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the church here, as well in matter of doctrine, as of discipline, although we had no reason to presume that things were so far amiss as was pretended, because we had seen the kingdom under that form of religion, which 5 by law was established in the days of the late queen of famous memory, blessed with a peace and prosperity, both extraordinary and of many years' continuance, (a strong evidence that God was therewith well pleased,) yet because the importunity of the complainers was great, 10 their affirmations vehement, and the zeal, wherewith the same did seem to be accompanied, very specious, we were moved thereby to make it our occasion to discharge that duty, which is the chiefest of all kingly duties, that is, to settle the affairs of religion and the service of God 15 before their own; which while we were in hand to do, as

the contagion of the sickness reigning in our city of London and other places would permit an assembly of persons meet for that purpose, some of those who misliked the state of religion here established, presuming 20 more of our intents than ever we gave them cause to do, and transported with humour, began such proceedings, as did rather raise a scandal in the church, than take offence away. For both they used forms of public serving of God not here allowed, held assemblies without autho25 rity, and did other things carrying a very apparent show of sedition, more than of zeal; whom we restrained by a former proclamation in the month of October last, and gave intimation of the conference we intended to be had with as much speed as conveniently could be, for the or30 dering of those things of the church; which accordingly followed in the month of January last, at our honour of Hampton court, where before ourself and our privy council were assembled many of the gravest bishops and prelates of the realm, and many other learned men, as well of those that are conformable to the state of the church established, as of those that dissented; among whom, what

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our pains were, what our patience in hearing and replying, and what the indifferency and uprightness of our judgment in determining, we leave to the report of those who heard the same, contenting ourself with the sincerity of our own heart therein. But we cannot conceal, that s the success of that conference was such as happeneth to many other things, which moving great expectation before they be entered into, in their issue produce small effect. For we found mighty and vehement informations supported with so weak and slender proofs, as it appeared 10 unto us and our council, that there was no cause, why any change should have been at all in that, which was most impugned, the Book of Common Prayer, containing the form of the public service of God here established ; neither in the doctrine, which appeared to be sincere, 15 nor in the forms and rites, which were justified out of the practice of the primitive church. Notwithstanding we thought meet, with consent of the bishops and other learned men there present, that some small things might rather be explained, than changed; not that the same 20 might not very well have been borne with by men, who would have made a reasonable construction of them, but for that in a matter concerning the service of God we were nice or rather jealous, that the public form thereof should be free not only from blame, but from suspicion, 25 so as neither the common adversary should have advantage to rest aught therein contained to other sense, than the church of England intendeth, nor any troublesome or ignorant person of this church be able to take the least occasion of cavil against it: and for that purpose gave 30 forth our commission under our great seal of England to the archbishop of Canterbury and others, according to the form, which the laws of this realm in like case prescribe to be used, to make the said explanation, and to cause the whole book of Common Prayer, with the same 35 explanations, to be newly printed. Which being now

done and established anew after so serious a deliberation; although we doubt not but all our subjects, both ministers and others, will receive the same with such reverence as appertaineth, and conform themselves thereunto 5 every man in that, which him concerneth; yet have we thought it necessary to make known by proclamation our authorizing of the same, and to require and enjoin all men, as well ecclesiastical as temporal, to conform themselves unto it, and to the practice thereof, as the only 10 public form of serving of God, established and allowed to be in this realm. And the rather, for that all the learned men, who were there present, as well of the bishops, as others, promised their conformity in the practice of it, only making suit to us, that some few might be borne 15 with for a time.

Wherefore we require all archbishops, bishops, and all other public ministers, as well ecclesiastical as civil, to do their duties in causing the same to be obeyed, and in punishing the offenders according to the laws of the 20 realm heretofore established for the authorizing of the said book of Common Prayer. And we think it also necessary, that the said archbishops and bishops do each of them in his province and diocese take order, that every parish do procure to themselves within such time, as they 25 shall think good to limit, one of the said books so ex

plained. And last of all we do admonish all men, that hereafter they shall not expect nor attempt any further alteration in the common and public form of God's service, from this which is now established; for that neither 30 will we give way to any to presume, that our own judgment having determined in a matter of this weight, shall be swayed to alteration by the frivolous suggestions of any light spirit; neither are we ignorant of the inconveniences, that do arise in government, by admitting 35 innovation in things once settled by mature deliberation; and how necessary it is to use constancy in the upholding

of the public determinations of states; for that such is the unquietness and unsteadfastness of some dispositions, affecting every year new forms of things, as, if they should be followed in their inconstancy, would make all actions of states ridiculous and contemptible: whereas the stead- 5 fast maintaining of things by good advice established, is the weal of all common wealths. Given at our palace of Westminster the fifth day of March, in the first year of our reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the seven and thirtieth, anno Domini, MDCIII.

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A proclamation enjoining conformity to the form of the service of God established.

'HE care, which we have had, and pains, which we

THE

have taken to settle the affairs of this church of England in an uniformity as well of doctrine, as of government, both of them agreeable to the word of God, the doctrine of the primitive church, and the laws here- 15

A proclamation] See Nos. CXVIII. CXIX. The feeling, which king James had brought from Scotland, of respect for a monarchical form of church-government, and dislike and irritation against republican platforms, had been constantly acquiring strength and consistency in England, and appears at the time of this proclamation to have 20 amounted to the strictest views of supremacy and obedience, and a personal disgust and offence against the puritans. In his proclamation of the 5th of March (No. CXIX.) he enjoined the use of the new book of Common Prayer on his own authority, without waiting for the sanction of the convocation or the parliament; and in his speech before parlia- 25 ment (March 22d) he denounced the puritans as "fond of levelling," and "scarcely to be endured in a well-regulated commonweath." He

tofore established for those matters in this realm, may sufficiently appear by our former actions. For no sooner did the infection of the plague, reigning immediately after our entry into this kingdom, give us leave to have any 5 assembly, but we held at our honour of Hampton court for that purpose a conference between some principal bishops and deans of this church, and such other learned men as understood or favoured the opinions of those that seek alteration, before ourself and our council. Of which To conference the issue was, that no well grounded matter appeared to us or our said council, why the state of the church here by law established, should in any material point be altered. Nor did those that before had seemed to affect such alteration, when they heard the contrary 15 arguments, greatly insist upon it, but seemed to be satisfied themselves, and to undertake within reasonable time to satisfy all others, that were misled with opinion that there was any just cause of alteration. Whereupon we published by our proclamation what had been the issue 20 of that conference, hoping that when the same should be made known, all reasonable men would have rested satisfied with that which had been done, and not have moved further trouble or speech of matters, whereof so solemn and advised determination had been made. Notwith25 standing at the late assembly of our parliament there

found however, notwithstanding his injunction to the contrary, that petitions were proposed, both in the house of commons and in the lower house of convocation, for further alterations in the book of Common Prayer, and in the established order of church-government; and 30 that many ministers retained their appointments who were favourable to the ritual and discipline of Geneva. This proclamation therefore was issued, requiring them to conform, and fixing the last day of November next ensuing as the limit of time allowed them. The test of conformity was doubtless subscription willingly and ex animo to the 35 three articles of the thirty-sixth canon, and observance of the other canons, which had been approved by the recent convocation and ratified by the king. Collier, vol. ii. p. 686. Neal, Purit. vol. i. p. 416.

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