¶ A BOOK of certain Canons, concerning some part of the discipline of the Church of England. In the year of our Lord 1571. AT LONDON Printed by john day, dwelling over Aldersgate. ¶ Cum gratia & Privilegio Regiae Maiestatis. 3. Of Bishops. 6. Of Deans of churches. 9 Of Archdeacones. 11. Of chancellors. etc. 17. Of Churchwardens. 22. Of Preachers. 24. Of Residence. 25. Of Pluralities. 25. Of Schoolmasters. 27. Of patrons. etc. Of bishops. ¶ Here followeth in this book some certain articles of the holy ministery, and of the offices of the Church, fully agreed upon by Matthew archbishop of Caunterburie, Primate of all England, and Metropolitan, and all other Bishops of the same Province, which were partly present in person, and partly subscribed by the hands of their Proctors, in a Synod begun at London in the Church of S. Paul, the third day of April. 1571. ALl bishops shall diligently teach the Gospel, not only in their Cathedral Churches which they ●…uerne, but also indifferently in all the Churches of every of their Diocese, where they shall think it most needful. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●●…pally they shall exhort their people 〈◊〉 the reading & hearing of the holy scriptures, and that they come together in times appointed, every man to his own Church, and that they give ear diligently to the preachers of the Gospel, and that both they do hear reverently the godly prayers, which shall be spoken by the Minister, and also pray themselves with him, and that they be partakers of the heavenly mysteries, as they be now godly ordained and lawfully in our churches by the authority and commandment of the whole Realm. Every Bishop before the first day of September next, shall call unto him the public preachers, such as shall be in his own diocese, and shall require again of them, their licences of preaching, which they have signed with any authentical seal, which they shall retain with themselves, or else abolish. After prudent choice made of them, he shall give readily again new licences to them whom he shall find able to that great office, in respect of they ●●●res, doctrine, judgement, honesty of life▪ ●●●…ie, and gravity: and yet so that they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he to the articles of Christian religion, ●●●●…ly approved in the Synod, and that 〈◊〉 ●…ake promise' willingly to maintain 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●hat doctrine, which is contained in the 〈◊〉 most agreeable to the verity of God's w●●●… The Bishop must very diligently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what manner of men he do admit into his household: for it chanceth sometimes where this foresight is not used, that wicked men, & enemies to the true religion, vicious men, and corrupt in all their life, yea, and men void of grace, be admitted. Whereby the adversary will soon take occasion to speak evil. The bishops servants shall so modestly & orderly apparel themselves, in every part of their garments, that they do not offend their brethren whom Paul calleth of the household of faith. The Bishop shall lay his hands on none henceforward, but such as have been trained up in good letters, either in the university, or some other inferior school, or that doth understand the Latin tongue competently, and hath been well exercised in the holy scriptures: nor yet on any, except he be of that lawful age which is appointed by the statute and law: nor except his life & honest behaviour, be commended by the testimony of grave and godly men, and such as are well known unto the bishop: nor on any that hath been brought up in husbandry, or some other base and handicraft labour: nor on any, but such as have some title (as they call it) whereby he may live, if by God's sufferance, he become blind, or fall into grievous sickness of the body, or into a continual & languishing disease: nor except he will exercise the holy ministry within his own diocese: nor at any other time, but when it shall chance, that some place of ministration is void in the same diocese. And he shall admit no stranger, nor any that he knoweth not, either to the profits of any benefice, or to ecclesiastical ministery, except he bring with him that bishops letters of commendations, which they call letters dimissories, out of whose diocese he came. The bishop shall not grant unto any man the next, or second, or third advowson (as they call it) of any prebend or benefice belonging unto him: for those advowsons are far from good doings and christian charity: neither shall he ratify and confirm the leases of any profits or revenues of any parsonage, or ecclesiastical benefice, for term of many years, in any wise. The Bishop shall suffer no man to be occupied in the ministration of the Church, which calleth himself by the idle name of a Reader, not having received imposition of hands. Every Archbishop and Bishop shall have in his house The holy Bible in the largest volume, as it was lately printed at London, and also that full and perfect history, which is entitled Monuments of Martyrs, and other such like books, fit for the setting forth of religion. These books must be placed either in the hall, or in the great chamber, that they may serve to the use of their servants, and of strangers. Deans of Cathedral Churches. THe very same books, which we spoke of last, every Dean shall 'cause to be bought, and to be bestowed in his Cathedral Church, in such convenient place, that the vicars and peticanons, and other ministers of the Church, as also strangers and forrieners may easily come unto them, and read thereon. The Dean, and every chief Residentarie, whom they call the dignities of the Church, shall buy the same books every one for his own family, and shall lay them in some fit place, either in hall, or in the chamber. The Dean & his prebendaries shall preach the word of God diligently, not only in the cathedral Church where they live, but in other Churches also of the same Diocese, and especially in the same places whence they receive yearly revenues and profits. Which if they do not, they shall be punished according to the discretion of the Bishop. Not Deane, nor Archdeacon, nor Residentarie, nor master, nor warden, nor head of any college, or cathedral church, neither precedent nor rector, nor any of that order, by what name soever they be called, shall hereafter wear the Gray Amice, nor any other garment which hath been defiled with the like superstition. But every one of them in their churches shall wear only that linen garment, which is as yet retained by the Queen's commandment, and also his scholars hood, according to every man's calling, and degree in school. Every Dean shallbe resident in his cathedral Church, four times a year at the lest. And shall continued there, by the space of a month every time (if he may possibly) in preaching the word of God, and keeping good hospitality, except he shall be otherwise letted with weighty, and urgent causes. Which causes he shall at every such time, declare unto his Ordinary. When he is come to the Church, he together with his prebendaries resident, shall foresee that the statutes of his church, if they be not contrary to the word of God (as many are) and that the statutes of this realm whatsoever, concerning ecclesiastical order, and all Injunctions, either set forth by the Queen's Majesty, or enjoined by the bishop in his visitation of the same Church, be diligently observed. Moreover the Dean and Residentaries shall endeavour as much as lieth in them, that the peticanons or vicars, and other ministers of their Church, (jest they live idly and unprofitably in slothfulness, and give themselves to unlawful gaming) be constrained to the study of the holy Scriptures, and that every one of them have the new Testament, not only in Latin, but also in English. The Deans and Residentaries shall see that there be no other form observed in singing, or saying prayers, or in the administration of the Sacraments, but only that which is set forth, and prescribed in the book of Common Prayers: neither shall they suffer any stranger to preach unto the people, except the Queen's Majesty, or the Archbishop of the same Province, or the Bishop of the same Diocese, have granted him licence thereunto. And if such a Preacher so allowed, either by the Queen's Majesty, or by the Archbishop, or Bishop, shall in his Sermon publish any doctrine either strange, wicked, or disagreeable with the word of God: or with the Articles of our Religion, agreed upon in the Convocation house (which no doubt are consonant to the Scriptures,) or with the book of common Prayers: the Dean, or the Residentes, shall assoon as may be, give notice of the same to the Bishop, by their letters, subscribed also with some of their hands, which heard him preach: that he may determine on the matter, as he shall see good. archdeacons. EVery archdeacon shall have in his house, both the other books, and namely those which are entitled, Monuments of Martyrs. Every archdeacon which hath authority to visit, either by common law, or by prescription, shall visit his territory once every year in his own person: and he shall not substitute any to be his Official, but such a one as hath been brought up in the universities, and hath studied the civil law, and is of the full age of xxiv. years, being able not only in learning, but also in gravity, and modesty to discharge that office. archdeacons and their substitutes (whom they call officials) shall call the clergy to account in their visitations, how much every one of them hath profited in the study of Scripture, and shall give unto so many of them, as have not taken the degree of a master of Art upon them in the university, some part of the new Testament to be learned without book, and at the next Synod shall compel them to make repetition thereof: and they shall detect unto the Bishop, such as are either stubborn, or negligent herein. When the visitation is finished, the archdeacon shall signify unto the Bishop, whom he hath found in every Deanery, so furnished with learning and judgement, that they may be thought worthy to instruct the people in sermons, and to rule and govern others. Of these the bishop may choose some, whom he will have rural Deans. Archdeacon's shall straightly and severely punish all offenders; & not wink at their faults, or suffer any man to escape unpunished, who is known to have offended. archdeacons shall have a special care, that the monuments of their acts, and doings be faithfully and safely preserved: and shall once every year bring to their bishop, all the original copies of such testaments, which shallbe proved before them the year before, that they may be preserved by the Bishop's Register. They shall writ out the copies of the same Testaments to their own use, if they will. chancellors, Commissaries. and their Officials. EVery Chancellor, Commissary and official, shallbe learned in the ecclesiastical and civil laws, and such one as is twenty and six years old, and hath taken some degree in the schools for learnings sake, and is reasonably well practised in course of law, touching whose life and manners, no evil report be heard. Besides, every one of these either shall be in the ministery, or if he be not, yet shall he be well affected, and zealously bend toward religion, and such he shall openly and freely show himself, and before he enter his office, he shall take an oath of the authority and supremacy of the Prince, and also shall subscribe to the articles of religion allowed in the convocation of Bishops. None of these, neither Chancellor, Commissary nor Official shall proceed in examination of matters unto the sentence of excommunication, but only in causes of instances. In matters of correction, they shall do all other things which lawfully they may and are wont to be done. But the sentence of excommunication they shall leave only to the bishop, which either he himself shall pronounce, or shall commit the pronouncing thereof to some grave man, which is in the ministery. After that he hath given sentence, he shall also add, for a warning and terror to the people, a certain order of words upon in the convocation, and wheresoever the Bishop shall command, shall declare his conscience to the people, what he thinketh of those articles, and the whole doctrine. And he being once admitted into the holy ministry, shall from thenceforth never depart from it, nor shall use himself as a lay man, either in apparel, or in any part of his life. Every Parson, Vicar, or Curate shall yearly before twenty days after Easter, exhibit to the Bishop, or to his Chancellor or Commissary, the names and surnames of his parishioners, as well men, as women, (of those I say) which being fourteen years of age, come not to the holy Communion (as by the statutes and ecclesiastical laws of this Realm, they are bound) & such as refuse to be examined by the minister of the church, in learning the Catechism, and articles of christian religion, and what parents or masters think scorn to send their children or servants to church, at the times appointed, to hear and learn the same Catechism. They shall suffer none to undertake for an infant at Baptism, except he have received the Communion, and have been partaker of the holy mysteries, and he shall admit none to the partaking of the sacraments, which hath not learned the Catechism, and articles of the faith. Every sunday and holiday, the parsons, vicar's, and curates, shall come to the church so timely and conveniently in due season, that the parishioners having done their business, may come thither with their children & servants. And there they shall reverently, (as it is fit) & godly say or sing the holy service, so plainly, so manifestly, & distinctly, that the people may hear & understand, what is said or sung, & thereof receive comfort and commodity. The like reverence and godliness they shall observe in celebrating the most holy Sacraments, so that they turn not to superstition, or worshipping, or Idolatry. But if that in time of the holy Communion there shallbe no sermon, they shall on the book in the pulpit read some one, or other of those homilies, which we have to that end set forth before. In the mean time they shall exhort the people, to come diligently to Church, that they attentively hear that which is read and said, and that all the time thereof, they use themselves reverently and modestly: and lest the godly may be offended through wantonness and lightness, void of religion, they shall take heed that young men, especially contreymen, (whose nature is more prove to the contempt of godliness, and to disorder) neither ring bells, neither walk in the churches, nor have idle talk together, nor by laughing, or noise, or unhonest jesting, either let the minister, or offend the people. They shall admonish the people to come oftener to the holy Communion, & that before, they prepare themselves with a perfect mind, as it is fit. And that all may understand, what duty they own to God: what duty to the Prince whom they aught to love & reverence as the vicar of God: what they own to the laws, what to the magistrates, what to their brethren, what to the people of God: they shall be ready in the church strait after noon, every sunday & holiday, & there at the lest, they shall read two hours, and teach the catechism, and therein shall instruct all their flock, of what age or degree soever, not only maidens and children, but also the elder, if need be. But especially they shall warn young folks, not only men, but also women, that it is provided by the laws, that none of them may either receive the holy communion, or be married, or undertake for a child in Baptism, except before, they have learned the principles of Christian religion, and can fitly and aptly answer to all the parts of the Catechism. But if the parsons, vicar's, or curates, either can not preach, or have not received licence to preach of the Bishop, yet they shall teach children to read, to writ, and know their duty toward God, toward their parents, and also others: and if they perceive any of them to be of that disposition, that by teaching and instruction, they may attain to the knowledge of learning, they shall counsel their parents, to set them to school, that being endued with learning, they may one day become fit for the holy ministry of the mighty God: but whom they perceive to be duller, and not disposed to learning, to see them set to some other science, or to husbandry. They shall also warn their parishioners, that for great and weighty causes it was appointed in the convocation by the Reverend father in God, Matthew Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other bishops, that children marry not, without consent of the parents, and that no young man hath power in himself to contract marriage, before he be xuj. years of age, and no maid before she be xiv. years old. churchwardens and and side men. churchwardens according to the custom of every parish, shallbe chosen by the consent of their parishioners, and their minister: otherwise they shall not be churchwardens: neither shall they continue any longer than one year in that office, except perhaps they be chosen again. And all churchwardens once every year shall give up just account of such money, as they have received: and also particularly shall show, what cost they have bestowed in reparations, and for the use of the Church. Last of all going out of their offices, they shall truly deliver up to the parishioners, whatsoever money, or other ecclesiastical things shall remain, & be in their hands, that it may be redelivered by them to the next churchwardens. The churchwardens shall see, that the churches be diligently and well repaired, with lead, tile, lime, and glass, that neither the minister, nor the people, either in the holy ministery and worshipping of God, or in celebrating the heavenvly mysteries, or in receiving and hearing the Communion, be troubled with tempestuous weather. But especially they shall look unto, that in every meeting of the congregation peace be well kept: and in all visitations of bishops and archdeacon's, they shall truly and personally present, and name all those, which rudely behave themselves in the church, or which by untimely ringing of bells, by walking, by talking, or noise, shall let the minister or preacher. Churchwardens shall see, that the churches be kept clean & reverently, that they be not loathsome to any, either by dust, sand, or any filthiness. They shall also see, that the holy Bibles be in every church in the largest volume (if it may conveniently be) such as were lately imprinted at London: that the book of common prayers, that the holy homilies, and the homilies which lately were written against rebellion, be in every church. It is meet that these books be whole and clean, not torn or foul in any wise, jest it breed irksomeness or contempt amongst the people. They shall see, there be a fair joined table, which may serve for the administration of the holy Communion, and à clean cloth to cover it: a convenient pulpit, whence the heavenly doctrine may be taught. Moreover they shall see, that all roodlofts, in which wooden crosses stood, & all other relics of superstition be clean taken away, that the walls of the churches be new whited, and decked with chosen sentences of the holy Scripture, that by the reading and warning thereof, the people may be moved to godliness. Last of all they shall see, that in every church there be à holy fount, not a basin, wherein Baptism may be ministered, and it be kept comely and clean. They shall also warn taverners, alehousekepers & victuallers, which sell meat or drink, that they receive none into their tavern or alehouse, all the time, wherein either is preaching, or common service. If any do contrary, upon contempt or stubbornness, they shall present both him, & them whom he received, by name in the next visitation. If any offend their brethren, either by manifest adultery, or whoredom, or incest, or drunkenness, or much swearing, or bawdry, or usury, or any other uncleanness and wickedness of life, let the churchwardens warn them brotherly and friendly, to amend. Which except they do, they shall by name show them to the parson, vicar, or curate, that they may be warned more sharply and vehemently of them: and if they continued so still, let them be driven from the holy Communion, till they be reformed: And that all which live unchastely and loosely, be punished by the severity of the laws, according to their deserts. The same Churchwardens shall present those adulterers, whoremongers, incestuous, drunkards, swearers, bawds, and usurers in the Bishops, and Archdeacon's visitations. Churchwardens shall suffer no feasts, banquets, suppers, or common drinkings to be kept, in the church, neither the bells to be rung superstitiously, either in the feast of all souls, or the day after all saints (which day not long since was kept holy for the souls of the dead) neither at any time at all, whereas the custom of ringing shall seem to incline to superstition. They shall suffer ringing only at those times, which are appointed in the book of advertisements, and to that only use, and after that only order. It shall not be lawful to keep fairs, and common markets upon the sunday: neither on that day to put to death, and openly punish offenders condemned by the sentence of the judge. They shall not suffer, that any of these light wanderers in markets, and pelting sellers, which carry about, and cell pings, points, and other small trifles, whom they call pedlars, to set out their wares to sale, either in the churchyeardes, or in the porches of churches, or any where else, on holidays or sundays, whilst any part of the holy ministry is in doing, or any sermon is preached, neither that beggars, or vagabonds, which have no certain dwelling, abide either in the churchyard, or in the church porch, all the time of service, or preaching: but shall command them, either to come in, or to departed. They shall also search, and diligently inquire, if any of the parishioners either come not at all to church, or come later or slower at the times appointed by the laws: and whom they shall find so to offend, they shall punish them, according to the appointing of the law. They shall mark whether all & every of the parishioners come so often every year to the holy communion, as the laws & statutes do command: and whether any strangers from other parishes, come more often and commonly to their church, and shall show their curate of them, jest perhaps he admit them to the lords table amongst others, but shall send them rather to their own curates. They shall receive no parson, nor vicar, to the ministry of their church, but whom the Bishop shall allow by his institution, and by his mandate shall put in possession of that church. They shall receive no curate, but him that by the letters, and seal of the Bishop, is specially appointed for that church. But if the Parson, Vicar, or Curate, behave himself otherwise in his ministry, or that he read ill, darkly, and confusedly, or that he live more loosely and licentiously then is fit for a man of that calling, and thereby great offence be taken: the churchwardens shall speedily present him to the Bishop, that by and by he may be punished, and amendment of his fault may follow. And that the Bishop may understand, what sermons are made in every church of his diocese: the Churchwardens shall see, that the names of all preachers, which come to them from any other place, be noted in a book, which they shall have ready for that purpose, and that every preacher subscribe his name in that book, and the name of the Bishop, of whom he had licence to preach. Last of all, the Churchwardens shall see, that all things be diligently observed, which pertain to their offices, and that are contained in the Queen's injunctions, and the book of advertisements, and that shall be set forth by the Archbishop or Bishop in every their visitations, for the use of the Churches. But if any do rail upon them, or go to law with them, for doing their duty, and detecting of offenders, that also they shall present unto the Bishop, that by his means and travail they may more easily be delivered from that trouble. Preachers. NO man shall openly preach in his parish, but being licensed by the Bishop, neither hereafter shall be so bold, as preach out of his own cure & church, except he have obtained licence so to preach, either of the Queen's Majesty, over all her realm: either of the Archbishop, through his province: or of the Bishop, in his diocese. And no licence to preach, shall hereafter stand in force, but that which hath been obtained after the last day of April, which was in the year, 1571. Preachers shall behave themselves modestly and soberly in all their life. But chief they shall take heed, that they teach nothing in their preaching, which they would have the people religiously to observe, and believe, but that which is agreeable to the doctrine of the old Testament, or the new, and that which the catholic fathers, and ancient Bishops have gathered out of that doctrine. And because those articles of Christian religion, agreed upon by the Bishops, in the lawful, and godly convocation, and by the commandment, and authority of our noble princess Elizabeth assembled and holden, undoubtedly are gathered out of the holy books of the old, and new Testament, and in all points agreed with the heavenly doctrine contained in them: because also the book of common prayers, and the book of the consecration of Archbishops, Bishops, Ministers and Deacons contain nothing repugnant to the same doctrine, whosoever shall be sent to teach the people, shall not only in their preaching, but also by subscription confirm the authority, and truth of those articles. He that doth otherwise, or troubleth the people with contrary doctrine shall be excommunicated. In preaching they shall wear a very modest and grave garment, which may become and set forth the minister of God, and such as is prescribed in the book of advertisements. They shall require no money or reward for their preaching, but shall be content with meat and drink, and plain provision, and one nights lodging. They shall teach no vain, and old wives opinions, no heresies, nor popish errors, disagreeing from the doctrine and faith of Christ: neither any thing at all, whereby the rude people may be stirred up to the desire of novelties, or contention. But they shall always teach that, which may make for edifying, and may unite the hearers in Christian peace and love. Residences. THe absence of the shepherd from the Lords flock, and that careless negligence, which we do see in many, and forsaking of the ministery, is a thing in itself to be abhorred & odious to the people, and pernicious to the Church of God. Therefore we exhort all pastors of Churches, in the Lord jesus, that forthwith they return every one to their parishes, and diligently teach the Gospel, according to their living to keep house, to help the poor by hospitality, and there to be resident every year no less than lx. days. Plurality. IT shall be lawful for no man, of what degree, or order so ever he be, to have at one time, any more than two ecclesiastical benefices: neither shall it be lawful for any man at all, to obtain two benefices, if they be distant more than xxuj. miles. Of Schoolmasters. IT shall not be lawful for any to teach the Latin tongue, or to instruct children, neither openly in the schools, neither privately in any man's house, but whom the Bishop of that diocese hath allowed, and to whom he hath given licence to teach under the seal of his office. And here we except (for honour's sake) the Lords of the Parliament: but the Bishop shall allow no Schoolmaster, nor account him worthy of that office, but whom he shall find in his judgement to be learned, and worthy of that place, and whom he shall see commended by the testimony of godly men, touching his life and manners, and especially his religion. Schoolmasters shall teach no Grammar, but only that, which the Queen's Majesty hath commanded to be read in all Schools, through the whole Realm, neither any other Latin Catechism, then that which was set forth, in the year. 1570. The which also, that is translated into English, we will have taught unto children that are ignorant of the Latin tongue. All other books they shall teach, whereby the fullness and fineness of the Latin & Greek tongue may be learned, & those especially, which profit to the knowledge of Christ and godliness. And once every year they shall signify to the Bishop, what chosen scholars they have of all their number, which are of that aptness, and so forward in learning, that there may be good hope they will become fit, either for the common wealth, or for the holy ministery. By this hope the parents being alured, will more willingly keep them at school. But chief they shall so order and frame the tongues of children, that they may pronounce openly, plainly, and distinctly. And as often as any sermon shallbe, they shall either sand them, or bring them to church, that from their childhood they may be brought up in godliness: & jest they should hear it negligently: at their return to school, they shall call and examine every one, what they have learned out of that sermon: and that the minds of children, may be the more stirred up to virtue and diligence: they shall rebuke the idle and sluggish, and shall praise the attentive and diligent. patrons and Proprietaries. THe Bishop shall earnestly and diligently exhort patrons of benefices, to consider the necessities of the churches, and to have before their eyes the last day, and judgement, & the tribunal seat of God. Therefore that they prefer no man to any ecclesiastical living, but him which by doctrine, judgement, godliness, honesty, & innocency of life, is able to bear so heavy a burden, that they do nothing therein, but uprightly, uncorruptly & truly: & he shall profess that he will use all honest, & lawful means to search out the truth. But if, either in the presentation, or else after he shall perceive any corruption, or simony to be committed any way, either closely, either directly, or indirectly, by him, or any other, either that money, or moneyworth, or that any commodity, or any part of the profits should come unto him: that he then will publish and declare this wicked deed and simony, not only in the cathedral Church, but also else where, to his shame & perpetual reproach, & also thrust out that minister, whom he so wickedly presented, not only from the office of a Priest, which he unlawfully entered: but also from all ministry, and out of the whole Diocese. Humble petition must be made to the Queen's majesty, that some way by her leave and commandment may be found, that the our bishop, by the name and authority of the most mighty God, hath excommunicated him from all company of the church of God, & hath cut him of as a dead member, from the body of Christ: In this state, & in so great danger of his soul is he at this time. S. Paul being taught by the inspiration of the holy ghost, commandeth that we eschew the fellowship, & company of such men, lest we be partakers of the same wickedness. Yet, as christian charity warneth us, because he will not pray for himself, neither understandeth his danger, let us all in his name pray unto God, that once he may acknowledge his misery and filthiness of life, and may repent, and turn unto God. For our God is merciful, and can call them from death, that were fallen.