Anno tricesimo primo Henrici octavi Henry the VIII. by the grace of God kynge of England and of France, defender of the fayth, Lorde of Irelande, and in earth supreme hed immediatly vnder Christ of the churche of Englande, to the honour of almyghty God, conseruation of the true doctrine of Christes religion, and for the concorde quiet and vvelth of this his realme and subiectes of the same helde his moste hyghe court of Parliament begonne at VVestm[inster] the. xxviii. daye of Aprill, and there continued tyll the. xxviii. daye of Iune, the. xxxi. yere of his most noble and victorious reigne, vvherin in vvere establysshed these actes folovvinge.

AN ACTE FOR ABOLISHYNGE OF DIVERSITIE OF OPINIONS IN CERTAYNE ARTICLES CONCERNINGE CHRIS∣TEN RELYGION. CAP. XIIII. (Book 14)

WHERE THE KYNGES MOST excellent maiestie is by gods law supreme heed immediatly vnder him of this hole churche and congregacion of England, intendinge the con¦seruation of the same churche and congregacion in a true syncere and vniforme doctrine of Christes religion, callyng also to his blessed and most gracious remembraunce, aswel the great and quiet assurance, prosperous increace, and other innumera∣ble commodities, whiche haue euer ensued come and folowed of Concord agreement and vnitie in opinions, as also the manyfolde peryls dangers and inconueniences, which haue heretofore in many places and regions, growen spronge and ar rysen of the diuersities of myndes and opinions, especially of mattiers of Christen religion: And therfore desyring, that su∣che an vnitie myght and shoulde be charitably establysshed in all thinges, touchynge and concernynge the same, as the same so beynge establysshed myghte chiefly be to the honoure of almyghtye God, the verye authoure and fountayne of all true vnitie and syncere concorde, and consequentlye redounde to the common welth of this his hyghenes moste noble realme, and of all his louinge subiectes, and other resiauntes and inhabitauntes of or in the same: hathe therfore caused and commaunded this his mooste hyghe courte of Parlyamente, for sondrye and manye vrgente causes and consyderations, to be at this tyme sommoned, and alsoo a Synode and conuocation of all the archebysshoppes, bysshoppes, and other ler∣ned men of the clergy of this his realme, to be in lyke maner assembled.

And for as moche as in the sayde parliament Synode and conuocation, there were certayne articles matiers and questions proponed & setforthe, touchinge Christen religion, that is to saye. ¶ First, whether in the moste blessed Sacrament of thaltar remayneth after the consecration, the sub∣staunce of bread and wyne, or no. ¶ Secondly, whether it be necessary by goddes lawe, that all men shoulde be communicate with both kyndes or no. ¶ Thirdly, whether priestes, that is to saye, men dedicate to God by priesthode, maye by the lawe of God, marye after, or no. ¶ Fourthly, whe∣ther vowe of chastitie or wydowhed made to God aduisedly by man or wo¦man, be by the law of God to be obserued or no. ¶ Fyftly, whether priuate Masses stande with the lawe of God, and be to be vsed and continued in the church and congregation of England, as thinges, wherby good Chri¦sten people maye and do receyue bothe godly consolation, and holsome be∣nefytes, or no. ¶ Sixtly, whether Auricular confession is necessarye to be reteyned, continued, vsed, and frequented in the church, or no. ¶ The kyn¦ges most royall maiestie, most prudently ponderynge and consyderynge, that by occasion of variable and sondry opinions and iudgementes of the sayde articles, great discorde and variance hathe arysen, aswell amongest the clergy of this his realme, as amongeste a great nombre of the vulgar people, his louynge subiectes of the same: And beynge in a full hope and trust, that a full and perfect resolution of the sayde articles, shulde make a perfyte concorde and vnitie generally amonges all his louynge and obedi¦ent subiectes, of his most excellent goodnes not onely commaunded, that the sayde articles shulde deliberatly and aduysedly, by his sayde archebys∣shops, byshops, and other lerned men of his clergye, be debated argued, and reasoned, and their opinions therin to be vnderstand declared & kno∣wen, but also most graciously vouchesaued, in his owne princely persone, to discende and come into his sayd hyghe courte of Parlyament and coun¦cell, and there lyke a prince of most hyghe prudence, and no lesse lernynge, opened and declared many thinges of hygh lernyng and great knowlege, touchinge the sayd articles mattiers and questions, for an vnitie to be had in the same. Whervpon after a great and longe deliberate and aduised dis¦putation and consultation had and made, concernynge the sayde articles, as well by the consent of the kynges hyghenes, as by thassent of the Lor∣des spirituall and temporall, and other lerned men of his clergye in their conuocation, and by the consent of the commons in this present Parliamēt assembled, it was and is fynally resolued accorded and agreed in maner & fourme folowynge. That is to say. ¶ First, that in the most blessed Sacrament of the altare, by the strength and efficacy of Christes myghty worde (it beynge spoken by the priest) is present really vnder the forme of bread & wyne, the naturall body & bloud of our sauiour Iesu Christ, con∣ceyued of the virgyn Mary: And that after the consecration there remay∣neth no substance of bred or wyne nor any other substance, but the substāce of Christ, God and man.

¶Secondly, that communion in both kyndes, is not necessary Ad salutem, by the lawe of God to all persons. And that it is to be beleued & not doub¦ted of, but that in the flesshe, vnder fourme of bred, is the very bloud: and with the bloude, vnder fourme of wyne, is the very flesshe aswell aparte, as thoughe they were both togyther.

¶ Thirdly, that priestes, after the order of priesthode receyued, as afore, maye not marye by the lawe of God.

¶ Fourthly, that vowes of chastitie or wydowhed, by man or woman made to God aduisedly, ought to be obserued by the lawe of God: and that it exempteth them frome other liberties of Christen people, which without that they might enioye.

¶ Fyftly, that it is mete and necessary, that priuate Masses be continued and admitted in this the kynges Englyshe churche and congregation, as wherby good Christen people, orderynge theym selfes accordyngly, do re∣ceyue both godly and goodly consolations and benefytes: and it is agre∣able also to goddes lawe.

¶ Sixtly, that Auricular confession is expedient and necessary to be retey¦ned and continued vsed and frequented in the church of God. For the whi∣che most godly study peyne and trauayle of his maiestie, and determinati∣on and resolution of the premisses, his moste humble & obedient subiectes, the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present parli¦ament assembled, not onely rendre and gyue vnto his hyghenes, their most hyghe and harty thankes, and thinke them selfes most bonden, to praye for the longe continuance of his graces most royall estate, but also beyng de∣syrous, that his moste godly enterprise maye be well accomplysshed and brought to a full ende and perfection, and so establysshed, that the same myght be to the honour of God, and after to the common quiete vnitie and concord to be had in the hole body of this realme for euer. Most humbly be¦sechen his royall maiestie, that the resolution and determination aboue writen of the sayde articles, maye be establysshed and perpetually perfyted by authoritie of this present parliament. It is therfore ordeyned and ena∣cted by the kynge our souerayne lorde, the lordes spirituall and temporall, and the commons in this present parliament assembled, and by the autho∣ritie of the same, that yf any person or persons within this realme of Eng∣lande, or any other the kynges dominiōs, after the .xii. daye of Iuly nexte commynge, by worde, wrytinge, imprinting, cyfring, or in any other wyse, do publysshe, preache, teache saye, afferme, declare, dispute, argue, or hold any opinion, that in the blessed Sacrament of the altare, vnder fourme of bred and wyne (after the consecration therof) there is not present, really, y^e naturall body and bloude of our sauiour Iesu Christ, conceyued of the vir¦gyn Marye, or that after the sayd consecration, there remayneth anye sub∣stance of bred or wyne, or any other substance, but the substance of Christ, God and man. Or after the tyme aboue sayde, publysshe, preache, teache, saye, afferme, declare, dispute, argue, or holde opinion, that in the flesshe,

vnder fourme of bred, is not the verye bloude of Christe. Or that with the bloude, vnder the fourme of wyne, is not y^e very flesshe of Christ aswell a∣parte as thoughe they were both togither. Or by any of the meanes aboue sayde, or otherwyse, preache, teache, declare, or afferme the sayde Sacra∣ment to be of other substance, than is aboue sayde, or by anye meane con∣tempne depraue or despice the sayde blessed Sacrament: that then euerye suche person and persons, so offendinge, their aydours, conforters, coūsay¦lours, consentours, and abettours therein, beynge thereof conuicted in fourme vnderwriten, by the authoritie aboue sayde, shalbe demed and ad∣iudged heretikes. And that euery suche offence, shalbe adiuged manifeste heresy. And that euery suche offendour and offendours, shal therfore haue and suffre iudgementes execution peyne and peynes of deth, by way of bur¦nynge, without any abiuration clergye or seyntuary, to be therfore permit∣ted had allowed admitted, or suffered. And also shall therfore forfeyte and lese to the kynges hyghenes, his heyres and successours, all his or their ho¦nours, manours, castels, landes, tenementes, rentes, reuertions, serui∣ces, possessions, and all other his or their hereditamentes gooddes and ca∣tals, termes and freholdes, what so euer they be, which any suche offender or offenders shall haue at the tyme of any suche offence or offences, commit¦ted or done, or at any tyme after, as in any cases of hyghe treason.

¶And furthermore be it enacted by the authoritie of this present parlya∣ment, that yf any person or persons, after the sayd .xii. day of Iuly, preache in any sermon or collation, openly made to the kynges people: or reache in anye common schole, or to other congregacion of people: or beynge called before suche iudges, and accordynge to suche fourme of the lawe, as here∣after shalbe declared, do obstinately afferme, vpholde, maynteyne or de∣fende: that the communion of the sayde blessed Sacrament in bothe kyn∣des, that is to saye, in fourme of bred and also of wyne, is necessary for the helthe of mans soule, to be gyuen or ministred, or ought or shulde be gyuen or ministred to any person in both kyndes. Or that it is necessary so to be receyued or taken by any person (other than by priestes beynge at Masse, and consecrating the same.) Or that any man, after the order of priesthode receyued (as afore sayde) maye marye, or maye contracte matrimonye. Or that any man or woman, which aduisedly hath vowed or professed, or shall vowe or professe chastitie or wydowhed, maye marye, or maye contract ma¦trimony. Or that priuate Masses be not lawfull, or not laudable, or shuld not be celebrated had nor vsed in this realme, nor be not agreable to the la∣wes of God. Or that Auricular confession is not expedient and necessarye to be reteyned and continued, vsed & frequented in the churche of God. Or yf any priest, after the sayde .xii. day of Iuly, or any other man or woman, whiche aduisedly hathe vowed, or after the sayde daye aduisedly do vowe chastitie or wydowhed, do actually marye or contract matrimony with any person: that then all and euery person and persons, so preaching teaching, obstinatly affermynge, vpholdynge maynteyninge or defendynge, or ma∣kynge

mariage or contract of matrimony, as is aboue especified, be and shalbe, by authoritie aboue writen, demed and iudged a felon and felones. And that euery offender in the same, beynge therfore duely conuicted or at∣teynted by the lawes vnderwryten, shall therfore suffre peynes of deth, as in cases of felony, without any benefyte of clergy, or priuilege of church or sainctuary, to him or her to be allowed in that behalfe. And shall forfeyte all his or her landes and goodes, as in cases of felony. And that it shalbe lawfull to the patrone or patrones of any maner of benefice, which any su∣che offendour, at the tyme of his sayde conuiction or atteyndre had, to pre∣sent one other incumbent thervnto, as yf the same person, so conuicted or atteynted, had bene bodyly decessed.

¶Also be it enacted, by the auctoritie afore sayde, that yf any personne or persons, after the sayde .xii. daye of Iuly, by worde wryting, printinge, ci∣phringe, or otherwyse than is aboue rehersed, publysshe declare or holde opinion, that the sayde communion of the blessed Sacrament, in both kyn¦des afore sayde, is necessary for the helth of mans soule to be gyuen or mi∣nistred in both kyndes, and so ought or shoulde be gyuen and ministred to any person, or ought or shoulde be so in bothe kyndes receyued or taken by any person, other than by priestes beynge at Masse, and consecratinge the same, as is afore sayde. Or that any man, after the order of priesthode re∣ceyued, as is afore sayde, maye marye, or maye make contract of matrimo∣ny: Or that any man or woman, which aduisedly hath made or shall make a vowe to God of chastitie or wydowhed, maye marye, or maye make con∣tract of matrimony. Or that priuate Masses be not lawfull or not lauda∣ble, or shulde not be celebrated had nor vsed, nor be agreable to the lawes of God. Or that Auricular confession is not expedient and necessary to be reteigned and continued, vsed and frequented in the church of God: euery person, beynge for any suche offence dewely conuicted or atteynted by the lawes vnderwriten, shall forfayte & lose to the kynge our soueraigne lorde, all his goodes and catalles for euer, and also the profytes of all his landes tenementes annuities fees and offices durynge his lyfe, and all his benefi¦ces & spirituall promotions shalbe vtterly voyde: And also shall suffre im∣prisonement of his body at the will and pleasure of oure sayde soueraygne lorde the kynge. And yf any suche person or persones, beynge ones conuict of any the offences mencioned in this article, as is aboue sayde, doo after∣warde eftsones offende in any of the same, and be therof accused indited or presented and conuict agayne by authoritie of the lawes vnderwritten: that then euery suche person and personnes, so beynge twyse conuict and atteyn¦ted of the sayde offences, or of any of them, shalbe adiudged a felon and fe∣lons, and shall suffre iudgement execution and peynes of death, losse & for∣fayture of landes and goodes, as in cases of felony, without any priuilege of clergye or seynctuary to be in any wyse permitted admitted or allowed in that behalfe.

¶Be it further enacted, by the authoritie aboue sayde, that yf any person,

whyche is or hath ben a prieste before this present parlyament, or durynge the tyme of sessyon of the same hath maryed, and hath made any contracte of matrimony with any woman, or that any man or woman, whiche before the makynge of this acte, aduysedly hath vowed chastitie or wydowheed, before this present parlyament, or durynge the session of the same, hath ma∣ried or contracted matrimony with any person: that than euery suche ma∣riage and contracte of matrimonye shall be vtterly voyde and of none ef∣fecte: And that the ordynaries, within whose diocesse or iurisdictions the person or persons so maried or contracted, is or be resident or abyding, shall frome tyme to tyme make separation and deuorces of the sayde maryages and contractes.

¶And ferther it is enacted by the auctorite abouesaid, that if any man, whi¦che is or hath ben prieste, as is aforesaid, at any tyme from or after the sayd xii. day of Iuly nexte commynge, do carnally kepe or vse any woman, to whome he is or hath ben maried, or with whom he hath contracted matry∣monye, or openly be conuersant, kepe companye and familiaritie with any suche woman, to the euyll example of other persons: euery suche carnalle vse copulation open conuersation kepyng of company and familiaritie, be and shalbe demed and adiuged felony, as wel ayenst the man as the womā. and that euery such person so offending, shalbe enquired of, tried, punished, suffre lose and forfait al and euery thing and thinges as other felons made and declared by this acte, and as in case of felony as is aforesayd.

¶Be it also further enacted by the auctoritie aforsayd (not gyuyng aduan∣tage or detriment to any article afore rehersed) that if any man, which is or hath ben priest, or hereafter shall be, at any tyme after the sayd .xii. daye of Iuly, do carnally vse and accustome any woman, or kepe her as his con∣cubyne, as by payenge for her bourde, maynteyning her with money array or any other gyftes or meanes, to the yuell example of other persones: that than euery suche offender beinge therof duely conuicted or atteynted by the lawes mencioned in this act, shall forfayt and lose all his goodes and cat∣talles, benefices, prebendes, and other spiritual promotions and dignities, and also shall haue and suffre imprisonment of his body at the kynges wyl and pleasure. And that euery of the sayd benefices prebendes and other pro¦motions and dignities shall be to all intentes and purposes vtterly voyde as if the sayd offender had resigned or permuted. And if any suche offen¦der or offenders at any tyme after the sayde conuiction or atteynder, efteso∣nes committe do or perpetrate the sayd offences, or any of theym, next afore rehersed, and be thereof dewely conuicted or attaynted by the lawes afore∣sayde: that than all and euerye suche offence and offences shall be demed and adiudged felonye: and the offender or offenders therein shall suffer peynes of deathe, and loose and forfayte all his and theyr goodes, landes, and tenementes, as in cases of felonye, without hauynge any benefytte of clergie or saynctuarie.

¶And be it farther enacted by the auctoritie aforesaide, that those women,

with whome all and singular of the foresayde priestes shall in anye of the forsayde wayes haue to do with, or carnally know; as is afore sayde, shall haue lyke punishment as the priestes.

¶And be it further enacted, by the auctoritie aboue sayde, that yf any per∣sonne or personnes, at any tyme hereafter, contempne, or contemptuouslye refuse denye or absteyne to be confessed at the tyme commonly accustomed within this realme & church of Englād, or cōtēne or contemptuously refuse deny or absteyne to receyue the holy and blessed sacrament aboue sayd, at y^e tyme commonly vsed and accustomed for the same: that than euery suche offender, beynge therof duely conuicted or atteynted by the lawes vnder∣written shall suffre suche imprisonnement, and make suche fyne and raun¦some to the kynge our souerayne lorde and his heyres, as by his hyghenes, or by his or their counsell shalbe ordered and adiuged in that behalfe. And yf any suche offendour or offendours, at any tyme or tymes after the sayde conuiction or atteynder so had, do eftsones contempne, or contemptuously refuse denye or absteyne to be confessed, or to be communicate in maner and fourme aboue wryten, and be therof duely conuicted or atteynted by the la∣wes vnderwriten: that then euery suche offence shalbe demed and adiuged felonye, and the offendour or offendours therin shal suffre peynes of death, and lose and forfayte al his and their goodes landes and tenementes, as in cases of felony.

¶And for full and effectuall execution of the premisses before deuised or∣deyned, and enacted by this act, Be it furthermore enacted by thauthoritie of this present parliament, that immediatly after the sayde xii. daye of Iu∣ly (next comminge), sondry commissions shalbe made, from tyme to tyme, in∣to euery shere of this realme, and Wales, and in and to suche other places within the kynges dominions, as shall please his maiestie, to be directed to the archebysshop or bysshop of the dioces, and to his chauncellour or com∣missary, and to suche other persons, as shalbe named by his hyghnes, or by suche other, as his maiestie at his pleasure shal appoynt, to name the same: which archbyshop or byshop, his chauncelour or commissary, and other per¦sons so to be named, or thre of them at the least, wherof the archebysshop or bysshop, or his chauncelour or commissary to be one, shall holde and kepe their sessions within the lymittes of their commission foure seuerall tymes of the yere at the leaste, or oftener, yf they shall thinke it expedient by their discrecions, and shall haue power and authoritie, by vertue of this act, and their sayd commission as well to take infourmation and accusation, by the othes and depositions of two able and lawfull persons at the least, as to en¦quire by the othes of .xii. men, of all and singular the heresies, felonies, con¦temptes, and other offences aboue writen, committed doone or perpetrate within the lymittes of their cōmission. And that euery such accusation & in∣fourmation, conteyning the matier names surnames & dwellyng places of y^e offenders, & the day yere place & coūtie, whā & wherin their offences were committed, shalbe of as good force and effect in the lawe, as yf the matier

therin conteyned had bene presented by verdite of .xii. men.

¶And neuerthelesse it is further enacted, that euery of the sayde archebys¦shops and bysshops, and euery of their chauncellours commissaries arche¦diacons and other ordinaries, hauynge any peculiar ecclesiasticall iurisdi∣ction within this realme or in Wales, or in any other the kynges domini∣ons, shall haue full power and authoritie, by vertue of this acte, aswell to enquire in their visitacions and Sesus, as there & els where within their iurisdictions, at any other tyme or place, to take accusations and informa¦tions, as is aforesayde, of the heresies felonies contemptes and offences aboue mencioned, done committed or perpetrate within the lymittes of their iurisdiction & authorities. And that euery suche accusations infour∣mation and presentment, so taken or had as is afore sayde, shall be of as good force and effect, as yf the matier therein conteyned, had bene presen∣ted before the iustices of peace in their sessions. And alsoo that iustices of peace in their sessions, and euery steward vndersteward and deputie of ste∣ward, of any lete or lawedaye, in their lete or lawedayes shall haue lyke po¦wer and authoritie by vertu of this act, to enquire by the othes of .xii. law¦full men, of al and singular the heresies felonies contemptes and other of∣fences aboue written done perpetrate or committed within the lymittes of their commissions and authorities.

¶And it is also enacted by the authoritie afore sayd, that euery suche per∣sonne or personnes, afore whome any presentement infourmation or accu∣sation shalbe made & taken, as is afore sayd, shall examine the accusours, what other wytnes were by and present at y^e tyme of doynge and commit∣tinge of the offence, wherof the enformation accusation or presentement shalbe made? and howe manye other than the accusours haue knowledge therof. And shall haue power and authoritie to bynde by recognisaunce, to be taken afore them, as well y^e sayd accusours, as all suche other persons, whome the same accusours shall declare to haue knowlege of the offences by theym presented or enfourmed, euery of them in .v. li. to the kynge our soueraygne lorde, to appeare before the commissioners, afore whome the offendour or offendours shalbe tried, at the daye of the tryall of suche offen¦dours. And that all and singular indifementes presentmentes accusations informations and recognisaunces, taken and had as is aforesayde, with∣in .xx. dayes next after the takyng of the same, shalbe certified in due forme by wrytinge vpon parchemyn, by the taker or takers thereof, vnder his or their feales, vnto any one of the sayd commissioners to be appointed as is aforesayde, within the lymittes of whose commission, the heresies felonni∣es contemptes and offences, whereof any suche presentement inditement infourmation or accusation shalbe taken or had, as is aboue written, shal∣be committed done & perpetrate. And yf any person or persons, which here after shall happen to take any suche accusation infourmation presentment or recognisaunces as is aboue saym ••••do ake defalte of the certificat ther∣of, contrary to the fourme aboue reheedsr: that than euery person and per∣sons,

so offendynge, shall forfayte to our soueraygne lorde the kynge for e∣uery suche defalte .x. li.

¶And it is further enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that the sayde commissioners, or thre of them at the least, as is afore sayde, by vertue of this act and their commission, shal haue ful power and authoritie to make lyke processe against euery person and persones, indyted presented or accu∣sed, in forme as is aboue remembred, as is vsed & accustomed in cases of fe¦lony, & that as well within the limittes of their commission, as into all o∣ther shyres and places of the realme Wales and other the kynges domini∣ons, as wel within lyberties as without: and the same processe to be good and effectuall in the lawe as in cases of felony: And vpon the appearance of any of the offendours, shall haue full power and authoritie, by vertue of this acte, and the sayde commission, to heare and determyne the foresayde heresies felonies contemptes and other offences, accordynge to the lawes of this realme, and theffectes of this acte.

¶And it is also enacted, by the authoritie abouesayde, that euery of the sayd commissioners, vpon any suche accusation presentement or informa∣tion, shal endeuour him selfe effectually, without affection drede or corrup¦tion, to apprehende & take the offendours: & after the apprehension of any suche offender or offenders, shall haue full power & authoritie to committe them to warde. And that the sayd cōmissioners, or two of them at the least, shall haue full power and authoritie, to let any person or persones so accu∣sed or presented, vpon sufficient suerties by their discretions, to bayle, for their apparaunce to be tried accordinge to the tenour fourme and effecte of this acte.

¶And further it is enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that yf any per∣son or personnes, whiche hereafter shalbe named and assigned, to be com∣missioner or commissioners, as is abouesayd, be accused, indited, or presen∣ted of or for any the offences aboue written: that than all and euery suche commissioner or commissioners, so accused indyted and presented, shalbe ex¦amined, put to answere, and tryed of and vpon any such offence, accordyng to the tenour and effecte of this acte, before such other person or persons, as it shal please the kynges highnes to name assigne and appoynt by his gra∣cis commission, to heare and determine the same.

¶And it is further enacted, by the authoritie aboue sayde, that no persone nor persons, which at any tyme hereafter, shalbe accused indited or presen∣ted, as is aboue sayde, shalbe admitted to the chalenge of any person or per∣sonnes, which shalbe empanelled for the triall of his or theyr offence for any matter or cause, other thā for malice or enmitie. Which chalenge shal forth∣with be tried in lyke maner as other chalenges be vsed to be tried in cases of felonye.

¶And it is further enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that all foreyne plees, triable by the countreye, whiche at any tyme hereafter shalbe pleaded by any person or persons hereafter to be arrayned or put to aunswere vpon

any accusation inditement or presentement, of or for any of the offences a∣boue specified, or of or for any of them: shalbe tried before the same cōmissi¦oners, afore whom such person or persones shall be arrained or put to aun∣swere, and by the iurours that shall trie the sayde offence or offences, with∣out any further respyte or delay.

¶And it is further enacted by the authoritie aboue sayde, that all Mayres sheryffes frowardes baylyffes of liberties, gaolers, and other officers and ministers, of what name degree or condicion so euer they be, and euerye of them, shall frome tyme to tyme truly and diligently receyue & serue all & all maner the proces preceptes and commaundementes to them or any of them by the sayde commissioners or any of theym to be made gyuen or directed, touchinge or concernynge the premisses or any patrell therof, and shal also frome tyme to tyme be obedient and attendaunt vnto the sayde commissio∣ners for the tyme beynge, for the due execution of this present act, or of any thinge therin conteyned.

¶ And it is also enacted, that euery personne, whiche shall be named to be commissioner in the sayde commission, after that he hath knowlege therof, shall effectually put his diligence and attendance in and about the executi∣on of the sayde commission: And before that he shall take vpon him thexecu¦cion of the same commission, shall take a corporall othe before the lorde chā¦cellour of Englande for the tyme beynge, or before him or them, to whome the sayde lorde chauncellour shall directe the kynges writte of Dedimus pote∣statem, to take the same. (The tenoure of whiche othe here after en∣sueth.

¶ Ye shall swere, that ye to your counnynge wytte and power shall truely and indifferently execute the authoritie to you gyuen by the kynges commis¦sion, made for correction of heretikes and other offendours, mencioned in the same commission, without any fauour affection corruption drede or ma¦lece to be borne to any personne or personnes, as God you helpe and all sain¦ctes. And in case that any of the sayde persones named to be commissioners refuse to take the sayde othe, or willyngly absent or aloigne him selfe frome the takynge of the sayde othe: than euery suche personne so offendinge, and the same offence extreted or certified into the kynges eschequer by the sayde lorde chancellour, or by him or them, to whome any suche writte of Dedimus potestatem, as is afore sayde, shalbe directed, shall forfayte and loose to oure sayde soueraigne lorde the kynge, for euery tyme so offendinge, fyue mar∣kes of lawful money.

¶ And it is also enacted by the auctoritie aboue fayde, that the sayde com∣missioners, and euery of them shall frome tyme to tyme haue full power & authoritie, by vertue of this acte, to take in to his or their kepynge and pos∣session, all and all maner of bokes, which bene and hathe bene or hereafter shalbe setforth red or declared within this realme, or other the kynges do∣minions, wherin is or bene conteyned or comprised any clause article mat∣tier or sentence, repugnant or contrary to the tenour fourme or effect of this

present act, or any of the articles conteyned in the same: And the sayd com∣missioners, or thre of theym at the least, to burne, or otherwyse destroye the sayde bokes or any part of them, as vnto the sayde commissioners, or vnto thre of them at the least, shalbe thought expedient by their discretions.

¶And it is also enacted by the auctoritie abouesayde, that euery person vi¦car curate or parysh priest of euery parysh churche within this realme or o∣ther the kynges dominions or his or their deputie vpon the sonday next af∣ter the first daye of September next ensuynge, and so from thensforth ones in euery quarter of the yere at the least, shall openly playnely and distinctly rede this present acte in the parysh churche, where he is person vicar curate parysh priest or deputie, vnto his or their paryshens than assembled togi∣ther, to heare diuine seruice. And that euery suche persone vicare curate, or parysh priest, makynge defaulte of redinge this act, contrary to the fourme afore sayde, shall forfayte vnto oure sayde soueraygne lorde, his heyres or successours, for euery suche defaulte .xl. s. sterlyng. Sauynge to all & singular person and personnes, bodyes polytike and corporate, their heires and successours, and to the heyres and successours of euery of them, (other than all and singular suche person and persons, that shalbe hereafter con∣uicted or atteynted of or for any of the offences or contemptes aboue specifi¦ed, their heyres and successours, and the heyres and successours of euery of them) all such right title clayme interest entree possession rentes reuercions fees annuities commons offices profyttes and demaundes what soeuer, as they or any of them haue, or than at the tyme of the sayde conuiction or at∣teynder had, shal haue of in or to any honours castels lordeshyps manours landes tenementes liberties franchesies aduousons and other hereditamē∣tes, which any suche person or persons, beynge so conuicted or atteynted, as is afore sayde, had or were intitled to haue at the tyme of their offence or of∣fences committed, or at any tyme after: & that in as ample maner fourme and condition, to al intentes constructions and purposes, as yf this act had neuer be had nor made, any thinge conteyned in this acte to the contrary in any wyse not withstandinge.

¶ Prouyded alwaye, that the lordes shall not haue ne clayme any eschetes of any offendour or offendours, that shalbe iudged to be burned by auctori¦tie of this act.

¶And bycause dispucions and doubtes myghte perhappis ryse hereafter vpon these wordes in this acte, that is to saye, Aduisedly made to God, Be it therfore prouided and enacted, by auctoritie afore sayde, that these wordes in the acte, that is to saye, aduysedly made to God, for vowes of chastitie or wydowhed, shalbe all onely taken expounded and interpreted, to bynde suche person or persons and none other (sauynge priestes) to & by the same, which at the tyme of any of their so vowinge (beynge therto admitted) were or shalbe of the age of .xxi. yeres or aboue, and then dyd or do consente sub∣mitte them self or condiscende to the same, and continue or continued in ob∣seruation

of it any whyle after: Oneles any suche person or persons doo or can duely proue any vnlawfull cohercion or compulsion done to them or a∣ny of them for makynge of any suche vowe.

GOD SAVE THE KYNGE.