tion ex officio mero of godly and learned preachers, not detected for open offence of life, or apparent error in doctrine; and that they might not be called before the high commission, or out of the diocese where they lived, except for some notable offence. 12. That it might be permitted to them in every archdeaconry, to have some common exercises and conferences among themselves, to be limited and prescribed by the ordinaries. 13. That the high censure of excommunication may not be denounced or executed for small matters. 14. Nor by lay-chancellors, commissaries, or officials, but by the bishops themselves, with the assistance of grave persons. 15, 16. That non-residence and pluralities may be quite removed out of the church, or at least that according to the Queen's injunctions (Article 44.) no non-resident having already a licence or faculty may enjoy it, unless he depute an able curate, who may weekly preach and catechise, as is required in her majesty's injunctions. This petition was attended with a moving supplication to the Queen and parliament, in the name of thousands of the poor untaught people of England, drawn up by Mr. Sampson, in which they complain, that in many of their congregations they had none to break the bread of life, nor the comfortable preaching of GOD's holy word:* That the bishops in their ordinations had no regard to such as were qualified to preach, provided they could only read, and did but conform to the ceremonies: That they deprived such as were capable of preaching on account of ceremonies which do not edify, but are rather unprofitable burthens to the church; and that they molest the people that go from their own parish churches to seek the bread of life, when they have no preaching at home. They complain, that there are thousands of parishes destitute of the necessary means of salvation, and therefore pray theQueen and parliament to provide a remedy. In answer to the petition last mentioned, the bishop of Winchester, in the name of his brethren, drew up the following reply. *Strype's Annals, p. 223. The five first petitions tend to one thing, that is, the reformation of an unlearned and insufficient ministry; to which we answer, that though there are many such in the church, yet that there was never less reason to complain of them than at present, and that things are mending every day. To the 6th article they answered, that it savored of popular elections long since abrogated; that it would breed divisions in parishes, and prejudice the patron's right. To the 7th and four following articles they reply, that if they are granted the whole hierarchy will be unbraced; for the 7th article shakes the ground of all ecclesiastical government, by subverting the oath of canonical obedience to the bishop in omnibus licitis & honestis.* The 8th article requires a dispensation from the civil magistrate, to the subverting the act for uniformity of common prayer, &c. and confirmation of the rites and ceremonies of the church. The 9th desires a dispensation from the jurisdiction of our ecclesiastical courts, as chancellors, officials, &c. which will in the end subvert all episcopal authority. To the 10th they say, that the ministers who have been suspended are heady, rash and contentious; and it is a perilous example, to have sentences revoked that have been given according to law, except they would yield. The 11th petition cutteth off another considerable branch of ecclesiastical jurisdiction, viz. the oath ex officio, which is very necessary in some cases, where the parishioners are so per verse, that though the minister varies the service of the church as by law appointed, they will not complain, much less be witnesses against him. The exercises mentioned in the 12th article are by the Queen's majesty suppressed. To the 13th and 14th they answer, that they are willing to petition the Queen, that the sentence of excommunica tion may be pronounced by the bishop, with such assistance as he shall call in, or by some ecclesiastical person commissioned by him. To the 15th and 16th articles they answer, that the * Life of Whitgift, p. 189, small value of many ecclesiastical livings, made pluralities and non-residencies in a manner necessary.* The debates upon this last head running very high, a bill was ordered to be brought in immediately against pluralities and non-residencies, and for appeals from ecelesiastical courts. It was said in favor of the bill, that nonresidencies and pluralities were mala in se, evil in their own nature; that they answered no valuable purpose, but hindered the industry of the clergy, and were a means to keep the country in ignorance, at a time when there were only 3000 preachers to supply 9000 parishes. The archbishop drew up his reasons against the bill, and prevailed with the convocation to present them in an address to the Queen, wherein they style themselves her majesty's poor distressed supplicants, now in danger from the bill depending in the House of Con.mons against pluralities and nonresidencies;" which (say they) impeacheth your majesty's prerogative; lesseneth the revenues of the crown; overthrows the study of divinity in both universities ; will deprive men of the livings they lawfully possess; will beggar the clergy; will bring in a base and unlearned ' ministry; lessen the hospitality of cathedrals; be an encouragement to students to go over to foreign seminaries, where they may be better provided for; and in a word, will make way for anarchy and confusion."+ And to give some satisfaction to the public they present. ed six articles to the Queen, as the sum of all that needed amendment.§ The first was, that none should be admitted into holy orders under twenty-four years of age; that they should have presentation to a cure; that they should bring testimonials of their good life; and that the bishop might refuse whom he thought fit, without the danger of a quare impedit. The second was, to restrain the commutation of penance, except upon great consideration, of which the bishop to be judge. The third was, to restrain lieences to marry without banns. The fourth to moderate some excesses about excommunication. The fifth, for re *Life of Whitgift, p. 190. + Life of Whitgift, p. 193. straining pluralities of benefices. The sixth, concerning fees to ecclesiastical officers and their servants. But even these articles lay by till the year 1597, when they were confirmed in convocation, and afterwards incorporated among the canons. In the mean time, the bill against pluralities passed the House of Commons, and was sent up to the lords, where the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and bishop of Winchester, made long speeches, shewing that neither the cathedrals, nor professors in the universities, could subsist without them. To prove this they produced a list of the small value of many ecclesiastical livings, according to the Queen's books. To which it was replied, that there were many suspended preachers would be glad of the smallest of those livings, if they might have them without molestation; however, that it was more proper to go upon ways and means for the augmentation of smaller livings, than to suffer the poor people to perish for lack of knowledge, while the incumbents were indulged in idleness and sloth; but the weight of the bench of bishops, with the court interest, threw out the bill. This exasperated the commons to that degree, that after the holidays they resumed the debate of the bill of petitions, and ordered several other bills to be brought in to clip the wings of the bishops, and lessen the power of the spiritual courts. One was for swearing bishops in the courts of Chancery and King's-Bench, that they should act nothing against the common law of the land. Another to reduce their fees. A third for liberty to marry at all times of the year. A fourth for the qualification of ministers. And a fifth for restoring of discipline. The act for qualifying ministers, annuls all popish ordinations; and disqualifies such as were not capable of preaching, as well as those who were convicted of profaneness, or any kind of immorality; but obliges the successor to allow the deprived minister a sufficient maintenance at the discretion of the justices of the quarter sessions; and if the living be not sufficient, it is to be done by a parish rate. It insists upon a careful examination and trial of the qualifications of candidates for the ministry by the bishop, assisted by twelve 1 of the laity; and makes the election, or consent of the peo. ple, necessary to his induction to the pastoral charge. The bill for discipline is for abolishing the canon law and all the spiritual courts ;* and for bringing the probates of testaments, and all civil business, into the courts of Westminster-Hall; it appoints a presbytery or eldership in each parish, which, together with the minister, shall determine the spiritual business of the parish, with an appeal to higher judicatories in cases of complaint. Mr. Strype says,† the bill for the qualification of ministers passed the commons, which put the archbishop into such a fright, that the very next day he wrote the following letter to the Queen : "May it please your Majesty to be advertised, "THAT notwithstanding the charge of late given by your highness to the lower house of parliament, for deal 'ing in causes of the church; albeit also, according to your majesty's good liking, we have sent down order for the 'admitting of meet men in the ministry hereafter; yet have they passed a bill in that house yesterday, touching that matter; which, beside other inconveniencies, (as namely the trial of the minister's sufficiency by twelve laymen, and such like) hath this also, that if it pass by parliament 'it cannot hereafter but in parliament be altered, what ne'cessity soever shall urge thereunto: Which I am persuad'ed in a short time will appear, considering the multitudes 'of livings, not fit for men so qualified, by reason of the smallness thereof; whereas if it be but as a canon from 'us, or by your majesty's authority, it may be observed or 'altered at pleasure. "They have also passed a bill, giving liberty to marry at all times of the year without restraint, contrary to the "old canons continually observed among us; and containing matter which tendeth to the slander of this church, 'AS HAVING HITHERTO MAINTAINED AN ERROR. "There is likewise now in hand in the same house, a bill 'concerning ecclesiastical courts, and visitation by bishops; + Life of Whitgift, p. 198. MS. p. 208, 213. |