Avocats de la Court pour chasque Cause qu'ils plaideront, 5 s. Au Greffe pour chasque Acte de Court, 1 s. Pour chas∣que premiere deffaute en Court, 1 s. Pour la Contumace, 3 s.

Suivant ce que dessus, est Ordonné que le Doyen & ses Succes∣seurs, ou aucuns des Offi∣ciers qui sont à present, & seront par cy aprés, ne pourront directement ny indirectement lever, exiger, ou recevoir des

Habitants de ladite Isle autres Droicts & Salaires que ceux qui sont Specifiés en la Table cy dessus escrip∣te. Plus outre est Ordonné que ce qui a esté par cy devant ex∣ercé & mis en exé∣cution en ladite Isle, en quelques Causes que ce soit, par Vertu d'au∣cune Jurisdiction Ec∣clesiastique, demeurerà pour abrogé, pour ne pouvoir estre tiré en President par ledit Doyen ou aucuns de ses Successeurs à exer∣cer ou Executer en temps a venir, con∣tre ou outre la Te∣neur desdits Canons à present conceûs & & Ordonnés; Mais que le tout soit rapportê & limité au contenu desdits Canons &

Constitutions Eccle∣siastiques. Comme aussy ne sera donné aucun empeschement par le Magistrat Civil de la∣dite Isle audit Doyen & ses Successeurs, en l'Exécution paisible de ladite Jurisdiction, au contenu d'iceux Canons, comme n'e∣stans prêjudiciables aux Priviléges, Loix, & Coustumes de ladite Isle, auxquelles n'est entendu déroger.

Don∣né sous nostre Signet (comme devant est dit) à nostre Palais de Greenwich, le der∣nier jour de Juin, l'An de nostre Regne d'Angleterre, France, & Irelande le XXI^me. Et d'Escosse le LVI^me.

PUrsuant to what is above said, it is ordained that nei∣ther the Dean, nor his Successors, nor a∣ny of the Officers which are now, or shall hereafter be, shall either directly or in∣directly raise, exact, or receive from the

Inhabitants of the said Island, any other Fees or Salaries than those specified in the Table above-written. More∣over it is ordained that what has been heretofore done or put in Execution in the said Isle, in any Causes whatsoever, by virtue of any Eccle∣siastical Jurisdiction, shall remain abroga∣ted, and shall not be drawn into Precedent by the said Dean or any of his Successors, to exercise or execute the same in time to come, contrary or be∣yond the Tenor of the said Canons now con∣ceived and ordained; But that all be refer∣red to, and limited by the Contents of the said Canons and Constitutions Ecclesi∣astical. As also that there shall be no hin∣drance given by the Civil Magistrate in

the said Island to the said Dean and his Suc∣cessors, in the peace∣able Execution of the said Jurisdiction, ac∣cording to the Con∣tents of the said Ca∣nons, as not being prejudicial to the Priviledges, Laws, and Customs of the said Isle, to which 'tis not intended to Dero∣gate.

Given under Our Signet (as be∣fore is said) at Our Palace at Greenwich, the last Day of June, in the Year of Our Reign of England, France, and Ireland, the XXI^th. and of Scotland the LVI^th.

(Under Signed in the Original.) G. Cant. † Jo. Lincoln, C. S. ‖ La. Winton.

These Islands were first in the Diocese of Dol in Bretagne, and so continued from the time of St. Sampson x, till the com∣ing of the Danes or Normans into Neu∣stria, who falling out with the Bretons a∣bout the limits of their Territories, and a War ensuing thereupon betwixt them, with∣drew these Islands from the Obedience of the British Bishop, and gave them a Bishop of their own, viz. that of Coûtance in Normandy, the lofty Towers of whose beau∣tiful Cathedral (once our Mother Church) are seen from JERSEY. To this Bishop these Islands remained subject even after the Defection of Normandy, notwithstanding the frequent Wars betwixt the two Crowns, untill the Tenth Year of Queen Elizabeth. King John indeed having lost Normandy had once in an angry Mood, designed to annex them to the See of Exeter in England y, but did not. It was the Change of Religion in these Islands that took away from the Popish Bishop of Coû∣tance his Jurisdiction over them: For then they were, by an Order of Council dated March 11th. 1568. transferred, and united to the Diocese of Winton.

Robertus Cenalis, Bishop of Avranches in Normandy, imposes upon himself and his Readers, when he says that these Islands were sometime under his Predecessors, Bi∣shops of Avranches. This certainly is a mi∣stake; and must proceed from some Papers, which belike he found in the Archives of that Church, mentioning some Parcels of Tythes paid here in time past to the Bishops of his See.

The Bishops of Dol and Coûtance, for the Exercise of their Authority, had, in each Island of JERSEY and Guernezey, a Com∣missary or Surrogate, called Decanus, the Dean: An Office of great Antiquity, since I find it mentioned in very old Records z, and have reason to believe it as ancient as Episcopacy, and consequently as ancient as Christianity it self, in these Islands. To him those Bishops left the Cognizance of all Matters of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, re∣serving only to themselves Ordinations, In∣stitutions, and Appeals. The same Power is vested in the present Deans, with this limitation, that they are to govern them∣selves by the Advice and Opinions of the rest of the Ministers, who are to be their constant Assessors, much after the manner of those ancient Presbyteries, or Councils of Priests, who sate with the Bishops in their Consistories, and assisted them in gi∣ving Judgment in all Causes brought before

them. An excellent Government, and grounded on the Primitive Pattern.

When the Office of Dean was revived in JERSEY in the Reign of K. James I, a Motion was made to give the said Dean the Power of a Bishop Suffragan within the I∣sland: Appeals being still reserved to the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Winchester. I could never know why that Motion was rejected. But we daily see the necessity of such a Power, particularly in the want of Confirmation of Children after Baptism: That Apostolical Institution being thereby become altogether unpracticable a∣mongst Us. Nor have we any way to supply that Defect but by taking great care (as we generally do) to have Children brought to publick Catechism, where, in the presence of God's Church, they renew their Bap∣tismal Vow, and taking upon themselves the Obligations of Christianity, discharge their Sponsors of the Promise made for them at their Baptism. Upon which, and not be∣fore, we admit them to the Holy Com∣munion.

The Patronage of all the Churches here, in time of Popery, belonged to several Great Abbots in Normandy, as to the Abbots of St. Sauveur le Vicomte, Cherbourg, St. Mi∣chael, Blanche Lande, &c. which Patronage, at the Reformation, was vested in the King, who has since made Cession of it to the Go∣vernor. It is he that presents now to all vacant Benefices in His Majesty's Right. But the Deanry continues of Royal Nomi∣nation, and is held by Patent under the Great Seal.

These Great Norman Abbots had not on∣ly the Nomination, but the Tythes also, of all the Parishes in this Island: A small Pro∣portion, as the 3^d, 7^th, 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th Sheaf of the said Impropriated Tythes being reserved for those that ministred at the Al∣tar. These Impropriations, at the Disso∣lution of Monasteries in England, instead of returning to the Church, were annexed to the Crown, and are become part of the King's Revenue in the Island: Much the same Proportion as before being still allot∣ted to the Incumbents; together with the Novals or Desarts, which are the Tythes of Lands that remained wast and untill'd at the Suppression of those Houses, but have been since converted into Arable.

The following Scheme drawn out of the Black-Book of Coûtance (like that in the Ex∣chequer) will shew what that Proportion was, and what the King enjoys now in right of the dispossessed Abbots.

Ʋniversis praesentes Literas inspe∣cturis, Officialis Constantiensis Salu∣tem. Notum facimus quod nos ad Re∣questam Religiosorum Virorum Abbatis & Conventûs Sancti Salvatoris Vice∣comitis, visitavimus, legimus, & in∣speximus, atque visitari, legi, & in∣spici fecimus, quendam Librum in Do∣mo seu Manerio Episcopali Constantiensi existentem, vulgariter Librum Nigrum nuncupatum, in quo vidimus & legimus nonnullas Clausulas, Ecclesias, & Bene∣ficia Insulae JERSEY, & de eis cum praefato Libro Nigro collationem feci∣mus diligenter. Quarum quidam Clau∣sularum Tenor sequitur de verbo ad ver∣bum, & est talis.

Ecclesia Sancti Breverlardi.

Patronus, Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice∣comitis, & percipit duas partes Gar∣barum, & Rector sextam. Abatissa de Cadomo duodecimam ‖. Abbatissa Vil∣monasterii † duodecimam. Rector item habet sex Virgas Eleemosynae. Et va∣let dicta Ecclesia Annis communibus XXX Lib. Turonens.

Ecclesia Sancti Petri.

Patronus, Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice∣com. Et percipit medietatem Garba∣rum. Abbatissa Cadomensis quartam Garbam; & Abbatissa Vilmonasterien∣sis aliam quartam (exceptâ † carucatâ de ‖ Nobretez) Rector percipit nova∣lia; & habet VIII Virgas Terrae Elee∣mosynae, & valet XXX Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia de Trinitate.

Patronus, Abbas Caesaris-Burgi. Ab∣bas S. Salvatoris percipit sextam Gar∣bam; Abbas Caesaris-Burgi tertiam, & liberam Decimam. Episcopus Aurita∣nus † medietatem Garbarum. Rector percipit novalia, & habet VIII Virgas Eleemosynae; & valet communibus An∣nis XXX Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia Beatae Mariae.

Patronus, Abbas Caesariensis. Ab∣bas S. Salvatoris Vice-com. percipit sextam Garbam. Abbatissa Cadomen∣sis

& Monasterii † Villers quartam partem Decimae Garbarum. Rector per∣cipit tertiam partem Garbarum; & ha∣bet XVI Virgas Eleemosynae, & valet XXX Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia Sancti Johannis.

Patronus, Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice∣com. & percipit totam Decimam, & Ecclesia ibidem Prioratus ejusdem Mo∣nasterii. Et sunt ibi duae Virgae Elee∣mosynae, & valet XXVIII Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia Sancti Audoeni.

Patronus, Abbas S. Michaelis in pe∣riculo Maris; & percipit ibi duas Gar∣bas, & IV Lib. Turon. Abbatissa Cadom. & Monasterii Villers duode∣cimam Garbam. Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice-com. sextam Garbam. Rector ha∣bet IV Virgas Eleemosynae, & valet XXX Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia Sancti Laurentii.

Patronus, Abbas de Blancâ Landâ;

& percipit tertiam partem Decimae. Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice-com. sex∣tam. Episcopus † Aurensis medieta∣tem. Rector habet XVI Virgas Elee∣mosynae, & valet XXX Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia Sancti Salvatoris.

Patronus, Archidiaconus Vallis Vi∣ris † in Ecclesiâ Constantiensi. Et est ibi Vicarius qui reddit Archidiacono annuatim XX Lib. Turon. Dominus Episcopus Constantiensis percipit me∣dietatem Decimae; Archidiaconus ter∣tiam; Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice-com. sextam. Et habet Vicarius XXIV Virg. Eleemosynae.

Ecclesia Sancti Clementis.

Patronus, Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice∣com. Rector percipit quartam & quin∣tam Garbam. Abbas S. Salvatoris Vi∣ce-com. Abbatissa Cadom. & Mona∣sterii Villers, residuum. Et ibi XXIV Virg. Eleemosynae, & valet XL Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia Sancti Martini Veteris.

Patronus, Abbas Caesariensis; & per∣cipit ibi C. solid. de Pensione. Rector percipit tertiam partem Decimae, & ha∣bet XXVI Virgas Eleemosynae. Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice-com. sextam Gar∣bam. Abbatissa Cadom. & Monaste∣rii Villers quartam partem; & valet LXX Lib. Turon.

Ecclesia de Grovillâ.

Patronus, Abbas de Exaquio†; percipit quartam Garbam. Abbas S. Sal∣vatoris Vice-com. sextam. Abbatissa Cadom. & Monasterii Villers, medie∣tatem. Rector percipit nonam Partem, & habet XII Virgas Eleemosynae. Et valet communibus Annis L. Lib. Turon.

† [Ecclesia Sancti Helerii.

Patronus, Abbas S. Salvatoris Vice∣com. & percipit medietatem Decimae; ex quâ medietate percipit Rector quin∣tam Garbam. Abbatissa Cadom. &

Monasterii Villers, quartam partem. Re∣ctor habet . . . . Virgas Eleemosynae, & valet XL. Lib. Turon.]

Quod autem vidimus & legimus hoc Testamur. In cujus rei Testimonium si∣gillum magnum Curiae Episcopalis Con∣stantiensis praesentibus duximus appo∣nendum.

Datum Constantiae, A. D. 1461. 6^tâ Die Mensis Februarii.

At present the best Revenue of the Clergy arises from the Improvement of Fruit-Trees and Cidar. But all Years are not equally productive, nor does Cidar bear always the same Price, which renders the said Revenue very uncertain. By a long and immemorial Prescription, the Clergy of this Island have injoyed an Ex∣emption from payment of First-fruits, and Annates, or Tenths, to the King. The im∣propriated Tythes of the Parish of St. Sa∣viour, by special Grant from the Crown, have been annexed to the Deanry.

To each Church belongs a Fund, or An∣nual Revenue, of about 15 or 20 Quarters of Wheat-Rent, given in ancient Times by Pious and Charitable Persons, for the Support of those Fabricks, and other Sa∣cred and Religious Uses: But it is now more generally applied to the Publick Ne∣cessities of the Island.

To supply the Church with able Men from among the Natives, there are two Publick-Free-Latin and Greek Schools, set up almost in the two Extremities of the Island, viz. St. Magloire (corruptly St. Manelier) and St. Anastase, or Athanase, each of them being designed for the Instruction of the Youth of six Parishes. We have also three Fellowships, and five Exhibitions or Scho∣larships, in Oxford, belonging to JERSEY and Guernezey by Alternate Turns. The first Founded by K. Charles I. of Blessed Me∣mory, induced thereunto by Archbishop Laud, who intended by those Encourage∣ments to draw off our young Students from Foreign Universities, whither they general∣ly went before, and from whence they too often returned with Minds very much pre∣judiced against the Church of England: The last, the bountiful Gift of the Reverend Dr. Morley, our late honoured Diocesan.

Notes

• Pagan Altars.
• Plantation of Christianity.
• k

  Girald. Cambr. Itine∣rar. Lib. II. Cap I. de Sede Menevens. Dargentré. Hist. de Bre∣tagne. Lib. I. Cap. XV. pag. 65. Andreae Saus∣sayi Martyro∣log. Gallican. Mens. Octob. Pars Poster. sol. 774. Usserii Pri∣mord f. 531. Capgrave in S. Sampson.
• †

  Some say he brought the Pall from Me∣nevia or St. David's with him into Bretagne.
• l

  Dargentré Lib. I. Ch. XXVIII. pag. 132.
• †

  There is a Church in Guernesey de∣dicated to his Memory, and that bears his Name to this day. St. Samp∣son.
• m

  Petrus de Natalibus Lib. IX. Cap CIII. Benedict. Go∣non. vitae Pa∣trum Occident. Lib. III. fol. 145. Nova Leg. Angl. Lond. 1516. De St. Maglorio E∣piscopo & Con∣fessore. MSS: Mr. Poingdestro.
• n

  Dargentré Hist. de Bre∣tag. Lib. II. Ch. XLIV. pag. 166.
• o

  Hugo Flo∣riac. in Chro∣nic. apud Du Chesne Tom. 3. pag. 343.
• p

  Paris An∣cien & Nou∣veau; par Monsieur le Maire. Tom. I. pag. 356.
• q

  Gregor. Turon. Hist. Franc. Lib. I. Cap. XVIII. Aymon. Mo∣nach. de Gest. Franc. Lib III. Cap. XXVI. pag. 99. Papyr. Masson. Annal. Lib. I. pag. 52. Abregè de L'Historie de Normandie, Ch. II. pag. 33. Pretextat privé de son Archeveschê fut relegu•• en l'Isle de GER∣SEY, dans le Territoire de Constances.
• r

  Hist. Eccles. pag. 560.
• Foundation of Churches, &c.
• Chapelle des Pas.
• La Hougue.
• s

  MSS. Phi∣lippi de Car∣teret Baronet. &c.
• Reformation.
• t

  Fox. Acts and Monu∣ments. ad An∣num 1556. pag. 1763. &c.
• u

  Police & Discipline Ec∣clesiastique, des Eglises Refor∣mées és Isles de JERSEY & de Guernezey, Serk, & Ori∣ny, arrestées & conclues d'un commun accord par Messieurs les Gouverneurs des dites Isles, & les Ministres & Anciens Assemblês au Synode tenu a Guernezey au nom de toutes les dites Eglises, le 28 jour du mois de Juin, L'An 1576. MSS.
• †

  Grandfather to David Ban∣dinel Seigneur of Bagot, now living, one of the Jurats of the Royal Court. A Magistrate of great Abili∣ty and Reputa∣tion.
• w

  MSS. Phil. de Carteret. Baronet. &c.
• †

  Exceptions.
• Here fol∣loweth a Table of Fees, not thought necessary to be Englished.
• George Abbot Arch-Bi∣shop of Canterbu∣ry.
• †

  John Williams Bishop of Lincoln, and Lord Keeper of the ••eat S••••l.
• ‖

  Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester.
• Diocese.
• x

  Vid. Suprà pag. 115, 116, &c.
• y

  Rotul. Insular. in Scaccar.
• Dean.
• z

  Clous. 23. E. I. m. 6. Ce∣dul. Edwar∣dus, &c. Di∣lecto & Fideli suo, Henrico de Cobham, Custodi Insu∣lar. de Ger∣neseye, & GE∣RESSEY, Sa∣lutem. Quia accepimus quod Decanus Insu∣lae nostrae de Genereye praedictae, super aliquibus quae spectant ad Ju∣risdictionem su∣am in eâdem Insulâ per vos hactenus exti∣tit impeditus, quo minùs ea•••• exercere possit ••t debet, Nolen∣tes eidem De∣cano injuriari in hac parte, vobis Mandamus quod ipsum Decanum Jurisdict••n•• suà p••••ifi•••• uti p••r∣mittatis, prout e•• uti debet, & hactenus uti consu••vit. It•• tamen quo•• nihil exerceat in praejudicium nostrae Regia Dignitatis. Nosque super Causâ Impedimenti praedicti per v••s eidem D••cano si•• illati, in proxi∣mo Parliamento sub Sigillo vestro disti•••••••• & apert•• r••dd••tis certi••∣res. Teste Meipso apud Westm. 26. di•• Augusti, Anno Regni ••o∣stri 23. Vid. Ryley's Placita Parliamentaria in Appendic•• pag. 468.
• Want of Con∣firmation.
• Patronage of the Churches.
• Impropriations.
• Black-Book of Coûtance.
• ‖

  Supp. ••x MSS. Gall.
• †

  Villers Ca∣nivet. Diaces. Sagiens.
• †

  MSS. Gall. Curvatâ.
• ‖

  Id. Nobretey.
• †

  The Bishop of Avranches.
• †

  Suppl. ex MSS. Gall.
• †

  Avranches.
• †

  Vauvect.
• †

  De l'Essay. Ord. Bened. in Diaces. Con∣stant.
• †

  Suppl. ex MSS. Gall.
• Exemption from First∣fruits.
• Church-Trea∣suries.
• Free-Schools.
• Fellowships, &c. in Oxford.