This Afternoone the Charge was voted against Bishop Wren, which consists of these severall Articles folllowing.
FIrst, Excommunicating, Depriving, or Banishing in the space of 2 years 50 godly, painfull, learned Ministers.
Secondly, Practising superstition in his own person.
Thirdly, Causing the Communion Table to be placed Altar-wise, and to be railed in, & kneeling and consecrating the Bread and Wine at the West side of the Communion-table with his backe towards the people, and bowing to or before the same.
Fourthly, Elevating the Bread and Wine over his head that the people might see it.
Fifthly, Causing all his Pewes or Seats, to be so contrived, that the people must of necessity kneele with their faces towards the East.
Sixthly, Employed his power to restraine powerfull preaching, forbidding all Sermons on Sundayes Afternoons, or in the week dayes, without his lycense, & lest expounding the Catechisme, and Common-prayer booke, should be as bad as Preaching; as hee and some of his Officers said, therefore he inhibits any manner of exposition, and injoines▪ onely the bare Question and Answers in the Common-prayer booke.
Seventhly, And to the end, the people shall not know where there is any Sermons, commands all ringing of [Page 4] Bells to be alike, that so the people may not distinguish where there is a Sermon, or where there is but prayer.
Eightly, He permitted no Prayer to bee read before Sermon, but that which is directed in the 39. Canon, which hath no warrant of Law, and after Sermon suffers no Prayer at all, but onely Gloria Patri, &c.
Ninthly, He did publish a book of Articles, to which the Church-wardens were to be sworne, and these 39. Articles contain at least 897. Questions. One whereof was this, doth any man discourse profainly at Mealetime, touching Religion or the holy Scripture?
Another, Doth the Minister expound the holy Scripture, according to the sense of the antient Fathers?
This, I must beleeve, will pussell the best learned Church-wardens in England to answer.
Thursday next, is appointed to consider what penalty the Bishops have incur'd, by making these Canons which tend to Sedition.
The Result and Conclusion which was drawn from the fore-mentioned Premisses, was that, it was resolved upon the Question, that it is the opinion of this House, that Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely, is unworthy and unfit to hold or exrecise any Office of Dignity in the Church or Common-wealth.
Resolved that there be a Message sent to the Lords to desire them to joyne with the Commons to petition his Majesty to remove Bishop Wren both from his person and service.