AN ORDINANCE OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT, FOR THE Constituting of Sir Nathaniel Brent JUDGE OF THE Prerogative-Court OF CANTERBURY.  

ORdered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Ordinance be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H. elsing, clear. Parl. D. come.   
London: Printed for Edw. Husbands. Novem. 5. 1644.   

An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the constituting a Judge of the Prerogative Court of CANTERBURY.  
WHereas William Merrick Doctor of the Laws, late Commissary general, Master or keeper of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, wilfully and contrary to his duty, hath absented himself from due attendance on the said Office, revoked all Surrogations and Deputations by him made, in or near London, Kent, Middlesex, and other places within the power of the Parliament, wilfully, and to the end that Iustice might not be administered in Causes ecclesiastical in the said places, in things to his jurisdiction belonging; by reason whereof, the Administration of the goods and Chattels, Rights, and credits of such persons who have died intestate, could not be had nor taken, nor the Wills of others, who made their last Wills and Testaments duly proved, nor Iustice in such cases administered; The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, taking into their consideration, the necessity of that service, declare& adjudge the said place voided of the said Doctor Merrick, and him from the Execution of the said Office do amove; And have constituted and Ordained, and by these presents do ordain, that Sir nathaniel Brent Knight, Doctor of the Laws, by himself, his Deputy and Deputies, use, have, exercise, and enjoy the Office of Master or keeper of the said Prerogative Court, together with all and singular Emoluments, Wages, Fees, Profits, Commodities, and jurisdictions to the said Office belonging or appertaining: And do appoint him the said Sir nathaniel Brent, Doctor of the Laws, by himself and Deputy or Deputies, sufficient to do, execute and perform all such Offices, duties and things, as to the Master or keeper of the said Court, doth belong or appertain, for the granting of Administrations, making Probate of Wills and other things, to do and perform, as fully and amply, as by the Laws and Statutes of this Land, any Commissary general, Master or keeper of the said Court, ought to do and perform; To have, hold, use and exercise the said Office, with the appurtenances, till it shalbe otherwise Ordained by both Houses of Parliament: And that all Processes, probates of Testaments, Letters of Administration, and other things whatsoever, which shall pass the Seal of the said Court, shall pass in the Name and style of the King, and with the Teste of the said Sir nathaniel Brent; And that the said Sir nathaniel Brent, in the execution of his said Office, shall have in the Seal of his said Office, the Kings Highnesse Arms, decently set, with these Characters engraven about it ( SIGILLUM CURIae PREROGATIVae) and shall use no other Seal for the said Office. And the said Lords and Commons do further Ordain and declare, that an probate of Wills, and Letters of Administration, and other Acts that since the twenty third day of May, which was in the year of our Lord God 1643. have been done, or that shall be done hereafter, by the said William Merrick, or any other person or persons, as Master or keeper of the said Office, other then by the said Sir nathaniel Brent, his Deputy or Deputies, or by such person or persons, as shal be appointed by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, to grant such administrations, or take probate of such Wills, shalbe voided and of no effect, to all intents, unless that the Administrators or Executors that claim thereby, shall again take new Letters of Administration, or make new Probate according to the intent of this Ordinance, before the end of hilary term next, in the year of our Lord God 1644. In which case it is meant, that they should not be prejudiced any way by this Ordinance, but that the said former Letters of Administration and Probate, remain of force, any thing in this Ordinance notwithstanding.  
nevertheless, every person who had right to demand Letters of Administration, or that might justly have opposed the former Probate, of any such Will at the first granting of such Letters, and making of such Probate, shall bee heard ab integro upon demand of such new Letters of Administration, or making of such new Probate, to demand Letters of Administration, and to oppose the probate of any Will formerly proved as aforesaid, as fully and freely, and Iustice shall be done to all parties, respectively in like manner, as if no former Administration or probate had been formerly granted or made.  
And further it is Ordained, That in case that opposition of any Letters of Administration, or Probate formerly made as aforesaid, shall be made, and svit thereon arise, and not determined before the end of the said Term, then the Administrators or Executors shall have further time and liberty to take new Letters of Administration, or make new Probate, as the Iustice of their cause shall require, until that the same svit shall be ended or determined; and then within one Term next following, to take new Letters of Administration, or make new Probate, and be in like condition, as if the same had been done before the end of the said hilary Term.  
Provided also, That in case of the Repeal or avoidance of any Letters of Administration, or probate, by virtue of this Ordinance, all payments& acts, legally,& bona fide, done unto or by such Executors or Administrators, shall be held good and effectual, saving that then such Executors or administrators respectively shal be answerable for what remains in their hands unadministred, or is disposed away to their own use, or in trust for them to such Executors or Administrators, who shall obtain probate of the Will or Administration, according to the intent of this Ordinance, to bee administered by such party to whom Administcation shall be granted, or who shall make probate according to this Ordinance, as to Iustice shall appertain, and as to the Office of an Executor or Administrator appertaineth to do.  
FINIS.