FIrst, that they contract not with such persons as be hereafter expressed, nor with any of like degree, against the law of God, and the lawes of the Realme.

Secondly, that they make no secrete contracts, without consent and counsell of their Parents or Elders, vnder whose authoritie they bee: contrarie to Gods lawes, and mans ordinances.

Thirdlie, that they contract not anew with anie other vpon diuorce and separation made by the Iudge for a time, the lawes yet standing to the contrarie.

MArriage is honorable among all men, and the bed vndefiled. But whoremongers and adulterers God will iudge. Heb. 13.

To auoide fornication, let euerie man haue his wife, and let euerie woman haue her husband. He that can not containe, let him marrie: For better it is to marrie, then to burne. 1. Cor. 7.

Vnto the married I commaund, not I, but the Lord: Let not the wife depart from her husband. But if she depart, let her remaine vnmarried, or be reconciled vn­to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife. 1. Cor. 7.

1 IT is to be noted, that those persons which be in the direct line, ascen­dent and descendent, can not marrie togither, although they bee ne­uer so farre asunder in degrée.

2 It is also to be noted, that consanguinitie and affinitie (letting and dissoluing Matrimonie) is contracted as well in them and by them, which be of kin­red by the one side, as in and by them, which be of kinred by both sides.

3 Item, that by the lawes, Consanguinitie and afinitie (letting and dissol­uing Matrimonie) is contracted as well by vnlawfull companie of man and wo­man, as by lawfull mariage.

4 Item, in contracting betwixt persons doubtfull, which bee not expressed in this table, it is most sure, first to consult with men learned in the lawes, to vnder­stande what is lawfull, what is honest and expedient, before the finishing of their contracts.

5 Item that no Parson, Vicar, or Curate, shall solemnize Matrimonie out of his or their cure or Parish Church or Chappell, and shall not solemnize the same in priuate houses, nor lawlesse or exempt Churches, vnder the paines of the lawe, forbidding the same. And that the Curate haue the Certificates, when the parties dwell in diuerse parishes.

6 Item the bands of Matrimonie ought to be openlie denounced in the Church by the Minister, three seuerall Sundayes or festiuall dayes, to the intent, that who will and can alledge anie impediment, may bee heard, and that stay may bee made till further triall, if anie exception be made there against it vpon sufficient caution.

7 Item, who shall maliciouslie obiect a friuolous impediment against a law­full Matrimonie, to disturbe the same, is subiect to the paines of the law.

8 Item, who shall presume to contract in the degrées prohibited (though he doe it ignorantlie) besides that the fruite of such copulation may bee iudged vnlawfull, is also punishable at the Ordinaries discretion.

9 Item, if anie minister shall conioyne anie such, or shall be present at such con­tracts making, he ought to be suspended from his ministerie for three yeeres: and otherwise to be punished according to the lawes.

10 Item, it is further ordained, that no Parson, Vicar, or Curate, doe preach, treate, or expound of his owne voluntarie inuention, anie matter of controuersie in the Scriptures, if he be vnder the degree of a maister of Art, except he be licen­sed by his Ordinarie therevnto, but onelie for the instruction of the people, reade the Homelies alreadie set forth, and such other forme of doctrine as shalbe hereafter by authoritie published. And shall not innouate or alter anie thing in the Church, or vse anie old Rite or Ceremonie, which be not set forth by publique authoritie.