WHere at the death of our late Sovereign Lord King Edward the Sixth, there remained one uniform order of Common Service, and Prayer, and of the Administration of Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England, which was set forth in one Book, intituled, The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies in the Church of England, Authorized by Act of Parliament holden in the fifth and sixth years of our said late Sovereign Lord King Edward the sixth, intituled, An Act for the Ʋniformity of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments; The which was repealed, and taken away by Act of Parliament, in the first year of the reign of our late Sovereign Lady Queen Mary, to the great decay of the due honour of God, and discomfort to the professors of the truth of Christs Religion:

Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority of this present Parliament, That the said Statute of Repeal, and every thing therein contained, only concerning the said Book, and the Service, Administration of Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies contained or appointed in, or by the said Book, shall be void and of none effect, from and after the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming: and, That the said Book, with the order of Service, and of the Administra­tion of Sacraments, Rites and Ceremonies, with the alteration and additions therein added and appointed by this Statute, shall stand, and be, from, and after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, in full force and effect, according to the tenour and effect of this Statute: Any thing in the foresaid Statute of Repeal to the contrary notwith­standing.

And further be it Enacted by the Queens Highness, with the assent of the Lords and Commons in this present Par­liament assembled, and by Authority of the same, That all, and singular Ministers in any Cathedral, or Parish-Church, or other place within this Realm of England, Wales, and the Marches of the same, or other the Queens Dominions, shall from and after the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, be bounden to say and use the Mattens, Even­song, celebration of the Lords Supper, and Administration of each of the Sacraments, and all their Common and open Prayer, in such order and form as is mentioned in the said Book, so Authorized by Parliament in the said fifth and sixth year of the Reign of King Edward the Sixth; with one alteration, or addition of certain Lessons to be used on every Sunday in the year, and the form of the Litany altered, and corrected, and two sentences only added in the delivery of the Sacrament to the Communicants, and none other, or otherwise: and, That if any manner of Parson, Vicar, or other whatsoever Minister, that ought or should sing, or say Common Prayer mentioned in the said Book, or minister the Sacraments, from and after the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, refuse to use the said Common Prayers, or to minister the Sacraments in such Cathedral, or Parish-Church; or other places, as he should use to minister the same, in such order and form, as they be mentioned, and set forth in the said Book, or shall wilfully, or obstinately standing in the same, use any other Rite, Ceremony, Order, Form, or manner of celebrating of the Lords Supper openly, or privily, or Mattens, Evensong, Administration of the Sacraments, or other open Prayers, then is mentioned and set forth in the said Book, [Open Prayer in, and throughout this Act, is meant that Prayer which is for other to come unto, or hear, either in Common Churches, or private Chappels, or Oratories, commonly called the Service of the Church] or shall preach, declare or speak any thing in the derogation, or depraving of the said Book, or any thing therein contained, or of any part thereof, and shall be thereof lawfully convicted, according to the Laws of this Realm, by verdict of twelve men, or by his own confession, or by the notorious evidence of the fact; he shall lose and forfeit to the Queens Highness, Her Heirs, and Successors, for his first offence, the profit of all his Spiritual Benefices, or Promotions, coming, or arising in one whole year next after this conviction: And also that the person so convicted shall for the same offence suffer imprisonment by the space of six months, without Bail, or Mainprise: And if any such person, once convict of any offence concerning the premisses, shall after his first conviction, eftsoons, offend, and be thereof in form aforesaid lawfully convict; That then the same person shall for his second offence suffer imprisonment by the space of one whole year, and also shall therefore be deprived ipso facto of all his Spiritual Promotions; and, That it shall be lawful to all Patrons, or Donors of all and singular the same Spiritual Promotions, or of any of them, to present, or collate to the same, as though the person and persons so offending were dead: and, That if any such person or persons, after he shall be twice convicted in form aforesaid, shall offend against any of the premisses the third time, and shall be thereof, in form aforesaid, lawfully convicted; That then the person so offending, and convicted the third time, shall be deprived ipso facto of all his Spiritual promotions, and also shall suffer imprisonment during his life: And if the per­son that shall offend, and be convict in form aforesaid, concerning any of the premisses, shall not be Beneficed, nor have any Spiritual Promotion; That then the same person so offending, and convict, shall for the first offence suffer imprison­ment during one whole year next after his said Conviction, without Bail or Mainprise: And if any such person not having any Spiritual Promotion, after his first conviction, shall eftsoons offend in any thing concerning the premisses, and shall in form aforesaid be thereof lawfully convicted; That then the same person shall for his second offence suf­fer imprisonment during his life.

And it is Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons whatsoever, after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, shall [...]n any Enterludes, Plays, Songs, Rimes, or by other, open words declare, or speak any thing in the derogation, depraving or despising of the same Book, or of any thing therein contained, or any part thereof, or shall by open fact, deed, o [...] by open threatnings compel, or cause, or otherwise pro­cure, or maintain any Parson, Vicar, or other minister in any Cathedral or Parish-Church, or in Chappel, or in any other place, to sing, or say any Common or open Prayer, or to minister any Sacrament otherwise, or in any other manner and form then is mentioned in the said Book; or by any of the said means shall unlawfully interrupt, or let any Parson, Vicar, or other Minister in any Cathedral, or Parish-Church, or Chappel, or any other place to sing or say Common and open Prayer, or to minister the Sacraments, or any of them, in such manner and form as is mentioned in the said Book; That then every such person, being thereof lawfully convicted in form abovesaid, shall forfeit to the Queen our Sovereign Lady, Her Heirs and Successors, for the first offence an hundred marks: And if any person or persons, being once convict of any such offence, eftsoons offend again any of the last recited offences, and shall in form aforesaid be thereof law­fully convict; That then the same person so offending and convict, shall for the second offence forfeit to the Queen our Sovereign Lady, Her Heirs and Successors, four hundred marks: and if any person, after he in form aforesaid shall have been twice convict of any offence concerning any of the last recited offences, shall offend the third time, and be thereof in form abovesaid lawfully convict; That then every person so offending and convict, shall for his third offence forfeit to our Sovereign Lady the Queen all his Goods and Chattels, and shall suffer imprisonment during his life: And if any person or persons that for his first offence concerning the premisses, shall be convict in form aforesaid, do not pay the sum to be paid by virtue of his conviction, in such manner and form as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after his conviction; That then every person so convict, and so not paying the same, shall for the same first offence, instead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment by the space of six months without Bail or Mainprise: and if any person, or persons, that for his second offence concerning the premisses shall be convict in form aforesaid, do not pay the said sum to be paid by virtue of his conviction, and this estatute, in such manner and form as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after his said second conviction; That then every person so convicted, and not so paying the same, shall for the same se­cond offence in the stead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment during twelve months without Bail or Mainprise [...] and, That from and after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next coming, all, and every person and persons, inhabit­ing within this Realm, or any other the Queens Majesties Dominions, shall diligently and faithfully, having no lawful or rea­sonable excuse to be absent, endeavour themselves to resort to their Parish-Church, or Chappel accustomed, or upon reasonable let thereof, to some usual place where Common Prayer, and such service of God shall be used in such time of let, upon every Sunday and other days ordained and used to be kept as holy days, and then and there to abide orderly and [Page] soberly during the time of the Common Prayer, Preachings, or other Service of God there to be used and ministred, upon pain of punishment by the Censures of the Church; and also upon pain, that every person so offending shall forfeit for every such offence twelve pence, to be levied by the Church-wardens of the Parish where such offence shall be done, to the use of the poor of the the same Parish, of the goods, lands, and tenements of such offender, by way of distress.

And for due execution hereof, the Queens most excellent Majesty, the Lords Temporal, and all the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, do in Gods name earnestly require and charge all the Archbishops, Bishops, and other Ordinaries, that they shall endeavour themselves to the uttermost of their knowledges, that the due and true execu­tion hereof may be had throughout their Diocesses, and Charges, as they will answer before God for such evils and plagues, wherewith Almighty God may justly punish his people for neglecting this good and wholsom Law. And for their Authority in this behalf, Be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular the same Arch­bishops, Bishops, and all other their Officers, exercising Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, as well in places exempt, as not ex­empt, within their Diocesses, shall have full power and Authority by this Act to reform, correct and punish, by Cen­sures of the Church, all, and singular persons, which shall offend within any of their Jurisdictions, or Diocesses, after the said Feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist next coming, against this Act and Statute: Any other Law, Statute, Pri­viledge, Liberty or Provision heretofore made, had or suffered to the contrary notwithstanding.

And it is Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every Justice of Oyer and Determiner, or Justices of Assize shall have full power and Authority in every of their open and general Sessions, to enquire, hear, and determine all, and all manner of offences, that shall be committed, or done contrary to any Article contained in this present Act, within the limits of the Commission to them directed, and to make process for the execution of the same, as they may do against any person being indicted before them of trespass, or lawfully convicted thereof.

Provided always, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and every Archbishop and Bishop shall and may at all time and times at his liberty and pleasure, joyn and associate himself by virtue of this Act, to the said Justices of Oyer and Determiner, or to the said Justices of Assize, at every of the said open and general Sessions to be holden in any place within his Diocess, for and to the inquiry, hearing, and determining of the offences aforesaid.

Provided also, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that the Books concerning the said Services shall at the costs and charges of the Parishioners of every Parish, and Cathedral Church, be attained and gotten before the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist next following; and that all such Parishes and Cathedral Churches, or other places, where the said Books shall be attained and gotten before the said Feast of the Nativity of S. John Bap­tist, shall within three Weeks next after the said Books so attained and gotten, use the said Service, and put the same in ure according to this Act.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no person or persons shall be at any time hereafter impeach­ed, or otherwise molested of or for any the offences above mentioned, hereafter to be committed, or done contrary to this Act, unless he or they so offending be thereof indicted at the next general Sessions to be holden before any such Justices of Oyer and Determiner, or Justices of Assize, next after any offence committed or done, contrary to the tenour of this Act.

Provided always, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular Lords of the Parlia­ment, for the third offence above mentioned, shall be tried by their Peers.

Provided also, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Mayor of London, and all other Mayors, Bayliffs, and other Head-Officers of all, and singular Cities, Boroughs, and Towns-corporate within this Realm, Wales, and the Marches of the same, to the which Justices of Assize do not commonly repair, shall have full Power and Au­thority by virtue of this Act, to enquire, hear, and determine the offences abovesaid, and every of them yearly, within fifteen days after the Feasts of Easter and Saint Michael the Archangel, in like manner and form as Justices of Assize, and Oyer and Determiner may do.

Provided always, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all and singular Archbishops, and Bishops, and every of their Chancellors, Commissaries, Archdeacons, and other Ordinaries, having any peculiar Ec­clesiastical Jurisdiction, shall have full power and Authority by virtue of this Act, as well to enquire in their Visitation, Synods, and elsewhere within their Jurisdiction, at any other time and place, to take Accusations, and Informations of all, and every the things above mentioned, done, committed, or perpetrated, within the limits of their Jurisdictions and Authority, as to punish the same by admonition, excommunication, sequestration, or deprivation, and other censures and process, in like form, as heretofore hath been used in like cases, by the Queens Ecclesiastical Laws.

Provided always, and be it Enacted, That whatsoever person offending in the premisses, shall for the offence first re­ceive punishment of the Ordinary, having a testimonial thereof under the said Ordinaries seal, shall not for the same offence eftsoons be convicted before the Justices; and likewise receiving for the said offence punishment first by the Justices, he shall not for the same offence eftsoons receive punishment of the Ordinary: Any thing contained in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.

Provided always, and be it Enacted, That such Ornaments of the Church, and of the Ministers thereof shall be re­tained, and be in use, as were in this Church of England by the Authority of Parliament in the second year of the Reign of King Edward the Sixth, until other order shall be therein taken by the Authority of the Queens Majesty, with the ad­vice of Her Commissioners, appointed and authorized under the Great Seal of England for causes Ecclesiastical, or of the Metropolitan of this Realm: And also, That if there shall happen any contempt, or irreverence to be used in the Ceremonies, or Rites of the Church, by the misusing of the Orders appointed in this Book; the Queens Majesty may by the like advice of the said Commissioners, or Metropolitan, ordain and publish such further Ceremonies or Rites, as may be most for the advancement of Gods glory, the edifying of his Church, and the due reverence of Christs holy Mysteries and Sacraments.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances, wherein, or where­by any other Service, Administration of Sacraments, or Common Prayer is limited, established, or set forth to be used within this Realm, or any other the Queens Dominions, or Countries, shall from henceforth be utterly void, and of none effect.

WHereas in the first year of the late Queen Elizabeth, there was one Uniform Order of Common Service and Prayer, and of the Administration of Sacraments, Rites, and Ceremonies in the Church of England, (agree­able to the Word of God, and usage of the primitive Church) Compiled by the Reverend Bishops and Clergy, set forth in one Book, Entituled, The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of Sacraments, and other Rites and Ce­remonies in the Church of England, and enjoyned to be used by Act of Parliament, holden in the said First year of the said late Queen, Entituled, An Act for the Ʋniformity of Common Prayer, and Service in the Church, and Administration of the Sacraments, very comfortable to all good People, desirous to live in Christian Conversation, and most profitable to the estate of this Realm, upon the which the Mercy, Favour and Blessing of Almighty God is in no wise so readily and plentifully poured, as by Common Prayers, due us [...]g of the Sacraments, and often preaching of the Gospel, with devo­tion of the hearers: And yet this notwithstanding, a great number of people in divers parts of this Realm, following their own sensuality, and living without knowledge and due fear of God, do wilfully and schismatically abstain, and refuse to come to their Parish-Churches, and other publick places where Common Prayer, Administration of the Sacraments, and preaching of the Word of God is used, upon the Sundays and other days ordained and appointed to be kept and observed as Holidays: And whereas by the great and scandalous neglect of Ministers in the said Order, or Liturgy so set forth and enjoyned as aforesaid, great mischiefs and inconveniences, during the times of the late unhappy troubles, have arisen and grown; and many people have been led into Factions, and Schisms, to the great decay and scandal of the Reformed [Page] Religion of the Church of England, and to the hazard of many souls: For prevention whereof in time to come, for set­tling the peace of the Church, and for allaying the present distempers which the indisposition of the time hath con­tracted, The Kings Majesty (according to his Declaration of the five and twentieth of October, One thousand six hundred and sixty) granted his Commission under the great Seal of England, to several Bishops and other Divines, to review the Book of Common Prayer, and to prepare such Alterations and Additions, as they thought fit to offer; And afterwards the Convocations of both the Provinces of Canterbury and York, being by his Majesty called and assembled (and now sitting) His Majesty hath been pleased to authorize and require the Presidents of the said Convocations, and other the Bishops and Clergy of the same, to review the said Book of Common Prayer, and the Book of the Form and manner of the Making and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons; And that after mature consideration, they should make such Additions and Alterations in the said Books respectively, as to them should seem meet and convenient; And should exhibit and present the same to His Majesty in writing, for his further allowance or confirmation; Since which time, upon full and mature deliberation, they the said Presidents, Bishops, and Clergy of both Provinces have accordingly reviewed the said Books, and have made some Alterations which they think fit to be incerted to the same; and some Additional Prayers to the said Book of Common Prayer, to be used upon proper and emergent occasions; and have exhibited and presented the same unto His Majesty in writing, in one Book, Entituled, The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sa­craments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England; together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches, and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Conse­crating of Bishops, Priests and Deacons: All which His Majesty having duly considered, hath fully approved and allowed the same, and recommended to this present Parliament, that the said Book of Common Prayer, and of the Form of Ordination and Consecration of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with the Alterations and Additions which have been so made and presented to His Majesty by the said Convocations, be the Book which shall be appointed to be used by all that officiate in all Cathedral and Collegiate Churches and Chappels, and in all Chappels of Colledges and Halls in both the Universities, and the Colledges of Eaton and Winchester, and in all Parish-Churches and Chappels within the Kingdom of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and by all that make, or Consecrate Bishops, Priests, or Deacons, in any of the said places, under such Sanctions and Penalties as the Houses of Parliament shall think fit. Now in regard that nothing conduceth more to the settling of the Peace of this Nation (which is desired of all good men) nor to the honour of our Religion, and the propagation thereof, then an universal agreement in the publick Worship of Almighty God; and to the intent that every person within this Realm may certainly know the Rule to which he is to conform in Publick Worship, and Administration of Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England, and the Manner how, and by whom Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are and ought to be Made, Ordained and Consecrated;

Be it Enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty, by the Advice, and with the consent of the Lords Spiritual and Tem­poral, and of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That all and singular Ministers, in any Cathedral, Collegiate, or Parish-Church or Chappel, or other place of Publick Worship within this Realm of England, Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, shall be bound to say and use the Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Celebration and Administration of both the Sacraments, and all other the Publick and Common Prayer, in such order and form as is mentioned in the said Book annexed and joyned to this present Act, and intituled, The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England; together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches, and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests and Deacons: and, That the Morning and Evening Prayers therein contained, shall upon every Lords day, and upon all other days and occasions, and at the times therein appointed, be openly and solemnly read by all and every Minister or Curate in every Church, Chappel, or other place of Publick Worship within this Realm or England, and places aforesaid.

And to the end that Uniformity in the Publick Worship of God (which is so much desired) may be speedily effected, Be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every Parson, Vicar, or other Minister whatsoever, who now hath and enjoyeth any Ecclesiastical Benefice or Promotion within this Realm of England, or places aforesaid, shall in the Church, Chappel, or place of Publick Worship belonging to his said Benefice or Promotion, upon some Lords day before the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred sixty and two, openly, publickly, and solemnly read the morning and Evening Prayer appointed to be read by, and according to the said Book of Com­mon Prayer, at the times thereby appointed, and after such reading thereof shall openly and publickly, before the Con­gregation there assembled, declare his unfeigned assent, and consent to the use of all things in the said Book contained and prescribed, in these words, and no other;

I A. B. do here declare my unfeigned assent and consent to all, and everything contained, and prescribed in, and by the Book, Intituled, The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England; together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches; and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests and Deacons;

And that all, and every such person, who shall (without some lawful impediment, to be allowed and approved of by the Ordinary of the place) neglect or refuse to do the same within the time aforesaid, or (in case of such impediment) within one month after such impediment removed, shall ipso facto be deprived of all his spiritual Promotions; And that from thenceforth it shall be lawful to, and for all Patrons and Donors of all and singular the said spiritual Pro­motions, or of any of them, according to their respective Rights, and Titles, to present, or collate to the same, as though the person or persons so offending or neglecting, were dead.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every person, who shall hereafter be presented or colla­ted, or put into any Ecclesiastical Benefice, or Promotion within this Realm of England, and places aforesaid, shall in the Church, Chappel, or place of publick Worship, belonging to his said Benefice or Promotion, within two months next after that he shall be in the actual possession of the said Ecclesiastical Benefice or Promotion, upon some Lords day, openly, publickly and solemnly read the Morning and Evening Prayers appointed to be read by and according to the said Book of Common Prayer, at the times thereby appointed, and after such reading thereof, shall openly, and publickly be­fore the Congregation there assembled, declare his unfeigned assent, and consent to the use of all things therein contain­ed and prescribed, according to the form before appointed: And that all and every such person, who shall (without some lawful impediment to be allowed and approved by the Ordinary of the place) neglect or refuse to do the same within the time aforesaid, or (in case of such impediment) within one month after such Impediment removed, shall ipso facto be deprived of all his said Ecclesiastical Benefices and Promotions; And, that from thenceforth, it shall and may be lawful to, and for all Patrons and Donors of all and singular the said Ecclesiastical Benefices and Promotions, or any of them (according to their respective Rights and Titles) to present or collate to the same, as though the person or persons so offending, or neglecting, were dead.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That in all places where the proper Incumbent of any Parsonage or Vicarage, or Benefice with Cure doth reside on his Living, and keep a Curate, the Incumbent himself in person (not having some lawful Impediment, to be allowed by the Ordinary of the place) shall once (at the least) in every month, openly and publickly read the Common Prayers and Service, in and by the said Book prescribed, and (if there be occasion) Administer each of the Sacraments, and other Rites of the Church, in the Parish-Church or Chappel of, or belonging to the same Parsonage, Vicarage, or Benefice, in such order, manner and form, as in, and by the said Book is ap­pointed, upon pain to forfeit the sum of Five pounds to the use of the poor of the Parish for every offence, upon con­viction by confession, or proof of two credible witnesses upon Oath before two Justices of the Peace of the County, City, or Town-Corporate where the offence shall be committed, (which Oath the said Justices are hereby impowered to administer) and in default of payment within ten days, to be levied by distress, and sale of the goods and chattels of the offender, by the Warrant of the said Justices, by the Church-Wardens, or Overseers of the Poor of the said Pa­rish, rendring the surplusage to the party.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That every Dean, Canon, and Prebendary of every Cathedral, or Collegiate Church, and all Masters, and other Heads, Fellows, Chaplains, and Tutors of, or in any Colledge, Hall, House of Learning, or Hospital, and every publick Professor and Reader in either of the Universities, and in every Colledge elsewhere, and every Parson, Vicar, Curate, Lecturer, and every other person in holy Orders, and every School-ma­ster keeping any publick or private School, and every person instructing, or teaching any Youth in any house or private [Page] family as a Tutor, or School-master, who upon the first day of May, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred sixty two, or at any time thereafter shall be Incumbent, or have possession of any Deanry, Ca­nonry, Prebend, Mastership, Headship, Fellowship, Professors place, or Readers place, Parsonage, Vicarage, or any other Ecclesiastical Dignity or Promotion, or of any Curates place, Lecture, or School; or shall instruct, or teach any Youth, as Tutor or School-master, shall before the Feast-day of Saint Bartholomew, which shall be in the Year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred sixty two, or at or before his, or their respective admission to be Incumbent or have possession aforesaid, subscribe the Declaration or Acknowledgment following, Scilicet,

I A. B. do declare, That it is not lawful upon any pretence whatsoever, to take Arms against the King; and that I do abhor that traiterous position of taking Arms by His Authority against his Person, or against those that are com­missionated by Him; and that I will conform to the Liturgy of the Church of England, as it is now by Law established. And I do declare that I do hold, there lies no obligation upon me, or on any other person from the Oath, commonly called the Solemn League and Covenant, to endeavour any change, or alteration of Government, either in Church or State, and that the same was in it self an unlawful Oath, and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm against the known Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom.

Which said Declaration and Acknowledgment shall be subscribed by every of the said Masters and other Heads, Fel­lows, Chaplains, and Tutors of, or in any Colledge, Hall, or House of Learning, and by every publick professor and Rea­der in either of the Universities, before the Vice-chancellor of the respective Universities for the time being, or his De­puty; And the said Declaration or Acknowledgment shall be subscribed before the respective Archbishop, Bishop, or Or­dinary of the Diocess, by every other person hereby enjoyned to subscribe the same, upon pain that all and every of the persons aforesaid failing in such subscription, shall lose and forfeit such respective Deanry, Canonry, Prebend, Master­ship, Headship, Fellowship, Professors place, Readers place, Parsonage, Vicarage, Ecclesiastical Dignity, or promo­tion, Curates place, Lecture and School, and shall be utterly disabled, and ipso facto, deprived of the same; and that every such respective Deanry, Canonry, Prebend, Mastership, Headship, Fellowship, Professors place, Readers place, Par­sonage, Vicarage, Ecclesiastical dignity or promotion, Curates place, Lecture and School shall be void, as if such person so failing were naturally dead.

And if any Schoolmaster or other person, instructing or teaching Youth in any private House or Family, as a Tutor or Schoolmaster, shall instruct or teach any Youth, as a Tutor or Schoolmaster, before license obtained from his respective Archbishop, Bishop, or Ordinary of the Diocess, according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm (for which he shall pay twelve pence only) and before such subscription and acknowledgment made as aforesaid; then every such School­master, and other instructing and teaching as aforesaid, shall for the first offence suffer three months imprisonment with­out Bail or Mainprise; and for every second and other such offence shall suffer three months Imprisonment without Bail or Mainprise, and also forfeit to his Majesty the sum of Five pounds.

And after such subscription made, every such Parson, Vicar, Curate, and Lecturer shall procure a Certificate under the hand and seal of the respective Archbishop, Bishop, or Ordinary of the Diocess, (who are hereby enjoyned and re­quired upon demand to make and deliver the same) and shall publickly and openly read the same, together with the De­claration, or Ackowledgment aforesaid, upon some Lords day within three months then next following, in his parish Church where he is to officiate, in the presence of the Congreatgion there assembled, in the time of Divine Service; upon pain that every person failing therein shall lose such Parsonage, Vicarage, or Benefice, Curates place, or Lecturers place respectively, and shall be utterly disabled, and ipso facto deprived of the same; and, that the said Parsonage, Vicarage, or Benefice, Curates place, or Lecturers place shall be void, as if he were naturally dead.

Provided always, That from and after the twenty fifth day of March, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, one thousand six hundred eighty two, there shall be omitted in the said Declaration or Acknowledgment so to be subscribed and read, these words following, scilicet,

ANd I do declare, that I do hold there lies no obligation upon me, or on any other person from the Oath, com­monly called the Solemn League and Covenant, to endeavour any change or alteration of Government, either in Church or State; and that the same was in it self an unlawful Oath, and imposed upon the Subjects of this Realm a­gainst the known Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom;

So as none of the persons aforesaid shall from thenceforth be at all obliged to subscribe or read that part of the said Declaration or Acknowledgment.

Provided always, and be it Enacted, That from and after the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, which shall be in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred sixty and two, no person who now is Incumbent, and in possession of any Parsonage, Vicarage, or Benefice, and who is not already in holy Orders by Episcopal Ordination, or shall not before the said Feast-day of Saint Bartholomew be ordained Priest, or Deacon, according to the Form of Episcopal Ordination, shall have, hold, or enjoy the said Parsonage, Vicarage, Benefice with Cure, or other Ecclesiastical Promotion within this Kingdom of England, or the Dominion of Wales, or Town of Berwick upon Tweed; but shall be utterly disabled, and ipso facto deprived of the same; and all his Ecclesiastical Promotions shall be void, as if he were naturally dead.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no person whatsoever shall thenceforth be capable to be ad­mitted to any Parsonage, Vicarage, Benefice, or other Ecclesiastical promotion or dignity whatsoever, nor shall presume to Consecrate and Administer the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper, before such time as he shall be ordained Priest, ac­cording to the form and manner in and by the said Book prescribed, unless he have formerly been made Priest by Episco­pal Ordination, upon pain to forfeit for every offence the sum of one hundred pounds; (one Moiety thereof to the Kings Majesty, the other Moiety thereof to be equally divided between the Poor of the Parish where the offence shall be com­mitted, and such person or persons as shall sue for the same by Action of Debt, Bill, Plaint, or Information in any of his Ma­jesties Courts of Record, wherein no Essoign, Protection, or Wager of Law shall be allowed) and to be disabled from taking or being admitted into the Order of Priest, by the space of one whole year next following.

Provided, that the penalties in this Act shall not extend to the Foreigners or Aliens of the Foreign Reformed Churches, allowed, or to be allowed by the Kings Majesty, His Heirs and Successors in England.

Provided always, That no Title to confer, or present by lapse, shall accrue by any avoidance, or deprivation ipso facto by virtue of this Statute, but after six months after notice of such voidance, or deprivation given by the Ordinary to the Patron, or such sentence of deprivation openly and publickly Read in the Parish-Church of the Benefice, Parsonage, or Vicarage becoming void, or whereof the Incumbent shall be deprived by virtue of this act.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no Form, or Order of Common Prayers, Administration of Sacraments, Rites or Ceremonies shall be openly used in any Church, Chappel, or other publick place of or in any Col­ledge or Hall in either of the Universities, the Colledges of Westminster, Winchester or Eaton, or any of them, other then what is prescribed and appointed to be used in and by the said Book; and, That the present Governour or Head of every Colledge and Hall in the said Universities, and of the said Colledges of Westminster, Winchester, and Eaton, within one month after the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, which shall be in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred sixty and two: And every Governour or Head of any of the said Colledges, or Halls, Hereafter to be elected or appointed, within one month next after his Election, or Collation, and Admission into the same Government or Headship, shall open­ly and publickly in the Church, Chappel, or other publick place of the same Colledge, or Hall, and in the presence of the Fellows and Scholars of the same, or the greater part of them then resident, subscribe unto the Nine and thirty Arti­cles of Religion, mentioned in the Statute made in the Thirteenth year of the Reign of the late Queen Elizabeth, and unto the said Book, and declare his unfeigned assent and consent unto, and approbation of the said Articles, and of the same Book, and to the use of all the prayers, Rites, and Ceremonies, Forms, and Orders in the said Book prescribed and contained, according to the Form aforesaid; and, That all such Governours, or Heads of the said Colledges and Halls, or any of them as are, or shall be in Holy Orders, shall once at least in every quarter of the year (not having a lawful impedi­ment) openly and publickly Read the Morning Prayer, and Service, in and by the said Book appointed to be read, in the Church, Chappel, or other publick place of the same Colledge or Hall, upon pain to lose, and be suspended of, and from all the benefits and profits belonging to the same Government or Headship, by the space of six months, by the Visitor or Visitors of the same Colledge or Hall; And if any Governour or Head of any Colledge or Hall, suspended for not sub­scribing unto the said Articles and Book, or for not Reading of the Morning Prayer and Service as aforesaid, shall not at, or before the end of six months next after such suspension, subscribe unto the said Articles and Book, and declare his consent thereunto as aforesaid, or read the Morning Prayer and Service as aforesaid, then such Government or Head­ship shall be ipso facto void.

Provided always, that it shall and may be lawful to use the Morning and Evening Prayer, and all other Prayers, and Service prescribed in and by the said book, in the Chappels or other publick places of the respective Colledges and Halls in both the Universities, in the Colledges of Westminster, Winchester, and Eaton, and in the Convocations of the Clergies of either Province, in Latine; Any thing in this Act contained to the contrary notwithstanding.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no person shall be, or be received as a Lecturer, or per­mitted, suffered, or allowed to preach as a Lecturer, or to preach, or Read any Sermon or Lecture in any Church, Chappel, or other place of publick Worship within this Realm of England, or the Dominion of Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, unless he be first approved and thereunto licensed by the Archbishop of the Province, or Bishop of the Diocess, or (in case the See be void) by the Guardian of the Spiritualties, under his Seal, and shall in the pre­sence of the same Archbishop, or Bishop, or Guardian, Read the Nine and thirty Articles of Religion, mentioned in the Statute of the Thirteenth year of the late Queen Elizabeth, with Declaration of his unfeigned assent to the same; and, That every person, and persons who now is, or hereafter shall be Licensed, Assigned, Appointed, or Received as a Lecturer, to preach upon any day of the week in any Church, Chappel, or place of publick Worship within this Realm of England, or places aforesaid, the first time he preacheth (before his Sermon) shall openly, publickly and solemnly Read the Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be Read for that time of the day, and then and there publickly and openly declare his assent unto, and approbation of the said Book, and to the use of all the Pray­ers, Rites and Ceremonies, Forms and Orders therein contained and prescribed, according to the Form before appointed in this Act; and also shall upon the first Lecture-day of every month afterwards, so long as he continues Lecturer, or Preacher there, at the place appointed for his said Lecture or Sermon, before his said Lecture or Sermon, openly, pub­lickly, and solemnly Read the Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be Read for that time of the day, at which the said Lecture or Sermon is to be preached, and after such reading thereof, shall openly, and publickly, before the Congregation there assembled, declare his unfeigned assent and consent unto, and approbati­on of the said Book, and to the use of all the Prayers, Rites and Ceremonies, Forms and Orders therein contained and prescribed, according to the Form aforesaid; and, That all and every such person and persons who shall neglect or re­fuse to do the same, shall from thenceforth be disabled to preach the said, or any other Lecture or Sermon in the said, or any other Church, Chappel, or place of publick Worship, until such time as he and they shall openly, publickly, and so­lemnly read the Common Prayers and Service appointed by the said Book, and conform in all points to the things therein appointed and prescribed, according to the purport, true intent, and meaning of this Act.

Provided always, That if the said Sermon or Lecture be to be preached or read in any Cathedral, or Collegiate Church or Chappel, it shall be sufficient for the said Lecturer openly at the time aforesaid, to declare his assent and consent to all things contained in the said Book, according to the Form aforesaid.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That if any person who is by this Act disabled to preach any Lecture or Sermon, shall during the time that he shall continue and remain so disabled, preach any Sermon or Lecture; That then for every such offence the person and persons so offending shall suffer three months imprisonment in the Com­mon Goal without Bail or Mainprise, and that any two Justices of the Peace of any County of this Kingdom and places aforesaid, and the Mayor, or other chief Magistrate of any City, or Town-corporate within the same, upon Certificate from the Ordinary of the place made to him or them of the offence committed, shall, and are hereby required to commit the person or persons so offending to the Goal of the County, City, or Town-corporate accordingly.

Provided always, and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That at all and every time and times, when any Sermon or Lecture is to be preached, The Common Prayers and Service in and by the said Book appointed to be read for that time of the day shall be openly, publickly, and solemnly read by some Priest or Deacon, in the Church, Chappel, or place of publick Worship, where the said Sermon or Lecture is to be preached, before such Sermon or Lecture be preached; and, That the Lecturer then to preach shall be present at the reading thereof.

Provided nevertheless, That this Act shall not extend to the University-Churches in the Universities of this Realm, or either of them, when or at such times as any Sermon or Lecture is preached or read in the same Churches, or any of them, for, or as the publick University-Sermon or Lecture; but that the same Sermons and Lectures may be preached or read in such sort and manner as the same have been heretofore preached or read; This Act, or any thing herein contained to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.

And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the several good Laws and Statutes of this Realm, which have been formerly made, and are now in force for the Uniformity of Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, with­in this Realm of England, and places aforesaid, shall stand in full force and strength to all intents and purposes whatso­ever, for the establishing and confirming of the said Book, Entituled, The book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches; and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons; herein before mentioned to be joyned and annexed to this Act; and shall be applied, practised, and put in ure for the punishing of all offences contrary to the said Laws, with relation to the Book aforesaid, and no other.

Provided always, and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That in all those Prayers, Litanies and Col­lects, which do any way relate to the King, Queen, or Royal Progeny, the Names be altered and changed from time to time, and fitted to the present occasion, according to the direction of lawful Authority.

Provided also, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That a true Printed Copy of the said Book, Enti­tuled, The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, ac­cording to the use of the Church of England; together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches; and the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Dea­cons, shall at the cost and charges of the Parishioners of every Parish-Church and Chappelry, Cathedral Church, Colledge, and Hall, be attained and gotten before the Feast-day of Saint Bartholomew, in the year of our Lord, One thousand six hundred sixty and two, upon pain of forfeiture of Three pounds by the month, for so long time as they shall then after be unprovided thereof, by every Parish, or Chappelry, Cathedral Church, Colledge, and Hall, making default therein.

Provided always, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Bishops of Hereford, S. Davids, Asaph, Ban­gor, and Landaff, and their Successors, shall take such order among themselves, for the souls health of the Flocks commit­ted to their charge within Wales, that the Book hereunto annexed be truly and exactly Translated into the British or Welsh Tongue, and that the same so Translated, and being by them, or any three of them at the least viewed, peru­sed, and allowed, be Imprinted to such number at least, so that one of the said Books so Translated and Imprinted, may be had for every Cathedral, Collegiate, and Parish Church, and Chappel of Ease in the said respective Diocesses, and places in Wales, where the Welsh is commonly spoken or used, before the First day of May, One thousand six hundred sixty five; and, That from and after the Imprinting and Publishing of the said Book so Translated, the whole Divine Service shall be used and said by the Ministers and Curates throughout all Wales, within the said Diocesses where the Welsh Tongue is commonly used, in the British or Welsh Tongue, in such manner and form as is prescribed according to the Book hereunto annexed to be used in the English Tongue, differing nothing in any Order or Form from the said Eng­lish Book; for which Book so Translated and Imprinted, the Church-wardens of every the said Parishes shall pay out of the Parish-money in their hands for the use of the respective Churches, and be allowed the same on their Account; and, That the said Bishops and their Successors, or any three of them at the least, shall set and appoint the Price for which the said Book shall be sold; And one other Book of Common Prayer in the English Tongue shall be bought and had in every Church throughout Wales, in which the Book of Common Prayer in Welch is to be had, by force of this Act, before the first day of May, One thousand six hundred sixty and four, and the same Book to remain in such convenient places within the said Churches, that such as understand them, may resort at all convenient times to read and peruse the same, and also such as do not understand the said Language, may by conferring both Tongues together, the sooner at­tain to the knowledge of the English Tongue; Any thing in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding; And until printed Copies of the said Book so to be Translated may be had and provided, the Form of Common Prayer, established by Parliament before the making of this Act, shall be used as formerly in such parts of Wales, where the English Tongue is not commonly understood.

And to the end that the true and perfect Copies of this Act and the said Book hereunto annexed may be safely kept, and perpetually preserved, and for the avoiding of all disputes for the time to come; Be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the respective Deans and Chapters of every Cathedral, or Collegiate Church, within England and Wales, shall at their proper co [...]s and charges, before the twenty fifth day of December, One thousand six hundred sixty and two, obtain under the Great Seal of England a true and perfect Copy of this Act, and of the said Book annexed hereunto, to be [Page] by the said Deans and Chapters, and their Successors kept and preserved in safety for ever, and to be also produced, and shewed forth in any Court of Record as often as they shall be thereunto lawfully required; and also there shall be delivered true and perfect Copies of this Act, and of the same Book, into the respective Courts at Westminster, and into the Tower of London, to be kept and preserved for ever among the Records of the said Courts, and the Records of the Tower, to be also produced and shewed forth in any Court, as need shall require; which said Books so to be exemplified under the Great Seal of England, shall be examined by such persons, as the Kings Majesty shall appoint under the Great Seal of England for that purpose, and shall be compared with the Original Book hereunto annexed, and shall have power to correct, and amend in writing any Error committed by the Printer in the Printing of the same book, or of any thing therein contained, and shall certifie in writing under their Hands and Seals, or the Hands and Seals of any three of them at the end of the same Book, that they have examined and compared the same Book, and find it to be a true and perfect Copy; which said Books, and every one of them so exemplified under the Great Seal of England, as aforesaid, shall be deemed, taken, adjudged and expounded to be good, and available in the Law to all intents and purposes whatsoever, and shall be accounted as good Records as this Book it self hereunto annexed; any Law or Custom to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

Provided also, that this Act, or any thing therein contained, shall not be prejudicial or hurtful unto the Kings Professour of the Law within the University of Oxford, for, or concerning the Prebend of Shipton, within the Cathedral Church of Sarum, united and annexed unto the place of the same Kings Professour for the time being, by the late King James of blessed memory.

Provided always, That whereas the Six and thirtieth Article of the Nine and thirty Article agreed upon by the Arch­bishops, and Bishops of both Provinces, and the whole Clergy in the Convocation holden at London, in the year of our Lord, One thousand five hundred sixty two, for the avoiding of diversities of opinions, and for establishing of consent touching true Religion, is in these words following, viz.

That the Book of Consecration of Archbishops, and Bishops, and Ordaining of Priests and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of King Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at the same time by Authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and Ordaining, neither hath it any thing that of it self is superstitious, and ungodly; And therefore whoso­ever are Consecrated or Ordered according to the Rites of that Book, since the second year of the aforenamed King Edward unto this time, or hereafter shall be Consecrated or Ordered according to the same Rites; We decree all such to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully Consecrated and Ordered;

It be Enacted, and be it therefore Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Subscriptions hereafter to be had or made unto the said Articles, by any Deacon, Priest, or Ecclesiastical person, or other person whatsoever, who by this Act, or any other Law now in force is required to subscribe unto the said Articles, shall be construed and taken to extend, and shall be applied (for and touching the said Six and thirtieth Article) unto the book containing the Form and Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests and Deacons in this Act mentioned, in such sort and manner as the same did heretofore extend unto the Book set forth in the time of King Edward the Sixth, mentioned in the said Six and thirtieth Article; Any thing in the said Article, or in any Statute, Act, or Canon heretofore had or made to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding.

Provided also, That the Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Cere­monies of this Church of England, together with the Form and Manner of Ordaining, and Consecrating Bishops, Priests and Deacons, heretofore in use, and respectively established by Act of Parliament in the First and Eighth years of Queen Elizabeth, shall be still used and observed in the Church of England, until the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, which shall be in the year of our Lord God, One thousand six hundred sixty and two.