INJUNCTIONS Given by the KINGS MAJESTY TO THE Archbishops OF THIS REALM, To be Communicated by them to the Bishops and the rest of the Clergy. Published by His Majesties special Command. blazon or coat of arms of the British royal family dieu ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE LONDON, Printed by Charles Bill and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb deceased, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1694. To the Most Reverend Father in God, Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely beloved counselor, Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: And to the Most Reverend Father in God, John Lord Archbishop of York. WILLIAM R. MOst Reverend Father in God, Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely beloved counselor; and Most Reverend Father in God; We Greet you well. We being very sensible, that nothing can more effectually conduce to the Honour and Glory of God, and the Support of the Protestant Religion, than the Protecting and Maintaining of the Church of England, as it is by Law established; which We are resolved to do to the utmost of Our Power; Have therefore upon mature Deliberation with you and other Our Bishops, by virtue of Our Royal and Supreme Authority, thought fit with the Advice of Our Privy Council to ordain and publish the following Injunctions. I. An. Do. 1603. THat the 34th and 35th Canons concerning Ordinations be strictly observed. II. That every Person to be admitted to Holy Orders do signify his Name and the place of his Abode to the Bishop fourteen Days before he is ordained, to the end that enquiry may be made into his Life and Conversation. And that he appear at the furthest on Thursday in Ember-week, that so such who upon Examination shall be found fit, may have time to prepare themselves by Fasting and Prayer, before the day of Ordination. III. That every Bishop shall be well satisfied, that all Persons that are to be ordained have a real Title with a sufficient Maintenance, according to the 33th Canon, A. D. 1603. in which matter We require the Bishops to use an especial care. IV. That a Certificate of the Age of the Person to be ordained, be brought, if it can be, out of the Parish Register, or at least a Certificate very well attested. V. That the part of the 34th Canon, A D. 1603. which relates to the giving of Certificates concerning the Lives and Manners of those who are to be ordained, be strictly looked to. And that the Bishops lay it on the Consciences of the Clergy, that they sign no Certificates, unless, upon their own knowledge, they judge the persons to be duly qualified. VI. That every Bishop shall transmit, between Michaelmass and christmas, to the Arch-Bishop of the Province, a List of all such Persons as have been ordained by him during that year, according to the Constitutions in the year 1584. Articuli pro Clero. in order to be put in a public Register, which shall be prepared by you for that use. VII. That the Bishops shall reside in their Dioceses, and shall take care to oblige their Clergy to such Residence as the Laws of the Land and the Canons do require, particularly the 41st Canon. A. D. 1603. VIII. That they who keep Curates, have none but such as are licenced by the Bishop of the Diocese, or in exempt jurisdictions by the Ordinary of the Place having Episcopal jurisdiction, as is required both by the Act of uniformity and the 48th Canon, A. D. 1603. that so when the Incumbent does not reside, the Bishop, or such Ordinary, may know how the Cure is supplied; And that no Person shall presume to serve any Cure without Licence from the Bishop, or such Ordinary, upon pain of Suspension. IX. That you use your most effectual endeavours to suppress the great Abuses occasioned by Pluralities, and restrain them as much as you can, except where the Parishes lye near one another, and the Livings are small: That all Qualifications be carefully examined: We being determined to have no Chaplains to be qualified by us, but such as are admitted to attend upon Vs. And that due Caution be taken before any Faculty is granted. And that such Persons as are legally qualified shall reside at least two Months in the Year in each of their Livings; and provide a Curate to serve where they are not in person, with a due Maintenance to be determined by the Bishop of the diocese, unless the two Parishes lye so near, that the Incumbent can constantly serve both Cures. X. That the Bishops shall look to the Lives and Manners of their Clergy, that they may be in all things regular and exemplary, according to the 75th Canon. A. D. 1603. XI. That the Bishops do use their utmost Endeavour to oblige their Clergy to have public Prayers in the Church, not only on holidays and Litany-days, but as often as may be, and to celebrate the Holy Sacrament frequently. XII. That the Bishops shall require the Clergy to use their utmost Endeavours, that the Lord's day be Religiously observed. That they set a good Example to their People, and exhort them frequently to their Duty herein. XIII. That the Bishops remind their Clergy to visit the Sick frequently, and require them to perform that Duty with great Care and Diligence according to the 67th Canon. A. D. 1603. XIV. That catechizing be duly performed according to the 59th Canon. A. D. 1603. XV. That the Bishops be careful to Confirm, not only in their Tricunial Visitations, but at other convenient Seasons. XVI. That care be taken, that the Arch-Deacons make their Visitations personally; and that, as much as may be, they live within the Bounds of their jurisdiction, and do their Duty according to the Canons. XVII. That no Commutation of Penance shall be made, but by the express Order and Directions of the Bishop himself, which shall be declared in open Court. And that the Commutation-Money shall be applied only to pious and charitable uses, according to the Articuli pro Clero made in the year 1584. and the Constitutions made in the year 1597. XVIII. That no Licence for Marriage without Banns shall be granted by any Ecclesiastical judge, without first taking the Oaths of two sufficient Witnesses, and also sufficient Security for performance of the Conditions of the Licence according to the 102d. and 103d. Canons. A. D. 1603. THese Injunctions We do require you to transmit to the Bishops of your respective Provinces, to be by them communicated to their Clergy, and to be strictly observed, and often enquired after both by you and them. For as We Esteem it the chief part of Our Princely Care to promote true Religion, as it is established in this Church; and in order thereunto We have determined not to dispose of any Church Preferments in Our Gift, but to such of Our Clergy as We shall have reason to believe do live most exemplarily, and preach and watch most faithfully over the People committed to their Charge; So We assure ourself, that these Our pious Intentions will be effectually seconded by you and the rest of Our Bishops; And that you will without Favour or partial Affection, study to suppress Impiety and 'vice, and to reform all Disorders, as far as in you lies; Well knowing that nothing will so much advance the great ends of Religion, and so certainly secure and establish this Church, as the exemplary Lives and faithful Labours of those who minister in it. And so We commend ourself to your Prayers, and bid you very hearty Farewell. Given at Our Court at Kensington the Fifteenth day of February 1694/ 5. in the Seventh year of Our Reign. By His Majesties Command, SHREWSBURY.