of all reformed churches, both at home and abroad, against our common enemies; that all they, who do confess the holy name of our dear Lord, and do agree in the truth of his holy word, may also meet in one holy communion, and live in perfect unity and godly love. CLXVI. 5 Archiepisc. Cant. suspenso. Anno Christi Reg. Angliæ GUILIEL. et MAR. 2. His majesty's letter to the reverend father in God, Henry, lord bishop of London, to be communicated to the two provinces of Canterbury and York. WILLIAM R. RIGHT reverend father in God, we greet you well. Whereas the advancement of the honour and service of Almighty God, and of the protestant religion, which by his wonderful providence hath been preserved and 10 established in these kingdoms, ought to be the chief part of our royal care; in order to this, as we have oftentimes declared that we would take the church of England, by law established, into our particular protection and favour, so we take this occasion to renew these assurances, being 15 resolved to do all we can for the support and strengthening of it, preserving withal the liberty of conscience to all our protestant subjects, which by our laws they now enjoy. His majesty's letter] Archbishop Sancroft was suspended from his 201 office on the 1st of August 1689, and deprived on the 1st of February following. Dr. Tillotson, then dean of Canterbury, was appointed by the chapter of his cathedral to exercise the archiepiscopal jurisdiction during the suspension, and was nominated by the king to the archbishopric on the 23rd of April 1691. 25 And because the welfare, peace, and honour of this church depends so much upon all persons faithfully doing their duties in their several places and functions; we therefore first of all charge and require you the bishops of 5 this our church, to apply yourselves with all diligence and zeal to the duties of your episcopal function, according to the word of God, the orders of this church, and the laws of this our realm. 10 More especially as to the ordination of ministers, we require you to use all possible care and strictness in examining and inquiring into the lives and learning of such persons, as desire to be admitted into holy orders; and herein constantly to observe the canons relating thereunto, the neglect whereof we shall strictly inquire into, 15 and take care that it be punished according to law. We also charge and require you, to keep a strict watch over all the clergy in your respective dioceses, to see that they be duly resident upon their livings, according to the laws in that case provided; and that they be constant 20 and diligent in their duties, performing the public offices of worship gravely and devoutly, preaching the word of God plainly and practically, without running into needless controversies, and administering of the holy sacraments frequently, with that reverence, which is due to 25 the institutions of Christ, also catechizing the youth, visiting the sick and distressed, and doing all such things in their stations, as may tend to promote the honour of God, and true religion, together with peace and charity among all their neighbours; themselves giving a good 30 example to their flock, by walking before them in all holy conversation and godliness. And the more effectually to prevent the scandals that may arise by any disorders in the lives of those, who ought to be examples to others, you shall admonish them 35 religiously to observe the canon entitled "Sober conversation required in ministers ;" and you shall severally and impartially proceed by ecclesiastical censures against all such of your clergy, as shall be found guilty of any notorious violation of this or any other law or canons, relating to their duty. And for the better encouragement of deserving men, 5 as we intend to make it a rule to ourself, so we also require it of you in disposing of church preferments, to have a special regard to such persons, as by their piety, learning, diligence, and peaceableness do most promote the honour of God, and the edification of his church. 10 And because, as our duty requires, we most earnestly desire and shall endeavour a general reformation in the lives and manners of all our subjects, as being that which must establish our throne, and secure to our people their religion, happiness, and peace; all which seem to be in 15 great danger at this time, by reason of that overflowing of vice, which is too notorious in this, as well as other neighbouring nations; we therefore require you, to order all the clergy to preach frequently against those particular sins and vices, which are most prevailing in this realm, 20 and that on every of those Lord's days, on which any such sermon is to be preached, they do also read to their people such statute law or laws, as are provided against that vice or sin, which is their subject on that day; as namely against blasphemya, swearing, and cursing, against 25 perjuryb, against drunkenness and against profanationa of the Lord's day; all which statutes we have ordered to be printed together with these our letters, that so they may be transmitted by you to every parish within this our realm. And whereas there is as yet no sufficient provision made by any statute law for the punishing of adultery and fornication, you shall therefore require all church 30 wardens in your dioceses to present impartially all those that are guilty of any such crimes in their several parishes; and upon such presentments we require you to proceed without delay, and upon sufficient proof to inflict those 5 censures, which are appointed by our ecclesiastical laws against such offenders. In doing whereof according to your duty, you shall not want our effectual assistance and support. And for the better carrying on of so good a work, we 10 do in the last place charge and require you to preach frequently yourselves; to confer often with your clergy; and to inquire by all proper means into all abuses and corruptions in your dioceses, in order to a full and speedy reformation; and all this not only as you shall answer it 15 to us, but also considering the great charge that God hath committed to you, and the account that you must give him for it at the great day. And so we bid you heartily farewell. Given at our court at Whitehall the thirteenth day of February, MDCLXXXIX. in the second 20 year of our reign. By his majesty's command. SHREWSBURY. CLXVII. Archiepisc. Cant. Anno Christi Reg. Angliæ Injunctions given by the king's majesty to the archbishops of this realm, to be communicated by them to the bishops, and the rest of the clergy. To the most reverend father in God, our right trusty and right entirely beloved counsellor Thomas, lord archbishop of Canterbury, and to the most reverend father in God John, lord archbishop of York. WILLIAM R. MOST reverend father in God, our right trusty and 5 right entirely beloved counsellor; and most reverend father in God, we greet you well. We being very sensible, that nothing can more effectually conduce to the honour and glory of God, and the support of the pro- 10 testant religion, than the protecting and maintaining of the church of England, as it is by law established; which we are resolved to do to the utmost of our power; have therefore upon mature deliberation with you and other our bishops, by virtue of our royal and supreme authority, 15 thought fit, with the advice of our privy council, to ordain and publish the following injunctions. I. That the 34th and 35th canons concerning ordinations be strictly observed. II. That every person, to be admitted to holy orders, 20 do signify his name and the place of his abode to the Injunctions given] Archbishop Tillotson died on the 22nd of Nov. 1694, and Dr. Tenison, then bishop of Lincoln, was nominated to the archbishopric by the king in council on the 6th of December following. Kennet, vol. iii. p. 678. Baxter's Life, p. 541. 25 |