A collection of articles, injunctions, canons, orders, ordinances and consitutions ecclesiastical, with other publick records of the Church of England chiefly in the times of K. Edward VI. Q. Elizabeth, [double brace] K. James, & K. Charles I. Published to vindicate the Church of England, and to promote uniformity and peace in the same. : With a learned preface by Anthony Sparrow, D.D. Lord Bishop of Norwich.

Anno primo Reginae Eliz. cap. 2. There shall be Uniformity of Prayer, and Administration of Sacraments.

WHere at the death of our late Soveraign Lord King Edward the sixth, there remain∣ed one uniform Order of Common Ser∣vice and Prayer, and of the Administration of Sacra∣ments, Rights and Ceremonies in the Church of England, which was set forth in one Book entituled, The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, authorised by Act of Parliament,* 1.1 holden in the fifth and sixth years of our said late Soveraign Lord King Ed∣ward the sixth, entituled, An Act for the Uniformity of Com∣mon-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments: the which was repealed and taken away by Act of Parliament, in the first year of the raign of our late Soveraign Lady Queen Mary,* 1.2 to the great decay of the due honor of God, and discomfort to the professors of the truth of Christs Religion

* 1.3Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That the said Statute of Re∣peal, and every thing therein contained, only concern∣ing the said Book, and the Service, Administration of the Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies, contain∣ed or appointed in or by the said Book, shall be void and of none effect, from and after the Feast of the Nati∣vity of St. John Baptist next coming. And that the said Book, with the Order of Service, and of the Administration of Sacraments, Rites and Ceremo∣nies, with the Alteration and Additions therein ad∣ded and appointed by this Estatute, shall stand and be from and after the said Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, in full force and effect, according to the tenour and effect of this Estatute; any thing in the foresaid Estatute of Repeal to the contrary notwith∣standing.

And be it further Enacted by the Queens Highness, with the assent of the Lords and Commons in this pre∣sent Parliament assembled, & the authority of the same. That all and singular Ministers in any Cathedral or Parish-Church,* 1.4 or other place within this Realm of England, Wales, and the Marches of the same, or other the Queens Dominions, shall from and after the feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist next coming, be bounden to say and use the Mattens, Even-song, Celebration of the Lords Supper, and Administration of each of the Sacraments, and all the Common and open Prayer, in such order and form as is men∣tioned in the said Book so authorised by Parliament,* 1.5 in the said 5. and 6. years of the Reign of King Edward the sixth, with one alteration or addition of certain Lessons, to be used on every Sunday in the year, and the form of the Letany altered and corrected, and two sentences only added in the delivery of the Sacra∣ment to the Communicants, and none other, or otherwise.

And that if any manner of Parson, Vicar,* 1.6 or other whatsoever Minister, that ought or should sing or say Common-Prayer mentioned in the said Book▪ or mi∣nister the Sacraments from and after the feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist next coming, refuse to use the said Common-prayer, or to minister the Sacra∣ments in such Cathedral or Parish-Church, or other places, as he should use to minister the same, in such order or form as they be mentioned and set forth in the said Book, or shall wilfully or obstinately, standing in the same, use any other Rite, Ceremony, Order, form or manner of celebrating the Lords Supper, openly or privily, or Mattens, Even-song, Administration of the Sacraments, or other open Prayers than is men∣tioned and set forth in the said Book (open Prayer in and throughout this Act is meant that Prayer which is for others to come unto, or hear,* 1.7 either in common Churches, or private Chappels, or Oratories, common∣ly called the Service of the Church) or shall preach, declare or speak any thing in the derogation or depra∣vation of the said Book, or any thing therein contain∣ed, or any part thereof, and shall be thereof lawfully convicted according to the Laws of this Realm by ver∣dict

of twelve men or by his own confession, or by the notorious evidence of the Fact, shall lose and forfeit to the Queens Highness her heirs and successors, for his first offence, the profit of all his spiritual Benefices or Promotions coming or arising in one whole year next after his conviction. And also that the person so con∣victed, shall for the same offence suffer imprisonment for the space of six months without Bail or Mainprise.

And if any such person once convict of any offence concerning the premises,* 1.8 shall after his first convicti∣on eftsoons offend, and be thereof in form aforesaid lawfully convict, that then the same person shall for his second offence suffer imprisonment by the space of one whole year, and also shall therefore be deprived, ipso facto, of all his spiritual Promotions, and that it shall be lawful to all Patrons or Donors of all and singu∣lar the same spiritual Promotions, or any of them, to present or collate to the same, as though the person or persons so offending were dead.

* 1.9And that if any such person or persons, after he shall be twice convicted in form aforesaid, shall offend against any of the premises the third time, and shall be there∣of in form aforesaid lawfully convicted, that then the person so offending, and convicted the third time, shall be deprived, ipso facto, of all his spiritual Promotions, and also shall suffer imprisonment during his life.

And if the person that shall offend, and be convicted in form aforesaid,* 1.10 concerning any of the premises, shall not be Beneficed, nor have any spiritual Promo∣tion, that then the same person so offending and convict, shall for the first offence suffer Imprisonment during one whole year, next after his said conviction, without Bail or Mainprise.

And if any person, not having any spiritual Promo∣tion, after his first conviction, shall eftsoons offend in any thing concerning the premises, and shall in form aforesaid be thereof lawfully convicted, that the same person shall for his second offence suffer Imprison∣ment during his life.

And it is ordained and enacted by the authority a∣foresaid, That if any person or persons whatsoever, after the said Feast of the Nativity of St. John Bap∣tist next coming, shall in any Enterludes, Plays,

Songs Rhimes, or by other open words,* 1.11 declare or speak any thing in the derogation, depraving or despi∣sing of the same Book or of any thing therein contain∣ed, or any part thereof, or shall by open fact, deed, or by open threatnings, compel or cause, or otherwise pro∣cure or maintain any Parson, Vicar, or other Mini∣ster, in any Cathedral or Parish Church, or Chappel, or in any other place, to sing or say any common or o∣pen prayer, or to minister any Sacrament, other∣wise, or in any other manner and form than is men∣tioned in the said Book, or that by any of the said means shall unlawfully interrupt, or let any Parson, Vicar, or other Minister in any Cathedral or Parish Church, Chappel, or any other place, to sing or say common and open prayer, or to Minister the Sacra∣ments, or any of them in such manner and form as is mentioned in the said Book: That then every such person being thereof lawfully convicted, in form a∣bovesaid, shall forfeit to the Queen our Soveraign Lady, her heirs and successors, for the first offence an hundred marks.

And if any person or persons being once convict of any such offence eftsoons offend against any of the last recited offences, and shall in form aforesaid be thereof lawfully convict: That then the same person so offend∣ing and convict, shall for the second offence forfeit to the Queen our Soveraign Lady, her heirs and succes∣sors, four hundred marks.

And if any person, after he in form aforesaid shall have been twice convict of any offence, concerning any of the last recited offences, shall offend the third time, and be thereof in form abovesaid lawfully convict: That then every person so offending and con∣vict, shall for his third offence forfeit to our So∣veraign Lady the Queen,* 1.12 all his Goods and Chattels, and shall suffer Imprisonment during his life.

And if any person or persons, that for his first offence concerning the premises shall be convict in form aforesaid, do not pay the sum to be paid by ver∣tue of his conviction, in such manner and form as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after his conviction: That then every person so convict, and

so not paying the same, shall for the same first offence in stead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment by the space of six months without Bail or Mainprize.

And if any person or persons, that for his second offence concerning the premises, shall be convict in form aforesaid, do not pay the said sum, to be paid by vertue of his Conviction and this Estatute, in such manner and form as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after his said second Convicti∣on, that then every person so convicted, and not so paying the same, shall for the same second offence, in stead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment during twelve Months without Bail or Mainprize.

And that from and after the said Feast of the Na∣tivity of St. John Baptist next coming, all and every person and persons,* 1.13 inhabiting within this Realm or any other the Queens Majesties Dominions shall di∣ligently and faithfully having no lawful or reasonable excuse to be absent, endeavor themselves to resort to their Parish-Church or Chappel accustomed, or upon reasonable let thereof, to some usual place where Common-prayer and such service of God shall be used, in such time of let upon every Sunday, and other days ordained and used to be kept as holy-days, and then and there to abide orderly and soberly, during the time of the Common-prayer, Preaching, or other service of God, there to be used and ministred, upon pain of punishment by the censures of the Church. And also upon pain that every person offending, shall forfeit for such offence twelve pence, to be levied by the Church-wardens of the Parish where such offence shall be done,* 1.14 to the use of the poor of the same Parish, of the goods, lands and tenements of such offender, by way of distress.

And for due execution hereof, the Queens most ex∣cellent Majesty, the Lords Spiritual, and all the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, do in Gods Name earnestly require and charge all the Archbishops, Bishops and other Ordinaries, that they shall endeavour themselves to the uttermost of their knowledges that the due and true execution hereof may be had throughout their Diocess and Charges, as they will answer before God, for such evils and

plagues wherewith Almighty God may justly punish his people, for neglecting this good and wholsom Law.

And for their Authority in this behalf, be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid.* 1.15 That all and sin∣gular the said Archbishops, Bishops, and all other their Officers exercising Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction, as well in place exempt as not exempt, within their Dio∣cess, shall have full power and Authority by this Act, to reform, correct and punish by Censures of the Church, all and singular persons which shall offend within any their Iurisdictions or Diocess, after the said Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist next co∣ming, against this Act and Statute; any other Law, Statute, Priviledge, Liberty or Provision, heretofore made, had or suffered, to the contrary notwithstanding.* 1.16

And it is Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every Iustices of Oyer and Determiner, or Iustices of Assize, shall have full power and Authority in every of their open and general Ses∣sions, to enquire, hear and determine all and all man∣ner offences that shall be committed or done con∣trary to any Article contained in this present Act, with∣in the limits of the Commission to them directed, and to make Process for the execution of the same, as they may do against any person being indicted before them of trespass, or lawfully convicted thereof.

Provided always,* 1.17 and be it Enacted by the Authori∣ty aforesaid, That all and every Archbishop and Bi∣shop, shall or may at all time and times, at his liber∣ty and pleasure, join and associate himself by vertue of this Act, to the said Iustices of Oyer and Determiner, or to the said Iustices of Assize, at every of the said open and general Sessions to be holden in any place within his Diocess, for and to the enquiry, hearing and deter∣mining of the offences aforesaid.

Provided also and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Books concerning the said Ser∣vices, shall at the costs and charges of the Parishio∣ners of every Parish and Cathedral Church, be at∣tained and gotten before the said feast of the Nati∣vity

of St. John Baptist next following;* 1.18 and that all such Parishes and Cathedral Churches, or other places where the said Books shall be attained and gotten before the said feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, shall within three Weeks next after the said Books to attained and gotten, use the said Service, and put the same in ure according to this Act.

* 1.19And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no person or persons shall be at any time here∣after impeached, or otherwise molested, of, or for any of the offences abovementioned, hereafter to be com∣mitted or done contrary to this Act, unless he or they so offending be thereof Indicted at the next General Session to be holden before any such Iustices of Oyer and Determiner, or Iustices of Assize, next after any of∣fence committed or done contrary to the tenour of this Act.

* 1.20Provided always and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular Lords of the Parliament, for the third offence abovementio∣ned, shall be tried by their Peers.

* 1.21Provided also, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the Mayor of London, and all the Mayors, Bayliffs, and other head Offi∣cers, of all and singular Cities, Boroughs, and Towns Corporate within this Realm, Wales, and the Marches of the same, to the which Iustices of Assize do not commonly repair, shall have full power and au∣thority by vertue of this Act, to enquire, hear ad deter∣mine the offences abovesaid, and every of them, yearly within fifteen days after Easter, and St. Michael the Archangel, in like manner and form as Iustices of Assize, and Oyer and Determiner may do.

* 1.22Provided always, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular Arch∣bishops and Bishops, and every of their Chan∣cellours, Commissaries, Archdeacons, and other Ordinaries having any peculiar Ecclesiastical Iu∣risdiction shall have full power and authority by vertue of this Act, as well to enquire in their Visi∣tation, and elsewhere within their Iurisdiction at any other time and place, to take accusations and informations of all and every the things abovemen∣tioned,

done, committed, or perpetrated within the limits of their Iurisdictions and Authority, and to pu∣nish the same by Admonition, Excommunication, Se∣questration or Deprivation, and other Censures and Process in like form as heretofore hath been used in like cases by the Queens Ecclesiastical Laws.

Provided always and be it Enacted,* 1.23 That whatso∣ever persons offending in the premises, shall for their offences, first receive a punishment of the Ordinary, having a Testimonial thereof under the said Ordina∣ries Seal, shall not for the same offence eftsoons be convicted before the Iustices: And likewise receiving for the said first offence, punishment by the Iustices, shall not for the same offence eftsoons receive punishment of the Ordinary; Any thing contained in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Provided always and be it Enacted,* 1.24 That such Or∣naments of the Church, and of the Ministers there∣of, shall be retained and be in use, as was in this Church of England, by Authority of Parliament, in the second year of the Reign of King Edward the sixth, un∣til other order shall be therein taken by the Authority of the Queens Majesty, with the Advice of her Com∣missioners appointed and authorized under the Great Seal of England for causes Ecclesiastical, or of the Me∣tropolitan of this Realm.

And also, that if there shall happen any contempt or irreverence to be used in the Ceremonies or Rites of the Church, by the misusing of the orders appoint∣ed in this Book, the Queens Majesty may by the like advice of the said Commissioners or Metropolitan, ordain and publish such farther Ceremonies or Rites, as may be most for the advancement of Gods glory, the edifying of his Church, and the due reverence of Christs holy mysteries and Sacraments.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority afore∣said, That all Laws,* 1.25 Statutes and Ordinances where∣in or whereby any other Service, Administration of Sacraments, or Common-prayer is limited, establish∣ed, or set forth to be used within this Realm, or any other the Queens Dominions or Countries, shall from henceforth be utterly void and of none effect, Coke pla fol. 352.

A Clause, Anno 8. Eliz. cap. 1.

* 1.26WHerefore, for the plain declaration of all the premises, and to the intent that the same may the better be known to every of the Queens Majesties Subjects, whereby such evil speech, as heretofore hath been used against the high state of Prelacy, may here∣after cease; Be it now declared and enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That the said Act and Statute made in the first year of the Reign of our said Severaign Lady the Queens Majesty, where∣by the said Book of Common-prayer, and the Admi∣nistration of Sacraments, with other Rites and Ce∣remonies, is authorised and allowed to be used, shall stand remain good and perfect to all respects and pur∣poses: And that such order and form for the Consecra∣ting of Archbishops and Bishops,* 1.27 and for the making of Priests, Deacons, and Ministers, as was set forth in the time of the said late King Edward the sixth and authorized by Parliament in the fifth and sixth years of the said late King, shall stand and be in full force and effect, and shall from henceforth be used and obser∣ved in all places within this Realm, and other the Queens Majesties Dominions and Countries.

Anno 13. Eliz. cap. 12. Reformation of Disorders in the Ministers of the Church, &c.

THat the Churches of the Queens Majesties Do∣minions, may be served with Pastors of sound Religion, be it Enacted by the Authority of this pre∣sent Parliament, that every person under the degree of a Bishop, which doth or shall pretend to be a Priest, or Minister of Gods holy Word and Sacraments, by reason of any other form of Institution, Consecrati∣on, or ordering, than the form set forth by Parliament in the time of the late King of most worthy me∣mory,* 1.28 King Edward the sixth, or now used in the Reign of our most gracious Soveraign Lady, be∣fore the Feast of the Nativity of Christ next follow∣ing, shall in the presence of the Bishop or Guardian of the Spiritualities of some one Diocess where he hath or shall have Ccclesiastical Living, declare his assent, and subscribe to all the Articles of Religion, which only concern the Confession of the true Chri∣stian Faith, and the Doctrine of the Sacraments,

comprised in a Book imprinted, entituled Articles;* 1.29 where∣upon it was agreed by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Provinces, and the whole Clergy in the Convo∣cation holden at London, in the year of our Lord 1562. according to the computation of the Church of England, for the avoiding of the diversities of Opinions, and for the establishing of consent touching true Religion, put forth by the Queens Authority; and shall bring from such Bishop or Guardian of Spiritualities, in writing, under his Seal authentick, a testimonial of such assent and subscription, & openly on some Sunday in the time of some publick Service afternoon, in every Church where by reason of any Ecclesiastical living he ought to attend, read both the said testimonial, and the said Articles, upon pain that every such person which shall not before the said Feast do as is appointed, shall be (ipso facto) deprived, and all his Ecclesiastical promotions shall be void, as if he were then naturally dead.

And that if any person Ecclesiastical, or which shall have Ecclesiastical Livings, shall advisedly maintain or affirm any Doctrine directly contrary or repugnant to any of the said Articles, and being convented before the Bishop of the Diocess, or the Ordinary, or before the Queens Highness Commissioners in causes Ec∣clesiastical shall persist therein, or not revoke his errour, or after such revocation eftsoons affirm such untrue Doctrine, such maintaining or affirming, and persist∣ing, or such eftsoon affirming shall be just cause to de∣prive such person of his Ecclesiastical Promotions: And it shall be lawful to the Bishop of the Diocess,* 1.30 or to the Ordinary, or the said Commissiones, to deprive such persons so persisting, or lawfully convicted of such eftsoons affirming, and upon such sentence or depri∣vation pronounced, he shall be indeed deprived.

And that no person shall hereafter be admitted to any Benefice with Cure, except he then be of the age of 23 years at the least, and a Deacon, shall first have subscribed the said Articles in presence of the Ordi∣nary, and publickly read the same in the Parish-Church of that Benefice, with declaration of his unfeigned as∣sent to the same. And that every person after the end of this Session of Parliament to be admitted to a Benefice with Cure, except that within two Months

after his Induction, he do publickly read the said Arti∣cles in the same Church whereof he shall have Cure, in the time of Common-prayer there, with declaration of his unfeigned assent thereto, and be admitted to minister the Sacraments within one year after his In∣duction, if he be not so admitted before, shall be upon every such default, ipso facto, immediately dep••ived.

And that no person now permitted by any dispensa∣tion, or otherwise, shall retain any Benefice with Cure, being under the age of 21 years, or not being Deacon at the least, or which shall not be admitted, as is afore∣said, within one year next after the making of this Act, or within six Months after he shall accomplish the age of 24 years, on pain that such his dispensation shall be meerly void.

* 1.31And that none shall be made Minister, or admitted to preach or administer the Sacraments, being under the age of 24 years, nor unless he first bring to the Bi∣shop of that Diocess from men known to the Bishop to be of sound Religion, a testimonial both of his ho∣nest life, and of his professing the Doctrine expressed in the said Articles; nor unless he be able to answer and tender to the Ordinary an account of his faith in Latine, according to the said Articles, or have special gift and ability to be a Preacher: nor shall be admit∣ted to the Order of Deacon or Ministry,* 1.32 unless he shall first subscribe to the said Articles.

And that none hereafter shall be admitted to any Be∣nefice with Cure, of or above the value of thirty pounds yearly in the Queens Books, unless he shall then be a Batchelour of Divinity, or Preacher law∣fully allowed by some Bishop within this Realm, or by one of the Vniversities of Cambridge or Oxford.

And that all Admissions to Benefices, Institutions, and Inductions to be made of any person contrary to the form or any Provision of this Act, and all tolerati∣ons, dispensations, qualifications, and licences what∣soever to be made to the contrary hereof, shall be meerly void in Law, as if they never were

Provided always, That no title to confer or present by a Lapse, shall accrue upon any deprivation, ipso facto, but after nx months notice of such deprivation given by the Ordinary to the Patron.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Stat. 5. & 6. Ed. 6. 1.
• * 1.2

  Stat. 1. M. 2.
• * 1.3

  A Repeal of the Sa∣tute 1. M. 2. and the Book of Common prayer shall be of effect.
• * 1.4

  The book of Com∣mon-prayer shall be used 8. Eliz.
• * 1.5

  The al∣teration of the Book set forth 5, 6. Ed. 6. 1.
• * 1.6

  The for∣feiture of those which use any other Service than the Book of Com∣mon-prayer.
• * 1.7

  The pe∣nalty for depra∣ving the Book of Com∣mon-prayer.
• * 1.8

  The pe∣nalty for the se∣cond of∣fence.
• * 1.9

  The pe∣nalty for the third offence.
• * 1.10

  The pe∣nalty of an offen∣der ha∣ving no spiritual Promoti∣on.
• * 1.11

  The for∣feiture of them which do anything, or speak in deroga∣tion of the Book of Common Prayer. Causing other prayer to be said or sung, Coke pla. fol. 312. The for∣feiture of an hun∣dred Marks for the first offence, Dyer fol, 203, 231, 323. The for∣feiture of four hun∣dred Marks for the se∣cond of∣fence. The for∣feiture of the third offence.
• * 1.12

  The pe∣nalties if the party convicted do not pay his forfeiture within the time limited.
• * 1.13

  Every person shall re∣sort to the Church upon the holy-days.
• * 1.14

  The for∣feiture for not coming to Church. 32 Eliz. 1.
• * 1.15

  The Or∣dinary may pu∣nish Of∣fenders by the Censures of the Church.
• * 1.16

  Which Justices may pu∣nish their offences.
• * 1.17

  A Bishop may join with the Justices to en∣quire of offenders.
• * 1.18

  At whose charges the Books of Com∣mon-prayer shall be gotten.
• * 1.19

  Within what time of∣fenders be im∣peached.
• * 1.20

  Trial of Peers.
• * 1.21

  Chief Officers of Cities and Bo∣roughs shall en∣quire of offenders.
• * 1.22

  The Or∣dinaries Jurisdi∣ction in their ca∣ses.
• * 1.23

  None shall be punished above once for one of∣fence.
• * 1.24

  Orna∣ments of the Church and Mi∣nisters.
• * 1.25

  All Laws and Or∣dinances made for other ser∣vice, shall be void.
• * 1.26

  A Con∣firmation of the Stat. of 2 Eliz. 1 touch∣ing the Book of Com∣mon-prayer, and Ad∣ministra∣tion of the Sacra∣ments.
• * 1.27

  A Con∣firmation of the Stat. of 5. & 6. Ed. 6. 1. touching the form of conse∣crating of Archbi∣shops, &c.
• * 1.28

  3 Ed. 6. 12. 5 Ed 6. 1. Dyer f. 377.
• * 1.29

  Every Ec∣clesiasti∣cal person shall sub∣scribe to the Ar∣ticles touching the Con∣fession of the Faith, and de∣clare his assent there un∣to. Reading of the Ar∣ticles and Testimo∣nial. The pe∣nalty of main∣taining of Doctrine against the Ar∣ticles.
• * 1.30

  Several things re∣quired in him which shall be admitted to a Be∣nefice.
• * 1.31

  The Age of a Mi∣nister or Preacher, and his testimo∣nial.
• * 1.32

  Who may have a Bene∣fice of the yearly value of xxxl. al Admissi∣ons In∣ductions, Tolerati∣ons. No Lapse upon de∣privation but after notice. Dyer fo. 377. 346. 369. Cok. li. 6. fol. 9