AN ORDINANCE Of the LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in PARLIAMENT.  
For the calling of an Assembly of Learned, and Godly Divines: To be consulted with by the Parliament, for the settling of the Government and Lyturgy of the Church of England, and for vindicating and clearing the Doctrine of the said Church, from false Aspersions and Interpretations, as shall be most agreeable to the Word of GOD.  
With the Names of all the Ministers and others appointed for the same.  

Die Lunae, 12 Junii, 1643.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, that this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and Published,  
john Browne Cler. Parliament,   
June 13. London, Printed for John Wright, in the Old-Bailey. 1643.   

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament, for the calling of an Assembly of Learned and Godly Divines.  
WHereas amongst the infinite blessings of Almighty God upon this Nation, none is, or can be more dear unto us then the purity of our Religion, and for that as yet many things remain in the Liturgy, Discipline, & Government of the Church, which do necessarily require a further & more perfect Reformation, then as yet hath been attained, and where it hath declared and resolved by the Lords & Commons assembled in Parliament, That the present Church-government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors, Commissaries, Deans, Deans & Chapters, Arch-deacons, & Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchy, is evil & justly offensive & burdensome to the Kingdom, a great impediment to Reformation and growth of Religion, & very prejudicial to the state & government o●● this Kingdom, and that therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away, & that such a government shall be settled in the Church, as may be most agreeable to God's holy Word, and most apt to procure and preserve the peace of the Church at home, and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland, and other reformed Churches abroad, and for the better effecting hereof, and for the vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the Church of England from all false calumnies and aspersions, it is thought fit and decessary to call an Assembly of Learned, Godly, and judicious Divines, to consult and advise of such matters and things touching the premises as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of the Houses of Parliament, and to give their advice and counsel therein to both or either of the said Houses, when, and as often as they shall be thereunto required. Be it therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, that all and every the persons hereafter i● this present Ordinance named, That is to say, Algernon Earl of Northumberland, William Earl of Bedford, Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, William Earl of Salisbury, Henry Earl of Holland, Edward Earl of Manchester, William Lord Viscount Sea and Seal, Edward Lord Viscount Conway, Philip Lord Wharton, Edward Lord Howard of Estr. John Selden Esquire, Francis Rows Esquire, Edmund Prideaux Esquire, Sir Henry Vane Knight signior, John Glyn Esquire, Recorder of London, John White Esquire, Boulstrode Whitlock Esquire, Humphrey Salloway Esquire, Master Serjeant Wild, Oliver S. John Esquire, his Majesty's Solicitor, Sir Benjamin Ruddyard Knight, John Pym Esquire, Sir John Clotworthy Knight, John Maynard Esquire, Sir Henry Vane Knight junior, William Pierpoynt Esquire, William Wheeler Esquire, Sir Thomas Barrington Knight, Master Young Esquire, Sir John Evelin Knight, Herbert Palmer of Ashwell, Bachelor in Divinity, Oliver Bowls of Sutton, Bachelor in Divinity, Henry Wilkinson of Maddesden, Bachelor in Divinity, Thomas Valentine of Chalfont Giles, Bachelor in Divinity, Doctor William Twist of Newbury. William Reynor of Egham, Master Hannibal Gammon of Maugan, Master Jasper Hickes of Lawricke, Doctor Hoyle late of Dublin in Iceland William Bridges of Yarmouth. Thomas Wincop of Ellesworth Doctor in Divinity, Thomas Goodwin of London, Bachelor in Divinity, John Ley of Budworth in Cheshire, Thomas Case of London, John Pyne of Bereferrers, Master Whidden of Mooreton, Doctor Richard Love of Ekington, Doctor William Go●ge of Black Friars London, Doctor Ralph Brownerigg, Bishop of Exeter, Doctor Samuel Wa●d, Master of Sidney College, John White of Dorchester, Edward Peale of Compton, Stephen Martial of Finchingfield, Bachelor of Divinity, Obediah Sedgewicke of Cogshall, Bachelor in Divinity. Master Carter, Peter Clerk of Carnaby, William New of Estington, Bachelor in Divinity, Richard Capell of Pitchcombe, Theophilus Bathurst of Overton Watervile, Philip Nye of Kimbolton, Doctor Brocket Smith of Barkway, Doctor Cornelius Burges of Watford, John Greene of Pencombe, Stanley Gower of Brampton Bryan, Francis Taylor of Yalding, Thomas Wilson of Otham, Anthony Tuckney of Boston, Thomas Coleman of Bliton, Charles Herle of Winwicke, Richard Herricke of Manchester, Richard Cleyton of Showell, George Gibbs of Ayleston, Doctor Calibute Downing of Hackney, Jeremiah Boroughes of Stepney, Edmond Calamy, Bachelor in Divinity, George Walker, Bachelor in Divinity, joseph Carol, of Lincoln's Inn, Lazarus Seaman of London, Doctor john Harris, Warden of Winchester College, George Morley of Mildenhall, Edward Reynolds of Branston, Thomas Hill of Titchmarch, Bachelor in Divinity, Doctor Robert Saunderson of Boothby Pannell, john Foxcroft of Gotham, john jackson, of Marske, William Carter, of London, Thomas Thoroughgood of Massingham, john Arrowsmith, of Lynne, Robert Harris, of Hanwell, Bachelor in Divinity, Robert Cross, of Lincoln College Bachelor in Divinity, james Archbishop of Armagh, Doctor Mathias Styles of Saint George Escheap London, Samuel Gibson, of Burley, jeremiah Whittacre of Stretton, Doctor Edmond Stanton, of Kingston, Doctor Daniel Featly, of Lambeth, Francis Coke of Yoxhall, john Lightfoot, of Ashley, Edward Corbet of Merton College Oxon. Samuel Heldersham, of Felton, john Langley of Westendersley, Christopher Tisdale of Vphusborne, Thomas Young of Stowmarket, John Phillips of Wrentham, Humphrey Chambers, of Claverton, Bachelor in Divinity, john Con●nt of Lym●ngton, Bachelor in Divinity, Henry Hall of Norwich, Bachelor in Divinity, Henry Hutton, Henry Scuddir of Colingborne, Thomas Bailiff of Manningford Bruce, Benjamin Pickering of East Hoateley, Henry Nye of Clapham, Arthur Sallaway of Seavernestoake, Sydr●ke Sympson of London, Anthony Burgess of Sutton Coldfield, Richard Vines of Calcott, William Greenehill of Stepney, William Mooreton of Newcastle, Richard Buckley, Doctor Thomas Temple of Battersey, Josias Shute in Lombard street, Bachelor in Divinity, Master Nicholson, Thomas Gattaker of Rotherhithe, Bachelor in Divinity, James Weldy of Sylatten, Doctor Christopher Pashley of Hawarden, Henry ●oze Bachelor in Divinity, William Spurstow of Ham●●●●… 〈…〉 Oxon. Edward Ellis of Gillsfield, Bachelor in Divinity, Doctor John Hacket of Saint Andrew's Holborn, Samuel de la Place, John de la March, Matthew New comen of Dedham, William Lyford of Sherborne, in the County of Dorset; Master Carter of Dynton, in the County of Buck. William Lance of Harrowe in Middl. Thomas Hodges of Kensington, in the County of Middl. Andreas Perne of Wilby, in the County of Northampton; Doctor Thomas Westfield of Saint Bartholomewes' the great, London, Bishop of Bristol; Doctor Henry Hammon of Penshurst, in Kent; Nicholas Prophet of Marlborough, in the County of Wilts; Peter Sterry of London, John earl of Bishopston, in the County of Wilts; Master Gibbon of Waltham, Henry Painter of Exeter, Bachelor in Divinity; Master Michellthwayte of Cheryburton, Doctor Wincopp of Saint martin's in the Fields, Master Price of Paul's Church in Covent Garden, Henry Wilkinson Bachelor in Divinity; Doctor Richard Oldsworth, Master of Emanuel College in Cambridge; Master William Duning of Coldaston, and such other person and persons as shall be nominated and appointed by both Houses of Parliament, or so many of them as shall not be letted by Sickness, or other necessary Impediment, shall meet and assemble, and are hereby required and enjoined upon Summons signed by the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament, left at their several respective dwellings, to meet and assemble themselves at Westminster, in the Chapel called King Henry the Sevenths' Chapel, on the first day of july, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred forty three: And after the first Meeting, being at least of the number of forty, shall from time to time sit and be removed from place to place, and also that the said Assembly shall be dissolved in such manner, as by both Houses of Parliament shall be directed: And the said Persons, or so many of them as shall be so assembled or sit, shall have power and authority, and are hereby likewise enjoined from time to time, during this present Parliament, or until further Order be taken by both the said Houses, to confer and treat amongst themselves of such Matters and Things touching and concerning the Liturgy, Discipline, and Government of the Church of England, or the vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the same from all false Aspersions and Misconstructions, as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the said Houses of Parliament, and no other, and to deliver their Opinions and Advices of or touching the Matters aforesaid, as shall be most agreeable to the Word of God, to both or either of the said Houses, from time to time, in such manner and sort as by both or either of the said Houses of Parliament shall be required: and the same not to divulge by Printing, Writing, or otherwise, without the consent of both or either House of Parliament.  
And be it further ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That William Twist Doctor in Divinity shall sit in the Chair as Prolocutor of the said Assembly: and if he happen to die, or be letted by Sickness, or other necessary Impediment, than such other person to be appointed in his place, as shall be agreed on by both the said Houses of Parliament. And in case any difference of Opinion shall happen amongst the said persons so assembled, touching any the Matters that shall be proposed to them as aforesaid, that then they shall represent the same, together with the Reasons thereof, to both or either of the said Houses respectively, to the end such further direction may be given therein, as shall be requisite in that behalf.  
And be it further ordained by the Authority aforesaid, That for the Charges and Expenses of the said Divines, and every of them, in attending the said Service, there shall be allowed unto every of them that shall so attend, during the time of their said Attendance, and for ten days before and ten days after, the sum of four shillings for every day, at the Charges of the Commonwealth, at such time, and in such manner, as by both Houses of Parliament shall be appointed.  
And be it further Ordained, That all and every the said Divines so as aforesaid, required and enjoined to meet and Assemble, shall be freed and acquitted of and from every Offence, Forfeiture, Penalty, Loss, or Damage, which shall or may arise or grow by reason of any Nonresidence, or absence of them, or any of them, from his or their, or any of their Church, Churches, or Cures, for or in respect of their said Attendance upon the said Service, any Law or Statute of Nonresidence, or other Law or Statute, enjoining their Attendance upon their respective Ministeries or Charges to the contrary thereof notwithstanding.  
And if any of the Persons before named, shall happen to die before the said Assembly shall be dissolved by Order of both Houses of Parliament, than such other person or persons shall be nominated and placed in the Room and stead of such person and persons so dying, as by both the said Houses shall be thought fit and agreed upon, and every such person or persons so to be named, shall have the like power and Authority, freedom, and acquittal, to all intents and purposes, and also all such wages and allowances for the said service, during the time of his or their Attendance, as to any other of the said persons in this Ordinance is by this Ordinance limited and apppointed.  
Provided always, That this Ordinance, or any thing therein contained, shall not give unto the persons aforesaid, or any of them, nor shall they in this Assembly assume to exercise any jurisdiction, Power, or Authority Ecclesiastical whatsoever, or any other power, then is herein particularly expressed.  
FINIS.