SYNODƲS ANGLICANA: Or, The Constitution and Proceedings OF AN ENGLISH CONVOCATION, SHOWN From the ACTS and REGISTERS thereof, to be agreeable to the Principles OF AN Episcopal Church.

APPENDIX.

  • 1. Three Re­gisters of the Upper-house, in
    • 1562. in which the xxxix Articles were agreed upon.
    • 1640. under Archb. Laud.
    • 1661, &c. in whch the Com­mon-Prayer was Revis'd.
  • 2. The two entire Journals of the Lower-House, in 1586 and 1588.

LONDON: Printed for A. and J. Churchill at the Black Swan in Pater-noster-row. 1672.

THE PREFACE.

THE unhappy Disputes in the last Convocation, were too plain a pre­judice to our Church and Order, to suffer any man who had a com­mon respect for either, to stand by uncon­cern'd. But in studying proper Remedies, the great difficulty was, to find out where the Disease lay; that is, from which House the Encroachments came, and upon what founda­tion a sure Judgment thereof might be made.

The REASON of the thing had been offer'd, as one way of fixing the Right: but that (I found) might be urg'd plausibly on either side. For an Advocate of common know­ledge and dexterity, which part soever he un­dertake, cannot in Causes of this Nature want a Variety of that sort of Colours; but they are little regarded in Law, nor ever urg'd in a case of Legal Right, that can be supported by Arguments and Authorities from Custom or Statute. Such Suggestions about the Reason and Consequence of things, are useful [Page ii] towards the prudent Settlement of new Laws; but can have no part in the determination of questions about ancient Rights. In this im­perfect State of things, many Failings and Inconveniences will ever attend the wisest Establishments; and when Designs are set afoot to invade or undermine them, these Possibilities of mischief are always made the Instruments of raising jealousies and discon­tents among the Generality; who are hard­ly brought, either to see the mischief of too much Liberty, or the necessity of lodging an ultimate Trust some-where, in order to the peace and safety of any Society.

The Proceedings in PARLIAMENT have been also urg'd, to justifie some late Mea­sures in Convocation; but whatever be the virtue of a Parliamentary-Relation, the ve­ry persons who contend for it, disown its be­ing a Rule in the present Disputes; by con­fessing that the Clergy have not a right to all the Privileges of the Commons in Parliament, and yet assigning no reason why some may be claim'd upon that foot more than all the rest.

There is, however, one known custom in Parliament, that may well deserve to be con­sider'd in Convocation, viz. the Recourse they have, and the Deference they pay, in all con­tests about Privilege, to the Records and Journals of former Parliaments. For both [Page iii] our Civil and Ecclesiastical Meetings are Ancient Constitutions; each whereof has all along proceeded by establisht Methods of its own: And as Custom has, in a Legal sense, markt-out the Privileges of the two Houses in each of these Assemblies; so, by all Pruden­tial Rules, our Security lies, not in making new Experiments, but in the Continuance of Methods which have been try'd and esta­blisht upon the practice of former times, and are not become disagreeable to our own by any new or singular Circumstance. And even this last is a Consideration that could have very little place in Ecclesiastical Govern­ment; wherein the different Orders and De­grees, with the proper Rights of each, are esta­blisht upon a primitive foundation, not to be remov'd at the pleasure of Men; and much less, if that ancient foundation appear to be confirm'd and supported by the additional authority of its own Usages as a Particu­lar or National Church. And it ought cer­tainly to be matter of Joy to every good man, to find such a double Security to the Honour and Purity of the Church of which Provi­dence has made him a Member, as is the Concurrence of a Civil with its Ecclesiasti­cal Claim to the Ʋsages of Antiquity.

Resolving therefore to make the strictest Enquiry, how far the Church of England is entitl'd to this Blessing in the great point [Page iv] of Holding her Synods, I enter'd upon a dili­gent Search into all the remaining Registers of Convocation. I begun with that of 1356. (the Acts whereof are the first we have) and descended in order to our own times; ac­cording to the Catalogue of Convocation-Acts, subjoyn'd to this Preface. All these (I say) I have distinctly examin'd since the disputes in Convocation began; and am the rather oblig'd to make this particular Profession of it, because a late Paper entitl'd the Expedient, p. 17. c. 2. studying to weaken the Authority of my Arguments for the Archbishop's Right to Continue, says, they are only the Sub­stance of what pass'd in the Debates of the House, reduc'd by me into Form. I shall always have a just honour for that House and the Debates of it; but must beg leave to think, that the Registers of Convocation (the only Rule in all disputes about Privilege) are a Guide somewhat surer: Which Guide and no other I follow'd, as in examining that Case of Continuations, so also in drawing the States upon those other Heads, which I formerly promis'd, Right of the Arch­bishop, p. 113, 136. and do now Present to the Reader. The truth is, from my first entrance upon this Examination of the Registers, in order to form a true judgment about the differences depending, I have industriously laid by the late Accounts of both Sides concerning the Nature of an English Convocation; resol­ving [Page v] to give way to no Impressions, but what should come immediately from the Registers themselves, where alone the State of the Con­troversy is apparently lodg'd.

The Reflections upon the Paper I just now mention'd (the Expedient I mean) were in­tended for a part of the Preface to this Book; but proving somewhat too large, they are already sent abroad in a Separate Paper.

As for the present Work; I am sensible that the same Accounts in the way of a regu­lar History, would have been much more En­tertaining; but it was not my business to di­vert, but to instruct and convince: and I was sure, no description I could frame, would ei­ther have a Weight equal to the very Words of the Registers, or give so lively a View of Proceedings upon all Points, as this regular Deduction of Authorities through the Suc­cessive Ages.

It was, I confess, a mighty Satisfaction to me (as it must be to all the friends of Epis­copacy) to find the Proceedings of an English Synod so agreeable to the Constitution of an Episcopal Church; however some late Books had mis-represented them. And as to the Publication of what I found, it is ac­counted for in the Introduction, which con­tains the general Occasion and Design of the Chapters that follow it.

A scruple has been rais'd by some Members [Page vi] of the Lower House, how far the Registers be­fore the Reformation are to be regarded in the Methods of Holding an English-Synod. But as nothing passed then, which could any way affect the usual Intercourse between the two Houses when met and enter'd upon busi­ness; so after the Reformation, they conti­nued the self same Ways of acting, that were establisht before; as these Deductions under the several Heads do abundantly show. For tho' many of our Accounts since the Reformation, are only Abridgments of the Acts, the Origi­nals whereof were burnt in 1666. yet even in them, and much more in the others that remain entire, we have clear and numerous testimonies of the Clergy's continuing to Act, in all re­spects, with the self same Deference and Sub­ordination to their Metropolitan and Bishops.

I doubt not, but an objection formerly made, will now be renew'd, against the Authorities from the Upper House Registers, as insuffi­cient Witnesses in the Concerns of the Lower. They are so, as to the Debates there, but not as to the Matters Debated; many of which, and those the most considerable, have original­ly come from the Upper House, with particu­lar Instructions how to proceed upon them: and the same have been also constantly re­turn'd thither, and together with the Applica­tions of all kinds from the Lower House, have made a part of the Register of the Ʋpper. [Page vii] Now, our present Concern is not about the methods of debating in either House sepa­rately, but the usual Communication be­tween the two Houses: Which being main­tain'd by the going up of the Prolocutor, alone or attended, voluntarily or as sent for by their Lordships; the Reports they bring, the Petitions they make, with the Orders they receive (i. e. all the matters from whence we infer these methods of their corresponding, and the authority of my Lords the Bishops in the Proceedings of Convocati­on) are enter'd of course in the Books of the Ʋpper House. And the Heads of which the Lower-house-Books chiefly consist, viz. the Motions made Below, with their Debates up­on them, and the appointment of Committees of their own for special purposes, would not (if we had them entire) be of any great mo­ment in the present Points. For these im­mediately concern the Relation between the two Houses, and turn not upon the proceed­ings of each Separately, but upon the Man­ner of the Intercourse and Correspondence between them.

The methods of the Journals of both Hou­ses, with the Matters usually enter'd in each, will be best understood by the Acts of five Convocations, added by way of Appendix to this Book, as a Pattern to future Proceed­ings. The three first, in 1562, 1640, and 1661. [Page viii] belong to the Ʋpper-house; and the two others of 1586 and 1588. are the Acts of the Low­er. These last are the only entire Journals of that House now remaining: and I made choice of the three others, as they are accounts of Transactions while all the Original Re­gisters were in being, and yet so lately (two of them at least) that the Establishment of diffe­rent Ʋsages since that time, will not be pre­tended. Add to this the importance and va­riety of the matters transacted in each, viz. the xxxix. Articles in 1562. the Canons in 1640. (against which no exceptions were ever taken, as to the Methods of Proceeding in Con­vocation;) and the Review and Establish­ment of the Common Prayer, with many other things of publick note and concern in 1661. and the three following years.

That of 1562. is certainly the entire Regi­ster of the Ʋpper-house, but whether the Book which remains be the very original, I cannot directly say. Those of 1586, 1588, and 1640. are the Original Books deposited (according to custom) in the Registry of the See of Canter­bury: The Book of 1640. contains also an Account of the second Convocation in the same year: but such were the Confusions of the Kingdom and the Miseries of the Church, that no Business could be done in it, save only the Opening, and then Continuing it, in the com­mon Form; after the Archbishop (Sess. 3.) [Page ix] had committed the determination of certain controverted Elections to the Prolocutor and other Members of the Lower-house. See the Pas­sage cited p. 114. of this Book. The last also is the very Original Register of the Ʋpper-house from May 8. 1661. to Sept. 19. 1666. inclusive; mostly in the hand of Mr. Fisher (Actuary of the Lower-house in 1640. and De­puty-Register to the Ʋpper in 1661.) with an Attestation in form to every Session. It was lately communicated to his Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, by the Reverend Mr. Nurse, Executor to a Gentleman in whose House Mr. Fisher dy'd; and by his Grace, to the Bishops and Clergy in Convocation.

The Method in which they are now pub­lisht, is this: The beginning and ending of every Session in the Ʋpper-house is usually the same: at the beginning, they express the place of meeting, the attestation of the No­tary, the names of the Archbishop, or his Com­missary, and of the Bishops present, with the accustom'd Prayers; concluding always with the Con̄tinuations at length. As to all these therefore (which are pure matters of form and a repetition of the same words, in the same Order) I have thought it sufficient to give a Specimen of them at the beginning of each, and then to contract them; especially in 1661. &c. where the Sessions are more numerous: But the Reader may rest assur'd that the like Forms run through the whole. 'Tis true, [Page x] the Names of the Persons present sometimes vary; but they can be of no use, except on some un-foreseen and very extraordinary Oc­casions: and whenever these happen, recourse may be had to the Originals themselves. In 1661. the Bishop of London usually Presided in the Archbishop's stead, and is always meant by the style Dominus when it stands single; the names of the other Commissaries, who were but few, being constantly express'd.

But the Forms in the two Journals of the Lower-house, are various; and having with­al made so great a part in the Dispute about Continuations or Adjournments, I have printed both the Introduction and Conclu­sion of each Session, at length; without o­mitting any thing, except the Names of the Persons every day present.

IN perusing these Acts both of the Ʋpper and Lower House, the Reader will observe all along, How the Synodical Business is mark't-out by the Metropolitan and Bishops, as Governours of the Church; and so much of it consider'd, de­bated, and prepar'd by the Inferior Clergy, as their Lordships from time to time have recom­mended to their Care: That the Presbyters of former times have ever receiv'd and pursu'd those Directions with the utmost readiness, and then taken care to osser their Applications and Reports with all the marks of Duty and Hu­mility: [Page ix] That therefore the publick Cancerns of our Church have in English Convocations been transacted by rules and methods purely Ecclesi­astical, that is, by a Synod consisting of Metro­politan, Bishops, and Presbyters, all contribu­ting their Endeavours towards the same com­mon End, and within the Bounds assign'd by Antiquity to their respective Orders and De­grees in the Church of Christ: That however the Bishops and Presbyters have their Separate Places of Debate, and may not (under that ge­neral Appearance) be unlike the two Houses of Parliament, yet as to their Independence in Acting or any degrees of it, there is no such Resemblance as has been pretended between the Proceedings of Parliament and Convocation: That, on the contrary, the chief part of the Pro­locutor's Business, is to convey to the Presby­ters the Pleasure of their Metropolitan and Bi­shops, and to represent to their Lordships the Answers, Opinions, and Petitions of the Low­er-House; and so, for ever to prevent the In­dependence of the Clergy, and preserve the O­riginal Union of the Synod, as to the matter, method, order, tendency, and progress of the Debates.

These (with many more testimonies of an English Convocation's being in reality what all the Friends of our Church ought to wish it, an Ecclesiastical Synod) will naturally occur to every one, who shall peruse these Acts with impartiality and an ordinary attention: And [Page xii] Readers, under that conv [...] from the practice of former Convocations, may be allow'd to wonder up­on what Model some late Proceedings and Princi­ples were form'd; and to re [...] seriously upon the Design, or at least the natur [...] Trndency, of them. The Archbishops, Parker, Wh [...]gift, Laud, Juxon, and Sheldon, (under whom the five Convocations were held) are Names distinguisht in this Church by an eminent Zeal in maintaining its Constitu­tion and the Rights of the Clergy. And, now the Proceedings of the last Convocation are made pub­lick, let every Man be his own judge, whether our present Metropolitan and Bishops have not acted by the self same Rules: and he will then see, what Spirit has govern'd those Men, who from thence have taken occasion to inveigh so freely against their Lordships, as endeavouring to Overthrow the Rights of the Church and Clergy.

That part of the Controversie which relates to the Proceedings of Convocation when met, began not before the Opening of the last in 1700. The Nation had been industriously prepossess'd with false Notions of the Constitution and Proceedings of an English Synod: but the Alteration of O­pinions about the Right of Continuing, upon a plain State thereof from the Registers, was evident e­nough; and shows, that the Generality both of Cler­gy and Laiety are dispos'd to make as impartial a judgment upon all other Heads, when the Practice of former Times shall be clearly laid before them. For the Information of such, five Journals are here publisht Entire, and the Form and Proceedings of an English Convocation particularly defcrib'd, not only upon the Authority, but in the very Words, of all the remaining Acts. I pray God they may in any measure tend to the Removal of our unhappy Dif­ferences, and the future preservation of Peace and Unity in the Synods of our Church.

A CATALOGUE Of the Remaining Acts and Registers OF CONVOCATION; From whence the Following HISTORY is drawn.

The Years in which they were held.The Days on which they were open'd.The Registers where­in the Acts are en­ter'd.
1356May 16.Islip, fol. 117. a.
1369Jan. 21.Wyttlesey, f. 17. b.
1371Apr. 24.Wyttlesey, f. 40.
1373Dec. 1.Wyttlesey, f. 63.
1376Febr. 3.Sudbury, f. 33. b.
1377Nov. 8.Sudbury, f 44. a.
1379May 9.Sudbury, f. 55. a.
1380Dec. 1.Sudbury, f. 72. a.
1383Dec. 2.Courtney, f. 78. a.
1384May 20.Courtney, f. 79. a.
1384Dec. 1.Courtney, f. 79. b.
1385Nov. 6.Courtney, f. 83. b.
1386Nov. 5.Courtney, f. 84. b.
1387Febr. 26.Courtney, f. 73. a.
1388Oct. 12.Courtney, f. 74. a.
1391Apr. 17.Courtney, f. 75. a.
1396Febr. 19.Arundel, f. 44 a.
1394Febr. 5.Reg. 4. Epp. f. 195. b.
1399Oct. 6.Arundel, f. 51. a.
1400Jan. 26Arundel, Vol. 2 f. 1. b.
1402Oct. 21Arundel, Vol. 1. 54. a.
1404Apr. 21.Arundel, 57. a.
1404Nov. 24.Arundel, f. 62. b.
1406May 10.Arundel, 65. a.
1408Jul. 23.Arundel, f. 71. a.
1408Jan. 14.Arundel, Vol. 2. f. 7. b.
1409Febr. 17.Arundel, f. 15. a.
1411Dec. 1.Arundel, f. 22. a.
1412Mar. 6.Arundel, f. 4. b.
1415Nov. 18.Chichley, Vol. 2. fol. 1. a.
1416Apr. 1.Chichley, 3. a.
1416Nov. 9.Chichley, 6. a.
1417Nov. 29.Chichley, f. 10. a.
1419Oct. 30.Chichley, f. 17. a.
1421May 5Chichley, f. 23. b.
1422Jul. 6.Chichley, f. 30. b.
1424Oct. 12.Chichley, f. 33. b.
1425Apr. 23.Chichley, f. 40. a.
1426Apr. 15.Chichley, f. 65. a.
1428Jul. 5.Chichley, f. 69. a.
1429Oct. 19.Chichley, f. 77. b.
1430Febr. 19.Chichley, f. 81 a.
1432Sept. 15.Chichley, f. 86. b.
1433Nov. 7Chichley, f. 93. a.
1434Oct. 7.Chichley, f. 99. a.
1437Apr. 29.Chichley, f. 101. a.
1438Apr. 28.Chichley, f. 103. a.
1439Nov. 21.Chichley, f. 109. b.
1444Oct. 19.Arundel, Vol. 2. f. 28. a.
1452Febr. 7.Kemp. f. 219. a.
1460May 6.Bourchier, f. 12. a.
1463Jul. 6.Bourchier, f. 18. a.
1480Mar. 21.Bourchier, f. 26. a.
1486Febr. 13.Morton, f. 33. a.
1488Jan. 14.Morton, f. 41. a.

¶ Thus far, the Acts are distinct­ly enter'd in the Registers of the Archbishop: but about this time they began to have separate Books for the affairs of Convo­cation.

1529Nov. 5.Large Extracts out of the Upper-house­books, except those of 1553. and 1554. which are taken from Journals of the Lower-house.
1532Nov. 5.
1536Jun. 9.
1541Jan. 30.
1547Nov. 5.
1553Oct. 6.
1554Apr. 3.
1554Nov. 13.
1555Oct. 22.
1555Dec. 10.
1557Jan. 1.
1558Jan. 24.
1562Jan. 21.The Register of the Upper-house, entire.
1584Nov. 24.Index of the Upper-house Register.
1586Oct. 16.Two Journals of the Lower-house, in the Registry at Doctors-Commons.
1588Nov. 13.
1586Oct. 16.Index of the Upper-house Registers, in the hands of Dr. Atterbury.
1588Nov. 13.
1592Febr. 20.
1601Oct. 18.
1603Mar. 20.
1605Nov. 6.
1606Nov. 19.
1614Apr. 6.
1620 
1623Febr. 13.
1625May 18.
1625Febr. 7.
1627Mar. 18.
16401a Conv. Apr. 14.Entire Registers of the Upper-house, and Mi­nutes of the Lower, in the Office at Do­ctors Commons.
2a Conv. Nov. 4.
1661, &c.May 16.The original Register of the Upper-house: and Minutes of the Lower at Doctors Commons.
1689Nov. 6.The original Register of the Upper-house, at Doctors Commons.

THE CONTENTS.

Introduction.

  • THE Occasion and Design of this Book. 1
  • The late Principles about a Parlia­mentary Alliance. 2
  • The ill Consequence thereof to Episcopacy. 3
  • The beginning of these Innovations in the Convocation of 1689. 5
  • The tendency of such Proceedings, to a Co­ordinate Power of Presbyters. 7
  • Some new Claims of the last Lower-house. 8
  • The design of this Book, To settle all Pro­ceedings upon the Custom of Convocation. 9
  • All Proofs from the words of the Registers. 11
  • The necessity of citing Authorities at large. ibid.
  • The necessity of such a Work, at this jun­cture; to maintain the honour of our Re­formed Church. 12

CHAP. I.

  • The Method of Summoning an English-Con­vocation. 15
  • The Writ to the Archbishop. ibid.
  • The Warrant to the Lord Chancellor, of ano­ther nature. 17
  • The Returns, immediately and ultimately to the Archbishop. 18
  • The Summons not less Ecclesiastical, because requir'd by the Prince. 19
  • The Clergy not summon'd in the same man­ner from the beginning, as at present. 20
  • Inferences from the foregoing Testimonies. 21

CHAP. II.

  • The manner of Opening an English Convo­cation. 23
  • The President's coming to S. Paul's. ibid.
  • The Dean of the Province's Certificatorium Exhibited. ibid.
  • Other Certificates and Proxies. 24
  • Contumacy Pronounc'd. 25
  • These, a clear foundation of the Archbishop's Power over the Members in point of Atten­dance, and therefore more particularly trea­ted of 25
    • 1. By the tenor of the Mandate, none to be ex­cus'd, but who shall shew reasonable Cause to the Archbishop. ibid.
    • [Page]2. In pursuance hereof, all Returns ever made directly to his Grace. 28
      • The Dean of the Province more particu­larly requir'd to do it. 30
    • 3. The Dean of the Province's Certificato­rium, with his Grace's Commission to receive and inspect Proxies. 31
    • 4. Sentence of Contumacy against Absents 32
      • The Sentence of Contumacy, a written In­strument. 33
      • The Suspension of it by the Archbishop. 36
    • 5. The exercise of the Archbishop's Authority over the Members in the middle of Convo­cation 37
      • 1. In Praeconizations. ibid.
      • 2. In giving Licence to be absent. 38
      • 3. In admonitions not to depart. 40
  • The Archbishop absolves or punishes the Ab­sents of the Lower-house at the Conclusion of the Synod. 41
  • The Substance of the Arguments for the Arch­bishop's Power over the Members. 45
  • The Claim of the Lower-house to a concurrent Power, confuted. 46
  • The Prolocutor cannot reserve punishment, but in the President's name. 47
  • The Prolocutor cannot give leave of Absence, but as empower'd by the President. 49
  • The Practices of the last Lower-house in this particular. 50

CHAP. III.
Of Admitting or Denying Proxies.

  • The Lower-house have no Power to admit or deny Proxies. 52
  • All Proxies lodg'd with the Register of the Upper-house. 53
  • The Entry of Proxies in the Lower-house Book, no argument of their Right to Ad­mit them. 54
  • The Actuary of the Lower-house, an Officer of the Archbishop. 55
  • Certain Irregularities lately committed in this business of Proxies. 57
  • The Lower-house's additional Leave to de­part, an Invasion of the President's Autho­rity. 59
  • The Ʋpper-house, the Protectors of the Per­sons and Privileges of the Lower. 60

CHAP. IV.
Of the Election and Office of a Pro­locutor.

  • Prolocutors at the first, chosen only upon some single occasions. 63
  • When they came to be chosen at the begin­ning of Convocation. 65
  • [Page]The first instance of Presenting a Prolocu­tor. 66
  • Of the Admission and Confirmation by the President and Bishops. 67
  • The Office of a Prolocutor or Referendarius. ibid.
  • The immediate End, to Report the An­swers of the Lower-Clergy. 68
  • The bringing back the Instructions of the President and the Bishops. ibid.
  • The moderating in the Debates of the Lower-house. 69
  • The Prolocutor properly supplies the Presi­dent's Place among the Lower Clergy. ibid.
  • The Prolocutors at the beginning, usually Officers of the Archbishop's Court. ibid.
  • Prolocutor sometimes recommended by the President. 71
  • Neither of these Observations, intended to prejudice the Freedom of their Election. ibid.
  • The Order or Leave of the President, neces­sary before they proceed to the Choice. 71
  • In case of death, or promotion, the Presi­dent's Order necessary to a new Election. 72
  • Always presented to the Ʋpper-house for Con­firmation. 73
  • The Prolocutor's Application to the Ʋpper-house for Protection. ibid.
  • [Page]The Prolocutor cannot Substitute a Deputy, but by Leave from the Ʋpper-house. 74
  • The Prolocutor's Office, when present, to con­vey all Messages from the Clergy to the Ʋpper-house. 76

CHAP. V.

  • By what degrees the Inferior Clergy became a Separate House from the Bishops. 78
  • The false account of the late Narrative. ibid.
  • Retirement of the Clergy to consider business (in their united State,) was by direction from the Archbishop and Bishops. 79
  • The Place to which they retir'd, uncertain for a long time. 80
  • The Lower Clergy have a separate House, for Debate only. 81
  • The Place of Debate has been ever assign'd by the Archbishop. 82
  • The Separation of the Bishops and Clergy stated upon the foregoing Accounts. 83
  • The Accounts given of this Matter in the Narrative, &c. groundless. 84

CHAP. VI.

  • The manner of Entring upon Business in Convocation. 85
  • The Archbishop's Right to declare the Causes of the Convocation. ibid.
  • [Page]The Clergy usually order'd to retire, and de­bate about the business of Convocation, as declar'd by the Archbishop. ibid.
  • Inferences, from the Testimonies brought to confirm the foregoing Heads. 93
  • The difference between the former Methods, and the late Practice of Convocation, in these respects. 95

CHAP. VII.

  • The Right of the President and Bishops to require the Clergy to consider any particu­lar Business throughout the Convocation. 97
  • The necessity of showing this. ibid.
  • The Separation of the two Houses made no difference in this Point. 98
  • Inferences from the Testimonies alledg'd upon this Head. 106

CHAP. VIII.

  • The Right of the President and Bishops to Order Committees of the Lower-house. 107
  • Committees of the Clergy to attend Commit­tees of Bishops. 108
  • Committees of the Clergy alone, order'd by the Ʋpper-house. 112
  • [Page]The names of the Persons chosen in the Lower-house, Reported to the Ʋpper. 115
  • The Right of the Ʋpper-house to appoint Com­mittees of the Lower-Clergy, never que­stion'd but in 1689 and 1701. 116
  • The Refusal in 1689. 117
  • And in 1701.—(both irregular.) 118
  • The Reasons alledg'd in the Narrative parti­cularly answer'd. 119
  • Committees chosen by the Lower-Clergy for purposes of their own. 123
  • The Lower-house never Consent to the Cho­sing, when requir'd by their President; but only to the Persons or Numbers. 124
  • The last Lower-house justly chargeable with all the Consequences of that Refusal. 126

CHAP. IX.

  • The Right of the President and Bishops to prescribe a Time for the Return of Business committed to the Clergy. 127
  • The time for such Return, expresly prescrib'd. ibid.
  • The Clergy's Answers call'd for by the Presi­dent and Bishops, and longer time gran­ted at the request of the Clergy. 129
  • Inferences from the foregoing Testimonies. 131

CHAP. X.

  • The Right of the President and Bishops to require the Answers of the Clergy in Wri­ting. 133
  • The last Lower-house's refusal to answer in Writing. ibid.
  • Prov'd irregular from the practice of Convo­cation. ibid.
  • The State of this Case between the two Houses, the last Convocation. 137
  • Free-Conference, a new term in Convocation. 138
  • No such Free Conference ever insisted on by the Clergy before. ibid.
  • Inferences from the foregoing Accounts. 139

CHAP. XI.

  • The Right of the President and Bishops to take to them the Assistance of Persons learn­ed in our Laws, &c. 140
  • Application of the foregoing Testimonies to the Transactions of the last Convocation. 143
  • The necessity of having Recourse to Council, about the Censure of Books, in the last Convocation. 143
  • Their Lordships in recommending the Case [Page] to the Bishop of the Diocese, acted agreea­bly to the Practice of Convocation. 144

Thus far of the DƲTY of the Inferiour Clergy, as acting in Sub­ordination to their Metropolitan and Bishops.

Next, of the RIGHTS of the Inferiour Clergy in Convocation. 146

CHAP. XII.

  • The Share, of right belonging to the Clergy, in preparing and in presenting the Grava­mina and Reformanda. 147
  • The GRAVAMINA often consider'd and presented with the Subsidies. 147
  • The Gravamina, how address'd by the Clergy. 151
  • The time, when Grievances shall be propos'd; at the discretion of the Ʋpper House. ibid.
  • Grievances first offer'd in a general Repre­sentation vivâ voce. 152
  • The Clergy's Right to Redress, and the man­ner thereof. 154
  • The REFORMANDA frequently [Page] propos'd by the Archbishop among the Cau­ses of Convocation. 155
  • The Clergy's Right to propose Reformations. 157
  • The Clergy's Right to bring in Schedules of Reformation. 159
  • A short state of the Reformanda, from the foregoing Accounts. 161
  • The Care of the Reformanda in Parliamento usually left to the Archbishop and Bishops. 162
  • Deputies appointed by Convocation to Assist in Soliciting. ibid.

CHAP. XIII.

  • The Clergy's Right to offer Petitions of other Kinds. 164
  • The several sorts of Petitions, particularly occurring in the Acts of Convocation (not specified to restrain the Clergy from Petiti­ons of other kinds.)
    • 1. For making new Canons. 164
    • 2. For the revival of old ones. 165
    • 3. For the Abolition or Suspension of Laws. ibid.
    • 4. About Festivals. 166
    • 5. For the Archbishop's Intercession with the King. ibid.
    • 6. For the more strict Execution of Discipline. 167
  • [Page]Petitions of several kinds, An. 1555. 167
  • Clergy's Petitions of all kinds, presented im­mediately to the Ʋpper-house. 168
  • The usual Time of presenting such Petitions. 169

CHAP. XIV.
The Part to which the Clergy have a Right in Judicial Cases in Convocation.

  • The Occasion of bringing Offenders (ordina­rily try'd in the Bishops Courts) before the Convocation. 169
  • Constitution, for bringing Hereticks before the Convocation. 170
  • Offenders usually said to be brought Coram Archiepiscopo, Episcopis, & Clero, as the Judicature. 171
  • The Sentence ran in the Name of the Arch­bishop by authority of the Synod. 171
  • This Account not oppos'd to any Restraints laid upon the whole Convocation by subsequent Statutes. ibid.

CHAP. XV.

  • The Clergy's Right of a Negative, or Final Dissent from the Ʋpper-house. 172
  • The Original of the Clergy's Negative. ibid.
  • [Page]A Negative or Final Dissent, a peculiar, but yet establisht Right of the English Clergy. 173
  • All Denials of the Clergy ever made with great Humility and Condescension. ibid.
  • This, no prejudice to the Clergy's absolute Right to a final dissent. 175

CHAP. XVI.

  • The manner of Passing business in Convoca­tion. 176
  • The manner of Consenting in the Lower-house. ibid.
  • The Circumstances of that Consent, in some Instances, reported to the Ʋpper-house. 177
  • All Instruments read publickly and finally a­greed to in the Upper-house. 178
  • The Sanction of the Metropolitan. ibid.
  • Articles, Canons, &c. pass'd otherwise, viz. by Subscription. 180
  • Why Articles, Canons, &c. pass now by Subscription. 182

CHAP. XVII.
Of Proroguing and Dissolving.

  • The Royal Writs for these purposes necessari­ly directed to the Archbishop. 183
  • The Archbishop's Prorogations and Dissolu­tions upon these Writs, Authoritative, and Canonical. 184
  • The Archbishop executes them by his own Metropolitical Power; and in his own Name. ibid.
  • The Commissions to do the same things in Parliament, express a Special Power and Authority from the King. ibid.
  • The Archbishop's Admonitions immediately before Prorogations or Dissolutions. 185
  • The Schedules of Prorogation or Dissoluti­on mention the Royal Writs, but run in the name of the Archbishop. 186
  • The English Reformation unjustly charg'd with destroying the Canonical Methods of transacting Ecclesiastical Affairs. ibid.

APPENDIX; containing the Journals of five Convocations:
With Observations drawn from them, concern­ing • 1. The Right of CONTINUING or PROROGUING. , • 2. The Right of determining controverted ELECTIONS. , • 3. The Right of SUBSTITUTING a PROLOCUTOR. , and • 4. The AUTHORITY of the Summons to Convocation. 

  • I. Of the Right of Continuing or Proroguing. 223
    • The Schedule of Continuation constantly men­tion'd in the Ʋpper-house-Registers. 224
    • The Antiquity of Schedules in Convocation. ibid.
    • The Inferior-Clergy Present at the Archbishop's Continuations. 226
    • A Summary account of the Schedule. 227
    • The deriving our Schedules from the Lateran-Council, an improbable Scheme. 228
    • The dispute depends not upon Proroguing by Schedule, or otherwise. 230
    • The heads upon which the dispute turns. 231
    • The Schedule evidently comprehends both Bi­shops and Clergy. ibid.
    • The Clause Praelatorum & Cleri, a genuine part of the Schedule. 232
    • The transmission of the Schedule, only a cir­cumstance in this dispute. 233
    • Reasons to believe that the Schedule has been ever sent down. 235
    • The Prolocutor is judge of the Time of Inti­mating, when the President and Bishops don't interpose. 234
    • [Page]The Form of Intimating to be taken from the most Exact Journals. 235
    • The ordinary Phrase to be in reason the Esta­blisht Form. 236
    • Declaring by Intimation, the ordinary Form. ibid.
    • The Prolocutor's Intimation has no reference to the Consent of the House. 237
    • The Intimation, given by Command of the President. 239
    • A formal Intimation of the Prolocutor, not necessary to Continue the Lower-house. 240
    • The President's Right to Continue the Cler­gy in the Upper-house. 241
    • The Phrase Continuavit quoad hanc Do­mum, no argument of a Separate Power in the Lower-house. 243
    • Nor the Phrase in Parliament, Dominus Cancell. contin, praesens Parliamentum. 245
    • A Separate Power of Continuing in the Lower-house, opens a way to perpetual Di­visions of the Synod. 248
    • Intermediate Sessions a great Irregularity, and mischief to the Church. 251
    • The Clergy of former times did not think of Intermediate Sessions. 253
  • [Page]II. Observations touching the Right to de­termine Controverted Elections. 256
    • Instances of such Elections, occurring in the Acts. ibid.
    • No question, whether the Archbishop have a Right to determine Elections. 261
    • The Lower-house have no Right to intermed­dle in Returns. 262
    • The Pretences to a concurrent Right in the Lower-house consider'd. 263
    • The Prolocutor, and not the House, deter­min'd the Election in 1586. 265
    • The Instance of 1640. consider'd. 266
  • III. An Additional account of the Substitu­tion of a Prolocutor. 268
    • The late Substitution in 1701. ibid.
    • The account of it in a Paper markt Numb. 1. 269
    • Orders made in Convocation against pub­lishing the Debates, while depending. 269
    • Reasons why a Sub-Prolocutor ought to be confirm'd in the Ʋpper-house. 273
    • Instances of Substitutions by Authority of the Ʋpper-house, defended against the late Paper, Numb. 1. 272
    • The arguments for an Independent Power in the Lower-house, answer'd. 276
    • [Page]Instances where the Registers of the Ʋp­per-house are Wanting, of no force. 277
    • The bare Silence of the Ʋpper-house-Books, no Proof against Positive Evidences. 279
    • The Precedent of 1640. particularly consider'd 280
    • The Paper [Numb. 1.] speaks against the sense of the House, in this matter. 281
    • No difference between a Prolocutor and Re­ferendary. 282
    • The Duties belonging to the Office of a Pro­locutor, are all annext to that of Report­ing, as the Consequences of it. 284
  • IV. Additional Observations touching the AUTHORITY of the Summons to Convocation. 287
    • The Authority of Summoning apply'd both to the King and the Archbishop. ibid.
    • The Archiepiscopal Summons confess'd to be Authoritative, before the Act of Submission. 288
    • The notion of a Civil Summons, an argu­ment for the Papists against our Reforma­tion. 289
    • The intent of the Statute, no more than to restrain the Archbishop from Exerting [Page] his Authority without the Royal-License. 290
    • The word Authority in the Statute implies a Leave or Licence. 291
    • The Archbishop's Summons Authoritative, from the style of the Mandate and Return. 292
    • The Case of the Convocation's being dissolv'd by the death of the Prince. 295
    • A dissolution by the King's death, no preju­dice to the Archiepiscopal Authority as giving Subsistence to a Convocation. 296
    • The Archiepiscopal Authority recogniz'd in the Dean of the Province's Certificatorium, set down at large. 297
  • V. Observations upon the Table of Fees, and the Catalogue of Members, presixt to the Registers of Convocation. 301
    • Inferences from the Table of Fees,
      • 1. That the Officers of Convocation are under the immediate Jurisdiction of the Archbish. 303
      • 2. That the Admission of Proxies of the Lower-Clergy belongs to his Grace. ibid.
      • 3. That none could make Proxies, but who were personally Cited. ibid.
    • Catalogues of Convocation-Members, and In­ferences from them, 304
      • [Page]1. That the Entry of the Lower-Clergy in the Upper-house-Books, shows the Convocation to be one Body under one common Head. 304
      • 2. That the Lower-house is Included in the Clause Convocatio Prael. & Cleri in Continuations. ibid.
      • 3. That the Members of both Houses in the Convocations of 1640 and 1661, were eminent Assertors of the RIGHTS and LIBERTIES of the CHURCH. ibid.
      • 4. That therefore our present Prelates in Convocation have been unjustly traduc'd, for proceeding by the same Rules. 306

THE CONSTITUTION AND PROCEEDINGS OF AN English Convocation, &c.

INTRODUCTION.
The Occasion and Design of the follow­ing Discourse.

AMong the pretences that have been fram'd of late, to gain the Clergy in Convocation some new Exemptions from their Metropolitan and Bishops, no one has been insisted on so much as a Parlia­mentary Capacity suppos'd to belong to them. [Page 2] And it was an artificial Management in those who set the design a-foot, to make this the chief ground of their Claim: not only because such Exemp­tions could have no Colour from their Ecclesiasti­cal Capacity and the Constitution of the Primi­tive Synods; but also because an Alliance to the Parliament, in Constitution, was the most likely way to lead the generality of Men to take the measures of their Proceediegs from thence. Every one knows, that the Parliament consists of two Houses; and they have withal an Oppor­tunity of observing out of the publick Votes the Separate Methods whereby the Commons Act and Govern themselves: And little more of the na­ture of a Convocation being ordinarily under­stood than that It also consists of two Houses de­bating a-part, this, without recourse to the Pri­mitive Times or opportunity to know our own Esta­blisht methods of acting, prepar'd Men's minds to favour the late Claims of some of the Clergy to such Privileges as the Commons enjoy. In which Error they have been industriously con­firm'd, by the Endeavours of the same Persons, to bring the Parliament and Convocation to such an alliance as was never thought of before the pub­lication of some late Books.

The late Principle; of Parlia­mentary Alliance. That the Members of the Lower-House are the Clergy Commoners, and Spiritual Commons; that the whole Convocation subsists by the King's-Writ, and not by the Archiepiscopal Mandate; that the Cler­gy thereof are ATTENDANT on the Parliament, as the Parliament has a Right to be ATTEND­ED by them; is the ordinary Language of a late Book; Atterb. Rights, &c. which yet is pretended to be written in Defence of the Church's Liberties, and censures the Principles of its Adversary, as of a Slavish ten­dency. From this Principle, others of the same [Page 3] kind relating to their Constitution and Privileges, have since sprung; Answer to 1st Letter p. 2. Col. 2. That the Model of an English Convocation was, doubtless, taken from the Model of an English Parliament, Ibid. p. 6. c. 1. That an English Synod was form'd upon the Plat-form of an English Parliament, Nar. p. 6. That the Synodical Rights peculiar to the Lower-Clergy of the Church of England, are owing to a Conformity to the Parliament, Nar. p. 8. That the distinct Ca­pacity of the Lower-house of Convocation was deriv'd from an imitation of the Lower-house of Parliament.

The ill con­sequence thereof to Episcopa­cy. The two last Passages acknowledge in effect, that some of the Privileges they are already in pos­session of, were unknown to the more ancient Synods: And as to the other Exemptions for which they contend, if they had any countenance from those Early Times, That (I suppose) would be thought a more decent Pleain a Case of Eccle­siastical Government, than laying their model in the imitation of a Parliament. For I take it to be new Doctrine, that a late Author delivers with great assurance, to take off the ill appearance of Contending, and that with so much warmth, for Ecclesiastical Rights upon a Secular Foundation: Atterb. Rights, &c. p. 138. I am sure, and am ready whenever I am call'd upon, particularly to prove, that the more our Church shall resemble the State, in her temper and manner of Government; the nearer still will she approach to pri­mitive Practice. This is a Position that will re­quire Proof, when he is at leisure to go about it; not being half so evident (in my opinion) as that the Rights and Privileges of the House of Commons, if vested in the Lower-House of Convocation, would give the Clergy a co-ordinate Power with their Bishops, and so remove our Church still fur­ther from primitive Practice. But all along on one side of this Controversie, the Church seems to sig­nifie no more than the Inferiour Clergy, exclusive [Page 4] of the Metropolitan and Bishops; as if the giving Presbyters new degrees of Exemption from their Ec­clesiastical Superiors, were the way that primitive Practice has trac'd out, for the perfection of an E­piscopal Church.

An Opposition to the Liberties of the Church has an odious sound; and sounds no worse than it re­ally is, when the Bishops as well as Inferior Clergy, acting regularly and peaceably within their pro­per Spheres, are allow'd to be the constituent Members of that Church. But the present claim of Parliamentary Rights, is only, in other Words, a diminution of the Canonical Authority of the Archbishop and Bishops over their Clergy; which being diminished as far as Parliamentary Exemp­tions would do it, must evidently destroy the Subordination of Presbyters to their Bishops; that is, it must bring us by degrees to a state of Presbytery. Now, no Law has determin'd how far these, which they call their Parliamentary Rights, may be carried; or which is the same thing, how near the Claims upon that Foundation may bring us to Presbytery. The late Narrative of the Lower-House, p. 8. speaking of their distinct Ca­pacity as deriv'd from an Imitation of the Lower-House of Parliament, does indeed say, that they are far from presuming to set themselves upon a level with that honourable Body, or to pretend to equal Privileges thence with respect to the Lords, the Bi­shops. But they no where tell us, how far they will or may carry their Claims upon the foot of that Relation, nor assign any reason why it does not as well entitle them to all the other Privileges of that august Assembly, as to those they contend for at present. And the Friends of Episcopacy will hardly be content that our Con­stitution be perpetually expos'd to Ruin, when­ever [Page 5] a majority of the Lower-House happens to be out of humour, and in a disposition to withdraw their Obedience, or invade the Rights of their Superiors, under a general pre­tence of their Parliamentary Relation. That they enjoy several Rights, unknown to the Presbyters of the primitive Times, is not deny'd; nor ought to be forgotten by those, who not content with that addition of Power and Privilege, were ma­king larger Encroachments upon their Ecclesiasti­cal Superiors; and which is worse, upon a Foun­dation that will raise them to what further de­grees of Independence the Clergy may at any time be drawn to attempt, either out of a personal dis­like of their Bishops, or a secret enmity to the Character it self.

These In­novations begun in 1689. Reg. Sup. Domus. These new Claims were set a-foot (with what design, or upon what grounds, I cannot say) in the Convocation of 1689. In the sixth Session whereof, the Upper-House drew up an Address of Thanks to his Majesty, for his Royal Licence, and a Gracious Message which he had sent that day to the Convocation. The Form being a­greed on, was (according to Castom) sent down to the Lower-House for their consent; but they, instead of giving their consent, or signifying the Amendments they conceiv'd necessary, return'd an Answer to this effect, ‘"That they had resol­ved to Address in a Form of their own fra­ming;’ and presently after, upon their Lord­ship's disapproving that Answer, they decla­red their Resolution more openly, ‘"That they intended to Address separately:’ Intendebant Supplicem Libellum separatim praesentare. An ex­pression very agreeable to the Constitution of a House of Commons, but never heard of before in Convocation: And as the Practice was wholly [Page 6] New, so was it resisted and over-rul'd by the Right Reverend the present Lord Bishop of London, then President, and his Brethren the Bishops.

In the Tenth Session, Ibid. the Prolocutor having receiv'd certain Amendments from the President to be consider'd by the Lower-House, immedi­ately ask'd the Question, Whether, in case the Lower-House agreed to those, their Lordships intended to make any more? Which would not perhaps have been thought a very proper or decent Offer, even from One House of Parlia­ment to the other, in a like Case: And being so much more improper in Convocation, especially as coming from the Lower to the Ʋpper-House, would have justified their Lordships in a Resent­ment less mild and gentle, than they were plea­sed to express: Praeses, &c. declaravit quaestionem per cum propositam fuisse valde Irregularem, & talem cui nullo modo respondere queat aut tenetur.

Session 13th, Ibid. The President proposes to the Prolocutor the naming a Committee of the Lower-House, to meet a select number of the Up­per, in order to inspect the Acts of both Houses. Upon this a double Irregularity ensu'd; (so I take the liberty to call them now, because they will be proved such hereafter in their proper place:) the first, in the Prolocutor, who return'd an an­swer, that I dare say no President ever met with before from a Prolocutor, se non posse ad id consen­tire sine Consensu Coetus domûs Inferioris Convocati­onis prius habito: The second, in the House, whose resolution was, not to appoint any Committee for that purpose, durante recessu Convocationis: As if by the establish'd Rules of Convocation, they had a negative upon the President in the appoint­ment of Committees, or had any further share in it, than to receive his Directions, and; when [Page 7] the number and the Persons are left to their discre­tion, to confirm the Prolocutor's Nomination.

In that Convocation also, the new practice of sending the Resolutions and Opinions of their House, by other hands than the Prolocutor's, was first attempted; but presently taken notice of as an Innovation, and check'd by the President and Bishops.

I produce not these, as testimonies of any De­sign in the Clergy of that time to transgress the Rules of Convocation, or to gain new Privileges to their House. The ten­dency of Parlia­mentary Claims to a co-ordi­nate Pow­er. Tho' it may be, some of the Members then had this notion of Parliamentary Rights in their Eye; and the manner of holding an English Convocation, not being near so thorow­ly consider'd as since it has been, the taking some of their Measures from the Proceedings in Par­liament might (under that imperfect knowledge of things) be a pardonable Error. But the ob­servation I would make upon these Practices, is, That they were plainly enough an Imitation of the Methods in the house of Commons; and being so, shew how the very beginnings of such an Imitation tend to divide and separate the Synod, and intro­duce a co-ordinate Power of Presbyters with their Bishops; and that therefore the safety of our E­piscopal Constitution, at this juncture, depends upon a timely and stedfast opposition to those Parlia­mentary Claims, with the Establishment of all Pro­ceedings in Convocation upon the only true bot­tom, the current usage of former Convocations, as contain'd in the remaining Registers of either House. These have been diligently examin'd since the year 1689. and being so opposite to the Claims that were then made (as will be shown at large from the Regi­sters themselves) it might have been hop'd that some of the more inquisitive Members would have come together the last Convocation, in a [Page 8] disposition to recede from those groundless pre­tences. But whether they had not thoroughly examin'd the Books, or whether they suffer'd themselves to be misled by one whose Interest it was to draw a majority of the Clergy to act upon Principles that he had publickly advanc'd; whatever (I say) was the Cause, 'tis certain in Fact, that they were far enough from revoking the Innovations attempted in 1689. Some new Claims of the last Lower-House. So far, as up­on the same Foundation to proceed to new Claims of Independence, as little warranted from the Ʋ ­sage of Convocation, and tending equally, if not more, to set up the Co-ordinate Power we are complaining of, and to destroy the fundamental Constitution of an English Synod. Such are, The Power they pretend over their own Members; Their sitting and acting in a Synodical Way, without their Metropolitan and Bishops; Their proceeding to Reso­lutions upon matters of the highest importance, with­out the previous knowledge and directions of the Ʋp­per-House; Their refusing to return their Answer in Writing, and to appoint Committees, when requir'd by the President, &c. with other steps towards such an Independence from their Bishops, as the Com­mons in Parliament are possess'd of, with relation to the Lords. And if this must be their standing Pattern, and their Parliamentary Capacity a certain refuge whenever their Claims exceed the Custom of former Convocations; how far they will go I cannot say, nor will I judge with what Intention they pursue Measures so opposite to the State of the primitive Church; but this I am sure of, that the same Foundation upon which their late Claims are grounded, will equally justisie them in many more; that being once introduced would make the Frame of an English Convocation as incon­sistent [Page 9] with Episcopacy, as the profess'd Enemies thereof can desire.

It will be objected, that the Persons who at present are in those Levelling Measures, have not formerly been thought in the Presbyterian Inte­rest, and that now also they are more open and bitter than most other Men in their Invectives against them, and remarkably loud in a Concern for the Church.

All this is readily acknowledg'd, and 'tis no new thing with frail Mankind (such especially who are uneasie under Government) to rail at those the most, who are in the possession of what themselves most desire. But Words are empty Testimonies in comparison of Actions; and the hardest Names they can find for that Sect, will be no Conviction to Them nor Ʋs, either that these endeavours to lessen the Character of Bishops, are not an evident Service to their Cause, or that such Invasions by Presbyters upon the primitive Rights of Episcopacy, are not an evident undermining of our Establishment.

The de­sign of this Book, to settle their Proceed­ings upon the Cust­om of Con­vocation. But when I speak of the primitive Rules, I would not be understood to propose the forms of the more ancient Synods, as the measure of my future reasonings upon the Privileges either of Bishops or Clergy in an English Convocation; but only to prevent its being thought, that any of the Powers they now claim, and the Bishops deny, are so much as pretended to receive support from the Condition of Presbyters in the primitive Church. So far from this, that many of their real Privi­leges peculiar to the Clergy of this Nation, and now grown into legal Rights, are much younger than the first Accounts we have of a Convocation properly so call'd; such are, Their debating in a separate Body; Their having a standing Prolocutor [Page 10] of their own, The share they have in framing Canons and Constitutions, Their Negative upon the Archbi­shop and Bishops in Synodical Acts of an Ecclesiasti­cal Nature; and even their right to be summon'd in the present Form, or for Ecclesiastical Purposes. For their Civil Property could not be dispos'd of, but by their own consent; and the necessity of having this, gave them a Negative upon the Bishops in Subsi­dies, which was then the chief business of Convo­cation; the Canons and Constitutions of the Church being for many Ages after constantly made in Synods, consisting only of the Archbishop and his Provincial Bishops. But the Affairs of the Church, as they came to be transacted in Con­vocation, fell under the Rules and Methods that had been establish'd there upon Civil Accounts: By which means, the Inferiour Clergy came into the same share in the Ecclesiastical, that they had enjoy'd in the Secular Business; and as Custom has given them a legal Claim to several Privileges of that kind, unknown to the Primitive Pres­byters, or even to the Presbyters of any other Episcopal Church at this Day; so (be their ori­ginal what it will) it is no part of my Design to call in question any of their Claims, that the remaining Acts of Convocation will warrant. Their want of Authorities from the primitive Times, with the lateness of their coming to a share in the Canons and Constitutions of our own Church, and the secular Original of the Title they now have to bear a part in framing and passing them, will be a general Reason with all unprejudic'd Men why they should at least acquiesce in these, and not endeavour to build higher upon that secular Foundation. But in the present Controversie, I freely pass by all these disadvantages, and de­sire only that every Point may be determined by [Page 11] the Constitution and Customs of Convocation; re­solving neither to assert any Authority to the Upper-House, nor deny any Privileges to the Lower, but as the Proceedings of former Convo­cations establish the first, and prove all Preten­sions to the second groundless and illegal. All proofs fro [...] [...] Registers them­selves. Nor do I propose to have the Reader depend upon my Assertions or bare Representations of things; but upon all Points that are either made a Que­stion already, or can possibly bear one, the Evi­dences shall be produc'd at large; that so every Reader may be his own Judge, and none be able to contradict the Positions laid down, but by first denying the Authority of the Registers.

My accounts may perhaps seem too minute and particular to some, who are already skill'd in Con­vocation Affairs; but it is not for their Use that I write this, but for the sake of the Generality; many of whom, Eminent in other parts of Learn­ing, may without reproach be presum'd Strangers to a Subject, that has so lately come under Con­sideration. Which will also be a fair Apology for their having been mis-led into a favourable Opinion of some Measures, not to be warranted by the Practice of Convocation; if they shew themselves ready to retire upon a clear Conviction from proper Authorities. In the producing of which, my multiplying Testimonies of the same kind, and to the same purpose, may possibly be thought a fault; but if it be, they who have so openly deny'd Truths establish'd upon Evidences so plain and numerous, are answerable for it.

The ne­cessity of citing Au­thorities at large In Truth, the Errors and Prejudices arising from the notion of a Parliamentary Body, have been wrought into Men's Minds with so much Art and Diligence, that nothing under Originals, and a variety of Authorities from thence, can [Page 12] hope to dispossess them; nor will it upon any less Testimony be thought possible, that Persons in Holy Orders should contend so earnestly for meeting and acting in a Civil Capacity, about matters of an Ecclesiastical Nature; if they had any Pretence in Law or Custom, to meet and act under the Character or Appearance of a Sacred Synod: Especially when Subsidies, the great Busi­ness of a Secular Nature that ever belong'd to the Convocation, are not now granted in it. And since, even after the business of it is become purely Ecclesiastical, the Endeavours to make it a Civil Meeting, have been so remarkable: my design, in the following Papers, is to do Right to its Constitution, by restoring it to all the Spiri­tual Liberties and Advantages it may justly claim by the Laws of the Land, and its own perpe­tual Usage: From which, as convey'd to us by the Acts themselves, The gene­ral Design of this Book. I will shew in a plain and naked Relation of Matters of Fact, That an En­glish Convocation, however laid under some Re­straints from the Civil Constitution, is far from being so much transform'd into a Civil Meeting, as has been pleaded of late; That in the Summoning, Opening, and Acting, it appears what it is, an Ecclesiastical Synod of Bishops with their Presby­ters, and neither a Parliamentary Body on the one hand, nor an Assembly of Presbyters on the o­ther; That however the Papists slander the Eng­lish Reformation, as if it had chang'd our Church into a Civil Constitution, yet 'tis evident (against all the Endeavours of some among our selves, to help the Church of Rome in that Objection) that, as to the Nature of our Synods at least, it left [...] in the same Ecclesiastical State as it found them.

[Page 13] To proceed regularly in this Design, it must be all along observ'd, what I hinted before, that the Corruptions which have been endeavoured of late in an English Convocation, are, in general, the Diminution of the Canonical Authority of the Metropolitan and Bishops, and the Clergy's claiming such Exemptions from that Authority, as makes the whole Body look more like an English Parliament, than a Sacred Synod. To this purpose it has been pleaded, Nar. p. 6. That the Convoca­tion was divided into two Houses, in conformity to the Parliament: Answ. p 9. c. 2. That the Prolocuter is President of the Lower-House, as the Archbishop is of the Ʋpper: That the Acts and Declarations of both, are only the Effect of the Order or Consent of each House respe­ctively: That the Prolocutor governs the Time of the Lower, in as full a manner, as his Grace does that of the Ʋpper, i. e. with the Consent of the House: Nar. p. 17. That their Debates are manag'd Independently from their Lordships: Nar. p. 61. That they have a general Negative upon the Ʋpper-House: That in virtue thereof, they have a Right to deny the Appointment of Com­mittees, and even a sight of their Journals (in which, by the way, they exceed their Pattern; the Jour­nals of the two Houses of Parliament being mu­tually open to the Members of each, at all times and upon all occasions): Nar. p 3. That without the Know­ledge or Directions of their Lordships, they can en­ter upon and proceed in business of the highest Im­portance; and if any Point happen, that in the judg­ment of the Ʋpper-House may be most conveniently Debated in Writing, Nar. p. 50. they can insist upon a free Con­ference as the fittest Method, and if that be deny'd, are under no Obligation to be further accountable to their Lordships for any of their Practices or Proceed­ings: Nar. p. 49. Add to these, the Power they claim over their own Members, upon which they can require their At­tendance, [Page 14] and (according to the known practice of the last Convocation) can discharge them from it by a Vote or Resolution of the House; with that other Claim which has been so much insisted on, their Right to adjourn to different Days, from the Metropolitan and Bishops, and to sit and act on these Days as a House.

In these Claims and Practices, I say, we have the view of an English Parliament, but lose that of an Ecclesiastical Synod, consisting of a Metro­politan, Bishops, and Presbyters. By these Rules, we see, the Debates (as to the matter, manner and time) are all separated at the pleasure of the Inferior Clergy; and as the Archbishop and the Upper-house are made to resemble the Speaker of the House of Lords and the Lords Temporal, so (to compleat the Parallel) the Prolocutor and the Lower-House (that is, as they term them­selves, the Spiritual Commons) answer to the House of Commons and their Speaker. However, such Comparisons, if they went no further than Names, or the general Appearance of the two Bodies, might be innocent enough; but when upon these the Claims of new Privileges begin to be founded, and such Privileges too as are an apparent dimi­nution of the Metropolitical and Episcopal Autho­rity, separating the Synod and raising the Pres­byters by degrees to a co-ordinate Power; then the Parallel is no longer safe, but the Gover­nors of the Church, and all that love our Episco­pal Constitution, are concern'd to enter upon pro­per Measures for the Preservation of it. And these, in our present Circumstances, I conceive to be, the opposing to those new attempts the Authority of former Convocations, and descri­bing from thence (i. e. from the only true Rule) the Practice and Proceeding proper to each [Page 15] House. Which will not only shew, that their Lord­ships have insisted upon no Power but what their Character and the Usage of Convocation fully justifie, and that therefore the Clergy's Claims of Exemption from it are not to be warranted; but will also discover to the World how they have been impos'd on by those, who have grounded such Claims upon an imaginary Alliance between the Parliament and Convocation; two Bodies that will appear to be widely different both in Consti­tution and Proceedings. And since that diffe­rence (as I said before) consists chiefly in the Authority which belongs to the Metropolitan and Bishops over the Inferior Clergy and their Pro­ceedings; 'tis my design to shew out of the Re­cords themselves, how that Authority stands, and has always stood, in the several Ages and Instances, from the Summoning and Opening a Con­vocation, to the Dissolution thereof; with an Eye, all along, to the different Constitution, and man­ner of corresponding, in the two Houses of Parlia­ment, and particularly to the late Claims of In­dependence built upon a Parliamentary Relation.

CHAP. I.
The Method of SUMMONING an English Convocation.

The Writ to the Archbish­op. I. WHen his Majesty, by the Advice of his Council, resolves to Summon his Parli­ament, and with it a Convocation, he signifies his Royal Pleasure by Writ to the Archbishop, Rex, &c. Reverendissimo, &c. (then the generaI Causes of his calling a Convocation are recited) [Page 16] Vobis in fide & dilectione quibus nobis tenemini, ro­gando mandamus, quatenus praemissis debito intuitu attentis & ponderatis, universos & singulos Episcopos vestrae Provinciae ac Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedra­lium, necnon Archidiaconos, Capitula & Collegia totumque Clerum cujuslibet Dioecesis ejusdem Provin­ciae, ad comparendum CORAM VOBIS in Ecclesia Cathedrali S. Pauli London—die, &c. VEL ALIBI prout melius expedire videritis, cum omni celeritate accommodâ, MODO DEBITO Convocari faciatis.

A Writ to this effect, and for some hundred Years in this very Form, has been all along di­rected to the Archbishop, whenever the King had resolved that a Convocation should be Summon'd. Upon the reception whereof, his Grace always proceeded to summon it in the fixt and Canonical Method, that he ever us'd in calling of Convo­cations upon his own motion, without that Writ. For tho' the King, as having a Right to the Assi­stance of the Clergy, had also a Right to be o­bey'd by the Archbishop, in calling them toge­ther for that end; yet in the dispatch of that business, he left them to proceed according to the known Rules of a Provincial Synod, viz. to be summon'd before their Metropolitan, and to the Place he should think fit to appoint, and in the manner that was usual in all other Convocations. For the Archbishop had a Right to call a Con­vocation at pleasure, till the Statute 25 H. 8. c. 19. absolutely restrained him from doing it, unless empower'd by the King's Writ: Which effected this Alteration in the Summons, that whereas before it was issu'd sometimes upon the Pleasure of the Prince signified to the Archbi­shop, and sometimes upon the Archbishop's alone, the Authority of the Summons in both, resting e­qually [Page] [Page] [Page 17] in his Grace: Now he is restrain'd from the Exercise of that Authority, till he receive leave or direction from the Prince: The Sum­mons upon that intimation of the Royal Plea­sure, being still issued in his Grace's Name, and under the Archiepiscopal Seal; that is, remain­ing as properly Authoritative as before.See this point pro­ved more largely in Right of the Arch­bishop. 9 &c.

II. For whereas in the late comparisons of a Convocation and Parliament, the parallel lies be­tween the Archbishop in the first, and the Lord Chancellor in the second; the share they have in the Summoning these two Bodies, is very diffe­rent. The War­rant to the Lord Chancel­lor, who acts Mini­sterially. The Lord Chancellor or Keeper receives a Warrant from the King, whereby his Majesty signifies his Resolution to call a Parliament; In which case, divers and sundry Writs are to be dire­cted forth, under our Great Seal of England, &c. Wherefore we Will and Command you, forthwith up­on the receipt hereof, and by Warrant of the same, to cause such and so many Writs to be made and seal­ed under our Great Seal, for the accomplishment of the same, as in like cases hath been heretofore used and accustom'd, &c.

What the King, in this case, requires of the Lord Chancellor, is in a way purely Ministerial; his Lordship being commanded to act only in his Majesties Name, and under his Seal, i. e. sole­ly by his Authority; while the Archbishop is on­ly Licens'd or Directed to Exert a Power and Au­thority which belongs to him, as well in the com­mon Right of a Metropolitan, as by the antient Laws and Customs of this Realm. In virtue whereof, he directs his Mandate to the Bishop of London, whose Office it is, as his Grace's Dean of the Province, to Execute that Mandate, and whose part therefore in the calling a Convo­cation, answers to that of the Lord Chancellor, [Page 18] in the Summons of a Parliament. Both of them Act Ministerially, in the Name and by the Autho­rity, the one of his Civil, and the other of his Ec­clesiastical Superior.

The Writ for a Parliament, issu'd in the King's Name by the Lord Chancellor, summons the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, Personally to attend his Majesty on a certain day, at Westminster; Vobis in side & legiantia, quibus nobis tenemini, firmiter injungendo Mandamus, quod consideratis, & Di­cto die & loco personaliter intersitis nobiscum: And another also, in his Majesty's Name, to the She­riff of each County, commands him to take care that the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, duly E­lected, pay their Attendance to the King, at the same Place. But the Archbishop, in his Mandate executed by the Bishop of London, first reciting the Royal Writ, to shew that the Restraint of the Statute is taken off, Summons the Bishops and Clergy of his Province to appear before himself, in his Provincial Convocation at St. Pauls: Quod iidem Episcopi Decani & Archidiaconi, & caeteri Ecclesiarum Cathedralium Praelati, &c. compareant coram nobis, aut nostro in hac parte locum tenente sive Commissario in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis Divi Pauli London.

The Re­turns to Parlia­ment, to the King. The Sheriff of each County is directed in the Royal Writ, to make a due Return of his Ele­ction to the King, in his Court of Chancery: Et Electionem tuam in pleno Comitatu tuo factam di­stinctè & apertè sub sigillo tuo & sigillis eorum qui Electioni illi interfuerint, nobis in Cancellariâ nostrâ ad diem & locum in Brevi Contentum certifices in­dilatè.In Convo­cation to the Arch­bishop. By the Archbishop's Mandate, the Bishop of each Diocese (to whom the immediate Execution thereof belongs) is directed to make the Return to his Grace, or his Commissary: Et [Page 19] praeterea vobis, ut supra, injungimus, quòd omnibus & singulis Coepiscopis, Suffraganeis Provinciae no­strae Cant. injungatis & injungi faciatis, ut singuli eorum sigillatim de facto suo, quatenus pertinet ad eosdem, Nos seu locum-tenentem sive Commissari­um unum vel plures, dictis die, horâ, & loco per li­teras eorum Patentes Nomina & Cognomina om­nium & singulorum per eos respectivè Citatorum continentes, distinctè certificent & apertè.

These Returns are ultimately deposited in their proper Offices; the Parliamentary in his Majesties Court of Chancery, and those to Convocation in the Register of the See of Canterbury: That is, the due Execution of each being immediately certi­fied to the Person from whom the Command comes, and in whose Power it is to punish the de­fault; the Testimonies of that Execution, rest and stop at the Authority, The Sum­mons not less Eccle­siastical for its be­ing enjoin­ed by the Prince. from whence the Sum­mons in both cases immediately flow'd.

Thus far (to the Honour of our Reform'd Church) nothing appears in the manner of an English Convocation, but what is truly Ecclesia­stical; or in other Words, suitable to the Consti­tution and Government of an Episcopal Church, as well as the Degrees and Order of the Members whereof it consists. Bating, I mean, that one Restraint which the Statute has laid upon the Archbishop, from calling a Convocation at plea­sure, as the antient Metropolitans and our own here in England before that Statute, had a right to do. For as to the Archbishop's exercising his Summoning Authority, at the Command of the King; this is so far from changing our Convoca­tions into Civil Meetings, that 'tis no more than an obedience which has been ever paid to Christian Princes, by the Governours of National Churches, planted and establish'd under their Influence and [Page 20] Protection. Nor in our own, did the Archbi­shop's calling his Clergy, upon the King's Writ or without it, ever make the least Alteration in the stated Ecclesiastical Methods of Summoning. All these, God be thank'd, are still pretty entire; and I hope safe enough against the Endeavours of some restless Men, who would perswade us that they are pleading the Cause of the Church, in doing all they possibly can to make her a meer Creature of the State.

The Clergy not Sum­mon'd in the same manner from the beginning. This has ever been the Method of Summoning a Convocation; but as to the Members summon'd, the Cathedral and Diocesan Clergy were not from the beginning represented, as now they are, by Persons of their own immediate Choice. The Deans, Priors and Abbots were requir'd by the Archbishop to bring Procuratorial Letters from the respective Bodies over whom they were pla­ced; as the Archdeacons were to do from the Parochial Clergy within their District.

Anno 1257 the Archiepiscopal Mandate runs thus.—In virtute obedientiae praecipiendo, ut prae­dicti Decanus & Prior dictarum Cathedralium Ec­clesiarum, Abbates, & alii Priores, cum literis Procuratoriis nomine Congregationum suarum confectis, ac dicti Archidiaconi cum literis similiter factis ex parte Clericorum qui subsunt eisdem, &c. dictis die & loco personaliter debeant interesse.

Anno 1258 to the same purpose: Vocetis eci­am Decanos Cathedralium et aliarum Ecclesiarum, nec non etiam Abbates, Priores Majores insuper et Archidiaconos vestrae Diaecesis universos, ut cum literis suorum subditorum Procuratoriis loco et die antedictis compareant.—And the Bishop's Or­der upon that Mandate to the Archdeacon, Ac nihilominus Vos ipsi compareatis dictis die et loco cum literis Procuratoriis Cleri totius Archidia­conatûs vestri.

[Page 21] Anno, 1279. The Archbishop's Mandate di­rects the Bishops to call their Clergy together, and excite them to contribute liberally to the King's Necessities; and then leaves them at li­berty, whether they will send their Resolutions by the Bisho [...] or their Proxies, or by Proctors of their own. Hujusmodi autem Servitii vel Subsidii quanti­tatem per Vos aut Procuratores vestros, vel certe per Procuratores proprios ad hoc, si expedire vide­ritis, destinandos, nobis intimare studeant in Congre­gatione nostrâ London, &c. The same Method (I mean of the Bishops calling together the Clergy) is prescrib'd by the Archiepiscopal Mandates of 1282. and 1283. when the Clergy appear to have been represented in both by two Proctors. But afterwards,

Anno 1296. we find the Diocesan Clergy re­quir'd to appear by one Proxy: Ʋnumquodque Ca­pitulum seu Conventus per unum; Clerus quoque cujusli­bet Dioecesis per unum similiter Procuratorem idone­um et instructum: And, Anno 1311. either by one or two: Clerus autem per unum vel duos Procu­ratores consimiles, communiter destinandos.

Inferences from the foregoing Testimo­nies. I produce not these Instances to invalidate the Right of the Cathedral Clergy to be constantly re­presented by one, or the Diocesan, by two Pro­ctors of their own choice: For that, they have now an undeniable Custom of almost four hund­red years; as they have a Prescription of half that time and upwards, for the part they bear in framing and passing Ecclesiastical Constitu­tions. But such Observations came naturally into this Historical Account of the Archiepiscopal Sum­mons; and the Inferences I would draw from them, are, ‘'That an Interest in Convocation, much more a concern in Affairs Ecclesiastical, is far from belonging to the Lower Clergy [Page 22] Originally, even by the Customs of our own Nation; and those Customs Modern, if compa­red with Primitive Practice: 'That the present Frame and Establishment first arose from the Command of the Metropolitan, to send two Proctors, and from a Custom growing thereup­on: That the Figure they now make in Con­vocation, and much more the Figure that some of the Members would make, is far beyond any thing that these their Predecessors pretended to: That the Exercise of the Archbishop's Au­thority in Convocation, has been much greater than it is, and yet the Church and her Rights did not prosper the less: That therefore, even waving the Practice of Convocation, upon which the Claims of the Upper-House are immediate­ly grounded, the late Clamours of Danger and Ruin to the Church from thence, can in Reason be regarded by none, who will look back to the Condition of the Presbyters in the Primi­tive Times, or even in our own Nation, and that not many Centuries ago.’

CHAP. II.
The manner of Opening a Convocation.

All the Members to be rea­dy at St. Pauls. ON the day prefixt in the Archbishop's Man­date for the Convocation's meeting, all the Members cited thereby are obliged to be ready at St. Pauls for the coming of his Grace. Thus it is, and ever has been, according to Archbishop Parker's account of the establisht Form of Opening a Convocation: Sciendum est, quòd omnes qui authoritate Reverendissimi citantur ad comparendum coram eo in domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis D. Pauli London.—die—tenen­tur praefixo tempore interesse atque in eadem Ecclesiâ Cathedrali praestolari adventum dicti Reverendissimi.

The Presi­dent's co­ming to St. Pauls, His Grace, waited on at his Landing by all the Advocates and Proctors of his Court, is by them and his own Retinue conducted to the Church of St. Pauls; at the Door whereof the Bishops and Clergy meet and receive him, and all walk in Procession to the Quire. Prayers and Sermon ended, he with the Bishops and Clergy go into the Chapter-House: The Dean of the pro­vince ex­hibits his Certificato­rium. where the Lord Bi­shop of London, Dean of the Province, exhibits a Certificate that the Mandate has been duly executed: Reverendissimo ac caeteris suis Coepiscopis in suis sedibus ordine consedentibus, ac reliquo Clero circumstante, Reverendus Dominus Episcopus London. Mandatum sibi a dicto Reverendissimo ad Convoca­tionem hujusmodi Summonend. directum, una cum [...] ­bito Certificatorio super Executione ejusdem i [...]ro­ducere, ac debita cum Reverentiâ eidem Reverendis­simo Patri praesentare & tradere tenetur.—This Certificate under the Episcopal Seal, and directed [Page 24] to the Archbishop, first acknowledging the re­ceipt of his Grace's Mandate, recites it: and then signifies, how by Virtue and Authority there­of, the Bishops of his Province, and by them the Deans, &c. have been regularly Summon'd: That he owns himself duly Cited by the Authority of the same Mandate: That he has intimated to them his Grace's Resolution not to hold any ex­cus'd but upon good Reasons to be then and there alledg'd: That he has also enjoyn'd every Bishop to bring with him a Certificate of the Execution of the foresaid Mandate in his own Diocese: And then adding, how he has executed it particular­ly in the Diocese of London, he subjoins a Cata­logue of the Members therein. In like manner, every Bishop makes his Return immediately to the Archbishop, in a formal Instrument under his Episcopal Seal, certifying the Summons of his Dean, Archdeacons and Clergy, in Virtue of his Grace's Letters Mandatory transmitted by the Lord Bishop of London, and adding their several Names and Sirnames.

By the Archbishop's Order, the Bishop of Lon­don's Certificate is publickly Read, and one or more Officers of his Court appointed by him, Other Certifi­cates and Proxies. to receive in his Name the Certificates of the other Bishops, and all the Letters of Proxy. Then a wiritten Schedule is put into his Grace's Hand, by which he pronounces all Members cited and not appearing, Contumacious; Contuma­cy Pro­nounced. Forma Con­vocat. reserving the Pu­nishment of their Contumacy to another time, Reservando poenam eorum Contumaciae in aliquem diom competentem pro beneplacito ipsius Reveren­dissimi.

This is a short and general Account of the O­pening a Convocation; enough to convince any Indifferent Man of his Grace's Right, as to Preside [Page 25] over the whole Body, so to dispense with the Absence, or require the Attendance of every par­ticular Member, according to the reasons and cir­cumstances of Things. The Arch­bishop's Jurisdicti­on over the Mem­bers, as to their At­te [...], asserted. But because in the last Convocation the Power of the Archbishop over the Members of the Lower-House, was not only call'd in Question, but in effect directly deny'd by the departure of several without applying to his Grace for leave; and not only so, but in contempt of the Metropolitical Authority, several Applications were directly made to the Lower-House, and the leave of the House thought a suf­ficient Discharge from their obligation to atten­dance: Upon these Accounts, and the Inferences that are made on the Supposition of such a Right in the Lower-House, it becomes necessary to be full and clear in the Explication of these Certifi­cates or Returns, which (as made in pursuance of the Archiepiscopal Mandate) are the founda­tion of his Grace's Power in that point, over all the Members indifferently: To show, on the one hand, the Antiquity of them, that no room may be left to suspect 'em Innovations; and on the other, their real force and effect, as appearing from the Archbishop's frequent Exercise of this Power, that they may not be thought a matter of Form, or the appearance only of a legal Title without the Authority of Practice to support and confirm them.

By the Te­nor of the Mandate, none to be excus'd but who shall shew reasonable cause. I. In the Archbishop's Mandate for the Sum­moning a Convocation, it is, and always has been usual for his Grace, to require the Dean of the Province, among other things, to acquaint the Bishops, and by them the Inferior Clergy, that he will excuse no member from attending, accord­ing to the Tenor thereof, but who shall show [Page 26] such cause as his Grace shall judge reasonable. This Notice is given in the antient Mandates un­der different Forms, but all to the same effect with the present Clause.

Anno 1281. After an Enumeration of all the Members to be cited; Denunciantes eisdem quòd contra absentes in Formâ Canonica procedemus. Nec debilitatis Excusationem sufficere reputamus illorum, qui per Maneria sua juxta Dioceses suas, & extra, & ad alia loca per Cant. Provinciam, se faciunt pro familiaribus negotiis in quibuscunque vehiculis depor­tari.

Anno 1296. Compareant eodem die & sequentibus opportunis—Sub poena Excommunicationis Majo­ris & Interdicti, quae meritò poterunt formidare qui in forma praenotatâ contumaciter omiserint seu con­tempserint comparere; & quae contra eosdem qui sic comparere detrectaverint sine delectu Personarum in­tendimus Executioni debitae demandare.

Anno 1297. Vos etiam praemunimus, & caeteros sic citandos praemuniri Mandamus, quod absentes in Citatione praedicta, msi Evidens & inevitabile impe­dimentum per probationes certas superesse docuerint tanquam Inobedientes & offensores notorios graviter punicmus. And another the same Year: Denunci­antes dictis Coepiscopis, & per eos suos subditos sic vocandos faciatis idonee praemuniri, quod absentes in citatione praedicta, nisi Evidens & inevitabile im­podimentum sufficienter probetur; tanquam inobedien­tes graviter puniemus. Much of the same Form and wholly to the same purpose, is this Clause in the Mandates, Anno 1333. and 1327.

Anno 1356. Intimantes eisdem, quod contra absentes in formâ Canonicâ procedemus; nullius sic absentis excusationem penitus admissuri, nisi quatenùs ad hoc nos arctaverint Canonicae Sanctiones.

[Page 27] Anno 1359. Volumus & intimamus, quòd in­timetis seu denunciari faciatis dictae Provinciae Coe­piscopis & Confratribus ac Vicariis hujusmodi, De­canis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, & caeteris Ecclesiarum Prae­latis supradictis, quòd cos à personali comparitione in hujusmodi Congregatione, dictis die & loco per nos seu nostra Auctoritate, Deo annuente, cele­branda, habere non intendimus excusatos ista Vi­ce, nisi ex causa necessaria tunc ibidem alleganda & probanda; sed eorum Contumacia, si qui forsi­tan absentes fuerint, secundum juris exigentiam Canonice punietur.

From thence to this Day, the same Clause con­tinues a part of the Archiepiscopal Mandate, with a very small variation of the Words, and none at all of the Sence or Intention: Volumus insuper et mandamus, quatenus intimetis et denuncietis seu inti­mari et denunciari faciatis dictae Provinciae nostrae Can­tuar. Coepiscopis, Decanis, Archidiaconis, ac caete­ris Ecclesiarum Praelatis suprascriptis, quod eos à Per­sonali comparitione in hujusmodi negotio Convocati­onis et Congregationis dictis die et loco ut praemittitur, divina favente Clementia celebrand. excusatos non habere intendimus ista Vice nisi ex causà necessariâ [...]nc et ibidem allegandâ et proponendâ, et per nos ap­probandâ; sed Contumacias eorum qui Absentes fu­erint Canonice punire.

I know not, how clearer Testimonies can be given of any Point, than these are of a constant right in our Metropolitan (the same that Metropo­litans have always enjoy'd) to require Attendance according to the tenor of his Mandate, and to judge of the Reasonableness of all Excuses of Ab­sence, and to punish the Contumacy of those who are Absent without sending Reasons that in his Grace's Judgment are good and sufficient.

[Page 28] All Returns ever made di­rectly to the Arch­bishop. II. In pursuance of his General Summons, and that particular Admonition; the Archbishop in the same Mandate and in the Clause immediately following, commands the Dean of the Province to Intimate to every Suffragan Bishop, that he Ex­hibit to his Grace at the Day appointed, a Sche­dule under his Episcopal Seal containing the Names and Sirnames of all the Persons he has ci­ted to appear. The words of this Clause have not always been the same they are now; but such as express the same meaning, and had the same effect; for instance,

Anno 1281. Mandantes insuper singulis Episcopis quòd secum deferant in scriptis nomina omnium in forma praedicta de suis Dioecesibus ad Concilium voca­torum. And more distinctly the very next Year, viz.

Anno 1282. De nominibus vero Abbatum, Pri­orum, et aliorum Religiosorum, Decanorum, Archi­diaconorum, Procuratorum, tam Cleri cujuslibet Dioecesis quam Capitulorum, singuli Episcopi pro suis Dioecesibus ad dictos diem et locum per suas literas distincte nos certificent et aperté.

In the next Century, it comes yet nearer to our present Form: As,

Anno 1350. After direction given to the Dean of the Province, to bring a particular Return or Certificate of the due Execution of the Mandate, it is added, Et caeteris Coepiscopis Suffragancis nostris, Electis, et Vicariis praedictis simili­ter injungatis, ut Nos vel nostrum Commissarium eisdem die et loco singuli sigillatim modo debito cer­tificent per literas suas patentes harum seriem et citatorum Nomina Dioeces. eorundem in Cedulâ con­simili continentes.

And before the end of that Century, we find it the same with the present Form, ex­cepting [Page 29] a very small variation of the words: So,

Anno 1396. Vobis etiam, ut suprá, injungimus et mandamus, quòd omnibus et singulis Venerabi­libus Fratribus nostris, Coepiscopis vestris, vel Vicariis hujusmodi, injungatis seu faciatis injungi, quod singuli eorum singillatim de facto suo quatenus pertinet ad eosdem, Nos seu loca nostra tenentes vel Commissarios, dictis die et loco, per literas suas Paten­tes, Citatorum Nomina continentes, distinctè cer­tificent et apertè.

The Clause at present, runs thus:

Et praetereà, Vobis, ut suprà, injungimus et man­damus, quòd omnibus et singulis Coepiscopis Suffra­ganeis Provinciae nostrae Cant. injungatis et injungi faciatis, ut singuli eorum Sigillatim de facto suo, qua­tenus pertinet ad eosdem, Nos seu locum-tenentem sive Commissarium, unum vel plures, dictis die, horâ, et loco, per literas eorum Patentes Nomina et Cognomina omnium et singulorum per eos re­spectivè Citatorum continentes, distinctè certificent et aperté.

The several Forms of these two Clauses, we see, are only different ways of expressing the self-same things: And I produce them thus distinctly, that they who have lately Acted against the Intent and Authority of them, may have no Op­portunity to Suggest to their Friends, that as they stand in our Modern Mandates, they are not agreca­ble to the Sense and Language of Antiquity, i. e. that the Denouncing Canonical Censures against Absents, and the Returns from the several Bi­shops, to inform his Grace whose Attendance it was that he had a right to require, has not ever been, as now it is, the Method and Pra­ctice of an English Convocation. Since the Be­ginning [Page 30] of this Controversie, Assertions no less groundless have been given out and propagated, and have had their design'd effect, in misleading many honest and well-meaning Men; which is a warning for the future, not to leave Room for any Misrepresentations of that kind, and is also the reason why I take the same Method in the Explication of the next Clause, whereby the Lord Bishop of London, in particular, is oblig'd to Certifie the Archbishop that his Mandate has been transmitted to the Suffragan Bishops, and duly executed within his own Diocese.

In Archbishop Peckham's time, Anno 1281. Vos autem, praedictis die et loco, in forma praedicta Comparentes comite Sanitate, certificetis nos per Patentes vestras literas quid feceritis de praemissis.

The Dean of the Pro­vince re­quir'd to certifie to his Grace the Exe­cution of the Man­date. Anno 1282. Vos autem, quos tunc praesentes adesse volumus, nobis rescribatis per vestras literas Patentes, harum seriem continentes, qualiter praesens Mandatum nostrum fueritis Executi.

Anno 1350/1. De die vero receptionis praesentium, et quid seceritis ac facere duxeritis in praemissis, Nos vel nostros Commissarios dictis die et loco Certificetis per literas vestras Patentes harum Seriem et Citatorum Nomina vestrae London. Dioeces. in Ce­dula separata, his Certificatoriis annectenda, plena­rie continentes.—Which, after 3 Centuries and a half, continues the same in effect to this Day, viz.

De die vero receptionis praesentium, et quid in prae­missis seceritis, Nos aut nostrum in hac parte, lo­cum-tenentem sive Commissarium hujusmodi, dictis die, hora, et loco, debitè Certificari curetis per Literas harum seriem, unà cum nominibus omnium et singulorum [adding the several degrees, E­piscoporum, &c.] in separata Schedula literis Certificatorum annectend. complectentes.

[Page 31] The Dean of the Province's Certificato­rium or Return Exhibited. III. According to this precept of the Ar­chiepiscopal Mandate, it is, and always has been the Usage of Convocation, for the Bi­shop of London to Exhibit his Certificatorium, or Return, to his Grace on the first Day of its Meeting. Which being read by some one of the Officers of the Archbishop's Court appointed by his Grace; certain Commissio­ners are directed to receive the Returns of all the other Bishops, and the Proxies of the Persons mention'd therein, i. e. the Procurato­rial Letters of the Cathedral and Diocesan Clergy appearing in Person, and the Substitu­tions of Proxies made by the absent Members, upon reasonable Causes of Absence, offer'd and alleg'd according to the terms of the Mandate. Archbi­shops Com missioners to receive and inspect Proxies. Nor is the Commissioner empow­er'd only to receive, but also to inspect and examin the Proxies of both sorts; to see, that they be in due form, and the Causes alled­ged for absence, fit to be admitted.

The Proxies, as well of the Cathedral and Diocesan Clergy, as of the Absent Members, are ordinarily express'd under the Common Name Procuratoria, in his Grace's Appoint­ment or Commission; but sometimes with express reference to the Absent Clergy. So, Feb. 7. 1452.—nec non quorumcumque absen­tium Procuratoria in dicto Concilio sive Con­vocatione comparere debentium.—Anno 1557. He is required to examin, among other things, causas Absentiarum; and in 1562 (the first after the Reformation, the Acts whereof remain entire) the Archbishop's Deputation is thus set down at large: Deinde dictus Re­verendissimus Pater commisit vices suas Mro. Tho­mae Yale Cancellario suo, ac Magistro Willelmo [Page 32] Drurie Legum Doctori, Commissario ad facultates, ad recipiend. Certificatoria Episcoporum ac ad in­spiciend. Procuratoria quorumcunq Absentium ac causas absentiarum suarum examinand. et ap­proband. Answerable to which the Contu­macy pronounc'd immediately upon this In­spection and Examination, is (in the ordinary Style of the Registers) against those who did Nullo modo comparere, that is, neither in Person, nor by Proxy: And yet more express in that of 1562.—monitos et citatos, ac per se aut Procuratores suos idoneos minime compa­rentes, For

Sentence of Contu­macy a­gainst Ab­sents, by the Arch­bishop or his Com­missary. IV. The Certificates and Proxies being duly examin'd, and the Members particularly Pre­coniz'd; the Usage has ever been, to pro­nounce the Absents, Contumacious. Anciently, it was pronounc'd in the Name of the Arch­bishop, by the Person commissioned to receive and inspect the Certificates, &c. And in that Case, the punishment was reserv'd to the Arch­bishop, Poenâ Contumaciarum Domino reservata: But when his Grace pronounc'd it in Person (as he then did sometimes, and constantly af­terwards) it ran, Poena sibi reservata, or in words to that effect, i. e. to be inflicted or not inflicted, with strictness or with abate­ments, as he himself should see convenient.

The Certificates, &c. were exhibited by his Grace's Appointment, not on a Convocation Day, but at an Intermediate Time; and so the Registers, tho' they constantly make mention of the Bishop of London's Certificatorium, and his Grace's Commission to inspect the rest, (both these being done in Convocation,) do yet sel­dom take notice of the Contumacy pronounc'd which was out of Convocation. But we find [Page 33] the manner of the Commissioner's proceed­ings, enter'd at large in the Convocation Acts of 1432. after the Business of the Day: Post Prandium dicti diei Lunae praefatus Vene­rabilis Vir Magister Thomas Bronus adivit dictam domum Capitularem, et ibidem recepit Certificatoria Episcoporum et Procuratoria Prae­latorum ac Cleri et Capitulorum, et receptis Certificatoriis hujusmodi, idem Magister Tho­mas Praeconizari fecit omnes et singulas personas quarum nomina in Cedulis singulorum Episcoporum Certificatoriis annexis fuerunt annotata. Quibus sic Praeconizatis, idem Magister Thomas om­nes et singulos ad illud Provinciale Concilium cita­tos, certificatos, et (ut praemittitur) praeconizatos, ac nullo modo seu minùs legitimè comparentes, pro­nunciavit Contumaces, Poena reservata Domino. Et mandavit idem Magister Thomas Procuratoria hujusmodi custodiri cum deliberatione examinanda, et prout juris fuerit, admittenda seu rejicienda.

At other times, the Archbishop himself pro­nounc'd the Absents Contumacious, at the meet­ing next after the Inspection of the Returns and Proxies: Which indeed, in the natural Order of things, seems to be more regular than the Pra­ctice that came after and still continues, of the Archbishop's pronouncing the Contumacy imme­diately upon his Appointment of a Commissi­oner to receive the Certificates.

The Sen­tence of Contumacy a written Instru­ment. I can't affirm (because the Registers don't say it) that this Act of his Grace and his Com­missioner, was in a written Form from the be­ginning: But I find one as early as Archbishop Chichley, in the Year 1438. Tenor vero Decreti sive Sentenciae contra Absentes, ut praefertur, sequi­tur, et est talis, IN DEI NOMINE Amen. Henricus permissione divina Cantuar. Archiepisco­pus, [Page 34] totius Angliae Primas et Apostolicae sedis Legatus, Omnes et singulos Abbates, Priores, Decanos Ec­clesiarum Cathedralium, Archidiaconos, Custodes et Magistros Ecclesiarum Collegiatarum, et alios de Clero quoscumque ad praesentem Convocationem vo­catos, citatos, praemunitos, et praeconizatos, diuciùs­que expectatos, ac nullo modo aut non legitimé se­cundum tenorem Mandati nostri comparentes, Pro­nunciamus Contumaces, poenam Contumaciae in om­nes et singulos praedict. infligend. nobis reservantes: Monemus insuper omnes et singulos praefatos Contu­maces, quòd sexto die Octobris prox. futuro omnes et singuli Contumaces supradicti compareant coram nobis in loco praesenti poenas Contumaciarum hujus­modi auditur. et subitur. completur. et factur. prout justicia suadebit; et praesentem Convocationem usque in et ad diem praefatum Continuamus: Monentes insuper omnes et singulos jam praesentes, ut die prae­dicto compareant, et quilibet eorum compareat, co­ram Nobis aut nostris in hac parte Commissariis in Convocatione praesenti isto eodem loco processur. et [...]isur. factur. et subitur. quod in Conciliis Provin­cialibus faciend. ordinand. et providend. fuerit, et quod Canones et Jura suadebunt.

Afterwards, the Extracts out of the Register of the Upper-House in 1529. speak of it as a written Instrument; referring to the Register when it was enter'd at large: And in 1545. where the remaining Convocation-Acts in the Province of York begin, the Schedula contra Con­tumaces is set down at length, and said to be then and there Read by the Commissary:—Omnes et Singulas Personas Ecclesiasticas, ad hos di­om et locum interessend. in hac sacra Convocatione vocat. praecenizat. expectatas et non comparentes, Pronunciamus eas et earum quamlibet Contumaces, et in poenam Contumaciarum suarum hujusmodi de­cernimus [Page 35] procedend. fore ad ulterior. Ipsorum Con­tumaciis sive absentiis non obstan. Et ulteriorem poe­nam Contumaciarum suarum hujusmodi per nos im­ponend. usque ad et in xxvi diem mensis Januarii prox. futurum reservamus in hiis scriptis.

Whatever Schedules of Contumacy had been from time to time deposited in the Registry of the See of Canterbury, were burnt in the Fire of London, with those of Continuation or Proroga­tion; and I find no one enter'd at large in any Acts since the Reformation: Only, at the open­ing of Convocations, the Pronouncing it is men­tion'd, and reference made to the original Sche­dule in writing. The Register of 1562. menti­ons it thus: Ac praeterea dictus Reverendissimus Pa­ter pronunciavit omnes et singulos Decanos, Ar­chidiaconos, Capitula ac Cleri Procuratores, et cae­teros quoscunque ad interessend. in hujusmodi sacrâ Synodo sive Convocatione monitos et citatos ac per se aut Procuratores suos idoneos minimè comparentes notorie Contumaces; paenas Contumaciarum su­arum hujusmodi usque in prox. Sessionem reservand. prout in Schedula per eum lectâ plenius continetur; cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec Verba, IN DEI NOMINE AMEN.

The present Schedule, of the same import with the former, is as follows: Nos, Archiepis­copus—omnes et singulos Decanos, Archidiaco­nos, Capitula et Cleri Procuratores, ac caeteros quos­cunque ad interessendum nobiscum in hâc praesenti sa­cra Synodo Provinciali &c. legitimé et peremptorié monitos et citatos, ncc per se nec per Procuratores suos idoneos comparentes, nec ullas causas Absentiarum suarum hujusmodi sufficienter allegantes, Pronunci­amus Contumaces, et eorum quemlibet Contuma­cem; sed poenas eorum Contumaciae usque ad et in diem—reservando reservamus.

[Page 36] The Exe­cution of the Sen­tence of Contuma­cy suspend­ed every Session by the Arch­bishop. IV. By this Sentence, all the absent Members fall under the Guilt of Contumacy; and that rests upon them till they give satisfaction to his Grace, either by their Personal Appearance, or the trans­mitting some such reasonable Cause of Absence, as he shall approve. In expectation whereof, the Canonical Punishment is usually suspended, in aliquem diem competentem pro bene-placito ipsius Reverendissimi, according to Archbishop Parker's Form; and the day that is usually fixt by his Grace, is to that of his Continuation. For in the tenor thereof, we find this Suspension of Punish­ment for Absence particularly expressed in our most early Acts of Convocation. Archiepiscopus Continuavit, &c. & decrevit Absentes fore ex­pectandos, & ipsos expectavit usque in diem—Con­tinuavit, &c. de gratia expectando absentes—Fecit Continuationem & Expectationem—Here, the Expectatio Absentium is properly the same Suspen­sion of the Punishment of Absence, that has been constantly express'd in the Schedule of Continu­ation, viz. nec non omnia & singula Certificatoria, hactenus introducta & introducenda & non-intro­ducta, in eodem statu quo nunc sunt, usque ad & in diem—Continuamus & Prorogamus, in hiis scri­ptis. The Certificatoria thus continued, are the foremention'd Returns made by every Bishop to his Grace at the Opening of the Convocation, and deposited in the Office of the Archiepiscopal See: As the Continuation of them, is a Decree, suspending both the Praeconization of the Persons therein return'd, and the infliction of the Punish­ment that would thereupon belong to the Ab­sents. And so, in the year 1554. Sess. 5. where it is said, that the President Continu'd the Con­vocation to such a day, 'tis added, Et etiam con­tinuavit [Page 37] Certificatoria contra Absentes usque ad & in—

The Arch­bishops have fre­quently exercis'd their Au­thoriry o­ver the Members in the mid­dle of Con­vocation. V. But the Declaration of Contumacy at the Beginning only, as well as the Continuation of the Returns from time to time, are purely Acts of Grace and Favour in the Archbishop: Who there­fore, as the Members appear'd to be slack in their Attendance, has solemnly declared them Contumacious, and in the several Instan­ces actually inflicted the Punishment of Sus­pension, in the middle of Convocations. Which I the rather observe, because I remem­ber at the meeting of the last, they who contend­ed for a Power in the Lower-House over their own Members, went upon a groundless distin­ction, 'That the Archbishop's part was only to pronounce Contumacy at the Beginning, and either to execute or take off the Sentence at the End of Convocation; but as to the Time between these, i. e. in the whole course of their Proceedings, he had never interpos'd. Whereas, that his original Right to require or dispense with their Attendance, has been frequently, and in several ways, shown and exerted in the middle of Convocations: As,

In Preco­nizations, and solem­nly decla­ring Contu­macy. 1. In Praeconizations, and solemn Declarations of Contumacy: Of which sort there are several Instances, but none so particularly affecting the Lower-House, or so fully represented under all the circumstances, as that of the Convocation in 1562. It begun January the 11th, and sat till it was Prorogu'd by the Queens Writ, April 14th. Between these, on February the 19th. Ve­nerabilis Vir. Magister Thomas Yale Legum do­ctor Vicar. in Spiritualibus Generalis dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris, ac Commissarius in hac parte specialiter deputatus, in Capellâ Beatae Mariae infra Ecclesiam [Page 38] Cathedralem divi Pauli London scituat. Domo, viz. Inferioris Convocationis praedict' in praesentiâ (ut di­cebatur) Magistri Willelmi Saye notarii publici dictae domus Inferioris Registrarii et actorum Scribae, judicialiter sedens, legit quandam Schedulam contra omnes et singulos Decanos, Capitula, Archidiaconos, et Cleri Procuratores, ac caeteros quoscun (que) in dictâ Convocatione juxta monitionem legitimam in hac parte factam non comparentes, aut ab eadem sine li­centiâ, &c. recedentes. Cujus quidem Schedulae ve­rus tenor sequitur et est talis. In dei nomine Amen.

So also, ann. 1605. The Extracts out of the Upper-House-Books have this note in the middle of the Session: Nothing of moment more than Sus­pension of Contumacious Non-Comparents, and Absolution of some.

Again, in the same Convocation, ten Sessions at least before the conclusion of it, the same Ex­tracts, referring to the Acts of the Upper-House, say, Nothing more than the Absolution of Dr. Tooker Dean of Lichfield, and Mr. Robotham, from Sus­pension at Non-Comparents, and the Suspension of Dr. Stern, Suffragum Bishop of Colchester, for not appearing.

Ann. 1588. In the Convocation whereof there were 22 Sessions, it is said in the Extracts, Sess. 19. Archbishop suspends Absents and Departers without leave; particularly the Bishop of Litchfield for going without leave.

2. Another effect of the Archbishop's Power over the Members in point of Attendance, is his giving License to be Absent: So,

Ann. 1438. May 10. Dominus continuavit Con­vocationem suam, &c. Licentia prius datâ dictis Religiosis recedendi, constitutis per eos certis Procu­ratoribus, [Page 39] prout de facto constituerunt, ad Interessend. consentiend. & faciend. in ipsa Convocatione, quae ip­si facerent si personaliter interessent.

Ann. 1586. Sess. 10. The Lower-House Book: The Prolocutor coming from the Upper-House, intimates the Continuation—& moniti sunt om­nes supra-nominati ad tunc ibidem interessend. &c. Mri. Nowell, Walker, Humfrey, Bysse, Powell & Say, ex Relatione Domini Prolocutoris isto die fuerunt Licentiati quoad corum personalem compari­tionem.

In the List of the Members before the Lower-House Minutes in 1640. at the Arch-deacon of Canterbury's Name, I find this Note: Abs. ex Licentiâ domini Archiepiscopi.

So also, in the Catalogue of the Members be­fore the Minutes of 1662. at the Dean of Sarum's Name it is said, Excusatio per licentiam Archiepis­copi. And at the same Name in the next List, the Bishop of London Presiding, Excusatus per Episcopum London. ut informatur.

With reference to this Right in the Archbi­shop to require the Presence of all the Members during the Convocation, we find his Dissolution of it anciently express'd by his giving them leave to depart.

Ann. 1371. The Bishop of London Presiding, Procuratores Religiosorum & Cleri ibidem comparen­tes ad recedendum Licentiavit per Decretum.

Ann. 1373. Commissarius dictos Procuratores ex praecepto Domini, ut dixit, ad recedendum Licenti­avit.

Ann. 1379. Et tandem idem dominus Archiepis­copus dictis Praelatis & Procuratoribus Licentiam recedendi à dictâ Convocatione dedit, & ipsam Con­vocationem dissolvit.

[Page 40] Ann. eod. Et sic idem Dominus Cant. Archiepis­copus dictam Convocationem dissolvebat, & legiti­mam dictis Praelatis & Procuratoribus Cleri Licen­tiam recedendi à Convocatione hujusmodi concessit.

Ann. 1400. Reverendissimus Pater, &c. Convo­cationem praedictam & Concilium suum Provinciale consummavit & dissolvit, omnibus praebens Licentiam recedendi.

3. His Grace's Admonitions to the Clergy, not to depart before the End of the Convocation, is another direct Testimony of his Power over them in this particular.

Ann. 1379. 16 Kal. Jan. Et Dominus post tra­ctatum hujusmodi moneri fecit ibidem publicè Pro­curatores dictorum Praelatorum & Cleri, ne quis ipso­rum recederet a Civitate London, ante dictae Con­vocationis negotium finitum, sub poenâ a missionis Pro­curationum Suarum, & aliae multae eis per eum im­ponendae.

Ann. 1541. Sess. 2. The Prolocutor and Cler­gy being in the Upper-House, Monuit Reveren­dissimus, ut nemo se subduceret a Convocatione ob ullam causam nisi priùs approbatam à Sc.

Ann. 1557. Sess. 1. Et moniti sunt tam Patres quam totus Cleri chorus ad Interessendum in hoc sa­cro Concilio usque ad Dissolutionem ejusdem ad sin­gulos Actus expediendos.

And therefore, Archbishop Parker, describing the several Branches of the Prolocutor's Office, makes this One: Ejusdem Prolocutoris est, etiam monere omnes ne discedant à Civitate London. absque Licentia Reverendissimi.

To these Admonitions not to depart, I will joyn a remarkable Reproof from the Archbishop to the Lower-House, occasion'd by the negli­gence of the Clergy in not duly attending the Convocation. It is upon their own Book in [Page 41] 1588. Sess. 12. Dominus Prolocutor praeconizari fecit citatos ad comparendum in hac parte, & Prae­conizatione hujusmodi minimè finita, Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Cant. Archiepiscopus, caeterique Do­mini Praelati, accersiverunt ad se integrum Coetum hujus Domûs, eosdèm (que) Dominos Praelatos adierunt—ibìque dictus Reverendissimus Pater reprehendit negligentiam sive contumaciam nonnullorum cita­torum & monitorum ad comparendum in hac Domo & non comparentium, ac expresse affirmavit se vel­le propter eorum Contumacias procedere juxta Juris Exigentiam, &c. Et mox omnes Supranominati in inferiorem Domum praedict. reversi sunt, & tunc ibi­dem finita fuit Praeconizatio, ut praefertur, Citatorum.

The Arch­bishop ab­solves or punishes the Ab­sents at the conclu­sion of the Synod. 4. Pursuant to his Power of requiring the At­tendance of the Members, with putting the Ab­sents under the Censure of Contumacy, and the Exercise of that Inherent Power, while the Con­vocation continues; the Archbishop at the Con­clusion thereof usually calls for a Catalogue of the Members who have either not appear'd at all, or departed without his Special Leave; and the Punishment having been all along reserv'd to him­self, he absolves or punishes them, as he sees rea­son.

Upon some Occasions, the Registers particu­larly mention the Pardon of their Contumacy, as an Act of Favour in his Grace.

Ann. 1417. Dominus omnibus & singulis ad ip­sam Convocationem vocatis, & nullo modo seu minus lgitimè comparentibus, ad rogatum Praelatorum & Cleri ibidem praesentium, ex suâ gratiâ specialï re­misit.

Ann. 1419. Dominus, ad petitionem & roga­tum Confratrum suorum Coepiscoporum & aliorum Praelatorum & Cleri ibidem praesentium, omnes & sin­gulos ad ipsam Convocationem vocatos, minùs ligitimè [Page 42] seu nullo modo comparentes, pro illâ vice duntaxat habuit excusatos.

Ann. 1422. Dominus, ad petitionem Procura­torum Cleri ibidem tunc praesentium, quibuscunque ad dictam Convocationem vocatis & nullo modo seu minus legitimé comparentibus, ex gratia remisit.

At other Times when the Non-Attendance of the Members put him under a Necessity of using other Methods less mild and gentle; he continued them in a State of Contumacy, and proceeded to Canonical Censures, sometimes reserving the Punish­ment to himself, but frequently declaring the Punishment publickly in Convocation.

Ann. 1356. The first Convocation, of the Acts whereof we have any Accounts remaining, concludes thus: Dominus Archiepiscopus omnes ci­tatos ad idem Concilium, qui illo die non comparue­runt, ut tonebantur, pronunciavit Contumaces, poenâ sibi reservatâ.

Ann. 1386. In domo Capitulari, idem Dominus Cant. praeconizari fecit Suffraganeos suos, Abbates, Priores, Decanos, Archidiaconos, & Procuratores Cleri, ad eandem Convocationem citatos; & omnes absentes Praelatos praeconizatos, & nullo modo compa­rentes, pronunciavit Contumaces; & in poenam Contumaciae eorundum sequestravit fructus & pro­ventus omnium Ecclesiarum eisdem Praelatis vel eo­rum Beneficijs approprietarum.

Ann. 1404. Reverendissimus Pater Archiepisco­pus ad promotionem & excitationem Cleri praedict. & de consilio & avisamento Praelatorum Dioeces. Cant. Provinciae sibi assidentium & circumsedentium, om­nes ac singulos Abbates, Priores, ac alios quoscun (que) dictae Cant. Provinciae, qui ad comparendum in dicta Convocatione per loci Ordinarios, prout in eorum li­quet Certificatoriis, citati fuerunt, & non comparen­tes, pronunciavit Contumaces, & in poenam Contu­maciae [Page 43] eorum hujusmodi Sequestravit fructus, red­ditus, & proventus omnium Monasteriorum, Pri­oratuum, & aliorum locorum hujusmodi, & praeser­tim Exemptionum, & decrevit exinde fieri Publicati­onem in partibus. Et post aliquot dies posteá, idem Reverendissimus Pater Archiepiscopus scripsit Suffra­ganeis suis pro intimatione hujusmodi Sequestri, & pro eodem sequestro custodiendo.

Anno 1416. we meet with another Execution of the same kind: Archbishop Chichley directs it to the Bishop of London's Vicar-General, and re­citing how they had been Summon'd to Convoca­tion, and did not obey (nec in dicto Concilio per­sonaliter comparere, aut Procuratores sufficientes, saltem qui causas rationabiles ipsorum absentiae allegare possent aut vellent, mittere curaverunt) he signifies his Declaration of their Contumacy, and the Pu­nishment he had inflicted, In poenam Contumaciae suae hujusmodi, fructus quoscunque omntum et singu­larum Ecclesiarum non exemptarum personis Exemp­tis et corum Monasteriis ubicunque infra nostram Provinciam Appropriatarum, cujuscunque Ordinis ex­istunt, duximus Sequestrandos; prout tenore praesen­tium Sequestramus. Alios vero Abbates, et Priores, at Praelatos non exemptos, et Archidiaconos ab in­gressu Ecclesiae in his scriptis suspendimus—Afterwards, we find nineteen Absolv'd from the Sentence, upon their Submission and an Oath ta­ken by every particular Person, quòd ipse in sin­gulis Convocationibus Praelatorum et Cleri Cant. Pro­vinciae de caetero celebrand. juxta vim, formam et ef­fectum Citationis sibi fiendae fideliter comparebit, nisi impedimento legitime fuerit praepeditus; et in eventum quod citatus fuerit ad personaliter comparendum, pa­rebit Citationi, nisi impedimento legitimo, ut suprà, detineatur; in quo casu mittet unum ex confratribus su­is cum sufficienti Procuratorio tam ad allegand. causas [Page 44] Absentiae sue et eas proband. quam ad comparend. nomi­ne suo in Convocationibus hujusmodi, nec non hiis que ibi sieri, statui, concedi, vel ordinari contigerit, consentiend. ibique durantibus Convocationibus hujus­modi remansurum, nisi abinde recedendi Licentiam obtinere valeat Specialem.

Anno 1428. Dominus, ex assensu Confratrum suo­rum, pro eo quod complures Abbates, et Praelati ac alii Religiosi qui in Convocatione debuerant comparere nullo modo comparuerunt, ipsos omnes non Comparen­tes Pronunciavit Contumaces, poenâ sibi reservatâ.

Anno 1437. May 14. Dominus omnes citatos ad dictum Provinciale Concilium nullo modo vel juxta tenorem Mandati non comparentes, Pronunciavit Contumaces—Monemus insuper omnes et singu­los Contumaces quod sexto die Octobris—com­pareant coram nobis in loco praesenti, poenas Contu­maciarum hujusmodi audituri et subituri, &c. prout Justitia suadebit.

At the Conclusion of another Meeting of the same Year.—Dominus omnes et singulos ad hujus­modi Convocationem legitimè citatos, ac non compa­rentes, juxta tenorem Mandati eis in hac parte facti, Pronunciavit Contumaces, poenâ sibi reservatâ.

Anno 1541. Sess. 15. before a Prorogation, Dom. Cox [the Archbishop's Commissary] omnes Praelatos non comparentes seu non Licentiatos, suspen­debat à celebratione divinorum et ingressu Ecclesiae. The Praelati were the Lower-House Members (the Dignitaries at least) who under that Style are commanded to retire and chuse a Prolocutor in the Convocation that immediately preceeds.

Anno 1586. Dec. 2. in the Extracts out of the Registers of the Ʋpper-House it is said in short, upon a Prorogation—Non comparents, Contu­macious, suspended. And before the Dissolution——Suspension of Absents, or Departers without leave.

[Page 45] Anno 1601. in the same Extracts, we meet with the like Hint, immediately before the Dissoluti­on—Contumacious suspended.

Of which Act we have a full and particular ac­count in the Lower-House Journal Sess. 14. Mar. 24.—That the Prolocutor (according to Cus­tom) might be able to lay before his Grace a Schedule of the Absents in the Lower-House, de mandato Domini Prolocutoris facta fuit publica Praeconizatio omnium Citatorum ad comparend. in hac domo, juxta consuetudinem alias usitatam, & juxta tenores Mandatorum & Certificatoriorum alias res­pectivè coram ipso Reverendissimo Patre Domino Cant. Archiep. &c. exhibitorum & introductorum: The Prolocutor and the whole House being immedi­ately sent for, Reverendissimus querelatus est de in­curià, negligentiâ & contumacia citatorum, &c. & non comparentium &c.—& tunc, porrecta sibi Schedula Suspensionis, unà cum Schedula continente nomina & cognomina contumaciter Absentium ab hac Sacra Synodo, idem Reverendissimus eos omnes & singulos in hujusmodi Schedula nominatos, á Cele­bratione Divinorum & omnimodo Exercitio Ecclesi­asticae Jurisdictionis suspendit; prout in ipsa Schedula penes Registrarium ipsius Reverendissimi quoad Supe­riorem Domum remanen. continetur.

The Sub­stance of the Argu­ments for the Arch­bishop's Power over the Members. These therefore, in short, are the Grounds which give the Archbishop an undoubted Power over the Members of the Lower-House exclusive of the House it self. It is an inherent Right of the See to require the Attendance of the Inferior Clergy in his Provincial Convocation: And a right to require Attendance, includes and sup­poses a Power of enforcing it when requir'd: That Right has been ever exercised, and this Coercive Power express'd, in the Archiepiscopal Mandate or Summons: The Returns of the Persons Sum­mon'd [Page 46] are made immediately to him, that he may know upon whom the obligation of attending lays; and also rest ultimately with him, as a testimony of his Right to such Attendance, during the Con­vocation; his Summons being not simply to appear before him, but with the addition of such further Days as he shall see convenient, cum continuatione dierum prout convenit. According to the several Returns, it has ever been the Custom, at the o­pening of the Convocation, to call over all the Members, and to pronounce the Absents Contu­macious. In the Course of their Proceedings, his Grace as Presiding in Person over the whole Body has either suspended the Punishment from time to time, or inflicted it upon particular Persons, as he saw Occasion: Sometimes, when Business of great moment was under Consideration, gi­ving general Admonitions not to depart before the Conclusion; at other times, Licensing parti­cular Members to go away upon reasonable Cau­ses alledg'd and approv'd, and at the end, either by way of Grace remitting the Penalties threatn'd, or confirming them by a formal Execution.

The Claim of the Lo­wer-House to a concur­rent Power confuted. All these, belonging to the Archbishop and to him alone upon the Foundation of Law and Pra­ctice; it has been wonder'd how his Power over the Inferior Clergy in point of Attendance could be made a question: Especially, when those of the Lower-House, who claim a concurrent Right (tho'some of the Departers acted the last Session as if it had been solely in that House) The Low­er-House have no Coercive Power over their Members. don't pre­tend any Coercive Power over their own Members: And yet I take a right to grant leave, to suppose a right of Refusing it; and a right to refuse, without an enforcing Power in case the Member depart, to be somewhat singular both in Law and Reason. Suppose one or more Members to be [Page 47] necessary to some Purposes depending in Convo­cation, neither the Prolocutor nor the Lower-House can oblige him to come up or attend lon­ger; nor have they any way to bring him thither or to keep him there, but by Application to the Archbishop (in whom the Coercive Power rests) and by his Grace's Admonition, and Censure in case he will not readily comply. So that what the Narrative means in saying that they have a Power of demanding the Attendance of their Mem­bers, Nar. p. 49. I am yet to learn; because (as I under­stand the word) all Power of Demanding neces­sarily supposes a Right in Law to prosecute upon refusal; and they have not aim'd at the proof of such a right in themselves, tho' they could not but see the necessity of clearing that point be­fore their way could be made to the other.

Nar. p. 34. The Pro­locutor re­serves Pu­nishment only in the Presidents Name. I know, they observe in another Place, that the Prolocutor has a Power to reserve the Punish­ment (meaning the Punishment of Contumacy pro­nounc'd against the Absents) as well as the Arch­bishop, in whose Schedule it is always, immediate­ly after the Sentence, added, poenâ sibi reservatâ. And it is easie to imagin, how the Person, up­on whose Sentence the Guilt is contracted, re­serves the Execution of that Sentence in his Pow­er; but how a Man can suspend the Infliction of the Punishment, who had no part in pronoun­cing the Guilt (which is the Prolocutor's case,) is not so easily comprehended. They say indeed (to avoid this Absurdity I suppose) that they don't mean reserving in the first Instance the Pu­nishment to himself, Ibid. according to their Lordships Construction of reservata poena; but reserving the Punishment for a Synodical Act, which the words they conceive will bear as well. But before they in­duce others to conceive so, it will be necessary to [Page 48] show in what instance any one Member of their House was ever punisht for Absence by a Synodi­cal Act, or any other way, than by a Sentence of Suspension solemnly pronounc'd by his Grace, of whose Authority in Summoning a Convocation their Absence is a Contempt: And the Punish­ment can certainly be reserv'd to no other Power, than that which has always finally inflicted it. Ac­cordingly, in the very first place where that Jour­nal speaks of the Prolocutor's reserving the Punish­ment, it expresly mentions it as done by the di­rection of his Grace.—Anno 1586. Sess. 1. The Prolocutor and the whole House being call'd up, Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Cant. Archiepiscopus, ob paucitatem Comparentium, &c. intimavit Domino Prolocutori absentes ob eorum Contumacias Suspen­dend. fore debere, &c. Upon this they go back, and having call'd over the House, Dominus pro­nunciavit eos & eorum quemlibet Contumaces, &c. reservata corum poenâ in diem Mercurii, the day to which the Archbishop's Schedule had Conti­na'd the Convocation and suspended the Certifi­cates. Sess. 2, 3, 4. The Contumacy not being yet pronounc'd by the Archbishop, the Prolocutor (after coming, in every Instance, from the Up­per-House, and his delivery of other Messages from thence to the Lower) reserves the Punish­ment; in the same sense that after the Continua­tion Intimated from the Schedule, he in virtue thereof admonishes all the Members to be present at the day; according to Archbishop Parker's de­scription of the Office: Forma Con. Ejusdem Prolocutoris est monere omnes ne discedant Civitate London, absque licentia Reverendissimi; quodque Statutis diebus tem­pestivé veniant ad Convocationem. Which shows the meaning of an Expression, in the form where­by Archbishop Bancroft suspends three Members [Page 49] of the Lower-House for departing without Leave: Bancr. Register. Cum nos, &c. omnes & singulos alios Decanos, &c. & alios quoscunque in dictâ Convocatione comparentes, & ab eadem sine Licentia nostra in ea parte obtenta recedentes, aut mandatis nostris licitis vel Prolo­cutoris dictae Convocationis minimè obtemperantes, pronunciaverimus Contumaces, &c. Here, the Mandatum Prolocutoris can signifie nothing but the Admonition to attend regularly at the Day appointed by the Archbishop, given always by the Prolocutor, in pursuance of the Intimation thereof from his Grace's Schedule, Monuítque om­nes, &c. ad interessend. A Clause, that the Actuary of the Lower-House in the last Convo­cation ought not to have added to the Adjourn­ments to Intermediate Days as well as others; because he knew that the Archbishop had declar'd against their meeting on those Days, and 'tis plain from hence, that no Authority, but that of his Grace, can warrant such an Admoniti­on.

The Pro­locutor can give no Leave but as em­power'd by the President. But as to the Leave to depart, and the Place of Application; in these (we see) the forecited Passage directs us solely to the Archbishop; whose Licence either immediate, or by the Prolocutor (the conveyer of his Grace's Pleasure to the House in all other particulars) is absolutely ne­cessary. In 1586. Sess. 10. after the Admoniti­on to be present according to his Grace's Sche­dule, the Journal (as I observ'd before) mentions five, who ex Relatione Domini Prolocutoris isto die fuerunt licentiati quoad eorum personalem compari­tionem. And (not to omit the smallest Objection) this teaches us how to interpret that short hint which is in the List before the Minutes of 1640. over against the Name of one of the Proctors [Page 50] for Glocester-Diocese, Venia Mri. Prolocutor. ratione mortis filii. In other Parts of that Catalogue, V. Supr. we find the Archbishop's Leave in such Cases directly express'd; and in this, the Lower-House will as little own, as his Grace, that the Prolocutor could give it by his own Authority. For when in the Narrative they assert a Power of giving Leave concurrent with that of his Grace, Narr. Pag. 49. they do not make the Prolocutor, but the House, the Subject of that Power: If either the Archbishop or the Lower-House give a Leave of Absence, it is of Course to be interpreted so far only as the Claim of them that give it is concern'd: So that the Member is not perfectly at Liberty without Leave from both. How groundless this Notion is, I have prov'd at large; but it shows however, that in their Sense the Venia Prolocutoris can be no more than a Declaration of Leave given by another: And nothing but a Resolution to be Obstinate, can make it suggested that this other must be the House (which before the last Convocation, does not once appear to have interpos'd directly or indirectly in that Matter) and not the Archbishop, who as he has been prov'd to have the Legal Right to give Leave, and to have frequently done it in Person, so the Prolocutor's is the Hand whereby he conveys all his Messages to the Lower-House, and by whose Relation, as we are sure from an exact Journal of their own, Five of the Members were formerly Licens'd to de­part.

The groundless Practices of the last Lower-House, in giving Leave to be absent and ad­mitting Proxies. But be the Claim of such a Power in the House as groundless and unprecedented as it will, 'tis in Fact certain, that it was openly and frequent­ly exercis'd by the Majority of the last Lower Clergy—Sess. 7. Et tune Venerabiles Viri Sub­sequentes [Page 51] petierunt licentiam sese absentandi ab hac Domo; cui consensum fuit ab hac domo. Sess. 13. Two Persons—desir'd Leave to go into the Country—Sess. 20. Mr. Archdeacon—desir'd Leave to go into the Country to hold his Vi­sitation. In the 24 Session, another Member askt the same Favour; as in the 27th, not only Leave for Absence was desir'd, but also that a Proxy might be admitted, which the following Chapter will show to be equally out of the Power of the Lower-House.

CHAP. III.
No Power in the Lower-House to admit or deny Proxies.

The Low­er-House have no Power to admit or deny Prox­ies. Narr. p. 50. IT is upon the Supposition of a Power in the House, to admit or deny Proxies, that they build their Claim of a Right to give or deny Leave. So the Narrative represents it: But the Power of the Lower-House to admit or deny Proxies, which has been always exercis'd, and never disputed, what else is it but a Power of giving or denying Leave to be absent? It was wisely done, to obtrude this Doctrin upon the Reader as a self-evident Truth, because particular Proofs of it were not to be had either from Law or Practice. We have al­ready explain'd, how at the Opening of the Con­vocation, the Archbishop appoints a Commissio­ner to inspect and receive Proxies of all kinds, and to Judge of the fitness of the Person substi­tuted; to examin the Causes of Absence, and to admit or reject the several Excuses for non-atten­dance; those (I mean) that are then offer'd in pursuance of the Clause in his Grace's Mandate, which declares that none shall be excus'd, nisi ex causâ necessariâ tunc ibidem allegandâ & probandâ ac per nos approbandâ. This Summons to appear on a certain Day, cum continuatione dierum prout convenit, is not satisfied by a Personal Attendance at the Opening, but evidently extends to the whole Time of his Grace's Continuing, and the Convocation's sitting thereupon. There is there­fore [Page 53] the same Obligation in Law, not to de­part in the middle without the Archbishop's Approbation of the Cause, as not to be absent at the beginning without sending it up and laying it before his Grace or his Com­missioner: And, on the other Hand, if his Grace's Approbation of the Cause, be of it self a legal and entire Discharge from attending at all, why is it not a sufficient Warrant to depart before the Attendance be entirely pay'd?

Proxies lodg'd with the Register of the Up­per House. Agreeable to the Law of Convocation, the Practice has been, as to apply to the President for leave to depart and Substitute a Proxy, so to enter Proxies of that kind in the Register of the Ʋpper-House. In that of 1640. (the Cata­logue whereof, at the beginning, is the chief Light we have of this kind) frequent mention is made of Archdeacons appearing by Proxies, with the Name of the Persons substituted by them. Mr. Wade was then Register of the Upper-House, and in the List before the Minutes of the Lower-House, we find it often added over against the Names of Absent Members, Wade habet Procu­ratorium; and W. (for Brevity's sake) habet Procuratorium: As the Memorandum enter'd at the Archdeacon of Derby's Name, is remarkable to the present Purpose; Comparuit per Prol.—Mr. Prol. habuit Procuratorium & exhibuit Mro. W. But there are Entries of this kind yet more distinct, in the Catalogue before Mr. Mundy's Minutes of 1661. where the Actuary of the Lower-House notes thus:

[Page 54] Archidiaconus Col. constituit Dom. Porey ejus Procuratorem, & reliquit Procuratorium penes Registrum.

Archidiaconus Wellen. constituit Magistrum Frank­lin. S. T. P. in Procuratorem; & reliquit Pro­curatorium penes Registrum.

Archidiaconus Huntingdon comparuit, & consti­tuit Do. Layfield ejus Procuratorem; & reliquit Procuratorium penes Registrum.

The en­tring of Proxies in the Low­er-House-Book, no Argument of their Right to admit them. 'Tis true, several of the Proxies we meet with in the Upper-House-Book of 1640. are likewise taken notice of in the Catalogue before the Minutes of the Lower; and the Reason is ob­vious, because they were to be produc'd and exhibited there, whenever the House were occa­sionally to divide upon any Point. Others also are set down in the Minute-Book, without any mention of them in the Register; because his Grace's leave is frequently given in the Intervals of Sessions, and may not therefore directly come to the notice of the Upper-House-Register, but cannot escape the Knowledge of the Actuary in the Lower; where the Proxy left behind is to be consider'd upon all Divisions.

But that the receiving of Proxies exhibited, belongs Properly and Solely to the Register in the Upper-House, appears from these three remark­able Circumstances: 1. That by Archbishop Whitgift's Table, he alone has a right to the Fee assign'd for Exhibiting such Proxies. 2. That this Fee is constantly pay'd to him, and none to the Actuary of the Lower-House. 3. That when [Page 55] the Actuary either receives an Instrument of Proxy or the Fee of Exhibiting it; the Instru­ment is always deliver'd and the Fee accounted for, to the Register of the Upper-House.

Nor was it material in which Book the Entry was made, so long as the Member had the Pre­sident's leave to depart and substitute; the Nota­ries of each House being equally under the Juris­diction of the Archbishop, and Members of his Court: As the Books themselves at the end of every Convocation, are equally deposited in the Registry of his See. The Actu­ary of the Lower-House, an Officer of the Arch­bishop. For that the Actuary of the Lower, as well as the Register of the Upper, is properly the President's Officer, cannot be de­ny'd, when the very Original Table of Fees for the Vicar-General's Office, establisht by Arch­bishop Whitgift, appoints among the rest Feoda Actuario Domus inferioris Convocationis solvenda. According to which Table, the Fees of the Lo­wer, as well as the Upper-House, are demanded and pay'd; and a Copy of that Table, so far as it concerns the Convocation, is enter'd at the beginning of the Act-Books of each. And so I find in 1640. that he in whose Book the Proxy was first enter'd, commonly receiv'd the whole Fees, and the other only enter'd a Memoran­dum that they were pay'd (Sol. Wade 7s. 8d. or 7s. 4d. is the usual Note in the Minutes) because they were the Fees of the same Court, and the respective Proportions were assign'd by the same Authority.

Add to this, what we meet with in their own Accurate Journal of 1586. Sess. Ult. where the Notary having observ'd his Grace's Suspension of the Absents, says, prout in ipsa Schedula, penes Re­gistrarium [Page 56] ipfius Reverendissimi Patris quoad Supe­riorem domum remanen. continetur; which surely can imply no less, than that the President had a like Officer also in inferiore Domo.

That therefore the Names of Proxies appear upon the Journal of the Lower-House, shows no more, than that 'tis fit that Substitutions made by the President's Authority, should be recorded by an Officer of his own, and then deposited in the Registry of his See. But the bare bringing in and exhibiting of Proxies, or even the Lodging the Instruments in the Actuarie's Hand, is far from proving a Right in the House to admit them: For that must include a Power of denying, and as we have shown that the President has frequently licens'd Members of their House to go away upon Substitutions, so it lays upon them to produce any such Instance attended with the least mark either of the Members asking their concurrent leave, or of any Doubt or Scruple, whether those Members should depart, or their Proxies be admitted. What they claim in this Case, is a Negative upon the President; but what can sup­port that Claim besides such Testimonies of De­nial or Scruple, I cannot see.

There is (I confess) a Clause in the Lower-House Journal of 1586. Sess. 3. that seems at first sight to imply a concurrent Power with the President in this Business of Proxies: Et tunc Ego Notarius antedictus [i. e. Tho. Barker, Actuary of the Lower-House] ex mandato Domini Prolo­cutoris, monui omnes isto die comparentes ad exhi­bend. & introducend. Procuratoria, si quae habe­ant, ad comparend. pro Absentibus citatis ad com­parend. in hac sacra Synodo prox. Sessione. That [Page 57] the Prolocutor could give this Admonition by his own Authority, is inconsistent with their Claim in behalf of the House; the Power where­of would doubtless be contended for upon this Precedent, were we not sure that what he did was by Order of the Archbishop. At their first meeting after a Prorogation, the President inti­mates to the Prolocutor the offence he took at the thinness of the House, and his Resolution to proceed against the Absents. Sess. 3. we find this Note in the Extracts out of the Upper-House-Books, Archbishop orders all Proxies of the Lower-House to be brought in: And in the very same Sessi­on it is, that the Prolocutor admonishes all ad exhibend & introducend. Procuratoria.

From these Accounts (and these are all I can meet with in the Registers) it appears that the President as in Law so in Practice also, hath the sole Right to admit or deny Proxies; and their giving leave for Absence, being grounded upon the supposition of a concurrent Power in the Low­er-House to admit Proxies, these two Claims must of course fall together. The late Irregula­rities in this Busi­ness of Proxies. But, that some late Practices may not grow into Precedents, it seems to be a necessary Enquiry (and I hope they who are concern'd, will make it in time) how the In­stances recorded in the Acts of the late Lower-House are to be reconcil'd to the Constitution or Ʋsage of an English Convocation.

Sess. 16. May 5. Et postea Georgius Fulham S. T. P. exhibuit Procuratorium Speciale sub manu & Sigillo Thomae Sayer S. T. P. Archidiaconi Ar­chidiaconatûs Surriae, concedens potestatem dicto Ge­orgio Fulham, nec non Samueli Palmer, comparen­di pro eo in Convocatione hac die. Quod Domini admiserunt.

[Page 58] Sess. 27. Jan. 13. Mr. Bridges pray'd his Proxy might be admitted.—

Add to these, the Orders they took upon them to make in relation to Proxies, as within their own Power and Cognizance.

Sess. 7. Et tunc motâ quaestione de numero Pro­curatoriorum per quodlibet membrum in hac Domo exhibendorum, decreverunt, nemini licitum esse, de caetero, ultra a numerum trium in hujusmodi domo ex­hibere.

Sess. 8. Decreverunt & declararunt, ‘'That the Proctors for the Clergy may make Proxies, pur­suant to the former Practice of this House, tho' such Proctors have not appear'd personally.'’

Which former Practice, I fear, consists not of above one Instance; and yet even that is more than they have, to warrant this interposing in the Regulation of Proxies. In the Extracts out of the Ʋpper-House-Books, Anno 1584. we meet with an Order, 'That none be hereafter Proxy for a Dean or Archdeacon, but one of the Lower-House: And a question mov'd at the same time, Whether fit that a Dean or Archdeacon of the Low­er-House should be Clerk of the Convocation. In the Lower-House-Books, we likewise find Orders made for preserving Decency and Regularity in their own Debates, Dec. 2. 1640. and May 22. 1661. But that they have in any one Instance before the last Convocation, undertaken to give leave for Absence, or to admit Proxies, or to in­terpose, in any kind, about the Attendance of Members, is more than I have yet been able to [Page 59] discover. For I cannot think, that those Substi­tutions in the first of Queen Mary, and the Or­der then pass'd for a Liberty to chuse any Mem­bers of the two Universities to sit with them in Convocation, will be regarded in the present Case; Especially, when the Business of that Con­vocation was under the immediate direction of the Court, and acted in some Respects by Com­mission from thence, and when the want of the Upper-House-Register leaves it uncertain, whe­ther these Appointments (as all others of that kind have done) came not Originally from thence.

The addi­tional leave of the House, an Invasi­on of the Presidents Authority If it be said (as it was by some at the begin­ning) that tho' the additional Leave of the House be not necessary, it can however do no harm; it may be remember'd, that in the Eye of the Law no kind of Possession is so tender as that of Ju­risdiction, nor any Invasions so strictly forbidden, as the unwarrantable Exercise of another's Au­thority. And every good Man will concur with the Laws, in a more than ordinary Zeal for the preservation of an Authority, that has been al­ways enjoy'd by his Prodecessors, of which he is not the Proprietor, but rather the Guardian; of a thing, not at his own disposal, but that which he is bound in Conscience to transmit entire to Posterity. And when the same Laws have more­over vested in him a Coercive Power, sufficient to defend that Jurisdiction; he must be excus'd (when Men will not be otherwise kept within their proper Bounds) if he be forc'd into a Resoluti­on not to lose the one for want of using the o­ther.

[Page 60] The Members who departed silently without Leave, either from his Grace or their own House, might presume upon the known Tenderness of the President, and the improbability of any such Business as might make their further Attendance serviceable to the Church. But the asking Leave of the House, especially in those who departed up­on that without attending on his Grace, was a plain and open Contempt, which nothing but a very great degree of Goodness and Clemency could have overlook'd. In that, even their own Principles forsake them: which, with a Power in the House to give Leave, assert the necessity of having the President's too.Narr. P. 49.

Thus have I consider'd at large the Power of the President to require the Attendance of the Inferior Clergy in Convocation; who therefore when their Privileges were either endanger'd or actually invaded, have apply'd to the Upper-House as the known Guardians thereof. In the Year 1486. Feb. 17. I find the Prolocutor making his Request in Form, that the Clergy may enjoy their ancient Privileges: Et Petitum erat per prae­fatum Prolocutorem, ut Praelati & Clerus ad Con­vocationem evocati, suis gaudeant antiquis Privile­giis & Libertate. Cui Reverendissimus Pater respon­debat, quòd in quantum poterit, voluit ea observari. In the same Manner, at the opening of the Con­vocation, Ann. 1488. Mr. Humfridus Officium [Prolocutoris] in se assumens, humiliter petiit ut Sancta Mater Ecclesia, ac eorum Clerus, ad dictam Convocationem congregatus, suis Juribus, Immuni­tatibus, & Privilegiis hactenus sibi indultis gaudere possint.

[Page 61] But more near and direct to the Point in Hand, are the Applications of the Lower-Clergy to the Upper-House, upon Interruptions in their Atten­dance; praying Protection, according to the Sta­tute 8 H. 6. C. I. which gives them a freedom from Arrests, &c. equal with the Members of Parliament.

Anno 1603. The Prolocutor had two Subpoe­na's served upon him: He complain'd to the President (Sess. 19.) and care was taken, to have one of the Offenders Arrested in a Legal Way; and then being conven'd before the Bishops, he was sent down to beg pardon of the Prolocutor and Lower-House; as the other was brought up­on his Knees in the Ʋpper-House.

Anno 1624. May 28. The Extracts out of the Ʋpper-House Register have this Note: ‘'A pe­titory Letter to the Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Keeper, to suspend a Subpoena serv'd upon Mr. Murrel, Archdeacon of Norfolk, by reason of his Privilege of Convocation.

Anno 1640. Sess. 13. May 18. Prolocutor quere­latus est Breve de Subpoena è Curia Scaccarii esse executum in Doctorem Burgis Archidiaconum Roffen. & petiit Privilegium Convocationis. Ʋnde Reve­rendissimus Pater Dominus Archiepiscopus voluit ip­sum Prolocutorem cum consensu Domûs Inferioris ad concipiendum Actum quid eis in hoc negotio expedire videbitur, & ad transmittendum istum Actum ad hanc Domum Superiorem, ut ipse & Confratres sui de eodem considerent.

[Page 62] The only observation I shall make upon these Instances, is, that the Honourable House of Com­mons having a Power to require the attendance of their Members, and to protect them in it, are known to make no Applications of this kind: Nor would there have been occasion for them in the Lower-House of Convocation, if the Members thereof had a separate Right in them­selves to take cognizance of these Matters.

CHAP. IV.
The Election and Office of a Prolocutor.

WHile the Archbishop, Bishops, and Cler­gy, were us'd to Debate in a Body, the Clergy upon any Emergency that requir'd sepa­rate Consultation, were directed to Retire for that end. The Result of their Debates was to be reported Above; and that made it neces­sary to fix upon some one of the Members to re­present the Opinions or Resolutions of the rest; the whole Body being all the while present, and he only distinguisht by speaking in their Name. From thence he had the Stile of Prolocutor and Organum Cleri; and, from his relating to the Pre­sident and Bishops the Effect of their Debates, that of Referendarius.

Prolocu­tors at first cho­sen only upon some single oc­casion. I. At first, they were chosen only for particu­lar Occasions; for these being over, we find no Marks of a further design in the Choice, or a lon­ger continuance in the Office.

Anno 1394. Febr. 17. The Clergy present their grant to the Upper-House, per Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Johannem Barnet, Offic. Curiae Cant. ad hoc specialiter electum.

Anno 1399. Oct. 13. Dominus Archiepiscopus misit pro caeteris Praelatis & Procuratoribus Cleri—quod venirent de Domo Capitulari ad Capellam Beatae Mariae coram eo & dictis Suffraganeis suis, Grava [Page 64] mina, siquae haberent, de & super quibus praetendebant se gravatos, ac Reformanda si quae scirent, proposi­turi. Quibus ad dictam Capellam venientibus, sur­rexit quidam Venerabilis Vir Mr. Johannes May­denheth nomine Cleri Provinciae antedictae, & certos Articulos ex parte Cleri Provinciae antedictae concep­tos & quamplurima Gravamina continentes perlege­bat.

Anno 1400. Nov. 10. The Archbishop calls for the Articles of the Clergy; and ex eorum communi consensu per manus Venerabilis viri Mri. Roberti Hallum Archid. Cant. dictos Articulos in scripta redactos coram dicto Reverendissimo Patre & Suffra­ganeis suis unanimiter produxerunt.

Anno 1408. The Opinion of the Clergy having been requir'd, ipsi de Clero eodem, nomine & vice suis, per Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Henricum Ware Officialem Curiae Cant. in legibus Licentiatum, praefatis Majoribus Praelatis, &c.

Three Years after (Anno 1411. Dec. 7.) we find mention made of Two Prolocutors repre­senting the Clergy, in the same Business, and at the same Time: Archiepiscopo cum Confratribus suis in domo Capitulari congregatis, Venerabilis vir Magister Henricus Ware Curiae Cant. Officialis & Philippus Morgan utrinsque Juris Doctor, nonnul­las Inconvenientias & Gravamina pro & ex parte Cleri, cujus gerebant Organa Vocis, exposuerunt, quae in scriptis redacta exhibuerunt.

And not only the Lower-Clergy in general, but the Proctors of the Religious Houses in par­ticular, are said to offer their Resolutions per Prolocutorem; the Name, as well as the Extent [Page 65] of the Office, agreeing equally to any Person re­presenting the sense of a Body—Anno 1437. May 10. Concesserunt ijdem Religiosi &c. Sub certis modis & formis, in quadam Cedula, per Abbatem Gloucestriae Prolocutorem ipsorum Religiosorum porrectâ, content.

When the Prolocu­tors were chosen at the begin­ning of Convoca­tion. II. The first Instance we meet with of a Prolo­cutor regularly chosen at the beginning of the Convocation, was that of William Lyndwood the famous Canonist; the manner of which Election is thus represented in the Register:

Ann. 1425. April 24. Reverendissimus Pater Causas Convocationis suae exposuit & explanavit. Qui­bus expositis, Decani, Archidiaconi, & Procuratores Capitulorum & Cleri, de mandato dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris traxerunt se in Domum Inferiorem sub Domo praedictae Capitulari, ut de hujusmodi Cau­sis tractarent, & unum Referendarium sive Prolo­cutorem ex seipsis eligerent, qui vice eorum omnium & singulorum Causas exponeret & responsa. Qui in Domum praedict. se recolligentes, Mag. Willel­mum Lyndewode, utriusque Juris Doctorem, Offici­alem Curiae de Arcubus, in Referendarium & Pro­locutorem hujusmodi elegerunt.

After this, we meet with several Persons in several Convocations exercising the original Of­fice of a Prolocutor; that is, occasionally repor­ting the Answers and Desires of the Lower-Clergy to the Archbishop and Bishops: Anno 1433. Nov. 12. Reverendissimus &c. fecit ad se vocari Clerum Provinciae suae antedictae. Quo Clero comparente, dictus Reverendissimus Pater interroga­vit Venerabilem Virum Mag. Thomam Bekyngton Prolocutorem Cleri, si Clerus communicasset & [Page 66] conclusisset super istis punctis five dubiis—An­no 1438. Idem Clerus per Magistrum Thomam Pro­locutorem suum de contribuendo ad Expensas trans­mittendorum ad Concilium petiit & dictis Dominis supplicavit humiliter excusari—Ann. cod. They make another excuse from a Subsidy per Magistrum Johannem Lyndefeld suum Praelocutorem.—An­no 1439. Richardus Andrew, Cariae Cant. Officia­lis, tho' not chosen at the first, is mention'd four Times, as doing the Office of a Prolocutor, viz. Reading their Schedules in the presence of the Archbishop and Bishops, and laying before them the Petitions of the Clergy. The same things that we find John Byconil, the Archbishop's Of­ficial, executing under that Style in the Year 1444.

All these executed the Office; but after Lynde­mood we meet with no regular Choice before the Year 1452. when the Archbishop, as in that o­ther Instance, explain'd to them the Causes of the Convocation, and then commanded them to re­tire to their House and chuse a Prolocutor. The first Instance of Present­ing a Pro­locutor. But as that is the very first instance of chusing, so is this of presenting him—Egregiúmque Virum in Prolocutorem Clori, ut praemittitur, electum Reve­rendissimo Patri, Reverendisque Patribus Praesentan­do. He declin'd the Office, usque adeò quòd dictus Reverendissimus Pater sibi in virtute Obedientiae praedictum Onus ut assumeret, injunxit. Quo audito dictus Electus &c. onus hujusmodi in se nolens vo­lens assumpsit. So again,

Ann. 1460. we meet with the same Circumstan­ces,—Reverendissimus demandavit omnibus de Inferiori Domo, quòd illuc accederent, & Prolocu­torem eligerent—They chose the Archbi­shop's Official, ac ipsum (ut moris est) coram Ar­chtepiscopo & aliis Confratribus & Praelatis praesen­tabant—Tandem, [Page 67] ad mandatum dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris, hujusmodi onus in se suscepit.

The next Convocation opens with the Choice of a Prolocutor, under all the foregoing Circum­stances; only, instead of the Obligation to accept it, laid upon the other two by the Archbishop, it is said, The Ad­mission and Confirma­tion of a Prolocu­tor by the President, and Bi­shops. Quam Praesentationem Dominus Admisit; as in some of the Convocations that follow, the Style is Admisit & Acceptavit; and yet nearer to our own times, Approbavit & Confirmavit, de Consensu Confratrum: Which Consent is general­ly express'd or at least imply'd, (in that he is said to be Presented to both President and Bishops,) from the first Instance of Confirmation in 1452.

By these degrees, we are come to the very Method of Chusing and Confirming, which Arch­bishop Parker lays down as an Establisht Custom in his time, and is the standing Rule at this Day—Reverendissimus solet eosdem ex Inferiori Domo monere atque hortari, ut statim se conferant in dictam inferiorem Domum, ibiqúe de viro docto, pio, & fideli in Prolocutorem suum assumendo con­sultantes unanimiter consentiant & eligant, sicque Electum ipsi Reverendissimo in eadem domo Capitulari prox. insequen. Scssione, debita cum solempnitate praesentent.—And when they come to Present him, Reverendissimus, &c. ipsam Electionem sua Archiepiscopali auctoritate expresse confirmare & ap­probare non dedignabitur.

The Office of a Prolo­cutor. III. The Office also of a Prolocutor, with the End of its Institution, are exactly describ'd by the same Archbishop, according to the constant usage of the Times before him—Quoniam, si in rerum tractandarum serie unusquisque ex Inferiori domo suam ipse sententiam, quoties visum esset, dice­ret, aut si omnes aut plures simul loquerentur, pa­reret [Page 68] confusionem, igitur semper hactenùs observatum fuit, ut unus aliquis doctus & disertus ex gremio di­ctae Inserioris domûs in eorum omnium locum ad hoc munus assumatur, ut is intellectis & scrutatis caetero­rum omnium votis tanquam unum eorum omnium Os & Organum loquatur, & consonam eorum senten­ciam eidem Reverendissimo, cum ad hoc rogatus seu missus suerit, caeteris silentibus, fideliter referat. Qui ex hoc munere Referendarius sive Proloquutor co­muniter denominatur. The im­mediate End, to report their An­swers. This, as we have shown, and the Name implies, was the immediate End of making it an Office in Convocation, viz. the reporting the Resolutions of the Clergy to the Archbishop and Bishops, by whom they were di­rected, as occasion requir'd to Confer about par­ticular Matters and return their Answers there­upon. While therefore the Clergy's ordinary Place in Convocation was the Chapter-House, the same wherein the Bishops also fat; they came back thither in a Body, and the Prolocutor (styl'd by them Organum Cleri, and Vocis suae Or­ganum) had no more to do but to deliver the ge­neral Sense of the Clergy in the Presence of all the rest. And in this united State, whatever Di­rections the President and Bishops had to deliver to the Clergy, were given immediately to the whole Body. But as the Debates grew by de­grees more Separate, and they also had a title to send up their Opinions and Resolutions by the Person whom upon the Archbishop's special Or­der they had chosen, and his Grace had confirm'd and allow'd to be their standing Prolocutor; this of course drew on a new Addition to that Office, the reporting to the Lower-House the Com­mands and Admonitions of the Upper. The bringing back the Instructi­ons of the President and Bi­shops. Which Branch, omitted by Archbishop Parker in his Form of a Convocation, when he had only the ori­ginal [Page 69] Institution in his Eye, is afterwards men­tion'd in his Speech, An. 1572. Qui [Prolocutor] vestra nobis desideria, nostraque vobis vicissim monita exponat atque referat. He conveys to the Bishop the Petitions and Opinions of their Clergy, and carries back to the Clergy the Advice and Dire­ction of their Bishops; and so by this Office, the Inconveniences of debating together are avoided, and yet the Synod remains, in effect, as Ʋnited as ever.

Again, as Canons and other Ecclesiastical Affairs (which before had been no where consider'd but in a Synod of Bishops) came to be pass'd and fram'd in Convocation; the Business of the Lower-Clergy, as well as of the Bishops, encreas'd, and upon both these Accounts the Retirements of the Clergy became more frequent; 'till at last, preserving the same Ʋnion they had ever done as to the Matter and Method of their Busi­ness and Debates, as to the Place thereof they became wholly separated. And (being now re­mov'd from the immediate Government of the President as moderating the Debates of the whole Body) this brought on the Necessity of a stand­ing Moderator in the Debates of the Lower-House; His mo­derating in their De­bates. whom the foresaid Archbishop describes in the Office of a Prolocutor, Qui & vestras di­ceptationes, ne aut longiùs producantur, aut acriùs ve­hementiúsque tactentur, temperet.

The Pro­locutor only sup­plies the Presi­dent's place. This being a true State of the Office and In­stitution of a Prolocutor, it is strange how that Fancy of making the Prolocutor a President by his own Authority in the Lower-House, could enter into the Thoughts of any one who had ever look'd into our Acts of Convocation. The seve­ral Branches of this Office, it is plain, are only Executions of what the President formerly did [Page 70] in Person, and now does by the Prolocutor, so­lemnly admitted and confirm'd for these Ends. While the Bishops and Clergy acted together, the President moderated the Debates of both; and the Clergy being removed to another Place, the Care of Order and Decency there was by him intrusted with the Prolocutor. In that united State, his Grace deliver'd his Directions imme­diately to the Clergy themselves; which he now transmits, as they do their Answers, by the Mouth of the Prolocutor. And yet this very Of­fice has been made one main Argument to settle the Lower-House in greater degrees of Indepen­dence; tho' it was so evidently instituted to con­vey to them the Authority of the President and Bishops, and in all their Proceedings to preserve as strict a Union, as is possible in different Pla­ces of Debate.

The Pro­locutors at the be­ginning, Omcers of the Archbi­shop's Court. To this purpose (I mean, the Prolocutor's sup­plying the Archbishop's Place among the Infe­rior Clergy) it is observable, that Lyndewood and six of the Prolocutors who came after, viz. Be­kyington, Lyndefeld, Andrew, Byconill, Stokys, and Pykenham, were all Officers immediately under the Archbishop; the 1 st, 2d, 4th, and 5th, his Officials; the third, Decanus Curiae Cant. the sixth, Auditor Causarum, and the last his Chancellor. And I find some others to be the the very same Persons who were Commission'd to receive and examine the Returns of the Bishops; a Business, that was ordinarily perform'd by the Officers of his own Court: But these, not being directly taken Notice of in the Registers under the parti­cular Characters they might bear in his Grace'd Court, I add not to the rest, whose Offi­ces are expresly mention'd. Nor is my Obser­vation upon these seven (successively Prolocutors [Page 71] and at the same time Officers under the Archbi­shop) intended to prejudice the Freedom of Ele­ction in the Lower-House; but only to suggest the Regard they then had to the President in the Choice of a Person, by whom they were to appear before him, and who was in effect to sup­ply his Place among them whenever they deba­ted apart from their Lordships.

Prolocu­tor some­times re­commen­ded by the Presi­dent. With the same Design, and no other, I add the following Instances of the President's recom­mending to the Lower-Clergy the Choice of par­ticular Persons; who were accordingly elect­ed.

Anno 1562. Archbishop Parker order'd the Clergy to retire to the Choice, Commendans illis maximè Decanum Ecclesiae Cathedralis D. Pauli London, Alexandrum Nowel; and we find him presented and confirm'd in form, the next Ses­sion.

Anno 1588. the Dean of St. Paul's ex parte Re­verendissimi Patris Joh. Cant. Archiep. significavit ut ad Electionem futuri Prolocutoris procedere licitè & liberè valeant & possint; & Commendavit eis Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Johannem Styll tunc ibidem praesentem. Ʋnde omnes tunc praesentes uno ore eundem Magistrum Johannem Styll sine morâ in eorum & dicti Coetûs Inferioris Domûs Cleri Prolocutorem & Referendarium concorditer una­nimi consensu nominarunt & elegerunt, nemine con­tradicente.

Anno 1605. The Extracts out of the Registers of the Upper-House say thus; the Archbishop re­commends Dr. Overal Dean of St. Paul's to be cho­sen Prolocutor, in the room of Dr. Ravis made Bi­shop of Gloucester.

The Order or Leave of the Pre­sident ne­cessary be­fore they can pro­ceed to the Choice. But whether the President recommended or no, 'tis certain that the Clergy have never us'd [Page 72] to proceed to their Election without the antece­dent Order or Leave of his Grace: Reverendissi­mus demandavit, praecepit, monuit, has been and is the Language in which our Registers ordinari­ly express it: And in the Convocation of 1586. (as well as that of 1588. which I just now men­tion'd) the Archbishop's Leave is directly ex­press'd in the Journal of the Lower-House: The Dean of St. Paul's, ex parte Reverendissimi, &c. significavit ut ad Electionem futuri Prolocutoris pro­cedere licite & libere valeant & possint; but with­out any Recommendation accompanying the No­tice.

In case of death or promotion, no new E­lection but by the Presi­dent's Or­der. And as in the beginning, so in the middle of a Convocation, in the case of the Death or Promo­tion of a Prolocutor, a new Election is not yet pretended to be made without the President's special Direction. Thus,

Anno 1541. Reverendissimus evocari fecit Clerum Inferioris Domûs; quibus exposuit illos debere eligere novum Prolocutorem per mortem D. Gwent.

Anno 1677. Cleri hujus domûs coram Reverendis Dominis Episcopis personaliter comparentes, & requi­sui ut recederent in domum suam propriam, & eli­gerent aliquam personam idoneam è gremio ipsorum in Prolocutorem sive Referendarium Convocationis praesentis, loco ultimi, nuper in Archiepiscopum Cant. promoti.

Anno 1661. Febr. 18. Praesidens, &c. voluit ad se accersiri Clerum Domûs Inferioris Convocationis; quibus advenientibus dictus Dominus Praesidens ante­dictus (in verbis latinis conceptis) eosdem Cleros dictae Domûs Inferioris monuit quatinus ad solitum & consuetum Conventûs sui locum sese conferentes, unum virum gravem, doctum, & peritum de gremio suo provideant & eligant in eorum Prolocutorem & Refe­rendarium in loco Reverendi Viri Henrici Fearne [Page 73] sacrae Theologia Professoris, ultimi Prolocutoris ra­tione promotionis suae, ad Episcopatum Cestren. jam vacan.

Anno 1664. Nov. 25. Dominus Episcopus Lon­don. Cleros dictae Domûs Inferioris monuit quatenùs ad solitum & consuetum Conventûs sui locum sese con­ferentes unum virum, &c. eligant in eorum Prolocu­torem & Referendarium in loco veneribilis viri Jo­hannis Barwick sacrae Theologiae Professoris, ratione ejus mortis, jam vacan.

Prolocu­tor always Presented to the U. H. for Confirma­tion. 2. The Person chosen upon the Order or Leave of the Archbishop, is solemnly presented to his Grace and his Brethren for their Confirmation; which our Registers always express in Terms sig­nifying his Acceptance of him, with the convey­ance of Power and Authority for the Execution of the Office: Cum consensu Fratrum admisit, accepta­vit, approbavit, ratificavit, or confirmavit.

The Pro­locutor's Applica­tion to the U. H. for Protecti­on. 3. As he receives his Authority from the Arch­bishop and his Brethren, so upon a remarkable Invasion of that and of the Privileges of Convo­cation in his own Person, we find him directly ap­plying to the Upper-House for Protection. The Case hapn'd in the Year, 1604. Sess. 19. and is thus represented by the Extracts out of the Re­gisters of that House: ‘"The Prolocutor complaims to the Bishop [Presiding] that he had two Sub­poenas served upon him by Harrington and Walker, notwithstanding his Privilege. The President answers, that the King was acquainted with it, and that Walker was arrested for it by a Serjeant at Mace, and a Warrant gone for Harrington—Sess. 20. Walker abovesaid con­vented before the Bishops, sent to the Lower-House to beg Pardon of the Prolocutor and House; which he did, and was dismiss'd pro tempore—Sess. [Page 74] 32. Harrington brought upon his Knees, for serving a Sub-poena upon the Prolocutor.’

If the Inferior-Clergy of that Time had thought their House to have a sufficient Power in this Case, they would (I suppose) have protected their own Prolocutor: Or, if they had reckon'd it consi­stent with their Duty, as Members of the same Convocation with the Metropolitan and Bishops, to seek for Refuge otherwise than by Recourse to their Lordships, the Prolocutor would scarce have been suffer'd to bring in question the In­dependent Rights of the House by such an Ap­plication.

The Pro­locutor cannot Substitute a Deputy but by Leave from the U. H. Two Questions remain concerning the Office of a Prolocutor: 1. Whether he have Power in his Absence to Substitute another, without leave from the Ʋpper-House? 2. Whether the Prolocutor be­ing present, Messages may regularly be sent up to the Bishops by any other Hand? I will not pretend to solve these Two, purely from the Reasons of the Things (which are no certain Rules in Que­stions of this kind;) but surely the solemn Confir­mation of a particular Person for that Purpose, to continue during the whole Convocation, should imply an Obligation upon him (when present) to discharge a Duty, to which He, and He alone, has receiv'd that general Appointment: And his own Incapacity to convey such Messages till he be admitted and confirm'd, and thereby publickly known to be the Mouth or (in the Language of the Registers) the Organ of the Lower-House; seems to make it unreasonable, that another shall be capable of exercising that Office without Con­firmation, that is, without being known to their Lordships to be the Mouth of the Lower-House, when yet the Messages are to come by him, as such. Especially, if to this we add, that neither [Page 75] the Speaker of the House of Commons, nor the House it self, have the Power of a Substitution, in case of Sickness or Business; who yet Act in a much more Independent State than the Lower-House of Convocation.

These Presumptions are seconded by the Au­thority of the Registers; assuring us that the Pro­locutor has actually desir'd Leave of the Ʋpper-House to make such a Substitution.

Anno 1533. Sess. 3. In the Upper-House; Ibi­dem Dominus Prolocutor D. Wolman, affirmavit se aegrotum esse, & petiit ut durante infirmitate ejus, Magister Fox, si vellet adesse, vel Magister Bell ex­erceret Officium suum; & consensum est.

Anno 1554. At the end of the Acts of the Ʋpper-House we find this Note enter'd. Memo­randum, quòd Vicesimo octaio Novembris, Dominus Prolocutor substituit loco suo, durante ejus absentiâ, Magistros Hugonem Weston, Nicolaum & Jo­hannem Harpesfield conjunctim & divisim ad exer­cendum Officium Prolocutoris; which could no way have come into that Register, but that the Ʋpper-House had their Share in the Substitution.

The same Year, certain Minutes of the Lower-House mentioning the Presentation and Admission of the Prolocutor, and after that, a Debate with the Bishops in the Upper-House; immediately adds, Et cùm praedictus Prolocutor (who had been presented just before) non potuit adesse dictae Con­vocationi, Substituit N. Harpesfield & Johannem Wimbleseys (the two Persons who had just then presented him, and stay'd there with him) con­junctim & divisim in loco suo.

On the other Hand; Ann. 1555. it is said, Dec. 16. Quo die, Dominus Prolocutor substituit lo­co suo Magistros Cole & Harpesfield: But this was in a Legatin Council of both Provinces, and not [Page 76] in Convocation; nor have we any contemporary Accounts of the Upper-House, where some such Memorandum as we find in the foregoing Year might probably be made. But in the Year, 1640. May 2d. the Minutes make mention of a Substi­tution, no notice whereof is taken by the Regi­ster of the Upper-House, tho' in other Respects full and exact: Only, as to the Notice there, the Instance has this Disadvantage that the Bishops did not meet and act that Day.

Here therefore the Qustion rests; Whether a Certainty that the Prolocutor has actually ap­ply'd for leave to make a Substitution, be not a stronger Argument of his Obligation to do it; than the bare want of an Entry thereof (in one Instance, in the absence both of the Archbishop and Prolocutor, on a Day when no Business was done besides the Continuation) is any Ground of a Right to do it without such Leave. Thus the Case stands; and under these Circumstances the Right of the Upper-House may (I think) be trusted to the decision of any Impartial Man.

No Mes­sages can regularly be carry'd up but by the Prolo­cutor, when pre­sent. The next Question is, Whether the Prolocutor being present, Messages may be regularly sent up to the Bishops by any other Hand? For in the last Con­vocation (Session 14.) a Message was sent by Dr. Finch, but rejected by the President as irregular, because not brought up by the Prolocutor: Which occasion'd a Vote of the Lower-House, That the Prolocutor himself should carry it, but salvis ju­ribus hujus domûs.

It is true, that some Messages had been so sent up in the Convocation of 1689. but in the 9th Session the Irregularity was observ'd; and the Bi­shop of London the then President declar'd to the Lower-House, Quòd apparet per Recorda Domûs Superioris Convocationis, quòd quoties & quando ali­quid [Page 77] fuit per dictam Domum Inferiorem superiori Do­mo Convocationis propositum, Prolocutor semper com­paruit in propria sua persona, aliis dictae Domûs se­cum comitantibus.

Hereupon, a Committee of both Houses was appointed to inspect the Registers: And tho' no Report be enter'd in the Journal of that Year, and the late Narrative affirm that they brought in none; Nar. p. 45. yet the Bishops who were of that Committee very well remember, that those of the Lower-House were satisfy'd, that all their Messages ought to be sent by the Prolocutor; the Books affording no one Instance of the contrary.

I know, upon the revival of that Difference in the last Convocation, and the Censure thereof as Irregular, an Attempt was made in one of their Answers to vindicate it upon the Authority of a Precedent in the Year 1444. When, the Cler­gy after the grant of one Tenth, being desir'd by the Keeper of the Privy Seal to give another, sent up a Doctor of Laws and the Archdeacon of Canterbury for direction from the Bishops, whe­ther they should proceed to the consideration of that Request; tho' William Byconyll, the Archbi­shop's Official, was Prolocutor at that time.

But, 1. In that Convocation we read of no Prolocutor as chosen by the Clergy or confirm'd by the Archbishop; and therefore tho' Biconyll made two several Reports from the Lower-Clergy, that must be upon a particular Choice for those purposes; such as we know was made of the Persons whom they styl'd their Prolocutors. 2. It does not appear, that Biconyll (who had done the Business of a Prolocutor before) was then in the House: On the contrary, the Circumstances make it much more probable that he was not. This Message was carry'd up on a Munday; and the [Page 78] Saturday before, the Clergy had granted a Subsidy, on condition that the Archbishop would dissolve the Convocation. His Grace promis'd that he would; upon which, as the Register has it, Plures Procu­ratores Cleri eo praetextu ad partes suas recesserunt. And it was actually dissolv'd on the same Mon­day.

However, its not appearing that he was there, is reason enough why it can be no Precedent in the present Case; and no other Testimony has yet been aim'd at. Indeed the Drawers of the Narrative seem to have been apprehensive that the Acts would afford none, and that therefore they should be forced to relinquish their Claim: If (say they) Nar. p. 45. the Precedents over-rule this Matter, 'twill become us to submit.

CHAP. IV.
By what degrees the Inferiour Clergy became a Separate House from the Bishops.

The false Account of the late Narrative, of the L. H. p. 6. THE late Narrative of the Lower-House ob­serves, serves, what was too plain to be deny'd, that in elder Times the whole Body of the Con­vocation us'd to sit together in the same Room. But when afterwards the same Narrative comes to speak of the manner of their occasional Retire­ments, and of the Division into two Houses; the Accounts are agreeable to no Ʋsage but that of the last Convocation. For in the Registers of these ancient Times whereof they speak, there is not the least ground for what they say about the [Page 79] Retirement of the Bishops from the Clergy, or the Clergy from their Bishops at their own Motion, and upon distinct Business that belong'd properly to their Consideration: Nor does it appear, that the Division into two Houses, or the Settlement of a Pro­locutor did at all arise from an imitation of the Parliament; but, on the contrary, came in gra­dually, and, as the occasion of them encreas'd and the convenience appear'd, improv'd by little and little into an Establishment.

Two Rea­sons for the Re­tirement of the Clergy. While the Bishops and Clergy debated toge­ther (as they frequently did a long time after the regular Election of a Prolocutor) we find the Clergy occasionally directed to retire upon two Accounts. 1. When the Archbishop and Bishops found it necessary to debate any Matter in secret: As, Anno. 1376. 5. Id. Febr. Dominus cum con­fratribus suis, exclusis omnibus a [...]s personis, se­crete deliberavit—And the next day, Exclu­sis omnibus aliis personis, super praemissis deliberavit. In these cases, not only the Clergy but the lesser Prelates also who beloug'd to the Upper-House, retir'd; as these latter are said to have done again upon the same Occasion, Anno. 1428. Nov. 16.—Aliis Praelatis ad tunc ibidem in multitudine copiosâ existentibus, de mandato Praesidentium se in­terim retrahentibus ad partem domus Capitularis hujusmodi.

Retire­ment of the Cler­gy to con­sider Bu­siness, was always by the Dire­ction of ABs and Bi­shops. But the ordinary Occasion of their Retirement was, the Business from time to time refer'd to their Consideration by the President and Bishops. That this was the constant Method as oft as the Archbishop thought fit at the beginning of Con­vocation to lay before them the Causes of his calling it, will be plain to any one who shall cast an Eye upon the next Chapter: And the fre­quent Instances of the same kind throughout the [Page 80] Course of their Proceedings, to be produc'd in the Chapter following that, will sufficiently prove their Retirement in those Days to have been the sole effect of Business propos'd to them by the Archbishop and Bishops; and not of their own Pleasure or Occasions. Nor have the Registers left us to infer this, from their separating im­mediately upon Business propos'd; but they men­tion it frequently as done at the express Com­mand of the Archbishop: Anno. 1369. 4. Kal. Febr. Injunxit Procuratoribus Cleri quòd se ad par­tes transserrent—Anno 1379. 5. Id. Maii, Prae­cepit quòd Procuratores praedicti exirent—And on many other Occasions, their departing is said to be de mandato, ad mandatum, and juxta assig­nationem Domini; as will appear from the Pas­sages quoted at large in the two next Chapters about the Entrance upon Business in Convocation. Nor can I remember any Instance of their Retir­ing, in which the Circumstances thereof leave room for a Supposition, that it was at their own Motion, or upon distinct Business of their own: so far was any such thing from being (according to that Account in the Narrative) the Ʋsage of Convocation in those days.

The Place to which they re­tir'd un­certain for a long time. The Place also to which they retir'd in such Cases, was not the same from the beginning, but settl'd by degrees. So,

Anno 1369. II Kal. Febr. Rogavit dictos Reli­giosos, quòd se insimul traherent ad aliquam partem Ecclesiae & Clerum suae Dioeceseos & Prov. quòd ad aliam partem ejusdem Ecclesiae se traherent, tra­ctarent, & deliberarent.—4 Kal. Febr. the same Year—Injunxit Procuratoribus Cleri Relig. hujus­modi, exhortando eosdem quòd se ad partes in dicta Ecclesia transferrent, & concordarent, &c.

[Page 81] Anno 1382. Nov. 19. the Place is left to their own Choice; Quòd convenirent in aliquo loco de­centi & honesto, & de praemissis tractarent invi­cem.

Anno 1383. Dec. 3. The Proctors are direct­ed, Quòd ad aliquem locum in tali negotio hacte­nus consuetum se declinarent.

Anno 1384. May 24. Procuratores in Domo Scholarum in Caemiterio dicte Ecclesiae situatâ ad in­vicem denegotiis ipsis tractarent.

Anno 1394. Feb. 6. After a debate super prin­cipali causa Convocationis between the Bishops and Clergy; separato Clergo ad Claustrum subtus ean­dem Domum Capitularem, they there consider'd of a Subsidy.

Anno 1402. Oct. 30. The Archbishop direct­ed them, for the Choice of a Committee, ut in aliquo privato loco convenirent; and when they chose that Committee, they are said to be in Bas­so sub dicta Domo Capitulari insimul congregati—And Nov. 10. ad dictum Bassum sub Domo Capitu­lari secesserunt—Again, Anno 1404. Clero seor­sim separato ad Domum Bassam sub Domo Capitu­lari. And 1408. Dicto Clero in valto inferius sub eadem Domo Capitulari, &c. Where their Meet­ing is said, some Years before this to be, more so­lito Accordingly,

Anno 1419. the Deans, Archdeacons, and Pro­ctors are directed to retire in Domum suam soli­dam: And two Years after (May 7. 1421.) in Domum suam Inferiorem.

Anno 1422. The Direction is, Quòd recederent de Domo Capitulari & adirent Domum Inferiorem: Under which name, Simply, we find it mention'd in the succeeding Convocations.

But here, two Things are to be ob­serv'd,

[Page 82] The L. C. have a House for Debate only. 1. That this was not styl'd the Domus solita, or Domus sua with reference to their constant meet­ing and sitting there; for many Years after we find them ordinarily with the Bishops in the Up­per-House at the beginning of the Sessions, and present at the Debates there; the same that we also meet with now and then, in some of the latest Acts of Convocation, recorded in the old Regi­sters, which end with the Year 1488. inclusive. It was therefore Their House, only for such Oc­casional Debates, as those for which they retir'd in the manner already hinted, and to be explain­ed more at large in the two following Chapters.

The Place always as­sign'd by the Arch­bishop. 2. That this place of Debate, after Custom and the Name seem'd to have appropriated it to the Use of the Clergy, was always thought and said to be assign'd them by the Archbishop.

Which two Heads are clear from the follow­ing Instances:

Anno 1408. Clerus Inferior in loco sibi Deputato constìtutus.

Anno 1421. May 7. Recedentibus tunc, de man­dato Domini, Procuratoribus Cleri in Domum suam Inferiorem, pro tractatibus fiendis in hujusmodi Convocationibus consuetam.

Anno 1421. Dominus demandavit, &c. quòd a­dirent Domum inferiorem solitam pro Cleri Procura­toribus, & ab antiquo in Cleri Convocationibus Assignatam eisdem.

The next Convocation, Oct. 16. Recedentibus Procuratoribus in Domum Inseriorem Clero pro tra­ctatibus habendis in Convocationibus antea cele­bratis solitam assignari de mandato Domini ad tra­ctandum de & super materiis ipsis per Dominum declaratis.

In the same Convocation: The King's Com­missioners being gone, Et finita expositione hujus­modi, [Page 83] Procuratores Cleri de mandato Domini reces­serunt de Domo Capitulari in Domum inferiorem, ubi tractatus Cleri Procuratorum in talibus Conciliis fieri antiquitus consueverunt.

Anno 1452. Feb. 9. It is again mention'd as a Place intended only for those occasional Retire­ments: The President commands the Clergy, Ʋt ad locum eis ab clim in hujusmodi actibus solitum & consuetum, viz. locum inferiorem subtus dictam domum Capitularem ad electionem sive nominationem futuri Prolocutoris Cleri ritè processuri unanimiter insi­mul declinarent.

The Sepa­ration of the Bi­shops and Clergy stated up­on the foregoing Acounts. From the Particulars of this Chapter, there a­rises this natural Account of the Separation of the two Houses. While they met, abode, and debated together in the Chapter-House, their Separations were rare, because the Occasions requiring the Re­tirement of the Clergy, were so too. As the Bu­siness of Convocation increas'd, these Retirements, and by consequence the Separations, became more ordinary and frequent: 'Till, by degrees, upon the evident Inconvenience of the Clergy's going up in a Body with all their Answers and Petiti­ons (for so they did at the first, notwithstanding their choice of a Prolocutor) the Archbishop and Bishops on ordinary Occasions accepted the At­tendance of a Prolocutor regularly chosen and con­firm'd, instead of all the rest; returning their Pleasure and Instructions by the same Hand. From hence there ensu'd a gradual Separation as to the Place of Debate; the Ʋnion and Communication in other respects, remaining entire, and the Cor­respondenee about the Business of the Synod con­tinuing such as is suitable to the known Subordina­tion of Presbyters to their Metropolitan and Bi­shops.

[Page 84] Nor are the Debates themselves so separated, but that the Archbishop and Bishops as oft as they saw cause for debating together, have always sent for the Inferior Clergy to the Upper-House, ei­ther in a Body or by the Prolocutor with some few of the Members; Reverendissimus, &c. fecit ad se vocari Clerum; Accersito Clero, &c. Who com­ing up, and conferring with their Lordships as long as the Occasion of sending for them requir'd, were dismiss'd from further Attendance at that time; and being dismiss'd, return'd to their own House: Dimisso Prolocutore, &c. is the ordinary Style of the Registers in all such Cases; as ap­pears from those two (of 1640. and 1661. &c.) which are publish'd at large in the Appendix.

If this be a true Account (as no Account from the Registers themselves can be otherwise) it is hard to believe, that the Acts of Convocation were ever seen by those, who have lately dispu­ted the President's Right of Assigning them a Place, and have talk'd so much of their distinct Capacity as deriv'd from an Imitation of the House of Com­mons, and rais'd so many Uncanonical Exempti­ons, with I know not what degrees of Inherent Power, from the Denomination of a House and their seperate Debates.Nar. p. 41. Nar. p. 40. 41. Answ. to 1st Let. p. 2. Nar. p. 17. Power of L. H. p 2.

CHAP. VI.
The manner of ENTRING upon Busi­ness in Convocation.

The Arch­bishop de­clares the Causes of the Con­vocation. THE Members of Convocation being set­led by the Returns of the Bishops made and exhibited to his Grace; he, in virtue thereof, has a Right to their Attendance, as they have, to proceed with him in the Business of Convocation. And therefore, the Bishops and Clergy being to­gether in one Body at the opening thereof, it has been the Usage of Convocation, especially when met upon Business of great Moment, for the Pre­sident to explain to them the Causes and Ends of his Summoning it at that time. So, Archbishop Parker explains the Custom of his own and for­mer Ages; Forma Conv. Reverendissimus ad Episcopos & Clerum tunc praesentes Anglicè sive latinè Causam sui Adven­tûs ac dictae Convocationis inchoatae exponit. And a­nother more early Directory for the first day of Convocation in Edward VI.'s Time—The Clergie of thinferior House to be called up to the Chapitour; his Grace to declare the Cause of this Convocation.

The Cler­gy order'd to Retire, and de­bate a­bout the Business of Convo­cation as declar'd by the Archbi­shop. At the same time that the Registers speak of the President's declaring the Causes of the Convoca­tion in this solemn manner, they generally add, that the Clergy were thereupon requir'd to go down to their House and confer about the mat­ter propos'd to them by his Grace; who also ve­ry frequently enjoyn'd the Return of their An­swers within a certain time.

Anno 1369. Kal. Febr. The Archbishop (assi­dentibus confratribus, &c. & Procuratoribus Cant. Provinciae coram eo, &c.) explains to them the Ne­cessities [Page 86] of the Kingdom, and proposes a Supply;—And then it follows, Et super petitione praedi­ctâ, rogavit dictos Religiosos quòd se insimul trahe­rent ad aliquam partem Ecclesiae, praedictae, & Cle­rum suae Dioeceseos & Prov. quòd and aliam partens ejusdem Ecclesiae se traherent, tractarent, & delibe­arent de petitione praedict. quid & quantum concedere velint; & deliberatione habitâ per cosdem, sibi re­ferre & intimare de voluntate corum in dictâ domo Capitulari super praemissis die crastino.

Anno 1379. May 9. The Archbishop explains the Occasions of the Meeting, Reformation and Sub­sidy: And then, Habitâ in Domo Capitulari inter Praelatos & Procuratores quadam deliberatione super materiâ Convocationis, idem Pater injunxit singulis Procuratoribus quòd eodem die post prandium—in dicto loco comparerent—tractaturi super materia an­tedictâ.

Anno 1383. Dec. 2. The Archbishop explains the Cause of the Convocation's meeting: And the next Session, Praecepit Procuratoribus quòd ad ali­quem locum in tali negotio hactenùs consuetum se de­clinarent, ac de & super negotio, &c. per ipsum eis exposito diligenter tractarent, & super deliberatione suâ in eâ parte Responsum sibi & Confratribus suis, ibidem protunc personaliter existentibus, mellori mo­do et forma, quibus poterant, praeberent.

Anno 1399. Oct. 8. Coram Domino comparue­runt personaliter Reverendi in Chisto Patres, &c. & Praelatorum & Cleri Provinciae antedictae Procurato­res; & expositâ ibidem per Dominum Causa Convo­cationis, tractabant ipse Dominus & Reverendi Pa­tres Episcopi per se de negotiis communibus Ecclesiae, aliis Praetit & Procuratoribus Cleri scorsim separa­tis.

Anno 1408. July 23. The Archbishop explains the Causes of their Meeting; and then, Clero verò [Page 87] Inferiori à praefatis majoribus Praelatis seorsim sepa­rato, & in Scolis Theologiae sub domo Capitulari prae­fatâ juxta assignationem Archiepiscopi conveniente more solito; iidem Venerabiles Patres, &c.

Anno 1415. Nov. 18. Reverendissimus Pater con­veniens in domo Capitulari Ecclesiae S. Pauli cum Suf­fraganeis suis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Decanis, Ar­chidiaconis & Procuratibus Cleri suae Provinciae in mul­titudine copiosâ, exposuit eis Causas suae Convoca­tionis; quibus expositis, Decani, Archidiaconi, & Procuratores Capitulorum & Cleri, de mandato dicti Reverendissimi Patris traxerunt se in domum inferio­rem sub domo praedict. Capitulari, & intra tempus mo­dicum redeuntes, &c. concesserunt Domino nostro Regi duas decimas.

Anno 1419. Archiepiscopo, Confratribus suis, Prae­latisque & Clero praedictis in Domo Capitulari insimul congregatis, the Archbishop declares the Causes of his calling a Convocation; one whereof was, pro defectibus in Clero regnantibus, auctoritate illius Provincialis Concilii reformandis: Super quibus, idem Reverendissimus Pater assignavit Decanis, Archidia­conis & Cleri Procuratoribus, quòd recederent in do­mum suam solitam, & quòd ibidem de & super mate­riis praedictis tractarent & communicarent, &c. Ʋn­de ipsi statim, ut eis fuerat assignatum, recesserunt de Domo Capitulari praedictâ; praefatis Reverendissimo Pa­tre, Confratribus suis Episcopis, ac Abbatibus & Prio­ribus Provincae suae remanentibus, & insimul tractan­tibus de & super materiis antedictis.

Anno 1422. Dominus, cum Confratribus suis Prae­latisque & Clero in domo Capitulari insimul congregatis—They debated for some time in Common about the Business of the Convocation; and at last, Do­minus demandavit publicè & in genere omnibus Cleri Procuratoribus tunc ibidem praesentibus, quod recede­rent de domo Capitulari et adirent Domum inferiorem [Page 88] solitam pro Cleri Procuratoribus & ab antiquo in Cleri Convocationibus assignatam eisdem, ibidem insimul tra­ctaturi de habendo subsidio praelibato; & dominus dix­it se & confratres suos facere illud idem.

Anno 1424—Domino cum Confratribus suis non­nullis, Praelatisque & Cleri Procuratoribus in domo Ca­pitulari, &c. Dominus Causas & modum Convocati­onis illius publicè declaravit; habitísque nonnullis com­municationibus de & super Causis ipsis, recedentibusque Pro [...]atoribus in Domum Inferiorem Clero pro tracta­tibus ha [...]ndis in Convocationibus anteà celebratis soli­tam assignari de mandato Domini ad tractandum de & super materiis ipsis per Dominum declaratis.

Anno 1425. Comparentibus in domo Capitulari co­ram Reverendissimo, &c. Archidiaconis, Cleri que Pro­curatoribus in multitudine copiosâ ad tunc praesentibus; eisdem exposuit & explanavit. Quibus expositis, Deca­ni, Archidiaconi, & Procuratores Capitulorum & Cleri, de mandato dicti Reverendissimi Patris traxerunt se in domum inferiorem sub domo praedictâ Capitulari, ut de hujusmodi Causis tractarent, & unum Referenda­tium sive Praelocutorem ex seipsis eligerent, qui vice corum omnium & singulorum Causas exponeret & re­sponsa.

Anno 1426. Comparentibus coram Reverendissimo Patre, &c. Archidiaconis, Cleriquoque Procuratoribus in multitudine copiosâ—The Archbishop recited to them the Condemnation of William Russel, Ʋnde Dominus Petiit à Clero ut deliberarent per quam vi­am contra fautores haereticorum hujusmodi esset proce­dend. & habita aliquali Communicatione super hoc, Dominis assignavit Procuratoribus Cleri praedictus, ut post prandium ejusdem diei in Domum Inferiorem eis­dem consuetam se collìgerent, & super hujusmodi nego­tio communicarent.

Anno 1428. The Archbishop, &c. Decanis, Ar­chidiaconis, Clerique Procuratoribus tunc praesentibus, [Page 89] explains the Causes of calling the Convocation: And the next day he sends his Chancellor to the Convocation, qui intimavit quòd voluntas Domini erat, quòd Praelati pro parte sua & Clerus pro parte sua eligerent certas personas, &c. quae inter se communica­rent & deliberatè viderent, quomodo & qua via esset melius & expeditius procedend. contra haereticos.

Anno 1428. The Archbishop, &c. cum Decanis quoque, & Archidiaconis, ac Praelatis aliis, & Cleri Procuratoribus, opens the Causes of the Convoca­tion in the usual manner, prasertim pro aliqua provi­sione facienda contra hereticos, &c. Then, Clero & Procuratoribus in solitam Domurn Inferiorem de man­dato Domini recedentibus, Dominus cum Confratribus suis & Praelatis communicationem habuit de & super Provisione seu Ordinatione hujusmodi facienda contra malitiam haereticorum.

Anno 1432. The Archbishop, as before, de­clares the Causes of calling the Convocation; one whereof was, how the Bishops and Clergy of Eng­land should carry themselves towards the Pope af­ter he had dissolv'd the Council of Basil—Dominus mandavit Clero & Procuratoribus, quòd ad Domum suam solitam se diverterent, & insimul benè & maturè ac cum deliberatione se avisarent quomodo in materia praedicta & sub qua forma esset procedendum.

Anno 1433. Dominus, &c. exposuit Clero Cau­sam Convocationis—Insuper Dominus movit coram codem Clero quaedam Dubia—Et post istas dubitatio­nes motas, &c. quaesivit Dominus à Clero quid in his esset finaliter dicendum seu sentiendum—Et Clerus respondit, quòd cùm dicta Motiva essent talia, quae non fuerant à pluribus eorum peranteà perfectè commu­nicata nec laborata, &c. oporteret eos de licentia Do­mini & suorum Confratrum, &c. quandam habere deliberationem & communicationem specialem: quod Dominus liberè concessit.

[Page 90] Anno 1438. Dominus—assidentibus sibi Confratri­bus suis Episcopis, ac aliis Praelatis & Clero ibidem existentibus, intimavit eisdem Causas Convocationis suae—De his Causis desideaavit dictus Reverendissi­mus Pater deliberationem habere communem, & super hoc mandavit Clero ut in Domo Inferiori convenirent & super istis diligentur communicarent.

The same Year, upon a Prorogation from May 14. to Octob. 6. Archiepiscopus, &c. recitando plura suadebat Praelatis & Clero tunc ibidem existentibus, quòd cùm eis non essent ignotae Causae ob quas convo­cati erant, super eis pro eorum celeri expeditione com­municarent, &c. Ʋnde ex mandato Domini Clero in Domum Inferiorem se colligente, &c.—

Anno 1439. Archiepiscopus, &c. coram Confratri­bus suis Episcopis, aliisque Praelatis & Clero suae Pro­vinciae Causas propter quas eosdem ea Vice convoca­verat, declaravit—Then, the Pope's Collector Presents a Bull of Indulgence; qua tunc in publico prelecta, & habita Communicatione aliquali super e­adem, Dominus decrevit Copias fieri, & ipsis de Clero Domus Inferioris liberari, ad effectum ut Com­municatio habeatur inter cos de modo & forma Exe­cutionis & Publicationis ejusdem.

Anno 1444. Archiepiscopus, &c. Causas propter quas cosdem ea Vice convocaverat, declarabat. One was, Qualiter in Ecclesia Anglicana fuerant plurima Reformatione digna—Ʋnde communicante Do­mino cum Confratribus suis & Clero suae Provinciae su­per pramissis, continuavit &c.—And the next Day, Dominus praecepit Clero quatenus pro corrigend. & reformand. per hujusmodi Concilium inter se dili­genter communicarent.

Anno 1452. Feb. 9. Archiepiscopus &c.—Episcopis, ac aliis Praelatis, nec non Procuratoribus de Clero &c. Causam Convocationis explicavit; and then (that they might be in a Condition to bear [Page 91] their part in the Business) he commands them to retire and chuse a Prolocutor.

Anno 1460. May 10. The Archbishop first di­rects the Choice of a Prolocutor, and then con­firms him; after which, he explains to them the Causes of the Convocation.

In these two last Instances, the Clergy are not directed to Retire, as they had usually been, to debate apart about the Matters of Convocation laid before them by the Archbishop: Because now they began, as to their debating, to be in a more separate State; so that the bare Proposition of Busi­ness to be Prepar'd or Consider'd, was notice e­nough that they were to Retire to their usual Place, and set about it.

The old Registers have only the Acts of four Convocations more; so that we have no light be­tween the Years 1488 and 1529. nor any from thence to the Year 1562. besides certain Extracts out of the Registers of the Upper-House.

But the ancient Directory in Edward the sixth's time, and Archbishop Parker's Form of holding a Convocation (both of them written while the Re­gisters of Covocation remain'd entire, and both, as above-cited, setting down his Grace's decla­ration of the Causes of the Summons as a necessa­ry part of their preparation for Business) leave no Room to doubt whether in that Interval the same Usage continu'd, which we have shown to be the Practiee of Convocation from the beginning of the most early Acts. Not, but that even in these Extracts, we find the Custom plainly e­nough; tho' not express'd under all the Circum­stances that appear in the Original Registers. So,

Anno 1536. (the Second in that Collection) the Bishop of London's Return being exhibited, Reverendissimus exposuit Causas hujusmodi Convo­cationis, [Page 92] & denide monuit omnes Praelatos quatenus conferrent se ad. locum consuetum, & eligant unum virum in Referendarium & Prolocutorem qui eorum nomine loqui possit.

Anno 1547. the next but one (in which, as well as in the first of that Book, the Form of O­pening is very much contracted by the Abridger, and consists only of some short hints) Archbishop Cranmer is there said in general, to have acquain­ted them that the Convocation was then Sum­mon'd, quod Praelati & Cleri inter se consulerent de vera Christi Religione probè instituenda & tradenda popule; that being the first Year of Edward the sixth. Again,

Anno 1444. The Return being exhibited, Epis­copus London (in the Vacancy of the Archbishop­rick) Summariè & compendiosè. Causam Synodi vo­catae exposuit, & monuit Inferiorem Domum de eli­gendo sibi Prolocutorem.

Anno 1557. The Archbishop with the Consent of his Brethren, having confirm'd the Prolocutor, mox Causas hujus Synodi verbo-tenus proposuit; which are there set down at large.

Anno 1558. Praeconizatione facta, & Inferiore Doino evocata, exposuit Episcopus ibidem Causam Convocation is.—But more distinctly in the next which is an entire Register: That, I mean, of Archbishop Parker, in which the 39 Articles were made: viz.

Anno 1562. Reverendissimus Dominus Archiepis­copus Cant. brevens quandam Orationem Eloquentiae plenam habuit ad Patres & Clerum; per quam inter a­lia opportunitatem Reformandarum rerum in Eccle­sia Anglicana jam oblatam esse aperuit, ac propensos animos tam illustrissimae Dominae nostrae Regine quam allorum Magnatum hujus regni ad hujusmodi Refor­mationem habendam declaravit, hortando, praeci­piendo, [Page 93] & mandando Praelatos & Clerum Inferioris Domus in dicta domo capitulari coram co & reliquis Patribus constitutos, quatenus ad Conventus sui locum sese conferentes, unum virum gravem &c. eligant in eorum Prolocutorem.

Anno 1640. (the next Convocation, of which the Upper-House-Acts remain,) after the Prolo­cutor is confirm'd, the Archbishop produces the King's License—Et Reverendissimus Pater ante­dictus praefatum Prolocutorem & alios de Domo inferi­ori, Decanos, Archidiaconos, Capitula, & Cleri Procuratores ibidem praesentes, voluit ut ipsi inter se convenirent & mature excogitarent de Subsidiis Domino nostro Regi concedend. & Canonibus & Con­stitutionibus Statum Ecclesiasticum & Christi Religi­onem in Ecclesia Anglicana concernen. concipiendis. Et quicquid inde senserent sive excogitaverint in scriptis redigant, & coram ipso Reverendissimo & Confratri­bus Episcopis exhibeant.

Anno 1661. The Prolocutor being confirm'd, Committees of both Houses were order'd in the Upper-House, to compose Services for the 29th. of May, and the 30th of January, &c. And when afterwards, by the coming of the Royal License, they thought themselves at liberty to Enter upon the Business which was the chief Cause of their Meeting, the Archbishop directs the Members of the Lower-House to proceed in it; in the self same words that Archbishop Laud had us'd in the Year 1640.

The Infe­rence from the Archbi­shop's de­claring the Causes of Convo­cation. I have been thus particular, in my Deduction of Authorities, to show the Right of the Presi­dent to mark out a Scheme of Business to be trans­acted in Convocation: Beause, as by the Tenor of the Mandate (his first step in Summoning) we are led to the Foundation of his Grace's Power o­ver the Members of the Lower-House; so in this their Entrance upon Business, we clearly see his [Page 94] Influence and Authority over their Proceedings: That is, we have the view of an Ecclesiastical Sy­nod, consisting of a Metropolitan, Bishops, and Presbyters, all going on to Act within their pro­per Spheres, and suitably to the Constitution of an Episcopal Church. The Metropolitan, having ad­vis'd with his Suffragan-Bishops about the State and Condition of the Church, of which He and They are constituted Governours, recommends to the Synod the Consideration of such Improvements or Reformations as evidently tend to its Honour and Safety. The Clergy are there in readiness to re­ceive the Opinion and Directions of their Ecclesi­astical Superiors, and to offer their own Judg­ment, as there shall be occasion, with all Duty and Humility; and in short, to give their Assi­stance of every kind (in a proper Subordination) towards the ready and effectual Dispatch of all Business that shall be regularly propos'd for the Advancement of Religion. The Archbishop and Bishops, wee see, deliberate Above: And the Clergy debate the same Matters below, to be ready with their Opinions and Resolutions when re­quir'd: And thus they appear like one Body of Men, met about the same common Business; in which all in their several Stations are immediately con­cern'd: Proceeding also with such a Paternal Af­fection on the one Hand, and such Dutiful Obedi­ence on the other, as becomes their holy Function, and is due to Measures for preserving the Order and Ʋnity of the Church.

But some late Principles and Practices have ano­ther Tendency: For instance, the Clergy's pro­ceeding in Business of the greatest Moment, and even coming to form'd Resolutions thereupon, without ever acquainting their Ecclesiastical Supe­riors; and much less offering them first in general, as Points that in their Opinion deserve or require [Page 95] Consideration, The diffe­rence be­tween for­mer Me­thods and the late Practices. and taking the Advice and Directi­on of their Lordships about the Expediency and Me­thods of proceeding in them. To the same effect, is that Language so familiar of late among some of the Inferior Clergy in Convocation, That they have Bu­siness of their own to do; That 'tis generally different from what is transacted at the same time in the Ʋpper-House; That their Debates are manag'd independ­ently from their Lordships: that the Archbishop with his Suffragans has no Right to take cognizance of or in­terpose in their Debates; That there is no Necessity) be the Matter never so important) of previous Directions from the Ʋpper-House. Principles, somewhat ambigu­ously express'd, perhaps not without a foresight of certain Objections; but being interpreted by the late Practices, their Tendency to a Division of the Synod, and a Co-ordinate Power in the Church, is no less plain, than is their Opposition to all the Proceed­ings of former times.

One thing more I would observe upon this Head; what little likeness there is between a Convocation and a Parliament, in their very first Entrances up­on Business. Unless the Enemies of the Ecclesiasti­cal Power will object (as they who are so fond of a Parliamentary-Relation are like enough to do) that the Archbishop in Convocation, opening the Causes of their Meeting, does only the same thing with the Lord Chancellor in Parliament; whose Of­fice it is to Convey and Enforce to the two Houses the Instructions he receives from his Majesty. But they may understand, that as oft as the King had occasion to solicit Business in Convocation, he sent Commissioners of his own to do it; as every one must know who casts his Eye upon our Convoca­tion-Registers never so slightly. These were said to come thither, ex parte Domini Regis; and their coming, as occasion requir'd, to represent the De­sires [Page 96] of the King and the Condition of the King­dom, was a Custom so much known and establish'd, that the Register takes notice of the Archibishop's do­ing it as a thing Singular and Extraordinary. Anno 1380. Dec. 1. Et quia protunc Dominus meus Archie­piscopus erat Cancellarius Angliae, nec comparuit alius pro parte Domini Regis, qui exponeret Clero negotia regni sicut fieri Consuevit in aliis Convocationibus; di­ctus Dominus meus negotia regni & pericula imminen­tia satis clare exposuit. Nor did it make any Differ­ence in the Form of their Proceedings thereupon, that the first Motion came from the Court; but the Archibishop having given the Commissioners some such general Answer as this, quod voluit super his ma­ture communicare cum Confratribus suis Praelatis & Clero, he immediately proceeded to that Communi­cation, either with the Clergy and Bishops in a Bo­dy, or (directing the Clergy to debate in their own House) with his Brethren alone.

If it be further said, that the Necessity of a Royal-License before the Convocation can proceed to make Canons, &c. has restrain'd the President's an­cient Power of explaining the General Causes of the Summons; the Answer is this, That the Persons whose present Endeavours it is to diminish the Me­tropolitical and Episcopal Authority, affirm that a great Variety of Ecclesiastical Matters may not only be begun, but transacted and concluded, without the Authority of such a License; and so far the Presi­dent's Right of proposing the General Matters, stands where it did. And as to Canons and Constitu­tions, if they may not be actually enter'd upon with­out a License, yet his Grace at the opening of the Convocation may deliver his own Judgment as to the Expedience of them, and refer it to the Conside­ration of the Bishops and Clergy, Whether it be ad­viseable to desire the Royal-License for that end.

CHAP. VII.
The Right of the Archibishop and Bishops to require the Clergy to consider any par­ticular Business throughout the Convoca­tion.

THE foregoing Chapter shows the Right of the President, after consultation had with his Brethren the Bishops, first to lay before the Clergy the general Causes of his Summons, and then to require them to Retire and Deliberate thereupon. But the Scene of Business opening and enlarging it self, many unforeseen difficul­ties will unavoidably occur; and new Designs also for the Benefit of the Church, must natu­rally arise from the mutual Debates of the Gover­nors thereof assembl'd in Convocation. And ac­cordingly, when any such Occasions requir'd, the Inferior Clergy have been ever enjoyn'd to De­bate and Examine all Matters proposed by their Ecclesiastical Superiors for that purpose, from the beginning to the end of Convocation. The instances hereof are very numerous; The neces­sity of showing this, to prevent an objection from the explication of the Ge­neral Cau­ses at the opening of a Parlia­ment. but neces­sary to be added to the Testimonies contain'd in the last Chapters; which without those would leave room for an Objection, that as to the Ge­neral Causes at the beginning, those are equally explain'd to the two Houses of Parliament, and yet the Honourable Members of the Lower House there, are under no such Restraint or Subordina­tion in their subsequent Proceedings. An Ob­jection, I say, of this sort is like enough to be started, considering how industriously those Fan­cies about a Parliamentary Relation have been in­sinuated [Page 98] into the minds of Men. I will there­fore show, that what the Archibishop does, in opening the general Causes of his Summons and directing the Clergy to deliberate about it at the beginning of Convocation; the same thing he and his Suffragans have a Right to Do upon all emergent Occasions during the whole course of their Proceedings. And this will manifest to the World, how the Constitution and Proceedings of an English Convocation (to the glory of it) are exactly model'd according to the Primitive Distinction between Bishops and their Presbyters in point of Order and Authority: while, from the most early Accounts of Convocations to this day, we see the Metropolitan and Bishops as the Governors of the Church, Propesing and Directi­ing in Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the Presbyters at hand with their Advice and Assistance in Sub­servience to the same Ends.

The sepa­ration of the two Houses made no difference in this point. Nor do we find any difference in this Point, be­tween the Times before and after the Separation of the Bishops and Clergy, excepting this one, that before it they all took the directions imme­diately from the President and retir'd in a Body; and since, his Grace upon those Occasions, has either sent up for the whole House, or, which is more ordinary, for the Prolocutor with Five or Six more (Reverendissimus, cum consensu Con­fratrum, voluit, jussit, mandavit, ad se accersiri Prolocutorem,) and by him conveys to his Bre­threm below, the Pleasure and Instructions of the Upper House. But as to the manner, end, or authority of these occasional Directions, their Division into two Houses made not the least dif­ference in them; as will appear beyond contra­diction from the Registers themselves. [Page 99] Anno 1369. 10 Kal. Febr. The Clergy ha­ving granted a Supply, on condition to have their Grievances redressed; Archiepiscopus voluit, quod Clerus & Religiosi praedicti Petitiones suas, &c. in Scriptis redigerent, & sibi porrigerent die Veneris.

Anno eod. 4 Kal. Febr. The Archibishop ha­ving enlarg'd before the Clergy upon the ne­cessity of a Decima triennalis which the Bishops had granted; Tunc injunxit Procuratoribus Cleri Relig. bujusmodi, exhertando eosdem, quòd se ad partes in dictâ Ecclesiâ transferrent, & concor­darent pro dictâ decimâ triennali.

Anno 1376. Id. Febr. The Bishop having proposed certain matters for the benefit of the Church, Oneravit Clerum, in eorum Conscientiis, ut deliberarent inter se quid esset melius facien­dum pro utilitate dictae Ecclesiae.

Anno 1377. Id. Nov. Dominus voluit quod Procuratores compararent simul in praefatâ Eccle­siâ [S. Pauli] dicto die post prandium, ad delibe­rand. ad invicem, utrum melius expediat conce­dere Decimas an Impositiones.

Anno 1379. 5 Id. Maij. Reverendissimus Pa­ter praecepit, quòd Procuratores Praelatorum & Cleri exirent dictam domum Capitularem, imer se tractaturi super materiâ Convocationis praedictae: quibus exeuntibus, dictus Reverendissimus Pater cum Suffraganeis in câlem Domo [Capitulari] secretè tractavit super materiâ praedict. Et post tractatum hujusmodi, dictus Reverendissimus Pa­ter praecepit Procuratoribus quòd die fovis tunc prox sequente, post Prandium, convenirent ad in­vicem, in Domo Capitulari praedictâ tractaturi ad invicem super materiâ Convocationis praedictae & dixit quòd ipse & alii Confratres sui reveni­rent die Veneris tunc prox. sequente ad Domum [Page 100] Capitularem praedictam, ad effectum tractandi ma­teriam Convocationis praedictoe.

Anno eod. 16 Kal. Jun. Dominus, &c. mone­ri fecit ibidem publicè omnes Procuratores Prae­latorum & Cleri, quòd die Mercurii prox. tunc se­quente in dictâ Domo Capitulari comparerent simul ante boram nonam, deliberaturi & tractaturi de modo Subventionis.

Anno eod. 13 Kal. Jun. Dominus praefixit Procuratoribus ad comparendum in Domo Capitu­lari dictum diem Veneris post prandium, &c. ad pleniùs tractand. super praemissis.

Anno 1383 Decem. 4. The Pope's Subcol­lector comes to Convocation, and desires a Sub­sidy: The Archbishop having enforc'd his Re­quest, praecepit Procuratoribus quod super codem Negotio diligenter tractarent, & finalem respon­sum sibi & Confratribus suis praeberent. Super quibius omnibus & singulis, habito inter ipsos tractatu diligenti, Procuratores eodem quarto die responsa sua in eâ parte finaliter in Scriptis re­dacta dicto Domino Cant. coram Confratribus suis, pretunc ibidem existentibus, exhibuerunt.

Anno 1404. May 17. Archiepiscopus, &c. continuavit—& demandavit aliis Praelatis & Clero tunc ibidem praesentibus, quod singulis die­bus interim ad dictum locum convenirent, & la­borarent circa Reformanda in Cantuariensi Pro­vinciâ.

Eod. Anno Jun. 9. Conveniente Reverendis­simo, &c. & expositis periculis & necessitatibus Regni, tandem Procuratores Cleri convenientes sub domo Capitulari more solito, & ibidem super proedictis per aliquantum tempus tractantes, tan­dem abinde secesserunt, & convenerunt coram dictis Reverendissimo Patre, & suis Suffraganeis, & concesserunt, &c.—and again in the [Page 101] same Year, June 16. upon the request of a Grant from the Pope's Collector.

Anno 1421. Maij 7. The Chancellors of Ox­ford and Cambridge coming to Convocation, Reverendissimo Patri, & Confratribus suis, toti­que Concilio commendabant, &c. Rogantes assidue de aliquo congruo Remedio propromotione Pauperum Studentium in Universitatibus bujusmodi, aucto­ritate Concilij ad tunc inibi congregati, graciose & misericorditer provideri—Quam quidem Recommendationem Dominus & Confratres sui gra­tanter & benevolè (ut apparuit) acceptarunt; & recedentibus tunc de mandato Domini Procura­toribus Cleri in Domum suam Inferiorem pro tractatibus fiendis in bujusmodi Convocationibus consuetam, Dominus & Confratres sui remanse­runt in Domo Capitulari praedictâ; & post Tractatam non modicum tam circa Promotionem Graduatorum, & Studentium in Universitalibus praedictis, quàm circa subventionem Domino Regi faciendam, Dominus tandem Continuavit, &c.

Anno 1428. Nov. 18. Clerici Seculares & Cleri Procuratores ad Domum suam solitam de mandato Domini recesserunt: Dominus vero & Confratres sui Episcopi in Domo Capitulari reman­serunt per aliquod tempus, de & super certis materijs arduis Convocationem bujusmodi tan­gentibus simul tractantes.

Eod. Anno November 23. Lectoe suerunt in publico literae Apostolicae (Soliciting for a Sub­sidy, to suppress the Hereticks of Bohemia:) quibus lectis, Dominus, cum Confratribus suis, &c. de & super materiâ, in dictis literis Apo­stolicis contentd, communicavit, caeteris de Clero interim de mandato Domini se retrahentibus.

Anno 1433. Decemb. 1. Reverendissimus Pa­ter injunxit Clero, quatenùs collaborarent & pro­viderent [Page 102] quid fiendum seu dicendum esset de Sub­sidio concedendo. And again, Decem. 10. Clero Dominus mandavit quatenus circa Subsidium Do­mino Regi concedend. diligenter collaborarent.

Anno 1434. Oct. 20. Dominus mandavit Mro. Thomae Bekington & alijs diversis de Clero, ut Articulos illos de generali Sententiâ quae consue­ta est quater in anno per Curatos Ecclesiarum pub­licari & solemniter denunciari, conciperent in linguâ maternâ sub breviori modo quo possent.

Anno 1438. After the meeting of Oct. 6. upon a Prorogation: Dominus praecepit omnibus de Clero, quatenus in Domo Inferiori simul con­venirent, & super illis pro quibus fuerant bac Vice convocati diligenter tractarent, viz. pro promotione in Universitatibus ordinandâ, & pro Subsidio pro trasmittendis ad generale Concil. Ferrar. & super his effectualiter responde­rent.

Anno eod. die Martis prox. Dominus manda­vit Clero quantenùs super praemissis effectualiter communicarent; recitando eis qualiter & quomo­do secerunt & concesserunt Praelati Religiosi pro expensis transmittendorum ad Concil. Generale Ferrar. & Suadendo ut, omni post positâ in ea parte divisione, ad consimiliter concedend. suos animos applicarent.

Anno 1439. Dec. 11. Cedulâ, &c. pro qua­dam Constitutione Augmentationis Pauperum & Exilium Vicariarum Provinciae Cant. auctoritate bujusmodi Conciliis Provincialis faciendâ; post a­liqualem Communicationem babitam super eâdem inter Dominos Episcopos & Praelatos Religiosos de Domo Superiori, tandem ipsis de Clero Domûs Inferioris pro certis in câdem resormandis, neo non pro avisamento & deliberatione in hac parte capiend. extitit liberata.

[Page 103] Eod. anno Dec. 22. Clerus de mandato Domi­ni ad tractand. pro subsidio & aliis materiis su­pradictis, ad Domum Inferiorem se divertebat; ubi babitâ inter cos Convocatione diutinâ super praemissis, tandem ad Domum Superiorem reversi sunt.

Anno 1444. Oct. 22. Dominus praecepit Cle­ro, quatenùs pro Corrigend. & Reformand. per bujusmodi Concilium, inter se diligenter commu­nicarent, usque ad adventum Dominerum ex parte Domini nostri Regis & Concilii sui illie in brevi adventurorum.

Anno 1529. Sess. 7. The Prolocutor in the Upper House; Monuit Reverendissimus, ut con­ciperentur Articuli contra haereticos.

Eod. Anno Sess. 20. Ingressi sunt Prolecutor cum diversis Archidiaconis; cum quibus Episco­pus London. babuit secretam communicationem, & voluit cos redire in Domum Inseriorem, & ibi tractarent de bujusmodi negotio.

Eod. Anno Sess. 32. Reverendissiimus monuit Prolocutorem, &c. invicem consultare super Ar­ticulis ipsis super Opinionibus suis.

—Sess. 97. Reverendissimus putavit ex­pediens ut Responsiones fierent ad bujusmodi que­relas, [viz. to a certain Address presented to the King against the Arch-Bishop and Bishops] quem libellum tradidit Proloquutori ad perlegen­dum, ut ostenderet opiniones suas de codem.

—Sess. 104. Episcopus London. Commissa­rius recitavit voluntatem Reverendissimi super praedictà Supplicatione, & voluit Prolocuto­rem, &c. quod concipiant Responsa sua in scrip­tis.

—Sess. 105. The Arch-bishop's Commis­sary pressing for a Subsidy, monuit Prolocutorem [Page 104] ut alios consultaret de eadem materid, & rediret cum Responsis suis.

Anno 1534. Dec. 2. Reverendissimus voluit Prolocutorem ingredi, ut examinarent Libros praedictos, & Librum Tyndal; & ut ostendant Opiniones suas.

Anno 1541. Jan. 27. Reverendissimus ibi tra­didit Prolocutori quosdam Libros examinand. & conficerent Leges de Simoniâ vitandâ.

Anno 1558. Feb. 10. The Prolocutor speaking to the Bishops, Episcopi responderunt, quòd eis expedire videtur, ut Clerus, &c. Preces faciant Dominae Reginae, ne quid oneris imponatur Clero in Parliamento illo.

Anno 1562. The Prolocutor being sent for, and coming-up with six others, Reverendissimus, de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum hujusmo­di, tradidit quosdam Articulos in scriptis concep­tos, mandando quatenus super contentis in dictis Articulis diligenter inquirerent, ac quicquid in­de invenirint, in scriptis redigant, ac dicto Re­verendissimo porrigant & exhibeant.

Anno 1640. Sess. 10. 1 Conv. Reverendissi­mus Pater Prolocutorem & alios de Donio Inseri­ori, Decanos Archidiaconos, & Cleri Procurato­res ibidem praesentes voluit ut ipsi inter se conve­nirent & excogitarent de Benevolentid, &c. & deinde de Canonibus & Constitutionibus statum Ecclesiasticum, & Ecclesiae Utilitatem concernen. componendis, faciendis, & inter se consentiend.

—Ead. Sess. Prolocutore comparente cum acto Decanis eum comitantibus, Reverendissimus eos voluit ad conveniend. die veneris prox. tem­pestivè, & adtuno tractand. cum toto Coetu Domus Inferioris citra Benevolentiam sive Contributio­nem voluntariam dicto Domino nostro Regi conce­dend. [Page 105] & ut ipsi Formam Articulorum in Visitati­onibus imposterum ministrand. concipiant.

—Sess. 16. De mandato Reverendissimi, Prolocutor cum sex aliis è Domo Inferiori Domum Superiorem intravit; & Reverendissimus ei tra­didit Canonem & forman Juramenti per totum Ca'tum Domûs Inferioris considerand. tractand. & consentiend.

Anno 1661. Nov. 23. Reverendus, &c. ad eum accersiri jussit Prolocutorem solum; quo ad­veniente, dictus Reverendus Pater tradidit ei partem libri publicarum Precum per hujusmodi Domum examinat' & revis', & in mandatis de­dit, ut dictus Prolocutor unà cum Clero dictae Do­mus Inferioris dictam partem cum omni celeritate quâ potuit, revideat, & emendet si sit necessari­um.

—Nov. 27. Praesidens dedit in manibus dicti Prolocutoris residuar. partem Libri Publica­rum Precum, & requisivit dictum Prolocutorem, ut ille una cum Domo suâ eandem omni cum cele­ritate revideat, & post Revisionem hujusmodi Praesidenti retradat.

—Dec. 10. Reverendus Pater, &c. vo­luit ad se accersiri Dominum Prolocutorem ad re­vidend. Emendationes. Quo adveniente, &c. dictus Locum-tenens ostendit dictas Emendationes per Domum Superiorem fact. & iune & ibidem perlect. & ordinavit eum ad consulend. Domum suam Inferiorem de & super eisdem.

The Ap­pointment of Com­mittees re­serv'd for the next Chapter. In drawing down these Testimonies of a Right in the Upper-House to direct the Business of Convocation, I have designedly wav'd the Com­mittees of the Inferior Clergy, order'd by the President and Bishops, upon particular Matters wherein their Assistance was necessary. Instan­ces [Page 106] of such Appointments are very numerous, and shall be produced at large in the next Chap­ter, which begins the Proof of a Right in the Arch-Bishop and his Suffragans, to direct the Manner, as well as the Matter, of Proceedings in Convo­cation.

The Infe­rences from the foregoing Testimo­nies. In the mean time, the foregoing Instances, from the most early Accounts we have of these things, till after the Restoration, may suffice to show a Right in the Upper-House, to send for the Inferior Clergy, either in a Body, or by the Prolocutor, and to direct them to consider or prepare all such Business as their Lordships shall think fit to reccommend to their Care: And that, not only at the beginning, but in the whole Course of the Convocation; nor only Business of an Ecclesiastical, but (while that lasted) of a Civil nature also: Nor was it by way of Re­quest, or upon the foot of a mutual Agreement between the Bishops and Clergy, (as some late Writers have uncanonically represented the Cor­respondence between the two Houses of Convo­cation) but both their Retirement and Delibera­tion were the Effects of an express Command, grounded upon the Canonical Authority of the Metropolitan and Bishops, receiv'd by the Cler­gy with all the Marks of Duty and Obedience, and accordingly executed without the least Ap­pearance of Refusal of Scruple in any one In­stance.

It is needless to explain how unlike this is to the Communication between the two Houses of Parliament; 'tis enough, as we go along, to put the Reader in mind of making the Compa­rison; and to reflect withal, how well they had considered these things, who could first frame [Page 107] the Parallel, and then publish it to the World, with such a seeming Assurance.

CHAP. VIII.
The Right of the Arch-Bishop and his Suffragans to Order Committees of the Lower-House.

THE two last Chapters shew us, how the President, at the Head of his Suffragan Bishops, has at all times, as occasion requir'd, enjoin'd the Inferior Clergy to consider and pre­pare Matters according to the Instructions they receiv'd. But, because the joint Debates of the whole Body of the Clergy may in some Points be unnecessary and inconvenient in others; there­fore the Arch-Bishop and Bishops (the proper Judges thereof) at the same time they refer'd. Business to the Clergy, have frequently deter­min'd it to be done by a Committee, and com­manded a Choice immediately for that Purpose: On some Occasions, to debate alone; and on o­thers, to attend a Committee of Bishops appoint­ed for the same Purpose: At one time, confin'd as to the Number; and at another, left to their own Liberty: In some Instances, requir'd to sig­nify to the Upper-House the Names of the Per­sons elected, (which we find accordingly done;) and in others, proceeding to their Business with­out such a Report. Which Variety of Circum­stances accompanying the same Act, and all ari­sing from the different Instructions of the Upper-House, are so many Confirmatious of a Right [Page 108] lodg'd there, to direct the Manner and Method of Proceedings in the Lower-House, as they see cause to interpose, and to recommend Business to their Consideration.

Commit­tees of the Clergy to attend a Commit­tee of Bishops. I. It has been usual for the Arch-Bishop to order the Choice of Committees out of the Infe­rior Clergy, to attend a Committee of Bishops appointed for the same Purpose: So I term it, in the Language of their own Actuary, Anno 1661. several times repeated, to express the Ends for which the Committees of the Lower Clergy were chosen. May 16. Chosen for attending the Bishops at Ely-House, four Deans, &c.—May 18. Chosen for the Review, &c. to attend the Bishops, three Deans, &c.—to attend the Bishops at the Savoy, &c. to consult about the Form of Baptizing Adults, two Deans, &c.—June 7. Form of Prayer, &c. refer'd to Eight of this House to attend four Bishops at Ely-House this Afternoon.—June 19. To attend the Bishops at the Savoy, &c. seven Deans, &c.—All these were as late as the Year 1661. but (as the following Testimonies shew) grounded upon the ordinary Usage of much el­der Times.

Anno 1428. Nov. 12. Clero & Procuratori­bus in solitam Domum Inferiorem de mandato Do­mini recedentibus, Dominus, &c. Communicati­onem habuit de & super Provisione seu Ordina­tione faciendâ contra Malitiam Haereticorum; & statim extitit avisatum quòd certi Episcopi, Praelatique alii, & Clerici, tam in Theologia quam Jure Civili & Canonico Doctores, Provisi­onem hujusmodi seu Ordinationem conciperent, & Minutam exinde redigerent in Scripturom.

[Page 109] Eod. Anno Nov. 20. Dominus intimavit & in publico declaravit, quod diversa Negotia ardua, &c. in hujusmodi Convocatione tractari deberent; & ideircò pro acceleratione & celeriori Expeditio­ne Negotiorum ipsorum, sibi & Confratribus suis videbatur expediens, quòd certi Praelati Religiosi, Decanique Ecclesiarum Cathedralum, Archidia­coni aliqui & Cleri Procuratores quidam magis providi & discreti nominarentur, qui communi­care possent cum Episcopis de & super materijs illis; de quo ut (apparuit) omnes reputârunt se contentos. Et tunc Dominus assignavit eis­dem Religiosis & alijs tunc ibidem praesentibus terminum ad eligend. personas hujusmodi.

Anno 1557. Jan. 24. Voluit Reverendissimus Statuta Ecclesiarum noviter erectarum, aut mu­tatarum à Regularibus ad Seculares, expendi per Episcopos Lincoln, &c. item & Nicolao Wot­ton, Cant. &c. Ecclesiarum Decanis & quae consideranda sunt, referri Reverendissimo quam­primûm commode poterunt.

Anno eod. Febr. 4. Upper-House Book: Quod negotium quo faciliùs expediri posset, electi sunt Episcopi London, Elien, Roffen, Lincoln, & Petriburg, quibus adjuncti sunt sex de Domo Inferiore; qui constituerent inter se tam de quan­titate solvend. quàm etiam de modo & tempore Solutionis.

Eod. Anno Feb. 12 or 13. Deinde, quia Li­ber Concessonis nondum benè absolutus erat, ro­gavit Reverendissimus, ut dicti London, &c. cum Prolocutore & quatuor ex illis ex Inferiore Do­mo [accederent] ad Cubiculam Reverendissimi in Aulâ Regiâ apud Westm. circa horam Secun­dam, &c. ubi ulteriùs deliberarunt.

Anno 1586. Sess. 7. Mar. 10. The Prolocu­tor and all the Clergy being sent for to the [Page 110] Upper-house, Tandem omnes supra nominati in Domum hanc redierunt, excepto Domino Prolo­cutore qui cum eisdem Reverendis Patribus post dicessum reliquorum aliquantisper permansit. Ac deinde in hanc Domum revertens, cum con­sensu omnium ut praefertur praesentium, elegit Venerabiles Viros, &c. ad tractand. & commu­nicand. unâ secum cum Reverendis Patribus de Constitutionibus & Decretis, licentiâ & vigore literarum Paten. per Dominam nostram Reginam in eâ parte concessarum, stabiliendis pro Collecti­one, &c.

Anno 1588. Sess. 3. Dominus Prolocutor sig­nificavit universo Coetui, consensum & concorda­tum fuisse & esse inter Dominos Praelatos Superi­oris Domûs, quod Reverendi Patres, Domini Winton, &c. Episcopi, tractarent, Statuerent, & deliberarent de Subsidio Dominae nostrae Reginae erogando: Et in eundem finem, Dominus Prolo­cutor nominavit & elegit Venerabiles Viros [Seven Deans, and Nine others there nam'd] ut similiter vice ac nominibus totius hujus Coetùs communicarent & tractarent de Subsidio hujus­modi.

Anno 1640. Sess. 3. Apr. 22. Reverendissi­mus in Examinatores & Correctores libri Subsi­diorum nominavit [Three Bishops by Name] & voluit Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domus Inferioris ad eligendum quatuor vel sex graviores viros de gremio suo, ad idem negotium cum dictis Reverendis Patribus expediend.

Anno cod. Sess. 5. Apr. 25. Reverendissimus, cum Confratrum suorum consensu, decrevit libi­tum fore, aliquibus duobus Episcopis, cum qua­tuor é Coetu Domus Inferioris aliquo tempore ad dictum librum examinand. & corrigend.

[Page 111] Anno eod. Sess. 22. May 23. Prolocutore di­misso, paulò post revertebat cum duobus vel tri­bus è Domo Inferiori: Et Reverendissimus in eorum praesentijs elegit Dominos Episcopos Win­ton. Exon. Elien. & Bristol. ad praesentand. cum ipso instrumentum Benevolentiae sive Contri­butionis Voluntariae Serenissimo Domino Regi; & voluit Dominum Prolocutorem ad eligend. Sex aut Octo alios Domus Inferioris ad similiter prae­sentand, cum ipso Prolocutore, dictum Instrumen­tum.

Anno 1661. May 16. Habito aliquandiu Tracta­tu inter Reverendum Patrem [Praesidem] & Reverendos Episcopos Suffraganeos de & super Precibus Specialibus pro die Nativitatis Domini nostri Regis, &c. 29. die mensis jam instantis Maij per quatuor Episcopos hujusmodi Dominos, viz.—in câ parlë respectivè elect. & per octo Prae­latos sive Cleros Domus Inferioris, eligend. conci­pendis, &c. And another Committee was ap­pointed, the same Session, and in the same man­ner, to Compile the Service of the 30th of Ja­nuary.

Eod. Anno Maij 18. Dominus Commissarius intimavit D. Prolocutori de Precibus specialibus & particularibus pro Baptizatione nonnullorum Adult. concipiend. & formand. Et pro concep­tione earundem, dictus Reverendus Pater, cum consensu Fratrum, tres, &c. Episcopos elegit, & voluit dictum Prolocutorem Sex Cleros è Domo Inferiori eligere ad procedend. cum dictis Episco­pis in dicto negotio.

Eod. Anno Jun. 7. A Resolution among the Bishops about a Service for the Fast Day (June 12) per quatuor Episcopos hujusmodi Domûs—in eâ parte respective electos, & per 8 Praelatos sive Cleros Domus Inferioris eligendos, concipi­end.

[Page 112] Eod. Anno Jun. 19. The President and Bi­shops resolve upon a Committee of twelve Bi­shops, and twenty four of the Lower-Clergy, for the Examination of the Canons, &c. The Bi­shops being chosen, the President sends for the Prolocutor and all the Clergy, & omnia & sin­gula praemissa dicto Prolocutori & Domui Inferio­ri significavit; & voluit dictum Prolocutorem ad eligendum viginti quatuor è gremio suo ad conve­niend. cum dictis Reverendis Patribus sic ut prae­fertur electis.

Eod. Anno Dec. 13. Reverendus Pater unà cum Confratribus, &c. tractatum habuerunt de eligendo personas aptas & idoneas tam ab hujus­modi Domo quàm à Domo Inferiori pro diligenti Examinatione & Revisione Libri Publicarum Precum, &c. The President names three Bishops, and the Prolocutor, three of the Clergy.

Anno 1663. Jun. 27. The President names a Committee of Bishops to correct the Subsidy Bill, Et voluit Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris ad eligend. nonnullos gravio­res viros de gremio suo ad idem negotium cum dictis Reverendis Patribus expediend.

Anno 1664. May 4. A new Grammar being brought in, and a Committee of Bishops ap­pointed for the Examination of it, the Prolocu­tor and Lower-house are sent for; Et Reverendis­simus voluit eos ad eligend. certum numerum vi­rorum gravium & discretorum è Gremio suo ad revidend. & examinand. dictum Librum Gram­maticalem cum dictis Reverendis Patribus per Domum Superiorem nominatis.

Commit­tees of the Clergy a­lone, order­ed by the Upper-House. II. In the same manner, and by the same Au­thority, do we find Committees of the Lower Cler­gy, order'd for particular business, at times when no Committees of Bishops were chosen. [Page 113] During the Accounts of the Old Registers, the ordinary way was for the Archbishop and Bi­shops to refer or commit the consideration of such occasional Points to the whole Body of the Clergy, as appears at large from the VIth and VIIth Chapters. But,

Anno 1555. The Clergy in the Upper-house, Dominus Praeses eos remisit ad Inferiorem Do­mum, volens ut inter se eligant. viii. vel x. de gravioribus unà cum Prolocutore, ad audiend. quaedam Arcana non solùm ex parte Regis & Re­ginae, sed etiam Cardinalis Poli, bonum publicum Regni & Ecclesiae concernen.—At the same time,

Dominus Elien. vice omnium, (addressing himself to the Lower-Clergy) monuit, ut elige­rent inter se Viros doctos, qui examinarent Cano­nes omnes Ecclesiasticos quos utiles putarent; si antiqui non Sufficiant, novas constituant.

Anno 1603. May 2. In the Extracts out of the Upper-house Books, we meet with these Words: ‘"Bishop of London delivers the Prolo­cutor a Book of Canons, desiring him to take a Committee of Eight or Ten to consider of them.’

Anno 1640. Sess. 3. Apr. 22. Reverendis­simus &c. de mandato Regio voluit divinam Dei gratiam implorari, ac Formulam Precis ad eun­dem effectum per duos doctos & graviores viros Coetûs Domûs Inferioris, ad hoc per Dominum Prolocutorem cum consensu totius Coetûs dictae Domûs eligendos, concipi.

Anno eod. Sess. 10. Maij 13. Reverendissi­mus Pater Prolocutorem & alios de Domo Infe­rior [...], Decanos, Archidiaconos, Capitula & Cleri Procuratores ibidem praesentes voluit, ut ipsi in­ter se convenirent, & excogitarent de Benevo­lentiâ, &c. & deinde de Canonibus & Constitu­tionibus [Page 114] Statum Ecclesiasticum & Ecclesiae Uti­litatem concernen. componendis, faciend. & inter se consentiend. Et ut ipsi, pro meliori negotij istius Expeditione, quosdam graviores & doctio­res Viros de gremio suo eligerent, dictum negoti­unt de Canonibus concipiend. subitur.

Anno 1640. 2 Conv. Sess. 3. The Prolocutor and Six more sent for. Quibus comparentibus, Reverendissimus eis significavit, quòd ipse audi­vit esse quasdam discrepantias inter quosdam Clericos citra corum Electiones; & voluit eos, ut ipsi & alij dictae Domus easdem examinarent & determinarent juxta Juris Exigentiam & Consuetudines cujuslibet Dioeceseos, donec aliter ordinatum fuerit.

The Names of the Per­sons Elect­ed, return­ed to the Upper-house. III. The Direction of the Upper-house to the Lower for the choice of Committees, has been also accompani'd with a further Order to return an Account of the Persons Elected; whose Names we find Enter'd also in the Registers of the Upper-house, with an express Approbation of the choice by the President and his Bre­thren.

Anno 1428. Nov. 20. After the Resolution for the choice of a Committee, Dominus assig­navit eisdem Religiosis & alijs tunc ibidem prae­sentibus terminum ad eligend. Personas hujus­modi—Et ad praesentand. sibi Nomina hu­jusmodi Personarum nominandarum in Scriptis—which were presented accordingly, Nov. 23.—And some Years before, Viz.

Anno 1408. It is mention'd as a matter of Duty and Decency, tho' no particular order was given, Quarum 24. Personarum Electionem factum idem Inferior Clerus incontinenti Archiepiscopo & Praelatis in Domo Capitulari, ut decuit, retulit seu fecit referri.

[Page 115] Anno 1640. Sess. 3. Apr. 22. Dominus Prolocu­tor cum toto Coetu revertens, nomine suo & eo­rum dixit, se & totam Coetum Domûs Inferioris praedict. elegisse in Examinatores & Correctores libri Subsidiorum praedict. cum praefatis Dominis Episcopis—Venerabiles Viros [the Names particularly enter'd.] Quam Electionem Dominus Archiepiscopus & Confratres sui Approbarunt.

The same Session: Prolecutor venit & dixit, se, cum consensu Coetûs Domûs Inferioris ele­gisse Venerabiles Viros [their Names,] ad conci­piend. Formulam Precis, &c.

Eod. Anno Sess. 10. Maij 30. After the di­rection to choose a Committee for the Canons: Et subsequentur Mr. Willelmus Fisher Netarius Pablicus & Domûs Inferioris Actuarius, mihi praefato Notario certificavit in fidem Notarij, Venerabiles Viros Dom. Prolocutorem [with three Deans, &c. all particularly Nam'd] esse electos cum consensu totius Domûs ad effectum praedict.

Anno 1661. Jun. 19. The President, &c. misit pro Prolocutore & Sex alias Domûs Inferio­ris ad introducend. Nomina è gremio suo elect. de & super Negotijs tunc tractat'. Quo Prolocu­tore unà cum sex alijs dictae Domûs Inferioris ad­veniente, dictus Prolocutor presentavit dicto Re­verendo Patri Domina Episcopo London. Sche­dulam quandam in papiro Scriptam, continen. Nomina Praelator [...]m & Cleri Domi [...] Inferioris per eos elect. scil. [the Names all enter'd in the Upper-house Book.] Quibus nominibus per me Notarium publicum, de mandato Reverendi Pa­tris Praesidentis antediuti publicè perlect. dictus Reverendus Pater acceptavit corum respective Nomina & Pers [...]s, & di [...]sit dictam Prolocu­torem, &c.

[Page 116] Anno 1663. Jun. 27. The Prolocutor de­clares, quòd ipse & Coetus Domûs Inferioris de propositis diligenter tractarunt—séque & to­tum Coetum Domûs Inferioris elegisse in Exami­natores & Correctores Libri Subsidiorum, &c. Venerabiles Viros, &c. [all the Names enter'd in the Upper-house Book.] Quam Electionem Dominus Praeses & Confratres sui Approba­runt.

The Right of the Up­per-house to appoint Commit­tees of the Lower, ne­ver questi­on'd before 1689. and 1701. In this manner, have the Archibishop and Bi­shops in Convocation requir'd Committees of the Lower Clergy in order to treat of any Mat­ters they had to lay before them; either by themselves, or in conjunction with a certain number of Bishops, as the Upper-house judg'd most convenient. Nor can I find, that Obedi­ence to this their Lordships Authority and Ap­pointment was ever Scrupl'd, much less deny'd by the Inferior Clergy of any Age, before the Convocation of 1689. (Sess. 13.) and the last in 1701. (Sess. 18.) Which Denials not coun­tenanc'd from any one Precedent, nay, directly oppos'd by the Numbers we have produc'd a­bove, ought certainly to be accompany'd with very singular Circumstances, and some very co­gent Reasons arising from thence, to make them (I will not say Legal, for that nothing under a New Law can do against an Establisht Usage) but in any measure Excusable.

This Denial from the Lower-house the last Convocation, produc'd a Resolution in the Up­per, not to receive any Papers from them till the Irregularity of refusing a Committee was set right: And this having been since so freely cen­sur'd as a groundless Exception, and their Lord­ships thereupon, made the Authors of breaking [Page 117] the Communication between the Bishops and their Clergy, I will consider that Instance, and the other of 1689. to see whether they afford any Circumstances which may cast the Crime on their Lordships side, against the authority of so long and uninterrupted a Usage.

The Refu­sal in 1689 had no grounds from the Registers. 1. Anno 1689. Sess. 13. Upper-house Book: Dominus Reverendus Pater Praeses antedictus [Viz. Episcopus London] proposuit Prolocutori ad nominand. Coetum Selectum Domûs Inferioris Convocationis, ad conveniend. cum Coetu selecto Superioris Domûs Convocationis, in ordine ad in­spiciend. Acta ambarum Domum Convocationis; sed dictus Prolocutor respondebat, se non posse ad id consentire sine Consensu Coetûs Domûs Inferio­ris Convocationis prius habito—A little after, Dominus Prolocutor, cum numero copioso Domûs Convocationis, comparuit & declaravit quòd dic­ta Domus noluit consentire ad nominandum Coe­tum Selectum eorum Domûs ad conveniend. cum Coetu praedict. Domûs Superioris Convocationis ad effect. supra mentionat. durante recessu Con­vocationis.

Now, the Archbishop and Bishops, having in their Synods an undoubted Right to the Advice and Assistance of their Presbyters; this act, upon the foundation of Primitive Practice, was a breach of their Canonical Obedience. Again, the Archbish­op and Bishops in an English Convocation, having ever requir'd their Clergy's Asistance in this par­ticular of Appointing Committees, and been as constantly obey'd without the least appearance of Scruple, that Refusal is further Aggravated by its opposition to the Establisht Customs of this National Church. Contrary to which, was the Prolocutor's suspending his Complyance, till [Page 118] he knew the Pleasure of the House: for this implys that the House had a power, if they thought fit, to refuse; but more directly so, was the final Resolution of the House it self. 'Tis true, that Refusal is represented by the Re­gister under one Circumstance, which they seem to have offer'd as the ground of it, That it was appointed in a Recess of the Convocation. Which Recess, was no more than a Continuation in the common Form, from December 14. to Janua­ry 24. and if the President and Bishops have a Right to order the Choice of Committees to sit in the Shorter Intervals of Sessions; by what law or Custom are they restrain'd from doing the same thing in the Longer. On the other hand, it was not only lawful, but at that jun­cture very necessary too for such a Committe to have sat upon the business propos'd by their Lordships, The inspecting the Registers of both Houses. Because some differences in point of Custom and Priviledge had then hapn'd between the two Houses; and that Recess was a proper opportunity to rectifie what was past, and by that inspection to prevent future misunderstand­ings.

The Refu­sal of a Commit­tee in the last Convo­cation, prov'd Ir­regular. 2. Anno 1701. Sess. 18. Lower-House Book: ‘"The Arch-Bishop signifies, in Writing, the Ap­pointment of a Committee of five Bishops, to meet with any Committee to be nam'd by the Lower-House, not exceeding the number often, to inspect the Acts of both Houses of Convoca­tion to this time.’Et super eare declarârunt & ordina ant, ‘"That they are of Opinion, that their Act-Books of this Session should not be free­ly inspected as yet; their Lordships not having expressed the Intention of any such Inspecti­on.’—And then follows an Order, ‘"That [Page 119] Notice be given to their Lordships, that they have not thought fit to appoint such a Com­mittee.’

The Rea­sons al­ledg'd in the Narra­tive, parti­cularly an­swer'd. Supposing, that the Lower-House had a Right to judge, in what Circumstances it is fit, or un­fit, that Committees be appointed; yet the Members refusing it at this time, seem to assign a Reason that is somewhat strange. Why not inspected as yet? and why were their Lordships to give previous Notice of their Intention? If it was, that the Lower-House might have time to frame them into Acts, and so make them more accurate; they afterwards alter'd their O­pinion of Things, when in the Narrative, Nar. p. 35. they prize the Minutes of 1640, (more confus'd, I an sure, by many Degrees than theirs could be) even above regular Registers, in point of Credit. But, however the Minutes of 1701 might be industriously disparag'd, to give a Co­lour at least to this their Refusal; their own Journal says expressly, That the Acts of the foregoing Session were distinctly read at the o­pening of the next; which implies a regular Journal; and the fair Copy now in the Regi­ster's Office, is said to be (the greatest part of it, if not all) a Transcript from those Acts.

No inhe­rent Power to admit or decline the Appoint­ment of their Lord­ships. This therefore does not seem to be the Reason they abide by; but an Inherent Power of naming or not naming Committees at pleasure. Thus much the Journal intimates in the Notice to be given to their Lordships, ‘"That they have not thought fit to appoint such a Committee;’ and the Narrative speaks much more plainly; Nar. p. 61. We conceive our selves intirely at Liberty, to admit or decline their Appointments of Committes, as we shall think fit. This is a clear Declaration of their Principle; and, if I mistake not, the [Page 120] foregoing Account of Committees, is as clear a Proof, that there was no Ground to make it ei­ther their Principle, or their Practice. The Narrative derives this Power of Refusing, from being a distinct House; Ibid. but as the third Chapter of this Book shews the Vanity of their Claims in general upon that Foundation, so the Instan­ces of Committees to meet the Bishops, appoint­ed by express Order of the Upper-House, since as much as before their Separation, are a full Answer in this Particular.

No Power of a Nega­tive, but only in fi­nal Resolu­tions. Nar. p. 61. Another Reason they add, is, their having Power to dissent from the Proposals of the Upper-House. But this is doubtfully expressed: If their Meaning be, That they have a Right to diagree finally from any Matters depending in Convocation, so as to hinder them from passing into Synodical Acts; I grant it: But that being confin'd to the passing of Business, does not help them in any Point antecedent thereto. Nor can they ever shew, either in this or any other Case, that the English Clergy in Convocation have not at all times readily and religiously comply'd with the Directions of their Metropolitan and Bi­shops, both as to the Matters recommended to their Consideration, and the Methods and Cir­cumstances of considering them.

The Right of the Bishops to take Cog­nizance of the Trans­actions of the Lower-House. Ibid. In Vindication of themselves from this Charge of Irregularity, they say further; We conceive, the only regular way of their Lordships knowing the Transactions of our House, is by our own vo­luntary laying 'em before their Lordships. As if their Lordships had only a Right to direct the Consideration of Business, and not a Right also to prescribe the time of returning it, and to call upon them to know their Resolutions, or what Progress they have made. 'Tis a part also of [Page 121] the very Office of a Prolocutor, to report to the Upper-House the Result of their Debates, (as he has frequently explain'd the Grounds and Reasons of their Resolutions;) and, on the side of the Arch-Bishop, to do for him what his Grace formerly did in Person, that is, to deliver to them his Commands, and to moderate in their Debates; and (according to a former Observa­tion) to maintain such an Intercourse as may effectually preserve the Synod in an United State, under one President the Metropolitan of the Province. Their Actuary also is an Officer of his Grace, and his Wages limited by an Archie­piscopal Decree, and their Journals finally de­posited in the Office of the See, together with those of the Upper-House; where Recourse may be had equally to both, by all the Members of Convocation. What therefore they mean by the Arch-Bishop's detaining from them the Journals of the Lower-House, to which they had free Access upon all Occasions; Nar. p. 62. and what by their saying, The Jour­nals belong to the Arch Bishop's Registry. That they conceive these Journals of Right to belong to them, I cannot imagin; much less account for them, either from Reason or Practice: Nor can I conceive in what Office they would deposit them, were they put into their own Possession. The Language they use in this Case may be proper in Parliament; but sounds strange in an English Synod of Bishops and Pres­byters; the latter whereof (the Majority, I mean, of the Lower-House) have in this Deny­al of a Sight of their Registers, even exceeded the Pattern they propose, the Honourable House of Commons. For as a mutual Freedom of Re­course to the Journals of each House, is well known to be the Custom of Parliament; so should any Jealousies arise between them, and [Page 122] should the one press for such an Inspection of the Journals; a Refusal from the other would make the Cause on that side suffer extreamly in the Opinion of the World.

The Lower House not to give In­structions in such Com­mittees. Nar. p. 61. One thing more they plead in their Justificati­on; ‘"That since their Lordships neither menti­on any particular Acts they would inspect, nor assign any particular Reason for such Inspecti­on; we could see no Ground for such a Com­mittee, nor could we give Instructions for the Management of the Matter to be consider'd by it. Their seeing no Ground for such a Com­mittee, resolves into their first Plea, confuted before, viz. Their Liberty to admit or decline their Lordships Appointment of Committees as they shall think fit, and their Right by conse­quence to judge in what Case there is Ground for Compliance or Refusal. But that which fol­lows, their giving Instructions for the Manage­ment of the Matter to be consider'd by it, is a Stile familiar enough in Parliament, but utterly unknown to the Records of Convocation. For as the Upper-House (according to the fore-cited Testimonies, from Registers as well Ancient as Modern) have a Right to order Committees of the Lower, in Conjunction with those of their own; prescribing withall the Number, and the Time and Place of meeting, and all this, to con­sider Matters of their Lordships own proposing; so the only End of their appointing such joint Committees, is to have the Assistance of their Clergy in discussing or preparing those Matters: And in that Case, the Clergy's taking from the Metropolitan and Bishops their Instructions, what to do, and how to proceed, is exactly a­greeable, both to the original Distinction between Bishops and Presbyters, and to the share that [Page 123] each has ever had as a constituent part of an English Convocation. But if we suppose (ac­cording to their Scheme) a Right in the Clergy to refuse their Assistance, or (in case they think fit to comply) to send their Members under the Restraint of special Instructions, and by that means prepar'd rather to stand upon Terms with their Lordships, than to assist them; whether a Meeting in these Circumstances would not show us a Co-ordinate Power of Presbyters with their Bishops, let the World judge.

Instructions proper on­ly when they ap­point Com­mittees of their own. When they appoint Committees of their own, and upon Business depending in their own House, they are then at Liberty to give what Instructi­ons they think fit; because, as the Matters to be debated, so also the Methods and Ends of de­bating them, are all within their own Power. And in the present Case, had they thought fit, either before or after the Appointment by their Lordships, to chuse a Committee to give them Information from the Acts of either House in a­ny Point whatsoever; that Choice, and their Instructions thereupon, had (without doubt) been very regular. But when the Arch-bishop and Bishops; in virtue of their original Right to require the Assistance of their Clergy, do call for it in the way of a Committee, to attend a certain number of their own Body; in that Case, the Directions belong solely to the Upper-House, and the Clergy have no other part besides Assist­ing and Advising.

Indeed, if Matters were to be finally deter­min'd in Committees, then it would be necessary for the Clergy (who would in that case be con­cluded by their Act) to put their Members un­der Restraints agreeable to the Sense and Inten­tion of the House: And this they might do, in [Page 124] virtue of their final Negative upon the Arch­bishop and Bishops. But Committees are well known to be only for Debate and Preparation; and if the Lower-House think themselves con­cern'd in the Matter or Tendency of their Lord­ships Enquiries, they are wholly free (after the Discharge of their Duty there) to make what farther Searches or Resolutions they please; and that also, in the manner they think most proper, i. e. either in the whole House, or by a Commit­tee of their own voluntary Choice.

The Lower House ne­ver consent to the cho­sing, but only to the Persons or Numbers. What I have observ'd and reply'd to, is all they urge to justify their Refusal of a Commit­tee: And I know but one thing more, that gives any Colour to that Act, viz. Its being sometimes said in the forecited Passages about the Appoint­ment of such Committees, that 'twas done a­mong the Lower-Clergy, with the Consent of the House. It was so, after the Prolocutor (in pursuance of the Direction from the Upper-House) had nominated the Persons according to the Number prescrib'd; that is, 'twas consented and agreed to by the House, that those particu­lar Persons should be the Committee; and the same Right of Consenting they had to the Num­ber also, when that was not fixt and determin'd Above. But before 1689, it was never made a Question among the Lower-Clergy, whether they should comply with their Lordships in the Ap­pointment of a Committee, or whether the Prolo­cutor should immediately proceed to the Nomi­nation; or, lastly, whether they should chuse any other Number than that specify'd in their Lordships Order. The Course of such Choices, in the Lower-House, at the same time with the Upper, is distinctly describ'd in their Journal, 1588. Sess. 3. That Day's Extracts out of the [Page 125] Upper-House Books, say, A Committee of both Houses chosen to consider of a Subsidy. Accord­ingly, the Execution of it in the Lower-House is describ'd thus: Dominus Prolocutor [upon his coming from the Upper-House] significavit U­niverso Coetui, consensum & concordatum fuisse & esse inter Dominos Praelatos Superioris Domûs, quòd Reverendi Patres [three Bishops, nam'd] tractarent, statuerent, & deliberarent de Subsi­dio Dominae nostrae Reginae erogando: Et in eun­dem finem, Dominus Prolocutor Nominavit & Elegit Venerabiles Viros [seven Deans, with nine others, nam'd] ut similiter, vice ac nominibus totius hujus Coetûs, communicarent & tractarent de Subsidio hujusmodi. Necnon consensum & assensum omnium supra nominatorum hujus Do­mûs in Electionem suam hujusmodi petiit & sine morâ obtinuit. The Prolocutor, we see, pro­ceeded immediately to the Nomination of the Persons; and no Consent was given or askt, but only to the Persons so nominated. But in the Year 1640. Sess. 10. May 13. when the Upper-House Register tells us, That in the Business of the Canons, the Clergy were only directed, in general, Quosdam graviores & doctiores viros de gremio suo eligere, and no particular Number was assign'd; then the Minutes mention the Houses Consent to the Number also, and to the Proportion of Deans, Arch-deacons, and Pro­ctors: Consensum fuit ut Duodecim è dictâ Do­mo, viz. tres Decani, tres Archidiaconi, duo Procuratores pro Ecclesiis Cathedralibus, & qua­tuor Procuratores Cleri, Eligantur pro Exami­natione Canonum; and then, giving the Names of the Persons nominated, they mention the Ap­probation of them as a distinct Act.

[Page 126] The Lower House chargeable with all the Conse­quences of refusing a Commit­tee. This is a plain State, as of the general Power of the President and Bishops to order Commit­tees of the Inferior Clergy, so particularly of the Right they had to make that Appointment, with which the Majority of the last Lower-House re­fus'd to comply; and by their Refusal, gave Rise to one unhappy Difference in that Convoca­tion. But yet, as if the Blame evidently lay on the side of the Bishops, and nothing but Inno­cence on the other, their Lordships stand charg'd in the late Narrative with all the Consequences of this Irregularity. His Grace, who had it in his Power to censure an Act of Disobedience (so mischievous to Episcopacy, and to the Con­stitution of an English Synod) with the Severi­ty it would have justify'd; was pleas'd to signi­fy his own and his Brethrens Dislike of it in a milder way, by refusing to receive any thing at their hands till that Irregularity was set right: And their Lordships hop'd, such gentle Methods might bring them to a calmer Consideration of what they had done. Nat. p. 56, 58. But so far was this from having the intended Effect, that his Grace and the Bishops are openly accus'd of endeavouring, by that Act, to cut off all Communication between the two Houses. A Return, that good Nature and an obliging Treatment must sometimes ex­pect to meet with in this World.

I know not whether it be worth while to take notice here of the Publisher of the Narrative, who tells the World of a Position laid down in the first Letter, Pag. 7. that I knew to be false, viz. the Power of the Arch-bishop to order the Choice of Committees, and the Number of which they shall consist. That Page and this Chapter compar'd, may make the Zealous Man more cautious for the future, how he charges others with speaking [Page 127] against their Knowledge. I will not therefore say, he wrote that Preface against Knowledge; I charitably believe, and am pretty sure, he wrote without it.

CAHP. IX.
The Right of the Archbishop and Bishops to prescribe a Time for the Return of Busi­ness committed to the Clergy.

WHen the President and Bishops have put Business into the hands of the Lower Clergy, in a Body or a Committee; their Lord­ships have frequently thought fit to appoint a certain time for the Return of it. In other Ca­ses also, they have call'd upon the Clergy for their Answers; who as oft as they were not in a readiness to give it, have desir'd a further Day: a plain acknowledgment of their Lordships title to the disposal of their Time. All these will be prov'd from the Registers in a regular Dedu­ction of Instances; according to the method in which their Right to direct the Matter and Manner of the Clergy's Proceedings, has been already explain'd.

The time for the re­turn of the Clergy's Answers expressly prescrib'd. I. The President and Bishops have frequently prescrib'd a Time for the Return of the Cler­gy's Answers.

Anno 1369. 10. Kal. Febr. The Archbishop directs the Clergy to draw up their Petitions in Writing, & quòd sibi porrigerent die Veneris—ita quòd super eis cum suis Confratribus poterit consulere & deliberare.

[Page 128] Anno 1373. Decem. 2. Upon a like Order, 'tis added, quòd Responsiones darent die proximè sequenti.

Anno 1428. Nov. 20. Et tunc Dominus as­signavit eisdem Religiosis & alijs tunc ibidem praesentibus terminum ad eligendum personas hu­jusmodi—& ad praesentandum sibi Nomina hujusmodi Personarum nominandarum.

Anno 1433. Nov. 10. Upon the Clergy's desire to consult among themselves about the Matter propos'd, Dominus liberè concessit; prae­cipiens eisdem quatenus circa eadem Motiva, cum alijs ab eisdem dependentibus, usque ad diem Jo­vis diligenter & unanimiter laborarent.

Anno 1434. Octo. 20. The Clergy being di­rected by the President to prepare business, re­ceive this additional Order, quód ipsis coram eo & Confratribus suis ostenderent & exhiberent die Veneris prox.

Anno 1529. Apr. 15. Reverendissimus reces­sit à Convocatione, & commisit vices suas Epis­copis London & Winton. qui fecerunt Respon­siones [to a complaint of the Parliament] rur­sum legi coram Inferiore Domo; quae petijt Copi­am earundem Responsionum; & assignatus est dies Veneris ad inferendas Opiniones suas super praemissis Responsionibus,

Anno 1541. Sess. 2. Reverendissimus tradidit Prolocutori quosdam Libros examinand. & con­ficerent leges de Simoniâ vitandâ; & referrent Judicia sua proximâ Sessione.

Anno 1555. Sess. 2. The Commissary puts a Copy of a Diploma into their hands, volens eos maturè consulere, & referre Opiniones proximâ Sessione.

Anno 1562. Martij 1. Reverendssimus tradî­dit Domino Prolocutori Librum [de Disciplina] [Page 129] mandando, quód additis hujusmodi Capitulis sic excogitatis, ipsum Librum cum Additionalibus praedictis denuò exhibeat coram eodem Reverendis­simo & Confratribus suis in proximâ Sessione.

The Cler­gy's An­swers cal­led for. II. When the Business committed to the Cler­gy was not voluntarily return'd within the Time expected, the President and Bishops have call'd for it; and have also granted a longer term for Consideration, at the Clergy's request.

Anno 1417. Decem. 3. Certain Persons out of every Diocese had been elected (Nov. 26.) to consider of methods how to promote the Stu­dents in the University of Oxford; and, Dec. 3. Dominus Archipiescopus petijt à Personis supra nominatis si aliquid effectualiter laborâssent circa materiam praetractatam, de Relevamine scilicet Stu­dentium & Universitatum.

Anno 1426. Apr. 17. Dominus petijt á Clero utrum ad tunc plenê fuissent deliberati, quomodo foret procedendum in negotio eisdem, die praece­denti, per ipsum recitato; qui responderunt quôd protunc non plené fuerant advisitati in eadem; Dominus mandavit eis ut ad Domum Inferiorem redirent, ad tractandum & deliberendum.

Anno 1428. Nov. 18. Upon a Motion (Nov. 17.) that Hereticks might occasionally be re­ceiv'd and imprison'd in the Religious-Houses, when sent thither by the Ordinary; the Religious desire time to consider: And the next Day, Do­minus petijt á Religiosis, si deliberassent de & super materiâ supradictâ; qui responderunt, quód non; sed petierunt adhuc delationem de­liberandi in hac parte usque in crastinum: Cui adhuc Petitioni Dominus ex consensu fratrum suorum annuit bono corde.

Anno eod. Nov. 20. Dominus petijt à Reli­giosis, si adhuc deliberâssent de & super Materia [Page 130] praelibatâ aliàs eis ministratâ pro deliberatione habendä: Qui respenderunt, se nondum plenariè deliberásse in hâc parte. Et quia (ut asserue­runt) Materiailla, ut eis videbatur, gravis erat, ac res quaedam insolita & inaudita, supplicârunt Domino pro deliberatione ulteriori in hac parte habendâ; ad finem, quòd possent communicare cum Jurisperitis, ne eis aut eorum Privilegijs seu Indultis Apostolicis praejudicium aliquod genera­retur. Cui supplicationi Dominus adhuc annuens, eis ad plené deliberandum, & finaliter respon­dendum in hac parte terminum assignavit, viz. diem Martis prox. tunc sequentem.

Anno eod. Nov. 23. Dominus petiit à Religi­osis finale responsum, &c. Qui responderunt, ip­sos adhuc non deliberasse in hac parte: Unde Dominus eisdem assignavit terminum adhuc ad finaliter respondendum in praemissis, diem, viz. Jovis tunc prox.

Anno 1433. Nov. 17. Praesidente Reverendis­simo Patre, &c. & examinato Clero quid adhuc in praefatis Motivis & dubiis cum suis Incidentibus esset finaliter sentiendum; responsum extitit per Magistrum Thomam Bekyngion Praelocutorem, non completè adhuc determinatum; and thereup­on the Archbishop continu'd the Convocation to a further day.

Anno 1439. Dec. 22. Dominus petiit respon­sum finale à Clero reddend. quaiiter deliberati fuerint quoad Subsidium praelibatum concedend. Domino Regi: Et incontinenti Mr. Ricardus Pro­locutor Cleri, nomine totius Cleri hujusmodi, Do­mino quandam Cedulam, &c. praesentavit.

Anno 1444. Oct. 24. Dominus petiit Respon­sum à Clero, qualiter deliberati fuerant, quan­tum ad Subsidium—& quid Sentirent de li­terâ Regiâ pro die Translationis S. Edwardi, &c. [Page 131] Upon which, the Prolocutor makes his Report to the President and Bishops.

Anno 1529. Sess. 33. Dominus Prolocutor pe­tiit longiorem terminum ad consultandum de Ar­ticulis praedictis: Unde Reverendissimus assigna­vit horam primam ejusdem diei.

Anno eod. Sess. 34. Intravit Prolocutor & Clerus, dicentes, se non habere tempus consul­tandi, & petierunt longiorem terminum; & Re­verendissimus concessit horam secundam ejusdem diei.

Anno eod. Sess. 45. Intravit Prolocutor, & petiit Dilationem super eisdem Constitutionibus legendis; & Reverendissimus concessit usque in proximam Sessionem: In the foregoing Session, there was put into the Prolocutor's hands, Li­bellus quarundam Constitutionum examinand.

Anno eod. Sess. 47. Prolocutor petiit longio­rem terminum super Constitutionibus.

Anno 1557. Sess. 5. Praesidens, &c. advocato Prolocutore, rogabat quid Clerus deliberâsset de Subsidio: Qui eorum nomine respondit, omnes aequum sentire, &c. but that they had not agreed de modo & tempore Solutionis. Ideò rogarunt, ut alius dies ad deliberandum Statueretur, qui datus est, viz. dies Mercurij prox. sequens, ho­râ secundâ post meridiem.

Inferences from the foregoing Testimo­nies. The Inferences from these Appointments of Time by the Bishops, and Requests for a further day by the Clergy, will be obvious to every Rea­der, without my leading him to them. For there cannot be more plain and direct Testimo­nies of any thing, than these are of the general Influence and Authority of the Upper House o­ver the business of Convocation, and particu­larly over the Debates and Consultations of the Inferior Clergy: Who would not have petition'd [Page 132] for a Respite of their Answer and Report, or offer'd Reasons why they could not be ready a­gainst the Time appointed them; but that they knew it was in the Power of their Superiors to require it then, and were desirous to satisfie their Lordships that their not being able to give it, was not want of duty, but purely of time. Nor would they have requested, in the last Instance, ut alius dies ad deliberandum Statueretur, had it been in their own Power to meet and delibe­rate on Intermediate Days: Which may deserve the consideration of those who have been such Zealous Advocates of late, not only for Meet­ing and doing business in the Intervals of Ses­sions (for that the Clergy have often done, and are bound to do at the command of the Upper-House,) but also for an Inherent Power in them­selves to come together on those Days, to act in all respects as a House, and to compute such Meetings among the Synodical Sessions. Which (not only without their Bishops, but in defiance of them) are an uncommon Separation of a Sy­nod, and cannot be seen or considered by any Im­partial Man, without bringing to his mind a Presbyterian Assembly.

The same Persons may also please to observe, how ill these Instances of the Upper House's Authority in point of Time, agree with their new Scheme of Alliance between the Honoura­ble House of Commons and the Lower House of Convocation. And particularly, the Publisher of the Preface may know from hence, Pref. p. 7. 1. Let. p. that I wrote not like him, at all Adventures, much less (as he lays the Charge) against my own Conscience, when I asserted this Power of prescribing a Time for the Return of their Answers.

CHAP. X.
The Right of the Archbishop and Bishops to require the Answers of the Clergy in Wri­ting.

THat the Upper House have a Power to pre­scribe the Time within which the Answers of the Clergy shall be return'd, has been prov'd in the foregoing Chapter; and the design of this, is to shew their Right to direct the Manner of their Answers; particularly, to Require a Re­port either Verbal or in Writing, as their Lord­ships shall judge most suitable to the nature of the Business recommended to their Consideration. The last Lower House re­fus'd to an­swer in Writing. For upon this Point it is, that the Difference in the last Convocation about Continuations or Ad­journments remains (as to the two Houses) undetermin'd to this day. The Archbishop and Bishops drew up the Reasons of their Claim in Writing, and deliver'd them to the Inferior Cler­gy; not only expecting, but directly insisting up­on a written Reply. This was refused by the Majority of the Lower House; who resolv'd to return no Answer in Writing, but only viva voce at a free Conference with their Lordships: And there the matter rested upon this general Questi­on, Whether the Upper House have a right to require of the Clergy an Answer in Scriptis; which I conceive the following Instances clearly determin.

The Cler­gy's obli­gation to answer in Writing when re­quir'd. Anno 1396. 10 Kal. Febr. The Clergy having granted a Supply on condition to have Grievan­ces redress'd, Archiepiscopus voluit, quòd Clerus & Religiosi Petitiones suas super dictis Injurijs, [Page 134] Violentijs, & Gravaminibus, in Scriptis redige­rent, & sibi porrigerent in die Veneris.

Anno 1411. Dec. 2. The Arch-bishop directs the Proctors of the Clergy, if they had any Grievances to offer, Quòd vellent & deberent ci­tra diem Veneris extunc proximà futur, coran: Convocatione Dominorum in Domo Capitulari se­riosius intimare.—And on Friday, Coram Archiepiscopo, &c. comparuerunt Procuratores Cleri, qui plura referebant Gravamina; allegan­tes quòd de tot & tantis se sentijt Clerus malis pergravatum, quòd nisi in Scriptis contineantur, non possent de facili recenseri.—They re­tire, and the Arch-bishop and Bishops debate a­bout the Grievances. Returning about Eleven a Clock, Per Dominum Archiepiscopum adtunc mandabatur, quòd citra proximum diem Convoca­tionis exhibeant & declarent articulatim Grava­mina sua in Scriptis redacta. Grievances and Subsidies were the chief things that came from the Clergy in those Days; and this, with other Instances of the same kind upon that Head, shows, that it was not the ordinary way to offer their Grievances in Writing, Vid. Infra Cap. 12. except they were requir'd to do it by the Arch-bishop and his Bre­thren.

Anno 1428. Nov. 20. Dominus assignavit Re­ligiosis, & alijs tunc ibidem praesentibus, termi­num ad eligend. Personas [viz. a Committee] & ad praesentandum sibi nomina bujusmodi Per­sonarum nominandarum in Scriptis.

Eod. Anno Dec. 7. Et quia Clerus Provincie, prout tunc ibidem recitatum erat, &c. sentijt se gravatum; ex communi deliberatione Domini & Confratrum suorum, ac totius Concilij, extitit a­visatum, ut Gravamina bujusmodi concipi debe­rent, & redigi in Scripturam.

[Page 135] Anno 1434. Oct. 8. The Arch-bishop, in ex­plaining the Causes of calling the Convocation, reckons up several Grievances of the Church: Et tunc habitâ Communicatione super bujusmodi Gravaminibus, ordinatum erat tunc ibidem, ut bujusmodi Gravamina, ac alia quaecunque in qui­bus Clerus se sentijt gravari, necnon si quae fo­rent Crimina & excessus infra Clerum usitat'. quae necessariâ Reformatione indigerent, in Scrip­tis redigerentur.

Anno 1452. Feb. 15. Prolocutor interrogatus à Reverendissimo Patre, an quicquam voluisset pro parte Cleri in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ Reformatione dignum proponere; continuò & quasi ex inspera­to quamplurima, &c. proposuit. Et quia non erat facile, singula per ipsum ibidem exposita, memo­riae, quae admodum labilis cst, commendare, id­circo admonait eundem Prolocutorem Reverendis­simus Pater, ut singula per eum in bac parte pro­posita, redigeret in Literas, & Concilio traderet pleniùs & maturius super eisdem deliberatur'.

Anno 1460 May 13. Propositis coram Reve­rendissimo Patre, & alijs in Domo Capitulari protunc ibidem existentibus, quibusdam Articulis per Prolocutorem viva voce, dictus Reverendissi­mus Pater decrevit bujusmodi Articulos sic vivâ voce declarat'. in scriptis redigi.

Anno 1529. Sess. 104. Episcopus London Com­missarius recitavit voluntatem Reverendissimi su­per praelictâ Supplicatione, [viz. an Address of the House of Commons to the King] & voluit Prolocutorem, &c. quòd concipiant Responsa sua in Scriptis.

Anno 1557. Sess. 3. Deinde monuit Locum tenens Praelatos Inferioris Domûs, ut ipsi exhibe­rent in Scriptis quod Reformandum putarent.

[Page 136] Anno 1562. (when the 39 Articles were set­tled) Feb. 19. Reverendissimus, de & cum can­sensu Fratrum suorum, tradidit quosdam Arti­culos in Scriptis conceptos; mandando quatenùs super contentis in dictis Articulis diligenter in­quirerent, ac quicquid inde invenerint, in Scrip­tis redigant, ac dicto Reverendissimo porrigant & exbibeant.

Anno 1588. Dominus Prolocutor universo Coetui significavit volantatem Reverendissimi cae­terorúnque Praelatorum Superioris Domûs esse, quòd si aliquis bujus Domûs noverit quenquam Ministrum de quo justè conqueri possit, quòd con­tra Leges Ecclesiasticas, nunc temporis auctoritate legitimâ receptas & approbatas, se gessit & ge­rit; aut si aliquis noverit quenquam qui Canones in ultimâ Convocatione approbatos & editos vio­loverit; eosdem in Scriptis denunciarent Reve­rendissimo Domino Cant. Archiepiscopo caeterisque Dominis Praelatis praedict. pro debitâ Correctione & Reformatione in eâ parte fiendâ.

Anno 1640. Sess. 2. Arch-bishop Laud ha­ving recommended to the Clergy the Considera­tion of certain Canons and Constitutions, adds, Et quicquid inde senserint sive excogitaverint, in Scriptis redigant, & coram ipso Reverendissimo & Confratribus suis Episcopis exhibeant.

Ead. Conv. Sess. 3. Reverendissimus, &c. Schedulas Domino Prolocutori tradidit, Coetui Domûs Inferior is proponendas, legendas, & pub­licandas; cum monitione, quòd Copias earum cui­cunque tradere minimè praesumat. Et si aliquis dictae Domûs aliquid dictis Capitulis contrarium proponat, porrigat in Scriptis, & in manus Do­proponat, Prolocutoris Domino Archiepiscopo & caete­ris Episcopis Domûs Superioris exhibiturum, ut ipsi de eisdem consultarent.

[Page 137] The State of this Case between the two Houses, in the last Convoca­tion. Thus has the Practice of Convocation stood; and 'tis certainly agreeable to the natural Rea­son of the thing, that they who have a Right to direct the Consideration of Business, and to pre­scribe a time for returning it, should also be the proper Judges, whether the Purposes they have in their Eye, be most effectually answer'd in Writing, or by a verbal Report. Not to insist therefore upon the evident Necessity of Writing in this case, (upon a Point wholly new, to be determin'd from Records, some of which are ve­ry obscure and imperfect, and where a diligent Examination and Comparison of all Particulars was absolutely necessary;) nor yet to observe, that the Refusal of so fair a Method, is a strong Presumption, that the Advocates themselves distrusted their Cause: Not, I say, to insist up­on these (however of moment towards the Ju­stification of their Lordships) the Case, and all the Consequences of it, depend principally upon this, Whether the Arch-bishop and Bishops have a Right to require the Clergy as oft as they judge it expedient, to bring their Answers in Writing? Because, if that Right be vested in them, the Refusal on the other side was a mani­fest Violation of it; and so the Refusers became obnoxious to the Censure of the Upper-House, and chargeable with all the Mischiess arising from that Act of Disobedience. For so I must beg Leave to call it, after so many plain Prece­dents of a Command to the Lower-Clergy, to put their Opinions in Writing, without any one Mark of Doubt or Scruple, whether it should be comply'd with, before the last Convocation. And then indeed it was not only a Scruple, but a flat Denial, and a peremptory Resolution, Not to descend to any Particulars upon the Point of [Page 138] Continuation, but in the way of a free Conse­rence. Upon the Proposal whereof by those of the Lower-House, (Sess. 12.) with a Declarati­on of their Lordships, that they insisted upon an Answer in Writing; it was put to the Question, (Sess. 13.) ‘"Whether the House would give their Answer in Writing at large, or desire a free Conference; and carry'd for a free Confe­rence. Again, (Sess. 14.) it was resolv'd, that an humble Application be renew'd to their Lordships for a free Conference.

Free Confe­rence, a Term un­known in Convocati­on. This is a new Term, borrow'd from the Pro­ceedings of Parliament, and never known in any Convocation before the last. The Acts frequently speak of the Colloquia and Tractatus which the Arch-bishop and his Brethren had, in the Upper-House, with the Prolocutor and some of the In­ferior Clergy; or (if their Lordships so order'd it) with the Prolocutor alone. No such free Con­ference e­ver desir'd by the Cler­gy. But I don't re­member, in all the Registers before 1689. any Instance of the Clergy's desiring a Conference of any kind, except one in the Year 1661. the Cir­cumstances whereof were widely different from the present Case; and they were then very far from insisting upon it, against the express Reso­lution of the Upper-House. The occasion was this: During the Consideration of the Liturgy, the Lower-House had certain Emendations ready to be carry'd up to their Lordships. Dec. 12. Dominus Prolocutor, cum consensu, ut assereba­tur, totius Domûs Inferioris ad Praesidentem & Domum Inferiorem missus est, ad petend'. se cum tribus vel duobus alijs è Domo Inferiori admitti ad conferend' cum Dominis Episcopis in Domo suâ seden'. Dictoque Prolocutore, &c. admisso & adveniente, dictus Prolocutor praesentavit Do­mino Praesidenti, & tradidit in manibus suis, [Page 139] nonnullas Papiri Schedas, Emendationes alicujus labri pubiicarum Precum concernen. These were read, debated, and approv'd; and then the Pro­locutor, &c. was dismiss'd. The occasion of their making this Request, seems to have been a necessity of their explaining to their Lordships the Grounds and Reasons of some of the Altera­tions they had then made. But what is all this to such a free Conference as is practis'd in Par­liament and was now propos'd by the Inferior Clergy; in which Managers of both Sides were to be appointed, with special Instructions from each House. The Prolocutor in 1661. desir'd to confer with their Lordships, who thinking it in that particular a proper way of receiving the sence of the Lower House, immediately admit­ted him. But neither he nor the House insisted upon that, as the only way in which they would give their Opinions; much less did they resist an express command from their Lordships to put them in Writing; which was the Case in the last Convocation, and very unlike the Daciful Proceedings of the Clergy who assisted in that Revisal and Establishment of our Liturgy.

Inferences in vindica­tion of their Lord­ships. As to the Case in hand, their Lordships had undoubredly a Right to require the Answers of the Lower House in Writing; and judging it a necessary method of coming to a true State of the point of Continuations then in dispute, did insist upon their right, and directly requir'd Obe­dience. On the other hand, the Clergy refus'd to do it, and persisted in that Refusal; and not only so, but proceeded also to the Irregularities of Adjourning to different Days and by the con­sent of their House. Afterwards, as if the Ob­struction had laid wholly on their Lordships side, they passed a formal Vote (May 22.) for a Re­quest [Page 140] to their Lordships, pressing them to put some end to the present difference between the two Houses in relation to their Prorogations and Adjournments. Considering how themselves were then in a State of Contempt, upon refusing to comply with the Lawful Commands of their Superiors, and that nothing but this their Re­fusal put a stop to the measures of Accommo­dation; I appeal to any imparial Man, whether that Motion, intended to be made to the Upper House, was fit to be offer'd any where but in the Lower, in which the Obstruction solely lay.

CHAP. XI.
The Right of the President and Bishops to take to them the Assistance of Persons learned in the Law, &c.

BEsides the Opinion and Assistance of the Inferior Clergy acting in conjunction with the President and Bishops, as Members of the same Convocation; their Lordships have a se­parate Power to advise with Counsel either in the Common or Civil Law, upon any difficulty in the Course of their Proceedings; in Cases, more especially, where there is any danger or appear­ance of their interfering with the Statutes and Customs of the Realm. The Manner of taking their Advice, has been either by admitting them to the Debates of the House, or appointing a Select number of Bishops to lay before them any Doubts or Difficulties that were in their way, and to desire the Opinion.

[Page 141] Anno 1419. Sess. 3. Coram Archiepiscopo, &c. adductus fuit quidam Ricardus Walker, &c. quem (ut asserebatur) Prior Ecclesiae Cath. Wigorn. tanquam Sortilegum, & de Sortilegio suspectum, &c. apprehenderat—Being ex­amin'd, he was remanded to Prison, usque deli­berari posset per Jurisperitos quâ poenâ talis Sortilegus esset per Jurisperitos puniendus.

Anno 1425. Jun. 8. Two Hereticks remand­ed in the same manner, Donec Reverendissimus Pater, de concilio & avisamento Confratrum suo­rum, ac Jurisperitorum, deliberaret quid cum eis faciend. censeret, & si in Poenam Relapsûs cecidissent neone.

Anno 1428. Upon the Question, Whether the Religious should receive Hereticks as Pri­soners into their Houses, the Register adds, Et quia, ut asseruerunt, materia illa (ut eis vide­batur) gravis erat, ac res quaedam insolita & inaudita, Supplicarunt Domino pro deliberatione ulteriori in hac parte habendâ, ad finem quòd pos­sent communicare cum Jurisperitis, ne eis aut eo­rum Privilegijs seu Indultis Apostolicis praejudi­cium aliquod generaretur.

Anno 1460. Maij. 20. Administratis per Mr. Johannem Stoks Praelocutorem, &c. certis Arti­culis utilitatem Regis & Regni Angliae & defen­sionem Ecclesiae Anglicanae concernentibus, Reve­rendissimus Pater cum consensu suorum Confra­trum in dictâ Convocatione praesentium, elegit certos viros praeeminentis Scientiae, viz. Magi­stros Rob. Styllington, &c. Legum Doctores, ad interessend. pertractand. & consiliand. cum cis de & super hujusmodi Articulis; coram dicto Re­verendissimo Patre, & suis Confratribus, &c.

Anno 1586. Sess. 3. Mar. 3. Lower House Book, Dominus Prolocutor significavit praesen­tem [Page 142] Voluntatem Reverendissimi ac aliorum Domi­norum Praelatorum de benevolâ Contributione, &c. & quód de bujusmodi Libello concipiendo maturior deliberatio cum Jurisperitorum consilio habeatur.

Anno 1640. Sess. 12. May 16. Upon a De­bare concerning the Fees for Charchings, &c. Reverendissimus, cum Consilio & assensu Praela­torum & Confretrum suorum, negotium hujus­modi Attornato Generali Domini Regis significand, fore decrevit, ut ipse de aliquo Remedio pro eis in hac parte curaret.

Eod. Anno Sess. 13. Reverendissimus, cum Confratrum consensu, elegit Dominos Episcopos Elien & Bristol, ad consulendum cum utroque Dominorum Justiciariorum Primariorum citra certas Clausulas & Verba in Canonibus contra Re­cusantes. They make their Report, Sess. 15. that Sir Edward Littleton advis'd, ut quaedam verba in isto Canone expungerentur, & alia ver­ba magis apta in loco eorum conscriberentur.

Eod. Anno Sess. 25. Reverendissimus in prae­sentijs Domini Johannis Lamb Militis, &c. qui ad informandum Reverendissimum & Episcopos vocati sunt, tractavit cum Domino Prolocutore citra Canones.

Anno 1661. Jan. ult. A Question arising, Whether the Bishops might be present in the House of Lords in Causes of Blood, Concorda­tum & ordinatum fuit, de & cum consensu to­tius Domûs [Superioris] ad censulend. Juris­peritos tam in Foro Seculari quàm in Curijs Civi­libus & Ecclesiasticis versatos, de & super dictâ Quaestione sive Argumento, erga proximam Con­vocationem.

Anno 1662. Apr. 12. Habito tractatu de Sub­scriptionibus Clericorum Instituendorum, &c. Dominus Episcopus London Praesidens, &c. curam [Page 143] commisit Reverendis Patribus, &c. ad consulend. Jurisperitos de concipiendâ Formâ in Scriptis in & circa Subscriptionem praedict.

Applicati­on of these testimonies I produce these Evidences, to justifie their Lordships from the Reflections cast upon them, for declining to joyn the Lower House in the Censure of Toland's Book. The History of which Case, with the Reasonableness of what they did therein, is set forth at large in the Hi­story of the Proceedings of the Upper House; and comes no otherwise under my Consideration, than as their Lordships appear from hence to have acted agreeably to the Practice of Convo­cation, in advising with Council, and upon that Advice determining themselves.

The neces­sity of ha­ving re­course to Council a­bout the Censure of Books. The Penalties of the Statute, 25 H. 8.c. 19. (upon the extent whereof, the Question depend­ed) are very great; and if incurr'd in Convoca­tion, would have affected the whole Body of the Clergy of this Province. And therefore my Lords the Bishops (the Governours of the Church) could not involve the Clergy, either of this or future times, in a difficulty of that nature, by omitting any methods of informing themselves whether the Act could be clearly war­ranted in Law. And who were so fit to be their Guides in that Point, as Council Learned in the Law? to whom Recourse has been ever had in all Doubts of the same nature; as it was particu­larly in the Convocation of 1689. and upon this very Question too, viz. the Power they had in Law to pass a Censure of this kind.

As their Lordships must be presum'd to have taken the Advice and Opinion of the Ablest Men in the Profession, and such withal whom they knew to be Persons of honour and integrity; so it becomes not me, or any other Person so [Page 144] little entitl'd to Accomplishments of that kind, to call in question either the Justness or the Conscience of that Opinion. The Narrative of the Lower House says, P. 53. that though some eminent Lawyers were against it, there were others per­haps as eminent, who are of a contrary Opinion. It may be so, but did my Lords the Bishops un­derstand so much? or suppose they had, such a Difference in Opinions is no uncommon thing; nor must we in many cases ever determin our selves, if we stay till all Men be unanimous. Their Lordships therefore having appli'd to those of the Profession, in whom they thought they could entirely confide, had reason to acquiesce in the Judgment they gave; especially, when they were so expresly warn'd that the Effects of their Acting against it were to reach the whole Body, and so themselves became thereby much more inexcusable for endangering that Body, af­ter a Caution given them by such competent Judges, and upon so much deliberation.

Their re­commend­ing the Case to the B. of the Diocese a­greeable to the Practice of Con­vocation. But the Statute being a Restraint upon the Convocation only, and not upon the Ecclesiastical Courts of every Bishop, confirm'd and establisht by Law; their Lordships, desirous to discourage the publication of such Books by all methods consistent with the Clergy's safety, recommend­ed that matter to the Bishop in whose Diocese the Offender resided, and who upon that ac­count had a right to Summon and prosecute him in a Legal way. A method, that we find taken in Cases of that kind, even while the Convoca­tion had an indisputable right not only to judge of Heretical Doctrines, but to convene, censure, and punish the Heretick.

Anno 1416. May 23. One John Barton, of the Diocese of Lincoln, was accus'd of hold­ing [Page 145] Heretical Opinions: And, May 26. the Re­gister says, Praefatus Dominus Johannes Barton, per Dominum Cantuariensem fuit deliberatus Re­verendo Patri Philippo Lincoln Episcopo, ut ip­se procederet contra eum Secundum Canonicas Sanctiones.

Again, at the conclusion of the same Convo­cation we find this Entry: Memorandum, quòd Ds. Robertus Chapell, &c. post dictam Convo­cationem finitam, etiam ex deliberatione & con­filio Praelatorum inibi existentium, fuit remissus ad Episcopum Roffensem, ad effectum quòd ipse procederet contra eum, prout de jure fuerit pro­cedend.

Anno 1428. July 16. The Rector of Heg­gely, of the Diocese of Lincoln, being examin­ed in Convocation, tandem Dominus mandavit ut idem Robertus traheret se ad partem, & ordina­vit ut Confrater suus Episcopus Lincoln, &c. pro­cederet contra eundem, ut Ordinarius suus in hac parte.

Anno 1430. Mar. 2. In the Case of one Tho­mas Bagley accus'd of Heresy, Dominus videns quòd ipse & Confratres sui nihil possent proficere in eo ad aedificationem Animae suae, mandavit Do­mino London, ut ipsum reciperet, & contra eum procederet, Secundum quod in hac parte dictave­runt Sanctiones. And, Mar. 5. Dominus assigna­vit eidem Thomae diem Veneris tunc prox. ad audiend. Sententiam ferend. contra eum, per Do­minum Willielmum London. Ordinarium suum, pro eo quòd in Diaecesi sua extitit Beneficiatus.

Anno 1463. July 16. An accusation being brought in against one of the Diocese of Win­chester, Dominus commisit eum Confratri suo Wil­lelmo Winton, Episcopo puniend.

[Page 146] And in the very Convocation of 1689 (the Right Reverend the Bishop of London Presiding, and the present Bishops of Rochester, Winchester, Exeter, and Worcester, being then Members of the Upper House) this method was markt out to them, as appears from the Declaration they then made, viz.

Anno 1689. Sess. 13. The Prolocutor and Lower Clergy being sent for to the Upper House, Reverendus Pater Praeses eis declaravit ad effec­tum Sequen. Scil. quòd conscij fuerunt diversas esse Clausulas perniciosas in Libris aliàs penes eos ex directione dictae Domûs relict. sed informati sunt per Juris-peritos utriusque Juris, proprias esse Curias Judiciales pro punitione delictorum hujusmodi.

I do not mention either this or the foregoing Instances, as agreeing in all respects with the present Case; but only to show the readiness of their Lordships (upon a reasonable Apprehen­sion of Danger to the Church and Clergy from the measures propos'd) to enter upon such other methods as the Laws of the Land would permit, and they were sure the Practice of Convocation would justifie.

THus far we have seen the Clergy in Convo­cation debating, preparing and returning Matters immediately recommended to their care by the President and Bishops, and consider'd in the manner and to the purposes directed by their Lordships.

Our next business is, to shew the Rights to which the Clergy are entitl'd by the constant Practice of Convocation, and the Regard that upon the same ground is due from my Lords the [Page 147] to their Application and Advice; with the In­terest they have in the final issue of all Synodi­cal Acts.

These I think, come under the four follow­ing heads, viz. their Right

  • I. To present their own and the Church's Grievances, to the President and Bishops.
  • II. To offer to their Lordships their Petitions of any other kind.
  • III. To be with them as a part of the Judi­cature, upon Persons conven'd and examin'd in Convocation.
  • IV. To dissent finally from any Matter, so as to hinder it's passing into a Synodical Act.

CAHP. XII.
The Gravamina and Reformanda, in Con­vocation.

The Gra­vamina of­ten consi­der'd and presented with the Subsidies. I. FRom the most early accounts of Proceed­ings in Convocation, it appears to have been usual for the Clergy to lay before the Pre­sident and Bishops the Grievances under which they labour'd, and with a duitful submission to the judgment of their Lordships to pray a Re­dress. These were stil'd the Gravamina or Ar­ticuli Cleri, and chiefly concern'd matters rela­ting to Jurisdiction and their Civil-Property, viz. The Encroachments of the Lay-Officers, the Exactions and other Irregularities of Eccle­siastical Courts, and such like, called frequent­ly upon that account Injuriae. Sometimes there­fore the Redress of them made an express Con­dition of the Subsidies they granted; and ac­cordingly, [Page 148] in some Instances, we find them pre­sented to the Court together with the Subsidy Bill, and the King's Answer afterwards report­ed by the President.

Anno 1369. Concesserunt Domino Regi deci­mam biennalem solvendam eidem Domino Regi in­sra biennium à tempore dictae Concessionis nume­randum.—Sub istis tamen Conditionibus ad­jectis & additis per dictum Clerum, viz. quòd dictus Dominus Rex Injurias & Violentias ac alia Gravamina Viris Ecclesiasticis in enervatio­nem libertatis Ecclesiasticae per Ministros Regios multipliciter attemptata, & per ipsum Clerum in Scriptis redigenda, & dicto Domino Archiepisco­po, & per cum Domino Regi porrigenda, corri­gat & reformet. Et tunc Dictus Dominus Ar­chiepiscopus voluit quòd Clerus & Religiosi prae­dicti Petitiones suas super dictis Injurijs, Violen­tijs & Gravaminibus in scriptis redigerent, & sibi porrigerent, &c. quòd super eis cum suis Confratribus poterit consulere & deliberare, & cas, habitá deliberatione hujusmodi, unà cum con­cessione decimae biennalis praedictae dicto Domino Regi intimare; & assignavit dictis Clero & Re­ligiosis diem Sabbatti prox. seq. ad comparendum coram eo in dictâ Capellâ horâ primâ, voluntatem Regiam super dictis Petitionibus, & etiam grates regias pro dictâ Concessione, quas reportabit, au­dituris. Et ad hoc faciendum continuavit dictam Convocationem ad diem Sabbati supradictum.

Anno 1373. Dec. 2. Upon the Clergy's Mo­tion to have their Grievances redress'd by the King, they were directed to consider of a Sub­sidy, & quòd interim Informarent Petitiones suas super Reformatione Injuriarum, ut eas concipe­rent in Scriptis, quòdque responsiones darent die prox. sequenti.

[Page 149] —Dec. 8. The Bishop of London Presi­ding, Coram eo Procuratores Cleri ibidem compa­rentes, Decimam, &c. concesserunt, ac dictam Concessionem in Scriptis dicto Domino London. E­piscopo porrexerunt, unà cum quibusdam Suppli­cationibus pro Reformatione quarundam Injuria­rum Ecclesiae Anglicanae illatarum in eadem Scrip­turâ content.

Anno 1376. Non. Febr. The Grievances were presented to the President and Bishops; and 12 Kal. Martij. we find the Archbishop making his Report to the King's Answer Praelatis & Clero,—& habita deliberatione per dictos Praelatos & Clerum super hujusmodi Responsione Dominus Continuavit, &c.

And again, 2. Kal. Martij (I suppose, upon some further Application made by the Clergy) the Archbishop acquaints them with the King's Readiness to comply with their Petitions, Eas salvo jure Coronae suae feliciter expedire.

Anno 1379. 4. Kal. Martij. Praelati & Cle­rus concesserunt Domino Regi, &c. rogando Do­minum Regem, quód Injurias & Gravamina illata Ecclesiae & Viris Ecclesiasticis faceret revo­cari.

Anno 1384. At the end of the Convocation, Clerus porrexit certos Articulos, petendo Reme­dium; & Concessit Medietatem, &c.

Anno 1421. The Archbishop's Official, in the name of the rest, produxit unam Cedulam Papiri, formam Concessionis unius integrae De­cimae continentem, &c. cum hoc quód per Domi­num Regem, auctoritate Parliamenti tunc apud Westm. praesentis, posset adhiberi remedium cor­tis Gravaminibus eis illatis.

In these and other Instances, the Clergy (who had a Right to Petition for Redress) were wil­ling [Page 150] those Petitions should accompany the Grant, because that made them sure of a favourable An­swer. But this was not constantly observ'd; The Grie­vances to whom ad­dress'd. nor were all the Grievances address'd to the King, but many of them ultimately to the Arch­bishop and Bishops, when the Matter thereof concern'd their Courts, and so the Redress was in their Lordships Power. We find also (Anno 1399. Oct. 11.) mention made of such Articles offer'd to the Pope, in a Case (we may imagin) that was not otherwise to be reform'd. Deca­nus Ecclesiae Hereford. Articulos de mandato Domini Archiepiscopi palam & apertè perlegebat.—Et quia in dictis Articulis continebantur certa Gravamina per Sedem Apostolicam refor­manda, visum fuit satis honestum & expediens Domino Archiepiscopo, &c. that the Pope's Col­lector should be sent for, and advis'd with: Whose Council was, That the King, the Arch­bishop and Bishops should write to the Pope pro Reformatione eorundem.

In like manner we meet with Applications of the same kind, as to the King singly, so to the King in Council, to the King in Parliament; as Redress was most probably and regularly to be had, either in the one or the other.

The Points of this kind, consider'd and de­bated in Convocation, were either General, when the Matters to be reform'd had Relation to the Common Good of the Church; and, equally af­fecting the Bishops and Clergy, were settl'd in a Synodical way, and address'd and presented in the Names of both; which the Registers call Reformanda in Convocatione, Reformanda in Par­liamento, &c. Or else Particular, when the Bi­shops or Clergy had Grievances to offer that af­fected only their own Order respectively; and in [Page 151] such cases, tho' the Clergy presented theirs to the Upper-House for their Approbation and the Conveyance of them to the King or Parliament, yet the Form ran in their own Name only; which were properly what we call the Grava­mina and Articuli Cleri.

The Upper house have a Right to direct at what time the Grie­vances shall be pro­pos'd. These, the Clergy in Convocation have an un­doubted Right to present; but, as they are to be laid immediately before the Upper-House, so the Arch-bishop and Bishops have a Right to direct (as oft as they see cause) at what Time they shall be propos'd, and offer'd in Form.

Anno 1356. 16. Kal. Jun. Archiepiscopus injunxit Religiosis & alijs de Clero, quòd die tunc crastinâ proponerent Petitiones suas.

Anno 1369. 10. Kal. Feb. Archiepiscopus vo­luit, quòd Clerus & Religiosi Petitiones suas su­per Injurijs, Violentijs, & Gravaminibus, in Scriptis redigerent, & sibi porrigerent die Ve­neris.

Anno 1373. The Clergy directed, Quòd in­terim informarent Petitiones suas super Refor­matione Injuriarum, ut eas conciperent in Scrip­tis, quódque Responsiones darent die prox. Se­quent.

Anno 1377. 2. Id. Nov. The President prae­munivit quòd unus Clericus de quolibet Episcopa­tu dictae Provinciae Cant. veniret ad Ecclesiam S. Pauli London, & ibidem inter se post prandi­um, &c. deliberarent super Petitionibus forman­dis de singulis Gravaminibus communiter Cle­rum cujuslibet Episcopatù; tangentibus.

Anno 1399. Oct. 6. Quia videbatur Domino Archiepiscopo & alijs Episcopis sue Cant. Pro­vinciae satis difficile omnes Praelatos & Procura­tores Cleri in communi congregare ad concipiend. [Page 152] Articulos ex parte Cleri proponendos, propter hoc deputavit 5. Personas, viz. Mag. Thomam Stowe, &c. ad concipiend. Articulos ex parte Praelatorum & Cleri, super quibus praetendunt Ecclesiam & se gravatos.

Anno 1411. Dec. 2. Archiepiscopus manda­vit Procuratoribus Cleri, quatenùs si aliqua es­sent Gravamina ex parte eorum Reformatione indigentia, quòd vellent & deberent citra diem Veneris extunc proximò futur. coram Convocati­one Dominorum in Domo Capitulari seriosiùs in­timare.

The Grie­vances first offer'd in a general Re­presentati­on, vivà voce. At other times, when the Clergy had receiv'd no previous Direction to bring their Grievances in Writing, we find them first making a general Representation thereof, Vivâ voce, to the Arch­bishop and Bishops, and upon that, either lea­ving them to their Lordships Consideration, or receiving Directions, what was further neces­sary to be done.

Anno 1356. On the first Day of Business, they are directed only in general quòd die tunc crastinâ proponerent Petitiones suas: And the next Session 'tis thus express'd, Propositis quibus­dam Petitionibus per Clerum tam vivâ voce quàm in Scriptis.

Anno 1373. Dec. 2. The Clergy, upon a ge­neral Motion for the Redress of Grievances by the King, are commanded Informare Petitiones suas super Reformatione Injuriarum bujusmodi.

Anno 1411. Nov. 4. The Clergy (according to the Order of Dec. 2. just now cited, that they should Gravamina, &c. S [...]ri [...]siùs intimare) did it on Dec. 4. in the following manner, Compa­ruerunt Procuratores Cleri, qui plura referebant Gravamina; allegantes, quòd de t [...]t & tantis se s [...]ntijt Clerus malis praegravatum, quòd nisi in [Page 153] Scriptis contineantur, non possent de facili recen­seri. The Proctors retire, and the Arch-bishop and Bishops debate about the same Matter.—Procuratores, &c. reintrarunt circa horam unde­cimam; quibus per Dominum Archiepiscopum ad tunc mandabatur quòd citra proximum diem Con­vocationis exhibeant & declarent Articulatim Gravamina sua in Scriptis redacta.—Ac­cordingly, Dec. 7. two of the Members nonnul­las Inconvenientias & Gravamina pro & ex parte Cleri, cujus gerebant Organa vocis, exposuerunt, quae in Scriptis redacta exhibuerunt.

Anno 1452. The Prolocutor having given the Upper-house an Account of what was done about the Subsidy, is askt, An quicquam vo­luisset pro parte Cleri in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ Re­formatione dignum proponere. And he, continuò & quasi ex insperato quamplurima, &c. proposuit. Et quia non erat facilè singula per ipsum ibidem exposita memoriae, quae admodùm labilis est, com­mendare, idcircò admonuit eundem Prolocutorem dictus Reverendissimus Pater, ut singula per eum in hac parte proposita redigeret in literas, & Con­cilio traderet, pleniùs & maturiùs super eisdem deliberaturo.

Anno 1452. Feb. 7. Praelocutor, post explica­tionem & declarationem nonnullorum Gravami­num Ecclesiae Anglicanae & Clero ejusdem à Lai­cis illatorum, super quibus petijt Reformationem debitam, intimavit, &c.

Anno 1460. May 13. Propositis ibidem coram dicto Reverendissimo Patre & alijs in dictâ Domo Capitulari protunc ibidem existentibus quibusdam Articulis per Prolocutorem vivâ voce, dictus Re­verendissimus Pater decrevit hujusmodi Articulos sic vivâ voce declarat'. in Scriptis redigi.

[Page 154] Anno 1460. May 24. Reverendissimus, &c. auditis per eum pluribus Articulis coram ipso ad­tunc vivâ voce ministratis, continuavit, &c.

Anno 1541. Sess. 8. Accessit Prolocutor cum quibusdam de Electis à Clero, & exposuerunt querelas suas.

Thus, the usual Methods of entring upon the Grievances of the Clergy, were either upon an express Command from the Arch-bishop and Bishops, or by a general Representation thereof to their Lordships; who being in that manner sollicited to redress them, (either by their own ordinary Power, or by Intercession with the King, or Application to the Parliament) were the best Judges of the Methods most proper to be taken for that End, and gave their Directions accord­ingly.

The Re­dress of Grievan­ces. The Grievances being reduc'd into Articles, and read in the Upper-house by the Prolocutor, were presented to the Arch-bishop and Bishops, to be by them particularly consider'd and deba­ted; in order to their further Prosecution of such Measures as should appear most effectual to the Relief of their Clergy. After mature Deliberation upon them, with the Clergy, or a­mong themselves, as seem'd most convenient; the Articles were either suspended for some time, (as those in 1411. Dec. 7. Omnes isti supra­scripti Articuli, quorum Reformatio deliberatio­nis & dierum exegit Inducias, de consilio & as­sensu expressis Dominorum in Convocatione prae­sentium posit [...] fuerunt adhuc in suspenso) or, be­ing thought in all Respects just and reasonable, they were approv'd, and Measures taken by the President and Bishops in Convocation, or by their Ordinary Authority; if the Matters were such as [Page 155] came under their own Power in either of these Capacities. Otherwise, they convey'd them to the King, in Person, in his Council, or in his Parliament, according to the Nature of the Re­quests they offer'd.

The Refor­manda fre­quently propos'd by the Arch bishop a­mong the Causes of Convocati­on. II. The Reformanda (whether in Convocatione, in Parliamento, or per Regem) were upon Mat­ters that concern'd the Good of the Church and Religion in general, and being therefore equally the Care and Concern as well of Bishops as Clergy, were frequently mov'd and propos'd by the Arch-bishop, at the Opening of the Convo­cation, among the Causes of his Summons.

Anno 1400. Jan. 29. The Arch-bishop ex­plains Causas & negotia Celebrationis sui Concilij Provincialis Convocationis Cleri vulgariter nun­cupat. viz. pro defectibus ejusdem Provinciae tam in Clero quàm in Populo juxta Juris Exigentiam Canonicè Reformandis; and then he descends to the Particulars.

Anno 1404. May 17. (The first Day of Bu­siness) the Arch-bishop continuing the Convoca­tion to May 21. demandavit alijs Praelatis & Cle­ro tunc ibidem praesentibus, quòd singulis diebus interim ad dictum locum [Domum Capitularem] convenirent, & laborarent circa Reformanda in Cantuariensi Provinciâ, & exinde Articulos con­ciperent in Scriptis redigendos, ut cum Dei ad­jutorio adhibita corum Benevolentia in hac parte, quaeque Reformanda hujusmodi possent refor­mari.

Anno 1416. Nov. 16.—Expositâ per Reverendissimum Patrem Causa Convocationis eo­rum protunc factae & celebratae, communicató que inter eosdem, [viz. the Bishops and Clergy then present] aliquamdiu de & super varijs Refor­mandis [Page 156] in Provincia, tandem Dominus Continua­vit, &c.

Anno 1419. Among the Causes of calling the Convocation, particularly explain'd by the Arch­bishop, the third is, Pro defectibus in Clero reg­nantibus, auctoritate illius Provincialis Concilij reformandis: And then he directs the Lower-Clergy to retire to their House, & quòd ibidem de & super materijs praedictis tractarent & com­municarent, ad finem quòd babitd deliberatione de & super praemissis, ad Dei laudem auctoritate Concilij finaliter concludi posset & concorditer ordinari.

Anno 1434. The Arch-bishop reckons up se­veral Grievances of the Church; Et tunc babi­ta Communicatione super bujusmodi Gravamini­bus, ordinatum erat tunc ibidem ut hujusmodi Gravamina ac alia quaecunque in quibus dictus Clerus se sentijt gravari, nec non si quae forent Crimina & Excessus infra Clerum usitat. quae ne­cessariâ Reformatione indigerent, in Scriptis re­digerentur; ut super his omnibus ex communi consilio, consensu, & auxilio, Remendium posset de­bitum adhiberi.

Anno 1439. The Arch-bishop declares the Causes of the Convocation, viz. qualiter Juris­dictio Ecclesiastica per Brevia Regia, & praecipuè per Brevia illa de Praemunire facias plus solito extitit perturbata, impedita, atque enormiter lae­sa.—Qualiter Personae Ecclesiasticae, tam Seculares quàm Regulares, per falsa Indictamen­ta & alias vias Exquisitas plus solito vexatae & grava [...]ae sunt his diebus.—And the next Sesson, Dominus mandavit Praelatis & Clero, quartenùs super praemissis & alijs materijs quibus­cunque Reformatione recessaria indigentibus, viz. Qualiter illud Breve de Praemunire facias, & ip­sa falsa [Page 157] Indictamenta quae hodiernis diebus falsò, nequiter, & malitiosè usitantur & continuantur, in aliquo mitigari aut pro perpetuo deleri & fi­naliter extingui valeant—& Billas & alia Advisamenta in hac parte necessaria ad praemissa Reformanda conciperent.

Anno 1444. After the mention of the fore­said Writ among the Causes of Convocation, the Arch-bishop adds, Qualiter in Ecclesiâ Anglica­na fuerant plurima Reformatione digna, de quibus voluit & asseruit cum Confratribus suis pleniùs deliberare.—And in the next Con­vocation (when these things made a part of the Speech at the first Opening) we afterwards find the Reformanda in Convocatione, and Reforman­da in Parliamento, at large.

The Me­thods of bringing in the Re­formanda. In Compliance with such general Directions from his Grace, or (tho' these were not express­ly given) in pursuance of one great End of these Synodical Meetings of the Bishops and their Presbyters; we find the Lower-Clergy, 1. Ma­king general Representations to the President and Bishops, vivâ voce, of such things as they conceiv'd to want Reformation. 2. Bringing in Schedules of particular Abuses, that in their O­pinion were injurious to the Honour and Interest of the Church.

The Cler­gy's Right to propose Reforma­tions. I. The Clergy in Convocation have a Right to offer general Representations of such things as they conceive to want Reformation.

Anno 1412. At the Conclusion of that Con­vocation, Domino London. Praesidente, & tra­dante cum Praelatis & Clero Provinciae super quibusdam ordinand. ad honorem Dei & Ecclesiae, tandem certa proposita fuerunt pro parte Cleri super quibus ordinationes fieri jubebantur, & quae Clerus in Scriptis redegit.

[Page 158] Anno 1463. Jul. 6. Dominus, assidentibus si­bi Episcopis, post communicationem inter eos diu habitam, factáque Supplicatione eisdem vivae vo­cis oraculo per Praelocutorem pro certis Re­formationibus in Ecclesiá habendis, continua­vit, &c.

Anno 1486. Feb. 17. Dominus communicavit cum Confratribus suis, Praelatisque & Clero, de pluribus Reformandis in Ecclesiâ. Et ibidem in­ter eosdem responsum erat, quòd Privilegia Pri­ori Sancti Johannis Jerusalem in Angliâ & Fra­tribus suis concessa, malè & enormiter his diebus utebantur: Et quòd Praedicantes verbum Dei a­pud Crucem S. Pauli London. maximè clamant contra Ecclesiam & Ecclesiasticos in eorum absen­tiâ & in praesentiâ Laicorum, qui semper Cleri­cis sunt infesti.

Anno 1529. Sess. 4. Ingressus est Prolocutor cum quibusdam de Clero, qui exposuit certa Ca­pitula in vulgari concernen. utilitatem praedictae Synodi pro Reformatione Abusionum. Et ibi Reverendus monuit Prolocutorem ut rediret in Domum Inferiorem, & conciperet Articulos de Abusionibus. Accordingly,

—Sess. 6. Ingressus est Prolocutor cum Clero, & ibi exhibuerunt Articulos suos pro Re­formatione; & Examinatio delata in prox. Sessi­onem: And, Sess. 7. Prolocutor exhibuit suos Ar­ticulos, deliberandos in proximâ Sessione.

The Bishops, &c. in the mean time, were al­so preparing their Articles of Reformation; for so the Register has it,

—Sess. 5. Reverendissimus voluit ut Suf­fraganei sui & alijt Praelati conciperent Refor­mationem, & exhiberent tales Articulos die Lu­nae prox.—On which Day,

[Page 159] Sess. 6. Episcopus Heref. exhibuit quosdam Ar­ticulos pro Reformatione Clericorum, & Episco­pi Exon. Coven. & Lichf. Lincoln. Bathon. & Wellen. exehibuerunt Billas pro Reformatione Abusionum Ecclesiarum Appropriatarum Mona­steriis, &c. de quibus deliberatio delata in prox. Sessionem.

Anno 1562. Jan. 19. The Prolocutor, with certain of the Lower House, comes up to ac­quaint the President and Bishops, Quòd quidam de dictâ domo exhibuerunt quasdam diversas Sche­das de Rebus Reformandis per eos respective ex­cogitat' & in Scriptis redact. Quae quidem Sche­dae de communi consensu traditae sunt quibusdam viris gravioribus & doctioribus de Coetu dictae Do­mûs Inferioris ad hoc electis perspiciend. & consi­derand. Quibus sic electis (ut asseruit) assigna­tum est, ut hujusmodi Schedas in Capitula redi­gant, ac in proxima Sessione exhibeant coram eo­dem Prolocutore—Et tunc Reverendissimus hujusmodi negotia per dictum Prolocutorem & Cle­rum incaepta approbavit, ac in eisdem erga prox. Sessionem juxta corum determinationem procedere voluit & mandavit.

The Cler­gy's Right to bring in Schedules of Refor­mation. II. We find the Clergy (i. e. every particular Clergyman) required to bring in their Schedule of Abuses for the information of the Synod, and the enabling the Bishops and Clergy to pro­ceed jointly to a Reformation.

Anno 1586. Sess. 2. Lower House Book. Post aliquem tractatum inter Reverendos Patres & Dominum Prolocutorem, cum alijs ex Inferiori Coetu, de rebus quibusdam necessarijs, dictus Do­minus Prolocutor cum Coetu suo praedicto in dic­tam Inferiorem Domum revertebatur: And after the House was settl'd in the accustom'd manner, Habita est per Dominum Prolocutorem Admonitio [Page 160] omnibus ex hoc Coetu, &c. ut si qui sint qui ali­quas Schedulas proferre vellent de rebus in hu­jusmodi Convocatione Reformandis, easdem sibi traderent in proximâ Sessione.

Anno 1586. Sess. 7. (In the Extracts out of the Upper House Journal) Archbishop gives In­timation at a Conference with the Lower House, to Present if any had ‘'Ordain'd or Instituted any unworthy Persons, or of any breach of the Ca­nons, that it may be Reformed.’

1586. Dec. 2. Extracts out of the Upper House Journal— ‘'Brought up by the Low­er House 2 Schedules: 1. A complaint of Dis­orders in Norwich Diocese. 2. Another Sche­dule, intitul'd Suffolk-Archdeaconry.

Anno 1586. Sess. 11. Lower House Book: Precibus finitis [Prolocutor] adiit Reverendis­simum Patrem & caeteros Praelatos; & paulò pòst revertens, intimavit omnibus praesentibus consul­tum esse per eosdem Reverendissimum Patrem & Praelatos de Reformatione fiendâ quoad Schedu­las eidem Reverendissimo ac Domino Prolocutori exhibitas. Et quòd conventum est inter dictos Reverendissimum & Praelatos de Exercitiis fiend. per Ministros infra Prov. Cant. Et quòd ijdem Reverendi Patres, cum redierint in Dioeceses su­as, ordinem corundem significabunt omnibus qui­bus interest in hac parte.

Anno 1588. Sess. 2. Lower House Book: Dominus Prolocutor universo Coetui significavit, Voluntatem Reverendissimi caeterorumque Praelato­rum esse, quòd si aliquis hujus Domûs noverit quen­quam Ministrum de quo justè conqueri possit, quòd contra Leges Ecclesiasticas nunc temporis auctori. tate legitimâ receptas & approbatas se gessit & gé­rit; aut si aliquis noverit quenquam qui Canenes in ultimâ Convocatione approbatos & ed [...] [...]io­laverit, [Page 161] eosdem in Scriptis denunciarent Reveren­dissimo Domino Cant. Archiepiscopo, caeterisque Dominis Praelatis praedict. pro debitâ Correctione & Reformatione in eâ parte faciend. Accord­ingly,

The next Session, we find this Intimation of such a Schedule brought in: Isto die porrecta fuit Domino Prolocutori Schedula Reformand. per M. Coton.

Inferences from the foregoing Accounts. From the foregoing Passages, I infer this plain account of the Reformanda in Convocation. While the Archbishop and Bishops are suppos'd to be consulting in the Upper House whether a­ny Regulations in the Church or in their parti­cular Diocese, be necessary at that time; The Clergy in the Lower House (who are suppos'd to be Eye-witnesses of many things that don't ordinarily reach the notice of their Diocesan) have a right, either jointly or separately, to lay before their Lordships an account of any dis­orderly Persons or Practices they know: And this, either vivâ voce, by the Prolocutor, or in Schedules put into the Prolocutor's hands, in or­der to be severally laid before the Archbishop and Bishops, and to be compar'd and jointly consider'd with those of the same kind exhibit­ed by their Lordships. These Reformanda, in many cases, could require no more than the strict Exercise of the Ordinary Jurisdiction in in every Diocese, and were therefore answer'd by a solemn Recommendation of them to the care of the Bishops respectively. But if the Abuses call'd for a new Law, and the Reformation of them requir'd the assistance of the Prince or the Parliament, these Schedules were reduc'd into Articles, and upon them (as containing the ge­neral sense and request of the Synod) such Sol­licitations [Page 162] were set a foot, as were judg'd neces­sary to bring about the Reformation desir'd.

The Care of the Re­formanda in Parlia­mento usu­ally left to the Arch­bishop, &c. The Applications upon the Reformanda in Parliamento were usually left to the care of the Archbishop, Bishops, and the Parliamentary Prelates; one instance whereof I will set down at large, because it is more distinct and particu­lar than the rest, and will give the Reader a clear apprehension of this matter.

Anno 1452. Mar. 3. Quia caetera Negotia quae in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ Reformatione indigebant, Majestatem Regiam & Jura regni concernebant, & sic definitioni & Sententiae dicti Concilii nequa­quam interim subjacebant; supplicatum fuerat ex parte Cleri, quatenus dictus Reverendssimus in Christo Pater, necnon dicti Reverendi in Christo Patres, caeterique Praelati ad tunc ibidem existen­tes in Parliamento, quod tunc in prox. diebus apud Radyng inchoand. fuerat, apud Regiam Celsiudinem, necnon Optimates, Proceres & Com­munitatem praedict. regni in codem Parliamento in unum congregando; pro Reformatione hujusmo­di ritè faciend. efficaciter instarent. Cujus Sup­plicationi annuit idem Reverendissimus in Christo Pater, Reverendique in Christo Batres, promit­tentes sc curaturos & acturos apud Regiam Celsi­tudinem, necnon Optimates, Proceres, Communi­tatemque praedict. quoad in cis foret, pro felici cita & celeri Reformatione eorundem, sicut & in Parliamento praedict. pro viribus suis pro eadem Reformatione instarunt.

Deputies appointed by Convo­cation to assist the Bishops in Soliciting. On some other occasions, we find a certain number of the Clergy, deputed by Convocation, to assist the President and Bishops in soliciting their business.

Anno 1444. Octo. 22. The Clergy are di­rected, quatenùs pro corrigend. & reformand. [Page 163] &c. inter se deliberarent—Oct. 26. Clerus Domûs Inferioris desiderabat ab Episcopis & aliis Praelatis sentire suum super Cedulâ de Refor­mand. in ipsâ Convocatione per Clerum concept. & ad tunc Dominus Bathon [Commissarius] de Consensù Confratrum suorum Religiosorum & cae­terorum Procuratorum Cleri, manu suâ proprlâ subscripsit singulos Articulos in eadem Cedulâ contentos.—Et quantum ad Reformanda per Parliamentum, nominati in dicta Cedulâ fuerunt Deputati ad solicitand. dictam Materiam.

Anno 1452. Mar. 15. Assignatis insuper quibusdam de Clero, viz. Magistris, &c. ad sollici­tandum, instruendum, & pleniùs informandum Reverendissimum in Christo Patrem, Reveren­dos in Christo Patres, caeterosque Praelatos, in & desuper dictis Materiis & negotiis in Parlia­mento in proximis diebus inchoand. corrigend. & Reformand.

Anno 1460. The last day of Convocation, Pluribus Articulis lectis & recitatis, ad Suppli­cationem totius Cleri, Reverendissimus Pater alii­que Reverendi Patres se penes Regiam Majesta­tem pro Reformatione eorundem promiserunt suos impendere labores. Deinde, certi Viri ex clero electi fuerunt, qui dictûm Reverendissimum Pa­trem & alios Reverendos Patres ad praemissa fa­cienda solicitarent.

Thus much is sufficient, to show what part the Clergy in Convocation have always born, and may therefore justly claim, in Grievances and Reformation; distinguisht in Convocation­language from all other Business, by the known Names of Articuli or Gravamina Cleri and Re­formanda. Their Petitions and Applications of other kinds, come next under Consideration.

CHAP. XIII.
The Clergy's Petitions of other kinds.

THE Clergy in Convocation have a Right not only to the Redress of their own par­ticular Grievances, or to interpose of the Refor­mation for any disorders they may observe in the Church; but also to offer to the Archbishop and Bishops all such Measures as may in their Opi­nion tend to the honour and interest of Religi­on. This is regularly done by way of Petition; of which the Registers afford us a Variety, upon several matters and occasions: And my de­sign in the following Enumeration is not (on the one hand) to lay any confinement either upon the matter or occasions of the Clergy's Petitions, nor yet (on the other) to extend them beyond the present Laws of the Realm; but only (in pursuance of my method all along) to give the clearest Insight that the Registers afford, into the Practice of former times: And when that is done, every Man is left to his own applicati­on.

PetitionsThe Petitions I have observ'd, are,

1. For ma­king new Canons. I. For the making of new Canons or Ordina­tions; of which sort we meet with none in the more early times, because then the Clergy had no concern in them: But in the Year 1529. Sess. 7. it is said that the Prolocutor (applying himself to the Upper House) voluit ut Ordinatio fieret de Appropriationibus Ecclesiarum, & de Pensio­nibus Vicariis persolvendis.—Anno 1541. Sess. 20. Clerus exposuit iv. Petitiones, primò de [Page 165] legibus Ecclesiasticis condendis—3o de uni­endis per jus Beneficiis. 4o. De Decimis solven­dis.

2. For the revival of old Canons 2. For the revival of such ancient Canons and Constitutions, as were in force, but seem'd to be disus'd and forgotten: So, Anno 1412. Sess. 2. we meet with an Address at large from the Cler­gy to the Bishops, praying their Lordships to en force the Observation of certain Constitutions.—Anno 1419. The last day of the Con­vocation, Dominus, ad petitionem Cleri, quan­dam Constitutionem Provincialem per Rob. Wyn­chelse Praedecessorem suum editam, qua sic incipit, Capellani Stipendiarij, &c. cum omnibus suis Ca­pitulis, verbis, clausulis & dictionibus in eadem, ad totam Provinciam suam Cantuariensem exten­di & omnes artari debere, ex consensu Fratrum suorum & autoritate totius Concilij, declaravit & pronunciavit.

3. For the Abolition or Suspension of Laws. 3. For the Abolition or Suspension of Laws or Customs that appear'd to be burthensome or in­convenient.

—Anno 1428. The last day of Convoca­tion: Dominus ex assensu Confratrum suorum, & ad Petitionem Cleri, poenam in Constitutione propter excessiva Stipendia Capellanorum, tam contra dantes quam recipientes latam, pro parte dantium suspendit usque ad proximam Convoca­tionem, & ipsos hujusmodi poenâ minimè involu­tos fore decrevit:—Anno 1529. Sess. 91. Prolocutor intrans, &c. perijt quòd praesentati ad Ecclesiastica Beneficia non arctentar per Diecesanos scripto aliquo obligatorio aut poenâ temporali obliga­ri ad Resi ientiam.—Anno 1541. Sess. 20. Clerus exposuit Pe [...]ionem de Conjugies sactis in Bethlem abolendis—Anno 1555. Sess. 3. The Clergy grant a Subsidy; & illie expoluit Clerus tres [Page 166] Petitiones; primùm, quòd omnes Beneficati qui spe Remissionis primorum fructuum ex communi rumore Sacerdotia assecuti sunt, non obligentur rependere duplos, &c. 2do, ut possint Diplomata Apostolica pro Sacerdotiis retinend. assequi: po­stremò, quòd Statutum tollatur pro Decimis sol­vendis, &c. & quòd Decimarum Causae emergen­tes coram Ordinatio examinentur & decidantur.

4. About Festivals. 4. For the appointment of new Festivals, or improving the Services of the old.— Anno 1434. Oct. 9. Dominus (ex consensu Confratrum suorum, & ad Petitionem Cleri) ordain'd that St. Frideswide's Day, cum novem lectionibus & aliis quae ad hujusmodi Festum cum Regimine Chori secundum usum Sarum pertinent, per totam Provinciam suam perpetuò celebraretur.—Anno 1444. Oct. 24. Magister Willelmus Byconil Offic. Curiae Cant. totius Cleri Praelocutor, Supplicabat Domino ex parte Cleri, ut dies Tran­slationis S. Edwardi, &c. sub duplici Festo per suam Provinciam solempnizari posset, de Confra­trum suorum consensu, concedere dignaretur.

5. For the Archbi­shops in­tercession with the King. 5. For the Archbishop's Intercession with the King, to restrain the Lay Officers from oppres­sing the Church; or to pray their assistance in the Enforcement of Ecclesiastical Laws—An­no 1394. Supplicatio Cleri, directed to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York, Chancellour of England, that, for the Suppression of Lollardy, they will intercede with the King, ut dignetur extendere cum effectu bra­chium suae Majestatis.—Anno 1463. Jul. 18. Petitum fuit per Magistrum Johannem Stocks Prolocutorem, à Domino, ut ipse Regiae Majestati scriberet pro liberatione certarum Personarum Ecclesiasticarum in Custodià laicali incarcerata­rum & custoditarum; ut secundum Cartam alias [Page 167] per Regem viris Ecclesiasticis concessam, suis Or­dinariis possint liberari.—Anno 1480. Apr. 3. A Petition presented by the Prolocutor to the Archbishop and Bishops, praying them, in the name of the Clergy, to intercede with the King for Protection to the Church, against the en­croachments of Lay-Officers, molesting and im­prisoning the Clergy.

6. For the Execution of Disci­pline. 6. For more strict Execution of Ecclesiastical Discipline: As, Anno 1586. March 15. (Ex­tracts out of the Upper House Book) ‘'The Lower House beseech the Bishops to be careful of Ordinations, to restrain their Officers from Excessive Fees; and that they will force every Instituted Person within a certain time to take Induction, or else sequester the Profits?’

7. Petiti­ons of se­veral kinds. 7. In the Year 1555. I find at the end of the Journal, an Abstract of the Petitions offer'd by the Inferiour Clergy to the Upper House.

‘"Item, Supplication of the Lower House to the Bishops, concerning Spiritual Lands in Temporal Mens hands.—Item, for Schools and Hospitals promised in the Statute of Sup­pression of Colleges.—Item, for Mortmayn, Tythes, Appropriations; of Preachers, of Books, of Statutes and Jurisdiction, against Hereticks, of Pluralities, of Seminaries, of Liberties of the Church in Magna Charta, of Praemunire, of the Statute of Submission of the Clergy, of finding great Horses, of Usurers, of Violence against any of the Clergy, of Clarks Apparel, of Priests Married; of School-Masters, of ex­empt Jurisdiction and Peculiar Places in Lay-Mens hands, of the Cognition of Causes of Tythes before the Mayor of London; that Places exempted, may be allotted to certain Priests,—of Chancels decay'd, of Priests Marri [...] [Page 168] to be reconciled, of Payment for Tythes, of Religious Women Married to be Divorc'd; that in Divorces innocent Women may enjoy the Lands and Goods which were theirs before the Marriage.’

‘"That Wardens of Churches may make their Accompts; that Ecclesiastical Persons which spoiled Churches, and plucked down certain Edifices, may be compelled to restitution, and to Build them again.’

Petitions of the Clergy pre­sented im­mediately to the Ʋp­per House. All Petitions of this nature were delivered to the Archbishop and Bishops, and rested with them; as those others to the King or Parliament, were put into the hands of the Archbishop, sin­gly or jointly with his Suffragans; that after Approbation, they might by their Lordships be convey'd and solicited according to the Intent and Tenor thereof. Nor do I remember to have met with any Petition in the Registers, delivered separately, or immediately by the Clergy them­selves, except that one in 1588. Sess. 10. to the House of Lords. The Commons had sent up a Bill for a provision of Arms, &c. by the Clergy; it was therefore the single and immediate concern of the Lower House to prevent it; in order to which, they Address'd the Lords in Parliament, as in a matter of Property; and among the rest, the Petition was directed to the Archbishop and Bishops. Upon which Accounts, it cannot be ex­tended to other Cases of an Ecclesiastical Na­ture, in all which the Bishops and their Clergy must be jointly concern'd.

The time of present­ing such Petitions. The time of the Clergy's presenting their Pe­tions to the Upper House, whether Vivâ voce or in Scriptis, was usually upon Delivery of their Grant, and at the end of Convocation. Not [Page 169] any but they had the same Right to offer them any other time, tho' no Supplies were given; but that being the most desirable opportunity of conveying their Grievances to the King, became thereupon the ordinary time of bringing in their Petitions of all other kinds.

CHAP. XIV.
The Part which the Clergy have had in Ju­dicial Cases.

THE ordinary way of Trying and Convicting Hereticks and Offenders against the Ca­nons, was in the Ecclesiastical Courts of every Diocese; where they proceeded according to the stated Rules of such Courts, and the severe Ca­nons and Statutes then in force. But if the Bishop, upon Examination, did not see cause to deliver over the Party accus'd to the Secular Power, either the Degree or Evidence of the Crime falling short; the Suspicion was howe­ver reckon'd a sufficient Cause of Imprisonment: That if he had not abjur'd in Form, he might by that means be compell'd to it; or if he had, that he might not be trusted abroad till he had given sufficient Proofs of the Sincerity of his Recantation. In Cases of this kind, the Person was frequently brought before the next Convo­cation; especially such as had relaps'd after an Abjuration of their Errors, according to the Language and corrupt Opinions of those Times. The whole Process in the Interior Courts, was return'd into the Arch-bishop's, to be deposited there against the next Convocation; and when [Page 170] that came, the Person was produc'd, and a Re­lation of the former Prosecutions publickly gi­ven, either by the Arch-bishop or the Dio­cesan.

Constituti­on for bringing Hereticks before the Convocati­on. This was the ordinary Practice, long before that Establishment of it by a Constitution under Arch-bishop Chichle, Anno 1416. part of which I will here transcribe, because it shews the man­ner and end of bringing Persons (examin'd al­ready in the Bishops Courts) before the whole Body of the Clergy in Convocation. After a general Direction to the several Bishops, Arch­deacons, &c. to be diligent in the Discovery and Prosecution of Hereticks: Et si quas personas convictas forsan Curiae Seculari non reliquant, ipsos ad carceres perpetuos sive temporales, prout rei qualitas exegerit, ad minus usque ad prox. Praelatorum & Cleri Cantuariensis Provinciae Convocationem duratur. realiter committant, & in eisdem secundum Juris exigentiam servari fa­ciant, ac de omnibus & singulis supradictis, quo­modo, viz. inquisierunt, reperierunt, ac in Pro­cessibus se habuerunt personas hujusmodi convi­ctas, diligentiaque aut negligentijs Archidiaco­norum siue Commissariorum praedictorum, alijsque omnibus & singulis circumstantijs praemissis quo­modolibet concernen. ac praesertim de Abjuratio­nibus, si quos interim haerses abjurare contingat, in prox. Praelatorum & Cleri Convocatione sub forma publica distincte & aperte Nos & Succes­sores nostros certificare curent, & eosdem Pro­cessus Officiali Curiae nostrae Cant. effectualiter li­berent, penes eundem seu in Registrario Curiae nostrae Cant. remansur. sic videlicet quòd quemli­bet cujus interest pro executione ulteriori corun­dem Processuum, ad eundem Officialem recur. ha­bere poterit cum effectu.

[Page 171] Such was the Method of those Times; Hereticks brought be­fore the Arch-bish­op, Bishops and Clergy. but that which I am chiefly to consider, is, the Ju­dicature in Convocation; and this was usually the Arch-bishop, Bishops and Clergy in a Body; before whom the Party accus'd is generally said to be brought: Coram Reverendissimo, Confra­tribus suis, & Clero, in Concilio congregatis, ad­ductus fuit, or words to the same effect, is the ordinary Language of the Registers in those Cases: Sentence in all their Names. And the Sentence, running in the name of the Arch-bishop, is pass'd, auctoritate, de consilio & assensu, &c. Praelatorum & Cleri: The Instances of both kinds are too numerous to be particularly set down; nor can they be over-lookt by any one, who shall cast an Eye upon the Convocation-Acts of those times when such Prosecutions hapned.

'Tis true, they are sometimes said to be pro­duc'd Coram Domino & Confratribus, without mention of the Clergy, or only praesente Clero, and in praesentiâ Cleri; in which Cases the Arch-bishop and Bishops might probably act as a pure Provincial Council; for into such we know they sometimes resolv'd themselves, upon the Opportunity of coming together in Con­vocation. But in the ordinary Stile of the Registers, the Appearance is made before them, and the Sentence ordinarily pronounc'd by their Authority, in Conjunction with that of the Bi­shops; and therefore in those Days, and upon those Occasions, they were ordinarily at least, a part of the Judicature in Convocation. As to any Restraints in this Matter, that may have been laid upon the Convocation by subsequent Statutes, I don't pretend to give a Judgment of them; but only assert the Clergy's Rights by an­cient Usage, to a share in the Judicature with [Page 172] the Arch-bishop and Bishops; supposing Cases of that nature to come actually before them.

CHAP. XV.
The Clergy's Right of a Negative or Final Dissent from the Upper-House.

The Origi­nal of the Clergy's Negative. THE greatest Power enjoy'd by the English Clergy in a Provincial Synod, beyond the Presbyters of other Nations, is, a Negative up­on the Metropolitan and Bishops, none of whose Resolutions, either in part or in whole, can be pass'd into Synodical-Acts without the previous Approbation of the Inferior Clergy. 'Tis very true (what we observ'd before) that it was a Civil Account which brought them by degrees into this Extraordinary Power in Ecclesiastical Affairs: Their Civil Property could not be dis­pos'd of, but by their own Consent; and this being the great Business of Convocation at the beginning, the Negative of the Clergy became an establisht Rule there; and so that Rule took place in Canons, Constitutions, and other Eccle­siastical Affairs, when these also (which before had solely belong'd to a Synod of the Arch­bishop and Bishops) came to be consider'd and fram'd in Convocation.

A Negative or final Dis­sent, an e­stablisht Right of the English Clergy. However, it is now an establisht Right of the Lower-house, and a part of the Constitution of this National Church: Nor is it my Design to dimi [...]sh it, by the Observation I am about to add, That tho' the Clergy's Negative, as to Subfidies, was directly founded in that common [Page 173] Right of English Subjects, Not to be Tax'd but by their own Consent; yet, under that Right, the Clergy of those Days preserv'd such a Sense of Duty to their Ecclesiastical Superiors, All Denials of the Cler­gy made with great Humility. that all their Denials were made with great Humility, and often accompany'd also with a Request to be excus'd for that time, and also with their parti­cular Reasons, why they could not come up to the Desires of the Arch-bishop and his Brethren. For the granting of Subsidies was always pro­pos'd by the President; upon which the Clergy were directed to retire, and Debate, and return their Answers to him and his Brethren. Gene­rally they concurr'd with great Readiness; and when they dissented, they usually shew'd the Causes thereof with the utmost Humility.

Anno 1356. 12 Kal. Jun. They excus'd them­selves in a formal Address to the Arch-bishop and Bishops: Vobis Reverendis in Christo Patri­bus Dominis Die gratia Archiepiscopo Cant. ve­strisque Suffraganeis ad celebrandum Concilium Provinc. juxta sacrorum instituta Canonum con­gregatis, supplicat humiliter & devotè Clerus Cant. Provinciae, quatenus pio sibi compatientes affectu, Rationes suas & Motiva infrà Scripta clementer auscultare dignemini, & eis in exa­mine circumspectae discretionis vestrae diligentius ponderatis, Petitiones ejusdem Cleri admittere gratiose. [they offer several Reasons; and then conclude thus:] Placeat benignitati vestrae absque ulteriori onere hac vice Ecclesiae imponen­do, ipsum Clerum, qui dicto Domino Regi semper devotus extitit & ipsum nunc in quantum potuit, ne deterioris conditionis existat quàm Communi­tos Laicorum, habere se libeat Excusatum, & praemissa pro plenâ & finali responsione Cleri ad­mittere, ipsi quoque Clero assistere, & ipsum er­ga [Page 174] Dominum nostrum Regem in hac parte excu­sare.

Anno 1424. Oct. 23. The Clergy being call'd upon for their Resolution, as to the Subsidy, gave in their Answer by W. Lyndewood, the Arch-bishop's Official, negatively; pleading the Poverty of the Clergy, and that the Livings were reduc'd to a smaller value than formerly; & ideò humiliter petierant, se à concessione hu­jusmodi quacunque excusari.

Anno eod. (After a Prorogation) Febr. 17. They excuse themselves again upon the poverty of the Clergy; quam ob rem ijdem Procuratores Domino & Confratríbus suis humiliter supplica­runt, quatenûs ipsi Dominus & Confratres sui Clerum praedictum à quacunque concessione hujus­modi protunc faciend. ex causis praeallegatis dig­narentur babere pro illâ vice penitûs excusatum.

Anno 1425. May 4. Among the Causes of the Convocation, explain'd by the Archbishop; the third, was a Subsidy: The Clergy retire, and in answer to that point, Supplicant, &c. ut consideratis oncribus & Subsidiis quae antehac sae­pe Supportarunt, haberent ipsum Clerum protunc omninò excusatum propter insufficientiam ejus­tem & paupertatem ex argument is diversis lu­culenter approbatam.

And again, the same Year, Jun. 8. Clerus in­sufficientiam suam allegans & paupertatem, se de bujusmodi Subventione concedendâ eâ vice pro vi­ribus instanter excusavit, & se protunc excusari petiit & humiliter Supplicavit.

Dec. 11. 1433. Clerus allegavit certas causas rationabiles, quibus consideratis, deberent meritò à concessione Subsidii eo tempore excusari.

Anno 1438. Oct.—The Clergy, urging among other things the great Dearth all over the [Page 175] Kingdom, per suum Prolocutorem Domino sup­plicarunt quatenùs eos ab aliquo Subsidio protunc concedondo haberet favor abiliter excusatos. And the like answer they return'd the Saturday follow­ing, upon a Second Application made to them.

These Ap­plications, no preju­dice to the Clergy's Right of a Negative. These Instances, as I said before, are not in­tended either to weaken the Clergy's Right of a Negative, or to Suggest in particular, that they who were immediately concern'd in those Cases, had not a legal Power of dissenting without ei­ther Reasons or Excuses: But by how much the greater liberty they were at, to dissent without these; the Applications of this nature are so much the higher testimony of ther Duty and Hu­mility: They knew very well, that their Civil Property was by Law entirely in their own di­sposal; but yet they could not forget that their immediate concern was with their Ecclesiastical Superiors.

Upon their Refusals in this dutiful Manner, they were sometimes mov'd to consider of a more favourable Answer; and however stedfast their Resolutions were not to comply, yet they did not refuse further Deliberation, which (when enjoyn'd by their Metropolitan and Bishops) they knew to be a part of their Canonical Obe­dience. Nor could I ever find an Instance in all the Acts of Convocation, that did in the least countenance the late Notion of their general Ne­gative upon the Upper House, as pleaded in ex­press terms to excuse their Refusal of a Commit­tee: Nar. p. [...]. We of the Lower House being a distinct House, and having power to dissent from the Pro­posals of the Upper House, conceive our selves entirely at liberty to admit or decline their Ap­pointments of Committees, as we shall think fit. Before they made so large a Step towards an [Page 176] entire Independence, as a Negative in that ex­tent would draw after it, methinks it might have been consider'd whether one Instance was to be met with (either before or since their Separati­on) from which they could fairly gather that the Lower Clergy had ever disobey'd the Upper House in the matter or method of their Delibe­rations, or ever attempted to carry their Right of a Negative beyond a power to hinder any bu­siness in Convocation from passing finally into a Synodical Act. This is their undoubted Right; but their further pretensions are as groundless in themselves, as they would be mischievous in their Effects, to the Constitution of our Episcopal Church.

CHAP. XVI.
The manner of Passing Business in Convo­cation.

AFter any matter in Convocation has been duly consider'd, read, and agreed to by the Bishops and Clergy severally; the Prolocutor and the Inferior Clergy are sent for to the Up­per House, and there it is passed into a Synodi­cal Act.

The man­ner of Con­senting in the Lower House. The manner of consenting and agreeing in the Lower House, is particularly express'd in the 10th Session of 1586. where the Prolocutor com­ing from the Upper House, puts the Ordinan­ces for Collecting the Contribution, into the hands of the Actuary: He reads it; quo facto, Domi­nus Prolocutor interrogavit omnes supra nomina­tes, an Decreta & Ordinationes hujusmodi sibi [Page 177] placerent, eosque rogavit quatenus eorum consen­sum & assensum eisdem, si eis ita videretur, praeberent. Et tunc omnes easdem Ordinationes in omnibus approbarunt, atque consensum & assensum suos, tam nominibus eorum propriis quàm nominibus omnium aliorum quorum Procu­ratores in hac parte respectivè existunt, praebue­runt.

The Cir­cumstances of that Consent have been reported to the Upper House. I know not whether the Lower House (who return the Instrument by the Prolocutor) did ever think themselves accountable to their Lord­ships for any Circumstances relating to their Consent, besides a general assurance by the Pro­locutor that it is actually given. But I find, in the Year 1532. May 15. a Report was also made of the number and proportion of Votes. Intravit Prolocutor cum Clero, ubi Reverendissi­mus interrogabat, quid ipse sentiebat de quâdam Schedulâ sibi traditâ. Unde Prolocutor intro­duxit numerum affirmantium, numerum negan­tium & numerum Referentium, quantum ad tres Articulos praedictos. Again, in 1536. Sess. Ult. Prolocutor intravit Domum Capitularem, & praesentavit Reverendissimo Instrumentum con­tinen. Sententiam Definitivam, quam dictus Pro­locutor asseruit suisse per omnes Cleri Domûs Inferioris expresse approbatam.—Some Years before, Anno 1529. Sess. 29. when in the preceding Session the Clergy were directed to bring in their Opinions the Friday following about an Answer to a Petition presented by the House of Commons to the King; on the same Friday, the Answer was read in the Upper House: Et post introitum Prolocutoris rursum perlecta fuerunt responsa: tunc Reverendissimus inter­rogavit an ipsi consentirent, & conjentiere. But [Page 178] in 1533. not only a general Consent was gi­ven in the Upper House, but the Votes also in form, and the Names were praticularly en­ter'd in the Register thereof: So says the Abstract, Sess. 2. Quo die Reverendissimus convocavit Inferiorem Domum, ut audiret eo­rum Opiniones de Quaestione, viz. an ducere lice­ret uxorem cognitam à Fratre, &c. ubi (refer­ring to the Original Book of the Upper House) exprimuntur Affirmantes, Negantes, & Dubi­tantes.

All Instru­ments read publickly, and finally agreed to in the Up­per House. But however the Consent of the Clergy be given or signifi'd; 'tis certain, that the Instru­ment after being engross'd, was always read publickly in the Upper House, before the Arch­bishop, Bishops and Clergy; and by them final­ly agreed to, either vivâ voce or by Subscripti­on, according to the Nature of the business they pass'd. The light we have from the Regi­sters, concerning the circumstances of passing bu­siness, is but small; but this distinction (I think) is visible enough, since the Reformation at least, That Articles, Canons, and Constitutions have been ever pass'd by Subscription; but Instru­ments of other kinds, (Bills of Subsidy, Synodi­cal Letters, &c.) have been enacted, with the consent of the Bishops and Clergy, by the Hand or Seal of the Archbishop (which was properly the Sanction) and the Atrestation of one or more Publick Notaries, of its being so Sign'd or Seal'd, or both. To which purpose,

The Sanc­tion of the Metropo­litan. As to the Sanction of the Metropolitan; Anno 1408. Jan 15. we find this account of Passing the Powers granted by Convocation, to those whom they had just before Elected for the Council of Pisa. In quorum omnium & singulo­rum [Page 179] fidem & testimonium, praesentes literas aut praesens publicum Instrumentum exinde ficri, ac per Magistrum Johannem Perch, Notarium & Registrarium infra scriptum subscribi & publi­cari, ejusque Signi consueti appositione: Ac nos Thomas Archiepiscopus, Primas & Legatus an­tedictus, nostri privati sigilli aurci, ad personales & speciales rogatus omnium dictorum Episcopo­rum Suffraganeorum nostrorum, ac de expressis consensu & assensu totius Cleri dictae Provinciae, appensione, mandavimus & fecimus fideliter com­muniri.

Anno 1557. Sess. 9. The Archbishop's Com­missary Evocavit Prolocutorem & Clerum, ut Librum Concessionis Subsidii aliquâ ex parte cor­rectum perlegi audirent; quo perlecto & diligen­ter ponderato, omnes tam Patres quàm Clerus contenti erant cum omnibus Clausulis, Conditio­nibus, & Provisionibus.—Tenor verò Instrumenti publici, de Subsidio praedicto confecti, de verbo in verbum illic sequitur, contestatum Subscriptione Thomae Sussex & Johannis In­cent.

Anno 1562. Febr. 24. surrogatum Prolocu­toris (Prolocutore absente) & Clerum Domûs Inferioris ad se accersiri jusserunt, ac coram eis publice legi fecerunt Librum de Subsidio Do­minae nostrae Reginae concesso in pergameno con­script. ac Sigillo dicti Reverendissimi Patris Sigillat. Cut quidem Libro sie perlecto, ac om­nibus & singulis Concessionibus, conditionibus, & provisionibus in eodem mentionatis, sub mo­do & forma supra Specificatis, Dictus Clerus Inferioris Domûs consensum & assensum suos unanimiter adhibuerunt.

[Page 180] Articles, Canons, &c. by Subscripti­on. 2. Articles, Canons, and Constitutions, since the Reformation, have (so far as the Registers give any light) been ever pass'd in the Up­per House by the joint Subscriptions of Arch­bishop, Bishops, and Clergy.

Anno 1536. Sess. 5. Jul. 11. Episcopus He­reford. produxit quendam Libellum continentem Articulos Fidei & Ceremoniarum. Qui libellus inseritur ad longum. Quo lecto per eundem Epis­copum, Honorandus Thomas Cromewell, Re­verendissimus, & alii Praelati, Prolocutor, & Clerus Domûs Inferioris, eundem Libellum ap­probando Subscripserunt.

Anno 1604. May 18. The Extracts out of the Upper House Journals say, ‘'The King's Letters with the Articles of 1562. to be by the Convocation approv'd and allow'd—The said Articles read, and Subscrib'd by both Houses; and the Book so Subscrib'd, was kept by the Bishop of London, President.’

Anno 1640. Reverendissimus in praesentiis Domini Prolocutoris & totius Coetûs Domûs In­ferioris, protulit Librum Canonum in bác Sacrâ Synodo tractat. continen. 17. Capitula Canonum. Quem Reverendissimus in manibus suis tenens cum Domino Prolocutore, alta & intelligibili voce legebat. Quo perlecto, Reverendissimus & Reverendi Patres, &c. ac Dominus Prolocutor & totus Coetus Domûs Inferioris antedictae isto die comparen. nominibus suis & aliorum pro quibus constituti sunt, consensum & assensum suos eisdem Canonibus proestiterunt, & eorum nomi­na manibus suis propriis eisdem respectivè Sub­scripserunt.

Anno 1661 Dec. 19. Dominus Episcopus Lon­don Praesidens, cum Confratribus suis praed'. pro [Page 181] tribunali sedebant, & habito tractatu inter eos de Forma Subscriptionis Libro Publicarum Pre­cum per eos faciend. tandem idem Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus & Praesidens ante­dictus, de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum praed'. commisit curam & considerationem conci­piendi dictam Formam Reverendis in Christo Pa­tribus, &c. Posteà, nempe inter boras secun­dam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, Re­verendi Viri Dominus Johannes Dunelmen. & Humfridus Sarum respectivè Episcopi unà cum dictis respectivè Cancellar & Vicarris in Spi­ritualibus generalibus praed. apud Officium Re­gistrarii Principalis D. Arch. Cant. intra Pa­rochiam S. Gregorii London. sit'. convenerunt, & in praesentiis mei Willelmi Fisher & Francisci Mundy Notariorum respectivè publicorum, in­spectis priùs nonnullis Recordis & Libris anti­quis & Archivis ibidem remanen. & fideliter custodit. dieti Reverendi patres formam Sub­scriptionis Libro publicarum Precum faciend. unanimi consensu & assensu conceperunt & de­super concordârunt.

—Anno eod. Dec. 20. Reverendus Pa­ter Dominus Episcopus London, [Praesidens] &c. una cum Confratribus suis secum assiden'. pro Tri­bunali sedebat, & Librum Precum Publicarum, Administrations Sacramentorum, aliorumque Rituum Ecclesiae Anglicanae, unà cum Forma & Modo Ordinand. & Consecrand. Episcopos, Pres­byteros, Diaconos, juxta literas Regiae Maje­statis eis in hâc parte directas revisum, &

paginas continen. & per Reverendissimum in Christo Patrem & Dominum Dominum Guliel­mum Providentiâ Divinâ Cant. Archiepiscopum totius Anglia Primatem & Metropolitanum pri­ùs [Page 182] redact. recept'. approbat'. & subscript'. Episcopi ejusdem Provinciae in bac Provinciali Synodo legi­time congregat'. unanimi assensu & consensu in formam redegerunt, receperunt & approbarunt, eisdemque subscripserunt: Et posteà omnes Epis­copi praed. tunc praesen. & congregat'. exceptis Reverendis Patribus Oxon, Assaphen & Landa­ven. Ep. ad Domum Parliamenti sese contulerunt, & dictos respectivè Episcopos in dicta Domo Con­vocationis reliquer. ad vidend. Clerum Inferioris Domus Convocationis dicto Libro subscribere.

Thus the several sorts of Business in Convo­cation, however differently pass'd in some re­spects, agree in this, That the Inferior Clergy are sent for to the Upper-House, and there the whole Convocation (the Metropolitan, Bishops, and Presbyters, in a Body) give their final Con­sent.

Why Arti­cles, Ca­tions, &c. pass now by Subscrip­tion. The Method of Passing Canons and Constitu­tions before the Statute (25. H. 8. c. 19.) was the same that has ever been practis'd in Synodi­cal Meetings, viz. by the Authority of the Sy­nod, and with the Sanction of the Metropoli­tan; and these two gave them their full Force and Effect. But now they are fram'd in order to be laid before the Prince, as agreed on by the Arch-bishop, Bishops, and Clergy; and none to be of any Force, Effect, or Validity in Law, but only such and so many of them, as he, by his Let­ters Patents under the Great Seal of England, shall allow, approve, and confirm. This is the Language of the Royal Licence, the Necessity whereof, in order to make, promulge, and exe­cute Canons, &c. is an Abridgment of the Eccle­siastical Power in these Respects; and therefore the ancient Sanction (which always signify'd a [Page 183] final Authority) could not be continu'd in any Matters, which were not to be promulg'd or executed without the Allowance, Approbation and Confirmation of the King by his Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England. But all Synodical-Acts, to which the Royal Licence is not necessary, receive their final Authority from the Sanction of the Metropolitan; i. e. they still pass in the ancient Canonical way; whatever some late Writers, too much bent upon the Diminution of Ecclesiastical Power, may suggest to the contrary.

CHAP. XVII.
Of Proroguing and Dissolving a Convo­cation.

AS the Arch-bishop, upon receiving the Roy­al Writ for Calling a Convocation, is bound by Law, and agreeably to the Deference that has been ever paid to Christian Princes, to exert his Summoning Authority; so is he un­der the same Obligation to proceed to Proroga­tions and Dissolutions thereof, in a Canonical way, when the Pleasure of the Prince shall be signify'd by Royal Writs to those Purposes.

For how little Truth there is in the late No­tion, That the Arch-bishop, in those Cases, acts [Page 184] purely in a Ministerial way, may appear by a Comparison of the Methods of Executing those Commands in Parliament and Convocati­on. The man­ner of the A. bishop's Proroguing and Dissol­ving Au­thoritative For the the first (the Prorogation of a Parliament) the King, by his Letters Patents, constitutes such of the Nobility as he thinks fit, his Commissioners for that end, Dantes vobis, te­nore praesentium, plenam potestatem, facultatem & authoritatem, &c. ad praesens Parliamentum nostrum nomine nostro prorogand. &c. In the same Stile is the Commission for Dissolving, as oft as his Majesty is not present in Person: A Stile that is truly and evidently Ministeri­al.

But the Writs for doing the same things in Convocation, can be directed to none but the Metropolitan himself, and that without any Conveyance of Authority, or Order to act in his Majesty's Name, or any other Direction besides the Proroguing or Dissolving it according to the accustom'd Methods of Convocation: Debito modo prorogetis; and Dissolvetis seu dissolvi fa­ciatis. In pursuance of which Order, the Arch­bishop Prorogues and Dissolves, either in Per­son, or by one or more Commissioners, speci­ally constituted by his Grace for those Pur­poses.

The Arch­bishop's Admoniti­ons imme­diately be­fore a Pro­ragation or Dissolution. Immediately before a Prorogation or Disso­lution, we find the Arch-bishop (as he saw oc­casion) publickly recommending to the Bishops and Clergy the due Execution of the Eccle­siastical Laws, and the Reformation of any particular Abuses and Irregularities in the Church.

Anno 1428. Ulteriúsque rogavit, hortatus est, & requisivit Reverendissimus Pater & Do­minus [Page 185] praedictus praefatos Confratres suos, ut in inquisitione fienda contra Lollardos & Haere­ticos hujusmodi diligentiam interim omnimodam quam poterant adhiberent, & cù [...] revenerint, quid contra eos fecerint, ipsum pleniùs certificarent; & specialiter de illis quorum momina sibi detecta dictis Confratribus suis prout unumquemque in Dioc. suâ concernebant in Cedulis divisis con­scripta circa tres Dies antea tradidit & libe­ravit.

Anno 1601. Sess. 18. The Extracts out of the Upper-house Books have this Note imme­diately before the Dissolution: Arch-bishop ex­horts the Bishops to be diligent in their Charge, and careful to observe the Canons in the last Convocation.

Anno 1586. The Lower-house Book, im­mediately before the Dissolution: Revere [...]dis­simus Pater Dominus Cant. querelatus est de pravâ & immoderatâ luxuriâ ac minus verecun­do gestu ac morum intemperie nonnullorum Cle­ricorum Provinciae Cant. ad fora & loca publica concurrentium. Quare monuit Decanos, Archi­diaconos, & alios jam praesentes, ad quos Correctio delinquentium hujusmodi pertinet, ad severè procedend. & puniend. obnoxios & culpahiles, & si incorrigibiles perseveraverint, ad implorand. auxilium & opem Episcopi Diocesani, vel ipsius Reverendissimi Patris, vel etiam ipsius Serenis­simae Dominae nostrae Reginae, ne actionum & mo­rum pravitas istorum obnubilet & obscuret De­ctrinam Evangelii quod verbis profitentur, quo pluribus perniciosum siet pessimum eorum exem­plum.

The Writs of Proro­gation and Dissolution On the Day of Prorogation or Dissolution, the Royal Writ is produc'd, and publickly read: [Page 186] But that being only a Direction to the Arch­bishop, to Prorogue or Dissolve; neither of these are effected by that Publication of the Writ. On the contrary, the very first Writ of Proro­gation we meet with (Anno 1532. May 15.) was read in the Morning, (Reverendissimus o­stendebat quoddam Breve Regium sibi directum pro Prorogatione hujusmodi Convocationis: Quod Breve idem Reverendissimus publicè legebat;) and yet the Convocation sat till Noon; and after Dinner, met again.—So also, Anno 1434. March 31. The Writ of Prorogation was brought in, and read; and afterwards the Resolutions of the Lower-Clergy, touching the Pope's Supremacy, were delivered; and then the Arch-bishop is said to Continue to the Day specify'd in the Writ.

For so is the Practice of Convocation: The Pleasure of the Prince is signify'd to the Arch­bishop by the Writ; but his Grace pursues that Royal Order by a [...]ormal Declaration out of a Schedule, mentioning indeed the Royal Writ, but running solely in the Arch-bishop's Name, and by him pronounc'd in presence of the Bi­shops and Clergy.

The Authors therefore of some late Schemes have done a manifest Injustice to the Constituti­on of our Protestant Church, in contending, a­gainst Law and Practice, that the Reformation put an end to the ancient Canonical Ways of transacting Ecclesiastical Matters, and introduc'd a new Model, inconsistent with the Primitive Distinctions between Presbyters and Bishops, and unknown before, either to this or any other Episcopal Church.

[Page 187] The foregoing Chapters, I hope, may vindi­cate our Reformation from the late Aspersions of that kind; as well as the Ecclesiastical Go­vernment thereof, from any such Repugnancy to the Primitive Rules; and may withal make it more easily understood, whether they who have carry'd on those new Measures, or they who have oppos'd them, are the truer Friends to the Rights, Liberties and Honour of our Re­form'd Church.

FINIS.

APPENDIX,

Continens

  • I. Acta in Superiore Domo Convocationis in­coept. Anno MDLXII. in conficiendo XXXIX Articulos Religionis; Praeside Reverendissimo Patre Matthaeo Parker, Archiep. Cant. Sub jungitur Forma sive descriptio Convocatio­nis.
  • II. Acta in Superiore Domo Convocationis in­coept. Apr. 14. MDCXL. in Canonibus con­ficiendis; Praeside Reverendissimo Patre Gali­elmo Laud, Archiep. Cant.
  • III. Acta in Superiore Domo Convocationis in­coept. Ann. MDCLXI. in Revisione Libri Precum Publicarum; Praeside Reverendo Patre Gilberto Sheldon Ep. London, Vice Reveren­dissimi Patris Gulielmi Juxon Archiep. Cant.
  • IV. Acta in Inferiore Domo Convocationum ce­lebrat. Ann. MDLXXXVI. & MDLXXXVIII. Praeside Reverendissimo Patre Johanne Whit­gift, Archiep. Cant.

in quodam alto Deambulatorio infra Moncri­um Reverendissimi in Christo Patris DominiMat­thaei, [Page 192]permissione Divinâ Cantuariensis Archie­piscopi, totius Angliae Primatis & Metropolitani apudLambehith, in praesentia meiJohannis In­centNotarij Publici, dicti Reverendissimi Patris Registrarij Primarij, constitutus personaliter prae­fatus Reverendissimus Pater commisit Vices suas MagistrisThomae Yale,Vicario suo in Spiritu­alibus generali,Roberto Weston, Almae Curiae Cantuariensis Officiali,Henrico Jones & Valen­tino Daledictae Curiae Cantuariensis Advocatis, Legum Doctoribus, conjunctim & divisim, ad inter­essendum Vice & nomine suis in Sacrâ Synodo sive Convocatione Praelatorum & Cleri Cantuariensis Provinciae in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedra­lis Divi PauliLondon, duodecimo die praesentis mensis Januarii, per ipsum Reverendissimum Pa­trem authoritate Brevis Regii sibi in hac parte directi, inchoand'. & celebrand'. dictam (que) Con­vocationem sive sacram Synodum Provincialem, ac omnia & singula Certificatoria introducta & in­troducenda in statu quo nunc sunt, us (que) ad & in diem Mercurii proxime futurum,viz. decimum­tertium diem praesentis mensis Januarii, horâ octavâ ante meridiem ejusdem diei, at (que) ad Do­mum Capitularem praedictam, cum Ulteriori Pro­rogatione, dierum & horarum ex tunc sequenti­um & locorum (si oporteat) continuand'. & prorogand'. caetera (que) omnia & singula faciend. exercend. & expediend. quae in praemissis & cir­ca ea necessaria fuerint seu quomodolibet requisita. Et promisit de rat.&c. praesentibus tunc & ibi­dem dictis MagistroThoma Yale &Francisco AldridgeGeneroso, Testibus,&c.

Sessio Prima.

DUodecimo die mensis Januarii, Anno Domini praedicto, hora nona ante meridiem ejusdem diei, in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Di­vi Pauli praedict. in praesentia mei Johannis In­cent Notarii Publici Registrarii antedicti, praefa­tus Venerabilis Vir Robertus Weston, Legum Doctor, Almae Curiae Cantuariensis Officialis, judi­cialiter & pro Tribunali sedens, ob reverentiam & honorem dicti Reverendissimi Patris Domini Matthaei Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis antedicti, Onus Commissionis ejusdem Reverendissimi Patris in se acceptavit, ac juxta vim formam & effectum ejusdem procedendum fore deerevit. Ac conse­quenter, authoritate sibi commissâ, praesentem Convocationem sive Sacram Synodum Provincia­lem in Statu quo nunc est, us (que) ad & in diem Mercurii proximè futurum, viz. decimumterti­um diem praesentis mensis Januarii horâ octavâ ante meridiem ejusdem diei, at (que) ad Domum Ca­pitularem praedictam cum ulteriori prorogatione dierum & horarum ex tunc sequentium, & loco­rum (si oporteat) continuavit & prorogavit in Scriptis, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ plenius continetur, Cujus quidem Schedulae tenor sequi­tur in haec verba—In Dei Nomine, Amen. Nos Robertus Weston, &c. praesentibus (que) tunc & ibidem Magistris Johanne Bu [...]er Clerico, Ca­nonico Ecclesiae Christi Cantuariensis, Thoma Bolte Canonico, Edmundo Weston in legibus Bac­calaureo, & Thoma Willet Notario Publico, testibus, &c.

Secunda Sessio.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 13o. die Mensis Janua­rij Anno Domini juxta computationem Ec­clesiae Anglicanae Millesimo Quingentesimo Sexa­gesimo Secundo, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Dominus Matthaeus, Archiepiscopus Cantuarien­sis, &c. manè circa horam octavam ante Meri­diem dicti diei, Lambethâ Solvens in Navicu­lâ suâ vulgo nuncupatâ à Barge, ad ripam voca­tam Paul's Wharfe, comitante eum Reverendo Patre Domino Nicholao Lincoln Episcopo, appli­cuit, ibi (que) ab Advocatis & Procuratoribus & cae­teris ministris Curiae suae Cantuariensis acceptus, pedibus ambulans, deductus fuit ad foras Austra­les Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London, ibi (que) ad Ostium Australe ejusdem Decanus Canonici & caeteri Ministri ejusdem Ecclesiae Superpellitiis induti eum praestolabantur, ac ad vestiarium ejus­dem Ecclesiae perduxerunt; ibi (que) amictu & habitu suis vestitus, ac chorum ipsius Ecclesiae (comitan­tibus eum Episcopis Suffraganeis Provinciae suae Cantuariensis similibus habitibus indutis) ingres­sus, in Stallo Decani collocatus fuit, caeteris Epis­copis Suffraganeis Provinciae Cantuariensis habiti­bus suis in hujusmodi negotio Convocationis soli­tis, indutis, in Stallis Praebendariorum ex utra (que) parte Chori sedentibus; ac consequenter decan­tata fuit per Ministros Ecclesiae Letania, in Ser­mone vulgari, (juxta morem & ritum in Libro nuncupato, The Book of Common-Prayers, &c. descriptum.) Quâ finitâ, ac Hymno Veni Crea­tor, &c. per Ministros ejusdem Ecclesiae in vul­gari Solemniter decantato, Magister Wilhelmus [Page 195] Daye Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus, praepositus Collegij Regalis de Eaton, habitu Baccalaurei in Theologiâ indutus, Suggestum in medio Chori po­situm ingressus fuit, ac ibidem Concionem Lati­nam Stilo venusto, ad Patres & Clerum ac popu­lum praesentes habuit, acceptis pro themate hiis Divi Petri verbis in quinto Capitulo primae suae Epistolae descriptis, viz. Pascite quantum in vo­bis est, &c. Finitâ vero concione; ac Psalmo pri­mo (Beatus Vir, &c.) in Sermone vulgari decan­tato, celebrata fuit Sacra Communio per Reve­rendum Patrem Dominum Edmundum Grindale Episcopum London, dictus (que) Reverendissimus Do­minus ac caeteri omnes Episcopi praesentes Sacra­mentum Corporis & Sanguinis Domini communi­cabant. Finita vero Communione, Reverendissi­mus Dominus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis Cho­rum egressus, ac Domum Capitularem ingressus, comitantibus eum Episcopis, & caeteris Cleri Praelatis, ibidem pro Tribunali sedebat, assiden­tibus secum undi (que) Episcopis Suffraganeis suis, viz. Domino Edmundo London, Roberto Winton, Wilhelmo Cicestren, Johanne Hereforden, Ri­cardo Elien, Edwino Wigorn, Rolando Bangor, Nicolao Lincoln, Johanne Sarum, Ricardo Me­neven, Edmundo Roffen, Gilberto Bathon & Wellen, Thoma Coven & Lichen, Wilhelmo Exon, Johanne Norwicen, Edmundo Petribur­gen, Thoma Asaphen, & Ricardo Glocestren, ac Commendatar'. Bristolien, respective Episcopis. Cui quidem Reverendissimo sic pro Tribunali se­denti praefatus Reverendus Dominus London Episcopus exhibuit Certificatorium suum super Executione Mandati monitorij alias sibi directi, tenorem infra Scriptum continens, Reverendis­simo in Christo Patri, &c. Quo quidem Certifi­catorio [Page 196] per Magistrum Thomam Yale Legum Doctorem, dicti Reverendissimi Patris Vicarium in Spiritualibus Generalem, de mandato ejusdem Reverendissimi, publicè perlecto, Magister Gabriel Goodman, Decanus Westminster eidem Reveren­dissimo Patri quandam Protestationem in Scriptis conceptam porrexit, ac eâ Protestatione salvâ, comparuit in hujusmodi Sacrâ Synodo sive Convo­catione, & non aliter. Tenor vero dictae Pro­testationis sequitur in haec verba, Sub protestati­one de non consentiendo in Authoritatem Reve­rendissimi Patris Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi quoad hanc Convocationem celebrand', nisi qua­tenùs de Jure ac Statutis hujus Regni Angliae & Privilegiis Ecclesiae Collegiatae five Collegii no­stri Westminster teneor, ne (que) de non infringend' aut diminuend' libertates & privilegia ejusdem nostri Collegij five Ecclesiae Collegiatae. Qui­bus sic factis, Reverendissimus Dominus Archiepis­copus Cantuariensis brevem quandam Orationem cloquentiae plenam habuit ad Patres & Clerum; per quam, inter alia, Opportunitatem Reforman­darum rerum in Ecclesia Anglicana jam oblatam esse aperuit, ac propensos animos tam Illustrissi­mae Dominae nostrae Reginae, quâm aliorum Mag­natum hujus Regni ad hujusmodi Reformationem habendam declaravit; hortando, praecipiendo & mandando Praelatos & Clerum Inferioris Domus in dicta Domo Capitulari, coram eo & reliquis Patribus constitutos, quatenùs ad Conventûs sui locum sese conferentes, unum Virum gravem, doctum & peritum de gremio suo provideant & eligant in eorum Prolocutorem sive Referendari­um (commendans illis maximè Decanum Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London Alexandrum Nowel,) ipsum (que) sic electum exhibeant & prae­sentent [Page 197] coram eodem Reverendissimo aut ejus lo­cum-tenente die Sabbati proximè futuro, horâ primâ post Meridiem in hoc loco. Deinde dictus Reverendissimus Pater commisit vices suas prae­fato Magistro Thomae Yale Cancellario suo, ac Magistro Wilhelmo Drurie Legum Doctori Com­missario ad Facultates, ad recipiendum Certifica­toria Episcoporum, ac ad inspiciendum Procura­toria quorumcun (que) absentium, ac causas absenti­arum suarum Examinand' & approband'. Ac praeterea dictus Reverendissimus Pater pronunti­avit omnes & singulos Decanos, Archidiaconos, Capitula, ac Cleri Procuratores & caeteros quos­cun (que) ad interessendum in hujusmodi Sacra Syno­do, sive Convocatione, monitos & citates, ac per se aut Procuratores suos idoneos minimè compa­rentes, notoriè Contumaces; poenas Contumacia­rum suarum hujusmodi us (que) in proximam Sessio­nem reservand'. prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ plenius continetur, cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec verba, In Dei Nomine, Amen, &c. Omnibus gestis, praefatus Reveren­dissimus Pater continuavit & prorogavit hujus­modi Convocationem sive Sacram Synodum, ac omnia & singula Certificatoria introducta & in­troducenda, in Statu quo nunc sunt, us (que) in di­em Sabbati proximè futurum hora prima post me­ridiem, ad Domum Capitularem praedictam; prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ tenorem subscriptum de verbo in verbum in se complectente, dilucidius apparet, In Dei nomine, Amen, &c.

Sessio Tertia.

DIE Sabbati, viz. 16o. die mensis Janua­rii, Anno Domini praedicto, inter horam primam & secundam post meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendissimus Dominus Matthaeus Archiepis­copus Cantuariensis, ac Reverendi Patres Domini Edmundus London, Robertus Winton, Johannes Hereforden, Richardus Elien, Edwinus Wigorn, Rolandus Bangor, Nicholaus Lincoln, Johannes Sarum, Richardus Meneven, Edmundus Roffen, Gilbertus Bathon & Wellen, Thomas Coven. & Lichen, Wilhelmus Exon, Johannes Norwicen, Edmundus Petriburgen, Thomas Asaphen, & Ricardus Glocestren, respectivè Episcopi, in do­mo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli Lon­don congregati, primum & ante omnia preces Deo Optimo Maximo effundebant, dictâ publice ac alta & intelligibili voce per ipsum Reverendissimum Pa­trem Letania in Sermone latino unà cum Collectis assuetis ac Oratione Synodo Provinciali dicenda, noviter (ut apparuit) edita, respondentibus aliis Episcopis praedictis ac Praelatis & Clero & populo astantibus. Finitis precibus, ac Clero prae­dicto ad locum Conventûs sui Sese conferentes, praefatus Reverendissimus, unà cum aliis confra­tribus suis Provinciae suae Cantuariensis Episco­pis Suffraganeis praenominatis, pro Tribunali se­dens, post intervallum temporis denuò ad eum accersiri jussit dictos Praelatos & Clerum Domûs inserioris; cui copiosè sese praesentantes exhiberi & sisti fecerunt Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Alexandrum Nowell, Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London Decanum, in Prolocutorem sive [Page 199] Referendarium Domûs Inferioris electum. Quem Eximii Viri Magistri Gabriel Goodman, Deca­nus Westminster, & Thomas Sampson, Deca­nus Exon. medium inter se ductum vice totius Cleri, praemissâ Oratione brevi Latinâ ab eodem Magistro Gabriele Goodman, personam electam ac ejus virtutes & animi dotes complectente, ex­hibuerunt. Quâ finitâ, idem Prolocutor per aliam Orationem non inelegantem se variis de causis ad hujusmodi munus obeundum inidoneum declara­vit: Sed tandem ne opus tam pium effugere vide­atur, hujusmodi Provinciam in se lubens accep­tare promisit; & tunc habito inter dictum Reve­rendissimum Patrem & Confratres suos tractatu de idoneitate dicti Prolocutoris, omnes unanimi­ter & concorditer ipsum Magistrum Nowel ad dictum Officum Prolocutoris obeundum maximè idoneum esse asseruerunt & affirmarunt. Unde Reverendissimus, cum Patrum unanimi consensu, Electionem hujusmodi de persona tam digni Viri factam, venusta Oratione approbavit & confirma­vit. Et tunc, dimisso Clero Inferioris Domûs, Reverendissimus rogavit Patres, quòd unusquis (que) eorum citra proximam Sessionem excogitare velit ea quae in eorum separalibus Diaecesibus Reformatio­ne indigeant, ac in proximâ Sessione proponere dignaretur. Et tunc, habitâ inter dictum Reve­rendissimum Patrem & Confratres suos secret â quadam communicatione (semotis omnibus arbi­tris,) tandem dictus Reverendissimus de consensu Patrum continuavit & prorogavit hujusmodi Con­vocationem sive sacram Synodum Provincialem, omnia (que) & singula Certificatoria introducta & in­troducenda, in Statu quo nune sent, Us (que) ad & in diem Martis proximè futurum horâ primâ post meridiem ejusdem diei ad Ecclesiam Collegiatam [Page 192] Divi Petri Westminster, prout in quadam Sche­dulâ per eum lectâ pleniùs continetur, cujus qui­dem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur, in haec ver­ba, In Dei Nomine, Amen. &c. Deinde dictus Reverendissimus poenas contumaciarum omnium & singulorum absentium, ut priùs, ad ejus arbitrium reservavit.

Quarta Sessio.

DIE Martis, viz. 19o. die mensis Januarii, Anno Domini 1562. horâ secundâ post me­ridiem in Capellâ nuncupatâ, King Henry the Seventh's Chappel, infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster Situatâ, dictis primitùs & publicè recitatis per Reverendissimum Patrem Dominum Matthaeum Archiepiscopum Cantuari­ensem, & reliquos Episcopos Suffraganeos Pro­vinciae Cantuariensis precibus de quibus in Supe­riori Sessione fit mentio coram eodem Reverendis­simo Patre pro Tribunali sedente, assidentibus se­cum Reverendis Patribus Dominis, &c. respecti­vè Episcopis, comparuit personaliter Magister Gabriel Goodman, Decanus Ecclesiae Collegiatae Divi Petri Westminster praedictae, ac Vice sua & totius Capituli (ut asseruit) ejusdem Ecclesiae palam & publicè protestatus fuit, Quòd non in­tendit consentire ut hujusmodi sacra Synodus in dictâ Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ Divi Petri Westminster celebretur, nisi quatenùs per privilegia ejusdem Ecclesiae liceat & non aliter, ne (que) alio modo, quibus quidem privilegiis (ut asseruit) in ali­quo derogare noluit, ne (que) intendit, sed eis firmitèr adhaerere ac pro posse suo illaesa in om­nibus conservare. Et tunc, habitâ inter dictum [Page 193] Reverendissimum Patrem, ac caeteros Episcopos suos Suffraganeos praenominatos communicatione si­ve disputatione de quibusdam Articulis ad Chri­stianam fidem facientibus; tandem dictus Reve­rendissimus accersiri jussit ad se Prolocutorem Domûs Inferioris; qui quidem Prolocutor, unâ cum Sex aliis de Clero dicta Domus Inferioris co­ram Patribus sui copiam faciens, proposuit & as­seruit, quòd quidam de dicta Domo exhibuerant quasdam diversas Schedas de rebus Reformandis per eos respectivè excogitat. & in Scriptis re­dact. Quae quidem Schedae de communi consensu traditae sunt quibusdam viris gravioribus & doc­tioribus de Coetu dictae Domûs Inferioris ad hoc electis perspiciend. & considerand. Quibus sic electis (ut asseruit) assignatum est ut hujusmo­di Schedas in Capitula redigant ac in proximâ Sessione exhibeant coram eodem Prolocutore. Et ulteriùs proposuit, quòd Articuli in Synodo Lon­dinensi, tempore nuper Regis Edwardi Sexti (ut asseruit) editi, traditi sunt quibusdam aliis Viris ex Coetu dictae Domûs Inferioris, ad hoc etiam electis, ut eos diligenter perspiciant, examinent, & considerent; ac prout eis visum fuerit, cor­rigant & reforment, ac in proximâ Sessione etiam exhibeant. Et tunc Reverendissimus hujusmodi negotia per dictum Prolocutorem & Clerum in­caepta approbavit, ac in eisdem erga proximam Sessionem juxta eorum determinationem procedere voluit & mandavit. Quibus sic expeditis, Re­verendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c. In Dei Nomine, Amen. &c.

Sessio Quinta.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 20o. die Mensis Janu­arii, &c. inter horam secundam & tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Matthaeus Archiepiscopus Cantuarien­sis, &c. Ac Reverendi Patres, &c. in Capellâ nuper Regis Henrici Septimi, infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster, congregati, &c. de & super quibusdam Articulis sacrosanc­tam Christi Religionem concernentibus, de qui­bus in Actis hesterni diei fit mentio, per spacium trium horarum aut circiter inter se tractarunt & communicarunt. Ac tandem dictus Reverendis­simus, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c. In Dei Nomine, Amen. &c.

Sessio Sexta.

DIE Veneris, viz. xxijo. die Mensis Ja­nuarii, circa horam octavam ante meridi­em ejusdem diei, praefatus Reverendissimus Pa­ter, Dominus Matthaeus Archiepiscopus Cantua­riensis, ac Reverendi Patres, &c. in Domo Ca­pitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London congregati, &c. Secretam quandam communicati­onem per spacium trium horarum Semotis Arbi­tris, inter se habuerunt; ac tandem dictus Re­verendissimus Pater, &c. continuavit, &c. usque in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas 1. & 2. post me­ridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c. In Dei No­mine, Amen, &c.

Sessio Septima.

DIE Lunae, viz. 25. die mensis Januarii, Anno praedicto, circa horam tertiam post me­ridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Dominus Matthaeus Archiepiscopus Can­tuariensis, &c. ac Reverendi Patres, &c. in Ca­pella nuper Regis Henrici Septimi infra Eccle­siam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm. congregati, per spacium duarum horarum aut circiter secre­tam quandam communicationem inter se habue­runt: Ac tandem Reverendissimus, &c. continu­avit, &c. usque ad & in diem Mercurij, &c. in­ter horam 1 & 3 post meridiem, &c.

Sessio Octava.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 27o. die Mensis Janua­rij, 1562. horâ secunda post meridiem e­jusdem diei in Capella nuper Regis Henrici Sep­timi, infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Dominus Matthaeus permissione Divinâ Cantua­riensis Archiepiscopus, &c. ac Reverendi Patres Domini, &c. respective Episcopi, pro Tribunali sedentes, per spacium trium fere horarum se­cretè inter se tractarunt & communicarunt. Ac tandem dictus Reverendissimus, &c. continua­vit, &c.

Sessio Nona.

DIE Veneris, viz. 29o. die Mensis Januarij, 1562. inter horam octavam & nonam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendissimo in Christo Patre Domino Matthaeo Archiepiscopo Cantuari­ensi, &c. nec non Reverendis Patribus, &c. re­spective Episcopis in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London congregatis, post tractatum aliquem inter eos habitum, tandem su­per quibusdam Articulis Orthodoxae Fidei inter Episcopos quorum nomina eis subscribuntur, una­nimiter convenit, quorum quidem Articulorum te­nores sequuntur & sunt tales: Articuli de qui­bus, &c. àc deinde Reverendi Patres Domini Edmundus London, Robertus Winton, Nichola­us Lincoln, & Johannes Hereforden, respective Episcopi, per Reverendissimum de consensu Con­fratrum suorum praenominatorum electi fuerunt ad excogitand. quoedam Capitula de Disciplinâ in Ecclesiâ habend. Quibus sic gestis dictus Re­verendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad & in diem Mercurij, &c. inter horam 1 & 2 post meridiem, &c.

Sessio Decima.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 3o. die Mensis Februarij, 1562. in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi in­fra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster situatâ, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Domi­nus Matthaeus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, nec non Reverendi Patres Domini, &c. respective [Page 205] Episcopi, pro Tribunali sedentes, secretam quan­dam communicationem sive tractatum per spacium trium horarum aut circitèr inter se habuerunt. Ac tandem dictus Reverendissimus, &c. continua­vit, &c. usque ad & in diem Veneris, &c. inter hor as octavam & nonam antemerid. &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio Undecima.

DIE Veneris, viz. 5o. die Mensis Februarij, 1562. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis Divi Pauli London, coram Reverendis Pa­tribus, &c. respective Episcopis tunc ibidem con­gregatis, praesentatis per me Johannem Incent, Notarium Publicum Registrarium principalem Re­verendissimi Patris Domini Matthaei Archiepis­copi Cantuariensis, &c. Literis Commissionalibus ejusdem Reverendissimi Patris, praefatis Reveren­dis Patribus Dominis Edmundo London, Rober­to Winton, Edwino Wigorn, & Nicholao Lin­coln, respectivè Episcopis, ad tenendum Locum ejusdem Reverendissimi Patris in dictâ Convoca­tione conjunctim & divisim, factis & concessis, ac per me Notarium Publicum praedictum publice perlectis, praefatus Dominus Edmundus London, de consensu Collegarum suorum hujusmodi, ob reverentiam & honorem dicti Reverendissimi Pa­tris acceptavit in se onus dictarum Literarum Commissionalium, & decrevit procedendum fore juxta vim, formam, & effectum earundem. De­inde, post tractatum aliquem inter Patres praedi­ctos habitum; Reverendi Patres Domini Johan­nes Sarum, Thomas Coven & Lichen, Richardus Meneven, & Wilhelmus Exon, de unanimi con­sensu [Page 206] Patrum praedictorum, assignati fuerunt ad examinandum Librum vocatum (the Catechism.) Et tunc habitâ inter Patres communicatione & tractatu de Subsidio Dominae nostrae Reginae per Praelatos & Clerum Provinciae Cantuariensis con­cedendo, iidem Patres accersiri fecerunt coram eis Prolocutorem Domus Inferioris. Qui quidem Prolocutor cum Sex aliis de coetu Domûs Inferioris, coram eisdem Patribus sui copiam faciens, por­rexit & exhibuit coram eisdem Patribus quos­dam Articulos sive Libellum de Doctrinâ, &c. à Reverendissimo Domino Archiepiscopo Cantua­riensi & aliis Reverendis Patribus ad coetum Ec­clesiasticum dictae Domûs Inferioris, alias (ut as­seruit) transmissos, ac per dictum coetum per­spect'. & propriis manibus nonnullorum ejus­dem Coetûs (ut apparuit) Subscript'. ac, nomine & consensu (ut asseruit) totius Coetûs Ecclesia­stici dictae Domûs Inferioris, rogavit Patres ut omnes qui hactenùs Articulis dicti Libelli non sub­scripserunt, id suis propriis manibus publicè in frequenti Coetu Ecclesiastico dictae Domûs Inferio­ris, aut (si id recusarint) coram eisdem Reve­rendis Patribus facere cogantur. Et tunc Re­verendi Patres unanimi consensu decreverunt, ut omnia & singula nomina eorum qui supra-di­ctis Articulis nomina sua propriis suis manibus non subscripserunt, à dicto Domino Prolocutore de­scripta ad eos perferantur in proximâ Sessione. Quibus sic gestis, praefatus Reverendus Dominus London Episcopus, de consensu Collegarum suo­rum & aliorum Reverendorum Patrum praenomi­natorum, continuavit, &c. usque in diem Mer­curij, &c. inter horas primam & secundam post meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio Duodecima.

DIE Mercurij, viz. decimo die mensis Fe­bruarii, 1562. in Capella Regis Henrici septimi infra Ecclesiam Callegiatam Divi Petri Westminster, Reverendus Pater Dominus Ed­mundus London Episcopus, Reverendissimi in Chri­sto Patris & Domini Domini Matthaei permissio­ne divinâ Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi, &c. Lo­cumtenens, Reverendi (que) Patres Domini, &c. re­spective Episcopi pro Tribunali sedentes, de re­bus Ecclesiae aliquandiu tractarunt. Ac tandem Dominus Prolocutor, cum Octo aliis de Coetu Do­mûs Inferioris, coram dictis Patribus comparens, praesentavit & exhibuit quendam Librum de Sub­sidio Dominae nostrae Reginae per Clerum Provin­ciae Cantuariensis concedendo, in Scriptis redac­tum; ac penes eosdem Patres dimisit, ac etiam praesentavit & exhibuit Libellum Articulorum de doctrina, &c. de quibus in ultimâ Sessi­one fit mentio; asserens, quòd quidam de Coetu dictae Domûs citra ultimam Sessionem dictis Arti­culis manus suas subscripserunt, ac quidam alii nondum Subscripserunt. Unde dicti Patres vo­luerunt & mandarunt, quod nomina eorum, qui hactenùs non subscripserunt, praesententur coram eis in proxima Sessione. Deinde dictus Dominus Locumtenens, de consensu Confratrum suorum praelictorum, continuavit, &c. usque ad & in di­em Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam & nonam ante meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XIII.

DIE Veneris, viz. 12o. die mensis Februarij, 1562. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis Divi Pauli London. Reverendus in Chri­sto Pater Dominus Edwinus permissione Divinâ Wigorn Episcopus, acceptans in se onus Commis­sionis Reverendissimi, &c. juxta formam & ef­fectum ejusdem procedendum fore decrevit. As deinde idem Reverendus Pater, authoritate sibi commissâ continuavit, &c. usque ad & in diem Sabbati, &c. inter horas primam & secundam post meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XIV.

DIE Sabbati, viz. 13o. die mensis Februarij, 1562. hora secunda post meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Dominus Matthaeus Archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, &c. nec­non Reverendi in Christo Patres, &c. respective Episcopi, in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London congregati, de Subsidio Do­minae nostrae Reginae per Praelatos & Clerum Can­tuarien. concedend', aliquamdiu tractarunt. Ac tandem dictus Reverendissimus, &c. continua­vit, &c. usque ad & in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas primam & tertiam post meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XV.

DIE Lunae, viz. 15o. die mensis Februarij, 1562. hora secunda post meridiem ejusdem diei in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. Reverendissimus Dominus Matthaeus Archiepisco­pus Cantuariensis ac, &c. respectivè Episcopi, pro Tribunali sedentes, de Subsidio Dominae no­strae Reginae concedendo inter se tractarunt. Ac tandem Reverendissimus praedictus Dominus Mat­thaeus Archiepiscopus Cant. & Dominus Rober­tus Winton Episcopus recesserunt. Post quorum recessum, Reverendi Patres Domini Edwinus Wigorn & Nicholaus Lincoln, dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris Locumtenentes, ac caeteri Reveren­di Patres praenominati Librum de hujusmodi Sub­sidio in Scriptis conceptum coram eis perlegi fece­runt. Quo lecto, dictus Dominus Wigorn. Epis­copus de consensu Patrum praenominatorum con­tinuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XVI.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 17o. die mensis Februarij, 1562. inter horas secundam & tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei in Capella Regis Hen­rici Septimi infra, &c. Reverendus in Christo Pater Nicholaus permissione Divinâ Lincoln E­piscopus, vice & authoritate Reverendissimi Pa­tris Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, &c. continua­vit, &c. usque ad & in diem Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam & nonam ante meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XVII.

DIE Veneris, viz. 19o. die Mensis Februa­rii, 1562. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Ca­thedralis Divi Pauli London, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater Dominus Matthaeus Archiepisco­pus Cantuariensis, &c. unà cum Reverendis Pa­tribus Dominis, &c. pro Tribulani sedens, ac­cersiri fecit ad se Prolocutorem Domus Inferioris. Cui quidem Prolocutori & Sex aliis de Clero dic­tae Domûs Inferioris coram dicto Reverendissimo & aliis Reverendis Patribus praenominatis constitut' idem Reverendissimus de & cum consensu Confra­trum suorum hujusmodi tradidit quosdam Articu­los in Scriptis conceptos, mandando quatenùs su­per contentis in dictis Articulis diligenter inqui­rant, ac quicquid inde invenerint, in Scriptis re­digant, ac dicto Reverendissimo porrigant & ex­hibeant. Et tunc dimissis dictis Prolocutore & Clero, ac habito secreto tractatu inter dictum Re­verendissimum Patrem & Confratres suos per spa­cium unius horae aut circiter, tandem praefatus Reverendissimus de consensu Confratrum suorum continuavit, &c. usque ad & in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas 1 & 2 post Meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulá, &c.

Articuli, vero de quibus suprà fit mentio, hic inferiùs describuntur.

First, Whether if the Writ of (melius inqui­rend') be sent forth, the likelihood be that it will turn to the Queen's commodity?

Item, Whether some Benefices rateable, be not less than they be already valued?

[Page 211] Item, To enquire of the manner of Dilapida­tions and other Spoliations that they can remem­ber to have passed upon their Livings, and by whom?

Item, How they been have used for the levy­ing of Arrearage of Tenths and Subsidies, and for how many Years past?

Item, How many Benefices they find that are charged with Pensions of Religious Persons?

Item, To certifie how many Benefices are va­cant in every Diocese?

Eodem die, Venerabilis Vir Magister Thomas Yale, Legum Doctor, Vicarius in Spiritualibus Ge­neralis dicti Reverendissimi Patris, ac Commissa­rius in hac parte specialiter deputatus, in Ca­pella beatae Mariae infra Ecclesiam Cathedralem divi Pauli London Situat' Domo viz. Inferioris Convocationis praedict. in praesentiâ, (ut diceba­tur) Magistri Wilhelmi Saye, Notarii Publici, dictae Domus Inferioris Registrarii & Actorum Scribae, judicialiter sedens legit quandam Sche­dulam contra omnes & singulos Decanos, Capi­tula, Archidiaconos, & Cleri Procuratores, ac caeteros quoscun (que) in dicta Convocatione, juxta monitionem legitimam in hac parte factam, non comparentes, aut ab eadem sine licentiâ, &c. re­cedentes. Cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur, & est talis, In Dei Nomine, Amen. &c.

Sessio XVIII.

DIE Lunae, viz. 22o. die Mensis Februarii, 1562. Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Mat- [Page 212] Matthaeus Cantuariensis, ac Reverendi Pa­tres Domini, &c. respectivè Episcopi, in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. con­gregati, & pro Tribunali sedentes, ac de Sub [...]idio Dominae nostrae Reginae concedendo aliquandiu tra­ctantes, tandem unanimitèr convenerunt de hu­jusmodi Subsidio eidem Dominae nostrae Reginae con­cedendo sub modo & forma ac conditionibus & pro­vsionibus sequentibus, viz. The Prelates and Clergy of the Province of Canterbury, &c. Qui­bus sic factis, dictus Reverendissimus, &c. con­tinuavit, &c. usque ad & in diem Mercurii, &c. inter horam octavam & decimam ante Meridiem, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XIX.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 24. die Mensis Februa­rii, &c. in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. Reverendissimus, &c. nec non Reverendi Patres, &c. respective Episcopi, congregati, Sur­rogatum Prolocutoris (dicto Prolocutore absente) & Clerum Domûs Inferioris, ad se accersiri jusse­runt; ac coram eis publicè legi fecerunt Librum de Subsidio, Dominae nostrae Reginae concesso, de quo in Actis proximè praecedentis Sessionis fit men­tio, in pergameno conscript. ac Sigillo dicti Re­verendissimi Patris sigillat'. Cui quidem Libro sic perlecto, ac omnibus & singulis concessionibus, conditionibus & provisionibus in eodem mentio­natis sub modo & forma [...]supra specificatis, dictus Clerus Inferioris Domûs consensum & assensum suos unanimiter adhibuerunt.

Sessio XX.

DIE Veneris, viz. 26. die Mensis Februarii, &c. Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Matthaeus Cantuar. &c. in Domo Capitulari Ec­clesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London congregati, & pro Tribunali sedentes, secretum quendam tractatum aliquandiu inter se habuerunt. Deinde Prolocutor & decem alii de Coetu Domûs Inferio­ris viz. Magister Georgius Carewe, Decanus Ecclesiae Collegiatae sive Capellae Regiae de Winsor, Magister Pedder Decanus Wigorn, Magister Sa­lisburie Decanus Norwicen, Mag. Latimer De­canus Petriburgen, Mag. Cottrell Archidiaconus Dorset, Mag. Kennall Archidiaconus Exon, Mag. Chaundler Archidiaconus Sarum, Mag. Walker Archidiaconus Stafford, Mag. Hewitt Praecentor Meneven. & Mag. Levar Archidiaconus Coven. coram dicta Reverendissimo Patr [...] ac ceteris Reve­rendis Patribus praenominatis personaliter compa­rentes, tam nominibus suis propriis, quam vice & nomine totius Coetûs (ut asserunt) Domûs In­ferioris Convocationis praedict. porrexerunt eis­dem Patribus quendam Librum de Disciplinâ, &c. in papiro. Cui quidem Libro (ut asseruerunt) dictus Coetus Domûs Inferioris unanimiter consenserunt. Et tunc dictus Liber, de consensu Patrum prae­dictorum, commissus fuit Reverendissimo Domino Cantuar. ac Reverendis Dominis London, Winton, Cicestren, Hereforden, & Elien, examinandus. Quibus sic gestis, dictus Reverendissimus de con­sensu Confratrum suorum continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas primam & ter­tiam post meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXI.

DIE Lunae, viz. primo die mensis Martii, &c. Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Mat­thaeus Cantuar. &c. ac Reverendi Patres Domi­ni, &c. respectivè Episcopi, in Capella Regis Hen­rici Septimi insra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Pe­tri Westminster, pro Tribulani sedentes, per spa­cium duarum horarum aut circitèr inter se secre­tè communicarunt. Et tunc comparuit coram eis Prolocutor Domûs Inferioris, & allegavit, quòd Coetus dictae Domûs Inferioris excogitavit quaedam Capitula additionalia ad Librum de Disci­plinâ coram Patribus ultima Sessione porrectum, quae quidem Capitula dicto Libro (ut asseruit) addi cupit. Unde dictus Reverendissimus tradidit eidem Domino Prolocutori Librum praedictum, mandando quòd additis hujusmodi Capitulis sic ex­cogitatis, ipsum Librum, cum Additionalibus praedictis, denuò exhibeat coram codem Reveren­dissimo & Confratribus suis in proximâ Sessione. Deinde, dictus Reverendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Mercurii, &c. inter ho­ras primam & tertiam post meridiem, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXII.

DIE Mercurij, viz. tertio die mensis Martii, 1562. coram Reverendissimo Patre Domi­no Archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, ac Reverendis Patribus Dominis, &c. respectivè Episcopis, in Capellâ Regis Henrici Septimi, &c. Dominus Pro­locutor Domûs Inferioris Convocationis, ac Mag. Thomas Sampson Decanus Ecclesiae Christi Oxon, & Wilhelmus Deye Praepositus Collegii Regalis de Eaton, personaliter comparentes, nomine toti­us Coetûs dictae Domus Inferioris praesentârunt eis­dem [Page 215] Patribus quendam Librum nuncupatum Cate­chismus puerorum, cui (ut asseruerunt) omnes de Coetu ejusdem Domûs unanimiter consenserunt. Quem quidem Librum penes eosdem Patres dimise­runt. Et tunc, dicto Domino Prolocutore, unàcum praefatis Magistris Sampson & Deye ad Domum In­feriorem praedictam sese conferentes, dictus Reve­rendissimus cum Confratribus suis praenominatis ac Reverendis Patribus Dominis Roberto Winton, Jo­hanne Hereforden, Nicholao Lincoln, & Thomâ Coven & Lichen, respectivè Episcopis, secretam quandam communicationem sive tractatum per spaci­um duarum horarum & ultra habuit. Ac postremò ipse Reverendissimus Pater, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Veneris, &c. inter horas octa­vam & nonam ante, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXIII.

DIE Veneris, viz. 5. die mensis Martii, 1562. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London, hora prius assignata, Reverendissimus, &c. ac Reverendi Patres, &c respective Episcopi, pro Tribunali sedentes, secretè inter se aliquandiù communicarunt. Ac tandem comparuit coram eis Dominus Prolocutor Domûs Inferioris, ac Magistri Johannes Warner Decanus Winton, Johannes Salis­burye Decanus Nor [...]icen, Thomas Watts Archidia­conus Middlesex, & Robertus Weston unus Pro­curatorum Cleri Diaeces. Lichen. & exhibuerunt coram eisdem Patribus Librum de Disciplinâ, unà cum quibusdam, Capitulis additionalibus ad eundem, viz. de Adulterio, &c. & penes eosdem Patres di­miserunt. Et dictus Reverendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas primam & secundampost meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXIV.

DIE Lunae, 8. viz. die mensis Martii, 1562. in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi, &c. Reveren­dus Pater Dominus Edmundus London Episcopus, assidentibus. secum Reverendis Patribus Dominis, &c. resp [...] Episcopis, vice ac authoritate dicti Reverendissimi Patris, continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Mercurii, &c. inter horas primam & secun­dam, &c. ad hunc Locum prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXV.

DIE Mercurij, viz. decimo die mensis Martii, 1562. in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi, &c. Reverendissimus, &c. unà cum Reverendis Patribus, &c. respectivè Episcopis pro Tribunali sedens, post tractatum aliquem cum eisdem Confratribus suis per duarum horarum spacium secretè habitum continua­vit &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Veneris, &c. inter ho­ras octavam & nonam ante meridiem, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXVI.

DIE Veneris, viz. 12o. die mensis Martii, &c. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London, Reverendissimus, &c. una cum Re­verendis Patribus &c. respectivè Episcopis, pro Tri­bunali sedens, post secretum quendam tractatum cum eisdem Confratribus suis per spacium duarum horarum habitum, &c. prorogavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas primam & secundam post meridiem, &c. ad Capellam Regis Henrici Septimi, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXVII.

DIE Lunae, viz. 15. die mensis Martij, &c. in quodam alto deambulatorio infra maneri­um Domini Archiepiscopi Cant. apud Lambeth, Reverendissimus, &c. in praesentia mei Johannis Incent Notarii Publici, Registrarii primarii dicti Reverendissimi Patris personaliter constitutus, commisit vices suas Reverendo in Christo Patri Domino Wilhelmo permissione divina Cicestrensi Episcopo ad continuand. & prorogand. praefatam Convoc. sive Sacram Synodum Provinc. in Statu quo nunc est us (que) ad & in diem Mercurij prox. fu­turum, viz. 17. diem praesentis mensis Martij, inter horas primam & secundam post meridiem ejusdem diei, ad Capellam Regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. ac postea de die in diem & de Loco in Locum, quoties ipsum Reverendissimum Patrem abesse con­tigerit; Ac caetera omnia & singula faciend. & expediend. quae in praemissis aut circa ea necessa­ria fuerint, seu quomodolibet opportuna. Et pro­misit de Rat. &c. Deinde eodem die in Capella Re­gis Henrici Septimi super-mentionatâ, in prae­sentiâ mei praefati Johannis Incent No­tarii Publici ac Registrarii antedicti, dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Wilhelmus Cicestren­sis Episcopus acceptans in se Onus Commissionis praefati Reverendissimi Patris, juxta vim formam & effectum ejusdem procedendum fore decrevit. Ac mox, authoritate sibi commissâ, continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Mercurij &c. inter horas primam & secundam post, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXVIIII

DIE Mercurij, viz. 17. die mensis Martij, &c. in. Capella Regis Henrici Septimi in­fra, &c. Venerabilis Vir Magister Thomas Yale Legum Doctor, Reverendissimi, &c. Vicarius in Spiritualibus Generalis, & Commissarius ad in­fra Scripta sufficienter constitutus, vice & autho­ritate ejusdem Reverendissimi Patris continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Veneris, &c. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXIXI

DIE Veneris, viz. 19. die mensis Martii, 1562. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis Divi Pauli London, Reverendissimus, &c. pro Tribunali sedens, assidentibus secum Reve­rendis Patribus, &c. respectivè Episcopis, cum eisdem Confratribus suis per spacium duarum ho­rarum aut circitèr secretè communicavit; ac postea continuavit, &c. Usque ad & in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas 1 & 3 post, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXX.

DIE Lunae, viz. 22. die mensis Martii, &c. in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. Reverendus Pater Wilhelmus, &c. Cicestrensis Episcopus, vice & authoritate Reverendissimi Do­mini, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem [Page 219] Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam & undecimam ante, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXXI.

DIE Veneris, viz. 26. die Mensis Martii, 1563. hora nona ante meridiem, in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli Lon­don, Venerabilis Vir Magister Valentinus Dale, Legum Doctor, vice & authoritate Reverendissi­mi, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & inter horam primam & tertiam post meridiem hujus diei ad hunc locum, prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Eodem Die, hora secunda post meridiem ejus­dem diei in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Divi Pauli London, Venerabilis Vir Magister Thomas Yale, Legum Doctor, vice & authoritate dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam & de­cimam ante, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXXII.

DIE Veneris, viz. secundo die mensis Apri­lis, 1563. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Ca­thedralis Divi Pauli London, hora nona ante me­ridiem ejusdem diei, Venerabilis Vir Magister Thomas Yale Legum Doctor, vice & authoritate Reverendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas primam & tertiam post, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XXXIII.

DIE Lunae, viz. 5. die mensis Aprilis, 1563. Venerabilis Vir Magister Thomas Yale Le­gum Doctor, vice & authoritate Reverendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Jovis, &c. inter horas primam & secundam, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXXIV.

DIE Jovis, viz. octavo die mensis Aprilis, &c. in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi, &c. praefatus Magister Thomas Yale vice & au­thoritate dicti Reverendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. Us (que) ad & in diem Sabbati, &c. inter horas primam & tertiam post, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XXXV.

DIE Sabbati, viz. Decimo die mensis Apri­lis, 1563. in Capella Regis Henrici Septi­mi infra, &c. Venerabilis Vir Magister Thomas Yale Legum Doctor, Locum Tenens antedictus, vice & authoritate Reverendissimi, &c. continua­vit, &c. ad & in diem Mercurij proximè futurum, viz. 14 diem praesentis mensis Aprilis inter ho­ras primam & tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei ad hunc Locum, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ tenore Subscripto plenius continetur. In Dei No­mine, Amen, &c.

Breve Regium de Convocatione Proroganda.

Elizabeth, Dei gratiâ, &c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri Matthaeo eadem gratiâ Cant. Archiepiscopo, &c.

[Page 221] Commissio Archiepiscopi.

Nos Matthaeus Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, &c. habentes Mandatum Dominae nostrae de Prorogandâ Convocatione, &c.

Sessio XXXVI.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 14. die mensis Aprilis, An. Dom. 1563. in Capellâ Regis Henrici Sep­timi, &c. in praesentiâ mei Johannis Incent Nota­rii Publici Registrarii, &c. Venerabilis Vir Ma­gister Thomas Yale Legum Doctor, pro Tribu­nali sedens, acceptavit in se onus Commissio­nis dicti Reverendissimi Patris Domini Matthaei Archiepiscopi Cant. &c. de Convocatione Prorogand. sibi factae, & decrevit procedend. fore juxta vim, formam, & effectum ejusdem. Et mox dictus Mr. Yale, vice & authoritate praefati Reveren­dissimi Patris, Continuavit & Prorogavit candem Convocationem in Statu quo nune est usque ad & in tertium diem mensis Octobris prox. futur. ad hunc locum, juxta tenorem Brevis Regii supra­script. eidem Reverendo Patri in hac parte di­rect. Prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ pleniùs continetur: Cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec Verba, In Dei Nomine, Amen. &c.

Forma sive Descriptio Con­vocationis Celebrandae, prout ab Antiquo observari con­suevit.

SCiendum est, quòd Omnes qui Auctori­tate Reverendissimi Domini Archiepi­scopi Cantuar' citantur ad comparendum coram Eo in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis Divi Pauli London' duodecimo die Jan' prox' tenentur praefixo tempore interesse, atque in eâdem Ecclesiâ Cath' praestolari Adventum dicti Reverendissimi. Qui ex more, paulo post octavam ante Meridiem illius diei, solet cum cele­bri Comitatu apud Portum Thamisis vocatum Paul's Wharf in terram descendere, atque ex­inde Praeeuntibus Advocatis & Procuratoribus Curiae Cantuar' certisque Reverendissimi Gene­rosis ac Virgifero Convocationis, ad Ecclesiam Cath' Divi Pauli London rectà tendere, atque in chorum ibidem ingredi. Ʋbi postquam in Stallo Decani collocatus fuerit, ac preces dixerit, tam Ipse quam Reliqui Episcopi praesentes habitu Convocationis togati, ex utroque Chori latere in suis stallis sese constitu [...]nt, & mox incipiunt pre­ces, [Page 2] quibus S. Sancti gratia invocatur; ac Com­munio subsequitur. Ac tempore Offertorii, tam dictus Reverendissimus quam caeteri suffraganei Episcopi rem divinam celebranti ordine progre­dientes Oblationem offerre ex more debent. Per­actâ in hunc morem Re Divinâ, solet doctus aliquis ex Coetu Convocationis, sive Superioris, sive Inferioris Domûs, ad hoc selectus, è Sug­gestu in medio Chori Concionem ad Clerum ibi­dem congregatum Latinè proferre.

Quâ absolutâ, Reverendissimus statim se con­fert in Domum Capitularem dictae Ecclesiae; sequentibus Episcopis, & toto Clero. Quibus ingressis ac seclusis Extraneis, Reverendissimo ac caeteris suis Co-Episcopis in suis sedibus ordi­ne considentibus, ac reliquo Clero circumstante, Reverendus Dominus Episcopus London. Man­datum sibi à dicto Reverendissimo ad Convoca­tionem hujusmodi [submonendam] Sub [...]un­dam, in the MS. aliàs dire­ctum, una cum debito Certificatorio super execu­tione ejusdem, introducere, ac debita cum Reve­rentia eidem Reverendissimo Patri praesentare & tradere tenetur.

Quo quidem Certificatorio perlecto, statim porrigitur eidem Reverendissimo Schedula descri­pta, per quam pronunciat omnes ad eosdem diem, horam & locum non comparentes Contumaces, reservando poenam eorum contumaciae in aliquem diem competentem pro Beneplacito ipsius Reve­rendissimi.

[Page 3] Praemissis sic expeditis dictus Reverendissimus ad Episcopos & Clerum tunc praesentes Anglicè sive Latinè Causam sui adventûs ac dictae Convocationis inchoatae exponit.

Quodque ex laudabili & antiqua Ordina­tione eadem Convocatio in duo Membra divi­ditur, nempe in Superiorem atque Inferiorem domum. Ʋnde Reverendissimus & caeteri Co-Episcopi Superiorem Domum efficiunt; Infe­rior verò Domus ex Decanis Ecclesiarum Cath' Archidiaconis, Collegiorum Magistris, & Capi­tulorum Cath' Ecclesiarum, necnon Cleri cujus­cunque Dioeceseos Procuratoribus constat.

Et quoniam si in rerum tractandarum serie unusquisque ex Inferiore Domo suam ipse sen­tentiam, quoties visum esset, diceret, aut si om­nes aut plures simul loquerentur, pareret confu­sionem, igitur semper hactenus observatum fuit, ut Ʋnus aliquis doctus & disertus ex gre­mio dictae inferioris Domus in eorum omnium locum ad hoc munus assumatur; ut Is intel­lectis & scrutatis caeterorum Omnium votis, tan­quam unum Eorum omnium Os & Organum loquatur, & consonam eorum sententiam eidem Reverendissimo, cum ad hoc rogatus seu missus fuerit, caeteris silentibus fideliter referat: Qui ex hoc munere Referendarius sive Prolocutor communiter denominatur. Cujus eligendi li­bera facultas semper penes dictam Inferiorem Domum remanet.

[Page 4] Ʋnde ipse Reverendissimus solet eosdem ex Inferiori Domo monere atque hortari, ut statim se conferant in dictam Inferiorem Domum, ibique de viro docto, pio & fideli in Prolocu­torem suum assumendo consultantes, unanimiter consentiant & eligant, sicque electum ipsi Reve­rendissimo in eadem Domo Capitulari prox' inse­quente Sessione debita cum solemnitate praesentent. His dictis, descendunt Omnes in Inferiorem Do­mum ad effectum praedictum.

Forma Eligendi & Praesen­tandi Prolocutorem.

SOlet observari, ut postquam ingressi fu­erint Inferiorem Domum, in sedibus se decenter collocent, & si Aliqui ex Iis sint Consiliarii sive Sacellani Regiae Majestatis, ut hi superiores sedes occupent; atque ut Ʋnus ex Iis propter Dignitatem & Reverentiam, seu in eorum absentia, Decanus Ecclesiae Cath' D. Pauli London' sive Archidiaconus Lond' Prae­sidentis officio in hujusmodi Electione fungatur.

Atque ut ad hoc ritè procedatur, primum jubebit nomina omnium citatorum & qui tunc interesse tenentur à Clerico dictae Inferioris Do­mus recitari & praeconizari. Notatis (que) Absen­tibus, alloquatur praesentes, atque eorum senten­tiam de idoneo Procuratore eligendo sciscitetur.

[Page 5] Et postquam de eo convenerint (quod semper quasi statim & absque ullo negotio perfici solebat) mox conveniunt inter se de Duobus eminen­tioris Ordinis, qui dictum Electum Reveren­dissimo Domino Cantuar' in Die statuto debita cum Reverentia & Solennitate praesentent. Quo­rum Alter sicut, cum dies advenerit, ipsum Prolocutorem cum Latina & docta Oratione praesentare tenetur, sic etiam idem Praesentatus habitu Doctoratûs indutus consimilem Oratio­nem ad dictum Reverendissimum Patrem ac Praelatos & caeteros praesentes habere debet.

Quibus finitis, praefatus Reverendissimus O­ratione Latina tam Electores quam Praesenta­torem & Praesentatum pro sua gratia collaudare, ac demum ipsam Electionem sua Archiepiscopali Authoritate expresse confirmare & approbare non dedignabitur.

Et statim idem Reverendissimus Anglicè (si placeat) exponere solet ulterius Beneplacitum suum; Hortando Clerum, ut de rebus commu­nibus quae Reformatione indigent, consultent & referant die statuto. Ac ad hunc modum de Sessione in Sessionem continuabitur Convocatio quamdiu expedire videbitur, ac donec de eadem dissolvenda Breve Regium eidem Reverendissi­mo praesentetur.

Et sciendum est, quod quotiescun (que) Prolo­cutor ad praesentiam Reverendissimi causa Con­vocationis ac tempore Sessionis accesserit, utatur habitu praedicto, ac Janitor sive Virgifer dictae [Page 6] inferioris Domus ipsum reverenter antecedat.

Ejusdem Prolocutoris est etiam monere om­nes ne discedant à Civitate London' abs (que) Li­centia Reverendissimi; Quodque statutis di­ebus tempestivè veniant ad Convocationem. Quodque salaria Clericorum tam Superioris quam Inferioris Domus, & Janitoris inferioris Domus, juxta antiquam taxationem, quatenus eorum quemlibet concernit, fideliter persol­vant.

ACTA IN SUPERIORE DOMO CONVOCATIONIS INCOEPTAE DECIMO QUARTO DIE APRILIS ANNO MDCXL. PRAESIDE REVERENDISSIMO PATRE GULIELMO LAUD ARCHIEP. CANT.

Archbishop LAƲD's Mandate to the Bishop of London, for Sum­moning a Convocation to meet at St. Paul's, April 14. 1640.

GƲlielmus Providentia Divina Cant. Archiepi­scopus, totius Angliae Primas & Metropolitanus, Venerabili Confratri nostro Domino Gulielmo eadem Providentia London. Episcopo, summo Angliae The­saurario, Salutem & Fraternam in Domino Chari­tatem. Breve Illustrissimi in Christo Principis & Domini nostri CAROLI Dei gratia Angliae, Sco­tiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. Nobis inscriptum & directum, nuper cum ea qua de­cuit reverentia, observantia & subjectione, humiliter recepimus in haec verba. CAROLƲS Dei gratia Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Rex, Fidei Defensor, &c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Fideli Consiliario nostro Gulielmo eadem gratia Cant. Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati & Metropoli­tano Salutem. Quibusdam arduis & urgentibus nego­tiis Nos, Securitatem & Defensionem Ecclesiae Angli­canae ac pacem & tranquillitatem, bonum publicum & defensionem Regni nostri & subditorum nostrorum ejusdem concernentibus, Vobis in fide & dilectione qui­bus nobis tenemini rogando mandamus, quatenus prae­missis debito intuitu attentis & ponderatis, universos & singulos Episcopos vestrae Provinciae, ac Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium, necnon Archidiaconos, Capitula & Collegia, totumque Clerum cujuslibet Dioe­ceseos [Page 10] ejusdem Provinciae, ad comparendum coram vo­bis in Ecclesia Cathedrali Sancti Pauli London, deci­mo quarto die mensis Aprilis proxime futuri, vel alibi prout melius expedire videatis, cum omni celeritate accommoda modo debito convocari faciatis, ad tra­ctandum, consentiendum & concludendum super prae­missis & aliis quae sibi clarius exponentur tunc ibidem ex parte nostra. Et hoc sicut nos & statum Regni nostri & honorem & utilitatem Ecclesiae praedictae di­ligtis, nullatenus omittatis. Teste meipso apud Westm. vicesimo die Februarii Anno Regni nostri decime quinto. Quocira fraternitati vestrae committimus & mandamus, quatenus omnes & singulos Co-Episcopas Ecclesiae nostrae Christi Cant. Suffraganeos infra prae­fatam Provinciam nostram Cantuariensem constitutos, peremptoriè citetis, ac per eos, Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & Collegiatarum & singula Capitula earundem, Archidiaconos (que) & caeteros Ecclesiarum Praelatos Exemptos & non Exemptos, Clerum (que) cu­juslibet Dioec. Provinciae nostrae antedictae peremptoriè citari & praemoneri volumus & mandamus, Quod iidem Episcopi, Decani, Archidiaconi & caeteri Ecclesiarum Praelati Exempti & non Exempti personaliter, & quod­libet Capitulum Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & Colle­giatarum per unum, Clerusque cujuslibet Dioec. Pro­vinciae nostrae antedictae per duos sufficientes Procu­ratores, compareant coram nobis aut nostro in hac parte locum tenente sive Commissario (si nos impediri conti­gerit) in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis S. Pauli London, decimo quarto die mensis Aprilis prox. fu­turo post datum praesentium cum continuatione & pro­rogatione dierum extunc sequentium & locorum (si oporteat) fiend. ad tractandum super arduis & urgen­tibus negotiis statum & utilitatem, bonum Publicum & defensionem Regni Angliae & subditorum ejusdem concernentibus, ipsis & ibidem seriosius exponend. [Page 11] suaque sana consitia & auxilia super eis impensur. ac his quae ibidem ex deliberatione communi ad hono­rem Dei & Ecclesie utilitatem salubriter ordinari & statui contigerit, consensur. ulteriusque factur. & receptur. quod justum fuerit et hujusmodi Negotii na­tura & qualitas de se exigunt & requirunt. Vos au­tem, Venerabilis Confrater noster, dictum Mandatum quatenus vos & Capitulum Ecclesiae vestrae Cathedralis ac Civitatem & Dioec. London concernit, exequi per omnia faciatis & eidem pareatis in omnibus cum Ef­fectu. Praeterea tenore praesentium vos citamus qua­tenus eisdem die & loco coram nobis aut nostro in hac parte locum tenente sive Commissario uno vel plu­ribus unà cum aliis Venerabilibus Confratribus nostris dictae Provinciae nostrae Cant. Co-Episcopis compareatis super hujusmodi negotiis (ut praemittitur) tractatur. necnon factur. & receptur. quod ad vestram Pater­nitatem attinet, prout superius continetur. Volumus insuper & mandamus quatenus intimetis & denunci­etis seu intimari & denunciari faciatis dictae Provin­ciae nostrae Cant. Co-Episcopis, Decanis, Archidiaconis & caeteris Ecclesiarum Praelatis suprascriptis; quod eos à personali compartitione in hujusmodi negotio Convocationis & Congregationis dictis die & loco (ut praemittitur) Divina favente clementia celebrando excusatos non habere intendimus ista vice nisi ex cau­sa necessaria tunc & ibidem allegand. & proponend. & per nos approband. sed Contumacias eorum qui absentes fuerint Canonicè punire. Et praeterea vobis ut supra injungimus & mandamus, quod omnibus & singulis Co-Episcopis Suffraganeis Provinciae nostrae Cant. predictae injungatis seu faciatis injungi ut sin­guli eorum sigillatim de facto suo quatenus pertinent ad eosdem Nos seu locum tenentem sive Commissa­rium nostrum unum vel plures dictis die & loco per literas eorum patentes nomina & cognomina omni­um [Page 12] & singulorum per eos respective citatorum conti­nentes distinctè certificent & aperte. De die verorecep­tionis praesentium, & quid in praemissis feceritis, Nos aut nostrum Commissarium hujusmodi dictis die & loco debite certificari curetis per literas vestras Patentes, harum seriem una cum Nominibus omnium & singu­lorum Episcoporum Provinciae nostrae Cant. Decano­rum, Archidiaconorum & caeterorum Praelatorum ve­strae Dioec. in separata Schedula literis Certificatoriis annectend. complectent. Datum in Manerio nostro de Lambeth vicesimo secundo die mensis Febr. Anno Domini juxta computationem Ecclesiae Anglicanae mil­lesimo sexcentesimo tricesimo nono, & nostrae Translationis Anno Septimo.

Prima Sessio.

DIE Martis, decimo quarto viz. die Mensis Aprilis, Anno Domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo quadragesimo, Regnique Serenissimi in Christo Principis & Domini nostri Domini Caroli Dei gratia Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hibernia Regis, fidei defensoris, &c. anno decimo Sexto, Reverendissimus in Christo Pater, & Dominus Dominus Gulielmus providentia Divina Cantuariensis Archiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas & Metropolitanus, Manè inter horas octavam & nonam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, à Manerio suo de Lambehith in Naviculo suo dicto Vulgo a Barge, ad Ripam dictam Paul's Wharfe London ap­plicuit, ibidem (que) ab Advocatis & Procuratoribus ac caeteris Ministris Almae suae Curiae Cantuariensis de Arcubus London. acceptus, in curru sive vehiculo ad Palatium Episcopale London venit. Ac paulò post, Idem Reverendissimus Pater amictu & habitu suis vestitus, ab Advocatis, Procuratoribus, & caeteris Ministris suis Curiae praedictae, ad Ostium boreale Ec­clesiae Paulinae juxta Palatium Episcopale London an­tedictum, & inde in Ecclesiam Cathedralem Sancti Pauli London praedict. ductus fuit. Ibi (que) ad dictum Ostium, Venerabiles Viri Thomas Wynnyff, Sacrae Theologiae Professor, Decanus, ncc non Henricus King & Johannes Montfort, Sacrae Theologiae Pro­fessores, Canonici Residentiarii dictae Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis, Caeteri (que) Ministri ejusdem Ecclesiae Superpelli­ciis induti, eum praestolabantur, & ad Chorum ipsius Ecclesiae per Occidentale Ostium ejusdem Chori perdu­xerunt; Comitantibus eum Episcopis Suffraganeis Pro­vincia suae Cantuariensis, similibus habitibus indutis, [Page 14] & ibidem in Stallo Decani collocatus fuit. Caeteris (que) Episcopis Suffraganeis Provinciae Cantuariensis, habi­tibus suis in hujusmodi negotio Convocationis solitis & consuetis, indutis, Stallis Praebendariorum, ex utra (que) parte dicti Chori, sedentibus: Ac consequenter de­cantato per Ministros Chori praedicti Hymno, TE DEUM LAUDAMUS, &c. in Sermone An­glicano; Venerabilis Vir Thomas Turner Sacrae Theologiae Professor, Canonicus Residentiarius dictae Ecclesic Cathedralis Sancti Pauli London. sug­gestum in medio Chori positum ingressus fuit. Ac ibi­dem Concionem venustam & eloquentem Sermone La­tino ad Patres ac populum & Clerum praesentes habuit; accepto pro Themate Versu decimo sexto Capituli decimi secundum Evangelium sancti Matthaei, viz. Ecce mitto Vos ut Oves in medium luporum, estote igitur prudentes sicut serpentes, & innocen­tes ut Columbae. Quâ quidem Concione finitâ, ac decantato per Ministros chori praedicti alio Psalmo sive Hymno, O Lord make thy Servant Charles, &c. Reverendissimus pater Dominus Gulielmus Cantuari­ensis Archiepiscopus antedictus Chorum praedictum e­gressus, ac Domum Capitularem Eclesiae Cathedralis praedictae ingressus, comitantibus eum caeteris Episcopis & Cleri Praelatis Provinciae suae Cantuariensis, pro Tribunali sedebat, assidentibus secum undi (que) Episcopis Suffraganeis, viz. Gulielmo London', Summo An­gliae Thesaurario, Waltero Winton', Johanne Sarum', Roberto Coven' & Lichen', Godfrido Gloucestren', Josepho Exon', Johanne Asaphen', Gulielmo Bathon' & Wellen', Johanne Oxon', Georgio Hereforden', Matthaeo Elien', Roberto Bristolien', Gulielmo Bangor', Johanne Roffen', Briano Cicestren', Johanne Petriburgen', & Mor­gano Landaven', respective Episcopis Personaliter comparentibus. Cui quidem Reverendissimo Patri [Page 15] pro Tribunali sedenti, post lecturam Brevis Regii per me Sacvilum Wade Notarium Publicum Registrarii Deputatum, eidem Reverendissimo Patri in hac parte inscripti & directi, Praefatus Reverendus Pater Do­minus Gulielmus London Episcopus exhibuit & prae­sentavit Certificatorium super Executione Mandati citatorii & monitorii dicti Reverendissimi Patris alias sibi praefato Domino Episcopo London directi: cujus quidem Certificatorii tenor sequitur in haec Verba, &c.

Certifica­torium Domini E­piscopi London. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Do­mino Gulielmo providentia divina Cantuariensi Archi­episcopo, &c.

Quo quidem Certificatorio per me praefatum Sac­vilum Wade Notarium Publicum antedictum de man­dato dicti Reverendissimi Patris, publicè lecto, prae­conizatis (que) publicè omnibus Reverendis Patribus Pro­vinciae Cantuariensis Episcopis Suffraganeis, in eodem Certificatorio nominatis, Praefatus Reverendissimus Pater Verbis latinis concept. Clerum Domus inferi­oris Convocationis in domo Capitulari praedicta coram eo & caeteris Praelatis constitutum, monuit, quatenùs ad solitum & consuetum Conventûs sui locum sese con­serentes, unum Virum gravem, doctum, & Peritum de gremio suo provideant & eligant in eorum Pro­locutorem sive Referendarium, Ipsum (que) sic electum exhibeant & praesentent coram eodem Reverendissimo Patre aut ejus locum-tenente sive Commissario die Ve­neris proximo, viz. decimo septimo die instantis Men­sis Aprilis inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meri­diem ejusdem diei in Capella Regis Henrici septimi infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Beati Petri Westminster. Quo Clero dimisso ad locum solitum, scilicet Capellam beatae Mariae Virginis ad finem Orientalem Ecclesiae Cathedralis praedictae ex parte Australi ejusdem, ad [Page 16] effectum eligendi unum gravem, doctum & peritum Virum de gremio suo in eorum Prolocutorem sive Referendarium, sese conferebant, & post aliquem tractatum inter dictum Reverendissimum Patrem & praefatos Reverendos Patres Confratres suos, Reveren­dissimus ad se accersiri secit totum Coetum domûs in­ferioris. Quibus comparentibus, Venerabilis Vir Tho­mas Wynnyff, sacrae Theologiae Professor, Decanus Ec­clesiae Cathedralis Sancti Pauli London. praedict. unus dictae domus ad hoc electus, tam nomine suo quam totius Coetus dictae domûs dicto Reverendissimo Patri signifi­cavit se & caeteros dictae domûs, Venerabiles Viros Ricardum Steward Legum Doctorem, Decanum Ecclesiae Cathedralis Cicestren' in eorum Prolocuto­rem & Gilbertum Sheldon Sacrae Theologiae Profes­sorem Custodem Collegii omnium animarum fidelium defunctorum Oxon, in Praesentatorem dicti Prolocu­toris respectivè unanimi consensu elegisse. Quibus sic gestis, praefatus Reverendissimus Pater pronunciavit omnes & singulos Decanos, Archi-diaconos, Capitulae, Cleri procuratores, ac caeteros quoscun (que) ad interessen­dum istis die, hora & loco, in hujusmodi Sacrâ Synodo sive Convocatione monitos & citatos, & nullo modo com­parentes, notoriè Contumaces, poenas verò contumaci­arum suarum hujusmodi usque ad & in praedictum decimum septimum diem instantis Mensis Aprilis, inter horas nonam et undeciman ante meridiem ejusdem diei, ad Ecclesiam Collegiatam beati Petri Westminster. praedictam, Reservando; prout in Sche­dula per eundem Reverendissimum Patrem lecta ple­nius continetur. Schedula contra Contuma­ces. Cujus quidem Schedulae tenor sequi­tur & est talis. In Dei nomine Amen. Nos Guli­elmus, &c. postremo dictus Reverendissimus Pater continuavit & Prorogavit praesentem Convocationem sive sacram Synodum, &c. omnia (que) & singula Certi­ficatoria istis die, hora & loco imroducta & intro­ducenda [Page 17] & non introducta, in eodem Statu quo nunc sunt usque ad & in praedictum decimum septimum diem instantis Mensis Aprilis inter horas nonam & undeci­mam ante meridiem ejusdem diei ad Ecclesiam Collegi­atam beati Petri Westminster, prout in alia Schedulâ per eum lectâ, tenoris sequentis continetur, Viz. Schedula Continua­tionis. Certifica­torium Archi-Di­aconi Cant Certifica­torium Doctoris Farmery pro Diae­cese Lin­coln. In Die Nomine Amen, &c. Nos Gulielmus, &c.

Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac Domino Domino Gulielmo, &c.

Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac Domino Domino Gulielmo, &c.

Secunda Sessio.

DIE Veneris, decimo septimo, Viz. die Mensis Aprilis, Anno Domini, 1640. inter horas no­nam & undecimam ante meridiem, &c. Reveren­dissimus in Christo pater Dominus Gulielmus Cantu­ariensis Archiepiscopus, ac Reverendi patres Domini Gulielmus London', Walterus Winton', Johannes Sarum', Robertus Coven' & Lichen', Godfridus Gloucestren', Josephus Exon', Richardus Norwi­cen', Johannes Asaphen', Gulielmus Bathon' & Wellen', Johannes Oxon', Georgius Hereforden', Matthaeus Elien', Robertus Bristolien', Gulielmus Bangor', Johannes Roffen', Brianus Cicestren', Johan­nes Petriburgen' & Morganus Landaven' respective Episcopi, in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra Ec­clesiam Collegiatam Beati Petri Westminster congre­gati, primo & ante omnia preces Deo Op­timo Maximo Flexis genibus humiliter fundebant; Ac finitis precibus, coram praefato Reverendissimo patre, unà cum aliis Confratribus suis praedictis pro Tribunali sedente, in praesentiâ mei Sacvili Wade [Page 18] Notarii Publici, &c. comparuit personalitér Venera­bilis Vir Robertus Newell Sacrae Theologiae Professor, Sub-Decanus Ecclesiae Collegiatae Beati Petri Westmin­ster praedicti, secum stantibusVenerabilibus Viris, Tho­ma Wilson, Petro Heylyn, Jonathan Brown, Griffitho Williams, Gulielmo Haywood, & Georgio Aglionby Sacrae Theologiae Professoribus, & Ecclesie Collegiatae Praedictae Praebendariis, ac Rober­to Cooke Notario Publico, & nonnullis aliis testibus. Qui quidem Venerabilis Vir Robertus Newell Sub-Decanus antedictus, tunc & ibidem dixit, allegavit, protestatus est, & caetera fecit, prout in quadam papy­ri Schedulâ quam in manibus suis tunc & ibidem te­nens publicè legebat in haec Verba. Protesta­tio Sub-Decani Westmin­ster. In Dei Nomine Amen, Coram Vobis Notario Publico, publicà (que) & Authenticâ Personâ ac testibus fide dignis hic praesentibus, Ego Robertus Newell Sacrae Theolo­giae Professor, Sub-Decanus Ecclesiae Collegiatae beati Petri Westmonasteriensis, &c. Et tunc di­ctus Reverendissimus Pater pro se & confratribus suis, ac omnibus & singulis Praelatis & Clero suae Cantuariensis Provinciae in hâc praesenti Convocatione sive SacrâSyno­do Provinciali praesentibus ac Jus seu Interesse habenti­bus, protestatus est, & caetera fecit, prout in aliâ Schedulâ per eundem Reverendissimum Patrem lecta tunc & ibidem continetur, Viz. In Dei Nomine Amen, Cum haec Ecclesia Collegiata beati Petri Westminster, &c. Protesta­tio Reve­rendissimi. Praesentibus tunc & ibidem Ve­nerabilibus Viris Domino Nathaniele Brent Milite & Legum Doctore, dicti Reverendissimi Patris Vica­rio in Spiritualibus generali, Domino Carolo Caesar Milite & Legum Doctore, Magistro Rotulorum Do­mini Regis & Curiae ad Facultates Commissario, & nonnullis aliis testibus, &c. Quibus sic gestis, praeno­minatus Reverendissimus Pater, post intervallum temporis ad eum ascersiri jussit Praelates & Clerum Do­mûs [Page 19] inferioris. Qui copiose sese praesentantes, exhibe­ri & sisti fecerunt Venerabilem Virum Richardum Steward Legum Doctorem, Decanum Ecclesiae Ca­thedralis Cicestrensis, in Prolocutorem sive Refe­rendarium totius Coetus Domûs inferioris praedictae ul­tima Sessione electum; quem Venerabilis Vir Gilber­tus Sheldon in praesentatorem ista Sessione etiam ele­ctus, Vice totius Coetûs praedictae Domûs Inferioris, praemissâ facundâ & eloquenti Oratione per eum, exhi­buit & praesentavit dicto Reverendissimo Patri & cae­teris Episcopis praedictis. Ac factâ aliâ Oratione ele­ganti per eundem Prolocutorem sic praesentatum, praefatus Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Archi-Epi­scopus Cantuariensis antedictus de consensu Confratrum suorum praedictorum eundem Richardum Steward electum hujusmodi, & Electionem praedict. per aliam C­rationem Latinam commendavit & approbavit: & tunc idem Reverendissimus pater in praesentiis Reverendorum patrum Confratrum suorum praedictorum, ac Prolocu­toris & caeterorum de coetu Domûs Inferioris Convoca­tionis, Serenissimum Dominum Nostrum Carolum Re­gem pro suo amore & favore speciali erga eos abunde commendans, Literam quandam suam Regiam, Si­gillo magno Angliae sigillatam, de Ordinando & Confi­ciendo quasdam Constitutiones, Ordinationes sive Capitula, Statum Ecclesiasticum, Sinceram Religi­onem, & Ʋtilitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae, concernen­tes & tendentes, unà cum nonnullis Provisionibus in eâdem Licentiâ insertis, produxit & exhibuit sub te­nore sequenti, Viz.

Licentia prima Do­mini no­stri Regis. Charles by the grace of God, &c. Quâ per me Sac­vilum Wade in hâc parte Actorum Scribam, publicé tunc & ibidem altâ voce perlectâ, dictus Reverendissimus Pater, & caeteri Episcopi secum assidentes, cum omni­modâ Reverentiâ, Subjectione, & Humilitate gratan­ter acceptarunt & receperunt, & Reverendissimus Pa­ter [Page 20] antedictus, praefatum Prolocutorem & alios de Do­mo Inferiori, Decanos, Archi-Diacanos, Capitula & Cleri Procuratores ibidem praesentes, Voluit ut ipsi in­ter se convenirent & maturè excogitarent de Subsidiis dicto Domino nostro Regi concedend' & Canonibus & Constitutionibus Statum Ecclesiasticum & Christi Religionem in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ concernentibus, con­cipiendis, & quicquid inde senserint sive excogitaverint, in scriptis redigant, & coram ipso Reverendissimo & Confratribus suis Episcopis exhibeant. Tunc dimisso Prolocutore cum coetu Domûs inferioris praedictae, ha­bito (que) aliquandiu tractatu inter praefatum Reveren­dissimum & caeteros Episcopos Suffraganeos suos (ut praefertur) comparentes, Reverendissimus Pater de & cum consensu Reverendorum Confratrum suorum prae­dictorum continuavit & prorogavit praesentem Conve­cationem sive sacram Synodum Provincialem, in statu quo nunc est us (que) ad & in Diem Mercurii proximum, Viz. Vicesimum Secundum Diem instantis Mensis Aprilis, inter horas octavani & duodecimam ante meri­diem ejusdem diei, ad hunc locum, cum uiteriori con­tinuatione & prorogatione dierum & locorum (si oporte­at) in ea parte fiendâ, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ pleniùs continetur; cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec verba, In Dei Nomine Amen. Nos Gulielmus Providentiâ Divinâ Cantuariensis Ar­chi-Episcopus, &c.

Tertia Sessio.

DIE Mercurii Vigesimo Secundo, Viz. die Mensis Aprilis Anno Domini 1640. inter horas octa­vam & duodecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, Re­verendissimus, &c. tractatum habuit cum eisdem citra negotia Parliamenti eis & aliis Domûs, superioris ejus­dem commissa & isto die expedienda, & consensu mu­tuo eorum decretum fuit per dictum Reverendissimum Patrem ut Reverendi Patres Dominus Gulielmus London', Robertus Coven' & Lichen', Johannes Asaphen', Georgius Hereforden', Gulielmus Ban­gor', Johannes Roffen', & Johannes Petriburgen', respectivè Episcopi antedicti, à Convocatione hujusmo­di recederent, & sese ad negotia Parliamenti praedicti subeund' applicarent: post quorum recessum, tractatu se­creto inter Dominum Archi-Episcopum & reliquos E­piscopos antedictos secum modò assidentes habito, Reve­rendissimus ad se accersiri fecit Prolocutorem unà cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris. Quibus coram eo, & caeteris Episcopis antedictis, modo (ut praefertur) secum assi­dentibus, comparentibus, notum fecit illas per magnas Expensas quae per Regiam Majestatem ex causis urgen­tibus erogandae sunt, & illa non minùs pericula quae & Statum & Regnum Angliae hoc tempore imminent, eis (que) de causis & aliis per ipsum Reverendissimum expositis, se & Confratres suos praedictos inter se tractasse & con­venisse de sex Subsidiis & majori numero Subsidiorum si aliquo tempore major numerus per Praelatos & Clerum Cantuariensis Provinciae concessus ex Registre constaret) Illustrissimo Domino nostro Regi per ipsos con­cedendis juxta ratam quatuor Solidorum de qualibet [Page 22] librâ sub certis conditionibus & provisionibus in quo­dam libro desuper concipiend' & de solvendo dicta sub­sidia in tam brevi tempore quàm aliqua unquam soluta fuere, eosdem (que) rogavit, ut in Testimonium singularis eorum Obedientiae & obsequii erga dictum Dominum nostrum Regem Concessioni hujusmodi ad Statum eorum praeberent consensum & responsa darent; habito pri­us tractatu inter eos de eisdem. Ac tunc praefatus Reverendissimus Pater in Examinatores & Correcto­res Libri Subsidiorum praedict. Reverendos Pa­tres Dominos Josephum Exon', Matthaeum Elien', & Robertum Bristolien', respectivé Episcopos, nomina­vit, & voluit Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs In­ferioris praedictae, ad eligendum quatuor vel sex gravi­ores Viros de Gremio suo, ad idem negotium cum di­ctis Reverendis Patribus expediend. Modò, dimisso Prolocutore, cum toto coetu praedicto, Reverendissi­mus Pater Dominus Archi-Episcopus Cantuariensis antedictus iterum secretè tractavit cum praedictis Re­verendis Patribus; & post Temporis intervallum Do­minus Prolocutor cum toto coetu praedicto reveretens, nomine suo & eorum dixit, quòd ipse & coetus Domûs Inferioris de propositis diligentèr tractarunt, & omnes eorum consensum libentissimè dederunt Concessioni di­ctorum sex subsidiorum, & majoris numeri, si major numerus per Clerum unquam concedebatur, juxta ra­tam quatuor Solidorum è qualibet librâ; se (que) & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris praedictae eligisse in Exami­natores & Correctores Libri Subsidiorum praedict cum praefatis Dominis Episcopis Exon', Elien', & Bri­stolien', Venerabiles Viros Isaacum Bargrave & Tho­mam Wynnyff, Ecclesiarum Cathedralium Cant. & London. Decanos, necnon Thomam Paske & Thomam Wilson Archi-Diacanos London & Westminster, ac Dominum Johannem Lambe militem & legum Doctorem, Almae Curiae Cantuariensis de Arcubus [Page 23] London' Officialem, unum Procuratorum Clori Lin­coln' & Petrum Heylyn sacrae Theologiae Professo­rem, Procuratorem pro Capitulo Westminster. Quam Electionem Dominus Archi-Episcopus & Confratres sui Approbarunt. Et ut Deus, bonorum omnium lar­gitor, hoc pr sens Parliamentum ita disponeret, quòd omnes in eodem conventi in unum consentirent ad Dei Gloriam & Honorem, Ecclesiae utilitatem & commo­dum, ac Regis & Regni pacem & tranquilitatem; praefatus Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Archi Epi­scopus, de mandato Regio voluit Divinam Dei Grati­am implorari, & formulam Precis ad eundem effectum per duos doctos & Graviores Viros Coetus Domûs Inferioris ad hoc per Dominum Prolocutorem cum consensu totius Coetus dictae Domus eligendos concipi. Quibus sic gestis, ac Prolocutore cum toto coetu Domûs Inferioris praedictae dimisso, Reverendis­simus Pater antedictus Sermonem Secretum cum Epi­scopis Confratribus suis antedictis inivit, & post aliquem tractatum inter eos habitum, Prolocutor venit & dix­it, se cum consensu Coetus Domûs Inferioris praedictae elegisse Venerabiles Viros Gulielmum Bray, & Jo­hannem Olliver Sacrae Theologiae Professores, Sacellanos Domini Archi-Episcopi Cantuariensis praedicti, ad con­cipiendum formulam Precis praedict. Ʋnde dimisso Domino Prolocutore, Idem Reverendissimus Pater & Confratres sui, Sermonem Secretum iterum inierunt, & Colloquium inter sese habuerunt. Postmodùm verò Dominus Prolocutor cum quin (que) è Sex illis Correcto­ribus sive Examinatoribus libri Subsidiorum dictae do­mûs Inferioris comparuit; & Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Archi-Episcopus antedictus Sermonem habuit cum eis de Capitulis Canonum concipi­endis, & dixit se & Confratres suos de duobus Capitulis Eversionem sive Suppressionem Jesuitarum, Presbyterorum, & aliorum Romanae [Page 24] Ecclesiae, concernentibus, tractasse, & de eisdem con­sentiisse, eademque in bonis Schedulis Papyri (ut ap­paruit) conscripta produxit; easdemque Schedulas dicto Domino Prolocutori tradidit, toto Coetui Domûs inferioris proponendas, legend. & publicand. cum mo­nitione quòd Copias earum cuicunque tradere minimè praesumat. Et si aliquis dictae Domùs aliquid dictis Capitulis contrarium proponat, porrigat in Scriptis & tradat in manus Domini Prolocutoris, Domino Ar­chi-Episcopo & caeteris Episcopis Domûs Superioris ex­hibiturum; ut ipsi de eisdem consultarent. Denique, eis dimissis, habitâque inter Dominum Archi-Episcopum & Episcopos praedictos communicatione de rebus Convoca­tionis, Reverendissimus pater de & cum consensu Re­verendorum Confratrum suorum praedictorum continu­avit, &c. prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ plenius con­tinetur, cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec Verba. In Dei Nomine Amen, Nos Guliel­mus providentia divina Archi-Episcopus Cantuari­ensis, &c.

Substitu­tio. DIE Veneris 24. Viz. die Mensis Aprilis Anno Domini 1640. Reverendissimus in Christo pater & Dominus Dominus Gulielmus providentiâ divinâ Cantuariensis Archi-Episcopus, &c. In quadam Conclavi superiori infra Maneri­um suum de Lambeth in Comitatu Surriae, in praesentia mei Sacvili Wade Notarii Publici, &c. substituit, & loco suo constituit Reverendos in Christo Patres ac Venerabiles Confratres suos Do­minos Godfridum Gloucestren', & Johannem Ox­on', respectivè Episcopos, ad interessendum & Prae­sidendum Vice, Loco, & Authoritate suis in Sacr Sy­nodo sive Convocatione Praelatorum & Cleri Can­tuariensis Provinciae, Vigore & Authoritate Bre­ [...] Regii in hac parte directi, decimo quarto, [Page 25] Viz. die instantis Mensis Aprilis (Divinâ favente clementiâ) in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Sancti Pauli London, inchoat'. & celebrat'. ac de die in diem us (que) ad & in instantem Vicesimum quar­tum diem Mensis Aprilis praedict' inter horas secun­dam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, ad Ca­pellam Regis Henrici Septimi infra Ecclesiam Collegi­atam divi Petri Westminster'. continuat'. & proro­gat'. nec non ad communicandum & tractandum cum Venerabilibus Confratribus suis dictae Cantuariensis Provinciae Co-Episcopis ac Praelatis & Clero ejus­dem suae Provinciae de & super omnibus & singulis causis & negotiis quae in eâ Sacrâ Synodo Provin­ciali sive Convocatione proponenda, tractanda, & communicanda fuerint: At (que) hujusmodi Convoca­tionem sive Sacram Synodum Provincialem à dicto 24 to die Mensis Aprilis us (que) ad & in diem Sa­bathi 25 diem ejusdem Mensis Aprilis ad Capellam Regis Henrici Septimi praedictam continuand. & prorogand. Caetera (que) omnia & singula alia faciend. exercend. & expediend. quae in eû parte necessariae suerint seu quomodolibet opportuna & requisita Fra­ternitatibus suis conjunctim & divisim commisit Vi­ces suas & plenam in Domino concessit facultatem.

Quarta Sessio.

DIE Veneris 24. Viz. die Mensis Aprilis Anno Domini & loco praedictis, inter horas secundam & quartam post Meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesentia mei Sacvili Wade Notarii Publici, &c. Reverendus pater Dominus Godfridus Glou­cestren' Episcopus in Substitutione Reverendissimi in Christo Patris Domini Gulielmi Cantuariensis Archi-Episcopi antedicti, unà cum Reverendo patre [Page 26] Domino Johanne Oxon Episcopo nominatus, &c. in­timatâ Substitutione hujusmodi per me praefatum No­tarium Publicum, assumsit in se Onus dictae Substitu­tionis, & decrevit procedendum fore juxta tenorem, vim, for mam, & effectum ejusdem; & sedendo legit Schedulam Continuationis, &c. in Scriptis, &c. Prorogando & Continuando hujusmodi Convocatio­nem in Statu quo nunc est, usque ad & in diem praesentis Mensis Aprilis inter horas Secundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, ad hunc locum prout latiùs in Schedula per eum lecta continetur. Cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur & est talis. In Dei Nomine Amen, Nos God­fridus, permissione Divina Gloucestren' Epi­scopus, &c.

Quinta Sessio.

DIE Sabbathi 25. Viz. die Mensis Aprilis Anno Domini 1640, inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, Reveren­dissimus in Christo pater, &c. [ut suprà] Sermo­nem cum eisdem Reverendis patribus confratribus suis de libro Subsidiorum per quosdam Episcopos & alios clectos Domûs inferioris examinando & cor­rigendo, & cum Confratrum suorum praedictorum consonsu decrevit libitum fore aliquibus duobus E­piscopis cum quatuor è Coetu Domûs Inferioris aliqu [...] tempore ad dictum librum examinandum & corri­gendum; & ulteriùs pro meliori expeditione nego­tionum hujus Sacrae Synodi, idem Reverendissimus, cum consensis & assensu corundem confratrum suo­rum Ordinavit, qùod nullus Episcopus aut aliquis [...] Clero, Copiam Canonis aut partem Canonis pro­posituri & tractaturi, exscribere aut de aliquâ hu­jusmodi [Page 27] Canone foras fabulare praes [...]umpserit; do­nec hâc Convocatione sive sacra Synodo plenarie & finaliter assensum & sacrâ Regiâ Majestate approba­tum erit, sub poena Suspensionis cujuslibet è clero per tres Menses, & Synodicae monitionis pro quolibet Praelato qui ita peccaverit; prout in Actu Synodico sequenti continetur, viz.—Quibus sic ge­stis Dominus Prolocutor venit cum quinque aliis è Domo Inferiori, & Reverendissimus eis declaravit istum Actum Synodicum praecedentem, & voluit eundem Dominum Prolocutorem ad declarandum istum Actum toto Coetui dictae Domûs, & habito tractatu per Reverendissimum cum eodem Domino Prolocutore de Canonibus componendis & facien­dis, idem Reverendissimus dimisit Prolocutorem. Quo dimisso, Reverendissimus iterum Sermonem habuit cum dictis Dominis Episcopis Confratribus suis; & praefatus Dominus Prolocutor cum Sex illis Correctoribus sive Examinatoribus Subsidio­rum per Domum Inferiorem ad hoc electis mox re­vertebat, & dixit se & totum Coetum Domûs Infe­rioris consensum & assensum suos confectioni dicti Actûs Synodici adhibuisse, & eundem unanimi­ter approbasse; & tunc dictus Dominus Prolocu­tor in sacras manus Domini Reverendissimi quan­dam formulam precis per Doctores Bray & Olliver conceptam, omni cum reverentiâ tradidit in formâ sequenti, viz. Omnipotens & Sempiterne De­us, &c. Quam formulam precis Reverendissimus & Confratres sui praedicti hoc Verbo (Anglicanae) ad­dito, approbarunt, & Reverendissimus cum eorum consensu dictam precem in Convocatione quotidie ha­bendam, & immediate ante benedictionem legen­dam, fore decrevit. Tunc dimisso Domino Pro­locutore Reverendissimus post aliquem tractatum inter se & Confratres suos praedictos habitum, con­tinuavit [Page 28] & prorogavit praesentem Convocationem si­ve Sacram Synodum Provincialem in statu quo nunc est us (que) ad & in diem Mercurii Vicesimum viz. diem instantis Mensis Aprilis inter horas se­cundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei ad hunc locum, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ conti­netur; cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec verba, In Dei Nomine Amen. Nos Gu­lielmus, Providentiâ Divinâ Cantuariensis Ar­chi-Episcopus, &c.

Sexta Sessio.

DIE Mercurii Vigesimo Nono, viz. die Mensis Aprilis, Anno Domini 1640. &c. inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem, &c. Reverendus in Christo Pater Dominus Gulieb­mus, &c. Bathon' & Wellen' Episcopus, Reveren­dissimi in Christo Patris Domini Gulielmi Cant. Archi-Episcopi, &c. Commissarius, inter alios con­junctim & divisim legitime constitut. praesentatis literis Commissionalibus dicti Reverendissimi Pa­tris, eis (que) per me praefatum Notarium publicè le­ctis, acceptavit in se Onus Executionis earundem literarum Commissionalium, & decrevit proceden­dum fore juxta tenorem, vim, formam, & effe­ctum earundem; & immediaté idem Reverendus Pater Commissarius antedictus judicialitèr sedens, Continuavit, &c. Prout in Schedulâ per cum lectâ continetur, cujus quidem Schedula verus tenor se­quitur in hac Verba, Viz. In Dei Nomine Amen. Nos Gulielmus, Permissione Divinâ Bathon' & Wellen' Episcopus, &c.

Septima Sessio.

DIE Sabbathi Secundo, viz. die Mensis Maii Anno Domini 1640. inter boras secundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei in Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra Ecclesiam collegiatam Beati Petri Westminster, in praesentiâ mei Sacvili Wade Notarii publici, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Johannes Asaphensis Episcopus Reveren­dissimi, &c. Commissarius, inter alios, conjunctim & divisim, &c. constitutus, praesentatâ Commissione per me Sacvilum Wade Notarium publicum ante­dictum, lectáque, &c. ob honorem dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris assumpsit in se Onus dictae Commissio­nis, & decrevit procedendum fore juxta tenorem, Vim, formam, & Effectum ejusdem; & sedendo legit Schedulam continuatonis, &c. in Scriptis, &c. prorogando &c. prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ continetur; cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequi­tur & est talis, Viz. In Dei Nomine Amen. Nos Johannes, Permissione Divinà Asaphen' Epis­copus, &c.

Octava Sessio.

DIE Martis quinto, Viz. die mensis Maii Anno Dom. 1640. inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem, &c. Reverendus in Christ [...] Pater Dominus Johannes Sarum Episcopus in Commissione Reverendissimi, &c. inter alios conjun­ctim & divisim nominatus, &c. praesentatâ com­missione hujusmodi, &c. & lecta, &c. assumpsit, &c. [Page 30] prorogando, &c. prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ continetur; Cujus, &c. In Dei Nomine Amen. Nos Johannes, &c. Sarum Episcopus, &c.

Nona Sessio.

DIE Sabbathi Nono, viz. die Mensis Maii Anno Dom. 1640. &c. inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem Diei, in Capella, &c. Reverendus in Christo pater Dominus Johannes Sarum Episcopus & Commissiarius sive locum-te­nens antedictus pro Tribunali sedens, Assidentibus fecum Reverendis, &c. Episcopis, hujusmodi Convo­cationem sive sacram Synodum Provincialem in statu, &c. una cum ulteriori continuatione & pro­rogatione dierum extunc sequentium, & locorum si oporteat in ea parte fiendis, continuavit & proro­gavit, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ plenius con­tinetur; Cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor, &c. In Dei nomine Amen, Nos, &c. Sarum Epi­scopus, &c.

Decima Sessio.

DIE Mercury 13o. viz. die Mensis Maii Anno Dom. 1640. inter horas secundam & quartam post Meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendis­simus in Christo Pater Dominus Gulielmus Cant. Archi-Episcopus, &c. pro Tribunali sedens, assi­dentibus secum, &c. post tractatum habitum cum [Page 31] eisdem de temporis instabilitate ac impetu & tu­multu sordidissimae populi sortis prope & circa Ci­vitatem London & suburbia ejusdem nuperrimè confluentis, ac iniquè & hostiliter sese gerentis; Voluit & mandavit Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris ad se accersiri. Quibus compa­rentibus, Reverendissimus, in praesentiis Reveren­dorum Patrum Confratrum suorum, significavit & intimavit, Serenissimum Dominum nostrum Carolum Regem ex gratiâ sua Speciali Licentiam sive Commissionem magno Sigillo suo Angliae sigil­latam de Ordinando & Conficiendo quasdam Constitutiones, Ordinationes sive Canones, Statum Ecclesiasticum concernentes, renovandam curasse, ad Regium suum beneplacitum duraturam, & eandem Licentiam sive Commissionem pro­duxit & exhibuit sub formâ Verborum sequenti­um, viz.

Licentia secunda Domini nostri Re­gis. Charles by the Grace of God, &c. Quâ per me praefatum Sacvilum Wade in hac parte Acto­rum Scribam sive Registrarii Deputatum publicè tunc & ibidem altâ voce perlectâ, dictus Reveren­dissimus Pater & caeteri Episcopi secum assidentes & Clerus Domûs Inferioris praedict, sese coram eis exhibentes, cum omni Reverentia, Obedientiâ, Subjectione, & Humilitate gratis Animis accepta­runt & receperunt: & Reverendissimus Pater ante­dictus Prolocutorem & alios de Domo Inferiori, Decanos, Archi-Diaconos, Capitula & Cleri pro­curatores ibidem praesentes, voluit, ut ipsi inter se convenirent & excogitarent de Benevolentiâ sive extraordinariâ Contributione dicto Serenissimo Do­mino nostro Regi concedendâ; & deinde de Cano­nibus & Constitutionibus Statum Ecclesiasticum, & Ecclesiae Ʋtilitatem concernentib', componend', faciend', & inter se consentiend'. Et ut ipsi, pro [Page 32] meliori & celeriori ipsius negotii expeditione, quos­dam graviores & doctiores Viros de gremio suo eli­gerent, dictum negotium de Canonibus concipiendis Subitur'. Et subsequenter Magister Willielmus Fisher Notarius Publicus & Domūs Inferioris Actu­arius, mihi praefato Notario certificavit in fidem No­tarii, Venerabiles Viros, Dominum Prolocuto­rem, Isaacum Bargrave, Thomam Wynnyffe, & Richardum Baily Sacrae Theologiae respectivè Professores, & Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium Cant. London, & Sarum, Thomam Paske, An­dream Binge, & Radulphum Brownrigg Sacrae Theologiae Professores, Archi-Diaconos London. Norwicen' & Coven', Johannem Montfort & Gilbertum Sheldon Sacrae Theologiae Professores; Procuratores pro Capitulis Ecclesiarum Cathedrali­um Divi Pauli London', & Gloucester', necnon Dominum Johannem Lambe Militem & Le­gum Doctorem, Benjaminum Laney, Thomam Turner, Edwardum Franklin, Sacrae Theologiae Professores, & Gilbertum Ironside Sacrae Theo­logiae Baccalaurcum, Procuratores pro Clero Lin­coln', Winton, Norwicen', & Bristolien', esse electos cum consensu totius Domûs ad effectum praedictum. Tunc dimisso Domino Prolocutore, cum toto Coet [...] Domûs Inferioris, Reverendissimus Colloquium ha­buit cum confratribus suis, ut excogitarent impri­mis de Canonibus Novis concipiendis, & deinde de Veteribus Canonibus percontandis & exami­nandis; ad effectum cisdem addendi, vel eos supplen­di, si hujusmodi sacrae Synodo expedire videatur. Et insuper hortatus est idem Reverendissimus, ut For­mae libri Articulorum in qualibet Visitatione post­hâc Ministrandorum & de Consecratione Ecclesi­arum, Capellarum, & Coemeteriorum concipi­antur; & post res ita gestas, praedictus Reveren­dissimus [Page 33] Pater, jussit Prolocutorem coram se & Confratribus suis vocari. Quo Prolocutore, cum Octo Decanis eum comitantibus, comparente, idem Reverendissimus eos Voluit, ad conveniendum die Veneris proximo, tempestivè, & ad tunc tractan­dum cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris citra Bene­volentiam sive Contributionem voluntariam dicto Domino nostro Regi concedendam: Et ut ipsi For­mam Articulorum in Visitationibus imposterum ministrandis concipiant. Deni (que) eis dimissis, Idem Reverendissimus Pater cum Consensu Confratrum suorum, continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula per eum lectâ, &c.

The Opinion of the Lord Keeper, and other the Jud­ges, and the King's Councel, for the Continuance of the Convocation. The Convocation being call'd by the King's Writ under the Great Seal, doth continue until it be dissolv'd by Writ or Commis­sion under the Great Seal, not­withstanding the Parliament be dissolved—14 Maij, 1640. Jo. Finch, C. S. H. Manchester, John Bramston, Edward Littleton, Ralphe Whitfeld, Jo. Bankes, Ro. Heath.

Sessio XI.

DIE Veneris 15o, Viz. die Mensis Maij, Anno Dom. 1640. inter horas secundam & quartam post Meridiem, Reverendissimus, &c. Confratribus suis notum fecit, Quòd Serenissimus Dominus Rex honorandum Virum Dominum Hen­ricum [Page 34] Vane Militem, Ʋnum è Secretariis suis Principalibus & Thesaurarium Hospitij sui Regij, tanquam Nuncium specialem ad hanc Domum de­stinavit; eundem (que) honorandum Virum in Capellâ ex parte Australi hujus loci praesentem esse. Ideó (que) Reverendissimus Pater, cum Consensu confratrum suorum, ad se accersiri fecit dictum honorandum Virum, nec non Dominum Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris. Qui quidem honorandus Vir domum hanc Convocationis sive Sacrae Synodi primò intravit, ac deinde Dominus Prolocutor cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris; & Dominus Archi-Episcopus, istius Sacrae Synodi Praeses, eundem ho­norandum Virum benignè recepit, & in Cathedra è manu Sinistrâ positâ eum locavit. Et tunc idem honorandus Vir eisdem Reverendissimo patri ac Prae­latis & Clero, brevi Oratione declaravit se fuisse per Dominum Regem ad hanc Domum missum ad Regiam suam voluntatem eidem narrandum, Sci­licet, Quod idem Dominus noster Rex Licentiam sive Commissionem de Ordinando Canones & Constitutiones Ecclesiasticas, pro meliori guber­natione Ecclesiae, ad Dei gloriam, Regis honorem, & totius hujus Regni pacem (uti speratur) huic sacrae Synodo, ex gratia Speciali, concedens, cum Dominis è privato suo consilio consultum habuit, an hujusmodi sacra Synodus ad hujusmodi Canones & Constitutiones faciendum procederet necne. Et dicti Domini unanimi Consensu (nullo eorum dissentiente) Vota eorum exhibuerunt, & tanquam maximè necessarium adjudicarunt, ut Sacra haec Synodus ad istos Canones juxta potestatem eidem Synodo datam, faciendum & concipiendum proce­dat. Ideó (que) dictus honorandus Vir nomine & ex parte dicti Domini Regis hortatus est, ut tales Canones in brevi tempore fiant, quales Ecclesiae & [Page 35] praesenti huic statui maximè utiles sint. Et sub­junctâ aliâ brevi Oratione per Reverendissimum Patrem antedictum Praelatis & toto Coetui praedicto, cum monitione Nomine dicti Domini Regis, ut nullus eorum à dictâ Sacrâ Synodo discedat, donec omnia juxta mandatum Regium praedictum perim­pleantur, idem Reverendissimus Pater, unà cum dicto honorando Viro, à dictâ Sacrâ Synodo ad Consilium ineund' cum Domino Rege apud White­hall recessit: Et post aliquem tractatum inter Do­minos Episcopos antedictos habitum, Reverendus Pater Dominus Johannes Sarum Episcopus & dicti Reverendissimi Patris Commissarius sive locum­tenens, continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula per eum lecta continetur, Cujus, &c.

Sessio XII.

DIE Sabbathi 16o, viz. die mensis Maij; Anno Domini 1640, inter horas Octavam & Ʋndecimam ante Meridiem, &c. Reverendissi­mus, &c. communicavit cum eisdem Dominis Epi­scopis. Et inter hujusmodi communicationes com­paruit Dominus Prolocutor, cum Decanis Cant' & London. & tradidit in Manus dicti Reverendis­simi Patris, quasdam Schedulas Papyri continentes quaedam Capitula Canonum per eum Prolocutorem & totum clerum Domûs Inferioris excogitat. Quibus receptis, & Domino Prolocutore dimisso, Reverendissimus Dominus Praeses colloquium habuit cum Episcopis antedictis citra exiguitatem Exhibi­tionum è clero indigentiori, in detinendo ab eis, per Proprietarios & eorum Firmarios, Oblatio­nes & Salaria sive Feoda Ecclesiastica, pro [Page 36] Mulierum post partum Purificationibus, Matri­moniorum Solemnizationibus, & de Mortuorum Sepulturis, & etiam de magnâ illâ Injuriâ Clero per Laicos illatâ in eligendo tales Gardianos & Clericos Parochiales, qui eos opponant & inqui­etant ad maximum eorum praejudicium & incom­modum. Ad quem quidem clerum de hujusmodi injuriis levand. Reverendissimus Pater Praeses an­tedictus, de & cum Consilio & assensu Praelatorum confratrum suorum, Negotium hujusmodi Attor­nato Generali Domini Regis significandum fore decrevit; ut ipse de aliquo remedio pro eis in hac parte curaret. Tunc lecto libello sive forma Con­cessionis Benevolentiae sive contributionis volun­tariae, praefatus Reverendissimus Pater & Reve­rendi Patres antedicti de benevolâ contributione quatuor Solidorum singulis Annis per Sexennium proximè futurum solvendorum de qualibet librâ an­nualis reditûs cujuslibet Beneficii infra Provinciam Cantuariensem, juxta ratam & taxam eorundem in libris Primitiarum fructuum Domini nostri Regis sub certis conditionibus & Provisionibus in isto libro sive Formâ contributionis Specificat', tractatum ha­buerunt, & desuper consenserunt. Et ideo idem Reverendissimus Pater, cum Consensu Confratrum suorum, Dominum Prolocutorem, unà cum Sex illis Assessoribus sive Examinatoribus Domûs Inferioris pro Subsidiorum examinatione electis, ad se accersiri fecit. Quo quidem Prolocutore, unà eum quinque è dictis Assessoribus, scilicet Venera­bilibus Viris, Isaaco Bargrave, Thomà Wyn­nyff, Thomà Paske, Thomâ Wilson, & Do­mino Johanne Lambe, Milite, hanc Domum su­periorem intrante, Reverendissimus Pater Praeses antedictus eidem Prolocutori intimavit, se & Con­fratres suos de Benevolentia sive Contributione [Page 37] voluntaria dicto Domino Regi concedendâ tractas­se, & inter sese consentiisse de concedendo quatuor Solidos è qualibet libra cujus (que) Beneficij juxta ratam sive taxam, in libris primitiarum Regia­rum singulis Annis per Sexennium proximum sol­vendos, juxta formam sive librum Concessionis de­super conceptum. Quam Formam, Reverendissi­mus Dominus Praeses, in manus Domini Prolocu­toris, per Eum & totum Coetum Domûs inferioris tractand' & consentiend' unà cum Copia Canonis contra Recusan' tradidit. Tunc, dimisso Do­mino Prolocutore, habito (que) aliquo tractatu inter Reverendissimum Dominum Praesidem, & Confra­tres suos, ad mandatum Reverendissimi Domini Praesidis in domum Inferiorem ego praefatus Nota­rius descendebam; & Dominus Prolocutor mihi tradidit Formam sive Librum Concessionis praedict', & dixit se & totam Domum inferiorem super istam Benevolentiam sive Contributionem voluntariam considerasse, & de eâdem unanimiter consentiisse. Quâ per me Receptâ, ad Domum Superiorem in­stanter revertebam, & humilitèr omnia per Do­minum Prolocutorem mihi in mandatis data signi­ficavi & intimavi. Deinde Dominus Prolocutor, cum Decanis Cant' & London. Domum Superio­rem intravit, & cum omni Obedientiâ, dicto Reve­rendissimo Canonem pro Brevi è Curia Cancellariae impetrand' De Excommunicatis capiendis tra­didit. Ʋnde, dimisso Domino Prolocutore, habi­tó (que) tractatu super isto Canone, Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Praeses continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c. Tenor etiam Instrumenti dictae benevolae Contributionis sequitur & est talis, viz. Augustissimo & Serenissimo Domino nostro Carolo Dei gratia Angliae, &c.

Sessio XIII.

DIE Lunae 18o. Viz. die Mensis Maij, Anno Domini 1640. inter horas nonam & unde­cimam ante merid', &c. Reverendissimus, &c. post tractatum cum eis [Reverendis Patribus] habi­tum, ad se accersiri fecit Dominum Prolocutorem cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris: Quibus mox com­parentibus intimavit, & eis publicè per me prae­fatum Notarium legi fecit, Literas quasdam Re­gias sibi & recolendis patribus Confratribus suis & toto Clero in hac Sacrâ Synodo congregatis directas sub Signaculo suo tenoris sequentis. Charles R. Most Reverend Father in God, &c. Deinde, praefatus Reverendissimus Pater Praelatis & Clero antedictis haud inelegantèr locutus est, Quòd multae querelae contra plures è Clero, & nominatim contra Doctorem Beale unum è Domo Inferiori hujus Convocationis ultimo Parliamento exhibitae fuerunt, pro Verbis in eorum praedicationibus prolatis, quae Statum hujus Regni perturbârunt & inquietârunt. De quibus idem Reverendissimus Pater protestatus est, se nunquam ante tempus praedictum audi­visse; dicit tamen si antea de eisdem audisset, se velle ea examinare & partes culpabiles punire co­ram Commissariis Regiis ad causas Ecclesiasticas, sicut punirentur in hac Convocatione sive Sacrâ Sy­nodo, si eadem aliquo tempore competenti continu­aret. Sed post hanc Convocationem dissolut' & dies Privilegiorum finitos, publicè promisit partes praedictas vocare coram Commissariis Regiis ante­dictis, & juxta Juris exigentiam & eorum de­merita contra eos procedere. Tunc dimisso Prolo­cutore, [Page 39] mox cum Decanis Cant' & London' & Archidiaconis Middlesex' & Roffen' revertebat, & Canones concernentes Recusantes penes Reve­rendissimum antedictum dimittens, querelatus est Breve de Subpoena è Curia Scaccarij esse executum in Doctorem Burgis Archi-Diaconum Roffen', & petiit privilegium Convocationis. Ʋnde Reveren­dissimus Pater Dominus Archi-Episcopus antedictus voluit ipsum Prolocutorem cum consensu Domûs Inferioris, ad concipiendum Actum, quid eis in hoc negotio expedire videbitur, & ad transmit­tendum istum Actum ad hanc Domum Superiorem, ut ipse & Confratres sui de eodem considerent. Modò, dimisso Prolocutore, & habito tractatu in­ter praefatum Reverendissimum Patrem & Confra­tres suos, Reverendissimus cum eorum consensu elegit Dominos Episcopos Elien' & Bristolien' ad consu­lendum cum utro (que) Dominorum Justiciariorum pri­mariorum citra certas clausulas & Verba in Cano­nibus antedictis contra Recusantes; & sic facta fuit continuatio hujus Convocationis sive sacrae Sy­nodi Provincialis in statu quo nunc est, us (que) ad & inter horas quartam & sextam post meri­diem, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XIV.

IN Pomeridiano ejusdem diei in loco praedicto inter horas assignatas, Reverendus, &c. A­saphen' Episcopus ac Commissarius sive locum­tenens in hac parte legitime deputatus, assidente secum, &c. in praesentiae, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout, &c.

Sessio XV.

DIE Martis 19o. Viz. die Mensis Maij 1640. In Capella Regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. inter horas Nonam & Ʋndecimam ante Meridiem, &c. Reverendissimus, &c. pro tribunali sedens, assidentibus secum praedictis Reverendis Patribus, praefatus Reverendus Pater Dominus Matthaeus Eli­en' Episcopus, certificavit se & Dominum Episco­pum Bristolien' consuluisse cum Domino Edwardo Littleton Milite, Domino primario Justiciario Curiae ad Placita Domini Regis, juxta assignationem hester­no die factam, circa clausulas & Verba in Canone contra Recusantes facto, & idem Dominus Justi­ciarius consilium dedit, ut quaedam verba in isto Canone per Dominum Episcopum Elien. specificata, expungentur, & alia verba magis apta in loco eo­rum conscribentur. Quibus de mandato Reveren­dissimi, cum consensu confratrum suorum, conscrip­tis, Reverendissimus voluit ad se accersiri Domi­num Prolocutorem cum quibusdam aliis è Coetu Do­mus Inferioris, qui intravit Domum Superiorem cum Novem dictae Domus Inferioris, & Reveren­dissimus eis declaravit alterationes Verborum in Canone praedict. de consilio & judicio Domini Justiriarij primarij praedict' factas; & tradidit istum Canonem dicto Domino Prolocutori, per eum & totam Domum Inferiorem consider and' & con­sentiend'. Tunc traditâ per Dominum Prolocutorem cum omni humilitate & reverentiâ, in Sacras manus Reverendissimi, Schedulâ continente principium & conclusionem ad Articulos Potestatis Regiae, Domi­nus Prolocutor dimissus fuit, & Reverendissimus [Page 41] unà cum Confratribus suis communicavit & con­sultum habuit citra Principium & Conclusionem ad Articulos Potestatis Regiae; & post consultationem cum eis habitam, Reverendissimus cum unanimi eorum consensu aliqua verba addidit & aliqua expungit. Quibus sic factis, Prolocutor reverte­bat, & tradidit Reverendissimo quendam Cano­nem cum consensu Domûs Inferioris contra Soci­nianos (ut asseruit) factum, &c. Et Reveren­dissimus ei retradidit Schedulam continentem prin­cipium & conclusionem ad Articulos Regiae pote­statis, sic (ut praefertur) in aliquo mutatos, per eum & Domum Inferiorem tractand'. Prolocu­tore dimisso, Reverendissimus unà cum confratri­bus suis Consilium habuit super istum Canonem contra Socinianos, & post aliquem tractatum & emendationem istius Canonis, Reverendissimus cum Consensu Confratrum suorum continuavit, & pro­rogavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & in diem Mercurij Vicesimum, viz. diem instantis Mensis Maij in­ter horas Octavam & Ʋndecimam ante Meri­diem, &c. in hunc locum, prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XVI.

DIE Mercurij 20o. Viz. die Mensis Maij Anno Domini 1640. inter horas Octavam & Ʋndecimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, Re­verendissimus, &c. Praeses hujus Convocationis sive sacrae Synodi, &c. tractavit cum Etiscopis, & post multum temporis contritum, consenserunt super Ca­none contra Socinianos, ultima Sessione tractato, & super formâ Juramenti, &c. hac Sessione per Reverendissimum productâ. Deinde, de mandato [Page 42] Reverendissimi, Prolocutor cum Sex aliis è Domo Inferiori Domum Superiorem intravit, & Reve­rendissimus ei tradidit dictum Canonem & formam Juramenti praedicti per totum Coetum Domûs In­ferioris considerandum, tractandum, & consentien­dum: Tunc, dimisso Prolocutore, Reverendissimus mandavit Canonem pro Collectione contributionis voluntariae per me praefatum Notarium legi. Qui­bus lectis, denuô comparuit Dominus Prolocutor cum duobus aliis è Coetu Domus Inferioris, & in manus Reverendissimi tradidit Schedulam pro Li­teris de Excommunicatis capiendis contra Recu­santes extrahend'. Eó (que) dimisso, habito (que) tractatu cum Episcopis, Reverendissimus continuavit & pro­rogavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & in diem Jovis Vicesimam primam, viz. diem, &c. inter horas Nonam & Ʋndecimam ante Meridiem, &c. prout in Sche­dulâ per eum lecta continetur, cujus quidem Sche­dulae verus tenor sequitur, &c.

Sessio XVII.

DIE Jovis 21o. Viz. die Mensis Maii, Anno Domini 1640. inter horas Nonam & Ʋn­decimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, Reveren­dissimus, &c. post aliquem tractatum cum eis [Episcopis] mandavit Prolocutor', & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris ad se accersiri. Quibus compa­rentibus, Reverendissimus coram eis produxit Li­teras quasdam Regias recolendis Patribus & toti Clero in hujusmodi Convocatione congregato dire­ctas, sub Signaculo suo tenoris sequentis, Viz. Charles R. Most Reverend Father in God, &c. Quibus per me Notarium antedictum publicè per­lectis, [Page 43] Reverendissimus eis intimavit se & Con­fratres suos unanimi consensu fecisse quosdam Ca­nones sive Ordinationes juxta potestatem in dictis Literis mentionat', eis & toti Clero concessam, pro collectione, levatione, solutione, & computatione benevolentiae sive contributionis voluntariae Regiae suae Majestati per eos datae, & Copiam dictorum Canonum dicto Domino Prolocutori tradidit, per Clerum Domûs Inferioris approband' & consen­tiend'. Tunc, eis dimissis, Reverendissimus & Confratres sui tractarunt & inter se consultarunt de quodam Canone sive Declaratione per Domum Inferiorem eis transmisso, concernente quosdam Ritus sive gestus in Ecclesiis observandos; & post aliquem tractatum desuper habitum, Prolo­cutor cum quibusdam aliis è Domo Inferiori re­vertebat, & praesentavit Canones sive Ordina­tiones, ut suprâ, pro collectione benevolentiae ei traditas, & humilitèr significavit totam Domum Inferiorem unanimi consensu eosdem approbâsse. Ʋnde, dimisso Prolocutore, habito (que) tractatu inter Reverendissimum & Confratres suos de alio Canone per Dominum Prolocutorem eidem Reverendissimo tradito, Reverendissimus cum consensu Confratrum suorum praesentem Convocationem sive sacram Sy­nodum Provincialem continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & inter horas secundam & quartam post meri­diem, &c. hujus diei, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ, &c.

Ordinationes aliquot Synodales factae 21 die Mensis Maij, &c.

Sessio XVIII.

IN Pomeridiano ejusdem diei in loco praedicto inter horas assignatas, Reverendus pater Do­minus Morganus Landavensis Episcopus ac Com­missarius sive Locum-tenens in hac parte legitimè deputatus in praesentia mei, &c, continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & in diem Veneris 22. diem, &c. inter horas 9. & 11, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XIX.

DIE Veneris 22o. Viz. die Mensis Maij Anno Domini 1640. in Capella, &c. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem, &c. Reverendissimus, &c. Praeses hujus sacrae Synodi, assidentibus secum Reverendis Patribus, &c. tra­ctavit & communicavit cum eisdem recolendis Pa­tribus Confratribus suis citra Canonem pro recep­tione Sacrae Eucharistiae, & locatione Sacrae Men­sae; & inter hujusmodi tractatus Reverendus pater Dominus Godfridus Gloucestren' Episcopus ante­dictus, protestatus est, Quòd non intendit consen­tire ad conceptionem & fabricationem alicujus Canonis in hac Sacrâ Synodo propositi & tractati, vel proponendi & tractandi, nisi aliquem antiquum Precedentem de legitimatione dictae Sacrae Synodi viderit; licet approbavit (ut asseruit) Benevo­lentiam sive Contributionem voluntariam, hac Sacrâ Synodo Domino nostro Regi concessam, & Canones desuper factos pro collectione & levatione [Page 45] ejusdem; & huic Protestationi in omnibus adhaerere intendit. Deinde comparuit Dominus Prolocutor, cum Octo aliis è Coetu Domûs Inferioris, & prae­sentavit formam Libri Articulorum & tres Ca­nones per istam Domum tractat. et etiam Literas quasdam petitionales ex parte Ʋnius Clericorum in partibus Walliae, pro errorum emendatione Li­turgiae Wallicae, per falsam impressionem com­missorum; & ut ista forma Precis die Inaugura­tionis Regiae singulis Annis utendae, in linguam Wallicam translata sit. Ʋnde Reverendissimus cum consensu Confratrum suor' hujusmodi negotium Dom' Johanni Asaphen' Episcopo antedicto retulit. Tunc, eis dimissis, Reverendissimus cum Confratribus suis, tractavit super Canonibus contra Sectarios, Sepa­ratistas, & alios Recusantes venire ad preces di­vinas, & de utendâ prece die Inaugurationis Re­giae singulis Annis, & de Consecratione Panis & Vini tempore ministrationis sacrae Eucharistiae, quoties opus fuerit consecrare; & de alio Canone, &c. Quibus sic gestis, Reverendissimus, cum consensu Confratrum suorum, continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & inter horas secundam & quartam post Meri­diem, &c. ad hunc locum. Prout in Schedulâ, per eum lectâ tenoris sequentis continetur. In Dei Nomine, &c.

Sessio XX.

IN Pomeridiano ejusdem diei, in loco praedicto Reverendi Patres, &c. convenerunt & insi­mul à horâ tertiâ us (que) ad post horam Septimam dicti diei consederunt; & tunc Reverendus Pater Do­minus Johannes Sarum Episcopus antedictus ac Commissarius, &c. praesentem Convocationem sive Sacram Synodum Provincialem, us (que) ad & in diem Sabbathi 23, viz. diem instantis Mensis inter ho­ras nonam & undecimam ante meridiem, &c. con­tinuavit, &c. ad hunc locum, prout in Schedula se­quenti continetur, viz. In Dei Nomine, &c.

Sessio XXI.

DIE Sabbathi 23o viz. die Mensis Maij Anno Domini 1640. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem, &c. Reverendissimus tractavit cum eisdem [Episcopis] de libro Arti­culorum Visitationibus Parochialibus ministrand'; & inter hujusmodi tractatus, Reverendus Pater Dominus Richardus Norwicen' Episcopus Domum hanc Superiorem intravit; & citra semihoram posteà, comparuit Prolocutor cum septem aliis è Domo Infe­riori: deinde, eis dimissis habitoque tractatu ci­tra Canonem pro ministratione libri Articulorum praedict. & de addend' eisdem Licentiâ & Dispen­satione Reverendissimi sub sigillo suo, Prolocutor revertebat, ad id licentiatus, & Secretè locutus est cum Reverendissimo (me praefato Notario semoto.) [Page 47] Eo dimisso, Reverendissimus cum consensu Confra­trum suorum, potestatem commisit Dominis Epi­scopis Elien', Exon' & Oxon' ad examinandum librum Articulorum praedict'. Deinde, tractatu Secreto cum Episcopis habito, Reverendissimus cum eorum consenst praesentem Convocationem, &c. continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & inter horas secun­dam & quartam post meridiem, &c. ad hunc Lo­cum. Prout in Schedulâ tenoris sequentis pleniùs con­tinetur, In Dei nomine Amen. Nos, &c.

Sessio XXII.

IN Pomerid' ejusd' diei in loco praed', &c. Reve­rendissimus, &c. post aliquod cum eis [Episco­pis] habit' Colloquium, Prolocutor cum quibusdam aliis è Coetu Domûs Inferioris Domum Superiorem intravit, & praesentavit binos Canones. Tunc, eo dimisso, habito (que) tractatu inter Dominum Archi-Episcopum & Episcopos antedictos, revertebat cum decem aliis dictae Domûs Inferioris, & alios prae­sentavit Canones. Prolocutore iterum dimisso, paulò post revertebat cum duobus vel tribus è Domo Inferiori; & Reverendissimus in eorum praesentiis elegit Dominos Episcopos, Winton', Exon' Elien' & Bristolien' ad praesentandum cum ipso Instrumentum Benevolentiae sive Contribu­tionis voluntariae, Serenissimo Domino Regi, & Voluit Dominum Prolocutorem ad eligendum Sex aut Octo alios Domûs Inferioris ad similiter prae­sentandum cum ipso Prolocutore dictum Instru­mentum. Deinde, habito tractatu secreto cum eodem Prolocutore (me Notario antedicto semoto) Reverendissimus eundem Prolocutorem dimisit, & [Page 48] praesentem Convocationem, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & in diem Mercurij 27. Viz. diem, &c. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem continua­vit, &c. Prout in Schedulâ tenoris sequentis con­tinetur. In Dei, &c.

Sessio XXIII.

DIE Mercurij 27o, Viz. die Mensis Maij, Anno Dom. 1640. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendissimus, &c. ad se accersiri fecit Domi­num Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Infe­rioris. Quibus comparentibus, Reverendissimus significavit, Quòd die Lunae ultimo manè Instru­mentum Concessionis benevolentiae, sive contribu­tionis voluntariae, unanimi consensu hujus Sacrae Synodi, Serenissimo Domino nostro Regi concessae, in ejus Sacras manus per eos utrius (que) Domûs ad hoc electos cum omni Humilitate, Obedientiâ, & Subjectione, traditum fuit. Regia (que) sacra Ma­jestas eandem Concessionem gratiosè acceptavit, & Voluit ipsum Reverendissimum pro Domo Supe­riori & Dominum Prolocutorem pro Domo Infe­riori, ad gratias utri (que) Domui nomine suo pro eadem referend': Quód (que) die Martis ultimo, Ca­nones in hac sacra Synodo tractat' per ipsum Reve­rendissimum Regiae Majestati in praesentiis Domi­norum è privato suo Consilio lecti fuerunt, Regiá (que) Majestas, & Domini è Consilio praedict', eosdem unanimitèr & sine haesitatione approbârunt: & Dominus Rex voluit eundem Reverendissimum ad habendum gratias utri (que) Domui hujus Convocatio­nis pro magnâ eorum curâ & labore citra confectio­nem [Page 49] eorundem. Inter verò hujusmodi Sermonis prolationem, Domino Gulielmo Bangor Episcopo comparente, & in hâc sacrâ Synodo unà cum Do­minis Episcopis antedictis sedente, Reverendissi­mus Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris praedictae dimisit. Tunc, habito aliquo tractatu inter Reverendissimum & praefatos Praelatos, Con­fratres suos, Prolocutor revertebat & secum intro­duxit Conclusionem cujusdam Canonis pro suppres­sione accretionis numeri Papistarum, & eandem penes Reverendissimum reliquit. Deinde, dimisso Prolocutore, post aliquod temporis intervallum com­paruit Willielmus Fisher Notarius Publicus & Actuarius Domûs Inferioris, & praesentavit Sche­dulam concernentem titulos cujuslibet Canonis in hac sacrâ Synodo us (que) in horam praedictam tractat' per Domum Inferiorem (ut asseruit) fact' & as­sens'. Ʋnde Reverendissimus, cum consensu Con­fratrum suorum, eosdem titulos approbavit. De­ni (que) Prolocutor iterum venit, & exhibuit quosdam Canones contra Judices Ecclesiasticos & eorum Registrarios & Officiarios; eisdem (que) in sacras manus Reverendissimi traditis, & Prolocutore di­misso, Reverendissimus continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & in diem Jovis 28. viz. diem, &c. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem, prout in Schedulâ per eum lectâ continetur, Cujus quidem Schedulae verus tenor sequltur. In Dei No­mine, &c.

Sessio XXIV.

DIE Jovis 28o. Viz. die Mensis Maij, Anno Domini 1640. inter horas nonam & unde­oimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diel, Reverendis­simus, [Page 50] &c. post aliquem tractatum cum eis [Epi­scopis] habitum, Dominus Prolocutor venit cum quin (que) aliis è Coetu Domûs Inferioris, & exparte aliquorum inhabitantium Parochianorum Sancti Cle­mentis Dacorum extra barras Novi Templi Lon­don & beatae Mariae Savoy, in Le-Strand, in Comitatu Middlesexiae, exhib [...] Literas quasdam Petitionales manibus suis propriis Subsignatas; & quidam Johannes Crosse Lanio, Willielmus Stevenson Lanio, & … Ʋxor Rogeri Barton, partes in dictis Literis mentionatae, obtu­lerunt se promptos & paratos ad justificandum suggestiones in eisdem, & nominatim accusarunt Magistrum Johannem Allen Notarium Publicum Registrarij Deputatum, & Arthurum Coleman Apparitorem Domini Archi-Diaconi Middlesexiae, tanquam partes in dictis literis criminosas, & in Officiis suis malè se gerentes. Ʋnde Reveren­dissimus, cum Consensu Praelatorum & Cleri, in hâc sacrâ Synodo congregat' decrevit, eos vocan­dos fore coram Commissariis Regiis, ac Processum contra eos fieri ex mero Officio, in ista Curia, etiam decrevit. Tunc, dimisso Prolocutore, Re­verendissimus tractavit cum Praelatis citra istos Canones contra Cancellarios & alios Judices Ec­clesiasticos. & eorum Officiarios. Post istum tractatum, Prolocutor cum 17. aliis è Domo Infe­riori revertebat, & Reverendissimus cum eodem Prolocutore tractatum habuit citra istos Canones, & in finem tractatûs eos retradidit eidem Domino Prolocutori per eum & totam domum Inferiorem considerand'. Deinde Prolocutore dimisso, Reve­rendissimus continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad & inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem hujus diei. Prout in Schedulâ tenoris sequentis continetur. In Dei, &c.

Sessio XXV.

IN Pomeridiano ejusdem diei in loco praedicto, Reverendissimus, &c. post tractatum cum eis [Episcopis] habitum, Prolocutor venit cum 19. aliis è Coetu Domûs Inferioris, & proposuit quos­dam Canones Ecclesiasticos; & eo pro tempore dimisso, revertebat cum duobus vel tribus è Coetu dictae Domûs, & Reverendissimus in praesentiis Domini Johannis Lambe Militis, Legum Docto­ris Officialis de Arcubus & Doctoris Heath Au­ditoris Curiae Audien' Cant' qui ad informandum Reverendissimum & Episcopos vocati sunt, tractavit cum Domino Prolocutore citra Canones praedictos. Post tractatum hujusmodi finitum, Domino (que) Pro­locutore dimisso, Reverendissimus continuavit, &c. Ʋs (que) ad in diem Veneris 29. Viz. diem, &c. inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meri­diem, &c. Prout in Schedulà, per eum lectâ te­noris sequentis continetur, viz. In Dei Nomine Amen, &c.

Ultima Sessio.

DIE Veneris 29o. Viz. die Mensis Maij, Anno Domini 1640. inter horas, &c. Re­verendissimus, &c. judicialitèr sedens: Prolocu­tor venit cum quibusdam aliis è Coetu Domûs Infe­rioris, & proposuit quendam Canonem. Tunc, eo dimisso, habitó (que) tractatu inter Reverendissimum Patrem antedictum & Confratres suos, super eo­dem [Page 52] Canone, Prolocutor cum toto Coetu Domûs In­ferioris praedictae revertebat; & Reverendissimus cum Ʋnanimi consensu Praelatorum & Cleri hujus Sacrae Synodi decrevit Regiam Majestatem suppli­candam fore, ut Liber publicarum precum, in La­tinum versus, reimprimatur, prout in Actu Syno­dico sequenti continetur, Viz. Decernimus in­super, &c. Deinde, Reverendissimus, in praesentiis dicti Domini Prolocutoris, & totius Coetûs Domûs Inferioris, protulit Librum Canonum in hac Sacrâ Synodo tractat'. continentem septemdecim Capitula Canonum. Quem Reverendissimus in manibus suis tenens, cum Domino Prolocutore, altâ & intelli­gibili voce legebat. Quo perlecto, Reverendissimus, & Reverendi Patres antedicti (Excepto Domino Episcopo Gloncestren'. antedicto, Subscribere pro tempore denegan') ac Dominus Prolocutor & totus Coetus Domûs Inferioris antedictae, isto die compa­rentes, nominibus suis & aliorum pro quibus consti­tuti sunt consensum & assensum suos eisdem Cano­nibus praestiterunt, & eorum Nomina manibus suis propriis eisdem respective subscripserunt. Et Reve­rendissimus, inter hasce Subscriptiones, interrogavit dictum Dominum Episcopum Gloucestren' an dictis Canonibus assensum suum praebere, & nomen Sub­scribere velit; idem Dominus Episcopus respon­dendo denegavit. Ʋnde Reverendissimus primò, secundò & tertiò, monuit eundem Dominum Epi­scopum ad Subscribendum. Ipse refutavit, & sic ad secundam & tertiam monitionem Canonicam respondebat, nisi ad Subscribendum Negativè, pe­tendo beneficium Synodi. Tunc, Reverendissimus eundem Dominum Episcopum Gloucestren'. ob con­tumaciam & inobedientiam suam hujusmodi, ab Episcopatu suo pro parte sua deprivandum fore decrevit, ac monuit & jussit Dominum Johannem [Page 53] Lambe Militem tunc praesentem, ad concipiendum Sententiam Deprivationis; & ad Vota & Suffragia Praelatorum ad eundem effectum processit. Post ali­quem Processum hujusmodi habitum, major pars Praelatorum vota sua deprivationi dicti Domini Episcopi praebuit. Tunc praefatus Dominus Episco­pus obtulit ad subscribendum, & de facto Nomen suum dicto libro apposuit. Quibus sic gestis, dictó (que) Reverendo Patre interrogato per Reverendissimum ad rogat um Prolocutoris & aliorum è Coetu Domûs Inferioris, an ipse subscripsit voluntariè & ex animo, sine aequivocatione, animi evasione, & Secreta reservatione; Respondebat, quòd ipse sub­scripsit, & aliter denegavit respondere. Deinde, dimisso Domino Prolocutore, cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris, Reverendissimus & Confratres sui prae­dicti super istud grave Scandalum, Ecclesiae An­glicanae, & huic Sacrae Synodo, per dictum Domi­num Episcopum illatum, inter se tractarunt, & una­nimiter Vota sua dedcrunt pro suspensione ejus­dem Episcopi ab Officio & Beneficiis suis Ecclesia­sticis. Et mox Dominus Prolocutor cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris revertebat, ac nomine suo & totius Coetûs praedicti, dixit se & totum Coetum Domûs suae, citra istud Scandalum Ecclesiae huic Anglicanae & Synodo Sacrae per Dominum Episcopum Glou­cestr'. illatum, tractâsse, & Vota sua & corum Suspensioni ejusdem Episcopi ab Officio & Bene­ficiis praebuisse. Et ulterius Dominus Prolocutor, nomine suo & eorum, Dominum Archi-Episcopum imploravit, ut dictus Dominus Episcopus Gloucestr. ante recessum suum ab hac Civitatc, Juramentum in Sexto Canone in hac sacra Synodo tractat' men­tionat' praestaret; & ut Reverendissimus interro­garet eundem Dominum Episcopum an ipse Sub­scripsit bonâ fide sine Aequivocatione & animi [Page 54] evasione. Ʋnde factâ monitione dicto Domino Episcopo Gloucestren', quòd non recedat à Civitate, donec Juramentum praedictum ei oblaturum prae­stiterit & subierit, Reverendissimus cum consensu totius Synodi dictum Dominum Episcopum Glou­cestren'. ab Officio & Episcopatu suo Gloucestr. & ab omnibus Reneficiis suis Ecclesiasticis Suspen­dendum fore decrevit, donec Serenissimo Domino nostro Regi & Sacrae Ecclesiae, ob magnum hujus­modi dedecus & grave Scandalum illatum, Satis­fecerit. Eùm (que) in Scriptis Suspendebat, prout in Schedula sequenti continetur, Viz. In Dei No­mine Amen. Nos Gulielmus, &c. Postremo, habito per Reverendissimum sermone gravi & ele­ganti, Praelatis & Clero praedictis, Lectó (que) per me praefatum Notarium Brevi Regio, de mandato dicti Reverendissimi Patris, de Convocatione dissolvendâ, tenoris sequentis, Viz. Carolus Dei gratiâ, &c. Idem Reverendissimus Pater, ob honorem & reve­rentiam dicti Domini nostri Regis juxta tenorem Brevis Regij praedicti, candem Convocationem five Sacram Synodum Provincialem dissolvit, prout in Schedulâ per dictum Reverendissimum Patremlectâ pleniùs continetur, Cujus quidem Schedulae tenor sequitur & est palis. Viz. In Dei nomine Amen. Nos Gulielmus, &c.

ACTA SUPERIORIS DOMUS CONVOCATIONIS INCOEPTAE OCTAVO DIE MENSIS MAII ANNO MDCLXI. IN REVISIONELIBRI PRECUM PUBLICARUM ET IN CERTIS CANONIBUS CONFICIENDIS, &C. USQUE AD DIEM XXVI. SEPTEMBRIS ANNO MDCLXVI.

Archbishop JƲXON's Mandate to the Bishop of London, to Sum­mon a Convocation to St. Paul's, May 8. 1661.

Mandatuus Episcoco London', direct' pro Convocat' summo­nenda. GUlielmus Providentiâ Divinâ Cantuar Ar­chiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas & Me­tropolitanus; Venerabili Confratri nostro Domino Gilberto eâdem Providentiâ London. Episcopo, Salutem, & fraternam in Domino charitatem. Breve Illustrissimi in Christo Principis, & Domini nostri Domini Caroli secundi, Dei gratiâ Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Regis, Fidei defen­soris, &c. nobis inscript'. & direct nuper cum eâ quâ decuit reverentiâ, obedientiâ & subjectione, humiliter recepimus in haec verba. Carolus se­cundus, Dei gratiâ Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hi­berniae Rex, Fidei Defensor, &c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri Gulielmo câdem gratiâ Cantuar? Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati & Metroto­litano, Salutem. Quibusdam arduis & urgentibus negotiis Nos, securitatem & defensionem Ecclesue Anglicanae, ac pacem & tranquilitatem, bonum publicum, & defensionem Regni nostri & subdita­rum nostrorum ejusácm concernen. Vobis in side & dilectione quibus nobis tenemini rogando man­damus, quatenàs praemissis debito intuitu attentis & ponderatis, universos & singulos Episcopos vestrae Provinciae, ac Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathe­dralium, nec non Archidiaconos, Capitula, & Collegia, [Page 58] Collegia, totum (que) Clerum cujuslibet Dioeceseos ejusdem Provinciae, ad comparendum coram vobis in Ecclesiâ Cathedrali Sancti Pauli London. octavo die Mensis Maij prox. futur. vel alibi prout me­lius expedire videritis, cum omni celeritate ac­commodâ modo debito convocari faciatis, ad tra­ctand'. consentiend'. & concludena'. super prae­missis & aliis quae sibi clarius exponentur tunc ibi­dem ex parte nostra. Et hoc sicut Nos & Statum regni nostri, ac honorem & utilitatem Ecclesiae praedict'. diligitis, nullatenùs omitratis. Teste me­ipso apud Westm'. Ʋndecimo die Aprilis, Anno Regni nostri Tertio Decímo.

Quocirca fraternitati vestrae committimus & mandamus, quatenùs omnes & singulos Co-episcopos Ecclesic nostrae Christi Cantuar'. Suffraganeos, infra praefatam nostram Provinciam Cant. consti­tutos, peremptoriè citetis, & per eos Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium, & Collegiatarum, & singula Capitula earundem, Archidiaconósque & alios Ecclesiarun; Praelatos exemptos & non exemp­tos, Clerúmque cujuslibet Dioeceseos Provinciae nostrae Cantuar'. antedict'. peremptoriè citari & praemoneri volumus & mandamus: Quòd iidem Episcopi, Decani, Archidiaconi, & caeteri Ec­clesiarum Cathedralium Praelati exempti & non exempti personaliter; & quodlibet Capitulum Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & Collegiatarum per unum, Clerús (que) cujuslibet Dioeces. Provinciae nostrae antedict. per duos sufficien'. Procuratores compa­reant coram nobis aut nostro in hac parte Locum­tenente sive Commissario (si Nos impediri conti­gerit) in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis sancti Pauli London, 8 die Mensis Maij prox. futur. post Datum Praesentium, cum continuatione & prorogatione dierum extunc sequen' & locorum [Page 59] (si oporteat) fiend'. ad tractand'. super arduis & urgentibus negotiis, statum & utilitatem, bonum publicum & defensionem Regni Angliae & Subdi­torum ejusdem concernen'. ipsis tunc & ibidem seriosiùs exponend' suá (que) sana consilia & auxilia super eis impensur. ac hiis quae ibidem ex delibe­ratione communi ad honorem Dei & Ecclesiae utili­tatem salubriter Ordinari & Statui contigerit, consensur. ulteriús (que) factur. & receptur. quod justum fuerit & hujusmodi negotij natura & qua­litas de se exigunt & requirunt. Vos autem, Ve­nerabilis Confrater, dictum Mandatum, quatenùs Vos & Capitulum Ecclesiae vestrae Cathedralis ac Civitatem & Dioc'. London. concernit, exequi per omnia faciatis & eidem pareatis in omnibus cum effectu. Praetereà, tenore praesentium Vos citamus, quatenus eisdem die & loco coram Nobis aut nostro in hac parte Locum-tenente sive Commissario, uno vel pluribus, una cum aliis Venerabilibus Confra­tribus nostris dictae Provinciae nostrae Cantuar. Co-episcopis, compareatis, super hujusmodi negotiis, ut praemittitur, tractatur. nec non factur. & re­ceptur. quod justum fuerit & quod ad vestram Paternitatem attinet, prout superius continetur. Volumus insuper & mandamus, quatenùs intimets & denuncietis seu intimari & denunciari faciatis dictae Provinciae nostrae Cantuar'. Co-episcopis, Decanis, Archidiaconis, & caeteris Ecclesiarum Praelatis suprascript'. quòd eos à personali compa­ritione in hujusmodi negotio Convocationis & Con­gregationis, dictis die & loco (ut praemittitur) Divinâ favente Clementiâ celebrand'. excusatos non habere intendimus ista Vice nisi ex causa ne­cessariâ tunc & ibidem allegand' & proponend. & per nos approband'. sed Contumacias eorum qui ab­sentes fuerint, Canonicè punire. Et praetereà, Vo­bis [Page 60] (ut supra) injungimus & mandamus, quòd om­nibus & singulis Co-episcopis Suffraganeis provin­ciae nostrae Cantuar' praedict'. injungatis & injungi faciatis, ut singuli eorum sigillatim de facto suo quatenùs pertinet ad eosdem, Nos seu Locum­tenentem sive Commissarium nostrum unum vel plu­res dictis die & loco per Literas corum Patentes, Nomina & Cognomina omnium & singulorum per eos respective citatorum continen. distinctè cer­tificent & aperté. De die verò receptionis praesen­tium, & quid in praemissis feceritis, Nos aut no­strum in hac parte Locum-tenen' sive Commissarium hujusmodi dictis die & loco debitè certificari cu­retis per literas vestras Patentes harum seriem una cum nominibus omnium & singulorum Epi­scoporum Provinciae nostrae Cantuar'. Decanorum, Archidiaconorum, & caeterorum Praelatorum vestrae Dioe [...]eseos in separatâ Schedulâ literis Certi­ficatoriis annectend'. complecten'. In cujus Rei Te­stimonium, Sigillum nostrum Archiepiscopale prae­sentibus apponi fecimus. Dat. in Manerio nostro de Lambeth, duodecimo die mensis Aprilis, Anno Domini Millesimo Sexcentesimo Sexagesimo primo, Et nostrae Translationis Anno Primo, &c.

Sessio Prima.

DIE Mercurij, 8o. Viz. die Mensis Maij, Anno Domini 1661. Anno (que) Regni Domini nostri Caroli secundi Dei gratiâ Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. 13. Reverendus in Christo Pater & Dominus Gil­bertus Providentiâ divinâ London' Episcopus, inter horas nonam & decimam antè Meridiem ejusdem [Page 61] diei, unà cum nonnullis Reverendis in Christo Pa­tribus Confratribus & Co-episcopis suis, nec non Decanis, Archidiaconis, caeterís (que) Clericis & Ministris, nec non Advocatis & Procurato­ribus, & caeteris Ministris Almae Curiae Cant' de Arcubus London', ab aedibus … Berwick in Medicinis Doctoris intra Pauls Church-yard in Parochiâ Sancti Gregorij Civitatis London'. notorié sit' & situat', us (que) ad & in parvum ostium australe Ecclesiae Paulinae in Ecclesiam Cathedra­lem Sancti Pauli London' pervenit; & ibidem Ve­nerabilis vir Matthaeus Nicholas, in Legibus Doctor, Decanus, Thomas Turner, Johannes Hacket & Edwardus Laysield, Sacrae Theologiae Professores, Canonici Residentiarij dictae Ecclesiae Cathedralis, caeteri (que) Canonici & Praebendarij ejus­dem Ecclesiae superpelliciis induti, eum praestola­bantur, & ad Chorum ipsius Ecclesie perduxerunt, comitantibus eum Episcopis Provinciae Cant' simi­libus habitibus indutis. Et ibidem dictus Reve­rendus Pater in stallo quodam collocatus fuit, cae­teris (que) Episcopis Suffraganeis Provinciae Cant'. habitibus suis in hujusmodi Convocationis negotio folitis & consuetis, indutis, stallis Praebendario­rum (jam pro stallis usitatis) ex utra (que) parte dicti Chori sedentibus, ac decantato per Ministros Chori praedicti Hymno, Te Deum Laudamus, &c. le­ctò (que) Capitulo pro lectione secundâ istius diei, & aliis precibus matutinis juxta formam Liturgiae peractis, & alio Hymno, O Lord make thy Ser­vant CHARLES, &c. cantato, Venerabilis Vir Thomas Pierce, S. Theologiae Professor, suggestum usitatum ingressus fuit, ac ibidem Concionem ve­mustam & eloquentem sermone Latino, ad Reve­rendos Patres & Populum & Clerum praesentes ha­buit, accepto pro Themate versu 28 decimi quinti [Page 62] Capituli Act' Apostolorum, viz. Visum est enim Spiritui Sancto & Nobis, nihil ultra imponere vobis oneris, quàm haec necessaria. Quâ qui­dem Concione finitâ, ac decantato per Ministros Chori praedicti alio Hymno, O Lord grant the King a long Life, &c. Reverendus Pater Domi­nus Episcopus London. tanquam Locum-tenens Reverendissimi in Christo Patris ac Domini Do­mini Providentiâ Divinâ Cant'. Archi-episcopi totius Angliae Primatis & Metropolitani, legitime constitut'. Chorum praedict'. egressus, ac Domum Capitularem (ut dicitur pro hâc vice) Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London' praedict' ingressus, comitantibus eum caeteris Episcopis & Cleris Prae­latis Provinc' Cant'. assidentibus secum undique Episcopis Suffraganeis, viz. Matthaeo Elien', Gu­lielmo Bathon' & Wellen', Roberto Oxon', Jo­anne Roffen', Henrico Cicestren', Georgio Wi­gorn', Humfrido Sarum, Benjamino Petriburgen', Edwardo Norwicen', Nicolao Hereford', & Gu­lielmo Gloucestren' respectivè Episcopis personali­litèr comparentibus, dicto (que) Reverendo Patre Do­mino Episcopo London' pro Tribunali seden' Vene­rabilis vir Richardus Chaworth Legum Doctor, dicti Reverendissimi Patris Vicarius in Spiritua­libus generalis, & Officialis Principalis legitimè constitutus, praesentavit dicto Reverendo Patri Do­mino Episcopo London' Literas quasdam Commis­sionales dicti Reverendissimi Patris, dicto Do­mino Episcopo London' & aliis Co-episcopis con­junctim & divisim direct'. Quibus Literis Com­missionalibus per me praefatum Willielmum Fisher, Notarium Publicum & Registrarii deputatum de Mandato dicti Reverendi Patris publicè perlectis, dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Gilbertus Lon­don' Episcopus onus executionis earundem in se [Page 63] acceptavit & decrevit procedendum fore juxta tenorem earundem.

Deinde Brevi Regio per dictum Dominum Ri­chardum Chaworth praesentato, dicto Reveren­dissimo Patri inscripto & directo, & per me praefatum Notarium publicum antedictum, de man­dato Domini Gilberti London' Episcopi publicè per­lecto, dictus Venerabilis Vir Richardus Chaworth, tanquam Vicarius in Spiritualibus generalis Do­mini Episcopi London', exhibuit & praesentavit Certificatorium super executione mandati citatorij & monitorij dicti Reverendissimi Patris aliàs sibi praefato Domino Episcopo London' directi. Cujus quidem Certificatorij tenor sequitur in haec ver­ba, &c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri, ac Domino Domino Gulielmo Providentiâ divinå Cant' Archi-episcopo, totius, &c.

Quo quidem Certificatorio per me praefatum Willielmum Fisher, de Mandato dicti Reverendi Patris, publicè lecto, praeconizatís (que) publicè om­nibus & singulis Reverendis Patribus Provinciae Cant' Episcopis Suffragneis in eodem Certifica­torio mentionatis; praefatus Reverendus Pater ver­bis Latinis conceptis Clerum Domus Inferioris Convocationis in dictâ domo Capitulari coram eo & caeteris Praelatis constitutum, monuit, quatenus ad solitum & consuetum Conventûs sui locum sese conferentes, unum Virum gravem, doctum, & pe­ritum, de gremio suo provideant & eligant in eo­rum Prolocutorem sive Referendarium, ipsúm (que) sic electum exhibeant & praesentent coram Reveren­dissimo Patre, aut ejus Locum-tenente sive Commis­sario die Jovis prox. decimo sexto die mensis jam instantis Maij, inter horas 9 & 11, ante meri­diem ejusdem diei in Capellâ Regis Henrici 7. infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam B. Petri Westm'. [Page 64] Quo Clero dimisso, ad locum solitum, ad effectum elegendi unum gravem, doctum, & peritum Virum de gremio suo in eorum Prolocutorem sive Refe­rendarium sese conferebant, & post aliquem tra­ctatum inter dictum Reverendum Patrem & prae­fatos Reverendos Patre: Confratres suos, Venera­bilis vir Matthaeus Nicholas Legum Doctor, De­canus Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London' praedictae, unà cum Venerabilibus viris Thoma Turner S. Theol. Professore, & Richardo Bay­ley S. Theolog. Professore, à dictâ Domo Infe­riori ad hoc Electis, tam nomine suo proprio quam totius Coetus dictae Domùs, dicto Reverendo Patri significavit, se & caeteros dictae Domûs convenire, Venerabiles viros Henricum Fearne S. Theologiae Professorem in eorum Prolocutorem, & Johannem Pearson S. Theolog. Professorem in Praesentatorem dicti Prolocutoris respectivè unanimi consensu ele­gisse. Quibus sic gestis, praefatus Reverendus Pa­ter pronunciavit omnes & singulos, Decanos, Ar­chidiaconos, Capitula, Cleri Procuratores ac caeteros quoscun (que) ad interessendum istis die, horâ, & loco, in hujusmodi Synodo Sacrâ sive Convo­catione monitos & citatos, & nullo modo compa­rentes, notoriè Contumaces; poenas verò Contu­maciarum suarum hujusmodi us (que) ad & in deci­mum sextum instantis mensis Maij inter horas 9 & 11 antè Meridiem ejusdem diei ad Ecclc­siam Collegiatam B. Petri Westm' praedict' reser­vando, & reservabit, prout in Schedulà Schedula contra Contu­maces. per dictum Reverendum Patrem lectâ pleniùs liquet. Cujus quidem Schedulae tenor sequitur & est talis. Viz. In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos Gilbertus, &c. Postremò dictus Reverendus Pater Continuavit & Prorogavit praesentem Convocationem sive Sa­cram Synodum, omnia (que) & singula Certificatoria [Page 65] istis die, horâ, & loco, introducta ac introdu­cenda & non introducta, in eodem statu quo nunc sunt us (que) ad & in praedictum decimum sextum diem jam instantis Maij praedict'. inter horas 9 & 11. ante meridiem ejusdem diei, ad Ecclesiam Collegiatam B. Petri Westm. prout in aliâ Sche­dulâ Schedula Continua­tionis. per eum lectâ tenoris sequentis continetur, viz. In Dei nomine Amen, Nos Gilbertus, &c.

Certificatorium Archidiaconi Cant', Reveren­dissimo in Christo Patri, &c.

Secunda Sessio.

DIE Jovis decimo sexto die Mensis Maij, 1661. inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendo in Christo Patre ac Do­mino Gilberto London' Episcopo, nec-non Reve­rendis Patribus Guilielmo Bathon' & Wellen', Matthaeo Elien', Roberto Oxon', Johanne Rof­fen', Henrico Cicestren', Georgio Wigorn', Hum­frido Sarum, Benjamino Petriburgen', Georgio Asaphen', Guilielmo Meneven, Hugone Landa­ven', Edwardo Norwicen' & Guilielmo Glouce­stren', respectivè Episcopis in Capellâ Regis Hen­rici 7. infrà Ecclesiam Collegiatam B. Petri Westm' congregatis, ante preces incoeptas, in praesentiâ mei Willielmi Fisher Notarii Publici, &c. Compa­ruit personaliter Venerabilis vir Johannes Earles S. Theol. Professor, Decanus Ecclesiae Collegiatae B. Petri Westm' praedict', secum stantibus vene­rabilibus viris Matthaeo Nicholas Legum Doctore, Willielmo Heywood … S. Theologiae respective Professo­ribus, [Page 66] & Ecclesiae Collegiatae praedict' Praebendariis, ac Domino … & Johanne Allen Notario Publico, & nonnullis aliis testibus. Qui quidem venerabilis vir Johannes Earles Decanus antedictus tunc & ibidem dixit, allegavit, protestatus est & caetera fecit prout in quâdam Schedulâ Protesta­tio Decani VVestm'. in pergameno script' & exarat' quam in manibus suis tunc & ibidem tenens pub­licè legebat, in haec verba, Ego Johannes Earles, S. Th. Professor, Decanus Ecclesiae Collegiatae B. Petri Westm. ad comparend', &c. Et tunc Reverendus Pater Dominus Gilbertus London' Epi­scopus tanquam Locum-tenens sive Praesidens, &c: pro se & Confratribus suis ac omnibus & singulis Praelatis & Clero suae Cant' Provinc' in hâc prae­senti Convocatione sive sacrâ Synodo Provinciali jus & interesse habentibus Protestatus est, & cae­tera fecit, prout in aliâ Schedulà Protesta­tio Reve­rendi Pa­tris, &c. in papyro scri­ptâ, per dictum Reverendum Paetrem lectâ, tunc & ibidem continetur, viz. In Dei nomine. Cum haec Ecclesia Collegiata B. Petri Westm' &c. praesentibus tunc & ibidem venerabili viro Ri­chardo Chaworth Legum Doctore, Reverendis­simi in Christo Patris Domini Archi-episcopi Cant' Vicario in Spiritualibus generali, Francisco Mun­dy … praefato Johanne Allen, Notariis Publicis, ac nonnullis aliis testibus, &c. Quibus sic gestis, praenominatus Reverendus Pater post intervallum temporis ad eum accersiri jussit Praelatos & Clerum Domûs Infe­rioris. Qui copiosè sese praesentantes, exhiberi & sisti fecerunt Venerabilem virum Henricum Fearne, S. Theologiae Professorem, Docunum Ec­clesiae Cathedralis Elien', in Prolocutorem totius Coetûs praedict'. Domûs Inferioris ultimâ Sessione electum; quem venerabilis vir Johannes Pearson [Page 67] S. Theol. Professor in Praesentatorem istâ Sessione etiam electus, vice totius Coetus praedict'. Domûs inferioris, praemissâ facundâ & cloquenti Oratione per eum prolat'. exhibuit & Praesentavit dicto Reverendo Patri & caeteris Episcopis praedictis. Ac, factâ aliâ Oratione eleganti per eundem Pro­locutorem sic praesentatum, praefatus Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London' de consensu Con­fratrum suorum praedictorum eundem Henricum Fearne electum, & Electionem praedict' de Per­sonâ suâ in Prolocutorem & Referendarium praedict'. per aliam venustam & eloquentem Ora­tionem Latinam commendavit & approbavit. Tunc, dimisso Prolocutore cum Coetu Domûs Infe­rioris praedict'; habitó (que) aliquandiu Tractatu inter dictum Reverendum Patrem & caeteros Epi­scopos suffraganeos suos ut praefertur comparentes, de & super Precibus specialibus pro die Nativi­tatis Domini nostri Regis, nec non pro faelicissimâ Restauratione ejus ad & in regna sua, viz. 29 die mensis jam instantis Maij, per quatuor Episcopos hujusmodi Domûs, nempe Matthaeum Elien', Ro­bertum Oxon', Benjaminum Petriburgen', & Humfridum Sarum, respectivè Episcopos, in eâ parte respectivè elect' & per 8 Praelatos sive Cle­ros Domûs Inferioris eligendos, concipiendus & Publicè isto die annuatim perlegendis; nec non etiam de & super Precibus specialibus & parti­cularibus in 30 diem mensis Januarij in quolibet anno publicè peragendis & perlegendis, & per Re­verendos Patres Johannem Raffen', Hemicum Ci­cestren', Georgium Wigorn', & Edwardum Nor­wicen' respectivè Episcopos in eâ parte [...]aectos; & per octo Praelatos sive Cleros dictae Domûs in­ferioris in eâ parte respectivè el gendos, concipi [...] ­dis, continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Tertia Sessio.

DIE Sabbati 18. Viz. die Mensis Maij, 1661. inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meri­diem ejusdem diei in Capellâ Regis Hen. 7. infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm'. Reve­rendus Pater Dominus Gilbertus London', Wil­lielmus Bathon' & Wellen', &c. respectivè Epi­scopi, congregati, primò & antè omnia preces, Deo Op. Maximo flexis genibus humilitèr funde­bant; Precibús (que) peractis, praefato Reverendo Patre in praesentiâ mei Willielmi Fisher Notarij Pub­lici, &c. pro Tribunali sedente, assidentibus se­cum praedictis Reverendis Patribus; Reverendus Pater Dominus Elien' Episcopus tam pro se quam aliis Episcopis, &c. introduxit Preces de & super Nativitate Domini nostri Regis & Restauratione sua, &c. per dictos Episcopos ultimâ Sessione electos, conceptas; & tradidit eas Domino Commissario sive Locum-tenenti. Et post aliquot tractat'. dictus Dominus Episcopus London', cum consensu Confra­trum suorum hujusmodi, voluit ad se accesiri Do­minum Prolocutorem cum quibusdam aliis è Coetu Domûs Inferioris, qui intravit cum sex dictae Do­mûs Inferioris, & tradidit dicto Prolocutori di­ctas preces sic (ut praefertur) conceptas, per eum & totam Domum Inferior' considerandas & con­sentiendas. Deinde, Dominus Commissarius inti­mavit dicto Prolocutori de Precibus specialibus & particularibus pro baptizatione nonnullorum Adul­torum concipiendis & formandis; & pro concep­tione earundem, dictus Reverendus Pater, cum consensu Confratrum suorum, tres Reverendos Pa­tres hujus Domûs, viz. Dominum Humphridum [Page 69] Sarum, Benjaminum Petriburgen', & Georgium Asaph' respective Episcopos elegit, & voluit Do­minum Prolocutorem sex Cleros è dictâ Domo Infe­riori eligere ad procedendum cum dictis Episcopis in dicto negotio.

Quibus sic gestis, dimissus fuit Prolocutor unà cum sex aliis praedict'; & post tractatum cum Episcopis per dict' Domin' Commissarium habitum, dictus Com­missarius continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Quarta Sessio.

DIE Mercurij, 22o die Mensis Maij 1661. inter horas [nonam & undecimam ejusd' diei] aliàs designatas, in praesentiâ mei Williel­mi Fisher Notarij publici, &c. Reverendus in Chri­sto Pater Dominus Johannes permissione divinâ Roffen' Episcopus, &c. Congregati, primo & ante omnia preces, &c. Dictis (que) precibus peractis & finitis, dicto Reverendo Patre Domino Johanne Roffen' Episcopo pro tribunali sedente, assidentibus secum, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater post aliquot tract. inter dictos Reverendos Patres habit'. conti­nuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Quinta Sessio.

DIE Veneris 24o. Viz. die mensis Maij, &c. inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Williel­mus, &c. Bathon' & Wellen'. Episcopus, &c. post aliquot tractat' inter dictos Reverendos respectivè [Page 70] Patres habit'. & fact. &c. continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sexta Sessio.

DIE Martis 28o Viz. die mensis Maij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post ali­quot tractat' habit' & fact' inter dictos Reveren­dos Patres, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Sche­dulâ, &c.

Septima Sessio.

DIE Veneris 31o die mensis Maij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. introductâ priùs per dictum Episcopum Sarum for­mâ precum publicarum pro Baptizatione Adult' celebrand' & per me Willielmum Fisher, No­tarium Publicum antedictum, de mandato dicti Praesidentis, publicè perlect', & per dictos Reveren­dos Patres unanimiter approbat'; & lectâ tam petitione cujusdam Ogleby quàm literis Regiis hujusmodi domo direct'. de & super commendatione Biblij impensis dicti Ogleby; & post commenda­tionem ejusdem Petitionis, literarum Regiarum & libri praedicti Domo Inferiori, &c. & post aliquot tractat', inter dictos Reverendos Patres, dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Octava Sessio.

SEptimo die mensis Junij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. comparuit personaliter Richardus Aldworth Armiger, & praesentavit dicto Reverendo Praesidenti sivè Locum­tenen' Licentiam quandam Regiam Sigillo magno Angliae sigillat' de Emendando, reformando, ex­ponendo, & corrigendo, Constitutiones & Ca­nones aliàs factas; nec non de ordinando & con­siciendo nonnullas novas Constitutiones, Ordina­tiones sive Capitula, statum Ecclesiasticum, sin­ceram Religionem, & utilitatem Ecclesiae Anglicanae concernen' & tenden'; unà cum nonnullis aliis Pro­visionibus in eâdem Licentiâ insertis, sub tenore verborum sequen' viz. Charles by the Grace of God, &c. Quibus per me Willielm' Fisher in hâs parte Actorum scribam publicè tunc & ibidem altâ voce coram dictis respectivè Patribus perlect', dictus Reverendus Pater & caeteri Episcopi secum assi­dentes, cum omnimodâ reverentiâ, subjectione, & humilitate gratantèr acceptârunt & receperunt. Eâdém (que) Licentiâ sic lectâ, dictus Reverendus Pater, post intervallum temporis, ad eum accersiri jussit Prolocutorem, Praelatos & Clerum Do­mûs Inferioris. Quibus copiosè sese praesentantibus coram eo caeteris (que) Episcopis antedictis, modo (ut praefertur) secum assiden', & dictâ Licentiâ de­nuò, de mandato dicti Reverendi Patris, per me Notarium Publicum antedict' publicè perlectâ, dictus Reverendus Pater praefatum Prolocutorem, & alios de Domo Inferiori Decanos, Archi­diaconos, Capitula & Cleri Procuratores ibi­dem [Page 72] praesentes voluit ut ipsi inter se convenirent & maturè excogitarent de Canonibus & Consti­tutionibus statum Ecclesiasticum & Christi Reli­gionem in Ecclesiâ Anglicanâ concernen' concipi­endis, & quicquid inde senserint sive excogi­taverint in scriptis redigant, & coram ipso Re­verendo Patre & Confratribus suis Episcopis ex­hibeant. Deinde, dimisso Prolocutore cum Coetu Domûs Inferioris, introducta fuit Copia Procla­mationis per Attournatum Regium generalem (ut asserebatur) concept' & dictis respective Episcopis destinat' pro Jejunio Observando; & eâdem de mandato dicti Reverendi Patris per me Notarium Publicum antedictum publicè perlectâ, dictus Re­verendus Pater dictam Copiam retradidit. Tunc, habito tractatu inter dictum Dominum Reveren­dum Patrem & caeteros Episcopos suffraganeos suos ut praefertur comparentes, de & super precibus spe­cialibus & particularibus pro Jejunio juxta Pro­clamationem praedict' 12 die jam instan' mensis Junij celebrando & observando, per quatuor Epi­scopos hujusmodi domûs, nempè Matthaeum Elien', Robertum Oxon', Humfridum Sarum, & Ben­jaminum Petriburg', respectivè Episcopos in eâ parte respectivè electos, & per 8 Praelatos sive Cle­ros Domûs Inferioris eligend', concipend' dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Nona Sessio.

DIE Veneris 14o die mensis Junij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post aliquod tracta­tum, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Decima Sessio.

DIE Mercurij 19 die mensis Junij inter ho­ras 9 & 11 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London' Prae­sidens in praesentiis Reverendorum Patrum Confra­trum suorum significavit & intimavit, Serenissi­mum Dominum nostrum Carolum Regem ex gratiâ suâ speciali Licentiam sive Commissionem magno suo sigillo Angliae sigillat', ad eundem effectum prout prior Commissio sive Licentia aliàs intro­duct' suit ac erat, curâsse, ac potestatem de­disse Archi-episcopo & caeteris Episcopis ac Clero Provinc' Cant'. ad procedend', emendand', re­formand', exponend', corrigend', ordinand' & conficiend'. prout in eisdem continetur. Quorum Reverendissimum in Christo Patrem Do­minum Dominum Archi-episcopum Cant', Gilber­tum London', Willielmum Bathon' & Wellen' & Matthaeum Elien', respectivè Episcopos in dictâ Convocatione pro rebus Ecclesiasticis perfi­ciend'. juxtà Commissionem & Licentiam Regiam praedict dictus Dominus noster Rex uni esse voluit & mandavit; & eandem Licentiam sive Com­missionem [Page 74] produxit & exhibuit sub tenore verbo­ruta sequentium, viz. Charles by the Grace of God, &c. Licentia Secunda Dom' no­tiri Regis. Quâ per me praefatum Willielmum Fisher Notarium Publicum in hâc parte Actorum Scriham sive Registrarium deputatum publicè tunc & ibidem perlectâ, dictus Reverendus Pater Do­minus Episcopus London', Praesidens antedictus, unà cum dictis Reverendis Patribus Confratribus suis, tractatum sive colloquium habuit de & super Exa­minatione Canonum aliàs fact'. ac de Jurisdi­ctione Ecclesiae, nec non de Regulatione Cleri­corum & Ecclesiasticorum Officiariorum; & ad eundem effectum, dictus Reverendus Pater, cum unanimi consensu dictorum Reverendorum Patrum Confratrum suorum, elegit duodecim Episcopos viz. Dominum Willielmum Bathon' & Wellen'. Mat­thaeum Elien. Robertum Oxon. Johannem Rof­fen. Henricum Cicestren. Humfridum Sarum, Georgium Wigorn. Robertum Lincoln. Geor­gium Asaphen. Gulielmum Meneven. Benja­minum Petriburgen. & Johannem Exon. respe­ctive Episcopos, & commisit vices suas eisdem aut tribus eorum ad procedend' in dicto negotio, & viginti quatuor domûs Inferioris per dictam do­mum eligend. aut sex eorundem; ad conveniend'. in magnâ aulâ Le Savoy die Sabbati prox. horâ tertiâ post Meridiem, & posteà diebus Martis & & Jovis in quâlibet hebdomadâ dictis horâ & loco, donec dictum negotium perficiatur. Et or­dinavit ad introducendum eorum relationem quam primùm poterint. Ita tamen, quòd bene liceat & licebit omnibus aliis Reverendis Patribus & Clero ad conveniendum & consulendum cum di­ctis respectivè Episcopis, dictis loco & tempore, de & super praemissis, quando & quoties sibimet ipfis videbitur expediens. Tunc dictus Reverendus [Page 75] Pater Dominus Episcopus London', cum consensu dictorum Reverendorum Patrum Confratrum suo­rum, ad eum accersiri jussit Prolocutorem, Praela­tos, & Clerum Domûs Inferioris; quibus copiose sese praesentantibus coram eo caeteris (que) Episcopis antedictis modo (ut praefertur) secum assidentibus, dictus Reverendus Pater omnia & singula prae­missa dict' Prolocutori & Domui Inferiori signi­ficavit, & voluit dictum Prolocutorem ad eligen­dum viginti quatuor è gremio suo ad conveni­endum cum dictis Reverendis Patribus, sic ut praefertur, electis, dictis diebus & luco de & super consultatione praemissorum. Dictó (que) Prolocutore & Coetu Domûs Inferioris dimisso, & post ali­quem tractatum inter dictos Reverendos Patres, dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Praesidens an­tedictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. proxt in Sche­dula, &c.

Sessio XI.

DIE Veneris 21o die mensis Junij, inter ho­ras 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendo Patre Domino Episcopo London' pro tri­bunali sedente, assidentibus secum dictis Reveren­dis respectivè Patribus, nec non Reverendissimo in Christo Patre ac Domino Accepto Providentiâ divinâ Ebar. Archi-episcopo, &c. … Dunelmen' Episcopo, & … Cicestron' Episcopo, dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Epi­scopus London' una cum dictis Reverendis Patri­bus Confratribus suis tractatum habuit de concep­tione unius libri Articulorum in Visitatione cujus­libet Episcopi Oeconomis & Inquisitoribus in qua­libet [Page 76] Dioecesi ministrandorum: & ad eunden: intuitum dictus Reverendus Pater, cum unanimi consensu dictorum Confratrum suorum, sex Episco­pos Confratres suos nempe Willielmum Bathon' & Wellen', Matthaeum Elien', Robertum Oxon', Humfridum Sarum, Robertum Lincoln', & Wil­lielmum Gloucestren' elegit, & commisit vices suas [...]isdem aut eorum tribus ad concipiend' & for­mand' dictos Articulos, &c. ad conveniend' in aulâ magnâ in Le Savoy die Sabbati prox. ad sep­timanam hora tertia post meridiem, & postea die­bus Lunae & Sabbati in qualibet hebdomadâ, dictis horâ & loco, donec dictum Opus finiatur. Ita ta­men quod benè liceat & licebit omnibus aliis Re­verendis Patribus ad conveniend' & consulend'. cum dictis Reverendis Patribus dictis loco & tem­pore, de & super praemissis, quoties & quando sibi­met ipsis videbitur expediens: Et dictus Pater, de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum Episcoporum Cant' Provinc', petiit & rogavit Reverendos Pa­tres … Dunelmen' … Car­liolen' & … Cestren' respectivè Epi­scopos infra Provinc. Cant' in the Ori­ginal, by Mistake. Ebor. dictis horâ & loco, dictis respective Episcopis in dicto negotio esse in­teressentes & tunc dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Epi­scopus London', cum consensu dictorum confratrum suorum sibi assiden', misit pro Prolocutore & sex aliis Domûs Inferioris ad introducendum Nomina è gremio suo Elect'. ad conveniend' cum Episcopis ultimâ Sessione respectivè elect'. de & super nego­tiis tunc tractat'. Quo Prolocutore, unà cum sex aliis dictae Domûs Inferioris advenien', dictus Prolocutor praesentavit dicto Reverendo Patri Do­mino Episcopo London' Schedulam quandam in papyro scriptam continen'. nomina Praelatorum & [Page 77] Cleri domus Inferioris per eos elect', scilicet, Jo­sephum Henchman Cicestren', Matthaeum Nicho­las Legum Doctorem Sancti Pauli London', Mi­chaelem Honeywood S. Theol. Professorem Lin­coln', Robertum Creyton S. Th. Professorem Wellen', Willielmum Brough, S. Th. Professorem Glom', Henricum Fearne, S. Th. Professor' Elien', & Willielmum Paul Lichfield. respective De­canos; nec non Georgium Hall Cant'. Antho­nium Sparrow Sudbury, Robertum Pory Midd'. Grindallum Sheafe Wellen', Johannem Peirson Surr', Marcum Frank Sancti Albani, Anthonium Hawles Sarum, & Jasperum Mayne Cicestren' respectivè Archidiaconos; nec non Herbertum Thorndike, Josephum Crouther, Willielmum Brabant, Petrum Gunning, Johannem Sudbury, Johannem Priaux, … Marten, Wil­lielmum Pulleyn, Willielmum Heywood & … Fleetwood S. Th. respectivè Pro­fessores, respectivè Procuratores Cleri infra suas respectivè Dioeceses. Quibus nominibus per me No­tarium Publicum, de mandato Reverendi Patris Praesidentis antedicti publice perlect', dictus Reve­rendus Pater acceptavit eorum respectivè nomina & personas, &c. & dimisit dictum Prolocutorem unà cum Coetu suo praedict'. & tunc habito aliquo tractatu inter dictos Reverendos Patres, dictus Reverendus Pater Continuavit, &c. prout in Sche­dula, &c.

Sessio XII.

DIE Mercurij, 26 die Mensis Junij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post aliquod tracta­tum, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XIII.

DIE Veneris 28. die Mensis Junij, inter ho­ras 9 & 11. ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater Matthaeus Elien' Episco­pus, &c. post tractatum aliquod, &c. Continua­vit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XIV.

DIE Mercurij 3o Viz. die Mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendo Patre Domino Episcopo Lon­don' pro tribunali seden', assiden' secum Reveren­dis respectivè Patribus, nec non … Dur­ham' & … Carliolen' respectivè assi­den', dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London', unà cum dictis Reverendis Patribus Con­fratribus suis tractatum de & super consideratione Actûs quoad Impressionem, &c. habuit; & ad eam intentionem dictus Reverendus Pater, cum una­ [...]imi consensu dictorum Confratrum suorum, octo [Page 79] Episcopos è dicto gremio, nempeDu­nelm', Robertum Oxon', Humfridum Sarum, Benjaminum Petriburgen',Carliolen',Cestren', Edwardum Norwicen', & Willielmum Glouc' respectivè Episcopos ele­git; quibus, aut eorum tribus, dictus Reverendus Pater, cum consensu praedict' commisit vices suas ad effectum praedict'. ad conveniendum in aliquo loco, seu aliquibus diebus per eos inter sese desig­nandis; & deinde post aliud tractatum inter di­ctum Reverendum Patrem & dictos Reverendos Patres habit', & fact', dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London', &c. continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XV.

DIE Veneris 5o. Viz. die Mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater post aliquod tractat. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XVI.

DIE Mercurij, 10. Viz. die Mensis Julij, inter heras 9 & 11 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post aliquod tractat. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XVII.

DIE Veneris 12. Viz. die Mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11. ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post aliquod tract. &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XVIII.

DIE Mercurij 17. die Mensis Julij, inter ho­ras 9 & 11 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. precibus finitis & peractis, Reverendus Pater Do­minus Episcopus London', unà cum dictis respe­ctivè Episcopis Confratribus suis secum assiden' pro tribunali sedebat, & tunc post aliquod tractat'. inter se habit' Reverendus Pater Dominus Episco­pus Sarum tam nomine suo proprio quam vices geren', &c. introduxit & praesentavit Domino Episcopo Praesidenti nonnullos Canones in papyro script' & exarat'. Quibus publicè perlect' & nonnullis Emendationibus in eisdem factis, Do­minus Episcopus London. Praesidens antedictus, cum consensu Confratrum suorum antedictorum, re­tradidit dictos Canones dicto Episcopo Sarum pro ulteriori consideratione desuper habendâ: & post alium paululum tractatum inter sese habit', & fact'. Continuavit, &c. juxtatenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XIX.

DIE Martis 19. Viz. die mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Dominus Episcopus Glouc. praesentavit Domino Praesidenti & caeteris Episcopis nonnullos Canones conceptos & in papyro script'. Quibus publice perlectis, & nonnullis Emendationibus in eisdem factis, Dominus Episcopus London' Praesidens antedictus, cum consensu Confratrum suorum, re­tradidit eos dicto Domino Episcopo pro ulteriori consideratione & revisione corundem habend'; & post tractatum aliquod inter se habit' & fact', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Sche­dulae, &c.

Sessio XX.

DIE Lunae 22 die Mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Nonnullis Canonibus per Reverendos Patres, Willi­elmum Bathon' & Wellen', & Johannem Warner Roffen'. Episcopos, tam nomine suo proprio quàns aliis in eâ parte Vicesgeren' & publice perlectis, Dominus Episcopus London' unà cum consensu Con­fratrum suorum Episcoporum antedictorum, retra­didit eos dictis respectivè Episcopis, & corum Con­fratribus, pro ulteriori consideratione super cisdem habend'; & post aliquod tractatum inter sese ha­bit', & fact', Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Sche­dulae, &c.

Sessio XXI.

DIE Mercurij 24 die mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post nonnullum tracta­tum, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Sche­dulae, &c.

Sessio XXII.

DIE Veneris 26 die mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post aliquot tractat', &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XXIII.

DIE Sabbati 27 mensis Julij, inter horas secundam & quartam post Meridiem, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London', Praesidens, &c. unà cum dictis Confratribus suis secum assiden'. pro tribunali sedebat; & factâ priùs Subscriptione per dictos respectivè Episcopos pro Regali benevolentiâ Domino nostro Regi pra­sentandâ, & post aliquot tractat', &c. Continua­vit, &c. juxta tenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XXIV.

DIE Mercurij, ultimo, viz. die mensis Julij, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post aliquod tractat', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XXV.

DIE Jovis 21 die Mensis Novembris, inter horas secundam & quartam, &c. Literae Do­mini nostri Regis Domino Archiepiscopo Cant' di­rect'. & manu suâ, & sigillo suo privat' commu­nit'. fuerunt introductae, & de mandato dicti Reverendi Patrispublicè perlectae per me Notarium Publicum antedict'; dictús (que) Reverendus Pater Praesidens antedictus & caeteri Episcopi secum assi­dentes, cum omnimodâ reverentiâ, subjectione, & humilitate, easdem gratantèr acceptarunt & rece­perunt; & post intervallum temporis, dictus Re­verendus Pater, de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, ad eum accersiri jussit Prolocutorem, Praelatos, & Clerum Domûs inferioris. Quibus sese praesentantibus coram dicto Reverendo Praesi­dente caeteris (que) Episcopis antedictis, modo (ut prae­fertur) secum assiden'. & in praesentiis dicti Pro­locutoris, Praelat', & Cleri Domûs Inferioris prae­dict' dictae literae Regiae, de mandato dicti Praesi­dentis per me Notarium Publicum antedictum fu­erant publicè perlectae. Et deinde, dimisso Prolo­cutore, [Page 84] cum Coetu Domûs Inferioris, dictus Re­verendus Pater unà cum dictis Reverendis Pa­tribus Confratribus suis tractatum & colloquium habuit de Revisione Libri publicarum Pre­cum, &c. juxta potestat' & Libertat'. per easdem Regias eis concess. &c. Et ad eundem effectum, dictus Reverendus Pater, cum unanimi consensu Confratrum suorum, elegit Reverendos in Christo PatresDunelmen', Matthaeum Elien', Robertum Oxon', Johannem Roffen', Humfridum Sarum, Georgium Wigorn', Ro­bertum Lincoln', & Willielmum Gloucestren'. & commisit vices suas eisdem, aut eorum tribus ad minus, ad procedendum in dicto negotio; & ordi­navit eos ad conveniendum apud Palatium Reve­rendi Patris Domini Episcopi Elien'. hora quintâ post meridiem cujuslibet diei (exceptis diebus Do­minicis,) donec dictum negotium perficiatur. Et posteà consensum fuit inter dictos Episcopos pro me­liori & citiori festinatione dicti negotij, ut dictus Liber Publicarum Precum revideatur in hâc Domo pro praesenti; & magnâ parte ejusdem per­lectâ & revisâ us (que) ad … dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XXVI.

DIE Veneris 22 die mensis Novembris, inter horas 8 & 9 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post ulteriorem progressum Revisionis Libri publicarum Precum fact'. &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Schedulae, &c.

Sessio XXVII.

Eodem die inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem, &c. post ulteriorem progressum Revisionis Libri publicarum Precum per eos fact' dictus Dominus Episcopus London', &c. Conti­nuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXVIII.

DIE Sabbati 23 die mensis Novembris, &c. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post paululum tractat. de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, ad eum ac­cersiri jussit Prolocutorem solum; quo adve­niente, dictus Reverendus Pater tradidit ei par­tem Libri publicarum precum per hujusmodi do­mum examinat'. & revis & in mandatis dedit, ut dictus Prolocutor unà cum Clero dictae Domûs Inferioris dictam partem cum omni celeritate, quâ potuit, revideat, & emendet, si sit necessarium. Dictó (que) Prolocutore dimisso, & ulteriori in Revi­sione residui libri publicarum precum progressu habit' & fact', dictus Reverendus Pater Continu­avit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXVIII.

EOdem die inter horas secundam & quartam post Meridiem, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. ul­teriorum progressum in Revisione Libri Publica­rum precum fecit; & post aliquod tractat' dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXIX.

DIE Lunae 25 die mensis Novembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem eiusdem diei, &c. ulteriori progressu in Revisione libri Publicarum precum [fact'] Dominus Praesidens antedictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio XXX.

DIE Martis 26 die mensis Novembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post ulteriorem pro­gressum in Revisione libri Publicarum precum habit' & fact', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio XXXI.

DIE Mercurij 27 die mensis Novembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. post pau­lulum tractat', de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, ad eum accersiri jussit Prolocutorem so­lum. Quo adveniente, dictus Prolocutor retra­didit partem libri Publicarum Precum per Domum Inferiorem examinat'. & revis' una cum notulâ sive Schedulâ Emendationum sive Alterationum per eos fact'; quam notulam sive Schedulam ob­tulit Domino Praesidenti pro ejus & Confratrum suorum consideratione & consultatione, &c. Deinde, acceptatâ dictâ notulâ sive Schedulâ per dictum Praesidentem, dictus Praesidens dedit in manibus dicti Prolocutoris residuam partem libri publica­rum precum, & requisivit dictum Prolocutorem ut ille unà cum domo sua eundem omni cum celeritate revideat; & post revisionem ejusdem dicto Praesi­denti retradat. Eó (que) dimisso, ac dicta Schedulâ in parte per dictum Praesidentem & Confratres suos secum assiden' lectâ & examinatâ, dictus Reve­rendus Pater Praesidens antedict', &c. Continua­vit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXXII.

DIE Jovis 28 Novembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Schedula sive alterat' aliâs per Prolocutorem nomine Do­mûs [Page 88] Inferioris introduct', revis' & examinat' & parte Psalmorum Davidis perlect' & recitat'. idem Reverendus Pater Dominus Praesidens, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXXIII.

DIE Veneris 29 Novembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post Revisionem aliquam libri de Consecratione Dia­conorum, Presbyterorum & Episcoporum ha­bit' & fact', dictus Reverendus Pater Praesidens antedictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio XXXIV.

DIE Lunae 2o die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. Praefatium sive Exordium libri publicarum precum fuit introduct' & publicè perlect'. & dictus Reve­rendus Pater Praesidens antedictus curam pro Exa­minatione & Consideratione ejusdem Reverendis Patribus Matthaeo Elien', Roberto Oxon', Hum­frido Sarum, & Georgio Asaphen', respectivè Episcopis, commisit; & post aliquod tractat', &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXXV.

DIE Martis 3o Decembris inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post paulu­lum tractat', &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXXVI.

DIE Mercurij 4o die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XXXVII.

DIE Jovis 5o die mensis Decembris, inter ho­ras 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. Magister Pell introduxit Calendarium libro Pub­licarum precum annectendum; & post inspectionem ejusdem, dictus Reverendus Pater Praesidens ante­dictus, de & cum cum consensu Confratrum suorum, retulit & commisit examinationem & revisionem ejusdem Domino Episcopo Carliolen'. Et deinde habito tractatu de Formâ Precum concipiendâ super alto Mari usitandâ & observandâ, idem Re­verendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio XXXVIII.

DIE Veneris 6o. Viz. die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Praefatio sive Exordio libri publicarum precum, per Episcopos seu eorum aliquos, quibus cura examinationis ejusdem fuit aliàs commissa, introducto, & in parte publicè perlecto, idem Re­verendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio XXXIX.

DIE Sabbati 7o die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. habito tractatu, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio XL.

DIE Lunae 9o Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Nonnullae Emendationes concernentes funera & funeralia personarum super alto Mari deceden' & sepult', & Comminatione & … mulierum partu­rien'. fuerunt introductae & perlectae, in aliquâ parte; Et hiis peractis, dicti Reverendi Patres unanimi consensu & assensu in votis dederunt pro unicâ Formâ Precum tam ante quàm post Sermo­nem [Page 91] sive Orationem praedicatam usitandâ & obser­vandâ per Ministros intra Provinc. Cant'. & habito alio tractatu inter eos dictus Dominus Praesidens, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XLI.

DIE Martis 10 die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Nonnullis Emendationibus in comminatione in libro Publicarum precum mentionat' citra Introductione earundem, à Domo Inferiori introduct' per Epi­scopos fact. & post aliquot tractat'. desuper, Reve­rendus Pater Elien' Episcopus, de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum hujusmodi, voluit ad se accer­siri Dominum Prolocutorem ad Revidend. dictas Emendationes. Quo adveniente, associat' cum ve­nerabilibus viris Johanne Barwick, Decano Eccle­siae Cathedralis Sancti Pauli London', & … Brough Decano Glouc', dictus Locum-tenens osten­dit dictas Emendationes, per Domum Superiorem, ut praefertur, fact', & tunc & ibidem perlect', & ordinavit eum ad consulend' Domum suam Inferio­rem de & super eisdem. Dictó (que) Prolocutore dimisso, cum Confratribus suis, idem Locum­tenens, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem Sche­dulae, &c.

Sessio XLII.

DIE Mercurij 11 die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post aliquot tractat. &c. Reverendus Pater Dom. [Page 92] Matthaeus Elien', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XLIII.

DIE Jovis 12 die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Dominus Prolocutor cum consensu, ut asserebatur, totius Domûs Inferioris ad Praesiden'. & Domum Superiorem missus est, ad petend' se cum tribus vel duobus aliis è domo Inferiori admitti ad Confe­rend' cum Dominis Episcopis in Domo suâ seden'. Dictó (que) Prolocutore una cum … Brough Decano Glouc. & duobus aliis Domûs Inferioris, admisso, & adveniente, dictus Prolocutor praesen­tavit Domino Praesidenti & tradidit in mani­bus suis nonnullas papyri Schedas, Emendationes alicujus partis libri publicarum precum concernen­tes; quibus perlectis, & habitâ consideratione di­ligenti desuper, & approbatione earundem, di­ctó (que) Prolocutore dimisso, idem Praesidens ante­dictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio XLIV.

DIE Veneris 13 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10, &c. Reverendus Pater una cum Con­fratribus, &c. tractatum habuerunt de eligendo personas aptas & idoneas tam ab hujusmodi Domo quam à Domo Inferiori, pro diligenti Examinatione & Revisione Libri publicarum precum & ad­ministrationis [Page 93] Sacramentorum, aliorum (que) Ri­tuum Ecclesiae Anglicanae, debitâ formâ script' & exarat', & tandem idem Reverendus Pater, de & cum consensu confratrum suorum, nominavit, & commisit curam pro Examinatione & Revi­sione ejusdem Reverendis Patribus Humfrido Sa­rum, Georgio Asaphen', Richardo Carliolen', & Willielmo Glouc' respectivè Episcopis, no­mine Domûs Superioris; nec non Prolocutor Do­mûs Inferioris nominat. commisit curam Ro­berto Pory, Johanni Pearson … Spar­rowe, S. Theol. respective Professoribus, nomine Domûs Inferioris; & deinde nonnullis Emenda­tionibus aliàs in Praefatio dicti Libri Publicarum Precum, &c. fact' & introduct', nec non quibus­dam novis Collectis publicè perlectis & revisis, idem Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XLV.

DIE Sabbati 14. Viz. die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus Norwicen' introduxit & in manus Domini Praesi­dentis tradidit formam cujusdam Precis aliàs per eum concept. concern'. Deo gratias pro generalibus Misericordiis publice usitand': quâ Prece publicè perlectâ, & post aliquot tractat. desuper habit' & fact', idem Reverendus Pater Dominus Praesidens antedict', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio XLVI.

DIE Mercurij 18 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractat, &c. dictus Reverendus Vir, Praesidens antedictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio XLVII.

DIE Jovis 19 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. habito tra­ctatu inter eos de Forma Subscriptionis libro Publicarum Precum per eos faciend'. tandem idem Reverendus Pater, &c. de & cum consensu Con­fratrum suorum praedict'. commisit curam & consi­derationem concipiendi dictam formam Reverendis in Christo Patribus Johanni Dunelmen', & Hum­frido Sarum, respectivè Episcopis, una cum Do­ctore Chaworth Vicario in Spiritualibus generali Domini Episcopi London. nec non Doctore Bur­rell, Vicario in Spiritualibus generali Domini Episcopi Dunelmen' assisten' & tunc post tracta­tum, &c. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continua­vit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Posteà, nempe inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, dicti Reverendi viri Dominus Johannes Dunelmen' & Humfridus Sa­rum respectivè Episcopi, unà cum dictis respectivè Cancellar' & Vicariis in Spiritualibus Generalibus praedict' apud Officium Registrarij Principalis Do­mini [Page 95] Archiepiscopi Cant' intra Parochiam S. Gre­gorij London', sit', Convenerunt; & in praesen­tiis mei Willielmi Fisher & Francisci Mundy, Notariorum respectivè publicorum, inspectis prius nonnullis Recordis & Libris antiquis, & Archivis ibidem remanen' & fidelitèr custodit', dicti Reve­rendi Patres Formam Subscriptionis Libro Publi­carum Precum faciend', unanimi consensu & as­sensu conceperunt, & desuper concordarunt.

Sessio XLVIII.

DIE Veneris 20 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusdem diei, &c. Librum Precum publicarum, Administrationis Sacramen­torum, aliorum (que) Rituum Ecclesiae Anglicanae, unà cum formâ & modo Ordinandi & Consecrandi Episcopos, Presbyteros, & Diaconos, (juxtà literas Regiae Majestatis eis in hâc parte directas revi­sum & … paginas continen'. & per Reverendissimum in Christo Patrem & Dominum Dominum Guilielmum Providentiâ Divinâ Cant'. Archiepiscopum, totius Angliae Primatem & Metro­politanum priùs redact'. recept' approbat' & sub­script';) dicti Episcopi ejusdem Provinciae in Sacrà Provinciali Synodo legitimè congregati unanimi assensu & consensu in formam redegerunt, recepe­runt, & approbârunt, eisdem (que) subscripserunt. Et postea omnes Episcopi praedicti tunc praesen' & con­gregat', exceptis Reverendis Patribus Dominis Oxon', Asaphen', & Landaven' Episcopis, ad Domum Parliamenti sese contulerunt, & dictos respectivè Episcopos in dicta domo Convocationis re­liquerunt ad videndum Clerum Inferioris Domûs [Page 96] Convocationis dicto libro subscribere; dictó (que) Clero unanimi consensu subscribente idem Reverendus Pater Robertus Oxon' Episcopus, &c. Continua­vit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XLIX.

EOdem die inter horas primam & quartam post Meridiem, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post tractatum, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio L.

OCtavo die mensis Januarij, &c. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. habito tractatu de & super Revisione Canonum sive Constitutionum in Anno Domino 1640. edit'; & consideratione desuper, quinam eorundem fue­runt aut sunt debitè & idoneè observand' & usitandi, idem Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LI.

DIE Veneris 10 Januarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. Continua­vit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LII.

DIE Mercurij 15 Januarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. post tra­ctatum, &c. Reverendus Pater & Dominus Ro­bertus, &c. Oxon. Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LIII.

DIE Veneris 17 Januarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. inter sese tractatum iidem Episcopi habuerunt de Revi­sione Canonum & Constitutionum aliàs edit'. & provis' & Dominus Episcopus London', de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, commisit curam & Revisionem eorundem Willielmo Bathon' & Wel­len', Roberto Oxon', Georgio Asaphen', Benja­mino Petriburgen', Roberto Lincoln', Richardo Carliolen', Edwardo Norwicen', & Willielmo Glouc. respectivè Episcopis; & post alium tra­ctat' inter eos habit' & fact' idem Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio LIV.

DIE Mercurij 22 Januarii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tractat. &c. Reverendus Pater antedictus continuavit, &c. jux­ta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LV.

DIE Veneris 24 Januarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. habito tractatu de & super Revisione Canonum & Con­stitutionum aliàs ultima Sessione proposit', idem Reverendus Pater, de & cum expresso & unanimi consensu omnium & singulorum membrorum dictae Domûs Superioris, statuit & ordinavit, quòdom­nes caeteri Episcopi non adhuc nominati, Reveren­dis Viris Episcopis aliàs ultimâ Sessione nominar' & assignat', in diligenti Revisione & Examina­tione dictorum Canonum & Constitutionum praed' adjungerentur; Et hoc facto, Reverendus Pa­ter, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LVI.

DIE Mercurij 29 Januarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. habito tractatu inter eos de & super Actu Parliamenti Librum Publicarum Precum, &c. concernen', idem Reverendus Vir, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LVII.

DIE Veneris ultimo Januarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. quae­stio oriebatur inter Episcopos congregatos & assi­dentes, [Page 99] an tutum, licitum aut consentaneum fuit pro Dominis Episcopis ad sedend' aut eorum praesen'. exhibend' in domo Procerum Parliamenti, cùm & quando negotium circa personas condemnatas pro Proditione nefanda, in Domo Parliamenti inter Proceres agitaretur; & post multa argumenta inter eos habit', & fact', & concordatum & ordi­natum fuit, de & cum consensu totius Domûs, ad consulend' Juris peritos tam in Foro Saeculari quam in Curiis Civilibus & Ecclesiasticis versatos de & super dictâ questione sive argumento praed' erga prox. Conventionem, & deinde dictus Reverendus Pa­ter, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LVIII.

DIE Sabbati 1o Februarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. No­titiâ Domino Episcopo London' de attendentiis non­nullorum Jurisperitorum in Jure civili datà, extra domum Convocationis; dictus Dominus Epi­scopus London' de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, cos ad exhibendum corum praesentias co­ram Convocatione petiit. Et tunc comparuerunt Dominus Willielmus Merrick Miles, Robertus King, Dominus Edwardus Lake, … Burrell, & Johannes Berkenhead, Legum re­spectivè Doctores; & post nonnullas quaestiones & argumenta inter dictos Episcopos & Jurisconsultos habit' & fact' de & super corum praesentiis in Domo Procerum super personis condemnatis, iidem omnes & singuli Jurisperiti unanimi consensu corum re­spectivè Opiniones in scriptis dederunt, Dictos Episcopos in domo Parliamenti unà cum Proce­ribus [Page 100] circa negotium personarum condemnatarum tutissimè & sine ullo detrimento aut praejudicio se­dere, & eorum praesentias exhibere posse; & eidem scripto manus suas subscripserunt, & dictum scri­ptum sic subscriptum dicto Domino Episcopo Lon­don' tradiderunt. Et, hoc facto, dictus Dominus Praesidens, nomine totius Domûs, gratias dictis Jurisconsultis agebat; quibus dimissis, Dominus Episcopus London', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LIX.

DIE Mercurij 5o Februarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tract' &c. Reverendus Pater Gulielmus Bathon' & Wellen' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LX.

DIE Veneris 7o Februarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Robertus Oxon. Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXI.

DIE Veneris 14 Februarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Robertus Oxon. Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXII.

DIE Martis 18 Februarij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reve­rendus Pater Praesidens, de & cum consensu Con­fratrum suorum, voluit ad se accersiri Cleros Do­mûs Inferioris Convocationis, quibus advenienti­bus, Dictus Dominus Praesidens antedictus (verbis Latinis conceptis) eosdem Cleros dictae Domûs In­ferioris monuit quatenus ad solitum & consuetum Conventûs sui locum sese conferentes, unum vi­rum gravem, doctum, & peritum, de gremio suo provideant & eligant in eorum Prolocutorem & Referendarium in loco Reverendi Viri Hen­rici Fearne S. Theol. Professoris, ultimi Prolocu­toris, ratione Promotionis suae ad Episcopatum Cestren' jam vacan', & ipsum sic Electum exh­beant coram eo hoc in loco immediate post Ele­ctionem suam factam. Quibus dimissis, ad locum solitum suum, ad effectum eligendi virum gravem & doctum de gremio suo, in eorum Prolocu­torem sive Referendarium, sese conferebant, & post aliquot tractat' inter Episcopos habit' & fact', Reverendus Vir Thomas Turner S. Th. Professor, Decanus Ecclesie Cathedralis & Me­tropoliticae Christi Cant' & Johannes Earles S. etiam Theol. Professor, Decanus Ecclesiae Colle­giatae B. Petri Westm' unà cum coetu Domûs Inferi­oris, Praesentarunt & Exhibuerunt & sisti secerunt Venerabilem Virum Johannem Barwick S. Th. Professorem in Prolocutorem totius Coetûs praedict. Domûs Inferioris unanimiter electum, vice totius Coetûs praedict'; & praemissâ facundâ & eleganti oratione per dictum Decanum Westm', & factâ [Page 102] aliâ facundâ oratione in latinis verbis concept'. per eundem Prolocutorem sic praesentatum, praefatus Re­verendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London' de con­sensu Confratruns suorum praedict'. cundem Johan­nem Barwick, S. Th. Professorem electum, & E­lectionem praedict'. de personâ suâ in Prolocutorem sive Referendarium, per aliam venustam & elo­quentem orationem Latinam commendavit & ap­probavit. Tunc, dimisso Prolocutore, cum Coetu Domûs Inferioris, & habitâ consultatione de casu Sacerdotum Catholicorum Romanorum praesen­tato & perlecto, Dominus Episcopus London', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXIII.

DIE Sabbati, 22o Febr. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. tractatum inter eos habuit de & super Revisione Canonum & Constitutionum aliàs in Anno Domini 1640. in Convocatione tunc congre­gat' edit' & provis' & post aliquot tractat' desuper Dominus Episcopus London' de consensu Confra­trum suorum curam diligentis Revisionis & Exa­minationis eorundem Reverendis Viris Domino Ro­berto Oxon', Humfrido Sarum', Georgio Wi­gorn', Georgio Asaphen', Richardo Carliolen', Herberto Herefordien', & Briano Cestren' re­spectivè Episcopis; & pro meliori curâ desuper ha­bend' ordinavit eos ad conveniend' die Lunae prox. in Camerâ communiter vocat Jerusalem-Chamber intra Collegium B. Petri Westm', sit' & situat'. Hiis (que) sic gestis, & curâ concipiendi Articulos in Visitationibus observandos Domino Johanni Epi­scopo Dunelmen'. commissâ & relatâ; dictus Domi­nus, &c: Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXIV.

DIE Jovis 27. Febr. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid. ejusdem diei, &c. post tractaturr, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus Du­nelmen' Locumtenens, &c. Continuavit, &c. jux­ta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXV.

DIE Lunae 3. Martij inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tra­ctat' &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXVI.

DIE Mercurij 5 Martij inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid. ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Robertus Oxon. Episcopus, &c. tractatum habuit inter eos circa nonnullas Emenda­tiones sive Alterationes aliàs in libro Publicarum Precum per Domum Parliamenti fact', & dictus Dominus Episcopus London' de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, curam Revisionis carundem Alterationum Reverendis Viris Georgio Asaphen', Richardo Carliolen', Briano Cestren' respective Episcopis conjunctim & divisim, & eis conjun­ctim & divisim dedit potestatem & Commissio­nem nomine totius Domûs Superioris Convoca­tionis ad emendand' & corrigend' easdem alte­rationes, &c. His gestis dictus Dominus Praesi­dens [Page 104] cum consensu Confratrum suorum, jussit me ad accersend' Dominum Prolocutorem, &c. Quo adveniente, cum tribus vel duobus Domûs Infe­rioris, Dominus Praesidens antedictus declaravit ei quid per dictos Episcopos fuerat actum de & su­per dictis alterationibus, & quibus cura desuper commissa fuerat; & instantèr rogavit se eadem communicasse Domo Inferiori, ut eorum consensus desuper habeatur. Ʋnde dicto Prolocutore, cum ejus Associatis, ad domum Inferiorem redeunte, & habito tractatu inter Cleros desuper, omnes & singuli Cleri dictae Domûs Inferioris, in praesentiâ mei Willielmi Fisher, Notarii Publici, &c. una­nimiter eorum Consensum praebuerunt omnibus & singulis per dictos Dominos Episcopos circa Altera­tiones praedict' fact', salvis eorum Privilegiis, &c. Et hiis sic gestis, Dominus Episcopus London', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXVII.

DIE Sabbati 8o Martii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dus Vir Dominus Johannes Dunelmen' Episcopus, secundum Mandatum ei datum & curam ei com­missam, introduxit & tradidit in manus Domini Praesidentis librum Articulorum Visitationem concernen', alias per eum concept'; & unanimiter assensum fuit, ut iidem Articuli Domino Archie­piscopo Cant' destinarentur pro ejus perlectione & debita consideratione eorundem, & pro eorum Emendatione, Reformatione & Correctione suâ. Hoc facto, tractatum inivit de & super Impres­sione libri Publicarum Precum, & post inter­vallum temporis, Dominus Episcopus London, &c. [Page 105] de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, constituit & ordinavit Doctorem Sandcroft esse Superviso­rem …, & Magistros Scatter­good & Dillingham esse Correctores dicti Libri in Impressione ejusdem. Hiis peractis, Dominus Episcopus London' Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXVIII.

DIE Martis 11 Martii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tracta­tum, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXIX.

DIE Sabbati 15 Martij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tra­ctat'. &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Robertus Oxon' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXX.

DIE Martis 18 Martij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tra­ctatum, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. cum con­sensu confratrum suorum, ad eum accersiri jussic Prolocutorem, Praelatos, & Clerum Domûs Infe­rioris. Quibus advenientibus, dictus Reverendus Pater cum consensu, &c. publicè significavit & intimavit eisdem Prolocutori, Praelatis & Clero [Page 106] antedictis Librum Precum Publicarum, Admini­strationis Sacramentorum, aliorúmque Rituum Ec­clesiae Anglicana, unà cum Forma & Modo Or­dinandi & Consecrandi Episcopos, Presbyteros, & Diaconos (alias per Reverendos Patres, & Prae­latos & Clerum Domùs Inferioris Convocationis, juxta Literas Regiae Majestatis eis in eâ parte directas, revisum) per Proceres & Magnates in Parliamento congregat', fuisse & esse gratantèr acceptatum; & Honorandum Virum Dominum Edwardum Dominum Cancellarium Angliae, tam nomine suo proprio, quàm nomine totius Domûs Procerum & Magnatum in Parliamento (ut prae­fertur) congregat', maximas gratias Archi-episco­pis & Episcopis utrius (que) Provinciae, pro eorum magna curâ & industriâ in & circa Revisionem dicti libri Publicarum Precum, &c. dedisse & prabuisse. Et insuper dictus Reverendus Pater de­claravit quòd dictus Honorandus Vir Dominus Cancellarius Angliae voluit se Reverendum Pa­trem, nomine totius domûs Procerum & Magna­tum praedict', ad reddend' & praebend'. gratias Prolocutori, Praelatis & Clero Domûs Inferioris Convocationis praedict', pro eorum respectivè si­mili curá & labore in & circa Revisionem libri praedict'. Et tunc, dicto Prolocutore & toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris dimissis, dictus Reverendus Pa­ter, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedu­lâ, &c.

Sessio LXXI.

DIE Sabbati 22 Martii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. habito Tractatu inter eos de speciali forma concipiend' [Page 107] in & circa Consecrationem Ecclesiarum Paro­chialium & quarumcun (que) Capellarum intra hoc Regnum Angliae, quoties & quandocun (que) evenerit eas benedicend'. fore; dictus Dominus Episcopus London', &c. de & cum consensu Confratrum suo­rum curam in & circa conceptionem formae prae­dictae Reverendo Patri Domino Johanni permis­sione divinâ Dunelmen' Episcopo unanimiter com­misit; & post alium tractatum, idem Reverendus Pater Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXII.

DIE Jovis 27 Martij, 1662. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Robertus Oxon' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXIII.

DIE Jovis 3o Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post Tra­ctatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Dominus Episiopus Oxon', &c. post Tractatum, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXIV.

DIE Mercurij 9o Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tracta­tum, &c. Reverendus Pater, [Robertus Oxon' Episcopus] &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio LXXV.

DIE Sabbati 12 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Habito tractatu de Subscriptionibus Clericorum Insti­tuendorum & Ludimagistrorum licentiando­rum, & tribus Articulis 36 Canone, &c. Domi­nus Episcopus London' Praesidens, &c. de & cum con­sensu, &c. curam commisit Reverendis Patribus Dominis Episcopis Sarum, & Coven' & Lichen', ad consulend' Jurisperitos de concipiend' forma in scriptis in & circa subscriptionem praedict. Et hoc facto, ulterius tractatum habuit de eligendo personas aptas & idoneas ad corrigend' Impressio­nem libri Publicarum Precum; quód (que) post im­pressionem dicti libri factam Episcopi cujuslibet Dioe­ceseos curam in sese suscipiunt ad recipiend' eosdem libros, & ad procurand' eosdem publicari & aspor­tari Ecclesiis Parochialibus separalibus in eorum re­spective Dioecesibus. Et deinde Dominus Episcopus London' Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXVI.

DIE Mercurij 16 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tra­ctatum, &c. Reverendus Pater, [Robertus Oxon' Episcopus] &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio LXXVII.

DIE Sabbati 19 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tra­ctat', &c. Reverendus Pater [Robertus Oxon' Episcopus] &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXXVIII.

DIE Lunae 21 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. tractat' habuit cum confratribus suis de Imprimendo libro Publicarum Precum ante 24 diem mensis Augusti prox. nec non de recipiend'. Directionibus à Domino Cancellario Angliae, quibus mediis verbum Children in loco Persons (not bap­tized) per Domum Communitatis Parliamenti in libro Publicarum Precum inseratur. Et hoc facto Dominus Episcopus London' de & cum consensu Con­fratrum suorum decrevit & ordinavit, quòd Domi­nus Episcopus Dunelmen' in loco Domini Episcopi Cestren' modò defunct', Dominis Episcopis in & cir­ca Alterationes dicti libri Publicarum Precum 5 Martij ult' elaps'. assignatis, adjungeretur; & ul­terius statuit, quòd nullae Ordinationes Clerico­rum per aliquos Episcopos fierent, nisi intra quatuor tempora pro Ordinationibus assignata; quod (que) nullus Episcopus extra Dioecesin suam aliquos Clericos ad Sacros vel Diaconatûs vel Presbyteratûs Ordines admitteret, nisi priùs literis dimissoriis à Reveren­dissimo Patre Cant' Archiepiscopo obtentis. Et hoc facto, dictus Dominus Episcopus London', de & cum [Page 110] consensu Confratrum suorum, &c. Curam & Revi­sionem libri Publicarum Precum concernen'. 5 diem Novembris, Reverendo Patri Domino Episcopo Du­nelmen' commisit, & continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXXIX.

DIE Mercurij 23 Aprilis inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. post tra­ctatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXX.

DIE Sabbati 26 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Formae Precum pro 5 Novembris, 30 Januarij, & 29 Maij, fuerunt introductae & publicè perlectae, & unanimi consensu approbatae. Et tractatu inter eos habit' & fact' de Translatione libri Publicarum Precum in sermonem Latinum, Dominus Episcopus London, &c. de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum, &c. curam Translationis ejusdem Reverendis Viris Johanni Earle Decano B. Petri Westm' & Johanni Peirson sacrae respectivè Theologiae Professoribus commisit. Et hoc facto, dict' Dominus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXI.

DIE Mercurij ultimo; viz. Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tra­ctatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXII.

DIE Veneris 2 Maij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXIII.

DIE Lunae 5 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXIV.

DIE Mercurij 7 Maij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tractat', &c. Reverendus Pater, [Robertus Episcopus Oxon'] &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXV.

DIE Sabbati 10 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Habito tractatu ex directione Domûs Communitatis Parliamenti de Re­verentiâ solenni inter Liturgiae Publicae celebra­tionem, nec non tempore Sermonum & Homiliarum adhibendâ; major pars dictae Domus Superioris Convocationis, in votis dedit, ut Constitutio in libro Constitutionum sive Canonum Ecclesiasticorum aliàs in Anno Domini 1603. sub titulo De so­lenni Reverentiâ inter Liturgiae publicae cele­brationem, [Page 112] Edit'. & Provij'. dictae Domui Com­munitatis Parliamenti praesentetur; habitâ priùs consideratione de & super dicto Canone per Domum Inferiorem hujusmodi Convocationis. Et hoc facto, Dominus Praesidens antedictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXVI.

DIE Lunae 12 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Constitutio sive Canon de Reverentiâ tempore divinorum adhibendâ, aliàs ultimâ Sessione in hac domo tractat'. à Domo Inseriori Convocationis unà cum nonnullis Altera­tiombus sive Emendationibus per eos factis, fuit introduct', dictó (que) Canone, unà cum dictis emen­dationibus publice perlectis, eadem Constitutio fuit unanimi consensu & assensu totius Domûs Superioris approbat'. & confirmat'. Et hoc facto, dictus Do­minus continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXVII.

DIE Mercurij 14 Maii, inter horaes 3 & 5 post Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. Reverend' Pater Gulielmus Bathon' & Wellen', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta, Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXVIII.

DIE Veneris 16 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. post tractat', &c. Reve­rendus Pater Gulielmus Bathon' & Wellen', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio LXXXIX.

DIE Lunae 19 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd diei, &c. post Tractatum, &c. Reverendus Pater [Gulielmus Bathon' & Wel­len'] &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio XC.

DIE Martis 20 Maii, inter horas 9 & 11 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Exhibito Brevi Regio, nec non literis Commissionalibus Domini Archiepi­scopi Cant', & per me publicè de Mandato Domini Willielmi Bathon' & Wellen' Episcopi locum-tenen­tis, &c. perlectis; dictus Dominus, &c. accepta­vit in se onus Executionis dictae Commissionis, & decrevit procedendum sore juxta tenorem & effe­ctum ejusdem, &c. & juxta tenorem dicti Brevis Regii Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XCI.

DIE Jovis 19 die mensis Februarii, Anno Domini 1662. juxta, &c. inter horas 2 & 4, &c. Re­verendus Pater, &c. post tractatum secretum per tres horas aut eò circitèr, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XCII.

DIE Mercurij 25 Februarii inter horas 2 & 4 post Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus [Page 114] Pater Dominus Robertus Oxon' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XCIII.

DIE Jovis 5 Martii, inter horas 2 & 4 post Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. Tractatum habuit de & super Compoto de …; dictús (que) Compotus fuit relatus conside­rationi Reverendorum in Christo Patrum Humfridi Sarum, & Georgii Asaphen' Episcoporum, &c. Et hoc facto, dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continu­avit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XCIV.

DIE Jovis 12 Martii, inter horas 2 & 4 post Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. Dominus Ro­bertus Oxon', &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Sche­dulâ, &c.

Sessio XCV.

DIE Jovis 19 Martij, inter horas 2 & 4 post Merid. ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus in Christo Pater Dominus Robertus Oxon', &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XCVI.

DIE Sabbati 28 Martii 1663. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Habito tractatu de & super confectione Libri Gramma­ticalis tam in linguâ Latinâ quam Gramma­ticali in the Original. Graecâ adhibend'. [Page 115] in qualibet Scholá Grammaticali; relatum fuit Prolocutori Domus Inferioris ad concipiend' dictum Librum, & ad consulend'. desuper quascun (que) per­sonas, prout ei conveniens fuerit, exceptis cum Lu­dimagistris & Paedagogis, &c. Et hoc sacto dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio XCVII.

DIE Sabbati 4 Aprilis inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. habità consideratione de perficiendo Compoto Doctoris Bargrave llcèt ab­sen' us (que) ad primam Sessionem prox. futur' post Festum Paschae prox. Reverendus Pater [Robertus Oxon'.] &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedu­lâ, &c.

Sessio XCVIII.

DIE Sabbati 11 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pa­ter Robertus Oxon' Episcopus, &c. Continua­vit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio XCIX.

DIE Martis 14 Aprilis inter horas 2 & 4 post Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Exhibitis literis Commissionalibus, &c. iisdem (que) de mandato dicti locum-tenentis per me perlectis, dictus Reverenaus Pater, &c. Onus Exequutionis earundem in se ac­ceptavit, & decrevit procedendum fore juxta teno­rem earundem, &c. Et continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio C.

DIE Sabbati 2 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Dominus Epi­scopus London' Locum-tenens, &c. unà cum con­fratribus suis, &c. habito prius tractatu de & super impetratione Formae quoad Consecrationem Eccle­siarum, Capellarum, aliorumque locorum Ec­clesiasticorum, &c. tradend' Domino Episcopo Dunelmen', &c. ad perficiend' dictum opus, &c.) Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CI.

DIE Sabbati 9 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. Oxon' Episcopus Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CII.

DIE Sabbati 16 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Vir Dominus Locumtenens [Oxon. Episcopus] &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CIII.

DIE Sabbati 23 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. habito secreto tractatu, me absente ex mandato dicti Locum-tenen­tis, dictus Dominus, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CIV.

DIE Sabbati 30 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusd' diei, &c. habito tra­ctatu de & super libro Grammaticali, &c. & vocato Magistro Syllack, (que) requisito ad confi­ciend' acquiet antiam legalem pro pecuniarum sum­ma per eum à Doctore Bargrave recept', & ad introducend'. eandem hoc in loco prox. Sessione; idem Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CV.

DIE Sabbati 13 Junii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. exhibitis & praesentatis literis Commissionalibus Venerabilium Virorum Dominorum Decani & Capituli Ecclesiae Cathedralis Christi Cant' (ad quos omnis & omni­moda Jurisdictio Spiritualis & Ecclesiastica quae ad Archi-episcopum Cant' sede plenâ pertinuit, ipsae sede jam vacante notoriè dignoscitur pertinere,) iisdem (que) literis, de mandato Praesidentis publicè perlectis, dictus Reverendus Pater Gilbertus Lon­don'. Episcopus, Praeses, &c. acceptavit in se onus Exequutionis earundem; & decrevit procedend' fore juxta, vim, formam, tenorem, & effectum ea­rundem; Et hoc facto idem Reverendus, &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CVI.

DIE Sabbati 20 Junii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. praesentatâ [Page 118] substitutione Domini Praesiden', &c. eá (que) publicè lectâ, Forma Consecrationis Ecclesiarum & Ca­pellarum fuit per Praesiden' &c. introducta; & relata fuit curae Reverendorum Virorum Domini Roberti Oxon', Humfridi Sarum, Roberti Lin­coln', & Johannis Coven' & Lichen', respectivè Episcoporum, pro diligenti Revisione ejusdem, & hoc facto dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continu­avit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CVII.

DIE Sabbati 27 Junij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. ad se accersiri fecit Prolocutorem, unà cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris. Quibus com­parentibus idem Reverendus Pater, &c. unà cum Confratribus suis praedict' (ut praefertur) compa­rent'. Tractatum habuit, & convenit de quatuor Subsidiis Illustrissimo Domino Nostro Regi per ip­sos concedendis, juxta Ratam quatuor solidorum de quâlibet librâ, sub certis conditionibus & provi­sionibus in quodam libro desuper concipiend'.; ac de solvendo dicta subsidia infra terminum quatuor annorum proximè sequen'. unum integrum subsidi­um eorundem solvendum ad Festum Natalis Domini Nostri Jesu, & residuum eorundem solvendum quo­libet dimidio anni ex tunc sequen'. Eosdem (que) Prolo­cutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris rogavit, ut in Testimonium singularis eorum obedientiae & obsequii erga Dominum Nostrum Regem, conces­sioni hujusmodi eorum consensus praeberent, habito prius tractatu inter eos de eisdem. Ac tanc praefa­tus Reverendus Pater, &c. de & cum consensu Con­fratrum suorum, in Examinatores & Correctores libri subsidiorum praedict' Reverendos Patres [Page 119] Georgium Winton', Humfridum Sarum, Geor­gium Asaphen', Robertum Lincoln', & Willi­elmum Meneven', respectivè Episcopos, nominavit; & voluit Prolocutorem & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris praedict' ad eligendum nonnullos gravi­ores Viros de gremio suo ad idem negotium cum di­ctis Reverendis Patribus expediendum. Modò, dimisso Prolocutore, cum toto Coetu praedict' prae­fatus Reverendus Pater, &c. iterum tractavit cum praedictis Reverendis Patribus. Et post interval­lum temporis, Dominus Prolocutor cum toto Coetu [...] praedict' revertens, nomine suo & eorum dixit & declaravit quòd ipse & Coetus Domûs Inferioris de propositis diligenter tractârunt & omnes eorum Consensus libentissimè dederunt Concessioni dictorum quatuor subsidiorum, juxta Ratam quatuor soli­dorum è qualibet librâ; sé (que) & totum Coetum Domûs Inferioris praedict. elegisse in examinatores & correctores libri subsidiorum praedict' cum praefa­tis respectivè Episcopis, Venerabiles Viros Johan­nem Barwick S. Th. Professorem Prolocuto­rem, &c. Thomam Turner S. Th. Professorem, Decanum Ecclesiae Cathedralis & Metropoliticae Christi Cant', … Dolben S. Th. Pro­fessorem, Decanum Westm', Michaelem Hony­wood Decanum Winton', Edwardum Layfield S. Th. Professorem Archidiaconum Essex', Rober­tum Pory S. Th. Professorem Archidiaconum Midd', Philippum King Archidiaconum Lewen', Geor­gium Stradling & Richardum Ball, S. Theologiae respectivè Professores, Procuratores, &c. Quam Electionem Dominus Prases & Confratres sui ap­probârunt. Et tunc Dominus Episcopus London', &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CVIII.

DIE Mercurij 1 Julii, inter horas 8 & 10 an­te Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Liber subsidio­rum Regiorum fuit introductus, &c. jussu dicti Re­verendi Patris, &c. publicè per me notarium publi­cum fuit perlectus; & post lecturam ejusdem, mis­sus fuit Prolocutori & Domui Inferiori pro eorum Revisione & Examinatione. Et tunc Dominus Gilbertus, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedu­lâ, &c.

Sessio CIX.

DIE Sabbati 4 Julii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Praefatio & conclusione libri subsidiorum Regiorum introductis, & per me Notarium Publicum publicè porlectis, idem Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CX.

DIE Mercurij 8 Julii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. introducto libro subsidiorum Regiorum in pergameno ingrossat'. & jussu Praesidentis, &c. publicè per me Notarium Publicum antedict' perlect'. & per totam Convo­cationem approbat'. dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. in diem Veneris, 10 Julij, &c. prout in Schedulâ, &c.

Sessio CXI.

DIE Veneris 10 Julij, inter horas 2 & 4 post meridiem. ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dus Pater Dominus Episcopus Bathon; & Wellen, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio CXII.

DIE Lunae, 13 Julij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dus Pater Dominus Episcopus Bathon. & Wellen, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio CXIII.

DIE Mercurij 15 Julij, inter horas 8 & 10 antè Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reve­rendo Patre Domino Roberto Asaphen' Episcopo assignato ad sedend' cum aliis Episcopis, &c. aliàs constitutis ad concipiend'. formam quoad Consecra­tionem Capellarum, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout per Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXIV.

DIE Sabbati 18 Julij, inter horas 8 & 10 an­te Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater Sarum Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio CXV.

DIE Veneris 24 Julij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dus [Page 122] Pater Sarum Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio CXVI.

DIE Lunae 27 Julij, inter horas 2 & 4 post Me­ridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater Sarum Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. us (que) ad & inter horas 6 & 9 hujus diei, &c. Eisdem die & loco, inter horas 6 & 9, &c. Reverendus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXVII.

DIE Jovis 17 Martii 1663. inter horas 8 & 10. ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reve­rendissimus Pater, &c. de & cum consensu, &c. ad se accersiri fecit Prolocutorem Domûs Inferioris, unà cum toto numero sive Coetu ejusdem. Quibus comparentibus, dicti Reverendissimus Pater, in­troducto Brevi Regio sibi directo, ac in manus suas tradito idem de mandato dicti Reverendissimi Pa­tris per me Notarium publicum praedictum publicè fuit perlectum. Ac post lecturam ejusdem, idem Reverendissimus Pater onus Exequutionis ejusdem in se assumpsit, & juxta formam & effectum ejusdem procedendum fore decrevit. Deinde, literis Com­missionalibus dicti Reverendissimi Patris, &c. ex­hibits, & per me, jussu Reverendissimi Patris pub­licè perlectis, Domini Commissarij tunc praesetes onus Exequutionis earundem in sese acceptarunt; ac post tractatum, &c. idem Reverendissimus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio CXVIII.

DIE Jovis 24 Martij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater London' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. in diem Jovis ultimum, viz. diem instant. Martij, &c. prout in Schedula, &c.

Sessio CXIX.

DIE Jovis, ultimo, viz. die Martij 1664. in­ter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, &c. post tractatum, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXX.

DIE Mercurij 20 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dissimus Pater ac Confratres respectivè sui praedict'. tractatum inierunt de & super Libro Grammati­cali introducendum in prox'. & de Personis tunc eligendis pro Examinatione ejusdem. Et tunc, introductâ petitione Clericorum indlgentium in Insulâ Vectis remanen'. & residen' relatum fuit Reverendo Patri Domino Episcopo London' ad de­liberand' desuper, & ad certificand'. &c. in prox' &c. Et tunc dictus Reverendus Pater, &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXI.

DIE Mercurij 27 Aprilis, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. in­troductâ petitione per Dominum Episcopum Non­wicensem, eá (que) publice perlectâ, Domini Episcopi [Page 124] duxerunt ad deliberandum desuper; & tunc dictus Reverendus Pater Dominus Episcopus London', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXII.

DIE Mercurij 4 Maij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Liber Grammaticalis per Johannem Peirson S. T. P. unum è gremio Domûs Inferioris fuit introduct' & dictus Reverendissimus Pater, de & cum con­sensu Confratrum suorum Curam, Revisionem, & Examinationem ejusdem commisit Reverendissimo Patri …, Providentiâ divinâ Eborum Archiepiscopo, Reverendis in Christo Pa­tribus Georgio Winton', Humfrido London', Ro­berto Wigorn', Georgio Asaphen', Willielmo Glouc', & Johanni Coven', & Lichen' respectivè Episcopis. Et posteà, de & cum consensu Confra­trum suorum, ad se accersiri fecit Prolocutorem unà cum toto Coetu Domûs Inferioris quibus ad­venien' dictus Reverendissimus Pater, de & cum ratihabitione Confratrum suorum praedict'. voluit eos ad eligendum certum numerum virorum gravi­um & discretorum è gremio suo, ad Revidendum & Examinandum dictum librum Grammatica­lem cum dictis Reverendis Patribus per Domum superiorem nominatis. Et dimisso dicto Prolocu­tore cum toto Coetu praedict'. idem Reverendissimus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio CXXIII.

DIE Sabbati 14 Maij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXIV.

DIE Lunae 16 Maij, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dissimus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Sche­dulam, &c.

Sessio CXXV.

DIE Mercurij 18 Maii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. introducto libro Precum in latina concept'. relatum fuit curae & revisioni Reverendi in Christo Patris Johannis permissione divinâ Sarum Episcopi, & Johannis Dol­ben S. T. P. Decani Westm'. Et deinde dictus Reverendissimus Pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXVI.

DIE Martis 23 Augusti, inter horas 8 & 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Episcopus London, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXVII.

DIE Veneris 25 Novembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus, Pater London' Episcopus, &c. post interval­lum temporis, & de & cum consensu Confratrum suorum voluit ad se accersiri Clerum Domûs Infe­rioris Convocationis: quibus advenientibus, &c. cosdem Cleros dictae Domûs Inferioris monuit, qua­tenùs [ad] solitum & consuetum Conventûs sui [Page 126] locum sese conferentes, unum virum gravem, doctum & peritum de gremio suo provideant & eligant in eorum Prolocutorem & Referendarium, in loco Vene­rabilis Viri Johannis Barwick S. T. P. ratione ejus mortis jam vacan', ac ipsum sic electum exhibe­ant, & praesentent coram Reverendiss. Patre aut ejus Locumten' sive Commiss. &c. die Veneris prox. 2o viz. die mensis Decembris prox. futur' inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, hoc in loco. Quo Clero dimisso, &c. Praeses ante­dictus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXVIII.

DIE Veneris 2 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dus Pater, &c. Winton. Episcopus, &c. post inter­vallum temporis ad eum accersiri jussit Clerum do­mûs Inferioris. Qui sese praesentantes exhiberi & sisti fecerunt Venerabilem Virum Johannem Dol­ben S. T. P. Decanum Ecclesiae Collegiatae S. Petri Westm'. in Prolocutorem & Referendarium to­tius Coetûs Domûs Inferioris ultimâ Sessione ele­ctum; quem Venerabilis Vir … Boulton S. T. P. in Praesentatorem etiam electus, vice totius Coetûs Domûs Inferioris, praemissâ facundâ & eloquen­ti oratione, per eum exhibuit & praesentavit dictis Reverendis Episcopis; & factâ aliâ latinâ oratione eleganti per eundem Prolocutorem sic praesentatum praefatus Reverendus Pater, &c. de consensu Con­fratrum suorum praed' antedictum Johannem Dol­ben in Prolocutorem electum, & Electionem hujus­modi per aliam Orationem latinam commendavit & approbavit. Tunc dimisso Prolocutore, cum Coetu Domûs inferioris praedict', habitó (que) tractatu aliquandiu inter Episcopos praedict. idem Reveren­dus [Page 127] Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedu­lam, &c.

Sessio CXXIX.

DIE Veneris 9 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reve­rendus Pater, &c. Elien' Episcopus, &c. Conti­nuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXX.

DIE Veneris 16 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Re­verendus Pater, &c. Wigorn' Episcopus, &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXI.

DIE Martis 20 Decembris, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pa­ter Episcopus Wigorn', &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXII.

DIE Martis 10 Januarii 1664. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, Episcopus Winton', &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXIII,

DIE Mercurij 18 Januarii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pater, Robertus Wigorn' Episcopus, &c. Con­tinuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXIV.

DIE Veneris 27 Januarii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXV.

DIE Veneris 3 Febr. &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXVI.

DIE Sabbati 11 Febr. &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXVII.

DIE Sabbati 18 Februarii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reveren­dissimus Pater, &c. voluit Episcopos praesentes, cum ad eorum respectivè Dioeceses pervenerint, ad desti­nand' sibi nomina & cognomina Clericorum intra easdem respectivè Dioeceses ab eorum respectivè Curis eject' & loca eorum respectivè habitatid­nis; & hoc facto, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c

Sessio CXXXVIII.

DIE Martis 21 Februarii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusa' diei, &c. Reverendissimus Pater, &c. post tractatum, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXXXIX.

DIE Jovis 2 Martii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante Merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendus Pater London. Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXL.

DIE Sabbati 4 Martii, inter horas 8 & 10 ante merid' ejusd' diei, &c. Reverendissimus Pater, &c. voluit omnes Episcopos Confratres suos praesentes, ad exhibend' omnem quamcun (que) curam & diligentiam, ut quilibet Ministri vel Rectores vel Vicarii, seu eorum Curati, cujuslibet Ecclesiae in & per eorum respectivè Dioeceses, Divinas Pre­ces juxta formam Libri Publicarum Precum in eâ parte stabilit', distinctè & plenariè, abs (que) aliquâ omissione earundem in aliqua parte, super­pelliceis indutis, discreto ordine perlegant. Et hoc facto, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXLI.

DIE Jovis 22 Junii 1665. inter horas 8 & 10 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reve­rendissimus Pater, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXLII.

SEcundo die mensis Augusti, &c. prout in actu annex' &c.No En­try is made of this Day's Act.

Sessio CXLIII.

DIE Veneris 26 die Mensis Januarii, 1665. inter horas 8 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Reverendus, &c. London' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXLIV.

DIE Martis 24 Aprilis 1666. inter horas 8 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Re­verendus, London' Episcopus, &c. Continuavit, &c. uxta Schedulam, &c.

Sessio CXLV.

DIE Mercurij 19 Septembris 1666. inter ho­ras 8 & 11 ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, Reverendissimus, &c. post tractatum, &c. conti­nuavit, &c. in diem Mercurii 26 diem jam in­stantis Septembris, &c. juxta Schedulam, &c.

FINIS.

ACTA IN INFERIORE DOMO CONVOCATIONIS, ANNIS MDCLXXXVI & MDCLXXXVIII.

Electio Prolocutoris.

DIE Mercurij, Secundo Viz. die Mensis No­vembris, Anno Domini 1586. & Regni Serenissimae Dominae nostrae Dominae Elizabethae, Dei gratiâ Angliae, Franciae & Hiberniae Reginae, fidei Defensoris, &c. Anno Vicessimo Octavo: In Inferiori Domo Synodalis Convocationis Praelato­rum & Cleri Cant. Provinciae, in Sacello olim nuncupato Beatae Mariae in Orientali parte Eccle­siae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London. notoriè Situ­ato; Coram Venerabilibus Viris Decanis, Archi­diaconis, Procuratoribus Capitulorum, Ecclesia­rum Cathedralium & Cleri, tunc ibidem ad hu­jusmodi Convocationem celebrandam juxta effectum brevis Regij & praeteriti temporis morem insi­mul Congregatis, comparuit Venerabilis Vir Ma­gister Alexander Nowell Decanus Sancti Pauli, London: Cui praesenti, ex antiquo more & con­suetudine dictae Ecclesiae Cathedralis Sancti Pauli praedictae, Jus dirigendi Electionem futuri Pro­locutoris competit. Et ex parte Reverendissimi Domini Johannis, Providentiâ Divinâ Cantuar. Archiepiscopi, significavit, Ut ad Electionem su­turi Prolocutoris procedere licitè & liberè vale­ant & possint. Unde mox omnes tunc praesentes uno Ore Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Willel­mum Redman Archidiaconum Cantuariensem, alias in ultimâ Convocatione hujus Domûs in Pro­locutorem electum, ac modò absentem, denuo sine morâ in eorum & dicti Coetus Inferioris Domûs Cleri Proloquutorem & Referendarium concordi­ter unanimi consensu nominarunt & elegerunt, nemine contradicente. Et consequenter nomina­runt [Page 138] & elegerunt Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Johannem Styll Archidiaconum Sudbury praesen­tem, ad praesentandum dictum Proloquutorem Re­verendissimo Domino Johanni Cant. Archiepisco­po & caeteris Praelatis in Superiori Domo, die Veneris proximo inter horas secundam & quar­tam post meridiem in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ West­minster, cum debitâ & solitâ Solemnitate; Et moniti sunt omnes praesentes quatenùs dictis die horâ & loco conveniant ad effectum praedictum. Acta & gesta fuerunt praemissa ut supra, in prae­sentiâ mei Thomae Barker Notarij Publici in e­jusdem Inferioris Domus Acto [rum Scribam] assumpti.

Nomina praesentium Electioni praedictae, quae mihi Notario praedicto ex aspectu noti erant, quae ob brevitatem temporis capere potui. Reliquorum verò quam plurimorum etiam praesentium, quoniam praefatus Dominus Decanus Sancti Pauli London. noluit ob causam praedictam Praeconizationem fieri, describere minimè potui.

Mr. D. Goodman. Mr. D. Pearne, &c.

Sessio Secunda.

DIE Veneris, Viz. Quarto die mensis No­vembris, Anno Domini 1586. inter ho­ras secundam & quartam post meridiem e­jusdem diei, in quodom Sacello ex parte au­strali Ecclesiae Collegiatae Westminster, in praesentiâ Edwardi Say & Thomae Barker, Notariorum Publicorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Wood, &c.

[Page 139] Isto die, postquam convenerunt omnes supra­nominati Venerabiles Viri, ipse Venerabilis Prae­sentator una cum caeteris supranominatis ex dicto Inferiori Coetu, accersiti in Superiorem Domum, eundem Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Willel­mum Redman Prolocutorem electum conduxit ad Superiorem Domum, eumque dicto Reverendissimo Patri Cant. Archiepiscopo, & caeteris Praelatis praesentavit; ubi habitâ & pramissâ doctâ Oratio­ne à praefato Venerabili Viro Magistro Johanne Styll Archidiacono Suffolk Praesentatore, & ea finitâ, alterâ piâ Oratione seu praefatione ipsius Venerabilis Viri Domini electi Proloquutoris; dic­tus Reverendissimus Pater, cum caeteris Dominis Praelatis tunc praesentibus, Electionem hujusmodi, & Dominum Proloquutorem Electum concorditer Approbarunt & Ratificarunt. His expeditis, post aliquem tractatum inter eosdem Reverendissimos Patres & dictum Dominum Proloquutorem cum alijs ex dicto Inferiore Coetu, de rebus quibus­dam necessariis; dictus Dominus Proloquutor cum Coetu suo praedicto in dictam Inferiorem Domum revertebatur; ubi post finitas preces, facta fuit Praeconizatio omnium interesse debentium, &c. Quâ peractâ, Dominus Proloquutor assignavit Ve­nerabiles Viros, Decanum Sancti Pauli, Deca­num Westminster, Decanum Elien. Decanum Sa­rum, Decanum Exon, Decanum Coven. & Li­chen, Archidiaconum London, Archidiaconum Sud­bury, Archidiaconum Bedford, Archidiaconum Taunton, Archidiaconum Darbie; D. Bell, D. Walker, D. Copcotte, & D. Wythers, in As­sessores sibi, tractaturos de rebus & negotiis in hujusmodi Convocatione tractandis & expedien­dis. Cui quidem assignationi omnes praesentes u­nanimiter consentierunt. Quibus sic gestis, habitâ [Page 140] per Dominum Proloquutorem Admonitione omni­bus ex hoc Coetu, ut habitu Clericali incedant, ali­oquin abstineant ab hac Domo, ac etiam admoni­tione, ut si qui sint qui aliquas Scedulas proferre vellent de rebus in hujusmodi Convocatione Re­formandis, easdem sibi traderent in proximâ Ses­sione, deinde Dominus Prolocutor intimavit om­nibus supranominatis, Convocationem hujusmo­di esse continuatam us (que) in diem Mercurij prox­imum inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meri­diem in hoc loco; & monuit omnes ad interessen­dam, &c.

Sessio Tertia.

DIE Mercurij, Nono Viz. die Mensis No­vembris 1586. horà nona ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ Westmin­ster, praedictâ, in praesentiâ mei Edwardi Saie, & Thomae Barker, Notariorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Coldwell, &c.

Isto die, post finitas preces comparûere omnes supra nominati Venerabiles Viri; ac deinde ortâ quaestione inter Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Johannem Dey Legum Doctorem, & quendam Magistrum Johannem Knewstubbs de eorum electi­one in Procuratorem unius partis Cleri Norwicen. Dominus Proloquutor ad veritatem in hâc parte inquirendam juramento oneravit quosdam Vene­rabiles Viros, Magistrum Georgium Gardiner, Decanum Norwicen. & Johannem Walker Sa­crae Theologiae Professorem, de modo observato an­tehac in hujusmodi Electione, necnon quendam Thomam Nuce—Theologiae Baccalaureum, de ejus notic [...]â in hac. re. Qui sic jurati, dixerunt [Page 141] & deposuerunt prout sequitur in infra-Scriptis. Necnon Magister Dey exhibuit Testimonium Ma­gistri Johannis Maplezden Archidiaconi Suffolk, & Roberti Pecke Notarij Publici ejus Registra­rij, ac depositionem Magistri Christopheri Best eorum respective manibus Subscript. & infra­script. content. Unde Dominus Proloquutor as­signavit Magistro Knewstubbs ad proponendum causas quare Mr. D. Dey non admitteretur in Coetum hujus Domûs in proxim. Ac deinde Do­minus Proloquutor continuavit hujusmodi Con­vocationem quoad hanc Domum us (que) in diem Veneris prox. horâ nonâ ante Meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

I Testifie, That Mr. Fowle was Clerk of the Convocation for the Clergy of the Archdeacon­ry of Sudbury.

That, the next Parliament D. Norton was chosen for the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk at Bliburrough in the same Archdeacon­ry, I being present at the choice.

That now at this Session, One for Sudbury-Archdeaconry was to be chosen, and that they were to be chosen of the Archdeaconries alternis vicibus, and so ever reported for the Custom.

J. Maplezden Archi. Suffolk.

I Testifie, That in the xiijth Year of the Queens Majestie's Reign, there came Warrant from the Bishop of Norwich to the Arch­deacon of Suffolk and his Official, for the Sum­moning of the Clergy of the same Archdeacon­ry, to appear at Hopal within the same Archdea­conry, to make choice of a Clerk for the Con­vocation, at which place many of the said Arch­deaconry [Page 142] did appear before Mr. D. Maisters Chancellor to the Bishop, and made choice of Mr. Doctor Walker: And at that time none of the Clergy of the other Archdeaconry did appear, neither did any of them contribute towards his Charges.

At the next Parliament, which was (as I take it) in the xviijth. Year of her Majestie's Reign, there was chosen within the Archdeaconry of Sudbury, Mr. Fowle. And at that time, the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk neither had Summons nor bare any Charges. At the next choice, Mr. Doctor Norton was chosen for the Archdeaconry of Suffolk at Blithburgh, and none of the Archdeaconry of Sudbury did either ap­pear or pay: And further during my knowledge, and also as I have heard it Reported of others before my time, the Archdeaconries of Suffolk and Sudbury have chosen alternis vicibus, and likewise paid.

Robert Pecke Reg. of the Arch­deaconry of Suffolk.

Christopher Best, Mr. of Arts, Vicar of Wi­chambrooke, in the Archdeaconry of Sudbury, doth Testifie, that it is accounted to be the Cu­stom in the Archdeaconries of Suffolk and Sud­bury, that they shall choose the Clerk of the Convocation within those Archdeaconries, alter­ni vicibus; and at the Convocation last holden, the Proctor for the Clergy was chosen within the Archdeaconry of Suffolk; the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Sudbury not being Summon'd thereunto, and paying nothing towards his charges: And that now at this time, the Proctor for the Clergy aforesaid, ought according to their Cu­stom, to be chosen by the Clergy of the Arch­deaconry [Page 143] of Sudbury only, without Summoning the Archdeaconry of Suffolk; Yet notwithstand­ing, he saith that at this present time of Electi­on, there were chosen by some, Mr. D. Dey, and by others, Mr: Knewstubbes; the greater num­ber by Pole of those that might lawfully chuse, to this Deponents judgment, appearing to be on Mr. D. Dey's side. Yet he saith, when they were numbred by Scrutiny, the greater number was on Mr. Knewstubb's side by Eight, viz. of Mr. Dr. Dey's side, there were Cxxxij. Mr. D. Jones, and Mr. Nuce being reck'ned therein; and on Mr. Knewstubb's side, Lxxxx. whereof he belie­veth there were xx Parsons, Vicars, or Curates and more, of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk, with other Curutes, which according to their Customs, have no Voices in this Election as he hath heard.

Per me Christoferum Best.

Mr. Georgius Gardiner Decanus Norwicen. juramento oneratus per Dominum Prolocutorem, & per eum interrogatus quid novit quoad Electi­onem Procuratoris Cleri pro Archidiaconatu Suf­folk, & Archidiaconatu Sudbury, saith, that by the space of xxv. Years he hath known the Order of the same Election, and saith that the Custom is, and by all that time hath been, that the same Archdeaconries have chosen a Clerk alternis vivibus. Johannes Walker sacrae Theologiae Professor juratus dicit, That he hath known the Custom to be as Mr. Doctor Gardi­ner hath deposed, ab Anno quinto Illustrissi­mae Reginae Elisabetha, &c. and that he this Deponent was so chosen of the same Archdea­conries.

[Page 144] Thomas Nuce jurat [...]s dicit, That he hath heard, that the Custom is as Mr. D. Gardiner, and Mr. D. Walker have deposed. And touch­ing the Order of this Election, he saith, That upon the nameing of Mr. D. Dey by some, and Mr. Knewstubbs by others, the House was di­vided, no number taken by Poll; and in this Deponent's judgment, the greater number seem­ed to be on Mr. D. Dey's side. Wherefore the dif­ference being but small, they fell to a Scrutiny therein, whereby it appear'd, That Mr. Knew­stubbs had the greater number by viij. viz. Mr. D. Dey had Cxxxij. reckoning Mr. D. Jones, and Mr. Nuce, who were Scrutators; and Mr. Knewstubbs had Lxxxx. Whereupon he saith afterwards they reckon'd the Curates on both sides, who they took to have no Voices there, and they found one Curate on Mr. D. Dey's side, and xiij. Curates on Mr. Knewstubb's side. And also, because he had heard, that by the Custom aforesaid, none of the Archdeaconry of Suffolk had any Voices there; they also reckon'd how many of that Archdeaconry were there, and they found xxvij. on Mr. Knewstubbs side, and know­eth not whether there was any on D. Dey's side or not.

Sessio Quarta.

DIE Veneris xi. die Mensis Novembris 1586. borâ & loco alias assignatis in Inseriori Domo Convocationis, &c. in praesentia mei Edw. Say & Thomae Barker Notariorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Gilpin, &c.

[Page 145] Isto die, post finitas preces comparuêre omnes supra nominati; & tunc Magister D. Dey peti­it se admitti & recipi in Procuratorem Cleri Archidiaconatûs Sudbury, juxta Electionem de Personâ suâ aliàs factam. Et deinde quia Mr. Knewstubbs, aliàs ad ipsius petitionem monitus ad interessendum istis die & loco, propositurus quae ex parte suâ habet proponend. comparens nullas proposuit causas rationabiles pro parte suâ, quare sit admittendus in Procuratorem ejusdem Cleri; & quia constat ex depositionibus nonnullo­rum fide-dignorum testium, Magistrum Knew­stubbs fuisse Superiorem Magistro D. Dey in E­lectione praedictâ, tantum per Curatos, & alios qui secundum consuetudinem Electionis infra Archidiaconatus Suffolk & Sudbury in hâc Ele­ctione nullam habuere vocem; & eis demptis, compertum est Magistrum Dey fuisse superiorem; igitur Dominus Prolocutor decrevit dictum Ma­gistrum Doctorem Dey recipiendum fore in Pro­curatorem ejusdem Cleri & in Coetum hujus Do­mûs, eûm (que) sic recepit. Deinde Dominus Prolo­cutor certior factus de voluntate Reverendissimi Patris (per Magistrum Thomam Redman ejus Registrarium) quood controversiam super Electi­one Clericorum Diaeceseos Norwicen. viz. quòd idem Reverendissimus Pater tulit Sententiam su­am pro parte Magistri West contra Magistrum Thorowgood, intimavit haec omnibus praesenti­bus & monuit eos ad recipiendum eundem Magi­strum West in Coetum hujus Domûs. Quibus sic gestis, dictus Dominus Prolocutor continuavit hu­jusmodi Convocationem quoad hanc Domum, us (que) in diem Mercurij proximum in hoc loco, & monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Quinta.

DIE Mercurij, xvjo. die Mensis Novembris 1586. hora & loco praeassignatis in Infe­riori Domo Convocationis, &c. in praesentiâ mei Edwardi Say Notarij, &c. assumpti, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Goodman, &c.

Isto die comparuère omnes suprà nominati; & post preces finitas Dominus Proloquutor con­tinuavit hujusmodi Convocationem quoad hanc Domum us (que) in diem Veneris proximum hora Nona ante meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit om­nes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Sexta.

DIE Veneris xviijo. die Mensis Novembris 1586. hora & loco praeassignatis in Inferi­ori Domo Convocationis, &c. & prasente me Edwardo Say Notario Publico, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c.

Isto die comparûere omnes supra nominati; & post finitas preces Dominus Proloquutor accersitus ad Reverendissimum Patrem illuc accessit, Decano Elien. & Decano Oxon. eum comitantibus. Et post aliqualem tractatum cum Reverendissimo & caeteris Praelatis, accersiti fuerunt omnes ad eosdem Reve­rendissimum & Praelatos, & ibi habita fuit ijs om­nibus Admonitio per dictum Reverendissimum, ut Leges hactenùs editae diligenter secundum Canones Stabilitae observentur. Et ut fiat reformatio in Ecclesiis eorum, &c. Ac deinde revertentes omnes in Inferiorem Domum, habità exhortatio­ne [Page 147] per Dominum Proloquutorem, ut reminiscan­tur Admonitionem Reverendissimi Patris ijs fac­tam, dictus Dominus Proloquutor continuavit hujusmodi Convocationem quoad hanc Domum, us (que) in diem Mercurij proximum, horâ Nonâ an­te Meridiem in hoc loco; & monuit omnes ad in­teressendum.

Sessio Septima.

DIE Mercurij xxiijo. die Menfis Novem­bris 1586. horâ & loco praeassignatis, in Inferiori Domo Convocationis, praesente me Edwardo Say Notario, &c.

D. Bulleyn, D. James.

Isto die comparuere omnes supra nominati; & precibus finitis Magister D. Bulleyn Decanus Lichen. nomine Domini Proloquutoris intimavit omnibus praesentibus hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam, us (que) in diem Veneris proximum, hora nona ante Meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Octava.

DIE Veneris xxvo. die Mensis Novembris, 1586. horâ & loco praeassignatis, praesente Thoma Barker Notario Publico, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Kennal, &c.

Isto die comparuere omnes supranominati, & precibus finitis accersitus fuit Dominus Prolo­cutor ad Reverendissimum in superiori Domo exis­tentem, caeteros (que) Dominos Episcopos ibidem; & comitati sunt cum Magistri D. Goodman, & D. [Page 148] James. Unde paulo post reverten. Dominus Pro­loquutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus, hanc Convocationem esse continuatam & prorogatam us (que) in diem Luna proxmum inter horas Octavam & undecimam ante Meridiem in hoc loco, & mo­nuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Nona.

DIE Lunae xxviij. die Mensis Novembris 1586. hora & loco praeassignatis, in Infe­riori Domo Convocationis, &c. praesente Tho­ma Barker Notario Publico, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Perne, &c.

Isto die, comparûere omnes supra nominati; & post preces finitas Dominus Proloquutor continua­vit hujusmodi Convocationem quoad hanc Do­mum, in diem Veneris proximum inter horas octavam & undecimam ante Meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Decima.

DIE Veneris 2o. die Mensis Decembris 1586. hora & loco praeassignatis, in Inferiori Domo Convocationis, &c. in praesentiâ mei Ed­wardi Say Notarij Publici, &c.

D. Goodman, D. Bevans, &c.

Isto die compau ûere omnes supranominati, & finitis precibus Mr. Gabriel Goodman Decanus Westminster, nomine Domini Prolocutoris con­tinuavit hujusmodi Convocationem quoad hanc Domum, Us (que) inter horas primam & secun­dam post meridium hujus diei, & prorogavit lo­cum [Page 149] hujusmodi, Us (que) ad & in Sacello olim nun­cupato Beatae Mariae in Orientali parte Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London, notariè situato, &c. & monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Undecima.

EOdem die, inter horas, & loco praeassignat. in Inferiori Convocationis, praesente me Edwardo Say Notario Publico, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Culpeper.

Quibus horis & loco comparûere omnes supra­nominati; & precibus finitis, eum comitantibus Magistris Perne, Mullins & Gilpin, adiit Re­verendissimum Patrem & caeteros Praelatos; & paulo post revertens intimavit omnibus praesenti­bus, consultum esse per eosdem Reverendissimum Patrem & Praelatos, de Reformatione fiendâ quoad Scedulas eidem Reverendissimo ac Domino Proloquutori exhibitas, &c. Et quòd conventum est inter dictos Reverendissimum & Praelatos de Exercitijs fiendis per Ministros infra Provinciam Cantuariensem; Et quòd ijdem Reverendi Patres, cùm redierint in Diaeceses suas, Ordinem eorun­dem significabunt omnibus quibus interest in hâc parte. Quibus sic expeditis, dictus Dominus Pro­loquutor continuavit hujusmodi Convocationem, quoad hanc Domum, Us (que) in diem Veneris xvij. viz. diem mensis Februarij proximi inter horas no­nam & undecimam ante meridiem, &c. in hoc loco, & monuit omnes ad tunc interessendum.

DIE Veneris, viz. 17o. Februarij 1586. se­cundum, &c. in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London, in praesentia Ed­wardi [Page 150] Say Notarij Publici assumpti, &c. ac inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem.

Continuata est hujusmodi Convocatio ab unde­cimo Decembris 1586. in statu quo tunc fuit, Us (que) in hos diem horam & locum. Quibus die, hora & loco, Venerabilis Vir Magister Wilhel­mus Awbrey Legum Doctor, Commissarius Reve­rendissimi Patris Domini Johannis Cant. Archie­piscopi, &c. authoritate sufficienti ad hoc fulcitus, Continuavit hujusmodi Convocationem, in statu quo [...]st, Us (que) in diem Veneris, viz. 24. diem praesentis mensis Februarij, inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, & pro­rogavit locum us (que) ad & in Ecclesiam Collegia­tam Divi Petri Westminster, &c. praesentibus tunc ibidem venerabilibus Viris Magistris Mul­lyns & Walker ex Coetu Inferioris Domûs, nec non alijs testibus, &c.

Sessio prima.

DIE Veneris, viz. 24o. Februarij. 1586. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte australi infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Pe­tri Westminster, inter horas nonam & undeci­mam ante meridiem in presentia Edwardi Say & Thomae Barker Notariorum Publicorum In­ferioris Domûs Actorum Scribarum assumpto­rum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Episcopus Dovor, &c.

Isto die, omnes supranominati in locum prae­dictum convenerunt; & postquam Dominus Pro­loquutor una cum supranominatis preces divinas peregerat mox idem Dominus Proloquutor accer­situs fuit ad Reverendissimum Patrem caeteros (que) ejus Confratres Praelatos in Superiori Domo infra [Page 151] dictam Ecclesiam Collegiatam Westminster. exis­ten. ad quos se contulit, eûm (que) comitati sunt Decanus Cant. & Decanus Elien. Ac statim re­liqui omnes Inferioris Domûs similiter accersiti erant, at (que) eosdem Reverendos Patres adierunt; ibi (que) Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Cant. Ar­chiepiscopus ob paucitatem Comparentium, &c. intimavit Domino Proloquutori absentes ab eo­rum Contumacias, &c. suspendendos fore debere, &c. Ac deinde declaravit nonnullas causas de Subsidio Domina nostra Reginae praestand, &c. Nec­non Reverendus Pater Dominus London. Episcopus querelatus est de negligentia Magistri Georgij Gar­diner Decani Norwicen. ac aliorum, in non concio­nando in publico Suggestu infra Coemiterium Pau­linum situat'. juxta monitionem eis in eâ parte factam, &c. Ac postea Dominus Prolocutor ac ca­teri Inferioris Domûs supranominati redierunt in Domum Inferiorem, ibi (que) elegit quosdam in Assessores sibi hic in margine hujus Actûs nominat'. facta (que) publicâ praeconizatione omnium citatorum, &c. ac monitorum, &c. & non comparentium Do­minus pronuntiavit eos, & eorum quemlibet Contumaces, exceptis li­centiatis discedendi, aut alias isto die infra Civitatem London, aut Suburbia ejusdem concionantibus, reservatâ eorum poenâ in diem Mer­curij proxmum, &c. inter horas pri. mam & tertiam post Meridiem. Et tunc, interrogatis omnibus per Domi­num Prolocutorem utrum consenti­rent ut ipse Dominus Prolocutor eli­geret ex Assessoribus sibi Sex quo­rum duo essent Decani, duo Archidia­coni & reliqui duo ex hac domo prout sibi videretur, qui de libello concipi­endo Electi in Assessores isto die sunt, Rev. Pater Dec. CantDec. St. Pauli Lond.Dec. Westminster.Dec. Roffen.Dec. Elien.Dec. Oxon.Archid. London.Archid. Lincoln.Archid. Sudbury.Archid. Darby.D. Walker.D. Wood.D. Brancrafte.Magister Wylson.Magister Winter. [Page 152] pro Subsidio Dominae nostrae Reginae praestan­do tractarent, Uno Ore consensum & assensum suos praebuerunt, nemine contradicente. Ac de­inde Dominus Prolocutor intimavit omnibus prae­sentibus hanc Convocationem esse continuatam us (que) in diem Mercurij proximum, &c. inter ho­ras primam & tertiam post Meridiem in hunc lo­cum, & monuit omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum, &c.

Sessio Secunda.

DIE Mercurij, viz. primo die Mensis Mar­tij, Anno Domini 1586. secundum, &c. in quodam Sacello infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster, ex parte australi in­ter horas primam & tertiam post Meridiem, praesentibus Edwardo Say & Thoma Barker, Notarijs Publicis assumptis, &c.

Dom. Prolocutor, Decanus Cant.

Die praedicto, comparuerunt omnes supranomi­nati: Et post preces finitas Dominus Prolocutor accersitus fuit ad Reverendos Patres Dominos Praelatos in superiori Domo, nempe Reverendum Patrem Dominum Winton Episcopum, Dominum Lincoln. Episcopum, & Dominum Hereforden. Episcopum; eûm (que) comitati sunt Decanus Cant. & Mr. Johannes Wynter. Unde mox reverten', quidam Gabriel Holte, Verbi Dei praedicator paupertate coactus petiit benevolentiam hujus Coetus, ac protulit & ostendit Domino Prolocuto­ri literas quasdam Testimoniales in eundem ef­fectum. Unde statim facta fuit Collectio xxvi s. iid. quam Summam Dominus Prolocutor tunc & ibidem tradidit eidem Holte. Ac deinde Domi­nus [Page 153] Prolocutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus, hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam Us (que) in diem Veneris inter horas octavam & un­decimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, & reserva­vit poenas Contumacium us (que) in eundem diem; Et moniti sunt omnes, &c. ad tunc interessen­dum in hoc loco, Sess. &c. Isto die assidebant Domino Prolocutori, Dominus Decanus Cant. D. Wood, D. Walker, D. Barefoote, D. Cold­well, Mr. Mullyns, Mr. Wynter.

Sessio Tertia.

DIE Veneris, viz. tertio Martij, 1586. se­cundum, &c. in loco Solito praeassignato, viz. in quodam Sacello infra Ecclesium Colle­giatam beati Petri Westminster, inter horas octavam & undecimam ante Meridiem in prae­sentia mei Thomae Barker Notarij Publici assumpti, &c.

Dom. Prolocutor, Decanus Cant. &c.

Die praedicto, convenerunt omnes supranomi­nati, ibi (que) post Divini numinis implorationem Do­minus Proloquutor accersitus fuit ad Reverendissi­mum Dominum Cant. Archiepiscopum, Caeteros (que) Reverendos Patres Dominos Praelatos, in Superi­ori Domo: Eum (que) comitati sunt Decanus Cant. & Deoanus Elien. Unde mox revertens Dominus Prolocutor in poenam Contumaciarum citatorum, &c. & non comparentium, &c. decrevit procedendum fore, ac postea narravit praesenti Coetui hujus Domus, se unà cum Assessoribus suis egisse cum praedicto Reverendissimo Patre ac Praelatis de Sub­sidio [Page 154] Dominae nostrae Reginae praebendo; Ac con­cordatum esse de eodem juxta ratam & formam, alias in ultimo Subsidio usitatam. Quod factum omnes praesentes tam nominibus eorum proprijs, quam nominibus reliquorum hujus Domûs quorum Procuratores existunt, ratificarunt & approba­runt. Et ulteriùs Dominus Prolocutor significavit supranominatis hujus Domûs praesentibus volunta­tem Reverendissimi ac aliorum Dominorum Praelato­rum de benevolâ contributione, ultra Subsidium praedictum Dominae nostrae Reginae sine longâ morâ concedend. ac partim solvend. ob urgentes causas, & maximè propter bellum imminens, & graves minas hostium Evangelii, viz. de Contributione trium solidorum de quâlibet librâ annualis redi­tûs cujuslibet Beneficii infra Provinciam Cant. juxta ratam & taxam eorundem in libris primi­tiarum Dominae nostrae Reginae; exceptis Vicarijs quorum Beneficia non attingunt Summam, xl. juxta ratam praedictam, nec non Canonicis mino­ribus Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & Collegiatarum, caeteris (que) Ministris Inferioribus, &c. Et quod de hujusmodi libello concipiendo maturior deliberatio cum Jurisperitorum consilio habeatur. Quibus omnibus sic declaratis, omnes ut suprà praesentes, sine morâ aut haesitatione quâcun (que) consensum & assensum suos praebuerunt. Et tunc ego Notari­us antedictus, ex mandato Domini Prolocutoris, monui omnes isto die comparentes ad exhibendum & introducendum Procuratoria, si quae habeant, ad comparend. pro absentibus citatis ad compa­rendum in hâc Sacra Synodo in proximâ Sessione, &c. deinde Dominus Prolocutor ac caeteri omnes hujus Domus praenominati accersiti fuerunt ad dictum Reverendissimum, ac caetoros Praelatos Su­perioris [Page 155] Domus; ibi (que) significarunt, omnia & singula per eos gesta, &c. Ac Dominus Prolocu­tor petiit, quòd si posthàc aliqua alia impositio five taxatio sit in Clerum imponenda, durante tem­pore assignando pro Solutione Summarum jam con­cessarum; ut eadem taxatio fiat per ipsum Clerum inter se, & quod de eâdem liberentur quoad fieri poterit: Cui petitioni annuerunt. Et tunc pub­licè ibidem perlectus fuit per Magistrum Tho­mam Redman Notarium Publicum Libellus pro Subsidio concesso conceptus, & in aliquibus sui par­tibus emendatus, correctus, & perfectus red­ditus. Ac mox in Domum Inferiorem reversi sunt Dominus Prolocutor Caeteri (que) ejusdem Do­mûs, ibi (que) Dominus pronuntiavit absentes, &c. Contumaces, reservatâ eorum poenâ in prox. &c. Et praetereà, intimavit praesentibus hanc Convo­cationem esse continuatam in crastinum inter horas tertiam & quintam post Meridiem, & in hunc locum, ac monuit eos ad interessendum.

Sessio Quarta.

DIE Sabbathi, viz. quarto Martii, 1586. se­cundum, &c. inter horas tertiam & quin­tam post Meridiem in Sacello ex parte australi Ecclesiae Collegiatae Westminster, praesente Ma­gistro Edwardo Say Notario Publico, &c.

Dominus Prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c.

Die praedicto camparuêre omnes supranomina­ti; & Dominus Proloquutor adivit Dominos Prae­latos in Superiori Domo, eúm (que) comitati sunt De­canus Elien & Archidiaconus Lincoln. Unde, post aliquam ibidem moram, tandem redierunt, ibi (que) ex relatione Domini Proloquutoris publice per­lectus [Page 156] fuit Libellus pro-benevolâ contributione Re­giae Majestati concessâ conceptus, & aliqualiter emendatus ac perfectus redditus, &c. deinde per totum Coetum praesentem approbatus. Et tunc Dominus Prolocutor reservavit poenas Contumaci­um, ut priùs, in proximam Sessionem, &c. & inti­mavit praesentibus hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam, Us (que) in diem Lunae proximum, &c. inter horas primam & quintam, & in hunc locum; & monuit praesentes ad tunc & ibidem comparendum, &c.

Sessio Quinta.

DIE Lunae, viz. sexto Martii, 1586. secun­dum, &c. inter horas primam & quintam post Meridiem ejusdem diei, in Sacello ex parte Australi Ecclesiae Collegiatae Westminster, prae­sente Johanne Mabill, Notario Publico, &c.

Quibus die & loco comparuerunt Magistri D. Powell, Say, Gilpin, West & Maxfield, hujus Domûs; quibus intimatum fuit hujusmodi Con­vocationem de mandato & voluntate Reveren­dissimi Patris Domini Cant. Archiepiscopi esse continuandam in diem Mercurii proximum, &c. in­ter horas octovam & undecimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei; prout revera continuata fuit: un­de postea discesserunt, &c.

Sessio Sexta.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 8o. die Mensis Martii, Anno Dom. 1586. secundum, &c. inter horas octavam & undecimam ante Meridiem [Page 157] ejusdem diei, in loco consueto praeassignato infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Westminster, prae­sente me Thoma Barker Notario Publico.

Quibus die, horâ, & loco, comparuerunt Ma­gistri Marston, Say, Bynam, Dylworth, Stud­ley, Barret, & Maxfield, ex Coetu Inferioris Domûs; & eo quòd satis bene nôrunt hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam, in diem Vene­ris proximum, &c. viz. decimum diem praesentis Mensis Martii, post aliqualem moram discesserunt.

Sessio Septima.

DIE Veneris, viz. decimo die Martii, 1586. secundum, &c. inter horas octavam & unde­cimam ante Meridiem, in quodam Sacello ex par­te australi Ecclesiae Collegiatae Westminster, prae­sente Magistro Edwardo Say, Notario Publi­co, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Reneger, &c.

Quibus die & loco, comparuerunt omnes su­pranominati; & post preces finitas, Dominus Pro­loquutor accersitus fuit ad Reverendissimum Do­minum Cant. Archiepiscopum, caeterós (que) Domi­nos Praelatos in Superiori Domo, unà cum toto praesenti Coetu; eos (que) adierunt, at (que) ibidem ali­quandiu morati sunt. Ac tandem omnes suprano­minati in Domum hanc redierunt; excepto Do­mino Proloquutore, qui cum eisdem Reverendis Patribus post discessum reliquorum aliquantisper permansit. Ac deinde in hanc Domum revertens, cum consensu omnium ut praefertur praesentium, elegit Venerabiles Viros Dominum Decanum Elien. Archidiaconum Lincoln, & Archidiaconum Taun­ton, ad tractandum & communicandum una se­cum [Page 158] cum Reverendis Patribus, de Constitutioni­bus & Decretis, licentiâ & vigore Literarum Patentium per Dominam nostram Reginam in ea parte concessarum stabiliendis, pro collectione be­nevolae Contributionis Dictae Dominae nostrae Regi­nae concessae, &c. Et tunc Dominus Proloquutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus hanc Convocatio­nem esse continuatam & prorogatam in crasti­num, inter horas primam & quartam post Meri­diem ejusdem diei, in hunc locum; & monuit omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem interessen­dum. Ac insuper reservavit poenas Contumaci­um us (que) in eosdem diem & locum.

Sessio Octava.

DIE Sabbathi, viz. undecimo die Martii, 1586. secundum, &c. in Ecclesiâ Collegia­tâ beati Petri Westminster, inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, pra­sente Johanne Mabill, Notario Publico, &c. Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt Magistri Stallard, West, Owens, & Proctor; quibus sig­nificatum fuit, hjusmodi Convocationem esse continuandam in diem Mercurii proximum, viz. 15. diem praesentis mensis Martii inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, de mandato Reverendissimi Patris Domini Cant. Archiepiscopi, prout revera sic continuata fuit per Magistrum Lucam Gilpin sufficeinter & le­gitimè in eà parte Deputatum. Unde mox su­pranominati ex Coetu Inferioris Domûs discesse­runt.

Sessio Nona.

DIE Mercurij, 15o. Martij 1586. secun­dum, &c. in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ beati Petri, Westm. inter horas nonam & undecimam an­te meridiem ejusdem diei in praesentiâ mei Thomae Barker, Notarij Publici, &c.

Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt Magi­stri Bynam, Meredith, Morgan, D. Dey, D. Freake, West, Webb, Bancks, Studley, Proctor, Maxfeild, Rowland, Owens & Jones; quibus intimatum fuit hujusmodi Convocationem fore de mandato Reverendissimi Patris Domini Cant. Archiepiscopi continuandam, usque inter horas primam & quintam post meridiem hujus diei, ac in locum solitum; prout reverà de certâ Scientiâ mei Notarij antedicti posteà sic continuata fuit. Unde mox omnes supranominati discesserunt.

Sessio Decima.

EOdem die, inter horas praeassignatas; in quodam Sacello ex parte Australi infra Ec­clesiam Collegiatam beati Petri, Westm. in praesentiâ mei Thomae Barker, Notarij Publi­ci, &c.

D. Prolocutor, Decanus Cant.

Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & post preces ibidem peractas Dominus Prolocutor accersitus fuit ad Reveren­dissimum Patrem Dominum Cant. Archiepisco­pum, Caeterósque Dominos Praelatos, in Superiori Domo; eúm (que) comitati sunt Decanus Cant. & [Page 160] Decanus Elien. Ac post aliquam ibidem moram revertebant, & tunc Dominus Proloquutor tra­didit mihi Notario antedicto quasdam Constitutio­nes sive Ordinationes in Scriptis conceptas pro fideli & justa collectione ac Solutione benevolae Contributionis alias Regiae Majestati in hac Sacra Synodo per Clerum Cant. Provinciae concessae, quas, de ejus mandato, statim tunc ibidem altâ & in­telligibili voce perlegi. Quo facto, Dominus Pro­loquutor interrogavit omnes supranominatos, an Decreta, & Ordinationes hujusmodi sibi place­rent; eós (que) rogavit quatenùs eorum consensum & assensum eisdem, si eis ita videretur, praeberent; & tunc omnes easdem Ordinationes in omnibus approbarunt, at (que) consensum & assensum suos tam nominibus eorum proprijs, quam nominibus om­nium aliorum quorum Procuratores in hac parte respectivè existunt, praebuerunt. Tamen Magi­ster Gilpin petijt, ut Apparitores Ordinarij in­fra Provinciam Cant. (quibus incumbit onus mo­nendi omnes & singulos, huic benevolae contribu­tioni obnoxios, juxta Ordinationes modo lectas) habeant aliqua Feoda pro eorum laboribus in eâ parte impendendis: Et super hoc orta est aliqua disceptatio inter eum & Dominum Prolocutorem. Ac deinde Dominus Proloquutor unà cum Decano Cant. Decano Elien. & Decano Westm. iterum adivit Reverendissimum Patrem Dominum Cant. Archiepiscopum, ac reliquos Reverendos Patres in Superiori Domo, ad certificandum eos de ge­stis hujusmodi. Unde brevi reverten. Dominus Proloquutor intimavit hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam in diem Veneris proximum, &c. in hunc locum, inter horas octavam & undeci­mum ante meridiem ejusdem diei; & moniti sunt omnes supranominati ad tunc ibidem interessen­dum, [Page 161] &c. Magistri Nowell, Walker, Humfrey, Byss, Powell, & Say, ex Relatione Domini Pro­loquutoris, isto die sunt licentiati quoad eorum personalem comparitionem, &c.

Sessio Undecima.

DIE Veneris, viz. 17o. Martij 1586. Secun­dum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte au­strali Ecclesiae Collegiatae beati Petri, Westm. inter horas Octavam & Undecimam ante meri­diem ejusdem diei, in praesentiâ mei Thomae Barker, Notarij Publici, &c.

Quibus die hora & loco, comparuerunt Domi­nus Proloquutor nec non Magistri Marston, R [...]. Smyth, Dey, West, Bancks, Studley, Freake, Pratt, Proctor, Jones, Webb, Bynam & Heywood: Qui­bus Dominus Proloquutor intimavit hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam us (que) in diem Mercurij proximum, viz. Vicesimum secundum di­em praesentis Mensis Martij, inter horas octavam & undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, in hun [...] locum; & monuit eos ad tunc ibidem interessen­dum, &c.

Sessio Duodecima.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 22o. Martij 1586. se­cundum, &c. in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ Divi Petri, Westm. inter horas octavam & undeci­mam ante meridiem, significatum erat hujus­modi Convocationem esse continuatam in diem Veneris proximum, viz. vicesimum quartum [Page 162] Martij praedict. inter boras octavam & undeci­mam ante meridiem, & in bunc locum.

Sessio Decima Tertia.

DIE Veneris, viz. 24o. Martij 1586. secun­dum, &c. Continuata fuit hujusmodi Con­vocatio, per Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Willielmum Awbrey Legum Doctorem, Vica­rium in Spiritualibus generalem Reverendissi­mi Patris Domini Johannis Providentia Divi­nâ Cant. Archiepiscopi, nec non Commissarium in câ parte spectaliter deputatum, us (que) ad & inter boras primam & quartam postmeridianas, ac in lecum praedictum. Ac insuper idem Ve­nerabilis Vir jussit ut omnes hujus Domûs qui ad locum praedictum ante meridiem illius diei venirent, moneantur ad tempestivè in locum solitum congregandum praedictum, statim à prandie, &c. prout ex Relatione Mri. Redman Deputati Registrarij Superioris Domûs, ego Thomas Barker, Notarius antedictus acce­pi, &c.

Sessio Decima Quarta.

EOdem die inter horas primam & quartam post meridiem in loco solito praeassignato, praesente me Thoma Barker, Notario, &c. com­paruerunt personaliter omnes & finguli quo­rum nomina hic Subscribuntur, viz.

D. Prolocutor, Dom. Pearne, &c.

Et tunc precibus prius ritè ac debitè peractis, de mandato Domini Proloquutoris facta fuit pub­lica [Page 163] preconizatio omnium citatorum ad comparen­dum in hac Domo juxta consuetudinem alias usi­tatam, & juxta tenores Mandatorum & Certifi­catoriorum alias respectivè coram ipso Reveren­dissimo Patre Domino Cant. Archiepiscopo, &c. exhibitorum & introductorum. Eá (que) praeconiza­tione vix completâ, Dominus Proloquutor una cum integro Coetu hujus Domûs tunc praesente, accersiti fuerunt ad dictum Reverendissimum Pa­trem, alios (que) Praelatos in Capellâ vulgaritèr dictâ Capella Regis Henrici Septimi existentes; ad quos finitâ praeconisatione citatorum (ut praeser­tur) immediatè sese contulerunt; ibi (que) Reveren­dissimus Pater Dominus Cant. Archiepiscopus querelatus est de incuriâ, negligentiâ, & contu­maciâ citatorum, &c. & non comparentium, &c. ac etiam de pravâ & immoderatâ luxuriâ & mi­nùs vereundo gestu ac morum intemperie non­nullorum Clericorum Provinciae Cant. ad Fora & Loca publica concurrentium: Quare monuit De­canos, Archidiaconos & alios jam praesentes, ad quos correctio delinquentium hujusmodi pertinet, ad severè procedendum & puniendum obnoxios & culpabiles; & si incorrigibiles perseveraverint, ad implorandum auxilium & open Episcopi Diae­cesani, vel ipsius Reverendissimi Patris, vel eti­am ipsius Serenissimae Dominae nostrae Regira, ne actionum & morum pravitas istorum obnubilet & obscuret Doctrinam Evangelij, quod vervis profi­tentur; quo pluribus pernitiosum siet pessimum eorum Exemplum. Et tunc porrectâ sibi Scedalâ Suspensionis, unà cum Scedulâ continente nomi­na & cognomina contumaciter absentium ab hâc Sacra Synodo; idem Reverendissimus cos [...] & singulos in bujusmodi Scedulâ nominatos à ce­lebratione divinorum & omnimodo exercitio Ec­clesiasticae [Page 164] Jurisdictionis Suspendit; prout in ip­sa Scedulá penes Registrarium ipsius Reverendis­simi Patris quoad Superiorem Domum remanente, continetur. Ac deinde Idem Reverendissimus Pater, vigore & authoritate brevis Regij sibi in eâ parte directi, ac penes Registrarium suum prae­dictum etiam remanentis, Convocationem hujus­modi dissolvit, &c.

ANNO MDLXXXVIII.

DIE Mercurij, viz. quinto die mensis Febru­arii, Anno Domini secundum Ecclesiae An­glicanae computationem 1588. & Regni Serenissi­mae Dominae nostrae Dominae Elizabeth, Dei gratia Angliae, Franciae & Hiberniae Reginae, fidei De­fensoris, &c. Anno tricesimo primo. Venera­bilis Vir Magister Johannes Styll, Archidiaconus Sudbury, ac Sacrae Theologiae Professor, intravit Suggestum in Cancello infra Ecclesiam Cathedra­lem Divi Pauli London, ibi (que) apud Reverendis­simum Dominum Cant. caeteros (que) Dominos Epis­copos & Praelatos necnon nonnullos alios Provin­ciae Cant. doctam habuit ac edidit Concionem in Sermone Romano. Quâ debite finitâ per Semiho­ram ante undecimam horam ejusdem diei, com­plures ex Clero Provinciae Cant. praed. recesse­runt in Inferiorem Domum Synodalis Convocatio­nis Praelatorum & Cleri Cant. Provinciae, viz. in Sacellum olim nuncupatum beatae Mariae in O­rientali parte Eccles [...]ae Cathedralis Divi Pauli London, notoriè Situat. Ibi (que) coram Venera­bilibus Viris, Decanis, Archidiaconis, Procura­toribus [Page 165] Capitulorum Ecclesiarum Cathedralium, & Cleri tunc ibidem ad hujusmodi Convocationem ce­lebrandum juxta effectum brevis Regii & prae [...]e­riti temporis morem infimul congregatis, Compa­ruit Venerabilis Vir Magister Alexander Nowel, Decanus Sancti Pauli London, cui praesenti ex antiquo more & consuetudine dictae Ecclesiae Ca­thedralis Sancti Pauli praedicti, Jus dirigendi Electionem futuri Proloquutoris competit: Et ex parte dicti Reverendissimi Patris Domini Jo­hannis providentiâ divinâ Cant. Archiepiscopi significavit, ut ad Electionem futuri Proloquuto­ris procedere licitè & liberè valeant & possint, & commendavit eis praefatum Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Johannem Styll tunc ibidem praesen­tem. Unde omnes tunc praesentes uno ore eun­dem Magistrum Johannem Styll sine morâ in eo­rum & dicti Coetûs Inferioris Domûs Cleri, Pro­loquutorem & Referendarium concorditer una­nimi consensu nominarunt & elegerunt, nemine contradicente. Et consequenter nominârunt & elegerunt Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Richar­dum Fletcher, Sacrae Theologie Professorem, De­caenum Petriburgen, praesentem, ad. praesentan­dum dictum Dominum Proloquutorem Reveren­dissimo Domino Johanni Cant. Archiepiscopo, & caeteris Praelatis in Superiori Domo, die Veneris proximo, inter horas primam & quartam post me­ridiem in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ Westminster, cum debitâ & solitâ Solemnitate. Et moniti sunt om­nes praesentes, quatenùs dictis die, horâ & loco conveniant ad effectum praedictum. Act [...] & gesta fuerunt praemissa in praesentiâ Johannis Coston & mei Thomae Barker Notariorum Publicorum, in ejusdem Domûs Inferioris Actorum Scrib. as­sumptorum.

[Page 166] Nomina quorundam praesentium Electioni prae­dictae qui mihi Thomae Barker Notario praedicto ex aspectu noti erant; reliquorum verò quam pluri­morum etiam praesentium ob brevitatem temporis capere minimè potui.

D. Pearne, D. Bell, &c.

Sessio Secunda.

DIE Veneris, viz. septimo Fabruarii, 1588. secundum, &c. inter horas secundam & quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, in loco consueto infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm. in praesentia Johannis Coston & Tho­mae Barker, Notariorum Publicorum assump­torum, &c.

Quibus die, horâ & loco, postquam omnes su­pranominati Venerabiles Viri convenerunt, dictus Venerabilis Praesentator (ut praefertur) designatus, unà cum caeteris supranominatis ex dicto Inferio­ri Domo, accersiti fuerunt in Superiorem Do­mum; dictum (que) Venerabilem Virum Magistrum Johannem Styll, Proloquutorem electum condux­erunt ad Superiorem Domum in Orientali parte dictae Ecclesiae existentem; ibique praefatus Prae­sentator eundem Magistrum Styll dicto Reveren­dissimo Patri Domino Cant. Archiepiscopo, & caeteris Superioris Domûs Praelatis praesentavit; ubi habitâ & praemissâ docta Oratione à praefato Venerabili Viro Magistro Richardo Fletcher, Prae­sentatore antedicto, & eâ finitâ, alterâ docta O­ratione seu Praefatione ipsius Venerabilis Viri Do­mini Proloquutoris, dictus Reverendissimus Pater cum caeteris Dominic Praelatis tunc praesentibus [Page 167] Electionem hujusmodi, & Dominum Proloquuto­rem electum concorditer Approbarnut & Ratifi­carunt. Hijs expeditis, Dominus Proloquutor cum Coetu suo praedicto, in dictam Inferiorem Do­mum revertebatur; ubi de ejus mandato facta fuit praeconizatio omnium interesse debentium, &c. quâ peractâ Dominus Proloquutor accersitus fuit ad Reverendissimum caeteros (que) Dominos Praelatos in Superiori Domo, eum (que) comitati sunt Venerabiles Viri Magistri D. Pearne, D. Goodman, D. Cold­well, D. Fletcher, D. Barefoot, & D. Cham­berleyne; ubi aliquantisper commorantes, mox reversi sunt, Dictus (que) Dominus Proloquutor uni­verso Coetui significavit voluntatem Reverendis­simi caeterorum (que) Praelatorum Superioris Domûs es­se, quòd si aliquis hujus Domûs noverit quenquam Ministrum, de quo justè conqueri possit, quòd con­tra Leges Eccles [...]asticas nunc temporis autoritate legitimâ receptas & approbatas sese gessit & ge­rit, aut si aliquis noverit quenquam qui Canones in ultimâ Convocatione approbatos & editos viola­verit, eosdem in scriptis denuntiarent Reveren­dissimo Domino Cant. Archiepiscopo, caeteris (que) Dominis Praelatis praedictis pro debitâ correcti­one & reformatione in ea parte faciend. Et ul­terius Dominus Proloquutor monuit omnes supra­nominatos praesentes, ut decenter incedant habitu Clericali ad evitandum Calumniam & Scandalum hominum cerebrosorum horum temporum. Ac de­inde Dominus Proloquutor intimavit omnibus su­pranominatis Convocationem hujusmodi esse con­tinuatam. Us (que) in diem Mercurij proximum in­ter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem, & in Ecclesiam Collegiatam praedictam, & monuit omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem interessen­dum, &c.

Sessio Tertia.

DIE Mercurij, viz. duodecimo die Februarii, Anno Domini 1588. secundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte Septentrionali Eccle­siae Collegiatae Divi Petri Westminster, inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem ejus­dem diei in praesentiâ Johannis Coston & Tho­mae Barker, Notariorum Publicorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c.

Quibus die, hora & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati Venerabiles Viri; & post preces peractas Dominus Proloquutor elegit sibi in Asses­sores Venerabiles Viros, Decanum Elien. Deca­num Roffen. Decanum Sarum. Decanum Lichen. Decanum Petriburgen. D. Bell, D. Barefoot, D. Wythers; quam Electionem omnes supranomina­ti approbârunt & ratificarunt. Ac mox accer­situs suit Dominus Proloquutor ad Reverendissi­mum Dominum Cant. Archiepiscopum, caeterós (que) Dominos Praelatos, in Superiori Domo; quò sine mora se contulit, eúm (que) comitati sunt Domini As­sessores praenominati. Unde paulo post rever­tentes in locum praedictum, Dominus Proloquutor significavit universo Coetui, consensum & concor­datum fuisse & esse inter Dominos Praelatos Su­perioris Domûs, quòd Reverendi Patres Domini Winton Episcopus, Episcopus Roffen & Episco­pus Hereford, tractarent, statuerent, & delibe­rarent de subsidio Dominae nostrae Reginae erogan­do; & in eundem finem Dominus Prolocutor no­minavit & elegit Venerabiles Viros, Decanum Elien. Decanum Westm. Decanum Sarum, De­canum [Page 169] Divi Pauli London. Decanum Roffen. Decanum Cicestren, Decanum Petriburgen, D. Kennal, D. Bell. D. Reneger, D. Wythers, D. Capcott, Magistrum Mullyns, Magistrum Red­man, D. Barefoot, Magistrum Bungey, ut simi­liter vice ac nominibus totius hujus Coetûs com­municarent & tractarent de subsidio hujusmodi, nec non consensum & assensum omnium suprano­minatorum hujus Coetûs in Electionem suam hujus­modi petiit, & sine morâ obtinuit. Unde monuit omnes praesentes ne revelarent gesta hujusmodi isto die, donec manifestè notum foret, quid Laici in eorum Domo Parliamenti de Subsidio per eos praestando prope diem statuerent.

Quibus sic gestis, Dominus Proloquutor intima­vit hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam, us (que) istum diem ad septimanam inter horas no­nam & undecimam ante Meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem in­teressendum, &c.

Isto die porrecta fuit Domino Proloquutori Sce­dula Reformand. per Magistrum Coton.

Sessio Quarta.

DIE Mercurij, viz. ixo. Februarii, 1588 secundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte septentrionali Ecclesiae Collegiatae Divi Petri Westminster, in praesentiâ Johannis Coston, & mei Thomae Barker, Notariorum Publico­rum assumptorum, &c. inter horas praeassigna­tas, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Bridges, &c.

Quibus die, hora & loco, inter horas praeassig­natas comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & [Page 170] post divini numinis implorationem, Venerabiles Viri Magistri D. Pearne, D. Bridges, D. Cold­well, D. James, D. Goodman, D. Bulleyn, D. Barefoot, D. Wythers, & Archidiaconus Cant. ex rogatu Domini Proloquutoris, sibi assidebant. Ac deinde nuntiatum fuit Domino Proloquutori de voluntate Reverendissimi Patris Domini Cant. Archiepiscopi & coeterorum Dominorum Episco­porum in Superiori Domo, quòd ad se accederet cum Assessoribus suis praedictis. Quo mox sese cantuelerunt; ibi (que) aliquantisper commorantes, in eorum reversu in hujusmodi Coetu, Dominus Prolocutor obnixè rogabat & petebat à universo Coetu, quatenùs intuitu bellorum per Adversari­es & hostes hujus Regni intentatorum, ac maturè & providè per Dominam nostram Reginam ejus (que) Senatum propulsorum & propellend. & ob alias justas & legitimas causas, darent & concede­rent eidem Dominae nostrae Reginae, ultra Subsi­dium solitum, Semi-Subsidium solvendum simili­bus diebus & terminis alias assignatis pro soluti­one benevolae Contributionis dictae Dominae nostrae Reginae nuper concessae successive & immediatè post lapsum eorundem terminorum alias (ut prae­ [...]ertur) ossignatorum in uno & eodem libro sive Instrumento aut in diversis concipiend. Cujus petitioni nonnulli hujus Domûs annuebant, ac alii nonnulli adversabantur; ita quòd difficile erat judicare utra pars major esset. Unde vocatis no­minatim omnibus praesentibus, apparuit nume­rum Consentientium huic Semi-Subsidio aliquan­tulam minorem esse quàm Dissentientium. Et quoniam lapsus temporis non pateretur in praesen­ti ulteriorem tractatum de hac re, Dominus Pro­lecutor monuit omnes praesentes, ne publicè reve­larent traclata & gesta isto die: Et ulterius in­timavit [Page 171] eis hujusmodi Convocationem esse con­tinuatam, us (que) in Diem Veneris proximum in hoc loco, inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridem; & monuit eos ad tunc ibidem inte­ressendum, &c.

Sessio Quinta.

DIE Veneris, viz. 21o Februarii, 1588. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte Sep­tentrionali Ecclesiae Collgiatae Divi Petri West­minster, inter horas nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesentiâ mei Tho­mae Baker, Notarii Publici assumpti, &.

D. Prolocutor, D. Coldwell &c.

Quibus die, hora & loco, comparuerunt om­nes supranominati; & post preces finitas, Do­minus Proloquutor obnixè petiit & rogavit ab omnibus praesentibus, ob causas alias per eum ul­timâ Sessione declaratas, quatenùs ipsi darent & concederent Dominae nostrae Reginae duplex Sabsi­dium juxta formam Subsidii ultimi sibi concessi, viz. Summam duodecim Solidorum ex qualibet li­bra annui Valoris cujuslibet Dignitatis sive Bene­ficii Ecclesiastici, juxta Valorem eorandem benefi­ciorum in libris primitiarum dictae Dominae nostrae Reginae expressum, solvend. infra spatium sex an­norum post lapsum sive expirationem terminorum alias pro solatione Subsidii jamdudum concessi as­signatorum: Cujus petitioni omnes supranomina­ti consentierunt. Et mox Dominus Proloquutor accersitus suit ad Reverendissimum Dominum Cant. Archiepiscopum, caeteros (que) Dominos Prae­latos in Superiori Domo; quò se contulit, comi­tantibus eum Decano Westminster, Decano Rof­fen, [Page 172] Decano Sarum. Decano Elien. Doctore Bell; Archidiacono Mullyns, Archidiacono Redman. Unde paulo pòst revertens, retulit universo Coe­tui hujus Domûs, se significasse eisdem Dominis Praelatis Consensum hujus Domûs in concessione duplicis Subsidii petiti, nec non eorum petitionem pro immunitate suâ obtinendâ ab omni exhibitione sive praestatione munitionum bellicarum. Et ulte­riùs Dominus Proloquutor ad petitionem quorun­dam hujus Domûs elegit Magistrum D. Bolde, Magistrum Wilhelmum Coton, & Magistrum Bayneham, ad tractandum & communicandum cum caeteris aliis electis de libro concipiendo pro Subsidiis hujusmodi. Ac deinde Dominus Prolo­cutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam, us (que) diem Mercurii proximum inter horas nonam & unde­cimam ante Meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit eas ad tunc ibjdem interessendum.

Sessio Sexta.

DIE Mercurii, viz. 26. Februarii, 1588. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte septentrionali infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster, inter horas nonam & un­decimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei in prae­sentiâ mei Thomae Barker, Notarii Publici as­sumpti, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c.

Quibus die, horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & post preces celebratas, ex mandato Domini Proloquutoris ego Notarius an­tedictus publicè, ac altâ & intellibili voce, perle­gi librum conceptum pro duobus Subsidiis Dominae [Page 173] nostra Reginae concessis; & post lecturam ejusdem omnes praesentes eundem librum, omnes (que) Sen­tentias, clausulas, ac provisiones, tam veteres minime reformatas quam recentiores & novas, nuper ac noviter emendatas & additas, juxta pe­titiones & scedulas Domino Proloquutori porrectas unanimiter approbarunt & ratificarunt. Ac sta­tim postea accersitus fuit Dominus Proloquutor, ad Dominos Praelatos in Superiori Domo, secum (que) ad eos transtulit librum Subsidiorum praedict. co­mitantibus eum qui sibi assidebant die praedicto viz. D. Pearne, D. Goodman, D. Coldwell, D. Bridges, D. Fletcher, D. James, & D. Chamberleyne, & in eorum reversu in hanc Domum, Dominus Pro­locutor significavit omnibus praesentibus, quòd Re­verendi Patres in Superiori Domo minime appro­barunt quasdam ex Clausis sive Provisionibus in libro Subsidiorum praedicto, sic ut praefertur lecto, & per totum Coetum hujus Domûs approbato; quòd (que) lapsus temporis non pateretur in praesen­ti ulteriorem tractatum sive deliberationem de eâ re; Ideo (que) ulterius significavit continuationem esse factam us (que) inter horas secundam & quar­tam horam pomeridianam in hoc loco, & monu­it omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Septima.

EOdem die in loco predicto ac inter horas prae­assignatas, in praesentia mei Thomae Barker, Notarij Publici assumpti, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Bell, &c.

Dictis die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & mox Venerabiles viri D. Pearne, D. Bulleyn, D. Bell, D. Tyndall, D. [Page 174] Goodman, D. Coldwell, D. Wylson, Mr. Red. man, Mr. Bungey, Mr. Hutchinson, & Mr. Rilston, deduxerunt sive comitati sunt Dominum Proloquutorem ad Reverendos Patres Dominos Praelatos in Superiori Domo; ibi (que) habità inter eos Consultatione sive Communicatione de modo & forma Conceptionis Libri Subsidiorum praedict. Domini Praelati declarârunt Domino Proloquuto­ri caeteris (que) supranominatis nonnullas causas & rationes ob quas dictus Liber Subsidiorum refor­matur per eos in quibusdam nuper additis & e­mendatis per Domum Inferiorem, necnon roga­runt Dominum Proloquutorem ut causas & rati­ones hujusmodi toto Coetui Domûs Inferioris re­nuntiaret. Quibus sic gestis, Dominus Prolo­quutor & caeteri praenominati reversi sunt in In­feriorem Domum praedictam; & juxta requisitio­nem sibi factam, ipse & Dominus Archidiaconus Cant. renunciarunt causas reformationis Libri Subsidiorum praelict. & eis auditis, ortus est dis­sensus de forma conceptionis dicti Libri. Unde, de mandato Domini Proloquutoris, omnes praesen­tes per me Notarium Publicum praedictum no­minatim evocati sunt ad reddendum corum Suf­fragia de Forma conceptionis dicti Libri; ac de­inde evidenter constitit numerum consentientium formae dicti Libri per Dominos Episcopos, ut prae­fertur, reformati, majorem esse numero dissenti­entium. Unde mox Dominus Proloquutor inti­mavit continuationem hujus Convocationis esse factam us (que) diem Veneris proximum inter horas nonam & undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei in hoc loco, & monuit omnes praesentes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Octava.

DIE Veneris, viz. 28o. Februarij 1588. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte Septentrionali infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Di­vi Perri Westm. inter horas nonam & undeci­mam ante meridiem, in praesentiâ mei Thomae Barker, Notarij Publici assumpti, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Chamberleyne, &c. Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & post Divini Numinis implora­tionem, Dominus Proloquutor evocatus fuit ad Dominos Episcopos in Superiori Domo; ac Domi­nus Decanus Westm. Dominus Decanus Lichen. Dominus Decanus Roffen. Dominus Decanus Ecclesiae Christi Oxon. eum comitati sunt. Un­de paulo post revertentes, Dominus Proloquutor publicè declaravit omnibus praesentibus, praefatos Dominos Episcopos nuper certiores factos esse de adversâ valitudine Reverendissimi Patris Domini Cant. Archiepiscopi, ita quòd non potest sine vi­tae suae periculo ad hanc Ecclesiam Collegiatam ac­cedere. Et ideo intimavit quòd concessus hujus Domûs continuatur us (que) inter horas secundam & quartam pomeridianam in Palatio dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris apud Lambehith, & monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c.

Sessio Nona.

Eodem die inter horas secundam & quartam pomeridianas, in Sacello Reverendissimi Pa­tris [Page 176] Domini Archiepiscopi Cant. infra Palati­um suum apud Lambehith, in praesentiâ mei Thomae Barker, Notarij Publici assump­ti, &c.

Die horâ & loco praedictis, comparuerunt om­nes infra nominati; & mox Dominus Proloquu­tor totús (que) Coetus hujus Domûs accersiti fuerunt ad Dominos Episcopos existentes in quadam Came­râ jacente prope praedictum Sacellum; ibi (que) aper­te, distinctè, & publicé, perlectus fuit liber Sub­sidiorum. Quo sic perlecto, nullus praesentium dictum librum aut formam ejusdem contradixit. Et tunc Dominus Episcopus London, vigore Com­missionis sibi in eà parte factae, continuavit hujus­modi Convocationem us (que) diem Mercurij prox­imum in Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri West. inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem, quam Continuationem Dominus Proloquutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus; & monuit eos ad tunc ibidem interessendum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Bulleyn, &c.

Sessio Decima.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 5o. die Mensis Martij Anno Domini 1588. secundum, &c. in quo­dam Sacello, ex parte boreali Ecclesiae Collegiatae Divi Petri Westm. in presentiâ Magistri Jo­hannis Coston, Natarij Publici, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Coldwell, &c.

Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & post preces peractas, Domi­nus Proloquutor declaravit, quòd-quum ex side dignâ relatione acceperit, Laici hujus regni quan­dam Billam sive petitionem pro Provisione Armo­rum [Page 169] per Clerum hujus Regni fiendâ Superiori Do­mo Parliamenti exhibuêre, ideó (que) Dominus Pro­loquutor duxit consentaneum esse, ut integer Coe­tus hujus Domûs Petitionem sive Supplicationem aliquam eidem Parliamento porrigeret, ad impe­diendum seu saltem mitigandum & reformandum formam illius billae quoad Clerum: Ac mox Do­minus Proloquutor Supplicationem quandam in fi­nem praedictum conceptam tunc ibidem protulit, ac palam & publicè perlegit; in se continentem inter alia nonnullas causas & rationes, quare Clerus hujus regni minimè oneretur Subministra­tione & Provisione militum, armorum, & muni­tionum bellicarum, prout in dictâ billâ, (ut prae­fertur) exhibitâ, fuit & est insertum: Quam quidem petitionem sic lectam omnes praesentes ap­probarunt, ac expressè consentierunt, ut eadem nomine totius Domûs exhiberctur Dominis Ar­chiepiscopis, Episcopis, Baronibus, & Proceribus Superioris Domûs Parliamenti, ad effectum prae­dict.

Sessio Undecima.

DIE Veneris, viz. 7o. Martij 1588. secun­dum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte bo­reali infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm. inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem, in praesentia Magistri Johannis Co­ston & mei Thomae Barker, Notariorum Pub­licorum assumptorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Walsal, &c.

Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; quibus Dominus Proloquutor in­timavit Continuationem hujus Domûs Convoca­tionis [Page 170] esse factam in diem Mercurij proximum inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem in hoc loco, & monuit omnes praesentes ad inter­essendum, &c.

Sessio Duodecima.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 12o. Martij, 1588. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte boreali infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm. inter horas octavam & undecimam an­te meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesentiâ Johan­nis Coston, & mei Thomae Barker, Notario­rum Publicorum assumptorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Chamberleyn, &c.

Quibus die hora & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & post preces celebratas, Domi­nus Proloquutor praeconizari fecit citatos ad com­parendum in hac parte; & praeconizatione hu­jusmodi minimè finitâ, Reverendissimus Pater Dominus Cant. Archiepiscopus, caeteri (que) Domini Praelati in Superiori Domo, accersiverunt ad se integrum Coetum hujus Domûs; eosdem (que) Domi­nos Praelatos adierunt in Ecclesiâ Collegiata prae­dictâ. Ibi (que) dictus Reverendissimus Pater repre­hendit negligentiam sive contumaciam nonnullo­rum citatorum & monitorum ad comparendum in hac Domo, & non comparentium; ac expressè affirmavit se velle propter eorum contumacias contra eos procedere juxta Juris exigentiam, &c. Et deinde post aliquem tractatum de alijs quibus­dam serijs rebus, instanter rogavit omnes praesen­tes ad contribuendum & praestandum aliquam pe­cuniarum Summam, in Sustentationem & suble­vamen quorundam Tyrrell & Tydder Presbyte­rorum, [Page 171] aliquando seductorum instigationibus & persuasionibus falsis scelerati Romani Pontificis ejus (que) adhaerentium, ac nuper Errores suos pub­licè confitentium, nec non sinceram Religionem modò authoritate Regia stabilitam profitentium. Et mox omnes supranominati in Inferiorem Do­mum praedict. reversi sunt, & tunc ibidem finita fuit praeconizatio, ut praefertur, citatorum, &c. ac etiam facta fuit collectio in usum praefatorum Tyrrell & Tydder ad Summam 3l. 14s. 10d. Quibus sic gestis, Dominus Proloquutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus continuationem hujus Con­vocationis esse factam, us (que) diem Veneris proxi­mum in hoc loco, inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem, & monuit omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum.

Sessio Decima Tertia.

DIE Veneris, viz. 14o. Martij, 1588. se­cundum, &c. in Ecclesiâ Collegiatâ Divi Petri Westm. comparuerunt omnes infranemi­nati inter horas praeassignatas, in praesentî Johannis Coston & mei Thomae Barker, No­tariorum Publicorum assumptorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Wood, &c.

Dictis die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; quibus facta fuit intimatio de Continuatione hujusmodi Convocationis, us (que) in diem Mercurij proximum inter horas octavam & undecimam ante meridiem, in hoc loco.

Sessio Decima Quarta.

DIE Mercurij, viz. 19o. Martij, 1588. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello infra Ec­clesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm. inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem ejus­dem diei, in praesentiâ mei Thomae Barker, No­tarij Publici assumpti, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Bulleyn, &c.

Quibus die hora & loco, convenerunt omnes supranominati; quibus facta fuit intimatio de Continuatione hujus Convocationis, us (que) inter horas secundam & quartam pomeridianas, in hoc loco.

Sessio Decima Quinta.

EOdem die in loco ac inter horas praeassignatas in praesentiâ Magistri Johannis Coston & mei Thomae Barker, Notariorum Publicorum assumptorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Chamberleyn, &c.

Quibus die hora & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; & mox accersiti fuerunt ad Re­verendissimum Patrem alios (que) Dominos Praelatos in Superiori Domo, eos (que) adierunt, ibi (que) Reve­ren lissimus Pater perlegi fecit quosdam Articu­los nuper per Regiam autoritatem approbatos, ac per totam Provinciam Cant. observatos, quoad pers [...]m Residentiam super beneficijs Ecclesia­sticis, & Pluralitates beneficiorum, &c. Ac po­ [...]ea tractat [...]m aliquem de [...] re invicem habue­runt. [Page 173] Quibus sic gestis, reversi sunt in Inferio­rem Domum, ibi (que) Dominus Proloquutor intima­vit omnibus praesentibus continuationem hujus Convocationis esse factam us (que) in diem Veneris proximum, in hoc loco, inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem.

Sessio Decima Sexta.

DIE Veneris, viz. 21o. Martij, 1588. se­cundum, &c. in quodam Sacello ex parte boreali infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westm. inter horas octavam & decimam ante meridiem in praesentiâ Magistri Johannis Co­ston & mei Thomae Barker, Notariorum Pub­licorum assumptorum, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. James, &c.

Quibus die hora & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; ac eorum plures intrarunt Do­mum Convocationis unà cum Domino Proloquu­tore; ubi Dominus Proloquutor statim intimavit omnibus praesentibus hanc Convocationem esse continuatam, us (que) inter horas secundam & quar­tam pomeridianam in hoc loco; & monuit omnes praesentes ad tunc interessendum.

Sessio Decima Septima.

EOdem die, in loco ac inter horas praeassigna­tas, in praesentiâ Magistri Johannis Coston & mei Thomae Barker, Notariorum Publico­rum assumptorum.

D. Prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c.

[Page 174] Quibus die horâ & loco, comparuerunt omnes supranominati; quorum nonnulli intrârunt Domum Convocations, unà cum Domino Proloquu­tore; quibus intimavit ad statim Continuationem hujus Convocationis esse factam, Ʋs (que) in diem Mercurii proximum, inter horas octavam & de­cimam ante meridiem in hoc loco; & monuit om­nes praesentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum, &c.

Sessio Decima Octava.

DIE Mercurii, 26o. viz. die mensis Martii, Anno Domini 1589. in quodam Sacello ex parte boreali infra Ecclesiam Collegiatam Divi Petri Westminster, inter horas octavam & de­cimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesen­tiâ mei Johannus Coston, Notarii Publici, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Wood, &c.

Illis comparentibus Dominus Proloquutor sig­nificavit Convocationem esse prorogatam in Crastinum diem, viz. diem Jovis 27. diem prae­sentis Mensis Martii inter horas nonam & unde­cimam ante Meridiem in hoc loco. Et monuit prae­sentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum.

Sessio Decima Nona.

DIE Jovis, 27. viz. die mensis Martii, 1589. in quodam Sacello infra Ecclesiam Collegia­tam Divi Petri Westminster, ex parte boreali ejusdem Ecclesiae, inter horas octavam & deci­mam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesen­tiâ mei Johannis Coston Notarii Publici.

D. Prolocutor, D. James, &c.

[Page 175] Quibus die & loco, Dominus Proloquutor sig­nificavit hiis comparentibus Convocationem hu­jusmodi esse prorogatam in Crastinum diem, viz. 28. diem praesentis mensis Martii, inter horas oc­tavam & decimam ante Meridiem ejusdem diei, ad hunc locum, & monuit, &c.

Sessio Vicesima.

DIE Veneris, 28o. die Mensis Martii, Anno Domini 1589. in loco praedicto in praesentiâ mei Johannis Coston, Notarij Pub­lici, &c.

D. Prolocutor, D. Chamberlayne, &c.

Quibus die & loco, Dominus Prolocutor inti­mavit hiis comparentibus Convocationem hu­jusmodi esse prorogatam, in pomeridiano hujus diei inter horas primam & quartam ad hunc lo­cum, &c.

Sessio Vicesima Prima.

IN Pomeridiano ejusdem diei, in loco praedicto, in praesentiâ mei Johannis Coston, Notarij Publici, &c.

D. Prolocutor, Mr. Gabriel Goodman, &c.

Quibus die & loco, Dominus Prolocutor ver­bo tenùs intimavit hujusmodi Convocationem es­se continuatam juxta decretum Domini Archie­piscopi Cant. viz. in diem Mercurij proximum, viz. secundum diem Mensis Aprilis, inter horas [Page 222] nonam & undecimam ante Meridiem ejusdem di­ei, ad hunc locum, &c.

Quo die adveniente, Dissoluta extitit hujus­modi Convocatio ad honorem Dei celebrat'. &c.

OBSERVATIONS FROM The foregoing Acts of the Upper and Lower House, concerning the Right of CONTINUING the Convocation, &c.

THIS Question about the Right to Conti­nue, has been consider'd at large under all its Circumstances: for a more particular Ac­count whereof, the Reader is refer'd to the Vin­dication of the Archbishop's Right, and the Re­flections upon the late Expedient. At present, I intend to confine my self to the SCHEDULE OF CONTINUATION, and such short Remarks thereupon as arise more especially from the Acts of those five Convocations which are here made publick. The Acts, being the most entire that remain to either House, and all along expressing the Forms at length, are undoubtedly our pro­per Guide; and the Questions upon this Head, turn immediately upon the true Meaning and Extent of the Schedule: however some late Writers, to avoid the force both of the Acts and the Schedule, have perplext the Cause, and amus'd the World, with a variety of little Cir­cumstances, [Page 224] obscurely enter'd in some imperfect Minutes.

The Sche­dule con­stantly men­tion'd in the Ʋpper-house Registers. In the Upper-house Acts, Anno 1562, 1640, & 1661, the Reader will observe the Schedule of Continuation all along mention'd at the end of the Sessions, to specify the Manner of that Act, and of the Execution thereof by his Grace: Prout in Schedula per eum Lecta, Juxta Sche­dulam per eum Lectam, Juxta tenorem Schedu­lae per eum Lectae: And then the Entry usually introduc'd in these words, Cujus quidem Sche­dulae verus Tenor sequitur in haec verba, In Dei nomine, Amen, Nos &c. But the original Sche­dules being deposited in the Registry of the Ar­chiepiscopal See, the Notaries thought it suffi­cient to refer to them in that manner, and have left us no one Copy thereof in all the Acts of Convocation. Whatever Schedules remain'd in the Office Anno 1666. were consum'd in the Fire of London; but from that time we have great numbers of 'em, beginning as the ancient ones did, and without doubt copy'd from them. Those from the Year 1666, to 1670 inclusive, have been discover'd lately, and will be pro­duc'd anon, to prove that the Clause Convocatio Praelatorum & Cleri, is not only a very materi­al, but also a genuine part of the Archiepisco­pal Schedule.

The Anti­quity of Schedules in Convoca­tion. The Use of Schedules in an English Synod, is much more ancient than the Reformation, or the Division of the two Houses. Under Arch­bishop Chichele, we meet with frequent mention of them in the Business of Subsidies, Constituti­ons, &c. but I have never observ'd any Foot-step of a separate Schedule of Continuation, while the two Houses debated together. In 1438 the Re­gister [Page 225] of that Year gives us the Copy of a De­cree or Sentence against the Absents, See it at large p. 33. of this Book. which in­cludes a Prorogation also, with an Admonition to the Members then present, to attend accord­ing to the Tenor thereof, Et praesentem Convo­cationem usque in & ad, &c. Continuamus: Mo­nentes insuper omnes & singulos jam praesentes, ut die praedicto compareant, &c. But whether in those days all the Continuations were formally drawn in Writing, or only pronounc'd vivà voce by the Archbishop or his Commissary, the Acts have no where told us; nor do I meet with any Circumstance upon which a Conjecture on either side may be fairly grounded. The Registers of the Archbishops say nothing of Proceedings in Convocation after the Year 1488. from which time we have no Accounts (at least that I know of) before 1529. when the Extracts out of the Upper-house Books begin. In some Sessions of that Year, we find it expressly mention'd as a written Form; and the Form it self directly re­ferr'd to by the Abridger, as enter'd at length in the original Acts.—Sess. 2. Continuavit, &c. cum verbis in Scriptis, quod Scriptum ibidem Se­quitur.—Quod fecit in Scriptis, ut ibidem. Anno 1532. Sess. 1. it is said in the Abstracts with Reference to the original Register, Item in­seritur Tenor Continuationis sive Prorogationis in diem Martis prox. But within two Years (Anno 1534. Dec. 16.) express mention is made of the Schedule, as a separate Paper out of which the Continuation was pronounc'd: Episcopus London [Commissarius] Continuavit in diem Veneris in horam secundam, ut in papyri Sche­dulâ quam in manu tenuit.

[Page 226] Till this time, for ought appears, the Form of Continuation was enter'd at length in the Re­gisters, as it still is in the Convocation of York, where the Clergy (if they be retir'd on any par­ticular Occasion) are sent for to be present at the Continuation solemnly pronounc'd out of that Form by the Archbishop or his CommissAry. And so it probably was (for we can go no far­ther than Probabilities) in the Province of Can­terbury, for some time after their Separation. The Inferior Clergy pre­sent at the Archbishop's Continnuti­ons. Even in these Extracts, express mention is made of the Presence of the Inferior-Clergy at the Continuations of the President; and there are other Instances, in which their Attendance in the Upper-house, and the Continuations there are so express'd, as to make it probable at least that some of the Clergy, if not the whole Bo­dy, were present at them.

Anno 1529. Sess. 14. The Continuation in the Upper-house is made to the Friday follow­ing, Praesentibus aliquibus de Clero, sed paucis Suffraganeis.

Anno 1529. Sess. 2. The Upper-house Book: Monitus est Prolocutor cum Clero—quòd com­parerent prox. die Veneris, loco & horâ, &c. & sic continuavit, &c. to the same Day.

Anno 1529. Sess. 17. The Commissaries Con­tinue in the Upper-house, Praesentibus Prolocu­tore & multis aliis de Clero.

Anno 1555. Sess. 2. The Lower-house having receiv'd in charge what they were to consider a­gainst the next Session, Dominus Praeses, absen­tibus omnibus priùs praeconizatis & nullo modo comparentibus, pro Contumacibus pronunciatis, continuavit—

[Page 227] Anno 1557. Sess. 8. The Archbishop having admonisht Clerum Domûs Inferioris, not to de­part without leave, inde continuavit in diem Mer­curij 16. Februarij, prox. horâ 2. post-meridi­em, &c. monuitque omnes, &c. ad interessen­dum.

Anno 1586. Dr. Awbrey, as Commissary to the Archbishop, Continues Hujusmodi Convoca­tionem in Statu quo nunc est, &c. praesentibus tunc ibidem Venerabilibus Viris Mris. Mullyns & Walker ex Coetu Inferioris Domûs, necnon aliis testibus, &c. This was done in the Chap­ter-house of St. Paul's, the Place of the Bishops; and is enter'd in the Lower-house-Journal as the Continuation of that House, Edward Say their Actuary being also present.

A short Ac­count of the Schedule. From the foregoing Observations upon the Form and Manner of Continuation, this Ac­count of it may (in my Opinion) be fairly col­lected. While the Custom was, to enter it at large in the Register, (as we see they did in 1529 and 1532.) the Convocation was either Continu'd in a Body, as it still is in the Province of York, or notice thereof was given to the In­ferior-Clergy by the Prolocutor, or some other Authentick Hand. But the Business of Convo­cations increasing, and the Clergy growing there­upon into a more separate State as to their De­bates; the Prolocutor's coming up constantly to receive the Notice might appear troublesome, and a proper Person by whom to convey it immedi­ately to the Lower-Clergy might not always be in readiness; and so the Form, which the Actu­ary was wont to enter in the Register for the Archbishop's Reading, began to be drawn upon [Page 228] a separate Paper or Schedule, from whence (as a Notice more certain and easy) the Prolocutor should Intimate the Continuation to the Lower-house. And then we find that the Notary, in­stead of Transcribing it into the Register at length (as he had done at the beginning) thought it sufficient to refer to that original Schedule, as ultimately deposited in the same Office with the Acts of both Houses of Convocation.

The deri­ving our Schedules from the Lateran-Council, an improbable Scheme. I have been told of a Scheme lately offer'd, to shew that the Use of these Schedules in our English Convocation, was derived from the same Method in the Lateran Council under Julius XI. and Leo X. If this Scheme be made more pub­lick, we may expect that the Author thereof shew us, either some particular Constitution in that Council establishing such a Rule for the fu­ture Proceedings of Provincial Synods; or some notice in our Histories that Archbishop Warham (out of a particular liking to the Model) re­solv'd to make it a Rule for his own Synods; or at least some evident changes of the manner of holding an English Convocation, in conformi­ty to that of the Lateran Council, upon the publication thereof by order of Pope Leo the Tenth.

These are proofs which will be naturally cal­led for to support such a Notion. And yet (if I am not much mistaken) the Author of that Scheme will not be able to confirm it by any one of them: And the Form (I am sure) of those Schedules in the Lateran Council, are as diffe­rent in all respects from our most early Sche­dules of Continuation, as two Instruments of the same design and tendency can well be con­ceiv'd.

[Page 229] The reason why so many Schedules appear in the Printed Acts of that Lateran Council, is plain­ly this: After it was over, Pope Leo employ'd one of the Cardinals, Antonius de Monte, to draw up the Acts and Proceedings Entire; ta­king every thing at large, as they lay in the ori­al gin Instruments and were enter'd by the No­taries upon the place. This was afterwards made publick, by Authority of the Pope: But I hope this new account of the Original of Eng­lish Schedules depends not upon this strange In­ference, that because the same Schedules appear not in the Printed Acts of former Councils (the Matter and Decrees whereof, were only made publick, without the Forms of Proceeding) there­fore such Schedules were not us'd in the holding of Councils before. And, as to those that came after, had Pope Leo intended this we speak of, for a Pattern to future Councils, we might at least expect to find every thing in the Council of Trent exactly agreeable to that Model: And yet these Methods don't appear there; and so the same argument (the silence of the Printed Acts) which makes those in the Lateran Council the first of the kind, will prove them also to be the last. But as the thing appears to me at present, I see no reason to doubt whether the Councils both before and after, did not proceed in the same methods with those we see in the Lateran; only the other Popes hapn'd not to be so curious as Leo the Tenth, in publishing the Forms of Proceeding, with the Decrees of their Councils. Tho' as to this point of the Schedules, even in the Year 1431. (long enough before the Lateran Council) we find the Legat and the other Pre­lates, &c. in the Council of Basil, solemnly met [Page 230] in certâ Aulâ, &c. in quâ soliti sunt pro Con­ciliis tenendis in unum convenire, and de­creeing a Day for the first Session expresly by Schedule; prout in Schedulâ, cujus tenor infe­riùs primo loco describitur, pleniùs continetur.

However, what is here said concerning Sche­dules in the Councils Abroad, I offer only as my own present thoughts; not knowing particular­ly enough how that Scheme, deriving our Me­thods from the Lateran Council, is laid. The Dispute depends not upon Pro­roguing by Schedule, or otherwise Nor would I have the foregoing account of the use of Schedules in an English Convocation to be so understood, as if in the present Dispute it were at all material, whether his Grace pronounc'd the Continuation from a separate Paper, or from the Form written in the Register; or yet whe­ther the Prolocutor's Intimation to the Clergy be upon Notice by the Schedule, or by any other Authentick Conveyance of his Grace's Act. I only propos'd, according to my Method in ex­plaining the other Heads, to lay before the Rea­der whatever the Registers of Convocation af­ford upon this.

But in the Disputes depending between the two Houses, the Conveyance of this Notice is no longer a Question, since those of the Lower-Clergy have receded from their Independent Power of Adjourning to a Day beyond that of the Upper-house. For as their owning an Ob­ligation to attend at his Grace's time, supposes a necessity of some kind of Notice to what Day and Hour the Continuation is made; so if that Notice be but authentick, 'tis indifferent in what manner it comes.

The Heads upon which the Dispute turns. The Questions therefore in short, are these: I. What is it that the Archbishop or his Com­missary [Page 231] pronounces in the Upper-house? II. What is it that is thereupon intimated or sig­nified to the Lower?

I. What is it that the Archbishop or his Com­missary pronounces in the Upper-house? Is it the Continuation of the Bishops and Clergy; i. e. of the whole Convocation? or, Is it the Conti­nuation of the Upper-house only?

The Bi­shops and Clergy jointy Con­tinu'd in the Ʋpper House. In the current Stile of these three entire Re­gisters of the Upper House, the Body Conti­nued is hujusmodi Convocatio sive sacra Synodus Provincialis. And as I may appeal to every unprejudic'd Person whether he had ever any notion of these terms, than as including the Prelates and Clergy assembl'd in Convocation; so for a proof that they have constantly the same sense in the Acts of Convocation, I may safely refer to almost every Page of the Registers, and to the Account given from thence in a larger Vindication of the Archbishop's Right. Page 44, 45. Not to mention, that this is the expression in several remaining Schedules by which the Convocation is Continued upon the Royal Writ; and in those Cases the Lower Clergy are acknowledged on all hands to be certainly Included.

The Sche­dule evi­dently com­prehends both Bi­shops and Clergy. But, as I observ'd before, the Registers only mention the Continuations with reference to the Schedule, from which the Act is immediately pronounc'd, and the meaning and extent thereof is by consequence to be taken. It is well known that the Schedules before 1666. were all con­sum'd in the Fire of London; and the most ear­ly one that was thought to remain in the Office when I publisht the Right of the Archbishop, is in the Year 1670. An entire Copy thereof is given in that Book; Page 39. and by it the President [Page 232] (without any mention of the Consent of his Brethren) Continues praesentem sacram Synodum sive Convocationem Praelatorum & Cleri, to a certain day, hour and place, all distinctly speci­fied therein.

To evade the force of this, some frivolous Ojections were rais'd at the first against the No­tary and the Schedule; Right of the A. B. P. 40, 41. but these have been al­ready consider'd; indeed, much more particu­larly than they deserved.

It has been further urg'd, that from the Year 1673. the remaining Schedules usually run in a different Style, Right, &c. P. 44, 45. Nos, &c. Continuamus hujusmo­di Convocationem sive sacram Synodum Provinci­alem. But suppose these terms not to include the Lower Clergy so effectually as those of the Schedules in 1670. &c. The Clause Proel. & Cle [...]. a genuine part of the Schedule. (which yet we have prov'd they do;) the most Early Schedules must certainly have a better Title to be thought the true and genuine Forms, than any of those that come after them. But this Cavil, if it were of any moment, is now sufficiently answer [...]d by many more Schedules lately come to light, from the Fire of London to 1670. fifty three in number, and all in the same terms with those of 1670, &c. viz. praesentem sacram Synodum sive Convocationem Praelatorum & Cleri Cant. Prov. This therefore being the genuine Language of the Archiepiscopal Schedule, and the Continuations of the Lower Clergy having by our concurrent Re­gisters been ever to the same time and place with those of the Upper House; let the common rea­son of Mankind judge, how any scruple can re­main Whether the Clergy have been always comprehended in the Continuations Above?

[Page 233] The trans­mission of the Sche­dule, only a circum­stance in this dis­pute. Reflex. up­on the Exp. P. 19. The Journals affording no direct Testimonies of the transmission of the Schedule to the Low­er Clergy, this has lately been made another question. In Answer to which, I have elsewhere shown more at large, that if the Lower Clergy be Included in the Continuation Above (as we have just now prov'd they are) it matters not which way the Notice thereof is convey'd, so long as the Conveyance is clear and authentick.

Reasons to believe that the Schedule has been ever sent down. However, 1. It is enough that the Custom of sending down the Schedule is in Possession; ha­ving been constantly practis'd in the Convocati­on of 1689. without any scruple or opposition from the Lower Clergy. And therefore, by all the Rules of deciding questions of this Kind, We have a right to plead Possession, and it lays on Their Side to prove the Practice an Innovation.

But, 2. we urge, according to the foregoing account of the Schedule and the Rise thereof, that there could be no other end in changing the usual Entry in the Register into a Separate Sche­dule, besides the transmission of it to some other place: Observing withall, that in the Convoca­tion of York, where the Bishops and Clergy are Continu'd in a Body, the Form is still Read by the President out of the Journal it self.

3. That by the tenor of the Schedule, it is the Reading which effects the Continuation; and therefore the Additional Signing must be in Order to make it an Authentick Act to some o­ther Body. Accordingly, in the Province of York it is never Sign'd, because the Clergy being present, there is no occasion to send it down.

As to the Attestation, there is this difference between the Schedules before and after the Year 1670. that those before are usually attested by [Page 234] the Notarie's adding the Names of the Bishops present, as Witnesses of the Act; whereas the fol­lowing ones (when no Bishops seem to have been present) are attested by the Notary him­self.

4. In the Lower House Book of 1588. Sess. 21. the Reader will find an Intimation thus ex­press'd, Dominus Prolocutor verbo tenus intima­vit hujusmodi Convocationem esse continuatam juxta Decretum Domini Archiepiscopi Cant. This unusual Addition of the Words Verbo tenus must imply that the usual way of Intimating was from a written Paper; and having never seen or heard of any such Paper us'd in Continuations besides the Archiepiscopal Schedule, I must con­clude (till some other Paper be produc'd) that this expression is directly oppos'd to the Intima­tions from the Schedule, as the Establisht way of Continuing the Lower House at that time. Ad­ding withal, that this transmission of it is no Act of Necessity on the Archbishop's Side (for his Grace has a right either to send up for the Prolocutor to receive the Notice, or to send it down to the House by any other Authentick Hand, and both shall be equally binding with the Schedule;) but it was design'd only for an Ease to the Prolocutor, and a more sure Convey­ance to the Inferior Clergy.

The Prolo­cutor is judge of the time of Intimating when the President does not interpose. The Schedule put into the Prolocutor's hands, is a legal Notice of the Act above; not to the House, but only to him, who governs the De­bates there under the President, and is bound in this and all other Cases, to signify to the Lower-house the Instructions and Commands of the Upper. The thing to be signify'd, is the Continuation of Bishops and Clergy, or of the [Page 235] whole Synod, pronounc'd in the Upper-house by the President, who has thereby (in strictness of Law) a Right to put an end to the Session in the Lower-house by an immediate Intimation, if he see cause to require it of the Prolocutor; See Right of the Arch­bishop, p. 98. and it is this legal Power which I assert in the lar­ger Vindication of the Archbishop's Right, pag. 98, &c. But since the President, uncapable in this separate State, to moderate the Debates of the whole Synod, commits that Care to the Pro­locutor in the Lower-house; if the Schedule be not accompany'd with any particular Direction as to the Time of breaking up, his Grace is pre­sum'd to leave the Person entrusted with mode­rating there, to judge when the Business of that Day is over, and when by consequence the House shall have legal Notice of the Continua­tion. Nor can they who plead for a Right in the Clergy themselves to make this Judgment, shew us, that the Consent or Opinion of the Clergy was ever askt or given in order to this Intimation, before the first Convocation in 1701.

The Form of Intima­ting to be taken from the two ex­act Journals The true Form of this Intimation can be no where learnt, but from the Lower-house Books of 1586 and 1588, which I have often observ'd to be the only exact Journals of that House now remaining; those of 1640, 1661, &c. being on­ly short Minutes of what pass'd, in order to be afterwards reduc'd into Acts by the Addition of the usual Forms and Methods of Proceeding. And when Men openly decline to follow plain and distinct Directions, and chose rather to be guided by some imperfect Hints, it looks as if they neither car'd nor intended to keep in the right way.

[Page 236] The ordina­ry Phrase ought in reason to be the esta­blisht Form These two Journals therefore are our proper Guides in this Matter; and if an establisht Form were to be settl'd and agreed on, the most rea­sonable Proposition would certainly be, to ad­here to the current and ordinary Stile, and to lay aside any accidental Exceptions, upon a Pre­sumption of their having only been us'd upon some special Occasions.

Declaring by Intima­tion, the ordinary Form. The Forms of Declaring the Continuations in the Lower-house during the foremention'd Con­vocations, are now printed at large; but that the Reader may be enabl'd to make a sure and easy Judgment, he shall have the same general View of them that has been lately drawn in the Reflections upon the Expedient propos'd.

‘"By INTIMATION expressly, 1586 (the first Meeting) Sess. 2, 7, 8. The second Meet­ing, Sess. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11. Anno 1588. Sess. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21. By SIGNIFICATION (of the self-same Import with the Intimations) Anno 1586. (the second Meeting) Sess. 8, 12. Anno 1588. Sess. 6, 18, 19.—These, with the Continuations by Dr. Awbrey (February 17. and March 22. 1586.) and the Departure of the Lower-house Members (March 8. 1586.) upon hearing of the Continuation by the Com­missary; make up the thirty six Instances on the Archbishop's side, which I affirm'd to be in these two Journals of the Lower-house.’ Right of the Archbishop, p. 32.

The Continuations in a different Stile, Conti­nuavit quoad hanc Domum, are seven; all in 1586. (the first Meeting) Sess. 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11.

[Page 237] Phrase in­troduc'd on extraordi­nary Occa­sions, not to be the ordi­nary Form. From hence, the ordinary way of Declaring appears to be by Intimation: And as the Conti­nuations quoad hanc Domum are few in Compa­rison of the others, so the very Writer who has carry'd the Independence of the Lower-house much higher than any of his Brethren, assures us at the same time that the Phrase was intro­duc'd upon a very particular Occasion, viz. Power of the Lower-house, p. 7, col. 2. the Archbishop's putting the Prolocutor into his Commission for Proroguing. As to the present Case therefore, he will not (I hope) propose the Use of an extraordinary Form, on ordinary Oc­casions, or in any other Circumstances than those from which it is known to have taken its Rise. Especially, when the Declaring by Intimation (which appears to have been the common and or­dinary Form) is so apposite in all respects to the Design and Nature of that Business. For,

II. The thing to be declar'd by the Prolocu­tor to the Lower Clergy, is the Act of Conti­nuation pronounc'd in the Upper House: Right of the Arch­bishop, p. 59, &c. And it has been elsewhere shown at large, that the term Intimavit, as well in its natural notion, as in Convocation language, properly signifies a Con­veyance of the knowledge or notice of a thing from one Body or Person to another; as this of the Prolocutor is, from the Upper House to the Lower.

The Prolo­cutor's In­timation refers not to the Con­sent of the House, but only to the Act of the Archbishop. It was warmly pleaded at the beginning, that the Prolocutor's Intimation had immediate re­ference to an Act or Vote of the Lower House; but that Notion seems now to be deserted, both upon an evident absurdity of Intimating to the House a Notice receiv'd directly from the House, and also the want of Proof, or even a Colour there­of, [Page 238] that any such Vote or Consent, of which they suppos'd this to be the Intimation, was ever pass'd or mention'd in the House antecedent to that Act of the Prolocutor.

And yet the late form Intimamus hanc Convo­cationem, &c. seems to have been introduc'd to give the House a part at least in the Authority of Continuing; because the Prolocutor can have no such Right, as the President exercises, to speak of himself and his own Act in the Plural. If that be the intention of using it (as I see not what else can be meant) I must beg leave to think it an Innovation highly prejudicial to the Authority of his Grace and the Upper House; till some foot-steps can be shown of the Consent or Vote of the House, imply'd in that Form, or at least the Form it self can be justifi'd by Prece­dent: For as to the Intimations in 1586, and 1588. 'tis evident enough that they were the sole Act of the Prolocutor, Prolocutor intimavit hanc Convocationem esse Continuatam, Prolocutor intimavit Continuationem hujus Convocationis, &c.

The Inti­mation gi­ven at the Command of the Pre­sident. And it is no less plain (whatever hath been pretended to the contrary) that this Act of the Prolocutor was then understood to be purely an Intimation of what was done in the Upper House, given in the Lower by the Command and Authority of the President. To which purpose it is Remarkable all along, and the Reader him­self will observe it, that the Intimation is fre­quently made at the Conclusion of other Notices deliver'd by the Prolocutor from the Upper House. But in some places it is expresly said to be done by the Decree and Command of the Archbishop; See Anno 1586. Sess. 5. 8. 9. & 1588. Sess. 21. and in others to be a direct and immediate No­tice [Page 239] of the Continuation pronounc'd Above. So, Anno 1588. Sess. 9. Dominus Episcopus Lon­don, &c. Continuavit, &c. Quam Continuati­onem Dominus Prolocutor intimavit omnibus prae­sentibus. Add to these, the instance of the Arch­bishop's Indisposition, Anno 1588. Sess. 8. and the Adjournment thereupon to Lambeth: The Prolocutor coming from the Upper House, acquaints the Clergy that the Bishops had receiv'd notice of his Grace's illness, ita quòd non potest sine vitae suae periculo hanc Ecclesiam Collegiatam accedere. Et ideò in­timavit quòd Concessus hujus Domûs continuatur usque inter horas, &c. in Palatio dicti Reveren­dissimi Patris, &c. To the same purpose, is that in 1588. Sess. 6. where the Prolocutor at his re­turn from the Upper House, significavit omnibus praesentibus, Quòd Reverendi Patres minimè ap­probârunt quasdam ex Clausulis, &c. Quódque lapsus temporis non pateretur in praesenti ulterio­rem tractatum sive deliberationem de ea re; Ide­oque ulteriùs significavit Continuationem hujus Convocationis esse factam, &c.

After so many and plain testimonies, I suppose it will be ackowledged that the Intimation in those two Journals was a Notice of the Conti­nuations in the Upper House, declar'd to the Lower by the Prolocutor, upon the Command and Authority of the President. And as to the Question, Whether the Lower Clergy be deter­min'd by such Continuations, this resolves into their being Included in the terms of them; which I hope is already prov'd both here and elsewhere, to the full satisfaction of every impartial Reader. Reflex. on Exp. p. 22. And I appeal once more to the common reason of Mankind, Whether the Prolocutor or Actuary of that time (supposing them, according to the [Page 240] new Notion, to mean the Continuation of the Upper House only) would not at least have ex­press'd the Intimation in a more general Way, Convocationem esse Continuatam, and have omit­ted the Words, which yet they all along ex­press, hanc or hujusmodi; which might indeed confine it to the Continuation of the Lower House▪ if the sense of the Word Convocatio would bear it, but can never imply the Separate Continuation of the Upper.

A formal Intimation of the Pro­locutor, not necessary to Continue the Lower House. It may be proper to observe here from the Journal of 1586. that a formal Intimation by the Prolocutor is not at all necessary to Continue the Lower House. In the 5th, 8th, and 9th. Sessi­ons of the Second meeting of that Year, the Prolocutor was absent; and the Continuation must therefore be Intimated by some other Per­son coming from the Upper House, who had knowledge of the day. For the Journal having reckon'd by Name all the Lower House Mem­bers who were present on those days, adds, Qui­bus Intimatum (and, in one Instance, Significa­tum) fuit hujusmodi Convocationem esse Conti­nuandam, &c. The 6th. Session is yet more re­markable to this purpose. Then, seven of the Lower House appear, but no Prolocutor, Et eo quod satis bene nôrunt hujusmodi Convocationem esse Continuatam in diem Veneris prox. &c. post aliqualem moram discesserunt.

Can any thing be clearer, than that the Members in all these Instances took themselves to be com­prehend'd in the Continuation Above, and ab­solutely determined by it? As soon as they knew what had been, or was to be, done in the Upper House, they askt no more Questions; but pre­sently departed, and attended punctually accor­ding [Page 241] to the time and place appointed there: Which attendance is said in the Journal to be inter horas praeassignatas; and 'tis plain there was no other Assignment of Time, but what his Grace's Commissary made.

Continuati­ons to be shortn'd at pleasure, shows the Clergy to be Included. The Continuations by the Archbishop in the Upper House, with a reservation of power to shorten or alter the Time upon notice to the Bi­shops and Clergy, are another evident Testimony that the Clergy in those days were thought to be absolutely concluded by his Grace's Act. For how could they be otherwise affected by the Li­mitations of it, and think themselves under an obligation to comply therewith? Many Instances of this kind appear in the Extracts out of the Upper House Registers, between the Years 1532, and 1588. particularly enumerated and apply'd in the Right of the Archbishop, &c. p. 48, 49. To which place I refer the Reader, intending to confine my self as much as may be to such Ob­servations as arise from the Acts of the Five foregoing Covocations.

The Presi­dent's Right to Continue the Clergy in the Ʋp­per House. Upon one head only (the President's Right to Continue the Inferior Clergy in the Upper House) I have before brought Testimonies from other Journals also, because the Right has been so lately question'd, and the Exercise of it so freely censur'd as new and unprecedented.

It is acknowledg'd on all hands, that while the Bishops and Clergy remain'd together, they were jointly Continu'd by an Act of the Presi­dent. Rights, &c. Pag. 492. Ed. 2. Doctor Atterbury confesses that he pre­serv'd this Power [of Adjourning the Inferior Clergy] after they were separated: And it has since been abundantly prov'd, that they are In­cluded as much as ever in the Continuation A­bove. [Page 242] They were therefore, after the Separa­tion, equally affected by the President's Act; and it made no difference, whether it was de­clar'd to them immediately by his Grace, or by any other Hand legally empowr'd to report the Commands and Directions of the Upper House. And since it had the self same Effect when noti­fied by such a hand, and so the attendance of the whole Body of the Clergy was an unneces­sary trouble; therefore the Intimation thereof by the Prolocutor, became the ordinary Method. But will any Man say, that the President by this Indulgence to the Inferior Clergy (I mean, an Exemption from Constantly coming up) could ever intend to preclude his Right of requiring their Personal Attendance, as oft as he saw oc­casion? Being only a matter of Form, and done also as effectually by Intimation, and the Presi­dent intending ordinarily that the Lower Clergy should not be oblig'd to break up till they could finish their Debates: On these accounts, that Right may have been seldom exercis'd; but yet not wholly disus'd, as appears from the foregoing Instances, and would probably be seen in many more, if our Accounts of Convocation since the Bishops and Clergy debated apart, were not so very imperfect.

But the late instance complain'd of, is not only to be justifi'd, as that Power is legally vest­ed in the President, but also as the Exercise of it in those Circumstances was indeed the effect of Necessity. The Prolocutor being indisposed, had made a Substitution to another, who took the Chair without the Confirmation of the President and Bishops: This was oppos'd by several of the Members, as irregular; and as such was re­presented [Page 243] to the Upper House, who were of the same Opinion, but resolv'd however to take the matter into Consideration against the next meeting. At the best therefore, it was doubtful whether any one was legally Substituted to ex­ercise the Office of a Prolocutor: But, which is more, the Intimation of the Act of Continu­ing is a Referendary-Act (a Report from their Lordships to the Lower House,) and they who contended the most Zealously for his taking the Chair, declar'd it to be their intention that he should not act in any instance as a Referendary, till he had been confirm'd by their Lordships. To argue upon their own principles, I only sup­pose this distinction between a Prolocutor and a Referendary; but no such appears in the Regi­sters, which stile him not only Prolocutor & Refe­rendarius, but Prolocutor sive Referendarius, im­plying the names to be of the same Import in the language of Convocation. But this will be explain'd more largely under another head. At present I will pursue my Observations upon the general Right of Continuing, from the five Jour­nals which are here made publick.

The Phrase Continua­vit quoad hanc Do­mum, no Argument for a Sepa­rate Power in the L. House. The only colour that can be drawn from these, of a Separate Power of Continuation in the Lower House, is the Phrase of some Continuati­ons in 1586, Prolocutor continuavit quoad hanc domum. But here, no Act or Power is express'd besides that of the Prolocutor; and they who are so earnest for an Inherent Power in the House, are yet as zealous as we against all pretences to a Personal Authority in the Prolocutor.

The Question therefore is, by whose Authori­ty he must be suppos'd to Continue in those [Page 244] Cases? by that of his Grace, or of the Lower House? He had certainly notice of the Conti­nuations in the Upper House, because these in the Lower are declar'd to the same time. And the Advocates for this Inherent Right are at last brought to Acknowledge an Obligation to attend on his Grace's Day, and by consequence the ne­cessity of having an Authentick Notice thereof. The Prolocutor is also known by his Office to be the Referendary or Reporter of all Messages from the Upper House, and I think sufficiently prov'd in the 4th Chapter of this Book to mo­derate the Debates of the Lower in his Graces stead. These are natural reasons why Continu­ations (express'd in such general terms) should be the pure Effects of the President's Authority; but as to the Vote, Act, or Consent of the Lower House, there is no mark or footstep of it either in these or any other Separate Continuations.

The Phrase it self, not to be met with else­where in all our Journals of Convocation, was introduc'd by the Prolocutor's being put into the President's Commission to Prorogue. This ob­lig'd him to pronounce the Continuation in the Upper House, at least to bear a part in it; and coming from thence to give notice to the Lower, the Actuary's use of the ordinary Style Intima­vit would not have been so consistent with the meaning thereof in Convocation Language. But while he considered him not only as Prolocutor, but as Commissary to the President, it was natu­ral to change Intimavit, a Ministerial word, into terms that might better express the Authority he then had as Commissary to his Grace.

[Page 245] The Phrase in Parlia­ment Dom. Canc. Con­tin. praesens Parl. no ar­gument for the Lower House. See the Right of the A. Bishop, p. 43, 44. To this, I will add a short but clear reply to another Suggestion why the Lower Clergy are not comprehended in the terms of the Archbi­shop's Continuations: It is, that in Parliament the Adjournments of the House of Peers are en­ter'd Dominus Cancellarius continuavit praesens Parliamentum; and yet the Act of the Chancel­lour Adjourns the Lords only.

But the distinctions in this Case between the two Houses of Parliament and Convocation, are too remarkable to leave room for such a Parallel. 1. There is no original Subordination between the constituent Members of the two Houses of Parliament, nor any Relation but what arises purely from the Usage and Constitution of the Kingdom: But in the two Houses of Convoca­tion (as the Bishops make the Upper, and Pres­byters the Lower) a Subordination is establisht in the Lower by Apostolical Institution, and (in Conformity thereto) by the Constitution of this National Church: And so, every step made by Presbyters towards a co-ordinate or independent Power, is a proportionable Deviation in the consti­tution of our Church, from the pattern of the pu­rest Ages. For, 2. The Adjournment of the House of Peers is pronounc'd by one who has no Autho­rity over the Commons, nor any concern even a­mong the Lords, besides that of Moderating; except he be a Peer of the Realm, and in Right of his Peerage have a Title to Vote, &c.

But in Convocation, the Continuation is pro­nounc'd by the Metropolitan of the whole Pro­vince, and the President of the whole Convocati­on; who advising with his Brethren the Bishops, directs the business of Convocation, and is at the head of Proceedings in both Houses, nay, [Page 246] (which is more) has a final Negative upon them, and by his Concurrence gives the Sanction to their Acts, in all matters to the framing and Promulging whereof the Royal License and Au­thority are not necessary in Law. 3. That Act of the Lord Chancellor in the House of Peers is plainly Ministerial, or the effect of an imme­diate direction from the House; but his Grace's in Convocation is Authoritative (Nos Continu­amus) in virtue of a Power belonging to him as President of the whole Body. 4. The terms of the two Continuations or Adjournments are widely Different. In the House of Lords it is the praesens Parliamentum which the Lord Chan­cellour Adjourns by word of Mouth; and it is no extraodinary thing to find the Word Parlia­mentum signifying one House, when the stand­ing Clerk thereof is Stil'd Clericus Parliamen­torum. But the Archbishop in a formal Instru­ment Continues praesentem sacram Synodum sive Convocationem Praelatorum & Cleri Cantuarien­sis Provinciae, where the Parties thereby Conti­nued (the Bishops and Clergy) are directly ex­press'd; nor is the Register of the Upper House (tho' acting by a Deputy in the Lower also) ever term'd Registrarius Convocationum, or the word Convocatio (much less Convocatio Praelato­rum & Cleri) ever apply'd to one House Sepa­rately. 5. Tho' those Expressions were us'd on any other occasions (which they are not) to sig­nifie the Upper House only; yet the known Ef­fect they have always had in this Case of Con­tinuation, would necessarily extend them to the Lower as well as Upper House. For whereas the Adjournment in the House of Lords is never notified to the Commons (who equally govern [Page 247] their own times of meeting and sitting) and so no Concurrence as to time appears in the Sessions of the two Houses of Parliament; In Convoca­tion, the Lower House has express and authen­tick Notice of the Act in the Upper, and so the Clergy (according to all the concurrent Books of the two Houses) have ever met again at the time and place specifi'd in the Act above.

I know no way to determin the Strict and Le­gal meaning of Words in any Case, but by the known and ordinary acceptation of them in ge­neral, and the effect or operation they have, and ever had, in particular Cases that may fall under my Consideration. In this therefore, I refer my self to the Judgment of any impartial Man: Suppose, 'That by our Constitution the House of Commons in their Proceedings were bound to receive and follow the directions of the Peers; 'That both these Houses sat and acted under one common President, the L. Chancellour or Keeper; 'That all the Adjournments were solemnly pro­nounc'd by him in his own Name, and in Terms directly expressing the whole Parliament, nay spe­cifying the Lords and Commons; 'That an Au­thentick Notice hereof were immediately trans­mitted to the House of Commons; 'That in fact, according to all the contemporary Journals, it appear'd that the Adjournments Below had been to the same Day, Hour, and Place, with those Above: Under these Circumstances, I say (for in Convocation this is the Case) could it be a Doubt with any unprejudic'd Man, Whether that Constant Adjournment of the Commons from and to the same Time with the Lords could spring from any Cause, but the sending down a Constant Notice of the Adjournment Above, [Page 248] and a perpetual Perswasion among the Commons that they were Included in that Adjournment, and absolutely determin'd by it.

The nec [...]ssity of Insisting upon it, that the L. Cler­gy are In­cluded in the Conti­nuation A­bove. As therefore this concurrence of Sessions in the Upper and Lower House, is an undeniable proof that Authentick Notice of the President's Act has been ever conveyed to the Inferior Clergy, so the form of that Continuation in the Sche­dule and Journals, proves the whole Convocati­on to have been always Included in the Act. And whoever reflects upon the Consequenees of their not being Included, will agree with me, that 'tis highly necessary his Grace should insist on it at this Juncture, when the terms of the Schedule have been so publickly pretended to comprehend the Upper House only, and the Intimation is re­duc'd to a bare Notice of the Day and Hour to which their Lordships have Adjourn'd themselves, without any Authority that shall bind or affect the Inferior Clergy. Add to this, The asking the express Consent of the House, and, The Intima­ting out of a written Paper of their own; both of 'em without President, and both Intended for a more open and publick Declaration that it is an Act of their own, upon an Inherent Pow­er in the House. A separate Power of Continuing in the L. House, opens a way to perpetual divisions of the Synod. A Principle, evidently introducing a Separation of the Synod, both as to Bishops and Clergy, and of the Clergy among themselves, when Discontents happen to arise among the Presbyters, or Designs against Episcopacy shall be set a foot. For if they be not Included in the Continuation Above, it is wholly at their own Pleasure whether they will attend at the next meeting of their Lordships: The President can have no right in Law to oblige them to attend, or to punish them for non attendance, which [Page 249] upon that Supposition of their Adjourning them­selves) is no Disobedience to any Command of his Grace, or Contempt of His Authority. The present Presbyters of our Church may probably be content to observe their Lordships Days. But I think Wise Men, in the Settlement of all Con­stitutions, are wont to look a little beyond the present time: And should the Inferior Clergy of the next Age, be dispos'd to take all Advanta­ges which these Principles of their Predecessors (supposing them to be now establisht) would give, I [...]ee not what Fence the Church or Bishops will have against a Presbyterian Assem­bly.

The same Principle opens a ready way to Di­visions among the Inferior Clergy themselves: Suppose (for the purpose) that any number of the Lower-house Members should dislike the Proceedings, and refuse to attend in pursuance of the separate Adjournment of the Majority; neither the House, nor the Prolocutor have a Right in Law Temporal or Ecclesiastical to oblige them to it. Reflect. on Exped. p. 10. ‘"The Effect whereof (as hath been observ'd elsewhere) is a Session, under the Name of a Synodical-Meeting, protested a­gainst by the Archbishop, Bishops, and any number of the Inferior Clergy under the Ma­jority; and, which is yet worse, no Provision made by the Laws, either of Church or State, to re-unite even the Clergy themselves. The Archbishop, who Summons the Clergy, hath also a Right to enforce their Attendance ac­cording to the Continuations that shall be made in the Upper-house; which is a cohe­rent Scheme of Government, and will perpe­tually secure the Unity of the Synod. The [Page 250] Presbyterian Assemblies also are at least thus far regular, that the Assembly which Ad­journs, is suppos'd by them to have a Power of proceeding to Censures in case of non-at­tendance. But the present Claim of separate Adjournments made by Episcopal Divines un­der the Perswasion of a Want of Power to en­force Attendance, is (in my Apprehension) a very inconsistent Scheme, and has a direct Tendency to perpetual Distractions and Divi­sions, both between the Bishops and their Cler­gy, and among the Clergy themselves.’

A separate Power takes away all the Means of Re-uniting the Synod. I will add, That if this Principle (I mean a Right in the Clergy to Adjourn, tho' they have no Power to enforce Attendance) were true, it would not only break the Union of the Synod, but take away all the means of re-uniting it. The President has the Power of Censures, but he cannot inflict them for Non-attendance, upon Persons not enjoin'd upon his Authority to at­tend: The Lower-house by this Principle are suppos'd to have the Right of enjoining their Members to attend, but then they have no Au­thority in case of Non-attendance to censure and punish. This Scheme therefore is a very unwor­thy Reflection upon the Wisdom of our Consti­tution: It supposes a Power lodg'd in the Go­vernours of our Church over the Inferior Mem­bers thereof, for the Preservation of Peace and Union; and yet that the Inferior Members are exempted from that Power: It supposes also an easy way left open for factious Spirits to destroy the Union, and by degrees the Being, of our E­piscopal Church, without any Provision made to repair the Breach, and restore that Union: That is, it makes our Constitution an incoherent and [Page 251] inessectual Scheme of Government; below the Wisdom even of Human Policy, and much more unbecoming the Dignity of an Apostolical Insti­tution.

These Principles, you observe, make all At­tendance, whether on his Grace's Days or their own, a mere voluntary Act of every particular Member of the Lower-house; there being no Coercive Power to reach or censure them for Non­attendance. The Majority in the last and pre­sent Convocations have not yet exerted the Right which their Principles would give, of de­nying Attendance when the Upper-house met; Intermedi­ate Sessions a great Ir­regularity, and Mis­chief to our Church. but they have held several INTERMEDI­ATE SESSIONS without their Metropoli­tan and Bishops; a short State whereof I will give the Reader out of a late Letter to the Au­thor of the Expedient propos'd: Reflect. on Exped. p. 11. ‘"You say, (p. 15. c 2.) that you have Precedents for meet­ing on Intermediate Days, and threaten to ex­ert that Power, except the Upper-house will submit to your Method of Continuing. But is it a fair part in you, to leave your Reader to imagin, that such Meetings, as a House, are warranted by a Number of unexceptionable Precedents, when you know in your Consci­ence that no more than two can be fairly pre­tended, and that the Invalidity of these two has been shown at large. The first, that of May 9. 1640. (as you very well know) hapn'd at a time when neither Bishops nor Clergy were sure of their being a legal Convocation, and will equally justify the Clergy's Adjourn­ing to a Day beyond the Appointment of the Upper-house; which yet is a Practice dis­own'd by the Advocates for Intermediate Sessi­ons. [Page 252] When the second Adjournment of this kind hapn'd, the Archbishop was in Custody, and the Bishops (justly Apprehensive of Danger amidst the popular prejudices of those times against their Order) could not think it safe to come together, nor had they met in Convocation some Weeks before. These, to­gether with the want of Authority in the Mi­nutes, and some other Exceptions, have been urg'd so largely already, that I am asham'd to see one (who could not but know all this) insisting upon them, without any attempt to remove the Objections; and also referring to these two in such general terms as may lead the Reader into a Belief of many more.’

‘"There is another Objection (and that a very material one) equally concluding against these two Precedents, viz. That no Business appears to have been done on either of the Days to which the Adjournments were made, when yet the Preparation for business is the only pretence upon which the Claim of Inter­mediate Days is advanc'd. If therefore Men were serious in their Enquiries about the Usage of former Times, in order to make it a Rule to their present Practice; they would consider how the Sessions of the Lower House have stood with regard to those of the Upper, at times when business of moment was depend­ing in Convocation: Because then, we may suppose, the Clergy would have Exerted this Power, if they had thought themselves pos­sess'd of it.’

[Page 253] The Clergy of former times did not think of Intermedi­ate Sessions. "Now, this Notice is not to be had, but from concurrent Journals of the two Houses; the first of which are in the Years 1586, and 1588. when we have no more than Extracts out of the Registers of the Upper House; but all the Sessions that are express'd (above 20 in Number) concur exactly with those of the Lower House, without any Appearance of Intermediate Meetings.’

‘"The next concurrent Books that remain, are those in the two Convocations of 1640, the Minutes whereof express the Days of several of the Sessions, and they all appear to answer the Continuations of the Upper House; ex­cept the two we just now mention'd, which are so fully and particularly accounted for else­where.’

‘"The Compilers of the late Narrative (p. 37.) speaking of the two Instances in 1640, add, We may fairly prefume, we might have found more in other Convocations, if the Books of both Houses had been extant to have been com­pared. Two Instances, so exceptionable and under such singular Circumstances, could be no fair ground for such a presumption: But if Intermediate Meetings were any where to be expected, no time so likely as in the Con­vocation which begun May the 8th, 1661. the first after the Restoration: For in that, the whole Common Prayer was Revis'd, several Prayers and Services added, many Canons and Constitutions compil'd, and other Matters of great Importance tranfacted. In all this work, the Clergy under Direction of the A. B. and Bps, had their constant share, as appears distinctly from the Original Register of the Upper [Page 254] House (from May 8. 1661, to Sept. 19. 1666.) which has been all along thought to be lost but by great Providence was lately retriev'd.’

‘"The Constant Style of Continuations in this Register, is the same with that of 1640.—Dominus, &c. de & cum Consensu Confratrum suorum, Continuavit & Prorogavit hujusmodi Convocationem sive sacram Synodum Provinci­alem. The Book contains above 140 Sessions; and all that while the Sessions of the Lower House are distinctly set down in Mr. Mundy's Minutes. I have made an exact Comparison of them, and find not the least footstep of an Intermediate Meeting; though both the Na­ture and the Length of the business before them, would have prompted them at that time, more than any other, to hold Interme­diate Sessions, had they dreamt of such an In­herent Power of Adjourning as some of their Successors have lately taken up.’

And yet in the last Convocation, several of these Intermediate Sessions were held by the Ma­jority of the Lower House, with all the appea­rance of Synodical Meetings. Suppose then, that the Members of some Presbyterian Assem­bly, taking the Advantage of one of those Ses­sions, had enter'd their Claim of Alliance to that Majority of the Lower House, as meeting, sit­ting, acting, and departing, upon the sole Au­thority of Presbyters, without any Appearance of a Superiour Order; I fear, they would hard­ly have been driven from their Claim, except the Lower House Members could have pleaded that they met there by the Authority, or at least the Permission of their Metropolitan and Bi­shops; and yet these their Ecclesiastical Supe­riors [Page 255] (it is well known) had publickly de­clar'd against such Intermediate Sessions, and a­gainst all the business transacted in them, as Ʋn­synodical.

Tho' therefore an Inherent Power of Conti­nuing, with a Right thereupon to hold Inter­mediate Sessions, had some countenance from the Practice of former Convocations, as we see they have none; yet it could be no decent part in E­piscopal Divines to contend with all this Zeal for Privileges so favourable to the measures of Presbytery. And I hope, before the Majority of the present Lower House resume these Claims and return to the like Practices, they will con­sider how little warrant they have from antece­dent Practice, and how mischievous they are in the Consequences to our Episcopal Constituti­on.

Observations touching the RIGHT to determine Controverted Electi­ons.

Instances of Controvert­ed Electi­ons occur­ring in the remaining Acts. An. 1586. p. 140. App. THE first instances we find of determining Elections in Convocation, are those two set down at large in the Journal of 1586, Sess. 3, 4. which need not therefore be transcrib'd in this Place. Anno 1586. The Elections of both the Proctors for the Diocese of Norwich hapned to be controverted; and being also different Choices in the two Archdeaconries, they were thereup­on two different Cases. One was heard and de­termin'd by the Archbishop in the Upper House, the other by the Prolocutor in the Lower.

1. As to that in the Lower House, we find (Sess. 3.) that the Prolocutor ad veritatem in hac parte inquirendam juramento oneravit quos­dam, &c. de modo observato antehac in hujusmo­di Electione, &c. Qui sic jurati dixerunt & de­posuerunt prout sequitur, &c.—Then the Pro­locutor assignavit Magistro Knewstubbs ad pro­ponendum causas quare Mr. D. Dey, non admit­teretur in Coetum hujus Domûs in proxim.——Sess. 4. D. Dey desires: to be admitted, and his Competitor showing no reasonable Cause why he should not, Dominus Prolocutor decrevit dictum Magistrum Dey recipiendum fore in Pro­curatorem ejusdem Cleri & in Coetum hujus Do­nûs, eumque sic recepit.

[Page 257] 2. Concerning the other Election determin'd in the Upper House; the Index (the only account that remains of their Lordships proceedings at that time) has this Note under the Session in which the Prolocutor gave Judgment. Nov. 11. Decided against Mr. Thorowgood for Mr. West in a Cause of Election to be Clerks in Convocati­on. And we find in the Lower House Journal of the same Day, that the Prolocutor (having notice by the Register of his Grace's Sentence for Mr. West against Mr Thorowgood) intima­vit haec omnibus praesentibus, & monuit eos ad recipiendum eundem Magistrum West in Coetum hujus Domûs.

An. 1640. Anno 1640. Nov. 11. The Minutes of the Lower House give this Account. Eodem die orta fuit Contentio sive Disputatio quoad Electi­onem Procuratorum Cleri pro Diaeces. Lincoln, & lecta prius——ad audiend. eandem ele­gerunt tres Decanos, tres Procuratores pro Ca­pitulis, & tres Procuratores pro Diaeces. [all nam'd;] quibus commisserunt ad conveniend. prox. die 12 Nov. post meridiem in dicto loco in­ter horas secundam & quartam, &c.—The Committee met accordingly, & post maturam deliberationem, &c. ordinavit ut sequitur, Whether Proctors are lawful in the choice of Proctors; and if Lawful, Whether it doth avail non designatis personis; and for ought yet appears to the Com­mittee, the Custom observ'd in the Diocese of Lincoln hath been, that Proxies have prevail'd. It is desir'd on both sides, that their Counsel may be heard in Law.

The next Session, Nov. 14. The Upper House Register says, Reverendissimus accersiri fecit Do­minum Prolocutorem & sex alios Domûs Inferio­ris. [Page 258] Quibus comparentibus, Reverendissimus cis significavit, quòd ipse audivit esse quasdam discre­pantias inter quosdam Clericos citra eorum Electi­nes; & voluit eos ut ipsi & alii dictae Domûs eas­dem examinarent & determinarent juxta Juris Exigentiam & Consuetudines cujuslibet Diaecese­os, donec aliter ordinatum fuerit. Whereupon they proceeded the same day to the business re­commended by his Grace; and the Examinati­ons and final Decisions ran in the Name of the House, as Commission'd for those purposes.—Nov. 14. Domini continuarunt ulteriorem de­terminationem hujus materiae—& statuerunt, ut partes hinc inde introducerent eorum Consi­lium—Nov. 21. Coram Dominis Praelatis & Cleris Domus Inferioris Convocat. &c. comparu­erunt Mri. Hirst, Tuckney, & Palmer, &c. in quorum praesentiis (post Suffragia Domûs in eâ parte fact.) declararunt & ordinarunt, &c.—Nov. 25. Domini consenserunt, eò quòd Mr. Porter suit absens, se nolle finem huic Negotio imponere hoc die, sed declararunt se velle finale suum de­cretum interponere die Sabbati prox.—Domi­ ni unanimi consensu aequum censuerunt, rebus sic stantibus, nibil statuendum aut agendum fore de­bere, &c. Nov. 29. Suffragiis in ea parte promul­gatis (nempe 29. pro Mr. Thorowgood & 16 pro Mro. Porter, &c.) Dominus Prolocutor de & cum Consensu, &c. pronunciavit pro Electione dicti Magistri Thorowgood, & revocavit, &c.—Dec. 2. Dominus de & cum consensu, &c. pronunciavit pro Electione Doctoris Sanderson & Hirst, &c. & admisit, &c.—Jan. 27. Upon a Petition for a Review of the Election for the Diocese of Lincoln, habitâ priùs maturâ consi­deratione Contentorum in petitione mentionat'. [Page 259] Domini Praelati dictas respectivè partes interro­garunt, &c. [Whether they would finally ac­quiesce in the Sentence upon that Review'] They agree to acquiesce; Unde Domini ex cau­sis & promissis praedict. decreverunt pro Revisio­ne & Re-examinatione dicti Negotii, & ad in­terponend. finale Judicium in prox. &c.——Feb. 3. After this Review, dicta Domus ad eorum finale decretum processit; and accord­ing to the Majority upon a Division then made, Dominus Prolocutor ratificavit & confirmavit Electionem D. Sanderson & Hirst.

Anno 1689. Anno 1689. Sess. 11. In the Upper-house-Book: Comparuit personaliter Johannes Cawley Sacrae Theologiae Professor, Archidiaconus (ut as­seruit) Archidiaconatûs Lincoln, & introduxit & exhibuit supplicem Libellum sive Petitionem in Scriptis concept'; in quâ querelatus est, quòd licet se fuisse per 23 Annos ac in praesenti esse Archidiaconum Archidiaconatûs Lincoln, ac per Episcopos Lincoln pro tempore Existen' tanquam Archidiaconum Lincoln citat'. ad comparend'. in Convocationibus: Praemissis tamen non obstanti­bus, Reverendus Pater ac Dominus Dominus Thomas, Permissione Divinâ Lincoln. Episcopus, quendam Thomam Oldys in Legibus Baccalaure­um tanquam Archidiaconum Archidiaconatûs Lin­coln. citasse ad comparend. in hâc Convocatione sive Sacrâ Synodo Provinciali in praejudicium Ju­ris & Tit [...]li fui & in hâc Convocatione nunc se­dere. Quare humiliter petiit Jus & Justitiam sibi in hac parte fieri & ministrari. Unde Re­verendus Pater Praeses antedictus, cum consensu Confratrum suorum Episcoporum praedict', hanc Petitionem recepit & legi mandavit: Quâ lectâ, dictus Reverendus Pater Praeses antedictus mihi [Page 260] in mandatis dedit, ad tradend'. Copiam ejusdem Petitionis praefato Magistro Oldys, & ad eum in­formand'. quòd compareat die Veneris prox. cum Responsis suis dictae Petitioni in Scriptis concept'. & decrevit ut dictus Doctor Cawley tunc com­pareat.

Sess. 12. Venerabilis Vir, Thomas Oldys Clericus, Archidiaconus (ut asseruit) Archidia­conatûs Lincoln'. comparuit, & dedit responsum suum in Scriptis concept'. Petitioni sive supplici Libello aliàs contra eum ultimâ Sessione hujus Convocationis ex parte Johannis Cawley Sacrae Theo. Profess. asseren se esse Archidiaconum Lin­coln. exhibit'. Quod responsum, de mandato di­cti Reverendi Patris Praesidis antedicti, fuit per me Notarium Publicum antedictum publicè le­ctum: Quo lecto, & dicto Magistro Oldys pro praesenti dismisso, dictus Reverendus Pater Praeses antedictus & caeteri Episcopi super petitione & responsis praedict. maturè deliberdrunt, & postea decreverunt dictos Doctorem Cawley & Magi­strum Oldys intromittend'. fore. Quibus compa­rentibus, dictus Reverendus Pater Praeses ante­dictus, cum Consensu Confratrum suorum Episco­porum praedict. eò quòd eis constat duas Sententias Definitivas fuisse contra dictum Doctorem Cawley in eodem latas, unam in almâ Curiâ Cant. de Ar­cubus, & alteram in supremâ Curiâ Delegato­rum; & quòd Commissio pro Revisione dicti nego­tij fuit per Serenissimos in Christo Principes ac Dominos nostros Dominos Willelmum & Mariam Dei Gratiâ Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae & Hiber­niae Regem & Reginam fidei Defensores, &c. ad petitionem dicti Doctoris Cawley concessa, & quòd idem negotium per Judices Revisionis non [Page 261] est adhuc decisum, dimisit dictum Magistrum Ol­dys ab omni ulteriori Judicij observatione.

The foregoing Instances are all the Light we have from our Books, touching the Determina­tion of Controverted Elections: And I observe from them,

No question, whether the Archbishop have a Right to de­termin Ele­ctions. 1. That it is no part of the Question, Whe­ther the Metropolitan at the Head of his Suf­fragan-Bishops, have a Right to receive Petitions touching controverted Elections? or, Whether he may proceed to the Examination and final Decision of them in the Upper-house? The Exercise of all these appears evidently in the Instances of 1689, where we see a Petition is offer'd, receiv'd and consider'd; and of 1586, where Sentence is actually given by his Grace. And what can be more reasonable, than that the Archbishop who by his Mandate orders the E­lection of Members, and has the Returns of all Elections made ultimately to him; who also at the Opening, appoints his Commissioners to ex­amin those Returns, and during the Convocati­on, presides over the Lower as well as the Up­per House; what (I say) can be more natural than that he should have a direct and immediate Right to take Cognizance how far such Electi­ons, with the Returns thereupon, are duly and regularly made? But I could never learn how the Lower-house could have a Power to Inter­pose about Returns (whether made unduly or not at all) otherwise than by Petitioning the Metropolitan, upon some extraordinary Occasion, that he will please to demand or examin them, as of right to be made to him, and none else. But in the Acts of the last Convocation, Anno [Page 262] 1700. Sess. 4. The Lower-house have no Right to intermeddle in Returns. I find an Instance of the Lower-house's taking Cognizance of a Return, and that in a very singular manner: The Words are these, Propositum fuit per Guil. Bincks S. T. P. &c. ad effectum sequen. That whereas there hath been no Return made from the Chapter of Litchfield of a Member to serve for them in this present Convocation; and whereas the said William Bincks being a Member of that Chapter, inform'd this House, that the Defect of such Return was occasion'd by a Dispute that hapn'd before the said Chapter, concerning the Election of a Proctor to represent them: That therefore this House would order a Letter to be sent, sign'd by Mr. Prolocu­tor in the name of this Lower-house, to the Dean and Chapter of the said Cathedral Church of Litchfield, desiring them forthwith to transmit the whole Proceedings concerning the said Electi­on, under their common Seal, to this House: Cui consensum fuit.

This so Solemnly pass'd and enter'd thus cir­cumstantially, may be a temptation to Presby­ters (if the same Spirit should hereafter arise) to take the cognizance of Returns, and thereby the Jurisdiction over the Members, out of the hands of the Metropolitan. But care (I hope) will be taken to leave some publick testimony of the offence it gave to his Grace and the Bi­shops, whose Rights were jointly invaded by this Act of the Lower House. For it is very plain, both in Law, Reason, and Practice, that the Enquiry after such a Return, ought to have gone by the same Course or Chanel, through which the Return it self (if made) was to have pass'd, viz. from the Archbishop to the Bishop, and from the Bishop to the Dean.

[Page 263] 2. It is no part of the Dispute, Whether the Metropolitan may enjoyn the Inferior Clergy to Examin and Determin Controverted Elections? His Grace's Power to require their Assistance, and their Obligation to pursue his Directions, are both sufficiently express'd in that remarka­ble Instance from the second Convocation of 1640.

3. Nor can it be a question, Whether his Grace, having Commission'd the Prolocutor or Lower House, to examin any doubtful Election, may not take it out of their hands into his own immediate Cognizance, if he see Cause. This (I think) is a Rule in most Commissions; and an Express Reservation to that purpose is made in this of 1640, empowering them to proceed donec aliter ordinatum fuerit.

Thus, the Archbishop's Right to determine Controversies about Elections, is uncontested: But the Question is, Whether the Right be solely in his Grace, exclusive of the Inferior Cler­gy, or, Whether the Lower House have not a concurrent Right?

The Argu­ments for a concurrent Right in the Lower-house, consi­der'd. Anno 1586 In behalf of a Concurrent Right, two In­stances are pleaded.

I. That of 1586. Sess. 3. 4. Where we find the Prolocutor examining Witnesses upon Oath, appointing the Parties a time of Appearance, and then giving the final Sentence or Judgment. But we must observe, as to the Point before us,

1. That the Upper-House-Books of that time are not in being; nor can it possibly be known whether he had not such a Commission from his Grace, as we are sure was given after­wards to the Prolocutor and Lower House in [Page 264] 1640. Two Elections of the same Diocese were determin'd the same day, one by the Archbishop, the other by the Prolocutor: And I think it is not likely that one of these Appellants should make original Application to the Upper, and the other to the Lower House; but much more probable, that the Petition in both Cases was first offer'd to his Grace, and that he divided the Work of Examining and Determining, be­tween himself in the Upper, and the Prolocutor in the Lower House.

2. The Prolocutor (we see) examins the Witnesses upon Oath; and the very Writer, who in all other respects is the main Advocate for the Independence of the Lower House, solves the Prolocutor's giving an Oath, by an Authority deriv'd immediately from the Archbishop. The Words are these: P [...]er of the Lower-house, p. 7. c. 2. The Prolocutor was on that Day put into the Archbishop's Commission for Proroguing the Upper House, in order (I sup­pose) to empower him to give Oaths, as he did at the trial of an Election that day below. I know the Narrative says, P [...]4. in the Name of the Majority, That they are well assur'd that the Prolocutor has this Power by Virtue of his Office. This is roundly spoken; but to make others also assur'd, it had been kind to offer some Reasons why the Prolocutor of the Spiritual Commons is in this Particular above the Speaker of the Com­mons Temporal? And such Reasons had been the more necessary, when they took upon them to dissent from the express Judgment of a Wri­ter, who understands the Value of his own O­pinions too well to be easy under Contradi­ction.

[Page 265] But leaving that Point to be disputed between this Author and the Majority of the House; the Circumstance upon which I chiefly insist in this Matter, is,

It was not the House, but the Pro­locutor, who deter­min'd the Election. 3. That those of the Lower Clergy contend not for this Power of determining Elections, as lodg'd in the Prolocutor, but in their House; and not the least Mention is made of the House or any Member of it in determining this Electi­on of 1586. but the Proceeding and Sentence run solely in the name of the Prolocutor. The Que­stion therefore is, By whose Authority was that Sentence given? It must be either from his Grace, or from the House. The Journal, tho' very exact and particular, makes not the least mention of the House's interposing; which Si­lence is the stronger Argument that they had no Right to interpose (the Matter in all appear­ance being committed to the Prolocutor alone) because in the other Instances of 1640. when the Prolocutor and Lower Clergy were all equally concern'd, the whole Proceeding was carry'd on in the name of the House; Coram Dominis Prae­latis & Cleris comparuerunt; Domini, and Do­mini Praelati interrogârunt, determinationem con­tinuàrunt—consenserunt, censuerunt rebus sic stantibus nihil statuendum, &c. And when they came to Sentence, Domus ad eorum finale decretum processit, and, Post Suffragia Domûs in eâ parte fact. declararunt & ordinarunt—Suffragiis in eâ parte promulgatis, Dominus Prolocutor, de & cum consensu, &c. pronunci­avit.—

Considering how distinctly the Minutes of 1640. express the part which the House had in these Proceedings, I leave it to the Opinion of [Page 266] every Reader, whether the compleat Journal of 1586. would not have left us some Foot-steps at least of the Houses's Concern at that time, ei­ther in the Course of the Proceeding, or at least the final Sentence, if the Cause had not been committed to the sole Examination and Decision of the Prolocutor. And if the Power was sole­ly in him, it can be no Question, whether he de­riv'd from the House (who were present, and might as well have proceeded by their own im­mediate Authority, if any such had been lodg'd in them) or from the Archbishop, who could not be there in Person, whose Absence the Pro­locutor supplies in all other Respects, and who was also hearing a like Cause in the Upper-house at the same time.

The Instance of 1640. consider'd. II. The other Instance of a Right in the Lower-house to take Cognizance of Elections, concurrent with that of his Grace, is in some re­spects more full to their purpose than the fore­going Testimony. In the Year 1640. Nov. 11. the House appointed a Committee upon a con­troverted Election in Lincoln-Diocese; which Committee met Nov. 12. and yet the Archbishop appears not to have interpos'd till Nov. 14. nay, the Preface to the Order he then gave, shews that to have been the first time of his interpo­sing, Reverendissimus eis significavit, quòd ipse audivit esse quasdam discrepantias, &c. As far then as a single Instance can affect the Rights of a Judicial Court, and alter the natural Course of legal Proceedings, and establish a concurrent Ju­risdiction; so far is this Instance before us a Te­stimony of the Lower-house's Right to enquire into the Circumstances of doubtful Elections. [Page 267] I say, to Enquire; It goes no farther than En­quiring- for this Precedent goes no farther than an Enquiry about the Custom of the Diocese in their Election of Proctors; and a Right founded upon a single Precedent, can ne­ver be extended beyond that Precedent. It pro­ceeds not to a formal Examination of Witnesses upon Oath, and much less to a final Judgement. These, and all the other marks of a Judicial Proceeding, commence upon his Grace's Special Order to the Prolocutor and House, ut exami­narent & determinarent juxta Juris Exigenti­am, & Consuetudines cujuslibet Dioeceseos, do­nec aliter ordinatum fuerit.

From which Order (I think) these three things are fairly infer'd, 1. That if Archbishop Laud had thought the Lower-house to have an inherent Power of Examining and Determining Judicially, he would not have interpos'd in that Matter, after they were actually enter'd upon their Enquiries. 2. That if the Clergy themselves had believ'd such a Power to be lodg'd in their House, they would have declar'd against that In­terposition, as an Invasion of their own inherent Authority. 3. That in Virtue of the Reservati­on (donec aliter ordinatum fuerit) it still re­main'd in his Grace's Power to revoke that Or­der, and either to put a stop to the Proceeding, or to remove it (as he should see cause) to his own immediate Cognizance.

III. An Additional Account of the Substitution of a Prolocutor.

IN explaining the Election and Office of a Pro­cutor (Chap. IV.) I took occasion to consider how far he had a Right to make a Substitution in cases of Sickness or Business. For tho' the Speaker of the House of Commons, as executing that Office upon a Royal Confirmation, never pre­tended to depute another; tho' also the Confir­mation of the Archbishop and Bishops be no less necessary, in order to execute the Office of a Prolocutor; and tho' (lastly) it appear that Applications for leave to substitute in those Cases have been actually made to the Upper-house; yet against all these it had been confidently af­firm'd, that the Deputations of this kind might be made without the Archbishop's Consent or Pri­vity; Power of the Lower-house, p. 9. c. 1. and the manner of making them is farther urg'd, to give the Prolocutor some such Figure in the Lower-house, as the Archbishop is known to have in the Upper.

The late Substitution in 1701. That Writer had conceal'd all the Instances of Application for Leave made to the President and Bishops; but he was afterwards put in mind of them by the Author of the Right of the Arch­bishop. p. 66, 67. Very lately, a Substitution being made by the Prolocutor upon the Authority of a Pre­cedent (already consider'd) in the Year 1640, V. Sup. p. 76. the Person so deputed was actually put into the [Page 269] Chair, without the Approbation or Knowledge of the Archbishop and Bishops.

The Account of it in a Paper markt Numb. 1. To justify the Proceedings of the Majority in this and some other Particulars, a Paper came out, markt Numb. 1. in the way of a News-Letter; and in Truth much of the same Autho­rity, both in the Relation of Facts, and the Rea­sonings upon them, with the flying Intelligence of other kinds. Only there is this difference in the Case of our Ecclesiastical News-Writer and his Brother Intelligencers; their imperfect Re­presentations are usually the Effects of Ignorance and Haste; but his savours too much of Parti­ality and Design.

God knows, it is a sad Omen to our poor Church, that any of her own Ministers can thus triumph in her Misfortunes, and comply with such mean methods to proclaim her Breaches, and make her the publick scorn of her Enemies. For the sake of our Church and Religion, may the Author of these Methods be once brought to such a Spirit and Temper, as shall at least oblige him to common Decency, or however restrain him from such open and virulent abuses of his Ecclesiastical Governors. Orders made in Convocation against the Publicati­on of De­batés whil [...] depending▪ He seems to have over­come the obligations of Duty, but may remem­ber that in some former Convocations particu­lar Orders have been made against Revealing the Debates, even in Discourse, till finisht; and that upon Penaltiés, which he is taking great Pains to Deserve.

Anno 1529. Sess. 3. Reverendissimus monuit om­nes sub poenâ Excommunicationis, ne aliquis reve­let extra-Domum aliquibus personis cujuscunqué Statûs; nisi inter Semetipsos.

[Page 270] Anno 1529. Sess. 19. Reverendissimus omnes & singulos admonuit ne quicquam revelent de hujusmodi Communicatione.

Anno 1529. Sess. 20. Episcopus London Com­missarius, &c. monuit omnes ne quicquam Reve­larent ibi dictum vel recitatum, sub poenâ Ex­communicationis latae Sententiae.

Anno 1541. Sess. 8. Accessit Prolocutor cum quibusdam de Electis à Clero, & exposuerunt querelas suas, &c. ubi Reverendissimus praecepit ne quid effutirent de rebus ipsis expositis.

Anno 1557. The Archbishop having explain'd to the Bishops and Clergy the Causes of the Convocation, viz. the Reformation of Abuses in the Church, &c. enjoyns them to consider of proper methods, Et quid sibi videatur, Voluit cos sibi servare.

Anno 1588. Sess. 4. The Prolocutor (having been in the Upper House to receive directions about the Subsidy, which was afterwards con­sider'd and debated below) monuit omnes prae­sentes ne publicè revelarent tractata & gesta isto die.

Anno 1640. Sess. 5. Apr. 25. Et ulteriùs, pro meliori Expeditione negotiorum hujus sacrae Syno­di, idem Reverendissimus, cum consensu & assen­su corundem Confratrum suorum, ordinavit, Quòd nullus Episcopus aut aliquis è Clero Copiam Canonis aut partis Canonis proposituri & tracta­turi exscribere aut de aliquo hujusmodi Canone foras fabulare praesumpserit, donec hac Convoca­tione sive Sacrâ Synodo plenarie & finaliter assen­sum & sacra Regia Majestate approbat. erit, sub poena Suspensionis cujuslibet è Clero per tres men­ses, & Synodicae monitionis pro quolibet Praelato qui ita peccaverit, prout in Actu Synodico se­quen. [Page 271] continetur, viz. &c.—Dominus Prolo­cutor venit cum 5 aliis è Domo Inferiori; & eis declaravit istum Actum Synodicum praeceden. & voluit eundem Dominum Prolocutorem ad de­clarand. istum Actum toto Coetui dictae Domûs. Mox revertebat, & dixit se & totum Coetum Do­mûs Inferioris consensum & assensum suos Con­fectioni dicti Actûs Synodici adhibuisse & eun­dem unanimiter approbâsse.

The Convocations in which those strict Pro­visions for Secrecy were made, would without doubt have animadverted severely upon such a shameful Method of sending the Debates (I am sorry to say, the Divisions) Session by Sessi­on, into all parts of the Kingdom. But after a general request to this Writer, that in the man­ner of venting his Resentments, he will at least have a greater regard to the honour of our Church; I will consider the Matter of his Paper so far as it concerns the Substitution of a Prolocutor, and affects the Account I have given of this Point. Chap. 4. p. His Insincerity in the other parts of that Relation has been already laid open; and this about Substitutions (as depending upon the Registers of Convocation) is the only Head that falls under my Consideration.

Reasons why a Sub-Prolocutor ought to be confirm'd in the Ʋpper House. In the fourth Chapter (p. 74.) I infer a ne­cessity that the Substitute be admitted and con­firm'd by the Upper House, because without this, he is not the Person agreed on between the Bishops and Clergy for the mutual conveyance of their Messages; nor can their Lordships re­ceive any thing from him as the Sense of the In­ferior Clergy, and much less Return their own Pleasure by him. Add to this, that at the Open­ing [Page 272] of Convocation, and in the middle upon Death or Promotion, the Clergy cannot proceed to an Election without his Grace's leave; nor was he ever thought to be qualifi'd for the Ex­ercise of any part of the Office, before Confir­mation. He blames me for a further observati­on to the same purpose (Right of the Archbi­shop, p. 67.) that neither the Speaker of the House of Commons, nor the House it self have the Power to Substitute a Speaker. But how­ever I had declar'd all along against inferring an Independence of the Lower House from the In­dependence of the Commons, it was (I hope) no unseasonable Suggestion to those who so much desire to make the Proceedings in Par­liament their Rule, that in this point of Sub­stitutions they go beyond their Rule, 'Tis true, the Dignitaries of the Lower House have a personal Right to be Summon'd, and as such are capable of appearing by Proxie; but cannot actually appear so, without the consent and ap­probation of the President. Nor is it at all to the purpose, to talk of the ordinary Substitu­tions of Proxies, unless that Power infer'd an absolute and immediate Right to Substitute a Prolocutor or Speaker; See Chap. 3. which he must needs know to be otherwise in the House of Peers, where the Nobility Substitute their Proxies, but not a Speaker.

Instances of Substituti­ons o [...] Au­thority of the Ʋpper House, de­fended a­gainst the late. Paper, Number 1. These Considerations from the Reason of the thing, and the Nature of the Office, are con­firm'd (p. 75.) by Instances of Application to the Upper House upon the Substitution of a Prolocutor for the Lower. The first, that of Archdeacon Wolman, is too express to be eva­ded. [Page 273] Anno 1533. Sess. 3. in the Upper House Book, Ibidem Dominus Prolocutor D. Wolman affirmavit se aegrotum esse, & petiit ut durante infirmitate ejus, Mr. Fox si vellet adesse, vel Mr. D. Bell exerceret officium suum, & conces­sum est. And this instance is made more full and clear by the Additional Remark he brings out of some other Extracts, which are yet con­ceal'd. Another Extract from the same Register (says he, p. 8.) gives this further Account of it.— ‘"Which done, the Prolocutor being Sick, de­sir'd that Mr. Fox, Archdeacon of Leicester, and Mr. Bell Archdeacon of Glocester, might be Substituted in his Place."’ Ad cujus Petitio­nem, dictus Dominus Praesidens, cum consensu Dominorum Episcoporum, & Praelatorum, & Cle­ri, tunc praesentium, licentiavit dictum Ri. Wol­mannum abesse pro tempore Infirmitatis suae.

I know not certainly in whose hands these Extracts are, but must beg leave to think that in the Course of this Controversie we should have heard more of them, had they been to the Advantage of that side of the Cause. And con­sidering that the present Disputes in Convoca­tion have been chiefly owing to the want of Re­gisters, the Proprietor (whoever he be) had an oportunity of showing his affection to truth and unity, by bringing forth these Extracts e're now; in imitation of his Grace the Lord Arch­bishop, who so freely laid before the two Hou­ses an entire Register he lately retriev'd.

Till it be known in whose hands they are, I must hope for no other light from them in this or any other particular, besides the Citation he has been pleas'd to produce. Supposing it there­fore fairly and entirely repeated, the Observati­ons [Page 274] I make upon it are, 1. That the Prolocu­tor evidently applys himself to his Grace and the Bishops, for leave to make the Substitution. 2. That we cannot conceive he would have made this Application, if the Substitution had been valid without it; or that he would have been suffer'd to make it, had the Lower House thought their own Consent and Authority sufficient. 3. That a Sub-Prolocutor is regularly constitu­ted in the same manner as a Prolocutor, i. e. by the concurrence and agreement of both Houses; the formal Conveyance of the Authority belong­ing to his Grace.

This Writer may refine, as nicely as he pleases, upon the Prolocutor's dislike of Archbishop Cronmer; but 'tis no part of the question, whe­ther Sickness was the real Cause of his desire to make that Substitution, or only a pretence for Absence. Supposing it only a pretence, it must be carry'd on in the usual form; and 'tis enough in the present Case, that he actually ap­ply'd to the Upper House, and pleaded his In­disposition, and had their express Leave to Sub­stitute.

2. The next Testimony of Application to their Lordships, is grounded upon a Memorandum of a Substitution, enter'd in the end of the Upper House Acts, Anno 1554. which (as I observe in the foremention'd Chapter) Vid. supr. p. 75. could no way have come into that Register, but as the Upper House had their share in the Substitution. Nor does the late Paper offer any thing to invalidate the Authority of this Testimony or my Inference from it, besides a precarious Supposition that it might possibly be taken from the concurrent Lower House Books; when in all the Acts of [Page 275] that Convocation, there are no signs that the Extracter had ever seen a Lower House Book of that time; much less that he had it then before him, or that omitting all the other Matters, he singled out this Substitution, as the only thing worthy of his Notice. 'Tis a sign the Case is Desperate, when Suppositions so very groundless are the best Defence that an Artful and Evasive Writer can find.

3. I produce a third Instance from the Mi­nutes of the Lower House in another Convoca­tion of the same Year: Die Jovis, 5o. Aprilis, Praesidente Episcopo Londo [...], praesentatur prae­dictus Prolocutor per N. Harpsfield & Jo. Wim­blesey, ubi tractarunt de Eligendis quibusdam de Clero qui Vice totius Cleri mitterentur Oxoniam ad tractand. cum Domino Cranmero, Domino Rid­leo nuper praetenso Episcopo London, & Hugone Latymer, de quibusdam Articulis Religionem con­cernentibus; & delecti sunt D. Weston, Ogle­thorp, Chedsey, Seton, Cole, Jefery, Fecknam & Harpsfield, ad effectum praedictum. Et quum praedictus Prolocutor non potuit adesse dictae Con­vocationi, Substituit N. Harpsfield & Johannem Wimbleseys, conjunctim & divisim in loco suo.

The late Paper urges this instance in behalf of the Power of the Lower House, because it was enter'd in the Acts of that House: When the Writer could not but know, that as oft as the Lower Clergy appear before the President and Bishops, the business thereof (particularly [...] the Presentation of their Prolocutor) is enter'd of Course in the Lower House Journal as well as that of the Upper. And I have given the Acts of the Day entire (which for good reasons he did not think fit to do,) that no doubt may re­main [Page 276] with the Reader, whether the Presentati­on of a Prolocutor, the Choice of Persons for the Dispute, and the Substitution immediately made upon the Prolocutor's being nam'd for one, were not all done in the same Place; that is, in the Upper House.

I take these three Instances to be full for the Power of the Upper House; especially the first, as it is more circumstantial than the other two. To these I will add a fourth, which makes not directly for either side; but is confidently urg'd by that Paper in favour of the Lower House.

Anno 1562. Feb. 24. The Archbishop and Bishops Surrogatum Prolocutoris (dicto Prolo­cutore Absente) ad se accersiri jusserunt. It is not said, that their Lordships sent for the Prolo­cutor, and that he being absent, his Surrogate came up, but that they sent for the Surrogatus Prolocutoris; which must imply, that they knew the Prolocutor had made a Substitution; and how can we more naturally account for that knowledge, than from the usual Applica­tion for Leave to do it?

The Argu­ments for an Inde­pendent Power of Substituti­on in the Lower House, an­swer'd. The Arguments oppos'd to these Testimonies, arise, 1. from the Want, and 2. from the silence of the Upper House Registers, at times when the Journals or Minutes of the Lower House make mention of a Sub-Prolocutor. But none of the Instances under either head speak of a Substitu­tion, as made by the Prolocutor (one excepted, which is already accounted for, p. 75.) and they did not therefore properly come into that Ac­count of the Election and Office of a Prolocutor: Nor are they at all serviceable to the Power of the Lower House, unless they mention'd the House as the sole Authors of the several Sub­stitutions. [Page 277] For where the Registers of the Up­per House are wanting, 'tis an equal doubt whe­ther they did or did not Apply to their Lord­ships; and I hope, in some other Cases, the bare silence or omission of the Books of the Up­per House (of the Debates whereof such Sub­stitutions are not strictly a part) will not be set against positive Testimonies proving an actual Application for Leave. A bare Omission may be easily accounted for, upon the Negligence or Forgetfulness of a Register, or from his opini­on that this matter (as a thing of Form) was not necessary to be inserted in the Acts; or lastly (which was the Case of three of these Instances) they might not happen on days of business, and so nothing was enter'd besides the Continuation in Form. By all, or any of these Suppositions, the Confirmation of a Sub-Prolo­cutor by the President and Bishops, becomes con­sistent with the Silence of the Registers: But where the Journals speak of Substitutions actu­ally made Above, no room is left for Suspicion that they were not made there; nor can any reason be assign'd why they should be made and enter'd there, besides a perswasion in the Clergy of those times, that of themselves they had no Power to make such Substitutions.

But to descend to the Particulars:

Instances, where we want the Registers of the Ʋpper House, of no force. 1. In some of the Instances which speak of a Sub-Prolocutor in the Lower House, we Want the Registers of the Upper. Anno 1586. Nov. 23. the Dean of Lichfield, and Dec. 2. D. Goodman, are said to Intimate the Continuations Nomine Domini Prolocutoris. The Writer of the late Paper observes upon these, that a good Abridge­ment of the Contemporary Registers of the Up­per [Page 278] House, &c. mentions nothing of the Archbi­shop's Approving either of these Substitutions.

This Abridgment has been very differently de­scrib'd on that Side; and the Designs of those different Characters are obvious enough. When its mentioning no License was to be an Evidence for D. Atterbury, Rights. &c. p 647. 662. that such Licenses in those days were not thought necessary in order to treat or debate of Canons, it's reputation run high; it was a good Abridgment of the Journals of the Upper House, and not only so, but a full and particular Abridgement, giving an account of the Acts, &c. day by day, and leaf by leaf.

Afterwards, it hapn'd to be urg'd (in Con­currence with the Journals of the Clergy) Right of the Archbishop, p. 101. against the Lower House and their Intermediate meet­ings; and the fulness and goodness of the A­bridgment did evidently Enforce the Argument against that Claim. Upon this, it fell into dis­grace with the Writer of the Power of the Low­er House, &c. P. 13. c. 1 and presently shrunk into a short Abstract or Index of the Bishops Journal.

Of late, since this Question about Substituti­ons arose, it's Silence as to any Confirmations in the Upper House, was to make these two Depu­tations in 1586. the Sole effect of a Power in the Lower: Now therefore it has recovered its for­mer Credit, and is restor'd to it's ancient Title of a good Abridgment, and is to keep it, so long as it continues in the Service of that Side.

In the mean time, what unsufferable Shifting and Glossing is this! To make the same Notes good and bad, a short Abstract and a full Account, now an Index and then a particular Abridge­ment; as the several Characters will help to dis­guise a defenceless cause. The truth is, this A­bridgment [Page 279] is little more than an Index; but spe­cifying in about twenty Instances the Days on which the Sessions were, and those the same with the Sessions in the Lower House; so far they became a proper proof against Intermediate Days. But I think the silence of Index's or Abridgments so very lean, are not usually thought a proof, that this or that particular matter was not in the original Book. Not to observe, that the first of these two Instances which speak of a Sub-Prolocutor, hapn'd on a day when the Up­per House did not meet, but the Convocation was Continu'd by Commission.

The bare Silence of the Ʋpper House Books of no autho­rity against positive E­vidences. 2. In other places where the Minutes of the Lower House speak of Substitutions, their Lordships Register is silent; and that Silence is the only argument pretended for their having no share therein.

Anno 1661. June 14. Substitutus est Deca­nus Cicestrensis in locum Prolocutoris, durante absentiâ ejusdem.

Anno 1662. May 5. D. Franck nominatur & eligitur in Vice-Prolocutorem.

At both these times we have the original Re­gisters of the Upper House: But, 1. It happens that the business transacted there on both Days is enter'd in gross, Reverendissimus post aliquod Tractatum cum Confratribus Continuavit, &c. and what particulars pass'd on either day, we cannot tell. 2. These Minutes don't say (any more than the Journal of 1586.) by whom or up­on whose Authority these Substitutions were made. The Acts of 1586. speak of other Per­sons Continuing nomine Prolocutoris, and these Minutes speak of a Prolocutor's being substitu­ted, and nam'd, and chosen; but where and in [Page 280] what manner these things were done, Whether in the Upper or the Lower House? by the Bi­shops and Clergy, or by the Clergy alone? nei­ther the Acts nor Minutes have told us. We have therefore no way to come to any knowledge about the manner of making these, but by in­terpreting such general Expressions in accommo­dation to other Substitutions, the Circumstances whereof are more particularly express'd. Such is that of Archdeacon Wolman recited above: And such also, as to the present Case, are the two other Substitutions in the Upper House; the Entries thereof in the Register of that House being a Circumstance which sufficiently proves Application to have been made there; and that Application, is the thing we contend for, as ne­cessary to enable a Substitute to Act.

The Prece­dent of 1640. par­ticularly consider'd. The only particular Entry upon the Lower House Books in any Convocation, is that of 1640. May 2. (repeated in short May 5.) Die Sab­bati, 2. Maii 1640. Dominus Prolocutor apud ejus aedes in Westm. me praesente, constituit & ordinavit Doctorem Bargrave & Doctorem Nevil & eorum alterum conjunctim & divisim prose & ejus nomine pro hac Sessione, ad legend. preces in Domo Inferiori, &c. & vetum & Suffragium su­um reddere pro Prorogatione prox. Sequent. &c. Et sactâ declaratione Constitutionis hujusmodi Cle­ro Domûs Inferioris, Cleri eandem approbâ­runt.

Here, the dispute is not, whether this be an Authentick Precedent as it stands in the Minutes of 1640. We question not it's Authority, nor de­ny the Lower House any advantage that it will fairly Yield; but own (on the contrary) that in virtue hereof the Prolocutor's Proposal of the [Page 281] Person or Persons, and the Approbation of the House, are both Regular. But the only question is (and I once more leave it to the decision of e­very Reader) Whether the mere Silence of the Upper House Register, be a sufficient Argument that their Lordships Confirmation is not necessa­ry in such Substitutions? 'When this Silence can but amount at most to a probable proof that it was not given even in that Instance, 'When we have clear and certain testimonies of it's being desir'd and given in other Instances, 'When also no account is to be given of the Application to the Upper House in those Instances, besides a per­swasion among the Clergy, that it was the re­gular way; and lastly, 'When the contrary is attended with so many absurdities, as 'That a Prolocutor who himself cannot act till he be confirm'd by the President and Bishops, should have Power to Commission another to Act with­out Confirmation, 'That a Person who is to be the common Inter-nuncio between the two Hou­ses, shall not first be approv'd by both, That their Lordships, who are to receive the Sense of the House, and to return their Pleasure to the House by his Hands, shall neither have previous Notice that he is the real Representative and Organ of the House, nor any Assurance that the House will reckon their Commands (if convey'd by him) obligatory and authentick.

The Paper (Numb. 1.) speaks a­gainst the Sense of the House. Notwithstanding these Absurdities, as well as the positive testimonies of Application to the Upper House; the Writer of the late Paper af­firms in the name of the Majority, That they were thoroughly satisfy'd of their Right to depute a Prolocutor in such an Exigence as this, without acquainting his Grace and the Bishops at all with it. [Page 282] But if he should be mistaken in the Sense of that side or in his own Opinion that they will be go­vern'd by his Notions; it will not be the first Instance of his reckoning too hastily upon their implicit Concurrence. While the Generality continu'd in the Dark, they were glad to put themselves under the first Guide they could find; but as new Light broke forth, and the Constitu­tion and Usages of an English Synod came to be more clearly seen, the Scheme which had been laid by a certain Author, appear'd too extrava­gant for Practice; and he has had the Mortifi­cation to see his Principles tacitly dropt and disown'd by his very Friends, in a Refusal to act and proceed upon them.

So, upon this Head of Substitutions, the Writer of the late Paper proceeds all along up­on a Power in the House independent on his Grace and the Bishops: And yet it is said (and he himself hints it) that a considerable Member on the same side declar'd openly, that they had no Intention to make a common Referendary without the Approbation of his Grace: which reduces the Point under Dispute, from that ab­solute Exclusion of the Cognizance of the Up­per-house, to a Distinction between the Office of a Prolocutor and Referendary.

No diffe­rence be­tween a Prolocutor and a Re­ferendary. According to all the Observations I have been able to make upon this Office, and the mention of it in the Registers, I could never see the least difference in the Import and Meaning of these two Terms. The Prolocutor, or (as the Acts before the Reformation more usually write it) the Praelocutor, was the Person who spoke in the name of the Clergy, and reported to their Lordships their Resolutions and Answers, the [Page 283] whole Body of the Clergy being all the while present. From hence he was call'd Organum Cleri; and as that was originally the only Busi­ness of the Office, so the Person executing it is most commonly mention'd under the single Name of Prolocutor.

His other Stile is Referendarius; the most natural Interpretation whereof, is the Reporter of the Sense or Resolutions of a Body; and so it is us'd in our Registers before the Application of it to a Prolocutor. Anno 1411. Dec. 2. The King's Commissioners come to the Convocation, and the Chancellor who was empower'd to speak for the rest, is call'd Referendarius: Per dictum Dominum Referendarium devocius Supplicatum; and again, dicto Domino Referendario & Domi­nis temporalibus qui intrarunt, se paululum re­trahentibus. But that no Doubt may remain, whether this Name and that other of Prolocutor did imply the self same thing, the first formal Choice we find at the beginning of Convocation, was upon a Direction to the Clergy Anno 1425. Ut unum Referendarium sive Praelocutorem ex seipsis eli­gerent, qui vice eorum omnium & singulorum causas exponeret & responsa. Again, Anno 1536, they are order'd to chuse one of their Members in Referendarium & Prolocutorem, qui eorum nomine loqui possit. Anno 1562. Ut eligant in eorum Prolocutorem sive Referendari­um, &c. and they present the Dean of St. Pauls in Prolocutorem sive Referendarium Domûs In­ferioris electum.—Anno 1586 and 1588, they have leave to proceed ad Electionem futuri Prolocutoris, only; and yet the Journal menti­ons the Presentation conjunctively under both Titles. Anno 1640, in both Convocations, they [Page 284] are directed to chuse Virum, &c. in eorum Pro­locutorem five Referendarium; and at the Pre­sentation upon both Choices the Register repeats the very same words.

But to shew that it makes no difference in the Language of Convocation, whether the Expres­sion be Prolocutor, or Prolocutor & Referendari­us, or Prolocutor five Referendarius; observe the promiscuous use of all the three in a Choice upon the Promotion of a Prolocutor, Anno 1661. Feb. 18. The Clergy are directed ut unum, &c. eligant in eorum Prolocutorem & Referendari­um: They retire ad effectum eligendi, &c. in eo­rum Prolocutorem sive Referendarium: They present Dr. Barwick in Prolocutorem totius Cleri Domûs Inferioris unanimiter Electum: The Pre­sident and his Brethren confirm him in Prolocu­torem sive Referendarium.

The Duties belonging to the Office of Prolocutor, are all an­next to that of Re­porting. We see then, the promiscuous Use of these two Terms is as ancient as the first Election of a Prolocutor; and upon what Authority they are now made two distinct Offices, I know not. 'Tis plain, that the Reporting (or in other words the being a Referendary and a Speaker at the Head of the Body) was originally intended in the Office, and the only thing imply'd in both the Names; and the Business of Reading Pray­ers, and being the standing Moderator in their Debates, came in afterwards, when they grew into a separate House. So that these were the Consequences of the Referendary's Office, and annext to it, and lodg'd in the Person of the Prolocutor, as first chosen and confirm'd for the original End, that of Reporting. And therefore, at the beginning of Convocation, tho' his Grace actually direct the Choice of a Prolocutor, and [Page 285] a Person accordingly be Elected in form by the Clergy, yet he is not thought capable either of Moderating, or Reading Prayers, till he be Confirm'd in the Office of Prolocutor or Common Referendary, and by Consequence in the other Offices annext to it. Which Confirmation it is, that puts the Clergy in a Capacity to Act as a House, and the whole Convocation to proceed to business, upon that forma Establishment of a Correspondence between the two Houses. As therefore the Prolocutor is oblig'd to be always in readiness within the Synodical Hour to at­tend the Upper House and bring their Instru­ctions to the Lower, so in Case of any Inability to pay such Attendance, it must certainly be his duty to give timely notice thereof to their Lord­ships; that either the Sitting of Convocation may be intermitted for the time, or (if busi­ness require) another Person may be chosen by the Clergy, and confirm'd by the President and Bishops, to put the Lower House in a conditi­on to proceed, and to be for that Interval the known Internuncio between the two Houses.

One thing more I would observe upon this head, That if the appointment of a Person to read Prayers, and moderate their Debates in the Chair, and so to make them a House, be in the Power of the Lower Clergy; and if the sole concern of the Upper House be afterwards in the confirmation of a Common Referendary; all the complaints against the Government for not suf­fering them to become a House by the choice of such a Person, turn directly upon themselves. For it was in their own Power (upon this Prin­ciple) to become a House when they pleas'd, and not the less so for his Grace's Delaying the [Page 286] Appointment of a Common Referendary. But in truth, since the Separation of the two Houses in their Debates, the title of Prolocutor has comprehended all the Offices of the Place, as the Confirmation of his Grace and the Bishops, has been ever thought to Instate him in the Of­fice, and make the Lower Clergy a House, to act in a due Subordination to those their Supe­riors.

And this new division of the Office is evident­ly fram'd to Support the notion of their being a Separate House, and in a Condition to debate business of their own, antecedent to this Act and the Authority of their Lordships: Which being once allow'd, would quickly establish them in a Co-ordinate State, and open a way to any degrees of Independence they should here­after please to insist on.

IV. Additional Observations touching the AUTHORITY of the SUM­MONS to Convocation.

The Autho­rity of Summoning appli'd both to the King and the Archbishop. P. 189. The title of the Con­vocation of 1562. (as of others since the Act of Submis­sion) runs thus:

Convocatio Praelatorum & Cleri Cantuar. Provinciae in­choat. in Domo Capitulari Ec­clesiae Divi Pauli London, Auctoritate Brevis Regij Reverendissimo, &c. in hac parte directi, &c.

P. 1. App. The form of holding a Convocation, drawn by Archbishop Par­ker for that of 1562. begins thus:

Sciendum est quòd omnes qui Auctoritate Reverendis­simi Domini Archiepiscopi Cant. citantur ad compa­rendum coram eo in in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Cathe­dralis Divi Pauli London, &c.

The Titles of our Convocations before and since the Reformation agree in the first Clause, Convocatio Praelatorum & Cleri Cantuarlensis Provinciae; which shews that by our Protestant Constitution they are no less an Ecclesiastical and Provincial Synod of Bishops and their Clergy under one common head the Metropolitan of of the Province, than in the times of Popery they were. If therefore the Clergy (as has [Page 288] been pleaded of late) be not comprehended in that Phrase Convocationem Praelatorum & Cleri in the form of Continuing, they are by the same rule no Members of an English Convocati­on.

But whereas the Convocations before the Re­formation are generally said in the Title to be Factae per Reverendissimum, &c. upon the Sub­mission Act the Style seems to have been chang'd, because the first title we have entire after that Act (this, I mean, of 1562.) makes the Con­vocation to be begun Auctoritate Brevis Regij Reverendissimo &c. direct. And yet we see that Archbishop Parker lookt upon the Convocation of that very Year to be Cited or Summon'd, Au­ctoritate Reverendissimi, &c.

Hereupon a question arises about the true meaning of the term Authoritas, as us'd in these titles and on some other Occasions: In what Sense the Bishops and Clergy are said to be Summon'd to Convocation by the King's Au­thority, and in what, by the Authority of the Archbishop?

The Archie­piscopal Summons Autho­ritative before the Act. It is agreed on all hands, that before the Act of Submission, an English Convocation was Summon'd by the Sole Authority of the Metro­politan: Nor do we deny that Act to have been a confiderable Abridgment of the Liberties of the Church in the matter of holding Synods, but only that it did not so far affect the Ecclesi­astical Power as to change them into Civil Meet­ings, i. e. Meetings Summon'd and acting in virtue of that Summons, immediately upon a Civil Authority.

[Page 289] The Civil Summons, an argu­ment of the Papists a­gainst our Reforma­tion. This Civil Summons and the Authority of it has been warmly asserted by two sorts of Per­sons, 1. By the Papists, who ever since the Re­formation have taken the Advantage of that Act of Submission to asperse our Protestant Sy­nods as Civil Meetings, and the Canons &c. made in them as of a Secular Original. 2. By some late Opposers of the Metropolitical and Episcopal Authority in Convocation: One of whom forms this New and very Uncanonical Scheme of Summoning and Holding Synods, up­on that Expression in the Submission-Act.

The Authority by which the Convocation meets, is now purely Royal: Power of the Lower House. p. 3. c. 1. The words of the Act are express in the case—which shall always be assembled by Authority of the King's Writ.—So that since this Statute, the Archbishop's share in Convening them is not Authoritative but Ministerial. And when therefore, he frames his Mandate upon the King's Writ, he does it as the King's Instrument only, and the proper Officer who is to execute the Royal Summons.—The Argument arising from hence is, that his Grace has now no Authority to Convene the Body of the Clergy.

Again, Ibid. p. 17. c. 1. 2. An English Metropolitan, Presiding over a Synod, &c. call'd together not any way by his, but purely by Royal Authority. And in another place, Ibid. p. 20. c. 2. The Convocation Subsists by the King's Writ.

Let the most virulent Adversary of this Pro­testant Church, frame (if he can) a descripti­on of its Synodical Meetings, that shall be a deeper Reproach to our happy Reformation.

Against the first sort of Adversaries, the Pa­pists (and Protestants, one would think, should [Page 290] be as easily answer'd,) a full Vindication of our Reform'd Church has been built upon the Ge­nuine meaning of the Act of Submission inter­preted according to the true intent thereof, and the antecedent and subsequent Practice, with o­ther Circumstances; all which we have been forc'd more particularly to Urge and enforce of late, to defend the honour of our Constitution against the Second sort of Adversaries also. As,

The intent of the Sta­tute, no more than to restrain the Archbi­shop from exerting his Autho­rity with­out the Royal Li­cense. That the Crown did not want the Assistance of any Act, to have a Convocation at pleasure; be­cause the Right of enjoyning the Archbishop to Summon it in due form as our Princes saw Occasion, was always thought a Power Inhe­rent in the Crown, and was all along practis'd in England, both before and since the Reforma­tion; and is indeed a Right belonging to Chri­stian Princes in general.

But till the Act of Submission, the Archbi­shop also had a Power of Summoning Convoca­tions (according to the Exigencies of the Church) without the permission or direction of the Royal Writ.

And King Henry VIII. apprehending that the Archbishop, Bishops, and Clergy in Convocati­on might protest against or obstruct his Mea­sures of Reformation, got a sufficient Security against that danger, by making himself (in virtue of that Act) the Sole Judge when a Con­vocation should be Summon'd.

As the King neither gain'd nor wanted more than this; so nothing was taken from the Arch­bishop but the ancient Right of Exerting his Summoning Authority AT PLEASURE; the Authority it self remaining Entire, and as full and effectual as ever, when that Restraint is ta­ken off.

[Page 291] The Power which the King gain'd, and the Archbishop lost, is express'd by the Statute in the word Always—Which shall Always be assembled by Authority of the King's Writ. Before that Statute, the Convocation had been sometimes call'd at the sole Motion and Pleasure of the Archbishop, and sometimes upon the Royal Writ; but since, the Archbishop is con­fin'd to wait for the Direction of the Royal Writ.

The Intention therefore of directing the Roy­al Writ to the Archbishop, is twofold. 1. To signify the Pleasure of the Prince, that at that particular time his Grace shall exert the Sum­moning-Authority inherent in his See; as it has been ever exerted at the Command of the Kings of England. 2. To be a legal Discharge from the Restraint of this Statute, and a Security a­gainst the Penalties of Summoning without the Royal License.

The word Authority in the Sta­tute only implys a le-Leave or License. For that the word Authority, as it stands in the Act, was intended for no more than a Leave or License to Summon, is evident from the ve­ry Submission (upon which the Act was immedi­ately founded:)—We will never from hence­forth, &c. unless your Highness by your Royal Assent shall License us to assemble our Convoca­tion.—And from the Dedication of the Cler­gy to the King, prefixt to the Institution of a Christian Man.—Without your Majesty's Power and License we acknowledge and confess that we have not Authority to assemble together for any Pretence or Purpose, &c. And lastly, from the Stile given to the Royal-Writ by Queen Elizabeth.—Cum Nos, &c. Archiepiscopo mandaverimus, eidémque Licentiam Concesseri­mus [Page 292] quòd Convocari faceret singulos Episco­pos, &c.

As therefore the Bishops and Clergy in Con­vocation, apprehensive of the Penalties of the Statute, have taken care to use the very Expres­sion of it, with Reference to the Royal-Writ; so that Expression being directly taken from the Statute, is of course to be interpreted according to the Extent and Meaning thereof.

The Arch­bishop's Summons Authorita­tive, from the Stile of the Man­date and Returns. The Methods of Summoning, antecedent and subsequent to that Statute, are a clear Argument that the Archbishop's Authority therein remain'd entire. That all his Summons before it (tho' issu'd upon a Royal Writ, and that expressly re­cited in the Mandate) were yet Authoritative, is not deny'd: And if this Act of Submission had been intended to change the Archiepiscopal Summons into a Ministerial Office, it would have given Directions for changing the Authori­tative into a Ministerial Stile; at least such a Change must of course have been made. But no such Alteration appears either in the Man­date or the Dean of the Province's Certificate of the Execution.

The Writ comes to the Archbishop (for it can be directed to none else) in the same Stile and Manner, as before the Statute it did; and is now no otherwise inserted in the Archiepiscopal Mandate than was usual before the Reformation. The Archbishop, directing that Mandate to the Dean of the Province, goes on, Breve Regis, &c. recepimus in haec verba.—After a recital of the Writ, he proceeds, Quocirca (i. e. having re­ceiv'd this Royal Permission and Direction to exert the Summoning-Power inherent in the See) Fraternitati vestrae COMMITTIMUS & MAN­DAMUS [Page 293] —VOLUMUS & MANDAMUS—INJUNGIMUS & MANDAMUS.—All express Terms of Authority, in his Grace's own Name, and under the Archiepiscopal Seal.

Accordingly the Dean of the Province's Cer­tificatorium or Return declares his Execution of every particular Branch thereof to have been in Virtue and by Authority of his Grace's Man­date: Literas vestras Reverendissimas Citatorias & Monitoriales jam dudum nobis sab sigillo ve­stro directas, cum câ quâ decuit Reverentiâ humiliter recepimus; Quarum literarum VI­GORE pariter & AUTORITATE—AU­TORITATE & per receptionem Literarum ve­strarum—juxta VIM, FORMAM, & EF­FECTUM earundem—secundum FORMAM & TENOREM Literarum Vestrarum.

In like manner the Returns of all the other Suffragans are made immediately to his Grace, and ultimately lodg'd (where they ever were be­fore the Submission-Act) in the Registry of the Archiepiscopal See: Whereas all Executions by the King's Authority, are returnable of course into the Offices belonging to the Crown.

Right of the Archbishop, p. 9. &c. Hist. of Con. p. 14. This Point (of the Metropolitan's Authorita­tive-Summons) has been more largely prov'd and explain'd elsewhere: But the contrary Do­ctrine of its being Ministerial, is attended with Consequences so very dishonourable to our Re­form'd Church, that I could not leave the Rea­der under any Danger of being missed into that Opinion by this general Expression of the Sta­tute, transcrib'd from thence into the Titles of our Acts, and into some of the Instruments of Convocation. For if that new Notion were [Page 294] true, the Proceedings of Convocation would be so far from agreeing to the Principles of an E­piscopal Church, that they would not be the Proceedings of any Church at all. The Ecclesi­astical Power must then be swallow'd up in the Civil; and the Methods of Proceeding would not be influenc'd by the ancient Synodical Rules, or the Distinction of Bishops and Presbyters, but founded entirely upon a Model fram'd and establisht by the State.

Enough (I think) has been said to expose and overthrow that Uncanonical Scheme; but be­cause it is come in my way, I will take the Op­portunity of adding an Observation or two:

1. That at the Opening of Convocations, as well since as before the Act of Submission, the first step in certifying the due Execution of the Summons, has been the Exhibiting and Reading the Dean of the Province's Certificatorium or Return, directed to the Metropolitan alone; in pursuance of whose Command and Authority e­very particular (as we have seen) is said to be duly executed. Nor has any more Notice been taken of the Royal-Writ, than as 'tis recited in the Archiepiscopal Mandate, just as it was be­fore the Statute at the Opening of all Convoca­tions which were Summon'd upon the Writ.

2. The Contumacy pronounc'd thereupon is meerly for not attending according to the Tenor of his Grace's Mandates to the several Bishops, with their Lordships Certificates to his Grace of the due Execution; and the Censures for Ab­sence being all purely Canonical, shew them to be inflicted for an Act of Disobedience to the Authority of their Canonical Superior.

[Page 295] 3. Cardinal Pool held a Convocation in the Year 1557, the latter end of Queen Mary's Reign; and the Title of it is Convocatio sive Sa­cra Synodus Convocata auctoritate Brevis Re­gis Philippi & Mariae, &c. Now, 'tis not to be imagin'd that either the Queen or the Cardi­nal (so remarkably tender of the Privilegdes and Immunities of the Church) would have given way to a Convocation upon that Foot, had it been the Opinion of those Times that the Au­thority of the Royal Writ destroy'd that Autho­ritative Summons which the Archbishops before the Reformation had always exercis'd.

The Case of the Convo­cation's be­ing Dissol­ved by the Death of the Prince. The same Convocation is said in the Extracts out of the Upper-house Books to be Soluta per mortem Reginae Mariae; as we find afterwards (Anno 1624.) that the Convocation was dis­solv'd by the Death of King James the First.

On the contrary, before the Reformation, Anno 1412. we find that Archbishop A­rundel summon'd a Convocation in Obedience to the King's Writ; and yet it was continu'd for some time after the Death of Henry the Fourth. Again, Anno 1460. Archbishop Bour­chier issu'd his Summons in a like Obedience to the Royal Writ; but the same Convocation, not expiring with the Death of Henry the Sixth, continu'd in the Reign of Edward the Fourth.

The difference in this Matter, before and since the Reformation, naturally arises from the fore­going Construction of the Submission-Act. Be­fore that was made, the Archbishop had a Right to hold Convocations independent of the Prince, and was by consequence under no Obligation to discontinue them upon the Death or Demise of [Page 296] the Prince: He was bound to obey the Royal Writ (as oft as it was sent him) by exerting the Summoning-Authority according to the Te­nor thereof; but he was not absolutely confin'd to wait for and receive such Writ, in order to Summon or Hold; nor was a Convocation, hol­den by the Archbishop independent of the King, an illegal Assembly by the Laws then in being.

But by the Statute of Submission, interpreted in its most genuine Meaning, an absolute Re­straint is laid upon the Archbishop from holding his Convocation, unless authoriz'd so to do by the Royal Writ. By this means, any such Meeting of the Bishops and Clergy, holden by the Archbishop without such Writ, is become an illegal Assembly. Now the Force of the Writ (directed to the Archbishop to take off the Restraint laid upon him by the Statute) must cease and expire with the Prince, in whose Name and under whose Seal it was issu'd: And when that happens, the Archbishop is by Law reduc'd to the same Inability to hold a Convo­cation, as he was under before the Reception of such Writ.

A Dissoluti­on by the King's Death, no Prejudice to the Archie­piscopal Au­thority. That therefore a Convocation dies in Law with the Prince, resolves wholly into that Inca­pacity which is acknowledg'd both in this Secti­on and elsewhere to be laid upon the Ecclesia­stical Power by the Statute of Submission. And so the most that such a Dissolution can infer, is, that the Archbishop is now uncapable in Law to hold a Convocation, unless authoriz'd by the King's Writ to hold it, or (in other words) that without the Force and Warrant of such Writ he cannot now (as before the Statute he could) give Subsistence to a Convocation. But to argue from [Page 297] hence; That the Convocation subsists by the sole Authority of the Crown, and that the Authority of the Archbishop is wholly lost, and so his share in summoning and holding is purely Mini­sterial; these Inferences are a direct Violence to the Statute, such as one would naturally expect from some Advocate of an Erastian-Church, or a declar'd Enemy to our Reformation, but 'tis strange to see a profess'd Member, and which is more, a Minister of our Reform'd Church, wre­sting the Statute into a Sense so very injurious to her Liberty and her Honour.

The Statute, as it lodges in the Civil Power the sole Right of judging when our Synods shall be held, is an Abridgment of the Liberties of the Church; and we must be content: But let us bless God, that the Power of the Church is not so affected either by this or any other Statute, but that the Metropolitans of both Provinces have a Right (after the Writ has given them the Liberty of exerting their Power) first to Sum­mon their Convocations in an Authoritative or Canonical way, and then to hold them by the ancient Ecclesiastical Rules. A Blessing, for which they are very ungrateful, who can so much delight in saying and even pleading that the Convocation subsists by the Royal Writ, ex­clusive of the Archiepiscopal Authority; when the Dean of the Province's Certificatorium or Return (with the exhibiting whereof the Convo­cation properly opens) declares and recognizes in every particular the immediate Authority by which they assemble.

The Archie­piscopal Au­thority di­rectly recog­niz'd in the Dean of the Province's Certifica­torium. I have before repeated some of the Terms, in which that Instrument recognizes the Archiepis­copal Authority; but for a more full Satisfacti­on [Page 298] to the Reader, I will here subjoin it at large.

REverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Domino Thomae Providentia Divina Can­tuar. Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati & Metropolitano, vestrove in hac parte Locum te­nenti sive Commissario vel Commissariis, Henricus permissione Divina London Episcopus omnimodam Reverentiam & Obedientiam tanto Reverendissi­mo Patri debitam cum Honore: Literas ve­stras Reverendissimas Citatorias & Monito­riales, jamdudum Nobis sub sigillo vestro di­rect. cum ea qua decuit Reverentia humiliter re­cepimus exequend. sub tenore verborum sequen­tium, videl. Thomas Providentia Divina, &c. See the Form of the Mandate, p. 9, 57. Qua­rum quidem Literarum vigore pariter & au­thoritate, Nos praefatus Henricus London. Episcopus, omnes & singulos Confratres nostros Co-Episcopos Ecclesiae vestrae Christi Cant. consti­tutos, peremptorie citari & premoneri, ac per eos Decanos Ecclesiarum Cathedralium & Collegi­atarum, & singula Capitula earundem, Archidi­aconosque, & alios Ecclesiarum Praelatos Exemp­tos & non Exemptos, Clerumque cujuslibet Dioec. Provinciae vestrae Cantuar. antedictae peremptorie citari & praemoneri respective fecimus; Quòd iidem Episcopi, Decani, &c. compareant coram Peternitate vestra Reverendissima aut ve­stro in hac parte Locum tenente sive Commissario vel Commissariis die & loco in eisdem vestris Literis Reverendissimis plenius specificat. & designat. cum Continuatione & Prorogatione die­rum extunc sequentium & locorum, si & quate­nus expediat: Ad tractandum super arduis & [Page 299] urgentibus negotiis, &c. [ut prius in Mandato.] Ulteriusque, Authoritate & per Receptionem Literarum Destrarum Reverendissimarum Ci­totoriarum & Monitorialium praedictarum, fatemur Nos Henricum London. Episcopum an­tedictum peremptorie fore & esse citatum ad comparendum coram vestra Reverendissi­ma Paternitate aut vestro in hac parte Locum tenente sive Commissario vel Commissariis hujus­modi, die & loco praecitatis de & super Negotiis memoratis tractatur'. Et nos iisdem Literis ve­stris Reverendissimis hujusmodi juxta vim, formam, tenorem, & effectum carundem debite parebimus. Intimavimus insuper & de­nuntiavimus, & intimari & denuntiari fecimus dictae Provinciae vestrae Cantuar. Co-episcopis, &c. quòd eos a personali comparitione in hujus­modi negotio Convocationis & Congregationis di­ctis die & loco, ut praemittitur, divina favente clementia, excusatos Reverendissima vestra Paternitas non habere intendit ista vice nisi ex causa necessaria tunc & ibidem alleganda & proponend. & per Paternitatem vestram Reve­rendissimam approband. sed eorum contumacias qui absentes fuerint canonice punire. Et sic Literas vestras Reverendissimas antedictas quatenus ad Nos attinet & in nobis est fuimus Executi. Dat. in Palatio nostro apad London. ultimo die mensis Januarij Anno Domini (stylo Angliae) millesimo septingentesimo, nostraeque translationis vicesimo sexto.

If this Instrument (the Exhibiting and Read­ing whereof opens the Convocation) be not a pl [...]in Declaration of the Authority by which it is immediately summon'd, and subsists, I know not [Page 300] where Words will be found to declare or ex­press it. Nor can I conceive, either how the issuing a Mandate in the Name and under the Hand and Seal of the Archbishop, or the certi­fying to his Grace an Execution in Virtue and by the Authority of his Mandate, can consist with the late Notion of his Grace's issuing that Mandate in a meer Ministerial way.

V. Observations upon the Ta­ble of Fees, and the Ca­talogue of Members, prefixt to the Registers of Convocation.

AT the beginning of the Upper-house Regi­sters, we generally find a Catalogue of Fees due to the Officers in Convocation from the Members of each House, according to their several Degrees and Stations. Which Catalogue is Copy'd, word for word, from a larger Table sign'd and establisht by Archbishop Whitgift, containing the Fees due to the Officers of his Grace's Courts, for every particular Business to be executed therein. The Title of the Table is as follows:

A Table of Fees of the most Reverend Fa­ther in God, John, by the Providence of God Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all England, his Grace's Chancellor, Vicar-General, Register-Principal, Apparitor-General, and other Ministers.

[Page 302] Among these, the several Officers in Convo­cation, belonging to the Lower as well as the Upper-house, have their Fees assign'd (as Mem­bers of his Grace's Court) according to the Pro­portions which Archbishop Whitgift found to be their customary Allowance.

The part of that Table which relates to Con­vocation, and is therefore usually transcrib'd in­to the Registers thereof, is as follows:

¶ Feoda Solvenda Registrario Primario, & Apparitori Generali Domini Archiepisco­pi Cant. in Convocatione Provinciae Cant. juxta antiquum morem ejusdem Convo­cationis.

 Registrario.
 s.d.
Inprimis, Quilibet Episcopus Provinc. Cant. Solvit Registrario praedicto,68
Et si absens fuerit toto,134
Item, Quilibet Decanus comparens per Procuratorem,50
Item, Quilibet Archidiaconus compa­rens per Procuratorem solvit50
Item, Procurator cujuslibet Capituli solvit50
Item, Quilibet Procurator Cleri solvit xx d. viz. duo Procuratores,34
 Apparitori.
Item, Quilibet Episcopus solvit Appa­ritori,68

Similia Feoda solvenda sunt qualibet Sessione, cum Convocatio prorogetur authoritate Brevis Regij.

[Page 303] ¶ Feoda Actuario Domûs Inferioris Convoca­tionis solvend.

 Actuario.
 s.d.
Inprimis, Quilibet Decanus solvit28
Item, Quilibet Archidiaconus,18
Item, Quilibet Procurator Capituli,18
Item, Quilibet Procurator Cleri,14

Ostiario Domûs Inferioris.

 Ostiario.
Inprimis, Quilibet Decanus solvit14
Item, Quilibet Archidiaconus,10
Item, Quilibet Procurator Capituli,10
Item, Quilibet Procurator Cleri,08

Observati­ons upon the Table of Fees. 1. These Particulars, as rankt among the Fees for the Office of Vicar-General, and usually en­ter'd at the beginning of the Journals of each House, shew all the Officers of Convocation to be under the immediate Jurisdiction of the Arch­bishop and Members of his Court.

2. We may observe also, that in the Provision made for the Appearance of a Dean or Archdea­con by Proxy, the Fee for exhibiting the Instru­ments is directly assign'd to the Archbishop's Register, as it is the sole Right of his Grace to admit, and by consequence of his proper Officer to receive them.

3. Provision being only made for exhibiting the Procuratorial Letters of the Cathedral and Diocesan Proctors, and none for Proxies in case of their Absence; 'tis plain, that in those days none was thought to have a Right of substituting his Proxie, but who had a Right to be Personally Cited, viz. Bishops, Deans, and Archdeacons.

[Page 304] The Cata­logues of the Mem­bers of Con­vocation. II. The Table of Fees is usually follow'd by a Catalogue of the Members; to which the Ge­neral Title of the Convocation is prefixt: The Title of that in 1640, is as follows:

Convocatio Praelatorum & Cleri Cantuar. Pro­vinciae, inchoata in Domo Capitulari Ecclesiae Ca­thedralis Sancti Pauli London. Autoritate Brevis Regij Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac fideli Consiliario suo Domino Gulielmo Providentiâ Di­vinâ Cantuariensi Archiepiscopo, totius Angliae Primati & Metropolitano in hac parte direct. in­choata die Martis, decimo quarto, viz. die men­tis Aprilis, Anno Domini millesimo sexcentesimo quadragesimo, Regnique Serenissimi in Christo Principis & Domini nostri Domini Caroli Dei Gratiâ. Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, & Hiberniae Regis Fidei Defensoris, &c. Anno decimo sexto.

The same Title, with the necessary Variati­ons as to Time, &c. is also put before the Re­gister of 1661. After which, in both the Con­vocations, the Members of the Upper-house are severally enter'd under the following Head:

Nomina Reverendorum Patrum Episcoporum modernorum Cant. Provinciae, citatorum & mo­nitorum ad comparendum in Convocatione prae­dictâ.

And after them, come the Members of the Lower-house, according to their several Churches, Dieceses, and respective Stations therein, under this Title:

Nomina citatorum ad comparendum in Inferi­ore Domo Convocationis Praelatorum & Cleri Cant. Provinciae, inchoat. die & loco praedict.

Observati­ons upon the Catalogues. Upon the foregoing Account of these Intro­ductions to the Upper-house Acts, I observe,

[Page 305] 1. That this Entry of the Inferior Clergy (to­gether with the Bishops) in the Books of the Upper-house, is the Consequence of that House's being properly the Locus Synodi, and of the Con­vocation's being one Body consisting of Bishops and Presbyters as the Members, and assembl'd under one common Head or President, the Me­tropolitan of the Province. Vid. Supr. Cap. 2. It further implies a Right in the Archbishop to take Cognizance of the Members of the Lower-house as to their Attendance in Convocation: For why else should the Names of the Persons cited upon the Archi­episcopal Mandate, be so distinctly enter'd in the Registers of the Upper-house?

2. The whole Convocation is not only express'd in general under the Name Convocatio Praelato­rum & Cleri Cantuariensis Provinciae, but the Lower-house in particular, as a Member there­of, is stil'd Domus Inserior Convocationis Praela­torum & Cleri Cant. Provinciae. Upon what ground therefore it can be pretended, that the Lower-house is not included in a Schedule of Continuation running in the self same Terms, is to me very unaccountable.

3. As in the Years 1640. and 1661. the Eng­lish Clergy in general were remarkably zealous for the Rights of the Church; so many of the Members in the two Convocations, were some of the most eminent Assertors of those Rights, that our Church or Nation has known. Not to men­tion more, we find,

Anno 1640. in the Upper-house, Archbishop Laud, with the Bishops, Juxon, Wren, Dave­nant, Mountague, Duppa, Warner, &c. In the Lower, we meet with Dr Lancy, Potter, Brown­rig, Frewen, Heylin, Sheldon, Feil, Hammond, [Page 306] Steward, with many others, distinguisht soon after by their eminent Sufferings in Defence of the Rights and Discipline of the Church.

Anno 1661. in the Upper-house, Archbishop Juxon, and the Bishops Sheldon, Wren, Duppa, Sanderson, Henchman, Morley, Warner, Laney, &c. In the Lower, Dr. Gunning, Earl, Sudbury, Pear­son, Fell, Dolben, Thorndike, Lamplugh, Oliver, Ward, Sparrow, Blanford, Fleetwood, &c.

It will not (I hope) he said, much less be­liev'd, That the Members of these two Con­vocations did not understand and pursue the true Interests of the Church, or that they either knew not or did not regard the establisht Me­thods of Proceeding in an English Convocation. Nor do the Characters of the Members in each House suffer us to imagine either that the Bi­shops were in the least Disposition to Invade the Liberties of the Clergy, or (if they had) that the Clergy would have given way to any Violati­on of the Rights of their Order, and the Privi­leges of their House.

It has been the Care of our present Prelates, to govern their Proceedings by the Practice of former times, and particularly of such Convo­cations as had before them the Registers now consum'd and consisted of Members so deservedly celebrated among us for a strict Regard to the Interest, the Rights, and Discipline of the Church. It may therefore be justly expected, that the Persons who on account of these Proceedings have so freely charg'd my Lords the Bishops with Designs of subverting the Church and op­pressing the Clergy, that they (I say) should produce the Instances in which their Lordships have deviated from the Example of those their [Page 307] Predecessors, whose Affection to the Church and Clergy was never question'd, till struck at in some late Censures of our present Prelates for imita­ting them in the Canonical Method of holding a Convocation. Nor can they of the Lower-house, who desire to act in a dutiful Subordination to their Ecclesiastical Superiors, be liable to any Censures for this their Submission, which will not equally make those Learned and Orthodox Presbyters in 1640 and 1661, the Betray­ers of the Rights of their Order, whether through Negligence or mean Compliances for Secular Ends.

4. If it be objected against the Authority of the Register of 1661, that the difuse of Convo­cations during the Civil-Wars might make the Clergy less acquainted with the true Methods of holding them, the Answer is obvious; That they had then the Direction of all the Registers entire, and appear in Fact to have follow'd the Methods in 1640, as that (without doubt) pro­ceeded by the Pattern of former Convocations. Add to this, That several of the Persons in 1661 had been Members also in the Convocation of 1640, and must therefore be presum'd to have a sufficient Knowledge of the Manner of Proceed­ing. By comparing the Lists of these two Con­vocations, I find (besides the Archbishop) that six of the Bishops (Duppa, Pierce, Wren, War­ner, Roberts, and Skinner) were Members of the Upper-house in both; and four more, viz. Sheldon, Floyd, Griffith, and Ironside (advanc'd to the Dignity of Bishops at the Restoration) to have been Members of the Lower-house in 1640. And as to the Lower-house it self, D [...], Oliver, Fleetwood, Rives. Baily, with several o­thers, [Page 308] at least twenty in all, appear to have been Members thereof in both these Convocati­ons of 1640 and 1661. and (suppose all for­mer Registers to have been lost, as they then re­main'd entire) it would not be suggested that in 1661 these ancient Members were either un­able to direct their Brethren, or willing to mis­lead them.

FINIS.

AN INDEX REFERRING To the most remarkable Matters in the foregoing Registers of the Ʋpper-house, and Journals of the Lower.

A
  • ARticles (XXXIX.) debated, page 193, 194.
    • Pass'd, 196.
  • Archbishop's going from Lambeth to St. Paul's, the first day of Convocation, 1, 9, 61, 194.
  • Assessors to the Prolocutor, vid. Prolocutor.
B
  • Beale (Doctor) a Member of the Lower-house, threatn'd with Censures by the Archbi­shop, upon a Complaint against him in Parli­ament, 38.
  • Benevolences of the Clergy to the King, over and above the ordinary Subsidies, 31, 33, 36, 43, 82, 154, 170.
C
  • Calendar of the Common-Prayer revis'd, 89.
  • Canons begun, 23, 31.
    • finisht, 43.
    • laid before the Council, 48.
    • read, and pass'd by Subscription, 52.
  • [Page]Canons of 1640, revis'd in 1661. 96, 97, 98, 102.
  • Catechism examin'd by a Committee of Bishops, 206.
    • confirm'd by the Lower-house, 215.
  • Causae Convocationis explain'd to the Bishops and Clergy by the President, 3, 196.
  • Certificatorium of the due Execution of the Man­date, exhibited to his Grace by the Dean of the Province, 2, 63, 195,
  • Certificates of the other Bishops exhibited to a Commissioner appointed by his Grace, 197.
  • Commination-Service in the Liturgy, 90.
  • Committees of both Houses appointed and order'd in the Upper-house, 22, 26, 47, 67, 68, 72, 74, 92, 124, 125, 168.
  • Committees of Bishops, 39, 45, 47, 76, 79, 84, 88, 94, 97, 102, 103, 107, 108, 110, 114, 116, 118, 120, 158, 206, 213.
  • Committees of the Lower-house order'd by the Archbishop, 23, 32.
  • Committee of the whole House order'd by the Archbishop, 33.
  • Committees (i. e. the Names of the Members cho­sen) notify'd to the Upper-house, 22, 23, 32, 76, 119.
  • Common-Prayer, V. Prayer.
  • Conference, 92.
  • Consecration and Ordination of Deacons, Presby­ters and Bishops, the Form revis'd, 88.
  • Consecration of Parish-Churches; a Form thereof compil'd, 107, 116, 118, 121.
  • Constitutions for collecting a Subsidy, 158.
    • pass'd, 160.
  • Contumacy for Absence, and the Schedules there­of, 2, 16, 64, 197.
    • executed by the Archbishop upon the Inferior Clergy, 151, 153, 163.
    • threatn'd to be executed, 170, 2.
  • [Page]Contumacy pronounc'd in the Lower-house by Dr. Yale, as his Grace's Commissary, 211.
  • Convocation; the opening thereof, 1, 2, 13, 61, 137, 164, 194.
    • Sitting after the Parliament, 33.
    • divided into two Houses, 3.
    • Council advis'd with in Convocation, 36, 39, 40, 51, 99, 108, 154.
    • Courts (Ecclesiastical) reform'd, 49, 50, 74.
D
  • Disciplina (Capitula de) brought in, 196.
    • compleated, 213.
    • Additions made, 214, 215.
  • Dissolution of the Convocation, 54, 164, 176.
E
  • Elections try'd, one in the Upper house, another in the Lower by the Prolocutor, 140, &c.
  • Excommunicat. capiend. (Breve de) 37, 42.
  • Exercises to be perform'd by Ministers, 149.
F
  • Fees unjustly detain'd from the Clergy, 36.
G
  • Goodman (Bishop of Glocester) protests, 44.
    • suspended for not subscribing, 52.
  • Grammars to be us'd in all Schools, 115, 117, 123, 124.
H
  • Habits of Convocation. 1.
I
  • Jesuits; Canon against them, 23.
K
  • King's Thanks to the Convocation, for their Care and Pains in preparing Canons, 48.
    • his Letters to the Convocation, 38, 42, 83.
L
  • Licenses from the King, 19, 31, 34, 71, 73, 83.
  • Lower-house directed to proceed upon particular [Page] Business by the Archbishop and Bishops, 5, 20, 22, 24, 37, 39, 40, 42, 50, 68, 70, 72, 85, 87, 91, 104, 118, 210.
  • Lower-house go up voluntarily, 22, 37, 41, 45, 46, 50, 174, 207, 213, 214, 215.
  • Lower-house bring up and return Business, 27, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 91, 92, 112, 119, 155, 160, 173, 206, 213, 214, 215.
M
  • Mandates from the Archbishop for Summoning a Convocation, 9, 57.
N
  • Notice given to the Upper-house of Persons cho­sen for Committees in the Lower. V. Committees.
O
  • Oblations unjustly detain'd from the Clergy, 35.
  • Offertory at the Opening of Convocation, 2.
  • Ogleby's Bible, 70.
  • Ordinations determin'd to the 4 Seasons, 109.
    • not to be perform'd out of the Diocese with­out Letters dimissory from the Archbi­shop, 109.
P
  • Parliament; Prayer for it made in Convocation, 23, 27.
    • Thanks from the Lords in Parliament to the Bishops and Clergy, for their Care and Labour in Revising the Common-Prayer, 106.
    • Point, whether lawful for Bishops to sit in Parliament in Cases of Blood, consider'd, 99.
  • Petition presented to the Lower-house, laid be­fore the Upper, 45, 50.
    • from the Clergy in the Isle of Wight, 123.
    • by the Bishop of Norwich, 124.
    • from the Lower-Clergy to the House of Lords, in the Case of a Money-Bill, 176, 177.
  • [Page]Pluralities, 172, 2.
  • Praeconizations, 139, 163, 167, 170.
  • Prayer (Common) revis'd, 84, 85, 86, 87, 92.
    • Preface to it, 90, 93.
    • General Thanksgiving, 93.
    • General Revisal of the whole, 93.
    • Subscriptions to it, with the Preparation of a Form, 94, 95.
    • Act of Parliament for establishing the Com­mon-Prayer, debated in Convocation, 98.
    • Alterations made by Parliament in the Common-Prayer, debated in Convocati­on, 103.
    • Orders for Printing the Book of Common-Prayer, 104.
    • Appointment of a Supervisor, and Corre­ctors, 105.
    • Thanks to the Bishops and Clergy from the House of Lords, for their Care and Labour in Revising the Common-Pray­er, 106.
    • Method of dispersing the Books of Common-Prayer, 108.
  • Prayer [Form of] for the King's Restoration, 67.
    • for the 30th of January, 67.
    • for the 5th of November, 110.
  • The three [...]oregoing Forms brought in and ap­prov'd, 110.
  • Prayers at Sea, 89, 90.
  • Prayer before Sermon [unica Forma Precum] 90.
  • Privilege (Breach of) 39.
  • Prolocutor or Referendary chosen (by Order or Leave from the Archbishop) at the beginning of Convocation, 3, 4, 5, 16, 63, 137, 165, 196.
    • chosen in the middle of Convocation, up­on the Promotion of another, 101.
    • chosen upon Death, 126.
  • [Page]Prolocutor recommended by the Archbishop, 196.
    • presented to the Archbishop and Bi­shops, 19, 67, 101, 126, 139, 166, 199.
    • Office, 6.
    • Assessors appointed by him, 139, 151, 153, 168, 170.
    • comes alone to the U. house, 23, 35, 37, 155.
    • confers in private with the President, 46, 47.
    • confers with the Presid. and Bish. 157.
  • Prolocutor sent for (alone, with a certain number, or with the whole House) to the Upper-house [Reverendissimus, &c. Voluit & mandavit Prolocutorem ad se accersiri, Fecit ad se ac­cersiri, Jussit Prolocutorem coram se & Con­fratribus suis vocari,—Nunciatum fuit Domino Prolocutori de voluntate Reverendis­simi, &c. quòd ad se accederet, &c.] 18, 21, 31, 33, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 48, 67, 68, 69, 71, 75, 76, 83, 85, 87, 91, 101, 104, 105, 118, 122, 125, 126, 146, 147, 150, 152, 153, 154, 157, 159, 167, 168, 170, 171, 175, 176, 170, 2, 172, 2, 198, 206, 210.
  • Prolocutor dismis'd by the Archbishop and Bishops [Dimisso Prolocutore, Eis dimissis, &c.] 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 32, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 67, 72, 75, 83, 85, 87, 91, 92, 101, 102, 119, 124, 126, 199, 210.
    • acting by a Deputy, 147, 148, 212.
  • Protestation, 44,
  • Proxies order'd to be brought in by the Arch­bishop, 154.
  • Psalms revis'd, 88.
R
  • Recusants, Canon against them, 39, 45.
  • Residence enjoin'd, 172, 2.
S
  • Schedules of Continuation. At the Conclusion of every Session in the Upper-house-Books.
  • [Page]Schedules of Reformation, 140, 149, 167, 193.
  • Silence enjoin'd, 24, 26, 169.
  • Socinians (Canons against) 41.
  • Subsidies, 20, 21, 118, 120, 206, 212.
  • Subsidy-Bills review'd and corrected by Commit­tees, 23, 26, 118, 151, 154.
    • read, 156.
    • pass'd in Form, 212.
  • Subscription to the Book of Common-Pray. 94, 95.
  • Subscriptions to the 39 Articles debated, 108.
  • Substitution of a Presid. 24, 62, 192, 193, 205, 217.
V
  • Visitational-Articles, 75, 102, 104.
W
  • Welsh Common-Prayer, 45.
  • Westminster (Dean of) protests his Appearance in Convocation to be with a Salvo jure to the Rights of his Church, 196.
  • Protestation of the Church of Westminster, 18, 65, 192.
  • Writ of Prorogation, 113, 122.
    • of Dissolution, 163.
Y
  • York, the Archbishop and Bishops of that Pro­vince in the Convocation of 1661. 75, 76, &c.

Addenda & Emendanda.

IN the Catalogue of Convocation Acts, add, 1st. (after the Year 1380.) 1382—Nov. 18.—Courtney fol. 33. a.—2ly. At the Year 1554. add, The Acts of the Upper House are Enter'd in Bishop Bonner's Register.—3ly. At the Year 1562. add, A fragment of the Proceedings in the Lower House (Febr. 13. 1562.) is in the hands of Mr. Petyt.—4ly. Concerning the Index in Dr. Atterbury's hands, it is to be observ'd, that the few passages Cited in this Book, are immediately taken out of a late Extract from thence of such things as concern the present Controversy.

[Pag. 34.] After the Sentence of Contumacy by Archbishop Chichele, add, But a much elder than this, is enter'd in the Register of Archbishop Courtney, Anno 1391.—Dominus contra [Absentes] sub hac Formâ processit—Nos Willelmus permissione Divina Cantuariensis Ar­chiepiscopus, totius Angliae Primas, & Apostoli­cae Sedis Legatus, &c. omnes & singulos—ad praesens Concilium nostrum legitimè & perem­ptoriè citatos, praeconizatos, & diucius expecta­tos & non comparentes, reputamus & pronunci­amus Contumaces, & in paenam Contumaciarum suarum hujusmodi Decernimus, Declaramus [&] Pronunciamus omnia & singula, in praesenti Concilio habita atque facta, suum debitum sortiri debere effectum, ipsorum Contumacijs in aliquo non obstantibus in hac parte; poenam aliam Cano­nicam [Page] eis & eorum singulis infligendam Nobis seu Commissario nostro quem ad id duxerimus deputandum, nihilominùs specialiter Reservantes.

[Pag. 47. lin. 23.] Paenâ sibi reservatâ is not the express language of the present Schedule; but sufficiently appears to be the meaning of it, both from the frequent mention, in the Registers, of such Reservations to the Archbishop singly, and the no less frequent Inflictions of such Canonical Punishment upon the Lower Clergy; and that by the President, without any interposition or concurrence of the Bishops or Clergy.

[Pag. 53. lin. 16.] Add, To which purpose, the Extracts out of the Upper House Books, (Anno 1541.) conclude with the following Note, ‘'Memorandum, in fine Libri Inseruntur Consti­tutiones, & Substitutiones in Convocatione praedictâ ex Licentiâ Reverendissimi; ubi ha­bentur Scripta diversarum Absolutionum eo­rum qui Absentes erant.’

[Pag. 61. lin. 19.] for Suspend, read Supersede.

[Pag. 183. lin. 12.] To the Chapter Of the manner of Passing Business in Convocation, add, And even in Canons, and all other matters Pas­sing by Subscription, the Metropolitan's ancient Authority remains thus far entire, that without his Concurrence, the Agreement of all the rest is not the Act of Convocation, nor can be presented as such to the Prince for his Royal Confirmation.

[Pag. 186. lin. 12.] For 1434. read 1534.

[App. p. 131.] For 1686 and 1688. read 1586, and 1588.

[Pag. 233. lin. antepe [...]] I am since assur'd, That in York-Province, the Archbishop or his Commissary always Sign the Instrument of Con­tinuation after Reading.

[Page] [Pag. 295. lin. 8.] Read their Church.—lin. 13. add, They knew the Kings of England had often directed their Writs to the Archbishop be­fore the Act of Submission was thought of, and were as constantly obey'd: And the Writ being an immediate Direction to the Archbishop, and not to any particular Member of Convocation, they were so far from thinking that a Summons upon the Authority of such Writ destroy'd his Grace's authoritative Summons, that we see they use the Term even while the Act was re­peal'd, and they were by consequence under no Obligation to use it.

☞ Throughout the Book, wherever mention is made of the Last Convocation, 'tis to be understood of that which began Febr. 10. 1700/1, wherein these unhappy Differences between the two Houses first arose.

P. 138. l. 32. read Domum Superiorem. P. 165. l. 1. read de uniendis parvis Beneficiis. P. 169. l. 1. read Not but. P. 228. l. 13. for Julius XI. read Julius II.

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