WHERE at the death of our late Soveraign Lord King Edword 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 Soveraign Lord King Edward the Sixth, intituled, An Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments; The which was repealed, and taken away by Act of Parliament, in the first year of the Reign of our late Soveraign Lady Queen Mary, to the great decay of the due honour of GOD, and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.

[2] And further be it Enacted by the Queens Highness, with the assent of the Lords and Commons of this present Parliament assembled, and by the 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 other 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 Letany 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, Even song, administration of the Sacraments, or other open Prayers, than is mentioned, and set forth in the said Book, [Open Prayer in, and through 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 con victed, 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; 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 his conviction: And also that the person so convicted shall for the same offence suffer imprisonment by the space of six moneths, 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 any of them, to present, or collate to the same, as though the person or 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.

[3] 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 St. John Baptist next coming, shall in any Enterludes, Playes, 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, or by open threatnings compel, or cause, or otherwise procure, or maintain any Parson, Vicar, or other Minister in any Cathedral, or ParishChurch, 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, than is mentioned in the said Book; or that by any of the said means shall unlawfully interrupt, or let any Parson, Vicar, or other Minister in any Cathedral, or Parish-Church, 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 Soveraign 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 against 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 Soveraign 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 Soveraign 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 vertue 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, in stead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment by the space of six moneths 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 vertue of his conviction, and this estatute, in such manner and form, as the same ought to be paid, within six weeks next after this said second conviction; That then every person so convicted, and not paying the same, shall for the same second offence, in the stead of the said sum, suffer imprisonment during twelve moneths 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, indeavour 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 dayes ordained and used to be kept as holy days, and then, and there to abide orderly and soberly, during the time of 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 Churchwardens of the Parish, where such offence shall be done, to the use of the poor of the same Parish, of the goods, lands, and tenements of such offender, by way of distress.

[4] And for due execution hereof, the Queens most excellent Majesty, the Lords Temporal, and all the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, doth 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 Diocesse and Charges, as they will answer before GOD for such evils and plagues, wherewith Almighty GoD may justly punish His people for neglecting His good and whol

som 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, aswel in place exempt, as not exempt, within their Diocesse 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 Diocesse, after the said Feast of the Nativity of Saint 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.

[5] 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.

[6] 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 vertue of this Act to the said Justices of Oyer and Determiner, or to the said Justices of Assise, 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.

[7] Provided also, and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Books concerning the said Service 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 Saint John Baptist, shall within three weeks next after the said books so attained and gotten, use the said Service, and put the same in use according to this Act.

[8] 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 of 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 Assise, next after any offence committed or done, contrary to the tenour of this Act.

[9] 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.

[10] Provided also, and be it Ordained, and Enacted by the Authority afore said, 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 Assise do not commonly repair, shall have full power and Authority by vertue 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 Assise, and Oyer, and Determiner may do.

[11] 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 vertue of this Act, aswel to enquire in their Visitation, Synods, or 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 jurisdiction and Authority, and to punish the same by admonition, excommunication, sequestration, or deprivation, or

other censures, and processes, in like form, as heretofore hath been used in like cases by the Queens Ecclesiastical Laws.

[12] Provided alwaies, and be it Enacted, That whatsoever person offending in the premisses shall for the first offence 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 first offence punishment by the Justices, he shall not for the same first offence eftsoons receive punishment of the Ordinary: Any thing contained in this Act to the contrary notwithstanding.

[13] 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 was 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 Authority of the Queens Majesty, with the advice of Her Commissioners, ap

pointed 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.

[14] 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, and Countries, shall from henceforth utterly be 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 Uniformity 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 using 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 Holy days: And whereas by the great and scandalous neglect of Ministers in using 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 Religion of the Church of England, and to the hazard of many souls for prevention whereof in time to come, for setling 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 inserted to the same; and some Additional Prayers to the said Book of Common-Prayer, to be used upon proper and emergent occasions; and have ex

hibited 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 duely considered hath fully approved and allowed the same, and recommended to this present Parliament, that the said Books 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 setling of the Peace of this Nation (which is desired of all good men) nor to the honour of our Religion, and the propagation thereof, than an Universal agreement in the Public 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 Public 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;

[2] 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 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 or 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 of England, and places aforesaid.

[3] 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;

[4] I A. B. Do here declare my unfeigned assent, and consent to all, and every thing 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, or manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, ard Deacons ;

[5] 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 Moneth 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.

[6] 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 Moneths 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.

[7] 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 Impowred 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 Churchwardens, or Over-seers of the Poor of the said Parish, rendring the surplusage to the party.

[8] 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, Chap

lains, 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 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, Fellow-ship, Professorsplace, 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 Acknowledgement following, Scilicet:

[9] 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.

[10] Which said Declaration and Acknowledgement 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 Acknowledgement shall be subscribed before the respective Arch-bishop, Bishop or Ordinary of the Diocess, by every other person hereby injoyned 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.

[11] 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 twelvepence onely) and before such subscription and acknowledgement made as aforesaid; Then every such School-master 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 Acknowledge

ment 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 Congregation 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 was naturally dead.

[12] 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 Acknowledgement so to be subscribed and read, these words following, scilicet,

And I do declare that I do hold there lies no obligation on 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 Acknowledgement.

[13] 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 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 was naturally dead.

[14] 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 moyety thereof to the Kings Majesty, the other moyety 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 then next following.

[15] Provided that the Penalties in this Act shall not extend to the Foreiners or Aliens of the Forein Reformed Churches allowed, or to be allowed by the Kings Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in England.

[16] Provided always, That no title to confer, or present by lapse shall accrue by any avoidance, or deprivation ipso facto by vertue 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 vertue of this Act.

[17] 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, Win