Injunctions Given by the queens Majesty. Anno Domini. 1.5.5.9. The first year of the reign of our sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth. Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis. R.I. OMNIA DESUPER Injunctions given by the queens Majesty, aswell to the Clergy as to the laity of this Realm. THe Queens most Royal Majesty, by th'advise of her most honourable counsel, intending th'advancement of the true honour of almighty God, the suppression of superstition, through all her highness Realm and dominions, and to plant true religion, to thertirpation of all hypocrisy, enormities, and abuses (as to her duty appertaineth) doth minister unto her loving subjects these Godly injunctions hereafter following. All which Injunctions, her highness willeth and commandeth her loving subjects obediently to receive, and truly to observe and keep, every man in their offices, degrees and states, as they will avoid her highness displeasure, and the pains of the same hereafter expressed. THe first is, that all Deans, Archedeacons', Persons, Vicars, Usurped and foreign authority. and all other ecclesiastical persons, shall faith fully keep & observe, and as far as in them may lie, shall 'cause to be observed and kept of other all and singular laws & statutes made for the restoring to the crown the ancient jurisdiction over the state ecclesiastical, and abolishing of all foreign power repugnant to the same. And furthermore all ecclesiastical persons, having cure of soul, shall to th'uttermost of their wit, knowledge, and learning, purely, sincerely, and without any colour or dissimulation, declare, manifest & open four times every year at the lest in their Sermons and other collations, that all usurped and foreign power having no establishment nor ground by the law of God, is for most just causes taken away and abolished. And that therefore no manner of obedience or subjection within her highness Realms and dominions is due unto any such foreign power. And that the queens power within her Realms and dominions, is the highest power under God, to whom all men within the same Realms and dominions, by God's laws own most loyalty and obedience, afore and above all other powers and potentates in earth. Besides this, to th'intent that all superstition and hypocrisy, Images. crept into divers men's hearts, may vanish away, they shall not set forth or extol the dignity of any Images, Relics, or miracles, but declaring the abuse of the same, they shall teach that all goodness, health and grace aught to be both asked and looked for only of God, as of the very author and giver of the same, and of none other. A sermon every month. Item that they the persons above rehearsed shall preach in their Churches, and every other cure they have, one Sermon every month of the year at the lest, wherein they shall purely and sincerely declare the word of God: and in the same exhort their hearers to the works of faith, Works of faith. as mercy and charity, specially prescribed and commanded in scripture, and that works devised by man's fantasies besides scripture: works of man's device. As wandering of pilgrimages, setting up of Candles, praying upon beads, or such like superstition, have not only no promise of reward in scripture for doing of them: but contrariwise great threatenings and maledictions of God, for that they be things tending to Idolatry and superstition, which of all other offences, God almighty doth most detest and abhor, for that the same diminish most his honour and glory. Quarter sermon or homily. Item that they the persons above rehearsed shall preach in their own persons once in every quarter of the year at the lest one Sermon being licensed specially thereunto, as is specified hereafter: or else shall read some Homely prescribed to be used by the queens authority every sunday at the lest, unless some other preacher sufficiently lycensed as hereafter chance to come to the parish for the same purpose of preaching. The pater noster, Crede and ten commandments. Item that every holy day through the year, when they have no Sermon, they shall immediately after the Gospel, openly and plainly recite to their parishioners in the pulpit, the Pater noster, the Crede, and the ten commandments in english, to th'intent the people may learn the same by heart, exhorting all parents and householders, to teach their children and servants the same, as they are bound by the law of God and conscience to do. The Bible and paraphrases, Also that they shall provide within three months next after this visitation at the charges of the parish, one book of the whole Bible of the largest volume in English. And within one xii. months next after the said visitation, the Paraphrases of Erasmus also in english, upon the Gospels, and the same set up in some convenient place within the said Church that they have cure of, where as their parishioners may most commodiously resort unto the same, and read the same, out of the time of common service. The charges of the Paraphrases shallbe by the person or proprietary and parishioners borne by equal portions. And they shall discourage no man from the reading of any part of the Bible, either in Latin or in english, but shall rather exhort every person to read the same, with great humility and reverence, as the very lively word of God, and the special food of man's soul, which all Christian persons are bound to embrace, believe, and follow, if they look to be saved: Whereby they may the better know their duties to God, to their Sovereign Lady the Queen, and their neighbour, ever gently and charitably exhorting them, & in her majesties name straightly charging and commanding them, that in the reading thereof, no man to reason or contend, but quietly to hear the reader. Haunting of alehouses by Ecclesiastical persons. Also the said Ecclesiastical persons shall in no wise at any unlawful time, nor for any other cause, then for their honest necessities, haunt or resort to any Taverns or Alehouses. And after their meats, they shall not give themselves to drinking or riot, spending their time idly by day or by night, at dice, cards, or tables playing, or any other unlawful game: But at all times as they shall have leisure, they shall hear or read somewhat of holy scripture, or shall occupy themselves with some other honest study or exercise, and that they always do the things which appertain to honesty, and endeavour to profit the common wealth, having always in mind that they aught to excel all other in purity of life, and should be examples to the people to live well and Christianly. preachers not lycensed. Also that they shall admit no man to preach within any their cures, but such as shall appear unto them to be sufficiently lycensed thereunto by the queens Majesty, or the archbishop of Caunterburye, or the archbishop of York, in either their provinces, or the bishop of the Diocese, or by the queens majesties visitors: and such as shall be so lycensed, they shall gladly receive to declare the word of God, at convenient times, without any resistance or contradiction. And that no other be suffered to preach out of his own cure or parish, than such as shallbe licenced, as is above expressed. Letters of the word Also if they do or shall know any man within their parish, or else where, that is a letter of the word of God to be read in english, or sincerely preached, or of th'execution of these the queens majesties Injunctions, Fawtors of the usurped power. or a fawter of any usurped and foreign power, now by the laws of this Realm justly rejected and taken away, they shall detect and present the same to the queens Majesty, or to her counsel, or to the Ordinary, or to the justice of peace next adjoining. A register Also that the Person, vicar, or Curate and parishioners of every parish within this Realm: shall in their Churches and Chapels keep one book or Register, wherein they shall write the day and year of every wedding, Chrystening, and Burial, made within the parish, for their time, and so every man succeading them likewise, and also therein shall write every personnes name that shallbe so wedded, chrystened, and buried. And for the safe keeping of the same book, the parish shallbe bound to provide of their common charges one sure coffer with two locks and keys, whereof the one to remain with the Person, Vicar, or Curate, and tother with the Wardens of every parish Church or chapel, wherein the said book shallbe laid up, which book they shall every Sunday take forth, and in the presence of the said Wardens or one of them, write and record in the same all the weddings, chrystenynges, and burials, made the whole week before. And that done to lay up the book in the said coffer, as afore. And for every time that the same shallbe omitted, the party that shallbe in the fault thereof, shall forfeit to the said Church iii s iii d. to be employed, the one half to the poor men's box of that parish, the other half towards the repair of the Church. Distribution of the xl. part. Furthermore, because the goods of the Church, are called the goods of the poor, and at these days, nothing is less seen than the poor to be sustained with the same: All persons, Vicars, Pentionaries, Prebendaries, and other beneficed men within this deanery not being resident upon their benefices, which may dispend yearly twenty pound or above, either within this Deanery, or else where, shall distribute hereafter among their poor parishioners or other inhabitants there, in the presence of the churchwardens or some other honest men of the parish, the forty part of the fruits and revenues of their said benefice, jest they be worthily noted of ingratitude, which reserving so many parts to themselves can not vouchsafe to impart the forty portion thereof among the poor people of that parish, that is so fruitful and profitable unto them. Exhibition for scholars. And to th'intent that learned men may hereafter spring the more for th'execution of the premises, every person, vicar, clerk, or beneficed man within this Deanery, having yearly to dispend in benefices and other promotions of the Church an hundredth pounds, shall give. iii.li.vi. s viii d. in exhibition to one scholar in any of the universities, and for as many. C.li more, as he may dispend, to so many scholars more shall give like exhibition in the university of Oxford or Cambridge, or some grammar school, which after they have profited in good learning, may be partners of their patrons, cure and charge, as well in preaching as otherwise in execution of their offices, or may when need shallbe otherwise profit the common weal, with their counsel and wisdom. The fift part for reparacion. Also that all proprietaries, persons, vicars, and clerk having churches, cappeles or mansions within this deanery, shall bestow yearly hereafter upon the same mansions or chaunselles of their churches, being in decay, the fift part of that their benefices, till they be fully repaired, and shall always keep and maintain in good estate. Reading of the Injunctions Also that the said persons, vicars, & clerk shall once every quarter of the year read these Injunctions given unto them, openly and deliberately before all their parishioners, at one time or at two several times in one day, to th'intent that both they may be the better admonished of their duty, and their said parishioners the more moved to follow the same for their part. payment of Tithes Also forasmuch as by laws established, every man is bound to pay his tithes, no man shall by colour of duty omitted by their curates, detain their tithes, and so requited one wrong with another, or be his own judge: but shall truly pay the same, as he hath been accustomed to their persons, vicars, and curates, without any restraint or diminution. And such lack and default as they can justly find in their persons and curates, to call for reformation thereof, at their ordinaries & other superiors, who upon complaint and due proof thereof, shall reform the same accordingly. The new Testament and paraphrasis. Also that every person, vicar, curate, and Stipendiary priest, being under the degree of a master of art, shall provide and have of his own within three months after this visitation, the new Testament both in Latin and in English with Paraphrases upon the same, conferring th'one with tother. And the Bishops & other Ordinaries by themselves or their officers in their Synods and visitations, shall examine the said Ecclesiastical persons, how they have profited in the study of holy scripture. Comfortable sentences for the sick. Also that the vice of damnable despair, may be clearly taken away, and that firm belief and steadfast hope may be surely conceived of all their parishioners being in a danger, they shall learn and have always in a readiness, such comfortable places and sentences of scripture, as do set forth the mercy, benefits and goodness of almighty God, towards all penitent and believing persons, that they may at all times when necessity shall require, promptly comfort their flock with the lively word of God, which is the only stay of man's conscience. procession to be left. Also to avoid all contention and strife which heretofore hath risen among the queens majesties subjects in sundry places of her Realms and dominions, by reason of fond courtesy, and challenging of places in procession: and also that they may the more quietly hear that which is said or song to their edifying, they shall not from henceforth in any parish Church, at any time use any procession about the Church or Church yard, or other place, but immediately before the time of Communion of the Sacrament, the Priests with other of the Quyre, shall kneel in the mids of the Church, and sing or say plainly and distinctly the Litany which is set forth in English with all the Suffrages following, The Litany. to th'intent the people may hear and answer, and none other procession or Litany to be had or used, but the said Litany in english, adding nothing thereto but as it is now appointed. And in Cathedral or Collegiate Churches, the same shallbe done in such places and in such sort, as our commissioners in our visitation shall appoint. And in the time of the Litany, of the common prayer, of the Sermon, Let hearing of divine service. and when the priest readeth the scripture to the parishioners, no manner of persons without a just and urgent cause shall use any walking in the Church, ne shall departed out of the Church, and all ringing and knollynge of bells shallbe utterly forborn for that time, except one bell in convenient time to be rung or knolled before the Sermon. But yet for the retaining of the perambulation of the Circuits of parishes, they shall once in the year at the time accustomed, with the curate and the substantial men of the parish, walk about their parishes as they were accustomed, and at their return to the Church, make their common prayers. perambulation of parishes. provided that the curate in their said common perambulations used heretofore in the days of Rogations, at certain convenient places shall admonish the people to give thanks to God in the beholding of God's benefits for the increase and abundance of his fruits upon the face of the earth, with the saying the. C iii Psalm: Benedic anima mea, etc. or such like, at which time also the same minister shall inculke these or such Sentences. Cursed be he which translateth the bonds and dolles of his neighbour, or such other order of prayers as shallbe hereafter appointed. Spending all the holy day. Item all the queens faithful and loving subjects, shall from henceforth celebrated and keep their holly day, according to God's holy will and pleasure: that is in hearing the word of god read and taught: in private and public prayers: in knowledging their offences to God, and amendment of the same, in reconcyling theirselves charitably to their neighbours, where displeasure hath been, in oftentimes receiving the Communion of the very body and blood of christ, in visiting of the poor and sick, in using all soberness and Godly conversation: yet notwithstanding all persons, vicars and Curates, shall teach and declare unto their parishioners, that they may with a safe and quiet conscience after their common prayer in the time of harvest, labour upon the holly and festival days, and save that thing which God hath sent. And if for any scrupulosity or grudge of conscience, men should superstitiously abstain from working upon those days: that then they should grievously offend and displease God. Open contenders to be reconciled openly. Also forasmuch as variance and contention is a thing that most displeaseth God, and is most contrary to the blessed Communion of the body and blood of our Saviour Chryst, Curates shall in no wise admit to the receiving thereof any of their cure or flock, which be openly known to live in sin notorious without repentance, or who hath maliouslye and openly contended with his neighbour, unless the same do first charitably and openly reconcile himself again, remitting all rancour and malice, whatsoever controversy hath been between them, and nevertheless their just titles and rights, they may charitably prosecute before such as have authority to hear the same. Contemners of laudable ceremonies. Also that they shall instruct and teach in their cures, that no man aught obstinately and maliciously break and violate the lawedable Ceremonies of the Church commanded by public authority to be observed. The abolishment of things superstitious. Also that they shall take away, utterly extinct & destroy all shrines, covering of shrines, all tables, candlesticks, tryndalles, and rolls of wax, pictures, paintings, and all other monuments of feigned miracles, pilgrimages, idolatry and superstition, so that there remain no memory of the same in walls, glasses, window or else where within their churches and houses, preserving nevertheless or repairing both the walls and glass windows. And they shall exhort all their parishioners to do the like with in their several houses. The pulpit. And that the churchwardens at the common charge of the parishioners in every Church shall provide a comely and honest Pulpit to be set in a convenient place within the same, & to be there seemly kept, for the preaching of God's word. The chest for the poor. Also they shall provide and have within three months after this visitation, a strong chest with a hole in the upper part thereof, to be provided at the cost and charge of the parish, having three keys, whereof one shall remain in the custody of the person, vicar, or curate, and the other two in the custody of the churchwardens, or any other two honest men, to be appointed by the parish from year to year, which chest you shall set and fasten in a most convenient place, to th'intent the parishyoners should put into it their oblations and alms for their poor neighbours. And the person, vicar, and curate, shall diligently from time to time, and specially when men make their Testaments, call upon, exhort and move their neighbours to confer and give, as they may well spare, to the said chest, declaring unto them, whereas heretofore they have been diligent to bestow much substance otherwise than God commanded, upon pardons, pilgrimages, trentals, decking of Images, offering of candles, giving to Friars, and upon other like blind devotions: they aught at this time to be much more ready to help the poor and needy, knowing that to relieve the poor is a true worshipping of God, required earnestly upon pain of everlaing damnation, & that also whatsoever is given for their comfort, is given to Christ himself, and so is accepted of him, that he will mercifully reward the same with everlasting life. The which alms and devotion of the people, the keepers of the keys, The distribution of the alms. shall at times convenient take out of the chest, and distribute the same in the presence of the whole parysh or two of them, to be truly and faithfully delivered to their most needy neighbours, and if they be provided for, then to the reparation of high ways next adjoining, or to the poor people of such parishes near, as shallbe thought best to the said keepers of the keys. And also the money which riseth of fraternities, guilds, and other stocks of the Church (except by the queens majesties authority it be otherwise appointed) shallbe put into the said chest, & converted to the said use, and also the rents of lands, the profit of cat-tail, and money given or bequeathed to obits and diriges, or to the finding of torches. lights, tapers and lamps, shallbe converted to the said use, saving that it shallbe lawful for them to bestow part of the said profits upon the reparation of the said Church, if great need require, and where as the parish is very poor, & not able otherwise to repair the same. Simony. Also to avoid the detestable sin of Simonye, because buying and selling of benefices is execrable before God, therefore all such persons as buy any benefices, or come to them by fraud or deceit, shallbe deprived of such benefices, and be made unable at any time after, to receive any other Spiritual promotion. And such as do cell them, or by any colour do bestow them for their own gain and profit, shall loose their right and title of patronage, and presentment for that time, and the gift thereof for that vacation, shall appertain to the queens Majesty. Homilies to be read Also because through lack of preachers in many places of the queens Realms and dominions, the people continued in ignorance and blindness, all Persons, Vicars, & Curates, shall read in their Churches every Sunday, one of the Homilies which are and shallbe set forth for the same purpose, by the queens authority, in such sort as they shallbe appointed to do in the preface of the same. Contempt of ministers. Also whereas many indiscrete persons do at this day, uncharitably contemn and abuse priests and ministers of the Church, because some of them (having small learning) have of long time favoured fond fantasies, rather than God's truth: yet forasmuch as their office and function is appointed of God: the queens Majesty willeth and chargeth all her loving subjects, that from henceforth they shall use them charitably and reverently, for their office and ministration sake, and especially such as labour in the setting forth of God's holy word. Item although there be no prohibition by the word of God, nor any example of the primitive Church, but that the priests and ministers of the Church may lawfully, for the avoiding of fornication, have an honest and sober wife, & that for the same purpose, the same was by act of Parliament in time of our dear brother king Edward the sixth, made lawful, whereupon a great number of the clergy of this Realm were then married, and so yet continued. yet because there hath grown offence, and some slander to the Church, by lack of discrete and sober behaviour in many ministers of the Church, both in choosing of their wives, and in undiscrete living with them, the remedy whereof is necessary to be sought. It is thought therefore very necessary, that no manner of Priest or Deacon, shall hereafter take to his wife any manner of woman without the advice and allowance first had upon good examination by the Bishop of the same Diocese, and two justices of peace of the same shire, dwelling next to the place where the same woman hath made her most abode, before her marryge, nor without the good will of the parents of the said woman, if she have any living, or two of the next of her kinsfolks, or for lack of knowledge of such, of her master or masters where she serveth. And before he shallbe contracted in any place, he shall make a good and certain proof thereof to the minister, or to the congregation assembled for that purpose, which shallbe upon some holy day where divers may be present. And if any shall do otherwise: that then they shall not be permitted to minister either the word, or the Sacraments of the Church, nor shallbe capable of any Ecclesiastical benefice. And for the manner of marriages of any bishops, the same shallbe allowed and approved by the Metropolitan of the province, and also by such commissioners as the queens Majesty shall thereunto appoint. And if any master or Deane, or any head of any college, shall purpose to marry, the same shall not be allowed, but by such to whom the visitation of the same doth properly belong, who shall in any wise provide that the same tend not to the hindrance of their house. Of apparel of ministers. Item her Majesty being desirous to have the prelacy and Clergy of this Realm to be had aswell in outward reverence, as otherwise regarded for the worthiness of their ministries, and thinking it necessary to have them known to the people, in all places and assembles, both in the Church and without, and thereby to receive the honour and estimation due to the special messengers and ministers of almighty God: willeth and commandeth that all archbishops and bishops, and all other that be called or admitted to preaching or ministry of the Sacraments, or that be admitted into any vocation Ecclesiastical, or into any society of learning in either of the universities, or else where, shall use and wear such seemly habits, garments, and such square caps, and were most commonly and orderly received in the latter year of the reign of King Edward the sixth, not thereby meaning to attribute any holiness or special worthiness to the said garments. But as saint Paul writeth: Omnia decenter & secundum ordinem fiant. 1 Cor. 14. Cap. Heresies. Item that no man shall wilfully and obstinately defend or maintain any heresies, errors or false doctrine, contrary to the faith of Christ and his holy scripture. Charms. Item that no persons shall use charms, sorcery, enchantments, witchcrafts, southsayinge, or any like devilish devise, nor shall resort at any time to the same for counsel or help. Absence from common prayer. Item that no person shall, neglecting their own parish Church, resort to any other church in time of common prayer or preaching, except it be by the occasion of some extraordinary sermon, in some parish of the same town. Inholders and alehouses. Item that no Inneholders or ale house keepers shall use to cell meat or drink in the time of common prayer, preaching, reading of the Homilies or Scriptures. Images in houses. Item that no persons keep in their houses any abused images, table, pictures, paintings and other monuments of feigned miracles, pilgrimages, Idolatry, or superstition. Disturbers of sermons or service Item that no man shall willingly let or disturb the preacher in time of his Sermon, or let or discourage any curate or minister to sing or say the divine service now set forth, nor mock or rest at the ministers of such service. Rash talkers of scripture. Item that no man shall talk or reason of the holy scriptures, rashly or contentiously, nor maintain any false doctrine or error, but shall common of the same when occasion is given, reverently, humbly, & in the fear of God, for his comfort and better understanding. attendant to the service Item that no man, woman, or child, shallbe otherwise occupied in the time of the Service, then in quiet attendance to hear, mark and understand that is read, preached, and ministered. The grammar of king Henry th'eight Item that every schoolmaster and teacher, shall teach the Grammar set forth by king Henry the eight of noble memory, and continued in the time of king Edward the sixth and none other. Allowance of schoolmasters. Item that no man shall take upon him to teach, but such as shallbe allowed by th'ordinary, and found meet, aswell for his learning & dexterity in teaching, as for sober and honest conversation, and also for right understanding of God's true religion. Duty of schoolmasters. Item that all teachers of children shall stir and move them to the love and due reverence of gods true religion, now truly set forth by public authority. sentences of scripture for scholars Item that they shall accustom their Scholars reverently to learn such sentences of scriptures, as shallbe most expedient to induce them to all Godliness. unlearned priests. Item forasmuch as in these latter days many have been made priests, being children, and otherwise utterly unlearned, so that they could read to say matins and mass: The Ordinaries shall not admit any such to any cure or spiritual function. The catechism Item, every Parson, vicar, and Curate shall upon every holy day, and every second Sunday in the year, hear and instruct all the youth of the parish, for half an hour at the lest, before evening prayer, in the ten commandments, the Articles of the belief, and in the lords prayer, and diligently examine them, & teach the catechism, set forth in the book of public prayer. The book of the afflictions for religion Item that the Ordinaries do exhibit unto our visitors their books, or a true copy of the same, containing the causes why any person was imprisoned, famyshed, or put to death, for religion. Overseers for service on the holy days. Item that in every parish, three or four discrete men which tender God's glory, and his true Religion, shallbe appointed by the ordinaries, diligently to see that all the parishioners duly resort to their Church, upon all Sundays and holy days, and there to continue the whole time of the Godly service. And all such as shallbe found stack or negligent in resorting to the Church, having no great nor urgent cause of absence, they shall straightly call upon them, and after due monition, if they amend not, they shall denounce them to the Ordinary. inventories of Church goods. Item that the Churchwardens of every parish shall deliver unto our visitors the inventories of vestments, copes, and other ornaments, plate, books, and specially of Grails, Couchers, Legends, Processionalles, Hymnalles, Manuelles, Portuesses, and such like appertaining to their Church. Service on wednesdays and fridays. Item that weekly upon Wednesdays and fridays, not being holy days, the curate at the accustomed hours of service, shall resort to Church, and cause warning to be given to the people, by knollyng of the bell, and say the Litany and prayers. Continuance of synginge in the church. Item because divers Collegiate, and also some parish Churches heretofore, there hath been livings appointed for the maintenance of men and children, to use singing in the Church, by means whereof the laudable science of music hath been had in estimation, and preserved in knowledge: The queens Majesty neither meaning in any wise the decay of any thing that might conveniently tend to the use and continuance of the said science, neither to have the same in any part so abused in the Church, that thereby the common prayer should be the worse understand of the hearers: willeth and commandeth, that first no alteration be made of such assignementes of living, as heretofore hath been appointed to the use of singing or music in the Church, but that the same so remain. And that there be a modest and destyncte song so used, in all parts of the common prayers in the Church, that the same may be as plainly understanded, as if it were read without singing. And yet nevertheless for the comforting of such as delight in music, it may be permitted that in the beginning, or in th'end of common prayers, either at morning or evening, there may be song an hymn, or such like song, to the praise of almighty God, in the best sort of melody, and music that may be conveniently devised, having respect that the sentence of the hymn may be understanded and perceived. Against slaunderus and infamus words. Item because in all alterations, and specially in rites and Ceremonies, there happeneth discord amongs the people, and thereupon slanderous words and railings, whereby charity the knot of all christian society is loosed. The queens Majesty being most desirous of all other earthly things, that her people should live in charity, both towards God and man, and therein abound in good works: willeth and straightly commandeth all manner her subjects, to forbear all vain and contentious disputations in matters of Religion, and not to use in despite or rebuke of any person, these convitious words, papist, or papistical heretic, schismatic, or sacramentary, or any such like words of reproach. But if any manner of person, shall deserve the accusation of any such, that first he be charitably admonished thereof. And if that shall not amend him, then to denounce the offenders to the Ordinary, or to some higher power having authority to correct the same. Against heretical and seditious books Item because there is a great abuse in the printers of books: which for covetousness chief, regard not what they print, so they may have gain, whereby arryseth great disorder by publication of unfruitful, vain, and infamous books and papers: The queens majesty straightly chargeth and commandeth, that no manner of person shall print any manner of book or paper of what sort, nature, or in what language soever it be, except the same be first licenced by her majesty by express words in writing, or by vi of her privy counsel: or be perused & licenced by the archbishops of Cantorbury and york, the bishop of London, the chancellors of both universities, the bishop being Ordinary, & the Archdeacon also of the place where any such shallbe printed, or by two of them, whereof the ordinary of the place to be always one. And that the names of such as shall allow the same, to be added in th'end of every such work, for a testimony of the allowance thereof. And because many pampheletes, plays and balettes, be often times printed, wherein regard would be had that nothing therein should be either heretical, seditious, or unseemly for Christian ears: Her majesty likewise commandeth, that no manner of person shall enterprise to print any such, except the same be to him licenced by such her majesties commissioners, or iii of them, as be appointed appointed in the city of London to hear and determine divers causes ecclesiastical, tending to the execution of certain statutes, made the last parliament for uniformity of order in religion. And if any shall cell or utter any manner of books or papers, being not licenced as is abovesaid: that the same party shallbe punished by order of the said commissioners, as to the quality of the fault shallbe thought meet. And touching all other books of matters of religion, or policy or governance, that hath been printed either on thisside the Seas, or on tother side, because the diversity of them is great and that there needeth good consideration to be had of the particularities thereof: her Majesty referreth the prohibition or permission thereof to th'order which her said commissioners within the city of London shall take, and notify. According to the which her Majesty straightly commandeth all manner her subjects, and specially the Wardens & company of Stacioners to be obedient. Provided that these orders do not extend to any profane authors, and works in any language, that hath been heretofore commonly received or allowed in any the universities or Scoles: but the same may be printed and used as by good order they were accustomed. Reverence at prayers. Item, although almighty God is at all times to be honoured with all manner of reverence that may be devised: yet of all other times, in time of common prayer, the same is most to be regarded. Therefore, it is to be necessarily received, that in time of the Litany, and of all other collects and common supplications to almighty God, all manner of people shall devoutly and humbly kneel upon their knees, Honour to the name of jesus. and give ear thereunto. And that whensoever the name of jesus shallbe in any Lesson, Sermon, or otherwise in the Church pronounced: That due reverence be made of all persons young and old, with lowliness of cursye, and uncovering of heads of the men kind, as thereunto doth necessarily belong, and heretofore hath been accustomed. curates to read dystinctly. Item that all ministers and readers of public prayers, chapters and Homilies, shallbe charged to read leisurely, plainly, & distinctly, and also such as are but mean readers, shall peruse over before once or twice the chapters and Homilies, to th'intent they may read to the better understanding of the people, and the more encouragement to godliness. An admonition to simple men, deceived by malicious. THe queens majesty being informed that in certain places of this Realm, sundry of her native subjects being called to Ecclesiastical ministry in the Church, be by sinister persuasion and perverse construction induced to find some scruple in the form of an oath, which by an Act of the last Parliament is prescribed to be required of divers persons, for the recognition of their allegiance to her Majesty, which certainly neither was ever meant, ne by any equity of words or good sense can be thereof gathered: Would that all her loving subjects should understand, that nothing was, is, or shallbe meant or intended by the same oath, to have any other duty, allegiance, or bond required by the same oath, than was acknowledged to be due to the most noble kings of famous memory king Henry th'eight, her majesties father, or king Edward the vi her majesties brother. And further her Majesty forbiddeth all manner her subjects to give ear or credit to such perverse and malicious persons, which most sinisterly and maliciously labour to notify to her loving subjects, how by the words of the said oath, it may be collected that the kings or queens of this Realm, possessors of the crown, may challenge authority and power of ministry of divine offices in the Church, wherein her said subjects be much abused by such evil disposed persons. For certainly her Majesty neither doth, ne ever will challenge any other authority, than that was challenged and lately used by the said noble kings of famous memory king Henry the viii and king Edward the vi which is and was of ancient time due to the Imperial crown of this Realm. That is, under god to have the sovereignty and rule over all manner persons borne within these her Realms, dominions, and countries, of what estate either Ecclesiastical or temporal soever they be, so as no other foreign power shall or aught to have any superiority over them. And if any person that hath conceived any other sense of the form of the said oath, shall accept the same oath with this interpretation, sense, or meaning, her Majesty is well pleased to accept every such in that behalf, as her good and obedient subjects, and shall acquit them of all manner penalties contained in the said act, against such as shall peremptoryly or obstinately refuse to take the same oath. For the tables in the Church. WHereas her Majesty understandeth that in many and sundry parts of the Realm, the Altars of the Churches be removed, and tables placed for ministration of the holy Sacrament, according to the form of the law therefore provided, and in some other places the Altars be not yet removed, upon opinion conceived of some other order therein to be taken by her majesties visitors. In thorder whereof, saving for an uniformity, there seemeth no matter of great moment, so that the Sacrament be duly and reverently ministered. Yet for observation of one uniformity through the whole Realm, and for the better imitation of the law in that behalf, it is ordered that no altar be taken down, but by oversight of the Curate of the Church, and the Churchwardens, or one of them at the least, wherein no riotous or disordered manner to be used: and that the holy table in every Church be decently made, and set in the place where the Altar stood, and there commonly covered as thereto belongeth, and as shallbe appointed by the visitors, and so to stand, saving when the Communion of the Sacrament is to be distributed, at which time the same shallbe so placed in good sort within the Chancel, as whereby the minister may be more conveniently heard of the communicantes, in his prayer and ministration, and the communicantes also more conveniently and in more number communicate with the said minister, and after the Communion done, from time to time the same holy table to be placed where it stood before. The sacramental bread. Item where also it was in the time of king Edward the vi used to have the sacramental bread of common fine bread: It is ordered for the more reverence to be given to these holy mysteries, being the Sacraments of the body and blood of our saviour jesus Christ, that the fame sacramental bread be made and formed plain without any figure thereupon, of the same fineness and fashion round, though somewhat bigger in compass and thickness, as the usual bread and wafer heretofore named singing cakes, which served for the use of the private mass. The form of bidding the prayers to be used generally in this uniform sort. YOU shall pray for Christ's holy catholic Church, that is, for the whole congregation of Christian people, dispersed throughout the whole world, and specially for the Church of England and Ireland. And herein I require you most specially to pray for the queens most excellent Majesty, our sovereign lady Elizabeth Queen of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, and supreme governor of this Realm, aswell in causes Ecclesiastical as Temporal. You shall also pray for the ministers of gods holy word and Sacraments, aswell archbishops and Bishops, as other pastors and curates. You shall also pray for the queens most honourable counsel, and for all the nobility of this Realm, that all and every of these in their calling, may serve truly and painfully, to the glory of God and edifying of his people, remembering th'account that they must make. Also you shall pray for the whole commons of this Realm, that they may live in true faith and fear of God, in humble obedience and brotherly charity one to another. Finally, let us praise God for all those which are departed out of this life in the faith of christ and pray unto God, that we may have grace so to direct our lives after their good example, that after this life, we with them may be made partakers of the glorious resurrection, in the life everlasting. ¶ And this done, show the holy days and fasting days. ALl which and singular Injunctions, the queens Majesty ministereth unto her clergy, and to all other her loving subjects, straightly charging and commanding them to observe and keep the same, upon pain of deprivation, sequestration of fruits and benefices, suspension, excommunication and such other cohertion, as to Ordinaries or other having Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, whom her Majesty hath appointed, or shall appoint for the due execution of the same, shallbe seen convenient. Charging and commanding them to see these Injunctions observed and kept of all persons being under their jurisdiction, as they will answer to her Majesty for the contrary. And her highness pleasure is, that every justice of peace being required, shall assist the Ordinaries and every of them, for the due execution of the said Injunctions. Imprinted at London in Paul's Church yard by Richard jug and john Cawood, Printers to the queens Majesty. Articles to be inquired in the visitation, in the first year of the reign of our most dread sovereign Lady, Elizabeth by the grace of God, of England France, and Ireland Queen, defender of the faith. etc. Anno 1559. R.I. OMNIA DESUPER ARTICLES. Residenci first, whether any person, Vicar, or Curate be resident continually upon his benefice, doing his duty in preaching, reading, and duly ministering the holy Sacraments. False miracles. Item, whether in their Churches and chapels, all images, shrines, all tables, candlesticks, trindelles, or rolls of wax, pictures, paintings, and all other monuments of feigned and false miracles, pilgrimages, idolatry, and superstition be removed, abolished, and destroyed. lords prayer. Item, whether they do not every holy day when they have no Sermon, immediately after the gospel, openly, plainly, and distinctly, recite to their parishioners in the pulpit, the lords prayer, the belief, and the ten commandments in english. To bring up youth Item, whether they do charge fathers, and mothers, masters, and governors of youth, to bring them up in some virtuous study and occupation. Curates. Item, whether such beneficed men as be lawfully absent from their benefices, do leave their cures to a rude and unlearned parson, and not to an honest well learned and expert Curate which can and will teach you wholesome doctrine. Reading the scriptures. Item, whether they do discourage any person from reading of any part of the Bible, either in Latin or english, and do not rather comfort and exhort every person to read the same at convenient times, as the very lively word of God, and the special food of man's soul. Taverns & games. Item, whether parsons, vicar's, curates, and other ministers, be common haunters and resorters to taverns or alehouses, giving themselves to drinking, rioting, and playing at unlawful games, and do not occupy themselves in the reading or hearing of some part of holy Scripture, or in some other godly exercise. preachers. Item, whether they have admitted any man to preach in their cures, not being lawfully licenced thereunto, or have been licenced accordingly. Superstition. Item, whether they use to declare to their parishioners any thing to the extolling or setting forth of vain and superstitious religion, pilgrimages, relics, or images, or lighting of candles, kissing, kneeling, decking of the same images. register. Item, whether they have one book or Register kept, wherein they write the day of every wedding, christening, and burying. Obedient Item, whether they have exhorted the people to obedience to the queens Majesty, & ministers, and to charity and love one to another. The sacrament. Item, whether they have admonished their parishioners, that they aught not to presume to receive the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ before they can perfectly the lords prayer, th'articles of the faith, and the ten commandments in english. Hospitality. Item, whether they be resident upon their benefices, & keep hospitality or no. And if they be absent & keep no hospitality, whether they do relieve their parishioners, and what they give them. reparations. Item, whether proprietaries, parsons, vicars, and clerks, having Churches, chapels, or mansions, do keep their chancels, rectories, vycarages, and all other houses appertaining to them, in due reparations. prayer in english. Item, whether they do counsel or move their parishioners rather to pray in a tongue not known, then in english, or put their trust in any certain numbered of prayers, as in saying over a numbered of Beads, Beads. or other like. defamed persons. Item, whether they have received any persons to the communion, being openly known to be out of charity with their neighbours, or defamed with any notorious crime, and not reformed. poor men's box Item, whether they have provided and have a strong chest for the poor men's box, and set and fastened the same in a place of the Church most convenient. Testaments. Item, whether they have diligently called upon, exhorted and moved their parishioners, and especially when they make their testaments, to give to the said poor men's box, and to bestow that upon the poor, poor men's box which they were wont to bestow upon pilgrimages, pardons, trentals, & upon other like blind devotions. sick. burial. Item, whether they have denied to visit the sick, or bury the dead, being brought to the Church. simony. Item, whether they have bought their benefices, or come to them by fraud, guile, deceit or simony. Adultrers' Item, whether they have given open monition to their parishioners, to detect and present to their Ordinary, all adulterers and fornicators, and such men as have two wives living within their parishes. Church goods. Item, whether they have monished their parishioners openly, that they should not sell, give nor otherwise alienate any of their Church goods. Many benefices. Item, whether they or any of them do keep more benefices and other ecclesiastical promotions, than they aught to do, not having sufficient licences and dispensations thereunto, and how many they be, and their names. Communion. Item, whether they minister the holy Communion any otherwise, then only after such form and manner as it is set forth by the common authority of the queens Majesty, and the parliament. Letters of the word or preaching. Item, whether you know any person within your parish, or else where, that is a letter of the word of God to be read in english, or sincerely preached in place and times convenient. goers out of the Church. Item, whether in the time of the tyranny, or any other common prayer, in the time of the Sermon or homily, & when the priest readeth the scriptures to the parishners, any person have departed out of the Church, without just and necessary cause, or disturb the minister otherwise. Church money. Item, whether the money coming and rising of any cattle or other movable stocks of the church, and money given and bequeathed to the finding of torches, lights, tapers, or lamps not paid out of any lands, have not been employed to the poor men's chest. keepers of the church money Item, who hath the said stocks and money in their hands, and what be their names. Contempt of priests. Item, whether any indiscrete persons do uncharitably contemn and abuse priests and ministers of the Church. The king's Grammar. Item, whether there be any other Grammar taught in any school within this diocese, then that which is set forth by the authority of king Henry th'eight. The time of service Item, whether the service of the Church be done at due and convenient hours. Talkers in the church Item, whether any have used to common, jangle, and talk in the Church in the time of the prayer, reading of the homily, preaching, reading, or declaring of the Scripture. Heresies. Item, whether any have wilfully maintained and defended any heresies, errors or false opinions contrary to the faith of Chryst and holy Scripture. Drunkards. Item, whether any be common drunkards, swearers, or blasphemers of the name of GOD. Adulterers. Item, whether any have committed adultery, fornication, or incest, or be common bawds or receivers of such evil persons, or vehemently suspected of any of the premises. Brawlers Item, whether any be brawlers, slanderers, chyders, scolds, and sowers of discord between one person and another. Sorcerers. Item, whether you know any that do use charms, sorcery, enchantments, invocations circles, witchcrafts, southsayinge, or any like crafts or imaginations invented by the devil, and specially in the time of women's travail. pulpits. Item, whether the Churches, pulpits, and other necessaries appertaining to the same, be sufficiently repaired, & if they be not, in whose default the same is. Resorters to other Churches. Item, whether you know any that in contempt of their own parish Church, do resort to any other Church. Inholders Item, whether any Inholders or ale house keepers, do use commonly to sell meat and drink in the time of common prayer, preaching, reading of the Homilies or Scripture. Divorce. Item, whether you know any to be married within the degrees prohibited by the laws of God, or that be separated or divorced without the degrees prohibited by the law of God, and whether any such have married again. privy contracts. Item, whether you know any to have made privy contracts of matrimony, not calling two or more witnesses thereunto, nor having thereto the consent of their parents. Banes. Item, whether they have married solemnly, the banes not first lawfully asked. Executors. Item, whether you know any executors or administrators of dead men's goods, which do not duly bestow such of the said goods as were given and bequeathed, or appointed to be distributed among the poor people, repairing of high ways, finding of poor scholars, or marrying of poor maidens, or such other like charitable deeds. Images. Item whether you know any that keep in their houses, undefaced any Images, tables, pictures, paintynges, or other monuments of feigned and false miracles, pilgrimages, Idolatry, or superstition, and do adore them, and specially such as have been set up in Churches, chapels, or oratory's. Books. Item, what books of God's Scripture you have delivered to be burnt, or otherwise destroyed, and to whom ye have delivered the same. Bribes. Item, what bribes the accusers, promoters, persecutors, ecclesiastical judges, and other the commissioners appointed within the several diocese of this Realm, have received by them selves, or other, of those persons which were in trouble, apprehended or imprisoned for Religion. Loss of goods. Item, what goods, movable lands, fees, offices or promotions hath been wrongfully taken away, in the time of Queen Mary's reign from any person, which favoured the Religion now set forth. How many burned. Item how many persons for religion have died by fire, famine, or otherwise, or have been imprisoned for the same. Certificate of the dead. Item, that you make a true presentment of the number of all the persons, which died within your parishes, sithen the feast of Saint john the Baptist, which was in the year of our lord God, a thousand, five hundred, fifty and eight unto the same feast last passed. Making therein a plain distynct declaration, how many men, women, and men children the same were. And the names of the men. secret masses. Item, whether ye know any man in your parish, secretly, or in unlawful conventicles say or hear mass, or any other service prohibited by the law. False rumours. Item, whether you know any person in your parish, to be a slanderer of his neighbours, or a four of discord, between party and party, man and wife, parents, and their children, Unlawful books or that hath invented, bruited, or set forth any rumours, false and seditious tales, slanders, or makers, bringers, buyers, sellers, keepers or conveyors of any unlawful books, which might stir or provoke sedition, or maintain superstitious service within this Realm, or any aydours, counsellors, procurers, or maintainers thereunto. patron Tithes. Vacation Item, whether the Church of your parish be now vacant or not, who is the Patron thereof, how long it hath been vacant, who doth receive the tithes, oblations, and other commodities during the time of the vacation, and by what authority, and in what estate the said Church is at this time, and how long the person or vicar hath had that benefice. Minstrels Item, whether any minstrels, or any other persons do use to sing or say any songs or ditties that be vile or unclean, and especially in derision of any godly order, now set forth and established. Litany in English. Item, whether the tyranny in english, with the Epistle and Gospel which was by the queens highness Proclamation willed to be read to the people, were put in use in your Churches, and if not, who were the letters thereof. Distinct reading. Item, whether the Curates and ministers do leisurely, plainly, and distinctly, read the public prayers, Chapters and Homilies, as they aught to do. ¶ GOD SAVE THE QVENE. Imprinted at LonDON IN PAUL'S CHURCH yard by richard jug and john Cawood, Printers to the queens Majesty. Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.