An ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament: For the present setling (without further delay) of the presbyteriall government in the Church of England Die Veneris, 5. Junii. 1646. Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, that this ordinance concerning church-government be forthwith printed and published. ; Joh. Brown cler. Parliamentorum. England and Wales. Parliament. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A83222 of text R225472 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing E2002A). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 18 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 10 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A83222 Wing E2002A ESTC R225472 45097715 ocm 45097715 171310 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A83222) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 171310) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2571:24) An ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament: For the present setling (without further delay) of the presbyteriall government in the Church of England Die Veneris, 5. Junii. 1646. Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament, that this ordinance concerning church-government be forthwith printed and published. ; Joh. Brown cler. Parliamentorum. England and Wales. Parliament. Browne, John, ca. 1608-1691. [2], 14 p. Printed for John Wright at the Kings Head in the old Bayley., London : 1646. P. 1 numbered 5. Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. eng Church of England -- Government -- 17th century. Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649. Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century. A83222 R225472 (Wing E2002A). civilwar no An ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament: for the present setling (without further delay) of the Presbyteriall governme England and Wales. Parliament 1646 2711 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 B The rate of 4 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-07 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-08 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2008-02 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2008-02 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-09 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT : FOR The present setling ( without further delay ) Of the Presbyteriall Government In the Church of ENGLAND Die Veneris , 5. Junii . 1646. ORdered by the Lords Assembled in Parliament , That this Ordinance concerning Church-Government be forthwith printed and published . Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum . London printed for John Wright at the Kings Head in the old Bayley . 1646. Die Veneris 5. Junii 1646. AN ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT . THe Lords and Commons in Parliament , holding their former resolution , That all notorious and scandalous Offenders shal be kept from the Sacrament , have thought fit to make a further addition to the scandalous Offences formerly enumerated , for which men shall be kept from the Sacrament ; and least the stay of the enumeration , and the not naming of Commissioners to judge of Cases not enumerated , should hinder the putting in execution the Presbyterian Government already established : They have thought fit , that in regard that divers persons fit to be Commissioners , according to the last Ordinance of 14 Martii 1645. by reason of the present Distractions , are absent from their habitations , and so cannot doe the service therein , which otherwise they might doe : They doe therefore Ordaine , that in stead and place of Commissioners in the said Ordinance , THomas Earle of Arundell and Surry , Algernon Earle of Northumberland , Henry Earle of Kent , John Earle of Rutland , Philip Earle of Pembroke and Montgomery , Robert Earle of Essex , Theophilus Earle of Lincolne , Charles Earle of Nottingham , James Earle of Suffolke , William Earle of Salisbury , John Earle of Bridgewater , Robert Earl of Warwieke , Bazill Earle of Denbigh , Iames Earle of Middlesex , Oliver Earle of Bollingbrooke , Edward Earle of Manchester , Edmond Earle of Mulgrave , Henry Earle of Stamford , William Lord Vifcount Say and Seale , George Lord Berkley , Francis Lord Dacres , Philip Lord Wharton , Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham , Dudley Lord North , Iohn Lord Hunsdon , Charles Lord Stanhopp , Edward Lord Mountague , William Lord Grey of Warke , Iohn Lord Roberts , William Lord Maynard , Edward Lord Howard of Escrich , Richard Lord Herbert Cherberry , Thomas Lord Bruce . Francis Rous , Edmund Prideaux Esquires , Sir Henry Vane Senior , Iohn Glyn Esquire , Recorder of London ; Sir Robert Harley , Bulstrode Whitlock Esquire , Humphrey Salloway Esquire , Master Serjeant Wilde , Oliver St. Iohn Esquire , his Majesties Sollicitor ; Sir Benjamin Rudyard Knight , Master Tate , Sir Iohn Clotworthy Knight , Iohn Maynard Esquire , Sir Henry Vane junior Knight , William Pierrepont Esquire , William Wheeler Esquire , Sir William Masham , VValter Young , Sir Iohn Evelyn Knight , Iohn Selden Esquire , Samuel Browne Esquire , Sir William Strickland , Walter Long Esquire , Herbert Morley Esquire , George Snelling Esq Harbottle Grimston Esq Iohn Boys Esq Richard Shuttleworth , Lord Fairfax , Sir Iohn D'Anvers , Iohn Crew Esq Sir Anthony Irby , Sir John Holland , Sir Philip Stapleton , Luke Robinson Esq Thomas Westrow Esq Denzell Hollis Esq Henry Lucas Esq Sir Iohn Dreydon , Robert Reynolds Esq Sir Thomas Middleton , Robert Iennor Esq Henry Oxenden Esq Sir Gilbert Gerrard , Nicholas Stoughton Esq Sir Iohn Burgoyne , Sir Edward Aiscough , Iohn Swynfen Esq Sir Henry Heyman , Edw. Leigh Esq Sir Thomas VVroth , Samuel Gott Esq Sir John Bamfield , VVilliam Ball Esq John Palmer Esq Laurence VVhitacre Esq Sir Arther Haslerigg , Sir Dudley North , Sir VVilliam VValler , Nathaniel Bacon Esq Richard Edwards Esq Luke Hodges Esq Sir VVilliam Lewis , Francis Allen Esq Giles Greene Esq John Gourdon Esq Dennis Bond Esq Sir Peter VVentworth , Sir Samuel Luke , Edward Bainton Esq Richard Salloway junior , Simon Theloall Esq Oliver Gromwell Esq Isaac Pennington Esq Alderman of the City of London , John Ven Esq Doctor John Bond , Sir Richard Onslow , Sir VVilliam Armyn , VVilliam Aiscough Esquire , George Abbot Esquire , Cornelius Holland Esquire , John Blackinsten Esquire , Lord Herbert , Sir VValter Erle , Henry Martin Esquire , Sir Thomas Dacres , Richard Brown Esquire , VVilliam E●lis Esquire , John Lisle Esquire , VVilliam Ashurst Esquire , Sir John Treavor , Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston , Thomas Lord VVenman , Sir Martin Lumley , Samuel Vassall Esquire , Sir Matthew Boynton , Jervace Piggot Esquire , John Hutchinson Esquire , Thomas Hatcher Esquire , James Fiennes Esquire , Valentine Walton Esquire , John Stephens Esquire , John Evelyn of Surry , Thomas Scott Esquires , Thomas Pury Esquire , Henry Peck Esquire , Thomas Hodges of Gloucestershire Esquire , William Leman Esquire , Richard Winwood Esquire , John Lowry Esquire , Sir Martin Lister , Sir Edmond Fowell , Robert Wallop Esquire , Richard Whitehead Esquire , Nathaniel Hallows Esquire , Robert Brewster Esquire , Sir Edward Hungerford , Richard Norton Esquire , Sir Thomas Barnadiston , Sir Thomas Trenchard , Miles Corbet Esquire , Sir Henry Mildmay , Thomas Atkin Esquire , Alderman of the City of London , Lord Cranborne , Roger Hill Esquire , Sir John Barington , John Trenchard Esquire , Sir John Corbet , Alexander Popham Esquire , Sir Samuel Roll , Sir John Coke , John Nut Esquire , Ralph Ashton Esquire , Richard Barwis Esquire , William Armyn Esquire , Richard Tolson Esquire , Sir Henry Cholmly , Sir Thomas Widdrington , George Fenwicke Esquire , Edmond Ludlow Esquire , Lillibon Long Esquire , Franois Drake Esquire , Sir Michaell Livesay , Edward Stephens Esquire , Sir William Spring , James Herbert Esquire , Henry Laurence Esquire , John Roll Esquire , Sir John Francklyn , Thomas Sandys Esquire , Sir Thomas Maliverer , Sir William Litton , Nathaniell Fiennes Esquire , William Purefoy Esquire : Or any nine of them shall be a Committee of Lords and Commons , to adjudge and determine scandalous offences not formerly enumerated , and the Elderships shall proceed in the Examinations of such scandalous offences according to the causions and restrictions mentioned in the Ordinance of the twentieth of October , 1645. And the said Committee shall have such power , and shall proceed in such sort as is hereafter menrioned . If any notorious and scandalous offence not formerly enumerated be committed by any within any Eldership , and so after full proofe shall be found before the Eldership , who shall have power to examine Proofs and Witnesses on both sides , in case both the Eldership and the party complained of do agree , the Proofs and Examinations to be duly taken , the said Eldership shall forthwith certifie the said Offence , with the Proofs , to the said Committee of Parliament , who shall with all convenient speed determine and adjudge the same ; But in case the party accused shall finde himselfe grieved , either by the not examination or undue examination of Witnesses , or mis-entring of the Depositions , in such case he shall forth with declare the same to the Eldership , who shall relieve him if there be cause , which if they shall not do , then the three Justices of Peace next to the Parish whereof the party complained of is a Member , or any two of them , not being of the same Eldership before whom the Complaint lyes , shall have power , and are hereby inabled and required forthwith to examine upon Oath the said Witnesses that were not examined , or were mis-examined , or whose Depositions were mis-entred , and with all convenient speed returne the Examination to the said Committee of Parliament : And in case the said Justices , or any two of them , do not finish their Examination , within six daies after the Cause shall be presented to them , the Party shall abstaine untill they have finished and certified their Examinations ; And the said Committee upon hearing the whole matter from the Eldership and Justices , or either of them , shall adjudge whether the same be a notorious and scandalous offence , and so proved or no . And in case the said Committee shall not adjudge and determine the Case within fourteen dayes after the receipt of the Certificate to them made , the party against whom the said Certificate shall be made , shall abstaine from the Sacrament , untill the Committee shall determine the same , unlesse in the meane time the Party shall shew his repentance for the said offence , and thereof give satisfaction to the Eldership ; And if the said Committee shall adjudge the same not to be a scandalous Offence , or not well proved , the said party shall be admitted to the Sacrament ; and if they shall adjudge the same to be a scandalous Offence , and so proved , he shall not be admitted to the Sacrament untill he shall have testified his repentance to the Eldership . And be it further Ordained , That the Eldership shall either give personall notice to the Party complained of before them , or else leave notice in writing at his dwelling place , of the time and place when and where they will examine Witnesses against him , and also of the time that they will make their Certificate to the Committee of Parliament . And in case information shall be given to the Eldership of a notorious and scandalous offence committed by any within their Eldership , they shall forth with proceed to the Examination thereof ; and if they cannot finish their examination til the week before the Sacrament , and they shall then finde by sufficient proof that he hath committed a notorious and scandalous Offence , and yet they cannot certifie the same before the Sacrament , it being to be administred within a week after , in such case the Party shall abstaine from the Sacrament for the next time onely , unlesse the Committee of Parliament , to whom the same is to be certified , shall adjudge the same a notorious and scandalous offence , and so proved ; for which he ought to be kept from the Sacrament : and in such case , upon the testifying of his repentance to the Eldership , he shall be againe restored to the Sacrament , and not before . And be it further Ordained , If any shall finde themselves agrieved with the judgement against him given by the said Committee , they shall appeale from thence to both Houses of Parliament if they see cause . And be it Ordained , That the Committee to whom the said Certificate shall be made , as aforesaid , shall report to both Houses the said severall Cases to them certified , and their judgements thereupon , that so the offences not yet enumerated may be added to the enumeration , in case the Houses shall so thinke fit , and in their Reports they shall take care that they first report those Certificates and their opinions thereupon , wherein they at any time shall differ from the Eldership . And be it further Ordained , That this Ordinance shall continue for the space of three yeers and no longer , unlesse both Houses think fit to continue it . Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum . 22 Aprill , 1647. Remedies for removing some Obstructions in Church-Government . Resolved , &c. 1. THat Letters from the Speakers of both Houses be sent into all Counties ( from whence no returne hath been certified ) That their respective Counties be divided into distinct Classes , and the same certified forthwith , with the Names of Ministers and others fit to be of each Classis , according to the Ordinance . 2 That such returnes from any of the Counties as are already made , or shall hereafter be made , be referred to be considered of by the Committee of Lords and Commons for judging of Scandall , and that so soone as such returnes shall be made , the Speakers of both Houses doe send the said returnes to the said Committee accordingly ; and that such being by them considered of and allowed , shall have power to act according to Ordinance of Parliament . 3 That the severall Classes constituted by Parliament , in the severall Counties within the Limits of the said respective Classes , where no Congregationall Presbyteries are already setled , shall have from time to time power to nominate such Ministers and others as are qualified according to the Ordinance , to joyne with them in the same , to be approved by the Committee of Lords and Commons appointed to judge of Scandall , untill such time as Congregationall Presbyteries shall be setled within the said respective precincts : And when the said Congregationall Presbyteries shall be setled within the said Limits , That then the said Congregationall Presbyteries shall act according to the power and directions of the Ordinance in that behalf ; And that such power shall be executed , not onely in cases of death , or other departure of any Minister or Elder from the place of their wonted dwelling , but also in case of increase of Ministers and Congregationall Elderships in their severall precincts . 4 That at any such time as seven Congregationall Elderships , or more , shall be constituted in any Classicall precinct in any of the Counties , by the respective Classes established by Parliament , the same shall by them be signified to the severall Congregationall Elderships so established ; and the said Congregationall Elderships shall forthwith proceed to depute such of their Elders as are most fit , who together with their Ministers ( according to the Ordinance of Parliament ) shall meet as a Classis , and shall be , to all intents and purposes , thenceforth the Classis of that precinct , and execute all power belonging to such or any former Classis ; and the Classis formerly constituted by Parliament , shall cease as to that precinct . 5 That the Elders of the Classis of the Province of London , shall hold their Provinciall Assembly in the Convocation-house at Pauls Church in London , upon the first Munday in May next ensuing , and may adjourn their meeting de die in diem , and conclude their meeting with Adjournment unto the next opportunity , according to the Ordinance of Parliament : And that no Act shall passe or be valid in the said Province of London , but what shall be done by the number of Six and thirty present , or the major part of them , whereof Twelve to be Ministers , and Four and twenty to be Ruling-Elders ; and that the first meeting of the Provinciall Assemblies in the severall Counties , be appointed by the Committee of Lords and Commons aforesaid , and may adjourne as aforesaid ; who are to appoint the number of which each Province shall consist , and the Quorum that shall act in each Province . 6 That in the Classicall meeting of all Classes , that which shall be done by the major part present , shall be esteemed as the act of the whole Classicall number ; and the same to hold in the City of London in their meeting of Triers , and in all their Classicall meetings , and in the severall Counties ; and that no act done by any Classis shall be valid and good , unlesle it be done by the number of fifteen present , or the major part of them , whereof five to be Ministers , and ten to be Ruling Elders . Joh. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum . FINIS .