MOTIONS TO THIS PRESENT PARLIAMENT, FOR REFORMING THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.  
Most taken out of Jrenaeus Philadelphus.  
Printed in the Year 1641.   

MOTIONS FOR REFORMING the Church of England, in this present Parliament.  
I. THat since the first Reformation in King Edward's days, was rather of the Doctrine, then of the Discipline, and of the Rites that were palpably gross, which yet were retained, with a purpose they should be removed afterwards, and for to unlose by degrees, the fast holds to the Romish Church: now since every Protestant is well informed of the change made in Religion, that whatsoever in Religion is Popish, or tending to the disturbing of the peace of the Church, and maintaining of Heretical doctrines, be redressed.  
II. That in that great work of Reformation which is of moment and consequence, far beyond the settling of civil affairs, there be appointed by both the Houses, a Committee or convocation and meeting of 40. or 50. English Divines, men that were not of the late Convocation, and such as be unpartial, learned, and uncorrupt in their lives and Doctrine, such as Dr. Usher Arch. B. of Armach, Dr. Prideaux, Dr. Twisse, and the like, with 10. Scots Divines, to which be called 8. Foreign Divines of the most Learned and famous; such as Rivetus, Primrose, Moulin, and the like, who may treat and agree upon a settled platform of Church-government, suitable to the Monarchy of great Britain which ought to be ratified, & enacted by Parliament.  
III. That the Church's Discipline being established, a Nationall Synod be convocated, that may frame a Confession of faith, and reform, if need be, the English Liturgy, that without exceptions it be received all over the King's Dominions, to which Synod may be called a competent number of Foreign Divines. However, since so many have been so earnest of late, to be in charity with the Roman Church, that they have been uncharitable to the Reformed Churches: Let Canons be made in the Synod, and an Act of Parliament for union with other Protestant Churches in matter of Doctrine: and all the firebrands of these late innovations in the Church, that have made us a laughing stock to the neighbour Churches, be sharply censured, if not cut off as banes of the Church, especially the first raisers of Altars, such as Heylin, Pocklington, and the like.  
FOUR That the pleasure of our late Sovereign King James of blessed Memory, be executed, who sent his Divines to the Synod of Dort, that the Church of England afterwards should be bound by the decisions made there, and that Canons be made conformable to the determination of our Divines in that Synod.  
V That if Bishops be retained, as it is to be feared, there be no more such distance between a Bishop and an ordinary Minister; and that Bishops be no more c●lled Lords, and that they be enjoined to preach diligently, as is the duty of their place and office.  
VI That if some of them sit in Parliament, it be upon Woolsacks, and have no more privileges by their office and places then the Judges, the Lord Keeper and Treasurer: And that a certain number of Deputies from the Nationall Synod, whether Bishop's o● other, be assisting both in the higher House and lower House, for delivering their advices upon any clauses of Acts, that may entrench upon the Church's privileges, or are contrary to Doctrine or good manners.  
VII. That the principal defect of our Discipline, and the spring of all errors in Doctrine and practice, which is the want of Synods, be mended, and hereafter all Visitations of Bishops be Synods, as by right they ought to be, and according to the ancient Constitution, as it appeareth by the synodals which Ministers pay in every Visitation, and that at Synods all Parish Ministers be sitting and covered, and have their voice in the discussing of the affairs of the Diocese, and making orders which may not afterwards be altered by the Bishop, but only by the Nationall or Metropolitical Synod, which for the public Union, is to be kept once every two years, neither was ever the Church of late without Synods, but in England.  
VIII. That the Bishop be censurable by the Synod, whether it be Provincial of Nationall.  
IX. That another course be taken for maintaining Ministers and Bishops, then that of Tithes, which still cause suits between the Minister and the Parishioners, the Patron and incumbent, keep the Minister from his Church, wh●le he follows suits in London, and bring the ●oly Ministry in to obloquy and contempt. Put an honourable competent proportion be appointed for the maintenance of each Parishes Ministers by the Parishioners, and rated by the Parliament or Synod, and that the distinction of Deane, , Parson, Curate, Vicar, and Reader be taken away, but let them be coequals, and more or less in number in one Parish, according to the greatness or wealth of the Parish.  
X. That as Bishops in height of Jurisdiction and place, by act are to be shortened, so an act be made that from henceforth, all ordinary Ministers, which are too much vilified, shall have more respect and honour then heretofore was given unto them, and that the Ministers sons be preferred to the fellowships of Colleges.  
XI. That the power of the Ecclesiastical Keys, such as belongs to Bishops and Ministers, be restored unto them, according to the ancient constitutions of the Primitive Churches; and that there be no censure passed upon the Clergy or people from Synod, Bishop or Presbytery, but such as is Spiritual, and that the usual penalties of imprisonment and fine be rendered again to the right owner viz. to the civil Magistrate, and the abuse of excommunication, and the Oath Ex officio abolished.  
XII. That the Clergy of the Diocese shall choose their own Bishops, or present to the King's Majesty two, who may choose of them whom he pleaseth: and that every Parish be Patron of its Parish, and have the presentation of as many Ministers, as the Flock requireth, to the Synod or Bishop.  
XIII. That instead of Chancellors, Officers, Apparitours, Registers, and such like Grasshoppers, there be some Lay-elders, that may sit in Provincial Synods, and have their voice in matters of Discipline and Church-governement, and that in Nationall Synods, there be some Laymen likewise appointed by the Parliament.  
XIV. That a better course be taken for providing for the poor, and that both Ministers and Chief of the Parish shall oversee, how Church, Wardens do dispose of the Church-Treasury, and that they be not permitted under crime of Sacrilege to spend it upon themselves, and that every month they give an account of whatsoever is received and laid out.  
XV. That the griping of Church-duties and buriall-costs, exacted oftener more rigorously of the poor than the rich, be restrained, and that the Minister be content with his yearly Salary, performing all the branches of his calling, as baptising, burying, visiting the sick without any further recompense, but such at is tendered to him.  
XVI. That hereafter none becited by the Synod, Presbytery, or Spiritual court without the knowledge of the Parish-Minister, who ought to present the delinquent, and have his voice in the censure.  
XVII. That it be no more in the power of Bishops to impose what they please upon the Clergy with such rigorous penalties, as they have lately used for the oath of the sixth Canon.  
XVIII. That the Fountains of Learning, Cambridge and Oxford, be purged from superstitious Rites and Popish doctrines, and Orthodox Readers be provided.  
FINIS.