King James his letter and directions to the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury concerning preaching and preachers with the Bishop of Canterburies letter to the Bishop of Lincolne, Lord Keeper, desiring him to put in practise the Kings desires that none should preach but in a religious forme : and not that every young man should take to himselfe an exorbitant liberty to preach what he listeth to the offence of His Majesty and the disturbance and disquiet of the church and common-wealth.

KING IAMES HIS LETTER And Directions to the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, concerning Preaching and Preachers.

MOst reverend Father in God, right trusty, and right entirely beloved Councellour, wee greet you well;

for as much, as the abuses and extravagancies of Preachers in the Pul∣pit, have beene at all times redressed in this Realme by some act of Councell, or State, with the advise, and resolution of Grave and learned Pre∣lates, insomuch, as the very licensing of Preachers had a beginning by an order of Starchamber, the 8. day of Iuly, in the 19 yeare of the Raigne of King Henry the eight our Noble Predecessour. And whereas at this present divers young Students, by reading of late Writers and ungroun∣ded Divines, doe broach many times unprofitable, un∣sound, seditious and dangerous Doctrines to the scandall of this Church, and disquieting of the State, and present Government. Wee upon the humble representation unto us of these inconveniences, by sundry Grave, and reverend,

Prelates of this Church, as also of our Princely care and zeale for the extirpation of Schisme, and discension, grow∣ing from these Seeds, and for the setling of a Religious and peaceable Government, both of the Church and State; doe by these our speciall Letters streightly charge and com∣mand you to use all possible care and diligence, that these limitations and cautions herewith sent unto you, concer∣ning Preachers, bee duely and strictly from henceforth ob∣served, and put in practise by the severall Bishops, of their severall Diocesses within your Iurisdiction. And to this end our pleasure is, that you send them forth Coppies of these directions; to bee by them speedily sent and commu∣nicated to every Parson, Vicar, Curate, and Lecturer in eve∣ry Cathedrall and Parish Church, within their severall Diocesses, and that you earnestly require them to employ their uttermost endeavours in the performance of this so important a businesse, letting them know, that wee have a speciall eye to their proceedings, and expect a strict ac∣compt both of you, and every of them. And these our Let∣ters shall bee your sufficient warrant in this behalfe.

Gi∣ven under our Signet at our Castle of Windsor the 4. day of August, in the 20. yeare of our Raigne, of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland, the six and fiftieth, 1622.