BX 5170 
 
 .G5 1854 
 
 Gibson, 
 
 Edmund, 1669-1748. 
 
 Synodus 
 
 anglicana 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2015 
 
 https://archive.org/details/synodusanglicanaOOgibs 
 
SYNODUS ANGLICANA, 
 
 edmund Gibson, d.d. 
 
 AFTERWARDS BISHOP OF LONDON. 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 EDWARD CARDWELL, D.D. 
 
 PRINCIPAL OP ST. ALLAN'S HALL. 
 
 OXFOED: 
 
 AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. 
 M.DCCC.LIV. 
 
PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 X HE principles of government established in England 
 by the accession of king William III to the throne, 
 however new and alarming to several orders in the 
 state, and questionable to large masses of the people, 
 were calculated to overcome any amount of resistance, 
 and to become at length the prevailing sentiment of 
 the nation. Growing naturally out of the jealousy 
 which had from the first been entertained against the 
 principles of the House of Stuart, embittered and ex- 
 aggerated during a long interval of disorder, and ma- 
 tured by means of the degrading reaction that followed, 
 they finally became the outward acts in which the 
 whole people expressed their maintenance of their 
 laws, their liberties, and their religion. They were 
 embodied in the bill of rights, and were considered 
 thenceforward as another great charter, conveying 
 higher benefits and affecting larger interests than that 
 ancient one, because it represented a condition of so- 
 ciety much more advanced and complicated. 
 
 The two general principles which issued from the 
 new arrangements of this period, and directed the ten- 
 dencies of public measures for the future, were the 
 curtailment of prerogative and privilege, and the ad- 
 vancement of popular rights and representative govern- 
 ment. All power had contracted the nature of a trust, 
 and the parties for whose benefit the trust was exer- 
 cised, had acquired an implicit control over the ad- 
 ministration of it. 
 
 It is manifest that any principles, and especially 
 
 b 2 
 
iv 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 principles of large application, if they were promoted 
 by the chief government, and disseminated from all 
 places of power and influence, would speedily make 
 their way into private as well as public life, and affect 
 the conduct of men, in whatever relations they were 
 called upon to act. The whole community was exposed 
 to the ruling tendency, and whatever might be their 
 former impulses, they were all of them in their dif- 
 ferent directions acted upon by this new force, being 
 either accelerated or retarded by it. 
 
 There could not have been a body more certain in 
 its own nature to be the subject of aggression at this 
 crisis, and yet less likely from accidental circumstances 
 to yield to it, than the government of the church. The 
 convocation of the province of Canterbury had been 
 I regarded from the time of the Reformation as the le- 
 gislature of the church, and though treated at different 
 periods with different degrees of respect and deference, 
 had never abated in its own claims, or lost its ascend- 
 ancy in the sentiments of the nation. The clergy, in- 
 deed, in general, from whom its members were exclu- 
 sively derived, besides the reputation they had acquired 
 for learning and intellect, had strongly shewn their de- 
 votedness to the cause of rational liberty, and being 
 naturally regarded as a main agent in the great work 
 which the nation had accomplished, had imparted 
 somewhat of their own strength to the body that go- 
 verned them. 
 
 It would not be surprising, then, that the govern- 
 ment of the church, though resting upon a borrowed 
 strength, should partake in public estimation in the 
 honours due to the government of the state, or that 
 the convocation of the province of Canterbury should 
 be brought into comparison with the parliament of the 
 kingdom. 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 v 
 
 But the clergy of the lower house of convocation, 
 subject at all times to much doubt and question as to 
 the extent of their separate rights and privileges, were 
 at .this period exposed to a greater likelihood of losing 
 the small amount of power they actually possessed. 
 Deriving no authority whatever as a separate house 
 from the ancient annals of the church, they found little 
 in their own early history even to justify the belief that 
 they were free agents and independent of the house of 
 bishops. When summoned to convocation by the pri- 
 mate, they had always brought with them the same 
 sense of subordination, and had been met with the 
 same maintenance of superiority, which they felt in 
 their respective dioceses. They assembled to receive 
 injunctions, rather than to join freely in debate. Their 
 attendance accordingly was rare and reluctant, and 
 would probably have been discontinued, had it not 
 been necessary for the crown to require aids and sub- 
 sidies from the great body of the clergy, the collection 
 of which would be most readily made, if their consent 
 had been obtained previously. And this necessity was 
 the real basis on which rested the rights and inde- 
 pendence of the lower house of convocation. 
 
 Three privileges, strictly limited in their exercise, 
 and resting upon undefined custom, and not upon the 
 constitution of a synod, appear to have been the only 
 acknowledged rights possessed by the lower house, as 
 distinct from the house of bishops, near the close of 
 the seventeenth century. From the direction given by 
 the archbishop, whenever he submitted a question to 
 the lower clergy, that they should withdraw from the 
 whole convocation assembled in Henry Vllth's chapel 
 to another chapel below, the lower house acquired the 
 right of acting as a separate body, and maintaining a 
 substantive existence : from the necessity, which could 
 
vi 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 not be denied them, of voting on a demand for aids 
 and subsidies, followed the right of voting in like man- 
 ner on any other question submitted to them : from 
 the power of acting as a constituted body arose the 
 right of placing a prolocutor at their head, to moderate 
 at their debates, and to be their medium of communi- 
 cation with the house of bishops. 
 
 But these three privileges were so closely circum- 
 scribed, that they afforded little scope for independent 
 action. The lower clergy were formed into a separate 
 body ; but they received directions from the upper 
 house as to the business they were allowed to transact, 
 and mandates from the same house suspended their 
 proceedings and prorogued their sessions: they had a 
 final negative on the measures transmitted to them ; 
 but the only method in which they could urge their 
 complaints and offer their suggestions was in the form 
 of a petition to the bishops: they could elect their own 
 prolocutor ; but he derived his authority from the con- 
 firmation of the archbishop. 
 
 And such, so narrow in its extent, and so question- 
 able in its origin, was the charter of the clergy in the 
 lower house of convocation near the close of the seven- 
 teenth century. But a change had recently taken place 
 in their practice, which, however dangerous in its con- 
 sequences to both houses, was especially fatal to the 
 liberties of the lower clergy. The right of self-taxation 
 on which, as already observed, the independence of the 
 lower house had practically rested, had been relin- 
 quished at the period of the Restoration 3 , and with it 
 
 a " It was first settled by a verbal agreement between archbishop 
 Sheldon and the lord chancellor Clarendon, and tacitly given into 
 by the clergy in general, as a great ease to them in taxations. The 
 first public act of any kind relating to it was an act of parliament in 
 1665, by which the clergy were, in common with the laity, charged 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 vii 
 
 had been forfeited the only reason then remaining for 
 allowing a convocation to proceed to business when- 
 ever a new parliament assembled. From the year 
 l663 b down to the period of the Revolution, it does 
 not appear that any business was transacted, or even 
 that in all eases a prolocutor was appointed. And this 
 continued to be the case, notwithstanding that the 
 house of lords addressed the throne in two instances, 
 praying that the convocation might meet, and business 
 be proposed to them. 
 
 Over this condition of things, so antiquated and 
 ruinous, broke out a storm and tempest of opinion, 
 excited by many years of misrule, and gathered toge- 
 ther by the revolution of 1688. The very nature of a 
 convocation, whether in practice or in theory, was 
 shaken and endangered by the tumult. The peculiar 
 and preeminent claims of a church, the coexistence of 
 a rival legislature, the constitution of a synod designed 
 to enact canons for the whole community, but consist- 
 ing of members obtained from one single order of it, 
 these and other postulates of a like nature were little 
 in accordance with the spirit and sentiment of the 
 times, and were certain to occasion debate and dissen- 
 sion. But if this were the hazardous condition of the 
 convocation as a body, much greater were the diffi- 
 
 with the tax given in that act, and were discharged from the pay- 
 I ment of the subsidies they had granted before in convocation : but 
 in this act of parliament of 1665 there is an express saving of the 
 right of the clergy to tax themselves in convocation, if they think 
 fit ; but that has been never done since, nor attempted, as I know 
 of, and the clergy have been constantly from that time charged with 
 the laity in all public aids to the crown by the house of commons." 
 — Note by Speaker Onslow on Burnet's Own Times, vol. iv. p. 520. 
 
 b The last subsidy granted by convocation appears to have been 
 in the year 1663, " quatuor subsidiorum juxta ratam quatuor solido- 
 rum de qualibet libra." — Wilkins, Cone. vol. iv. p. 578. 
 
Vlll 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 culties that surrounded the case of the lower clergy. 
 Never possessing a well-defined authority, they had 
 always been trained to a tone of obedience and sub- 
 mission ; they had recently lost the most prominent 
 token of their independence ; and they had reason to 
 fear that their house would relapse into its original in- 
 significance, the few rights they had hitherto acquired 
 being now in the greatest jeopardy. To these reasons 
 for disquiet must be added the feeling of importance 
 entertained by the great body of the clergy, the im- 
 pulse they derived from public esteem and confidence, 
 and the spirit of hope and progress which animated all 
 classes of the community. 
 
 But among the strange intricacies of* the times was 
 the disposition prevailing in the lower house to oppose 
 the measures of the court, and to stay the progress of 
 innovation. The bishops had suffered more than their 
 brethren by recent persecution, and finding their ranks 
 reinforced by able and earnest supporters of the new 
 government, were willing to accord with the general 
 sentiment of the times. But the clergy of the lower 
 house, not being brought so closely as their superiors 
 into contact with the court, and dreading the contagion 
 of foreign manners and the less careful construction of 
 foreign churches, became suspicious and impracticable. 
 In proportion as the bishops were more disposed to re- 
 commend the comprehension of non-conformists, the 
 lower clergy became more resolute in their endeavours 
 to exclude them; and there followed a tendency in the 
 lower house to look upon their governors in church as 
 well as state with distrust and jealousy, and to mea- 
 sure their own prosperity by the disappointment of 
 their superiors. It would not be surprising that any 
 apparent encroachment upon their scanty privileges 
 should make them rebel against the authority of the 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 IX 
 
 upper house, or even induce them to employ the spirit 
 of progress and innovation, however alien from their 
 own principles, if by such means they could provide 
 themselves with weapons for the approaching conflict. 
 The result in reality was a contrast of inconsistency. 
 The upper house supported the liberal and comprehen- 
 sive measures of the court, but laid strict limitations 
 and a heavy rule upon the lower clergy ; while the 
 latter expressed in their resolutions the strongest views 
 of ecclesiastical order and discipline, and yet had re- 
 course in their measures to abstract principles, and ar- 
 guments better suited to the condition of a presbytery, 
 to enforce and extend their independence of the house 
 of bishops. 
 
 The first symptoms of this spirit of resistance were | 
 shewn in the convocation of 1689, when the lower 
 house rejected Dr. Tillotson as their prolocutor, al- 
 though recommended to them by his own love of mo- 
 deration and by the favour of the crown, and chose in 
 preference Dr. Jane, who was known to be a divine 0 of 
 great reading and resolution, and supposed to be fitted 
 for the work of a fierce opposition by personal feelings 
 of resentment. He was elected by a large majority ; 
 and his election, coupled with the strong political in- 
 fluence that was employed in promoting it, gave suffi- 
 cient intimation that measures proposed by the court 
 would not be likely to meet with acceptance from the 
 great body of the clergy. This intimation was soon 
 followed by an act not only forcible in itself, but preg- 
 nant with much latent hostility. When the bishops 
 sent down an address acknowledging the protection 
 his majesty had afforded to religion in general, and 
 especially to their established form of it, but so ex- 
 
 c Hist, of Conferences, p. 424. 
 
X 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 pressed as to include the church of England under the 
 general title of Protestant Churches, the lower house 
 required the expression to be altered, on the avowed 
 principle that they disowned all communion with fo- 
 reign churches. The case was too manifest to be mis- 
 understood. The upper house, lacking its full propor- 
 tion of bishops, and deprived of its metropolitan, could 
 not exercise its usual influence over the clergy in ge- 
 neral; and the king readily adopted the only alterna- 
 tive remaining to him of discontinuing the session, and 
 preventing- any future renewal of the strife by succes- 
 sive prorogations. 
 
 The convocation summoned for the 22nd of Novem- 
 ber, 1695, was prorogued at different intervals, and 
 finally dissolved on the 12th of July, 1698. On the 
 24th of August in the same year another convocation 
 met, but with the same result. In neither case was 
 any business done, nor even a prolocutor allowed to 
 be appointed. The jurisdiction of a synod, and more 
 especially the feeble authority of the lower house, ap- 
 peared to be perishing from sheer exhaustion ; and the 
 crown had taken care, by means of its own injunctions 
 and proclamations, to satisfy the wants of the church, 
 and to fill the important office which had thus become 
 vacant. The recent history of the state, the disposi- 
 tion of the court, the acquiescence of the bishops, the 
 distracted condition of the clergy, and the tendency of 
 public opinion, all contributed to strengthen the im- 
 pression, that the government of the church by means 
 of convocations was at an end. 
 
 But although the non-jurors had already withdrawn 
 from the established church, and had taken away with 
 them such of its members as were the most exact in 
 discipline and dogmatic in sentiment, there still re- 
 mained many who thought it essential to the existence 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 XI 
 
 of a church that it should be governed by an ecclesias- 
 tical council, constituted after the ancient model, and 
 with liberty to act. It was necessary that their argu- 
 ment should rest upon the basis of antiquity and the 
 first construction of the Christian church ; but they 
 were at liberty, as they proceeded, to borrow strength 
 and illustration from the nature of a society in general, 
 and from some form of external government with 
 which all parties were familiar. And this was the state 
 of affairs at the opening of the eighteenth century, 
 when passing events were bringing forth their conse- 
 quences, and public opinion was presenting itself in 
 new forms and shapes of action. 
 
 It was at this crisis that a few active and resolute 
 men, with devotedness to the church upon their lips, 
 and strong ambition in their hearts, determined to turn 
 the current aside from its natural channel, and to make 
 use of it for their own distinct purposes. But they had 
 an arduous task before them. Their case was to be 
 argued on incongruous and opposing principles ; their 
 language spoke of deference and submission to au- 
 thority, when in their conduct they undermined and 
 overpowered it ; they insisted on the rights of the 
 ancient church, and yet employed the principles of the 
 recent revolution in the state : the voice was Jacob's 
 voice, but the hand was the hand of Esau. 
 
 About twenty members of the lower house took 
 occasion to meet together, when the convocation of 
 1695 was formally prorogued, and represented to the 
 archbishop through his commissary, that "it was the 
 sense of the clergy in general, to their knowledge, that 
 it might prove of dangerous consequence to the church 
 to have convocations in this manner discontinued, with- 
 out allowing the lower clergy to be formed into a body 
 
xii 
 
 PREPACK TO THE 
 
 by the choice of a prolocutor e ." This representation 
 was made a second time and graciously answered ; but 
 its prayer was not complied with on the occasion which 
 first offered itself, when the convocation of 1698 as- 
 sembled. In the preceding- year had appeared the 
 work of Dr. Wake, " The authority of Christian princes 
 over their Ecclesiastical synods," and "A letter to a 
 Member of Parliament," by the recorder of Oxford, in 
 both of which, and especially in the former, it was 
 maintained that the powers of convocations depended 
 entirely upon the pleasure of the crown, and that 
 having now become useless for the purpose of raising 
 subsidies, there was no sufficient reason for their being 
 regularly assembled. 
 
 These sentiments powerfully maintained, and sup- 
 ported, as it appeared, by high authorities in the church 
 as well as in the state, led to the publication in the 
 year 1700 of Dr. Atterbury's work on "The rights, 
 powers, and privileges of an English convocation f ." His 
 motive was expressed in the following words : 
 
 " The innovation made in these matters has begun 
 within these ten years last past. For though it has been 
 usual to adjourn convocations a few days after they had 
 met and sat, when there was little or no business to do, 
 vet it was never till now known, that a convocation was 
 
 e An Expedient proposed, p. 6. col. i. 
 
 1 " Dr. Atterbury's book concerning tbe rigbts of a convocation 
 was reprinted [in 1701] with great corrections and additions: tbe 
 first edition was drawn out of some imperfect and disorderly col- 
 lections, and he himself soon saw that, notwithstanding the assurance 
 and the virulence with which it was writ, he had made many great 
 mistakes in it. So to prevent a discovery from other hands, he cor- 
 rected his book in many important matters." — Burnet's Own Times, 
 vol. IV. p. 519. 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xm 
 
 adjourned on and on for large spaces of time, even 
 before it sat; that is indeed, before it was, properly 
 speaking, a convocation. This new practice, (which 
 Dr. Wake, in my opinion, by as new law justifies,) we 
 know the date of, and have reason therefore to obviate 
 it while it is new ; and to take some care that it may 
 not in a little time be able to plead a quiet pre- 
 scription §>." 
 
 In another passage, " It is so far from being in my 
 intention, that it is not in my wishes, to set up a plea 
 for any of those old privileges and preeminences of the 
 clergy which are long since dead and buried, and 
 which, I think, ought never to be revived, even for the 
 sake of the clergy themselves, who have thriven best 
 always under a competency of power, and moderate 
 pretences. The present rights they stand plainly pos- 
 sessed of by law, are sufficient to render them useful 
 members of the commonwealth within their proper 
 spheres; and that these rights may be well understood 
 and secured, is the great and only design of these 
 papers. To that end I have vouched the precedent 
 passages from the records of parliament and convo- 
 cation: not to set up any vain pretence to the utmost 
 of that parliamentary interest which the clergy some- 
 time had, but to secure only what remains of it to 
 them, by shewing that their separation from parliament 
 did not cut them off from all manner of relation to it ; 
 but that still, after that, their convocations though held 
 at a distance from the parliament, were in their own 
 nature, as well as in the acceptance of the crown and 
 in the eye of the law, parliamentary assemblies' 1 ." 
 
 The result of his argument, enforced by great elo- 
 quence and supported by much appearance of learning, 
 
 ? Rights, powers, &c. p. 124. h P. 63. edit. 1702. 
 
XIV 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 was summed up in the following manner: "The result 
 of all is this; that if some hundred years' custom can 
 make a law, then may we without offence affirm it to 
 be law, that the convocation should sit with every new 
 parliament. If the true notion of a convocation be, that 
 it is an assembly of the clergy always attending the 
 parliament, then it is no presumption to say, that we 
 have the same law for the sitting of a convocation, as 
 we have for that of a parliament. And by this 
 law the clergy (as was said before in relation to the 
 canons of the church) are not only under a duty to 
 attend, but have also a right to meet ; so that as their 
 writs for assembling concurrently with a parliament 
 are not mere letters of grace and compliment, but to 
 be emitted ex debito justitice, and whether the govern- 
 ment has any thing to propose to them or no, so like- 
 wise are their assemblies at such times to be held by 
 the same law, notwithstanding it may be pretended 
 that there is no occasion for them. For although their 
 consent may not be necessary, nor their advice seem 
 wanting, yet as they are bound to w T ait, if either shall 
 be asked, so may the clergy themselves have some 
 informations and remembrances to offer, and some 
 petitions to make concerning such things as they may 
 be supposed to take more particular notice of, or 
 wherein they may be more peculiarly concerned. And 
 this liberty and opportunity of representing what they 
 may think necessary is to be esteemed by them as their 
 great parliamentary privilege, not to be waved, like the 
 others, for the better course of common justice, but to be 
 asserted and confirmed for the good of the whole king- 
 dom'." "Upon the whole then it appears that the 
 clergy-commoners have all along had an undoubted 
 
 Page 75. 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xv 
 
 right of being frequently assembled, and particularly 
 by the law of England, as often as a new parliament is 
 called. That being assembled, they had anciently a 
 right of framing canons, and of doing several synodical 
 acts (not inconsistent with the law of their country) 
 without expecting the prince's leave for entering on 
 such debates or making such decrees. 
 
 That the limitations made to the exercise of this 
 right by the 25 Henry VIII. c. 19- chiefly concern the 
 archbishop of either province ; who is now restrained, 
 as from calling a convocation without the king's writ, 
 so from passing or ratifying any canon without the 
 royal license, and from promulging the same by his 
 own authority. 
 
 That the inferior clergy are no otherwise concerned, 
 than to take care that they give their consent to no 
 canon framed by themselves, or sent from the upper 
 house, otherwise than with submission to the royal 
 pleasure, if the king's license and assent be not before 
 obtained. 
 
 That they are left therefore entirely at their liberty 
 to confer and deliberate even about new canons, and 
 also to devise, frame, and offer them to the upper 
 house, if with a protestation annexed, that they are 
 neither intended nor desired to be enacted without the 
 king's license. 
 
 Much more, that there remains to them a liberty of 
 petitioning either that old canons may be executed 
 or new ones made according to law, and to such pur- 
 poses as the petitioners shall suggest; or of repre- 
 senting their humble opinions concerning the affairs of 
 the church or of religion, and if need be, beseeching a 
 redress, at least in general terms J." 
 
 j Page 121. 
 
xvi 
 
 PKEFACE TO THE 
 
 It is manifest from these passages that the analogy 
 between a convocation and a parliament had been so 
 completely established in the dispute hitherto main- 
 tained between the clergy and the crown, that the 
 supporters of the lower house would by an easy trans- 
 ition find it to be a topic ready for their purpose, and 
 likely to be admitted withoi i inquiry, whenever it 
 might be desirable to employ it in their own behalf in 
 opposition to the house of bishops. And the opportu- 
 nity was soon afforded them. 
 
 The new government appointed by the king in the 
 year 1700 made it one of their conditions that the 
 convocation should be allowed to sit. It met accord- 
 ingly on the 10th of February, and Dr. Hooper k being 
 elected prolocutor, was confirmed in his office by the 
 archbishop (Tenison). On the 25th of February, when 
 the archbishop sent down a schedule to the lower house 
 to determine the session, the lower house still conti- 
 nued sitting, and proceeded in some debates of no 
 importance ; after which the prolocutor intimated an 
 adjournment by consent of the house, to meet again in 
 Henry VHth's chapel, instead of the Jerusalem chamber, 
 the place designated in the archbishop's schedule. On 
 the 28th of February the lower clergy not having as- 
 sembled in the Jerusalem chamber, the archbishop sent 
 for the prolocutor, and required answers to the two 
 following questions 1 : 
 
 1. Whether the lower house of convocation did sit 
 after they were prorogued by his grace on the 
 
 k Dr. Hooper, dean of Canterbury, was chosen prolocutor, a man 
 of learning and good conduct hitherto ; he was reserved, crafty, and 
 ambitious ; his deanery had not softened him, for he thought he 
 deserved to be raised higher." — Burnet's Own Times, vol. IV. p. 523. 
 He afterwards became bishop of Bath and Wells. 
 
 1 Kennett's Complete History, vol. III. p. 800. 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xvii 
 
 25th of this instant month February ? % Whether 
 they did meet this morning without attending in 
 this place, to which they were prorogued ? 
 This was followed by a report from the lower house 
 on the subject of adjournments, a copious answer to it 
 from the bishops, and v \ application from the lower 
 house for a free conference, a demand unwarranted by 
 any former precedent. The lower house took no notice 
 of the archbishop's prorogations, adjourned themselves 
 by their own act, and continued to hold intermediate 
 sessions. In the mean time they had joined with the 
 bishops, though not without some difficulty, in an ad- 
 dress to the crown, had sat in judgment on some books 
 which they deemed heretical, had refused to appoint a 
 committee to assist the bishops in examining the acts 
 of the two houses, and were finally informed by the 
 archbishop that no further communication could be 
 received from them until their irregularity had been 
 redressed. Several of the lower clergy, among whom 
 were Sherlock, Bull, Stanley, and Trimnel, protested 
 against the proceedings of their brethren, and before 
 the close of the same year, when the convocation was 
 dissolved, the dissension had been spread throughout 
 the kingdom, and preparation was made every where 
 for the coming strife. 
 
 In these disputes Dr. Atterbury was supported by 
 the bishops of London (Compton), Exeter (Trelawney), 
 and Rochester (Sprat) in the upper house, and by Dr. 
 Jane, Dr. Hooper, and others in the lower™; and the 
 thanks of the lower house were conferred upon him for 
 " his learned pains in asserting and vindicating the 
 rights of convocation n ." 
 
 m See Burnet's Own Times, vol. IV. p. 526. 
 a Tindal. Cont. vol. III. p. 529. 
 
 b 
 
XV11I 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 A new convocation was opened by the archbishop 
 on the 30th of December 1701, and Dr. Woodward, 
 dean of Sarum, was appointed prolocutor 0 . "On the 
 28th of January," says Dr. Kennet p, " began the true 
 occasion of widening the difference between those 
 members who believed the archbishops of this province 
 had the right and constant practice of continuing and 
 proroguing the whole convocation, and those others 
 who thought the lower house might have a power to 
 adjourn itself. This difference of opinion led into some 
 disputes in every session ; which yet were managed 
 consistently with peace and order : for whatever notions 
 of independency were advanced by a few particular 
 members, the house in general had hitherto so ordered 
 their entries in the journal, that we all unanimously 
 met upon the synodical days and hours appointed by 
 the archbishop in his schedule of prorogation. But I 
 say toward the end of this session, Jan. 28, Dr. A. un- 
 happily moved to change the form of entry in our 
 minutes, and proposed to assume the phrase of dominus 
 prolocutor continuavit et prorogavit quoad hanc domum; 
 which, he said, was a very authentic form, and was 
 seven times together to be met with in our only good 
 register of the lower house, that of 1586. Several 
 members were immediately sensible that this was done 
 upon no good design. They remembered it to be 
 indeed a form, which began and ended with the first 
 part of the convocation in 1586, and that (as the 
 " Power of the Lower House," &c. confesses) upon a 
 
 0 " In the choice of a prolocutor the competition was between the 
 learned Dr. Beveridge, archdeacon of Colchester, and Dr. Wood- 
 ward, dean of Sarum, a civilian grown popular by opposing his dio- 
 cesan [bishop Burnet], to whom he owed his preferments." — Ken- 
 net's Complete History, vol. III. p. 850. 
 
 P " The present state of Convocation," &c. p. 4. 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 special occasion of the prolocutor's being made one of 
 the archbishop's commissaries to prorogue both houses. 
 So as when he acted by extraordinary power delegated 
 to him, it might be fitting to use some extraordinary 
 expression, that in future convocations should never be 
 used, if the same extraordinary occasion did not again 
 return. And accordingly after the first rising of this 
 convocation that singular form dropped with it, and 
 does never once occur either in fourteen sessions of the 
 same convocation within the same year 1586, or in any 
 other synod to the year 1700. Therefore to have it 
 now obtruded, when there was nothing like the original 
 reason of it, did appear to be such an artifice of denying 
 the prorogations above, that many of the members 
 opposed it, and pleaded hard for keeping to our usual 
 form of dominus prolocutor intimavit Jianc convocationem 
 esse continuatam, tyc, and urged that no alteration 
 might be however made, till the committee of bishops 
 and clergy had inspected the register of 1661, &c. now 
 before them, which might possibly give some further 
 light on this controversy. But Dr. A. very stiffly in- 
 sisted on it, and though the prolocutor himself recom- 
 mended another form domini continuarunt, SfC, and the 
 majority did at length agree that the form of entry 
 should be left to the prolocutor's discretion, yet Dr. A. 
 was so very importunate for the present use of his par- 
 ticular form, that at last he drew in a seeming order of 
 the house for it, and it was accordingly so entered 
 dominus prolocutor continuavit quoad hanc domum, SfC. 
 I tell you this new and improper entry so thrust upon 
 the minutes was the great cause of widening the 
 divisions in the lower house." 
 
 The further proceedings of this convocation are 
 recorded in the following letters published anony- 
 mously, but written by Dr. Atterbury, and professing 
 
 b 2 
 
XX 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 to be a " Faithful account of some transactions in the 
 three last sessions of the present convocation." 
 
 On Monday February 9, archdeacon Beveridge came into 
 the house, to which he had been a stranger for some sessions, 
 and made a long and pathetick speech, upon the dispute at 
 present depending between the two houses. In it, he took an 
 occasion freely to declare his opinion upon several heads, to 
 the advantage of those who have been on the lower house side 
 in this dispute. He owned that the clergy's right of assembling 
 concurrently with every parliament, and of treating and con- 
 cluding on several points of great consequence, without a royal 
 license, was demonstrated in some late writings. I give you 
 the very word he used on this occasion ; and he spake it with 
 such a particular accent and emphasis, as shewed what he said 
 to proceed from a thorough conviction of his judgment. He 
 added, upon the head of adjournments, that the transmission 
 of the schedule into the lower house did not give an immediate 
 interruption to the debates of the clergy, but left them at li- 
 berty, during the synodical day, to proceed on in their busi- 
 ness, and to publish the adjournment when they thought fit. 
 He earnestly exhorted both sides to union and peace, and to 
 think of such methods of healing the breach, as might secure 
 the lower house's liberty, and yet not intrench on the arch- 
 bishop's authority. And he was persuaded, he said, that this 
 might easily be effected, if they once set about it in good 
 earnest, and abated a little in their pretensions upon each 
 other. 
 
 This speech he uttered with great gravity and concern : 
 and it had its effect. For immediately there appeared a general 
 disposition in the house towards entering on the methods he 
 proposed. A long debate arose upon it, which was managed 
 on either side with great temper and decency ; and the result 
 of it was, " that a committee should be appointed to consider 
 of an expedient for composing the present difference about 
 prorogations ; that it should consist of sixteen; half of them to 
 be of the one opinion, and half of the other : and that they 
 should meet the next morning, at ten o'clock, in Henry the 
 Seventh's chapel." 
 
 The moderation of that part of the house, which vastly ex- 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 XXI 
 
 cceded the other in numbers, appeared very remarkably in 
 the appointing this committee ; as on other accounts, so parti- 
 cularly on this, that they allowed a certain member to be of it, 
 who was by his instructions, which he brought up with him, 
 known to be restrained from consenting to immediate ad- 
 journments. 
 
 When the committee met at the appointed time, the great- 
 est part of the house was also present to hear the debates, and 
 attend the event of it ; which was what all good men wished : 
 for they agreed, nemine contradicente, to make the following 
 report to the house, in their next session, on Thursday the 
 1 2th. 
 
 The report of the committee appointed to consider of an 
 expedient about the prorogation of this house, that may 
 tend to compose the present difference in that matter. 
 
 Present. 
 
 Dr. Hooper Mr. Moor Dr. Beveridge Dr. Trimnel 
 
 Dr. Jane Dr. Binks Dr. Hayley Dr. Prideaux 
 
 Dr. Aldrich Mr. Needham Dr. Willis Dr. Green 
 
 Dr. Atterbury Dr. Wynn Dr. Kennet Mr. Lloyd. 
 
 It is the unanimous opinion of this committee. 
 
 I. That, in order to an accommodation, no forms of proro- 
 gation shall be used by the prolocutor hereafter, that were not 
 used by the prolocutor before the last convocation. 
 
 II. That the forms of prorogation used by the prolocutor 
 in the convocations of 1586 and 1588 shall hereafter be used 
 by the prolocutor in the order they lie in the books ; beginning 
 with the first, until they are all gone through. 
 
 III. That these forms shall be pronounced by the prolo- 
 cutor, when the house agrees that their business is over. 
 
 Every body, who was present at this transaction, seemed 
 to go off extremely pleased with the success of it ; as pro- 
 mising themselves that the struggle was now at an end, which 
 had hitherto divided the two houses of convocation, and hin- 
 dered them from proceeding on business of greater importance. 
 The conduct of Dr. Beveridge and Dr. Hayley were particu- 
 larly applauded in this matter, who were very instrumental in 
 bringing on the accomtnodation of this day, and in tempering 
 the harsh proposals of some of the members on their side of 
 
XXU 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 the question, which had like to have prevented it. But their 
 prudence and moderation prevailed, and at last brought the 
 whole committee to join unanimously in those votes which I 
 have sent you, without expressing the least dissatisfaction at 
 any syllable contained in them. 
 
 You may imagine how I, in particular, relished this agree- 
 ment, and how impatient I was to have it reported to the 
 house, and ratified by it, at its next synodic session. But be- 
 fore that came on, it was whispered about the town that the 
 dissenting members, who had hitherto opposed the lower house 
 claims, were resolved not to comply with it ; and it was said, 
 that they had particular instructions from their superiors to 
 this purpose. I was one of those who gave no credit to this 
 report, till the manner of opening the session on Thursday 
 convinced me that it was not altogether groundless. 
 
 It pleased God that on the preceding day the late procu- 
 rator , the dean of Sarum, was taken so ill as to be disabled 
 from attending. Upon consulting precedents, it was found 
 that the prolocutor was always used in such cases to appoint 
 a deputy to preside for him, pro hac vice, with the consent of 
 the house. The last instance of this kind, of which a formal 
 and full entry happens to remain in the records of the lower 
 house, is as follows. 
 
 2 Mali 1640. Dominus prolocutor apud ejus cedes in West- 
 minster, Me prcesente [i. e. Fisher, the actuary] constituit et 
 ordinavit doctorem Bargrave, et doctorem Nevil, et eorum 
 alterum, conjunctim et divisim, pro se, et ejus nomine, pro 
 hac sessione, ad legend, preces in domo inferiori, et votum et 
 suffragium suum reddere pro prorogatione prox. sequenti. Et 
 facta declaratione constitutionis hujusmodi clero domus infe- 
 rioris, cleri eandem approbarunt, et consentierunt. Et tunc 
 Domini continuarunt et prorogarunt usque ad et in diem 
 Martis prox. inter horas 2 et 4 post meridiem. 
 
 The contemporary register of the upper house is preserved 
 entire, and shews that their consent to this substitution was 
 neither asked nor given. 
 
 This precedent the dean of Sarum guiding himself by, de- 
 puted the dean of Christ-Church to officiate for him on Thurs- 
 day by an instrument which ran in these terms. 
 
 Die Jovis, 12 die mensis Febr. 1701. jtixta, etc. In 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xxiii 
 
 hospitio domini prolocutoris, infra parochiam sanctat 
 Margaret®, Westminster; prcesente me Thoma Rous, 
 notario publico. 
 
 Quibus die et loco dictus dominus prolocutor constituit 
 et ordinavit Henricum Aldrich, 8. T.P. decanum JEdis 
 Christi Oxon. ad legend, preces pro hac sessione, et ca> 
 tera exequenda quorum executio ab eo delegari potest. 
 Upon comparing this instrument with the act of 1640, be- 
 fore transcribed, you will observe how industriously all the ex- 
 pressions of it were avoided, which might any ways give a jea- 
 lousy to the dissenting members, or tend towards the reviving 
 a dispute, which now seemed to be happily quieted. For all 
 care was taken to smooth the way towards the report, which 
 was that morning to be made. 
 
 The actuary brought this paper to the house about ten 
 o'clock, and read it, by consent. After which, the dean of 
 Christ-Church proceeding to say prayers, was interrupted by 
 a member, who declared that he and several others could not 
 agree to a sub-prolocutor's acting as such, without the arch- 
 bishop's approbation. It was answered by a member on the 
 other side of the house, (who foresaw that if we entered into a 
 dispute on this head, the report would be lost,) that there was 
 no design of making a common referendary between the two 
 houses, without consulting his grace ; but that in the mean 
 time prayers might go forward. It was agreed they should ; 
 and as soon as they were ended, the house seemed universally 
 inclined to send a message up to the archbishop to acquaint 
 him with the deputation which they had made. In order to it, 
 it was requisite that Dr. Aldrich should take the chair, and 
 collect the sense of the house in this matter, which could not 
 otherwise be regularly known. He was no sooner in it, and 
 going to put the question, but that several of the members 
 rose up from their seats, and in a very disorderly manner for- 
 bid the putting of any question, or entering on any debate, till 
 the sub-prolocutor was approved. They were told, that it 
 was purely with a design of sending up for such an approba- 
 tion that the chair was now taken, and that, as soon as the 
 vote for a message was made, it should immediately be quitted ; 
 and that the house took this complying step merely to shew 
 their sincere inclinations to peace ; for they were thoroughly 
 
xxiv 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 satisfied of their right to depute a prolocutor, in such an exi- 
 gence as this, without acquainting his grace and the bishops at 
 all with it. To this purpose the precedent was read out of the 
 book of 1640, which then lay upon the table: and the mem- 
 bers who opposed the question were openly challenged to give 
 any account of it that was consistent with then' present pro- 
 ceedings. They were utterly at a loss for a reply, and yet 
 persisted with vehemence in their demand, that the dean of 
 Christ-Church should relinquish the chair : and when they 
 were desired to forbear that demand so long at least as till the 
 previous point, about the general right of the house in such 
 cases, was debated and settled, (which they might safely do, 
 under a protestation.) they absolutely refused to comply even 
 with this proposal ; and were so peremptory in them manner 
 of rejecting it, as gave a just suspicion that they came pre- 
 pared for such a rupture, and ready to lay hold of any color 
 or pretence they could have for it. 
 
 In the midst of this dispute, two 3 of the members took the 
 instrument of substitution from the table, and went up to the 
 bishops with it. They had no authority from the house to go 
 upon this errand, and yet both they and their paper were 
 received above, notwithstanding the rule, which had at otber 
 times been made, of not admitting anv messengers from below 
 
 Of/ O 
 
 without the prolocutor. And the coming up of these members 
 with an original instrument and act of the house, either im- 
 plied such a message, or, if it did not, was a practice unfit ta 
 be countenanced. 
 
 At last, notwithstanding the loud opposition made to their 
 debates, the house came to a resolution in form of sending up 
 some others of their number to give notice to his grace and 
 the bishops of the substitution they had made. These mes- 
 sengers were not admitted ; but, instead of it, an order came 
 down that the whole lower house should attend immediately in 
 Jerusalem-chamber, whither as soon as they came, they were 
 
 1 " The dean of Winchester [Dr. Wickart] and the archdeacon of 
 Colchester [Dr. Beveridge] went up to the bishops with it hoping 
 to bring it back with due confirmation, and so compose the unhappy 
 dispute, that the house regularly settled might proceed to business." 
 Rennet's Present State of Corn), p. 22. 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 XXV 
 
 told to this effect; "That a paper r of consequence had been 
 lodged there, which required some time to consider of it ; and 
 therefore his grace had determined to adjourn the convocation 
 till Saturday" [Febr. 14.] : and immediately he commanded a 
 schedule of dismission to be there read in their presence. 
 
 This was every way a surprise to them. It defeated the 
 hopes they had entertained of hearing the report made from 
 the committee of accommodation, and of receiving an answer 
 in writing (which their lordships had solemnly promised on 
 this day) to a complaint preferred by them in the last session 
 against the bishop of Sarum. There could be nothing wanting 
 (even in their lordships' judgment,) but his grace's consent to 
 the substitution of the dean of Christ-Church, in order to a 
 dispatch of these important affairs, which were then ripe for 
 the lower house's consideration : but without any reason as- 
 signed that consent was refused them. And yet the precedent 
 of 1640 is so plain, that it could not be imagined how then* 
 lordships should want time to determine their opinions upon it, 
 especially since (it was said that) one of the bishops, as well 
 versed in such matters as any of the order, had freely declared 
 his opinion that the lower house had done nothing in this case 
 but what they could justify. But that which most troubled 
 them was the unusual manner of adjourning both houses to- 
 gether ; a practice which they thought manifestly tended to 
 the destruction of their rights as a separate house ; and which 
 was never, that they knew of, attempted s since the statute of 
 
 r The words of the archbishop were, ' There has happened an 
 incident of great moment which I and my brethren must take time 
 to consider of, &c.' — Rennet's Present State, p. 26. 
 
 s " After the form of prorogation had been this day Feb. 1 2 read 
 and signed in the upper house, as the clergy were departing out of 
 Jerusalem chamber, Dr. A. toward the door was earnestly pushing 
 on some members, and crying, ' Away to the lower house, to the 
 lower house.' 
 
 There be many instances upon the registers of the upper house, 
 where the prolocutor and clergy are called up and do appear, 
 when immediately after the prorogation is entered in the jour- 
 nal with sufficient implication that the clergy were not withdrawn. 
 And there are several express notices of the lower clergy being ac- 
 tually present when the prorogation was made by the president or 
 
xxvi 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 .submission, till the last convocation; unless, when there was 
 a concurrent adjournment, or prorogation of the parliament. 
 So about forty two of their members went down to the Henry 
 the Vllth's chapel ; the sub-prolocutor took the chair, and, with 
 their consent, intimated an adjournment to the same day, to 
 which my lords the bishops had adjourned. 
 
 On Friday the prolocutor died : his death put an end to 
 the question about the power of deputing ; and they resolved 
 if it were possible, not to start any new ones : and therefore, 
 when they met on Saturday morning, did not form themselves 
 into an house, but went up to the Jerusalem-chamber in a 
 body to acquaint his grace and the bishops with what had 
 happened. As soon as their lordships' prayers were over, (in 
 which the lower clergy joined,) an honourable person, who 
 had been pitched upon to make the report of the prolocutor's 
 death, began to do it ; when the archbishop addressed himself 
 to the clergy much after the following manner ; " That he was 
 surprised at the news he heard of the prolocutor's decease ; 
 that on Monday and Thursday next the dean and chapter of 
 Westminster would have occasion for the Jerusalem-chamber ; 
 that on Ash-Wednesday the convocation could not sit ; and 
 therefore he intended to adjourn it till Thursday : and so he 
 ordered the schedule to be read." 
 
 This new dismission increased the uneasiness of the clergy, 
 who expected to have had some directions about the time of 
 choosing a new prolocutor, the rather because it was now near 
 seven weeks since they first met, without being able, in all that 
 time, to do any thing which might answer the expectations of 
 the world. The first fortnight, after the election of a prolo- 
 cutor, had been spent in a long adjournment, though the clergy 
 appeared on the very day of the choice in great numbers. The 
 five next sessions till Feb. the 9th were taken up in removing 
 the obstructions which some of their lordships' favourites in the 
 lower house had laid in the way towards business : who were 
 observed to have studiously checked and retarded every at- 
 
 his commissary in loco synodi. There was never, I believe, till last 
 convocation, any scruple of such a power of proroguing the whole 
 synod in the synodical place, the upper house." — Rennet's Present 
 State, #c. pp. 27. 29. 
 
P:i)ITION OF 1854. 
 
 xxvii 
 
 tempt that had been made for setting the house at work, but 
 never once to have offered any motion of that kind themselves. 
 Nor indeed had my lords the bishops been pleased in all this 
 time to propose any thing to the clergy, besides an address 
 and a committee for inspecting a journal, which had been lately 
 discovered ; though their lordships have been said often in 
 print to be under an apprehension that no business could regu- 
 larly be entered upon by the clergy which was not first recom- 
 mended by the upper house to them. These reflections, I say, 
 added to the adjournment, now published till Thursday, with- 
 out any intimation, that the clergy should even then be allowed 
 to proceed in the choice of their prolocutor, gave them fresh 
 and just matter of disquiet ; for they began now to look upon 
 adjournments as informations only of the time at which they 
 were next to attend, in order to be further informed of some 
 other day, which was then to be appointed, for just such an- 
 other fruitless attendance. But their complaints were at pre- 
 sent stifled by what they now heard of the necessity, 'which the 
 dean and prebendaries were under of meeting capitidarly in 
 the Jerusalem-chamber, on Monday and Tuesday next, (and 
 precisely, it seems, at the time of the synodic session,) which 
 was an excuse for this last delay, that they were no ways then 
 prepared to reply to. Should they, when they meet again on 
 Thursday, be once more adjourned to St. Paul's, in order to 
 make the choice of their prolocutor more solemn; and when 
 that is done, be graciously allowed another fortnight to pre- 
 pare what they have to say, at his presentation; much more, 
 should their superiors interpose with an high hand, to prevent 
 and quash the election itself, (winch is, I assure you, a scheme 
 that a right reverend person was this very morning full of ;) — 
 such a management would clearly open a scene that hath 
 hitherto been artificially covered ; and shew that a settled re- 
 solution is taken of rendering convocations insignificant and 
 useless. But these are jealousies only which the next synodical 
 day will either scatter or confirm ; and when that is over, you 
 shall hear further from me. 
 
 This letter was dated Feb. 14, and was soon suc- 
 ceeded by another bearing date Feb. 19, and expressed 
 in the following words : 
 
xxviii 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 In my last I told you of some jealousies we had, that our 
 superiors would so far interpose, as to prevent and quash the 
 election of a prolocutor ; and I am sorry that I must now tell 
 you that they were too well grounded. In expectation of pro- 
 ceeding to a choice, the clergy appeared to day in great num- 
 bers, several who before were absent having come up from 
 distant places for that very purpose. And when as many of us 
 as are willing to be guided by precedents in the like case had 
 met and said prayers, we waited on their lordships in Jerusalem- 
 chamber, where his grace was pleased to read a speech, which, 
 as far as my memory serves, was to this effect : 
 
 " That the lower clergy having sent up a complaint, con- 
 cerning breach of privilege, against the bishop of Salisbury, 
 the bishops had received it with great readiness, and none 
 more readily than the bishop of Salisbury himself. That there 
 was an answer drawn up to it, which by reason of the illness 
 of the prolocutor, and an incident that followed thereupon, 
 could not be offered at the next session, as was promised, but 
 is entered upon the upper house journal, and may be there 
 seen by any that please, and that when we should see that, and 
 the account transmitted from the judge of the bishop's court, 
 he doubted not but they would be satisfactory. He advised 
 that for the future we should take care not to make any such 
 complaint till the matter of it were fully made out both as to 
 fact and right ; as to right, he repeated, for that what is said 
 in the complaint, that we were privileged from all suits except 
 those for breach of the peace, was not well considered, there 
 being other things of a higher nature to which this privilege 
 did not extend. Besides that, if he rightly understood the late 
 act, a suit begun might be carried on if the person be not 
 molested. But enough of this, especially since the person 
 chiefly concerned is lately dead." 
 
 He continued, " That we might reasonably expect, that upon 
 this occasion he should say something concerning the election 
 of a prolocutor, that this was a matter of great consideration, 
 that he had had several thoughts of it, some of which he would 
 
 O r 
 
 communicate to us. 
 
 " That several members, who had earnestly pressed to go 
 out of town, being absent, it was not fit they should be deprived 
 of their share in choosing a prolocutor ; especially their absence 
 
KDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xxix 
 
 being in order to observe in their parishes this solemn time of 
 Lent, in catechising and preparing their people for the holy 
 sacrament at Easter. That to be sent for up at this time, only 
 to choose a prolocutor, would be a great hardship ; a war too 
 being hkely soon to break out, which would call off people's 
 minds from business of this kind. That the public business 
 also was near winding up ; that no synodical business had been 
 laid before us from the king. Besides, that if we should sit, 
 there would upon every occasion differences arise concerning 
 matters of form ; to avoid which there should be a formulary, 
 or modus tenendi convocationem, drawn up, towards which 
 there were many materials brought together, of which he had 
 communicated to us one book that had come to his hands, and 
 had hopes of retrieving another, with divers other papers that 
 would be of use in this matter. That he therefore intended to 
 prorogue this convocation, but it should be by such short pro- 
 rogations from time to time that upon any emergency the 
 convocation might sit and choose a prolocutor. That they who 
 think that he or any of his brethren were against the sitting 
 of convocations, or laying any unreasonable restraints upon the 
 lower house, would find themselves greatly mistaken. 
 
 Lastly, " That he could not but take notice of a new way 
 taken up of making public what past in convocation ; for last 
 night a paper had come to his hands that called itself, A 
 faithful account of some transactions in the three last sessions 
 of convocation, Number I., as if there was an intention to con- 
 tinue it. But that he was informed this morning that there 
 were several mistakes in the account of the committee there 
 mentioned, particularly an omission of some explications then 
 offered. All which would be soon published, and then the 
 misrepresentations of this writer would be made as public." 
 
 He concluded with an earnest exhortation to peace, and a 
 short prayer. 
 
 This I think was the substance of what his grace delivered ; 
 if in any thing I have mistaken him, or misled you (which 
 willingly I am sure I have not), I hope we shall both of us be 
 set right by an authentic publication of it. 
 
 As soon as he had finished his speech, his grace commanded 
 the register to read a schedule of prorogation, which was to 
 
XXX 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 Thursday, March 5th. Thus far for matter of fact ; give me 
 leave now to make some few observations. 
 
 I have not had leisure this afternoon to consult the journal 
 to which we are referred for their lordships' answer to our 
 complaint against the bishop of Sarum ; when I have, I shall 
 give you my sense of it, and possibly that of fehe whole house, 
 before our correspondence ends. In the mean time I will not 
 trouble you with any of those surmises which people have in 
 relation to that matter ; for I design to communicate nothing 
 to you but what you may depend upon. Only I cannot omit 
 taking notice, that we were at a loss to find out how a signifi- 
 cation of this matter came to be more proper upon this day, 
 than it would have been either on last Thursday or Saturday. 
 
 We had indeed great reason to expect that his grace would 
 say something to us about the choice of a prolocutor, and 
 what was most reasonably to be expected, was his direction to 
 proceed forthwith to an election. For I cannot upon any of 
 our books find, but that whenever the prolocutor's chair has 
 any way become vacant, sitting the convocation, immediate 
 care has been taken for the filling- it. The absence of members 
 was an objection, which had not his grace made, would not 
 have offered itself to us, who were sure that there were more 
 members now attending than had been present at the "hoice of 
 the last prolocutor, or any other that I could ever ar of. 
 I am well assured that more came to town upon this occasion 
 than had left it to go to their cures ; and whether their pre- 
 sence might not be a truer reason for putting off the election, 
 than the others' absence, I leave you to guess. And though so 
 great tenderness is expressed towards those few who withdrew 
 to attend their private duty in their parishes, yet you, and all 
 who understand and love our constitution, will, I' hope, allow 
 that the great majority, who wait here on the service of the 
 public, do thereby as truly and faithfully discharge their duty 
 both to God and the church. At least you will have reason to 
 think that our predecessors were thus persuaded, when I tell 
 you from the books, that the approach of Christmas was no 
 hinderance of the choice of Doctor Dolben to be prolocutor in 
 Decemb. 1664. nor of Dr. Sandcroft in Dec. 1666. Nor was 
 the solemn season of Lent, or catechising and preparation for 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xxxi 
 
 Easter any bar to the choice of Dr. Stillingfleet on March 
 14th, 1677. And me acR l this further remark, that no 
 synodieal business was at any of these times laid before the 
 convocation by the king, any more than there is now. Neither 
 was there a war wanting in 1666, to call off men's minds from 
 convocational business. 
 
 That differences were likely to arise in our proceedings 
 might probably be suggested to his grace by those who were 
 prepared to raise them ; the same persons, I presume, who 
 gave him this morning an account of what past in the com- 
 mittee ; how honestly and faithfully, you shall know as 
 soon as that account is made public. In the mean time you 
 may safely give me so much credit, as to rest satisfied, that 
 every thing I wrote to you about that affair will, if requisite, 
 be attested by a sufficient number of unquestionable witnesses. 
 That committee having proceeded so far, as I told you in my 
 last, towards the composing of all our differences, it seems un- 
 accountable that the apprehension of such differences should be 
 now urged as a reason for deferring the choice of a prolocutor. 
 It had been much more reasonable to have hoped, that we 
 should have been put into a condition of perfecting that accom- 
 modation, which was so happily begun, so calmly carried on, 
 and bropfht so near a conclusion. So near, that some will tell 
 you, tl the fear of its being completed has been the chief 
 occasion of these unprecedented proceedings. I am unwilling 
 to give way to such suspicions, but I cannot but observe, that 
 should the public business be so speedily wound up as his 
 grace suggests, then this so desirable agreement, so honestly 
 and so sincerely laboured, must of course come to nothing. It 
 will be well if the formulary we are bid to expect contribute 
 any thing towards it ; but a modus tenendi convocationem, if 
 framed in a recess, and imposed upon the lower house without 
 their consent, will, in all wise men's opinions, be more likely to 
 create new differences, than to compose any of the old. 
 
 This account may perhaps give you and our friends in the 
 country some melancholy thoughts, as if convocations were for 
 the future either to be wholly laid aside, or rendered insignifi- 
 cant ; but I am one of those men who are still resolved not to 
 distrust the solemn assurance which his grace has this day 
 given us, That neither he nor his brethren are against the 
 
xxxii 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 sitting of convocation, or for laying unreasonable restraints 
 on the lower house. 
 
 Peace undoubtedly is the thing he aims at ; his exhortations 
 to it were so earnest, so grave, so backed with Scripture, that 
 I will not be persuaded but that they proceeded from a hearty 
 desire of it. And I hope they will have that effect upon those 
 of our brethren, who in all other respects profess an absolute 
 submission to his grace's authority, that they will not think 
 themselves unconcerned in a charge so solemnly by liim deli- 
 vered, but believe that they too, as well as we, were intended 
 to have their share in the general exhortation to behave our- 
 selves as becomes the ministers of the gosjiel of peace." 
 
 Another letter on the same subject, and by the same 
 writer, was published in the year 1705, of which the 
 following is a portion : 
 
 Sm, 
 
 You are pleased to complain that you have not heard from 
 me since March 7th, 1705, notwithstanding your constant 
 importunity to be further informed of what had passed in con- 
 vocation from that time. Pray believe me, that my silence 
 was not occasioned by any want, either of respect to you or 
 desire to satisfy our brethren of the clergy. Rather do me the 
 justice to ascribe it to the great hopes we had entertained, that 
 the main controversy concerning our claims might have been 
 brought to so happy a conclusion, that there would have been 
 no occasion of continuing a correspondence of this nature. 
 For the lower house were not wanting to make the utmost 
 advances towards an agreement ; and the upper seemed at 
 least to allow those rights, in the exercise whereof they did not 
 for a long time think fit to interrupt us. And as for other 
 convocational business, though the lower house have laid many 
 things of moment before their lordships, and frequently and 
 earnestly pressed that they might be considered, yet they have 
 met with so little success, that I must plead that misfortune in 
 my excuse, if what I shall now send you falls short of what you 
 might reasonably expect, from so many and so long sessions of 
 such an assembly. 
 
 After the death of our prolocutor, Dr. Woodward, we made 
 
KDITION OF 18.54. 
 
 xxxin 
 
 all the dutiful applications we could think of, to obtain his 
 grace's direction for the choice of a new one, according to the 
 unquestionable right and known usage of convocation. But no 
 regard being had to this our right, during several sessions, we 
 at last found ourselves obliged to depute one of our members 
 to complain of this hard usage, and to assert our claim, the 
 whole house attending him. 
 
 When we went up, we found one of our members, who had 
 not been that day in our house, in conversation with the com- 
 missary deputed by his grace to adjourn that day t . His lord- 
 ship (out of pure zeal, no doubt, to do justice to the lower 
 house) desired to take our message in writing ; and while he 
 was doing so, his lordship at the single suggestion of that fore- 
 said member (who had not been that day in our house) made 
 no scruple of altering the terms of our message ; and instead of 
 these words, It is the opinion of the lower house, substituting, 
 It is the opinion of several members of the lower house. But 
 as his grace was pleased to say in the case of Dr. Woodward ; 
 
 t " They came up as a house without a prolocutor to the chamber 
 adjoining the Jerusalem chamber, and there meeting the bishop of 
 Lincoln, who as his grace's commissary had now prorogued the 
 convocation to a further day, they desired his lordship to carry a 
 message to his grace of their desire to proceed to the choice of a 
 prolocutor. His lordship with great kindness told them that he 
 was unwilling to carry any message hy word of mouth, for fear he 
 might mistake in the delivery of it ; but if they pleased to dictate to 
 him, he would take their sense in writing, and so lay it before his 
 grace. Upon which they began to express themselves to this effect : 
 that it was the unanimous desire of the lower house of convoca- 
 tion &c. Upon which another member of different opinion, [Dr. 
 Kennet,] who had that morning waited on his lordship, and was his 
 ordinary chaplain, did modestly interpose and say ' that he hoped 
 no such message would be worded in the name of the whole lower 
 house : for as they were not a house, and did not act in that capa- 
 city, without a prolocutor, so many of the members (of which him- 
 self was one) had not assented to any such message : and therefore 
 he presumed it would be more true and proper to let the message 
 run in the name of several members of the lower house.' And the 
 bishop in his writing down their sense did so accordingly express 
 it." — Kennet's Complete History, vol. III. p. 854. 
 
 GIBSON. C 
 
x.\xi\ 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 Of this enough, especially considering that the person parti- 
 cularly concerned is lately dead. 
 
 March the 5 1 h was the day on which this happened, and the 
 commissary then adjourned to March the 19th; on the 8th 
 king William died; after whose death, neither his grace, nor 
 any one for him, thought fit to appear in convocation. This, if 
 ever it come to be considered by rational and impartial men, 
 will probably silence the dispute raised by his grace's advo- 
 cates, and convince them by whose authority the convocation 
 subsists ; especially since a clause for continuing it by act of 
 parliament, though at first favoured, was afterwards dropt by 
 the house of lords upon a suggestion of Mr. Attorney-general, 
 That the queen's authority was concerned in it. 
 
 October the 20th, A new convocation met, and was opened, 
 as is usual, at St. Paul's ; and the prolocutor being chosen, 
 there arose a dispute whether he should immediately take the 
 chair ; which dispute was not finally determined till the 18th of 
 November following. On that day this matter was debated at 
 large in a full house, and the reasons and precedents being 
 duly considered, the cpiestion was put in these words : Wliether 
 {upon the choice of a prolocutor) when the prolocutor is 
 chosen, he is to take the chair, and direct the nomination of 
 his presenters, and take the consent of the house thereupon ? 
 It passed in the affirmative. And I must not forget to tell you, 
 that the dean of St. Paul's, who thought himself principally 
 concerned in that debate, had notice given him of it, and was 
 present, and said all that he thought proper in justification of 
 his claim. 
 
 What passed afterwards in this convocation was transacted 
 chiefly by papers exchanged between the two houses ; you will 
 excuse me troubling you with the purport of them, since I hear 
 they are already printed. But there are some other parti- 
 culars which you will not perhaps find in those papers, and with 
 which, I believe, your curiosity will be willing enough to be 
 acquainted. 
 
 1. Concerning intermediate sessions, of which we have had 
 several. The first were because his grace thought fit to adjourn 
 the synodical meeting for no less than seven weeks, though at 
 that time a great deal of business was depending. Yet of all 
 these meetings, not one was afterwards excepted to, only at the 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 XXXV 
 
 latter end of the convocation, when the lower house had pre- 
 pared a complaint against the bishop of Sarum, it was thought 
 the best expedient for avoiding the reading of that paper to 
 quarrel with an intermediate session. 
 
 And since I am upon tins subject, give me leave to remind 
 you, that the controversy depending is not between bishops and 
 presbyters, as such, but between two houses of convocation, 
 settled both of them by the constitution of this church and 
 kingdom : and that these two houses are by the laws of this 
 realm so far co-ordinate, that each has a negative upon the 
 other ; and that the bishops can no more make a synodical 
 act, that shall oblige the clergy, without the consent of the 
 lower house, than the lower house can make a like act without 
 the consent of their lordships. 
 
 As to the meeting and proceeding of these two houses, it is 
 agreed on all hands, that it is the undoubted right of his grace 
 of "Canterbury to appoint the times at which the whole body 
 shall assemble ; and that it is the duty of both houses to be 
 sitting at those times in their respective houses. And it is no 
 encroachment upon this right, but very consistent with it, that 
 the lower house being to prepare business to lay before their 
 lordships, be at liberty to dispose of the time between his 
 grace's appointments as they shall see cause. This the very 
 nature of the thing requires, and it is evident this has been the 
 practice of all the convocations of whose transactions we have 
 any memorials. 
 
 This is the only independency and co-ordination which the 
 lower house pretends to ; they neither have offered, nor will, I 
 believe, offer at any other. But this they do claim, as in duty 
 bound ; and this is and will be their indefeasible right as long 
 as the English constitution shall be able to maintain itself. As 
 to the institution, dignity, and authority of the episcopal order, 
 the lower house have been so far from contesting, that they (as 
 you will find by their papers) have gone further towards the 
 supporting them, than their lordships have thought fit to keep 
 them company. 
 
 These letters have been introduced as furnishing the 
 most favourable construction that can be given to the 
 proceedings of the lower house. They were written by 
 
 c 2 
 
PREFACE TO THE 
 
 an eloquent and able man, who was recognised as the 
 leader of his party, and had made himself master of his 
 subject. And the effect they produced by appealing to 
 public opinion, and employing an umpire which had 
 never before been allowed to sit in judgment on such 
 discussions, is evident from the number and the nature 
 of the answers they received. Dr. Kennet in a tract v 
 entitled, " The present state of convocation," calls it 
 " an insolent liberty, as wicked as it is new," and recites 
 the orders given and the penalties denounced upon any 
 member of either house who made their transactions 
 public ; and the archbishop himself, in the speech re- 
 ported in the second letter, and afterwards published 
 by authority, expresses his displeasure at the " strange 
 method laid for giving public intelligence from time to 
 time of any differences that may hereafter arise." 
 
 But the information contained in the letters was 
 open to much objection and complaint. It was not 
 probable that a writer who was naturally vehement, 
 and whose vehemence was now combined with strong 
 party tendencies, should be able to describe the trans- 
 actions in which he had been engaged, without par- 
 tiality and exaggeration ; and the reader of subsequent 
 times will see in the statements themselves abundant 
 evidence u of their being calculated and designed to 
 aid the public movement, instead of terminating the 
 dispute. 
 
 v P. 2. See also Dr. Gibson's opinion at p. 314. inf. 
 
 u Observe tbe passages, ' they were utterly at a loss for a reply, 
 and yet persisted with vehemence in their demand :' 'without being 
 able in all that time to do any thing which might answer the ex- 
 pectations of the world :' and the constant use of the word ' adjourn- 
 ments' instead of 'prorogations,' a difference almost amounting to 
 a petitio principii. The expectation of the world was the motive in- 
 culcated by the lower house in a paper drawn up by Atterbury and 
 addressed to the house of bishops April 5, 1701 : 'the joint and 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 X X XV 11 
 
 It will be observed that in the last of these letters 
 the claims of the lower house are expressed in a single 
 proposition conveying an intelligible issue ; and the 
 difference then remaining between the two houses may 
 be seen by comparing the language of the letter with 
 the following statement of Dr. Gibson, taken from a 
 contemporary tract : "On such intermediate meetings 
 they cannot come to any final resolutions, as a house. 
 My meaning is, that though any number of the convo- 
 cation-clergy may agree to meet and confer and prepare 
 matters, such matters cannot be passed into an act of 
 the house, but at a meeting pursuant to the prorogation 
 of the president. For all other meetings are purely 
 voluntary, the effects only of a mutual agreement, and 
 not of duty and obedience x ." 
 
 Such was the progress of the question. But it was 
 the progress of the argument and not of the strife. 
 The separation between the two parties had already 
 been increased by much personal altercation ; the sen- 
 timents of men had contracted a greater degree of 
 hardness by being printed and made public; many 
 foreign elements of discord had been taken up into 
 the contest; when king William died, a new reign 
 commenced, strange hopes were created, and a party 
 which had hitherto maintained its ground under the 
 most adverse circumstances, began to look forward to 
 places of power and preeminence. 
 
 The history of the controversy has thus been brought 
 down to the time when the Synodus Anglicana was 
 published. It now remains to describe the part which 
 
 earnest desire of both houses, as we humbly apprehend, to have a 
 controversy of this nature speedily determined, in order to their 
 proceeding upon such other business as the world may justly expect 
 from them.' — Rennet's Complete History, vol. III. p. 842. 
 x The Schedule reviewed, p. 26. Sec also pp.52 and 73. 
 
xxxviii PREFACE TO THE 
 
 the writer of that treatise took in the progress of the 
 controversy. 
 
 His first publication was A letter to a friend in the 
 country concerning the proceedings of this present convo- 
 cation, without date, but put forth in the year 1701, as 
 appears from Dr. Atterbury's answer to it, entitled 
 " The power of the Lower House of Convocation to 
 adjourn itself," &c. and from " A Narrative of the 
 Proceedings of the Lower House," &c. drawn up in 
 conformity with an order of the lower house by Dr. 
 Hooper, at that time prolocutor, whose preface replies 
 to the letter. Then followed in succession, 
 
 The right of the Archbishop to continue or prorogue 
 the ivhole Convocation asserted in a second letter, by way 
 of reply to a pamphlet entitled The power of the Lower 
 House, Sfc. 1701. 
 
 A summary of the arguments for the Archbishop's 
 right to continue the ivhole Convocation, Dec. 3, 1701. 
 
 Reflections upon a late paper entitled An expedient^ 
 proposed, shewing the unreasonableness thereof Sfc. Jan. 
 27, 1701, 2. 
 
 A vindication of The Author of the right of the Arch- 
 bishop, Sfc. from some little exceptions taken by the writer 
 of tivo letters' 1 , Sfc. 1702. 
 
 The parallel continued between a Presbyterian Assem- 
 bly and the new model of an English Provincial Synod, 
 
 y This tract is ascribed to Dr. Binckes, afterwards dean of Lich- 
 field, who was an active supporter of Dr. Atterbury (see Syn. Ang. 
 p. 262. old ed.), and was chosen prolocutor in 1705, in preference 
 to Dr. Stanhope, dean of Canterbury. Bp. Burnet mentions a re- 
 markable sermon preached by Dr. Binckes before the convocation 
 on the 30th of January . Own Times, vol. V. p. 16. 
 
 z Two letters by Dr. Atterbury, entitled " Letters to a Clergyman 
 in the Country concerning the choice of Members and the execution 
 of the Parliament- writ for the ensuing Convocation." Nov. 17, 1701. 
 and Dec. 10, 1 70 1 . 
 
KDITION OK 1854. 
 
 XXXIX 
 
 Dec. 9, 1702. This tract continued the argument sug- 
 gested by Dr. Kennet in his pamphlet entitled " A let- 
 ter from a Presbyterian Minister in Scotland, kc. 1701, 
 and was followed by another pamphlet on the same 
 subject in 1703 by Dr. Sherlock, dean of St. Paul's, en- 
 titled "The new danger of Presbytery, or the claims 
 and practices of some in the Lower House of Convoca- 
 tion very dangerous to the constitution of an episcopal 
 and metropolitical church." This pamphlet is recom- 
 mended by Dr. Gibson in his " Marks of a defenceless 
 cause," p. 35. 
 
 Synodus Anglicana*, or the Constitution and Proceed- 
 ings of an English Constitution, Sfc. 1702. 
 
 The Schedule reviewed, or the Right of the Archbishop 
 to continue or prorogue the whole Convocation cleared, 
 Sfc. 1702. This was in answer to Dr. Hooper's " Vin- 
 
 a It does not appear that this important work came to a second 
 edition, although copies of it are to be found with title-pages of 
 different dates. Dr. Gibson speaks thus of the work in a pamphlet 
 of later date (1703) : "The Synodus Anglicana was undertaken on 
 purpose to clear our synods from this imputation of meeting and 
 acting in a civil capacity. To which purpose the established pro- 
 ceedings in an English convocation are proved, under many heads 
 by regular deductions from the remaining acts, to be agreeable to 
 the original superiority of bishops over their presbyters ; and that 
 uncanonical independence so earnestly contended for by this autbor 
 [Dr. AtterburyJ upon a parliamentary relation, to have no ground 
 in the practice of former convocations." The pretended Independence 
 8tc. p. 32. And afterwards, p. 69 : "Considering the great variety 
 of matters necessary to be laid together before a Synodus Anglicana 
 could be drawn up, and these to be fetched from as great a variety 
 of acts, and to be digested and recited under the proper heads as 
 the foundation and proof of the doctrine it contained , all this, I say, 
 considered, I have reason to rejoice that the omissions discovered 
 by an examination so uncharitable should be so few and inconsider- 
 able. There is a writer upon this subject (whom our author knows 
 or ought to know) lately charged by Dr. Wake with multitudes of 
 omissions of another size and name." 
 
xl 
 
 PREFACE TO THE 
 
 dication of his Narrative," &c. and to Dr. Atterbury's 
 " Case of the Schedule stated," both of them published 
 in 1702. 
 
 The pretended independence of the Lower House upon 
 the Upper a groundless notion, fyc. 1703, in reply to 
 Dr. Atterbury's " Parliamentary original and rights of 
 the Lower House of Convocation cleared, &c. 
 
 A short state of some present questions in Con vocation 
 by ivay of commentary on the Schedule of continuation, 
 1703. 
 
 The marks of a defenceless cause in the proceedings 
 and writings of the lower house of convocation, fyc. 1703, 
 in reply to " A summary defence of the lower house of 
 convocation." 
 
 The complainer reproved ; in answer to a partial and 
 unseasonable preface of the publisher of a Representation 
 made by the lower house, 8fc. 1705. This Representation 
 was made in 1703, and published in 1704, and the 
 pamphlet consists of the Representation itself, of the 
 archbishop's speech in answer to it, and of a short pre- 
 face by Dr. Gibson. 
 
 The complainer further reproved, tyc. 1705, a pamphlet 
 of forty pages, consisting of communications made be- 
 tween the two houses, the publication of which is jus- 
 tified in the following manner : " This winter they had 
 no sooner presented to the upper house a paper much 
 more indecent and reflecting than the former, but it was 
 made public by some zealot for the independence of 
 the lower house. Against which popular way of pro- 
 ceeding, and the injustice done to their lordships by it, 
 there was no remedy but this publication of that paper 
 (more correct than before), together with the observa- 
 tions made upon it by the president and bishops. Since 
 the publication of their first paper, others, which they 
 lately left upon the table of the upper house, have been 
 
EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 xli 
 
 printed and dispersed without the least intimation of 
 any reply made to them by the president and bishops. 
 And therefore this opportunity was taken to do justice 
 to the upper house, in sending abroad his grace's speech 
 by way of answer to those papers ; not alone (as the 
 practice of their friends has been), but with the parti- 
 cular papers at large." 
 
 Dr. Gibson's last publication in connection with this 
 subject was, An account of the proceedings in convo- 
 cation in a cause of contumacy, 1707. He published his 
 Codex juris ecclesiastici in the year 1713, was conse- 
 crated bishop of Lincoln in 1715, and translated to the 
 see of London in 1720. 
 
 Among the points of controversy which the Si/nodus 
 Anglicana has not touched, but recent events have 
 brought forward with some degree of prominence, is 
 the question whether the archbishop possesses in him- 
 self the right of continuing the convocation, or must 
 obtain the consent of the house of bishops. The fol- 
 lowing quotations, shewing a difference of opinion in 
 great authorities, and even in the same authority at 
 different periods, will inculcate the duty of discretion 
 and forbearance. 
 
 "It is true the archbishop's schedule usually runs Cum 
 consensu confratrum ; and the forms of continuation in our 
 more modern registers express it in the same language. But 
 the author of the answer had no reason to say that this is 
 almost every where the language of the books ; and when it is 
 not, is purely an omission of the actuary. For in the acts of 
 an elder date, (those, I mean, that are entered in the registers 
 of the archbishop,) the consensus confratrum is neither ex- 
 pressed nor implied in the ordinary continuations, which were 
 
 made by the sole power of his grace. It is therefore certain 
 
 that for some hundred years the power of continuing was 
 exercised by his grace alone : and though the consent of his 
 brethren came afterwards by degrees to be entered in the acts, 
 and was almost constant in 1562, yet it was no law, either 
 
xlii 
 
 APPENDIX TO 
 
 ecclesiastical or civil, that obliged him to it. 1 will not take 
 
 upon me to determine how long a usage will oblige the metro- 
 politan to continue with the consent of his suffragans ; but 
 whatever share they have, they were admitted into it by a 
 voluntary act of his own." — Gibson's Right of the Archbishop, 
 Letter II. pp. 121, 122. 1701. Bodl. Pamph. 239. 
 
 " The danger should be still the less in their account who 
 plead for the consent of the suffragan bishops as necessary in 
 all his grace's continuations ; because upon that supposition, it 
 is out of the metropolitan's power to act irrregularly, nor can 
 any abuse happen in this matter without the concurrence of a 
 majority at least of the suffragan bishops." — Gibson's Re- 
 flections upon An Eocpedient proposed, p. 7. 1702. Bodl. Th. 
 4 to. W. 87. 
 
 " There is reason to believe that ever since the year 1562 
 the archbishop has not used to proceed to the publication of 
 that act [of continuation] without the consent of his suffragans 
 (when present), as to the day to which he continued : and how 
 far a usage of that standing may now oblige the archbishop to 
 consult them, and give their lordships a right to be consulted 
 as oft as they are present, I cannot say, nor does it at all 
 belong to the present question." — Gibson's Schedule reviewed, 
 p. 46. 1702. Bodl. Jur. 4to. P. 24. 
 
 " The instrument of prorogation speaks of no such consent 
 [of the bishops], and it legally may be and is frequently exe- 
 cuted without any consent." — Gibson's marks of a defenceless 
 cause, p. 13. T703. Bodl. Jur. 4to. P. 24. 
 
 " That act is mentioned in the remaining registers of the 
 upper house from 1 562, as done with the consent of the 
 bishops ; it being natural for the president to confer with his 
 brethren about the most convenient day for the next meeting, 
 and no less natural for the register to represent the appoint- 
 ment upon that deliberation, as made and settled by common 
 consent. But the instrument of continuation clearly shews 
 that in strictness of law the act, with the authority of it, is the 
 metropolitan's alone ; and accordingly we find it has been often 
 fixed and executed by the archbishop or his commissary, when 
 none of the bishops were present." — Gibson's short state of 
 some present Questions, p. 7. 1703. Bodl. Jur. 4 to. P. 18. 
 
 •■ The archbishop does this as he does all other acts of 
 
KD1TION OF 1854. 
 
 xliii 
 
 synodieal authority, with advice and consent of his suffragan 
 brethren. And yet when he makes the act into a formal 
 instrument, he does not so much as mention the consent of his 
 brethren in that instrument, but it runs entirely in his grace's 
 name, and expresses the single authority of the metropolitan 
 over the prelates and clergy of his own province." — Rennet's 
 present state of Convocation, p. 30. 1702. Bodl. Jur. 4to. 
 P. 24. 
 
 " Dr. Atterbury desired that all authority of the archbishop 
 might be expressed cum consensu fratrum, giving a reason 
 that since it is known the archbishop does not prorogue in the 
 upper house without consent of his brethren, though such con- 
 sent is not mentioned in the schedule, there was a like obliga- 
 tion to have our consent implied before it took place in the 
 lower house, though it does not appear to be entered in our 
 books." — Rennet's present state of Convocation, p. 24. Bodl. 
 Jur. 4to. P. 24. 
 
The notes added to this Edition consist of extracts from the 
 Tracts of Dr. Gibson, and other contemporary publica- 
 tions ; and the numbers given in the margin indicate the 
 pages of the original Edition. 
 
SYNODUS ANGL1CANA : 
 
 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. 
 
 "1562, in which the XXXIX Articles 
 
 were agreed upon. 
 1600, under Archb. Laud. 
 1 66 1, &c, in which the Common 
 Prayer was revised. 
 2. The two entire Journals of the Lower-house, in 1586 and 1588. 
 
 1 . Three Registers of the ^ 
 Upper-house in 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR A. AND J. CHURCHILL, AT THE BLACK SWAN 
 IN PATER-NOSTER-ROW, iJOZ. 
 
THE 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE EDITION OF 1702. 
 
 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 uncon- 
 cerned. 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 offered, as one way of 
 fixing the right : but that, I found, might be urged 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 urged 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 towards the prudent 
 settlement of new laws ; but can have no part in the deter- 
 mination of questions about ancient lights. 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 mis- 
 chief 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 somewhere, in order 
 to the peace and safety of any society. 
 
xlviii 
 
 THE PREFACE TO 
 
 The proceedings in parliament have been also urged, to 
 justify some late measures in convocation ; but whatever be 
 the virtue of a parliamentary-i'elation, the very persons who 
 contend for it disown its being a rule in the present dis- 
 putes, by confessing that the clergy have not a right to all 
 the privileges of the commons in parliament, and yet assign- 
 ing no reason why some may be claimed upon that foot more 
 than all the rest. 
 
 There is however one known custom in parliament, that 
 may well deserve to be considered in convocation, viz. the 
 recourse they have, and the deference they pay, in all con- 
 tests about privilege, to the records and journals of former 
 parliaments. For both our civil and ecclesiastical meetings 
 are ancient constitutions ; each whereof has all along pro- 
 ceeded by established methods of its own : and as custom 
 has, in a legal sense, marked 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 tried and 
 established upon the practice of former times, and are not 
 become disagreeable to our own by any new or singular cir- 
 cumstance. 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 established upon a primitive foundation, not to be 
 removed at the pleasure of men ; and much less, if that 
 ancient foundation appear to be confirmed 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 usages of antiquity. 
 
 Kesolving therefore to make the strictest inquiry, how far 
 the Church of England is entitled to this blessing in the 
 great point of holding her synods, I entered upon a diligent 
 search into all the remaining registers of convocation. I 
 began 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, subjoined to this Pre- 
 
THE EDITION OF 1702. 
 
 xlix 
 
 face. All these, I say, I have distinctly examined since the 
 disputes in convocation began ; and am the rather obliged 
 to make this particular profession of it, because a late paper 
 entitled the Expedient, p. 17. col. 2. studying to weaken the 
 authority of my arguments for the Archbishop's Right to Con- 
 tinue, 3 says, they are only the substance of what passed in 
 the debates of the house, reduced 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 convo- 
 cation (the only rule in all disputes about privilege) are a 
 guide somewhat surer : which guide and no other I followed, Right of 
 as in examining that case of Continuations, so also in drawing f^e Arch- 
 
 ° . bishop, p. 
 
 the states upon those other heads, b which I formerly pro- 118,136. 
 mised, 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 depend- 
 ing, I have industriously laid by the late accounts of both 
 sides concerning the nature of an English convocation ; re- 
 solving to give way to no impressions, but what should come 
 immediately from the registers themselves, where alone the 
 state of the controversy is apparently lodged. 
 
 The reflections upon the paper I just now mentioned 0 , 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. 
 
 a What was urged in the house, in the long debates that were held, 
 you have drawn into form, and published to the world : and this gives 
 the person you reply to occasion to draw up the answers that were then 
 given, and then to leave the world to judge which house hath the better 
 side of the argument. — An Expedient Proposed, p. 17. 
 
 b The positions relating to adjournments (all, I mean, that the Answer 
 or Narrative question) are made good here in their proper places ; and 
 the like justification of what I affirmed upon other heads shall follow in 
 due time. And then this author will see, that those assertions in the 
 Letter stood single, not for want of testimonies at hand, but only till it 
 should appear whether there was occasion for them ; that is, which of the 
 positions would be owned and which denied. — Right of the Archbishop, 
 Letter ii. p. 136. 
 
 c Reflections upon a late paper, intituled, " An expedient proposed ;" 
 shewing the unreasonableness thereof, &c. 4to. 1702. 
 GIBSON. d 
 
r 
 
 THE PREFACE TO 
 
 As for the present work d , 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 misrepre- 
 sented 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 raised by some members 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 entered 
 upon business, so after the reformation, they continued the 
 self-same ways of acting, that were established before ; as 
 these deductions under the several heads do abundantly shew. 
 For though 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 testi- 
 monies of the clergy's continuing to act, in all respects, with 
 the self-same deference and subordination to their metro- 
 politan and bishops. 
 
 I doubt not, but an objection formerly made will now be 
 renewed, against the authorities from the upper house re- 
 
 rt Of this work, Gibson says, in a tract published in the year 1703, 
 " Considering the great variety of matters necessary to be laid together 
 before a Synodus Anglicana could be drawn up, and these to be fetched 
 from as great a variety of acts, and to be digested and recited under the 
 proper heads, as the foundation and proof of the doctrine it contained ; all 
 this, I say, considered, I have reason to rejoice that the omissions dis- 
 covered by an examination so uncharitable, should be so few and incon- 
 siderable." — The pretended independence, fyc. p. 69. 
 
THE EDITION OF 1702. 
 
 li 
 
 gisters, 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 returned thither, and together with the 
 applications of all kinds from the lower house, have made a 
 part of the register of the upper. Now our present concern 
 is not about the methods of debating in either house sepa- 
 rately, but the usual communication between the two houses ; 
 which being maintained by the going up of the prolocutor, 
 alone or attended, voluntarily or as sent for by their lord- 
 ships, 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 entered of course in the books of the upper 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 pur- 
 poses, would not, if we had them entire, be of any great 
 moment in the present points. For these immediately con- 
 cern 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 entered 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 156a, 1640, 
 and 1661, belong to the upper 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 
 usages 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 
 
 d 2 
 
lii 
 
 THE PREFACE TO 
 
 establishment of the Common Prayer, with many other things" 
 of public note and concern, in 1661, and the three following 
 years. 
 
 That of 1562 is certainly the entire register of the upper 
 house, but whether the book which remains be the very ori- 
 ginal, 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 ; 
 See the after the archbishop (sess. 3.) had committed the determination 
 citeii ag p °* cei "tain controverted elections to the prolocutor and other 
 1 14, of this members of the lower house. The last also is the very origi- 
 nal register of the upper house from May 8, 1 661, to Sept. 19, 
 1666, inclusive; mostly in the hand of Mr. Fisher, (actuary 
 of the lower house in 1640, and deputy register to the upper 
 in 1661,) with an attestation in form to every session. It was 
 lately communicated to his grace the lord archbishop of 
 Canterbury, by the rev. Mr. Nurse, executor to a gentleman 
 in whose house Mr. Fisher died ; and by his grace, to the 
 bishops and clergy in convocation. 
 
 The method in which they are now published is this : the 
 beginning and ending of every session in the upper house is 
 usually the same : at the beginning, they express the place of 
 meeting, the attestation of the notary, the names of the arch, 
 bishop or his commissary, and of the bishops present, with 
 the accustomed prayers; concluding always with the conti- 
 nuations 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 166 1, etc., where the sessions are more numerous : 
 but the reader may rest assui'ed that the like forms run 
 through the whole. It is true the names of the persons pre- 
 sent sometimes vary ; but they can be of no use, except on 
 some unforeseen and very extraordinary occasions, and when- 
 ever these happen, recourse may be had to the originals 
 themselves. In 1661, the Bishop of London usually presided 
 
THE EDITION OF 1702. 
 
 liii 
 
 in the archbishop's stead, and is always meant by the style 
 Dominus, when it stands single ; the names of the other com- 
 missaries, who were bnt few, being constantly expressed. 
 
 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 anything, except the names of the persons every day 
 present. 
 
 In perusing these acts both of the upper and lower house, the 
 reader will observe all along, how the synodical business is 
 marked out by the metropolitan and bishops, as governors of 
 the church ; and so much of it considered, debated, and pre- 
 pared by the inferior clergy, as their lordships from time to 
 time have recommended to their care. That the presbyters 
 of former times have ever received and pursued those direc- 
 tions with the utmost readiness, and then taken care to offer 
 their applications and reports with all the marks of duty and 
 humility. That therefore the public concerns 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 assigned 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 pre- 
 tended 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 convo- 
 cation's being in reality what all the friends of our church 
 ought to wish it, an ecclesiastical synod) will naturally occur 
 
liv PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1702. 
 
 to every one who shall peruse these acts with impartiality and 
 an ordinary attention. And readers, under that conviction, 
 from the practice of former convocations, may be allowed to 
 wonder upon what model some late proceedings and principles 
 were formed ; and to reflect seriously upon the design, or at 
 least, the natural tendency of them. The archbishops Parker, 
 Whitgift, Laud, Juxon, and Sheldon, under whom the five 
 convocations were held, are names distinguished 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 public, let every man be his own judge, 
 whether our present metropolitan and bishops have not acted 
 by the selfsame rules ; and he will then see what spirit has 
 governed 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 controversy which relates to the pro- 
 ceedings of convocation when met, began not before the 
 opening of the last, in 1700. The nation had been industri- 
 ously prepossessed 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 shews, that the gene- 
 rality, both of clergy and laity, are disposed to make as im- 
 partial a judgment upon all other heads, when the practice of 
 former times shall be clearly laid before them. For the in- 
 formation of such, five journals are here published entire, and 
 the form and proceedings of an English convocation particu- 
 larly described, 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. 
 
 Throughout the book, wherever mention is made of the last 
 convocation, it is to be understood of that which began Feb. 
 10, 170T, wherein these unhappy differences between the two 
 houses first arose. 
 
A Catalogue of the remaining Acts and Registers of 
 Convocation ; from whence the following History is 
 drawn. 
 
 The Years in Th , e ° a ^ on The Registers wherein the 
 
 which they which they ^ ^ fintered 
 
 were held. were opened. 
 
 1356 May 16 Islip, fol. 117a. 
 
 1369 . Jan. 21 Wyttlesey, f. 17 b. 
 
 1371 Apr. 24 Wyttlesey, f. 40. 
 
 1373 Dec. 1 Wyttlesey, f. 63. 
 
 1376 Feb. 3 Sudbury, f. 33 b. 
 
 1377 Nov. 8 Sudbury, f. 44 a. 
 
 1379 May 9 Sudbury, f. 55 a. 
 
 1380 Dec. 1 Sudbury, f. 72 a. 
 
 1382 Nov. 18 Courtney, f. 33 a. 
 
 1383 Dec. 2. . . Courtney, f. 78 a. 
 
 1384 May 20 Courtney, f. 79 a. 
 
 1384 Dec. 1 Courtney, f. 79 b. 
 
 1385 Nov. 6 Courtney, f. 83 b. 
 
 1386 Nov. 5. ....... . Courtney, f. 84 b. 
 
 1387 Feb. 26 Courtney, f. 73 a. 
 
 1388 Oct. 12 Courtney, f. 74 a. 
 
 1391 Apr. 17 Courtney, f. 75 a. 
 
 1394 Feb. 5 Reg. 4. Epp. f. 195 b. 
 
 1396 Feb. 19 Arundel, f. 44 a. 
 
 1399 Oct. 6 Arundel, f. 51 a. 
 
 1400 Jan. 26 Arundel, vol. ii. f. 1 b. 
 
 1402 Oct. 21 Arundel, vol. i. 54 a. 
 
 1404 Apr. 2i Arundel, 57 a. 
 
 1404 Nov. 24 Arundel, f. 62 b. 
 
 1406 May 10 Arundel, 65 a. 
 
 1408 July 23 Arundel, f. 71a. 
 
 1408 Jan. 14 Arundel, vol. ii. f. 7 b. 
 
 1 409 Feb. 17 Arundel, f. 1 5 a. 
 
 1411 Dec. 1 Arundel, f. 22 a. 
 
 141 2 Mar. 6 Arundel, f. 4 b. 
 
 1415 Nov. 18 Chichley, vol. ii. fol. 1 
 
 1416 Apr. 1 Chichley, 3 a. 
 
A Catalogue of the remaining Acts 
 
 The Years in The Days on , P . „ . , , . ,, 
 
 which they which they n,e ^S> sters wherein the 
 
 were held were opened. Acts are entered ' 
 
 141 6 Nov. 9 Chichley, 6 a. 
 
 1417 Nov. 29 Chichley, f. 10 a. 
 
 1419 Oct. 30 Chichley, f. 1 7 a. 
 
 14-21 May 5 Chichley, f. 23 b. 
 
 1422 July 6 Chichley, f. 30 b. 
 
 1424 Oct. 12 Chichley, f. 33 b. 
 
 1425 Apr. 23 Chichley, f. 40 a. 
 
 1426 Apr. 15 Chichley, f. 65 a. 
 
 1428 July 5 Chichley, f. 69 a. 
 
 1429 Oct. 19 Chichley, f. 77 b. 
 
 1430 Feb. 19 Chichley, f. 81 a. 
 
 1432 Sept. 15 Chichley, f. 86 b. 
 
 1433 Nov. 7 Chichley, f. 93 a. 
 
 1434 Oct. 7 Chichley, f. 99 a. 
 
 1437 Apr. 29 Chichley, f. 101 a. 
 
 1438 Apr. 28 Chichley, f. 103 a. 
 
 1439 Nov. 21 Chichley, f. 109 b. 
 
 1444 Oct. 19 Arundel, vol. ii. f. 28 a. 
 
 1452 Feb. 7 Kemp, f. 219 a. 
 
 1460 May 6 Bourchier, f. 12 a. 
 
 1 463 July 6 Bourchier, f. 1 8 a. 
 
 1480 Mar. 21 Bourchier, f. 26 a. 
 
 i486 Feb. 13 Morton, f. 33 a. 
 
 1488 Jan. 14 Morton, f. 41 a. 
 
 ^1 Thus far, the acts are distinctly entered in the registers of the arch- 
 bishop : but about this time they began to have separate books for 
 the affairs of convocation. 
 
 i5 2 9 Nov - 5 ■ 
 
 iS3 2 Nov - 5 ■ 
 
 1536 June 9 . 
 
 1 541 . Jan. 30. 
 
 1547 Nov. 5 . 
 
 1553 Oct. 6 . 
 
 1554 Apr. 3 . 
 
 1554 Nov. 13 
 
 1555 ° ct - 22. 
 
 1555 Dec. 10. 
 
 1557 J an. 1. • 
 
 j 558 Jan. 24. 
 
 Large extracts out of the upper 
 house books, except those of 1553 
 and 1554 which are taken from 
 y journals of the lower house. In 
 1554 the acts of the upper house 
 are entered in bishop Bonner's 
 register. 
 
and Registers of Convocation. 
 
 Ivii 
 
 The Years in 
 which they 
 were held. 
 
 I562. 
 
 The Days on 
 which they 
 were opened. 
 
 Jan. 2 1.. 
 
 1584 Nov. 24. 
 
 J The register of the upper house, 
 entire. A fragment of the pro- 
 ceedings of the lower house (Feb. 
 13, 1562) is in the hands of Mr. 
 Petyt. 
 
 Index of the upper house register. 
 
 j^gg q c j. J" Two journals of the lower house, in 
 
 ■s the registry at Doctors' Com- 
 
 1 <;88 Nov. 13 
 
 1586 Oct. 16. 
 
 1588 Nov. 13 
 
 1592 Feb. 20. 
 
 1 60 1 Oct. 18. 
 
 1603, 
 1605. 
 
 Index of the upper house registers, 
 in the hands of Dr. Atterbury. 
 The few passages cited in this 
 
 1606 Nov. 19 y book are immediately taken out 
 
 of a large extract from thence of 
 such things as concern the pre- 
 sent controversy. 
 
 1614. 
 I 620. 
 1623. 
 1625. 
 1625. 
 
 Mar. 20 
 Nov. 6 . 
 
 Apr. 6 
 
 Feb. 13. 
 May 18. 
 Feb. 7. . 
 
 1627 Mar. 18 
 
 1640 
 
 i a Conv. Apr. 14. . 
 2 a Conv. Nov. 4. . . 
 
 1661, &c May 16 , 
 
 1689 Nov. 6 I 
 
 Entire registers of the upper house, 
 and minutes of the lower, in the 
 office at Doctors' Commons. 
 
 The original register of the upper 
 house, and minutes of the lower 
 at Doctors' Commons. 
 
 The original register of the upper 
 house at Doctors' Commons. 
 
THE CONTENTS. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The occasion and design of this book i 
 
 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 pres- 
 byters 6 
 
 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 10 
 
 The necessity of citing authorities at large 10 
 
 The necessity of such a work at this juncture, to maintain the 
 honour of our reformed church 11 
 
 CHAP. I. 
 
 The method of summoning an English convocation 13 
 
 The writ to the archbishop 13 
 
 The warrant to the lord chancellor, of another nature 15 
 
 The returns, immediately and ultimately to the archbishop .... 16 
 The summons not less ecclesiastical, because required by the 
 
 prince 17 
 
 The clergy not summoned in the same manner from the beginning, 
 
 as at present 17 
 
 Inferences from the foregoing testimonies 18 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 The manner of opening an English convocation 19 
 
 The president's coming to St. Paul's 19 
 
 The dean of the province's certificatorium exhibited 19 
 
 Other certificates and proxies 20 
 
 Contumacy pronounced 20 
 
THE CONTENTS. 
 
 These, a clear foundation of the archbishop's power over the mem- 
 bers in point of attendance, and therefore more particularly 
 treated of 20 
 
 1 . By the tenor of the mandate, none to be excused, but who 
 shall shew reasonable cause to the archbishop 21 
 
 2. In pursuance hereof, all returns ever made directly to his 
 grace 22 
 
 The dean of the province more particularly required to do 
 it 24 
 
 3. The dean of the province's certificatorium, with his grace's 
 commission to receive and inspect proxies 25 
 
 4. Sentence of contumacy against absents 26 
 
 The sentence of contumacy, a written instrument .... 27 
 The suspension of it by the archbishop 29 
 
 5. The exercise of the archbishop's authority over the members 
 in the middle of convocation 29 
 
 1. In prceconizutions 30 
 
 2. In giving license to be absent 31 
 
 3. In admonitions not to depart 32 
 
 The archbishop absolves or punishes the absents of the lower house 
 
 at the conclusion of the synod 32 
 
 The substance of the arguments for the archbishop's power over the 
 
 members 36 
 
 The claim of the lower house to a concurrent power, confuted. . 36 
 The prolocutor cannot reserve punishment, but in the president's 
 
 name 37 
 
 The prolocutor cannot give leave of absence, but as empowered by 
 
 the president 39 
 
 The practices of the last lower house in this particular 40 
 
 CHAP. III. 
 
 Of admitting or denying proxies. 
 
 The lower house have no power to admit or deny proxies 40 
 
 All proxies lodged with the register of the upper house 41 
 
 The entry of proxies in the lower house book, no argument of their 
 
 right to admit them 42 
 
 The actuary of the lower house, an officer of the archbishop. ... 43 
 Certain irregularities lately committed in this business of proxies 44 
 The lower house's additional leave to depart, an invasion of the 
 
 president's authority 45 
 
 The upper house, the protectors of the persons and privileges of the 
 
 lower 46 
 
THE CONTENTS. 
 
 Ixi 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 Of the election and office of a prolocutor. 
 
 Prolocutors at the first chosen only upon some single occasions. 48 
 When they came to be chosen at the beginning of convocation. 49 
 
 The first instance of presenting a prolocutor 50 
 
 Of the admission and confirmation by the president and bishops. 50 
 
 The office of a prolocutor or referendarius 51 
 
 The immediate end, to report the answers of the lower clergy. . 51 
 The bringing back the instructions of the president and the 
 
 bishops 5 1 
 
 The moderating in the debates of the lower house 52 
 
 The prolocutor properly supplies the president's place among the 
 
 lower clergy 52 
 
 The prolocutors at the beginning, usually officers of the archbishop's 
 
 court 53 
 
 Prolocutor sometimes recommended by the president 53 
 
 Neither of these observations intended to prejudice the freedom of 
 
 their election 53 
 
 The order or leave of the president, necessary before they proceed 
 
 to the choice 54 
 
 In case of death or promotion, the president's order necessary to a 
 
 new election 54 
 
 Always presented to the upper house for confirmation 55 
 
 The prolocutor's application to the upper house for protection.. . 55 
 The prolocutor cannot substitute a deputy, but by leave from the 
 
 upper house 5" 
 
 The prolocutor's office, when present, to convey all messages from 
 
 the clergy to the upper house 5° 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 By what degrees the inferior clergy became a separate house from 
 
 the bishops 60 
 
 The false account of the late Narrative 60 
 
 Retirement of the clergy to consider business, (in their united state,) 
 
 was by direction from the archbishop and bishops 61 
 
 The place to which they retired, uncertain for a long time 61 
 
 The lower clergy have a separate house for debate only 63 
 
 The place of debate has been ever assigned by the archbishop.. . 63 
 The separation of the bishops and clergy stated upon the foregoing 
 
 accounts 64 
 
 The accounts given of this matter in the Narrative &c. groundless. 65 
 
Ixii 
 
 THE CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 The manner of entering upon business in convocation 65 
 
 The archbishop's right to declare the causes of the convocation. 65 
 The clergy usually ordered to retire and debate about the business of 
 
 convocation, as declared by the archbishop 66 
 
 Inferences from the testimonies brought to confirm the foregoing 
 
 heads 72 
 
 The difference between the former methods and the late practice of 
 
 convocation in these respects 73 
 
 CHAP. VII. 
 
 The right of the president and bishops to require the clergy to con- 
 sider any particular business throughout the convocation 75 
 
 The necessity of shewing this 75 
 
 The separation of the two houses made no difference in this point. 76 
 Inferences from the testimonies alleged upon this head 81 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 The right of the president and bishops to order committees of the 
 
 lower house 82 
 
 Committees of the clergy to attend committees of bishops 83 
 
 Committees of the clergy alone, ordered by the upper house. . . 86 
 The names of the persons chosen in the lower house, reported to the 
 
 upper 89 
 
 The right of the upper house to appoint committees of the lower 
 
 clergy, never questioned but in 1689 and 1701 89 
 
 The refusal in 1689 89 
 
 And in 1701. (both irregular.) 90 
 
 The reasons alleged in the narrative particularly answered 91 
 
 Committees chosen by the lower clergy for purposes of their own. 94 
 The lower house never consent to the choosing, when required by 
 
 their president ; but only to the persons or numbers 95 
 
 The last lower house justly chargeable with all the consequences of 
 
 that refusal 96 
 
 CHAP. IX. 
 
 The right of the president and bishops to prescribe a time for the 
 return of business committed to the clergy 97 
 
 The time for such return expressly prescribed 98 
 
 The clergy's answers called for by the president and bishops, and 
 longer time granted at the request of the clergy 99 
 
 Inferences from the foregoing testimonies 10 1 
 
THE CONTENTS. 
 
 Ixiii 
 
 CHAP. X. 
 
 The right of the president and bishops to require the answers of the 
 
 clergy in writing 102 
 
 The last lower house's refusal to answer in writing 102 
 
 Proved irregular from the practice of convocation 102 
 
 The state of this case between the two houses, the last convocation. 1 04 
 
 Free conference, a new term in convocation 105 
 
 No such free conference ever insisted on by the clergy before. . . 105 
 
 Inferences from the foregoing accounts 106 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 The right of the president and bishops to take to them the assistance 
 
 of persons learned in our laws, &c 107 
 
 Application of the foregoing testimonies to the transactions of the 
 
 last convocation 109 
 
 The necessity of having recourse to counsel about the censure of 
 
 books in the last convocation 109 
 
 Their lordships in recommending the case to the bishop of the 
 
 diocese, acted agreeably to the practice of convocation. ... 110, 
 
 Thus far of the duty of the inferior clergy, as acting in subor- 
 dination to their metropolitan and bishops. 
 Next, of the rights of the inferior clergv in convocation. 1 1 2 
 
 CHAP. XII. 
 
 The share of right belonging to the clergy in preparing and in pre- 
 senting the gravamina and reformanda 112 
 
 The gravamina often considered and presented with the subsidies. 1 1 2 
 
 The gravamina, how addressed by the clergy 115 
 
 The time when grievances shall be proposed, at the discretion of the 
 
 upper house 115 
 
 Grievances first offered in a general representation vivdvoce. . . 116 
 
 The clergy's right to redress, and the manner thereof 118 
 
 The reformanda frequently proposed by the archbishop among the 
 
 causes of convocation 118 
 
 The clergy's right to propose reformations 120 
 
 The clergy's right to bring in schedules of reformation 121 
 
 A short state of the reformanda from the foregoing accounts . . 1 23 
 The care of the reformanda in parliamento usually left to the arch- 
 bishop and bishops 123 
 
 Deputies appointed by convocation to assist in soliciting 124 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 The clergy's right to offer petitions of other kinds 125 
 
lxiv 
 
 THE CONTENTS. 
 
 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 125 
 
 2. For the revival of old ones 125 
 
 3. For the abolition or suspension of laws 126 
 
 4. About festivals 126 
 
 5. For the archbishop's intercession with the king 126 
 
 6. For the more strict execution of discipline 127 
 
 Petitions of several kinds, an. 1555 127 
 
 Clergy's petitions of all kinds, presented immediately to the upper 
 
 house 127 
 
 The usual time of presenting such petitions 128 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 The part to which the clergy have a right in judicial 
 cases in convocation. 
 
 The occasion of bringing offenders (ordinarily tried in the bishop's 
 courts) before the convocation 128 
 
 Constitution for bringing heretics before the convocation 129 
 
 Offenders usually said to be brought coram archiepiscopo, episcopis, et 
 clcro, as the judicature 129 
 
 The sentence ran in the name of the archbishop by authority of the 
 synod 130 
 
 This account not opposed to any restraints laid upon the whole con- 
 vocation by subsequent statutes 130 
 
 CHAP. XV. 
 
 The clergy's right of a negative or final dissent from the upper 
 house 130 
 
 The original of the clergy's negative 130 
 
 A negative or final dissent, a peculiar, but yet established right of 
 the English clergy 131 
 
 All denials of the clergy ever made with great humility and con- 
 descension 13 1 
 
 This, no prejudice to the clergy's absolute right to a final dis- 
 sent 132 
 
 CHAP. XVI. 
 
 The manner of passing business in convocation 133 
 
 The manner of consenting in the lower house 134 
 
THE CONTENTS. 
 
 Ixv 
 
 The circumstances of that consent, in some instances, reported to 
 
 the upper house 134 
 
 All instruments read publicly and finally agreed to in the. upper 
 
 house 135 
 
 The sanction of the metropolitan 135 
 
 Articles, canons, &c. passed otherwise; viz. by subscription . 136 
 Why articles, canons, &c. pass now by subscription 137 
 
 CHAP. XVII. 
 
 Of proroguing and dissolving. 
 
 The royal writs for these purposes necessarily directed to the arch- 
 bishop 138 
 
 The archbishop's prorogations and dissolutions upon these writs, 
 authoritative and canonical 139 
 
 The archbishop executes them by his own metropolitical power, and 
 in his own name 139 
 
 The commissions to do the same things in parliament express a 
 special power and authority from the king 139 
 
 The archbishop's admonitions immediately before prorogations or 
 dissolutions 139 
 
 The schedules of prorogation or dissolution mention the royal writs, 
 but run in the name of the archbishop 140 
 
 The English reformation unjustly charged with destroying the 
 canonical methods of transacting ecclesiastical affairs 140 
 
 Appendix ; containing the journals of five convocations : with obser- 
 vations 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. 
 
 4. The authority of the Summons to convocation. 
 
 I. Of the right of Continuing or Proroguing 276 
 
 The schedule of continuation constantly mentioned in the upper 
 
 house registers 276 
 
 The antiquity of schedules in convocation 277 
 
 The inferior clergy present at the archbishop's continuations 278 
 
 A summary account of the schedule 279 
 
 The deriving our schedules from the Lateran council, an impro- 
 bable scheme 279 
 
 GIBSON. e 
 
lxvi THE CONTENTS. 
 
 The dispute depends not upon proroguing by schedule, or other- 
 wise 281 
 
 The heads upon which the dispute turns 282 
 
 The schedule evidently comprehends both bishops and clergy 282 
 
 The clause prcelatorum et cleri, a genuine part of the sche- 
 dule 283 
 
 The transmission of the schedule, only a circumstance in this 
 dispute 283 
 
 Reasons to believe that the schedule has been ever sent down 284 
 
 The prolocutor is judge of the time of intimating, when the pre- 
 sident and bishops do not interpose 285 
 
 The form of intimating to be taken from the most exact jour- 
 nals 286 
 
 The ordinary phrase to be in reason the established form. . . 286 
 
 Declaring by intimation, the ordinary form 287 
 
 The prolocutor's intimation has no reference to the consent of 
 the house 288 
 
 The intimation, given by command of the president 289 
 
 A formal intimation of the prolocutor, not necessary to continue 
 the lower house 290 
 
 The president's right to continue the clergy in the upper 
 house 292 
 
 The phrase continuavit quoad heme domum, no argument of a sepa- 
 rate power in the lower house 294 
 
 Nor the phrase in parliament, dominus cancell. contin. prcesens par- 
 Uamentum 295 
 
 A separate power of continuing in the lower house opens a way 
 to perpetual divisions of the synod 297 
 
 Intermediate sessions a great irregularity and mischief to the 
 church 299 
 
 The clergy of former times did not think of intermediate ses- 
 sions 300 
 
 II. Observations touching the right to determine controverted elec- 
 tions 304 
 
 Instances of such elections occurring in the acts 304 
 
 No question, whether the archbishop have a right to determine 
 
 elections 307 
 
 The lower house have no right to intermeddle in returns. . . 308 
 The pretences to a concurrent right in the lower house con- 
 sidered 309 
 
THE CONTENTS. lxvii 
 
 The prolocutor, and not the house, determined the election in 
 
 1586 310 
 
 The instance of 1640 considered 311 
 
 III. An additional account of the substitution of a prolocutor. . 313 
 
 The late substitution in 170 1 313 
 
 The account of it in a paper marked No. 1 314 
 
 Orders made in convocation against publishing the debates, while 
 
 depending 314 
 
 Reasons why a sub-prolocutor ought to be confirmed in the upper 
 
 house 316 
 
 Instances of substitutions by authority of the upper house, de- 
 fended against the late paper No. 1 3 16 
 
 The arguments for an independent power in the lower house, 
 
 answered 320 
 
 Instances where the registers of the upper house are wanting, of 
 
 no force 320 
 
 The bare silence of the upper house books, no proof against posi- 
 tive evidences 321 
 
 The precedent of 1640 particularly considered 322 
 
 The paper [No. 1 .] speaks against the sense of the house in this 
 
 matter 323 
 
 No difference between a prolocutor and referendary 324 
 
 The duties belonging to the office of a prolocutor are all annexed 
 to that of Reporting, as the consequences of it 325 
 
 IV. Additional observations touching the authority of the sum- 
 mons to convocation 328 
 
 The authority of summoning applied both to the king and the 
 archbishop 328 
 
 The archiepiscopal summons confessed to be authoritative, before 
 the act of submission 329 
 
 The notion of a civil summons, an argument for the papists 
 against our reformation 329 
 
 The intent of the statute, no more than to restrain the arch- 
 bishop from exerting his authority without the royal license 330 
 
 The word ' authority' in the statute implies a leave or license 33 1 
 
 The archbishop's summons authoritative, from the style of the 
 mandate and return 331 
 
 The case of the convocation's being dissolved by the death of the 
 Prince 334 
 
lxviii 
 
 THE CONTENTS. 
 
 A dissolution by the king's death, no prejudice to the archiepisco- 
 pal authority as giving subsistence to a convocation 335 
 
 The archiepiscopal authority recognised in the dean of the pro- 
 vince's certificatorium, set down at large 336 
 
 V. Observations upon the table of fees, and the catalogue of mem- 
 bers, prefixed to the registers of convocation 338 
 
 Inferences from the table of fees, 
 
 1. That the officers of convocation are under the immediate 
 jurisdiction of the archbishop 339 
 
 2. That the admission of proxies of the lower clergy belongs 
 to his grace 340 
 
 3. That none could make proxies, but who were personally 
 cited 340 
 
 Catalogues of convocation members, and inferences from them, 
 
 1. That the entry of the lower clergy in the upper house 
 books, shews the convocation to be one body under one 
 common head 340 
 
 2. That the lower house is included in the clause convocatio 
 prcel. et cleri in continuations 340 
 
 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 34O 
 
 4. That therefore our present prelates in convocation have 
 been unjustly traduced, for proceeding by the same 
 
 rules 34a 
 
THE 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND PROCEEDINGS 
 
 OP AN 
 
 ENGLISH CONVOCATION, &c. 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The occasion and design of the following discourse. 
 
 Among the pretences that have been framed 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 supposed to belong to them. And 2 
 it was an artificial management in those who set the design 
 afoot, to make this the chief ground of their claim ; not only 
 because such exemptions could have no colour from their eccle- 
 siastical 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 proceedings from thence. Every one 
 knows that the parliament consists of two houses ; and they 
 have withal an opportunity of observing out of the public 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 apart, this, without recourse to the primitive 
 times or opportunity to know our own established methods of 
 acting, prepared 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 confirmed, by the 
 
 GIBSON. B 
 
2 
 
 The occasion and liesiyn 
 
 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 That the members of the lower house are the clergy corn- 
 principles . . iiii 
 ofparlia- moners, and spiritual commons; that the whole convocation 
 
 alnanwT suos i sts by the king's writ, and not by the archiepiscopal man- 
 Atterb. date ; that the clergy thereof are attendant on the parliament 8 , 
 Riyhh, &c ag ^ e p ar jj amen t has a right to be attended by them, is the 
 ordinary language of a late book : 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 
 3 this principle, others of the same kind relating to their consti- 
 Answer to tution and privileges have since sprung; b That the model of 
 
 I St IjCttSY • 
 
 p. 2. col. 2. an English convocation was doubtless taken from the model of 
 Ibid. p. 6. an English parliament ; that an English synod was formed 
 Nar. p. 6. upon the platform of an English parliament ; that the synodical c 
 rights peculiar to the lower clergy of the church of England 
 Nar. p. 8. are owing to a conformity to the parliament ; that the distinct 
 
 a " As hitherto 1 have inquired only into the rights of a synod of the 
 province of Canterbury at large, so now I go on to consider it as attendant 
 upon a parliament of England. For thus the matter at present stands, and 
 has stood for 400 years and upwards, to speak at the lowest : though in 
 the elder ages it plainly enough appears that the clergy came at once from 
 both provinces, and joined nationally with the lay assembly." — Atterbury, 
 Rights, Powers, Syc. p. 28. 
 
 b " This particular frame of an English synod was doubtless taken from 
 the model of an English parliament ; because no synods in the world, but 
 English ones, are so constituted. And therefore the argument from parity 
 of constitution must thus far be allowed to hold ; that since the distinction 
 of the convocation into two houses was borrowed from the parliament, 
 those houses must be truly and properly such in the parliamentary meaning 
 of the term all those rights and privileges that are absolutely and in- 
 dispensably necessary to the being of a house (in the parliamentary sense 
 of the word) they must have by virtue of their origin and alliance : and 
 these can be no fewer, I have said, than the right of separate debates, of a 
 negative and of adjournment." — Atterbury, The Power of the Lower House 
 Sfc. p. 2. col. 2. 
 
 c " The practice was much the same in the state-assemblies to which we 
 find the clergy-meetings endeavoured to conform; and to which con- 
 formity we suppose we owe those synodical rights which are peculiar to 
 the lower clergy of the church of England." — Hooper's Narrative, fyc. 
 p. 6. 
 
of the following discourse. 
 
 S 
 
 capacity of the lower house of convocation was derived from an 
 imitation of the lower house of parliament. 
 
 The two last passages acknowledge in effect, that some of The ill eon- 
 the privdeges they are already in possession of were unknown thereof to 
 to the more ancient synods : and as to the other exemptions for episcopacy, 
 which they contend, if they had any countenance from those 
 early times, that, I suppose, would he thought a more decent 
 plea in 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 founda- 
 tion : (1 " I am sure, and am ready whenever I am called upon^'fe^. 
 particularly to prove, that the more our church shall resemble p^'f 38.' °" 
 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 coordinate power 
 with their bishops, and so remove our church still further from 
 primitive practice. But all along on one side of this conti'oversy, 
 the church seems to signify no more than the inferior clergy, 
 exclusive of the metropolitan and bishops ; as if the giving 4 
 presbyters new degrees of exemption from their ecclesiastical 
 superiors were the way that primitive practice has traced 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 allowed to be the constituent members 
 of that church. But the present claim of parliamentary rights 
 
 d " This happy frame should by all means be kept up ; and the rather 
 because it suits very happily with that of the state, and with the consti- 
 tution of parliaments. And it is highly expedient for every church and 
 state, that the ecclesiastical polity should be adapted to the civil, as nearly 
 as is consistent with the original plan of church-government : which in our 
 case there will be no danger of departing from by a compliance with the 
 state-model. For I am sure" &c. — Atterbury, Rights and Powers, Sj-c. 
 p. [138.] 
 
 B 2 
 
ft 
 
 The occasion and design 
 
 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 0 . Now n<> law lias determined 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 f , speaking of their distinct capacity as derived 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 consti- 
 5 tution be perpetually exposed to ruin, whenever a majority of 
 the lower house happens to be out of humour, and in a dispo- 
 sition 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 denied ; nor ought to 
 be forgotten by those, who, not content with that addition of 
 
 e This resemblance to a presbytery was noticed and enforced by Dr. 
 White Kennet in a pamphlet published by him at this time and entitled 
 "A letter from the borders of Scotland concerning somewhat of agree- 
 ment between a Scotch general assembly and an English provincial con- 
 vocation." It was further illustrated by Dr. Gibson in "The parallel 
 continued between a presbyterian assembly and the new model of an 
 English provincial synod," which tract bears date Dec. 9. 1702. 
 
 f Of this Narrative Gibson says (The Right of the Abp., 2nd letter, 
 p. 40.) " it was published under the name of the lower house, but not by 
 their order or with their knowledge." Dr. Hooper, the principal writer 
 of the Narrative, says of it in his preface, " it was drawn up by order of the 
 lower house of convocation, and approved of by them so far as it could be 
 
 finished during their session. 1 took the liberty of sending that copy 
 
 which was in my hands to the press." — Pre/, p. iii. See also Dr. W. Ken- 
 net's Hist, of the Convoc, Pref. p. iv. 
 
of the following discourse. 
 
 5 
 
 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 of a secret 
 enmity to the character itself. 
 
 These new claims were set afoot (with what design, or upon These inno- 
 what grounds, I cannot say) in the convocation of 1689. 1° begun in 
 the sixth session whereof the upper house drew up an address ^ 89 " s 
 of thanks to his majesty for his royal licence, and a gracious Domus. 
 message which he had sent that day to the convocation s. The 
 form being agreed on was, according to custom, sent down to 
 the lower house for their consent ; but they, instead of giving 
 their consent, or signifying the amendments they conceived 
 necessary, returned an answer to this effect, " That they had 
 resolved to address in a form of their own framing ;" and pre- 
 sently after, upon their lordships' disapproving that answer, 
 they declared their resolution more openly, " That they intended 
 to address separately :" Intendebant supplicem libellum sepa- 
 ratim proesentare : an expression very agreeable to the con- 
 stitution of a house of commons, but never heard of before in 
 convocation : and as the practice was wholly new, so was it 6 
 resisted and overruled by the right reverend the present 
 lord bishop of London, then president, and his brethren the 
 bishops. tjS > 
 
 In the tenth session, the prolocutor having received certain 
 amendments from the president to be considered by the lower Ibid, 
 house, immediately asked 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 
 upper house, would have justified their lordships in a resent- 
 ment less mild and gentle than they were pleased to express : 
 Praises, &c. declaravit qucestionem per eura propositam fuisse 
 valde irregidarem, et talem cui nidlo modo respondere queat 
 aut tenetur. 
 
 s See Synodalia, vol. 2. p. 692. 
 
li 
 
 Tlie occasion and design 
 
 Session 13th, the president proposes to the prolocutor the 
 Reg. Sup. naming a committee of the lower house, to meet a select num J 
 her of the upper, in order to inspect the acts of hoth houses. 
 Upon this a douhle irregularity ensued ; (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 re- 
 turned an answer that I dare say no president ever met with 
 before from a prolocutor, se non j^osse ad id consentire sine 
 consensxi coitus domus inferioris convocations prints habito ; 
 the second, in the house, whose resolution was, not to appoint 
 any committee for that purpose durante recessu convocatio- 
 ns : as if by the established 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, 
 7 and, when the number and the persons are left to their dis- 
 cretion, 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 checked 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 
 The tend- to gain new privileges to their house. Though it may be some 
 f. ncyof , par "of the members then had this notion of parliamentary rights 
 
 hamentary _ . . 
 
 claims to a in their eye h ; and the manner of holding an English convo- 
 power Date ca ti° n n °t being near so thoroughly considered 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 imi- 
 tation of the methods in the house of commons ; and being so, 
 show how the very beginnings of such an imitation tend to 
 divide and separate the synod, and introduce a coordinate 
 power of presbyters with their bishops ; and that therefore 
 the safety of our episcopal constitution, at this juncture, de- 
 
 h As early as in the year 1697, sir Bartholomew Shower, in "A letter 
 to a convocation-man concerning the rights, powers and privileges of 
 that borly," had drawn a parallel between a parliament and a convo- 
 cation. 
 
of the following discourse. 
 
 7 
 
 pcnds upon a timely and steadfast opposition to those parlia- 
 mentary claims, with the establishment of all proceedings in 
 convocation upon the only true bottom, the current usage of 
 former convocations, as contained in the remaining registers of 
 either house. These have been diligently examined since the 
 year 1689, and being so opposite to the claims that were then 
 made, (as will be shown at large from the registers them- 
 selves,) it might have been hoped that some of the more in- 
 quisitive members would have come together the last convo- 
 cation in a disposition to recede from those groundless pre- 8 
 tences. But whether they had not thoroughly examined the 
 books, or whether they suffered themselves to be misled by 
 one whose interest it was to draw a majority of the clergy to 
 act upon principles that he had publicly advanced': whatever, 
 
 1 " This scheme, we see, intended in general to establish an independence 
 of the presbyters on their bishops, is directly raised upon the ruins of 
 ecclesiastical power. For what else can we call this transferring the sole 
 right of summoning synods from the archbishop to the civil authority, 
 and making the metropolitan's part in it purely ministerial ? However, 
 upon this foundation he builds, and frames upon it a convocation con- 
 sisting of two distinct bodies, each meeting at their own pleasure, and 
 ordering the time of their debates, independently of the other, under an 
 equal and immediate authority of the prince, in whom alone they are 
 made to centre and unite. Being assembled in this coordinate state, the 
 metropolitan, deprived before of his summoning authority, is hereby di- 
 vested of his right of presidency ; and the prolocutor is put into the full 
 possession of that power in the lower house ; and (as this author explains 
 the plenitude of his power and the independence of the lower clergy upon 
 that foot) he becomes as much the head president and governor of the 
 lower house as the moderator is of a presbyterian synod. 
 
 " And was it not high time for my lords the bishops and all the friends 
 of the hierarchy to interpose, when they saw such a plain foundation of 
 an Erastian church laid with a professed design to exempt the presbyters 
 in convocation from the authority and influence of their ecclesiastical su- 
 periors; and, which is more, laid by one who was at that time the great 
 oracle of the lower house ? For at the first the supposed author of that 
 piece was said to bear no less figure in the debates and resolutions of 
 the majority. 
 
 " It was time, I say, to oppose principles attended with so pernicious a 
 consequence, coming from an author to whose opinions an implicit obe- 
 dience was then paid by the generality of that side. And therefore, in 
 justice to the constitution of our protestant church and of its synodical 
 meetings, it was shown, That there still remains a right in the church to 
 
s 
 
 The occasion and design 
 
 I say, was the cause, it is certain in fact, that they were for 
 Some new enough from revoking the innovations attempted in 1689. So 
 the last mr ;ls upon the same foundation to proceed to new claims of 
 lower independence, as little warranted from the usage of convoca- 
 tion, and tending equally, if not more, to set up the coordinate 
 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 import- 
 ance without the previous knowledge and directions of the 
 upper house ; their refusing to return their answer in writing, 
 and to appoint committees when required by the president, &c. ; 
 with other steps towards such an independence from their 
 bishops as the commons in parliament are possessed of with 
 relation to the lords. And if this must be their standing pat- 
 tern, and their parliamentary capacity a certain refuge when- 
 ever 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 found- 
 ation upon which their late claims are grounded will equally 
 justify them in many more, that, being once introduced, would 
 9 make the frame of an English convocation as inconsistent with 
 episcopacy as the professed 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. 
 
 summon them authoritatively; that an English convocation is but one 
 body consisting of bishops and their presbyters ; that it proceeds jointly 
 in the same common measures, and in a way suitable to the original dis- 
 tinctions between their respective orders ; that it is united in one common 
 head or president, the metropolitan of the province ; that in his stead the 
 prolocutor moderates the debates of the lower house, separated from the 
 upper, only for the convenience of debate; and that the clergy are obliged 
 to receive and pursue the directions of their metropolitan and bishops 
 and to make their reports thereupon just as they were in their united 
 state." — The Schedule reviewed, p. 4. 
 
of the following discourse. 
 
 9 
 
 All this is readily acknowledged ; and it is no new thing 
 with frail mankind, such especially who are uneasy under 
 government, to rail at those the most, who are in the posses- 
 sion 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 
 us, 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. 
 
 But when I speak of the primitive rules, I would not be The design 
 understood to propose the forms of the more ancient synods book ^ q 
 as the measure of my future reasonings upon the privileges settle their 
 either of bishops or clergy in an English convocation, but only fngs upon 
 to prevent its being thought that any of the powers they now l \ e custom 
 
 * . ° J 1 * of convo- 
 
 claim, and the bishops deny, are so much as pretended to cation, 
 receive support from the condition of presbyters in the primi- 
 tive church. So far from this, that many of their real privi- 
 leges 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 called : such are, their debating 
 in a separate body ; their having a standing prolocutor of their 10 
 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 
 summoned in the present form, or for ecclesiastical purposes. 
 For their civil property could not be disposed 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 established there upon civil accounts ; by which 
 means the inferior clergy came into the same share in the 
 ecclesiastical that they had enjoyed in the secular business: 
 and as custom has given them a legal claim to several privi- 
 leges of that kind unknown to the primitive presbyters, or 
 
10 
 
 The occasion and design 
 
 even to the presbyters of any other episcopal church at this 
 day, so, bo their original what it will, it is no part of my de- 
 sign 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 unprejudiced men why they should at least acquiesce 
 in these, and not endeavour to build higher upon that secular 
 foundation. But in the present controversy, I freely pass by 
 all these disadvantages, and desire only that every point may 
 1 1 be determined by 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 pre- 
 All proofs tensions to the second groundless and illegal. Nor do I pro- 
 regbters P ose *° nave the rea der depend upon my assertions or bare 
 themselves, representations of things ; but upon all points that are either 
 made a question already, or can possibly bear one, the evi- 
 dences shall be produced 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 skilled 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 presumed strangers to a subject that 
 has so lately come under consideration. Which will also be a 
 fair apology for their having been misled into a favourable 
 opinion of some measures not to be warranted by the practice 
 of convocation, if they show 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 denied truths, established upon evi- 
 dences so plain and numerous, are answerable for it. 
 The neces- j n truth, the errors and prejudices arising from the notion 
 ing autho- of a parliamentary body have been wrought into men's minds 
 
of the following discourse. 11 
 
 with so much art and diligence, that nothing under originals, at 
 and a variety of authorities from thence, can hope to dispossess l 
 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 belonged 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 conveyed to us by the Acts themselves, I will The general 
 show in a plain and naked relation of matters of fact, That an thfsljook. 
 English convocation, however laid under some restraints from 
 the civil constitution, is far from being so much transformed 
 into a civil meeting as has been pleaded of late ; that in the 1 
 summoning, opening, and acting, it appears, what it is, an 
 ecclesiastical synod of bishops with their presbyters, and nei- 
 ther 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 changed our church into 
 a civil constitution, yet it is evident, against all the endeavours 
 of some among ourselves to help the church of Rome in that 
 objection, that, as to the nature of our synods at least, it left 
 them in the same ecclesiastical state as it found them. 
 
 To proceed regularly in this design, it must be all along 13 
 observed, 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 ex- 
 emptions 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, k That the convocation was Nur. p. 6. 
 
 k These propositions are not all of them given expressly in the two 
 tracts to which the author refers ; hut where they are not given ex- 
 pressly, they are direct inferences. 
 
12 
 
 The occasion and design 
 
 Answ. p. 9. divided into two houses, in conformity to the parliament : That 
 the prolocutor is president of the lower house, as the arch- 
 bishop is of the upper : That the acts and declarations of both 
 are only the cft'ect of the order or consent of each house re- 
 spectively : That the prolocutor governs the time of the lower 
 in as full a manner as his grace does that of the upper, i. e. 
 
 Nar. p. 17. with the consent of the house: That their debates are man- 
 
 Nar. p. 61. aged independently from their lordships: That they have a 
 general negative upon the upper house : That in virtue there- 
 of 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 parlia- 
 ment being mutually open to the members of each at all times 
 
 Nar. p. 3. and upon all occasions) : That without the knowledge or direc- 
 tions 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 upper house may be most conveni- 
 ently debated in writing, they can insist upon a free con- 
 
 Nar. p. 50. ference as the fittest method, and if that be denied, are under 
 no obligation to be further accountable to their lordships for 
 
 Nar. p. 49 any of their practices or proceedings : add to these, the power 
 they claim over their own members, upon which they can re- 
 14 quire their attendance, 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 differ- 
 ent 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 re- 
 semble the speaker of the house of lords and the lords tem- 
 poral, so, to complete 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 
 
of the following discourse. 
 
 13 
 
 innocent enough ; but when upon these the claims of new pri- 
 vileges begin to be founded, and such privileges too as are an 
 apparent diminution of the metropolitical and episcopal autho- 
 rity, separating the synod, and raising the presbyters by de- 
 grees to a coordinate power, then the parallel is no longer 
 safe, but the governors of the church, and all that love our 
 episcopal constitution, are concerned 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 at- 
 tempts the authority of former convocations, and describing 
 from thence (i. e. from the only true rule) the practice and 
 proceeding proper to each house. Which will not only show 15 
 that their lordships have insisted upon no power but what 
 their character and the usage of convocation fully justify, 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 imposed 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 differ- 
 ence, as I said before, consists chiefly in the authority which 
 belongs to the metropolitan and bishops over the inferior 
 clergy and their proceedings, it is my design to show out of 
 the records themselves, how that authority stands, and has 
 always stood, in the several ages and instances, from the sum- 
 moning 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 par- 
 ticularly to the late claims of independence built upon a par- 
 liamentary relation. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The method of summoning an English convocation. 
 
 I. When his majesty, by the advice of his council, resolves to The writ to 
 summon his parliament, and with it a convocation, he signifies * . e , arc * 1 ~ 
 
 1 . . ' B bishop. 
 
 his royal pleasure by writ to the archbishop, Rex, &c. Reve- 
 rendissimo, &c. (then the general causes of his calling a con- 
 
14 
 
 The method of summoning 
 
 6 vocation are recited) — Vobis in fide et dilectione quibus nobis 
 tenemini, rogando mandamus, quatenus pramiissis debito in- 
 tuitu attentis et ponder atis, universes et singulos episcopos 
 vestrce provincial ac decanos ecclesiarum cathedralium, nec- 
 non archidiaconos, capitula et collegia totumque clerum cu- 
 juslibet dia'cesis ejmdem provincial, ad comparendum coram 
 i obis in ecclesia cathedral)' 8. Paidi London . . . die, &c., 
 vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis cum omni celeritate 
 accommoda, 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 when- 
 ever the king had resolved that a convocation should be sum- 
 moned. Upon the reception whereof his grace always pro- 
 ceeded to summon it in the fixed and canonical method, that 
 he ever used in calling of convocations upon his own motion 
 without that writ. For though the king, as having a right to 
 the assistance of the clergy, had also a right to be obeyed 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 summoned 
 before their metropolitan, and to the place he should think fit 
 to appoint, and in the manner that was usual in all other con- 
 vocations. For the archbishop had a right to call a convoca- 
 tion at pleasure, till the statute 25 Hen. VIII. c. 19. absolutely 
 restrained him from doing it, unless empowered by the king's 
 writ : which effected this alteration in the summons, that 
 whereas before it was issued 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 rest- 
 
 7 ing equally in his grace, now he is restrained from the exer- 
 cise of that authority till he receive leave or direction from the 
 prince ; the summons, upon that intimation of the royal plea- 
 sure, being still issued in his grace's name, and under the 
 archiepiscopal seal, that is. remaining as properly authorita- 
 tive as before. 1 
 
 1 See this point proved more largely in the Right of the Archbishop, 
 9. &c. " When this author affirms that the power which the king ex- 
 ercises in the calling a convocation was transferred to the crown by the 
 25 Hen. VI 1 1, he forgets that before this statute the archbishop frequently 
 
an English convocation. 
 
 15 
 
 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 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 The war- 
 directed forth under our great seal of England, &c. Where- 1°^- 
 fore we will and command you, forthwith upon the receipt cellor, who 
 hereof, and by warrant of the same, to cause such and so isterially. 
 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 accustomed, &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 majesty's name, and under his seal, i.e. solely 
 by his authority ; while the archbishop is only licensed or 
 directed to exert a power and authority which belongs to him, 
 as well in the common right of a metropolitan as by the an- 
 cient 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 in the summons of a parliament. 18. 
 Both of them act ministerially, in the name and by the autho- 
 rity, the one of his civil and the other of his ecclesiastical 
 superior. 
 
 The writ for a parliament, issued in the king's name by the 
 lord chancellor, summons the lords spiritual and temporal, per- 
 
 summoned his convocations upon the king's royal writ, framed in the 
 same words, issued in the same manner, executed with the same readi- 
 ness, and recited in his mandate to the bishop of London, as at this day. 
 And therefore there was no occasion to give the king a power of enjoining 
 the archbishop to call a convocation, because he had the power before, 
 and was always obeyed. But the archbishop also had a power to summon 
 the clergy of his province without that writ, and king Henry VIII, find- 
 ing a strong disposition among the clergy to oppose his new measures, 
 and being sensible withal how much their meeting and protesting against 
 them in a body would obstruct his designs, saw it necessary to make him- 
 self the sole judge, when it was fit that a convocation should be called." 
 Right of the Archbishop, letter 2nd, p. 9. 
 
16 
 
 Tlte method of summoning 
 
 sonally to attend his majesty on a certain day at Westminster : 
 Vobis in fide et legiantia, quibus nobis tenemini, firmitcr 
 injungendo mandamus, quod consider atis, &c. dicto die et 
 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 show that the restraint 
 of the statute is taken off, summons the bishops and clergy of 
 his province to appear before himself in his provincial convo- 
 cation at St. Paul's : Quod iidem episcopi decani et archi- 
 diaconi, et caiteri ecclesiarum cathedralium pr&lati, &c. 
 compareant coram nobis, aut nostro in hac parte locum te- 
 nente sive commissario in domo capitulari ecclesiai cathe- 
 dralis Divi Pauli London. 
 The returns The sheriff of each county is directed in the royal writ to 
 mentfto make a due return of his election to the king in his court of 
 the king, chancery : Et electionem tuam in pleno comitatu tuo factam 
 distincte et aperte sub sigillo tuo et sigillis eorum qui elec- 
 tioni illi interfuerint, nobis in cancellaria nostra ad diem 
 In convo- et locum in brevi contentum certifices indilate. . . . By the 
 the arch- arc hbishop's mandate, the bishop of each diocese, to whom the 
 bishop. immediate execution thereof belongs, is directed to make the 
 1 9 return to his grace, or his commissary : Et pra>terea vobis, ut 
 supra, injungimus, quod omnibus et singulis coepiscopis suffra- 
 ganeis provincial nostra} 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 hora et loco per literas eorum patentes 
 nomina et cognomina omnium et singulorum per eos respec- 
 tive citatorum continentes, distincte certificent et aperte. 
 
 These returns are ultimately deposited in their proper 
 offices, the parliamentary in his majesty's court of chancery, 
 and those to convocation in the register of the see of Canter- 
 bury : 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 from whence the 
 summons in both cases immediately flowed. 
 
an English convocation. 
 
 17 
 
 Thus far, to the honour of our reformed church, nothing The sum- 
 appears in the manner of an English convocation but what is "^"gcci'e- 
 truly ecclesiastical ; or, in other words, suitable to the consti- siastieal for 
 
 . , P -ill 11 i its being 
 
 tution and government ot an episcopal church, as well as the enjoined by 
 degrees and order of the members whereof it consists : bating, • e P nnce - 
 I mean, that one restraint which the statute has laid upon the 
 archbishop, from calling a convocation at pleasure, as the 
 ancient 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 
 it is no more than an obedience which has been ever paid to 
 Christian princes by the governors of national churches, planted 
 and established under their influence and protection. Nor in 20 
 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 
 thanked, are still pretty entire ; and I hope safe enough against 
 the endeavours of some restless men, who would persuade us 
 that they are pleading the cause of the church, in doing all they 
 possibly can to make her a mere creature of the state. 
 
 This has ever been the method of summoning a convocation; The clergy 
 but as to the members summoned, the cathedral and diocesan not su . m " 
 
 moned m 
 
 clergy were not from the beginning represented, as now they the same 
 are, by persons of their own immediate choice. The deans, y^"^ 
 priors and abbots were required by the archbishop to bring beginning, 
 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 vir- 
 tute obedientice prcecipiendo, ut prmlicti decanus et prior > 
 dictarum cathedralium ecclesiarum, ahbates, et alii priores, 
 cum Uteris procuratoriis nomine conyregationum suarum con- 
 fectis, ac dicti archidiaconi cum Uteris similiter factis ex 
 parte clericorum qui subsunt eisdem, Sfc. dictis die et loco 
 personaliter debeant interesse. 
 
 Anno 1 25H to the same purpose : Vocetis etiam decanos , 
 cathedralium et aliarum ecclesiarum, nec non etiam ahbates, ' 
 priores majores insuper et archidiaconos vestra?, dioecesis uni- 
 versos, ut cum Uteris suorum subditorum procuratoriis loco 
 
 GIBSON. C 
 
 t 
 
18 
 
 The manner of 
 
 et die antedictis compareant. And the bishop's order upon 
 that mandate to the archdeacon: Ac nihilominus vos ipsi com- 
 pareatis dictis die et loco cum Uteris procuratoriis cleri totius 
 archidiaconatus vestri. 
 
 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 bishops 
 or their proxies, or by proctors of their own. Hujusmodi 
 autem servitii vel subsidii quantitatem per vos aut procura- 
 tors vestros, vel certe per procuratores proprios ad hoc, si 
 expedire videritis, destinandos, nobis intimare studeant in 
 congregatione nostra London, Sfc. The same method (I mean 
 of the bishops calling together the clergy) is prescribed by the 
 archiepiscopal mandates of 1282 and 1283, when the clergy 
 appear to have been represented in both by two proctors. But 
 afterwards, 
 
 Anno 1 296, we find the diocesan clergy required to appear 
 by one proxy : Unumquodque capitulum seu conventus per 
 unum ; clerus quoque cujuslibet dicecesis per unum similiter 
 procuratorem idoneum et instructum : and, anno 1 3 1 1 , either 
 by one or two : Clerus autem per unum vel duos procuratores 
 consimiles, communiter destinandos. 
 inferences I produce not these instances to invalidate the right of the 
 from the cathedral clergy to be constantly represented by one, or the 
 
 foregoing . 0</ . 
 
 testimo- 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 consti- 
 tutions. But such observations came naturally into this histo- 
 rical 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 be- 
 
 22 longing to the lower clergy 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 
 
 mes 
 
mi English convocation, 
 
 19 
 
 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 convo- 
 cation, upon which the claims of the upper house are immedi- 
 ately 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 pri- 
 mitive times, or even in our own nation, and that not many 
 centuries ago. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 23 
 The manner of opening a convocation. 
 0 n the day prefixed in the archbishop's mandate for the A11 the 
 
 ... , -iii members 
 
 convocation s meeting, all the members cited thereby are to be ready 
 obliged to be ready at St. Paul's for the coming of his grace. atst.Paul's. 
 Thus it is, and ever has been, according to archbishop Parker's 
 account of the established form of opening a convocation : 
 Sciendum est, quod omnes qui authoritate reverendissimi 
 citantur ad comparendum coram eo in domo capitulari 
 
 ecclesim catlvedralis D. Paidi London.' die tenentur 
 
 pr&fixo tempore interesse atque in eadem ecclesia cathedrali 
 prmstolari adventum dicti reverendissimi. 
 
 His grace, waited on at his landing by all the advocates and The pre- 
 proctors of his court, is by them and his own retinue conducted CO ming to 
 to the church of St. Paul's ; at the door whereof the bishops St - Paul ' s - 
 and clergy meet and receive him, and all walk in procession to 
 the choir. Prayers and sermon ended, he with the bishops 
 and clergy go, into the chapter-house, where the lord bishop of 
 London, dean of the province, exhibits a certificate that the The dean 
 mandate has been duly executed : Reverendissimo ac ceteris oi - the pro " 
 
 v vmce ex- 
 
 suis coepiscopis in suis sedibus ordine consedentibus, ac hibits his 
 reliquo clero circumstante, reverendus dominus cpiscopus^ium. 
 London, mandatvm sibi a dicto reverendissimo ad convoca- 
 tionem hujusmodi summonend. directum, una cum debito 
 certificatorio super executione ejusdem introducere, ac debita 
 cum reverentia eidem reverendissimo patri praesentare et 
 
 c % 
 
'20 
 
 The Manner of 
 
 tradere tenetur. This certificate under the episcopal seal, and 
 24 directed 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 summoned : that 
 he owns himself duly cited by the authority of the same man- 
 date : that he has intimated to them his grace's resolution not 
 to hold any excused but upon good reasons to be then and 
 there alleged : that he has also enjoined 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 manda- 
 tory transmitted by the lord bishop of London, and adding 
 their several names and surnames. 
 Other cer- By the archbishop's order the bishop of London's certificate 
 pro C ^es Sand * s P u bhcly read, and one or more officers of his court appointed 
 Contumacy by him to receive in his name the certificates of the other 
 Td^Forina bishops, and all the letters of proxy. Then a written schedule 
 convocat. i s p U ^ into his grace's hand, by which he pronounces all mem- 
 bers cited and not appearing contumacious ; reserving the 
 punishment of their contumacy to another time, Reservando 
 pcenam eorum contumacies in aliquem diem competentem pro 
 beneplacito ipsius reverend issimi. 
 
 This is a short and general account of the opening a convo- 
 cation, enough to convince any indifferent man of his grace's 
 25 right, as to preside over the whole body, so to dispense with 
 bisho^'^ju ^ ne absence, or require the attendance of every particular 
 risdiction member, according to the reasons and circumstances of things, 
 members But because in the last convocation the power of the arch- 
 as to their bishop over the members of the lower house was not only 
 
 Utt Gild 3,11 CG 
 
 asserted. ' called in question, but in effect directly denied 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 infer- 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 21 
 
 ences 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 indif- 
 ferently : to show, on the one hand, the antiquity of them, that 
 no room may be left to suspect them innovations ; and on the 
 other, their real force and effect, as appearing from the arch- 
 bishop'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. 
 
 I. In the archbishop's mandate for the summoning a convo- By the 
 cation, it is and always has been usual for his grace to require ° t g the 
 the dean of the province, among other things, to acquaint the none to be 
 bishops, and by them the inferior clergy, that he will excuse shaiT' 
 no member from attending, according to the tenor thereof, showjea- 
 but who shall show such cause as his grace shall judge reason- cause, 
 able. This notice is given in the ancient mandates under dif- 2 6 
 ferent forms, but all to the same effect with the present 
 clause. 
 
 Anno 1 28 1. After an enumeration of all the members to be 
 cited : Denunciantes eisdem quod contra absentes in forma 
 canonica procedemus. Nec debilitatis esecusationem sufficere 
 reputamus illorum, qui per maneria sua ju.rta dioeceses suas, 
 et extra, et ad alia loca per Cant, provinciam, se fac hint pro 
 familiaribus negotiis in quibuscunque vehiculis deportari. 
 
 Anno 1296. Compareant eodem die et sequentibiis oppor- 
 
 tunis sub poena excommunicationis majoris et interdicti, 
 
 quce merito poterunt formidare qui in forma prcenotata con- 
 tumaciter omiserint sen contempserint comparere; et quoz 
 contra eosdem qui sic comparere detrectaverint, sine delectu 
 2>ersonarum inteiulimus executioni debitaz demandare. 
 
 Anno 1297. Vos etiam prcemunimus, et cceteros sic citandos 
 prcemuniri mandamus, quod absentee in citatione praidicta, 
 nisi evidens et inevitabile impedimentum per probationes 
 certas superesse docuerint, tanquam inobedientes et offensores 
 notorios graviter puniemus. And another the same year : 
 Denunciantes dictis coepiscopis, et per eos suos subditos sic 
 vocandos faciatis idonee prcemuniri, quod absentes in citatione 
 
22 
 
 The manner of 
 
 prcedicta, nisi evident et inevitabile impedimentum sufficients? 
 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 
 forma canonica procedemus ; nullius sic absentis excusatio- 
 nem penitus admissuri, nisi quatenus ad lioc nos arctaverint 
 canonical sanctiones. 
 27 Anno 1359. Volumns et intimamus, quod intimetis seu de- 
 nunciari faciatis dicta; provincial coepiscopis et confratribus 
 ac vicariis hujusmodi, decanis, abbatibus, prioribxis, et ceteris 
 ecclesiarum prailatis supradictis, quod eos a personali com- 
 paritione in hujusmodi congregatione, dictis die et loco per 
 nos seu nostra auctoritate, Deo annuente, celebranda, habere 
 non intendimus excusatos ista vice, nisi ex causa necessaria 
 tunc ibidem alleganda et 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 archieplscopal mandate, with a very small variation of the 
 words, and none at all of the sense or intention : Volumus 
 insuper et mandamus, quatenus intimetis et denuncietis seu 
 intimari et denunciari faciatis dicta' provincial nostra? Can- 
 tuar. coepiscopis, decanis, archidiaconis ac ceteris eccle- 
 siarum prailatis suprascriptis, quod eos a personali compo> 
 ritione in hujusmodi negotio convocations et congregationis 
 dictis die et loco, ut prozmittitur, divina favente dementia 
 celebrand. excusatos non habere intendimus ista vice, nisi ex 
 causa necessaria tunc et ibidem alleganda et proponenda et 
 per nos approbanda ; sed contumaciam 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 enjoyed, 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. 
 2 8 II. In pursuance of his general summons, and that particular 
 ||" s admonition, the archbishop in the same mandate, and in the 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 23 
 
 clause immediately following, commands the dean of the pro- directly to 
 vince to intimate to every suffragan bishop, that ho exhibit to yJ^L 
 his grace at the day appointed a schedule under his episcopal 
 seal containing the names and surnames 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 quod 
 secum deferant in scriptis nomina omnium in forma praidicta 
 de suis dioicesibus ad concilium vocatorum. And more dis- 
 tinctly the very next year, viz. 
 
 Anno 1282. De nominibus vero abbatum, priorum, et alio- 
 rum religiosorum, decanorum, archidiaconorum. procura- 
 torum, tarn cleri cujuslibet dicecesis quam capitidorum, singuli 
 episcopi pro stiis dia'cesibus ad dictos diem et locum per suas 
 literas distincte nos certificent et aperte. 
 
 In the next century it comes yet nearer to our present 
 form : as, 
 
 Anno 1350. After direction given to the dean of the pro- 
 vince to bring a particular return or certificate of the due exe- 
 cution of the mandate, it is added, Et caiteris coepiscopis suf- 
 fraganeis nostris, electis, et vicariis pra&dictis similiter injun- 
 gatis, ut nos vel nostrum commissarium eisdem die et loco 
 singuli sigillatim modo debito certificent per literas suas pas- 
 rentes harum seriem et citatorum nomina dioeces. eorundem 
 in cedula consimili continentes. 
 
 And before the end of that century we find it the same with 
 the present form, excepting a very small variation of the 29 
 words : so, 
 
 Anno 1396. Vobis etiam, ut supra, injungimus et manda- 
 mus, quod omnibus et singulis venerabilibus fratribus nostris, 
 coepiscopis vestris, vel vicariis hujusmodi, injungatis seu 
 facialis 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, distincte certificent et aperte. 
 
 The clause at present runs thus : 
 
 Et pr alter ea vobis, ut supra, injungimus et mandamus, 
 quod omnibus et singulis coepiscopis suffraganeis provincial 
 nostrce Cant, injungatis et injungi facialis, ut singuli eorum 
 
24 
 
 The manner of 
 
 sigillatim de facto suo. quatenus pertinet ad eosdetn, nos 
 sen locnm-tencntem sive commissarium, unum vel plures, 
 dictis die liora et loco, per literas eorum patentes nomina 
 et cognomina omnium et singulorum per eos respective cita- 
 torum continentes, distincte certificent et aperte. 
 
 The several forms of these two clauses, we see, are only 
 different ways of expressing the selfsame things : and I pro- 
 duce them thus distinctly, that they who have lately acted 
 against the intent and authority of them, may have no oppor- 
 tunity to suggest to their friends, that as they stand in our 
 modern mandates they are not agreeahle to the sense and 
 language of antiquity, i. e. that the denouncing canonical cen- 
 sures against absents, and the returns from the several bi- 
 shops, 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 
 30 and practice of an English convocation. Since the beginning 
 of this controversy, assertions no less groundless have been 
 given out and propagated, and have had their designed effect 
 in misleading many honest and well-meaning men ; which is a 
 warning for the future not to leave room for any misrepresen- 
 tations 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 obliged to certify 
 the archbishop that his mandate has been transmitted to the 
 suffragan bishops, and duly executed within his own diocese. 
 The dean In archbishop Peckham's time, anno 1281. Yos autem, 
 vinceVe- 0 " pi^didis die et loco, in forma prozdicta comparentes comite 
 quired to sanitate, certificetis nos per patentes vestras literas quid 
 
 certify to , ... 7 . . 
 
 his grace jeceritis de ])ra'missis. 
 
 the esecu. Anno 1 282. Vos autem, quos tunc pr&sentes adesse volu- 
 
 ticn of the . « . 
 
 mandate, mus, nobis rescribatis per vestras literas patentes, harum 
 seriem continentes, qualiter prwsens mandatum nostrum fue- 
 ritis executi. 
 
 Anno i35t- De die vero receptionis jjr&sentium, et quid 
 Jeceritis ac facere duxeritis in praimissis, nos vel nostros 
 commissarios dictis die et loco certificetis per literas vestras 
 patentes harum seriem et citatorum nomina vestrai London, 
 diozces. in cedula separata, his certificatoriis annectenda, 
 
 plenarie continentes. Which, after three centuries and a 
 
 half, continues the same in effect to this day, viz. 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 25 
 
 De die vero receptionis prcesentium, et quid in prmmissis 
 feceritis, nos aut nostrum in hac parte locum-tenentem sive 
 commissarwm hujusmodi, dictis die hora et loco, debite 
 certijicari curetis per literas harum seriem, una cum nomi- 
 nibus omnium et singulorum [adding the several degrees, 
 episcoporum, &c] in separata schedula Uteris certificatorum 
 ann ectend. comp lectentes. 
 
 III. According to this precept of the archiepiscopal man- 31 
 date, it is and always has heen the usage of convocation, for J^g^ 
 the bishop of London to exhibit his certificatorium, or return, vince's cer- 
 to his grace on the first day of its meeting : which being read ^etam™ 
 by some one of the officers of the archbishop's court appointed exhibited, 
 by his grace, certain commissioners are directed to receive 
 the returns of all the other bishops, and the proxies of the 
 persons mentioned 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, offered and alleged according 
 to the terms of the mandate. Nor is the commissioner em-Arohbi- 
 powered only to receive, but also to inspect and examine the missioned 
 proxies of both sorts, to see that they be in due form, and the to receive 
 causes alleged for absence fit to be admitted. proxies? 60 ' 
 
 The proxies, as well of the cathedral and diocesan clergy as > 
 of the absent members, are ordinarily expressed under the 
 common name procuratoria in his grace's appointment or 
 commission ; but sometimes with express reference to the ab- 
 sent clergy. So, Feb. 7. 1452. nec non quorumcunque 
 
 absentium procuratoria in dicto concilio sive convocatione 
 
 comparere debentium. Anno 1557. he is required to 
 
 examine, among other things, causas absentiarinn ; and in 
 1562 (the first after the Reformation, the acts whereof remain 
 entire) the archbishop's deputation is thus set down at large : 
 Delude dictus reverendissimus pater commisit vices suas 
 Mro. Thomce Yale cance/lario suo, ac Magistro Willelmo 
 Drurie legum doctori, commissario ad facilitates, ad reci-^% 
 piend. certificatoria episcoporum ac ad inspiciend. pro- 
 curatoria quorumcunq absentium, ac causas absentiarum 
 suarum examinand. et approband. Answerable to which the 
 contumacy pronounced immediately upon this inspection and 
 examination is, in the ordinary style of the registers, against 
 
26 
 
 T/ic manner of 
 
 those who did nidlo modo comparer e, that is, neither in per- 
 son nor by proxy : and yet more express in that of 1562. 
 
 monitos et citatos, ac per se ant procurators suos ido- 
 
 neos minime comparents. For, 
 Sentence of IV. The certificates and proxies being duly examined, and 
 against the members particularly preconized, the usage has ever been 
 sents, by to pronounce the absents contumacious. Anciently it was 
 
 the arch- 1 . J 
 
 bishop or pronounced in the name of the archbishop, by the person com- 
 
 his com- missioned to receive and inspect the certificates, &c. And in 
 missary. -t ' 
 
 that case the punishment was reserved to the archbishop, 
 Poena contumaciarum domino reservata : but when his grace 
 pronounced it in person, as he then did sometimes, and con- 
 stantly afterwards, it ran, Pozna sibi reservata, or in words 
 to that effect, i. e. to be inflicted or not inflicted, with strict- 
 ness or with abatements, as he himself should see convenient. 
 
 The certificates, &c. were exhibited by his grace's appoint- 
 ment, not on a convocation day, but at an intermediate time ; 
 and so the registers, though they constantly make mention of 
 the bishop of London's certificatorium, and his grace's commis- 
 sion to inspect the rest, both these being done in convocation, 
 do yet seldom take notice of the contumacy pronounced, which 
 33 was out of convocation. But we find the manner of the commis- 
 sioner's proceedings entered at large in the convocation acts of 
 1432 after the business of the day : Post prandium dicti diet 
 lunai preefatus venerabilis vir magister Thomas Bronus adivit 
 dictam domum capitularem, et ibidem recepit certificatoria 
 episcoporum et procuratoria pradatorum ac cleri et capitido- 
 rum, et receptis certificatoriis hujusmodi, idem magister Tho- 
 mas prozconizari fecit omnes et singidas personas quarum 
 nomina in cedulis singulorum episcoporum certificatoriis an- 
 nexis fuerunt annotata. Quibus sic prazconizatis, idem magis- 
 ter Thomas omnes et singulos ad Mud provinciate concilium 
 citatos, certificatos, et, ut pr&mittitur, pratconizatos, ac nullo 
 modo seu minus legitime comparentes, pronunciavit contu- 
 maces, 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 pronounced the ab- 
 sents contumacious, at the meeting next after the inspection of 
 the returns and proxies : which indeed, in the natural order of 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 27 
 
 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 commis- 
 sioner to receive the certificates. 
 
 I cannot affirm, because the registers do not say it, that this The sen- 
 act of his grace and his commissioner was in a written form contumacy 
 
 from the beginning : but I find one as early as archbishop a wntten 
 
 . , — . . instrument. 
 
 Chichley, in the year 1438. Tenor vero decreti sive senten- 
 tial contra absentes, ut prozfertur, sequitur, et est talis, in 
 Dei nomine. Amen. Henricus permissions divina Cantuar. 
 archiepiscopus, totius Angliai primas et apostolical sedis34 
 legatus, omnes et singulos abbates, priores, decanos ecclesia- 
 rum cathedralium, archidiaconos, custodes et magistros ec- 
 clesiarum collegiatarum, et alios de clero quoscumque ad 
 prazsentem convocationem vocatos, citatos, prazmunitos, et 
 prozconizatos, diuciusque expectatos, ac mdlo modo out non 
 legitime secundum tenorem mandati nostri comparentes, 
 2)ronunciamus contumaces, poznam contumaciam in omnes et 
 singulos predict, infligend. nobis reservantes : monemus in- 
 super omnes et singulos prafatos contumaces, quod sexto die 
 Octobris prox. futuro omnes et singuli contumaces supradicti 
 compareant coram nobis in loco praisenti poznas contuma- 
 ciarum hujusrnodi auditur. et subitur. completur. et factur. 
 prout justicia suadebit ; et prozsentem convocationem usque 
 in et ad diem prafatum continuamus : monentes insuper 
 omnes et singulos jam prozsentes, ut die prozdicto compareant, 
 et quilibet eorum compareat, coram nobis out nostris in hoc 
 parte commissariis in convocations prozsenti isto eodem loco 
 processur. et visur. factur. et stihitur. quod in conciliis pro- 
 vincialibus faciend. ordinandi, et providend. fuerit, et quod 
 canones et jura suadebunt. But a much older than this is 
 entered in the register of archbishop Courtney, anno 1391. 
 Dominus contra [absentes~\ sub liac forma processit, Nos Will- 
 
 helmus permissions divina Cantuariensis archiepiscopus 
 
 canonicam Us et eorum singulis injiigendam nobis seu com- 
 missario nostro quern ad id dn-xerimus deputandum, nihil- 
 ominus specialiter reservantes. 
 
 Afterwards, the extracts out of the register of the upper 
 house, in 1529, speak of it as a written instrument, referring 
 to the register where it was entered at large : and in 1545, 
 
28 
 
 The manner of 
 
 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 singultus personas ecclesiasticas, ad hos diem 
 
 et locum interessend. in hac sacra convocations vocat. proz- 
 conizat. expectatas et non comparentes, pronunciamus eas et 
 earum quamlibet contumaces, et in pcenam contumaciarum 
 35 suarum hujusmodi decernimus procedend. fore ad xdterior. 
 ipsorum contumaciis sive absentiis non obstan. Et ulteriorem 
 pcenam contumaciarum suarum hujusmodi per nos imponend. 
 usque ad et in xxvi diem mensis Januarii prox. futurum 
 reservamus in his scriptis. 
 
 Whatever schedules of contumacy had been from time to 
 time deposited in the registry of the see of Canterbury were 
 burnt in the lire of London, with those of continuation or pro- 
 rogation ; and I find no one entered at large in any acts since 
 the reformation : only, at the opening of convocations the 
 pronouncing it is mentioned, and reference made to the ori- 
 ginal schedule in writing. The register of 1562 mentions it 
 thus : Ac prceterea dictus reverendissimus pater pronuncia- 
 vit omnes et singulos decanos, archidiaconos, capitula ac 
 cleri procuratores, et cwteros quoscunque ad interessend. in 
 hujusmodi sacra synodo sive convocatione monitos et citatos 
 ac per se aut procuratores suos idoneos minime comparentes 
 notorie contumaces; painas contumaciarum suarum hujus- 
 modi usque in prox. sessionem reservand. prout in schedula 
 per eum lecta plenius continetur ; cujus quidem scheduloz ve- 
 rus tenor sequitur in haic verba, in Dei nomine Amen. 
 
 The present schedule, of the same import with the former, 
 is as follows : JVos, archiepiscopus omnes et singulos de- 
 canos, archidiaconos, capitula et cleri procuratores, ac caite- 
 ros quoscunque ad interessendum nobiscum in hac prcesenti 
 sacra synodo provinciali fyc. legitime et peremptorie monitos 
 et citatos, nec per se nec per procuratores suos idoneos com- 
 parentes, nec ullas causas absentiarum suarum hujusmodi 
 sufficienter allegantes, 2^'onunciamus contumaces, et eorum 
 quemlibet contumacem ; sed p&nas eorum contumaciam usque 
 
 ad et in diem reservando reservamus. 
 
 36 IV. By this sentence, all the absent members fall under the 
 
 The exe- . 
 
 cution of guilt of contumacy ; and that rests upon them till they give 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 20 
 
 satisfaction to his grace, either by their personal appearance, the scn- 
 or the transmitting some such reasonable cause of absence as contumacy- 
 he shall approve. In expectation whereof the canonical p U - sus P ended 
 
 . . 1 every ses- 
 
 nishment is usually suspended in aliquem diem competentem s ion by the 
 pro beneplacito ipsius reverendissimi, according to archbishop arcllblsho P- 
 Parker's form ; and the day that is usually fixed 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. Archiepisco- 
 pus continuavit, Sfc. et decrevit absentes fore expectandos, et 
 
 ipsos expectavit usque in diem continuavit, §*c. de gratia 
 
 expectando absentes -fecit continuationem et expectatio- 
 
 7iem Here, the expectatio absentium is properly the same 
 
 suspension of the punishment of absence that has been con- 
 stantly expressed in the schedule of continuation, viz. nec non 
 omnia et singula certificatoria, hactenus introducta et intro- 
 ducenda et non introducta, in eodem statu quo mine sunt, 
 
 usque ad et in diem continuamus et jworogamus in his 
 
 scriptis. The certificatoria thus continued are the forcmen- 
 tioned returns made by every bishop to his grace at the open- 
 ing of the convocation, and deposited in the office of the 
 archiepiscopal see : as the continuation of them is a decree, 
 suspending both the preconization of the persons therein re- 
 turned, and the infliction of the punishment that would there- 
 upon belong to the absents. And so, in the year 1554. scss. 5, 
 where it is said that the president continued the convocation 
 to such a day, it is added, Et etiam continuavit certificatoria 
 
 contra absentes usque ad et.in 
 
 V. But the declaration of contumacy at the beginning only, 37 
 as well as the continuation of the returns from time to time, The arch- 
 are purely acts of grace and favour in the archbishop ; who hav^fre- 
 therefore, as the members appeared to be slack in their at- quently ex- 
 
 crciscd 
 
 tendance, has solemnly declared them contumacious, and in the their au- 
 several instances actually inflicted the punishment of suspen- *J ont y over 
 
 » 1 1 the mem- 
 
 sion in the middle of convocations. Which I the rather ob-bersinthe 
 serve, because I remember, at the meeting of the last, they 
 who contended for a power in the lower house over their own tion. 
 members went upon a groundless distinction, That the arch- 
 bishop's part was only to pronounce contumacy at the begin- 
 ning, and either to execute or take off the sentence at the end 
 
30 
 
 The manner of 
 
 of convocation ; but as to the time between these, i. e. in the 
 whole course of their proceedings, ho had never interposed. 
 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 convocation ; as, 
 In preco- i . In preconizations and solemn declarations of contumacy : 
 and so- ' °f which sort there are several instances, but none so particu- 
 lemnly de- l ar ly affecting the lower house, or so fully represented under 
 
 daring con- , . . 
 
 tumacy. all the circumstances, as that of the convocation in 1562. It 
 began January the 1 ith, and sat till it was prorogued by the 
 queen's writ, April 14th. Between these, on February the 
 19th, Venerabilis vir magister Thomas Tale legum doctor 
 vicar, in spiritualibus generalis dicti reverendissimi patris, 
 ac commissarius in hac parte specialiter deputatus, in capella 
 38 beata) Mariai infra ecclesiam cathedralem divi Pauli London 
 scituat. domo, viz. inferiori convocations predict' in pra&- 
 sentia, ut dicebatur, magistri Willelmi Sage, notarii publici, 
 dictai domns inferioris registrarii et actorum scriboz, judicia- 
 liter sedens, legit quandam schedulam contra omnes et sin- 
 gidos decanos, capitula, archidiaconos, et cleri procuratores, 
 ac ca;teros quoscunque in dicta convocations juxta monitio- 
 nem legitimam in hac parte factam non comparentes, ant ab 
 eadem sine licentia, fyc. recedentes. Cnjus quidem schedulai 
 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 mo- 
 ment 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 sus- 
 pension as non-comparents, and the suspension of Dr. Stern, 
 suffragan bishop of Colchester, for not appearing." 
 
 Ann. 1588. In the convocation whereof there were twenty- 
 two sessions, it is said in the extracts, sess. 19, "Archbishop 
 suspends absents and departers without leave ; particularly the 
 bishop of Lichfield for going without leave." 
 
 2. Another effect of the archbishop's power over the mem- 
 bers, in point of attendance, is his giving license to be absent: so, 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 31 
 
 Ann. 1438, May 10. Dominus continuavit convocationem 39 
 suam, Sj'C Licentia prius data dictis religiosia recedendi, 
 constitutis per cos certis procuratoribus, prout de facto con- 
 stituerunt, ad interessend. consentiend. et faciend. in ipsa 
 convocations, qxm ipsi facerent si personaliter interes- 
 sent. 
 
 Ann. 1586, scss. 10. The lower house book: the prolocutor 
 
 coming from the upper house intimates the continuation 
 
 et moniti sunt omnes supra-nominati ad tunc ibidem interes- 
 send. Sfc. Mri. Noiuell, Walker, Humfrey, Bysse, Poivell et 
 Say, ex relatione domini prolocutoris isto die fuerunt licen- 
 tiati quoad eorum personalem comparitionem. 
 
 In the list of the members before the lower house minutes 
 in 1640, at the archdeacon of Canterbury's name I find this 
 note : A bs. ex licentia 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 
 licentiarn 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 expressed by his giving them 
 leave to depart. 
 
 Ann. 137 1. The bishop of London presiding, procuratorcs 
 religiosorum et cleri ibidem comparentes ad recedendum li- 
 centiavit per decretum. 
 
 Ann. I 373- Commissarius dictos procuratores ex prozcepto 
 Domini, ut dixit, ad recedendum licentiavit. 
 
 Ann. 1379- Et tandem idem dominus archiepiscopus dictis 
 prailatis et procuratoribus licentiarn recedendi a dicta con- 
 vocatione dedit, et ipsam convocationem dissolvit. 
 
 Ann. eod. Et sic idem dominus Cant, archiepiscopus die- 40 
 tarn convocationem dissolvebat, et legitimam dictis prailatis 
 et procuratoribus cleri licentiarn recedendi a convocatione 
 hujusmodi concessit. 
 
 Ann. 1400. Reverendissimus pater, 8fc. convocationem prai- 
 dictam et concilium suum provinciale consummavit et dis- 
 solvit, omnibus praibens licentiarn recedendi. 
 
 3. His grace's admonitions to the clergy not to depart be- 
 
32 
 
 The manner of 
 
 fore 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 hujus- 
 modi moneri fecit ibidem publice procuratores dictorum prce- 
 latorum et cleri, ne quis ipsorum recederet a civitate London, 
 ante dictai convocationis negotium finitum, sub paina amis- 
 sioitis procurationum suarum, et alius multai eis per eum im- 
 ponendce. 
 
 Ann. 1541, sess. 2. The prolocutor and clergy being in the 
 upper house, Momdt reverendissimus, ut nemo se subduceret 
 a convocations ob ullam causam nisi prius approbatam a se. 
 
 Ann. 1557, sess. 1. Et moniti sunt tarn patres quam totus 
 cleri chorus ad interessendum in lioc 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 a civitate 
 London, absque licentia reverendissimi. 
 
 To these admonitions not to depart, I will join a remarkable 
 reproof from the archbishop to the lower house, occasioned by 
 the negligence of the clergy in not duly attending the convo- 
 41 cation. It is upon their own book in 1588, sess. 12. Dominus 
 prolocutor prceconizari fecit citatos ad comparendum in hac 
 parte, et praiconizatione hujusmodi minime finita, reverendis- 
 simus pater dominus Cant, archiepiscopus, caiterique domini 
 prailati, accersiverunt ad se integrum coztum hujus domus, 
 
 eosdemque dominos prcelatos adierunt ibique dictus reve- 
 
 rendissimus pater reprehendit negligentiam sive contumaciam 
 nonnullorum citatorum et monitorum ad comparendum in hac 
 domo et non comparentium, ac expresse affirmavit se velle 
 propter eorum contumacias procedere juxta juris exigentiam, 
 Sec. Et mox omnes supranominati in inferiorem domum proz- 
 dict. reversi sunt, et tunc ibidem finita fuit prceconizatio, ut 
 prafertur, citatorum. 
 The arch- 4. Pursuant to his power of requiring the attendance of the 
 solves' or' meraD ers, with putting the absents under the censure of con- 
 punishes tumacy, and the exercise of that inherent power while the 
 at the con- convocation continues, the archbishop at the conclusion thereof 
 elusion of usually calls for a catalogue of the members who have either 
 not appeared at all, or departed without his special leave ; and 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 33 
 
 the punishment having been all along reserved 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. 141 7. Dominus omnibus et singulis ad ipsam convo- 
 cationem vocatis, et nullo modo seu minus legitime compa- 
 rentibus, ad rogatum pradatorum et cleri ibidem praisentium, 
 ex sua gratia speciali remisit. 
 
 Ann. 1 41 9. Dominus, ad petitionem et rogatum confratrum 
 suorum coepiscoporum et aliorum prcelatorum et cleri ibidem 
 praisentium, omnes et singulos ad ipsam convocationem voca- 
 tos, minus legitime seu nullo modo comparentes, pro ilia vice 4 2 
 duntaxat habuit excusatos. 
 
 Ann. 1422. Dominus, ad petitionem procuratorum cleri 
 ibidem tunc praisentium, quibuscunque ad dictam convocatio- 
 nem vocatis et nullo modo seu minus legitime 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 pu- 
 nishment to himself, but frequently declaring the punishment 
 publicly in convocation. 
 
 Ann. 1356. The first convocation, of the acts whereof we 
 have any accounts remaining, concludes thus : Dominus archi- 
 episcopus omnes citatos ad idem concilium, qui illo die non 
 comparuerunt, ut tenebantur, pronunciaint contumaces, pazna 
 sibi reservata. 
 
 Ann. 1386. In domo capitulari, idem Dominus Cant, prai- 
 conizari fecit suff raganeos suos, abbates, priores, decanos, 
 archidiaconos, et procuratores cleri, ad eandem convocatio- 
 nem citatos ; et omnes absentes pradatos prozconizatos, et 
 nullo modo comparentes, pronunciavit contumaces ; et in poz- 
 nam contumaciai corundum sequestravit fructus et proventus 
 omnium ecclesiarum eisdem prazlatis vel eorum beneficiis ap- 
 propriatarum. 
 
 Ann. 1 404. Reverendissimus pater archiepiscopus ad pro- 
 motionem et excitationem cleri praidict. et de consilio et 
 avisamento prazlatorum diozces. Cant, provincial sibi assiden- 
 
 GIBSON. D 
 
34 
 
 The manner of 
 
 tium et circumsedentium, omnes ac singidos abbates, priores, 
 ac alios quoscunque dicta? Cant, provincial, qui ad compa- 
 rendum in dicta convocatione per loci ordinarios, prout in 
 eorum liquet certificatoriis, citati fuerunt, et non comparen- 
 43 tes, pronunciavit contumaces, et in poenam contumaciam eorum 
 hujusmodi sequestravit fructus, redditus, et proventus omnium 
 monaster iorum, prioratuwm, et aliorum locorum hujusmodi, 
 et prcesertim exemptionum, et decrevit exinde fieri publicatio- 
 nem in partibus. Et post aliquot dies postea, idem reve- 
 rendissimus pater archiepiscopus scripsit suffraganeis suis 
 pro intimatione hujusmodi sequestri, et pro eodem sequestro 
 custodiendo. 
 
 Ann. 141 6 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 summoned to 
 convocation, and did not obey (nee in dicto concilio persona- 
 liter comparere, aut procuratores sufiicientes, saltern qui cau- 
 sas rationabiles ipsorum absentia} allegare possent aut vellent, 
 mittere curaverunt) he signifies his declaration of their con- 
 tumacy, and the punishment he had inflicted : In poenam con- 
 tumacioz suoz hujusmodi, fructus quoscunque omnium et sin- 
 gularum ecclesiarum non exemptarum personis exemptis et 
 eorum monasteriis ubicunque infra nostram provinciam ap- 
 propriatarum, cujuscunque ordinis existunt, duximus seques- 
 trandos ; prout tenore pra?sentium sequestramus. Alios vero 
 abbates, et priores, ac prozlatos non exemptos, et archidia- 
 
 conos ab ingressu ecclesice in his scriptis suspendimus 
 
 Afterwards, we find nineteen absolved from the sentence upon 
 their submission, and an oath taken by every particular person, 
 quod ipse in singulis convocationibus pr&latorum et cleri 
 Cant, provincial de caitero celebrand. juxta vim, formam et 
 effectum citationis sibi fiendce fideliter comparebit, nisi impe- 
 dimento legitime fuerit praipeditus ; et in eventum quod ci- 
 tatus fuerit ad personaliter comparendum, parebit citationi, 
 nisi impedimento legitimo, ut supra, detineatur ; in quo casu 
 mittet unurn ex confratribus suis cum sufficienti procuratorio 
 44 tarn ad allegand. causas absentioz suai et eas proband, quam 
 ad comparend. nomine suo in convocationibus hujusmodi, nec 
 non Mis quai ibi fieri, statui, concedi, vel ordinari contigerit, 
 consentiend. ibique durantibus convocationibus hujusmodi re- 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 35 
 
 mansurum, nisi abinde recedendi licentiam obtinere valeat 
 specialem. 
 
 Ann. 1428. Dominus, ex assensu confratrum suorum, pro 
 eo quod complures abbates, et prailati ac alii religiosi qui in 
 convocatione debuerant comparere nulla modo comparuerunt, 
 ipsos omnes non comparentes pronunciavit contumaces, poena 
 sibi reservata. 
 
 Ann. 1437, May 14. Dominus omnes citatos ad dictum 
 provinciate concilium nullo modo vel juxta tenorem mandati 
 non comparentes, pronunciavit contumaces Monemus in- 
 super omnes et singulos contumaces quod sexto die Octobris 
 compareant coram nobis in loco prcesenti, poznas contu- 
 maciam™ hujusmodi audituri et subitum, fy-c. prout justitia 
 suadebit. 
 
 At the conclusion of another meeting of the same year. 
 
 Dominus omnes et singulos ad hujusmodi convocationem le- 
 gitime citatos, ac non comparentes, juxta tenorem mandati 
 eis in hac parte facti, pronunciavit contumaces, posna sibi 
 reservata. 
 
 Ann. 154 1, sess. 15, before a prorogation, Dom. Cox [the 
 archbishop's commissary] omnes prcelatos non comparentes seu 
 non licentiatos suspendebat a celebratione divinorum et in- 
 gressu ecclesim. The prailati were the lower house members, 
 the dignitaries at least, who under that style are commanded 
 to retire and choose a prolocutor in the convocation that im- 
 mediately precedes. 
 
 Ann. 1586, Dec. 2, in the extracts out of the registers of 
 the upper house it is said in short, upon a prorogation, " Non- 
 comparents, contumacious, suspended." And before the disso- 
 lution, " Suspension of absents, or departers without leave." 
 
 Ann. 1 60 1, in the same extracts, we meet with the like 45 
 hint, immediately before the dissolution " Contumacious sus- 
 pended." 
 
 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 fait publica prozconizatio omnium citato- 
 rum ad comparend. in hac domo, juxta consuetudinem alias 
 usitatam, et juxta tenores mandatorum et certificatoriorum 
 
 d % 
 
36 
 
 The manner of 
 
 alias respective coram ipso reverendissimo patre domino 
 Cant, archiep. fyc. exliibitorum et introductorum : the pro- 
 locutor and the whole house being immediately sent for, reve- 
 rendissimus querelatus est de incuria, negligentia et contu- 
 
 macia citatorum, §'c. et non comparentium fyc. et tunc, 
 
 porrecta sibi schedula suspensions, una cum schedula conti- 
 nente nomina et cognomina contumaciter absentium ab hac 
 sacra st/nodo, idem reverendissimus eos omnes et singulos in 
 hujusmodi schedula nominatos, a celebratione divinorum et 
 omnimodo exercitio ecclesiastics jurisdictionis suspendit ; 
 prout in ipsa schedula penes registrarium ipsius reverendis- 
 simi quoad superiorem domum remanen. continetur. 
 The sub- These therefore, in short, are the grounds which give the 
 the argu- archbishop an undoubted power over the members of the lower 
 ments for house exclusive of the bouse itself. It is an inherent right of 
 
 the arch- . ..... 
 
 bishop's the see to require the attendance of the inferior clergy in his 
 the^mem^ P rovmc i a l convocation ; and a right to require attendance in- 
 bers. eludes and supposes a power of enforcing it when required : 
 that right has been ever exercised, and this coercive power 
 expressed, in the archiepiscopal mandate or summons : the re- 
 46 turns of the persons summoned 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 continuations 
 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 them proceedings his grace, 
 as presiding in person over the whole body, has either sus- 
 pended the punishment from time to time, or inflicted it upon 
 particular persons as he saw occasion ; sometimes, when busi- 
 ness of great moment was imder consideration, giving general 
 admonitions not to depart before the conclusion ; at other 
 times, licensing particular members to go away upon reason- 
 able causes alleged and approved, and at the end, either by 
 way of grace remitting the penalties threatened, or confirming 
 them by a formal execution. 
 The claim £s\\ these belonging to the archbishop, and to him alone, 
 
 ot the lower 1 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 37 
 
 upon the foundation of law and practice, it has been wondered house to a 
 how his power over the inferior clergy in point of attendance p 0 ^ er coa . 
 could be made a question ; especially when those of the lower fated. 
 house, who claim a concurrent right (though some of the de- 
 parters acted the last session as if it had been solely in that 
 house), do not 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 47 
 necessary to some purposes depending in convocation, neither ] 10Uge nave 
 the prolocutor nor the lower house can oblige him to come up n0 coercive 
 
 ....... power over 
 
 or attend longer ; nor have they any way to bring him thither their mem- 
 or to keep him there but by application to the archbishop, in bers * 
 whom the coercive power rests, and by his grace's admonition 
 and censure in case he >v ill not readily comply. So that what 
 the Narrative means in saying that they have a power of de- Ar arr .p. 49 . 
 man ding the attendance of their members 3 , 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 aimed at the proof of such a right in them- 
 selves, though they could not but see the necessity of clearing 
 that point before their way could be made to the other. 
 
 I know, they observe in another place, that the prolocutor iVarr.p.34. 
 has a power b to reserve the punishment (meaning the punish- i 0 cutor°re- 
 ment of contumacy pronounced against the absents) as well as se JJ ea P u - 
 
 . ° . mshment 
 
 the archbishop, in whose schedule it is always, immediately only in the 
 after the sentence, added, poena sibi reservata. \P02na sibi^^ 
 reservata is not the express language of the present schedule, 
 but sufficiently appears to be the meaning of it, both from the 
 
 a We deny not that his grace has, but we must add that we have like- 
 wise, a power of demanding the attendance of our members. If therefore 
 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 
 concerned. So that the member is not perfectly at liberty without leave 
 from both. — Narrative, p. 49. 
 
 b We are well assured that the prolocutor in both these cases has power 
 by virtue of his office : not reserving in the first instance the punishment 
 to himself, according to their lordships' construction of reservata poena, 
 but reserving the punishment for a synodical act, which the words, we 
 conceive, will bear as well. — Narrative, p. 34. 
 
38 The manner of 
 
 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 bi- 
 shops or clergy.] And it is easy to imagine how the person 
 upon whose sentence the guilt is contracted, reserves the exe- 
 cution of that sentence in his power ; but how a man can sus- 
 pend the infliction of the punishment who had no part in pro- 
 nouncing the guilt (which is the prolocutor's case), is not so 
 Narr.-p.34. easily comprehended. They say indeed (to avoid this absurdity, 
 I suppose), that they do not mean reserving in the first in- 
 stance the punishment to himself, according to their lordships' 
 construction of reservata pozna ; 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 
 48 be necessary to show in what instance any one member of their 
 house was ever punished for absence by a synodical act, or any 
 other way than by a sentence of suspension solemnly pro- 
 nounced by his grace, of whose authority in summoning a 
 convocation their absence is a contempt : and the punishment 
 can certainly be reserved 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 expressly mentions it as done by the direc- 
 tion of his grace. Anno 1586, sess. 1, the prolocutor and the 
 whole house being called up, Reverendissimus pater dominus 
 Cant, archiepiscopus, ob paucitatem comparentium, Sfc. inti- 
 mavit domino prolocutori absentes ob eorum contumacias 
 suspendend. fore debere, fyc. Upon this they go back, and 
 having called over the house, dominus pronunciavit eos et 
 eorum quemlibet contumaces, Sfc, reservata eorum pozna in 
 diem Mercurii, the day to which the archbishop's schedule 
 had continued the convocation and suspended the certificates. 
 Sess. 2, 3, 4. The contumacy not being yet pronounced 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 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 39 
 
 office : Ejusdem prolocutoris est monere omnes ne discedant Forma con. 
 civitate London, absque licentia reverend issimi ; quodque 
 statutis diebus tempestive veniant ad convocationem. Which 
 shows the meaning of an expression in the form whereby arch- 
 bishop Bancroft suspends three members of the lower house 49 
 for departing without leave : Cum nos, fyc. omnes et singidos Bancr. re- 
 alios decanos, fyc. et alios quoscunque in dicta convocatione slster ' 
 comparentes, et ab eadem sine licentia nostra in ea parte 
 obtenta recedentes, aut mandatis nostris licitis vel prolocu- 
 toris dictai convocations minime obtemperantes, pronuncia- 
 verimus contumaces, fyc. Here the mandatum prolocutoris 
 can signify nothing but the admonition to attend regularly at 
 the day appointed by the archbishop, given always by the pro- 
 locutor, in pursuance of the intimation thereof from his grace's 
 schedule, Monuitque omnes, Sfc. 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 
 declared against their meeting on those days ; and it is plain 
 from hence that no authority but that of his grace can war- 
 rant such an admonition. 
 
 But as to the leave to depart, and the place of application, The prolo- 
 in these, we see, the forecited passage directs us solely to the give^o* 11 
 archbishop ; whose license either immediate, or by the prolo- leave but 
 cutor, the conveyer 01 his grace s pleasure to the house in all e red by the 
 other particulars, is absolutely necessary. In 1586, sess. 10, P re91tlent - 
 after the admonition to be present according to his grace's 
 schedule, the Journal, as I observed 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 1 640, over 
 against the name of one of the proctors for Glocester diocese, ^ Q 
 venia Mri. prolocutor, ratione mortis filii. In other parts of that 
 catalogue we find the archbishop's leave in such cases directly v. Supr. 
 expressed ; 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 Narr.y.49, 
 concurrent with that of his grace, they do not make the prolo- 
 cutor, but the house, the subject of that power : " If either the 
 
40 
 
 The manner of 
 
 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 concerned : so that the member is not perfectly at 
 liberty without leave from both." How groundless this notion 
 is, I have proved 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 interposed directly or indirectly in that matter) and not 
 the archbishop, who as he has been proved 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 mes- 
 sages 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 licensed to depart. 
 The But be the claim of such a power in the house as groundless 
 
 pracHcesTof an( l unprecedented as it will, it is in fact certain, that it was 
 the last openly and frequently exercised by the majority of the last 
 
 lower house 1 J * J 
 
 in giving lower clergy. — Sess. 7. Et tunc venerabiles vim subsequentes 
 absent°and pvtwrunt Ucentiam sese absentandi ab hac domo ; cui con- 
 
 admitting sensum fait ab hac domo. — Sess. 13. "Two persons desired 
 
 11 ° X leave to go into the country." Sess. 20. "Mr. Archdeacon 
 
 desired leave to go into the country to hold his visitation." 
 
 In the twenty-fourth session, another member asked the same 
 favour ; as in the twenty-seventh, not only leave for absence 
 was desired, 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. 
 
 m CHAPTER III. 
 
 A— 
 
 No power in the lower house to admit or deny proxies. 
 
 The lower It is upon the supposition of a power in the house to admit 
 house have or f | e proxies, that they build their claim of a right to give 
 
 no power to J 1 •> . 
 
 admit or or deny leave. So the Narrative represents it ; " But the 
 proxies. power of the lower house to admit or deny proxies, which has 
 A^drr.p.50. been always exercised, and never disputed, what else is it but a 
 power of giving or denying leave to be absent V It was wisely 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 41 
 
 done, to obtrude this doctrine 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 explained how at the 
 opening of the convocation the archbishop appoints a commis- 
 sioner to inspect and receive proxies of all kinds, and to judge 
 of the fitness of the person substituted ; to examine the causes 
 of absence, and to admit or reject the several excuses for non- 
 attendance ; those, I mean, that are then offered in pursuance 
 of the clause in his grace's mandate, which declares that none 
 shall be excused, nisi ex causa necessaria tunc ibidem alle- 
 ganda et probanda ac per nos approbanda. 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 the same obligation in law not to depart in the 53 
 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 itself 
 a legal and entire discharge from attending at all, why is it not 
 a sufficient warrant to depart before the attendance be entirely 
 paid ? 
 
 Agreeable to the law of convocation, the practice has been, Proxies 
 as to apply to the president for leave to depart and substitute J° d s ed ™ th 
 
 1 1 » 1 m 1 the register 
 
 a proxy, so to enter proxies of that kind in the register of the of the upper 
 upper house. To which purpose the extracts out of the upper house '- 
 house books anno 1541 conclude with the following note; 
 "Memorandum : in fine libri inseruntur constitutions et sub- 
 stitutiones in convocation praidicta ex licentia reverendis- 
 simi ; ubi habentur scripta diversarum absolutionum eorum 
 qui absentes erant." 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 me- 
 morandum entered at the archdeacon of Derby's name is 
 
42 
 
 The manner of 
 
 remarkable to the present purpose ; Comparuit per prol. 
 
 Mr. prol. habuit procuratorium et exhibuit Mro. W. But 
 there are entries of this kind yet more distinct in the catalogue 
 before Mr. Mundy's minutes of 1 66 1 , where the actuary of the 
 lower house notes thus : 
 
 54 Archidiaconus Col. constitute dom. Porey ejus procurato- 
 rem, et reliquit procuratorium penes registrum. 
 
 Archidiaconus Wellen. constitute magistrum Franklin 
 S. T. P. in procuratorem; et reliquit procuratorium penes 
 registrum. 
 
 Archidiaconus Huntingdon comparuit, et constitute Do. 
 Layfield ejus procuratorem ; et reliquit procuratorium penes 
 registrum. 
 
 The enter- It is true several of the proxies we meet with in the upper 
 proxies in house-book of 1 640 are likewise taken notice of in the catalogue 
 the lower ^ before the minutes of the lower : and the reason is obvious ; 
 no argu- because they were to be produced and exhibited there, when- 
 their right ever house were occasionally to divide upon any point, 
 to admit 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 there- 
 fore 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 considered 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 : i . That by archbishop 
 Whitgift's table, he alone has a right to the fee assigned for 
 exhibiting such proxies. 2. That this fee is constantly paid 
 to him, and none to the actuary of the lower house. 3. That 
 
 55 when the actuary either receives an instrument of proxy or the 
 fee of exhibiting it, the instrument is always delivered, 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. For that the actuary of 
 
 J 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 43 
 
 the lower, as well as the register of the upper, is properly the The actuary 
 president's officer, cannot be denied, when the very original l °™ er 
 table of fees for the vicar-general's office, established by arch- officer of 
 bishop Whitgift, appoints among the rest feoda actuario bishop. " 
 domus inferioris convocationis solvenda. According to which 
 table, the fees of the lower, as well as the upper house, are 
 demanded and paid ; and a copy of that table, so far as it con- 
 cerns the convocation, is entered at the beginning of the act- 
 books of each. And so I find in 1640, that he in whose book 
 the proxy was first entered commonly received the whole fees, 
 and the other only entered a memorandum that they were paid 
 (sol. Wade 7.9. Sd. or Js. ^d. is the usual note in the minutes), 
 because they were the fees of the same court, and the respective 
 proportions were assigned by the same authority. 
 
 Add to this what we meet with in their own accurate journal 
 of 1586, sess. ult., where the notary having observed his grace's 
 suspension of the absents, says, prout in ipsa schedula, penes 
 registrarium ipsius reverendissimi patris quoad superiorem 56 
 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 it is fit that sub- 
 stitutions 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 actuary'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 frecpiently licensed 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 mem- 
 bers' asking their concurrent leave, or of any doubt or scruple 
 whether those members should depart, or their proxies be ad- 
 mitted. What they claim in this case is a negative upon the 
 president ; but what can support that claim besides such testi- 
 monies 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 
 
44 
 
 The manner of 
 
 ego notarius antedictus [i. e. Tho. Barker, actuary of the lower 
 house] ex mandato doniini prolocutoris, monui omnes isto die 
 comparentes ad exhibend. et introducend. procuratoria, si 
 quai habeant, ad comparend. pro absentibus citatis ad com- 
 5 7 parend. in hac sacra synodo prox. sessione. That the prolo- 
 cutor could give this admonition by his own authority, is incon- 
 sistent 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 arch- 
 bishop. At their first meeting after a prorogation the presi- 
 dent 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. et introdu- 
 cend. 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 
 The late proxies, these two claims must of course fall together. But, 
 ties^'this * na * some ^ a * e practices may not grow into precedents, it seems 
 business of to be a necessary inquiry, and I hope they who are concerned 
 proxies. w m make it in time, how the instances recorded in the acts of 
 the late lower house are to be reconciled to the constitution or 
 usage of an English convocation. 
 
 Sess. 16, May 5. Et postea Georgius Fulham S.T.P. ex- 
 hibuit procuratorium speciale sub manu et sigillo Thomo3 
 Sayer S.T.P. archidiaconi archidiaconatus Surrioz, conce- 
 dens potestatem dicto Georgio Fulham, nec non Samueli 
 Palmer, comparendi pro eo in convocatione hac die. Quod 
 Domini admiserunt. 
 58 Sess. 27, Jan. 23. "Mr. Bridges prayed 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 mota quaistione de numero procuratoriorum 
 per quodlibet membrum in hac domo exhibendorum, decre- 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 45 
 
 verunt nemini licitum esse, de ccetero, ultra numerum trium 
 in hujusmodi domo exhibere. 
 
 Sess. 8. Decreverunt et declararunt, " That the proctors 
 for the clergy may make proxies, pursuant to the former 
 practice of this house, though such proctors have not appeared 
 personally." 
 
 Which former practice, I fear, consists not of above one in- 
 stance ; and yet even that is more than they have, to warrant 
 this interposing in the regulation of proxies. In the extracts 
 out of the upper house books, anno 1 584, we meet with an 
 order, " That none be hereafter proxy for a dean or arch- 
 deacon but one of the lower house ;" and a question moved at ' 
 the same time, " Whether fit that a clean or archdeacon of the 
 lower house should be clerk of the convocation." In the lower 
 house books we likewise find orders made for preserving de- 
 cency 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 at- 
 tendance of members, is more than I have yet been able to 
 discover. For I cannot think that those substitutions in the 59 
 first of cpieen Mary, and the order then passed for a liberty 
 to choose 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 imme- 
 diate 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. 
 
 If it be said, as it was by some at the beginning, that though The addi- 
 the additional leave of the house be not necessary, it can how- o^ehouse 
 ever do no harm, it may be remembered, that in the eye of an invasion 
 the law no kind of possession is so tender as that of jurisdic- sident'sau- 
 tion, nor any invasions so strictly forbidden as the unwar- tnorit y- 
 rantable 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 enjoyed by 
 his predecessors, of which he is not the proprietor, but rather 
 the guardian ; of a thing not at his own disposal, but that 
 
46 
 
 The manner of 
 
 which he is bound in conscience to transmit entire to posterity. 
 And when the same laws have moreover vested in him a co- 
 ercive power, sufficient to defend that jurisdiction, he must be 
 excused, when men will not be otherwise kept within their 
 proper bounds, if he be forced into a resolution not to lose the 
 one for want of using the other. 
 
 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 ser- 
 viceable 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 
 overlooked. In that, even their own principles forsake them ; 
 
 Narr. p.49. which, with a power in the house to give leave, assert the 
 necessity of having the president's too. 
 
 Thus have I considered at large the power of the president 
 to require the attendance of the inferior clergy in convocation ; 
 who therefore, when their privileges were either endangered 
 or actually invaded, have applied to the upper house as the 
 known guardians thereof. In the year i486, Feb. 17, I find 
 the prolocutor making his request in form, that the clergy 
 may enjoy their ancient privileges: Et petitum erat per prce- 
 fatum prolocutorem, ut prcelati et clerus ad convocationem 
 evocati, suis gaudeant antiquis privilegiis et libertate. Cui 
 reverendissimus pater respondebat, quod in quantum poterit, 
 voluit ea observari. In the same manner, at the opening of 
 the convocation, ann. 1.488, Mr. Hwmjridus ojjicium \_prolocu- 
 toris] in se assumens, humiliter petiit ut sancta mater eccle- 
 sia, ac eorum clerus, ad dictam convocationem congregatus, 
 suis juribus, immunitatibus, et privilegiis hactenus sibi in- 
 dultis gaudere possint. 
 
 61 But more near and direct to the point in hand are the ap- 
 plications of the lower clergy to the upper house, upon inter- 
 ruptions in their attendance, praying protection according to 
 the statute 8 Hen. VI. c. 1 , which gives them a freedom from 
 arrests, &c. equal with the members of parliament. 
 
 Anno 1603. The prolocutor had two subpoenas served upon 
 him: he complained to the president (sess. 19), and care was 
 
opening a convocation. 
 
 47 
 
 taken to have one of the offenders arrested in a legal way ; 
 and then being convened 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 upper house. 
 
 Anno 1634, M a y The extracts out of the upper house 
 register have this note : "A petitory letter to the bishop of 
 Lincoln, lord keeper, to supersede a subpoena served 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 e curia scaccarii esse executum in doctorem 
 Burgis archidiaconum Roffen. et petiit privilegium convoca- 
 tionis. Unde reverendissimus pater dominus archiepiscopus 
 voluit ipsum prolocutoreyn cum consensu domus inferioris ad 
 concipiendum actum quid eis in hoc negotio expedire vide- 
 bitur, et ad transmittendum istum actum ad hanc domum 
 superiorem, ut ipse et confratres sui de eodem considerent. 
 
 The only observation I shall make upon these instances is, 62 
 that the honourable house of commons, having a power to re- 
 quire 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 con- 
 vocation, if the members thereof had a separate right in them- 
 selves to take cognizance of these matters. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 63 
 
 The election and office of a prolocutor. 
 
 While the archbishop, bishops, and clergy were used to 
 debate in a body, the clergy, upon any emergency that required 
 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 distinguished by 
 speaking in their name. From thence he had the style of 
 prolocutor and organum cleri ; and, from his relating to the 
 president and bishops the effect of their debates, that of refe- 
 rendarius. 
 
48 
 
 The election and office 
 
 Prolocu- i . At first they were chosen only for particular occasions ; 
 
 tors at first » .1 ■> • n i 1 i» j» ix. . j ■ ' ■ 
 
 chosen only * or these being over, we find no marks ot a farther design m 
 upon some the choice, or a longer continuance in the office. 
 
 single occa- , . m , , . , 
 
 sion. Anno 1394. reb. 17. Ihe 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 ce- 
 teris prailatis et procuratoribus cleri quod venirent de 
 
 domo capitulari ad capellam beatai Maria? coram eo et dictis 
 
 64 mffraganeis suis, gravamina, siqum haberent, de et super 
 quibus pra'tendebant se gravatos, ac reformanda si qum sci- 
 re at, proposituri. Quibus ad dictam capellam venientibus, 
 surrexit quidam venerabilis vir Mr. Johannes Maydenhetli 
 nomine cleri provincial antedictaz, et certos articulos ex parte 
 cleri provincial, antedictai conceptos et quamplurima grava- 
 mina continentes perlegebat. 
 
 Anno 1400, Nov. 10. The archbishop calls for the articles 
 of the clergy ; and ex eorum communi consensu per maims 
 venerabilis viri Mri. Roberti Hallum archid. Cant, dictos 
 articulos in scripta redactos coram dicto reverendissimo pa- 
 tre et suffraganeis suis unanimiter produxerunt. 
 
 Anno 1408. The opinion of the clergy having been re- 
 quired, ipsi de clero eodem, nomine et vice suis, per vene- 
 rabilem virum magistrum Henricum Ware officialem curiae 
 Cant, in legibus licentiatum, prcefatis majoribus prailatis, 
 $c. 
 
 Three years after, anno 141 1, 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 curiai Cant, officialis et Philippus Morgan 
 utriusque juris doctor, nonnullas inconvenierJias et grava- 
 mina pro et ex parte cleri, cujus gerebant organa vocis, ex- 
 posuenmt, quai in scriptis redacta exhibuerunt. 
 
 And not only the lower clergy in general, bu* the proctors 
 of the religious houses in particular, are said to offer their 
 resolutions per prolocutorem ; the name, as well as the extent 
 
 65 of the office, agreeing equally to any person representing the 
 
 sense of a body Anno 1437, May 10. Concesserunt iidem 
 
 religiosi Sec. sub certis modis et formis, in quadam cedula, 
 
of a prolocu tor. 49 
 
 per abbatem Oloucestria' prolocutorem ipsorum religiosorwm 
 porrecta, content. 
 
 II. The first instance we meet with of a prolocutor regu- when the 
 larly chosen at the beeinnino; of the convocation, was that of P roloc " t6w 
 
 » ° ~ . were chosen 
 
 William Lyndewood the famous canonist : the manner of which at the be- 
 election is thus represented in the register : convoca- 0 ' 
 
 Anno 1425. April 24. Reverendissimus pater causas con- f on. 
 vocationis sum exposuit et explanavit. Quibus expositis, 
 decani, archidiacoui, et procuratores capitulorum et cleri, de 
 mandato dicti reverendissimi patris traxerunt se in domum 
 inferiorem sub domo prcedicta capitulari, ut de hujusmodi 
 causis tractarent, et unum referendarium sive prolocutorem 
 ex seipsis eligerent, qui vice eorum omnium et singulorum 
 causas exponeret et responsa. Qui in domum prmdict. se 
 recolligentes, mag. Willelmum Lyndewode, utriusque juris 
 doctorem, officialem curia; de arcubus, in referendarium et 
 prolocutorem hujusmodi elegerunt. 
 
 After this we meet with several persons in several convo- 
 cations 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, fyc. fecit ad se vocari clerum provinciai sua} 
 antedictce. Quo clero comparente, dictus reverendissimus 
 pater interrogavit venerabilem virum mag. Thomam Be- 
 kyngton, prolocutorem cleri, si clerus communicasset et con- 
 
 clusisset super istis punctis sive dubiis Anno 1438. Idem 66 
 
 clerus per magistrum Thomam prolocutorem suum de contri- 
 buendo ad expensas transmittendorum ad concilium petiit et 
 
 dictis dominis supplicavit humiliter excusari. Ann. eod. 
 
 They make another excuse from a subsidy per magistrum 
 
 Johannem Ly ndefeld suum prolocutorem. Anno 1439. 
 
 Richardus Andrevj, curiae Cant. offi.cialis, though not chosen 
 at the first, is mentioned 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 Lyndewood we meet 
 with no regular choice before the year 1452, when the arch- 
 
 GIBSON. E 
 
.50 
 
 The election and office 
 
 bishop, as in that other instance, explained to them the causes 
 of the convocation, and then commanded them to retire to their 
 house and choose a prolocutor. But as that is the very first 
 
 The first instance of choosing, so is this of presenting him : Egregi- 
 
 presentinga umque virion in prolocutorem cleri, ut prcemittitur, electum 
 prolocutor, reverend is simo patri, reverend isque jxitribus pra>sentando. 
 
 He declined the office, usque adeo quod dictus reverendissimus 
 pater sibi in virtute obedien tial praidictum onus ut assumeret, 
 injunxit. Quo audito dictus electus, fyc. onus hujusmodi in 
 se nolens volens assumpsit. So again, 
 
 Anno 1460, we meet with the same circumstances : Reve- 
 rendissimus demandavit omnibus de inferiori domo, quod illuc 
 accederent, et prolocutor em eligerent. They chose the arch- 
 bishop's official, ac ipsum (ut moris est) coram archiepiscopo 
 
 67 et aliis confratribus et preelatis praisentabant Tandem, 
 
 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 arch- 
 Thead- bishop, it is said, Quam prcesentationem dominus admisit ; 
 crafirma" as m some of the convocations that follow, the style is admisit 
 tion of a e i acceptavit ; and yet nearer to our own times, approbavit et 
 
 prolocutor . 
 
 by the pre- confirmavit, de consensu confratrum : which consent is gene- 
 bishops ntl ra % expressed or at least implied, 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 
 choosing and confirming, which archbishop Parker lays down 
 as an established 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, ibique de viro doctoj^io et fideU in pro- 
 locutorem suum assumendo consultdntes unanimiter consen- 
 tiant et eligant, sicque electum ipsi reverendissimo in eadem 
 domo capitulari prox. insequen. sessione, debita cum solemp- 
 
 nitate praisentent. And when they come to present him, 
 
 Reverendissimus, fyc. ipsam electionem sua archiepiscopali 
 auctoritate e.rpresse confirm a re et approbave non dedigna- 
 bitur. 
 
of a prolocutor. 
 
 51 
 
 III. The office also of a prolocutor, with the end of its insti-The office 
 tution, are exactly described by the same archbishop, according cutor . 
 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 coufusionem, 68 
 igitur semper hactenus observation fait, ut units aliquis 
 doctus et disertus ex gremio dicta; inferioris domus in eorum 
 omnium locum ad hoc munus assumatur, ut is intellectis et 
 scrutatis cwterorum omnium votis tanquam unum eorum 
 omnium os et organum loquatur, et consonant eorum senten- 
 tiam eidem reverendissimo, cum ad hoc rogatus seu missus 
 fuerit, ceteris silentibus.Jideliter referat. Qui ex hoc munere 
 referendarius sive proloquutor commuhiter denominatur. This, Theimme- 
 as we have shown, and the name implies, was the immediate ^^p^' 
 
 end of making it an office in convocation, viz. the reporting the their an- 
 
 • swcrs* 
 
 resolutions of the clergy to the archbishop and bishops, by 
 whom they were directed, as occasion required, 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 sat, they 
 came back thither in a body, and the prolocutor, styled by 
 them organum cleri and vocis sua; organum, had no more to 
 do but to deliver the general sense of the clergy in the pre- 
 sence 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 confirmed and allowed to be their standing The bring- 
 prolocutor, this of course drew on a new addition to that office, ™| ^ ck 
 the reporting to the lower house the commands and admonitions structions 
 of the upper. Which branch, omitted by archbishop Parker °f d ^ arid 
 in his Form of a Convocation, when he had only the original bishops, 
 institution in his eye, is afterwards mentioned in his speech, 69 
 an. I57 2 - Q u ^ \_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 ; 
 
 E 2 
 
52 
 
 The election and office 
 
 and so by this office the inconveniences of debating together 
 are avoided, and vet the synod remains in effect as united 
 as ever. 
 
 Again, as canons and other ecclesiastical affairs 0 , which 
 before had been no where considered but in a synod of bishops, 
 came to be passed and framed in convocation, the business of 
 the lower clergy, as well as of the bishops, increased, and upon 
 both these accounts the retirements of the clergy became more 
 frecpaent ; till at last, preserving the same union 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 removed from the immediate government of 
 the president as moderating the debates of the whole body, this 
 H |' °th~ bought on ^ ne necess ity of a standing moderator in the debates 
 debafes. of the lower house, whom the foresaid archbishop describes in 
 the office of a prolocutor, Qui et vestras disceptationes, ne aut 
 longius producantur, aut acrius vehement hi sque tractentur, 
 temperet. 
 
 The prolo- This being a true state of the office and institution of a pro- 
 suppiies the locutor, it is strange how that fancy of making the prolocutor 
 president's a president by his own authority in the lower house could 
 enter into the thoughts of any one who had ever looked into 
 our acts of convocation. The several branches of this office, it 
 is plain, are only executions of what the president formerly did 
 70 in person, and now does by the prolocutor, solemnly admitted 
 and confirmed for these ends. While the bishops and clergy 
 
 c " I hope when he speaks of the original constitution, he does not mean 
 that an English convocation was originally separated into two houses. If 
 he do, the ancient acts already produced to shew that this separation was 
 late and gradual, sufficiently confute him. The clergy for a long time sat 
 in the same house with the archbishop and bishops, by whom they were 
 occasionally directed to retire to some other place upon matters in which 
 their separate resolutions were necessary, or their advice or opinion called 
 for. As business increased, these retirements became more frequent, and 
 grew by degrees into a state of debating separately, the archbishop con- 
 tinuing as much their president as before. A prolocutor was appointed to 
 maintain the union of the synod by a conveyance of instructions from the 
 upper house and applications and answers from the lower; besides a right 
 in his grace and the bishops to send up for the clergy in a body or in such 
 numbers as the occasion may require." — The Pretended Independence, Sfc. 
 P- 33- 
 
of a prolocutor 
 
 53 
 
 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 prolo- 
 cutor. In that united state his grace delivered 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, though 
 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. 
 
 To this purpose, I mean the prolocutor's supplying the arch- J 1 ^ P r °*°" 
 bishop's place among the inferior clergy, it is observable, that the begin- 
 Lyndewood and six of the prolocutors who came after, viz. n ' n s officers 
 
 * 1 of the arch- 
 
 Bekyington, Lyndefekl, Andrew, Byconill, Stokys, and Pyken- bishop's 
 ham, were all officers immediately under the archbishop; the court ' 
 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th, his officials; the 3rd, decanus curioz 
 Cant., the 6th, auditor causarum, and the last his chancellor. 
 And I find some others to be the very same persons who were 
 commissioned to receive and examine the returns of the bishops, 
 a business that was ordinarily performed 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's court, I add not to the rest, whose offices are expressly 
 mentioned. Nor is my observation upon these seven, succes- 
 sively prolocutors and at the same time officers under the arch- 7 1 
 bishop, 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 lord- 
 ships. 
 
 With the same design, and no other, I add the following Prolocutor 
 instances of the president's recommending to the lower clergy recom- 
 the choice of particular persons, who were accor dingly elected, "ended by 
 
 1 . 1 0 •> the presi- 
 
 Anno 1562. Archbishop Parker ordered the clergy to retire dent, 
 to the choice, commendans Mis maxime decanum ecclesioi 
 cathedralis D. Pauli London, Alexandrum Noivel ; and we 
 find him presented and confirmed in form the next session. 
 
54 
 
 The election and office 
 
 Anno 1588. the dean of St. Paul's ex parte reverendissimi 
 patris Joh. Cant, archiep. significavit ut ad electionem futuri 
 prolocutoris procedere licite et libere valeant et possint ; et 
 commendavit eis venerabilem virum magistrum Johannem 
 Styll tunc ibidem pra>sentem. Unde omnes tunc prozsentes 
 uno ore eundem magistrum Johannem Styll sine mora in 
 eorum et dicti coetus inferioris domus cleri prolocutorem et 
 referendarium concorditer unanimi consensu nominarunt et 
 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 w h e ther the president recommended or no, it is certain 
 
 or leave of •* , 
 
 the presi- that the clergy have never used to proceed to their election 
 
 sar^hefore" without the antecedent order or leave of his grace: reveren- 
 they can dissimus demandavit pra'cepit monuit has been and is the 
 theThoice. language in which our registers ordinarily express it : and in 
 7 2 the convocation of 1586, as well as that of 1588, which I just 
 now mentioned, the archbishop's leave is directly expressed in 
 the journal of the lower house : the dean of St. Paul's, ex parte 
 reverendissimi, Sfc. significavit ut ad electionem futuri prolo- 
 cutoris pn-ocedere licite et libere valeant et possint; but with- 
 out any recommendation accompanying the notice. 
 In case of And as in the beginning, so in the middle of a convocation, 
 promotion, m ^ ne case °f death or promotion of a prolocutor, a new 
 no new election is not yet pretended to be made without the president's 
 
 election but -it • L 
 
 by the pre- special direction. Ihus, 
 
 sidents Anno i <4 1. Reverend issimus evocari fecit clerum inferioris 
 
 order. J \ _ • / > J 
 
 domus; quibus exposuit illos debere eligere novum prolocu- 
 torem per mortem D. Owent. 
 
 Anno 1677. Cleri hujus domus coram reverendis do minis 
 episcopis personaliter comparentes, et requisiti ut recederent 
 in domum suam propriam, et eligerent aliquam personam 
 idoneam e gremio ipsorum in prolocutorem sive referenda- 
 rium convocationis pra>sentis, loco ultimi, nuper in archiepi- 
 scopum Cant, promoti. 
 
 Anno 1661. Febr. j8. Pra>sidens, Sfc. voluit ad se accersiri 
 clerum domus inferioris convocationis ; quibus advenientibus 
 dictus dominus prwsidens antedictns in verbis Latinis con- 
 
of a prolocutor. 
 
 55 
 
 ceptis eosdem cleros dicta domus inferioris monuit quatenus 
 ad solitum et consuetum conventus sui locum sese conferentes, 
 union virum gravem doctum et peritum de gremio suo pro- 
 videant et eligant in eorum prolocutorem et referendarium in 
 loco reverendi viri Henrici Fearne, sacrce theohgice prqfesso- 73 
 rig, ultimi prolocutoris, ratione promotionis suai ad episco- 
 patum Cestren. jam vacan. 
 
 Anno 1664. Nov. 25. Dominus episcopus London, cleros 
 dictai domus inferioris monuit quatenus ad solitum et con- 
 suetum conventus sui locum sese conferentes unum virum, Sfc. 
 eligant in eorum prolocutorem et referendarium in loco vene- 
 rabilis viri Johannis Barivick, sacrce tlieologice professoris, 
 ratione ejus mortis jam vacan. 
 
 2. The person chosen upon the order or leave of the arch- Prolocutor 
 bishop is solemnly presented to his grace and his brethren for gented to™ 
 their confirmation ; which our registers always express in } he upper 
 
 . . . .house tor 
 
 terms signifying his acceptance of him, with the conveyance ot confirma- 
 power and authority for the execution of the office : cum con- tlon ' 
 sensu fratriun admisit, acceptavit, approbavit, vatificavit, or 
 conjirmavit. 
 
 3. As he receives his authority from the archbishop and his The prolo- 
 brethren, so upon a remarkable invasion of that and of the pi^catioruo 
 privileges of convocation in his own person, we find him di- theu PP er 
 
 ... , , . . house for 
 
 rectly applying to the upper house tor protection. 1 he case protection, 
 happened in the year 1604, sess. 19, and is thus represented 
 by the Extracts out of the registers of that house : " The pro- 
 locutor complains to the bishop [presiding] that he had two 
 subpoenas served upon him by Harrington and Walker, not- 
 withstanding his privilege. The president answers, that the 
 king was acquainted with it, and that Walker was arrested for 
 it by a sergeant 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 dismissed pro tempore. 
 
 Sess. 32. Harrington brought upon his knees for serving a 74 
 subpoena 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 reckoned 
 it consistent with their duty, as members of the same convo- 
 
56 
 
 The election and office 
 
 cation with the metropolitan and bishops, to seek for refuge 
 otherwise than by recourse to their lordships, the prolocutor 
 would scarce have been suffered to bring in cpiestion the inde- 
 pendent rights of the house by such an application. 
 The prolo- Two questions remain concerning the office of a prolocutor : 
 not substi- 1 • Whether he have power in his absence to substitute another 
 tuteade- without leave from the upper house? 2. Whether, the prolo- 
 
 I'uty but . 11 
 
 by leave cutor being present, messages may regularly be sent up to the 
 ^™ the bishops by any other hand? I will not pretend to solve these 
 house. 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 received that general appointment : and his own 
 incapacity to convey such messages till he be admitted and 
 confirmed, and thereby publicly 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. 
 75 Especially if to this we add, that neither the speaker of the 
 house of commons, nor the house itself, 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 convo- 
 cation. 
 
 These presumptions are seconded by the authority of the 
 registers ; assuring us that the prolocutor has actually desired 
 leave of the upper house to make such a substitution. 
 
 Anno 1533. Sess. 3. In the upper house : Ibidem dominus 
 prolocutor D. Wolman ajjirmavit se cegrotum esse, et petiit ut 
 durante infirmitate ejus, magister Fo.r, si vellet adesse, vel 
 magister Bell, exerceret o fflcium suum ; et consensum est. 
 
 Anno 1554. At the end of the acts of the upper house we 
 find this note entered : Memorandum, quod vicesimo octavo 
 Novembris, dominus prolocutor substituit loco suo, durante 
 ejus absentia, magistros Hugonem Weston, Nicolaum et Jo- 
 hannem Harpesjield conjunctiva et divisim ad exercendum 
 officium prolocutoris ; which could no way have come into that 
 
of a prolocutor. 
 
 57 
 
 register, but that the upper house had their share in the sub- 
 stitution. 
 
 The same year certain minutes of the lower house men- 
 tioning the presentation and admission of the prolocutor, and 
 after that, a debate with the bishops in the upper house, imme- 
 diately add, Et cum prcedictus prolocutor, who had been 
 presented just before, non potuit adesse dictce convocationi, 
 substitute N. Horpesfield et Johannem Wimbleseys, the two 
 persons who had just then presented him and stayed there with 
 him, conjunctim et divisim in loco suo. 
 
 On the other hand, Ann. 1555 ^ ^ s sa ^> -Dec. Q uo die 
 dominus prolocutor substitute loco suo magistros Cole et 
 Harpesfield : but this was in a Legatin council of both pro- 
 vinces, and not in convocation ; nor have we any contemporary 76 
 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 2nd, the minutes make mention of a sub- 
 stitution, no notice whereof is taken by the register of the 
 upper house, though 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 question rests d ; whether a certainty that 
 
 d "The question is, whether a sub-prolocutor named in the lower house 
 ought to be presented to the archbishop and bishops for their confirmation. 
 Against this he produces some instances which mention a sub-prolocutor 
 in the lower house, when the contemporary registers of the upper say 
 nothing of confirming him above. We deny not the prolocutor's right to 
 act by a deputy duly substituted, nor the right of the lower house to con- 
 sent to the substitution. The sole question is, Whether the confirmation 
 of the upper house ought not regularly to be had. And do his instances 
 say that it was not necessary to apply to the upper house ? or that in fact 
 they did not apply ? or that this or that substitution was made by the sole 
 power of the lower house ? Not an instance upon record that mentions 
 such a thing. And yet these are his precedents which ' make expressly 
 for the right of the lower and against the right of the upper house, and 
 evince 150 years uninterrupted usage.' Of what ? I pray: of a thing no- 
 body ever denied, the clergy's having a sub-prolocutor as oft as their pro- 
 locutor has been kept away by sickness or business. I know no other 
 usage of which they can be precedents, or for which they can expressly 
 make. In the point before us I am sure they are at best but presumptive 
 proofs, and become such only by being compared with registers of the 
 upper house remaining entire and yet silent as to any confirmation there. 
 
I r 
 
 58 The election and office 
 
 the prolocutor has actually applied for leave to make a substi- 
 tution 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 mes- 1 The next question is, Whether, the prolocutor being present, 
 regulariy be messages may be regularly sent up to the bishops by any other 
 ranied up hand? For in the last convocation, session 14, a message was 
 prolocutor sent by Dr. Finch, but rejected by the president as irregular, 
 lent" 1 1>re because no * brought up by the prolocutor : which occasioned a 
 \ vote of the lower house, that the prolocutor himself should 
 ' carry it, but salvis juribus hujus domus. 
 
 It is true that some messages had been so sent up in the 
 convocation of 1689; but in the ninth session the irregularity 
 was observed, and the bishop of London, the then president, 
 declared to the lower house, Quod apparet per recorda domus 
 77 superioris convocationis, quod quoties et quando aliquid fuit 
 per dictum domum inferiorem superiori domo convocationis 
 propositum, prolocutor semper comparuit in propria sua per- 
 sona, aliis dictai domus secum comitantibus. 
 
 Hereupon a committee of both houses was appointed to in- 
 spect the registers : and though no report be entered in the 
 A^arr.p.45. journal of that year, and the late Narrative e affirm that they 
 
 It is true in fact that there are instances of that kind in some of the re- 
 gisters ; and as true that others expressly speak of notice and application 
 to the other house. The question is about these two sorts of evidence. 
 Ours, we say, is express, that application was certainly made : theirs pre- 
 sumptive only, that it was not made because not entered in the register. 
 The omission of an entry can amount to no more than a negative proof. 
 And some of these are on days when the bishops did not sit, others when 
 the proceedings of the day are entered in gross, and others again at times 
 of which we have no more than an index of the upper house books : and 
 each of these circumstances is an evident diminution of that proof, which 
 at best is but negative." — The Pretended Independence, c)-c. p. 75. 
 
 e " 'Twas agreed that a committee of both houses should meet that even- 
 ing to inspect the registers. But the convocation separating soon after on 
 the 14th, the committee brought in no report, nor was any thing deter- 
 mined in this matter." — Narrative, p. 45. 
 
of a prolocutor. 
 
 59 
 
 brought in none, yet the bishops who were of that committee 
 very well remember, that those of the lower house were satis- 
 fied 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 con- 
 vocation, 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 desired by the keeper of the privy 
 seal to give another, sent up a doctor of laws and the arch- 
 deacon of Canterbury for direction from the bishops, whether 
 they should proceed to the consideration of that request ; 
 though William Byconyll, the archbishop's official, was pro- 
 locutor at that time. 
 
 But, 1. In that convocation we read of no prolocutor as 
 chosen by the clergy or confirmed by the archbishop ; and 
 therefore though Byconyll 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 styled their prolocutors. 2. It does not appear that 
 Byconyll, 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 carried up on a Monday ; and the Saturday before, the 78 
 clergy had granted a subsidy on condition that the archbishop 
 would dissolve the convocation. His grace promised that he 
 would ; upon which, as the register has it, plures procura- 
 tors cleri eo proztextu ad partes suas recesserunt. And it 
 was actually dissolved 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 aimed 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, "the precedents Narr. p.45. 
 overrule this matter, it will become us to submit." 
 
60 
 
 The division of bishops and clergy 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 By what degrees the inferior clergy became a separate house 
 from the bishops. 
 
 The false The late Narrative of the lower house observes, what was 
 the late ° * 00 phiin to be denied, that in elder times the whole body of 
 Narrative the convocation used to sit too-other in the same room*. But 
 
 ot the Low- & 
 
 er House, when afterwards the same Narrative comes to speak of the 
 P* 6 - manner of their occasional retirements, and of the division into 
 two houses, the accounts are agreeable to no usage but that of 
 the last convocation. For in the registers of these ancient 
 times whereof they speak, there is not the least ground for 
 79 what they say about the retirement of the bishops from the 
 clergy, or the clergy from their bishops at their own motion, 
 and upon distinct business that belonged properly to their con- 
 sideration : 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 increased and the con- 
 venience appeared, improved by little and little into an esta- 
 blishment. 
 
 Two rea- While the bishops and clergy debated together, as they 
 retirement frequently did a long time after the regular election of a pro- 
 of the cler- Jocutor, we find the clergy occasionally directed to retire upon 
 two accounts, r. When the archbishop and bishops found it 
 necessary to debate any matter in secret; as, anno 1376, 5 Id. 
 Febr. Dominus cum confratribus mis, exclusis omnibus aids 
 
 personis, secrete deliberavit And the next day, Exclusis 
 
 omnibus alii s personis, super prcemissis deliberavit. In these 
 cases not only the clergy, but the lesser prelates also who 
 belonged to the upper house, retired ; as these latter are said 
 to have done again upon the same occasion, anno 1428, Nov. 16. 
 Aliis pradatis ad tunc ibidem in multitudine copiosa 
 
 s " In elder times the whole body of the convocation used to sit together 
 in the same room. And the lower clergy having, besides the common 
 business, distinct rights and interests of their own, were wont to separate 
 from the bishops (as their lordships for the same reason used upon the 
 like occasions to separate from them) to debate and conclude their own 
 business among themselves." —Narrative, p. 6. 
 
into two houses. 
 
 (i! 
 
 e.ristentibus. de mandato prcesidentivm se interim retrahen- 
 
 tibus ad partem domus capitularis hvyusmodi. 
 
 But the ordinary occasion of their retirement was the busi- Retirement 
 
 ness from time to time referred to their consideration by the" ^^"j 
 
 president and bishops. That this was the constant method, as sider busi- 
 
 ' oft as the archbishop thought fit at the beginning of conyo- alwayshy 
 
 cation to lay before them the causes of his calling it, will be the d "j ec " 
 * ° tion or 
 
 plain to any one who shall cast an eye upon the next chapter : archbishops 
 and the frequent instances of the same kind throughout the ^'g'" 
 course of their proceedings, to be produced in the chapter 80 
 following that, will sufficiently prove their retirement in those 
 days to have been the sole effect of business proposed 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 proposed ; but they 
 mention it frequently as done at the express command of the 
 archbishop: Anno 1369, 4 kal. Febr. I njunxit procurator ibu* 
 
 cleri quod se ad partes transferrent Anno 1379, .5 Id. 
 
 Maii, Prcecepit quod procuratores proedicti exirent And 
 
 on many other occasions their departing is said to be de man- 
 dato, 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 usage of convocation in those 
 days. 
 
 The place also to which they retired in such cases? was not The plare 
 the same from the beginning, but settled by degrees. So, t i' 1C y re tired 
 
 e " It is very well known that Henry VII. chapel was till very lately 
 made use of by the bishops as their house ; and a little chapel below stairs, 
 or a sort of vestry, as in 1685, was always fitted up for the clergy of the 
 lower house. Whenever the archbishop had occasion to say any thing to 
 the prolocutor or to the lower house, they were sent for up to Henry VII. 
 chapel : there it was the prolocutor was presented ; there every thing is 
 done that is proper to be done in the upper house ; and all acts signed by 
 the archbishop are dated thence, and among others his schedules of ad- 
 journment of that house, by which schedules the convocatio or sacra sy- 
 nodus is according to the most usual style said to be adjourned. In 
 
62 
 
 The division of bishops and clergy 
 
 uncertain Anno 1 369, 1 1 kal. Febr. Rogavit dictos religiosos, quod 
 time.' 0 " 8 se insimul traherent ad aliquam partem ecclesice et clerum 
 sua? diceceseos et prov. quod ad aliam partem ejusdem eccle- 
 
 sio2 se traherent, tractarent, et deliberarent. 4 kal. Febr. 
 
 the same year : Injunxit procuratoribus cleri relig. hujus- 
 modi, exhortando eosdem quod se ad partes in dicta ecclesia 
 transferrent, et concordarent, fyc. 
 81 Anno 1382, Nov. 19, the place is left to their own choice: 
 Quod convenirent in aliquo loco decenti et honesto, et de prat- 
 missis tractarent invicem. 
 
 Anno 1383, Dec. 3, the proctors are directed, Quod ad 
 aliquem locum in tali negotio hactenus consuetum se decli- 
 narent. 
 
 Anno 1384, May 24. Procuratores in domo scholarum in 
 coemeterio dictce ecclesia' situata ad invicem de negotiis ipsis 
 tractarent. 
 
 Anno 1394, Feb. 6. After a debate super principali causa 
 convocations between the bishops and clergy, separato clero 
 ad claustrum subtus eandem domum capitidarem, they there 
 considered of a subsidy. 
 
 Anno 1402, Oct. 30, the archbishop directed them, for the 
 choice of a committee, ut in aliquo priuato loco convenirent ; 
 
 Henry VII. chapel, as being the upper house, all the adjournments from 
 week to week, during several sessions of parliament in king Charles' reign, 
 were executed by the archbishop's commissary, whilst the clergy were 
 willingly and thankfully excused their attendance : and the same method 
 took place upon royal prorogations from time to time. Hence this chapel 
 came to be looked upon by all as the proper place where such adjourn- 
 ments and prorogations were to be made. But so it happened that by 
 the reason of the suspension of several bishops of this province in 1689 
 (the convocation meeting in the midst of winter, and the number of the 
 bishops being very small), the president and those few bishops that were 
 there accepted of the bishop of Rochester's kindness [bp. Sprat, then dean 
 of Westminster] in accommodating them with a good room in his house 
 called Jerusalem Chamber, and left the lower clergy to sit in Henry VII. 
 chapel, and saved the trouble and charge of erecting seats where they 
 used to meet. This very change of place, though merely accidental, we 
 shall find to have made great alterations in the methods of proceeding in 
 convocation, and particularly with respect to adjournments, so far as to 
 affect us to this very day ; which perhaps hath been very little thought of 
 as yet, or not considered so much as the nature of the thing may de- 
 serve." — An Expedient proposed, p. n, col. 1. 
 
into two houses. 
 
 and when they chose that committee, they are said to he in 
 
 basso sub dicta domo capitulari insimul congregati And 
 
 Nov. 10, ad dictum bassum sub domo capitular i secesse- 
 
 runt Again, anno 1404. Clero seorsim separate ad donium 
 
 bassam sub domo capitulari. And 1408, Dicto clero in valto 
 inferius sub eadem domo capitulari, fyc; where their meet- 
 ing is said, some years before this, to be more solito. Ac- 
 cordingly, 
 
 Anno 1419, the deans, archdeacons, and proctors are di- 
 rected to retire in domum suam solitam; and two years after, 
 May 7, 1421, in domum suam inferiorem. 
 
 Anno 1422, the direction is, Quod recederent de domo ca- 
 pitulari et adirent domum inferiorem; under which name, 
 simply, we find it mentioned in the succeeding convocations. 
 
 But here two things are to be observed, 
 
 1. That this was not styled the domus solita or domus sua 82 
 with reference to their constant meeting and sitting there ; for, ^ he lo . wer 
 
 ... . clergy have 
 
 many years after, we find them ordinarily with the bishops in a house for 
 the upper house at the beginning of the sessions, and present ^ bate on " 
 at the debates there ; the same that we ako 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 retired in the manner already hinted, 
 and to be explained more at large in the two following 
 chapters. 
 
 2. That this place of debate, after custom and the name The place 
 seemed to have appropriated it to the use of the clergy, waSgjj^by" 
 always thought and said to be assigned them bv the arch- tlie arch - 
 
 ... bishop. 
 
 bishop. 
 
 Which two heads are clear from the following instances : 
 Anno 1408. Clerus inferior in loco sibi deputato consti- 
 tutus. 
 
 Anno 1421, May 7. Recedentibus tunc, de mandate domini, 
 procuratoribus cleri in domum suam inferiorem, pro tracta- 
 tibus fiendis in hujusmodi convocationibus consuetam. 
 
 Anno 1421. Dominus demandavit, fyc. quod adirent do- 
 mum inferiorem solitam pro cleri jwocuratoribus, et ab anti- 
 quo in cleri convocationibus assignatam eisdem. 
 
 The next convocation, Oct. 16. Recedentibus procuratoribus 
 
64 
 
 The division of bishops and clergy 
 
 in domum inferiorem, clero pro tractatibus habendis in con- 
 vocationibus antea celebratis solitam assignari, de mandate 
 domini ad tractandum de et super materiis ipsis per domi- 
 nium, declaratis. 
 
 In the same convocation, the king's commissioner's being 
 
 83 gone, Et finita eocpositione hujusmodi, procuratores cleri de 
 mandato domini recesserunt de domo oapitulari in domum 
 inferiorem, ubi tractatus cleri procuratorum in talibus con- 
 ciliis fieri antiquitus consueverunt. 
 
 Anno 1452, Feb. 9, it is again mentioned as a place intended 
 only for these occasional retirements : the president commands 
 the clergy, Ut ad locum eis ab olim in hujusmodi actibus 
 solitum et consuetum, viz. locum inferiorem subtus dictam 
 domum capitularem, ad electionem sive nominationem futuri 
 prolocutoris cleri rite processuri, unanimiter insimul decli- 
 narent. 
 
 The sepa- From the particulars of this chapter, there arises this natu- 
 the bishops ra l account of the separation of the two houses. While they 
 and clergy me t 5 abode, and debated together in the chapter-house, their 
 
 stated upon . 0 1 
 
 the forego- separations were rare, because the occasions requiring the 
 counts retirement of the clergy were so too. As the business of con- 
 vocation increased, these retirements, and by consequencce the 
 separations, became more ordinary and frequent ; till, by de- 
 grees, 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 confirmed, 
 instead of all the rest, returning their pleasure and instructions 
 by the same hand. From hence there ensued a gradual sepa- 
 ration as to the place of debate ; the union and communication 
 in other respects remaining entire, and the correspondence 
 about the business of the synod continuing such as is suitable 
 to the known subordination of presbyters to their metropolitan 
 and bishops. 
 
 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, Sfc. fecit ad se vocari clerum; 
 
into two houses. 
 
 65 
 
 accersito clero, fyc. Who coming up, and conferring with their 
 lordships as long as the occasion of sending for them required, 
 were dismissed from further attendance at that time ; and 
 being dismissed, returned to their own house. Dimisso pro- 
 locutors, 8fc. is the ordinary style of the registers in all such 
 cases, as appears from those two of 1640 and 1661, &c, which 
 are published 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 Narr. p. 41. 
 disputed the president's right of assigning them a place, and^* irf " p ' 4 °' 
 have talked so much of their distinct capacity as derived from Answer to 
 an imitation of the house of commons' 1 , and raised so many lst ^ stter > 
 uncanonical exemptions, with I know not what degrees of in- jvarr.p.17. 
 
 herent power from the denomination of a house and their Power of 
 , , , Lower 
 
 separate debates. House, p. 2. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 85 
 
 The manner of entering upon business in convocation. 
 The members of convocation being settled by the returns of The arch- 
 the bishops made and exhibited to his grace, he, in virtue ciareTtlle 
 thereof, has a right to their attendance, as thev have to pro- causes of 
 
 ... . . . i the convo 
 
 ceed with him in the business of convocation. And therefore, cation, 
 the bishops and clergy being together in one body at the open- 
 ing 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 
 
 h " We dispute not the archbishop's power of calling the convocation 
 to St. Paul's or Westminster or Lambeth, if the king's mandate leave it to 
 his grace's discretion. But in every such general place we find that by 
 the ancient practice the lower house are to have 'locum solitum ab anti- 
 quo assignatum iisdem domum suam solitam locum convenientem 
 
 more solito;' and if such an one be assigned us ; we shall not complain. 
 It seems not improbable that such an assignation formerly was an effect 
 of his grace's care in providing for us, rather than a confinement of us by 
 his authority. But at present it is certain that their lordships, as well as 
 we, must own that we are obliged to the dean and chapter of Westminster, 
 and not to the archbishop, for the convenient accommodations that either 
 of us have in that church." — Narrative, p. 40. 
 GIBSON. F 
 
66 
 
 The manner of entering 
 
 that time. So archbishop Parker- explains the custom of his 
 Vorma own and former ages : Reverendissimus ad episcopos et clerum 
 tunc prazsentes Anglice sive Latine causam sui adventus ac 
 dictai convocationis inchoataz exponit. And another more 
 early directory for the first day of convocation in Edward VI.'s 
 
 time " The clergy of the inferior house to he called up to 
 
 the chapter ; his grace to declare the cause of this convo- 
 cation." 
 
 The clergy At the same time that the registers speak of the president's 
 retire! and declaring the causes of the convocation in this solemn manner, 
 b^ifth 1 " ^ey generally add that the clergy were thereupon required 
 business of to go down to their house and confer about the matter pro- 
 tion a^de P osec ^ *° them by his grace ; who also very frequently enjoined 
 dared by the return of their answers within a certain time. 
 bishop 0 . 11 Anno 1369, kal. Febr. The archbishop (assidentibus confra- 
 tribus, Sfc. et procuratoribus Cant, provincial coram eo, Sfc.) 
 86 explains to them the necessities of the kingdom, and proposes 
 a supply ; and then it follows, et super petitione prazdicta, 
 rogavit dictos religiosos quod se insinud traherent ad ali- 
 quam partem ecclesioz prazdictw, et clerum suai diozceseos et 
 prov. quod ad aliam partem ejusdem ecclesiai se traherent, 
 tractarent, et deliberarent de petitione predict, quid et quan- 
 tum concedere velint ; et deliberatione habita per eosdem, sibi 
 referre et intimare de voluntate eorum in dicta domo capi- 
 tulari super prozmissis die crastino. 
 
 Anno 1379, May 9. The archbishop explains the occasions 
 of the meeting, " Reformation and subsidy ;" and then, habita 
 in domo capitulari inter prailatos et procuratores quadam 
 deliberatione super materia convocationis, idem pater in- 
 junxit singulis procuratoribus quod eodem die post prandium 
 
 in dicto loco comparerent tractaturi super materia 
 
 antedicta. 
 
 Anno 1383, Dec. 2. The archbishop explains the cause of 
 the convocation's meeting ; and the next session, prazcepit pro- 
 curatoribus quod ad aliquem locum in tali negotio hactenus 
 consuetum se declinarent, ac de et super negotio, Sfc. per 
 ipsum eis exposito, diligenter tractarent, et super delibera- 
 tione sua in ea parte responsum sibi et confratribus suis, 
 ibidem protunc personaliter existentibus, meliori modo et 
 forma quibus poterant, prozberent. 
 
upon business in convocation. 
 
 67 
 
 Anno 1399, Oct. 8. Coram domino comparuerunt persona- 
 liter reverendi in Christo patres, fyc. et prwlatorum et cleri 
 provincial antedictce procuratores ; et exposita ibidem per 
 dominvm causa convocations, tractabant ipse dominus et 
 reverendi patres episcopi per se de negotiis communibus eccle- 
 sia}, aliis prcelatis et procuratoribus cleri seorsim separatis. 
 
 Anno 1408, July 23. The archbishop explains the causes of 
 their meeting ; and then, clero vero inferiori a prafatis ma- 
 joribus pr&latis seorsim separato, et in scholis theologian sub 
 domo capitulari prafata juxta assignationem archiepiscopi 
 conveniente more solito, iidem venerabiles patres, Sfc. 
 
 Anno 1415, Nov. 18. Reverendissimus pater conveniens in 
 domo capitulari ecclesia? S. Pauli cum suffraganeis suis, ab- 
 batibus, prioribus, decanis, archidiaconis et procuratoribus 
 cleri S1102 provincial in multitudine copiosa, exposuit eis causas 
 sum convocationis ; quibus expositis, decani, archidiaconi, et 
 procuratores capitulorum et cleri, de mandato dicti reveren- 
 dissimi patris traxerunt se in domum inferiorem sub domo 
 prozdict. capitulari, et intra tempus modicum redeuntes, Sfc. 
 concesserunt domino nostro regi duas decimas. 
 
 Anno 1419. Archiepiscopo, confratribus suis, pradatisque 
 et clero praidictis 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 et 
 cleri procuratoribus, quod recederent in domum suam solitam, 
 et quod ibidem de et super materiis praidictis tractarent et 
 communicarent, fyc. Unde ipsi statim, ut eis fuerat assig- 
 nation, recesserunt de domo capitulari praidicta ; prafatis 
 reverendissimo patre, confratribus suis episcopis, ac abba- 
 tibus et prioribus provincial suaz remanentibus, et insimul 
 tractantibus de et super materiis antedictis. 
 
 Anno 1422. Dominus cum confratribus suis prailatisque 
 et clero in domo capitulari insimul congregatis. They de- 
 bated for some time in common about the business of the con- 
 vocation ; and at last, Dominus demandavit publice et in 
 genere omnibus cleri procuratoribus tunc ibidem praisentibus, 
 quod recederent de domo capitulari et adirent domum inferi- 
 orem solitam pro cleri procuratoribus et ab antiquo in cleri 88 
 
 v 2 
 
6'8 
 
 The manner o f entering 
 
 convocation! bus assignatam eisdem. ibidem insimul tractaturi 
 tie habendo subsidio jtra libato : et dominus dixit se et con- 
 fratres suos facere Mud idem. 
 
 Anno 1424. Domino cum confratribus mis nonnullis. pra;- 
 latisque et cleri procuratoribus in domo capitulari, fyc. do- 
 minus causas et modum convocationis Mius publice decla- 
 ravit ; habitisque nonnuUis commioiicationibus de et super 
 causis ipsis, recedentibusque procuratoribus in domum infe- 
 riorem clero pro tractatibus habendis in convocationibus 
 antea celebratis solitam assignari, de mandato domini ad 
 tractandum de et super materiis ij)sis per dominion de- 
 claratis. 
 
 Anno 1425. Compare/dibit.* in domo capitulari coram reve- 
 rendissimo, fyc. archidiaconis, clerique procuratoribus in 
 multitudine copiosa ad tunc jwazsentibus, eisdem exposuit et 
 explanavit. Quibus expositis, decani, archidiaconi, et pro- 
 curators capitulorum et cleri, de mandato dicti reverendis- 
 sirni patris traxerunt se in domum inferiorem sub domo prce- 
 dicta capitulari, at de hujusmodi causis tractarent, et unum 
 referendarium sive pra?locutorem ex seipsis eligerent, qui vice 
 eorum omnium et singulorum causas exponeret et responsa. 
 
 Anno 1426. Comparentibus coram reverendissimo ])atre, 
 fyc. archidiaconis, cleriquoque procuratoribus in multitudine 
 
 copiosa the archbishop recited to them the condemnation 
 
 1 of William Russel: wide dominus petiit a clero ut deliberarent 
 per quan) viam contra fautores hareticorum hujusmodi esset 
 procedend. et habita aliquali communicatione super hoc, 
 domimis assignavit procuratoribus cleri jiroedietis, ut post 
 prandium ejusdem diei in domum inferiorem eisdem consue- 
 tam se colligerent , et super hujusmodi negotio communicarent. 
 
 Anno 1428. The archbishop. &c. decants, archidiaconis, 
 8y clerique procuratoribus tunc pra?sentibus, explains the causes 
 of calling* the convocation : and the next dav he sends his 
 chancellor to the convocation, qui intimavit quod voluntas 
 domini erat. quod pra?lati pro parte sua et clems pro parte 
 5 sua eligerent certas personas. fyc. qua; inter se communicarent 
 et deliberate viderent. quomodo et qua via esset melius et 
 expediting procedend. contra ho?reticos. 
 
 Anno 1428. The archbishop. &c. cum decanis quoque, et 
 archidiaconis. ac pr&latis aliis. et cleri procuratoribus, opens 
 
ii /ton business in convocation. 
 
 69 
 
 the causes of the convocation in the usual manner, prcesertim 
 pro idiqua provisione facienda contra hareticos, Sec. Then, 
 Clero et procuratoribus in solitam dornum irtferiorem de 
 viand ato domini recedentibus', dominus cum confratribus mis 
 et pralatis communicationem habuit de et super provisione 
 seu ordinatione hujusmodi facienda contra malitiam hazreti- 
 corum. 
 
 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 dissolved the council of Basil. Dominus 
 
 mandavit clero et procurator ibus, quod ad dornum suam 
 solitam se diverterent, et insimul bene et mature ac cum deli- 
 beratione se avisarent, quomodo in materia pradicta et sub 
 qua forma esset procedendum. 
 
 Anno 1433. Dominus, Sec. exposuit clero causam convoca- 
 
 tionis. Insuper dominus movit coram eodem clero quozdam 
 
 dubia. Et post istas dubitationes niotas, Sfc. quasivit 
 
 dominus a clero quid in his esset finaliter dicendum seu sen- 
 
 tiendum. Et clerus respondit, quod quum dicta motiva, 
 
 essent talia, quoz non fuerant a pluribus eorum per antea 
 perfecte communicata nec laborata, 8fc. oporteret eos de 
 licentia domini et suorum confratrum, 8fc. quandam habere 
 deliberationem et communicationem specialem : quod dominus 
 libere concessit. 
 
 Anno 1438. Dominus assidentibus sibi confratribus s 11 is 
 
 episcopis, ac aliis prozlatis et clero ibidem existeutibus, inti- 
 
 rnavit eisdem causas convocationis sua. De his causis 
 
 desideravit dictus reverendissimus pater deliberationem ha- 
 bere communem, et super hoc mandavit clero ut in domo infe- 
 rior^ convenirent et super istis diligentur communicarent. 
 
 The same year, upon a prorogation from May 14 to Oct. 6. 
 Archiej>iscopus, Src. recitando plura suadebat pradatis et 
 clero tunc ibidem existeutibus, quod quum eis non essent 
 ignotai causa, ob quas convocati erant, super eis pro eorum 
 celeri expeditione communicarent, fyc. TJnde ex mandato do- 
 mini clero in dornum inferiorem se colligente, Sfc. 
 
 Anno 1439. Archiepiscopus, Sfc. coram confratribus suis 
 episcopis, aliisque pradatis et clero sua, provincial causas 
 propter quas eosdem ea vice convocaverat, declaravit. 
 
70 Tlie manner of entering 
 
 Then the pope's collector presents a bull of indulgence ; qua 
 tunc in publico prazlecta, et habita communication aliquali 
 super eadem, dominus decrevit copias fieri, et ipsis de clero 
 domus inferioris liberari, ad effectum xit communicatio ha- 
 beatur inter eos de modo et forma executionis et publicationis 
 ejusdem. 
 
 Anno 1444. Archiepiscopus, Sfc. causas propter quas eos- 
 dem ea vice convocaverat, declarabat. One was, qualiter in 
 
 ecclesia Anglicana fuerant plurima reformatione digna. 
 
 Unde communicante domino cum confratribus suis et clero 
 
 suai provincial super praimissis, continuavit, fyc. And the 
 
 next day, Dominus praicepit clero quatenus pro corrigend. et 
 reformand. per hujusmodi concilium inter se diligenter com- 
 municarent. 
 
 Anno 1452, Feb. 9. Archiepiscopus, fyc. Episcopis, ac 
 
 aliis prozlatis, nec non jwocuratoribus de clero, 8fC. causam 
 convocationis explicavit; and then, that they might be in a 
 91 condition to bear their part in the business, he commands 
 them to retire and choose 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 
 prepared or considered, 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 convocation remained entire, 
 and both, as above-cited, setting down his grace's declaration 
 of the causes of the summons as a necessary part of their pre- 
 paration for business,) leave no room to doubt whether in that 
 interval the same usage continued, which we have shown to be 
 
upon business in convocation. 
 
 71 
 
 the practice of convocation from the beginning of the most 
 early acts. Not but that even in these Extracts we find the 
 custom plainly enough, though not expressed under all the cir- 
 cumstances 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, et deinde monuit omnes prce- 92 
 lotos quatenus conferrent se ad locum consuetum, et eligant 
 unum virum in referendarium et 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,) arch- 
 bishop Cranmer is there said in general to have acquainted 
 them that the convocation was then summoned, quod prailati 
 et cleri inter se consulerent de vera CJiristi religione probe 
 instituenda et tradenda populo ; that being the first year of 
 Edward the Sixth. Again, 
 
 Anno 1554. The return being exhibited, Episcopus London 
 in the vacancy of the archbishopric summarie et compendiose 
 causam synodi vocatrn exposuit, et monuit inferiorem domum 
 de eliyendo sibi prolocutorem. 
 
 Anno 1557. The archbishop, with the consent of his bre- 
 thren, having confirmed the prolocutor, mox causas hujus 
 synodi verbo-tenus proposuit ; which are there set down at 
 large. 
 
 Anno 1558. Prceconizatione facta, et inferiore domo evo- 
 
 cata, exposuit episcopus ibidem causam convocationis. But 
 
 more distinctly in the next, which is an entire register : that, I 
 mean, of archbishop Parker, in which the Thirty-Nine Articles 
 were made : viz. 
 
 Anno 1562. Reverendissimus dominus arcJiiepiscopus Cant, 
 brevem quandam orationem eloquentia> plenam habuit ad 
 patres et clerum ; per quam inter alia opportunitatem refor- 
 mandarum rerum in ecclesia Anylicana jam oblatam esse 
 aperuit, ac propensos animos tarn illustrissimai domino) no- 
 stra} reginoB quam aliorum maynatum hujus reyni ad hujus- 
 modi reformationem habendam declaravit, hortando, praici- 
 piendo, et mandando pradatos et clerum inferioris domus in 93 
 dicta domo capitulari coram eo et reliquis patribus constitutos, 
 
72 
 
 The manner of entering 
 
 quatcnus ad conventus sui locum sese conferentes, unum virum 
 gravem, $pc. eligant in eorum prolocutorem. 
 
 Anno 1640, the next convocation, of which the upper house 
 acts remain, after the prolocutor is confirmed, the archbishop 
 
 produces the king's license. Et reverendissimus pater ante- 
 
 dictus prasfatum prolocutorem et alios de domo inferiori, 
 decanos, archidiaconos, capitula, et cleri procuratores ibidem 
 prwsentes, voluit tit ipsi inter se convenirent et mature exco- 
 gitarent de subsidies domino nostro regi concedend. et cano- 
 nibus et constitutionibus station ecclesiasticum et Christi reli- 
 gionem in ecclesia Anglicana concernen. concipiendis. Et 
 quicquid inde senserint sive excogitaverint, in scriptis redi- 
 gant, et coram ipso reverendissimo et confratribus episcopis 
 exhibeant. 
 
 Anno 1 66 1. The prolocutor being confirmed, committees of 
 both houses were ordered in the upper house, to compose ser- 
 vices 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 selfsame 
 words that archbishop Laud had used in the year 1640. 
 The infer- j ] iave been thus particular in my deduction of authorities, , 
 
 ence from . / 
 
 the arch- to show the right of the president to mark out a scheme of 
 declaring business to be transacted in convocation ; because, as by the 
 the causes tenor of the mandate, his first step in summoning, we are led 
 cation™" t° the foundation of his grace's power over the members of the 
 lower house, so in this their entrance upon business, we clearly 
 94 see his 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 advised with his 
 suffragan bishops about the state and condition of the church, 
 of which he and they are constituted governors, recommends to 
 the synod the consideration of such improvements or reforma- 
 tions 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 
 
((pon business in convocation. 73 
 
 short, to give their assistance of every kind in a proper sub- 
 ordination, towards the ready and effectual despatch of all 
 business that shall be regularly proposed for the advancement 
 of religion. The archbishop and bishops, we see, deliberate 
 above : and the clergy debate the same matters below, to be 
 ready with their opinions and resolutions when required : and 
 thus they appear like one body of men, met about the same 
 common business, in which all in their several stations are im- 
 mediately concerned : 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 unity of the church. . 
 
 But some late principles and practices have another ten- 
 dency : for instance, the clergy's proceeding in business of the 
 greatest moment, and even coming to formed resolutions there- 
 upon, without ever acquainting their ecclesiastical superiors ; 
 and much less offering them first in general, as points that in 
 their opinion deserve or require consideration, and taking the 95 
 
 advice and direction of their lordships about the expediency The «| lffer - 
 
 1 . ence " e ~ 
 
 and methods of proceeding in them. To the same effect is that tween 
 
 language so familiar of late among some of the inferior clergy [hodsand* 
 in convocation, " That they have business of their own to do ; the late 
 that it is generally different from what is transacted at the 
 same time in the upper house ; that their debates are managed 
 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 upper 
 house." Principles, somewhat ambiguously expressed, perhaps 
 not without a foresight of certain objections ; but being inter- 
 preted by the late practices, their tendency to a division of the 
 synod, and a coordinate 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 parlia- 
 
74 The manner of entering upon business in co)ivocation. 
 
 ment, 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 busi- 
 ness in convocation, he sent commissioners of his own to do it, 
 as every one must know who casts his eye upon our convoca- 
 tion registers never so slightly. These were said to come 
 thither ex parte domini regis ; and their coming, as occasion 
 96 required, to represent the desires of the king and the condition 
 of the kingdom, was a custom so much known and establish- 
 ed, that the register takes notice of the archbishop's doing it as 
 a thing singular and extraordinary. Anno 1380, Dec. 1. Et 
 quia protune dominus meus archiepiscopus erat cancellarius 
 Angliot, nee comparuit alius pro parte domini regis, qui ex- 
 poneret clero negotia regni sicut fieri consuevit in aliis con- 
 vocationibus, dictus dominus meus negotia regni et pericula 
 imminentia satis clare exposuit. Nor did it make any differ- 
 ence in the form of their proceedings thereupon, that the first 
 motion came from the court ; but the archbishop having given 
 the commissioners some such general answer as this, quod vo- 
 luit super his mature communicare cum confratribus suis 
 prozlatis et clero, he immediately proceeded to that commu- 
 nication, 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 
 restrained the president's ancient power of explaining the ge- 
 neral causes of the summons, the answer is this, That the 
 persons whose present endeavours it is to diminish the metro- 
 political 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 entered 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 
 advisable to desire the royal license for that end. 
 
Business enjoined the clergy during the convocation. 75 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 97 
 
 The right of the archbishop and bishops to require the clergy 
 to consider any particular business throughout the con- 
 vocation. 
 
 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 itself, many unfore- 
 seen 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 assembled in convo- 
 cation. And accordingly, when any such occasions required, 
 the inferior clergy have been ever enjoined to debate and exa- 
 mine all matters proposed by their ecclesiastical superiors for 
 that purpose, from the beginning to the end of convocation. 
 The instances hereof are very numerous, but necessary to be The neces- 
 added to the testimonies contained in the last chapters, which showing 
 
 without those would leave room for an objection, that as to this > to P re - 
 
 i i i vent an 
 
 the general causes at the beginning, those are equally ex- je ctionfrom 
 
 plained to the two houses of parliament, and vet the honour- th f. ex P 1 i" 
 
 1 r » ■ J cation or 
 
 able members of the lower house there are under no such the general 
 restraint or subordination in their subsequent proceedings. An th" opening 
 objection, I say, of this sort is like enough to be started, con- of a parlia- 
 sidering how industriously those fancies about a parliamentary 
 relation have been insinuated into the minds of men. I will 98 
 therefore show that what the archbishop 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 emer- 
 gent 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 modelled 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, proposing and directing in ecclesiastical affairs, and 
 
76 
 
 Business enjoined the clergy 
 
 the presbyters at hand with their advice and assistance in 
 subservience to the same ends. 
 The sepa- Nor do we find any difference in this point between the 
 the two* times before and after the separation of the bishops and clergy, 
 houses excepting this one, that before it they all took the directions 
 difference immediately from the president, and retired in a body ; and 
 point S smce > 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 confra- 
 trum, voluit, jussit, mandavit, ad se accersiri prolocutor em), 
 and by him conveys to his brethren 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 ap- 
 pear beyond contradiction from the registers themselves. 
 99 Anno 1369, 10 kal. Febr. The clergy having granted a 
 supply on condition to have their grievances redressed, Ai'chi- 
 episcopus voluit, quod clerus et religiosi prcedicti petitiones 
 suas, fyc. in scriptis redigerent, et sibi porrigerent die Ve- 
 neris. 
 
 Anno eod., 4 kal. Febr. The archbishop having enlarged 
 before the clergy upon the necessity of a decima triennalis 
 which the bishops had granted, tunc injunxit procurator ibus 
 cleri relig. kujusmodi, exhortando eosdem, quod se ad partes 
 in dicta ecclesia transferrent, et concordarent pro dicta de- 
 cima triennali. 
 
 Anno 1376, Id. Febr. The bishop having proposed certain 
 matters for the benefit of the church, oneravit clerum, in co- 
 rum conscientiis, ut deliberarent inter se quid esset melius 
 faciendum pro utilitate dicta; ecclesia;. 
 
 Anno 1377, Id. Nov. Dominus voluit quod procuratores 
 comparerent simul in prorfata ecclesia \_S. Pauli] dicto die 
 post prandium, ad deliberand. ad invicem, utrum melius ex- 
 pediat concedere decimas an impositiones. 
 
 Anno 1379, 5 id. Maii. Reverendissimus pater pro?cepit, 
 quod pyrocuratores prailatorum et cleri exirent dictam domum 
 capitularem, inter se tractaturi super materia convocationis 
 pra>dict(e : quibus exeuntibus, dictus reverendissimus pater 
 cum suffraganeis in eadem domo \capitulari\ secrete tracta- 
 vit super materia predict. Et post tractatum htijusmodi, 
 
during the convocation. 
 
 77 
 
 dictus reverendissimus pater prmcepit procurator i bus quod 
 die Jovis tunc prox. sequente, post prandinm, convenirent ad 
 invicem in domo capitulari praidicta, tractaturi ad invicem 
 super materia convocationis prcedictau et dixit quod ipse et 
 alii confratres mi revenirent die Veneris tunc prox. sequente 
 ad domum capitularem prcedictam, ad effectuin tractandi 100 
 materiam convocationis prwdicta?. 
 
 Anno eod., 16 kal. Jim. Dominus, fyc. moneri fecit ibidem 
 publice omnes procuratores proilatorum et cleri, quod die 
 Mercurii prox. tunc sequente in dicta domo capitulari com- 
 parerent simul ante horam nonam, deliberaturi et tractaturi 
 de modo subventionis. 
 
 Anno eod., 13 kal. Jim. Dominus praifixit procuratoribus 
 ad cornparendum in domo capitulari dictum diem Veneris 
 post prandium, 8fc. ad plenius tractand. super praimissis. 
 
 Anno 1383, Dec. 4. The pope's subcollector comes to con- 
 vocation and desires a subsidy : the archbishop having en- 
 forced his request, preecepit procuratoribus quod super eodem 
 negotio diligenter tractarent, et finalem responsum sibi et con- 
 fratribus mis prozberent. Super quibus omnibus et singulis, 
 habito inter ipsos tractatu diligenti, procuratores eodem 
 quarto die responsa sua in ea parte finaliter in scriptis re- 
 dacta dicto domino Cant, coram confratribus mis, protunc 
 ibidem existentibus, exhibuerunt. 
 
 Anno 1404, May 17. Archiepiscopus, fye. continuavit 
 
 et demandavit aliis preelaiis et clero tunc ibidem praisenti- 
 bus, quod singulis diebus interim ad dictum locum conveni- 
 rent, et laborarent circa reformanda in Cantuariensi ]>ro- 
 vincia. 
 
 Eod. anno, Jun. 9. Conveniente reverendissimo, Sfc. et ex- 
 positis periculis et necessitatibus regni, tandem procuratores 
 cleri convenientes sub domo capitulari more solito, et ibidem 
 super praidictis per aliquantum tempus tractantes, tandem 
 abinde secesserunt, et convenerunt coram dictis reverendissimo 
 patre et suis suffraganeis, et concesserunt, 8fc; and again in 
 the same year, June 16, upon the request of a grant from the 101 
 pope's collector. 
 
 Anno 1 42 1, Maii 7. The chancellors of Oxford and Cam- ' 
 bridge coming to convocation, Reverendissimo patri, et con- 
 fratribus mis, totique concilio commendabant, Sfc. rogantes i 
 
78 
 
 Business enjoined the clergy 
 
 assidue de aliquo congruo remedio pro promotions pauperum 
 studentium in universitatibus hujusmodi, auctoritate concilii, 
 ad tunc inibi congregati, graciose et misericorditer provideri 
 
 Quam quidem recommendationem dominus et confratres 
 
 sui gratanter et benevole, tit apparuit, acceptarunt ; et rece- 
 dentibus tunc de mandato domini procuratoribus cleri in 
 domain suam inferiorem, pro tractatibus fiendis in hujusmodi 
 convocationibus consuetam, dominus et confratres sui reman- 
 serunt in domo capitulari prcedicta ; et post tractatum non 
 modicum tarn circa promotionem graduatorum, et studentium 
 in universitatibus prcedictis, quam circa subventionem domino 
 regi faciendam, dominus tandem continuavit, fyc. 
 
 Anno 1428, Nov. 18. Clerici sectdares et cleri procur at ores 
 ad domum suam solitam de mandato domini recesserunt : 
 dominus vero et confratres sui episcopi in domo capitulari 
 remanserunt per aliquod tempus, de et super certis materiis 
 arduis convocationem hujusmodi tangentibus simid tractantes. 
 
 Eod. anno, Nov. 23. Lectai fuerunt in publico literal apo- 
 stolicai (soliciting for a subsidy to suppress the heretics of 
 Bohemia) : quibus lectis, dominus cum confratribus suis, 8fc. 
 de et super materia, in dictis Uteris apostolicis contenta, com- 
 municavit, cceteris de clero interim de mandato domini se 
 retrahentibus. 
 
 Anno 1433, Dec. 1. Reverendissimus pater injunxit clero, 
 102 quatenus collaborarent et providerent quid fiendum seu di- 
 cendum esset de subsidio concedendo. And again, Dec. 10. 
 Clero dominus mandavit quatenus circa subsidium domino 
 regi concedend. diligenter collaborarent. 
 
 Anno 1434, Oct. 20. Dominus mandavit Mro. Thomoa Be- 
 kington et aliis diversis de clero, ut articulos illos de generali 
 sententia, qua; consueta est quater in anno per curatos eccle- 
 siarum publicari et solemniter denunciari, conciperent in lin- 
 gua materna sub breviori modo quo piossent. 
 
 Anno 1438. After the meeting of Oct. 6, upon a proroga- 
 tion, Dominus prcecepit omnibus de clero, quatenus in domo 
 inferiori simul convenirent, et super Mis pro quibus fuerant 
 hac vice convocati diligenter tractarent, viz. pro promotione 
 in universitatibus ordinanda, et pro subsidio pro transmit- 
 tendis ad generate concil. Ferrar. et super his effectualiter 
 responderent. 
 
during the convocation. 
 
 79 
 
 Anno cod., die Martis prox. Dominus mandavit clero qua- 
 tenus super prcemissis effectualiter communicarent ; recita/ndo 
 eis qualiter et quomodo fecerunt at concesserunt prcdati reli- 
 giosi pro expensis transmittendorum ad concil. generale Fer- 
 rar. et suadendo ut, omni postposita in ea parte divisione, ad 
 consimiliter concedend. suos animos applicarent. 
 
 Anno 1439, Dec. 11. Cedula, Sfc. pro quadam constitutione 
 augmentationis pauperum et exilium vicariarum provincial 
 Cant, auctoritate hujusmodi concilii provincialis facienda ; 
 post aliqtialem communicationem habitam super eadem inter 
 dominos episcopos et prcelatos religiosos de domo superiori, 
 tandem ipsis de clero domus inferioris pro certis in eadem 
 reformandis, nec non pro avisamento et deliberatione in liac 
 parte capiend. extitit liberata. 
 
 Eod. anno, Dec. 22. Clerus de rnandato domini ad tractand. 103 
 pro subsidio et aliis materiis supradictis, ad domum inferio- 
 rem se divertebat ; ubi habita inter eos convocatione diutina 
 super prmniissis, tandem ad domum superiorem reversi sunt. 
 
 Anno 1444, Oct. 22. Dominus pratcepit clero, quatenus pro 
 corrigend. et reformand. per hujusmodi concilium inter se 
 diligenter communicarent, usque ad adventum dominorum 
 ex parte domini nostri regis et concilii sui illic in brevi ad- 
 venturorum. 
 
 Anno 1529, sess. 7. The prolocutor in the upper house ; mo- 
 nuit reverendissimus, ut conciperentur articuli contra hare- 
 ticos. 
 
 Eod. anno, sess. 20. Ingressi sunt prolocutor cum diversis 
 archidiaconis ; cum quibus episcopus London, habuit secre- 
 tam communicationem, et voluit eos redire in domum inferio- 
 rem, et ibi tractarent de hujusmodi negotio. 
 
 Eod. anno, sess. 32. Reverendissimus momdt prolocutorem, 
 Sfc. invicem consultare super articulis ipsis super opinionibus 
 suis. 
 
 sess. 97. Reverendissimus putavit expedient ut re- 
 
 sponsiones Jierent ad hujusmodi querelas, [viz. to a certain 
 address presented to the king against the archhishop and 
 bishops] quern libellum tradidit proloquutori ad perlegendum, 
 ut ostenderet opiniones suas de eodem. 
 
 sess. 104. Episcopus London, commissarius recitavit 
 
 voluntatem reverendissimi super praidicta supplications, et 
 
80 
 
 Business enjoined the clergy 
 
 voluit prolocutorem, $r. quod concipiant responsa sua in 
 script/is. 
 
 Eod. anno, sess. 105. The archbishop's commissary pressing 
 
 1 04 for a subsidy, monuit prolocutorem ut alios consultaret de 
 eadem materia, et rediret cum responsis suis. 
 
 Anno 1 534, Dec. 2. Reverendissimus voluit prolocutorem 
 ingredi, ut examinarent libros praidictos, et librurn Tyndal ; 
 et ut ostendant opiniones suas. 
 
 Anno 1 541, Jan. 27. Reverendissimus ibi tradidit prolocu- 
 tori quosdam libros examinand. et conficerent leges de Simo- 
 nia vitanda. 
 
 Anno 1558, Feb. 10. The prolocutor speaking to the bishops, 
 episcopi responderunt, quod eis expedire videtur, ut clerus, Sfc. 
 preces faciant dominai regince, ne quid oneris imponatur clero 
 in parliamento illo. 
 
 Anno 1562. The prolocutor being sent for, and coming up 
 with six others, reverendissimus, de et cum consensu confra- 
 trum suorum hujusmodi, tradidit quosdam articulos in scrip- 
 tis conceptos, mandando quatenus super contentis in dictis 
 articulis diligenter inquirerent, ac quicquid inde invenirent, 
 in scrij)tis redigant, ac dicto reverendissimo porrigant et 
 exhibeant. 
 
 Anno 1640, sess. 10, j conv. Reverendissimus pater prolo- 
 cutorem et alios de domo inferiori, decanos archidiaconos et 
 cleri procuratores ibidem praisentes voluit ut ipsi inter se 
 convenirent et excogitarent de benevolentia, Sfc. et deinde de 
 canonibus et constitutionibus statum ecclesiasticum, et eccle- 
 sio3 utilitatem concernen. componendis, faciendis, et inter se 
 consentiend. 
 
 ead. sess. Prolocutore comparente cum octo decanis 
 
 eum cornitantibus, reverendissimus eos voluit ad conveniend. 
 die veneris prox. tempestive, et adtunc tractand. cum toto 
 C02tu domus inferioris citra benevolentiam sive contributionem 
 
 1 05 voluntariam dicto domino nostro regi concedend. et ut ipsi 
 formam articulorum in visitationibus imposterum ministrand. 
 concipiant. 
 
 sess. 16. De mandato reverendissimi prolocutor cum 
 
 sex aliis e domo inferiori domum superiorem intravit ; et reve- 
 rendissimus ei tradidit canonem etformamjuramentipertotum 
 coetum domus inferioris considerand. tractand. et consentiend. 
 
during the convocation. 
 
 SI 
 
 Anno i66\, Nov. 23. Reverendus, Sfc. ad eum accersiri 
 jussit prolocutorem solum ; quo adveniente, dictus reverendus 
 pater tradidit ei partem libri publicarum precum per hujus- 
 modi domum examinat 1 et revis', et in mandatis dedit, up 
 dictus prolocutor una cum clero dicta} domus inferioris dic- 
 tam partem cum omni celeritate qua potuit, revideat, et emen- 
 det si sit necessarium. 
 
 Nov. 27. Praisidens dedit in manibus dicti prolocu- 
 
 toris residuar. partem libri publicarum precum, et requisivit 
 dictum prolocutorem, ut ille una cum domo sua eandem omni 
 cum celeritate revideat, et post revisionem hujusmodi prazsi- 
 denti retradat. 
 
 Dec. 10. Reverendus pater, fyc. voluit ad se accersiri 
 
 dominion prolocutorem ad revidend. emendationes. Quo ad- 
 veniente, SfC. dictus locum-tenens ostendit dictas emendationes 
 per domum superiorem fact, et tunc et ibidem per lect. et ordi- 
 navit eum ad consulend. domum suam inferiorem de et super 
 eisdem. 
 
 In drawing down these testimonies of a right in the upper The ap- 
 house to direct the business of convocation, I have designedly of "^mit- 
 waved the committees of the inferior clergy, ordered by the tees reserv- 
 
 . , 1 , • 1 -i 1 ... ed for the 
 
 president and bishops, upon particular matters wherein their nex t chap- 
 assistance was necessary. Instances of such appointments are ter * 
 very numerous, and shall be produced at large in the next 
 chapter, which begins the proof of a right in the archbishop 
 and his suffragans to direct the manner, as well as the matter, 
 of proceedings in convocation. 
 
 In the mean time the foregoing instances*, from the most The infer- 
 ences from 
 
 ' "After a due examination of the journals it soon appeared that the 
 bishops and clergy always act as one and the same body under one com- 
 mon head, the metropolitan ; whose presence is absolutely necessary in 
 every session : that the clergy's consent to final resolutions being neces- 
 sary by custom, they must in consequence have a distinct place in which 
 to debate, prepare, and form such resolutions : that the metropolitan and 
 bishops may send for them every meeting as oft and on such occasions as 
 they see cause : that they can oblige them to stay with them in their 
 house as long as they please ; and the clergy cannot depart till dismissed 
 in form by the archbishop and bishops : that their lordships have a right 
 to require the clergy to consider and prepare business of all kinds, and to 
 prescribe the methods of doing it below, with the time when they shall 
 return it to the upper house : that in short it is the known office of the 
 
 GIBSON. G 
 
82 
 
 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 the fore- early accounts we have of these things till alter the restora- 
 monfcs eStl ^ on ' ma y sumce *° shew 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 recommend 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 canon- 
 ical authority of the metropolitan and bishops, received by the 
 clergy with all the marks of duty and obedience, and accord- 
 ingly executed without the least appearance of refusal or scru- 
 ple in any one instance. 
 
 It is needless to explain how unlike this is to the communi- 
 cation between the two houses of parliament ; it is enough, as 
 we go along, to put the reader in mind of making the com- 
 parison, and to reflect withal, how well they had considered 
 j 07 these things, who could first frame the parallel, and then 
 publish it to the world with such a seeming assurance. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The right of the archbishop 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 
 required, enjoined the inferior clergy to consider and prepare 
 matters according to the instructions they received. But, 
 because the joint debates of the whole body of the clergy may 
 
 prolocutor to convey the directions of the upper house to the lower, and 
 the answers of the lower house to the upper ; that is, to unite the proceed- 
 ings of bishops and clergy, or (in a late phrase invented by our three-state 
 synod) to keep up the unity of correspondence between them." — The 
 Marks of a defenceless Cause, p. 16. 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 83 
 
 in some points be unnecessary and inconvenient in others, 
 therefore the archbishop and bishops, the proper judges 
 thereof, at the same time they referred business to the clergy, 
 have frequently determined 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 com- 
 mittee of bishops appointed for the same purpose : at one 
 time, confined as to the number ; and at another, left to their \ 
 own liberty : in some instances, required 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 accom- 
 panying the same act, and all arising from the different in- 
 structions of the upper house, are so many confirmations of a 
 right lodged there, to direct the manner and method of pro- 
 ceedings in the lower house, as they see cause to interpose, 
 and to recommend business to their consideration. 
 
 i. It has been usual for the archbishop to order the choice 108 
 of committees out of the inferior clergy, to attend a committee ^eg™ 1 ^ 
 of bishops appointed for the same purpose : so I term it, in the clergy to 
 language of their own actuary, anno 1661, several times re- g 0t ^" llit ^ ee 
 peated, to express the ends for which the committees of the of bishops, 
 lower clergy were chosen. "May 16. Chosen for attending 
 the bishops at Ely-house, four deans, &c. ; May 1 8. 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. referred 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 et procuratoribus in solitam 
 domum inferiorem de mandato domini recedentibus, dominus 
 Sfc. communicationem habuit de et super provisione seu or- 
 dinatione facienda contra malitiam luereticorum ; et statu a 
 extitit avisatum quod certi episcopi, prcelatique alii, et cle- 
 rici, tarn in theologia quam jure civili et canonico doctores, 
 provisionem kujusmodi seu ordinationem conciperent, et minu- 
 tam exinde redigerent in scripturam. 
 
 G 2 
 
84 
 
 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 109 Eod. anno, Nov. 20. Dominus intimavit et in publico decla- 
 ravit, quod diversa negotia ardua, See. in hujusmodi convoca- 
 tion tractari deberent ; et idcirco pro accelerations et cele- 
 riori expeditione negotiorum ipsorum, sibi et confratribus suis 
 videbatur expediens, quod certi proalati religiosi, decanique 
 ecclesiarum cathedralium, archidiaconi aliqui et cleri procu- 
 rators quidam magis providi et discreti nominarentur, qui 
 communicare possent cum episcopis de et super materiis illis; 
 de quo, ut apparuit, omnes reputarunt se contentos. Et tunc 
 dominus assignavit eisdem religiosis et aliis tunc ibidem prai- 
 sentibus terminum ad eligend. personas hujusmodi. 
 
 Anno 1557, Jan. 24. Voluit revere ndissimus statuta eccle- 
 siarum noviter erectarum, aut mutatarum a regularibus ad 
 seculares, expendi per episcopos Lincoln, $*c. item et Nicolao 
 Wotton, Cant. Sec. ecclesiarum decants, et quai consideranda 
 sunt, referri reuerendissimo quamprimum commode pote- 
 runt. 
 
 Anno eod., Febr. 4. Upper house book : Quod negotium quo 
 facilius expediri posset, electi sunt episcopi London, Elien, 
 Roffen, Lincoln, et Petriburg, quibus adjuncti sunt sex de 
 domo inferiore ; qui constituerent inter se tarn de quantitate 
 solvend. quam etiam de modo et tempore solutionis. 
 
 Eod. anno, Feb. 12 or 13. Deinde, quia liber concessionis 
 nondum bene absolutus erat, rogavit reverendissimus, ut dicti 
 London, fyc. cum prolocutore et quatuor ex illis ex inferiore 
 domo [accederent] ad cubiculum reverendissimi in aula regia 
 apud Westm. circa horam secundam, fyc. ubi ulterius delibe- 
 rarunt. 
 
 Anno 1586, sess. 7, Mar. 10. The prolocutor and all the 
 
 1 10 clergy being sent for to the upper house, tandem omnes 
 supra nominati in domum hanc redierunt, excepto domino 
 prolocutore, qui cum eisdem reverendis patribus post disces- 
 sum reliquorum aliquantisper permansit. Ac deinde in hanc 
 domum revertens, cum consensu omnium, ut praifertur, prm- 
 sentium, elegit venerabiles viros, 8fc. ad tractand. et commu- 
 nicand. una secum cum reverendis patribus de const itutioni- 
 bus et decretis, licentia et vigore literarum paten, per domi- 
 nant nostram reginam in ea parte concessarum, stabiliendis 
 pro collectione, fyc. 
 
 Anno 1588, sess. 3. Dominus prolocutor significavit uni- 
 
to order committee's of the clergy. 
 
 85 
 
 verso cattui, consensum et concordatum fuisse et esse inter 
 dominos prtvlatos superioris domus, quod reverendi patres, 
 domini Winton, 8fc. episcopi, tractarent, statuerent, et deli- 
 berarent de subsidio dominai nostrce regince erogando : et in 
 eundem finem, dominus prolocutor nominavit et elegit venera- 
 biles viros [seven deans, and nine others there named] ut 
 similiter vice ac nominibus tot ins hujus coetus communicarent 
 et tractarent de subsidio fiujusmodi. 
 
 Anno 1640, sess. 3, Apr. 22. Reverendissimus in examina- 
 tions et correctores libri subsidiorum nominavit [three bishops 
 by name] et voluit prolocutorem et totum coetum domus infe- 
 rioris ad eligendum quatuor vel sex graviores viros de gre- 
 mio suo, ad idem negotium cum dictis reverendis patribus 
 expediend. 
 
 Anno eod., sess. 5, Apr. 25. Reverendissimus, cum confra- 
 trum suorum consensu, decrevit libitum fore, aliquibus duo- 
 bus epnscopis, cum quatuor e cottu domus inferioris aliquo 
 tempore ad dictum librum examinand. et corrigend. 
 
 Anno eod. sess. 22. May 23. Prolocutore dimisso, paulo post 1 
 revertebat cum duobus vel tribus e domo inferiori : et reve- 
 rendissimus in eorurn prcesentiis elegit dominos episcopos 
 Winton. Exon. Elien. et Bristol, ad praisentand. cum ipso 
 instrumentum benevolentiai sive contributionis voluntarioz 
 serenissimo domino regi : et voluit dominum prolocutorem 
 ad eligend. sex aut octo alios domus inferioris ad similiter 
 praisentand. cum ipso prolocutore dictum instrumentum. 
 
 Anno 1 66 1, May 16. Habito aliquandiu tractatu inter re- 
 ferendum patron \_pro3sidem~\ et reverendos episcopos suffra- 
 ganeos de et super precibus specialibus pro die nativitatis 
 domini nostri regis, 8fc. 29 die mensis jam instantis Mali per 
 
 quatuor episcopos hujusmodi dominos, vis. in ea parte 
 
 respective elect, et per octo pradatos sive cleros domus infe- 
 rioris eligend. concipieudis, Sfc. And another committee was 
 appointed the same session, and in the same manner, to com- 
 pile the service of the 30th of January. 
 
 Eod. anno, Maii 18. Dominus commissarius intimavit D. 
 prolocutori de precibus specialibus et part icidaribus pro bap- 
 tizatione nonnullorum adult, concipiend. et formand. Et pro 
 conceptione earundem, dictus reverendus pater, cum consensu 
 fratrum, tres, 8fc. episcopos elegit, et voluit dictum prolo- 
 
86 
 
 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 cutorem sex cleros e dorno inferiori eligere ad procedendo cum 
 diet is episcopis in dicto negotio. 
 
 Eod. anno, Jun. 7. A resolution among the bishops about a 
 I service for the fast day, June 12, per quatuor episcopos hujus- 
 
 modi domus in ea parte respective electos, et per 8 proz- 
 
 latos sive cleros domus inferioris eligendos, concipiend. 
 
 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, et omnia et singula prcemissa dicto prolocutori et 
 domui inferiori significavit ; et voluit dictum prolocutorem 
 ad eligendum viginti quatuor e gremio suo ad conveniend. 
 cum dictis reverendis patribus sic, ut prosfertur, electis. 
 
 Eod. anno, Dec. 13. Reverendus pater una cum confratribus 
 fyc. tractatum habuerunt de eligendo p>ersonas aptas et idoneas 
 tarn ab hujusmodi domo quam a domo inferiori pro diligenti 
 examinatione et revisione libri publicarum precum , 8fc. 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 et 
 totum caztum domus inferioris ad eligend. nonnullos graviores 
 vivos 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 et 
 discretorum e gremio suo ad revidend. et examinand. dictum 
 librum grammaticalem cum dictis reverendis patribus per 
 domum superiorem nominatis. 
 Commit- II. In the same manner, and by the same authority, do we 
 tees of the fl n( j comm ittees of the lower clergy ordered for particular 
 
 clergy alone . 
 
 ordered by business, at times when no committees of bishops were chosen. 
 house PPer During the accounts of the old registers, the ordinary way was 
 
 1 13 for the archbishop and bishops to refer or commit the consi- 
 deration of such occasional points to the whole body of the 
 clergy, as appears at large from the sixth and seventh chapters. 
 But, 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 87 
 
 Anno 155.5. The clergy in the upper house, Dominus pro-sex 
 eos remisit ad inferiorem domum, volens ut inter se eligant. 
 viii. vel x. de gravioribus una cum prolocutore, ad audiend. 
 quaidam arcana non solum ex parte regis et reginoz, sed etia m 
 cardinalis Poll, bonum publicum regni et ecclesioz 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, novos constituent. 
 
 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 com- 
 mittee of eight or ten to consider of them." 
 
 Anno 1640, sess. 3, Apr. 22. Reverendissimus, Sec. de man- 
 dato regio voluit divinam Dei gratiam implorari, ac for- 
 mulam precis ad eundem effectum per duos doctos et graviores 
 viros coitus domus inferioris, ad hoc per dominum prolocu- 
 torem cum consensu totius costus dictoz domus eligendos, 
 concipi. 
 
 Anno eod. sess. 10, Maii 13. Reverendissimus pater prolo- 
 cutorem et alios de domo inferiori, decanos, archidiaconos, 
 capitula et cleri procuratores ibidem prozsentes voluit, ut ipsi 
 inter se convenirent, et excogitarent de benevolentia, Sfc. et 
 deinde de canonibus et constitutiouibus statum ecclesiasticum \ 
 et ecclesiai utilitatem concernen. componendis, faciend . et inter 
 se consentiend. Et ut ipsi, pro meliori negotii istius expedi- 
 tione, quosdam graviores et doctiores viros de gremio suo eli- 
 gerent, dictum negotium de canonibus concipiend. subitur. 
 
 Anno 1640, 2 conv. sess. 3. The prolocutor and six more 
 sent for. Quibus compare utibus, reverendissimus eis signiji- 
 cavit, quod ipse audivit esse quasdam discrepantias inter 
 quosdam clericos citra eorum electiones ; et voluit eos, ut ipsi 
 et alii dictoz domus easdem examinarent et determinarent 
 juxta juris exigentiam et cousuetudines cujuslibet diozceseos, 
 donee aliter ordinatum fuerit. 
 
 III. The direction of the upper house to the lower for the The names 
 choice of committees has been also accompanied with a further "ons'elect- 
 order to return an account of the persons elected, whose names ed returned 
 we find entered also in the registers of the upper house, house. PPer 
 
88 
 
 Rigid of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 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 et aliis tunc 
 ibidem prcesentibus terminum ad eligend. personas hujusmodi 
 
 et ad pra'se>itand. sibi nomina hujusmodi personarum 
 
 nominandarum in scriptis, which were presented accord- 
 ingly, Nov. 23. And some years before, viz. 
 
 Anno 1408. It is mentioned as a matter of duty and de- 
 cency, though no particular order was given, quorum 24. 
 p>ersonarum electionem factam idem inferior clerus inconti- 
 nenter arcliiepiscopo et proilatis in domo capitulari, ut decuit, 
 retulit seu fecit referri. 
 115 Anno 1640, sess. 3, Apr. 22. Dominus prolocutor cum toto 
 ccetu revertens, nomine suo et eorum dixit, se et totum ccetum 
 domus inferioris prcedict. elegisse in examinatores et cor- 
 rector es libri subsidiorum prcedict. cum prafatis dominis 
 episcopis venerabiles viros [the names particularly en- 
 tered.] Quam electionem dominus archiepiscopus et confratres 
 siii approbarunt. 
 
 The same session : Prolocutor venit et dixit, se, cum con- 
 sensu ccetus domus inferioris, elegisse venerabiles viros [their 
 names] ad concipiend. formidam precis, SfC. 
 
 Eod. anno, sess. 1 o, Maii 30. After the direction to choose a 
 committee for the canons, et subsequenter Mr. Willelinus 
 Fisher, notarius publicus et domus inferioris actuarius, mihi 
 prafato notario certificavit in fidem notarii, venerabiles viros 
 dom. prolocutorem [with three deans, &c. all particularly 
 named] esse electos cum consensu totius domus ad effectum 
 predict. 
 
 Anno 1661, Jun. 19. The president, &c. misit pro prolo- 
 cutore et sex aliis domus inferioris ad introducend. nomina e 
 gremio suo elect, de et super negotiis tunc tractaf. Quo pro- 
 locutore una cum sex aliis dicta; domus inferioris adveniente, 
 dictus prolocutor prcesentavit dicto reverendo patri domino 
 episcopo London, schedulam quondam in papiro scriptam, 
 continen. nomina pralatorum et cleri domus inferioris per 
 eos elect, scil. [the names all entered in the upper house book.] 
 Quibus nominibus per me notarium jniblicum, de mandato 
 reverendi patris praisidentis antedicti publice perlect. dictus 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 89 
 
 reverendus pater acceptavit eorum respective nomina et per- 
 sonas, et dimisit dictum prolocutorem. Sfc. 
 
 Anno 1663, Jun. 27. The prolocutor declares, quod ipse et 116 
 
 cwtus domus inferioris de propositi* diligenter tractarunt 
 
 seque et totum cwtum domus inferioris elegisse in examina- 
 tores et correctores libri subsidiorum, 8fc. venerabiles viros, 
 fyc. [all the names entered in the upper house book.] Quam 
 electioneni dominus prases et confratres sui approbarunt. 
 
 In this manner have the archbishop and bishops in convoca- The right 
 tion required committees of the lower clergy in order to treat ^ h g g^ per 
 of any matters they had to lay before them ; either by them- appoint 
 selves, or in conjunction with a certain number of bishops, as teego f t h e 
 the upper house judged most convenient. Nor can I find that lower ; nev ^ r 
 
 . . . . . . questioned 
 
 obedience to this their lordships' authority and appointment before 
 was ever scrupled, much less denied, by the inferior clergy 0 f J^9 and 
 any age, before the convocation of 1689, sess. 13, and the last 
 in 1701, sess. 18. Which denials, not countenanced from any 
 one precedent, nay, directly opposed by the numbers we have 
 produced above, ought certainly to be accompanied 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 established usage, 
 but in any measure excusable. 
 
 This denial from the lower house the last convocation 
 produced 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 censured 
 as a groundless exception, and their lordships thereupon made 
 the authors of breaking the communication between the bishops 117 
 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 author- 
 ity of so long and uninterrupted a usage. 
 
 I. Anno 1689, sess * I 3* Upper house book: Dominus reve- The refusal 
 
 rend us pater prases antedictus [viz. eniscopus London~\ pro- 1,1 l68 9 h f d 
 ■* ■*•, _ L -* 1 Ji no grounds 
 
 posuit prolocntori ad nominand. coetum selectum domus infe- from the 
 rioris convocation is, ad conveniend. cum ccetu selecto superio- res> 1 ' 
 r$Q domus convocation is. in ordme ad inspiciend. acta amba- 
 nnn damnum convocationis ; sed dictus prolocutor responde- 
 bat, se non posse ad id consentire sine consensu coztus domus 
 
90 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 inferioris convocationis prius habito A little after, domi- 
 
 nus prolocutor, cum numero copioso domus convocationis, 
 comparuit et declaravit quod dicta domus noluit consentire 
 ad nominandum coetum selectum eorum domus ad conveniend. 
 cum coztu pra>dict. domus superior is 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 presby- 
 ters, 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 required 
 their clergy's assistance in this particular of appointing com- 
 mittees, and been as constantly obeyed without the least 
 appearance of scruple, that refusal is further aggravated by 
 its opposition to the established customs of this national church. 
 Contrary to which was the prolocutor's suspending Ins com- 
 1 1 8 pliance till he knew the pleasure of the house ; for this implies 
 that the house had a power, if they thought fit, to refuse : but 
 more directly so, was the final resolution of the house itself. 
 It is true, that refusal is represented by the register under one 
 circumstance, which they seem to have offered 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 restrained 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 committee to have sat upon the 
 business proposed by their lordships, the inspecting the regis- 
 ters of both houses. Because some differences in point of 
 custom and privilege had then happened between the two 
 houses ; and that recess was a proper opportunity to rectify 
 what was past, and by that inspection to prevent future mis- 
 understandings. 
 
 The refusal 2. Anno 1701, sess. 18. Lower house book: "The arch- 
 mitteehV bishop signifies, in writing, the appointment of a committee of 
 the last five bishops, to meet with any committee to be named by the 
 tion proved lower house, not exceeding the number of ten, to inspect the 
 irregular. ac £ s 0 f DO th houses of convocation to this time." Et super 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 91 
 
 ea re declararunt et ordinarunt, " That they are of opinion, 
 that their act-books of this session should not be freely in- 
 spected as yet ; their lordships not having expressed the inten- 
 tion of any such inspection."— And then follows an order, 
 " That notice be given to their lordships, that they have not 119 
 thought fit to appoint such a committee." 
 
 Supposing that the lower house had a right to judge in The rea- 
 what circumstances it is fit or unfit that committees be ap- ■'""he 1 Nar- 
 pointed, yet the members refusing it at this time seem to rative, par- 
 
 1 • 1 TiTi 1 • i ticularly 
 
 assign a reason that is somewhat strange. Why " not inspected answered, 
 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 accu- 
 rate ; they afterwards altered their opinion of things, when in 
 the Narrative they prize the minutes of 1640, (more confused, Narr.-p.35. 
 I am sure, by many degrees than theirs could be,) even above 
 regular registers k , in point of credit. But, however the mi- 
 nutes of 1701 might be industriously disparaged, 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. 
 
 This therefore does not seem to be the reason they abide No inhe- 
 by ; but an inherent power of naming or not naming commit- to^dmttor 
 tees at pleasure. Thus much the journal intimates in the decline the 
 notice to be given to their lordships, "That they have notmen°tof 
 thought fit to appoint such a committee ;" and the Narrative ^|' lr lortl " 
 speaks much more plainly; "We conceive ourselves entirely jvb»r.p.6i. 
 at liberty to admit or decline their appointments of committees 
 as we shall think fit 1 ." This is a clear declaration of their prin- 
 
 k " They believe it to be an advantage to their cause that they have regis- 
 ters and we but minutes : though we humbly conceive that minutes are 
 not the less to be credited for their being taken upon the place, nor regis- 
 ters the more for their being filled up afterwards upon memory. And yet 
 it is this only circumstance that gives their lordships an occasion to prize 
 the registers as regular and authentic, and despise the minutes as loose 
 and hasty." — Narrative, p. 35. 
 
 1 " We of the lower house being a distinct house, and having power to 
 
92 
 
 Riijlit of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 1 20 ciple ; and, if I mistake not, the foregoing account of commit- 
 tees is as clear a proof that there was no ground to make it 
 either their principle or their practice. The Narrative derives 
 
 JVai-r. i>.6i. this power of refusing from being a distinct house; 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 Another reason they add is, their having power to dissent 
 
 tive^buT" from the proposals of the upper house. But this is doubtfully 
 
 only in final expressed. If their meaning be, that they have a right to dis- 
 solutions. _ ,. . 0 . 
 
 ibid. agree nnally trom any matters depending in convocation, so as 
 to hinder them from passing into synodical acts, I grant it ; 
 but that being confined 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 reli- 
 giously complied with the directions of their metropolitan and 
 bishops, both as to the matters recommended to their consi- 
 deration, and the methods and circumstances of considering 
 them. 
 
 The right In vindication of themselves from this charge of irregularity, 
 shops to" *hey sa y further ; " We conceive the only regular way of their 
 take cogni- lordships' knowing the transactions of our house, is by our own 
 transar- voluntary laying them before their lordships." As if their 
 tionsotthe lordships bad only a right to direct the consideration of busi- 
 
 lower 1 . 
 
 house. ness, and not a right also to prescribe the time of returning it, 
 and to call upon them to know their resolutions, or what pro- 
 
 1 2 1 gress they have made. It is a part also of the very office of a 
 
 dissent from the proposals of the upper house, conceive ourselves entirely 
 at liberty to admit or decline their appointments of committees as we shall 
 think fit. In this case particularly we conceive the only regular way of 
 their lordships' knowing the transactions of our house is by our own 
 voluntary laying them before their lordships. And if they demand the 
 view of our journals as of right, we have the more reason to insist upon 
 this liberty. 
 
 " 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 considered by it." — Narrative, p. 61. 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 93 
 
 prolocutor to report to the upper house the result of their debates, 
 as he has frequently explained the grounds and reasons of their 
 resolutions ; and, on the side of the archbishop, 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 inter- [ 
 course 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 archbishop's detaining from them the journals of the Narr.?.6z. 
 lower house m , to which they had free access upon all occa- 
 sions ; and what by their saying, that they conceive these jour- The jour- 
 nals of right to belong to them, I cannot imagine ; much less "o the^ch- 
 account for them, either from reason or practice : nor can I bishop's 
 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 ma- 
 jority, I mean, of the lower house, have, in this denial 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 should the one press for such an inspection of the 122 
 journals, a refusal from the other would make the cause on 
 that side suffer extremely in the opinion of the world. 
 
 One thing more they plead in their justification; " That The lower 
 since their lordships neither mention any particular acts they £ ^ ^ e n ,^. 
 would inspect, nor assign any particular reason for such inspec- structions 
 tion, we could see no ground for such a committee, nor could C ommit- 
 we give instructions for the management of the matter to be tee9 - 
 
 & & Narr. p.6l. 
 
 m " We might add that it were not unreasonable to expect that their 
 lordships should first restore to us the journals of the lower house they 
 detain from us (which have been requested by us, and of right, we con- 
 ceive, belong to us) before they require the inspection of our present 
 proceedings." — Narrative, p. 62. 
 
94 
 
 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 considered bv it." Their seeiiio- no ground for such a com- 
 mittee resolves into their first plea, confuted before, viz. their 
 liberty to admit or decline their lordships' appointment of com- 
 mittees 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 manage- 
 ment of the matter to be considered by it, is a style 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 withal 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 each has ever 
 i 23 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 instruc- 
 tions, and by that means prepared rather to stand upon terms 
 with their lordships than to assist them ; whether a meeting 
 in these circumstances would not shew us a coordinate power of 
 presbyters with their bishops, let the world judge. 
 Instruc- When they appoint committees of their own, and upon busi- 
 pe^only 0 " ness depending in their own house, they are then at liberty to 
 when they gi V e what instructions they think fit ; because, as the matters 
 romm'it- to be debated, so also the methods and ends of debating them, 
 tees of are a p within their own power. And in the present case, had 
 
 their own. r . 
 
 they thought fit, either before or after the appointment by 
 their lordships, to choose a committee to give them informa- 
 tion 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 archbishop and 
 bishops, in virtue of their original right to require the assist- 
 ance of their clergy, do call for it in the way of a committee, 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 95 
 
 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 determined in commit- 
 tees, 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 virtue of their final negative 1 24 
 upon the archbishop and bishops. But committees are well 
 known to be only for debate and preparation ; and if the 
 lower house think themselves concerned in the matter or ten- 
 dency of their lordships' inquiries, they are wholly free, after 
 the discharge of their duty there, to make what further 
 searches or resolutions they please ; and that also in the man- 
 ner they think most proper, i. e. either in the whole house, or 
 by a committee of their own voluntary choice. 
 
 What I have observed and replied to is all they urge to The lower 
 justify their refusal of a committee : and I know but one thing p°^ s s ® n " e ^ r 
 more that gives any colour to that act, viz. its being sometimes the choos- 
 said in the iore-cited passages about the appointment ot such on i y to the 
 committees, that it was done among" the lower clerg-y, with the l )ersons or 
 
 0 ^ numbers. 
 
 consent of the house. It was so, after the prolocutor, in pur- 
 suance of the direction from the upper house, had nominated 
 the persons according to the number prescribed ; that is, it 
 was consented and agreed to by the house, that those particu- 
 lar persons should be the committee ; and the same right of 
 consenting they had to the number also, when that was not 
 fixed and determined 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 choose any other 
 number than that specified in their lordships' order. The 
 course of such choices, in the lower house, at the same time 
 with the upper, is distinctly described in their journal, 1588, 
 sess. 3. That day's Extracts out of the upper- house books say, 125 
 " A committee of both houses chosen to consider a subsidy." 
 Accordingly, the execution of it in the lower house is described 
 thus : Dominus prolocutor [upon his coming from the upper 
 house] ftignicavit universo ccetui consensum et concordatum 
 
96 Right dftke archbishop and bishops 
 
 fuisse et esse inter dominos pradatos super ioris domus, quod 
 reverendi patres [three bishops, named] tractarent, statuerent, 
 et deliberarent de sttbsidio domince nostra; reginai erogando : 
 et in eundem jmem, dominus prolocutor nominavit et elegit 
 venerabiles viros [seven deans, with nine others, named] ut 
 similiter, vice ac nominibus totius kujus coitus, communica- 
 rent et tractarent de subsidio hujusmodi. Necnon consensum 
 et assensum omnium supra nominatorum hnjus domus in elec- 
 tionem suam hujusmodi petiit et sine mora obtimiit. The 
 prolocutor, we see, proceeded immediately to the nomination 
 of the persons ; and no consent was given or asked, 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 et doctiores viros de gremio suo eligere, 
 and no particular number was assigned ; then the minutes men- 
 tion the house's consent to the number also, and to the propor- 
 tion of deans, archdeacons, and proctors : consensum fuit ut 
 duodecim e dicta domo, viz. tres decani, tres archidiaconi, 
 duo procuratores pro ecclesiis cathedra libus, et quatuor pro- 
 curators cleri, eligantur pro examinatione canonum ; and 
 then, giving the names of the persons nominated, they mention 
 the approbation of them as a distinct act. 
 1 26 This is a plain state, as of the general power of the president 
 house° Wer and bishops to order committees of the inferior clergy, so par- 
 chargeable ticularly of the right they had to make their appointment, with 
 conse- 6 which the majority of the last lower house refused to comply; 
 quencesof an( i j^y their refusal gave rise to one unhappy difference in 
 
 refusing J . a . . 
 
 a com- that convocation. But yet, as if the blame evidently lay on 
 mittee. ^ g j^ e Q f bishops, and nothing but innocence on the 
 other, their lordships stand charged 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 justified, was pleased to signify his 
 own and his brethren's 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 hoped such gentle methods 
 might bring them to a calmer consideration of what they 
 
 Narr. p. had done. But so far was this from having the intended 
 
 S6, 58- 
 
to order committees of the clergy. 
 
 97 
 
 effect", that his grace and the bishops are openly accused of 
 endeavouring, by that act, to cut off all communication be- 
 tween 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 0 , who tells the world of a posi-p a g. 7 . 
 tion laid down in the first letter, that I knew to be false, viz. 
 the power of the archbishop to order the choice of committees, 
 and the number of which they shall consist. That page and 
 this chapter compared, may make the zealous man more cau- 
 tious for the future, how he charges others with speaking 127 
 against their knowledge. I will not therefore say he wrote 
 that preface against knowledge; I charitably helieve. and am 
 pretty sure, he wrote without it. 
 
 CHAPTER 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 
 
 n " The difficulties thrown in our way from this day forward to the day 
 of our prorogation by the king, partly by those of our own house who 
 laboured to disturb our proceedings, but chiefly by the bishops, who en- 
 deavoured what in them lay to cut off all communication between the two 
 houses, were the cause that this address, as well as some other papers 
 prepared to be laid before their lordships, never came to be presented." — 
 Narrative, p. 56. 
 
 0 " If we examine these particulars we shall find he has taken care to 
 crowd in some which he knew to be false, in hopes they would pass for 
 the sake of the good company they appear in: such are these ; ' his power 
 to prescribe the time within which they shall return their resolutions ; to 
 order the choice of committees, and the number of which they shall con- 
 sist ; and to determine the right of elections.' The first of these is not 
 always possible to be done ; the two next never were pretended to as of 
 right ; and the last is so far from being solely in his grace, that we are 
 sure it has been exercised by the lower house." — Narrative, Preface by 
 Dr. Hooper, p. vii. 
 
 GIBSON. H 
 
98 
 
 Time prescribed by the archbishop, Spc. 
 
 for the return of it. In other cases also, they have called 
 upon the clergy for their answers ; who as oft as they were 
 not in a readiness to give it, have desired a further day : a 
 plain acknowledgment of their lordships' title to the disposal of 
 their time. All these will he proved 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 explained. 
 
 The time I. The president and bishops have frequently prescribed a 
 
 tunfof the *i me f° r return of the clergy's answers. 
 
 clergy's an- Anno 1 369, 10 kal. Febr. The archbishop directs the clergy 
 
 swers ex- . , . . . . . . 7 .» . 
 
 pressly pre- te draw up their petitions in writing, et quod sibi porrigerent 
 
 scribed. ( n e y ener { s — ifa quod super eis cum suis confratribus poterit 
 consulere et deliberare. 
 128 Anno 1373, Decern. 2. Upon a like order it is added, quod 
 responsiones darent die proxime sequenti. 
 
 Anno 1428, Nov. 20. Et tunc dominus assignavit eisdem 
 religiosis et aliis tunc ibidem prcesentibus terminum ad eli- 
 
 gendum personas hujusmodi et ad prozsentandum sibi 
 
 nomina hujusmodi persona-rum nominandaruut. 
 
 Anno 1433, Nov. 20. Upon the clergy's desire to consult 
 among themselves about the matter proposed, dominus libere 
 concessit ; praicipiens eisdem quatenus circa eadem motiva, 
 cum aliis ab eisdem dependentibus, usque ad diem Jovis dili- 
 genter et unanimiter laborarent. 
 
 Anno 1434, Octo. 20. The clergy being directed by the pre- 
 sident to prepare business, receive this additional order, quod 
 ip>sis coram eo et confratribus suis ostenderent et exhiberent 
 die Veneris pr ox. 
 
 Anno 1529, Apr. 15. Reverendissimus recessit a convoca- 
 tion, et commisit vices suas episcopis London et Winton. qui 
 fecerunt responsiones [to a complaint of the parliament] rur- 
 sum legi coram inferiore domo ; qua; petiit copiam earundem 
 responsionum ; et assiguatus est dies Veneris ad inferendas 
 opiniones suas super praimissis responsionibus. 
 
 Anno 1 541, sess. 2. Reverendissimus tradidit prolocutori 
 quosdam libros examinand. et conficerent leges de simonia 
 vitanda ; et referrent judicia sua proxima sessione. 
 
 Anno 1555, sess. 2. The commissary puts a copy of a diploma 
 
for the return of business. 
 
 99 
 
 into their hands, volens eos mature consulere, et referre opi- 
 niones proximo, sessione. 
 
 Anno 1562, Martii 1. Reverendissimus tradidit domino pro- 
 locutor i librum \de disciplined] mandando, quod additis hu- 129 
 jusmodi cajntidis sic excogitatis, ipsum librum cum additio- 
 nalibus prcedictis denuo exhibeat coram eodem reverendissimo 
 et confratribus suis in jjroxima sessione. 
 
 II. When the business committed to the clergy was not The cler- 
 voluntarily returned within the time expected, the president f^ e s r gcau. ( 
 and bishops have called for it ; and have also granted a longer for. 
 term for consideration, at the clergy's request. 
 
 Anno 1417, Decern. 3. Certain persons out of every diocese 
 had been elected (Nov. 26) to consider of methods how to pro- 
 mote the students in the university of Oxford; and, Dec. 3, 
 dominus archiepiscopus petiit a personis supra nominatis si 
 aliquid effectualiter laborassent circa materiam praitracta- 
 tam, de relevamine scilicet studentium et universitatum. 
 
 Anno 1426, Apr. 17. Dominus petiit a clero utrum ad tunc 
 plene fuissent deliberati, quomodo foret procedendum in nego- 
 tio eisdem, die pr&cedenti, per ipsum recitato ; qui responde- 
 runt quod protunc non plene fuerant advisitati in eadem ; 
 dominus mandavit eis ut ad domum inferiorem redirent, ad 
 tractandum et deliberandum. 
 
 Anno 1428, Nov. 18. Upon a motion (Nov. 17) that heretics 
 might occasionally be received and imprisoned in the religious 
 houses, when sent thither by the ordinary, the religious desire 
 time to consider : and the next day, dominus petiit a religio- 
 sis, si deliberassent de et super materia supradicta ; qui 
 responderunt, quod non ; sed petierunt adhuc dila tionem de- 
 liberandi in hac parte usque in crastinum : cui adhuc peti- 
 tioni dominus ex consensu fratrum suorum annuit bono 
 corde. 
 
 Anno eod., Nov. 20. Dominus petiit a religiosis, si adhuc 
 deliberassent de et super materia pra'libata alias eis mini- 130 
 strata pro deliberatione habenda : qui responderunt, se non- 
 dum plenarie deliberasse in hac parte. Et quia {ut asse- 
 suerunt) materia ilia, ut eis videbatur, gravis erat, ac res 
 quondam insolita et inaudita, supplicarunt domino pro deli- 
 beratione xdteriori in hac parte habenda; ad finem, quod 
 possent communicare cum jurisperitis, ne eis aut eorum privi- 
 
 h 2 
 
100 Time prescribed by the archbishop, tyc. 
 
 legiis seu indultis apostolicis prcejudicium aliquod generare- 
 tur. Cui supplicationi dominus adhuc annuens, eis ad plene 
 deliberandum, et finaliter respondendum in hac parte termi- 
 num assignavit, uiz. diem Martis prox. tunc sequentem. 
 
 Anno eod., Nov. 23. Dominus petiit a religiosis finale re- 
 sponsum fyc. Qui responderunt. ipsos adhuc non deliberasse 
 in hac parte : unde dominus eisdem assignavit terminum ad- 
 huc ad finaliter respondendum in pra j missis, diem, viz. Jovis 
 tunc prox. 
 
 Anno X433, Nov. 17. Pr&sidente reverendissimo patre, 8fc. 
 et examinato clero quid adhuc in prwfatis motivis et dubiis 
 cum suis incidentibus esset finaliter sentiendum ; responsum 
 extitit per magistrum Thomam Bekyngton prwlocutorem, non 
 complete adhuc deter minatum ; and thereupon the archbishop 
 continued the convocation to a further day. 
 
 Anno 1439, Dec. 22. Dominus petiit responsum finale a 
 clero reddend. qualiter deliberati fuerint quoad subsidium 
 prwlibatum concedend. domino regi : et incontinenti Mr. Ri- 
 cardus prolocutor cleri, nomine totius cleri hujusmodi, domino 
 quandam cedulam Sec. prcesentavit. 
 
 Anno 1444, Oct. 24. Dominus petiit responsum a clero, 
 
 qualiter deliberati f iterant, quantum ad subsidium et 
 
 quid sentirent de litera regia pro die translatio)tis S. Ed- 
 1 wardi, fyc. Upon which the prolocutor makes his report to 
 the president and bishops. 
 
 Anno 1 529, sess. 33. Dominus prolocutor petiit longiorem 
 terminum ad consultandum de articulis prcedictis : unde re- 
 verendissimus assignavit horam primam ejusdem diei. 
 
 Anno eod., sess. 34. Intromit prolocutor et clerus, dicentes, 
 se non habere tempos consultandi, et petierunt longiorem ter- 
 minum; et reverendissimus concessit horam secundam ejus- 
 dem diei. 
 
 Anno eod., sess. 45. Intravit prolocutor, et petiit dilationem 
 super eisdem const itutionibus legendis ; et reverendissimus 
 concessit usque in proximam sessionem : in the foregoing ses- 
 sion there was put into the prolocutor's hands, libellus quarun- 
 dam constitutiomim examinand. 
 
 Anno eod., sess. 47. Prolocutor petiit longiorem terminum 
 super constitutionibus. 
 
 Anno 1557, sess. 5. Praisidens, 8fc. advocato prolocutore, 
 
 J- f 
 
 1 
 
for the return o f business. 1 01 
 
 rogabat quid clerus deliberasset de subsidio : qui eorum no- 
 mine respondit, omnes cequum sentire, Sfc. but that they had 
 not agreed de modo et tempore solutionis. Ideo rogarwnt, ut 
 alius dies ad deliberandum statueretur ; qui datus est, viz. 
 dies Mercurii prox. sequens, hora secundapost meridiem. 
 
 The inferences from these appointments of time by the inferences 
 bishops, and requests for a further day by the clergy, will be j-™"*^ 
 obvious to every reader, without my leading him to them, testimo- 
 For there cannot be more plain and direct testimonies of any mes- 
 thing, than these are of the general influence and authority of 
 the upper house over the business of convocation, and particu- 
 larly over the debates and consultations of the inferior clergy : 
 who would not have petitioned for a respite of their answer 132 
 and report, or offered 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 desir- 
 ous to satisfy 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 delibe- 
 randum 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 inhe- 
 rent 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, hut 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, 
 that I wrote not like him, at all adventures, much less, as he 
 lays the charge, against my own conscience, when 1 asserted 
 this power of prescribing a time for the return of their an- 
 swers. 
 
102 
 
 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 133 CHAPTER 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 returned, has 
 been proved 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 
 then' lordships shall judge most suitable to the nature of the 
 The last business recommended to their consideration. For upon this 
 refused to P om t it is that the difference in the last convocation about con- 
 answer in tinuations or adjournments remains, as to the two houses, 
 undetermined to this day. The archbishop and bishops drew 
 up the reasons of their claim in writing, and delivered 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 resolved 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, whe- 
 ther the upper house have a right to require of the clergy an 
 answer in scrijMs ? which I conceive the following instances 
 clearly determine. 
 
 The cler- Anno 1396, 10 kal. Febr. The clergy having granted a sup- 
 gation to ply on condition to have grievances redressed, archiepiscopus 
 writing 111 vo ^ u ^> quod clerus et religiosi petitiones suas super dictis 
 when re- injuriis, violentiis, et gravaminibus, in scriptis redigerent, et 
 l uired ' j-^sibi porrigerent in die Veneris. 
 
 Anno 141 1 , Dec. 2. The archbishop directs the proctors of 
 the clergy, if they had any grievances to offer, quod vellent et 
 deberent citra diem Veneris extunc proxime futur : coram con- 
 vocatione dominorum in domo capitulari seriosius intimare. 
 
 And on Friday, coram archiepiscopo, $*c. comparuerunt 
 
 procuratores cleri,qui plura referebant gravamina ; allegan- 
 tes quod de tot et tantis se sentiit clerus malis pergravatum, 
 (j nod nisi in scriptis contineantur, non ])ossent defacili recen- 
 
 seri. They retire, and the archbishop and bishops debate 
 
 about the grievances. Returning about eleven o'clock, per 
 dominum archiepiscopum adtunc mandabatur, quod citra 
 proximum diem convocationis exhibeant et declarent articu- 
 
to require answers in writing. 
 
 103 
 
 latim gravamina sua in scriptis redacta. Grievances and sub- 
 sidies were the chief things that came from the clergy in those 
 days ; and this, with other instances of the same kind upon Vid infra 
 that head, shews that it was not the ordinary way to oifor cap ' I2 ' 
 their grievances in writing, except they were required to do it 
 by the archbishop and his brethren. 
 
 Anno 1428, Nov. 20. Dominus assignavit religiosis, et aliis 
 tunc ibidem praisentibus, terminum ad eligeud. personas [viz. 
 a committee] et ad prcesentandum sibi nomina hujusmodi per- 
 sonarum nominandarum in scriptis. 
 
 Eod. anno, Dec. 7. Et quia clems provincial, prout tunc 
 ibidem recitatum erat, fyc. sentiit se gravatum ; ex com muni 
 deliberatione domini et confratru m suorum, ac totius concilii, 
 extitit avisatum, ut gravamina hujusmodi concipi deberent, et 
 redigi in scripturam. 
 
 Anno 1434, Oct. 8. The archbishop, in explaining the causes 135 
 of calling the convocation, reckons up several grievances of 
 the church : et tunc habita comniunicatione super hujusmodi 
 gravaminibus, ordinatum erat tunc ibidem, ut hujusmodi gra- 
 vamina, ac alia quaicunque in quibus clerus se sentiit gra- 
 vari, necnon si qua} forent crimina et excessus infra clerum 
 usitat. quae necessaria reformatione indigerent, in scriptis 
 redigerentur. 
 
 Anno 1452, Feb. 15. Prolocutor interrogatus a reverendis- 
 simo patre, an quicquam voluisset pro parte cleri in ecclesin 
 Anglicana reformatione dignum proponere ; coutinuo et quasi 
 ex insperato quamplurima, fyc. proposuit. Et quia non erat 
 facile singula, per ipsum ibidem exposita, memorial, quai ad- 
 modum labilis est. conuueudare, idcirco admonuit eundem 
 prolocutorem reverendissimus pater, ut singula, per eum in 
 hac parte proposita, redigeret in literas, et concilio traderet 
 plenius et matur ins super eisdem deliberatur. 
 
 Anno 1460, May 13. Propositis coram reveremlissimo pa- 
 tre, et aliis in dorno capitulari protuuc ibidem existentibus, 
 quibusdam articulis per prolocutorem viva voce, dictus reve- 
 rendissimus pater decrevit hujusmodi articulos sic viva voce 
 declarat. in scriptis redigi. 
 
 Anno 1529, sess. 104. Episcopus London commissarius re- 
 el tauit voluntatem reverendissinii super praidicta supplica- 
 tions, [viz. an address of the house of commons to the king] et 
 
104 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 voluit prolocutor 'em, S,'c. quod coacipiant responsa sua in 
 scriptis. 
 
 Anno 1557, sess. 3. Deinde monuit locum-tenens prcelatos 
 inferioris domus, nt ipsi exhiberent in scriptis quod reforman- 
 dum putarent. 
 
 136 Anno J 562, when the Thirty -nine Articles were settled, 
 Feb. 19. Reverendissimus, de et cum consensu fratrum suo- 
 rum, tradidit quosdam articulos in scriptis conceptos ; man- 
 dando quatenus super contends in dictis articulis diligenter 
 iuquirerent, ac quicquid inde invenerint, in scriptis redigant, 
 ac dicto reverendissimo porrigant et exhibeant. 
 
 Anno 1588. Dominus prolocutor universo co?tui significavit 
 voluntatem reverendissimi cceterorumque prailatorum superio- 
 ris domus esse, quod si aliquis hujus domus noverit quenquam 
 ministrum de quo juste conqueri jwssit, quod contra leges 
 ecclesiasticas, nunc temporis auctoritate legitima receptas et 
 approbatas, se gessit et gerit ; aut si aliquis noverit quen- 
 quam qui canones in ultima convocatione approbatos et edi- 
 tos violaverit ; eosdem in scriptis denunciarent reverendis- 
 simo domino Cant, archiepiscopo caiterisque dominis prozlatis 
 prazdict. pro debita correctione et reformatione in ea parte 
 fienda. 
 
 Anno 1640, sess. 2. Archbishop Laud having recommended 
 to the clergy the consideration of certain canons and constitu- 
 tions, adds, et quicquid inde senserint sive excogitaverint, in 
 scriptis redigant, et coram ipso reverendissimo et confratribus 
 suis episcopis exhibeant. 
 
 Ead. conv., sess. 3. Reverendissimus, Sec. schedulas domino 
 prolocutori tradidit, co?tui domus inferioris proponendas, le- 
 gendas, et publicandas ; cum monitione. quod capias earwm 
 cuicunque tradere minime prossumat. Et si aliquis dictat 
 domus aliquid dictis capitulis contrarium proponat, porrigat 
 in scriptis, et in manus domini prolocutoris domino archiepi- 
 scopo et ceteris episcopis domus superioris exhibiturum, ut 
 ipsi de eisdem consultarent. 
 
 137 Thus has the practice of convocation stood; and it is cer- 
 The state tainly agreeable to the natural reason of the thing, that they 
 
 of tluscase J & .,.„,. , 
 
 between the who have a right to direct the consideration or business, and 
 in the°last S to P rescr i De a ^ me f° r returning it, should also be the proper 
 convoca- judges whether the purposes they have in their eye be most 
 
 tion. 
 
to require ouxivcrs in writim/. 105 
 
 effectually answered 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 determined from records, 
 some of which are very obscure and imper fect, 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 them- 
 selves 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 archbishop 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 mischiefs arising from 
 that act of disobedience. For so 1 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 complied 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 continuation but 138 
 in the way of a free conference. Upon the proposal whereof 
 by those of the lower house, sess. 1 2, 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 confer- 
 ence," and carried for a free conference. Again, sess. 14, it 
 was resolved, that an humble application be renewed to their 
 lordships for a free conference. 
 
 This is a new term, borrowed from the proceedings of par- Free con- .'• 
 liament, and never known in any convocation before the last, [g^^f 
 The acts frequently speak of the colloquia and tractatus known in 
 which the archbishop and his brethren had in the upper J", 1 ^ 003 ' 
 house, with the prolocutor and some of the inferior clergy ; or, 
 if their lordships so ordered it, with the prolocutor alone. But 
 I do not remember, in all the registers before 16H9, any in- 
 stance of the clergy's desiring a conference of any kind, except No such 
 
 one in the year 1 66 1 , the circumstances whereof were widely free confer " 
 J ' J ence ever 
 
106 Right of the archbishop and bishops 
 
 desired by different from the present case ; and they were then very far 
 
 the clergy. ... . . J ,. "L . 
 
 irom 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 carried up to their lordships. Dec. 12, dominus prolo- 
 cutor, cum consensu, ut asserebatur, totius domus inferioris 
 ad pra'sidentem et domum superiorem missus est, ad petend. 
 se cum tribus vel duobus aliis e domo inferiori admitti ad 
 conferend. cum dominis episcopis in domo sua seden. Dicto- 
 que prolocutore, 8fc. admisso et adveniente, dictus prolocutor 
 prasentavit domino prcesidenti, et tradidit in manibus suis, 
 i^gnonmdlas papiri schedas, emendationes alicujus libri publi- 
 carurn precum concernen. These were read, debated, and 
 approved ; and then the prolocutor, &c. was dismissed. 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 practised in parlia- 
 ment, and was now proposed by the inferior clergy ; in which 
 managers of both sides were to be appointed, with special in- 
 structions from each house. The prolocutor in 1661 desired 
 to confer with their lordships, who thinking it in that particu- 
 lar a proper way of receiving the sense 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 dutiful pro- 
 ceedings of the clergy who assisted in that revisal and esta- 
 blishment of our liturgy. 
 Inferences As to the case in hand, their lordships had undoubtedly a 
 in vmdica- right i Q require the answers of the lower house in writing ; 
 
 tion of their B . . . . 
 
 lordships, 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 required obedience. On the other hand, 
 the clergy refused to do it, and persisted in that refusal ; and 
 not only so, but proceeded also to the irregularities of adjourn- 
 ing to different days, and by the consent of their house. After- 
 wards, as if the obstruction had laid wholly on their lordships' 
 140 side, they passed a formal vote, May 22, for a request to their 
 
to require answers in writing. 
 
 107 
 
 lordships, pressing them to put some end to the present differ- 
 ence 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 impartial man, whether that motion, intended to be 
 made to the upper house, was fit to be offered any where but 
 in the lower, in which the obstruction solely lay. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The right of the president and bishops to take to them the 
 assistance of persons learned in the law, Spc. 
 
 Besides the opinion and assistance of the inferior clergy I 
 acting in conjunction with the president and bishops, as mem- \ 
 bers 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 appear- 
 ance 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 dif- 
 ficulties that were in their way, and to desire their opinion. 
 
 Anno 1 41 9, sess. 3. Coram archiepiscopo, 8fc. adductus fuit 1 
 quidam Ricardus Walker, Src. quern, ut asserebatur, prior 
 ecclesiaz cath. Wigorn. tanquam sortilegum, et de sortilegio 
 
 suspectum, Src. apprehenderat Being examined, he was 
 
 remanded to prison, usque deliberari posset per jurisperitos 
 qua pozna talis sortilegus esset per jurisperitos puniendus. 
 
 Anno 1425, Jun. 8. Two heretics remanded in the same 
 manner, donee reverendissimus pater, de concilio et avisa- 
 mento confratrum suorum, ac jurisperitorum, deliberaret quid 
 cum eis faciend. censeret, et si in poznam relapsus cecidissent 
 necne. 
 
 Anno 1428. Upon the question, whether the religious should 
 receive heretics as prisoners into their houses, the register 
 
108 
 
 Lawyers advised with 
 
 adds, et quia, ut asseruerunt. materia ilia, ut eis videbatur, 
 gravis erat, ac i~es qiuvdam insolita et inaudita, supplicarunt 
 domino pro deliberatione ulteriori in hoc parte habenda, ad 
 finem quod possent communicare cum jurisperitis, ne eis aut 
 eorum privilegiis sen indultis apostolicis pra'judieium aliquod 
 generaretur. 
 
 Anno 1460, Maii 20. Administratis per Mr. Johannem 
 Stoks prcelocutorem, 8fc. certis artieulis utilitatem regis et 
 regni Anglioz et defensionem ecclesice Anglicana- concementi- 
 bus, reverendissimus pater cum consensu suorum confratrum 
 in dicta convocatione prcesentium, elegit certos vivos praiemi- 
 nentis sciential, viz. magistros Rob. Styllington, fyc. legum 
 doctores, ad interessend. pertractand. et consiliand. cum eis 
 de et super Imjusmodi articulis ; coram dicto reverendissimo 
 patre, et suis confratribus, fyc. 
 
 Anno 1586. sess. 3, Mar. 3. Lower house book: dominus 
 142 prolocutor signijicavit prwsentem voluntatem reverend issimi 
 ac aliorum dominorum pradatorum de benevola contributione, 
 8)'c. et quod de Jtujusmodi libello concipiendo maturior delibe- 
 ratio cum jurispcritorum consilio habeatur. 
 
 Anno 1640, sess. 12. May 16. Upon a debate concerning the 
 fees for churchings, &c. reverendissimus, cum consilio et as- 
 sensu pra'latorum et con fratrum suorum, negotium hujusrnodi 
 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 con- 
 sensu, elegit dominos episcopos Elien. et Bristol, ad consulen- 
 dum cum titroque dominorum justiciariorum primariorum 
 citra certas clausidas et verba in canonibus contra recusan- 
 tes. They make their report, sess. 15, that sir Edward Little- 
 ton advised, ut quondam verba in isto canone expwngerentur, 
 et alia verba magis apta in loco eorum conscribereutur. 
 
 Eod. anno, sess. 25. Reverendissimus in prcesentiis domini 
 Joliannis Lamb militis, 8fc. qui ad informandum reverendis- 
 sirnum et episcopos vocati sunt, tractavit cum domino prolo- 
 cutore citra canones. 
 
 Anno 1 66 1, Jan. ult. A question arising, whether the bishops 
 might be present in the house of lords in causes of blood, con- 
 cordatum et ordination fuit, de et cum consensu totius domus 
 [superior is], ad consulend. jurisperitos tarn in for 0 seculari 
 
in the proceedings of convocation. 109 
 
 (jiimii in curiis civilibus et ecclesiastic is versatos, de et super 
 dicta qucestione sive argumento, erga proximam convoca- 
 tionem. 
 
 Anno 1662, Apr. 12. Habito tractatu de subscription ibus 
 
 clericorum instituendorum, 8rc. dominus episcopus London 
 
 prcesidens, §•<;. curam commisit reverend-is patribus, Src. ad 143 
 
 consvlend. jurisperitos de concipienda forma in scriptis in et 
 
 circa subscript ionem praidict. 
 
 I produce these evidences to justify their lordships from the Applicatiou 
 • • , /., !•• • • 1 1 i. ofthese 
 
 reflections cast upon them, tor declining to join the lower nouse testimo- 
 
 in the censure of Toland's bookP. The history of which case, nles - 
 
 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 counsel, and upon that 
 
 advice determining themselves. 
 
 The penalties of the statute, 25 Hen. VIII. c. 19, upon the The neces- 
 extent whereof the question depended, are very great ; and if fngrecoiu'Ie 
 incurred in convocation, would have affected the whole body °f t £ c0 "^ el 
 the clergy of this province. And therefore my lords the bi- censure of 
 shops, the governors of the church, could not involve the books- 
 clergy, either of this or future times, in a difficulty of that na- 
 ture, 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 counsel 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 16.S9, 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 presumed to have taken the ad- 
 vice 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 little entitled to 144 
 accomplishments of that kind, to call in question either the 
 justness or the conscience of that opinion. The Narrative of 
 the lower house says, " that though some eminent lawyers were 
 against it, there are others, perhaps as eminent, who are of a 
 
 p See Synodalia, vol. ii. pp. 699, 703, 705, 706. 
 
110 
 
 Lawyers advised with 
 
 contrary opinion 1." 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 determine ourselves, if we stay till all men be unanimous. 
 Their lordships, therefore, having applied to those of the pro- 
 fession in whom they thought they could entirely confide, had 
 reason to acquiesce in the judgment they gave : especially when 
 they were so expressly warned, that the effects of their acting 
 against it were to reach the whole body, and so themselves be- 
 came thereby much more inexcusable for endangering that 
 body, after a cautjpn given them by such competent judges, 
 and upon so much deliberation. 
 Their re- But the statute being a restraint upon the convocation only, 
 ingthe'ca^e anc ^ no * u P on the ecclesiastical courts of every bishop confirmed 
 to the bi- and established by law, their lordships, desirous to discourage 
 diocese the publication of such books by all methods consistent with 
 agreeable the clergy's safety, recommended that matter to the bishop in 
 practice of whose diocese the offender resided, and who upon that account 
 tion OCa 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 
 heretic. 
 
 Anno 1416, May 23. One John Barton, of the diocese of Lin- 
 145 coin, was accused of holding heretical opinions; and, May 26, 
 the register says, prafatus dominus Johannes Barton per do- 
 
 1 " We were as far from proposing to their lordships to censure the 
 book judicially, as we were from presuming so to censure it ourselves. We 
 only represented our opinion, and prayed their lordships to give it coun- 
 tenance by their concurrence, and to advise and direct us what course 
 might be taken by us to procure the suppressing that book that we had 
 laid before them, and providing that no more such books might be pub- 
 lished hereafter. For which purpose we could have suggested divers other 
 expedients besides a judicial censure of the book, if we had not thought it 
 more dutiful and more becoming us to submit the finding them to their 
 lordships' wisdom. But had a judicial censure been desired, though some 
 eminent lawyers were against it, there are others, perhaps as eminent, who 
 are of a contrary opinion. And if a license from his majesty were abso- 
 lutely necessary, we presume their lordships might, without much diffi- 
 culty, have obtained one; and the cause was worthy their endeavour." — 
 Narrative, p. 52. 
 
in the proceedings of 'convocation. 
 
 m 
 
 minimi (kintuariensem fuit deliberatus reverendo patri Phi- 
 lippo Lincoln episcopo, ut ipse procederet contra enm secun- 
 dum canonicas sanctiones. 
 
 Again, at the conclusion of the same convocation, we find 
 this entry : Memorandum, quod Ds. Robertus Chapell, fyc, 
 post dictam convocationem ftnitam, etiam ex deliberatione et 
 consilio pradatorum inibi existent iwm, fuit remissus ad epi- 
 scopum Roffensem, ad effectum quod ipse procederet contra 
 mm, prout de jure fuerit proced end. 
 
 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, et ordina- 
 vit ut conf rater suus episcopus Lincoln, fyc. procederet contra 
 eundem, ut ordinarius suus in hac parte. 
 
 Anno 1430. Mar. 2. In the case of one Thomas Bagley, ac- 
 cused of heresy, dominus videns quod ipse et confratres sui 
 nihil possent proficere in eo ad adificationem animce sua}, 
 mandavit domino London, ut ipsum recuperet, et contra eum 
 procederet, secundum quod in hac parte dictaverunt sanctio- 
 nes. And Mar. 5. Dominus assignavit eidem Thomai diem Ve- 
 neris tunc prox. ad audiend. sententiam ferend. contra eum, 
 per dominum Willielmum London ordinarium suum, pro 
 eo quod in dicecesi sua extitit beneficiatus. 
 
 Anno 1463, July ] 6. An accusation being brought in against 
 one of the diocese* of Winchester, dominus commisit eum con- 
 fratri suo Willelmo Winton episcopo puniend. 
 
 And in the very convocation of 1689, the right reverend the 1 
 bishop of London presiding, and the present bishops of Ro- 
 chester, Winchester, Exeter, and Worcester being then mem- 
 bers of the upper house, this method was marked 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 prceses eis decla- 
 ravit ad effectum sequen. scil. quod conscii fuerunt diversas 
 esse clausulas perniciosas in libris alias penes eos ex di- 
 rectione dictm domus 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 
 
lis 
 
 The gravamina and reformanda 
 
 the readiness of their lordships, upon a reasonable apprehen- 
 sion of danger to the church and clergy from the measures 
 proposed, to enter upon such other methods as the laws of the 
 land would permit, and they were sure the practice of convoca- 
 tion would justify. 
 
 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 considered in the 
 manner and to the purposes directed by their lordships. 
 
 Our next business is to show the rights to which the clergy 
 are entitled by the constant practice of convocation, and the 
 regard that upon the same ground is due from my lords the 
 147 bishops 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 per- 
 sons convened and examined in convocation. 
 
 IV. To dissent finally from any matter, so as to hinder its 
 passing into a synodical act. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The gravamina and reformanda in convocation. 
 
 The grava- I. From the niost early accounts of proceedings in convoca- 
 OTnsWered t^ 011 '' i* appears to have been usual for the clergy to lay before 
 
 r " The right of the clergy to present to the upper house their petitions 
 and grievances for redress, is asserted at large in two entire chapters of 
 the Synodus Anglicana. The Acts abound with applications of that kind : 
 as to the matters of them, all the articuli or gravamina cleri, so presented 
 to their lordships, consisted of sucli heads only as directly and imme- 
 diately concerned the rights and immunities of the lower clergy. The 
 
 clergy therefore of former days — knew no way by which their grievances 
 
in convocation. 
 
 118 
 
 the president and bishops the grievances under which they la-andpre- 
 boured, and with a dutiful submission to the judgment of their the subsi 
 lordships to pray a redress. These were styled the gravamina, dies - 
 or articuli cleri, and chiefly concerned matters relating to juris- 
 diction and their civil property, viz. the encroachments of the 
 lay-officers, the exactions and other irregularities of ecclesiasti- 
 cal courts, and such like, called frequently upon that account 
 injuria}. Sometimes, therefore, the redress of them made an 
 express condition of the subsidies they granted; and accord- 148 
 ingly, 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 infra biennium a tempore dictce 
 
 concessionis numerandum. Sub istis tamen conditionibus 
 
 adjectis et additis per dictum clerum, viz. quod dictus domi- 
 nus rex injurias et violentias ac alia gravamina viris eccle- 
 siasticis in enervationem libertatis ecclesiastica' per ministros 
 regios multipliciter attemptata, et per ipsum clerum in scri- 
 ptis redigenda, et dicto domino archie piscopo, et per eum do- 
 mino regi porrigenda, corrigat et reformet. Et tunc dictus 
 dominus archiepiscopus voluit quod clerus et religiosi proz- 
 dicti petitiones suas super dictis injuriis, violentiis et grava- 
 minibus in scriptis redigerent, et sibi porrigerent, 8fc, quod 
 super eis cum suis confratribus poterit consider e et delibe- 
 rare, et eas, habita deliberatione hujusmodi, una cum conces- 
 sione decimce biennalis prcedictOB dicto domino regi intimare; 
 
 could be regularly represented in convocation, but in the articuli cleri, nor 
 any place where these could be offered, but the upper house. 
 
 " Their lordships, after mature deliberation, either suspended them for 
 some time, or else, approving them, conveyed them by the hands of the 
 archbishop to the king, in person, in parliament, or in council ; when the 
 matters to be redressed came not within the ordinary authority of their 
 ecclesiastical superiors. In which cases the petitions ran in the name of 
 the clergy alone, as the matter of them only concerned the inferior orders. 
 And upon these circumstances (their relating purely to the rights of the 
 clergy, and though directed to the king, &c. yet constantly presented to 
 the upper house) I build the necessity of the clergy's laying all petitions, 
 to whomsoever directed, immediately before the upper house, for their ap- 
 probation and the conveyance of them to the proper hand." — The Pre- 
 tended Independence, fyc. p. 80. 
 
 GIBSON. I 
 
114 
 
 The gravamina and reformanda 
 
 et assignavit dictis clero et religiosis diem Sabbati prox. seq. 
 ad comparendum coram eo in dicta capella hora prima, volun- 
 tatem regiam super dictis petit ionibus, et etiam grates regias 
 pro dicta concessione, quas reportabit, audituris. Et ad hoc 
 faciendum continuavit dictam convocationem ad diem Sab- 
 bati supradictum. 
 
 Anno 1373, Dec. 2. Upon the clergy's motion to have their 
 grievances redressed by the king, they were directed to consi- 
 der of a subsidy, et quod interim informarent petitiones suas 
 super reformatione injuriarum, ut eas conciperent in scriptis, 
 quodque responsiones darent die prox. sequenti. 
 
 i Dec. 8. The bishop of London presiding, coram eo 
 
 procuratores cleri ibidem comparentes, decimam, Sec. conces- 
 serunt, ac dictam concessionem in scriptis dicto domino Lon- 
 don, episcopo porrexerunt, una cumquibusdam supplicationi- 
 bus pro reformatione quarundam injuriarum ecclesias Angli- 
 cana' illatarum in eadem scripjtura content. 
 
 Anno 1376, non. Febr. The grievances were presented to 
 the president and bishops ; and 1 2 kal. Martii we find the 
 archbishop making his report to the king's answer pradatis et 
 
 clero. et habita deliberatione per dictos prailatos et clerum 
 
 super liujusmodi responsione dominus continuavit, fyc. 
 
 And again, 2 kal. Martii, I suppose upon some further appli- 
 cation made by the clergy, the archbishop acquaints them with 
 the king's readiness to comply with their petitions, eas salvo 
 jure corona; suoj feliciter expedire. 
 
 Anno 1379. 4 kal. Martii. Pra-lati et clerus concesserunt 
 domino regi, fyc. rogando dominion regem, quod injurias et 
 gravamina illata ecclesia? et viris ecclesiasticis faceret revo- 
 cari. 
 
 Anno 1384. At the end of the convocation, clerus porrexit 
 certos articulos, petendo remedium ; et concessit medieta- 
 tem, Sec. 
 
 Anno 1 42 1. The archbishop's official, in the name of the 
 rest, produxit unarn cedulam papiri, formam concessionis 
 unius integral decimal contrnentem, fyc. cum hoc quod per 
 dominum regem, auctoritate parliamenti tunc apud Westm. 
 prcesentis, posset adhiberi remedium certis gravaminibus eis 
 illatis. 
 
 In these and other instances the clergy, who had a right to 
 
in convocation. 
 
 115 
 
 petition for redress, were willing those petitions should accom- J 5° 
 pany the grant, hecause that made them sure of a favourable 
 answer. But this was not constantly observed ; nor were all 
 the grievances addressed to the king, but many of them ulti-The grk-v- 
 mately to the archbishop and bishops, when the matter thereof ^J)^ ° d _ 
 concerned their courts, and so the redress was in their lord- Messed, 
 ships' power. We find also, anno 1 399, Oct. t i , mention made 
 of such articles offered to the pope, in a case, we may imagine, 
 that was not otherwise to be reformed. Decanus ecclesice 
 Hereford, articulos de mandato domini archiepiscopi palam 
 
 et aperte perlegebat. Et quia in dictis articulis contine- 
 
 bantur certa gravamina per sedem apostolicam reformanda, 
 visum fuit satis honestum et eocpediens domino arch iepiscopo, 
 Src. that the pope's collector should be sent for, and advised 
 with : whose counsel was, that the king, the archbishop and 
 bishops, should write to the pope pro reformatione eorun- 
 dem. 
 
 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, considered and debated in convoca- 
 tion, were either general, when the matters to be reformed 
 had relation to the common good of the church, and, equally 
 affecting the bishops and clergy, were settled in a synodical 
 way, and addressed and presented in the names of both ; which 
 the registers call reformanda in convocations, reformanda in 
 parliamento, 8fc. : or else particular, when the bishops or 
 clergy had grievances to offer that affected only their own 
 order respectively ; and in such cases, though the clergy pre- 151 
 sented 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. 
 
 These the clergy in convocation have an undoubted right to The upper 
 present; but as they are to be laid immediately before the ^"righ^to" 
 upper house, so the archbishop and bishops have a right to direct at 
 direct, as oft as they see cause, at what time they shall be pro- the^Hev! 
 posed, and offered in form. j» nces shall 
 
 Anno 1356, 16 kal. Jun. Archiepiscopus injunrit religiosis ed. PTOI ° S 
 
 1 2 
 
116 
 
 The gravamina and rejvrmanda 
 
 tt aUis de ciera, quod die tunc crastina propone re at petitionee 
 mas. 
 
 Anno 1369, 10 kal. Feb. Archiepiscopus voluit, quod clerus 
 et religiosi petitionee suas super injuriis, violentiis. et grava- 
 minibus, in scriptis redigerent, et sibi porrigerent die Ve- 
 neris. 
 
 Anno 1373. The clergy directed, quod interim informarent 
 petitiones suas super reformatione injuriarum, ut eas conci- 
 perent in scriptis, quodque responsiones darent die prox. 
 sequent. 
 
 Anno 1377, 2 id. Nov. The president prcemunivit quod unus 
 clericus de quolihet episcopatu dicta? provincial Cant, veniret 
 ad ecclesiam S. Pauli London, et ibidem inter se post pran- 
 dium, fyc. deliberarent super petitionibus formandis de sin- 
 gulis gravaminibus communlter clerum cujuslibet episcopatus 
 tangentibus. 
 
 Anno 1399, Oct. 6. Quia videbatur domino archiepiscopo 
 et aliis episcopis suos Cant, provincial satis difficile omnes 
 pr&latos et procuratores cleri in communi congregare ad 
 152 concipiend. articulos ex parte cleri proponendos, jyropter hoe 
 deputavit 5 p> ersonas > viz- mag. Thomam Stowe, S,-c. ad con- 
 cipiend. articulos ex parte pralatorum et cleri, super quibus 
 praitendunt ecclesiam et se gravatos. 
 
 Anno 141 1, Dec. 2. Archiepiscopus mandavit p>rocuratoribus 
 cleri, quatenus si aliqua essent gravamina ex parte eorum 
 reformatione indigentia, quod vel/ent et deberent citra diem 
 Veneris extunc proximo futur. coram convocatione dominorum 
 in domo capitulari seriosius intimare. 
 The gricv- At other times, when the clergy had received no previous 
 offered ina direction to bring their grievances in writing, we find them 
 general re- fi rs t making a general representation thereof, viva voce, to 
 
 presenta- 
 
 tion, viva the archbishop and bishops, and upon that, either leaving them 
 voce. to fchgij. 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 quod die tunc crastina proponerent jyetitiones 
 suas : and the next session it is thus expressed, propositis 
 quibusdam petitionibus per clerum tarn viva voce qvam in 
 scriptis. 
 
 Anno 1373, Dec. 2. The clergy, upon a general motion for 
 
in convocation. 
 
 117 
 
 the redress of grievances by the king, are commanded in- 
 formare petitionees suas super reformatione injuriarum hujus- 
 modi. 
 
 Anno 141 1, Nov. 4. The clergy, according to the order of 
 Dec. 2, just now cited, that they should gravamina, 8fc. serio- 
 sius intimare, did it on Dec. 4 in the following manner : com- 
 paruerunt procuratores cleri, qui plura referebant grava- 
 mina; allegantes, quod de tot et tantis se sentiit clerus malis 153 
 prcegravatum, quod nisi in scriptis contineantur, non possent 
 de facili recenseri. The proctors retire, and the archbishop 
 
 and bishops debate about the same matter. Procuratores, 
 
 Sj-c. reintrarunt circa horam undecimam; quibus per domi- 
 num archiepiscopum ad tunc mandabatur quod citra proxi- 
 mam diem convocations exhibeant et declarent articulatim 
 
 gravamina sua in scriptis redacta. Accordingly, Dec. 7, 
 
 two of the members nonnullas inconvenientias et gravamina 
 pro et ex parte cleri, cujus gerebant organa vocis, exposue- 
 runt ; qua? in scriptis redacta exhibuerunt. 
 
 Anno 1452. The prolocutor having given the upper house 
 an account of what was done about the subsidy, is asked, an 
 quicquam voluisset pro parte cleri in ecclesia Anglicana re- t 
 formations dignum proponere. And he, continuo et quasi ex 
 insperato quamplurima, Sec. proposuit. Et quia non erat < 
 facile singula per ipsum ibidem exposita memorial, quoe. ad- 
 modum labilis est, commendare, idcirco admonuit eundem 
 prolocutorem dictus reverendissimus pater, ut singula per 
 eum in hac parte proposita redigeret in literas, et concilio 
 traderet, plenius et maturius super eisdem deliberaturo. 
 
 Anno 1452, Feb. 7. Prailocutor, post explicationem et decla- 
 rationem nonnullorum gravaminum ecclesim Anglicanoz et 
 clero ejusdem a laicis illatorum, super quibus pe tiit reform a- 
 tionem debitam, rntimavit, Sec. 
 
 ^Alino 1460, May 13. Propositis ibidem coram dicto reve- 
 rendissimo patre et aliis in dicta domo capitidari protunc 
 ibidem existen t ibus quibusdam articulis per prolocutorem viva 
 voce, dictus reverendissimus pater decrevit hujusmodi articu- 
 los sic viva voce declarat. in scriptis redigi. 
 
 Anno 1460, May 24. Reverendissimus, fyc. auditis per eum 754 
 p/uribus articulis coram ipso adtunc viva voce ministratis, 
 continuavit, fyc. 
 
118 
 
 The gravamina and reforrnanda 
 
 Anno 1541? sess. 8. Accessit prolocutor cum quibusdam de 
 elect is a clero, et exposuerunt querelas suas. 
 
 Thus the usual methods of entering upon the grievances of 
 the clergy were either upon an express command from the 
 archbishop and bishops, or by a general representation thereof 
 to their lordships ; who being in that manner solicited to re- 
 dress them, either by their own ordinary power, or by inter- 
 cession 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 The yrievances beino- reduced into articles, and read in the 
 ances. upper house by the prolocutor, were presented to the arch- 
 bishop and bishops, to be by them particularly considered and 
 debated ; in order to their further prosecution of such mea- 
 sures as should appear most effectual to the relief of their 
 clergy. After mature deliberation upon them, with the clergy, 
 or among themselves, as seemed most convenient, the articles 
 were either suspended for some time, as those in 141 1, Dec. 7, 
 omnes isti siiprascripti articiili, quorum reformatio delibera- 
 tionis et dierum exegit inducias, de consilio et assensu ex- 
 pressis dominorum in convocatione pro2sentium positi f tier tint 
 adhuc in suspenso, or, being thought in all respects just and 
 reasonable, they were approved, and measures taken by the 
 president and bishops in convocation, or by their ordinary 
 authority, if the matters were such as came under their own 
 1 55 power in either of these capacities. Otherwise they conveyed 
 them to the king in person, in his council, or in his parliament, 
 acccording to the nature of the requests they offered. 
 The refor- II. The reforrnanda, whether in convocatione, in parlia- 
 !]ifenti/ re " men t°> or P er regem, were upon matters that concerned the 
 proposed by good of the church and religion in general, and being there- 
 bishop a- f° re equally the care and concern as well of bishops as clergy, 
 
 mong the were frequently moved and proposed by the archbishop at the 
 causes of . . . 
 
 convoca- opening of the convocation, among the causes of his sum- 
 mons. 
 
 Anno 1400, Jan. 29. The archbishop explains causas et 
 negotia celebrationis sui concilii provincialis, convocationis 
 cleri vulgariter nuncupat. viz. pro defectibus ejusdem provin- 
 cial tarn in clero quam in populo juxta juris exigentiam cano- 
 nice reform and is ; and then he descends to the particulars. 
 
 Uon 
 
in convocation. 
 
 119 
 
 Anno 1404, May 17. The first day of business: the arch- 
 bishop continuing the convocation to May 21, demandavit aliis 
 prozlatis et clero tunc ibidem prazsentibus, quod singulis die- 
 bus interim ad dictum locum \_domum capitulareni] convent- 
 rent, et laborarent circa reformanda in Cantuariensi provirb- 
 cia, et exinde articulos conciperent in scriptis redigendos, ut 
 cum Dei adjutorio adhibita eorum benevolentia in hoc parte, 
 quozque reformanda Jtujusmodi possent reformari. 
 
 Anno 1416, Nov. 16. Exposita per reverendissimum 
 
 patrem causa convocations eorum protunc facto? et cele- 
 brate, communicatoque inter eosdem, [viz. the bishops and 
 clergy then present] a/iquamdiu de et super variis reforman- 1 
 dis in provincia, tandem dominus continuavit, fyc. 
 
 Anno 1419. Among the causes of calling the convocation, 
 particularly explained by the archbishop, the third is, pro 
 defectibus in clero regnantibus, auctoritate illius jM'ovincialis 
 concilii reformandis : and then he directs the lower clergy to 
 retire to their house, et quod ibidem de et super materiis 
 prozdictis tractarent et communicarent, ad finem quod habita 
 deliberatione de et super prazmissis, ad Dei laudem auctoritate 
 concilii finaliter concludi posset et concorditer ordinari. 
 
 Anno 1434. The archbishop reckons up several grievances 
 of the church; et tunc habita cornmunicatione super hujus- 
 modi gravaminibus, ordinatum erat tunc ibidem ut hujusmodi 
 gravamina ac alia quazcunque in quibus d ictus clerus se 
 sentiit gravari, nec non si quoz forent crimina et excessus 
 infra clerum usitat. quaz necessaria reformatione indigerent, 
 in scriptis redigerentur ; ut super his omnibus ex communi 
 consilio, consensu, et auxilio, remedium posset debitum ad- 
 hiberi. 
 
 Anno 1439. The archbishop declares the causes of the con- 
 vocation : viz. qualiter jurisdictio ecclesiastica per brevia 
 regia, et prazcipue per brevia ilia de 'praemunire facias' plus 
 
 solito extitit perturbata, impedita, atque enormiter lozsa. 
 
 Qualiter personce ecclesiasticaz, tarn seculares quam regxda- 
 res, per falsa indictamenta et alias vias exquisitas plus 
 
 solito vexatw et gravataz sunt his diebus. And the next 
 
 session, dominus mandavit prcelatis et clero, quatenus super 
 prozmissis et aliis materiis quibuscunque reformatione neces- 
 saria indigentibus, viz. qualiter Mud breve de 'praemunire 
 
120 
 
 The gravamina and reformanda 
 
 The me- 
 thods of 
 bringing 
 in the re- 
 formanda. 
 
 Tli? cler- 
 gy's right 
 to propose 
 reforma- 
 tions. 
 
 157 facias,' et ipsa, falsa indictamenta qua; hodiemis diebus falso. 
 nequiter, et malitiose usitantur et continuant ur, in aliquo 
 mitigari aut pro perpetuo deleri et final iter extingui valeant 
 
 et billas et alia advisamenta in hoc parte necessaria ad 
 
 prcemissa reformanda conciperent. 
 
 Anno 1444. After the mention of the foresaid writ among 
 the causes of convocation, the archbishop adds, qualiter in ec- 
 clesia Anglicana /iterant pdurima reformations digna, de 
 quibus roluit et asseruit cum confratribus suis plenius delibe- 
 rate. And in the next convocation, when these tilings made 
 
 a part of the speech at the first opening, we afterwards find 
 the reformanda in conoocatione and reformanda in parUor- 
 mento at large. 
 
 In compliance with such general directions from his grace, 
 or, though 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 repre- 
 sentations to the president and bishops, viva voce, of such things 
 as they conceived to want reformation : 2. Bringing in sche- 
 dules of particular abuses, that in their opinion were injurious 
 to the honour and interest of the church. 
 
 I. The clergy in convocation have a right to offer general 
 representations of such things as they conceive to want re- 
 formation. 
 
 Anno 1412. At the conclusion of that convocation, domino 
 London, prcesidente, et tractante cum pratlatis et clero pro- 
 vincial super quibusdam ordinand. ad honorem Dei et eccle- 
 sia;, tandem certa proposita fuerunt pro parte cleri, super 
 quibus ordinationes fieri jubebantur. et qua; clerus in scriptis 
 redegit. 
 
 158 Anno 1463. Jul. 6. Dominus. assidentibus sibi episcopis. 
 post communicationem inter eos diu habitam, factaque sup- 
 plications eisdem vivce vocis oraculo per pradocutorem pro cer- 
 tis reformationibus in ecclesia habendis, continuavit, fyc. 
 
 Anno i486. Feb. 17. Dominus communicavit cum confra- 
 tribus suis, prcelatisque et clero. de pAuribus reformandis in 
 ecclesia. Et ibidem inter eosdem responsum erat, quwl privi- 
 legia priori Sancti Johannis Jerusalem in Anglia et fratribus 
 suis concessa, male et enormiter his diebus utebantur: et quod 
 pr&dicantes verbum Dei apud Crucem S. Pauli London. 
 
in convocation. 
 
 121 
 
 maxime clamant contra ecclesiam et ecclesiasticos in eorum 
 absentia et in prcesentia laicorum, qui semper clericis sunt 
 infesti. 
 
 Anno 1529. sess. 4. Ingressus est j)rolocutor cum quibusdam 
 de clero, qui exposuit certa capitula in vulgari concernen. uti- 
 litatem pratdictoi si/nodi pro reformatione abusionum. Et 
 ibi reverendus monuit prolocutorem ut rediret in domum in- 
 feriorem, et conciperet articulos de abusionibus. Accordingly, 
 
 sess. 6. Ingressus est jirolocutor cum clero, et ibi exhi- 
 buerunt articulos suos pro reformatione; et examinatio delata 
 in prox. sessionem: and, sess. 7. Prolocutor exhibuit suos ar- 
 ticulos, deliberandos in proxima sessione. 
 
 The bishops, &c, in the mean time were also preparing their 
 articles of reformation ; for so the register has it, 
 
 sess. 5. Reverendissirnus voluit ut suffraganei sid et 
 
 alii prcdati conciperent reformatione m, et exhiberent tales 
 articulos die luna; prox. On which day, 
 
 Sess. 6. Episcopus Heref. exhibuit quosdam articulos pro 159 
 reformatione clericorum, et episcopi Exon., Coven, et Lichf, 
 Lincoln., Batlton. et Wellen. exhibuerunt billas pro reforma- 
 tione abusionum ecclesiarum appropriatarum monasteriis, 
 fyc. 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, 
 quod quidam de dicta domo exhibuerunt quasdam diversas 
 schedas de rebus reformandis per eos respective excogitat. 
 et in scriptis redact. Quae quidem schedoe de communi con- 
 sensu traditte sunt quibusdam viris gravioribus et doctioribus 
 de coztu dictai dornus inferioris ad hoc electis perspiciend. et 
 considerand. Quibus sic electis, ut asseruit, assignatum est, 
 nt hujusmodi schedas in capitula redigant, ac in proxima 
 sessione exhibeant coram eodem prolocutore Et tunc reve- 
 rendissirnus hujusmodi negotia per dictum prolocutorem et 
 clerum incaepta approbavit, ac in eisdem erga prox. sessio- 
 nem juxta eorum determinationem procedere voluit et man- 
 davit. 
 
 II. We find the clergy, i.e. every particular clergyman, re-Thecler- 
 quired to bring in their schedule of abuses for the information of to 'bril^ii 
 the synod, and the enabling the bishops and clergy to proceed schedules 
 
 jointly to a reformation. 
 
 of reforma- 
 tion. 
 
122 
 
 The gravamina and reformanda 
 
 Anno 1586. sess. 2. Lower house book. Post aliquem tracta- 
 tum inter reverendos patres et dominum prolocutorem, cum 
 aliis ex inferiori ccetu, de rebus quibusdam necessariis, dictus 
 dominus prolocutor cum coetu sno prcedicto in dictam inferio- 
 rem domum revertebatur : and after the house was settled in 
 the accustomed manner, habita est per dominion prolocutorem 
 160 admonitio omnibus ex hoc coetu, fyc. ut si qui sint qui aliquas 
 schedulas proferre vellent de rebus in hujusmodi convocatione 
 reformandis, easdem sibi traderent in proxima sessione. 
 
 Anno 1586. sess. 7. In the extracts out of the upper house 
 journal, the archbishop gives intimation at a conference with 
 the lower house, to present if any had " ordained 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, intituled 
 Suffolk archdeaconry." 
 
 Anno 1586. sess. 11. Lower house book: Precibus finitis 
 [prolocutor~\ adiit reverendissimum patrem et co?teros prcela- 
 tos ; et paulo post revertens, intimavit omnibus pr&sentibus 
 consultum esse per eosdem reverendissimum patrem et prat- 
 latos de reformatione fienda quoad schedidas eidem reveren- 
 dissimo ac domino prolocutori exhibitas. Et quod conventum 
 est inter dictos reverendissimum et prcelatos de exercitiis fiend, 
 per ministros infra prov. Cant. Et quod iidem reverendi pa- 
 tres, cum redierint in diozceses suas, ordinem eorundem signi- 
 ficabunt omnibus quibus interest in hac parte. 
 
 Anno 1588. sess. 2. Lower house book: Dominus prolocutor 
 universo ccetui significavit, voluntatem reuerendissimi cwtero- 
 rumque prailatorum esse, quod si aliquis hujus domus noverit 
 quenquam ministrum de quo juste conqueri possit, quod con- 
 tra leges ecclesiasticas nunc temporis auctoritate legitima re- 
 ceptas et approbatas se gessit et gerit ; aut si aliquis noverit 
 quenquam qui canones in ultima convocatione approbatos et 
 i6ieditos violaverit, eosdem in scriptis denunciarent reverendis- 
 simo domino Cant, archiepiscopo, cozterisque dominis pradatis 
 predict, pro debita correctione et reformatione in ea parte 
 faciend. Accordingly, 
 
 The next session, we find this intimation of such a schedule 
 
in convocation. 
 
 brought in : Into die porrecta fuit domino prolocutori sche- 
 dula reformcmd. per M. Coton. 
 
 From the foregoing passages I infer this plain account of Inferences 
 the reformanda in convocation. While the archbishop and hi- foregoing 
 shops are supposed to be consulting in the upper house, whe- accounts - 
 ther any regulations in the church, or in their particular dio- 
 cese, be necessary at that time ; the clergy in the lower house, 
 who are supposed to be eyewitnesses of many things that do 
 not 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 viva 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 compared and jointly 
 considered with those of the same kind exhibited by their lord- 
 ships. These reformanda, in many cases, could require no 
 moi-e than the strict exercise of the ordinary jurisdiction in 
 every diocese, and were therefore answered by a solemn re- 
 commendation of them to the care of the bishops respectively. 
 But if the abuses called for a new law, and the reformation of 
 them required the assistance of the prince or the parliament, 
 these schedules were reduced into articles, and upon them, as 
 containing the general sense and request of the synod, such 
 solicitations were set a-foot as were judged necessary to bring 162 
 about the reformation desired. 
 
 The applications upon the reformanda in parliamento were The care of 
 usually left to the care of the archbishop, bishops, and the par- ^ j e J°*" 
 liamentary prelates ; one instance whereof I will set down at parlia- 
 large, because it is more distinct and particular than the rest, aiiy^ef^to" 
 and will give the reader a clear apprehension of this matter. the archbi- 
 
 Anno 1452. Mar. 3. Quia ccetera negotia qua in ecclesia^° V ' & °" 
 Anglicana reformatione indigebant, majestatem regiam et 
 jura regni concernebant, et sic definitioni et sentential dicti 
 concilii nequaquam interim suhjacebant ; suppdicatum fuerat 
 ex parte cleri, quatenus dictus reverendissimus in Christo 
 pater, necnon dicti reverendi in Christo patres, cwterique 
 pra'lati ad tunc ibidem existentes in parliamento, quod tunc 
 in prox. diebus apud Radgng inchoand. fuerat, apud regiam 
 celsitudinem , necnon optimates, proceres et communitatem 
 pradict. regni in eodem parliamento in nnum congregandos, 
 
124 The gravamina and reformanda in convocation. 
 
 pro reformations hujusmodi rite faciend. efficaciter instarent. 
 Cujiis supplicationi anmiit idem reverendissimus in Christo 
 pater, reverendique in Christo patres, promittentes se curatu- 
 ros et acturos apud regiam celsitudinem, necnon optimates, pro- 
 ceres, communitatemqiie praidict. quoad in eis foret, pro felici 
 cita et celeri reformatione eorundem, sicut et in parliamento 
 prcedict. pro viribus mis pro eadem reformatione instarunt. 
 Deputies On some other occasions we find a certain number of the 
 appointed c i er gy d e p U ted by convocation to assist the president and bi- 
 
 by convo- o« 1 « 1 
 
 cation to shops in soliciting their business. 
 
 bisiiops^n Anno 1444. Octo. 22. The clergy are directed, quatenus pro 
 
 soliciting, corrigend. et reformand. 8pc. inter se deliberarent. Oct. 26. 
 
 Qlerus domus inferioris desiderabat ab episcopis et aliis prw- 
 latis sentire suum super cedula de reformand. in ipsa convo- 
 cations per clerum concept. — et ad tunc dominus Bathon [com- 
 missarius] de consensu confratrum suorum religiosorum et 
 co3terorum procwatorum cleri, manu sua propria subscripsit 
 
 singulos articulos in eadem cedula contentos. Et quantum 
 
 ad reformanda per parliamentum, nominati in dicta cedula. 
 fuerunt deputati ad solicitand. dictam materiam. 
 
 Anno 1452. Mar. 15. Assignatis insuper quibusdam de clero, 
 viz. magistris, Sfc. ad sollicitandum, instruendum, et plenius 
 informandum reverendissimum in Christo patrem, reverendos 
 in Christo patres, cceterosque pradatos, in et desuper dictis 
 materiis et negotiis in parliamento in proximis diebus incho- 
 and. corrigend. et reformand. 
 
 Anno 1460. The last day of convocation : pluribus articulis 
 lectis et recitatis, ad supplicationem totius cleri, reverendissi- 
 mus pater aliique reverendi patres se penes regiam majesta- 
 tem pro reformatione eorundem pwomiserunt suos impendere 
 labores. Deinde certi viri ex clero electi fuerunt, qui dictum 
 reverendissimum patrem et alios reverendos patres ad proz- 
 missa facienda solicitarent. 
 
 Thus much is sufficient to show what part the clergy in 
 convocation have always borne, and may therefore justly claim, 
 in grievances and reformation ; distinguished in convocation- 
 language from all other business, by the known names of ar- 
 ticuli or gravamina cleri and reformanda. Their petitions and 
 applications of other kinds come next under consideration. 
 
The clergy's fictitious. 
 
 125 . 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 164 
 
 The clergy's petitions of other kinds. 
 
 The clergy in convocation have a right not only to the re- 
 dress 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 mea- 
 sures 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. The petitions I have observed, are, 
 
 1. For the making of new canons or ordinations; of which Petitions: 
 sort we meet with none in the more early times, because then ^J°e™ a 
 the clergy had no concern in them: but in the year 1529, canons, 
 sess. 7, it is said that the prolocutor, applying himself to the 
 upper house, voluit ut ordinatio fieret de appropriationibus 
 ecclesiarum, et de pensionibus vicariis persolvendis. Anno 
 
 1 54 1. sess. 20. derm exposuit iv. petitioner, primo de legibus 165 
 
 ecclesiasticis condendis 3 0 de uniendis parvis beneficiis. 
 
 4 0 de decimis solvendis. 
 
 2. For the revival of such ancient canons and constitutions 2. For the 
 as were in force, but seemed to be disused and forgotten : so, ^™ c * n °^ s> 
 anno 141 2, sess. 2, we meet with an address at large from the 
 
 clergy to the bishops, praying their lordships to enforce the 
 
 observation of certain constitutions. Anno 141 9. The last 
 
 day of the convocation, dominus, ad petitionem cleri, quon- 
 dam constitutionem provincialem per Rob. Wynchelse praide- 
 cessorem suum editam, quce sic incipit, ' capellani stipendiarii,' 
 fyc. cum omnibus suis capntulis, verbis, clausulis et dictioni- 
 bus in eadem, ad totam provinciam suam Cantuariensem 
 extendi, et omnes artari debere, ex consensu fratrum suorum 
 et autoritate totius concilii declaravit et pronunciavit. 
 
126 
 
 The clergy's petitions 
 
 3. For the abolition or suspension of laws or customs that 
 appeared to be burdensome or inconvenient. 
 3. For the Anno 1428. The last day of convocation: dominus ex 
 
 abolition or " 
 
 suspension asscnsu confratrum suorum, et ad petitionem cleri, poznam in 
 of Laws, constitutione propter excessiva stipendia capellanorum, tarn 
 contra dantes quam recipientes latam, pro parte dantium 
 suspendit usque ad p>roximam convocationem, et ipsos hujus- 
 
 modi poena minime involutes fore decrevit : Anno 1529, 
 
 sess. 91, prolocutor intrans, Sfc. petiit quod prcesentati ad 
 ecclesiastica beneficia non arctentur per dia>cesanos scripto 
 aliquo obligatorio, aut pcena temporali obligari ad residen- 
 tial)}. Anno 1541, sess. 20, clerus exposuit petitionem de 
 
 conjugiis factis in Bethlem abolendis. Anno 1555, sess. 3, 
 
 J 65 The clergy grant a subsidy ; et illic exposuit clerus tres peti- 
 tiones ; primum, quod omnes beneficiati qui spe remission/is 
 primorum fructuum ex communi rumore sacerdotia assecuti 
 sunt, non obligentur rependere duplos, 8fC. ido, ut possint 
 diplomata apostolica pro sacerdotiis retinend. assequi : post- 
 remo, quod statutum tollatur pro decimis solvendis, 8fc. et 
 quod decimarum causa; emergentes coram ordinario exami- 
 nentur et decidantur. 
 festiv 0 "* 4" a PP°i n ^ men t °f new festivals, or improving the 
 services of the old. Anno 1434, Oct. 9, dominus, ex con- 
 sensu confratrum suorum, et ad petitionem cleri, ordained 
 that St. Frideswide's day, cum novem lectionibus et aliis qua; 
 ad hujusmodi festum cum regimine chori secundum usum 
 Sarum pertinent, per totam provinciam suam perpetuo cele- 
 braretur. Anno 1444, Oct. 24, magister Willelmus By co- 
 nil offic. curia) Cant, totius clan prolocutor, supplicabat do- 
 mino ex parte cleri, ut dies translationis S. Edivardi, fyc. 
 ■ — sub duplici festo per suam provinciam sol empnizari posset, 
 de confratrum suorum consensu, concedere dignaretur. 
 5 For the 5. For the archbishop's intercession with the king to restrain 
 shops'in- the lay officers from oppressing the church, or to pray their 
 
 te- th > th° n ass ^ s * ance * n * ne enforcement of ecclesiastical laws. Anno 
 
 king. J 394> supplicatio cleri, directed to the archbishop of Canter- 
 bury and the archbishop of York, chancellor of England, that 
 for the suppression of Lollardy, they will intercede with the 
 king, ut dignetur extendere cum effectu brachium suaz majes- 
 tatis. Anno 1463, Jul. 18, petitum fait per magistrum 
 
in convocation. 
 
 127 
 
 Johannem Stocks prolocutor em., a domino, at ipse regiaz 
 •majestati scriberet pro liberations certarum personariim 
 eeclesiasticarum in custodia laicali incarcerate: mm et custo- 
 ditarum, ut secundum cartam alias per regem viris eccle- 167 
 
 siasticis concessam, siris 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 impri- 
 soning the clergy. 
 
 6. For more strict execution of ecclesiastical discipline : as, 6. For the 
 anno T586, March 15, Extracts out of the upper house book : 0 j ^\ sc [_ 
 
 ' The lower house beseech the bishops to be careful of ordina- Po- 
 tions, 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. In the year 1555, I find at the end of the journal, an 7. Petitions 
 abstract of the petitions offered by the inferior clergy to the y n S jg eral 
 upper house. 
 
 " Item, supplication of the lower house to the bishops con- 
 cerning spiritual lands in temporal men's hands. Item, for 
 
 schools and hospitals promised in the statute of suppression 
 
 of colleges. Item, for mortmain, tithes, appropriations ; of 
 
 preachers, of books, of statutes and jurisdiction against here- 
 tics, 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 clerks' apparel, of priests married, 
 of schoolmasters, of exempt jurisdiction and peculiar places in 
 lay men's hands, of the cognition of causes of tithes before the 
 mayor of London ; that places exempted may be allotted to 
 certain priests ; of chancels decayed, of priests married to j 68 
 be reconciled, of payment for tithes, of religious women mar- 
 ried to be divorced ; 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." 
 
 All petitions of this nature were delivered to the archbishop Petitions of 
 
128 The part of the clergy 
 
 the clergy and bishops, and rested with them : as those others to the king 
 Fmmediafe- or Parliament were put into the hands of the archbishop, singly 
 lytothe or jointly with his suffragans; that after approbation, they 
 
 upper • . . . 
 
 house. might by their lordships be conveyed and solicited according 
 to the intent and tenor thereof. Nor do I remember to have 
 have met with any petition in the registers, delivered sepa- 
 rately 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 addressed 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 concerned. 
 The time The time of the clergy's presenting their petitions to the 
 in/such* 1 " u PP er house, whether viva voce or in scriptis, was usually 
 petitions, upon delivery of their grant, and at the end of convocation. 
 169 Not but they had the same right to offer them any other time, 
 though no supplies were given ; but that being the most desir- 
 able opportunity of conveying their grievances to the king, 
 became thereupon the ordinary time of bringing in their peti- 
 tions of all other kinds. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The part which the clergy have had injudicial cases. 
 The ordinary way of trying and convicting heretics 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 accused to the secular power, 
 either the degree or evidence of the crime falling short, the 
 suspicion was however reckoned a sufficient cause of imprison- 
 ment : that if he had not abjured in form, he might by that 
 means be compelled to it ; or if he had, that he might not be 
 
hi judicial cases. 
 
 1^0 
 
 trusted abroad till ho had given sufficient proofs of the sin- 
 cerity of his recantation. In cases of this kind the person was 
 frequently brought before the next convocation, especially such 
 as had relapsed after an abjuration of their errors, according 
 to the language and corrupt opinions of those times. The 
 whole process in the inferior courts was returned into the 
 archbishop's, to be deposited there against the next convoca- 
 tion ; and when that came, the person was produced, and a 170 
 relation of the former prosecutions publicly given, either by 
 the archbishop or the diocesan. 
 
 This was the ordinary practice long before that establish- Constitu- 
 ment of it by a constitution under archbishop Chichle, anno tinging 
 1416, part of which I will here transcribe, because it shews J ie £ etic ^ 
 the manner and end of bringing persons, examined already in convoca- 
 the bishops' courts, before the whole body of the clergy in tlon - 
 convocation. After a general direction to the several bishops, 
 archdeacons, &c. to be diligent in the discovery and prosecu- 
 tion of heretics : et si quas personas convictas forsan curiae 
 seculari non relinquant, ipsos ad carceres perpetuos sive tem- 
 poraries, prout rei qualitas exegerit, ad minus usque ad prox. 
 pronlatorum et cleri Cantuariensis provincial convocationem 
 duratur. realiter committant, et in eisdem secundum juris 
 exigentiam servari faciant, ac de omnibus et singulis supra- 
 dictis, quomodo, viz. inquisierunt, reperierunt, ac in proces- 
 sibus se habuerunt jwrsonas hujusmodi convictas, diligentia- 
 que aut negligentiis archidiaconorum sive commissar iorum 
 prazdictorum, aliisque omnibus et singulis circumstantiis 
 prozmissis quomodolibet concernen. ac proesertim de abjura- 
 tionibus, si quos interim hcereses abjurare contingat, in prox. 
 prailatorum et cleri convocatione sub forma publica distincte 
 et aperte nos et successores nostros certificare curent, et eos- 
 dem processus officiali curice nostra} Cant, effectualiter libe- 
 rent, penes eundem seu in registrario curia' nostrce Cant, 
 remansur. sic videlicet quod quemlibet cujus interest pro 
 executione ulteriori eorundem processuum, ad eundem offi- 
 cialem recur, habere poterit cum effectu. 
 
 Such was the method of those times; but that which I am 171 
 chiefly to consider is, the judicature in convocation, and this £oSf be . 
 was usually the archbishop, bishops, and clergy in a body ; fore the 
 before whom the party accused is generally said to be brought : bishops! 01 '' 
 
 GIBSON. K and clergy. 
 
130 
 
 The clergy's right 
 
 coram reverendis&imo, confratribus suis, et clero, in concilio 
 congregatis, adductus fuit, or words to the same effect, is the 
 Sentence ordinary language of the registers in those cases : and the 
 
 in all their J . 6 , » , • i 
 
 names. sentence, running m the name of the archbishop, is passed, 
 auctoritate, de consilio et assensu, 8fc. prmlatorum et cleri. 
 The instances of both kinds are too numerous to be particularly 
 set down, nor can they be overlooked by any one who shall 
 cast an eye upon the convocation acts of those times when such 
 prosecutions happened. 
 
 It is true, they are sometimes said to be produced coram 
 domino et confratribus, without mention of the clergy, or only 
 praisente clero, and in presentia cleri; in which cases the 
 archbishop and bishops might probably act as a pure provincial 
 council ; for into such we know they sometimes resolved them- 
 selves, upon the opportunity of coming together in convocation. 
 But in the ordinary style of the registers, the appearance is 
 made before them, and the sentence ordinarily pronounced 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 do not pretend to 
 give a judgment of them, but only assert the clergy's rights by 
 172 ancient usage to a share in the judicature with the archbishop 
 and bishops, supposing cases of that nature to come actually 
 before them. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The clergi/'s right of a negative or final dissent from the 
 ripper house. 
 
 The origi- The greatest power enjoyed by the English clergy in a pro- 
 nalotthe vmc i a j S y no d, beyond the presbyters of other nations, is a 
 
 clergy s J J . 
 
 negative, negative upon the metropolitan and bishops, none of whose 
 resolutions, either in part or in whole, can be passed into 
 synodical acts without the previous approbation of the inferior 
 clergy. It is very true, what we observed before, that it was 
 a civil account which brought them by degrees into this extra- 
 ordinary power in ecclesiastical affairs. Their civil property 
 
of a negative or final dissent. 131 
 
 could not be disposed of but by their own consent, and this 
 being- the great business of convocation at the beginning, the 
 negative of the clergy became an established rule there ; and 
 so that rule took place in canons, constitutions, and other eccle- 
 siastical affairs, when these also, which before had solely be- 
 longed to a synod of the archbishop and bishops, came to be 
 considered and framed in convocation. 
 
 However, it is now an established right of the lower house, A negative 
 and a part of the constitution of this national church : nor is it sent an 
 my design to diminish it by the observation I am about to add, established 
 
 ... right of 
 
 that though the clergy's negative as to subsidies was directly the English 
 
 founded hi that common right of English subjects, not to be cler gy- 
 
 1 7 3 
 
 taxed but by their own consent, yet, under that right, the 
 clergy of those days preserved such a sense of duty to their 
 ecclesiastical superiors, that all their denials were made with All denials 
 great humility, and often accompanied also with a request to^^^ er " 
 be excused for that time, and also with their particular reasons with great 
 why they could not come up to the desires of the archbishop huml ty " 
 and his brethren. For the granting of subsidies was always 
 proposed by the president ; upon which the clergy were di- 
 rected to retire and debate, and return their answers to him 
 and his brethren. Generally they concurred with great readi- 
 ness, and when they dissented, they usually shewed the causes 
 thereof with the utmost humility. 
 
 Anno 1356. 12 kal. Jun. They excused themselves in a for- 
 mal address to the archbishop and bishops : Vobis reverendis 
 in Christo patribus dominis Dei gratia archiepiscopo Cant, 
 vestrisque suffraganeis, ad celebrandum concilium provinc. 
 juxta sacrorum instituta canonum congregatis, supplicat hu- 
 militer et devote clems Cant, provincial, quatenus pio sibi 
 compatientes affectu, rationes suas et motiva infra scripta 
 clementer auscultare dignemini, et eis in examine circum- 
 spectm discretionis vestrai diligentius ponder atis, petitionees 
 ejusdem cleri admittere gratiose. [They offer several reasons, 
 and then conclude thus :] Placeat benignitati vestrm absque 
 ulteriori onere hac vice ecclesiai imponendo, ipsum clerum, 
 qui dicto domino regi semper devotus extitit, et ipsum nunc in 
 quantum potuit, ne deterioris conditionis existat quam com- 
 munitas laicorum, habere se libeat excusatum, et prcemissa 
 pro plena et finali responsione cleri admittere, ipsi quoque 
 
 K 2 
 
132 The clergy's right 
 
 174-clero assistere, et ipsum erga dominum nostrum regem in hoc 
 parte excusare. 
 
 Anno 1424. Oct. 23. The clergy being called upon for their 
 resolution, as to the subsidy, gave in their answer by W. Lynde- 
 wood, the archbishop's official, negatively ; pleading the poverty 
 of the clergy, and that the livings were reduced to a smaller 
 value than formerly ; et ideo humiliter petierunt, se a conces- 
 sione hujusmodi quacunque excusari. 
 
 Anno eod., after a prorogation, Febr. 17. They excuse them- 
 selves again upon the poverty of the clergy : quam ob rem 
 iidem procuratores domino et confratribus suis humiliter sup- 
 plicdrunt, quatenus ipsi dominus et confratres sui clerum 
 prcedictum a quacunque concessions hujusmodi protunc fa- 
 ciend. ex causis jyra'al/egatis dignarentur habere pro ilia vice 
 penitus excusatum. 
 
 Anno 1425, May 4. Among the causes of the convocation, 
 explained by the archbishop, the third was a subsidy. The 
 clergy retire, and in answer to that point, supplicant, §~c. ut 
 consideratis oneribus et subsidiis quo? antehac scepe supporta- 
 runt, haberent ipsum clerum protunc omnino excusatum pro- 
 pter insufficientiam ejusdem et paupertatem ex argumentis di- 
 versis lucidenter approbatani. 
 
 And again, the same year, Jim. 8. Clerus insufjicientiam 
 suam allegans et paupertatem, se de hujusmodi subventione 
 concedenda ea vice pro viribus instanter excusavit, et se pro- 
 tunc excusari petiit et humiliter supplicavit. 
 
 Dec. 11, 1433. Clerus allegavit certas causas rationabiles, 
 quibus consideratis, deberent merito a concessione subsidii eo 
 tempore excusari. 
 
 Anno 1438, Oct. The clergy, urging among other things 
 
 175 the great dearth all over the kingdom, per simm j)rolocutorem 
 domino supplicarunt quatenus eos ab aliquo subsidio protunc 
 concedendo haberent favorabiliter excusatos. And the like an- 
 swer they returned the Saturday following, upon a second ap- 
 plication made to them. 
 These ap- These instances, as I said before, are not intended either to 
 no°preju-' weaken the clergy's right of a negative, or to suggest in parti- 
 dice to the cu j ar that they who were immediately concerned in those 
 
 clergy s " .... 
 
 right of a cases, had not a legal power of dissenting without either rea- 
 negative. sQns QJ , exciises jjy h ow much the greater liberty they 
 
of a negative or final dissent. 
 
 liiii 
 
 were at, to dissent without these, the applications of this na- 
 ture are so much the higher testimony of their duty and hu- 
 mility. They knew very well, that their civil property was by 
 law entirely in their own disposal ; but yet they could not for- 
 get that their immediate concern was with their ecclesiastical 
 superiors. 
 
 Upon their refusals in this dutiful manner, they were some- 
 times moved to consider of a more favourable answer ; and 
 however steadfast their resolutions were not to comply, yet 
 they did not refuse further deliberation, which, when enjoined 
 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 coun- 
 tenance the late notion of their general negative upon the 
 upper house, as pleaded in express terms to excuse their re- 
 fusal of a committee : " we of the lower house being a distinct 
 house, and having power to dissent from the proposals of the 
 upper house, conceive ourselves entirely at liberty to admit or 2Va?r.p.6i. 
 decline their appointments of committees, as we shall think fit." 
 Before they made so large a step towards an entire inde-176 
 pendence, as a negative in that extent would draw after it, 
 methinks it might have been considered 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 disobeyed 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 un- 
 doubted 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. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 7Vie manner of passing business in convocation. 
 
 After any matter in convocation has been duly considered, 
 read, and agreed to by the bishops and clergy severally, the 
 
134 
 
 The manner of passing 
 
 prolocutor and the inferior clergy are sent for to the upper 
 house, and there it is passed into a synodical act. 
 The man- The manner of consenting and agreeing in the lower house 
 ssntingin > s particularly expressed in the loth session of 1586; where the 
 house. Wer P ro ^ ocu *° r comm g from the upper house, puts the ordinances 
 for collecting the contribution into the hands of the actuary : 
 he reads it ; quo facto, clominus prolocutor interrogavit omnes 
 supra nominatos, an decreta et ordinationes hujusmodi sibi 
 177 placerent, eosque rogavit quatenus eorum consensum et assen- 
 sum eisdem, si eis ita videretur, prceberent. Et tunc omnes 
 easdem ordinationes in omnibus approbarunt, atque consen- 
 sum et assensum suos, tarn nominibus eorum propriis quam 
 nominibus omnium aliorum quorum procurators in hac parte 
 respective existunt, pn'aibuerunt. 
 The cir- I know not whether the lower house, who return the instru- 
 of that ment by the prolocutor, did ever think themselves accountable 
 
 consent to their lordships for any circumstances relating; to their con- 
 have been . . 
 reported to sent, besides a general assurance by the prolocutor that it is 
 
 housT Per actua % 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 quadam schedula sibi tradita. Unde prolo- 
 cutor introduxit numerum affirmantium, numerurn negantium 
 et numerum referentium, quantum ad tres articulos prce- 
 dictos. Again, in 1536, sess. ult. Prolocutor intravit domum 
 capitularem, et pra>sentavit reverendissimo instrumentum con- 
 tinen. sententiam definitivam, quam dictus prolocutor asse- 
 ruit fuisse per omnes cleri domus inferioris expresse approba- 
 
 tam. 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 in- 
 troitum prolocutoris rursum perlecta fuerunt responsa : tunc 
 reverendissimus interrogavit an ipsi consentirent ; et consen- 
 jyStiere. But in 1533, not only a general consent was given in 
 the upper house, but the votes also in form, and the names 
 were particularly entered in the register thereof: so says the 
 Abstract, sess. 2, quo die reverendissimus convocavit inferio- 
 
business in convocation. 
 
 185 
 
 rem domum, ut audiret eorum opiniones de qucestione, viz. an 
 ducere liceret uxorem cognitam a fratre, fyc. ubi, referring to 
 the original book of the upper house, exprimuntur afiirmantes, 
 negantes, et dubitantes. 
 
 But however the consent of the clergy be given or signified, All instru- 
 it is certain that the instrument, after being engrossed, was publicly, 
 always read publicly in the upper house, before the archbishop, ^"^j 11 ^ 
 bishops, and clergy ; and by them finally agreed to, either viva in the up- 
 voce or by subscription, according to the nature of the business per nouse - 
 they passed. 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 
 passed 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 attesta- 
 tion of one or more public notaries of its being so signed or 
 sealed, or both. To which purpose, 
 
 As to the sanction of the metropolitan ; anno 1408, Jan. 15, The sanc- 
 we find this account of passing the powers granted by convoca- m° tropo-' 0 
 tion, to those whom they had just before elected for the council litan - 
 of Pisa. In quorum omnium et singulorum fidem et testi-ijg 
 monium, prcesentes literas aut prcesens publicum instrumen- 
 tum exinde fieri, ac per magistrum Johannem Perch, nota- 
 rium et registrarium infra scriptum subscribi et publicari 
 ejusque signi consueti appositione : ac nos Thomas archi- 
 episcopus, primas et legatus antedictus, nostri privati sigilli 
 aurei, ad personates et speciales rogatus omnium dictorum 
 episcoporum suffraganeorum nostrorum, ac de expressis con- 
 sensu et assensu totius cleri dicta} provincice, appensione, 
 mandavimus etfecimus fideliter communiri. 
 
 Anno 1557, scss. 9. The archbishop's commissary evocavit 
 prolocutorem et clerum, ut librum concessionis subsidii aliqua 
 ex parte correctum perlegi audirent ; quo perlecto et diligen- 
 ter ponderato, omnes tarn patres quam clerus contenti erant 
 
 cum omnibus clausidis, conditionibus, et provision ibus. 
 
 Tenor vero instrumenti publici, de subsidio praidicto confecti, 
 de verbo in verbum iilic sequitur, contestatum subscriptione 
 Thomoi Sussex et Johannis Incent. 
 
136 
 
 The manner of positing 
 
 Anno 1562, Febr. 24. Surrogatum prolocutoris, prolocutor* 
 absente, et clerum domus inferior is ad se accersiri jusserunt, 
 ac coram eis publice leyi fecerunt librum de subsidio dominai 
 nostra} regino? concesso in pergameno conscript, ac sigillo 
 dicti rei'erendissimi 2?atris sigillat. Cui quidem libro sic per- 
 lecto, ac omnibus et singulis concessio)iibus, conditionibus, et 
 2>rovisionibus in eodem mentionatis, sub modo et forma suj>ra 
 specijicatis,dictus clerus inferior is domus consensum et assen- 
 sum suos unanimiter adhibuerunt. 
 180 2. Articles, canons, and constitutions, since the Reformation, 
 Articles, have, so far as the registers give any light, been ever passed in 
 
 canons, &c. . . * . & . f 
 
 by sub- the upper house by the joint subscriptions of archbishop, bi- 
 section, shops, and clergy. 
 
 Anno 1536, sess. 5, July 11. Episcopus Hereford, prod ux it 
 quendam libellum continentem Articulos Fidei et Ceremonia- 
 rum. Qui libellus inseritur ad longum. Quo lecto per eundem 
 episcopum, honorandus Thomas Cromewell, reverendissimus, 
 et alii prailati, prolocutor, et clerus domus infer ioris, 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 approved and allowed The said arti- 
 cles read and subscribed by both houses : and the book so sub- 
 scribed was kept by the bishop of London, president." 
 
 Anno 1640. Reverendissimus in prcesentiis domini prolocu- 
 toris et totius coitus domus inferioris, protulit librum cano- 
 num in hac sacra sgnodo tractat. continen. 17. capitula ca- 
 nonum. Quern reverendissimus in manibus suis tenens cum 
 domino prolocutore alta et intelligibili voce legebat. Quo per- 
 lecto, reverendissimus et reverendi £>afres, fyc. ac dominus 
 prolocutor et tot us coitus domus inferioris antedictai isto die 
 comparen. nominibus suis et aliorum pro quibus constituti 
 sunt, consensum et assensum suos eisdem canonibus praistite- 
 runt, et eorum nomina manibus suis propriis eisdem re- 
 spective subscripserunt. 
 
 Anno 1 66 1, Dec. J 9. Dominus episcopus London pra j sidens, 
 181 cum confratribus suis praid. pro tribunali sedebant. et habito 
 tractatu inter eos de forma subscriptionis libro publicarum 
 precum per eos facie nd. tandem idem reverendus pater domi- 
 nus episcopus et prcssidens antcdictus, de et cum consensu 
 
businesss in convocation. 
 
 137 
 
 confralrum suorwm pra>d. commisit curam et consideratio- 
 nem ooncipiendi dictam formam reverend 'is in Christo patri- 
 biis, S)'c. Postea, nempe inter horas secundam et quartam 
 post meridiem ejusdem diei, reverendi viri dominus Johannes 
 Dunelmen. et Humfridus Sarum respective episcopi una cum 
 dictis respective cancellar. et vicariis in spiritualibus gene- 
 ral ibus prced. apud ojficmm registrarii principalis d. arch. 
 Cant, intra parochiam S. Gregorii London, sit. convenerunt, 
 et in pra'sentiis met Willelmi Fisher et Francisci Mundy no- 
 tariorum respective publicorum, inspectis prius nonnullis re- 
 cord is et libris antiquis et archivis ibidem remanen. et fide- 
 liter custodit. dicti reverendi patres formam suhscriptionis 
 libro publicaru in precum faciend. unanimi consensu et assensu 
 conceperunt et desuper concordarunt. 
 
 Anno eod., Dec. 20. Reverendus pater dominus episcopus 
 London. \^j)ra2sidens'] 8rc, una cum confratribus suis se- 
 cum assiden. pro tribunali sedebat, et librum precum publi- 
 carum, administrations sacramentorum, aliorumque rituum 
 ecclesice Anglicance, una cum forma et modo ordinand. et 
 consecrand. episcopos, presbyteros, diaconos, juxta literas 
 
 region majestatis eis in hac parte directas revisum, et 
 
 paginas continen. et per reverendissimum in Christo patrem 
 et dominum dominum Gulielmum providentia divina Cant, 
 arcliiepiscopum, totius Anglice primatem et metropolitanum . 
 prius redact, recept. approbat. et subscrij>t. episcopi ejusdem 182 
 provincial in hac ptrovinciali synodo legitime congregat. 
 unanimi assensu et consensu in formam redegerunt, recepe- 
 runt et approbarunt, eisdemque subscripserunt : et postea 
 omnes episcopi prced. tunc prcesen. et congregat. exceptis 
 reverendi8 patribus Oxon. Assaphen. et Landaven. ep. ad do- 
 mum parliamenti sese contulerunt, et dictos respective episco- 
 pos in dicta, domo convocationis reliquer. ad vidend. clerum 
 inferioris domus convocationis dicto libro subscribere. 
 
 Thus the several sorts of business in convocation, however 
 differently passed 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. 
 
 The method of passing canons and constitutions before the Why arti- 
 
138 
 
 The manner of proroguing 
 
 oles, ca- statute, 25 Hen. VIII. c. T9, was the same that has ever been 
 pass now P rac tised in synodical meetings, viz. by the authority of the 
 by subscrip- synod, and with the sanction of the metropolitan; and these 
 two gave them their full force and effect. But now they are 
 framed in order to be laid before the prince, as agreed on by 
 the archbishop, 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 Eng- 
 land, shall allow, approve, and confirm." This is the language 
 of the royal license, 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 an- 
 1 83 cient sanction, which always signified a final authority, could 
 not be continued in any matters which were not to be pro- 
 mulged 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 
 license 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 con- 
 trary. 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 liis royal confirmation. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Of proroguing and dissolving a convocation. 
 As the archbishop 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 sum- 
 moning authority, so is he under the same obligation to pro- 
 ceed to prorogations and dissolutions thereof in a canonical 
 way, when the pleasure of the prince shall be signified by royal 
 writs to those purposes. 
 
and dissolving a convocation. 
 
 139 
 
 For how little truth there is in the late notion that the arch- The man- 
 bishop, in those cases, acts purely in a ministerial way, may { 
 appear by a comparison of the methods of executing those arehbi- 
 commands in parliament and convocation. For the first, the 8ho P. s P ro - 
 
 i ' roguing and 
 
 prorogation of a parliament, the king, by his letters patents, dissolving 
 constitutes such of the nobility as he thinks fit his commission- t j ve< 
 ers for that end, dantes vobis, tenore prcesentium, plenam 
 potestatem, facultatem et author itatem, Sfc. ad praisens par- 
 liamentum nostrum nomine nostro prorogand. Sec. In the 
 same style is the commission for dissolving, as oft as his majesty 
 is not present in person ; 'a style 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 Ids 
 majesty's name, or any other direction besides the proroguing 
 or dissolving it according to the accustomed methods of convo- 
 cation : debito modo prorogetis ; and dissolvetis seu dissolvi 
 faciatis. In pursuance of which order the archbishop pro- 
 rogues and dissolves, either in person, or by one or more 
 commissioners specially constituted by his grace for those pur- 
 poses. 
 
 Immediately before a prorogation or dissolution we find the The arch- 
 archbishop, as he saw occasion, publicly recommending to the 1^°^ 
 bishops and clergy the due execution of the ecclesiastical laws, tions imme- 
 and the reformation of any particular abuses and irregularities fore^pro- 
 
 ill the church. rogation or 
 
 . 0 rrj . . ... dissolution 
 
 Anno 1420. ultertusque rogavit, hortatus est, et requisivit 
 reverendissimus pater et dominus proBdictus prcefatos confra- 1 85 
 tres suos, ut in inquisitione fienda contra Lollardos et haire- 
 ticos hujusmodi diligentiam interim omnimodam quam pot- 
 erant adhiberent, et cum revenerint, quid contra eos fecerint, 
 ipsum plenius certificarent ; et specialiter de Mis quorum no- 
 mina sibi detecta dictis confratribus mis, prout unumquemque 
 in dioec. sua concernebant, in cedulis divisis conscripta circa 
 tres dies antea tradidit et liberavit. 
 
 Anno 1 60 1 , 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." 
 
140 The manner of proroguing 
 
 Anno 1586. The lower house book, immediately before the 
 dissolution : Reverendissimus pater dominus Cant, querelatus 
 est de prava et immoderata luxuria ac minus vereeundo gestu 
 ac morum intemperie nonnullorum clericorum provincial Cant, 
 ad fora et loca publico- concurrentium. Quare monuit deca- 
 nos, arc/tidiaconos, et alios jam 2))'cesentes, ad qnos correctio 
 delinquentium hujusmodi pertinet. ad severe procedend. et 
 puniend. obnoxios et culpabiles, et si incorrigibiles persevera- 
 verint, ad implorand. auxilium et opera episcopi diaicesani, 
 vel ipsius reverendissimi patris, vel etiam ipsius serenissimai 
 dominaz nostra', regina>, ne actionum et morum pravitas isto- 
 rum obnubilet et obscuret doctrinam evangelii quod verbis 
 profitentur, quo pluribus perniciosum siet pessimum eorum 
 exemplum. 
 
 The writs On the day of prorogation or dissolution the royal writ is 
 ofpror °"^g produced, and publicly read: but that being only a direction 
 gation and to the archbishop to prorogue or dissolve, neither of these are 
 dissolution, 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 hvjusmodi con- 
 vocations : quod breve idem reverendissimus publice legebat ; 
 and yet the convocation sat till noon, and after dinner met 
 again. So also anno 1534, March 31, the writ of proroga- 
 tion was brought in and read, and afterwards the resolutions 
 of the lower clergy touching the pope's supremacy were deli- 
 vered ; and then the archbishop is said to continue to the day 
 specified in the writ. 
 
 For so is the practice of convocation : the pleasure of the 
 prince is signified to the archbishop by the writ, but his grace 
 pursues that royal order by a formal declaration out of a sche- 
 dule, mentioning indeed the royal writ, but running solely in 
 the archbishop's name, and by him pronounced 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 eccle- 
 siastical matters, and introduced a new model inconsistent 
 with the primitive distinctions between presbyters and bi- 
 
and dismU<in<i a convocation. 
 
 141 
 
 shops, and unknown before either to this or any other episco- 
 pal church. 
 
 The foregoing chapters, I hope, may vindicate our reforma- 1 
 tion 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 carried on those new 
 measures, or they who have opposed them, are the truer 
 friends to the rights, liberties, and honour of our reformed 
 church. 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 CONTINENS 
 
 I. Acta in superiore domo convocationis incoept. anno 1562 in con- 
 
 ficiendo XXXIX Articulos Religionis ; praeside reverendissimo 
 patre Matthaeo Parker, archiep. Cant. Subjungitur forma sive 
 descriptio convocationis. 
 
 II. Acta in superiore domo convocationis inccept. Apr. 14, 1640, in 
 
 canonibus conficiendis ; praeside reverendissimo patre Gulielmo 
 Laud, archiep. Cant. 
 
 III. Acta in superiore domo convocationis inccept. anno 1661 
 
 in revisione libri precum publicarum ; praeside reverendo patre 
 Gilberto Sheldon ep. London, vice reverendissimi patris Guli- 
 elmi Juxon, archiep. Cant. 
 
 IV. Acta in inferiore domo convocationum celebrat. anno 1 j86 et 
 
 1588 praeside reverendissimo patre Johanne Whitgift, archiep. 
 Cant. 
 
ACTA 
 
 IN SUPERIORE DOMO CONVOCATIONS, 
 
 ANNIS 1562, &c. 
 
 Convocatio prmlatorum et cleri Cantuariensis provincial, 
 inchoata in domo capitulari ecclesice divi Pauli London, 
 duodecimo die mensis Januarii, anno Domini juxta com- 
 putationem ecclesioz Anglicanaz millesimo, quingentesimo, 
 sexagesimo secundo. 
 
 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 Jo- 
 hannis Incent, notarii publici registrarii antedicti, praefatus 
 venerabilis vir Robertus Weston, legum doctor, almae curiae 
 Cantuariensis officialis, judicialiter et pro tribunali sedens, ob 
 reverentiam et honorem dicti reverendissimi patris domini 
 Matthaei archiepiscopi Cantuariensis antedicti, onus commis- 
 sionis ejusdem reverendissimi patris in se acceptavit, ac juxta 
 vim formam et effectum ejusdem procedendum fore decrevit. 
 Ac consequenter, authoritate sibi commissa, praesentem convo- 
 cationem sive sacram synodum provincialem in statu quo nunc 
 est, usque ad et in diem Mercurii proxime futurum, viz. deci- 
 mumtertium diem praesentis mensis Januarii hora octava ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, atque ad domum capitularem prae- 
 dictam cum ulteriori prorogatione dierum et horarum ex tunc 
 sequentium, et locorum (si oporteat), continuavit et prorogavit 
 in scriptis, prout in schedula per cum lecta plenius continetur ; 
 cujus quidem schedulse tenor sequitur in hasc verba : In Dei 
 nomine, Amen. Nos Robertus Weston, &c. praesentibusque 
 tunc et ibidem magistris Johanne Butler clerico, canonico 
 
 GIBSON. L 
 
146 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 ecelesiae Christi Cantuariensis, Thoraa Bolte canonico, Edmundo 
 Weston in legibus Baccaleureo, et Thoma Willet notario publico, 
 testibus, &c. 
 
 Secunda sessio. 
 Die Mercurii. viz. 13 0 . die mensis Januarii anno Domini 
 juxta coraputationem ecelesiae Anglicanae millesimo quingen- 
 tesimo sexagesimo secundo, revei'endissiinus in Cbristo pater 
 dominus Mattbaeus, arcbiepiscopus Cantuariensis, &c. mane 
 circa horam octavam ante meridiem dicti diei, Lambetba sol- 
 vens in navicula sua vulgo nuncupata a barge, ad ripam voca- 
 tam Pauls WJiarf, comitante eum reverendo patre domino 
 Nicbolao Lincobi episcopo, applicuit, ibique ab advocatis et 
 procuratoribus et caeteris ministris curia? sua? Cantuariensis 
 aeceptus, pedibus ambulans. deductus fuit ad foras australes 
 ecelesiae cathedralis divi Paidi London, ibique ad ostium au- 
 strale ejusdem decanus canonici et caeteri ministri ejusdem 
 ecelesiae superpellitiis induti eum praestolabantur, ac ad vestia- 
 rium ejusdem ecelesiae perduxerunt ; ibique amictu et habitu 
 suis vestitus, ac chorum ipsius ecelesiae (comitantibus eum epi- 
 scopis suffraganeis provinciae suae Cantuariensis similibus habi- 
 tibus indutis) ingressus, in stallo decani collocatus fuit, caeteris 
 episcopis suffraganeis provinciae Cantuariensis habitibus suis, in 
 bujusmodi negotio convocationis sobtis, indutis, in stallis prae- 
 bendariorum ex utraque parte ebori sedentibus ; ac consequen- 
 ter decantata fuit per ministros ecelesiae Letania, in sermone 
 vulgari, (juxta morem et ritum in libro nuncupato, the Book of 
 Common Prayers, &c. descriptum.) Qua finita, ac hymno 
 Yeni Creator, &c. per ministros ejusdem ecelesiae in vulgari 
 solemniter decantato, magister Wilhelmus Daye, sacrae tbeo- 
 logiae baccalam'eus, praepositus collegii regalis de Eaton, babitu 
 baccalaurei in tbeologia indutus, suggestum in medio ebori 
 positum ingressus fuit, ac ibidem concionem Latinam stilo 
 venusto ad patres et clerum ac populum praesentes habuit, 
 acceptis pro tbemate hiis divi Petri verbis in quinto capitulo 
 primae suae epistolae descriptis, viz. " Pascite quantum in vobis 
 est," &c. Finita vero concione, ac psalmo primo (" Beatus vir" 
 &c.) in sermone vulgari decantato, celebrata fuit sacra com- 
 munio per reverendum patrem dominum Edmundum Grindale 
 episcopum London, dictusque reverendissimus dominus ac cae- 
 teri omnes episcopi praesentes sacramentum corporis et sangui- 
 
cmnis 1562, 
 
 147 
 
 nis Domini communicabant. Finite vero communione, revercn- 
 dissimus dominus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis chorum egressus, 
 ac domum capitidarem ingressus, comitantibus eum episcopis, 
 et caeteris cleri praelatis, ibidem pro tribunali sedebat, assiden- 
 tibus secum undique episcopis suffraganeis suis, viz. domino 
 Edmundo London, Roberto Winton, Wilhelmo Cicestren, Jo- 
 hanne Hereforden, Ricardo Elien, Edwino Wigorn, Rolando 
 Bangor, Nicolao Lincoln, Johanne Sarum, Ricardo Meneven, 
 Edmundo Roffen, Gilberto Bathon et Wellen, Thoma Coven et 
 Lichen, Wilhelmo Exon, Johanne Norwicen, Edmundo Petri- 
 burgen, Thoma Asaphen, et Ricardo Glocestren, ac commen- 
 datar. Bristolien, respective episcopis. Cui quidem reveren- 
 dissimo sic pro tribunali sedenti praefatus reverendus dominus 
 London episcopus exhibuit certificatorium suum super execu- 
 tione mandati monitorii alias sibi directi, tenorem infra script am 
 continens, " Reverendissimo in Christo patri," &c. Quo quidem 
 certificatorio per magistrum Thomam Yale legum doctorem, 
 dicti rcverendissimi patris vicarium in spiritualibus generalem, 
 de mandato ejusdem reverendissimi, publice perlecto, magister 
 Gabriel Goodman, decanus Westminster, eidem reverendissimo 
 patri quandam protestationem in scriptis conceptam porrexit, 
 ac ea protestatione salva, comparuit in hujusmodi sacra synodo 
 sive convocatione, et non aliter. Tenor vero dicta? protestatio- 
 nis sequitur in haec verba, " Sub protestatione de non consen- 
 tiendo in authoritatem reverendissimi patris Cantuariensis 
 archiepiscopi quoad hanc convocationem celebrand. nisi qua- 
 tenus de jure ac statu tis hujus regni Angliae et privilegiis 
 ecclesia? collegiatae sive collegii nostri Westminster teneor, 
 neque de non infringend. aut diminuend. libertates et privilegia 
 ejusdem nostri collegii sive ecclesiae collegiatae." Quibus sic 
 factis, reverendissimus dominus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis 
 brevem quandam orationem eloquentiae plenam habuit ad 
 patres et clerum ; per quam, inter alia, opportunitatem refor- 
 mandarum rerum in ecclesia Anghcana jam oblatam esse 
 aperuit, ac propensos animos tarn illustrissimse domina? nostra? 
 reginae, quam aliorum magnatum hujus regni ad hujusmodi 
 reformationem habendam declaravit ; hortando, praacipiendo et 
 mandando pradatos et clerum inferioris domus in dicta domo 
 capitulari coram eo et reliquis patribus constitutes, quatenus 
 ad conventus sui locum sese conferentes, unum virum gravem, 
 
 L 2 
 
148 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 doctum et peritum de gremio suo provideant et eligant in 
 eorum prolocutorem sive referendarium (commendans illis 
 maxime decanum ccclesise cathcdralis divi Pauli London Alex- 
 andrum Nowel), ipsumque sic electum exliibeant et praesentent 
 coram eodem reverendissimo aut ejus locumtencnte die sabbati 
 proximo futuro, bora prima post meridiem in hoc loco. Deinde 
 dictus reverendissimus pater commisit vices suas prarfato ma- 
 gistro Thoniae Yale, cancellario suo, ac magistro Wilbelmo 
 Drurie, legum doctori commissario ad facilitates, ad recipien- 
 dum certificatoria episcoporum, ac ad inspiciendum procuratoria 
 quorumcunque absentium, ac causas absentiarum suarum ex- 
 aminand. et approband. Ac prseterea dictus reverentlissimus 
 pater pronuntiavit omnes et singulos decanos, archidiaconos, 
 capitula, ac cleri procuratores et casteros quoscunque ad inter- 
 essendum in hujusmodi sacra synodo, sive convocatione, moni- 
 tos et citatos, ac per se aut procuratores suos idoneos minime 
 comparentes, notorie contumaces ; pcenas contumaciarum sua- 
 rum hujusmodi usque in proximam sessionem reservand. prout 
 in schedula per eum lecta plenius continetur, cujus quidem 
 schedula? verus tenor sequitur in hsec verba, " In Dei nomine, 
 Amen," &c. Omnibus gestis, praafatus reverendissimus pater 
 continuavit et prorogavit hujusmodi convocationem, sive sacram 
 synodum, ac omnia et singula certificatoria introducta et Lntro- 
 ducenda, in statu quo nunc sunt, usque in diem sabbati proxime 
 futurum bora prima post meridiem, ad domum capitularem 
 prsedictam ; prout in schedula per eum lecta, tenorem subscrip- 
 tum de verbo in verbum in se complectente, dilucidius apparet, 
 " In Dei nomine, Amen," &c. Yale. 
 
 Sessio tertia. 
 
 Die Sabbati, viz. 1 6°. die mensis Januarii, anno Domini prse- 
 dicto, inter horam primam et secundam post meridiem ejusdem 
 diei, reverendissimus dominus Matthaeus archiepiscopus Cantu- 
 ariensis, ac reverench patres domini Edmundus London, Ro- 
 bertus Winton, Johannes Hereforden, Richardus Elien, Ed- 
 winus Wigorn, Rolandus Bangor, Nicholaus Lincoln, Johannes 
 Sarum, Richardus Meneven, Edmundus Roffen, Gilbertus 
 Bathon et Wellen, Thomas Coven et Lichen, Wilhelmus Exon, 
 Johannes Norwicen, Edmundus Petriburgen, Thomas Asaphen, 
 et Ricardus Glocestren, respective episcopi, in domo capitulari 
 
omnia 1562, Sfc. 
 
 149 
 
 ccclesiiB cathedralis divi Pauli London congrcgati, primum et 
 ante omnia preces Deo optimo maximo effundcbant, dicta pub- 
 lice ac alta et intclligibili voce per ipsum reverendissimum pa- 
 trem Letania in sermone Latino una cum collectis assuetis ac 
 oratione sjnodo provinciali dicenda, noviter (ut appaniit^edita^ 
 respondentibus aliis episcopis praedictis ac praslatis et clero et 
 populo astantibus. Finitis precibus, ac clero praedicto ad locum 
 conventus sui sese conferente, praefatus reverendissimus, una 
 cum aliis confratribus suis provincise suae Cantuariensis episcopis 
 suffraganeis pra3nominatis, pro tribunali sedens, post interval- 
 lum temporis denuo ad eum accersiri jussit dictos pra3latos et 
 clerum domus inferioris ; cui copiose sese praesentantes exbiberi 
 et sisti fecerunt venerabilem virum magistrum Alexandrum 
 Nowell, ecclesiaa cathedralis divi Pauli London decanum, in pro- 
 locutorem sive referendariuni domus inferioris electum. Quem 
 eximii viri magistri Gabriel Goodman, decanus Westminster, et 
 Thomas Sampson, decanus Exon, medium inter se ductum vice 
 totius cleri, praemissa oratione brevi Latina ab eodem magistro 
 Gabriele Goodman, personam electam ac ejus virtutes et animi 
 dotes complectente, exhibuerunt. Qua finita, idem prolocutor J 
 per aliam orationem non inelegantem se variis de causis ad hu- 
 jusmodi munus obeundum inidoneum declaravit : sed tandem 
 ne opus tam pium effugere videatur, hujusmodi provinciam in 
 se lubens acceptare promisit ; et tunc habito inter dictum reve- 
 rendissimum patrem et confratres suos tractatu de idoneitate 
 dicti prolocutoris, omnes unanimiter et concorditer ipsum ma- 
 gistrum Nowel ad dictum officium prolocutoris obeundum 
 maximc idoneum esse asseruerunt et affirmarunt. Unde reve- 
 rendissimus, cum patrum unanimi consensu, electionem hujus- 
 modi de persona tam digni viri factam, venusta oratione appro- 
 bavit et confirmavit. Et tunc, dimisso clero inferioris domus, 
 reverendissimus rogavit patres, quod unusquiscpie eorum citra 
 proximam sessionem excogitare velit ea quae in eorum separali- 
 bus dicecesibus reformatione indigeant, ac in proxima sessione 
 proponere dignaretur. Et tunc, habita inter dictum reverendis- 
 simum patrem et confratres suos secreta quadam communica- 
 tione (semotis omnibus arbitris,) tandem dictus reverendissimus 
 de consensu patrum continuavit et prorogavit hujusmodi convo- 
 cationem sive sacram synodum provincialem, omniaque et sin- 
 gula certificatoria introducta et introducenda, in statu quo nunc 
 
ISO Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 sunt, usque ad et in diem Martis proxime futurum hora prima 
 post meridiem ejusdem diei ad ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri 
 Westminster, prout in quadani schedula per eum leeta plenius 
 eontinetur ; cujus quidem sehedulae verus tenor sequitur in bsec 
 verba, " In Dei nomine. Amen," &c. Deinde dictus reverendis- 
 simus poenas contumaciarmn omnium et singulorum absentium, 
 ut prius, ad ejus arbitrium reservavit. 
 
 Quarto, sessio. 
 
 Die Martis, viz. 19 0 . die mensis Januarii, aimo Domini 1562, 
 hora secunda post meridiem in capella nuncupata. king Henry 
 the Seventh's chapel, infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri 
 Westminster situata, dictis primitus et pubhce recitatis per re- 
 verendissimum patrem dominum Matthaeuin arcbiepiscopum 
 Cantuariensem, et rebquos episcopos suffraganeos provincial 
 Cantuariensis. precibus de quibus in superiori sessione fit inentid" 
 coram eodem reverendissimo patre pro tribunab sedente, assi- 
 dentibus secum reverendis patribus dominis, &c. respective epi- 
 scopis, comparuit personaliter magister Gabriel Goodman, de- 
 canus ecclesiae collegiata? divi Petri Westminster praedictae, ac 
 vice sua et totius capituli (ut asseruit) ejusdem ecclesiae palam et 
 pubbce protestatus fuit. " Quod non intendit consentire ut bu- 
 jusmodi sacra synodus in dicta ecclesia collegiata divi Petri 
 Westminster celebretur, nisi quatenus per privilegia ejusdem 
 ecelesiae bceat et non abter, neque abo modo ; quibus quidem 
 privilegiis (ut asseruit) in abquo derogare noluit, neque in- 
 ten<bt. sed eis firmiter adhaerere ac pro posse suo ibaesa in 
 omnibus conservare." Et tunc, babita inter dictum reverendis- 
 simum patrem, ac caeteros episcopos suos suffi'aganeos praenomi- 
 natos communicatione sive disputatione de quibusdam artieubs 
 ad Christianam fidem facientibus, tandem dictus reverendissi- 
 mus accersmi jussit ad se prolocutorem donius inferioris; qui 
 quidem prolocutor, una cum sex abis de clero dictae domus m- 
 ferioris coram patribus sui copiam faciens, proposuit et asseruit, 
 quod quidam de dicta domo exbibuerant quasdam diversas 
 schedas de rebus reformandis per eos respective excogitat. et 
 in scriptis redact. Quae quidem schedae de communi consensu 
 tradita? sunt quibusdam viris gravioribus et doctioribus de ccetu 
 dicta? domus inferioris ad hoc electis perspiciend. et consi- 
 derand. Quibus sic electis (ut asseruit) assignatum est ut hu- 
 
annis 1 562, tyc. 
 
 151 
 
 jusmodi schedas in capitula redigant ac in proxima sessione 
 exhibeant coram eodera prolocutore. Et ulterius proposuit, 
 quod articuli in synodo Londinensi, tempore nupcr regis Ed- 
 wardi Sexti (nt asseruit) editi, traditi sunt quibusdam ahis viris 
 ex ccetu dictae domus inferioris, ad hoc etiam electis, ut eos 
 diligenter perspiciant, examinent, et considerent ; ac prout eis 
 visum fuerit, corrigant et reforment, ac in proxima sessione 
 etiam exhibeant. Et tunc reverendissimus hujusmodi negotia 
 per dictum prolocutorem et clerum incaepta a pprohavit , ac in 
 eisdem erga proximam sessionem juxta eorum determinationem 
 procedere voluit et mandavit. Quibus sic expeditis, reveren- 
 dissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. " In Dei 
 nomine, Amen," &c. 
 
 Sessio quinta. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 20 0 . die mensis Januarii, &c. inter horam 
 secundam et tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei, reverendissi- 
 mus pater dominus Matthaeus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, &c. 
 ac reverendi patres, &c. in capella nuper regis Henrici Septimi, 
 infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westminster, congregati, 
 &c. de et super quibusdam articulis sacrosanctam Christi reli- 
 gionem concernentibus, de quibus in actis hcsterni diei fit men- 
 tio, per spacium trium horarum aut circiter inter se tractarunt 
 et communicarunt. Ac tandem dictus reverendissimus, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. " In Dei nomine, Amen,"&c. 
 
 Sessio sexta. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 22 0 . die mensis Januarii, circa horam octa- 
 vam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, praefatus reverendissimus 
 pater, dominus Mattha?us archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, ac reve- 
 rendi patres, &c. in domo capitulari ecclesias cathedralis divi 
 Pauli London congregati, &c. secretam quandam communica- 
 tionem per spacium trium horarum semotis arbitris inter se 
 habuerunt ; ac tandem dictus reverendissimus pater, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. usque in diem Lunoe, &c. inter horas 1. et 2. post 
 meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, &c. " In Dei nomine, Amen," 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio septima. 
 Die Lunae, viz. 25 0 . die mensis Januarii, anno praxlicto, circa 
 horam tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei, reverendissimus in 
 
152 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 Christo pater dominus Matthaeus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, 
 &c. ac reverendi patres, &c. in capella nuper regis Henrici 
 Septimi infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westm. congre- 
 gati, per spacium duarura horarum aut circiter secretam quan- 
 dam communicationem inter se habuerunt : ac tandem reveren- 
 dissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Mercurii, &c. 
 inter horam I. et 3. post meridiem, &c. 
 
 Sessio octava. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 27 0 . die mensis Januarii, 1562, hora se- 
 cunda post meridiem ejusdem diei in capella nuper regis Hen- 
 rici Septimi, infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westminster, 
 reverendissimus in Christo pater dominus Matthaeus permis- 
 sione divina Cantuariensis archiepiscopus, &c. ac reverendi 
 patres domini, &c. respective episcopi, pro tribunali sedentes, 
 per spacium trium fere horarum secrete inter se tractarunt et 
 communicarunt. Ac tandem dictus reverendissimus, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. 
 
 Sessio nona. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 29 0 . die mensis Januarii, 1562, inter horam 
 octavam et 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 congre- 
 gatis, post tractatum aliquem inter eos habitum, tandem super 
 quibusdam articulis orthodoxy fidei inter episcopos quorum no- 
 mina eis subscribuntur, unanimiter convenit, quorum quidem 
 articulorum tenores sequuntur et sunt tales : " Articuli de qui- 
 bus," &c. ac deinde reverendi patres domini Edmundus Lon- 
 don, Robertus Winton, Nicholaus Lincoln, et Johannes Here- 
 forden, respective episcopi, per reverendissimum de consensu 
 confratrum suorum praenominatorum electi fuerunt ad excogi- 
 tand. quasdam capitula de disciplina in ecclesia habend. Quibus 
 sic gestis dictus reverendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad 
 et in diem Mercurii, &c. inter horam 1 et 2 post meridiem, &c. 
 
 Sessio decima. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 3 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562, in capella 
 regis Henrici Septimi infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri 
 Westminster situata, reverendissimus in Christo pater dominus 
 
annis 1562, Sfc. 
 
 15,'i 
 
 Matthaeus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, nec non reverondi pa- 
 tres domini, &c. respective episcopi, pro tribunali sedentes, 
 secretam quandam communicationem sive tractatum per spa- 
 cium trium horarum aut circiter inter se habuerunt. Ac tan- 
 dem dictus reverendisshnus, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et 
 in diem Veneris, &c. inter boras octavam et nonam antemerid. 
 &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio undecima. 
 Die Veneris, viz. 5 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562, in domo ca- 
 pitulari ecclesias cathedralis divi Pauli London, coram reve- 
 rendis patribus, &c. respective episcopis tunc ibidem congre- 
 gatis, praesentatis per me Jobannem Incent, notarium publicum 
 registrarium principalem reverendissimi patris domini Matthaei 
 arcbiepiscopi Cantuariensis, &c. Uteris commissionalibus ejus- 
 dem reverendissimi patris, praefatis reverendis patribus dominis 
 Edmundo London, Roberto Winton, Edwino Wigorn, et Ni- 
 cbolao Lincoln, respective episcopis, ad tenendum locum ejus- 
 dem l'everendissimi patris in dicta convocatione conjunctim et 
 divisim, factis et concessis, ac per me notarium publicum pra3- 
 dictum publice perlectis, praafatus dominus Edniundus London, 
 de consensu collegarum suoruin bujusmodi, ob reverentiam et 
 bonorem dicti reverendissimi patris acceptavit in se onus dicta- 
 rum literarum commissionalium, et decrevit procedendum fore 
 juxta vim, formam, et effectum earundem. Deinde, post tracta- 
 tum abquem inter patres prasdictos babitum, reverendi patres 
 domini Johannes Sarum, Thomas Coven et Lichen, Richardus 
 Meneven, et Wilhelmus Exon, de unanimi consensu patrum 
 praadictorum, assignati fuerunt ad examinandum librum voca- 
 tum The catechism. Et tunc habita inter patres communica- 
 tione et tractatu de subsidio dominaj nostras regina3 per praa- 
 latos et clerum provincise Cantuariensis concedendo, iidem 
 patres accersiri fecerunt coram eis prolocutorem domus infe- 
 rioris. Qui quidem prolocutor cum sex aliis de ccetu domus 
 inferioris, coram eisdem patribus sui copiam faciens, porrexit et 
 exhibuit coram eisdem patribus quosdam articulos sive libellum 
 de doctrina, &c. a reverendissimo domino archiepiscopo Cantu- 
 ariensi et aliis reverendis patribus ad ccetum ecclesiasticum 
 dictae domus inferioris, alias (ut asseruit) transmissos, ac per 
 dictum ccetum perspect. et propriis manibus nonnullorum ejus- 
 
154 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 dem ecetus (ut apparuit) subscript, ac, nomine et consensu (ut 
 asseruit) totius coetus ecclesiastici dicta? domus inferioris, rogavit 
 patres ut omnes qui haetenus articulis dicti libelli non sub- 
 scripserunt, id suis propriis manibus publice in frequenti ccetu 
 ecclesiastico dicta? domus inferioris, aut (si id recusarint) coram 
 eisdem reverendis patribus facere cogantur. Et tunc reverendi 
 patres unanimi consensu decreverunt, ut omnia et singula no- 
 mina eorum qui supra-dictis articulis nomina sua propriis suis 
 manibus non subscripserunt, a dicto domino prolocutore de- 
 scripta ad eos perferantur in proxima sessione. Quibus sic 
 gestis, prsefatus reverendus dominus London episcopus, de con- 
 sensu collegarum suorum et aliorum reverendorum patrum 
 pra?nominatorum. continuavit, &c. usque in diem Mercurii. &c. 
 inter horas primam et secundam post meridiem, &c. prout in 
 schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio duodecimo. 
 Die Mercurii, viz. decimo die mensis Februarii, 1 562, in ca- 
 pella regis Henrici Septimi infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi 
 Petri Westminster, reverendus pater dominus Edmundus Lon- 
 don episcopus, reverendissimi in Christo patris et domini domini 
 Mattha?i permissione divina Cantuariensis archiepiscopi, &c. lo- 
 cumtenens, reverendi que patres domini, &c. respective episcopi 
 pro tribunali sedentes, de rebus ecclesia? abquandiu tractarunt. 
 Ac tandem dominus prolocutor, cum octo aliis de ccetu domus 
 inferioris, coram dictis patribus comparens, pra?sentavit et exhi- 
 buit quendam librum de subsidio domina? nostra? regina? per 
 clerum provincia? Cantuariensis concedendo, in scriptis redactum ; 
 ac penes eosdem patres dimisit, ac etiam pra?sentavit et exhi- 
 buit libellum articulorum de doctrina, &c. de quibus in ultima 
 sessione fit mentio ; asserens, quod quidam de ccetu dicta? domus 
 citra ultimam sessionem dictis articulis manus suas subscripse- 
 runt, ac quidam alii nondum subscripserunt. Unde dicti patres 
 voluerunt et mandarunt, cpiod nomina eorum, qui haetenus non 
 subscripserunt, pra?sententur coram eis in proxima sessione. 
 Deinde dictus dominus locumtenens, de consensu confratrum 
 suorum pra?dictorum, continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem 
 Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam et nonam ante meridiem, &c. 
 prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XIII. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 12°. die mensis Februarii, 1562, in domo 
 
annis 1562, 8fc. 
 
 155 
 
 capitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London reverendus in 
 Christo pater dominus Edwinus permissione divina Wigorn 
 episcopus, acceptaus in se onus commissionis reverendissimi, &c. 
 juxta formam et effectual ejusdem procedendum fore decrevit. 
 Ac deiade idem reverendus pater, authoritate sibi commissa 
 continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Sabbati, &c. inter horas 
 primam et secundam post meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XIV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, viz. 13 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562, bora se- 
 cunda post meridiem ejusdem diei, reverendissimus ia Christo 
 pater dominus Mattbaeus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis, &c. nec- 
 non reverendi in Christo patres, &c. respective episcopi, in 
 domo capitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London congre- 
 gati, de subsidio dominae nostrae reginae per praelatos et clerum 
 Cantuarien. concedend. aliquamdiu tractarunt. Ac tandem 
 dictus reverendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et in 
 diem Luna?, &c. inter horas primam et tertiam post meridiem, 
 &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XV. 
 
 Die Lunae, viz. 15 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562, hora se- 
 cunda post meridiem ejusdem diei in capella regis Henrici 
 Septimi infra, &c. reverendissimus dominus Mattbaeus archi- 
 episcopus Cantuariensis ac, &c. respective episcopi, pro tribu- 
 nali sedentes, de subsidio dominas nostrae reginae concedendo 
 inter se tractarunt. Ac tandem reverendissimus praedictus 
 dominus Mattbaeus archiepiscopus Cant, et dominus Robertus 
 Winton episcopus recesserunt. Post quorum recessum, reve- 
 rendi patres domini Edwinus Wigorn et Nicholaus Lincoln, dicti 
 reverendissimi patris locumtenentes, ac caeteri reverendi patres 
 praanominati librum de hujusmodi subsidio in scriptis conceptum 
 coram eis perlegi fecerunt. Quo lecto, dictus dominus Wigorn. 
 episcopus de consensu patrum pramominatorum continuavit, &c. 
 prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XVI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 17 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562, inter 
 horas secundam et tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei in 
 capella regis Hearici Septimi infra, &c. reverendus in Christo 
 pater Nicholaus permissione divina Lincoln episcopus, vice et 
 
156 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 authoritate reverendissimi patris archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, 
 &c. continuant, &c. usque ad et in diem Veneris, &c. inter 
 horas octavam et nonara ante meridiem, &c. prout in sche- 
 dula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XVII. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 19 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562, in domo 
 capitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London, reverendissi- 
 mus in Christo pater dominus Matthaeus archiepiscopus Can- 
 tuariensis, &c. una cum reverendis patribus dominis, &c. pro 
 tribunali sedens, accersiri fecit ad se prolocutorem domus infe- 
 rioris. Cui quidem prolocutori et sex aliis de clero dicta? domus 
 inferioris coram dicto reverendissimo et aliis reverendis patri- 
 bus pramominatis constitut. idem reverendissimus de et cum 
 consensu confratrum suorum hujusmodi tradidit quosdam arti- 
 culos in scriptis conceptos, mandando quatenus super contentis 
 in dictis articulis diligenter inquirant, ac quicquid inde inve- 
 nerint, in scriptis redigant, ac dicto reverendissimo porrigant 
 et exhibeant. Et tunc dimissis dictis prolocutore et clero, ac 
 habito secreto tractatu inter dictum reverendissimum patrem et 
 confratres suos per spacium unius horae aut circiter, tandem 
 praefatus reverendissimus de consensu confratrum suorum con- 
 tinuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Lunse, &c. inter horas 1 et 2 
 post meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Articuli vero de quibus supra fit mentio, hie inferius descri- 
 buntur. 
 
 First, whether if the writ of melius inquirend. be sent forth, 
 the likehhood be that it will turn to the queen's commodity ? 
 
 Item, whether some benefices rateable, be not less than they 
 be already valued ? 
 
 Item, to inquire of the manner of dilapidations and other 
 spoliations that they can remember to have passed upon their 
 livings, and by whom 1 
 
 Item, how they have been 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 certify how many benefices are vacant in every 
 diocese ? 
 
157 
 
 Eodem die, venerabilis vir magister Thomas Yale, leguni 
 doctor, vicarius in spiritualibus generalis dicti reverendissimi 
 patris, ac commissarius in hac parte specialiter deputatus, in 
 c apella beata? Maria? infra ecclesiam cathedralcm divi Pauli 
 London situat. domo viz. inferioris convocations prsedict. in 
 pra?sentia, (ut dicebatur) magistri Wilbelmi Saye, notarii pu- 
 blici, dicta? domus inferioris registrarii et actorum scriba?, judi- 
 cialiter sedens legit quandam schednlam contra omnes et sin- 
 gnlos decanos, capitula, arcbidiaconos, et cleri procuratores, ac 
 caeteros quoscunque in dicta convocatione, juxta monitionem 
 legitimam in hac parte factam, non comparentes, aut ab eadem 
 sine licentia, &c. recedentes. Cujus quidem schedula? verus 
 tenor sequitur, et est talis, " In Dei nomine, Amen." &c. 
 
 Sessio XVIII. 
 
 Die Luna?, viz. 22 0 . die mensis Februarii, 1562. reverendis- 
 simus pater dominus Mattha?us Cantuariensis, ac reverendi 
 patres domini, &c. respective episcopi, in capella regis Henrici 
 Septimi infra, &c. congregati, et pro tribunaU sedentes, ac de 
 subsidio domina? nostra? regina? concedendo aliquandiu tractan- 
 tes, tandem unanimiter convenerunt de hujusmodi subsitho 
 eidem domina? nostra? regina? concedendo sub modo et forma 
 ac conditionibus et provisionibus sequentibus, viz. " The pre- 
 lates and clergy of the province of Canterbury," &c. Quibus 
 sic factis, dictus reverendissimus, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad 
 et in diem Mercurii, &c. inter horas octavam et decimam ante 
 meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XIX. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 24. die mensis Februarii, &c. in capella 
 regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. reverendissimus, &c. nec non 
 reverendi patres, &c. respective episcopi, congregati, ^mroga- 
 tum, prolocutoris (dicto prolocutore absente) et clerum domus 
 inferioris, ad se accersiri jusserunt ; ac coram eis publice legi 
 fecerunt librum de subsidio, domina? nostra? reginje concesso, 
 de quo in actis proxime pra?cedentis sessionis fit mentio, in 
 pergameno conscript, ac sigillo dicti reverendissimi patris sigil- 
 lat. Cui quidem libro sic perlecto, ac omnibus et singulis 
 concessionibus, conditionibus et provisionibus in eodem men- 
 tionatis sub modo et forma supra specificatis, dictus clerus infe- 
 
158 Acta in gup. dom. 
 
 rioris domus consensus et assensum suos unanimiter adbibue- 
 runt. 
 
 Se-mo XX. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 26. die mensis Februarii. &c. reverendissi- 
 mus pater doniinus Mattba?us Cantuar. &c. in domo capitulari 
 ecclesia? catbedralis divi Pauli London congregati. et pro tribunaU 
 sedentes. secretum quendaui tractatum aliquandiu inter se babue- 
 runt. Deinde prolocutor et decern alii de cnetu domus inferioris,viz. 
 magister Georgius Carewe, decanus ecclesia? coUegiata? sive ca- 
 pella? regia? de Winsor, magister Pedder decanus Wigorn, magis- 
 ter SaUsburie decanus Norwicen, mag. Latimer decanus Petri- 
 burgen. mag. Cottrell arcbidiaconus Dorset, mag. Kennall arcbi- 
 diaconusExon.mag.CbaundlerarcbidiaconusSarum.mag. Walker 
 arcbidiaconus Stafford, mag. Hewitt praecentor Meneven. et mag. 
 Levar archidiaconus Coven, coram dicto reverendissimo patre 
 ac ca?teris reverendis patribus pra?nominatis personaliter com- 
 parentes. tarn nominibus suis proprus, quam vice et nomine 
 totius ccetus (ut asserunt) domus inferioris convocationis pre- 
 dict, porrexerunt eisdem patribus quendaui Ubrum de disci- 
 pbna. &c. in papiro. Cui quidem bbro (ut asseruerunt 1 dictus 
 co?tus domus inferioris unanimiter consenserunt. Et tunc dic- 
 tus Uber, de consensu patrum pra?dictoruin. commissus fuit 
 reverendissimo domino Cantuar. ac reverendis dominis London, 
 Winton, Cicestren, Hereforden. et Elien. examinandus. Qui- 
 bus sic gestis, dictus reverendissimus de consensu confratrum 
 suorum continuavit. &c. usque ad et in diem Luna?, &c. inter 
 horas primam et tertiam post meridiem, &c. prout in sehe- 
 dula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXI. 
 
 Die Luna?, viz. primo die mensis Martii. &c. reverendissimus 
 pater dominus Mattba?us Cantuar. &c. ac reverendi patres do- 
 mini, &e. respective episcopi. in capella regis Henrici Septimi 
 infra eccle>iam collegiatam divi Petri Westminster pro tribunaU 
 sedentes, per spacium duarum horarum aut ch'citer inter se 
 secrete communicarunt. Et tunc comparuit coram eis prolo- 
 cutor domus inferioris. et allegavit. quod coetus dicta? domus 
 inferioris excogitavit qua?dam capitula additionaba ad librum 
 de diseiplina coram patribus ultima sessione porrectum, qua? 
 quidem capitula dicto bbro (ut asseruit) addi cupit. Unde dictus 
 reverencbssimu> tradidit eidem domino prolocutori librum pra?- 
 
annis 1562, $c. 
 
 159 
 
 dictum, mandando quod additis hujusmodi capitulis sic excogi- 
 tates, ipsum librum, cum additionalibus praedictis, denuo exhi- 
 beat coram eodem reverendissimo et confratribus suis in 
 proxima sessione. Deinde, dictus reverendissimus, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Mercurii, &c. inter boras pri- 
 mam et tertiam post meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. tertio die mensis Martii, 1562, coram reve- 
 rendissimo patre domino archiepiscopo Cantuariensi, ac re- 
 verendis patribus dominis, &c. respective episcopis, in capella 
 regis Henrici Septimi, &c. dominus prolocutor domus inferioris 
 convocationis, ac mag. Thomas Sampson decanus ecclesia? 
 Christi Oxon, et Wilhelmus Deye praspositus collegii regalis 
 de Eaton, personaliter comparentes, nomine totius ccetus dicta? 
 domus inferioris praesentarunt eisdem patribus quendam librum 
 nuncupatum " Catechismus puerorum," cm (ut asseruerunt) 
 omnes de ecetu ejusdem domus unanimiter consenserunt. Quem 
 quidem librum penes eosdem patres dimiserunt. Et tunc, dicto 
 domino prolocutore, una cum praefatis magistris Sampson et 
 Deye ad domum inferiorem praedictam sese conferente, dictus 
 reverendissimus cum confratribus suis praenominatis ac reve- 
 rendis patribus dominis Roberto Winton, Johanne Hereforden, 
 Nicholao Lincoln, et Thoma Coven et Lichen, respective epi- 
 scopis, secretam quandam communicationem sive tractatum per 
 spacium duarum horarum et ultra habuit. Ac postremo ipse 
 reverendissimus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et in 
 diem Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam et nonam ante, &c. 
 prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIII. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 5. die mensis Martii, 1562, in domo capi- 
 tulari ecclesiaa cathedralis divi Pauli London, hora prius as- 
 signata, reverendissimus, &c. ac reverendi patres, &c. respective 
 episcopi, pro tribunali sedentes, secrete inter se aliquandiu 
 communicarunt. Ac tandem comparuit coram eis dominus pro- 
 locutor domus inferioris, ac magistri Johannes Warner decanus 
 Winton, Johannes Salisburye decanus Norwicen, Thomas Watts 
 archidiaconus Middlesex, et Robertus Weston unus procurato- 
 rum cleri diceces. Lichen, et exhibuerunt coram eisdem patribus 
 
160 
 
 Acta in sup. dora. 
 
 librum de disciplina, una cum quibusdam capitubs additionalibus 
 ad eundem, viz. de adulterio, &c. ct penes eosdem patres dimi- 
 serunt, Et dictus reverendissinius, &c. continuavit, &c. usque 
 in diem Luna?, &c. inter boras primam et secundam post meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIV. 
 
 Die Lunge, 8. viz. die mensis Martii, 1562, in capella regis 
 Henrici Septimi, &c. reverendus pater dominus Edmundus 
 London episcopus, assidentibus secum reverendis patribus do- 
 minis, &c. respective episcopis, vice ac authoritate dicti reve- 
 rendissimi patris, continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Mer- 
 curii, &c. inter boras primam et secundam, &c. ad hunc locum 
 prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXV. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. decimo die mensis Martii, 1562, in capella 
 regis Henrici Septimi, &c. reverendissinius, &c. una cum reve- 
 rendis patribus, &c. respective episcopis, pro tribunal! sedens, 
 post tractatum abquem cum eisdem confratribus suis per du- 
 arum horarum spacium secrete babitum continuavit, &c. usque 
 ad et in diem Veneris, &c. inter boras octavam et nonam ante 
 meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXVI. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 12°. die mensis Martii, &c. in domo capitu- 
 lar! ecclesia? catbedralis divi Pauli London, reverendissimus, &c. 
 una cum reverendis patribus, &c. respective episcopis, pro tri- 
 bunali sedens, post secretum quendam tractatum cum eisdem 
 confratribus suis per spacium duarum borarum habitum, &c. 
 prorogavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Luna?, &c. inter horas 
 primam et secundam post meridiem, &c. ad capellam regis 
 Henrici Septimi, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXVII. 
 
 Die Lunae, viz. 15. die mensis Martii, &c. in quodam alto 
 deambulatorio infra manerium domini archiepiscopi Cant, apud 
 Lambeth, reverendissimus, &c. in pra;sentia mei Johannis In- 
 cent notarii publici, registrarii primarii dicti reverendissimi 
 patris personaliter constitutes, commisit vices suas reverendo in 
 
minis 1562, fyc. 
 
 1G1 
 
 Christo patri domino Wilhelmo permissione divina Cicestrensi 
 episcopo ad continuand. ct prorogand. praafatam convoc. sive 
 sacram synodum provinc. in statu quo nunc est usque ad et in 
 diem Mercurii prox. futurum, viz. 17. diem prassentis mensis 
 Martii, inter horas primam et secundam post meridiem ejusdem 
 diei, ad capellam regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. ac postea de 
 die in diem et de loco in locum, quoties ipsum reverendissimum 
 patrem abesse contigerit ; ac caetera omnia et singula faeiend. 
 et expediend. qua? in prsemissis aut circa ea necessaria fuerint, 
 seu quomodolibet opportuna. Et promisit de rat. &c. Deinde 
 eodem die in capella regis Henrici Septimi super-mentionata, 
 in praesentia mei praefati Joliannis Incent, notarii publici ac re- 
 gistrarii antedicti, dictus reverendus pater dominus Wilhelmus 
 Cicestrensis episcopus acceptans in se onus commissionis praefati 
 reverendissimi patris, juxta vim formam et effectum ejusdem 
 procedendum fore decrevit. Ac mox, autboritate sibi commissa, 
 continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Mercurii, &c. inter boras 
 primam et secundam post, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXVIII. 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 17. die mensis Martii, &c. in capella regis 
 Henrici Septimi infra, &c. venerabilis vir magister Thomas 
 Yale legum doctor, reverendissimi, &c. vicarius in spiritualibus 
 generalis, et commissarius ad infra scripta sufficienter consti- 
 tutus, vice et authoritate ejusdem reverendissimi patris conti- 
 nuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Veneris, &c. inter horas nonam 
 et undecimam ante meridiem, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIX. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 19. die mensis Martii, 1562, in domo ca- 
 pitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London, reverendissi- 
 mus, &c. pro tribunal] sedens, assidentibus secum reverendis 
 patribus, &c. respective episcopis, cum eisdem confratribus suis 
 per spacium duarum horarum aut circiter secrete cominunica- 
 vit ; ac postea continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Luna;, &c. 
 inter horas 1 et 3 post, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXX. 
 
 Die Luna?, viz. 22. die mensis Martii, &c. in capella regis 
 Henrici Septimi infra, &c. reverendus pater Wilhelmus, &c. Ci- 
 
 OIBSON. M 
 
162 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 cestrensis episcopus, vice et authoritate reverendissimi domini, 
 &c. continuant, &c. usque ad et in diem Veneris, &c. inter 
 horas octavam et undecimam ante, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXI. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 26. die mensis Martii, 1563, hora nona 
 ante meridiem, in domo capitulari ecclesiae cathedi*alis divi 
 Pauli London, venerabilis vir magister Valentinus Dale, legum 
 doctor, vice et authoritate reverendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 usque ad et inter horam primam et tertiam post meridiem 
 hujus diei ad hunc locum, prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Eodem die, hora secunda post meridiem ejusdem diei in 
 domo capitulari ecclesiae divi Pauli London, venerabilis vir ma- 
 gister Thomas Yale, legum doctor, vice et authoritate dicti re- 
 verendissimi patris, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem 
 Veneris, &c. inter horas octavam et decunam ante. &c. prout in 
 schedula. &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXII. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. secundo die mensis Aprihs, 1563, in domo 
 capitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London, hora nona 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, venerabilis vir magister Thomas 
 Yale legum doctor, vice et authoritate reverendissimi, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Lunae, &c. inter horas pri- 
 mam et tertiam post, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXIII. 
 Die Lunae, viz. 5. die mensis Aprilis, 1563, venerabilis vir 
 magister Thomas Yale, legum doctor, vice et authoritate reve- 
 rendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Jovis, &c. 
 inter horas primam et 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 et 
 authoritate dicti reverendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad 
 et in diem Sabbati, &c. inter horas primam et tertiam post, 
 &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
annis 1 562, SfC 163 
 Sessio XXXV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, viz. decimo die mensis Aprilis, 1563, in capella 
 regis Henrici Septimi infra, &c. venerabilis vir magister Tho- 
 mas Yale, legum doctor, locum-tenens antedictus, vice et autho- 
 ritate reverendissimi, &c. continuavit, &c. ad et in diem Mer- 
 curii proxime futurum, viz. 14 diem praesentis mensis Aprilis 
 inter horas primam et tertiam post meridiem ejusdem diei ad 
 hunc locum, prout in schedula per eum lecta tenore subscripto 
 plenius continetur. ' In Dei nomine, Amen,' &c. 
 
 Breve regium de convocatione proroganda. 
 Elizabeth, Dei gratia, &c. reverendissimo in Christo patri 
 Matthaeo eadem gratia Cant, archiepiscopo, &c. 
 
 Commissio archiepiscopi. 
 Nos Matthaeus Cantuariensis archiepiscopus, &c. habentes 
 mandatum domina? nostra? de proroganda convocatione, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXVI. 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 14. die mensis Aprilis, an. Dom. 1563, in 
 capella regis Henrici Septimi, &c. in praesentia 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 facta?, 
 et decrevit procedend. fore juxta vim formam et effectum 
 ejusdem. Ex mox dictus Mr. Yale, vice et authoritate praefati 
 reverendissimi patris, continuavit et prorogavit eandem convo- 
 cationem in statu quo nunc est usque ad et in tertium diem 
 mensis Octobris prox. futur. ad hunc locum, juxta tenorem 
 brevis regii suprascript. eidem reverendo patri in hac parte 
 direct, prout in schedula per eum lecta plenius continetur : 
 cujus quidem schedula? verus tenor sequitur in haec verba : ' In 
 Dei nomine, Amen,' &c. 
 
 m 2 
 
Forma sive descriptio convocations cekbrandai, prout ab 
 antiquo observari consueuit. 
 
 SCIENDUM est, quod oranes qui auctoritate reverendissimi 
 domini ;uvhiepiscopi Cantuar. citantur ad comparendum coram 
 eo in domo capitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London 
 duodecimo die Jan. prox. tenentur praafixo tempore interesse, 
 atque in eadem ecclesia cath. pra?stolari adventum dicti reve- 
 rendissimi. Qui ex more, paulo post octavam ante meridiem 
 illius diei, solet cum celebri comitatu apud portum Thamisis 
 vocatum Paul's Wharf 'in terrain descendere, atque exinde praa- 
 euntibus advocatis et procuratoribus curiae Cantuar. certisque 
 reverendissimi generosis ac vigifero convocationis, ad ecclesiam 
 cath. divi Pauli London recta tendere, atque in chorum ibidem 
 ingredi. Ubi postquam in stallo decani collocatus fuerit, ac 
 preces dixerit, tarn ipse quain reliqui episcopi prrcsentes habitu 
 convocationis togati, ex utroque chori latere in suis stallis sese 
 constituunt, et mox incipiunt preces, quibus S. Sancti gratia 
 invocatur ; ac communio subsequitur. Ac tempore offertorii, 
 tarn dictus reverendissimus quam caeteri suffraganei episcopi 
 rem divinam celebranti ordine progredientes oblationem offerre 
 ex more debent. Peracta in hunc morem re divina, solet 
 doctus aliquis ex ccetu convocationis, sive superioris, sive infe- 
 rioris domus, ad hoc selectus, e suggestu in medio chori concio- 
 nem ad clerum ibidem congregatum Latine proferre. 
 
 Qua absoluta, reverendissimus statim se confert in domum 
 capitularem dicta? ecclesia?, sequentibus episcopis, et toto clero. 
 Quibus ingressis ac seclusis extraneis, reverendissimo ac caateris 
 suis co-episcopis in suis sedibus ordine considentibus, ac reliquo 
 clero circumstante, reverendus dominus episcopus London 
 mandatum sibi a dicto reverendissimo ad convocationem hujus- 
 Subeun- modi [submonendam] alias directum, una cum debito certifica- 
 rt/m in the t or i 0 SU p e r executione ejusdem, introducere, ac debita cum 
 reverentia eidem reverenthssimo patri praasentare et tradere 
 tenetur. 
 
 Quo quidem certificatorio perlecto, statim porrigitur eidem 
 reverendissimo schedula descripta, per quam pronunciat omnes 
 
Forma convocation is celebranda'. 
 
 165 
 
 acl cosdem diem horam et locum non comparentes contumaces, 
 reservando poenam eorum contumaciam in aliquem diem compe- 
 tentem pro beneplacito ipsius reverendissimi. 
 
 Praamissis sic expeditis dictus reverendissimus ad episcopos 
 et clerum tunc praasentes Anglice sive Latine causam sui ad- 
 ventus ac dicta? convocationis inchoatae exponit. 
 
 Quodque ex laudabili et antiqua ordinatione eadem convo- 
 catio in duo membra dividitur, nempe in superiorem atque 
 inferiorem domum. Unde reverendissimus et caeteri co-episcopi 
 superiorem domum efficiunt ; inferior vero domus ex decanis 
 ecclesiarum cath. arcliidiaconis, collegiorum magistris, et capi- 
 tulorum cath. ecclesiarum, necnon cleri cujuscunque diceceseos 
 procuratoribus constat. 
 
 Et quoniam si in rerum tractandarum serie unusquisque ex 
 inferiore domo suam ipse sententiam, quo ties visum esset, di- 
 ceret, aut si omnes aut plures simul loqucrentur, pareret con- 
 fusionem, igitur semper hactenus observatum fuit, ut unus 
 aliquis doctus et disertus ex gremio dicta? inferioris domus in 
 eorum omnium locum ad hoc munus assumatur ; ut is intel- 
 lects et scrutatis caeterorum omnium votis, tanquam unum 
 eorum omnium os et organum loquatur, et consonam eorum 
 sententiam eidem reverendissimo, cum ad hoc rogatus seu mis- 
 sus fuerit, caeteris silentibus fideliter referat : qui ex hoc mu- 
 nere referendarius sive prolocutor communiter denominatur. 
 Cujus eligendi libera facultas semper penes dictam inferiorem 
 domum remanet. 
 
 Unde ipse reverendissimus solet eosdem ex inferiori domo 
 monere atque hortari, ut statim se conferant in dictam infe- 
 riorem domum, ibiquc de viro docto pio et fideli in prolocu- 
 torem suum assumendo consultantes, unanimiter consentiant et 
 eligant, sicque electum ipsi reverendissimo in eadem domo ca- 
 pitulari prox. insequente sessione debita cum solemnitate prae- 
 sentent. His dictis, descendunt omnes in inferiorem domum 
 ad effectum praadictum. 
 
 Forma eligendi et pro3sentandi prolocutorem. 
 Solet observari, ut postquam ingressi fuerint inferiorem do- 
 mum, in sedibus se decenter collocent, et si aliqui ex iis sint 
 consiliarii sive sacellani regiae majestatis, ut hi superiorcs sedes 
 occupent ; atque ut unus ex iis propter dignitatem et reveren- 
 
166 Forma convocationis celebrandce. 
 
 tiam, seu in eorum absentia, decanus ecclesiae cath. D. Panli 
 Lond. sive arcliidiaconus Lond. praesidentis officio in hujusmodi 
 electione fungatur. 
 
 Atque ut ad hoc rite procedatnr, primum jubebit nomina 
 omnium citatorum et qui tunc interesse tenentur a clerico dictse 
 inferioris domus recitari et praeconizari. Notatisque absenti- 
 bus, alloquatur praesentes, atque eorum sententiam de idoneo 
 procuratore eligendo sciscitetur. 
 
 Et postquam de eo convenerint (quod semper quasi statim 
 et absque ullo negotio perfici solebat) mox conveniunt inter se 
 de duobus eminentioris ordinis, qui dictum electum reveren- 
 dissimo domino Cantuar. in die statuto debita cum reverentia 
 et solennitate praesentent. Quorum alter sicut, cum dies ad- 
 venerit, ipsum prolocutorem cum Latina et docta oratione prae- 
 sentare tenetur, sic etiam idem praasentatus habitu doctoratus 
 indutus consimilem orationem ad dictum reverendissimum pa- 
 teem ac praelatos et caeteros praesentes habere debet. 
 
 Quibus finitis, praefatus reverendissimus oratione Latina tarn 
 electores quam praesentatorem et praesentatum pro sua gratia 
 collaudare, ac demum ipsam electionem sua archiepiscopali 
 authoritate expresse confirmare et approbare non dedigna- 
 bitur. 
 
 Et statim idem reverendissimus Anglice, si placeat, exponere 
 solet ulterius beneplacitum suum ; hortando clerum, ut de rebus 
 communibus quae reformatione indigent, consultent et refe- 
 rant die statuto. Ac ad hunc modum de sessione in sessionem 
 continuabitur convocatio quamdiu expedire videbitur, ac donee 
 de eadem dissolvenda breve regium eidem reverendissimo prae- 
 sentetur. 
 
 Et sciendum est, quod quotiescunque prolocutor ad prae- 
 sentiam reverendissimi causa convocationis ac tempore sessio- 
 nis accesserit, utatur habitu praedicto, ac janitor sive virgifer 
 dictae inferioris domus ipsum reverenter antecedat. 
 
 Ejusdem prolocutoris est etiam monere omnes ne discedant 
 a civitate London, absque licentia reverendissimi ; quodque 
 statutis diebus tempestive veniant ad convocationem. Quodque 
 salaria clericorum tarn superioris quam inferioris domus, et 
 janitoris inferioris domus, juxta antiquam taxationem, quatenus 
 eorum quemlibet concernit, fideliter persolvant. 
 
Archbishop LauoTs mandate to the bishop of London, for 
 summoning a convocation to meet at St. P aid's, April 14, 
 1640. 
 
 GULIELMUS providentia divina Cant, archiepiscopus, to- 
 tius Angliae primas et metropolitanus, venerabili confratri 
 nostro domino Gulielmo eadem providentia London, episcopo, 
 summo Angliae thesaurario, salutem et fraternam in domino 
 charitatem. Breve illustrissimi in Christo principis et Domini 
 nostri Caroli Dei gratia Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, et Hiberniae 
 regis, fidei defensoris, &c. nobis inscriptum et directum, nu- 
 per cum ea qua decuit reverentia observantia et subjectione, 
 humiliter recepimus in haec verba. Carolus Dei gratia Angliae, 
 Scotia?, Francia?, et Hiberniae rex, fidei defensor, &c. reveren- 
 dissimo in Christo patri ac fideU consiliario nostro Gubelmo 
 eadem gratia Cant, archiepiscopo, totius Angliae primati et 
 metropolitan© salutem. Quibusdam arduis et urgentibus ne- 
 gotiis nos, securitatem et defensionem ecclesiae Anglicanae ac 
 pacem et tranquillitatem bonum publicum et defensionem regni 
 nostri et subditorum nostrorum ejusdem concernentibus, vobis 
 in fide et dilectione quibus nobis tenemini rogando mandamus, 
 quatenus praemissis debito intuitu attentis et ponderatis, uni- 
 versos et singulos episcopos vestrae provinciae, ac decanos eccle- 
 siarum cathedralium, necnon archidiaconos, capitula et col- 
 legia, totumque clerum cujuslibet dioeceseos 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 cele- 
 ritate accommoda modo debito convocari faciatis, ad tractan- 
 dum, consentiendum et concludendum super praemissis et aliis 
 quae sibi clarius exponentur tunc ibidem ex parte nostra. Et 
 hoc sicut nos et statum regni nostri et honorem et utilitatem 
 ecclesiae praedictae diligitis, nullatenus omittatis. Teste meipso 
 apud Westm. vicesimo die Februarii anno regni nostri decimo 
 quinto. Quocirca fraternitati vestrae committimus et manda- 
 mus, quatenus omnes et singulos co-episcopos ecclesiae nostrae 
 Christi Cant, suffraganeos infra prasfatam provinciam nostram 
 
168 Mandatum pro Summonitione 
 
 Cantuariensem constitutes, peremptorie citetis, ac per eos, 
 decanos ecclesiarum cathedralium et colleeiatarum et sino-ula 
 capitula earundem, archidiaconosque et casteros ecclesiarum 
 praslatos exemptos et non exemptos, clerumque cujuslibet dioec. 
 provincias nostras antedictae pereraptorie eitari et praemoneri 
 volumus et mandamus : quod iidem episcopi, decani, arcludia- 
 coni et casteri ecclesiarum praelati exempti et non exempti 
 personaliter, et quodlibet capitulum ecclesiarum cathedralium 
 et collegiatarum per unum, clerusque cujuslibet dicec. provincias 
 nostra? antedictas per duos sufficientes procuratores, compareant 
 coram nobis aut nostro in hac parte locum-tenente sive com- 
 missario (si nos impediri contigerit) in domo capitulari ecclesias 
 cathedralis S. Pauli London, decimo quarto die mensis Aprilis 
 prox. futuro post datum prassentium cum continuatione et pro- 
 rogatione dierum extunc sequentium et locorum (si oporteat) 
 fiend, ad tractandum super arduis et urgentibus negotiis statum 
 et utilitatem bonum publicum et defensionem regni Anglias et 
 subditorum ejusdem concernentibus, ipsis tunc et ibidem serio- 
 sius exponend. suaque sana consilia et auxilia super eis im- 
 pensur. ac bis quas ibidem ex deliberatione communi ad bonorem 
 Dei et ecclesia? utilitatem salubriter ordinari et statui conti- 
 gerit, consensur. ulteriusque factur. et receptur. quod justum 
 fuerit, et hujusmodi negotii natm*a et qualitas de se exigimt et 
 requirunt. Vos autem, venerabibs confrater noster, dictum 
 mandatum quatenus vos et capitulum ecclesise vestrae cathe- 
 cb^alis ac civitatem et dicec. London concernit, exequi per omnia 
 faciatis et eidem pareatis in omnibus cum effectu. Prasterea 
 tenore praesentium vos citamus quatenus eisdem die et loco 
 coram nobis aut nostro in hac parte locum-tenente sive com- 
 missario uno vel pluribus una cum aliis venerabilibus confra- 
 tribus nostris dictae provinciae nostras Cant, co-episcopis compa- 
 reatis super hujusmodi negotiis (ut praemittitur) tractatur. 
 necnon factur. et receptur. quod ad vestram paternitatem 
 attinet, prout superius continetur. Volumus insuper et man- 
 damus quatenus intimetis et denuncietis seu intimari et dcnun- 
 ciari faciatis dictae provinciae nostras Cant, co-episcopis, decanis, 
 arcbicUaconis et casteris ecclesiarum praslatis suprascriptis ; quod 
 eos a personali comparitione in hujusmoch negotio convocationis 
 et congregationis dictis die et loco (ut prasmittitur) divina fa- 
 vente dementia celebrando excusatos non habere intcndimus 
 
Convocationis, anno 1640. 
 
 169 
 
 ista vice nisi ex causa necessaria tunc et ibidem allegand. et 
 proponend. et per nos approband. sed contumacias eorum qui 
 absentes fuerint canonice punire. Et prasterea vobis ut supra 
 injunghnus et mandamus, cpiod omnibus et singulis co-episcopis 
 suffraganeis provincia? nostrae Cant, pra?dicta3 injungatis seu 
 faciatis injungi utsinguli eorum sigillatim de facto suo, quatenus 
 pertinet ad eosdem, nos seu locum-tenentem sive commissarium 
 nostrum unum vel plures dictis die et loco per literas eorum 
 patentes nomina et cognomina omnium et singidorum per eos 
 respective citatorum continentes distincte certificent et aperte. 
 De die vero receptionis praesentium, et quid in praemissis fece- 
 ritis, nos aut nostrum commissarium bujusmodi dictis die et loco 
 debite certificari curetis per literas vestras patentes, harum 
 seriem una cum nominibus omnium et singulorum episcoporum 
 provincia? nostra? Cant, decanorum, arcbidiaconorum et caete- 
 rorum praelatorum vestrae dicec. in separata scbedula Uteris 
 certificatoriis annectend. complectent. Datum in manerio no- 
 stro de Lambeth vicesimo secundo die mensis Febr. anno Do- 
 mini juxta computationem ecclesiae Anglicanae millesimo sex- 
 centesimo tricesimo nono, et nostrae translationis anno septimo. 
 
 » 
 
Acta in superiore domo Convocationis incozptai decimo quarto 
 die Aprilis, anno 1640. 
 
 Prima sessio. 
 
 Die Martis, decimo quarto viz. die mensis Aprilis, anno 
 Domini millesimo sexcentesimo quadragesimo, regnique sere- 
 nissimi in Christo principis et Domini nostri domini Caroli Dei 
 gratia Angliae, Scotiae, Francise, et Hiberniae regis, fidei defen- 
 soris, &c. anno decimo sexto ; reverendissimus in Christo pater, 
 et dominus dominus Gulielmus providentia clivina Cantuariensis 
 archiepiscopus, totius Angliae primas et metropolitanus, mane 
 inter horas octavam et nonam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, 
 a manerio suo de Lambehith in naviculo suo dicto vulgo 
 " a barge," ad ripam dictam Paul's ivharfe, London, applicuit, 
 ibidemque ab advocatis et procuratoribus ac caeteris ministris 
 almae sua? curiae Cantuariensis de arcubus London, acceptus, in 
 curru sive vehiculo ad palatium episcopale London, venit. Ac 
 paulo post, idem reverendissimus pater amictu et habito suis 
 vestitus, ab advocatis, procuratoribus, et caeteris ministris suis 
 curia? praedictae, ad ostium boreale ecclesiae Paulinae juxta 
 palatium episcopale London, antedictum, et inde in ecclesiam 
 cathedralem sancti PauU London, praedict. ductus fuit. Ibique 
 ad dictum ostium, venerabiles viri Thomas Wynnyff, sacraa 
 theologiae professor, decanus, nec non Henricus King et Jo- 
 hannes Montfort, sacrae theologiae professores, canonici residen- 
 tiarii dictae ecclesiae cathedralis, caeterique ministri ejusdem 
 ecclesiae superpelliciis induti, eum praestolabantur, et ad chorum 
 ipsius ecclesiae per occidentale ostium ejusdem chori perduxe- 
 runt, comitantibus eum episcopis suffraganeis provinciae suae 
 Cantuariensis, simihbus habitibus indutis, et ibidem in stallo 
 decani collocatus fuit. Caeterisque episcopis suffraganeis pro- 
 vinciae Cantuariensis, habitibus suis in hujusmodi negotio con- 
 vocationis solitis et consuetis indutis, stallis praebendariorum, 
 ex utraque parte dicti chori, sedentibus ; ac consequenter de- 
 cantato per ministros chori praedicti hymno, " Te Deum lauda- 
 mus," &c. in sermone Anglieano; venerabihs vir Thomas Turner 
 sacrae theologiae professor, canonicus residentiarius dictae ec- 
 clesiae cathedralis sancti Pauli London, suggestum in medio 
 chori positum ingressus fuit. Ac ibidem concionem venustam 
 
Acta in sup. dam. aunts 1640, fyc. 171 
 
 et eloquentem sermone Latino ad patres ac populum et 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, et innocentes ut coluinbae." Qua 
 quidem concione finita, ac decantato per ministros chori pras- 
 dicti alio psalmo sive hymno, " 0 Lord, make thy servant 
 Charles," &c. reverendissimus pater dominus Gulielmus Can- 
 tuariensis archiepiscopus antechctus chorum praedictum egressus, 
 ac domum capitularem ecclesiae cathedralis praedictae ingressus, 
 comitantibus eum cagteris episcopis et cleri praelatis provincias 
 suae Cantuariensis, pro tribunali sedebat, assidentibus secum 
 unchque episcopis suffraganeis, viz. Guliehno London, summo 
 Angliae Thesaurario, Waltero Winton, Johanne Sarum, Ro- 
 berto Coven et Lichen, Godfrido Gloucestren, Josepho Exon, 
 Johanne Asaphen, Guhelmo Bathon et Wellen, Johanne Oxon, 
 Georgio Hereforden, Matthaeo Ehen, Roberto Bristohen, Gu- 
 helmo Bangor, Johanne Roffen, Briano Cicestren, Johanne 
 Petriburgen, et Morgano Landaven, respective episcopis perso- 
 naliter comparentibus. Cui quidem reverendissimo patri pro 
 tribunali sedenti, post lecturain brevis regii per me Sacvilum 
 Wade notarium publicum registrarii deputatum, eidem reveren- 
 dissimo patri in hac parte inscripti et directi, praefatus reve- 
 rendus pater dominus Guhelmus London, episcopus exhibuit et 
 praesentavit certificatorium super executione mandati citatorii 
 et monitorii dicti reverendissimi patris alias sibi praefato do- 
 mino episcopo London, directi : cujus quidem certificatorii 
 tenor sequitur in haec verba, &c. 
 
 " Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac domino domino Gu- 
 liehno providentia divina Cantuariensi archiepiscopo," &c. 
 
 Quo quidem certificatorio per me praefatum Sacvilum Wade 
 notarium publicum antedictum de mandato dicti reverendissimi 
 patris, publice lecto, praeconizatisque publice 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 et caeteris praelatis constitutura, 
 monuit, quatenus ad solitum et consuetum conventus sui locum 
 sese conferentes, unum virum gravem doctum et peritum de 
 gremio suo provideant et eligant in eorum prolocutorem sive 
 
172 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 referendarium, ipsumque sic electum exhibeant et praesentent 
 coram codem rcvcrendissirao patre aut ejus locum-tenente sivo 
 commissario die Veneris proximo, viz. decimo septimo die in- 
 stantis mensis Aprilis inter horas nonam et undecimam ante 
 meridiem cjusdem diei in capella regis Henrici septimi infra 
 ecclesiam collegiatam beati Petri Westminster. Quo clero 
 dimisso ad locum solitum, scilicet capellam beatae Marias Vir- 
 ginis ad finem orientalem ecclesiae cathedralis praedictas ex 
 parte australi ejusdem, ad effectum eligendi unum gravem 
 doctum et peritum virum de grcmio suo in eorum prolocutorem 
 sive referendarium, sese conferebant, et post aliquem tractatum 
 inter dictum reverendissimum patrem et praefatos reverendos 
 patres confratres suos, reverendissimus ad se accersiri fecit 
 totum ccetum domus inferioris. Quibus comparentibus, vene- 
 rabilis vir Thomas Wynnyff, sacrae theologiae professor, deca- 
 nus ecclesiae cathedralis sancti Pauli London, praedict. unus 
 dictae domus ad hoc electus, tam nomine suo quarn totius ccetus 
 dicta? domus chcto reverendissimo patri significavit se et caete- 
 ros dictae domus, vcnerabiles viros Ricardum Steward, legum 
 doctorem, decanum ecclesiae cathedralis Cicestren. in eorum 
 prolocutorem et Gilbertum Sheldon sacrae theologiae profes- 
 sorem, custodem collegii omnium animarum fidelium defuncto- 
 rum Oxon, in praesentatorem dicti prolocutoris respective 
 unanimi consensu elegisse. Quibus sic gestis, praefatus reve- 
 rendissimus pater pronunciavit omnes et singulos decanos, ar- 
 chichaconos, capitula, cleri procuratores, ac caeteros quoscunque 
 ad interessendum istis die hora et loco in hujusmodi sacra 
 synodo sive convocatione monitos et citatos, et nullo modo 
 comparentes, notorie contumaces, pcenas vero contumaciarum 
 suarum hujusmodi usque ad et in praedictum decimum septi- 
 mum chem instantis mensis Aprilis, inter horas nonam et unde- 
 cimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, ad ecclesiam collegiatam 
 beati Petri Westminster, praedictam, reservando ; prout in 
 schedula per eundem reverendissimum patrem lecta plenius 
 continetur. Cujus quidem schedules tenor sequitur et est talis. 
 " In Dei nomine Amen. Nos Gulielmus," &c. Postremo 
 dictus reverendissimus pater continuavit et prorogavit prae- 
 sentem convocationem sive sacram synodum, &c. omniaque et 
 singula certificatoria istis die hora et loco introducta, et intro- 
 ducenda et non introducta, in eodem statu quo nunc sunt usque 
 
omnis 1640, Sfc. 
 
 1713 
 
 ad et in prsedictum decimum septimum diem instantis mensis 
 Aprilis inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem ejus- 
 dem diei ad ecclesiam collegiatam beati Petri Westminster, 
 prout in alia schedula per eum lecta tenoris sequentis contine- 
 tur, viz. In Dei nomine Amen, &c. Nos Gulielmns, &c. 
 
 " Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac domino domino Guli- 
 elmo, &e. a 
 
 " Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac domino domino Guli- 
 clmo," &c. b 
 
 Secunda sessio. 
 Die Veneris, decimo septimo, viz. die mensis Aprilis, anno 
 Domini 1640, inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem, 
 &c. reverendissimus in Christo pater dominus Gulielmus Can- 
 tuariensis archiepiscopus, ac reverendi patres domini Guliel- 
 mus London, Walterus Winton, Johannes Sarum, Robertus 
 Coven et Lichen, Godfridus Gloucestren, Josephus Exon, 
 Richardus Norwicen, Johannes Asaphen, Gnlielmus Bathon et 
 Wellen, Johannes Oxon, Georgius Hereforden, Matthaeus 
 Elien, Robertus Bristolien, Gulielmus Bangor, Johannes Rof- 
 fen, Brianus Cicestren, Johannes Petriburgen et Morganus 
 Landaven respective episcopi, in capella regis Henrici Septimi 
 infra ecclesiam collegiatam beati Petri Westminster congregati, 
 primo et ante omnia preces Deo optimo maximo flexis genibus 
 humiliter fundebant ; ac finitis precibus, coram prsefato reve- 
 rendissimo patre, una cum aliis confratribus suis pra3dictis pro 
 tribunah sedente, in praesentia mei Sacvili Wade notarii publici, 
 &c. comparuit personaliter venerabilis vir Robertus Newell 
 sacra? theologise professor, sub-decanus ecclesia? collegiatse beati 
 Petri Westminster pra3dicti, secum stantibus venerabilibus viris, 
 Thoma Wilson, Petro Heylyn, Jonathan Brown, Griffitho Wil- 
 liams, Guhelmo Haywood, et Georgio Aglionby sacrae theolo- 
 giae professoribus, et ecclesiae collegiatae prseclictae pra3bendariis, 
 ac Roberto Cooke notario publico, et nonnullis aliis testibus. 
 Qui quidem venerabilis vir Robertus Newell sub-decanus ante- 
 dictus, tunc et ibidem dixit, allegavit, protestatus est, et ca3tera 
 fecit, prout in quadam papyri schedula, quam in manibus suis 
 tunc et ibidem tenens publice legebat in haec verba. " In Dei 
 nomine Amen, coram vobis notario publico, publicaque et au- 
 
 a Certificatorium Archid. Cant. 
 
 b Certificatorium Doct. Farmery. 
 
174 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 thentica persona ac testibus fide dignis hie praasentibus, ego 
 Robertus Newell sacra? theologiaa professor, sub-decanus eccle- 
 siaa collegiataa beati Petri Westmonasteriensis," &c. Et tunc dic- 
 tus reverendissimus pater pro se et confratribus suis, ac omnibus 
 et singulis praalatis et clero sua? Cantuariensis provinciaa in hac 
 praesenti convocatione sive sacra synodo provinciali praasentibus 
 ac jus seu interesse habentibus, protestatus est, et caatera fecit, 
 prout in alia schedula per eundem reverencUssimum patrem 
 lecta tunc et ibidem continetur, viz. " In Dei nomine Amen, 
 cum haac ecclesia collegiata beati Petri Westminster," &c. Praa- 
 sentibus tunc et ibidem venerabilibus viris domino Nathaniele 
 Brent milite et legum doctore, dicti reverendissiini patris vica- 
 rio in spiritualibus generaU, domino Carolo Caasar milite et 
 legum doctore, magistro rotulorum domini regis et euriaa ad 
 facultates commissario, et nonnullis aliis testibus, &c. Quibus 
 sic gestis, praanominatus reverendissimus pater, post interval- 
 lum temporis ad eum accersiri jussit praalatos et cleruin domus 
 , inferioris. Qui copiose sese praasentantes, exhiberi et sisti 
 fecerunt venerabilem virum Richardum Steward legum docto- 
 rem, decanum ecclesiaa cathedralis Cicestrensis, in prolocutorem 
 sive referendarium totius coatus domus inferioris praadictaa 
 ultima sessione electum ; quem venerabilis vir Gilbertus Shel- 
 don in praasentatorem ista sessione etiam electus, vice totius 
 coatus praadictaa domus inferioris, praamissa facunda et eloquenti 
 oratione per eum, exhibuit et praasentavit dicto reverendissimo 
 patri et caateris episcopis praadictis. Ac facta aha oratione 
 eleganti per eundem prolocutorem sic praasentatum, praafatus 
 reverendissimus pater dominus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis 
 antedictus de consensu confratrum suorum praadictorum eun- 
 dem Richardum Steward electum hujusmodi, et electionem 
 praadict. per aliam orationem Latinam commendavit et appro- 
 bavit : et tunc idem reverendissimus pater in praasentiis reve- 
 rendorum patrum confratrum suorum praadictorum, ac prolo- 
 cutoris et caaterorum de coatu domus inferioris convocationis, 
 serenissimum dominum nostrum Carolum regem pro suo amore 
 et favore speciali erga eos abunde commendans, literam quan- 
 dam suain regiam, sigillo magno Angliaa sigillatam, de ordi- 
 nando et conficiendo quasdam constitutiones ordinationes sive 
 capitula, statum ecclesiasticum sinceram religionem et utilita- 
 tem ecclesiaa Anglicanaa concernentes et tendentes, una cum 
 
annis 1640, fyc. 
 
 175 
 
 nonnullis provisionibus in eadem licentia insertis, produxit et 
 exhibuit sub tenore sequenti, viz. 
 
 " Charles by the grace of God," &c. Qua per me Sacvilum 
 Wade in hac parte actorum scribam, publice tunc et ibidem 
 alta voce perlecta, dictus reverendissimus pater, et caeteri epi- 
 scopi secum assidentes, cum omnimoda reverentia subjectione 
 et humilitate gratanter acceptarunt et receperunt, et reveren- 
 dissimus pater antedictus, praefatuin prolocutorem et alios de 
 domo inferiori decanos archidiaconos capitula et cleri procu- 
 ratores ibidem praesentes, voluit ut ipsi inter se convenirent et 
 mature excogitarent de subsidiis dicto domino nostro regi con- 
 cedend. et Canonibus et Constitutionibus statum ecclesiasticum 
 et Christi religionem in ecclesia Anglicana concernentibus, con- 
 cipiendis, et quicquid inde senserint sive excogitaverint, in 
 scriptis redigant, et coram ipso reverendissimo et confratribus 
 suis episcopis exhibeant. Tunc dimisso prolocutore cum ccetu 
 domus inferioris praedictas, habitoque aliquandiu tractatu inter 
 praefatum reverendissimum et caeteros episcopos suffraganeos 
 suos (ut praefertur) comparentes, reverendissimus pater de et 
 cum consensu reverendorum confratrum suorum praedictorum 
 continuavit et prorogavit praesentem convocationem sive sacram 
 synodum provincialem, in statu quo nunc est, usque ad et in 
 diem Mercurii proximum, viz. vicesimum secundum diem in- 
 stantis mensis Aprilis, inter horas octavam et duodecimam ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, ad hunc locum, cum ulteriori continua- 
 tione et prorogatione dierum et locorum (si oporteat) in ea 
 parte fienda, prout in schedula per eum lecta plenius contine- 
 tur ; cujus quidem schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec verba, 
 " In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos Gulielmus providentia divina 
 Cantuariensis archiepiscopus," &c. 
 
 Tertia sessio. 
 
 Die Mercurii, vigesimo secundo, viz. die mensis Aprilis anno 
 Domini 1640, inter horas octavam et duodecimam ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, reverendissimus, &c. tractatum habuit cum 
 eisdem citra negotia parliamenti eis et aliis domus supcrioris 
 ejusdem commissa et isto die expedienda, et consensu rnutuo 
 eorum decretum fuit per dictum reverendissimum patrem ut 
 reverendi patres dominus Gulielmus London, Robertus Coven 
 et Lichen, Johannes Asaphen, Georgius Hereforden, Gulielmus 
 
176 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 Bangor, Johannes Roffen, ct Johannes Petriburgen, respective 
 episcopi antedicti, a convocatione hujusmodi reccderent, et sese 
 ad negotia parliamenti prsodicti subeund. applicarent : post 
 quorum reccssum, tractatu secreto inter dominum archiepisco- 
 pum et reliquos episcopos antedictos secum modo assidentes 
 habito, reverendissiraus ad se accersiri fecit prolocutorem una 
 cum toto cuetu domus inferioris. Quibus coram eo, et cseteris 
 episcopis antedictis, modo (ut praofertur) secum assidentibus, 
 comparentibus, notum fecit illas permagnas expensas quae per 
 regiam majcstatem ex causis urgentibus erogandae sunt, et ilia 
 non minus pericula qua? et statum et regnum Angliae hoc tem- 
 pore imminent, eisque de causis et aliis per ipsum reverendis- 
 simum expositis, se et confratres suos praedictos inter se trac- 
 tasse et convenisse de sex subsidiis et majori numero subsidio- 
 rum (si aliquo tempore major numerus per praelatos et clcrum 
 Cantuariensis provinciae concessus ex registro constaret) illus- 
 trissimo domino nostro regi per ipsos concedendis juxta ratam 
 quatuor solidorum de qualibet libra sub certis conditionibus et 
 provisionibus in quodam libro desuper concipiend., et de sol- 
 vendo dicta subsidia in tam brevi tempore quam aliqua unquam 
 soluta fuere ; eosdemque rogavit, ut in testimonium singularis 
 eorum obedientia? et obsequii erga dictum dominum nostrum 
 regem concessioni hujusmodi ad statum eorum praeberent con- 
 sensum et responsa darent ; habito prius tractatu inter eos de 
 eisdem. Ac tunc praefatus reverendissimus pater in examina- 
 tores et correctores libri subsidiorum praedict. reverendos patres 
 dominos Josephum Exon, Matthaeum Elien, et Robcrtum Bris- 
 tolien, respective episcopos, nominavit, et voluit prolocutorem 
 et totum ccetum domus inferioris praadictas, ad eligendum qua- 
 tuor vel sex graviores viros de gremio suo, ad idem ncgotium 
 cum dictis reverendis patribus expediend. Modo, dimisso pro- 
 locutore, cum toto coetu praadicto, reverendissimus pater domi- 
 nus archiepiscopus Cantuariensis antedictus iterum secrete 
 tractavit cum praedictis l'everendis patribus ; et post temporis 
 intervallum dominus prolocutor cum toto ccetu praadicto rever- 
 tens, nomine suo et eorum dixit, quod ipse et coetus domus 
 inferioris de propositis diligentcr tractarunt, et omnes eorum 
 consensum libentissime dederunt concessioni dictorum sex sub- 
 sidiorum, et majoris numeri, si major numerus per clerum 
 unquam concedebatur, juxta ratam quatuor solidorum e qua- 
 
annis 1640, fyc. 
 
 177 
 
 libet libra; seque et totum coetum domus inferioris pra?dicta? 
 elegisse in examinatores et correctores libri subsidiorum pra?- 
 dict. cum praefatis dominis episcopis Exon. Elien. et BristoHcn. 
 venerabiles viros Isaacum Bargrave et Thomarn Wynnyff, 
 ccclesiarum cathedraliuni Cant, et London, decanos, necnon 
 Thomam Paske et Thomam Wilson archidiaconos London, 
 et Westminster, ac dominum Jobannem Lambe militem et 
 legum doctorem, alma? curia? Cantuariensis de arcubus London, 
 officialem, unum procuratorum cleri Lincoln, et Petrum Heylyn 
 sacra? theologia? professorem, procuratorem pro capitulo West- 
 minster. Quam electionem dominus archiepiscopus et con- 
 fratres sui approbarunt. Et ut Deus, bonorum omnium lar- 
 gitor, boc pra?sens parliamentum ita disponeret, quod omnes 
 in eodem conventi in unum consentirent ad Dei gloriam et ho- 
 norem, ecclesia? utilitatem et commodum, ac regis et regni 
 pacem et tranquillitatem ; pra?fatus ' reverendissimus pater do- 
 minus archiepiscopus, de mandato regio voluit divinam Dei 
 gratiam implorari, et formulam precis ad eundem effectum per 
 duos doctos et graviores viros ccetus domus inferioris ad hoc 
 per dominum prolocutorem cum consensu totius coetus dicta? 
 domus eligendos concipi. Quibus sic gestis, ac prolocutore 
 cum toto ccetu domus inferioris pra?dicta? dimisso, reverendis- 
 simus pater antedictus sermonem secretum cum episcopis con- 
 fratribus suis antedictis inivit, et post aliquem tractatum inter 
 eos habitum, prolocutor venit et dixit, se cum consensu ccetus 
 domus inferioris pra?dicta? elegisse venerabiles viros Gulielmum 
 Bray, et Johannem Olhver saera? theologia? professores, sacel- 
 lanos domini archiepiscopi Cantuariensis pra?dicti, ad concipi- 
 endiun formulam precis pra?dict. L T nde dimisso domino pro- 
 locutore, idem reverendissimus pater et confratres sui sermo- 
 nem secretum iterum inierunt, et colloquium inter sese habu- 
 erunt. Postmodum vero dominus prolocutor cum quinque e 
 sex illis correctoribus sive examinatoribus libri subsidiorum 
 dicta? domus inferioris compariut ; et reverendissimus pater 
 dominus archiepiscopus antedictus sermonem habuit cum eis 
 de capitulis canonum concipiendis, et dixit se et confratres suos 
 de duobus capitulis eversionem sive suppressionem Jesuitarum, 
 presbyterorum, et aliorum Romana? ecclesia?, concernentibus, 
 tractasse, et de eisdem consentiisse, eademque in bonis schedu- 
 lis papyri (ut apparuit) conscripta produxit : easdemque sche- 
 
 GIBSON. N 
 
1 78 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 dulas dicto domino prolocutori tradidit, toto coetui domus infe- 
 rioris proponendas, legend, et publicand. cum monitione quod 
 copias earum cuicunque tradere minime pra?sumat. Et si ali- 
 quis dicta? domus aliquid dictis capitulis contrarium proponat, 
 porrigat in scriptis et tradat in manus domini prolocutoris, 
 domino archiepiscopo et ca?teris episcopis domus superioris 
 exhibiturum ; ut ipsi de eisdem consultarent. Denique, eis 
 dimissis, habitaque inter dominum archiepiscopum et episcopos 
 prsedietos communicatione de rebus convocationis, reverendis- 
 simus pater de et cum consensu reverendorum confratrum 
 suorum pra?dictorum continuavit, &c. prout in schedula per 
 eum lecta plenius continetur, cujus quidem schedula? verus 
 tenor sequitur in haec verba. " In Dei nomine Amen, nos 
 Gulielmus pvovidentia divina archiepiscopus Cantuariensis," &c. 
 
 Die A T eneris 24. viz. die mensis Aprilis anno Domini 1640. 
 reverendissimus in Christo pater et dominus dominus Guliel- 
 mus providentia divina Cantuariensis archiepiscopus, &c. in 
 quadam conclavi superiori infra manerium suum de Lambeth 
 in comitatu Surria?, in pra?sentia mei Sacvili Wade notarii 
 publiei, &c. substituit, et loco suo constituit reverendos in 
 Christo patres ac venerabiles confratres suos dominos Godfri- 
 dum Gloucestren. et Johannem Oxon. respective episcopos, ad 
 interessendum et pra?sidendum vice, loco, et authoritate suis 
 in sacr. synodo sive convocatione pra?latorum et cleri Cantua- 
 riensis provincia?, vigore et authoritate brevis regii in hac 
 parte directi, decimo quarto, viz. die instantis mensis Aprilis 
 (divina favente dementia) in domo capitulari ecclesia? cathe- 
 dralis sancti Pauli London, inchoat. et celebrat. ac de die in 
 diem usque ad et in instantem vicesimum quartum diem mensis 
 Aprilis pra?dict. inter horas secundam et quartam post meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, ad capellam regis Henrici Septimi infra 
 ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westminster, continuat. et pro- 
 rograt. nec non ad communicandum et tractandum cum vene- 
 rabilibus confratribus suis dictae Cantuariensis provinciae co- 
 episcopis ac praalatis et clero ejusdem sua? provincia? de et 
 super omnibus et singulis causis et negotiis qua? in ea sacra 
 synodo provinciali sive convocatione proponenda, tractanda, et 
 communicanda fuerint : atcpe hujusmodi convocationem sive 
 sacram synodum provincialem a dicto 24to die mensis Aprilis 
 
minis 1640, fyc. 
 
 179 
 
 usque ad et in diem Sabathi 25tum diem ejusdem mensis 
 Aprilis ad capellam regis Henriei Septimi prsedictam conti- 
 nuand. et prorogand. caeteraque omnia et singula alia faciend. 
 exercend. et expediend. qua? in ea parte necessaria fuerint 
 seu quomodolibet opportuna et requisita, fraternitatibus suis 
 conjunctim et divisim commisit vices suas et plenam in domino 
 concessit facultatem. 
 
 Quartet sessio. 
 
 Die Veneris 24. viz. die mensis Aprilis anno Domini et loco 
 praedictis, inter horas secimdam et quartam post meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, in praesentia mei Sacvili Wade notarii publici, 
 &c. reverendus pater dominus Godfridus Gloucestren. episco- 
 pus in substitutione reverendissimi in Christo patris domini 
 Gulielmi Cantuariensis archiepiscopi antedicti, una cum reve- 
 rendo patre domino Johanne Oxon. episcopo nominatus, &c. 
 intimata substitutione hujusmodi per me praefatum notarium 
 publicum, assumsit in se onus dicta? substitutionis, et decrevit 
 procedendum fore juxta tenorem, \ira, formam, et effectum 
 ejusdem ; et sedendo legit schedulam continuationis, &c. in 
 scriptis, &c. prorogando et continuando hujusmodi convoca- 
 tionem in statu quo nunc est, usque ad et in diem praesentis 
 mensis Aprilis inter horas secundam et quartam post meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, ad hunc locum, prout lathis in schedula per eum 
 lecta continetur. Cujus quidem schedula? verus tenor sequitur 
 et est talis. " In Dei nomine Amen, nos Godfridus, permis- 
 sione divina Gloucestren. episcopus," &c. 
 
 Quinta sessio. 
 
 Die Sabbathi 25. viz. die mensis Aprilis anno Domini 1640, 
 inter horas secundam et quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, 
 reverendissimus in Christo pater, &c. [ut supra] sermonem 
 cum eisdem reverendis patribus confratribus suis de libro sub- 
 sidiorum per quosdam episcopos et alios electos domus infe- 
 rioris examinando et corrigendo, et cum confratrum suorum 
 praedictorum consensu decrevit libitum fore aliquibus duobus 
 episcopis cum quatuor e ccetu domus inferioris aliquo tempore 
 ad dictum librum examinandum et corrigendum ; et ulterius 
 pro meliori expeditione negotiorum hujus sacra? synodi, idem 
 reverendissimus, cum consensu et assensu eorundem confratrum 
 
 n 2 
 
180 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 suorum ordinavit, quod nullus episcopus aut aliquis e clero, 
 copiam canonis aut partem canonis proposituri et tractaturi, 
 exscribere aut de aliqua hujusmodi canone foras fabulare prae- 
 sumpserit, donee hac convocatione sive sacra synodo plenarie 
 et finaliter assensum et sacra regia majestate approbatum erit, 
 sub poena suspensionis cujuslibet e clero per tres menses, et syn- 
 odicae monitionis pro quolibet praelato qui ita peccaverit ; 'prout 
 in actu synodico sequenti continetur, viz. — Quibus sic gestis, 
 dominus prolocutor venit cum quinque aliis e domo inferiori, et 
 reverendissimus eis declaravit istum actum synodicum praece- 
 dentem, et voluit eundem dominum prolocutorem ad declaran- 
 dum istum actum toto ccetui dictae domus ; et habito tractatu 
 per reverendissimum cum eodem domino prolocutore de canoni- 
 bus componendis et faciendis, idem reverendissimus dimisit pro- 
 locutorem. Quo dimisso, reverendissimus iterum sermonem 
 liabuit cum dictis dominis episcopis confratribus suis ; et prae- 
 fatus dominus prolocutor cum sex illis correctoribus sive exami- 
 natoribus subsidiorum per domuin inferiorem ad boc electis 
 mox revertebat, et dixit se et to turn ccetum domus inferioris 
 consensum et assensum suos confectioni dicti actus synodici ad- 
 hibuisse, et eundem unanimiter approbasse ; et tunc dictus do- 
 minus prolocutor in sacras manus domini reverendissimi quan- 
 dam formulam precis per doctores Bray et Olliver conceptam, 
 omni cum reverentia tradidit in forma sequenti, viz. " Omnipo- 
 tens et sempiterne Deus," &c. Quam formulam precis reve- 
 rendissimus et confratres sui praedicti hoc verbo (Anglicanae) 
 addito, approbarunt, et reverendissimus cum eorum consensu 
 dictam precem in convocatione quotidie habendam, et imme- 
 diate ante benedictionem legendam, fore decrevit. Tunc dimisso 
 domino prolocutore reverendissimus post aliquem tractatum 
 inter se et confratres suos prasdictos habitum, continuavit et 
 prorogavit praesentem convocationem sive sacram synodum pro- 
 vincialem in statu quo nunc est usque ad et in diem Mercurii 
 vicesimum viz. diem instantis mensis Aprilis inter horas secun- 
 dam et quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei ad hunc locum, 
 prout in schedula per eum lecta continetur ; cujus quidem 
 schedulae verus tenor sequitur in haec verba, " In Dei nomine, 
 Amen. Nos Gulielmus, providentia divina Cantuariensis archi- 
 episcopus," &c. 
 
minis 1640, Sj'c. 
 
 181 
 
 Sextet sessio. 
 
 Die Mercurii vigesimo nono, viz. die Mensis Aprilis, anno 
 Domini 1 640, &c. inter boras secundam et quartam post meri- 
 diem, &c. reverendus in Christo pater dominus Gulielmus, &c. 
 Bathon. et Wellen. episcopns, reverendissimi in Christo patris 
 domini Gulielmi Cant, archiepiscopi, &c. commissarius, inter 
 alios conjunctim et divisim legitime constitut. prsesentatis Uteris 
 commissionalibus dicti reverendissimi patris, eisque per me 
 prsefatum notarium publice lectis, acceptavit in se onus execu- 
 tionis earundem literarum commissionalium, et decrevit proce- 
 dendum fore juxta tenorem, vim, formam, et effectum earundem ; 
 et immediate idem reverendus pater commissarius antedictus 
 judicialiter sedens, continuavit &c. prout in scbedula per eum 
 lecta continetur, cujus quidem scbedula? verus tenor sequitur 
 in hsec verba, viz. " In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos Gulielmus, per- 
 missione cbvina Bathon. et Wellen. episcopus," &c. 
 
 Septima sessio. 
 Die Sabbathi secundo viz. die mensis Maii anno Domini 
 1640, inter horas secundam et quartam post meridiem ejusdem 
 diei in capella regis Henrici Septimi infra ecclesiam collegia- 
 tam beati Petri Westminster, in praesentia mei Sacvili Wade 
 notarii publici, &c. reverendus pater dominus Johannes Asaph- 
 ensis episcopus reverendissimi, &c. commissarius, inter alios 
 conjunctim et divisim &c. constitutus, pra?sentata commissione 
 per me Sacvilum Wade notarium publicum antedictum, lecta- 
 que &c. ob honorem dicti reverendissimi patris assumpsit in se 
 onus dicta? commissionis, et decrevit procedendum fore juxta 
 tenorem, vim, formam, et effectum ejusdem ; et sedendo legit 
 schedulam continuationis, &c. in scriptis, &c. prorogando, &c. 
 prout in schedula per eum lecta continetur; cujus quidem sche- 
 dula? verus tenor sequitur et est talis, viz. " In Dei nomine, 
 Amen. Nos Johannes, permissione divina Asaphen. episcopus," 
 &c. 
 
 Octava sessio. 
 
 Die Martis quinto viz. die mensis Maii anno Dom. 1640, inter 
 horas secundam et quartam post meridiem, &c. reverendus in 
 Christo pater dominus Johannes Sarum episcopus in commis- 
 sione reverendissimi, &c. inter alios conjunctim et divisim no- 
 minatus, &c. pra3sentata commissione hujusmodi, &c. et lecta, 
 
182 
 
 Acta in sup. (lain. 
 
 &c. assumpsit, &c. prorogando, &c. prout in schedula per eum 
 lecta continetur ; cujus, &c. " In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos Jo- 
 hannes, &c. Sarum episcopus," &c. 
 
 Nona sessio. 
 
 Die Sabbathi nono viz. die mensis Maii anno Dom. 1640, &c. 
 inter horas secundam et quai'tam post meridiem ejusdem diei, 
 in capella, &c. reverendus in Christo pater dominus Johannes 
 Sarum episcopus et commissarius sive locum-tenens antedictus 
 pro tribunali sedens, assidentibus secum reverendis, &c. epi- 
 scopis, hujusmodi convocationem sive sacram synodum provin- 
 cialem in statu, &c. una cum ulteriori continuatione et proro- 
 gatione dierum extunc sequentium, et locorum si oporteat in ea 
 parte fiendis, continuavit et prorogavit, prout in schedula per 
 eum lecta plenius continetur ; cujus quidem schedule verus 
 tenor, &c. " In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos, &c. Sarum episco- 
 pus," &c. 
 
 Decima sessio. 
 
 Die Mercurii 13 0 . viz. die mensis Maii anno Dom. 1640, inter 
 horas secundam et quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, reve- 
 rendissimus in Christo pater dominus Guhelmus Cant, archi- 
 episcopus, &c. pro tribunali sedens, assidentibus secum, &c. post 
 tractatum habituni cum eisdem de temporis instabihtate ac im- 
 petu et tumultu sordidissimae populi sortis prope et circa civita- 
 tem London, et suburbia ejusdem nuperrime confluentis, ac 
 inique et hostihter sese gerentis : voluit et mandavit prolocuto- 
 rem et totum ccetum domus inferioris ad se accersiri. Quibus 
 comparentibus, reverendissimus, in praesentiis reverendorum 
 patrirm confratrum suorum, significant et intimant, serenlssi- 
 mum dominum nostrum Carolum regem ex gratia sua speciali 
 licentiam sive commissionem magno sigillo suo Anghae sigilla- 
 tam de ordinando et conficiendo quasdam constitutiones, or- 
 dinationes sive canones, statum ecclesiasticum concernentes, 
 renovandam cm'asse, ad regium suum beneplacitum duraturam, 
 et eandem hcentiam sive commissionem produxit et exhibuit 
 sub forma verborum sequentium, viz. 
 
 " Charles by the grace of God," &c. Qua per me prasfatum 
 Sacvilum Wade in hac parte actorum scribam sive registrarii 
 deputatum pubhce tunc et ibidem alta voce perlecta, dictus 
 reverendisshnus pater et caBteri episcopi secum assidentes et 
 
annis 1640. Sec. 
 
 183 
 
 clerus domus inferioris predict, sese coram eis exhibentes, cum 
 omni reverentia, obedientia, subjectione, et humilitate gratis 
 animis acceptarunt et receperunt : et reverendissimus pater 
 antedictus prolocutorem et alios de domo inferiori, decanos, 
 archidiaconos, capitula et cleri procuratores ibidem pra3sentcs, 
 vol u it. ut ipsi inter se convenirent et excogitarent de bene- 
 volentia sive extraordinaria contributione dicto serenissimo 
 domino nostro reei concedenda; et deinde de canonibus et 
 constitutionibus statum ecclesiasticum, et ecclesia? utilitatem 
 concernentib. componend. faciend. et inter se consentiend. Et 
 ut ipsi, pro meliori et celeriori ipsius negotii expeditione, quos- 
 dam graviores et doctiores viros de gremio suo eligerent, 
 dictum negotium de canonibus concipiendis subitur. Et subse- 
 quenter magister Willielmus Fisher notarius publicus et domus 
 inferioris actuarius, mihi praefato notario certificavit in fidem 
 notarii, venerabiles viros, dominum prolocutorem, Isaacum Bar- 
 grave, Thomam Wynnyffe, et Richardum Baily sacra? the- 
 ologia? respective professores, et decanos ecclesiarum cathe- 
 dralium Cant. London, et Sarum, Thomam Paske, Andream 
 Binge, et Radulphum Brownrigg sacra? theologia? professores, 
 archidiaconos London. Norwicen. et Coven. Johannem Mont- 
 fort et Gilbertum Sheldon sacra? theologia? professores, pro- 
 curatores pro capitulis ecclesiarum cathedralium divi Pauli 
 London, et Gloucester, necnon dominum Johannem Lambe mi- 
 litem et legum doctorem, Benjaminum Laney, Thomam Turner, 
 Edwardum Franklin, sacra? theologian professores, et Gil- 
 bertum Ironside sacra? theologia? baccalaureum, procuratores 
 pro clero, Lincoln. Winton. Norwicen. et Bristolien. esse electos 
 cum consensu totius domus ad effectum pra?dictum. Tunc di- 
 misso domino prolocutore, cum toto ccetu domus inferioris, 
 reverendissimus colloquium habuit cum confratribus suis, ut ex- 
 cogitarent imprimis de canonibus novis concipiendis, et deinde 
 de veteribus canonibus percontandis et examinandis ; ad ef- 
 fectum eisdem addendi, vel eos supplendi, si hujusmodi sacra? 
 synodo expedire videatur. Et insuper hortatus est idem reve- 
 rendissimus, ut forma? libri articulorum in qualibet visitatione 
 posthac ministrandorum, et de consecratione ecclesiarum, capel- 
 larum, et ccemeteriorum concipiantur ; et post res ita gestas, 
 pra?dictus reverendissimus pater jussit prolocutorem coram se 
 et confratribus suis vocari. Quo prolocutore, cum octo decanis 
 
184 
 
 Acta in gup. <totn. 
 
 cum comitantibus, coinparente, idem reverendissimus eos voluit, 
 ad conveniendum die Veneris proximo tempestive, et ad tunc 
 tractandum cum toto coetu domus inferioris citra benevolentiaui 
 sive contributionem voluntariam dicto domino nostro regi con- 
 cedendam : et ut ipsi formam articulorum in visitationibus im- 
 posterum ministrandis concipiant. Denique eis dinhssis, idem 
 reverendissimus pater cum consensu confratrum suorum conti- 
 nuavit, &c. prout in schcdula per eum lecta, &c. 
 
 The convocation being called by the king's writ under the 
 great seal, doth continue until it be dissolved by writ or 
 commission under the great seal, notwithstanding the parlia- 
 ment be dissolved — 14 Maii, 1640, Jo. Finch, C. S. H. Man- 
 chester, John Bramston, Edward Littleton, Ralphe Whit- 
 feld, Jo. Bankes, Ro. Heath. 
 
 Sessio XL 
 
 Die Veneris 15 0 viz. die mensis Maii, anno Dom. 1640, inter 
 horas secundam et quartam post meridiem, reverendissimus, 
 &c. confratribus suis notum fecit, quod serenissimus dominus 
 rex honorandum virum dominum Henricum Vane mihtem, unum 
 e secretariis suis principalibus et thesaurarium hospitii sui regii, 
 tanquam nuncium specialem ad hanc domum destinavit ; eun- 
 demque honorandum virum in capella ex parte australi hujus 
 loci praesentem esse. Ideoque reverendissimus pater, cum con- 
 sensu confratrum suorum, ad se accersiri fecit dictum honoran- 
 dum virum, nec non dominum prolocutorem et totum ccetum 
 domus inferioi'is. Qui quidem honorandus vir domiun hanc 
 convocationis sive sacraa synoch primo intravit, ac deinde do- 
 miiius prolocutor cum toto ccetu domus inferioris ; et dominus 
 archiepiscopus, istius sacra? synodi praises, eundem honorandum 
 virum benigne recepit, et in cathedra e manu sinisti'a posita 
 eum locavit. Et tmic idem honorandus vir eisdem reverendis- 
 simo patri ac praelatis et clero bre^i 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 
 et constitutiones ecclesiasticas, pro meliori gubernatione eccle- 
 siaa, ad Dei gloriam, regis honorem, et totius hujus regni 
 pacem (uti speratur) huic sacra? synodo, ex gratia speciali, con- 
 
minis 1640, fyc. 
 
 185 
 
 cedens, cum dominis e privato suo consilio consultura liabuit, an 
 hujusmodi sacra sy nodus ad hujusmodi canones et const itu- 
 tiones faciendum procederet necne. Et dicti domini unanimi 
 consensu (nullo eorum dissentiente) vota eorum exhibuerunt, et 
 tanquam maxime necessarium adjudicarunt, ut sacra ha3c syn- 
 odus ad istos canones juxta potestatem eidem synodo datam, 
 faciendum et concipiendum procedat. Ideoque dictus honoran- 
 dus vir nomine et ex parte dicti domini regis hortatus est, ut 
 tales canones in brevi tempore riant, quales ecclesise et praesenti 
 huic statui maxime utiles sint. Et subjuncta alia brevi ora- 
 tione per reverendissimum patrem antedictum praalatis et toto 
 ccetui prasdicto, cum monitione nomine dicti domini regis, ut 
 nullus eorum a dicta sacra synodo discedat, donee omnia juxta 
 mandatum regium prsedictum perimpleantur, idem reverendis- 
 simus pater, una cum dicto honorando viro, a dicta sacra syn- 
 odo ad consilium ineund. cum domino rege apud Whitehall 
 recessit : et post aliquem tractatum inter dominos episcopos 
 antedictos habitum, reverendus pater dominus Johannes Sarum 
 episcopus et chcti reverendissimi patris commissarius sive locum- 
 tenens, continuavit, &e. prout in schedula per eum lecta conti- 
 netur, cujus, &c. 
 
 Sessio XII. 
 
 Die Sabbathi 16 0 . viz. die mensis Maii, anno Domini 1640, 
 inter horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem, &c. reveren- 
 dissimus, &c. communicavit cum eisdem dominis episcopis. Et 
 inter hujusmodi communicationes comparuit dominus prolocu- 
 tor, cum decanis Cant, et London, et tradidit in manus dicti 
 reverendissimi patris quasdam schedulas papyri continentes 
 qua3dam capitula canonum per eum prolocutorem et totum 
 clerum domus inferioris excogitat. Quibus receptis, et domino 
 prolocutore dimisso, reverendissimus dominus praises collo- 
 quium habuit cum episcopis antedictis citra cxiguitatem exhi- 
 bitionum e clero indigentiori, in dctinendo ab eis, per proprie- 
 taries et eorum firmarios, oblationes et salaria sive feoda eccle- 
 siastica, pro mulierum post partum purificationibus, matrimo- 
 niorum solemnizationibus, et de mortuorum sepulturis, et etiam 
 de magna ilia injuria clero per laicos illata in eligendo tales 
 gardianos et clericos parochiales, qui eos opponant et inquie- 
 tant ad maximum eorum praejudicium et incommodum. Ad 
 qucm quidem clerum de hujusmodi injuriis levand. reverendis- 
 
186 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 simus pater pra?ses antedictus, de et cum consilio et assensu 
 pra?latorum 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 volun- 
 tariae, praefatus reverendissimus pater et reverendi patres ante- 
 dicti de benevola contributione quatuor solidorum singulis annis 
 per sexennium proxime futurum solvendorum de qualibet libra 
 annualis reditus cujuslibet beneficii infra provinciam Cantua- 
 riensem, juxta ratam et taxam eorundem in libris primitiarum 
 fructuum domini nostri regis sub certis conditionibus et provi- 
 sionibus in isto libro sive forma contributionis specificat. tracts 
 turn habuerunt, et desuper consenserunt. Et ideo idem reve- 
 rendissimus pater, cum consensu confratrum suorum, dominum 
 prolocutorem, una cum sex illis assessoribus sive examinatoribus 
 domus inferioris pro subsicliorum examinatione electis, ad se 
 accersiri fecit. Quo quidem prolocutore, una cum quinque e 
 dictis assessoribus, scilicet venerabilibus viris, Isaaco Bargrave, 
 Thoma Wynnyff, Thoma Paske, Thoma Wilson, et domino 
 Jobanne Lambe, milite, hanc domum superiorem intrante, 
 reverendissimus pater prseses antedictus eidem prolocutori 
 intimavit, se et confratres suos de benevolentia sive contribu- 
 tione voluntaria dicto domino regi concedenda tractasse, et 
 inter sese consentiisse de concedendo quatuor solidos e qua- 
 libet libra cuj usque beneficii juxta ratam sive taxam in libris 
 primitiarum regiarum singulis annis per sexennium proximum 
 solvendos, juxta formam sive librmn concessionis desuper con- 
 ceptum. Quam formam, reverendissimus dominus praeses in 
 manus domini prolocutoris, per eum et totum ccetum domus 
 inferioris tractand. et consentiend. ima cum copia canonis con- 
 tra recusan. tradidit. Tunc, dimisso domino prolocutore, habi- 
 toque aliquo tractatu inter reverendissimum dominum prsesi- 
 dem, et confratres suos, ad mandatum reverendissimi domini 
 pra3sidis in domum inferiorem ego praefatus notarius descende- 
 bam ; et dominus prolocutor mihi tradidit formam sive librum 
 concessionis praxbct. et dixit se et totam domum inferiorem 
 super istam benevolentiam sive contributionem voluntariam 
 considerasse, et de eadem unanimiter consentiisse. Qua per 
 me recepta, ad domum superiorem instanter revertebam, et 
 humiliter omnia per dominum prolocutorem mihi in mandatis 
 
mm is 1640, 
 
 187 
 
 data significavi ct intimavi. Deinde dorainus prolocutor, cum 
 decanis Cant, et London, domum superiorem intravit, et cum 
 omni obedientia, dicto reverendissimo canonem pro brevi e 
 curia cancellariae impetrand. de excommunicatis capiendis tra- 
 didit. Undo, dimisso domino prolocutore, habitoque tractatu 
 super isto canone, reverendissimus pater dominus prseses con- 
 tinuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. Tenor etiam instrument 
 dicta? benevola? contributionis sequitur et est talis, viz. " Augus- 
 tissimo et serenissimo domino nostro Carolo Dei gratia Anglia?," 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XIII. 
 
 Die Luna? 1 8°. viz. die mensis Maii, anno Domini 1 640, inter 
 horas nonam et undecimam ante merid. &c. reverendissimus, 
 &c. post tractatum cum eis [reverendis patribus] babitum, ad 
 se accersiri fecit dominum prolocutorem cum toto coatu domus 
 inferioris : quibus mox comparentibus intimavit, et eis publice 
 per me prsefatum notarium legi fecit, literas quasdam regias 
 sibi et recolendis patribus confratribus suis et toto clero in bac 
 sacra synodo congregatis directas sub signaculo suo tenoris 
 sequentis. " Charles R. Most reverend father in God," &c. 
 Deinde, praefatus reverendissimus pater pra?latis et clero ante- 
 (Uctis baud ineleganter locutus est, quod multa? querela? contra 
 plures e clero, et nominatim contra doctorem Beale unum e 
 domo inferiori hujus convocationis ultimo parliamento exhibita? 
 fuerunt, pro verbis in eorum prasdicationibus prolatis. qua? 
 statum hujus regni perturbarunt et inquietarunt. De quibus 
 idem reverendissimus pater protestatus est, se nunquam ante 
 tempus pra?dictum auchvisse ; dicit tamen si antea de eisdem 
 audisset, se velle ea examinare et partes culpabiles punire 
 coram commissariis regiis ad causas ecclesiasticas, sicut puni- 
 rentur in hac convocatione sive sacra synodo, si eadem aliquo 
 tempore competenti continuaret. Sed post hanc convocationcm 
 dissolut. et dies privilegiorum finitos, publice promisit partes 
 praxlictas vocare coram commissariis regiis antedictis, et juxta 
 juris exigentiam et eorum demerita contra eos procedere. 
 Tunc dimisso prolocutore, mox cum decanis Cant, et London, 
 et archidiaconis Middlesex, et Roffen. revertebat, et canones 
 concernentes recusantes penes reverendissimum antedictum 
 dimittens, querelatus est breve de subpoena e curia scaccarii 
 esse executum in doctorem Burgis archidiaconum Roffen. et 
 
188 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 petiit privilegium convocationis. Unde reverendissimus pater 
 ' dominus archiepiscopus antedictus voluit ipsum prolocutorem 
 cum consensu domus inferioris ad concipiendum actum, quid 
 eis in hoc negotio expedire videbitur, et ad transmittendum 
 istum actum ad hanc domum Superiorem, ut ipse et confratres 
 sui de eodem considerent. Modo, dimisso prolocutore, et 
 habito tractatu inter prsefatum reverencUssimum patrem et 
 confratres suos, reverendissimus cum eorum consensu elegit 
 dominos episcopos Ehen. et Bristolien. ad consulendum cum 
 utroque dominorum justiciariorum primariorum citra certas 
 clausulas et verba in canonibus antedictis contra recusantes ; et 
 sic facta fuit continuatio hujus convocationis sive sacrae synodi 
 provincialis in statu quo nunc est, usque ad et inter boras quar- 
 tam et sextam post meridiem, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XIV. 
 
 In pomeridiano ejusdem diei in loco prasdicto inter boras 
 assignatas, reverendus, &c. Asapben. episcopus ac commissarius 
 sive locum-tenens in hac parte legitime deputatus, assidente 
 secum, &c. in praesentia, &c. continuavit, &c. prout, &c. 
 
 Sessio XV. 
 
 Die Martis 19 0 . viz. die mensis Maii 1640, in capella regis 
 Henrici Septimi infra, &c. inter horas nonam et undecimam 
 ante meridiem, &c. reverendissimus, &c. pro tribunali sedens, 
 assidentibus secum praedictis reverendis patribus, praefatus 
 reverendus pater dominus Matthaeus Elien. episcopus, certifi- 
 cavit se et dominum episcopum Bristolien. consuluisse cum 
 domino Edwardo Littleton milite, domino primario justiciario 
 curiae ad placita domini regis, juxta assignationem hesterno die 
 factam, circa clausulas et verba in canone contra recusantes 
 facto, et idem dominus justiciarius consilium dedit, ut quaedam 
 verba in isto canone per dominum episcopum Elien. specificata, 
 expungentur, et alia verba magis apta in loco eorum conscri- 
 bentur. Quibus de mandato reverendissimi, cum consensu 
 confratrum suorum, conscriptis, reverendisshnus voluit ad se 
 accersiri dominum prolocutorem cum quibusdam aliis e ccetu 
 domus inferioris, qui intravit domum superiorem cum novem 
 dictae domus inferioris, et reverendissimus eis declaravit altera- 
 tiones verborum in canone prasdict. de consilio et juebcio domini 
 justiciarii primarii prasdict. factas ; et tradidit istum canonem 
 
minis 1640, 8fc. 
 
 189 
 
 dicto domino prolocutori, per eum et totam domum inferiorem 
 considerand. et consentiend. Tunc tradita per dominum prolo- 
 cutorem cum omni humilitate et revcrcntia in sacras manus 
 reverendissimi schcdula continente principium et conclusionem 
 ad articulos potestatis regia?, dominus prolocutor dimissus fuit, 
 et reverendissimus una cum confratribus suis communicavit et 
 consultum habuit citra principium et conclusionem ad articulos 
 potestatis regiaa ; et post consultationem cum eis habitam, 
 reverendissimus cum unanimi eorum consensu aliqua verba 
 addidit et aliqua expungit. Quibus sic factis, prolocutor rever- 
 tebat, et tracbdit reverendissimo quendam canonem cum con- 
 sensu domus inferioris contra Socinianos (ut asseruit) factum, 
 &c. Et reverendissimus ei retradidit schedulam continentem 
 principium et conclusionem ad articulos regia; potestatis, sic 
 (ut praafertur) in aliquo mutatos, per eum at domum inferiorem 
 tractand. Prolocutore dimisso, reverendissimus una cum con- 
 fratribus suis consilium habuit super istum canonem contra 
 Socinianos, et post aliquem tractatum et emendationem istius 
 canonis, reverendissimus cum consensu confratrum suoruin 
 continuavit, et prorogavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Mercurii 
 vicesimum viz. diem instantis mensis Maii inter boras octavam 
 et undecimam ante meridiem, &c. in hunc locum, prout in schc- 
 dula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XVI. 
 
 Die Mercurii 20 0 . viz. die mensis Maii anno Domini 1640. 
 inter horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, 
 reverendissimus, &c. praases hujus convocationis sive sacra? 
 synodi, &c. tractavit cum episcopis, et post multum tcmporis 
 contritum, consenserunt super canone contra Socinianos, ultima 
 sessione tractato, et super forma juramenti, &c. hac sessione 
 per reverendissimum producta. Deinde, dc mandato reveren- 
 dissimi, prolocutor cum sex aliis e domo inferiori domum supe- 
 riorem intravit, et reverendissimus ei tradidit dictum canonem 
 et formam juramenti prasdicti per totum ccetum domus infe- 
 rioris considerandum, tractandum, et consentiendum : tunc, 
 dimisso prolocutore, reverendissimus mandavit canonem pro 
 collectione contributionis voluntaria? per me praefatum nota- 
 rium legi. Quibus lectis, denuo comparuit dominus prolocu- 
 tor cum duobus aliis e ccetu domus inferioris, et in manus 
 reverendissimi tradidit schedulam pro litcris de excommuni- 
 
190 
 
 Acta in sup. down. 
 
 catis capiendis contra recusantes extrahend. Eoque dimisso, 
 habitoque tractatu cum episcopis. reverendissimus continuavit 
 et prorogavit, &c. usque ad et in diem Jovis vicesimam pri- 
 mam viz. diem, &c. inter horas nonam et undecimam ante 
 meridiem, &c. prout in schedula per cum lecta eontinetur, cujus 
 quidem schedulse verus tenor sequitur, &c. 
 
 Sessio XVII. 
 
 Die Jovis 2i°. viz. die mensis Maii, anno Domini 1640, inter 
 horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, reve- 
 rendissimus, &c. post aliquem tractatum cum eis [episcopis] 
 mandavit prolocutor, et totum ccetum domus inferioris ad se 
 accersiri. Quibus comparentibus, reverendissimus coram eis 
 produxit literas quasdam regias recolendis patribus et 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 publice per- 
 lectis, reverendissimus eis intimavit se et confratres suos una- 
 nimi consensu fecisse quosdam canones sive ordinationes juxta 
 potestatem in dictis literis mentionat. eis et toti clero conces- 
 sam, pro collectione, levatione, solutione, et computatione bene- 
 volentiae sive contributionis voluntarisB regise sua? majestati per 
 eos datae, et copiam dictorum canonum dicto domino prolocu- 
 tori tradidit, per clerum domus inferioris approband. et consen- 
 tiend. Tunc, eis dimissis, reverendissimus et confratres sui 
 tractarunt et inter se consultarunt de quodam canone sive de- 
 claratione per domum inferiorem eis transmisso, concernente 
 quosdam ritus sive gestus in ecclesiis observandos ; et post ali- 
 quem tractatum desuper habitum, prolocutor cum quibusdam 
 aliis e domo inferiori revertebat, et praBsentavit canones sive 
 ordinationes, ut supra, pro collectione benevolentia? ei traditas, 
 et humiliter signincavit totam domum inferiorem unanimi con- 
 sensu eosdem approbasse. Unde, dimisso prolocutore, habito- 
 que tractatu inter reverendissimum et confratres suos de alio 
 canone per dominum prolocutoi-em eidem reverendissimo tra- 
 dito, reverendissimus cum consensu confratrum suorum pra?- 
 sentem convocationem sive sacram synodum provincialem con- 
 tinuavit, &c. usque ad et inter horas secundam et quartam post 
 meridiem, &c. hujus diei, prout in schedula per eum lecta, &c. 
 
 Ordinationes aliquot synodales facta? 21 die mensis Maii, &c. 
 
annis 1640, fyc. 
 
 191 
 
 Sessio XVIII. 
 
 In pomeridiano ejusdem diei in loco pra?dicto inter horas 
 assignatas, reverendus pater dominus Morganus Landavensis 
 episcopus ac coinniissarius sive locum-tenens in hac parte legi- 
 time deputatus in pra?sentia mei, &c. continnavit, &c. nsque ad 
 et in diem Veneris 22. diem, &c. inter horas 9. et 11, &c. prout 
 in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XIX. 
 
 Die Veneris 22 0 . viz. die mensis Maii anno Domini 1640, in 
 capclla, &c. inter horas nonam et undecimam, ante meridiem, 
 &c. reverendissimus, &c. pra?ses hujus sacra? synodi, assiden- 
 tibus secum reverendis patribus, &c. tractavit et communicavit 
 cum eisdem recolendis patribus confratribus suis citra canonem 
 pro receptione sacra? eucharistia?, et locatione sacra? mensa? ; et 
 inter hujusmodi tractatus reverendus pater dominus Godfridus 
 Gloucestren. episcopus antedictus, protestatus est, quod non in- 
 tendit consentire ad conceptionem et fabricationem alicujus 
 canonis in hac sacra synodo propositi et tractati, vel propo- 
 nendi et tractandi, nisi aliquem antiquum precedentem de legi- 
 timatione dicta? sacra? synodi viderit ; licet approbavit (ut 
 asseruit) benevolentiam sive contributionem vohmtariam, hac 
 sacra synodo domino nostro regi concessam, et canones desuper 
 factos pro collectione et levatione ejusdem ; et huic protesta- 
 tioni in omnibus adha?rere intendit. Deinde comparuit dominus 
 prolocutor, cum octo aliis e ccetu domus inferioris, et pra?senta- 
 vit formam libri articulorum et tres canones per istam domum 
 tractat. et etiam hteras quasdam petitionales ex parte unius 
 clericorum in partibus Wallia?, pro errorum emendatione Li- 
 turgia? Wallica?, per falsam impressionem commissorum ; et ut 
 ista forma precis die inaugurationis regia? singulis annis utenda?, 
 in linguam Wallicam translata sit. Unde reverendissimus cum 
 consensu confratrum suor. hujusmodi negotium dom. Johanni 
 Asaphen. episcopo antedicto retulit. Tunc, eis dimissis, reve- 
 rendissimus cum confratribus suis, tractavit super canonibus 
 contra sectarios, separatistas, et ahos recusantes venire ad 
 preces divinas, et de utenda prece die inaugurationis regia? sin- 
 gulis annis, et de consecratione panis et vini tempore ministra- 
 tionis sacra? eucharistia?, quoties opus fuerit consecrare ; et de 
 
192 
 
 Acta in suj). dom. 
 
 alio canone, &c. Quibus sic gestis, reverendissimus, cum con- 
 sensu confratrum suorum, continuavit, &c. usque ad et inter 
 horas secundam et quartam post meridiem, &c. ad hunc locum. 
 Prout in schedula per eum lecta tenoris sequentis continetur, 
 " In Dei nomine," &c. 
 
 Sessio XX. 
 
 In pomeridiano ejusdem diei, in loco praedicto reverendi pa- 
 tres, &c. convenerunt et insimul ab hora tertia usque ad post 
 horam septimam dicti diei consederunt ; et tunc reverendus 
 pater dominus Johannes Sarum episcopus antedictus ac com- 
 missarius, &c. praesentem convocationem sive sacram synodum 
 provincialem, usque ad et in diem Sabbathi 23 0 . viz. diem in- 
 stantis mensis inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. ad hunc locum, prout in schedula sequenti 
 continetur, viz. " In Dei nomine," &c. 
 
 Sessio XXI. 
 
 Die Sabbathi 23 0 . viz. die mensis Maii anno Domini 1640. 
 inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem, &c. reveren- 
 dissimus tractavit cum eisdem [episcopis] de libro articulorum 
 visitationibus parochialibus ministrand. et inter hujusmodi trac- 
 tatus, reverendus pater dominus Richardus Norwicen. episcopus 
 domum banc superiorem intravit ; et citra semihoram postea, 
 comparuit prolocutor cum septem aliis e domo inferiori : deinde, 
 eis dimissis habitoque tractatu citra canonem pro ministratione 
 libri articulorum praedict. et de addend, eisdem licentia et dis- 
 pensatione reverendissimi sub sigillo suo, prolocutor revertebat, 
 ad id licentiatus, et secrete locutus est cum reverendissimo (me 
 praefato notario semoto). Eo dimisso, reverendissimus cum 
 consensu confratrum suorum, potestatem commisit dominis epi- 
 scopis Elien. Exon. et Oxon. ad examinandum librum articulo- 
 rum praxlict. Deinde, tractatu secreto cum episcopis habito, 
 reverendissimus cum eorum consensu praesentem convocatio- 
 nem, &c. continuavit, &c. usque ad et inter horas secundam et 
 quartam post meridiem, &c. ad hunc locum. Prout in sche- 
 dula tenoris sequentis plenius continetur, " In Dei nomine, 
 Amen. Nos," &c. 
 
 Sessio XXII. 
 
 In pomerid. ejusd. diei in loco praed. &c. reverendissimus, &c. 
 
annis 1640. $*c. 
 
 193 
 
 post aliquod cum eis [episcopis] b;vl>it. colloquium, prolocutor 
 curn quibusdam aliis <> ccetu domus inferioris domum superior 
 rem intravit, ct praesentavit binos canones. Tunc, eo dimisso. 
 habitoque tractatu inter domiiunn archiepiscopum et episcopos 
 antedictos, revertebat cum decern aliis dicta' domus inferioris, 
 et alios praBsentavit canones. Prolocutore iterum dimisso, paulo 
 post revertebat cum duobus vel tribus e domo inferiori ; et re- 
 verendissiinus in eorum praesentiis elegit dominos episcopos, 
 Winton. Exon. Elien. ct Bristolien. ad prassentandum cum ipso 
 instrumcntum benevolentiae sive contributionis voluntaries sere- 
 nissimo domino regi, et voluit dominum prolocutorcm ad eli- 
 gendum sex aut octo alios domus inferioris ad similiter praesen- 
 tandum cum ipso prolocutore dictum instrumentum. Deinde, 
 habito tractatu secret© cum eodem prolocutore (me notario an- 
 tedicto semoto) reverendissimus eundem proloeutorem dimisit, 
 et praesentem convocationem, &c. usque ad et in diem Mercurii 
 27. viz. diem, &c. inter boras nonam ct undecimam ante meri- 
 diem continuavit, &c. prout in schedula tenoris sequentis con- 
 tinetur. " In Dei," &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIII. 
 
 Die Mercurii 27 0 . viz. die mensis Maii, anno Dom. 1640. 
 inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, 
 &c. reverendissimus, &c. ad se accersiri fecit dominum proloeu- 
 torem et totum ccetum domus inferioris. Quibus comparentibus, 
 reverendissimus significavit, quod die Luna? ultimo mane instru- 
 mentum concessionis benevolentiae, sive contributionis volun- 
 taria?, unanimi consensu hujus sacra? synodi serenissimo do- 
 mino nostro regi concessao, in ejus sacras manus per eos utrius- 
 que domus ad hoc electos cum omni bumilitate, obedientia. et 
 subjectione, traditum fuit. Regiaque sacra majestas eandein 
 concessionem gratiose acceptavit, et voluit ipsum reverendissi- 
 mum pro domo superiori et dominum proloeutorem pro domo 
 inferiori, ad gi'atias utrique domui nomine suo pro eadem refe- 
 rend. : quodque die Martis ultimo, canones in bac sacra syuodo 
 tractat. per ipsum reverendissimum regia? majestati in prae- 
 sentiis domiuorum e privato suo consilio lecti fuerunt, regiaque 
 majestas, et domini e consilio praedict., eosdem unanimiter et 
 sine haesitatione approbarunt : et dominus rex voluit eundem 
 reverendissimum ad habendum gratias utrique domui hujus 
 
 (JIBSON. 0 
 
194 
 
 Act<i in sii/>. ((am. 
 
 convocationis pro magna eorum cura et labore citra confectio- 
 nem eorundem. Inter vero hujusmodi sermonis prolationem, 
 domino Guliclmo Bangor, cpiscopo comparente, et in hac sacra 
 synodo una cum dominis episcopis antedictis sedente, reveren- 
 dissimus prolocutorem et totem ccetum domus inferioris prae- 
 dicta? dimisit. Tunc, habito aliquo tractatu inter reverendissi- 
 mum et prsefatos pradatos, confratres suos, prolocutor rever- 
 tebat et secum introduxit conclusionem cujusdam canonis pro 
 suppressione accretionis numeri papistarum, et eandem penes 
 reverendissimum reliquit. Deinde, dimisso prolocutore, post 
 alicpiod temporis intervallum comparuit Willielmus Fisher no- 
 tarius publicus et actuarius domus inferioris, et praasentavit 
 schedulam concernentem titulos cujuslibet canonis in hac sacra 
 synodo usque in horam praedictam tractat. per domum inferio- 
 rem (ut asseruit) fact, et assens. Unde reverendissimus, cum 
 consensu confratrum suorum, eosdem titulos approbavit. Deni- 
 que prolocutor iterum venit, et exhibuit quosdam canones 
 contra judices ecclesiasticos et eorum registrarios et officiarios ; 
 cisdemque in sacras manus reverendissimi traditis, et prolo- 
 cutore dimisso, reverendissimus continuavit, &c. usque ad et in 
 diem Jovis 28. viz. diem, &c. inter horas nonam et undecimam 
 ante meridiem, prout in schedula per eum lecta continetur, 
 cujus quidem schedula? verus tenor sequitur. " In Dei no- 
 mine." &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIV. 
 
 Die Jovis 2 8°. viz. die mensis Maii, anno Domini 1640, inter 
 horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, reve- 
 rendissimus, &c. post aliquem tractatum cum eis [episcopis] 
 habitum, dominus prolocutor venit cum quinque aliis e coetu 
 domus inferioris, et ex parte aliquorum inhabitantium parochi- 
 anorum sancti dementis Danorum extra barras novi Templi 
 London, et beata? Maria? Savoy, in Le-Strand. in comitatu 
 Middlesexia>, exhibuit literas quasdam petitionales manibus 
 suis propriis subsignatas ; et quidam Johannes Crosse lanio, 
 
 Willielmus Stevenson lanio, et uxor Rogeri Barton, 
 
 partes in dictis literis mentionata?, obtulerunt se promptos et 
 paratos ad justiticandum suggestiones in eisdem, et nominatim 
 accusarunt magistrum Johannem Allen notarium publicum re- 
 gistrarii deputatum, et Arthurum Coleman apparitorem domini 
 archidiaconi Middlesexia?, tanquam partes in dictis literis cri- 
 
minis 1640, SfC 
 
 195 
 
 minosas, et in officiis suis male se gerentes. Unde reveren- 
 dissimus, cum consensu praelatorum et cleri, in hac sacra synodo 
 congregat., decrevit, cos vocandos fore coram commissariis re- 
 giis, ac processum contra eos rieri ex mero officio in ista curia 
 etiam decrevit. Tunc, dimisso prolocutore, reverendissimus 
 tractavit cum praelatis citra istos canones contra cancellarios 
 et alios judices ecclesiasticos et eorum officiarios. Post istum 
 tractatum, prolocutor cum 17 aliis e domo inferiori revertebat, 
 et reverendissimus cum eodem prolocutore tractatum habuit 
 citra istos canones, et in finem tractatus eos retradidit eidem 
 domino prolocutori per eum et totam domum inferiorem eon- 
 siderand. Deinde prolocutore dimisso, reverendissimus conti- 
 nuavit, &c. usque ad et inter horas secundam et quartam post 
 meridiem hujus diei. Prout in scbedula tenoris sequentis con- 
 tinetur. " In Dei," &c. 
 
 Sessio XXV. 
 
 In pomeridiano ejusdem diei in loco praedicto, reverendissi- 
 mus, &c. post tractatum cum eis [episcopis] habitum, prolocutor 
 venit cum 19 aliis e ccetu domus inferioris, et proposuit quos- 
 dam canones ecclesiasticos ; et eo pro tempore dimisso, rever- 
 tebat cum duobus vel tribus e ccetu dicta? domus, et reveren- 
 dissimus in prsesentiis domini Johannis Lambe militis, legum 
 doctoris officialis de arcubus, et doctoris Heath auditoris curia) 
 audien. Cant., qui ad informandum reverendissimum et episco- 
 pos vocati sunt, tractavit cum domino prolocutore citra canones 
 praedictos. Post tractatum hujusmodi finitum, dominoque pro- 
 locutore dimisso, reverendissimus continuavit, &c. usque ad et 
 in diem Veneris 29 0 . viz. diem, &c. inter horas nonam et unde- 
 cimam ante mei-idiem, &c. prout in schedula per eum lecta 
 tenoris sequentis continetur, viz. " In Dei nomine, Amen," &c. 
 
 Ultima sessio. 
 
 Die Veneris 29 0 . viz. die mensis Maii, anno Domini 1 640, 
 inter horas, &c. reverendissimus, &c. judicialiter sedens : pro- 
 locutor venit cum quibusdain aliis e ccetu domus inferioris, et 
 proposuit quendam canonem. Tunc, eo dimisso, habitoque 
 tractatu inter reverendissimum patrem antedictum et confra- 
 tres suos super eodem canone, prolocutor cum toto ccetu domus 
 inferioris praedictae revertebat ; et reverendissimus cum una - 
 
 0 2 
 
196 
 
 Acta in siijj. dam. 
 
 nimi consensu pradatorum et cleri hujus sacrae synodi decrevit 
 regiam majestatem supplieandam fore, ut liber publicarum pre- 
 cum, in Latinum versus, reiinprimatur, prout in actu synodico 
 sequenti continetur, viz. " Decernimus insuper," &c. Deinde, 
 reverendissimus, in prassentiis dicti domini prolocutoris, et to- 
 tius coetus domus inferioris, protulit librum canonum in bac 
 sacra synodo traetat. continentem septemdecim capitula cano- 
 num. Quem reverendissimus in manibus suis tenens, cum 
 domino prolocutore, alta et intelligibili voce legebat. Quo per- 
 lecto, reverendissimus, et reverendi patres antedicti (excepto 
 domino episcopo Gloucestren. antedicto, subscribere pi*o tem- 
 pore denegan.) ac dominus prolocutor et totus ceetus domus 
 inferioris antedictse, isto die comparentes, nominibus suis et 
 aliorum pro quibus constituti sunt consensum et assensum suos 
 eisdem canonibus prsestiterunt, et eorum nomina manibus suis 
 propriis eisdem respective subscripserunt. Et reverendissimus. 
 inter hasce subscriptiones, interrogavit dictum dominum epi- 
 scopum Gloucestren. an dictis canonibus assensum suum pra?- 
 bere, et nomen subscribere velit; idem dominus episcopus re- 
 spondendo denegavit. Unde reverendissimus primo, secundo 
 et tertio, monuit eundem dominum episcopum ad subscriben- 
 dum. Ipse refutavit, et sic ad secundam et tertiam monitionem 
 canonicam respondebat, nisi ad subscribendum negative, pe- 
 tendo beneficium synodi. Tunc, reverendissimus eundem domi- 
 num episcopum Gloucestren. ob contumaciam et inobedientiam 
 suam bujusmodi, ab episcopatu suo pro parte sua deprivandum 
 fore decrevit, ac monuit et jussit dominum Jobannem Lambe 
 militem tunc prsesentem, ad concipiendum sententiam depriva- 
 tionis ; et ad vota et suffragia pradatorum ad eundem effectum 
 processit. Post aliquem processum bujusmodi habitum, major 
 pars praelatorum vota sua deprivationi dicti domini episcopi 
 pra3buit. Tunc praefatus dominus episcopus obtulit ad subscri- 
 bendum, et de facto nomen suum dicto libro apposuit. Quibus 
 sic gestis, dictoque reverendo patre interrogato per reveren- 
 cUssimum ad rogatum prolocutoris et aliorum e coetu domus 
 inferioris, an ipse subscripsit voluntarie et ex animo, sine seqxri- 
 vocatione, animi evasione, et secreta reservatione ; respondebat, 
 quod ipse subscripsit, et aliter denegavit respondere. Deinde, 
 dimisso domino prolocutore cum toto ecetu domus inferioris, 
 reverendissimus et confratres sui pra^dicti super istud grave 
 
. in it is 1640, Jjf'c. 
 
 197 
 
 scandalum, ecelcsia; Anglicana;, et huic sacra) synodo per dic- 
 tum dominum episcopum illatum, inter sc tractarunt, ct una- 
 nimiter vota sua dederunt pro suspensione ejusdem episcopi ab 
 officio et beneficiis suis ecclesiasticis. Et mox dominus prolo- 
 cutor cum toto coetu domus inferioris revertebat, ac nomine suo 
 et totius coetus praedicti, dixit se et totum ccetum domus suae, 
 citra istud scandalum ecelesiae huic Anglicana; et synodo sacra; 
 per dominum episcopum Gloucestr. illatum, tractasse, et vota 
 sua et eorum suspensioni ejusdem episcopi ab officio ct bene- 
 ficiis prasbuisse. Et ulterius dominus prolocutor, nomine suo 
 et eorum, dominum archiepiscopum imploravit, ut dictus domi- 
 nus episcopus Gloucestr. ante recessum suum ab hac civitate, 
 juramentum in sexto canone in hac sacra synodo traetat. men- 
 tionat. pra3staret ; et ut reverendissimus interrogaret eundem 
 dominum episcopum an ipse subscripsit bona fide sine asquivo- 
 catione et animi evasione. Unde facta monitione dicto domino 
 episcopo Gloucestren., quod non recedat a civitate, donee jura- 
 mcntum praedictum ei oblaturum praestitei'it ct subierit, reve- 
 rendissimus cum consensu totius synodi dictum dominum epi- 
 scopum Gloucestren. ab officio et episcopatu suo Gloucestr. et 
 ab omnibus beneficiis suis ecclesiasticis suspendendum fore de- 
 crevit, donee serenissimo domino nostra regi et sacra; ecelesiae, 
 ob magnum hujusmodi dedecus et grave scandalum illatum, 
 satisfecerit. Eumque in scriptis suspendebat, prout in sche- 
 dula sequenti continctur, viz. " In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos 
 Gulielinus," &c. Postremo, habito per reverendissimum ser- 
 mone gravi et eleganti praelatis et clero praedictis, lectoque per 
 me praefatum notarium brevi regio, de mandato dicti l'everen- 
 dissimi patris, de convocatione dissolvenda, tenoris sequentis, 
 viz. " Carolus Dei gratia," &c. idem reverendissimus pater, ob 
 honorem et rcverentiam dicti domini nostri regis juxta tenorem 
 brevis regii praedicti, eandem convocationem sive sacram syno- 
 dum provincialem dissolvit, prout in schedula per dictum reve- 
 rendissimum patrem lecta plenius continetur ; cujus quidem 
 schedula' tenor sequitur et est talis, viz. " In Dei nomine, Amen. 
 Nos Gulielmus," &c. 
 
Acta superior-is damns Convocation-is incveptce octavo die 
 mensis Maii, anno 1 66 1 . 
 
 GULIELMUS providentia divina Cantuar. archiepiscopus, 
 totius Anglise primas et metropolitanus, venerabili confratri 
 nostro domiuo Gilberto, eadem providentia London, episcopo, 
 salutem, et fraternam in Domino charitatem. Breve illustris- 
 simi in Christo principis, et doraini nostri domini Caroli Se- 
 cundi, Dei gratia Anglia?, Scotiae, Francise, et Hibernise regis, 
 fidei defensoris, &c. nobis inscript. et direct, nnper cum ea qua 
 decuit reverentia, obedientia et subjectione, humiliter recepimus 
 in haec verba. " Carolus Secundus, Dei gratia Anglic, Scotia3, 
 Franciae. et Hiberniae rex, fidei defensor, &c. reverendissimo in 
 Cbristo patri Gulielmo eadem gratia Cantuar. archiepiscopo, 
 totius Anglias primati et metropolitano, salutem. Quibusdam 
 arduis et urgcntibus negotiis nos, securitatem et defensionem 
 ecclesiae AnglicanaB, ac pacem et tranquillitatem, bonum publi- 
 cum, et defensionem regni nostri et subditorum nostrorum 
 ejusdem concernen. vobis in fide et dilectione cpiibus nobis 
 tenemini rogando mandamus, quatenus praemissis debito intuitu 
 attentis et ponderatis, universos et singulos episcopos vestrae 
 provincias. ac decanos ecclesiarum cathedralium, nec non archi- 
 diaconos, capitula, et collegia, totumque clerum cujuslibet dice- 
 ceseos ejusdem provinciae, ad comparendum coram vobis in 
 ecclesia catbedrali sancti Pauli London, octavo die mensis Maii 
 prox. futur. vel alibi prout melius expedire videritis, cum omni 
 celeritate accommoda modo debito convocari faciatis, ad trac- 
 tand. consentiend. et concludend. super praemissis et aliis qua; 
 sibi clarius exponentur tunc ibidem ex parte nostra. Et hoc 
 sicut nos et statum regni nostri, ac honorem et utilitatem 
 ecclesiae prasdict. diligitis, nullatenus omittatis. Teste meipso 
 apud Westm. undecimo die Aprilis, anno regni nostri tertio 
 decimo." 
 
 Quocirca fraternitati vestrae committimus et mandamus, qua- 
 tenus omnes et singulos co-episcopos ecclesiaa nostrae Christi 
 Cantuar. suffraganeos, infra praefatam nostram provinciam Cant. 
 
 Acta superioris domus] See Hist, of Conferences, pp. 370-391. Collier, 
 vol. ii. p. 886. 
 
Acta in sup. dun), anno 1661. 
 
 191) 
 
 constitutes, pereniptorie citetis, et per eos decanos ecclesiarum 
 cathedralium, et collegiatarum, et singula capitula earundcm, 
 archidiaconosque et alios ecclesiarum prrelatos exemptos et non 
 exemptos, clerumque cujuslibet diceceseos provincial nostrse Can- 
 tuar. antedict. pereniptorie citari et prsemoneri volumus et man- 
 damus : quod iidem episcopi, decani, archidiaeoni, et eaeteri ec- 
 clesiarum cathedralium prselati exempti et non exempti persona- 
 liter, et quodlibet capitulum ecclesiarum cathedralium et colle- 
 giatarum per unum, clerusque cujuslibet dioeces. provincial no- 
 stras antedict. per duos sufficien. procuratores, compareant coram 
 nobis aut nostro in hac parte locum-tenente sive cominissario 
 (si nos impediri contigerit) in domo capitulari ecclesia? cathe- 
 dralis sancti Pauli London. 8 die mensis Maii prox. futur. post 
 datum pra?sentiuin, cum continuatione et prorogatione dierum 
 extunc sequen. et locorum (si oporteat) fiend., ad tractand. 
 super arduis et urgentibus negotiis, statum et utilitatem, 
 bonum publicum et defensionem regni Angha3 et subditorum 
 ejusdem eoneernen., ipsis tunc et ibidem seriosius exponend., 
 suaque sana consilia et auxilia super eis impensur. ac hiis qua? 
 ibidem ex deliberatione communi ad honorem Dei et ecclcsia? 
 utilitatem salubriter ordinari et statui contigerit, consensur. 
 ulteriusque factur. et receptur. quod justum fuerit et hujusmodi 
 negotii natura et qualitas de se exigunt et requirunt. Vos 
 autem, venerabilis confrater, dictum mandatum, quatenus vos 
 et capitulum ecclesia? vestra? cathedralis ac civitatem et dicec. 
 London, concernit, excqui per omnia faciatis et eidem pareatis 
 in omnibus cum effectu. Praeterea, tenore prsesentium vos 
 citamus, quatenus eisdem die et loco coram nobis aut nostro in 
 hac parte locum-tenente sive commissario, uno vel pluribus, una 
 cum aliis venerabilibus confratribus nostris dicta? provincial 
 nostra? Cantuar. co-episcopis. compareatis, super hujusmodi 
 negotiis, ut praemittitur, tractatur. nec non factur. et receptur. 
 quod justum fuerit et quod ad vestram paternitatem attinet, 
 prout supcrius continetur. Volumus insuper et mandamus, 
 quatenus intimctis et denuncietis seu intimari et denunciari 
 faciatis dicta? provincial nostra? Cantuar. co-episcopis, decanis, 
 archidiaconis, et ca?teris ecclesiarum pra?latis suprascript. quod 
 eos a personali comparitione in hujusmodi negotio convocationis 
 et congregationis, dictis die et loco (ut prseniittitur) divina 
 favente dementia celcbrand. excusatos non habere intendimus 
 
5200 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 ista vice nisi ex causa necessaria tunc et ibidem allegand. et 
 proponend. et per nos approband. sed contumaciam eoriuu qui 
 absentes fuerint, canonice punire. Et pra?terea, vobis (ut supra) 
 injungimus et mandamus, quod omnibus et singulis co-episcopis 
 >uffraganeis provincial nostra? Cantuar. pra'dict. injungatis et 
 injungi faciatis, ut singuli corum sigillatim de facto suo qua- 
 tenus pertinet ad eosdem, nos seu locum-tenentem sive commis- 
 sarium nostrum unum vel plures dictis die et loco per literas 
 eorum patentes nomina et cognomina omnium et singulorum 
 per eos respective citatorum continen. distincte certilicent et 
 aperte. De die vero receptionis praesentium, et quid in pra?- 
 missis feceritis, nos aut nostrum in hac parte locum-tenen. sive 
 commissarium hujusmodi dictis die et loco debite certificari 
 curetis per literas vestras patentes harum seriem una cum 
 nominibus omnium et singulorum episcoporum provincia? nostra? 
 Cantuar. decanorum, arohidiaconorum, et ca?terorum pra?la- 
 torum vestra? diceceseos in separata sehedula Uteris certificato- 
 riis annectend. complecten. In cujus rei testimonium sigillum 
 nostrum archiepiscopale pra?sentibus apponi fecimus. Dat. in 
 manerio nostro de Lambetb, duodecimo die mensis Aprilis, 
 anno Domini miilesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo primo, et 
 nostra? translationis anno primo, &e. 
 
 Sessio prima. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 8°. viz. die mensis Maii, anno Domini 1661, 
 anuoque regni domini nostri Caroli Secundi Dei gratia Anglia?, 
 Scotia?, Francia?, et Hibernia? regis, fidei defensoris, &c. 13. 
 reverendus in Cbristo pater et dominus Gilbertus providentia 
 divina London, episcopus, inter haras nonam et decimam ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei. una cum nonnullis reverendis in Cbristo 
 patribus confratribus et co-episcopis suis, nec non decanis, 
 arcludiaconis, ca?terisque clericis et ministris, nec non advocatis 
 et procuratoribus, et ca?teris ministris alma? curia? Cant, de 
 
 arcubus London, ab aedibus Berwick in medicinis doc- 
 
 toris intra Paul's churchyard in parochia sancti Gregorii 
 civitatis London, notorie sit. et situat., usque ad et in parvum 
 ostium australe ecclesia? Paulina? in ecclesiam cathedralem 
 sancti Pauli London, pervenit ; et ibidem venerabilis vir Mat- 
 tha?us Nicholas, in legibus doctor, decanus, Thomas Turner, 
 Johannes Hacket et Edwardus Layfield, sacra? theologia? 
 
anno 1661. 
 
 201 
 
 professores, canonici residentiarii dicta) ecclesiie cathedralis, 
 cseterique canonici et praebendarii ejusdem ecclesiae superpel- 
 liciis induti, eum prapstolabantur, et ad chorum ipsius ecclesia? 
 perduxerunt, coniitantibus eum episcopis provincial Cant, simi- 
 libus habitibus indutis. Et ibidem dictus reverendus pater in 
 stallo quodam collocatus fuit, caeterisque episcopis suffraganeis 
 provincial Cant, habitibus suis in hujusmodi convocations 
 negotio solitis et consuetis, indutis, stallis praebendariorum (jam 
 pro stallis usitatis) ex utraque parte dicti chori sedentibus, ac 
 decantato per ministros chori pra?dicti hymno " Te Deum lau- 
 damus," &c. lectoque capitulo pro lectione secunda istius diei, 
 et aliis precibus matutinis juxta formam liturgiae peractis, et 
 alio hymno, " O Lord, make thy servant Charles," &c. cantato, 
 venerabilis vir Thomas Pierce, S. Theologiae professor, sug- 
 gestum usitatum ingressus fuit, ac ibidem concionem venustam 
 et eloquentem sermone Latino, ad reverendos patres et populum 
 et clerum praasentes habuit, accepto pro themate versu 28 
 decimi quinti capituli Act. Apostolorum, viz. " Visum est enim 
 Spiritui Sancto et nobis, nihil ultra imponere vobis oneris, 
 quam haac necessaria." Qua quidem concione finita, ac decan- 
 tato per ministros chori praedicti alio hymno, " 0 Lord, grant 
 the king a long life," &c. reverendus pater dominus episcopus 
 London, tanquam locum-tenens reverendissimi in Christo patris 
 ac domini domini providentia divina Cant, archiepiscopi, totius 
 Angliaj primatis et metropolitan], legitime constitut. chorum 
 praadict. egressus, ac domum capitularem (ut dicitur pro hac 
 vice) ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London, prasdict. ingressus, 
 comitantibus eum caeteris episcopis et cleris pradatis provinc. 
 Cant, assidentibus secum undique episcopis suffraganeis, viz. 
 Matthaao Elien., Gulielmo Bathon. et Wellen., Roberto Oxon., 
 Joanne Roffcn., Henrico Cicestren., Georgio Wigorn., Hum- 
 frido Sarum, Benjamino Petriburgen., Edwardo Norwicen., 
 Nicolao Hereford., et Gulielmo Gloucestren. respective epi- 
 scopis personaliter comparcntibus, dictoque revei'endo patre 
 domino episcopo London, pro tribunali seden., venerabilis vir 
 Richardus Chaworth legum doctor, dicti reverendissimi patris 
 vicarius in spiritualibus generalis, et officialis principalis legi- 
 time constitutus, praesentavit dicto reverendo patri domino 
 episcopo London, literas quasdam commissionales dicti reveren- 
 dissimi patris, dicto domino episcopo London, et aliis co-episcopis 
 
202 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 conjunctim et divisini direct. Quibus Uteris commissionalibus 
 per me prajfatum Willielmum Fisher, notarium publicum et 
 registrarii deputatum, de mandato dicti reverend} patris publice 
 perlectis, dictus reverendus pater dominus Gilbertus London, 
 episcopus onus executionis earundem in se acceptavit, et de- 
 crevit procedendum fore juxta tenorem earundem. 
 
 Deinde brevi regio per dictum dominum Richardum Cha- 
 worth prsesentato, dicto reverendissimo patri inscripto et 
 directo, et per me, prsefatum notarium publicum antedictum, 
 de mandato domini Gilberti London, episcopi publice perlecto, 
 dictus venerabilis vir Richardus Chaworth, tanquam vicarius in 
 spiritualibus generalis domini episcopi London, exhibuit et 
 praesentavit certificatorium super executione mandati citatorii 
 et monitorii dicti reverendissimi patris alias sibi praefato domino 
 episcopo London, directi. Cujus quidem certificatorii tenor 
 sequitur in hsec verba, &c. " Reverendissimo in Christo patri, 
 ac domino domino Gulielmo providentia divuia Cant, archiepi- 
 scopo, totius," &c. 
 
 Quo quidem certificatorio per me praefatum Willielmum 
 Fisher, de mandato dicti reverendi patris, publice lecto, prceco- 
 nizatisque publice omnibus et singulis reverendis patribus pro- 
 vincia? Cant, episcopis suftraganeis in eodem certiftcatorio men- 
 tionatis ; pra?fatus l-everendus pater verbis Latinis conceptis 
 clerum domus inferioris convocationis in dicta domo capitulari 
 coram eo et cantoris })r0elatis constitutum, monuit, quatenus ad 
 solitum et consuetum conventus sui locum sese conferentes, 
 unum virum gravem, doctum, et peritum, de gremio suo provi- 
 deant et eligant in eorum prolocutorem sive referendarium, 
 ipsumque sic electum exhibeant et pr?esentent coram reveren- 
 dissimo patre, aut ejus locum-tenente sive commissario die 
 Jovis prox. decimo sexto die mensis jam instantis Maii, inter 
 horas 9 et 11, ante meridiem ejusdem diei in capella regis 
 Henrici 7. infra ecclesiam collegiatam B. Petri Westm. Quo 
 clero dimisso, ad locum solitum, ad effectum eligendi unum 
 gravem, doctum, et peritum virum de gremio suo in eorum 
 prolocutorem sive referendarium sese conferebant, et post ali- 
 quem tractatum inter dictum reverendum patrem et prajfatos 
 reverendos patres confratres suos, venerabilis vir Mattha?us 
 Nicholas legum doctor, decanus ecclesia? cathedralis divi Pauli 
 London, praedictae, una cum venerabilibus viris Thoma Turner 
 
anno 1661. 
 
 S. theol. professore, et Richardo Bayley S. theolog. professore, 
 a dicta domo inferiori ad hoc electis, tain nomine suo proprio 
 quam totius ccetus dicta? domus, dicto reverendo patri signifi- 
 cavit, se et caeteros dictae domus convenire, venerabiles viros 
 Henricum Fearne S. theologian professorem in eorum prolocu- 
 torem, et Johannem Pearson S. theolog. professorem in prae- 
 sentatorem dicti prolocutoris respective unanimi consensu ele- 
 gisse. Quibus sic gestis, praefatus reverendus pater pronun- 
 ciavit omnes et singulos, decanos, archidiaconos, capitula, cleri 
 procuratores ac caeteros quoscunque ad interessendum istis die, 
 hora, et loco, in hujusmodi synodo sacra sive convocatione 
 monitos et citatos, et nullo modo comparentes, notorie contu- 
 maces ; pcenas vero contumaciarum suarmn hujusmodi usque ad 
 et in decimum sextum instantis mensis Maii inter horas 9 et 1 1 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei ad ecclesiam collegia tarn B. Petri 
 Westm. praedict. reservando, et reservabit, prout in schedula 
 per dictum reverendum patrem lecta plenius liquet. Cujus 
 quidem schedula? tenor sequitur et est talis ; viz. " In Dei 
 nomine, Amen. Nos Gilbertus," &c. Postremo dictus reve- 
 rendus pater continuavit et prorogavit prasentem convoca- 
 tionem sive sacram synodum, omniaque et singula certihcatoria 
 istis die, hora, et loco, introducta ac introducenda et non intro- 
 ducta, in eodem statu quo nunc sunt, usque ad et in praadictum 
 decimum sextum diem jam instantis Maii praedict. inter horas 
 9 et 11. ante meridiem ejusdem diei, ad ecclesiam collegiatam 
 B. Petri Westm. prout in alia schedula per cum lecta tenoris 
 sequentis continetur ; viz. " In Dei nomine, Amen. Nos Gil- 
 bertus," &c. 
 
 Certificatorium archidiaconi Cant., reverendissimo in 
 Christo patri, &c. 
 
 Secuada sessio. 
 Die Jovis decimo sexto die mensis Maii, 1661, inter boras 
 9etn. ante meridiem ejusdem diei, reverendo in Christo 
 patre ac domino Gilberto London, episcopo, necnon reverendis 
 patribus Guilielmo Bathon. et Wellen., Matthaeo Elien., Roberto 
 Oxon., Johanne Roffen., Henrico Cicestren., Georgio Wigorn., 
 Humfrido Sarum, Benjamino Petriburgen., Georgio Asaphen., 
 Guilielmo Meneven., Hugone Landaven., Edwardo Norwicen. et 
 Guilielmo Gloucestrcn., respective cpiscopis in capella regis 
 
204 
 
 Acta in suj>. </om. 
 
 Henrici 7. infra ecclesiam eollcgiatam B. Petri Westm. con- 
 gregatis, ante preces incoeptas, in praesentia raei Willielmi 
 Fisher notarii publici, &c. comparnit personaliter vencrabilis 
 vir Johannes Earles S. theol. professor, decanus ecclesiae col- 
 legiatae B. Petri Westm. praadict., secum stantibus venera- 
 bilibus viris Matthaeo Nicholas legum doctore, Willielmo Hey- 
 
 wood S. theoIogisB re- 
 
 spective professoribus, et ecclesiae collegiatae prsedict. praeben- 
 
 dariis, ac domino et Johanne Allen 
 
 notario publico, et nonnullis aliis testibus. Qui quidem venc- 
 rabilis vir Johannes Earles decanus antedictus tunc et ibidem 
 dixit, allegavit, protestatus est et csetera fecit, prout in quadam 
 schedula in pergameno script, et exarat. quam in manibus suis 
 tunc et ibidem tenens publice legebat, in ha3C 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 praasidens, &c. pro se et confratribus suis ac 
 omnibus et singulis praelatis et clero sua? Cant, provinc. in hac 
 praasenti convocatione sive sacra synodo provinciali jus et 
 interesse habentibus protestatus est, et eaetera fecit, prout in 
 alia schedula in papyro scripta, per dictum reverendum patrem 
 lecta tunc et ibidem continetur, viz. " In Dei nomine. Cum 
 ha3C ecclesia collegiata B. Petri Westm., &c." praasentibus tunc 
 et ibidem venerabili viro Richardo Chaworth legum doctore, 
 reverendissiini in Christo patris domini archiepiscopi Cant. 
 
 vicario in spiritualibus generali, Francisco Mundy 
 
 praefato Johanne Allen, notariis publicis, 
 
 ac nonnullis aliis testibus, &c. Quibus sic gestis, praenomi- 
 natus reverendus pater post intervallum tenqioris ad eum 
 accersiri jussit pra?latos et clerum domus inferioris. Qui co- 
 piose sese praesentantes, exhiberi et sisti fecerunt venerabilem 
 virum Henricuui Fcarne, S. theologiae professorem, decanum 
 ecclesia? cathedralis Elien., in prolocutorem totius co?tus prae- 
 dict. domus inferioris ultima sessione electum ; quem venera- 
 bilis vir Johannes Pearson S. theol. professor in prresentatorem 
 ista sessione etiam electus, vice totius coetus praedict. domus 
 inferioris, praemissa facunda et eloquenti oratione per eum 
 prolat.. exhibuit et praesentavit dicto reverendo patri et caateris 
 episcopis praedictis. Ac, facta alia oratione eleganti per eundem 
 
anno 1661 . 
 
 205 
 
 prolocutorera sic praesentatum, praBfatus reverendus pater 
 dominus episcopus London, de consensu confratrum suorum 
 prsedictorum eundem Henricum Fearne electum, et electioneni 
 praedict. de persona sua in prolocutorem et referendarium 
 praedict. per aliam venustam et cloquentem orationem Latinam 
 commendavit et approbavit. Tunc, dimisso prolocutore cum 
 coetu doraus inferioris praedict., babitoquo aliquandiu tractatu 
 inter dictum reverendum patrem et ca j teros episcopos suffraga- 
 neos suos, ut prsefertur, comparentes, de et super precibus 
 specialibus pro die nativitatis domini nostri regis, nec non pro 
 faelicissima restauratione ejus ad et in regna sua, viz. 29 die 
 niensis jam instantis Maii, per quatuor episcopos bujusmodi 
 domus, nempe Matthaeum Elien., Robertum Oxon., Benjaminum 
 Petriburgen., et Humtridum Sarum, respective episcopos, in ea 
 parte respective elect., et per 8 praelatos sive cleros domus 
 inferioris ebgendos, concipiendis et publice isto die annuatim 
 perlegendis ; nec non etiam de et super precibus speciabbus et 
 particularibus in 30 diem mensis Januarii in quolibet anno 
 publice peragendis et perlegendis, et per reverendos patres 
 Johannem RoiFen., Henricum Cicestren., Georgium Wigorn., 
 et Edwardum Norwicen. respective episcopos in ea parte 
 electos, et per octo praelatos sive cleros dictse domus inferioris 
 in ea parte respective elegendos, concipiendis, continuavit, &c. 
 prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Tertia sessio. 
 
 Die Sabbati 18 viz. die mensis Maii, 1661, inter horas 9 et 
 ] 1 ante meridiem ejusdem diei in capella regis Hen. VII. infra 
 ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westm. reverendus pater do- 
 minus Gilbertus London., Willielmus Bathon. et AVellen. &c. 
 respective episcopi, congregati, primo et ante omnia preces, 
 Deo op. maximo flexis genibus bumiliter fundebant ; precibus- 
 que peractis, praafato reverendo patre in praesentia mei Willielmi 
 Fisher notarii publici, &c. pro tribunali sedente, assidentibus 
 secum praadictis reverendis patribus, reverendus pater dominus 
 Elien. episcopus tarn pro se quam aliis episcopis, &c. introduxit 
 preces de et super nativitate domini nostri regis et restaura- 
 tione sua, &c. per dictos episcopos ultima sessione electos, con- 
 ceptas ; et tradidit eas domino coramissario sive locum-tenenti. 
 Et post aliquot tractat. dictus dominus episcopus London., cum 
 
206 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 consensu confratruni suorum hujusmodi, voluit ad se accersiri 
 dominum prolocutorem cum quibusdam aliis e coetu domus in- 
 ferioris, qui intravit cum sex dictae domus inferioris ; et tradidit 
 dicto prolocutori dictas preces sic (ut praefertur) conceptas, per 
 emu et totam domum inferior, considerandas et consentiendas. 
 Deinde, dominus commissarius intimavit dicto prolocutori de 
 precibus spccialibus et particularibus pro baptizatione nonnul- 
 lorum adultorum eoncipiendis et formandis ; ct pro conceptione 
 earundem, dictus reverendus pater, cum consensu confratruni 
 suorum, tres reverendos patres liujus domus, viz. dominum 
 Humpliridum Sarum, Benjaminum Petriburgen., et Georgium 
 Asaph, respective episcopos elegit, et voluit dominum prolocu- 
 torem sex cleros e dicta domo inferiori eligere ad procedendum 
 cum dictis episcopis in dicto negotio. 
 
 Quibus sic gestis, dimissus fuit prolocutor una cum sex aliis 
 proedict. ; et post tractatum cum episcopis per diet, domin. 
 commissarium habitum, dictus commissarius continuavit, &c. 
 prout in scliedula, &c. 
 
 Quarto, sessio. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 22° die mensis Maii 1661, inter horas [nonam 
 et undecimam ejusd. diei] alias designatas, in praesentia mei 
 AYillielmi Fisher notarii publici, &c. reverendus in Christo 
 pater dominus Johannes permissione divina Roifen. episcopus, 
 &c. congregati, primo et ante omnia preces, &c. Dictisque 
 precibus peractis et finitis, dicto reverendo patre domino Jo- 
 hanne Roffen. episcopo pro tribunali sedente, assidentibus 
 secum, &c. dictus reverendus pater post aliquot tract, inter 
 dictos reverendos patres habit, continuavit, &c. prout in sclie- 
 dula, &c. 
 
 Quinta sessio. 
 
 Die Veneris, 24° viz. die mensis Maii, &c. inter horas 9 et 
 1 1 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater dominus 
 Willielmus, &c. Bathon. et Wellen. episcopus, &c. post aliquot 
 tractat. inter dictos reverendos respective patres habit, et fact. 
 &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sexta sessio. 
 
 Die Martis, 28 0 viz. die mensis Maii, inter horas 9 et 11 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater, &c. post 
 
anno l66l. 
 
 Ml 
 
 aliquot tractat. habit, et fact, inter dictos reverendos patres, &c. 
 continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Septima sessio. 
 Die Veneris, 31" die mensis Maii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante 
 merid. ejusd. diei, &c. introducta prius per dictum episcopum 
 Sarum forma precum publicarum pro baptizatione adult, cele- 
 brand. et per me Willielmum Fisher, notarium publicum ante- 
 dictum, de mandato dicti praesidentis, publice perlect., et per 
 dictos reverendos patres unanimiter approbat. ; et lecta tarn 
 petitione cujusdam Ogleby quam literis regiis hnjusmodi domo 
 direct, de et super commendatione biblii impensis dicti Ogleby ; 
 et post commendationem ejusdem petitionis, literarum regiarum 
 et libri praedicti domo inferiori, &c. et post aliquot tractat. 
 inter dictos reverendos patres, dictus reverendus pater, &c. 
 continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Octava sessio. 
 
 Septimo die mensis Junii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. comparuit personaliter Richardus Aldworth 
 armiger, et proesentavit dicto reverendo praasidenti sive locum- 
 tenen. licentiam quandam regiam sigillo magno Anglia? sigillat. 
 de emendando, reformando, exponendo, et corrigendo, consti- 
 tutiones et canones alias factas ; nec non de ordinando et con- 
 ficiendo nonnullas novas constitutiones, ordinationes sive capi- 
 tula, statum ecclesiasticum, sinceram relioionem, et utilitatem 
 ecclesia? Anglicana? concernen. et tenden. ; una cum nonnullis 
 aliis provisionibus in eadem licentia insertis, sub tenore verbo- 
 rum sequen. viz. " Charles by the grace of God," &c. Quibus 
 per me Willielm. Fisher in hac parte actorum scribam publice 
 tunc et ibidem alta voce coram dictis respective patribus per- 
 lect., dictus reverendus pater et caeteri episcopi secum assiden- 
 tes, cum omnimoda reverentia, subjectione, et humilitate gra- 
 tanter acceptarunt et receperunt. Eademque licentia sic lecta, 
 dictus reverendus pater, post intervallum temporis, ad eum 
 accersiri jussit prolocutorem, praBlatos et clerum domus infe- 
 rioris. Quibus copiose sese pracsentantibus coram eo caateris- 
 que episcopis antedictis, modo (ut prajfcrtur) secum assiden., 
 et dicta licentia denuo, de mandato dicti revcrendi patris, per 
 me notarium publicum antedict. publice perlecta, dictus reve- 
 
208 Acta in sup. don). 
 
 rendus pater praefatum prolocutorem, ct alios de domo inferiori 
 decanos, archidiaconos, capitula et cleri procuratores ibidem 
 praesentes voluit ut ipsi inter se eonvenirent et mature excogi- 
 tarent de canonibus et constitutionibus statum ecclesiasticum 
 et Christi relijnonem in ecclesia Anehcana concernen. conci- 
 piendis, et quicquid inde senserint sive excogitaverint in scriptis 
 redigant, et coram ipso reverendo patre et confratribus suis 
 episcopis exbibeant. Deinde, dimisso prolocutore cum co?tu 
 domus inferioris, introducta fnit copia proclamationis per at* 
 tournatum regium generalem (ut asserebatur) concept, et dictis 
 respective episcopis destinat. pro jejunio observando ; et eadem 
 de mandate dicti reverendi patris per me notarium publicum 
 antedictum publice perlecta, dictus reverendus pater dictam 
 copiam retradidit. Tunc, habito tractatu inter dictum dominum 
 reverendum patrem et caeteros episcopos suffraganeos suos, ut 
 praefertur, comparentes, de et super precibus specialibus et 
 particularibus pro jejunio juxta proclamationem pra?dict. 12 die 
 jam instan. mensis Junii celebrando et observando, per quatuor 
 episcopos bujusmodi domus, nempe Matthaeum Elien., Eobertum 
 Oxon., Humfridum Sarum, et Benjaminum Petriburg., respec- 
 tive episcopos in ea parte respective electos, et per 8 praelatos 
 sive cleros domus inferioris eligend., concipiend., dictus reve- 
 rendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula. &c. 
 
 Nona sessio. 
 
 Die Veneris, 14 0 die mensis Junii, inter boras 9 et 11 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater, &c. post 
 aliquod tractatum, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Decima sessio. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 19 0 die mensis Junii inter boras 9 et n ante 
 . merid. ejusd. diei, &c. reverendus pater dominus episcopus 
 London, praesidens in praesentiis reverendorum patrum confra- 
 trum suorum signincavit et intimavit. serenissimum dominum 
 nostrum Carolum regem ex gratia sua speciali licentiam sive 
 comimssionem magno suo sigillo Angbae sieillat., ad eundem 
 effectum prout prior commissio sive licentia abas introduct. fait 
 ac erat, curasse, ac potestatem dedisse arcbiepiscopo et caeteris 
 episcopis ac clero provinc. Cant, ad procedend., emendand., 
 reformand., exponend., corrigend., ordinand. et conficiend. prout 
 
annu 1661. 
 
 209 
 
 in eisdem continetur : quorum reverendissimum in Christo pa- 
 trem doniinum dominum archiepiscopum Cant., Gilbertum Lon- 
 don. Willielmum Bathon. et Wellen., et Matthgeum Elien., re- 
 spective episcopos in dicta convocatione pro rebus ecclesiasticis 
 perficiend. juxta coinmissionem et licentiam regiam praodict., 
 dictus dominus noster rex uni esse voluit et mandavit ; et ean- 
 dem licentiam sive commissionem produxit et exhibuit sub te- 
 nore verborum sequentium, viz. " Charles by the grace of 
 God," &c. Qua per me praefatum Willielmum Fisher nota- 
 rium publicum in hac parte actorum scribam sive registrarium 
 deputatum publice tunc et ibidem perlecta, dictus reverendus 
 pater dominus episcopus London. pra?sidens antedictus, una 
 cum dictis reverendis patribus confratribus suis, tractatum sive 
 colloquium habuit de et super examinatione canonum alias 
 fact., ac de jurisdictione ecclesiae, nec non de regulatione cleri- 
 corum et ecclesiasticorum officiariorum ; et ad eundem effectum, 
 dictus reverendus pater, cum unanimi consensu dictorum reve- 
 rendorum patrum confratrum suorum, elegit duodecim episco- 
 pos, viz. dominum Willielmum Bathon. et Wellen., Matthaeum 
 Elien., Robertum Oxon., Johannem Roffen., Henricum Cices- 
 tren., Humfridum Sarum, Georgium Wigorn., Robertum Lin- 
 coln., Georgium Asaphen., Gulielmum Meneven., Benjaminum 
 Petriburgen., et Johannem Exon. respective episcopos, et com- 
 misit vices suas eisdem aut tribus eorum ad procedend. in dicto 
 negotio, et viginti quatuor domus inferioris per dictam domum 
 eligend. aut sex eorundem ; ad conveniend. in magna aula 
 Le Savoy die Sabbati prox. hora tertia post meridiem, et postea 
 diebus Martis et Jovis in qualibet hebdomada dictis hora et 
 loco, donee dictum negotium perficiatur. Et ordinavit ad in- 
 troducendum eorum relationem quam primum poterint. Ita 
 tamen, quod bene liceat et licebit omnibus aliis reverendis pa- 
 tribus et clero ad conveniendum et consulendum cum dictis 
 respective episcopis, dictis loco et tempore, de et super prae- 
 missis, quando et quoties sibimet ipsis videbitur expediens. 
 Tunc dictus reverendus pater dominus episcopus London, cum 
 consensu dictorum reverendorum patrum confratrum suorum, 
 ad eum accersiri jussit prolocutorem, pra3latos, et clerum do- 
 mus inferioris ; quibus copiose sese pra3sentantibus coram eo 
 caeterisque episcopis antedictis modo (ut pra?fertur) secum assi- 
 dentibus, dictus reverendus pater omnia et singula prrcmissa 
 
 GIBSON. p 
 
210 
 
 Acta in sujj. dotn. 
 
 diet, prolooutori et domui inferiori signiticavit, et voluit dictum 
 prolocutorem ad eligendum viginti quatuor e gremio suo ad 
 conveniendum cum dictis reverendis patribus sic, ut praeferturj 
 electis, dictis diebus et loco de et super consultationc pramiis- 
 Borum. Dictoque prolocutore et coetu domus inferioris dimisso, 
 et post aliquem tractatum inter dictos reverendos patres, dictus 
 reverendus pater dominus pr?esidens antedictus, &c. continua- 
 vit, &c. prout in schedula, &e. 
 
 Sessio XI. 
 
 Die Veneris, 21° die mensis Junii, inter boras 9 et 1 1 ante 
 meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. reverendo patre domino episcopo 
 London, pro tribunali sedente, assidentibus secum dictis reve- 
 rendis respective patribus, nec non reverendissimo in Cbristo 
 patre ac domino Accepto providentia divina Ebor. archiepi- 
 
 scopo, &e Dunelmen. episcopo, et Cestren. episcopo, 
 
 dictus reverendus pater dominus episcopus London, una cum 
 dictis reverendis patribus eonfratribus suis tractatum babuit 
 de conceptione unius libri articulorum in visitatione cujusbbet 
 episcopi ceconomis et inquisitoribus in qualibet dicecesi mini- 
 strandorum : et ad eundem intuitum dictus reverendus pater, 
 cum unanimi consensu dictorum conf'ratrum suorum, sex epi- 
 scopos confratres suos nempe Willielmum Batbon. et Wellen., 
 Matthaeuin Elien., Robertum Oxon., Humfridum Sarum, Ro- 
 bertum Lincoln., et Willielmum Gloucestren. elegit, et commisit 
 vices suas eisdem aut eorum tribus ad concipiend. et formand. 
 dictos articulos, &c. ad conveniend. in aula magna in Le Savoy 
 die Sabbati prox. ad septimanam hora tertia post meridiem, et 
 postea diebus Lunae et Sabbati in qualibet hebdomada, dictis 
 hora et loco, donee dictum opus liniatur. Ita tamen quod bene 
 liceat et licebit omnibus aliis reverendis patribus ad conveniend. 
 et consulend. cum dictis reverendis patribus dictis loco et tem- 
 pore, de et super pramissis, quoties et quando sibimet ipsis 
 videbitur expediens : et dictus pater, de et cum consensu con- 
 fratrum suorum episcoporum Cant, provinc., petiit et rogavit 
 
 reverendos patres Dunelmen Carliolen. et 
 
 Cestren. respective episcopos infra provinc. Ebor a . dictis hora 
 et loco, dictis respective episcopis in dicto negotio esse interes- 
 sentes et assistentes, eisque respective acceptantibus, &c. tunc 
 a Cant, in the original by mistake. 
 
anno 1 66i. 
 
 dictus reverendus pater dominus episcopus London., cum con- 
 sensu dictorum confratrum suorum sibi assiden., misit pro 
 prolocutore et sex aliis domus inferioris ad introducendum no- 
 mina e gremio suo elect., ad convenicnd. cum cpiscopis ultima 
 sessione respective elect, de et super ncgotiis tunc tractat. 
 Quo prolocutore una cum sex aliis dicta? domus inferioris ad- 
 venien., d ictus prolocutor praesentavit dicto reverendo patri 
 domino episcopo London, schedulam quandam in papyro scrip- 
 tarn continen. nomina praelatorum et cleri domus inferioris per 
 eos elect., scilicet, Josephum Henchman Cicestren., Matthaeum 
 Nicholas legum doctorem sancti Pauli London., Michaelem 
 Iloneywood S. theol. professorem Lincoln., Robert um Creyton 
 S. th. professorem Wellen., Willielmum Brough, S. th. profes- 
 sorem Glouc, Henricum Fearne, S. th. professor. Elien., et 
 Willielmum Paul Lichfield, respective decanos ; nec non Geor- 
 giuin Hall Cant., Anthonium Sparrow Sudbury, Robertuni Pory 
 Midd., Grindallum Sheafe Wellen., Johannem Peirson Surr., 
 Marcum Frank sancti Albani, Anthonium Hawles Sarum, et 
 Jasperum Mayne Cicestren. respective archidiaconos ; nec non 
 Herbertuin Thorndike, Josephum Crouther, Willielmum Bra- 
 bant, Petrum Gunning, Johannem Sudbury, Johannem Priaux, 
 
 Marten, Willielmum Pulleyn, Willielmum Ileywood et 
 
 Fleetw ood S. th. respective professores, respective pro- 
 
 curatores cleri infra suas respective diceceses. Quibus nomini- 
 bus per me notarium pnblicum de mandato reverendi patris 
 prsesidentis antedicti publice perlect., dictus reverendus pater 
 acceptavit eorum respective nomina et personas, &c. et dimisit 
 dictum prolocutorem una cum cootu suo praedict. Et tunc ha- 
 bito aliquo tractatu inter dictos reverendosf patres, dictus reve- 
 rendus pater continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &e. 
 
 Sessio XII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 26. die mensis Junii, inter boras 9 et 11 ante 
 meridiem ejusd. diei, &e. dictus reverendus pater, &c. post 
 aliquod tractatum, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XIII. 
 
 Die Veneris, 28. die mensis Junii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante 
 meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater Mattba>us 
 Elien. episcopus, &c. post tractatum aliquod, &c. continuavit. &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 P 2 
 
212 
 
 Acta 
 
 sup 
 
 (loin. 
 
 Sessio XIV. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 3". viz. die mensis Julii, inter boras 9 et 11 
 ante meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. reverendo patre domino episcopo 
 London, pro tribnnali seden., assideu. secum reverendis re- 
 spective patribus, nec non Durbam. et Carbolen. 
 
 respective assiden., dictus reverendus pater dominus episcopus 
 London., una cum dictis reverendis patribus confratribus suis 
 tractatum de et super consideratione actus quoad impressio- 
 nem, &c. babuit ; et ad earn intentionem dictus reverendus 
 pater, cum unanimi consensu dictorum confratrum suorum, octo 
 
 episcopos e dicto gremio, nempe Dunelm., Robertum 
 
 Oxon., Humfridum Sarum, Benjaminum Petriburgen., 
 
 Carbolen., Cestren., Edwardum Norwicen., et Willielmum 
 
 Glouc. respective episcopos elegit ; (piibus, aut eorum tribus, 
 dictus reverendus pater, cum consensu praedict. commisit vices 
 suas ad eft'ectum prsedict., ad conveniendum in aliquo loco, seu 
 aliquibus diebus per eos inter sese designandis ; et deinde post 
 aliud tractatum inter dictum reverendura patreni et dictos re- 
 verendos patres habit., et fact., dictus reverendus pater dominus 
 episcopus London.. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XV. 
 
 Die Veneris, 5 0 viz. die mensis Julii, inter boras 9 et 1 1 ante 
 merid. ejusd. diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater post aliquod 
 tractat. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XVI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, i o. viz. die mensis Julii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 
 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 Juhi, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante 
 merid. ejusd, diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater, &c. post aliquod 
 tract. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedulae, &c. 
 
 Sessio XVIII. 
 
 Die Mercurii 17. die mensis Julii, inter horas 9 et ti ante 
 merid. ejusd. diei. &c, precibus finitis et peractis, reverendus 
 
*<nuo 1661. 
 
 213 
 
 pater dominus episcopus London., una cum dictis respective 
 episcopis confratribus suis secum assiden., pro tribunali sedebat, 
 et tunc post aliquod tractat. inter se habit, reverendus pater 
 dominus episcopus Sarum tarn nomine suo proprio quam vices 
 geren., &c. introduxit et praesentavit domino episcopo praesi- 
 denti nonnullos canones in papyro script, et exarat. Quibus 
 publice perlect. et 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 ha- 
 benda : et post alium paululum tractatum inter sese habit, et 
 tact., continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedulae, &c. 
 
 Sessio XIX. 
 
 Die Veneris, 19. viz. die mensis Julii. inter horas 9 et 11 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dominus episcopus Glouc. praesen- 
 tavit domino praesidenti et caeteris episcopis nonnullos canones 
 conceptos et in papyro script. Quibus publice perlectis, et 
 nonnullis emendationibus in eisdem factis, dominus episcopus 
 London, praesidens antedictus, cum consensu confratrum suo- 
 rum, retradidit eos dicto domino episcopo pro ulteriori consi- 
 deratione et revisione eorundem habend. ; et post tractatum 
 aliquod inter se habit, et fact., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 tenorem schedulae, &c. 
 
 Sessio XX. 
 
 Die Lunae, 22 die mensis Julii, inter horas 9 et 11 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. Nonnullis canonibus per reve- 
 rendos patres, Willielmum Bathon. et Wellen., et Johannem 
 Warner Koffen. episcopos, tarn nomine suo proprio quam aliis 
 in ea parte vicesgeren., et publice perlectis, dominus episcopus 
 London, una cum consensu confratrum suorum episcoporum 
 antedictorum, retradidit eos dictis respective episcopis, et eorum 
 confratribus, pro ulteriori consideratione super eisdem habend.; 
 et post aliquod tractatum inter sese habit, et fact., continuavit, 
 &c. juxta tenorem schedulae, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 24 die mensis Julii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. post non- 
 
214 
 
 Acta, in sup. dom. 
 
 nullum tractatuin, &e. continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedula?, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XXII. 
 
 Die Veneris, 26 die niensis Julii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. post aliquod 
 tractat., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedula?, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIII. 
 
 Die Sabbati 27 niensis Julii, inter boras seeundam et quartarn 
 post meridiem, &c. reverendus pater dommus episcopus London., 
 prsesidens, &c. una cum dictis confratribus suis secum assiden., 
 pro tribunali sedebat ; et facta prius subscriptione per dictos 
 respective episcopos pro regali benevolentia domino nostro regi 
 prsesentanda, et post aliquod tractat., &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta tenorem schedula?, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIV. 
 
 Die Mercurii, ultimo viz. die mensis Julii, inter horas 9 et 
 11 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &e. reverendus pater, &c. post 
 aliquod tractat., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedula?, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XXV. 
 
 Die Jovis, 2 1 die mensis Novembris, inter horas seeundam et 
 quartam, &c. litera? domini nostri regis domino archiepiscopo 
 Cant, direct., et manu sua, et sigillo suo privat. communit., 
 fuerunt introductae, et de mandate dicti reverendi patris publice 
 perlectse per me notarium publicum antedict. ; dictusque reve- 
 rendus pater pra?sidens antedictus et ea?teri episcopi secum 
 assidentes, cum omnimoda reverentia, subjeetione, et humili- 
 tate, easdem gratanter acceptarunt et receperunt ; et post 
 intervallum temporis, dictus reverendus pater, de et cum con- 
 sensu confratrum suorum, ad eum accersiri jussit prolocutorem, 
 pra?latos, et clerum domus inferioris. Quibus sese pra?sentan- 
 tibus coram dicto reverendo prsesidente ca?terisque episcopis 
 antedictis, modo (ut praafertur) secum assiden., et in pra?sentiis 
 dicti prolocutoris, praelat., et cleri domus inferioris predict, 
 dicta? literas regiae de mandate dicti pra?sidentis per me nota- 
 rium publicum antedictum fuerunt publice perlecta?. Et deinde, 
 dimisso prolocutore. cum ccetu domus inferioris, dictus reve- 
 rendus pater una cum dictis reverendis patribus confratribus 
 
uiuw 1 66 1. 
 
 215 
 
 suis tractatum et colloquium habuit dc i-evisione libri publi- 
 carum prccura, &c. juxta potestat. et libertat. per easdem 
 regias eis concess. &c. Et ad eundem cffectum, dictus reve- 
 rendus pater, cum unanimi consensu cbnfratrum suorum, elegit 
 
 reverendos in Christo patres Dunelmen., Matthaeum 
 
 Elien., Robertum Oxon., Johannem Roffen., Ilumfridum Sarum, 
 Georgium Wigorn., Robertum Lincoln., et Willielmum Glou- 
 cestren,, et commisit vices suas eisdem, aut eorum tribus ad 
 minus, ad procedendum in dicto negotio ; et ordinavit eos 
 ad conveniendum apud palatium reverendi patris domini epi- 
 scopi Elien., bora quinta post meridiem cujuslibet diei (ex- 
 ceptis diebus dominicis,) donee dictum negotium perficiatur. 
 Et postea consensum fuit iuter dictos episcopos pro meliori et 
 citiori festinatione dicti negotii, ut dictus liber publicarum 
 prccum revideatur in bac domo pro prassenti ; et magna parte 
 
 ejusdein perlecta et revisa usque ad dictus 
 
 reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedulse, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XXVI. 
 
 Die Veneris, 22° die mensis Novembris, inter horas 8 et 9 
 ante meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. post ulte- 
 riorem progressum revisionis libri publicarum precum fact., &c. 
 continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedula?, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXVII. 
 
 Eodem die inter boras secundam et 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 0 die mensis Novembris, &c. inter horas 8 et 
 10 ante meridiem, &c. reverendus pater, &c. post paululum 
 tractat. dc et cum consensu confratrum suorum ad eum accer- 
 siri jussit prolocutorem solum ; quo adveniente, dictus reve- 
 rendus pater tradidit ei partem libri publicarum precum per 
 hujusmodi domum examinat. et revis., et in mandatis dedit, ut 
 dictus prolocutor una cum clero dictse domus inferioris dictam 
 partem cum 6mm celeritate, qua potuit, revideat, et emendet, 
 si sit necessarium. Dictoquc prolocutor© dimisso, et ulteriori 
 
216 
 
 Acta in sn/>. dam. 
 
 in revisione residui libri publicarum precum progressu habit, et 
 fact., dictus reverendus pater continuavit, &c. juxta sehedulani, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XXVIII. 
 Eodem die inter boras secundam et quartam post meridiem, 
 &c. reverendus pater. &c. ulteriorem progressum in revisione 
 libri publicarum precum fecit : et post aliquod tractat. dictus 
 reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta sehedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXIX. 
 
 Die Luna?, 25 0 die mensis Novembris, inter boras 8 et 10 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei. &e. ulteriori progressu in revisione 
 libri publicarum precum [fact.] dominus pra?sidens antedictus, 
 &c. continuavit. &c. juxta sehedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXX. 
 
 Die Martis, 26 0 die mensis Xovembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater, &c. post 
 ulteriorem progressum in revisione libri publicarum precum 
 habit, et fact., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta sehedulam. &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 27 0 die mensis Xovembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. dictus reverendus pater, &c. 
 post paululum tractat., de et cum consensu confratrum suorum 
 ad eum accersiri jussit prolocutorem solum. Quo adveniente, 
 dictus prolocutor retradidit partem libri publicarum precum 
 per domum inferiorem examinat. et revis. una cum notula sive 
 schedula emendationum sive alterationum per eos fact.; quam 
 notulam sive sehedulam obtulit domino pra?sidenti pro ejus et 
 confratrum suorum consideratione et consultatione, &c. De- 
 inde, acceptata dicta notula sive schedula per dictum prsesi- 
 dentem, dictus pra?sidens decht in manibus dicti prolocutoris 
 residuam partem libri publicarum precum, et requisivit dictum 
 prolocutorem ut ille una cum domo sua eundem omni cum cele- 
 ritate revideat, et post revisionem ejusdem dicto praesidenti 
 retradat. Eoque dimisso, ac dicta schedula in parte per dictum 
 praesidentem et confratres suos secum assiden. Iecta et exami- 
 nata. dictus reverendus pater praesidens antedict.. &c. conti- 
 nuavit. &c. juxta sehedulam, &c. 
 
anno 1661. 
 
 217 
 
 Sessio XXXII. 
 
 Die Jovis, 28 0 Novembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. schedula sive alterat. alias per prolocutorem 
 nomine domus inferioris introduct., revis. et examinat., et parte 
 Psalmorum Davidis perlect. et recitat., idem reverendus pater 
 dominus praesidens, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXIII. 
 Die Veneris, 29 0 Novembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. post revisionem aliquam libri de conse- 
 cratione diaconorum, presbyterorum et episcoporum habit, et 
 fact., dictus reverendus pater praesidens antedictus, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXIV. 
 Die Lume, 2° die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante 
 meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. praefatium sive exordium libri publi- 
 carum precum fuit introduct. et publice perlect. ; et dictus reve- 
 rendus pater praasidens antedictus curam pro examinatione et 
 consideratione ejusdem reverendis patribus Matthaeo Elien., 
 Roberto Oxon., Humfrido Sarum, et Georgio Asaphen., re- 
 spective episcopis, commisit ; et post aliquod tractat., &c. dictus 
 reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXV. 
 
 Die Martis, 3 0 Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post paululum tractat'., &c. dictus reverendus 
 pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXVI. 
 Die Mercurii, 4 0 die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. dictus reve- 
 rendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXVII. 
 Die Jovis, 5 0 . die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante 
 meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. magister Pell introduxit calendarium 
 libro publicarum precum annectendum ; et post inspectionem 
 ejusdem, dictus reverendus pater prassidens antedictus, de et 
 
218 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 cum consensu confratrum suorum, retulit et commisit examina- 
 tionem et revisionem ejusdem domino episcopo Carliolen. Et 
 deinde habito tractatu de forma precum coneipienda super 
 alto mari usitanda et observanda, idem reverendus pater, &c. 
 continuavit, &e. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXVIII. 
 Die Veneris, 6° viz. die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 
 io ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. praefatio sive exordio libri 
 publicarum precum per episcopos seu eorum aliquos, quibus 
 cura examinations ejusdem fuit alias comrnissa, introducto, et 
 in parte publice perlecto, idem reverendus pater, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XXXIX. 
 Die Sabbati, 7 0 die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante meridiem ejusd. diei, &c. habito tractatu, &c. continuavit, 
 &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XL. 
 
 Die Luna;, 9 0 Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. nonnulla? emendationes concernentes funera 
 et funeralia personarum super alto mari deceden. et sepult., et 
 comminatione et mulierum partuvien. fuerunt intro- 
 duces et perlectae, in aliqua parte ; et hiis peractis, dicti reve- 
 rendi patres unanimi consensu et assensu in votis dederunt pro 
 unica forma precum tarn ante quam post sermonem sive oratio- 
 nem prasdicatam usitanda et observanda per ministros intra 
 provinc. Cant. ; et habito alio tractatu inter eos, dictus dominus 
 prsesidens, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLI. 
 
 Die Martis, io° die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante inerid. ejusd. diei, &c. nonnullis emendationibus in com- 
 minatione in libro publicarum precum mentionat. citra intro- 
 ductione earundem, a domo inferiori introduct., per episcopos 
 fact, et post aliquot tractat. desupcr, reverendus pater Elien. 
 episcopus, de et cum consensu confratrum suorum hujusmodi, 
 voluit ad se accersiri dominum prolocutor em ad revidend. dictas 
 emendationes. Quo advenientc, associat. cum venerabilibus 
 
anno 1661. 
 
 219 
 
 viris Johanne Barwick. decano ecclesiae cathedralis sanctiPauli 
 
 London., et Brough decano Glouc, dictus locura-tenens 
 
 ostendit dictas emendationes, per domum superiorem, ut pras- 
 fertur, fact., et tunc et ibidem perlect., et ordinavit eum ad 
 consulend. domum suam inferiorem de et super eisdem. Dicto- 
 que prolocutore dimisso, cum confratribus suis idem locum- 
 tenens, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta tenorem schedule, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 1 1° die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante merid. ejusd. diei, &c. post aliquot tractat. &c. reverendus 
 pater dom. Matthseus Elien., &c. continuavit, juxta schedulam, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio XLIII. 
 
 Die Jo vis, 12° die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante merid. ejusd. diei, &c. dominus prolocutor cum consensu, 
 ut asserebatur, totius domus inferioris ad praesiden. et domum 
 superiorem missus est, ad petend. se cum tribus vel duobus 
 aliis e domo inferiori admitti ad conferend. cum dominis epi- 
 
 scopis in domo sua seden. ; dictoque prolocutore una cum 
 
 Brough decano Glouc. et duobus aliis domus inferioris, ad- 
 misso, et adveniente, dictus prolocutor prsesentavit domino 
 pra?sidenti et tradidit in manibus suis nonnullas papyri schedas, 
 emendationes alicujus partis libri publicarum precum concer- 
 nentes ; quibus perlectis, et habita consideratione diligenti de- 
 super, et approbatione earundem, dictoque prolocutore dimisso, 
 idem prsesidens antedictus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta sche- 
 dulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLIV. 
 
 Die Veneris, 13 0 Decembris, inter boras 8 et 10 &c. reve- 
 rendus pater una cum conf'ratribus, &c. tractatum habuerunt 
 dc eligendo personas aptas et idoneas tarn ab hujusmodi domo 
 quam a domo inferiori, pro diligenti examinatione et revisione 
 libri publicarum precum et administrationis sacramentorum, 
 aliorumque rituum ecclesia? Anglicanae, debita forma script, et 
 exarat. ; et tandem idem reverendus pater, de et cum consensu 
 confratrum suorum, nominavit, et commisit curam pro exami- 
 natione et revisione ejusdem reverendis patribus llumfrido 
 Sarum, Georgio Asaphen., Richardo Carliolen., et Willielmo 
 Glouc. respective episcopis, nomine domus superioris; nec non 
 
Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 prolocutor domus inferioris nominat. commisit curam Roberto 
 
 Pory, Johanni Pearson Sparrowe, S. theol. respective 
 
 professoribus, nomine domus inferioris ; et deinde nonnullis 
 emendationibus alias in praefatio dioti libri publicarum precum, 
 &c. fact, et introduct., nec non quibusdam novis collectis pub- 
 lice perlectis et revisis, idem reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, 
 &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 1 4 0 viz. die mensis Decembris, inter horas 8 et 
 10 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater dominus 
 episcopus JNorwicen. introduxit et in manus domini prassidentis 
 tradidit formam cujusdam precis alias per eum concept, concern. 
 Deo gratias pro generalibus misericordiis pubbce usitand. : qua 
 prece publice perlecta, et post aliquot tractat. desuper babit. et 
 fact., idem reverendus pater dominus praesidens antedict., &c. 
 continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLVI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 18 0 Decembris, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractat. &c. dictus reverendus vir, 
 pra?sidens antedictus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLVH. 
 
 Die Jovis, 19 0 Decembris, inter horas 8 et to ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. habito tractatu inter eos de forma sub- 
 scriptionis libro publicarum precum per eos faciend., tandem 
 idem reverendus pater, &c. de et cum consensu confratrum 
 suorum prasdict., commisit curam et considerationem conci- 
 piendi dictam formam reverendis in Christo patribus Johanni 
 Dunelmen., et Humfrido Sarum, respective episcopis, una cum 
 doctore Ch a worth vicario in spiritualibus generah domini epi- 
 scopi London, nec non doctore Burrell. vicario in spiritualibus 
 generali domini episcopi Dunelmen. assisten. ; et tunc post trac- 
 tatum, &c. dictus reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 schedulam, &c. 
 
 Postea, nempe inter horas secundam et quartam post meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, dicti reverendi viri dominus Johannes 
 Dunelmen. et Humfridus Sarum, respective episcopi, una cum 
 dictis respective cancellar. et vicariis in spiritualibus generali- 
 
anno 1 66 1. 
 
 221 
 
 bus prsedict. apud offieium registrarii principalis domini archi- 
 episcopi Cant, intra parochiam S. Gregorii London, sit., conve- 
 nerunt; et in praesentiis mei Willielrai Fisher et Francisci 
 Mundy, notariorum respective publicorum, inspectis prius non- 
 nullis recordis et libris antiqnis, et archivis ibidem remanen. et 
 fideliter custodit., dicti reverendi patres formara subscriptionis 
 libro publicarum precum faciend., unanimi consensu et assensu 
 conceperunt, et desuper concordarunt. 
 
 Sessio XLVIII. 
 Die Veneris, 20° Decembris, inter horas 8 et io ante 
 merid. ejusdem diei, &c. librum precum publicarum, adminis- 
 trationis sacramentorum, aliorumque rituum ecclesia? Angli- 
 canae, una cum forma et modo ordinandi et consecrandi episco- 
 pos, presbyteros, et diaconos, (juxta literas regias majestatis eis 
 
 in hac parte directas revisum et paginas continen. et per 
 
 reverendissimum in Christo patrem et dominum dominum Gui- 
 belmum providentia divina Cant, archiepiscopum, totius Anglia? 
 primatem et metropolitanum prius redact., recept., approbat. et 
 subscript.) dicti episcopi ejusdem provincia3 in sacra provin- 
 cial! synodo legitime congregati unanimi assensu et consensu in 
 formam redegerunt, receperunt, et approbarunt, eisdemque 
 subscripserunt. Et postea omnes episcopi prsedicti tunc prae- 
 sen. et congregat., exceptis reverendis patribus dominis Oxon., 
 Asaphen., et Landaven. episcopis, ad domum parliamenti sese 
 contulerunt, et dictos respective episcopos in dicta domo convo- 
 cationis reliquerunt ad videndum clerum inferioris domus con- 
 vocationis dicto libro subscribere : dictoque clero unanimi con- 
 sensu subscribente idem reverendus pater Robertus Oxon. epi- 
 scopus, &c. continuavit. &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XLIX. 
 
 Eodem die inter boras primam et quartam post meridiem, 
 &c. reverendus pater, &c. post tractatum, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sess'io L. 
 
 Octavo die mensis Januarii, &c. inter horas 8 et io ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. habito tractatu de et super revisione 
 canonum sive constitutionum in anno Domini 1640. edit.; et 
 consideratione desuper, quinam eorundem fuerunt aut sunt 
 
Acta in sti/>. dom. 
 
 debite et klonee observand. et usitandi, idem reverendus pater, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LI. 
 
 Die Veneris, io° Januarii, inter boras cS et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 15 0 Januarii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusd. diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater et 
 dominus Robertus, &c. Oxon. episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LI II. 
 
 Die Veneris, 17 0 Januarii, inter hoi*as 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. inter sese tractatum iidem episcopi 
 habuerunt de revisione canonum et constitutionum alias edit, et 
 provis. ; et dominus episcopus London., de et cum consensu 
 confratrum suorum, commisit curam et revisionem eorundem 
 Willielmo Bathon. et Wellen., Roberto Oxon., Georo-io Asa- 
 phen., Benjamino Petriburgen., Roberto Lincoln., Riehardo 
 Carliolen., Edwardo jVorwicen.. et Willielmo Glouc, respective 
 episcopis ; et post alium tractat. inter eos habit, et fact, idem 
 reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedidam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LIV. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 22 0 Januarii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. post tractat,, &c. reverendus pater antedictus 
 continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sssio LV. 
 
 Die Veneris, 24 0 Januarii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusd. diei, &c. habito tractatu de et super revisione 
 canonum et constitutionum alias ultima sessione proposit., idem 
 reverendus pater, de et cum expresso et unanimi consensu 
 omnium et singulorum membrorum dicta? domus superioris, 
 statuit et ordinavit, quod omnes ca?teri episcopi non adhuc 
 nominati, reverendis viris episcopis abas ultima sessione nomi- 
 nat. et assignat., in diligenti revisione et examinatione dicto- 
 torum canonum et constitutionum pra?d. adjungerentur : et 
 
anno 1 66 1. 2&'3 
 
 hoc facto, reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedu- 
 lam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LVI. 
 
 Die Mercuriij 29 0 Januarii, inter horas 8 et jo ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. habito tractatu inter eos de et super 
 actu parliamenti librum publicarum precum, &c. concernen., 
 idem reverendus vir, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LVII. 
 
 Die Veneris, ultimo Januarii. inter horas 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. quaastio oriebatur inter episcopos con- 
 gregates et assidentes, an tutum, licitum aut consentaneum fuit 
 pro dominis episcopis ad sedend. aut eorum praesen. exhibend. 
 in domo procerum parliamenti, cum et quando negotium circa 
 personas condemnatas pro proditione nefanda in domo parlia- 
 menti inter proceres agitaretur ; et post multa argumenta inter 
 eos habit, et fact., et concordatum et ordinatum fuit, de et cum 
 consensu totius domus, ad consulend. jurisperitos tam in foro 
 sseculari quam in curiis civilibus et ecclesiasticis versatos de et 
 super dicta qua?stione sive argumento praed. erga prox. eonven- 
 tionem ; et deinde dictus reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LVIII. 
 
 Die Sabbati, i° Februarii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. Notitia domino episcopo London, de atten- 
 dentiis nonnulloruin jurisperitorum in jure civili data extra 
 domum convocationis, dictus dominus episcopus London, de et 
 cum consensu confratrum suorum, eos ad exhibendum eorum 
 praesentias coram convocatione petiit. Et tunc comparuerunt 
 dominus Williehnus Merrick miles, Robertus King, dominus 
 
 Edwardus Lake, Burrell, et Johannes Berkenhead, 
 
 legum respective doctores ; et post nonnullas quajstiones et 
 argumenta inter dictos episcopos et jurisconsultos habit, et fact, 
 de et super eorum pra?sentiis in domo procerum super personis 
 condemnatis, iidem omnes et singuli jurisperiti unanimi con- 
 sensu eorum respective opiniones in scriptis dederunt, dictos 
 episcopos in domo parliamenti una cum proceribus circa nego- 
 tium personarum condemnatarum tutissime et sine ullo detri- 
 mento aut pra?judicio sedcre, et eorum praasentias exhibere 
 posse ; et eidem scripto manus suas subscripsei'\int, et dictum 
 
224 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 scriptum sic subscriptum dicto domino episcopo London, tradi- 
 derunt. Et, hoc facto, dictus dominus praesidens, nomine totius 
 domus, gratias dictis jurisconsults agebat ; qnibus dimissis, do- 
 minus episcopus London., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedu- 
 lam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LIX. 
 
 Die Mercurii. ,5° Februarii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei. &c. post tract., &c. reverendus pater Guliel- 
 mus Batbon. et Wellen. episcopus, &c. continuavit. &c. juxta 
 schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LX. 
 
 Die Veneris, 7 0 Februarii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater Rober- 
 tas Oxon. episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXI. 
 
 Die Veneris, 14 0 Februarii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum. &c. reverendus pater Rober- 
 tas Oxon. episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXII. 
 
 Die Martis, 1 8° Februarii, inter horas 8 et 1 o ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &e. reverendus pater proesidens, de et cum con- 
 sensu confratrum suorum, voluit ad se accersiri cleros domus 
 inferioris convocationis : quibus advenientibus. dictus dominus 
 praesidens antedictus (verbis Latinis conceptis) eosdem cleros 
 dicta? domus inferioris monuit quatenus ad solitum et consue- 
 tum conventus sui locum sese conferentes, unum virum gravem, 
 doctum, et peritum, de gremio suo provideant et eligant in 
 eorum j^'olocutorem et referendarium in loco reverendi viri 
 Henrici Fearne S. theol. professoris, ultimi prolocutoris, ra- 
 tione promotionis sua? ad episcopatum Cestren. jam vacan.. et 
 ipsum sic electum exliibeant coram eo hoc in loco immediate 
 post electionem suam factam. Quibus dimissis, ad locum soli- 
 tum suum, ad effectum eligendi virum gravem et doctum de 
 gremio suo in eorum prolocutorem sive referendarium, sese 
 conferebant, et post ahquot tractat. inter episcopos habit, et 
 fact., reverendus vir Thomas Turner S. th. professor, decanus 
 ecclesiae cathedralis et metropoliticas Christi Cant, et Johannes 
 Earles S. etiam theol. professor, decanus ecclesia? collegiata? B. 
 
annis 1661, $*c. 225 
 
 Petri Westm. una cum ccetu doinus inferioris pra?sentarunt et 1 
 exhibucrunt ct sisti fecerunt venerabilem virum Johannem Bar- 
 wick S. th. profcssorem in prolocutorem totius ccetus prasdict. 
 domus inferioris unanimiter electum, vice totius ccetus praedict. ; 
 et praemissa facunda et eleganti oratione per dictum decanum 
 Westm., et facta alia facunda oratione in Latinis verbis concept, 
 per eundem prolocutorem sic praesentatum, praefatus reveren- 
 dus pater dominus episcopus London, de consensu confratrum 
 suorum praedict., eundem Johannem Barwick. S. th. professo- 
 rem, electum, et electionem praedict. de persona sua in prolocu- 
 torem sive referendarium, per aliam venustam et eloquentem 
 orationem Latinam commendavit et approbavit. Tunc, dimisso 
 prolocutore, cum coetu domus inferioris, et habita consultatione 
 de casu sacerdotum catholicorum Romanorum praesentato et 
 perlecto, dominus episcopus London., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXIII. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 2 2° Febr., inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejus- 
 dem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. tractatum inter eos habuit 
 de et super revisione canonum et constitutionum ahas in anno 
 Domini 1640. in convocatione tunc congregat. edit, et provis. ; 
 et post aliquot tractat. desuper dominus episcopus London, de 
 consensu confratrum suorum curam diligcntis revisionis et 
 examinationis eorundem commisit reverendis viris domino Ro- 
 berto Oxon., Humfrido Sarum., Georgio Wigorn., Georgio 
 Asaphen., Richardo Carliolen., Herberto Herefordien., et Bri- 
 ano Cestren. respective episcopis ; et pro meliori cura desuper I 
 habend. ordinavit eos ad conveniend. die Lunae prox. in camera 
 communiter vocat. "Jerusalem-chamber" intra collegium B. 
 Petri Westm. sit. et situat. Hiisque sic gestis, et cura conci- 
 piendi articulos in visitationibus observandos domino Johanni 
 episcopo Dunelmen. commissa et relata, dictus dominus, &c. 
 continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXIV. 
 
 Die Jovis, 27 0 Febr., inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejus- 
 dem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater dominus 
 episcopus Dunelmen. locum-tenens, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 schedulam, &c. 
 
 GIBSON. Q 
 
226 
 
 Acta in sup. Join. 
 
 Sessio LXY. 
 
 Die Luna?, 3 0 Martii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractat., &c. reverendus pater, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXVI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 5 0 Martii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater dominus Robertus Oxon. 
 episcopus, &c. tractatum habuit inter eos circa nonnullas emen- 
 dationes sive alterationes alias in libro publicarum precum per 
 domum parliamenti fact. ; et dictus dominus episcopus London, 
 de et cum consensu confratrum suorum, curam revisionis earun- 
 dum alterationum reverendis viris Georgio Asaphen., Richardo 
 Carliolen., Briano Cestren. respective episcopis conjunctim et 
 divisim, et eis conjunctim et divisim dedit potestatem et com- 
 missionem nomine totius domus superioris convocationis ad 
 emendand. et corrigend. easdem alterationes, &c. His gestis 
 dictus dominus praesidens cum consensu confratrum suorum, 
 jussit me ad accersend. dominum prolocutorem, &c. Quo ad- 
 veniente, cum tribus vel duobus domus inferioris, dominus prae- 
 sidens antedictus declaravit ei quid per dictos episcopos fuerat 
 actum de et super dictis alterationibus, et quibus cura desuper 
 commissa fuerat ; et instanter rogavit se eadem communicasse 
 domo inferiori, ut eorum consensus desuper habeatur. Unde 
 dicto prolocutore cum ejus associatis ad domum inferiorem 
 redeunte, et habito tractatu inter cleros desuper, omnes et sin- 
 guli cleri dictse domus inferioris, in praesentia mei Willielmi 
 Fisher, notarii publici, &c. unanimiter eorum consensum pra> 
 buerunt omnibus et 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, 8° Martii, inter horas 8 et to ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus vir dominus Johannes Dunelmen. 
 episcopus, secundum mandatum ei datum et curam ei commis- 
 sam, introduxit et tradidit in manus domini praosidentis librum 
 articulorum visitationem concernen., alias per eum concept. ; et 
 
mvnis 1661, fy-c. 227 
 
 unanimiter assensum fait, ut iidem articuli domino archiepiscopo 
 Cant, destinarontur pro ejus perlectione et debita consideratione 
 corundem, et pro eorum cmendatione, reforniatione et correc- 
 tione sua. Hoc facto, tractatum inivit de et super irapressione 
 libri publicarum precum, et post intervallum temporis, dominus 
 episcopus London., &c. de et cum consensu confratrum suorum, 
 constituit et ordinavit doctorem Sandcroft esse supervisorem 
 
 , et magistros Scattero-ood et Dillingham esse cor- 
 
 rectores dicti libri in impressione ejusdem. Hiis peractis, domi- 
 nus episcopus London, continuavit, &c. juxta scbcdulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXVIII. 
 Die Martis, n° Martii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. juxta scbcdulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXIX. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 1 5 0 Martii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractat., &c. reverendus pater dominus Robertus 
 Oxon. episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXX. 
 
 Die Martis, 18 0 Martii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater, &c. 
 cum consensu confratrum suorum, ad eum accersiri jussit pro- 
 locutorem, pralatos, et clerum domus inferioris. Quibus adve- 
 nientibus, dictus reverendus pater cum consensu, &c. publice 
 significavit et intimavit eisdem prolocutori praelatis et clero 
 antedictis librum precum publicarum, administrationis sacra- 
 mentorum, aborumque rituum ecclesise Angbcanse, una cum 
 forma et modo ordinandi et consecrandi episcopos, presbyteros, 
 et diaconos (alias per reverendos patres, et prajlatos et cleruni 
 domus inferioris convocationis, juxta literas rcgise majcstatis eis 
 in ea parte dircctas, revisum) per proceres et magnates in par- 
 liamento congregat., fuisse et esse gratanter acceptatum ; et 
 honorandum virum dominum Edwardum dominum cancellarium 
 Angliae, tam nomine suo proprio, quam nomine totius domus 
 procerum et magnatum in parliamento (ut prsefertur) congre- 
 gat., maximas gratias archiepiscopis et episcopis atriusque pro- 
 vincia?, pro eorum magna cura et industria in et circa rcvisio- 
 
 Q 2 
 
228 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 neni dicti libri publicarum precuin, &c. dedisse et praebuisse. 
 Et insuper dictus reverendus pater declaravit quod dictus hono- 
 randus yir dominus cancellarius An<diae voluit se reverendum 
 patrem, nomine totius domus procerum et magnatum prredict., 
 ad reddend. et prasbend. gratias prolocutori, pradatis et clero 
 domus inferioris convocationis predict., pro eorum respective 
 simili cura et Iabore in et circa revisionem libri predict. Et 
 tunc, cbcto prolocutore et toto ccetu domus inferioris dimissis, 
 dictus reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in scbe- 
 dula, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXI. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 22° Martii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. babito tractatu inter eos de speciali forma 
 concipiend. in et circa consecrationem ecclesiarum parochia- 
 lium et quarumcunque capellarum intra boc regnum Anglise, 
 quoties et quandocunque evenerit eas benedicend. fore ; dictus 
 dominus episcopus London.. &c. de et cum consensu confratrum 
 suorum curam in et circa conceptionem forma? pra?dicta? reve- 
 rendo patri domino Jobanni permissione divina Dunelmen. 
 episcopo unanimiter commisit ; et post abum ti'actatum. idem 
 reverendus pater continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXII. 
 
 Die Jovis, 27 0 Martii, 1662, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater 
 dominus Robertus Oxon. episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXIII. 
 Die Jovis, 3 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei. &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater domi- 
 nus episcopus Oxon., &c. post tractatum, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXIV. 
 Die Mercurii. 9 0 Aprilis. inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater [Rober- 
 tus Oxon. episcopus] &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 12 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 
annis 1661, fyc. 
 
 229 
 
 ejusdem diei, &c. habito tractatu do subscriptionibus clericorum 
 instituendorum ot ludimagistrorum licentiandorum, ct tribus 
 articulis 36 canone, &c. dominus episcopus London, prresidcns, 
 &c. de et cum consensu, &c. curam commisit reverendis patri- 
 bus dominis episcopis Sarum, et Coven, et Licben., ad consu- 
 lend. jurisperitos de concipiend. forma in scriptis in et circa 
 subscriptioncm prsedict. Et boc facto, ulterius tractatum ha- 
 buit de eligendo personas aptas et idoneas ad corrigend. im- 
 pressionem libri publicarum precum ; quodque post impressio- 
 nem dicti libri factam episcopi cujuslibet diceceseos curam in 
 sese suscipiunt ad rccipiend. eosdem libros, et ad procurand. 
 eosdem publicari et asportari ecclesiis parocbialibus separalibus 
 in eoruni respective dicecesibus. Et deinde dominus episcopus 
 London, continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXVI. 
 De Mercurii, 16 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater [Rober- 
 tus Oxon. episcopus] &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXVII. 
 Die Sabbati, 19 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractat., &c. reverendus pater [Robertus 
 Oxon. episcopus] &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXVIII. 
 Die Lunae, ai° Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 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. directioni- 
 bus a domino cancellario Anglia), quibus mediis vcrbum ' child- 
 ren' in loco ' persons' (' not baptized') per domum communitatis 
 parliamenti in libro publicarum precum inseratur. Et hoc 
 facto dominus episcopus London, de et cum consensu confra- 
 trum suorum decrevit ct ordinavit, quod dominus episcopus 
 Dunelmen. in loco domini episcopi Cestren. modo defunct., 
 dominis episcopis in et circa alterationes dicti libri publicarum 
 precum 5 Martii ult. claps, assignatis, adjungcrctur ; et ulte- 
 rius statuit, quod nulla) ordinationcs clericorum per aliquos 
 episcopos ficrent, nisi intra quatuor tempora pro ordinationibus 
 
230 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 assignata ; quodque nullus episcopus extra dicecesin suam ali- 
 quos clericos ad sacros vel diaconatus vel presbyteratus ordines 
 admitteret, nisi prius litteris dimissoriis a reverendissimo patre 
 Cant. arehiepiscopo obtentis. Et hoc facto, dictus dominus 
 episcopus London., de et cum consensu confratrum suorum, &c. 
 cur am et revisionem libri publicarum precum concernen. 5 
 diem Xovembris, reverendo patri domino episcopo Dunelmen. 
 eommisit, et continuavit. &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXIX. 
 Die Mercurii, 23 0 Aprilis inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater conti- 
 uuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXX. 
 
 Die Sabbati. 26 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. chei, &c. forma? precmn pro 5 Novembris, 30 JanuariL 
 et 29 Mali, fuerunt introducta? et publice perlecta?, et unanimi 
 consensu approbata?. Et tractatu inter eos habit, et fact, de 
 translatione libri publicarum precum in sermonem Latinum, 
 dominus episcopus London. &c. de et cum consensu confratrum 
 suorum, &c. curam translationis ejusdem reverendis viris Jo- 
 hanni Earle decano B. Petri Westm. et Johanni Pierson sacra? 
 respective theologian professoribus commisit. Et hoc facto, diet, 
 dominus. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXI. 
 Die Mercurii, ultimo viz. Aprilis. inter horas 8 et 10 ante 
 merid. ejusd. diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater 
 continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam. &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXII. 
 Die Veneris. 2° Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater continuavit, &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXIII. 
 Die Lunse, 5 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractatum. &c. reverendus pater continuavit. &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
minis 1 66 1, 8fc. 
 
 231 
 
 Sessio LXXXI V. 
 Die Mercurii, 7° Maii, inter horas 8 et io ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractat., &c. reverendus pater [Robertus episcopus 
 Oxon.] &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXV. 
 Die Sabbati, io° Maii, inter horas 8 et io ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. habito tractatu ex directione domus coinmunitatis par- 
 liamenti de reverentia solenni inter liturgia? publica3 celebra- 
 tionem, nec non tempore sermonum, et homiliarum adbibenda ; 
 major pars dictse domus superioris convocationis in votis dedit, 
 ut constitutio in libro constitutionum sive canonum ecclesiasti- 
 eorum alias in anno Domini 1603 sub titulo ' De solenni reve- 
 rentia inter liturgia; publicae celebrationem,' edit, et provis., 
 dicta3 domui communitatis parliamenti prsesentetur ; habita 
 prius consideratione de et super dicto canone per domum infe- 
 riorem hujusmocU convocationis. Et hoc facto, dominus praesi- 
 dens antedictus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXVI. 
 Die Lume, 12 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. constitutio sive canon de ' reverentia tempore divino- 
 rum adhibenda,' alias idtima sessione in hac domo tractat., a 
 domo inferiori convocationis una cum nonnullis alterationibus 
 sive emendationibus per eos factis, fuit introduct. ; dictoque 
 canone una cum dictis emendationibus publice perlectis, eadem 
 constitutio fuit unanimi consensu et assensu totius domus supe- 
 rioris approbat. et confirmat. Et hoc facto, dictus dominus 
 continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXVII. 
 Die Mercurii, 14 0 Maii, inter horas 3 et 5 post merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverend, pater Gulielmus Bathon. 
 et Wellen., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio LXXXVIII. 
 Die Veneris, i6°Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractat., &c. reverendus pater Gulielmus Bathon. 
 et Wellen., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
232 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 Sessio LXXX1X. 
 Die Lun&», 19 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. post tractatum, &c. reverendus pater [Gulielmus Ba- 
 thon. et Wellen.,] &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio XC. 
 
 Die Martis, 20 0 Maii, inter horas 9 et 1 1 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &e. exhibito brevi regio, nec non literis commissionalibus 
 domini archiepiscopi Cant., et per me publice de mandato do- 
 mini Willielmi Bathon. et Wellen. episcopi locum-tenentis, &c. 
 perlectis ; dictus dominus, &c. acceptavit in se onus executionis 
 dicta? commissionis, et decrevit procedendum fore juxta teno- 
 rem et effectum ejusdem, &c. et juxta tenorem dicti brevis regii 
 continuavit. &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCI. 
 
 Die Jovis, 19 0 die mensis Februarii, anno Domini 1662, 
 juxta, &c. inter horas 2 et 4, &c. reverendus pater, &c. post 
 tractatum secretum per tres horas aut eo circiter, &c. continua- 
 vit, &e. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 25 0 Februarii, inter horas 2 et 4 post meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater dominus Robertus Oxon. 
 episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCIII. 
 
 Die Jovis, 5 0 Martii, inter horas 2 et 4 post merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. tractatum habuit de et super 
 
 compoto de ; dictusque compotus fuit relatus 
 
 considerationi reverendorum in Christo patrum Humfridi Sa- 
 rum, et Georgii Asaphen. episcoporum, &c. Et hoc facto, 
 dictus reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in sche- 
 dula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCIV. 
 
 Die Jovis, 12 0 Martii, inter horas 2 et 4 post meridiem ejusd. 
 diei, &c. dominus Robertus Oxon., &c. continuavit, &c. prout in 
 schedula, &c. 
 
annis 1661, tyc. 
 
 233 
 
 Sessio XCV. 
 
 Die Jovis, 19 0 Martii, inter horas 2 et 4 post merid. ejusdem 
 diei, &c. reverendus in Christo patei" dominus Robcrtus Oxon., 
 &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCVI. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 28 0 Martii J 663, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. liabito tractatu de et super confeetione libri 
 grammaticalis tain in lingua Latina quam b Gra?ca adhibend. in 
 qualibet schola grammatical! ; relatum fuit prolocutori domus 
 inferioris ad concipiend. dictum librum, et ad consulend. desu- 
 per quascimque personas, prout ei conveniens fuerit, exceptis 
 cum ludimagistris et pasdagogis, &c. Et hoc facto, dictus reve- 
 rendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCVII. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 4° Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. habita consideratione de perfieiendo compoto doctoris 
 Bargrave licet absen. usque ad primam sessionem prox. futur. 
 post festum Paschse prox. reverendus pater [Robertus Oxon.] 
 &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCVIII. 
 Die Sabbati, 1 1° Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. reverendus pater Robcrtus Oxon. episcopus, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio XCIX. 
 
 Die Martis, 14 0 Aprihs, inter horas 2 et 4 post meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. exhibitis Uteris commissionalibus, &c. iisdem- 
 que de mandato dicti locum-tenentis per me perlectis, dictus 
 reverendus pater, &c. onus executionis earundem in se accep- 
 tavit, et decrevit procedendum fore juxta tenorem earundem, 
 &c. Et continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio C. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 2° Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 
 b ' Grammatical!' in the original. 
 
234 
 
 Acta hi sup. dam. 
 
 diei, &c. dominus episcopus London, locuni-tenens, &c. una 
 cum confratribus suis, &c. habito prius tractatu de et super 
 impetratione formae quoad consecrationem ecclesiarum, capel- 
 larum, aliorumque locorum ecclesiasticorum, &c. tradend. do- 
 mino episcopo Dunelmen., &c. ad perficiend. dictum opus, &c. 
 continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CI. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 9 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusdem 
 diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. Oxon. episcopus continuavit, 
 &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CIL 
 
 Die Sabbati, 16 0 Maii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus vir dominus locum-tenens [Oxon. 
 episcopus] &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CHI. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 23 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusd. diei, &c. habito secreto tractatu, me absente ex mandato 
 dicti locum-tenentis, dictus dominus, &c. continuant, &c. prout 
 in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CIV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 30 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusd. diei, &c. habito tractatu de et super libro grammaticali, 
 &c. et vocato magistro Syllack, eoque requisito ad conficiend. 
 acquietantiam legalem pro pecuniarum summa per eum a 
 doctore Bargrave recept., et ad introducend. eandem hoc in 
 loco prox. sessione ; idem reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, 
 &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 13 0 Junii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &e. exhibitis et praesentatis literis commissiona- 
 libus venerabihum virorum dominorum decani et capituli ec- 
 clesiaa cathedrahs Christi Cant, (ad quos omnis et omnimoda 
 jurisdictio spiritualis et ecclesiastica qu33 ad archiepiscopum 
 Cant, sede plena pertinuit, ipsa sede jam vacante notorie di- 
 gnoscitur pertinere,) iisdemque hteris de mandato praesidentis 
 publice perlectis, dictus reverendus pater Gilbertus London. 
 
annis 1661, fyc. 
 
 235 
 
 episcopus, prases, &c. acceptavit in se onus executionis earun- 
 dem ; et decrevit proccdend. fore juxta vim, formam, tenorem, 
 et effectum earundem ; et hoc facto idem reverendus, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CVI. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 20 Junii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. praesentata substitutione domini praesiden., 
 &c. eaque publice lecta, forma consecrationis ecclesiarum et 
 capellarum fuit per praesiden.' &c. introducta ; et relata fuit 
 curae reverendorum virorum domini Roberti Oxon., Humfridi 
 Sarum, Roberti Lincoln., et Johannis Coven, et Lichen., re- 
 spective episcoporum, pro diligenti revisione ejusdem, et hoc 
 facto dictus reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in 
 schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CVIL 
 
 Die Sabbati, 27 0 Junii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. ad se accersiri fecit 
 prolocutorem, una cum toto ccetu domus inferioris. Quibus 
 comparentibus idem reverendus pater, &c. una cum confra- 
 tribus suis praedict. (ut praefertur) comparent. tractatum habuit, 
 et convenit de quatuor subsidiis illustrissimo domino nostro regi 
 per ipsos concedendis, juxta ratam quatuor solidorum de qua- 
 libct libra, sub certis conditionibus et provisionibus in quodam 
 libro desuper concipiend.; ac de solvendo dicta subsidia infra 
 terminum quatuor annorum proxime sequen., unum integrum 
 subsidium eorundem solvendum ad festum natalis Domini nostri 
 Jesu, et residuum eorundem solvendum quolibet dimidio anni 
 ex tunc sequen. Eosdemque prolocutorem et totum ccetum 
 domus inferioris rogavit, ut in testimonium singularis eorum 
 obcdientiae et obsequii erga dominum nostrum regem, conces- 
 sion! hujusmodi eorum consensus prasberent, habito prius trac- 
 tatu inter eos de eisdem. Ac tunc praefatus reverendus pater, 
 &c de et cum consensu confratrum suorum. in examinatores et 
 correctores libri subsidiorum praedict. reverendos patres Geor- 
 gium Winton., Humfridum Sarum, Georgium Asaphen., Ro- 
 bertum Lincoln., et Wilhelmum Meneven., respective episcopos, 
 nominavit ; et voluit prolocutorem et totum ccetum domus infe- 
 rioris praadict. ad eligendum nonnullos graviores viros de 
 gremio suo ad idem negotium cum dictis reverendis patribus 
 
236 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 cxpediendum. Modo, dimisso proloeutore, cum toto coetu pra?- 
 dict. praefatus reverendus pater, &c. iterum traetavit cum prae- 
 dictis reverendis patribus. Et post intervallum temporis, do- 
 niinus prolocutor cum toto ccetu praedict. revertens, nomine 
 suo et eorum dixit et declaravit quod ipse et coetus domus 
 inferioris de propositis diligenter tractarunt et omnes eorum 
 consensus libentissime dederunt concessioni dictorum quatuor 
 subsidiorum, juxta ratam quatuor solidorum e qualibet libra ; 
 seque et totum ccetum domus inferioris praedict. elegisse in 
 examinatores et correctores libri subsidiorum praedict. cum 
 praefatis respective episcopis, venerabiles viros Johannem Bar- 
 wick S. th. professorem, prolocutorem, &c. Thomam Turner 
 S. th. professorem, decanum ecclesiae cathedralis et metropo- 
 
 liticae Christi Cant., Dolben S. th. professorem, 
 
 decanum Westm., Michaelem Honywood decanum Winton., 
 Edwardum Layneld S. th. professorem arcliidiaconum Essex., 
 Robertum Pory S. th. professorem arcliidiaconum Midd., Phi- 
 lippum King archidiaconum Lewen., Georgium Stradling et 
 Richardum Ball, S. theologiae respective professores, procura- 
 tores, &c. quam electionem dominus praeses et confratres sui 
 approbarunt. Et tunc dominus episcopus London., &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CVIII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, i° Juhi, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. liber subsidiorum regiorum fuit introductus, &c. 
 jussu dicti reverendi patris, &c. publice per me notarium pub- 
 heum fuit perlectus ; et post lecturam ejusdem, missus fuit 
 prolocutori et domui inferiori pro eorum revisione et examina- 
 tione. Et tunc dominus Gilbertus, &c. continuavit, &c. prout 
 in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CIX. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 4 0 Julii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei. &c. pra?fatio et conclusione hbri subsidiorum 
 regiorum introductis, et per me notarium publicum publice 
 perlectis, idem reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in 
 schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CX. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 8° Julii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. introducto hbro subsidiorum regiorum in per- 
 
armis 1661, fyc. 
 
 237 
 
 gameno ingrossat. ct jussu praesidentis, &c. publico per me 
 Qotarium publicum antedict. perfect., et per totam convoca- 
 tionem approbat., dictus rcvercndus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 in diem Veneris, io° Julii, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXI. 
 
 Die Veneris, io° Julii, inter boras 2 et 4 post meridiem 
 ejusdem dici, &c. reverendus pater dominus episcopus Batbon. et 
 Wellen. &c. continuavit, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXII. 
 
 Die Lunse, 13 0 Julii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater dominus episcopus Batbon. 
 et Wellen. &c. continuavit, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXI1I. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 15 0 Jubi, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendo patre domino Roberto Asaphen. 
 episcopo assignato ad sedend. cum aliis episcopis, &c. alias 
 constitutis ad concipiend. formam quoad consecrationem capel- 
 larum, &c reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c prout per 
 scbedulam. &c. 
 
 Sessio CXIV. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 18 0 Julii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater Sarum episcopus, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. prout in scbedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXV. 
 
 Die Veneris, 24 0 Julii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater Sarum episcopus, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXVI. 
 
 Die Luna?, 27 0 Julii, inter horas 2 et 4 post meridiem ejus- 
 dem diei, &c. reverendus pater Sarum episcopus, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. usque ad et inter horas 6 et 9 hujus diei, &c. 
 Eisdem die et loco, inter horas 6 et 9, &c. reverendus, &c. 
 continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
238 
 
 Acta in sap. dom. 
 
 Sessio CXVII. 
 
 Die Jovis, ij° Martii 1663,. inter horas 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendissimus pater, &c. de et cum 
 consensu, &c. ad se accersiri fecit prolocutorem domus infe- 
 riors, una cum toto numero sive ccetu ejusdem. Quibus com- 
 parentibus, dictus reverendissimus pater, introducto brevi regio 
 sibi directo, ac in manus suas tradito, idem de mandato dicti 
 reverendissimi patris per me notarium publicum praedictum 
 publice fuit perlectum. Ac post lecturam ejusdem, idem reve- 
 rendissimus pater onus executionis ejusdem in se assumpsit, et 
 juxta formam et effectuni ejusdem procedendum fore decrevit. 
 Deinde, Uteris commissionalibus dicti reverendissimi patris, &c. 
 exliibitis, et per me jussu reverendissimi patris publice per- 
 lectis, domini commissarii tunc pra3sentes onus executionis ea- 
 rundem in sese acceptarunt ; ac post tractatum, &c. idem reve- 
 rendissimus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXVIII. 
 
 # 
 
 Die Jovis, 24 0 Martii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, reverendus pater London, episcopus, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. in diem Jovis, ultimum viz. diem instant. Martii, 
 &c. prout in schedula, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXIX. 
 
 Die Jovis, ultimo viz. die Martii 1664, inter horas 8 et 10 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. post 
 tractatum, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXX. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 20 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendissimus pater ac confratres respective 
 sui predict, tractatum inierunt de et super libro grammaticali 
 introducendum in prox., et de personis tunc eligendis pro 
 examinatione ejusdem. Et tunc, introducta petitione clericorum 
 indigentium in insula Vectis remanen. et residen., relatum fuit 
 reverendo patri domino episcopo London, ad deliberand. de- 
 super, et ad certificand., &c. in prox. &c. Et tunc dictus reve- 
 rendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
(Minis 1661, fye. 
 
 239 
 
 Sessio CXXI. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 27 0 Aprilis, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. introducta petitione per dominum episcopum 
 Norwicensem, eaque publice perlecta, domini episcopi duxerunt 
 ad deliberandum desuper ; et tunc dictus reverendus pater 
 dominus episcopus London., &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedu- 
 lam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXII. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 4 0 Mali, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. liber grammaticalis per Johannem Peirson 
 S. T. P. unum e gremio domus inferioris fuit introduct. ; et 
 dictus reverendissimus pater, de et cum consensu confratrum 
 suorum curam, revisionem, et examinationem ejusdem commisit 
 
 reverendissimo patri , providentia divina Eborum 
 
 archiepiscopo, reverendis in Cbristo patribus Georgio Winton., 
 Humfrido London., Roberto Wigorn., Georgio Asaphen., AVil- 
 belmo Glouc, et Johanni Coven, et Lichen, respective epi- 
 scopis. Et postea, de et cum consensu confratrum suorum, ad 
 se accersiri fecit prolocutorem una cum toto ccetu domus infe- 
 rioris ; quibus advenien. dictus reverendissimus pater, de et 
 cum ratihabitione confratrum suorum praedict. voluit eos ad 
 eligendum certum numerum virorum gravium et discretorum 
 e gremio suo, ad revidendum et examinandum dictum librum 
 grammaticalem cum dictis reverendis patribus per domum 
 superiorem nominatis. Et dimisso dicto prolocutore cum toto 
 ccetu praedict., idem reverendissimus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXIII. 
 Die Sabbati, 14° Man, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta sche- 
 dulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXIV. 
 Die Lunae, 16 0 Maii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendissimus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXV. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 18° Maii, inter horas 8 et jo ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. introducto libro precum in Latina concept., 
 
240 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 rclatum fuit curse et revisioni reverendi in Christo patris Jo- 
 hannis permissione divina Sarum episcopi, ct Johannis Dolben 
 S. T. P. decani Westm. Et deinde dictus reverendissimus 
 pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXVI. 
 Die Martis, 23 0 Augusti, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus episcopus London. &c. continuavit, 
 &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXVII. 
 Die Veneris, 25 0 Novembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater London, episcopus, 
 &c. post intervallum temporis, et de et cum consensu con- 
 fratrum suorum voluit ad se accersiri clerum domus inferioris 
 convocationis : quibus advenientibus, &c. eosdem cleros dictae 
 domus inferioris monuit, quatenus [ad] solitum et consuetum 
 conventus sui locum sese conferentes, unum virum gravem, 
 doctum et peritum de gremio suo provideant et eligant in 
 eorum prolocutorem et referendarium, in loco venerabilis viri 
 Johannis Barwick S. T. P. ratione ejus mortis jam vacan., ac 
 ipsum sic electum exhibeant, et praesentent coram reverendis. 
 patre aut ejus locumten. sive commiss. &c. die Veneris prox. 2° 
 viz. die mensis Decembris prox. futur. inter horas 8 et 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 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. Winton. episcopus, &c. 
 post intervallum temporis ad eum accersiri jussit clerum domus 
 inferioris. Qui sese praesentantes exhiberi et sisti fecerunt 
 venerabilem virum Johannem Dolben S. T. P. decanum ecclesiae 
 collegiata3 S. Peti*i Westm. in prolocutorem et referendarium 
 totius coetus domus inferioris ultima sessione electum ; quem 
 
 venerabilis vir Boulton S. T. P. in praesenta- 
 
 torem etiam electus, vice totius ccetus domus inferioris, prae- 
 missa facunda et eloquenti oratione per eum, exhibuit et prae- 
 sentavit dictis reverendis episcopis ; et facta alia Latina oratione 
 eleganti per eundem prolocutorem sic praesentatum, praefatus 
 
anno 1661. 
 
 241 
 
 reverendus pater, &c. de consensu confratrum suorum praed. 
 antedictum Johannem Dolben in prolocutorem electum, ct 
 clectionem hujusmodi per aliam orationem Latinam commen- 
 davit et approbavit. Tunc diniisso prolocutore, cum ccotu domus 
 inferioris prsedict., liabitoque tractatu aliquandiu inter episcopos 
 praedict. idem reverendus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXIX. 
 Die Veneris, 9 0 Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. Elien. episcopus, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXX. 
 
 Die Veneris, 16 0 Decembris, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater, &c. Wigorn. episcopus, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXXI. 
 Die Martis, 20 0 Decembris, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. reverendus pater episcopus Wigorn., &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXXII. 
 Die Martis, io° Januarii 1664, inter horas 8 et 10 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus pater episcopus Winton., 
 &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXXI1I. 
 Die Mercurii, 18 0 Januarii, inter horas 8 et 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 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXXV. 
 Die Veneris, 3 0 Febr. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, 
 &c. 
 
 GIBSON. 
 
 It 
 
242 
 
 Acta in sup. dom. 
 
 Sessio CXXXVI. 
 Die Sabbati, 1 1° Febr. &c. continuavit, &c. juxta schedulam, 
 
 Sessio CXXXVII. 
 Die Sabbati, i8° Februarii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendissimus pater, &c. voluit epi- 
 scopos pra?sentes, cum ad eorum respective diceceses perve- 
 nerint, ad destinand. sibi nomina et cognomina clericorum intra 
 easdem respective dioeceses ab eorum respective curis eject, et 
 loca eorum respective babitationis ; et hoc facto, &c. conti- 
 nuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXXVIII. 
 Die Martis, 21 Februarii, inter boras 8 et 10 ante merid. 
 ejusd. diei, &c. reverendissimus pater, &c. post tractatum, &c. 
 continuavit, &c. juxta scbedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXXXIX. 
 Die Jovis, 2 0 Martii, inter horas 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei, &c. reverendus pater London, episcopus, &c. continuavit, 
 &c. juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXL. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 4 0 Martii. inter boras 8 et 10 ante merid. ejusd. 
 diei. &c. reverendissimus pater, &c. voluit omnes episcopos con- 
 fratres suos praesentes, ad exbibend. omnem quamcunque coram 
 et diligentiam. ut quilibet ministri vel rectores vel vicarii, seu 
 eorum curati, cujuslibet ecclesia? in et per eorum respective 
 diceceses, divinas preces juxta formam libri publicarum precum 
 in ea parte stabilit.. distincte et plenarie, absque aliqua omis- 
 sione earundem in aliqua parte, superpelliceis indutis. discreto 
 ordine perlegant. Et hoc facto, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta 
 schedulam. &c. 
 
 Sessio CXLI. 
 
 Die Jovis, 2 2° Junii 1665. inter horas 8 et 10 ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei. &c. reverendissimus pater, &c. continuavit, &c. 
 juxta schedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXLII. 
 
 Secundo die mensis August!, &c. prout in actu annex., &c. 
 
anno 1661. 
 
 243 
 
 Sessio CXLIII. 
 Die Veneris, 26 0 die mensis Januarii, 1665, inter horas 8 et 
 1 1 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus, &c. London, 
 episcopus, &c. continuavit, &c. juxta sehedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXLIV. 
 
 Die Martis, 24 0 Aprilis 1 666, inter boras 8 et 1 1 ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, &c. reverendus London, episcopus, &c. con- 
 tinuavit, &c. juxta sehedulam, &c. 
 
 Sessio CXLV, 
 
 Die Mercurii, 19 0 Septembris, 1666, inter horas 8 et 11 ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, reverendissimus, &c. post tractatum, 
 &c. continuavit, &c. in diem Mercurii, 26 diem jam instantis 
 Septembris, &c. juxta sehedulam, &c. 
 
 ft * 
 
ACTA 
 
 IN INFERIORE DOMO CONVOCATIONIS, 
 
 ANNO 1586. 
 
 37 Electio Prolocutoris. 
 
 DIE Mercurii, secundo viz. die mensis Xovembris, anno Do- 
 mini 1586. et regni serenissimae doniina? nostra? dominas Eliza- 
 beth®, Dei gratia Anglise, Franciae et Hibernian reginae, fidei 
 defensoris, &e. anno viceshno octavo : In inferiori domo 
 synodalis convocationis praelatoruni et cleri Cant, provinciae, in 
 sacello olim nuncupato beat® Maria? in orientali parte ecclesiae 
 eathedrahs divi Pauli London, notorie sitnato ; coram venera- 
 bilibus viris decanis, archidiaconis, procuratoribus capitulornm, 
 ecclesiarum cathedralium et cleri, tunc ibidem ad bujusmodi 
 convocationem celebrandam juxta effectum brevis regii et prae- 
 teriti temporis morem insimul congregatis, comparuit venera- 
 bilis vir magister Alexander Xowell decanus sancti Pauh, Lon- 
 don. : cui praesenti, ex antiquo more et consuetudine dictae 
 ecclesiae catbedralis sancti Pauli prasdictas, jus dirigendi electio- 
 nem futuri prolocutoris competit. Et ex parte reverendissimi 
 domini Johannis, Providentia Divina Cantuar. arcbiepiscopi, 
 significavit, ut ad electionem futuri prolocutoris procedere licite 
 et libere valeant et possint. Unde mox omnes tunc praesentes 
 uno ore venerabilem vh'um magistrum Willelmum Redman 
 arcbidiaconum Cantuariensem, abas in ultima convocatione bu- 
 jus domus in prolocutorem electum, ac modo absentem, denuo 
 sine mora in eorum et dicti ccetus inferioris domus cleri prolo- 
 cutorem et referendarium concorditer unanimi consensu nomi- 
 narunt et elegermit, nemine contradicente. Et consequenter 
 
 38 nominarunt et elegerunt venerabilem virum magistrum Joban- 
 nem Styll archidiaconum Sudbury praesentem, ad praesentan- 
 dum dictum prolocutorem reverendissimo domino Johanni Cant, 
 archiepiscopo et caetei'is praelatis in superiori douio die Veneris 
 
Acta in inf. do in. anno 1586. 
 
 245 
 
 proximo inter horas secundam et quartam post meridiem in 
 ecclesia collegiata Westminster, cum debita et solita solemni- 
 tate ; et moniti sunt omnes prassentes quatenus dictis die hora 
 et loco conveniant ad effectum praedictum. Acta et gesta fue- 
 runt praemissa ut supra, in praesentia mei Thomas Barker no- 
 tarii ]>ublici in ejusdem inferioris domus acto[rum scribam] 
 assumpti. 
 
 Nomina praesentium electioni praedictae, quae mihi notario 
 praedicto ex aspectu noti erant, quae ob brevitatem tem- 
 poris capere potui. Reliquorum vero quam plurimorum 
 etiam praesentium, quoniam praefatus dominus decanus 
 sancti Pauli London, noluit ob causam praedictam praeco- 
 nizationem fieri, describere minime potui. 
 
 Mr. D. Goodman. Mr. D. Pearne, &c. 
 
 Sessio secunda. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. quarto die mensis Novembris, anno Domini 
 1586, inter horas secundam et quartam post meridiem ejus- 
 dem diei, in quodam Sacello ex parte australi ecclesiae colle- 
 giatae Westminster, in praesentia Edwardi Say et Thomae 
 Barker, notariorum publicorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Wood, &c. 
 
 Isto die, postquam convenerunt omnes supranominati vene- 139 
 rabiles viri, ipse venerabilis praesentator una cum caeteris supra- 
 nominatis ex dicto inferiori ccetu, accersiti in superiorem do- 
 mum, eundem venerabilem virum magistrum Willelmum Red- 
 man prolocutorem electum conduxit ad superiorem domum, 
 eumque dicto reverendissimo patri Cant, archiepiscopo, et cae- 
 teris praelatis prassentavit ; ubi habita et praemissa docta ora- 
 tione a prasfato venerabili viro magistro Johanne Styll archi- 
 diacono Suffolk, praesentatore, et ea finita, altera pia oratione 
 seu praefatione ipsius venerabilis viri domini electi prolocutoris ; 
 dictus reverenchssimus pater, cum caeteris Dominis praelatis 
 tunc prsesentibus, electionem hujusmodi, et dominum prolocu- 
 torem electum concorditer approbai^unt et ratificarunt. His 
 expeditis, post aliquem tractatum inter cosdem reverendissimos 
 patres et dictum dominum prolocutorem cum aliis ex dicto in- 
 feriore ccetu, de rebus quibusdam necessariis ; dictus dominus 
 prolocutor cum ccetu suo praedicto in dictani inferiorem domum 
 
246 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 revertebatur ; ubi post finitas preces, facta fuit prseconizatio 
 omnium interesse debentium, &c. Qua peracta, dominus pro- 
 locutor assignavit venerabiles viros, decanum sancti Pauli, de- 
 canum Westminster, decanum Elien., decanum Sarum, decanum 
 Exon., decanum Coven, et Lichen., archidiaconum London., 
 archidiaconum Sudbury, archidiaconum Bedford, archidiaconum 
 Taunton, archidiaconum Darbie, D. Bell, D. Walker, D. Cop- 
 cotte, et D. Wythers, in assessores sibi, tractaturos de rebus et 
 negotiis in hujusmodi convocatione tractandis et expediendis. 
 Cui quidem assignation! omnes prsesentes unanimiter consenti- 
 erunt. Quibus sic gestis, habita per dominum prolocutorem 
 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 hujus- 
 modi convocatione reformandis, easdem sibi traderent in proxima 
 sessione, deinde dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus supra- 
 nominatis, convocationem hujusmodi esse continuatam usque in 
 diem Mercurii proximum inter horas nonam et undecimam ante 
 meridiem in hoc loco ; et monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio tertia. 
 
 Die Mercurii, nono viz. die mensis Novembris 1586, hora nona 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, in ecclesia collegiata Westmin- 
 ster prasdicta, in prassentia mei Edwardi Saie, et Thomas 
 Barker, notariorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Coldwell, &c. 
 Isto die, post finitas preces comparuere omnes supra nomi- 
 nati venerabiles viri ; ac deinde orta qusestione inter venerabi- 
 lem virum magistrum Johannem Dey legum doctorem, et quen- 
 dam magistrum Johannem Knewstubbs de eorum electione in 
 procuratorem unius partis cleri Norwicen. dominus prolocutor 
 ad veritatem in hac parte inquirendam juramento oneravit 
 quosdam venerabiles viros, magistrum Georgium Gardiner de- 
 canum Norwicen., et Johannem Walker sacra? theologiae pro- 
 fessorem, de modo observato antehac in hujusmodi electione, 
 necnon quendam Thomam Nuce — theologias baccalaureum, de 
 j ejus notitia in hac re. Qui sic jurati dixerunt et deposuerunt 
 prout sequitur in infra-scriptis. Necnon magister Dey exhi- 
 buit testimonium magistri Johannis Maplezden archidiaconi 
 Suffolk, et Roberti Pecke notarii publici ejus registrarii, ac de- 
 
anno 1586. 
 
 247 
 
 positionem magistri Christopheri Best eorum respective mani- 
 bus subscript, et infrascript. content. Unde dominus prolocutor 
 assignavit magistro Knewstubbs ad proponendum causas quare 
 Mr. D. Dey non admitteretur in ccetum hujus domus in proxim. 
 Ac deinde dominus prolocutor continuavit hujusmodi convoca- 
 tionem quoad banc domum usque in cbem Veneris prox. bora 
 nona ante meridiem in boc loco, et monuit omnes ad inter- 
 essendum, &c. 
 
 I testify, tbat Mr. Fowle was clerk of the convocation for 
 tbe clergy of the archdeaconry of Sudbury. 
 
 Tbat the next parliament D. Norton was chosen for the 
 clergy of the archdeaconry of Suffolk at Bliburrougb in the 
 same archdeaconry, I being present at the cboice. 
 
 That now at this session one for Sudbury archdeaconry was 
 to be chosen, and that they were to be chosen of the arch- 
 deaconries alternis vicibus, and so ever reported for the 
 custom. J. Maplezden archi. Suffolk. 
 
 I testify, that in the 13th year of the queen's majesty's reign, 
 there came warrant from the bishop of Norwich to the arch- 
 deacon 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 con- 
 vocation ; at which place many of the said archdeaconry did 1 
 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 18th 
 year of her majesty's reign, there was chosen, within the arch- 
 deaconry 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 Blitbburgb, and none of 
 the archdeaconry of Sudbury did either appear or pay : and 
 further, during my knowledge, and also as I have heard it re- 
 ported 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, master of arts, vicar of Wichambrooke, in 
 
248 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 the archdeaconry of Sudbury, doth testify, 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 altemis vicibus : and at the convocation last 
 holden, the proctor for the clergy was chosen within the arch- 
 deaconry of Suffolk ; the clergy of the archdeaconry of Sud- 
 bury not being summoned thereunto, and paying nothing to- 
 wards his charges : and that now at this time the proctor for 
 the clergy aforesaid ought, according to their custom, to be 
 
 143 chosen by the clergy of the archdeaconry of Sudbury only, 
 without summoning the archdeaconry of Suffolk ; yet notwith- 
 standing, he saith that at this present time of election there 
 were chosen by some, Mr. D. Dey, and by others, Mr. Knew- 
 stubbes ; the greater number by pole of those that might law- 
 fully choose, to this deponent's judgment appearing to be on 
 Mr. D. Dey's side. Yet he saith, when they were numbered 
 by scrutiny ; the greater number was on Mr. Knewstubbs' side 
 by eight, viz. of Mr. D. Dey's side there were 132,. Mr. D. Jones 
 and Mr. Nuce being reckoned therein, and on Mr. Knewstubbs' 
 side 90, whereof he believeth there were 20 parsons, vicars, or 
 curates, and more, of the archdeaconry of Suffolk, with other 
 curates, 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 one- 
 ratus per dominum prolocutorem, et per eum interrogatus quid 
 novit quoad electionem procuratoris cleri pro archidiaconatu 
 Suffolk, et archidiaconatu Sudbury, saith, that by the space of 
 25 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 altemis vicibus. 
 Johannes Walker sacrse theologiae professor juratus dicit, that 
 he hath known the custom to be as Mr. doctor Gardiner hath 
 deposed, ab anno quinto illustrissima; regime Elisabetha?, &c, 
 and that he this deponent was so chosen of the same arch- 
 deaconries. 
 
 144 Thomas Nuce juratus 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 
 naming of Mr. D. Dey by some, and Mr. Knewstubbs by others, 
 
anno 1586. 
 
 249 
 
 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 appeared that Mr. 
 Kncwstubbs had the greater number by eight, viz. Mr. D. Dey 
 had 132, reckoning Mr. D. Jones and Mr. Nuce, who were 
 scrutators ; and Mr. Knewstubbs had 90. Whereupon he saith 
 afterwards they reckoned 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 13 curates on Mr. Knewstubbs' side. 
 And also because he had heard that by the custom aforesaid 
 none of the archdeaconry of Suffolk had any voices there, they 
 also reckoned how many of that archdeaconry were there, and 
 they found 27 on Mr. Knewstubbs' side, and knoweth not whe- 
 ther there was any on D. Dey's side or not. 
 
 Sessio quartet. 
 
 Die Veneris, ii° die mensis Novembris 1586, hora et loco alias 
 assignatis in inferiori domo convocations, &c. in praesentia 
 mei Edw. Say et Thomae Barker notariorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Gilpin, &c. 
 Isto die, post finitas preces comparuere omnes supra nomi- 1 
 nati ; et tunc magister D. Dey petiit se admitti et recipi in 
 procuratorem cleri archidiaconatus Sudbury, juxta electionem 
 de persona sua alias factam. Et deinde quia Mr. Knewstubbs, 
 alias ad ipsius petitionem monitus ad interessendum istis die et 
 loco, propositurus quae ex parte sua habet proponend. compa- 
 rens nullas proposuit causas rationabiles pro parte sua, quare 
 sit admittendus in procuratorem ejusdem cleri; et quia constat 
 ex depositionibus nonnullorum fide dignorum testium, magis- 
 trum Knewstubbs fuisse superiorem magistro D. Dey in elec- 
 tione praxlicta, tantum 'per curatos, et alios qui secundum con- 
 suetudinem electionis infra archidiaconatus Suffolk et Sudbury 
 in hac electione nullam habuere vocem, et eis demptis, com- 
 pertum est magistrum Dey fuisse superiorem ; igitur dominus 
 prolocutor decrevit dictum magistrum doctorem Dey recipien- 
 dum fore in procuratorem ejusdem cleri et in ccetum hujus 
 domus, eumque sic recepit. Deinde dominus prolocutor cer- 
 tior factus de voluntate reverendissimi patris (per magistrum 
 Thomam Redman ejus registrarium) quoad controversiam super 
 
250 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 electione clericorum diceceseos Norwicen. viz. quod idem reve- 
 rendissiruus pater tulit sententiam suam pro parte magistri 
 West contra magistrum Thorowgood, intimavit haec omnibus 
 prsBsentibus et monuit eos ad recipiendum eundem magistrum 
 West in coetum hujus domus. Quibus sic gestis, dictus domi- 
 nus prolocutor continuavit hujusmodi convocationem quoad 
 hanc domum usj^ue in diem Mercurii proximum in boc loco, et 
 monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c. 
 
 146 Sessio quinta. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 16 0 die mensis Novembris 1586. hora et loco 
 prseassignatis in inferiori domo convocationis, &c. in praesen- 
 tia mei Edwardi Say notarii, &c, assumpti, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Goodman, &c. 
 
 Isto die comparuere omnes supra nominati ; et post preces 
 finitas dominus prolocutor continuavit hujusmodi convocatio- 
 nem quoad hanc domum usque in diem Veneris proximum hora 
 nona ante meridiem in hoc loco, et monuit omnes ad interessen- 
 dum, &c. 
 
 Sessio sexta. 
 
 Die Veneris, 18 0 die mensis Novembris 1586. hora et loco prse- 
 assignatis in inferiori domo convocationis, &c. et praesente 
 me Edwardo Say notario publico, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c. 
 
 Isto (he comparuere omnes supra nominati ; et post finitas 
 preces dominus prolocutor accersitus ad reverendissimum pa- 
 trem illuc accessit, decano Elien. et decano Oxon. eum comitan- 
 tibus. Et post aliqualem tractatum cum reverendissimo et 
 cseteris prselatis, accersiti fuerunt omnes ad eosdem reveren- 
 dissimum et prselatos, et ibi habita fuit hs omnibus admonitio 
 per dictum reverendissimum, ut leges hactenus edita? chligen- 
 ter secundum canones stability observentur. Et ut fiat refor- 
 matio in ecclesiis eorum, &c. Ac deinde revertentes omnes in 
 
 147 inferiorem domum, habita exhortatione per dominum prolo- 
 cutorem, ut reminiscantur admonitionem reverendissimi patris 
 iis factam, dictus dominus prolocutor continuavit hujusmodi 
 convocationem quoad hanc domum usque in diem Mercurii 
 proximum, hora nona ante meridiem in hoc loco ; et monuit 
 omnes ad interessendum. 
 
anno 1586. 
 
 251 
 
 Sessio septima. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 23 0 die mensis Novembris 1586. hora et loco prae- 
 assignatis, in inferiori domo convocationis, praesente me Ed- 
 wardo Say notario, &c. 
 
 D. Bulleyn, D. James. 
 Isto die comparuere omnes supra nominati ; et precibus 
 finitis magister D. Bulleyn decanus Lichen, nomine domini 
 prolocutoris intimavit omnibus praesentibus hujusmodi convo- 
 cationem esse continuatam usque in diem Veneris proximum, 
 hora nona ante meridiem in hoc loco, et monuit omnes ad 
 interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio octavo.. 
 
 Die Veneris, 25 0 die mensis Novembris 1586. hora et loco prae- 
 assignatis, praesente Thoma Barker notario publico, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Kennal, &c. 
 Isto die comparuere omnes supranominati, et precibus finitis 
 accersitus fuit dominus prolocutor ad reverendissimum in supe- 
 riori domo existentein, casterosque dominos episcopos ibidem ; 
 et comitati sunt eum magistri D. Goodman, et D. James. Unde 148 
 paulo post reverten. dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus 
 praasentibus, banc convocationem esse continuatam et proroga- 
 tam usque in diem Lunae proximum inter horas octavam 
 et undecimam ante meridiem in hoc loco, et monuit omnes 
 ad interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio nona. 
 
 Die Lunae, 28 0 die mensis Novembris 1586. hora et loco prse- 
 assignatis, in inferiori domo convocationis, &c. prassente 
 Thoma Barker notario publico, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Perne, &c. 
 Isto die comparuere omnes supra nominati ; et post preces 
 finitas dominus prolocutor continuavit hujusmodi convocatio- 
 nem quoad hanc domum in diem Veneris proximum inter 
 horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem in hoc loco, et 
 monuit omnes ad interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio decima. 
 
 Die Veneris, 2 0 die mensis Decembris 1 586. hora et loco prae- 
 assignatis, in inferiori domo convocationis, &c. in praesentia 
 mei Edwardi Say notarii publici, &c. 
 
 D. Goodman, D. Bevans, &c. 
 
252 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 Isto (lie comparuere omnes supranominati, et finitis precibus 
 Mr. Gabriel Goodman decanus Westminster, nomine domini 
 prolocutoris continuavit hujusmodi eonvocationem quoad banc 
 domum usque inter horas primam et secundam post meridiem 
 I49lmjus diei, et prorogavit locum hujusmodi, usque ad et in 
 sacello olim nuncupato beatae Mariae in oriental] parte ecclesiaa 
 cathedralis divi Pauli London, notarie situato, &c. et monuit 
 omnes ad interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio undecima. 
 Eodem die, inter horas et loco praeassignat. in inferiori domo 
 
 convocationis, praesente me Edwardo Say notario pubbco, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Culpeper. 
 
 Quibus horis et loco comparuere omnes supranominati ; et 
 precibus finitis, eum comitantibus magistris Perne, Mullins et 
 Gilpin, adiit reverendissimum patrem et caeteros praelatos ; et 
 paulo post revertens intimavit omnibus praesentibus, consultum 
 esse per eosdem reverendissimum patrem et praelatos de refor- 
 matione fienda quoad scedulas eidem reverendissimo ac domino 
 prolocutori exliibitas, &c. Et quod conventum est inter dictos 
 reverendissimum et praslatos de exercitiis fiendis per ministros 
 infra provinciam Cantuariensem ; et quod iidem reverendi 
 patres, cum redierint in diceceses suas, ordinem eorundem sig- 
 nificabunt omnibus quibus interest in hac parte. Quibus sic 
 expeditis, dictus dominus prolocutor continuavit hujusmodi eon- 
 vocationem, quoad banc domum, usque in diem Veneris, 1 7 0 
 viz. diem mensis Februarii proximi inter horas nonam et unde- 
 cimam ante meridiem, &c. in hoc loco, et monuit omnes ad tunc 
 interessendum. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 1 7 0 Februarii 1586. secundum, &c. in domo 
 capitulari ecclesiae cathedralis divi Pauli London, in praasen- 
 150 tia Edwardi Say notarii publici assumpti, &c. ac inter horas 
 nonam et undecimam ante meridiem. 
 
 Continuata est hujusmodi convocatio ab undecimo Decembris 
 1586. in statu quo tunc fuit, usque in hos diem horam et 
 locum. Quibus die hora et loco, venerabilis vir magister W3- 
 helmus Awbrey legum doctor, commissarius reverenchssimi 
 patris domini Johannis Cant, archiepiscopi, &c. authoritate 
 suflicienti ad hoc fulcitus, continuavit hujusmodi eonvocationem, 
 
anno 1586. 
 
 253 
 
 in .statu quo est, usque in diem Veneris, viz. 24 0 diem prsesen- 
 tis mensis Februarii, inter horas nonam et undecimam ante 
 merit Hem ejusdem diei, et prorogavit locum usque ad et in 
 ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westminster, &c. pracsentibus 
 tunc ibidem venerabilibus viris magistris Mullyns et Walker ex 
 coetu inferioris domus, nec non aliis testibus, &c. 
 
 Sessio prima. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 24 0 Februarii 1586. secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello ex parte australi infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri 
 Westminster, inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meri- 
 diem in prsesentia Edwardi Say et Tboma? Barker notario- 
 rum publicorum, inferioris domus actorum scribarum assum- 
 ptorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. episcopus Dovor, &c. 
 
 Isto die omnes supranominati in locum pra3dictum conve- 
 nerunt ; et postquam dominus prolocutor una cum supranomi- 
 natis preces divinas peregerat, mox idem dominus prolocutor 
 accersitus fuit ad reverendissimum patrem caeterosque ejus 
 confratres praelatos in superiori domo infra dictam ecclesiam J 5 
 collegiatam Westminster, existen. ad quos se contulit, eumque 
 comitati sunt decanus Cant, et decanus Elien. Ac statim reli- 
 qui omnes inferioris domus similiter accersiti erant, atque eos- 
 dem reverendos patres adierunt ; ibique reverendissimus pater • 
 dominus Cant, archiepiscopus ob paucitatem comparentium, &c. 
 intimavit domino prolocutori absentes ob eorum contumacias, 
 &c. suspendendos fore debere, &c. Ac deinde declaravit non- 
 11 ullas causas de subsidio dominae nostras reginae praestand., &c. 
 Necnon reverendus pater dominus London, episcopus querela- 
 tus est de negligentia magistri Georgii Gardiner decani Norwi- 
 cen. ac aliorum, in non concionando in publico suggestu infra 
 ccemiterium Paulinum situat. juxta monitionem eis in ea parte 
 lactam, &c. Ac postea dominus prolocutor ac caeteri inferioris 
 domus supranominati redierunt in domum inferiorem, ibique 
 elegit quosdam in assessores sibi hie in margine 3 hujus actus 
 nominat. factaquc publica praaconizatione omnium citatorum, 
 
 a Electi in assessores isto die sunt, — Rev. pater dec. Cant. ; dec. St.Pauli 
 Lond.; dec. Westminster ; dec. Roffen.; dec. E^en.; dec. Oxon.; archid. 
 London.; archid. Lincoln.; archid. Sudbury; archid. Darby; D.Walker; 
 D. Wood; D. Brancrafte ; magister Wylson; magister Winter. 
 
254 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 &c. ac monitorum, &c. et non comparentium, dominus pronun- 
 tiavit eos et eorum quemlibet contumaces, exceptis licentiatis 
 discedendi, aut alias isto die infra civitatem London, aut sub- 
 urbia ejusdein concionantibus, reservata eorum poena in diem 
 Mercurii proximum, &c. inter horas primam et tertiam post 
 meridiem. Et tunc, interrogans omnibus per dominum prolo- 
 cutorem utrum consentirent ut ipse dominus prolocutor eligeret 
 ex assessoribus sibi sex quorum duo essent decani, duo archi- 
 diaconi et reliqui duo ex hac domo prout sibi videretur, qui de 
 152 libello concipiendo pro subsidio dominae nostra? reginas prae- 
 stando tractarent, uno ore consensum et assensum suos praebu- 
 erunt, nemine contradicente. Ac deinde dominus prolocutor 
 intimavit omnibus praesentibus hanc convocationem esse con- 
 tinuatam usque in dieni Mercurii proximum, &c. inter horas 
 primam et tertiam post meridiem in hunc locum, et monuit 
 omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio secunda. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. primo die mensis Martii, anno Domini 1586. 
 secundum, &c. in quodam sacello infra ecclesiam collegiatam 
 divi Petri Westminster, ex parte australi inter horas primam 
 et tertiam post meridiem, praesentibus Edwardo Say et 
 Thoma Barker, notariis publicis assumptis, &c. 
 
 D. 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.'episcopiim, dominum Lincoln, episco- 
 pum, et dominum Hereforden. episcopum ; eumque comitati 
 sunt decanus Cant, et Mr. Johannes Wynter. Unde mox re- 
 verten. quidam Gabriel Holte, verbi Dei praedicator, paupertate 
 coactus petiit benevolentiam hujus ccetus, ac protuht et ostendit 
 domino prolocutori literas quasdam testimoniales in eundem 
 effectum. Unde statim facta fuit collectio 26s. 2d. quam sum- 
 mam dominus prolocutor tunc et ibidem tradidit eidem Holte. 
 153 Ac deinde dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus, 
 hujusmodi convocationem esse continuatam usque in diem Ve- 
 neris inter horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem ejus- 
 dem diei, et reservavit pcenas contumacium usque in eundem 
 diem ; et moniti sunt omnes, &c. ad tunc interessendum in hoc 
 
anno i 586. 
 
 255 
 
 loco, sess., &c. Isto die assidebant domino prolocutori domi- 
 nus decanus Cant. D. Wood, D. Walker, D. Barefoote, D. Cold- 
 well, Mr. Mullyns, Mr. Wynter. 
 
 Sessio tertia. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. tertio Martii, 1586. secundum, &c. in loco 
 solito prseassignato, viz. in quodam sacello infra ecclesiam 
 collegiatam beati Petri Westminster, inter horas octavam et 
 undecimam ante meridiem in praasentia mei Tboma? Barker 
 notarii publici assumpti, &c. 
 
 Dom. prolocutor, decanus Cant. &c. 
 Die praxlicto convenerunt omnes supranominati, ibique post 
 divini numinis implorationem dominus proloqutor accersitus 
 fuit ad reverendissimum dominium Cant, arcbiepiscopum, caste- 
 rosque reverendos patres dominos pradatos, in superiori domo : 
 eumque comitati sunt decanus Cant, et decanus Elien. Unde 
 mox revertens dominus prolocutor in pcenam contumaciarum 
 citatorum, &c. et non comparentium, &c. decrevit procedendum 
 fore, ac postea narravit pra?senti coetui bujus domus, se una cum 
 assessoribus suis egisse cum praedicto reverendissimo patre ac 
 praslatis de subsidio domina? nostra? regina? pra?bendo ; ac con- 
 cordatum esse de eodem juxta ratam et formam, alias in ultimo 
 subsidio usitatam. Quod factum omnes pra?sentes tam nomi- 
 nibus eorum propriis', quam nominibus reliquorum bujus domus 
 quorum procuratores existunt, ratificarunt et approbarunt. Et 
 ulterius dominus prolocutor significavit supranominatis bujus 
 domus praesentibus voluntatem reverendissimi ac aliorum domi- 
 norum praslatorum de benevola contributione ultra subsidium 
 prsedictum domina? nostra? regina? sine longa mora concedend. 
 ac partim solvend. ob urgentes causas, et maxime propter 
 bellum imminens, et graves minas hostium evangeUi ; viz. de 
 contributione trium solidorum de qualibet libra annuabs rcditus 
 cujuslibet beneficii infra provinciam Cant, juxta ratam ettaxam 
 eorundem in libris primitiarum domina? nostra? regina? ; ex- 
 ceptis vicariis quorum beneficia non attingunt summam x. 1. 
 juxta ratam praxlictam, nec non canonicis minoribus eccle- 
 siarum cathedralium et collegiatarum, caeterisque ministris 
 inferioribus, &c. Et quod de hujusmodi libello concipiendo 
 maturior deliberatio cum jurisperitorum consilio habeatur. 
 Quibus omnibus sic declaratis, omnes ut supra prassentes, sine 
 
256 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 mora aut ha?sitatione quacunque consensum et assensum suos 
 pra?buerunt. Et tunc ego notarius antedictus, ex mandate- 
 domini prolocutoris, monui omnes isto die comparentes ad exhi- 
 bendum et introducendum procuratoria, si qua? habeant, ad 
 comparand, pro absentibus citatis ad comparendum in hac sacra 
 synodo in proxima sessione, &c. Deinde dominus prolocutor ac 
 cseteri omnes bujus domus pramominati accersiti fuerunt ad 
 1 55 dictum reverendissimum, ac caeteros prselatos superioris domus ; 
 ibique significarunt omnia et singula per eos gesta, &c. Ac 
 dominus prolocutor petiit, quod si posthac aliqua alia impo- 
 sitio sive taxatio sit in clerum imponenda, durante tempore 
 assignando pro solutione summarum jam concessarum, ut 
 eadem taxatio fiat per ipsum clerum inter se, et quod de eadem 
 liberentur quoad fieri poterit : cui petitioni annuerunt. Et tunc 
 publice ibidem perlectus fuit per magistrum Thomam Redman 
 notarium publicum libellus pro subsidio concesso conceptus, et 
 in aliquibus sui partibus emendatus correctus et perfectus 
 redditus. Ac mox in domum inferiorem reversi sunt dominus 
 prolocutor ca3terique ejusdem domus ; ibique dominus pronun- 
 tiavit absentes, &c. contumaces, reservata eorum poena in 
 prox. &c. Et praeterea, intimavit praesentibus banc convo- 
 cationem esse continuatam in crastinum inter horas tertiam et 
 quintam post meridiem, et in hunc locum, ac monuit eos ad in- 
 teressendum. 
 
 Sessio quarta. 
 
 Die Sabbathi, viz. quarto Martii, 1586, secundum, &c. inter 
 boras tertiam et quintam post meridiem in sacello ex parte 
 australi ecclesiaa collegiata? Westminster, praesente magistro 
 Edwardo Say notario pubbco, &c. 
 
 Dominus prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c. 
 Die pra?dicto comparuere omnes supranominati ; et dominus 
 prolocutor adivit dominos praalatos in superiori domo, eumque 
 comitati sunt decanus Elien et archidiaconus Lincoln. Unde, 
 post aliquam ibidem moram. tandem redierunt. ibique ex rela- 
 J 5^ tione domini prolocutoris publice perlectus fuit libellus pro 
 benevola contributione regias majestati concessa conceptus, et 
 abqualiter emendatus ac perfectus redditus, &c. deinde per 
 totum coatum prajsentem approbatus. Et tunc dominus prolo- 
 cutor reservavit posnas contumacium, ut prius, in proximam 
 sessionem, &c. et intimavit praesentibus bujusmodi convoca- 
 
anno 1 586. 
 
 2.57 
 
 tionem esse continuatam, usque in diem luna? proximum, &c. 
 inter horas primam et quintam, et in hunc locum ; et monuit 
 pra>sentes ad tunc et ibidem comparendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio quinta. 
 
 Die lunse, viz. sexto Martii, 1586 secundum, &c. inter horas 
 primam et quintam post meridiem ejusdem diei, in sacello ex 
 parte Australi ecclesice collegiatse Westminster, praesente 
 Johanne Mabill, notario publico, &c. 
 
 Quibus die et loco comparuerunt magistri D. Powell, Say, 
 Gilpin, West et Maxfield, bujus domus ; quibus intimatum fuit 
 htijusmodi convocationem de mandato et voluntate reveren- 
 dissimi patris domini Cant, archiepiscopi esse continuandam in 
 diem Mercurii proximum, &c. inter horas octavam et unde- 
 cimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei ; prout revera continuata 
 fuit : unde postea discesserunt, &c. 
 
 Sessio sexta. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 8° die mensis Martii, anno Dom. 1586 se- 
 cundum, &c. inter horas octavam et undecimam ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, in loco consueto praaassignato infra eccle- 1 
 siam collcgiatam Westminster, praesente me Thoma Barker 
 notario publico. 
 
 Quibus die, bora, et loco, comparuerunt magistri Marston, 
 Say, Bynam, Dylworth, Studley, Barret, et Maxfield, ex coetu 
 inferioris domus ; et eo quod satis bene norunt hujusmodi con- 
 vocationem esse continuatam in die Veneris proximum, &c. 
 viz. decimum diem prajsentis mensis Martii, post aliqualem 
 moram chscesserunt. 
 
 Sessio septima. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. decimo die Martii, 1586, secundum, &c. inter 
 horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem, in quodam 
 sacello ex parte australi ecclesia? collcgiatae Westminster, 
 praesente magistro Edwardo Say, notario publico, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Reneger, &c. 
 Quibus die et loco comparuerunt omnes supranominati ; et 
 post preces finitas, dominus prolocutor accersitus fiut ad reve- 
 rendissimum dominum Cant, archiepiscopum, caeterosque do- 
 minos praBlatos in superiori domo, una cum toto pra?senti ca'tu ; 
 
 GIBSON. s * 
 
258 
 
 Acta in inf. ddm. 
 
 eosquc adienmt, atque ibidem aliquandiu morati sunt. Ac 
 tandem omnes supranominati in domum hanc redierunt ; ex- 
 cepto domino prolocutore, qui cum eisdem reverendis patribus 
 post discessum reliquorum aliquantisper pcrmansit. Ac deinde 
 in banc domum revertens, cum consensu omnium ut prsefertur 
 praesentium, elegit venerabiles viros dominum decanum Elien. 
 arcbidiaconum Lincoln, et arcbidiaconum Taunton, ad trac- 
 58 tandum et communicandum una secum cum reverendis patribus, 
 de constitutionibus et decretis, licentia et vigore hterarurn 
 patentium per dominam nostram reginam in ea parte conces- 
 sarum stabiliendis, pro collectione benevolae contributionis dictae 
 dominas nostrae reginae concessae, &c. Et tunc dominus prolo- 
 cutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus hanc convocationem esse 
 continuatam et prorogatam in crastinum, inter horas primam 
 et quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, in bunc locum ; et 
 monuit omnes jam prsesentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum. 
 Ac insuper reservavit pcenas contumacium usque in eosdem 
 diem et locum. 
 
 Sessio octava. 
 
 Die Sabbatbi, viz. undecimo die Martii, 1586, secundum, &c. 
 in ecclesia collegiata beati Petri Westminster, inter boras 
 nonam et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, praesente 
 Jobanne Mabill, notario publico, &c. 
 
 Quibus die bora et loco comparuerunt magistri Stallard, 
 West, Owens, et Proctor ; quibus signification fait, hujusmodi 
 convocationem esse continuandam in diem Mercurii proximum, 
 viz. 15 diem praesentis mensis Martii inter horas nonam et 
 undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, de mandato reveren- 
 dissimi patris domini Cant, archiepiscopi, prout revera sic con- 
 tinuata fuit per magistrum Lucam Gilpin sufficienter et legitime 
 in ea parte deputatum. Unde mox supranominati ex ccetu 
 inferioris domus discesserunt. 
 
 59 Sessio nona. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 15 0 Martii 1586 secundum, &c. in ecclesia colle- 
 giata beati Petri Westm. inter horas nonam et undecimam 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei in praesentia mei Tbomae Barker, 
 notarii pubbci, &c. 
 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt magistri By nam, 
 Meredith, Morgan, D. Dey, D. Freake, West, Webb, Bancks, 
 
anno 15H6. 
 
 259 
 
 Studley, Proctor, Maxfeild, Rowland, Owens et Jones ; quibus 
 intimatum fuit hu'jusmddi convocationcm fore de mandato reve- 
 rendissimi patris domini Cant, archiepiscopi continnandam, 
 nsqne inter horas primam et quintain post meridiem hujus diei, 
 ac in locum solitum ; prout revera de eerta scientia mei notarii 
 antedicti postea sic continuata fait Unde mox omnes supra- 
 nominati discesserunt. 
 
 Sessio decima. 
 
 Eodem die inter horas praeassignatas, in quodam sacello ex 
 parte australi infra ecclesiam collegiatam beati Petri Westm. 
 in praasentia mei Thoma? Barker, notarii publici, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, decanus Cant. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranominati ; 
 et post preces ibidem peractas dominus prolocutor accersitus 
 fuit ad reverendissimuin patrem dominum Cant, archiepiscopum, 
 caeterosque dominos praelatos, in superiori domo ; eumque comi- 
 tati sunt decanus Cant, et decanus Elien. Ac post aliquam 160 
 ibidem moram revertebant, et tunc dominus prolocutor tradidit 
 mibi notario antedicto quasdam constitutiones sive ordinationes 
 in scriptis conceptas pi*o fideli et justa collectione ac solutione 
 bcnevolae contributionis alias regia3 majestati in bac sacra 
 synodo per clerum Cant, provincial concessae, quas, de ejus 
 mandato, statim tunc ibidem alta et intelligibih' voce perlegi. 
 Quo facto, dominus prolocutor interrogavit omnes supranomi- 
 natos, an decreta, et ordinationes hujusmodi sibi placerent ; 
 eosque rogavit quatenus eorum consensum et assensum eisdem, 
 si eis ita videretur, prseberent ; et tunc omnes easdem ordina- 
 tiones in omnibus approbarunt, atque consensum et assensum 
 suos tarn norainibus eorum propriis, quam nominibus omnium 
 aliorum quorum procuratores in hac parte respective existunt, 
 prsebuerunt. Tamen magister Gilpin pctiit, ut apparitores 
 ordinarii infra provinciam Cant, (quibus incumbit onus moncndi 
 omnes et singulos, huie benevola? contributioni obnoxios, juxta 
 ordinationes modo lectas) habeant aliqua feoda pro eorum labo- 
 ribus in ea parte impendendis : et super boc orta est aliqua 
 disceptatio inter eum et dominum prolocutorem. Ac deinde 
 dominus prolocutor una cum decano Cant, decano Elien. et 
 decano Westm. iterum adivit reverendissimuin patrem dominum 
 Cant, archiepiscopum, ac rebquos reverendos patres in superiori 
 
 s 2 
 
260 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 domo, ad certifieandum eos de gestis hujusmodi. Unde brevi 
 reverten. dominus prolocutor intimavit hujusmodi convoca- 
 tionera esse continuatam in diem Veneris proximum, &c. in 
 hnnc locum, inter horas octavam et imdecimam ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei ; et moniti sunt omnes supranominati ad tunc 
 
 1 6 1 ibidem interessendum, &c. Magistri Nowell, Walker. Hum- 
 frey, Byss, Powell, et Say, ex relatione domini prolocutoris, 
 isto die sunt licentiati quoad eorum personalem comparitionem, 
 &c. 
 
 Sessio undecima. 
 Die Veneris, viz. 17 0 Martii 1586. secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello ex parte australi ecelesiae collegiata? beati Petri 
 Westm. inter horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei, in praesentia mei Thomae Barker, notarii pub- 
 lici, &c. 
 
 Quibus die hora et loco, comparuerunt dominus prolocutor 
 nec non magistri Marston, Ri. Smyth, Dey, West, Bancks, 
 Studley, Freake, Pratt, Proctor, Jones, Webb, Bynam, et Hey- 
 wood : quibus dominus prolocutor intimavit hujusmodi convo- 
 cationem esse continuatam usque in diem Mercurii proximum, 
 viz. vicesimum secundum diem pra?sentis mensis Martii, inter 
 horas octavam et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, in 
 hunc locum ; et monuit eos ad tunc ibidem interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio duodecimo. 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 22° Martii 1586. secundum, &c. in ecclesia 
 collegiata divi Petri Westm. inter horas octavam et undeci- 
 mam ante meridiem, significatum erat hujusmodi convocatio- 
 nem esse continuatam in diem Veneris proximum, viz. vice- 
 
 162 simum quartum Martii praedict. inter horas octavam et un- 
 decimam ante meridiem, et in hunc locum. 
 
 Sessio decima tertia. 
 Die Veneris, viz. 24 0 Martii 1586, secundum, &c. Continuata 
 fait hujusmodi convocatio per venerabilem virum magistrum 
 Willielmum Awbrey legum doctorem, vicarium in spirituali- 
 bus generalem reverendissimi patris domini Johannis Provi- 
 dentia Dinna Cant, archiepiscopi, nec non commissarium in 
 ea parte specialiter deputatum, usque ad et inter horas pri- 
 mam et quartam postmeridianas. ac in locum pra?dictum. 
 
muni 1586. 
 
 Ac insuper idem venerabilis vir jussit ut omnes hujus domus 
 qui ad locum praadictum ante meridiem illius diei venirent, 
 moneantur ad tempestive in locum solitum congregandum 
 praadictum, statim a prandio, &c. prout ex relatione Mri. 
 Redman deputati registrarii superioris domus ego Thomas 
 Barker notarius antedictus accepi, &c. 
 
 Sessio decima quartet. 
 Eodem die inter horas primam et quartam post meridiem in 
 
 loco solito prseassignato, praasente me Thoma Barker, nota- 
 
 rio, &c. comparuerunt personaliter omnes et singuli quorum 
 
 nomina hie subscribuntur, viz. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c. 
 
 Et tunc precibus prius rite ac debite peractis, de mandate 
 domini prolocutoris facta fuit publica praaconizatio omnium cita- 1 
 torum ad comparendum in hac domo juxta consuetudinem alias 
 usitatam, et juxta tenores mandatorum et certificatoriorum alias 
 respective coram ipso reverendissimo patre domino Cant, archi- 
 episcopo, &c. exhibitorum et introductorum. Eaque praaeoni- 
 zatione vix completa, dominus prolocutor una cum integro coitu 
 hujus domus tunc praasente, accersiti fuerunt ad dictum reve- 
 rendissimum patrem, aliosque praalatos in capella vulgariter 
 dicta capella regis Henrici Septimi existentcs ; ad quos finita 
 praaconizatione citatorum (ut praafertur) immediate "scse contu- 
 lcrunt ; ibique reverendissim\is pater dominus Cant, archiepi- 
 scopus querelatus est de incuria, negligentia, et contumacia 
 citatorum, &c. et non comparentium, &c. ac etiam de prava et 
 immoderata luxuria et minus verecundo gestu ac morum intem- 
 perie nonnullorum clericorum provinciaa Cant, ad fora et loca 
 publica concurrentium : quare monuit decanos, archidiaconos et 
 alios jam praasentes, ad quos correctio delinquentium hujusmodi 
 pertinet, ad severe procedendum et puniendum obnoxios et cul- 
 pabiles ; et si incorrigibiles persevei'averint, ad implorandum 
 auxilium et opem episcopi dioacesani, vel ipsius reverendissimi 
 patris, vel etiam ipsius serenissimaa dominaa nostra? reginaa, ne 
 actionum et morum pravitas istorum obnubilet et obscuret doc- 
 trinarn evangelii, quod verbis profitcntur ; quo pluribus perni • 
 tiosum siet pessimum eorum cxemplum. Et tunc porrecta sibi 
 scedula suspensionis, una cum scedula continente nomina et 
 cognomina contumaciter absentium ab hac sacra synodo, idem 
 
Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 reverendissinms eos omnes et singulos in hujusmodi scedula 
 nominatos a celebratione divinorum et omnimodo exercitio ec- 
 
 164 clcsiastica? jurisdictionis suspendit ; prout in ipsa scedula penes 
 registrarium ipsius reverendissimi patris quoad superiorem do- 
 mum remanente, continetur. Ac deinde idem revcrendissimus 
 pater, vigore et authoritate brevis regii sibi in ea parte directi, 
 ac penes registrarium suum pra?dictum etiam remanontis, con- 
 vocationem hujusmodi dissolvit, &c. 
 
 ANNO MDLXXXVIII. 
 Die Mercurii, viz. quinto die mensis Februarii, anno Domini 
 secundum ecclesia? Anglicana? computationem 1 588, et regni 
 serenissima? doniina? nostra? domina? Elizabeth, Dei gratia An- 
 glia?, Francia? et Hibernian regina?, fidei defensoris, &c. anno 
 tricesimo primo. Venerabilis vir magister Johannes Styll, archi- 
 diaconus Sudbury, ac sacra? theologia? professor, intravit sug- 
 gestum in cancello infra ecclesiam cathedralem divi Pauli Lon- 
 don, ibique apud reverendissimum dominum Cant, ca?terosquc 
 dominos episcopos et pra?latos necnon nonnullos alios provincia? 
 Cant, doctam habuit ac edidit concionem in sennone Romano. 
 Qua debite finita per semihoram ante undecimain horam ejus- 
 dem diei, complures ex clero provincial Cant, pra?d. recesserunt 
 in inferiorem domum synodalis convocationis pra?latorum et 
 cleri Cant, provincise, viz. in sacellum olim nuncupatum beata? 
 Maria? in orientah parte ecclesia? cathedralis divi Pauli London, 
 notorie situat. ibique coram venerabilibus viris, decanis, archi- 
 
 1 65 diaconis, procuratoribus capitulorum ecclesiarum cathedralium, 
 et cleri tunc ibidem ad hujusmodi convocationem celebrandum 
 juxta effectum brevis regii et pra?teriti temporis morem insi- 
 mul congregatis, comparuit venerabilis vir magister Alexander 
 Nowel, decanus sancti Pauli London. ; cui pra?senti ex antiquo 
 more et consuetudine dicta? ecclesia? cathedralis sancti Pauli 
 pra?dicti, jus dirigendi electionem futuri prolocutoris competit : 
 et ex parte dicti reverendissimi patris domini Johannis Provi- 
 dentia Divhia Cant, archiepiscopi significavit, ut ad electionem 
 futuri prolocutoris procedere licite et libere valeant et possint, 
 et commendavit eis pra?fatum venerabilem virum magistrum 
 Johannem Styll tunc ibidem pra?sentem. Unde omnes tunc 
 pra?sentes lino ore eundem magistrum Johannem Styll sine 
 mora in eonun et dicti ccetus inferioris domus cleri prolocuto- 
 
anno 1588. 
 
 rem ct rcfcrcndarium concorditer unanimi consensu nominarunt 
 et elegerunt, nemine contradicente. Et consequenter nomina- 
 runt et elegerunt venerabilem virum magistrum Richardum 
 Fletcher, sacra? theologian profcssorem, decanum Petriburgen. 
 praeseniem, ad praesentanduin dictum dominum prolocutorem 
 revcrendissimo domino Johanni Cant, archiepiscopo, et caeteris 
 praelatis in superiori domo, die Veneris proximo, inter horas 
 primam et quartam post meridiem in ecclesia collegiata West- 
 minster, cum debita et solita solemnitate. Et moniti sunt omnes 
 praesentes, quatenus dictis die hora et loco conveniant ad effec- 
 tum praedictum. Acta et gesta fucrunt praemissa in praesentia 
 Johannis Coston et mei Thomae Barker notariorum publicorum, 
 in ejusdcm domus inferioris actorum scrib. assumptorum. 
 
 Nomina quorundam praesentium electioni praxlictae qui miliii66 
 
 Thomaa Barker notario praedicto ex aspectu noti erant; 
 
 reliquorum vero quam plurimorum etiam praesentium ob 
 
 brevitatem temporis capere minime potui. 
 
 D. Pearne, D. Bell, &c. 
 
 Sessio secuncla. 
 Die "Veneris, viz. septimo Februarii 1588, secundum, &c. inter 
 horas secundam et quartam post meridiem ejusdem diei, in 
 loco consueto infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westm. 
 in praesentia Johannis Coston et Thomae Barker, notariorum 
 publicorum assumptorum, &c. 
 
 Quibus die hora et loco, postquam omnes supranominati ve- 
 nerabiles viri convenerunt, dictus venerabilis praesentator (ut 
 praefertur) designatus, una cum caeteris supranominatis ex dicto 
 inferiori domo, accersiti fuerunt in superiorem domum ; dictum- 
 que venei-abilem virum magistrum Johannem Styll, prolocuto- 
 rem electum, conduxerunt ad superiorem domum in orientali 
 parte dictae ecclesiae existentem ; ibique pranfatus praesentatdf 
 eundem magistrum Styll chcto revcrendissimo patri domino 
 Cant, archiepiscopo, et caeteris superioris domus praelatis prae- 
 sentavit. Ubi habita et praemissa docta oratione a praefato ve- 
 nerabili viro magistro llichardo Fletcher, praesentatorc ante- 
 dicto, et ea finita, altera docta oratione seu praefatione ipsius 
 venerabilis viri domini prolocutoris, dictus revcrcndissimus pater 
 cum caeteris doininis praelatis tunc praesentibus electionem hu- 167 
 jusmodi, et dominum prolocutorem electum concorditer appro- 
 
264 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 barunt et ratificarunt. Hiis expedites, dominus prolocutor cum 
 coetu suo praedicto, in dictam inferiorem domum revertebatur ; 
 ubi de ejus mandato facta fuit praeconizatio omnium interesse 
 debentium, &c. qua peracta dominus prolocutor accersitus fuit 
 ad reverendissimum caeterosque dominos praelatos in superiori 
 domo, cumque comitati sunt venerabiles viri magistri D. Pearne, 
 D. Goodman, D. Coldwell, D. Fletcher, D. Barefoot, ct D. Cham- 
 berleyne ; ubi aliquantisper commorantes, mox reversi sunt, 
 dictusque dominus prolocutor universo ccetui significavit volun- 
 tatem reverendissimi ca3teroi'umque prselatorum superioris do- 
 mus esse, quod si aliquis hujus domus noverit quenquam mini- 
 strum, de quo juste conqueri possit, quod contra leges eccle- 
 siasticas nunc temporis auctoritate legitima receptas et appro- 
 batas sese gessit et gerit, aut si aliquis noverit quenquam qui 
 canones in ultima convocatione approbatos et editos violaverit, 
 eosdem in scriptis denuntiarent reverendissimo domino Cant, 
 archiepiscopo, caeterisque dominis praelatis praedictis pro debita 
 correctione et reformatione in ea parte faciend. Et ulterius 
 dominus prolocutor monuit omnos supranominatos praesentes, 
 ut decenter incedant babitu clericali ad evitandum calumniam 
 et scandalum hominum cerebrosorum horum temporum. Ac 
 deinde dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus supranominatis 
 convocationem hujusmodi esse continuatam usque in diem 
 Mercurii proximum inter boras nonam et undecimam ante me- 
 ridiem, et in ecclesiam collegiatam praedictam, et monuit omnes 
 jam prassentes ad tunc ibidem interessendum, &c. 
 
 68 Sessio tertia. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. duodecimo die Februarii, anno Domini 1588, 
 secundum, &c. in quodam sacello ex parte septentrionali ec- 
 clesiae collegiataa divi Petri Westminster, inter horas nonam 
 et undecimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei in praesentia Jo- 
 bannis Coston et Thomse Barker, notariorum publicorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranominati 
 venerabiles viri ; et post preces peractas dominus prolocutor 
 elegit sibi in assessores venerabiles viros, decanum Elien., deca- 
 num Roffen., decanum Sarum, decanum Lichen., decanum Pe- 
 triburgen., D. Bell, D. Barefoot, D.Wythers; quam electionem 
 omnes supranominati approbarunt et ratificarunt. Ac mox ac- 
 
anno 1588. 
 
 265 
 
 cersitus fuit dominus prolocutor ad revcrendissimum dominum 
 Cant, archiepiscopum, caeterosque dominos praelatos, in superiori 
 domo ; quo sine mora se contulit, eumque comitati sunt domini 
 assessores pramominati. Undo paido post revertentes in locum 
 pra?dietum, dominus prolocutor significavit universo ccetui con- 
 sensum et concordatum fuisse et esse inter dominos praelatos 
 superioris domus, quod reverendi patres domini Winton. epi- 
 scopus, episcopus Roffen. et episcopus Hereford, tractarent, 
 statuerent, et deliberarent de subsidio dominae nostras reginae 
 erogando ; et in eundem finem dominus prolocutor nominavit 
 et elegit venerabiles viros, decanum Elien., decanum Westm., 
 decanum Sarum, decanum divi Pauli London., decanum Roifen., 169 
 decanum Cicestren., decanum Petriburgen., D. Kennal, D. Bell, 
 D. Reneger, D. Wythers, D. Capcott, magistruni Mullyns, ma- 
 gistrum Redman, D. Barefoot, magistruni Bungey, ut similiter 
 vice ac nominibus totius hujus coetus communicarent et tracta- 
 rent de subsidio liujusmodi, nec non consensum et assensum 
 omnium supranominatorum hujus coetus in electionem suam 
 liujusmodi petiit, et sine mora obtinuit. Unde monuit omnes 
 praesentes ne revelarent gesta bujusmocU isto die, donee mani- 
 feste notum foret, quid laici in eorum domo parliamenti de 
 subsidio per eos praestando propediem statuerent. 
 
 Quibus sic gestis, dominus prolocutor intimavit liujusmodi 
 convocationem esse continuatam usque istum diem ad septi- 
 manam inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem in hoc 
 loco, et monuit omnes jam praesentes ad tunc ibidem interes- 
 sendum, &c. 
 
 Isto die porrecta fuit domino prolocutori scedula refor- 
 mand. per magistruni Coton. 
 
 Sessio quarta. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 9 0 Februarii, 1588, secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello ex parte septentrionali ecclesiae collegiatae divi Petri 
 Westminster, in praesentia Johannis Coston, et mei Thoma? 
 Barker, notariorum publicorum assumptorum, &c. inter horas 
 praeassignatas, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Bridges, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco inter horas praeassignatas comparu- 
 erunt omnes supranominati ; et post divini numinis implora-170 
 tionem, venerabiles viri magistri D. Pearne, D. Bridges, D.* 
 
266 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 Coklwell, D. James, D. Goodman, D. Bulleyn, D. Barefoot, 
 D. Wythers, et archidiaconus Cant, ex rogatu domini prolocu- 
 toris sibi assidebant. Ac deinde nuntiatum fuit domino prolo- 
 cutori de voluntatc reverendissimi patris domini Cant, archi- 
 episcopi et caeterorum dominorum episcoporum in supeiiori 
 domo, quod ad se accederet cum assessoribus suis praedictis. 
 Quo mox sese contulerunt ; ibicpie aliquantisper commorantes, 
 in eorum reversu in hujusmodi ccetu dominus prolocutor obnixe 
 rogabat et petebat ab universo ccetu, quatenus intuitu bellorum 
 per adversarios et bostes hujus regni intentatorum, ac mature 
 et provide per dominam nostram reginam ej usque senatum 
 propulsorum et propellend. et ob alias justas et legitimas 
 causas, darent et concederent eidem dominae nostra? reginae, 
 ultra subsidium sobtum, semi-subsidium solvendum similibus 
 diebus et terminis alias assignatis pro solutione benevolae con- 
 tributionis dicta? dominae nostra? reginae nuper concessae suc- 
 cessive et immediate post lapsum eorundem terminorum alias 
 (ut praefertur) assignatorum in uno et eodem libro sive instru- 
 ments aut in diversis concipiend. Cujus petitioni nonnulb hujus 
 domus annuebant, ac alii nonnulli adversabantur ; ita quod 
 difficile erat judicare utra pars major esset. Unde vocatis 
 nominatim omnibus praesentibus, apparuit numerum consentien- 
 tium huic semi-subsidio aliquantidum minorem esse quam dis- 
 sentientium. Et quoniam lapsus temporis non pateretur in 
 praesenti ulteriorem tractatum de bac re, dominus prolocutor 
 monuit omnes praesentes, ne pubbce re velar ent tractata et gesta 
 71 isto die : et ulterius intimavit eis hujusmodi convocationem esse 
 continuatam usque in diem Veneris proximum in hoc loco, inter 
 horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem ; et monuit eos ad 
 tunc ibidem interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio quintet. 
 
 Die Veneris, viz. 21° Februarii, 1588, secundum, &c. in quo- 
 dam sacello ex parte septentrionali ecclesia? collegiata? divi 
 Petri Westminster, inter horas nonam et undecimam ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesentia mei Thomae" Barker, 
 notarii publici assumpti, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Coldwell, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 
 
 nati ; et post preces finitas, dominus prolocutor obnixe petiit et 
 
anno 1588. 
 
 267 
 
 rogavit ab omnibus praasentibus, ob causas alias per eura ultima 
 selJ^dne declaratas, quatenus ipsi darcnt et concedcrent dominaa 
 nostra) reginaa duplex subsidium juxta formam subsidii ultimi 
 sibi concessi, viz. summam duodecim solidorum ex qualibet 
 libra annui valoris cujusbbet dignitatis sive beneficii ecclesia- 
 stici, juxta valorem eorundem benefieiorum in libris primi- 
 tiarum dicta? dominaa nostra; reginaa expressum, solvend. infra 
 spatium sex annorum post lapsum sive expirationem termi- 
 norum alias pro solutione subsidii jamdudum concessi assigna- 
 torum : cujus petitioni omnes supranominati consentierunt. Et 
 mox dominus prolocutor accersitus fuit ad reverendissimum 
 dominum Cant, archiepiscopum, caeterosque dominos praalatos 
 in superiori domo ; quo se contulit, comitantibus eum decano 
 Westminster, decano Roffen. decano Sarum, decano Elien. 1 7 1 
 doctore Bell, arcbidiacono Mullyns, archidiacono Redman. 
 Unde paulo post revertens, retulit universo coatui bujus domus, 
 se significasse eisdem dominis praalatis consensmn hujus domus 
 in concessione duplicis subsidii petiti, nec non eorum petitionem 
 pro immunitate sua obtinenda ab omni exbibitione sive praasta- 
 tione munitioniun bellicarum. Et ulterius dominus prolocutor 
 ad petitionem quorundaui bujus domus elegit magistrum D. 
 Bolde, magistrum Wilhelmum Coton, et magistrum Bayneham, 
 ad tractandum et communicandum cum caateris abis electis de 
 libro concipiendo pro subsidiis bujusmodi. Ac deinde dominus 
 prolocutor intimavit omnibus praasentibus bujusmodi convoca- 
 tionem esse continuatam usque diem Mercurii proximum inter 
 boras nonam et undecimam ante meridiem in hoc loco, et 
 monuit eos ad tunc ibidem interessendum. 
 
 Sessio sexta. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 26 0 Februarii, 1588, secundum, &c. in quo- 
 dam sacello ex parte septcntrionali infra ecclesiam colle- 
 giatam divi Petri Westminster, inter boras nonam et un- 
 decimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei in praasentia mei Thomae 
 Barker, notarii pubbci assumpti, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c. 
 Quibus die bora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 
 nati ; et post preces celebratas, ex mandato domini prolocutoris 
 ego notarius antedictus publico, ac alta et intelligibili voce, 
 perlegi librum conceptum pro duobus subsidiis dominaa nostraa 1 73 
 
268 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 reginse concessis; et post lecturam ejusdem omncs praesentes 
 eundem librum, omnesque sententias, clausulas, ac provisiones, 
 tarn veteres minime rcformatas, quam recentiores et novas, 
 nnper ac noviter emendatas et additas, juxta petitiones et 
 scedulas domino prolocutori porrectas unanimiter approbarunt 
 et ratificarunt. Ac statim postea acccrsitus fuit dorninus pro- 
 locutor ad dominos prselatos in superiori domo, sccumque 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, et D. Cham- 
 berleyne ; et in eorum reversu in banc domum, dorninus prolo- 
 cutor significavit omnibus praesentibus, quod reverencb patres 
 in superiori domo minime approbarunt quasdam ex clausis sive 
 provisionibus in libro subsidiorum praedicto, sic ut praefertur 
 lecto, et per totum ccetum hujus domus approbato ; quodque 
 lapsus temporis non pateretur in praesenti ulteriorem tractatum 
 sive deliberationem de ea re ; ideoque ulterius significavit con- 
 tinuationem esse factam usque inter boras secundam et quartam 
 horam pomeridianam in boc loco, et monuit omnes ad interes- 
 sendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio septima. 
 
 Eodem die in loco praedicto ac inter boras praeassignatas, in 
 praesentia mei Thomas Barker, notarii publici assumpti, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Bell, &c. 
 Dictis die bora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranominati ; 
 et mox venerabiles viri D. Pearne, D. Bulleyn, D. Bell, D. Tyn- 
 1 74 dall, D. Goodman, D. Coldwell, D. Wylson, Mr. Redman, Mr. 
 Bungey, Mr. Hutchinson, et Mr. Rilston, deduxerunt sive comi- 
 tati sunt dominum prolocutorem ad reverendos patres dominos 
 praalatos in superiori domo ; ibique habita inter eos consulta- 
 tione sive communicatione de modo et forma conceptionis libri 
 subsidiorum prsedict. domini praalati declararunt domino prolo- 
 cutori casterisque supranominatis nonnullas causas et rationes 
 ob quas dictus liber subsidiorum reformatur per eos in quibus- 
 dam nuper additis et emendatis per domum inferiorem, necnon 
 rogarunt dominum prolocutorem ut causas et rationes hujus- 
 modi toto coetui domus inferioris renuntiaret. Quibus sic gestis, 
 dorninus prolocutor et caeteri praanominati reversi sunt in infe- 
 riorem domum praadictam ; et juxta requisitionem sibi factam, 
 ipse et dorninus archidiaconus Cant, renunciarunt causas refor- 
 
anno ij88. 
 
 269 
 
 mationis libri subsidiorum praedict. et eis auditis, ortus est dis- 
 sensus de forma conceptionis dicti libri. Unde, de mandato 
 domini prolocutoris, omnes pra?sentes per me notarium publi- 
 cum praxlictum nominatim evocati sunt ad reddendum eorum 
 suffragia de forma conceptionis dicti libri ; ac deinde evidenter 
 constitit numerum consentientium forma; dicti libri per dominos 
 episcopos, ut prasfertur, reformat!, majorem esse numero dis- 
 scntientium. Unde mox dominus prolocutor intimavit conti- 
 nuationem liujus convocationis esse factam usque diem Veneris 
 proximum inter horas nonam et undecimam ante meridiem 
 ejusdem diei in hoc loco, et monuit omnes praesentes ad intcres- 
 sendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio octava. i 
 Die Veneris, viz. 28 0 Februarii, 1588, secundum, &c. in quo- 
 dam sacello ex parte septentrionali infra ecclesiam colle- 
 giatam divi Petri Westm. inter horas nonam et undecimam 
 ante meridiem, in prassentia mei Thomas Barker, notarii 
 publici assumpti, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Chamberleyne, &c. 
 Quibus die bora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomiuati ; 
 et post divini Numinis implorationem, dominus prolocutor evo- 
 catus 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 prolocutor publice 
 declaravit omnibus pra?sentibus, praefatos dominos episcopos 
 nuper certiorcs factos esse do adversa valetudine reverendissimi 
 patris_domini Cant, arcliiepiscopi, ita quod non potest sine vitae 
 suae periculo ad banc ecclesiam collegiatam accedere. Et ideo 
 intimavit quod concessus hujus domus continuatur usque inter 
 horas secundam et quartam pomeridianam in palatio dicti reve- 
 rendissimi patris apud Lambehith, et monuit omnes ad interes- 
 sendutn, &c. 
 
 Sessio nona. 
 
 Eodem die inter horas secundam et quartam pomcridianas, in 
 sacello reverendissimi patris domini archiepiscopi Cant, infra 1 
 palatium suum apud Lambehith, in praesentia mei Thomas 
 Barker, notarii publici assumpti, &c. 
 
 Die bora et loco praxlictis comparuerunt omnes infra nomi- 
 nati ; et mox dominus prolocutor totusque ccetus hujus domus 
 
270 
 
 Acta in inf. don}. 
 
 accersiti fuerunt ad dominos episcopos existentes in quadam 
 camera jacente prope prajdictum sacellura ; ibique'aperte, dis- 
 tincte, et publice, perlectus fuit liber subsicliorum. Quo sic 
 perlecto, nullus pra?sentiimi dictum librum aut formam ejusdem 
 contradixit. Et tunc dominus episcopus London, vigore com- 
 missionis sibi in ea parte facta*, continuavit hujusmodi convoca- 
 tionem usque diem Mercurii proximum in ecclesiam collegiatam 
 divi Petri West, inter boras octavam et decimam ante meri- 
 diem, quam continuationem dominus prolocutor intimavit omni- 
 bus praesentibus ; et monuit eos ad tunc ibidem inter essendum, 
 &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Bulleyn, &c. 
 
 Sessio decima. 
 
 Die Mercm'ii, viz. 5 0 die mensis Martii anno Domini 1588, 
 secundum, &c. in quodam sacello, ex parte boreali ecelesiaa 
 collegiata? divi Petri Westm. in prassentia magistri Jobaimis 
 Coston, notarii publici, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Coldwell, &c. 
 Quibus die bora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 
 nati ; et post preces peractas, dominus prolocutor declaravit, 
 quod quum ex fide digna relatione acceperit, laici bujus regni 
 1 69 quandam billam sive petitionem pro provisione armorum per 
 clerum bujus regni fienda superiori domo parUamenti exbi- 
 buere, ideoque dominus prolocutor duxit consentaneum esse, ut 
 integer coetus hujus domus petitionem sive supplicationem 
 aliquam eidem parliamento porrigeret, ad impediendum seu 
 saltern mitigandum et reformandum formam illius billse quoad 
 clerum : ac mox dominus prolocutor supplicationem quandam 
 in finem pra?dictum conceptam tunc ibidem protubt, ac palam 
 et pubUce per legit, in se continentem inter aba nonnullas 
 causas et rationes, quare clerus hujus regni minime oneretm* 
 subministratione et provisione mibtum, armorum, et munitio- 
 num belbcarum, prout in dicta billa (ut praefertur) exbibita 
 fuit et est insertum : quam quideni petitionem sic lectam omnes 
 praesentes approbarunt, ac expresse consentierunt, ut eadem 
 nomine totius domus exhiberetur dominis arcbiepiscopis, epi- 
 scopis, baronibus, et proceribus superioris domus parbamenti 
 ad effectum praedict. 
 
anno 1588. 
 
 271 
 
 Sessio undecima. 
 Die Veneris, viz. 7 0 Martii 1588. secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello ex parte boreali infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri 
 Westm. inter horas octavam et decimam ante meridiem, in 
 pracsentia magistri Johannis Coston et mei Thoma) Barker, 
 notariorum publicorum assumptorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. WalsaL &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 
 nati ; quibus dominus prolocutor intimavit continuationem hujus 
 domus convocationis esse factam in diem Mercurii proximum ^7° 
 inter horas octavam et decimam ante meridiem in hoc loco, et 
 monuit omnes pra;sentes ad interessendum, &c. 
 
 Sessio duodecimo:. 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 12° Martii, 1588, secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello ex parte boreali infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi 
 Petri Westm. inter horas octavam et undecimam ante meri- 
 diem ejusdem diei, in prsesentia Johannis Coston, et mei 
 Thomae Barker, notariorum publicorum assumptorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Chamberleyn, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranominati ; 
 et post preces celebratas, dominus prolocutor praeconizari fecit 
 citatos ad comparendum in hac parte ; et praeconizatione hujus- 
 moth minime finita, reverendissimus pater dominus Cant, archi- 
 episcopus, ca?terique domini praalati in superiori domo, accersi- 
 verunt ad se integrum ccetum hujus domus ; eosdemque dominos 
 prajlatos adierunt in ecclesia collegiata pra)dicta. Ibiquc chctus 
 reverendissimus pater reprehendit neghgentiain sive contuma- 
 ciam nonnullorum citatorum et monitorum ad comparendum in 
 hac domo, et non comparentium ; ac expresse affirmavit se 
 velle propter eorum contumacias contra eos procedere juxta 
 juris exigentiam, &c. Et deinde post aliquem tractatum de 
 aliis quibusdam seriis rebus, instanter rogavit omnes prassentes 
 ad contribuendum et praostandum aliquam pecuniarum sum- 
 mam in sustentationem et sublevamen quorundam Tyrrell et 
 Tydder presbyterorum, aliquando seductorum instigationibus 1 7 1 
 et persuasionibus falsis scelerati Romani pontificis cj usque ad- 
 hajrentium, ac nuper errores suos publice confitentium, nec non 
 sinceram rcligionem modo authoritate regia stabilitam profiten- 
 
272 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 tium. Et mox omnes supranominati in inferiorem domuni 
 praedict. reversi sunt, et tunc ibidem finita fuit pra econiza tio, ut 
 praefertur, citatorum, &c. ac etiam Facta fuit collectio in usum 
 praefatorum Tyrrell et Tyddcr ad suminam £3. 14s. tod. 
 Quibus sic gestis, dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus pras- 
 sentibus continuationcm hujus convocationis esse factam usque 
 diem Veneris proximum in hoc loco, inter horas octavam et 
 decimam ante meridiem, et monuit omnes jam praesentes ad 
 tunc ibidem interessendum. 
 
 Sessio decima tertia. 
 Die Veneris, viz. 14 0 Martii, 1588, secundum, &c. in ecclesia 
 collegiata divi Petri Westm. comparuerunt omnes infranomi- 
 nati inter boras prseassignatas, in praasentia Johannis Coston 
 et mei Thoma? Barker, notariorum publicorum assumpto- 
 rum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Wood, &c. 
 Dictis die bora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranominati ; 
 quibus facta fuit intimatio de continuatione hujusmodi convoca- 
 tionis usque in diem Mercurii proximum inter boras octavam 
 et undecimam ante meridiem, in boc loco. 
 
 172 Sessio decima quarta. 
 
 Die Mercurii, viz. 19 0 Martii, 1588. secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello infra ecclesiam colleo-iatam cbvi Petri Westm. inter 
 boras octavam et decimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, in 
 praesentia mei Thomaj Barker, notarii publici assumpti, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Bulleyn, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco convenerunt omnes supranominati ; 
 quibus facta fuit intimatio de continuatione hujus convoca- 
 tionis usque, inter horas secundam et quartam pomeridianas, 
 in boc loco. 
 
 Sessio decima quinta. 
 Eodem die in loco ac inter boras prseassignatas in praesentia 
 magistri Johannis Coston et mei Thomae Barker, notariorum 
 publicorum assumptorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Chamberleyn, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 
 
anno 1588. 
 
 273 
 
 nati ; et mox acccrsiti fuerunt ad reverendissimum patrem 
 aliosquc dominos praelatos in superiori domo, eosque adiorunt, 
 ibique reverendissimus pater perlegi fecit quosdam articulos 
 nuper per regiam auctoritatem approbates, ac per totam 
 provinciam Cant, observatos, quoad personalem residentiam 
 super benefieiis ecclesiasticis, et pluralitates beneficiorum, &c. 
 Ac postea tractatum aliquem de ea re invicem habuerunt. 173 
 Quibus sic gestis, reversi sunt in inferiorem doniura, ibique 
 dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus praesentibus continua- 
 tionein hujus convocationis esse factam usque in diem Veneris 
 proximuin, in hoc loco, inter horas octavam et deciinam ante 
 meridiem. 
 
 Sessio decima sexta. 
 Die Veneris, viz. 21° Martii, 1588, secundum, &c. in quodam 
 sacello ex parte boreali infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri 
 Westm. inter horas octavam et decimam ante meridiem in 
 praesentia magistri Johannis Coston et mci Thomas Barker, 
 notariorum pubhcorum assumptorum, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. James, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 
 nati ; ac eorum plures intrarunt domum convocationis una cum 
 domino prolocutore ; ubi dominus prolocutor statini intimavit 
 omnibus praesentibus hanc convocationem esse continuatam 
 usque inter horas secundam et quartam pomeridianam in hoc 
 loco ; et monuit omnes praesentes ad tunc interessendum. 
 
 Sessio decima septima. 
 Eodem die in loco ac inter horas praeassignatas, in praesentia 
 magistri Johannis Coston et mei Thomaj Barker, notariorum 
 publicorum assumptorum. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Pearne, &c. 
 Quibus die hora et loco comparuerunt omnes supranomi- 174 
 nati ; quorum uonnulli intrarunt domum convocationis una 
 cum domino prolocutore ; quibus intimavit ad statim conti- 
 nuationem hujus convocationis esse factam usque in diem 
 Mercurii proximum, inter horas octavam et decimam ante 
 meridiem in hoc loco ; et monuit omnes praesentes ad tunc 
 ibidem interessendum, &c. 
 
 dlBSON. 
 
 T 
 
274 
 
 Acta in inf. dom. 
 
 Sessio decima octava. 
 Die Mercurii, 26 0 viz. die mensis Martii, anno Domini 1589, 
 in quodam sacello ex parte boreali infra ecclesiam collegiatam 
 divi Petri Westminster, inter horas octavam et decimam ante 
 meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesentia mei Johannis Coston, 
 notarii publici, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. "Wood, &c. 
 Illis comparentibus dominus prolocutor significavit eonvoca- 
 tionem esse prorogatam in crastinum diem, viz. diem Jovis, 
 27 diem praesentis mensis Martii inter boras nonam et unde- 
 cimam ante meridiem in hoc loco. Et monuit praesentes ad 
 tunc ibidem interessendum. 
 
 Sessio decima nona. 
 Die Jovis, 27 0 viz. die mensis Martii, 1589, in quodam sacello 
 infra ecclesiam collegiatam divi Petri Westminster, ex parte 
 boreali ejusdem ecclesia?, inter horas octavam et decimam 
 ante meridiem ejusdem diei, in praesentia mei Johannis 
 Coston notarii publici. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. James, &c. 
 1 75 Quibus die et loco dominus prolocutor significavit hiis com- 
 parentibus convocationem hujusmodi esse prorogatam in cras- 
 tinum diem, viz. 28 0 diem praesentis mensis Martii. inter horas 
 octavam et decimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, ad hunc 
 locum, et monuit, &c. 
 
 Sessio vicesima. 
 Die Veneris, 28 0 die mensis Martii, anno Domini 1589, in 
 loco praedicto in praesentia mei Johannis Coston, notarii 
 publici, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, D. Cbamberlayne, &c. 
 Quibus die et loco dominus prolocutor intimavit hiis com- 
 parentibus convocationem hujusmodi esse prorogatam in pome- 
 ridiano hujus diei inter horas primam et quartam ad hunc 
 locum, &c. 
 
cmno 1589. 
 
 275 
 
 Sessio vicesima prima. 
 In pomeridiaiio ejusdem diei, in loco prsedicto, in praisentia 
 
 mei Johannis Coston, notarii publici, &c. 
 
 D. prolocutor, Mr. Gabriel Goodman, &c. 
 
 Quibus die et loco dorainus prolocutor verbo tenus inti- 
 mavit hujusmodi convocationem esse continuatani juxta decre- 
 tum doniini archiepiscopi Cant. viz. in diem Mercurii proximum, 
 viz. secundum diem mensis Aprilis, inter boras nonam et unde- 176 
 cimam ante meridiem ejusdem diei, ad bunc locum, &c. 
 
 Quo die adveniente, dissoluta extitit bujusmodi convocatio ad 
 honorem Dei celebrat. &c. 
 
 t 2 
 
223 Observations from the foregoing Acts of the Upper and 
 Lower House, concerning the Right of continuing the 
 Convocation, Sfc. 
 
 THIS question about the right to continue has been consi- 
 dered at large under all its circumstances : for a more parti- 
 cular account whereof the reader is referred to the Vindication 
 of the Archbishop's Right, and the Reflections upon the late 
 Expedient. At present, I intend to confine myself to the 
 Schedule of Continuation, and such short remarks thereupon 
 as arise more especially from the acts of those five convoca- 
 tions which are here made public. 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 per- 
 plexed the cause and amused the world with a A-ariety of little 
 224 circumstances obscurely entered in some imperfect minutes. 
 The sche- In the upper house acts, anno 1562, 1640, and 1661, the 
 stantly" 1 " reac ^ er w iM observe the schedule of continuation 3 all along 
 
 a " When the convocation comes to sit, and the business of that day is 
 over, the archbishop consults with his suffragans about a convenient day 
 to which they may continue for the further prosecution of the business 
 before them : and that being adjusted, a schedule of continuation is deli- 
 vered by the register to his grace, who either by himself or his deputy 
 publicly reads and afterwards signs it. And that reading and signing is 
 formally attested by a public notary ; which is altogether unnecessary to 
 any purposes in the upper house. The attestation therefore could origin- 
 ally be intended only to give the lower house (to the prolocutor whereof it 
 is immediately sent, to be by him intimated to the house) a legal assurance 
 that it is the archbishop's act, and to acquaint them what they are to do 
 in pursuance of it. 
 
 " I know not certainly how long such schedules have been used in con- 
 vocation ; but believe that they came in when it begun to be less usual 
 for the lower clergy to stay with the bishops in the upper house through- 
 out the debates, and so to be present there at the time of his grace's con- 
 tinuation." — Right of the Archbishop, Letter ii. p. 38. 
 
Observations concerning the right of continuing. 277 
 mentioned at the end of the sessions, to specify the manner of mentioned 
 
 i ■ rt • ln *" U P" 
 
 that act, and of the execution thereof hy his gi'ace : Prout tn peT house 
 schedula per eum lecta, juxta schedulam per eum lectam, ie & sters ' 
 jwxta tenorem schedules per eum lectce : and then the entry 
 usually introduced in these words, Cujus quidem schedules ve- 
 nts tenor sequitur in hcec verba, In Dei nomine, Amen, Nos, 
 fyc. 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 
 remained in the office anno 1666 were consumed in the fire of 
 London ; but from that time we have great numbers of them, 
 beginning as the ancient ones did, and without doubt copied 
 from them. Those from the year 1666 to 1670 inclusive have 
 been discovered lately, and will be produced anon, to prove 
 that the clause convocatio prozlatorum et cleri, is not only a 
 very material, but also a genuine part of the archiepiscopal 
 schedule. 
 
 The use of schedules in an English synod is much more an-Theanti- 
 cient than the reformation, or the division of the two houses, schedules 
 Under archbishop Chichele we meet with frequent mention of 111 convo- 
 
 . . cation. 
 
 them in the business of subsidies, constitutions, &c. ; but I have 
 never observed any footstep of a separate schedule of continua- 
 tion while the two houses debated together. In 1438 the re- 
 gister of that year gives us the copy of a decree or sentence 225 
 against the absents, which includes a prorogation also, with an 1^^*33 
 admonition to the members then present to attend according ofthisbook. 
 to the tenor thereof, Et prazsentem convocationem usque in et 
 ad $*c. cont 'utuamus : monentes insuper omnes et singulos jam 
 praisentes, ut die prazdicto compareant, SfC But whether in 
 those days all the continuations were formally drawn in writ- 
 ing, or only pronounced viva voce by the archbishop or his 
 commissary, the acts have nowhere 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 men- 
 tioned as a written form, and the form itself directly referred 
 
278 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 to by the abridger, as entered at length in the original acts. 
 
 Sess. 2. Continuavit, fyc. cum verbis in scriptis, quod 
 
 scriptum ibidem sequitur. Quod fecit in scriptis, ut ibi- 
 dem. Anno 1532, sess. 1, it is said in the abstracts with re- 
 ference to the original register, Item inseritur tenor continua- 
 tionis sive prorogationis in diem Martis prose. 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 pronounced : Episcopus London. [commissarius~\ conti- 
 nuavit in diem Veneris in horam secundum, ut in papyri 
 schedula quam in manu tenuit. 
 226 Till this time, for aught appears, the form of continuation 
 was entered at length in the registers, as it still is in the con- 
 vocation of York, where the clergy, if they be retired on any 
 particular occasion, are sent for to be present at the continua- 
 tion solemnly pronounced out of that form by the archbishop 
 or his commissary. And so it probably was (for we can go no 
 further than probabilities) in the province of Canterbury, for 
 The inferior some time after their separation. Even in these extracts ex- 
 senif at P the press mention is made of the presence of the inferior clergy at 
 archbi- t} ie continuations of the president ; and there are other in- 
 
 shop s con- ...... , .. . 
 
 tinuations. stances in which their attendance in the upper house, and the 
 continuations there, are so expressed 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, Prcesentibus aliquibus de 
 clero, sed paucis suffraganeis. 
 
 Anno 1529, sess. 2. The upper house book: Monitus est 
 
 prolocutor cum clero quod comparerent prox. die Veneris, 
 
 loco et hora, Sfc. et sic continuavit, fyc. to the same day. 
 
 Anno 1529, sess. 17. The commissaries continue in the upper 
 house, Prcesentibus prolocutore et rnultis aliis de clero. 
 
 Anno 1555, sess. 2. The lower house having received in 
 charge what they were to consider against the next session, 
 Dominus praises, absentibus omnibus, ]>rius ])raconisatis et 
 nullo modo comparentibus, pro contumacibus pronunciatis, 
 continuavit 
 
 227 Anno 1557. sess. 8. The archbishop having admonished 
 clerum domus inferioris not to depart without leave, inde con- 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 279 
 
 tinuavit in diem Mercurii, 16 Februarii prox. hora 2 post 
 meridiem, fy-c. monuitque omnes, 8fc. ad interessendum. 
 
 Anno 1586. Dr. Awbrey, as commissary to the archbishop, 
 continues hujusmodi convocationem in statu quo nunc est, 8fc. 
 praisentibus tunc ibidem venerabilibus viris Mris. Mullyns et 
 Walker ex coetu inferioris domus, necnon aliis testibus, Sfc. 
 This was done in the chapter-house of St. Paul's, the place of 
 the bishops ; and is entered in the lower house journal as the 
 continuation of that house, Edward Say their actuary being 
 also present. 
 
 From the foregoing observations upon the form and manner A short ac- 
 of continuation, this account of it may, in my opinion, be fairly schedule*' 16 
 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 continued 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 authentic 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 trou- 
 blesome, and a proper person by whom to convey it immedi- 
 ately 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 
 a separate paper or schedule, from whence, as a notice more 228 
 certain and easy, the prolocutor should intimate the continua- 
 tion 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. 
 
 I have been told of a scheme lately offered, to show that the The deriv- 
 use of these schedules in our Enjdish convocation was derived in ? °, ui i 
 
 ° schedules 
 
 from the same method in the Lateran council under Julius II. from the 
 and Leo X. b If this scheme be made more public, we may ^ncii an 
 
 b " His first inquiry is about the. antiquity and rise of the schedule ; 
 derived by him from the Lateran council which ended in the year 1517. 
 For there, he says, such a schedule was first regularly and uniformly prac- 
 tised ; and that abp. Warham, being a great master of the canon law, 
 transcribed the pattern thus set, in the next convocation he called after 
 
~80 Observations concerning 
 
 improbable expect that the author thereof show 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, resolved 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 coun- 
 cil, upon the publication thereof by order of pope Leo X. 
 
 These are proofs which will be naturally called for to sup- 
 port 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 
 
 the dissolution of that council, which was in the year 1522. That (as a 
 testimony thereof) at the precise time when these schedules were first 
 practised among us, a new clause was inserted in the archhishop's man- 
 date of summons, ordering the capitular and diocesan clergy to send up 
 ' sufficientes procurators habentes in ea parte authoritatem potestatem et 
 mandatum sufficient, continuation! et prorogation! dierum extunc sequent, 
 et locorum, si oporteat, consentiendi.' That the lower clergy being then in 
 possession of a distinct right of consenting to synodical continuations, 
 this solemn recognition of that right was made to prevent any jealousy or 
 suspicion that such a form was introduced in prejudice to their right. 
 
 "This is the principle upon which he builds; and his plain design in 
 labouring so much to bring in the use of the schedule and that clause to- 
 gether was to make the clergy's consent to continuations implied though 
 not expressed in the archbishop's schedule; but (as we shall observe more 
 largely in the proper place) impartial men will find it hard to conceive 
 how the consent of the clergy should be necessary to make a continuation, 
 the time whereof is absolutely fixed and the instrument signed and pub- 
 lished, and the clergy (by their own confession) determined to the day, 
 before they have the least notice of it, much less have been asked to con- 
 cur, or signified their consent. 
 
 " His scheme, I confess, might make it look as if the clergy had an 
 injury done them in that determination above, without their consent first 
 had, if the facts upon which he grounds it were certainly true. But if on 
 the other hand it do not appear, nay, be extremely improbable, that the 
 continuing by schedule was first regularly practised in the Lateran coun- 
 cil ; or that abp. Warham introduced it here in imitation of that pattern ; 
 that the clergy before that time had a right to consent to continuations ; 
 or that this clause was inserted in the mandate to recognise and secure 
 that right; if, I say, this author have produced nothing to make these 
 probable, then they are no testimony of the clergy's right to consent, nor 
 of any thing else but his unfair and partial reasoning." — The Schedule 
 reviewed, p. 29. 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 281 
 
 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 conceived. 
 
 The reason why so many schedules appear in the printed 229 
 acts of that Lateran council is plainly this. After it was over, 
 pope Leo employed 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 original instruments, and were en- 
 tered by the notaries upon the place. This was afterwards 
 made public 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 de- 
 crees whereof were only made public, without the forms of 
 proceeding, therefore such sche lules were not used 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 do not appear there ; and so the same argument 
 (the silence of the printed acts) which makes those in the La- 
 teran 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 happened not to be so curious 
 as Leo the Tenth in publishing the forms of proceeding with 
 the decrees of their councils. Though as to this point of the 
 schedules, even in the year i43 x > long enough before the La- 
 teran council, we find the legate and the other prelates, &c. in 
 the council of Basil solemnly met in certa aula, fyc. in qua 230 
 soliti sunt pro conciliis tenendis in unum convenire, and de- 
 creeing a day for the first session expressly by schedule ; prout 
 in schedula, cujus tenor inferius primo loco describitur, ple- 
 nius 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. Nor would I have The dispute 
 the foregoing account of the use of schedules in an English uporTpro- 0 * 
 
282 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 roguing by convocation to be so understood, as if in the present dispute it 
 otherwise ° r wcre a * a ^ material whether his grace pronounced the conti- 
 nuation 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 au- 
 thentic conveyance of his grace's act. I only proposed, accord- 
 ing 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 bouses, 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 sup- 
 poses a necessity of some kind of notice to what day and hour 
 the continuation is made ; so, if that notice be but authentic, 
 it is indifferent in what manner it comes. 
 The heads The cpiestions therefore, in short, are these : I. What is it 
 the°dispute archbishop or his commissary pronounces in the upper 
 
 turns. house ? II. What is it that is thereupon intimated or signified 
 2 3 1 to the lower ? 
 
 I. What is it that the archbishop or his commissary pro- 
 nounces in the upper house ? Is it the continuation of the 
 bishops and clergy, i. e. of the whole convocation 1 or is it the 
 continuation of the upper house only ? 
 Thebishops In the current style of these three entire registers of the 
 fointij^con- u PP er h° use > the body continued is hnjusmodi convocatio sive 
 tinued in sacra synodus provincialis. And as I may appeal to every 
 hous" 1 ^" unprejudiced person whether he had ever any notion of these 
 terms, than as including the prelates and clergy assembled 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 
 P. 44, 45. thence in a larger Vindication of the Archbishop's Eight. 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 sche- But, as I observed before, the registers only mention the 
 dently com- continuations with reference to the schedule, from which the 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 283 
 
 act is immediately pronounced, and the meaning and extent pretends 
 thereof is by consequence to be taken. It is well known that shops and 
 the schedules before 1666 were all consumed in the fire of cle rgy- 
 London ; and the most early one that was thought to remain 
 in the office when I published the Right of the Archbishop, is 
 in the year ~i6jo. c An entire copy thereof is given in that P. 39- 
 book ; and by it the president (without any mention of the ^3 2 
 consent of his brethren) continues praisentem sacram synodum 
 sive convocations m prcelatorum et cleri, d to a certain day 
 hour and place, all distinctly specified therein. 
 
 evade the force of this, some frivolous objections were Right of 
 raised at the first against the notary and the schedule; but p^o^'i. 
 these have been already considered ; indeed, much more parti- 
 cularly than they deserved. 
 
 It has been further urged, that from the year 1673, the 
 remaining schedules usually run in a different style, J\ T os, §'c. Right, &c. 
 continuamus hujusmodi convocationem sive sacram synodum^' 44 ' 45 ' 
 provincialem. But suppose these terms not to include the 
 lower clergy so effectually as those of the schedules in ] 670, The clause 
 &c. (which yet we have proved they do,) the most early sche- c / er i, a ge- 
 dules must certainly have a better title to be thought the true n ™? e I,a , rt 
 
 •> ft of the sche- 
 
 and genuine forms, than any of those that come after them. dule. 
 But this cavil, if it were of any moment, is now sufficiently an- 
 swered 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. prcesentem sacram 
 synodum sive convocationem jiwlatoriim et 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 
 
 c " All these schedules of a more ancient date were consumed in the fire 
 of London ; and the oldest now remaining is that of the bishop of Roches- 
 ter, as commissary to archbishop Sheldon in the year 1670." — The Right 
 of the Archbishop, Letter ii. p. 39. 
 
 d " The clause ' Proelatorum et Cleri provincial Cantuariensis' was put in 
 there by the mistake of Mr. Mundy, the drawer of the schedule, who ap- 
 pears to have been a man utterly unacquainted with forms of that kind, 
 and unable to word them skilfully." — The Right of the Archbishop, p. 40. 
 The answer was, that many of the schedules were not written by Mr. 
 Mundy. 
 
284 Observations concerning 
 
 with those of the upper house, let the common reason of man- 
 kind judge how any scruple can remain whether the clergy 
 have been always comprehended in the continuations above ? 
 233 The journals affording no direct testimonies of the trans- 
 mU^on'of m i ss i° n °f * ne schedule to the lower clergy, this has lately 
 the sche- been made another question. In answer to which, I have else- 
 cimim- y * where shown more at large, that if the lower clergy be included 
 this dis m * n con t mua ^ on above, as we have just now proved they 
 pute. are, it matters not which way the notice thereof is conveyed, 
 upon Uie so ^ on S as t ne conveyance is clear and authentic. 6 
 Exp. p. 19. However, 1. It is enough that the custom of sending down 
 believe that ^ ne schedule is in possession ; having been constantly practised 
 thesche- i n the convocation of 1689, without any scruple or opposition 
 been ever from the lower clergy. And therefore, by all the rules of 
 sent down. t lecid.iiig questions of this kind, we have a right to plead pos- 
 session, and it lays on their side to prove the practice an inno- 
 vation. 
 
 But. 3. 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 withal, that in the convocation of York, where the 
 bishops and clergy are continued in a body, the form is still 
 read by the president out of the Journal itself. 
 
 3. That by the tenor of the schedule, it is the reading which 
 effects the continuation ; and therefore the additional signing 
 
 e "Let us suppose, much more than you contend for, that it was certain 
 the schedule was never sent down before 1689; yet if it appears, ' that the 
 inferior clergy are comprehended in the terms of the schedule ; that 
 accordingly they are continued by the act in the upper house ; and that it 
 is this act which the prolocutor intimates,' if, I say, all these appear, it 
 makes no difference, as to his grace's authority and the extent of it, whe- 
 ther the prolocutor be required to deliver this notice to the house out of a 
 schedule sent down, or in pursuance of a direction from the archbishop 
 immediately delivered to him. His grace, no doubt, may convey to the 
 lower clergy the resolutions of himself and his suffragans in any way that 
 shall be an authentic conveyance ; and such undoubtedly must the prolo- 
 cutor's be, who is chosen by the clergy and solemnly confirmed by the 
 archbishop and his brethren, to be entrusted with representations from 
 both sides, and so to maintain a mutual correspondence between them." — 
 Reflections upon An expedient, fyc. p. 19. 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 285 
 
 must ho in order to make it an authentic act to some other 
 body. Accordingly, in the province of York it is never signed, 
 because the clergy being present, there is no occasion to send 
 it down. [I am since assured that in York province the arch- 
 bishop or his commissary always signs the instrument of conti- 
 nuation after reading.] 
 
 As to the attestation, there is this difference between the 
 schedules before and after the year 1670, that those before are 
 usually attested by the notary's adding the names of the 234 
 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 expressed, Dominus prolocutor verbo 
 terms intimavit hujusmodi convocationem esse continuatam 
 juzeta decretum dornini circlnepiscopi Cant. This unusual ad- 
 dition 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 nsed in continuations besides the 
 archiepiscopal schedule, I must conclude, till some other paper 
 be produced, that this expression is directly opposed to the 
 intimations from the schedule, as the established way of conti- 
 nuing 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 authentic hand, and both shall be equally binding with 
 the schedule ;) but it was designed only for an ease to the pro- 
 locutor, and a more sure conveyance to the inferior clergy. 
 
 The schedule put into the prolocutor's hands*' is a legal no- Tlie P roI °' 
 1 1 0 cutor is 
 
 f " The publishing signing and sending down the schedule are not 
 intended immediately to put an end to the debates of the lower house. 
 The clergy come thither in obedience to the preceding prorogation of the 
 president, and are not discharged from their attendance before the legal 
 notice of another prorogation to a further day. The prolocutor is the 
 person by whom his grace conveys all his instructions and notices to the 
 lower house; and accordingly the schedule signed and attested is put into 
 his hands to be intimated to the house : but unless the president signify 
 his pleasure at what time precisely they shall be discharged (which he is 
 not supposed ordinarily to do) it is left to the judgment and discretion of 
 the prolocutor, who is the moderator of their debates, on what part of the 
 
28G Observations concerning 
 
 judge of the tice of the act above, not to the house, but only to him who 
 timating 11 " g ovcrns t ne debates there under the president, and is bound 
 when the in this and all other cases to signify to the lower house the 
 does' not* instructions and commands of the upper. The thing to be sig- 
 mterpose. nified is the continuation of bishops and clergy, or of the whole 
 3«5 synod, pronounced in the upper house by the president, who 
 has thereby, in strictness of law, a right to pixt an end to the 
 See Right session in the lower house by an immediate intimation, if he 
 p! 98 6 . A P see cailse t° require it of the prolocutor ; and it is this legal 
 power which I assert in the larger Vindication of the Arch- 
 bishop's Right, p. 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 accompanied with any particular direc- 
 tion as to the time of breaking up, his grace is presumed to 
 leave the person entrusted with moderating there to judge 
 when the business of that day is over, and when by conse- 
 quence 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 show us that the consent or opinion of 
 the clergy was ever asked or given, in order to this intimation, 
 before the first convocation in 1701. 
 The form The true form of this intimation can be nowhere learnt but 
 
 to^tobe*" from thc lower house books of I 5 86 and I 5 88 ' wllieh 1 liave 
 taken from often observed to be the only exact journals of that house now 
 
 exar^jour- remaining, those of 1640, 1 661, &c. being only short minutes 
 nals. 0 f what passed, in order to be afterwards reduced into acts by 
 the addition of the usual forms and methods of proceeding. 
 And when men openly decline to follow plain and distinct di- 
 rections, and choose rather to be guided by some imperfect 
 hints, it looks as if they neither cared nor intended to keep in 
 the right way. 
 
 236 These two journals therefore are our proper guides in this 
 The ordi- ma tter ; and if an established form were to be settled and 
 
 nary phrase 
 
 ought in agreed on, the most reasonable proposition would certainly be, 
 the S esta- b<? *° adhere to the current and ordinary style, and to lay aside 
 
 day 'tis convenient that the intimation, and by consequence the discharge, 
 be given with regard to the length and nature of the business before 
 them." — The Schedule reviewed, p. 23. 
 
the right of continuing. 287 
 
 any accidental exceptions, upon a presumption of their having Wished 
 only heen used upon some special occasions. 
 
 The forms of declaring the continuations in the lower house Declaring 
 
 . , j by mti- 
 
 during the forementioned convocations are now printed at mation, the 
 large ; hut that the reader may he enahled to make a sure ^ iary 
 and easy judgment, he shall have the same general view of 
 them that has been lately drawn in the Reflections upon the 
 Expedient proposed. 
 
 " 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 1.588, sess. 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 
 20, 21. By signification (of the selfsame import with the in- 
 timations), 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 affirmed to be in Right of 
 these two journals of the lower house." p bf 3t. bp 
 
 The continuations in a different style, Continuavit quoad 
 hanc dornum, are seven; all in 1586 (the first meeting), sess. 
 3,4,5,6,9, 10. 11. 
 
 From hence, the ordinary way of declaring appears to be 237 
 bv intimation; and as the continuations quoad hanc domum ^ ?^ r . ase , 
 
 « 1 introduced 
 
 are few in comparison of the others, so the very writer who on extraor- 
 has carried the independence of the lower house much higher ca S \' o 'n S ° n ~ 0t 
 than any of his brethren, assures as at the same time that the to be the 
 phrase was introduced upon a very particular occasion, viz. the f onn . 
 archbishop's putting the prolocutor into his commission ^ or ^ 1 ° W Lower 
 proroguing. S As to the present case, therefore, he will not, house, p. 7. 
 
 COl. 2. 
 
 t> " That I may conceal nothing (for a good cause needs no disguises) I 
 shall here own to the reader what was the true occasion of employing the 
 phrase ' quoad hanc domum' in the acts of 1586. The prolocutor was on 
 that day, when we first meet with it there, put into the archbishop's com- 
 mission 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) ; 
 and therefore to distinguish the act of his proroguing the lower house from 
 that of his assisting in the prorogation of the upper, the notary with great 
 nicety expressed himself thus, ' dominus prolocutor continuavit convoca- 
 tionem quoad hanc domum.' I do not take this account to be any ways 
 
288 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 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 declar- 
 ing 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 declared by the prolocutor to the lower 
 Right of clergy, is the act of continuation pronounced in the upper 
 
 the Abp. ] 10US0 . anc i i ias b een elsewhere shown at large that the term 
 p. 59, &c. _ _ & 
 
 ii)tim((vit, h as well in its natural notion as in convocation lan- 
 guage, 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 prolo- It was warmly pleaded at the beginning, that the prolo- 
 mationre- I " cu * or ' s hitimation had immediate reference to an act or vote 
 fers not to of the lower house ; but that notion seems now to be deserted, 
 of the both upon an evident absurdity of intimating to the house a 
 house, but no tjce received directly from the house, and also the want of 
 
 only to the * 
 
 act of the proof, or even a colour thereof, that any such vote or consent, 
 archbishop. Q f w ] 1 j c } 1 Sll pp 0 sed this to be the intimation, was ever 
 
 passed or mentioned in the house antecedent to that act of the 
 
 prolocutor. 
 
 And yet the late form intimamus hanc convocationem, §"c. 
 
 prejudicial to the present claim of the lower house; since it shews that the 
 prolocutor, even when he was in commission for proroguing, and did 
 actually prorogue the upper house (as we are sure he did in the fifth ses- 
 sion), was yet obliged solemnly to prorogue the lower ; and consecpuently 
 that the prorogation of the lower was not included in that of the upper, as 
 the sheet pretends ; but that the prolocutor acted in these cases by two 
 different authorities, in one as the archbishop's commissioner, in the other 
 as the mouth of the lower assembly." — The Power of the Lower House, 
 p. 7. col. 2. 
 
 h "Their application of the word intimavit, as taken for the resolution 
 of the lower house, is attended with one objection, which, I think, is gene- 
 rally observed : that, whereas (according to the common notion of the 
 word) intimation is meant of a thing unknown before to the person who 
 receives it, here it is an acquainting the house with a consent or resolution 
 which themselves had made immediately before. They direct the prolo- 
 cutor what he shall say, and then he intimates it to those from whom he 
 received his direction. In all cases where the vote or resolution of a body 
 is to be declared by one, I take the word declaravit or pronuntiavit to be 
 much more usual and exact." — The Right of the Archbishop, Letter ii. p. 59. 
 
the fight of continuing. 
 
 289 
 
 seems to have boon introduced 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 him- 
 self 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 footsteps can be 
 shown of the consent or vote of the house, implied in that form, 
 or at least the form itself can be justified by precedent : for as 
 to the intimations in 1586 and 1588, it is evident enough that 
 they were the sole act of the prolocutor, Prolocutor intimavit 
 hanc convocationem esse continuatam, prolocutor intimavit 
 continuationem hujus convocationis, fyc. 
 
 And it is no less plain, whatever hath been pretended to the The inti- 
 contrary, that this act of the prolocutor was then understood at the 
 to be purely an intimation of what was done in the upper command 
 house, given in the lower by the command and authority of sklent.*"^ 
 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 delivered by 
 the prolocutor from the upper house. But in some places it is See anno 
 expressly said to be done by the decree and command of the g^'o^and 
 archbishop; and in others to be a direct and immediate notice '5 88 - sess - 
 of the continuation pronounced above. So, anno 1588. sess. 2, 
 Dominus episcopus London, fyc. continuavit, §*c. quam conti- 
 nuationem dominus prolocutor intimavit omnibus prwsen- 
 tibus. Add to these the instance of the archbishop's indispo- Anno 1588. 
 sition, and the adjournment thereupon to Lambeth : the prolo- sess ' 8 ' 
 cutor coming from the upper house, acquaints the clergy that 
 the bishops had received notice of his grace's illness, ita quod 
 non potest sine vitoz sum periculo hanc ecclesiaux collegiatam 
 accedere. Et ideo intimavit quod consessus hujus domus 
 continuatur usque inter horas, fyc. in palatio dicti reveren- 
 dissimi patris, fyc. To the same purpose is that in 1588, 
 sess. 6, where the prolocutor at his return from the upper 
 house, significavit omnibus praisentibus. quod reverendi patres 
 minime approbarunt quasdam ex clausulis, Sfc. Quodque 
 lapsus temporis non pateretur in prozsenti ulteriorem tracta- 
 tum sive dcliberationem de ea re; ideoque ulterius significavit 
 continuationem hujus convocationis esse factam, fyc. 
 
 GIBSON. u 
 
290 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 After so many and plain testimonies I suppose it will be 
 acknowledged that the intimation in those two journals was a 
 notice of the continuations in the upper house, declared to the 
 lower by the prolocutor, upon the command and authority of 
 Reflex, on the president. And as to the question whether the lower 
 Exp. p. 22. c j er gy jj e determined by such continuations, this resolves into 
 their being included in the terms of them ; which I hope is 
 already proved both here and elsewhere, to the full satisfaction 
 of every impartial reader'. And! I appeal once more to the 
 common reason of mankind, whether the prolocutor or actuary 
 240 of that time, supposing them, according to the new notion, to 
 mean the continuation of the upper house only, would not at 
 least have expressed 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 It may be proper to observe here, from the journal of 1586, 
 of*™* pro- * na * a f° rma l intimation by the prolocutor is not at all neces- 
 locutor not S ary to continue the lower house. In the 5th, 8th, and 9th 
 contfnue y sessions of the second meeting of that year the prolocutor was 
 the lower absent, and the continuation must therefore be intimated by 
 
 house. . 111 
 
 some other person coming from the upper house, who had 
 knowledge of the day. For the journal having reckoned by 
 
 > " The only question is about the extent of the intimation, whether it 
 be according to the modern phrase that their lordships have adjourned 
 themselves to such a time, or that the archbishop as president has conti- 
 nued the convocation. And this latter, I think, is evident enough from 
 the only light we have, the journals of 1586 and 1588, of which it is the 
 ordinary language in this case ' Prolocutor intimavit hanc' or ' hujusmodi 
 convocationem esse continuatam,' with the addition of the day and hour 
 specified in the continuation above. For first, he intimates the thing done 
 in the upper house, viz. that the convocation is continued ; and the term 
 convocatio in all the registers constantly signifies the bishops and clergy, 
 or, both houses : secondly, though we suppose (without any ground or 
 colour from the registers) that the term convocatio were applicable to 
 either house separately, yet if the prolocutor at that time had meant to 
 intimate the continuation of the upper house only, he would at least have 
 omitted the word hanc or hujusmodi (which rather determines it to the 
 lower) and have expressed it in a more general way, ' intimavit convoca- 
 tionem esse continuatam.' " — Reflections on An Expedient, p. 22. 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 291 
 
 name all the lower house members who were present on those 
 days, adds, Quibus intimation (and in one instance significa- 
 tum) 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 norunt hujusmodi convocationem esse continuatam 
 in diem Veneris prox. &c. post aliqualem moram discesse- 
 runt. 
 
 Can any thing be clearer than that the members in all these 
 instances took themselves to be comprehended in the continua- 
 tion above, and absolutely determined by it ? As soon as they 
 knew what had been, or was to be done in the upper house, 
 they asked no more questions, but presently departed, and 
 attended punctually according to the time and place appointed 
 there : which attendance is said in the journal to be inter horas 241 
 prceassignatas ; and it is plain there was no other assignment 
 of time but what his grace's commissary made. 
 
 The continuations by the archbishop in the upper house, Continua- 
 with a reservation of power to shorten or alter the time u P on shortened 6 
 notice to the bishops and clergy, are another evident testimony at pleasure 
 that the clergy in those days were thought to be absolutely c i er gy to be 
 concluded by his grace's act. For how could they be other- included, 
 wise 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 regis- 
 ters between the years 1532 and 1588, particularly enume- 
 rated and applied in the Right of the Archbishop, &c. p. 48, 49 k . 
 
 k " Prorogations have been often made by the archbishop with an 
 express reservation of liberty to shorten the time, on condition that he 
 gave notice to the members of the lower as well as the upper house : 
 Anno 1532, sess. 10. ' Quo die continuavit rursus in diem Veneris, &c. 
 casu quo interim episcopis praelatis prolocutori et clero intimatio in ea 
 parte facta fuerit.' 
 
 " So also in the year 1557, sess. 3, 8, 14, 16, and in 1553 and 1554. 
 
 " In these instances the archbishop and his commissary prorogue the 
 convocation with a liberty reserved to themselves of summoning the 
 bishops and clergy to a shorter day, if they find it necessary or conve- 
 nient. Now if the lower clergy were not included in such prorogations, 
 what right had the archbishop to suppose them under an obligation to 
 obey, in case he thought fit to contract and shorten the time ? Or how 
 came they to think themselves bound to answer that shorter summons, 
 
 U 2 
 
292 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 To which place I refer the reader, intending to confine myself 
 
 as much as may be to such observations as arise from the acts 
 
 of the five foregoing convocations. 
 
 The presi- Upon one head only, the president's right to continue the 
 
 to continue inferior clergy in the upper house, I have before brought testi- 
 
 the clergy monies from other journals also, because the rio;ht has been so 
 
 in the up- . J . 6 
 
 per house, lately questioned, and the exercise of it so freely censured as 
 
 new and unprecedented. 
 
 It is acknowledged on all hands that while the bishops and 
 clergy remained together they were jointly continued by an 
 Rights, &c. act of the president. Doctor Atterbury 1 confesses that he 
 ed 4 ^ preserved this power [of adjourning the inferior clergy] after 
 they were separated : and it has since been abundantly proved 
 that they are included as much as ever in the continuation 
 242 above. They were therefore, after the separation, equally 
 affected by the president's act ; and it made no difference 
 whether it was declared to them immediately by his grace, or 
 by any other hand legally empowered 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 attend- 
 ance of the whole body of the clergy was an unnecessary 
 trouble 111 , therefore the intimation thereof by the prolocutor 
 
 but that they knew they were included in the archbishop's prorogation, 
 and by consequence obliged to comply with the express limitations of it ?" 
 — The Right of the Archbishop, Letter ii. p. 47. 
 
 1 " They had more leisure for it than those of the upper house, who 
 were called upon often to attend the parliament, and were forced to ad- 
 journ often for that reason ; the inferior clergy continuing to sit all that 
 while and do business. And when they adjourned it was sometimes their 
 own act, but oftener at the command of the archbishop. This power be- 
 longed to him acourse when the two houses were united, and he pre- 
 served it after they were separated." — The Rights, Powers, SfC, p. 492. 
 ed. 2. 
 
 m " The president has an undoubted right to require the presence of the 
 lower clergy in the upper house whenever he sees cause ; but because that 
 would be an unnecessary trouble, and his grace is not ordinarily supposed 
 to intend the immediate separation of the lower house, therefore the act 
 by which the prelates and clergy are continued is published above, and 
 notice thereof transmitted to the clergy. In order to bind and oblige 
 them, it is absolutely necessary that they have notice of the act above; but 
 when an authentic notice is transmitted, that makes their obligation to 
 obey it as effectual as if they had been present. For it would be strange 
 
the riglit of continuing. 
 
 293 
 
 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 reqmring 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 obliged to break 
 up till they could finish their debates ; on these accounts that 
 right may have been seldom exercised, but yet not wholly 
 disused, 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 complained of is not only to be justi- 
 fied, 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 con- 
 firmation of the president and bishops : this was opposed by 
 several of the members as irregular, and as such was repre- 
 sented to the upper house, who were of the same opinion, but 243 
 resolved 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 lord- 
 ships to the lower house, and they who contended the most 
 zealously for his taking the chair, declared it to be their inten- 
 tion that he should not act in any instance as a referendary 
 till he had been confirmed 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 style him not only prolocutor et referenda- 
 rius, but prolocutor sive refer endarius, implying the names to 
 be of the same import in the language of convocation. But 
 
 doctrine in all other public proceedings as well as this, that an authorita- 
 tive act or order, however published or pronounced, can include, oblige, 
 or determine none but the persons present ; and that an authentic notice 
 thereof is not an equal obligation upon any absent parties comprehended 
 in the tenor of it." — The Schedule Reviewed, p. 44. 
 
294 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 this will be explained 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 
 public. 
 
 The phrase The only colour that can be drawn from these of a separate 
 C qwTdiianc P ower °f continuation in the lower house, is the phrase of some 
 domum no continuations in 1586, prolocutor continuavit quoad hanc do- 
 forasepa- 5 >"<>»- But here no act or power is expressed besides that of 
 rate power the prolocutor, and they who are so earnest for an inherent 
 
 m the low- • , , , „ 
 
 er house, power in the house, are yet as zealous as we against all pre- 
 tences to a personal authority in the prolocutor. 
 
 The question therefore is, by whose authority he must be 
 244 supposed to continue in those 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 declared 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 
 authentic 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 proved in the 4th 
 chapter of this book to moderate the debates of the lower in 
 his grace's stead. These are natural reasons why continuations, 
 expressed in such general terms, should be the pure effects of 
 the president's authority 11 ; 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 itself, not to be met with elsewhere in all our 
 journals of convocation, was introduced by the prolocutor's 
 being put into the president's commission to prorogue. This 
 
 n " The question is not whether the archbishop may advise with the 
 clergy about the time of their next meeting. This 110 doubt he has a 
 right to do, as oft as he sees occasion ; and we shall shew anon, that there 
 might be very good reasons why in these three or four instances he should 
 not only ad vise with them, but also ground his continuations upon that advice 
 and concurrence. But the present question is, whether these few instances are 
 as good an argument for a right in the clergy to consent to continuations 
 in general, as five hundred others in which the clergy appear not directly 
 or indirectly to have had any part, are a proof of the archbishop's right to 
 fix the time of the next meeting, and to continue the convocation, without 
 their consent." — The Schedule Reviewed, p. 34. 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 295 
 
 obliged him to pronounce the continuation in the upper house, 
 at least to bear a part in it ; and coining 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 commis- 
 sary to his grace. 
 
 To this I will add a short but clear reply to another sugges- 245 
 tion why the lower clergy are not comprehended in the terms J he P liras0 
 
 . .... ,. , m parha- 
 
 01 the archbishop s continuations : it is, that 111 parliament the ment dom. 
 adjournments of the house of peers are entered dominus can-"? 710, con ~ 
 
 J r tin. prawns 
 
 cellarius continuavit prcesens parliamentum ; and yet the -Ad pari, no 
 of the chancellor adjourns the lords only. for thTlow- 
 
 But the distinctions in this case between the two houses of « house, 
 parliament and convocation are too remarkable to leave room Right of the 
 for such a parallel. 1. There is no original subordination 4 Jcnbl " 
 
 1 0 shop, 
 
 between the constituent members of the two houses of par- p. 43, 44 
 liament, 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 established in the lower by apo- 
 stolical institution, and, in conformity thereto, by the constitu- 
 tion of this national church : and so every step made by pres- 
 byters towards a coordinate or independent power is a propor- 
 tionable deviation in the constitution of our church from the 
 pattern of the purest ages. For 2. the adjournment of the 
 house of peers is pronounced 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 pronounced 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 pro- 
 ceedings in both houses, nay, which is more, has a final nega- 246 
 tive 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. 
 
296 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 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 presi- 
 dent of the whole body. 4. The terms of the two continuations 
 or adjournments are widely different. In the house of lords 
 it is the prcesens parliamentum which the lord chancellor 
 adjourns by word of mouth ; and it is no extraordinary thing 
 to find the word parliamentum signifying one house, when the 
 standing clerk thereof is styled clericus parliamentorum. 
 But the archbishop in a formal instrument continues pr&sen- 
 tem sacram synodum sive convocationem prozlatorum et cleri 
 Cantuariensis provincial, where the parties thereby continued, 
 the bishops and clergy, are directly expressed ; nor is the 
 register of the upper house, though acting by a deputy in the 
 lower also, ever termed registrarius convocationum, or the 
 word convocatio, much less convocatio proilatorum et cleri, 
 ever applied to one house separately. 5. Though those expres- 
 sions were used on any other occasions, which they are not, to 
 signify the upper house only, yet the known effect they have 
 always had in this case of continuation, would necessarily ex- 
 tend them to the lower as well as upper house. For whereas 
 the adjournment in the house of lords is never notified to the 
 247 commons, who equally govern their own times of meeting and 
 sitting, and so no concurrence as to time appears in the ses- 
 sions of the two houses of parliament ; in convocation the 
 lower house has express and authentic notice of the act in the 
 upper, and so the clergy, according to all the concun'ent books 
 of the two houses, have ever met again at the time and place 
 specified in the act above. 
 
 I know no way to determine 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 consider- 
 ation. In this, therefore, I refer myself 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 lord chancellor or 
 keeper ; that all the adjournments were solemnly pronounced 
 
the right of continuing. 
 
 297 
 
 by him in his own name, and in terms directly expressing the 
 whole parliament, nay, specifying the lords and commons ; that 
 an authentic notice hereof were immediately transmitted to the 
 house of commons ; that, in fact, according to all the contem- 
 porary journals, it appeared 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 unprejudiced 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, and a perpetual persuasion among the commons that 248 
 they were included in that adjournment, and absolutely deter- 
 mined by it ? 
 
 As therefore this concurrence of sessions in the upper and The neces- 
 lower house is an undeniable proof that authentic notice of the ^ting up- 
 president's act has been ever conveyed to the inferior clergy, on thafc 
 
 . ' ... . the lower 
 
 so the form of that continuation in the schedule and journals clergy are 
 proves the whole convocation to have been always included in > nclude d m 
 
 1 " , the conti- 
 
 the act. And whoever reflects upon the consecpiences of their nuation 
 not being included will agree with me that it is highly ncces- above> 
 sary his grace should insist on it at this juncture, when the 
 terms of the schedule have been so publicly pretended to com- 
 prehend the upper house only, and the intimation is reduced 
 to a bare notice of the day and hour to which their lordships 
 have adjourned 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 writ- 
 ten paper of their own, both of them without precedent, and 
 both intended for a more open and public declaration that it is 
 an act of their own, upon an inherent power in the house : a A separate 
 principle evidently introducing a separation of the synod, both ^n^^ng 
 as to bishops and clergy, and of the clergy among themselves, in the lower 
 when discontents happen to arise among the presbyters, or a°way°to enS 
 designs against episcopacy shall be set afoot. For if they be jfj/gj^ 1 f 
 not included in the continuation above, it is wholly at their own the synod, 
 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 nonattendance, which, 
 upon that supposition of their adjourning themselves, is no dis- 249 
 
298 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 obedience to any command of his grace, or contempt of his 
 authority. The present presbyters of our church may pro- 
 bably 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 disposed to take all advantages 
 which these principles of their predecessors (supposing them to 
 be now established) would give, I see 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, not the prolo- 
 cutor have a right in law temporal or ecclesiastical to oblige 
 Reflect, on them to it. " The effect whereof, as hath been observed else- 
 Exped. p. w jj erej jg a sess i on) 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 reunite even the clergy themselves. The archbishop, 
 who summons the clergy, hath also a right to enforce then* 
 attendance according to the continuations that shall be made 
 in the upper house ; which is a coherent scheme of govern- 
 ment, and will perpetually secure the unity of the synod. The 
 350 presbyterian assemblies also are at least thus far regular, that 
 the assembly which adjourns is supposed by them to have a 
 power of proceeding to censures in case of non-attendance. 
 But the present claim of separate adjournments made by epi- 
 scopal divines under the persuasion 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 I will add, that if this principle, I mean a right in the clergy 
 away alfthe to adjourn, though they have no power to enforce attendance, 
 means of were true, it would not only break the union of the synod, but 
 the^yncfd. 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 enjoined upon his authority to 
 
the right o f continuing. 
 
 299 
 
 attend : the lower house by this principle are supposed 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 
 lodged in the governors of our church over the inferior mem- 
 bers 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 inco- 
 herent and ineffectual scheme of government, below the wisdom 251 
 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 non-attendance. 
 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 ; but they have held 
 several intermediate sessions without their metropolitan and Interme- 
 bishops ; a short state whereof I will give the reader out of a ^ es " 
 late letter to the author of the Expedient proposed : " You great irre- 
 say, p. 15. c. 2. that you have precedents for meeting on inter- fJuftnis- 
 mediate days, and threaten to exert that power, except the ^ e r f ^° our 
 upper house will submit to your method of continuing. But is R e fl ec t. on 
 it a fair part in you, to leave your reader to imagine, that such Ex ped. p. 
 meetings, as a house, are warranted by a number of unex- 
 ceptionable precedents, when you know in your conscience that 
 no more than two can be fairly pretended, and that the inva-" 
 lidity of these two has been shewn at large ? The first, that of 
 May 9, 1640, as you very well know, happened 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 disowned by the advocates for intermediate ses- 
 sions. When the second adjournment of tins kind happened, 252 
 the archbishop was in custody, and the bishops, justly appro- 
 
300 Observations concerning 
 
 hensive of danger amidst the popular prejudices of those times 
 against their order, could not think it safe to come toge- 
 ther, 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 urged so largely 
 already 0 , that I am ashamed 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 
 of business is the only pretence upon which the claim of inter- 
 mediate days is advanced. If therefore men were serious in their 
 inquiries 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 pos- 
 sessed of it. 
 
 2 53 " Now this notice is not to be had but from concurrent 
 of h former y j ourna l s °f the two houses, the first of which are in the years 
 times did 1586 and 1588, when we have no more than extracts out of 
 of interme- the registers of the upper house ; but all the sessions that are 
 sions S6S " ex P resse( l> above twenty 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 only the two we 
 just now mentioned, which are so fully and particularly ac- 
 counted for elsewhere. 
 
 " The compilers of the late Narrative, p. 37, speaking of the 
 two instances in 1640, add, ' We may fairly presume we might 
 have found more in other convocations, if the books of both 
 0 Right of the Archbishop, Letter ii. p. 95, &c. 
 
the right of continuing. 301 
 
 houses had been extant to have been compared.' Two in- 
 stances, so exceptionable and under such singular circum- 
 stances, 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 revised, several prayers and services 
 added, many canons and constitutions compiled, and other 
 matters of great importance transacted. In all this work the 
 clergy under the direction of the archbishop and bishops had 
 their constant share, as appears distinctly from the original 
 register of the upper house, from May 8, 1661, to Sept. 19, 
 1666, which has been all along thought to be lost, but by great 254 
 providence was lately retrieved. 
 
 " The constant style of continuations in this register is the 
 same with that of 1640. — Dominus, Sec. de et cum consensu 
 confratrum suorum, continuavit et prorogavit hujusmodi con- 
 vocationem 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 interme- 
 diate sessions were held by the majority of the lower house, 
 with all the appearance of sy nodical meetings P. Suppose then 
 
 p " The things which the upper house found themselves obliged to op- 
 pose as encroachments upon the rights of the metropolitan and the order 
 of episcopacy, were the claims of a power in the lower house — 
 
 1. To adjourn themselves to a further day by the sole act and authority 
 of their own house, with an admonition thereupon to their members to 
 attend. 
 
 2. To hold a session on that day, and to enter it as such in the acts of 
 the house, under all the appearances of a synodical session. 
 
 3. To come to final resolutions on such days as a house, or the repre- 
 sentatives of the whole clergy of the province 
 
 My meaning is, that though any number of the convocation clergy 
 
302 
 
 Observations concerning 
 
 that the members of some presbyterian assembly, taking the 
 advantage of one of those sessions, had entered 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 superior 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 
 255 bishops ; and yet these their ecclesiastical superiors, it is well 
 known, had publicly declared against such intermediate ses- 
 sions, and against all the business transacted in them, as un- 
 synodical. 
 
 Though therefore an inherent power of continuing, with a 
 right thereupon to hold intermediate sessions, had some coun- 
 
 may agree to meet and confer and prepare matters, such matters 
 cannot be passed into an act of the house but at a meeting pursuant 
 to the prorogation of the president. For all other meetings are purely- 
 voluntary, the effects only of a mutual agreement, and not of duty 
 and obedience. The clergy who have notice may come if they please; 
 but if they do not, no part of their duty is thereby omitted. Nothing 
 therefore can secure the joint attendance of the whole clergy, and so 
 make them a body with sufficient power to declare the sense of their 
 brethren, but the archiepiscopal prorogation, which is an authoritative 
 
 admonition to be present These, I conceive, are the 
 
 main reasons which induced the president and bishops to oppose the late 
 practice of some of the lower clergy in this matter of adjournments to 
 intermediate days ; both because it cannot be done but by presbyters ex- 
 ercising authority over presbyters, and by assuming to themselves a coercive 
 power over their brethren, and so invading the rights of episcopacy ; and 
 because the registers afford no authentic proofs that it was ever once prac- 
 tised by the clergy of former times. The first gives all the friends of 
 episcopacy great reason to wish that it were not the practice of Convoca- 
 tion; the second assures them that it is not." — The Schedule Reviewed, 
 pp. 24. 26. 27. 
 
 " Between the synodical sessions all the members, or any number of 
 them, may agree to meet when and where they please for the preparation 
 of business, and repeat their meetings as often as that business requires. 
 This they have commonly done, and may do it whenever they see occa- 
 sion. But what is that to the holding of intermediate sessions by author- 
 ity of the house as such, and admonishing the members to attend, and 
 then entering it in all respects as a synodical session, and coming to final 
 resolutions as a constituent part of an English Convocation : and all this 
 without the presidency of the metropolitan, and a concurrent session of 
 the suffragan bishops ?" — The pretended Independence, SfC. p. 23. 
 
the right of continuing. 303 
 
 tenance 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 major- 
 ity 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. 
 
256 Observations touching the Right to determine Con- 
 troverted Elections. 
 
 Instancesof THE first instances we find of determining elections in con- 
 ed elections voca tion are those two set down at large in the journal of 1586, 
 occurring sess> o, 4, which need not therefore be transcribed in this place. 
 
 in t lie re- 
 
 maining Anno 1586. The elections of both the proctors for the diocese 
 An 8 ' 1 -86 °^ -N° rw i c h happened to be controverted ; and being also dif- 
 p.140. App. ferent choices in the two archdeaconries, they were thereupon 
 two different cases. One was heard and determined 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 inquirendum juramento 
 oneravit quosdam, 8fc. de modo observato antehac in Imjus- 
 modi elections, fyc. Qui sic jurati dixerunt et deposuerunt 
 
 prout sequitur, fyc. Then the prolocutor assignavit ma- 
 
 gistro Knewstubbs ad proponendum causas quare Mr. D. 
 
 Dey non admitteretur in caetum hujus domus in proxim. 
 
 Sess. 4. D. Dey desires to be admitted, and his competitor 
 shewing no reasonable cause why he should not, Dominus pro- 
 locutor decrevit dictum rnagistrum Dey recipiendum fore in 
 procuratorem ejusdem cleri et in costum hujus domus, eumque 
 sic recepit. 
 
 257 2. Concerning the other election determined in the upper 
 house, the index, the only account that remains of their lord- 
 ships' proceeding's 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 hwc omnibus praisentibus, et mo- 
 
of determining elections. 
 
 305 
 
 wait eos ad recipiendum eundem magistrum West in cwturn 
 hujus domus. 
 
 Anno 1640, Nov. 11. The minutes of the lower house give An 
 this account. Eodem die orta fuit contentio sive disputatio 
 quoad electionem procuratorum cleri pro dioeces. Lincoln, et 
 
 lecta prius ad audiend. eandern elegerunt tres deca- 
 
 nos, tres procuratores p>ro capitulis, et tres procuratores pro 
 dioeces. [all named ;] quibus commisserunt ad conveniend. 
 prox. die 12 Nov. post meridiem in dicto loco inter horas 
 secundum et quartam, fyc. The committee met accord- 
 ingly, et post maturam deliberationem, 8fc. ordinavit ut 
 sequitur, ' Whether proxies are lawful in the choice of proc- 
 tors ; and if lawful, whether it doth avail non designatis per- 
 sonis ; and for aught yet appears to the committee, the cus- 
 tom observed in the diocese of Lincoln hath been, that proxies 
 have prevailed. It is desired on both sides that their counsel 
 may be heard in law.' 
 
 The next session, Nov. 14, the upper house register says, 
 Reverendissimus accersiri fecit dominium prolocutorem et sex 
 alios domus inferioris. Quibus comparentibus, reverendissi- 2 
 mus eis significavit, quod ipse audivit esse quasdam discre- 
 pantias inter quosdam clericos extra eorum electiones ; et 
 voluit eos ut ipsi et alii dictai domus easdem examinarent et 
 determinarent juxta juris exigentiam et consuetudines cujus- 
 libet dioeceseos, donee 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 commissioned for those purposes. 
 
 Nov. i\. Domini continuarunt ulteriorem determinationem 
 
 hujus materia} et statuerunt, ut partes hinc inde introdu- 
 
 cerent eorum consilium. Nov. 21. Coram dominis prada- 
 
 tis et cleris domus inferioris convocat. Sec. comparuerunt Mri. 
 Hirst, Tuckney, et Palmer, fyc. in quorum praisentiis, post 
 suffragia domus in ea parte fact., declararunt et ordinarunt, 
 
 Sfc. Nov. 25. Domini consenserunt, eo quod Mr. Porter 
 
 fuit absens, se nolle finem huic negotio imponere hoc die, sed 
 declararunt se velle finale suum decretum interponere die 
 
 sabbati prox. Domini unanimi consensu aquum censu- 
 
 erunt, rebus sic stantibus, nihil statuendum aut agendum fore 
 debere, fyc. Nov. 29. Suffragiis in ea parte promulgatis, 
 
 GIBSOX. X 
 
i30G Observations touching the right 
 
 (nempe 29 pro Mro. Thorowgood et 16 pro Mro. Porter, §°c.) 
 dominus prolocutor de et cum consensu, Q'c. pronunciavit pro 
 
 electione dicti magistri Thorowgood, et revocavit, fyc. 
 
 Dec. 2. Dominus de et cum consensu, fyc. pronunciavit pro 
 
 electione doctor is Sanderson et Hirst, $c. et admisit, fyc. 
 
 Jan. 27. Upon a petition for a review of the election for the 
 diocese of Lincoln, habita prius matura consider at ione con- 
 
 259 tentorium in petitione mentionat. Domini pra>lati dictas re- 
 spective partes interrogarunt, §'c. [Whether they would finally 
 acquiesce in the sentence upon that review ?] They agree to 
 acquiesce; Unde domini ex causis et promissis predict, de- 
 creverunt pro revisione et reexaminatione dicti negotii, et ad 
 
 interponend. finale judicium in prox. 8[C. Feb. 3. And 
 
 after this review, dicta domus ad eorum finale decretum pro- 
 cessit ; and according to the majority upon a division then 
 made, dominus prolocutor ratificavit et confirmavit electionem 
 D. Sanderson et Hirst. 
 
 1689. Anno 1689, sess. 11. In the upper house book: Comparuit 
 personaliter Johannes Caivley sacro3 theologian professor, 
 archidiaconus (ut asseruit) archidiaconatus Lincoln, et in- 
 troduxit et exhibuit supplicem libellum sive petitionem in 
 scriptis concept. ; in qua querelatus est, quod licet se fuisse 
 per 23 annos ac in priesenti esse archidiaconum archidiaco- 
 natus Lincoln, ac per episcopos Lincoln, pro tempose existen. 
 tanquam archidiaconum Lincoln, citat. ad comparend. in 
 convocationibus : pra>missis tamen non obstantibus, reveren- 
 dus pater ac dominus dominus Thomas, permissione divina 
 Lincoln, episcopus, quendam Thomam Oldys in legibus bac- 
 calaureum tanquam archidiaconum archidiaconatus Lincoln, 
 citasse ad comparend. in hac convocatione sive sacra synodo 
 provinciali in pray'udicium juris et tituli sui, et in hac con- 
 vocatione nunc sedere. Quare humiliter pet i it jus et justitiam 
 sibi in hac parte fieri et ministrari. Unde reverendus pater 
 prazses antedictus, cum consensu confratrum suorum episco- 
 porum predict., hanc petitionem recepit et legi mandavit : 
 qua lecta, dictus reverendus pater prases antedictus mihi in 
 
 260 mandatis dedit, ad tradend. copiam ejusdem petitionis prai- 
 fato magistro Oldys, ad eum informand. quod compareat die 
 
 Veneris prox. cum responsis suis dictai petitioni in scriptis 
 concept, et decreint ut dictus doctor Caivley tunc compareat. 
 
of determining di ctions. 
 
 307 
 
 Scss. 12. Venerabilis vir, Thomas Oldys clericus, archi- 
 diaconus (ut asseruit) archidiaconatus Lincoln, comparuii, et 
 dedit responsum suum in scriptis concept, petitioni sive sup- 
 plici libello alias contra eum ultima sessione hujus convoca- 
 tionis ex parte Jokannis Cawley sacra? theo. profess, asseren. 
 se esse archidiaconum Lincoln, exhibit. Quod responsum, de 
 mandato dicti reverendi patris prazsidis antedicti, fait per 
 me notarium publicum antedictum publice ledum : quo lecto, 
 et dicto magistro Oldys pro praisenti dismisso, dictus reve- 
 rendus pater praises antedictus et caiteri episcopi super peti- 
 tione et responsis prcedict. mature deliberarunt, et postea de- 
 creverunt dictos doctorem Cawley et magistrum Oldys intro- 
 mittend. fore. Quibus comparentibus, dictus reverendus pater 
 pro?ses antedictus, cum consensu confratrum suorum episco- 
 porum prcedict. eo quod eis constat duas sententias definitivas 
 fuisse contra dictum doctorem Cawley in eodem latas, unam 
 in alma curia Cant, de Arcubus, et alteram in suprema curia 
 de/egatorum; et quod commissio pro revisione dicti negotii 
 fuit per serenisshnos in Christo principes ac dom inos nostros dc- 
 minos Willelmum et Mariam Dei gratia Aug lice, Scotice, Fran- 
 ciaz et Hibernioz regem et reginam fidei defensores, fyc. ad peti- 
 tionem dicti doctoris Cawley concessa, et quod idem negotium 
 per judices revisionis non est adhuc decisum. dimisit dictum 261 
 magistrum Oldys ab omni ulterior i judicii observatione. 
 
 The foregoing instances are all the light we have from our 
 books touching the determination of controverted elections : and 
 I observe from them, 
 
 1. That it is no part of the question, whether the metro- No ques- 
 politan at the head of his suffragan bishops, have a right to jj° e " ^ h h e e " 
 receive petitions touching controverted elections ? or, whether archbishop 
 he may proceed to the examination and final decision of them to deter- 8 ' 1 * 
 in the upper house ? The exercise of all these appears cvi- elec " 
 dently in the instances of 1689, where we see a petition is 
 offered, received and considered; and of 1586, where sentence 
 is actually given by his grace. And what can be more reason- 
 able, 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 com- 
 missioners to examine those returns, and din ing the convocation 
 presides over the lower as well as the upper house ; what, I 
 
 x 2 
 
308 Observations touching the right 
 
 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, arc 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 
 examine them, as of right to be made to him, and none else. 
 
 262 But in the acts of the last convocation, anno 1700, sess. 4, I 
 The lower mK j aQ ms tanee of the lower house's taking cognizance of a 
 
 house have n 0 
 
 no right to return, and that in a very singular manner : the words are 
 Seinre- * nese : ' Proposition fuit per Guil. Bincks, S. T. P. fy-c. ad 
 turns. effectum sequen. That whereas there hath been no return 
 made from the chapter of Lichfield of a member to serve for 
 them in this present convocation ; and whereas the said William 
 Bincks being a member of that chapter, informed this house, 
 that the effect of such return was occasioned by a dispute that 
 happened before the said chapter, concerning the election 
 of a proctor to represent them : that therefore this house 
 would order a letter to be sent, signed by Mr. prolocutor 
 in the name of this lower house, to the dean and chapter 
 of the said cathedral church of Lichfield, desiring them forth- 
 with to transmit the whole proceedings concerning the said 
 election, under their common seal, to this house : cui consensum 
 fuit: 
 
 This so solemnly passed and entered 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 
 public 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 inquiry after such a return ought to have 
 gone by the same course or channel through which the return 
 itself, if made, was to have passed, viz. from the archbishop to 
 the bishop, and from the bishop to the dean. 
 
 263 2. It is no part of the dispute, whether the metropolitan 
 may enjoin the inferior clergy to examine and determine con- 
 troverted elections. His grace's power to require their assist- 
 
o f determining elect ions. 
 
 309 
 
 ance, and their obligation to pursue his directions, are both 
 sufficiently expressed in that remarkable instance from the 
 second convocation of 1 640. 
 
 3. Nor can it be a question, whether his grace, having com- 
 missioned the prolocutor or lower house to examine 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 
 donee 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 1 
 
 In behalf of a concurrent right two instances are pleaded. 
 
 I. That of 1586, sess. 3, 4, where we find the prolocutor The argu- 
 examining witnesses upon oath, appointing the parties a time ^"^rent 
 of appearance, and then giving the final sentence or judgment. ri ght in the 
 But we must observe, as to the point before us, considered. 
 
 1. That the upper house books of that time are not in being ; An - 'S 86 - 
 nor can it possibly be known whether he had not such a com- 
 mission from his grace, as we are sure was given afterwards to 
 
 the prolocutor and lower house in 1640. Two elections of the 264 
 same diocese were determined the same day, one by the arch- 
 bishop, the other by the prolocutor : and I think it is not 
 likely that one of these appellants should make original appli- 
 cation to the upper, and the other to the lower house ; but 
 much more probable, that the petition in both cases was first 
 offered to his grace, and that he divided the work of examining 
 and determining, between himself in the upper, and the prolo- 
 cutor in the lower house. 
 
 2. The prolocutor, we see, examines the witnesses upon oath ; 
 and the very writer, who in all other respects is the main ad- 
 vocate for the independence of the lower house, solves the pro- 
 locutor's giving an oath, by an authority derived immediately 
 
 from the archbishop. The words are these : 'The prolocutor Power of 
 was on that day put into the archbishop's commission for pro- 110^"^ 
 roguing the upper house, in order, I suppose, to empower him c - 2- 
 to give oaths, as he did at the trial of an election that day 
 
310 
 
 Observations touching the right 
 
 P. 34. below.' I know the Narrative says, in the name of the majo- 
 rity, ' That they are well assured that the prolocutor has this 
 power by virtue of his office.' This is roundly spoken ; but to 
 make others also assured, it had been kind to offer some rea- 
 sons 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. 
 
 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 3. That those of the lower clergy contend not for this power 
 but thiTpro- °f determining elections, as lodged in the prolocutor, but in 
 lo £ ut ° r ) their house ; and not the least mention is made of the house or 
 mined the any member of it in determining this election of 1586, but the 
 election, proceeding and sentence run solely in the name of the prolo- 
 cutor. The question therefore is, by whose authority was that 
 sentence given ? It must be either from his grace or from the 
 house. The Journal, though 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 prolo- 
 cutor alone,) because in the other instances of 1640, when the 
 prolocutor and lower clergy were all equally concerned, the 
 whole proceeding was carried on in the name of the house ; 
 Coram dominis prailatis et cleris comparuerunt ; domini, and 
 domini prcelati interrogarunt, deter minationem continuarunt 
 
 consenserunt, censuerunt rebus sic stantibus nihil statu- 
 
 endum, 8fc. And when they came to sentence, Domus ad 
 eorum finale decretum processit, and, Post sitffragia domus 
 
 in ea parte fact, declararunt et ordidarunt suffragiis in 
 
 ea parte promulgatis. dominus prolocutor, de et cum con- 
 sensu, pronunciavit. 
 
 Considering how distinctly the minutes of 1 640 express the 
 part which the house had in these proceedings, I leave it to the 
 
 266 opinion of every reader, whether the complete journal of 1586 
 would not have left us some footsteps at least of the houses's 
 concern at that time, either in the course of the proceeding, or 
 
of determining elections. 
 
 311 
 
 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 
 derived from the house (who were present, and might as well 
 have proceeded by their own immediate authority, if any 
 such had been lodged 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. 
 
 II. The other instance of a right in the lower house to The in- 
 take cognizance of elections, concurrent with that of his st ™ ce ot 
 _° _ 1 640 con- 
 
 grace, is in some respects more full to their purpose than sidered. 
 
 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. 1 2, and yet the 
 archbishop appears not to have interposed 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 
 fiignificavit, quod ipse audivit esse quasdam discrepantias, 
 fyc. As far then as a single instance can affect the rights of 
 a judicial court, and alter the natural course of legal pro- 
 ceedings, and establish a concurrent jurisdiction, so far is this 
 instance before us a testimony of the lower house's right to 
 inquire into the circumstances of doubtful elections. I say, to 267 
 inquire ; for this precedent goes no further than an inquiry ^ ^ M ^" 
 about the custom of the diocese in their election of proctors ; inquiring, 
 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 
 judgment. These, and all the other marks of a judicial pro- 
 ceeding, commence upon his grace's special order to the pro- 
 locutor and house, at examinarent et determinarent juxta juris 
 exigentiam, et consuetudines cujuslibet dioeceseos, donee aliter 
 ordination fuer it. 
 
 From which order, I think, these three things are fairly 
 inferred : i . That if archbishop Laud had thought the lower 
 house to have an inherent power of examining and deter- 
 mining judicially, he would not have interposed in that matter, 
 after they were actually entered upon their inquiries. 2. That 
 
312 Observations touching the right, 8fc. 
 
 if the clergy themselves had believed such a power to be 
 lodged in their house, they would have declared against that 
 interposition, as an invasion of their own inherent authority. 
 3. That in virtue of the reservation, donee aliter ordinatum 
 fuerit, it still remained 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 prolocutor, ch. iv., 268 
 I took occasion to consider how far he had a right to make a 
 substitution in cases of sickness or business. For though the 
 speaker of the house of commons, as executing that office upon 
 a royal confirmation, never pretended to depute another ; 
 though also the confirmation of the archbishop and bishops be 
 no less necessary, in order to execute the office of a prolocutor ; 
 and though, lastly, it appear that applications for leave to sub- 
 stitute in those cases have been actually made to the upper 
 house ; yet against all these it had been confidently affirmed, 
 that the deputations of this kind might be made without the Power of 
 archbishop's consent or privity q; and the manner of making House.'p^. 
 them is further urged, to give the prolocutor some such figure c - 
 in the lower house, as the archbishop is known to have in the 
 upper. 
 
 That writer had concealed all the instances of applica- The late 
 tion for leave made to the president and bishops ; but he * ub 
 
 tion in 
 
 1701. 
 
 1 " When the prolocutor was by reason of sickness or business obliged 
 to be absent, he deputed one to act for him in the lower house, even at 
 such times when nothing more was to be done there besides bare adjourn- 
 ing ; which shews that the act of continuing the lower house by itself was 
 reckoned a matter of importance, since they thought it worth while to have 
 sub-prolocutors made for that purpose alone. And these deputies, we 
 may observe, adjourned in the prolocutor's name, not in the archbishop's. 
 Thus 23 Nov. 1586. ' Decanus Lichfield nomine domini prolocutoris in- 
 timavit,' &c. And again, Dec. 2, 1586. ' Decanus Westminster nomine 
 prolocutoris continuavit hujusmodi convocationem quoad hanc domum.' 
 
 " The deputations of this kind were made with great solemnity before a 
 public notary, either to a single person, or to several, conjunctim et divisim, 
 in the very manner that the archbishop sometimes empowered others to 
 preside for him : and which peculiarly deserves our notice, they were 
 made without the archbishop's consent or privity, as we may certainly con- 
 clude from the minutes of the lower house in 1640, compared with the 
 register of the upper." — The Power of the Lower House, p. 9. col. 1. 
 
314 Observations on the right 
 
 was afterwards put in mind of them by the author of the 
 P. 66, 67. Right of the Archbishop. Very lately, a substitution being 
 made by the prolocutor upon the authority of a precedent 
 V. sup. (already considered) in the year 1 640, the person so deputed 
 p ' ' 269 was actually put into the chair without the approbation or 
 
 knowledge of the archbishop and bishops. 
 Theac- To justify the proceedings of the majority in this and some 
 ina'paper °ther particulars, a paper came out marked numb. 1. in the 
 marked wav 0 f a news-letter r ; 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 public 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 He seems to have overcome the obligations of duty, but may 
 convocation remem ber that in some former convocations particular orders 
 against the have been made against revealing the debates, even in dis- 
 of debates' 1 course, till finished ; and that upon penalties which he is taking 
 while de- great pains to deserve. 
 
 pending. . n j- • 
 
 Anno 1529, sess. 3. Reverendissimus moniat omnes sub 
 
 poena excommunicationis, ne aliquis revelet extra domum ali- 
 
 quibus personis cujuscunque status, nisi inter semetipsos. 
 
 270 Anno 1529, sess. 19. Reverendissimus omnes et singulos 
 
 admonicit ne quicquam revelent de hujusmodi communica- 
 
 tione. 
 
 Anno 1529, sess. 20. Episcopus London, commissarius, fyc. 
 monuit omnes ne quicquam revelarent ibi dictum vel recita- 
 tion, sub pozna excommunicationis latee sententioz. 
 
 r " A faithful account of some transactions in the three last sessions of 
 the present convocation. In a letter to a friend." — [By Dr. Atterbury] 
 (Bodl. Art. 4to. T. 19.) 
 
of Substituting a prolocutor. 315 
 
 Anno 1541, sess. 8. Accessit prolocutor cum quibusdam de 
 electis a clero, et exposuerunt querelas suas, fyc. ubi reveren- 
 dissimus prcecepit tie quid effutirent de rebus ijisis expo- 
 sitis. 
 
 Anno 1 557. The archbishop having explained to the bishops 
 and clergy the causes of the convocation, viz. the reformation 
 of abuses in the church, &c. enjoins them to consider of proper 
 methods, et quid sibi videatur, voluit eos sibi servare. 
 
 Anno 1588, sess. 4. The prolocutor, having been in the 
 upper house to receive directions about the subsidy, which was 
 afterwards considered and debated below, monuit omnes prce- 
 sentes ne publice revelarent tractata et gesta isto die. 
 
 Anno 1640, sess. 5. Apr. 25. Et ulterius, pro meliori expe- 
 ditions negotiorurn hujus sacrce synodi, idem reverendissimus, 
 cum consensu et assensu eorundem confratrum suormn, ordi- 
 ndvit, quod nullus episcopus out aliquis e clero copiam cano- 
 nis aut partis canonis proposituri et tractaturi exscribere aut 
 de aliquo hujusmodi canone foras fabulare pra'sumpserit, 
 donee hac convocatione sive sacra synodo plenarie et finaliter 
 assensum et sacra regia majestate approbat. erit, sub pozna 
 suspensionis cujuslibet e clero per tres menses, et synodicai 
 monitionis pro quolibet prcelato qui ita peccaverit, prout in 271 
 actu synodico sequen. continetur, viz. 8fc. Dominus prolo- 
 cutor venit cum 5 aliis e domo inferiori ; et eis declaravit 
 istum actum synodicum prozceden. et voluit eundem dominum 
 prolocutorern ad declarand. istum actum toto coetui dictoe, 
 domus. Mox revertebat, et dixit se et totum coztum domus 
 inferioris consensum et assensum suos confectioni dicti actus 
 synodici adhibuisse et eundem unanimiter approbasse. 
 
 The convocations in which those strict provisions for secresy 
 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. His insincerity in the other parts of that relation has 
 been already laid open ; and this about substitutions, as de- 
 
316 
 
 Observations on the right 
 
 pending upon the registers of convocation, is the only head 
 that falls under my consideration. 
 Reasons In the fourth chapter, p. 74, I infer a necessity that the sub- 
 prolocutor" ^'tnte be admitted and confirmed by the upper house, because 
 ought to be without this lie is not the person agreed on between the bi- 
 in the up- shops and clergy for the mutual conveyance of their messages ; 
 per house. nor can their lordships receive any thing from him as the sense 
 of the inferior clergy, and much less return their own pleasure 
 272 by him. Add to this, that at the opening of convocation, and 
 in the middle upon death or promotion, the clergy cannot pro- 
 ceed to an election without his grace's leave ; nor was he ever 
 thought to be qualified 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 
 itself, have the power to substitute a speaker s .' But however I 
 had declared 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. It is true the 
 dignitaries of the lower house have a personal right to be sum- 
 moned, and as such are capable of appearing by proxy, 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 inferred an 
 absolute and immediate right to substitute a prolocutor or 
 See chap. 3. speaker ; which he must needs know to be otherwise in the 
 house of peers, where the nobility substitute their proxies, but 
 not a speaker. 
 
 Instances These considerations from the reason of the thing and the 
 tutions by na t ure of the office are confirmed, p. 75, by instances of appli- 
 cation to the upper house upon the substitution of a prolocutor 
 
 s " Upon the promotion of a prolocutor the lower clergy cannot proceed 
 to a new choice till they receive directions from the archbishop; nor, 
 which comes nearer to the present purpose, has the speaker of the house 
 of commons, upon business or indisposition, or even the house itself, a 
 power of deputing another for the time ; though they act in a much more 
 independent state than the inferior clergy in convocation." — Right of the 
 Archbishop, Letter ii. p. 67. 
 
of substituting a prolocutor. 
 
 317 
 
 for the lower. The first, that of archdeacon Wolman, is too authority of 
 express to be evaded. Anno 1533, sess. 3, in the upper house h^"/^ 
 book, Ibidem dominus prolocutor D. Wolman affirmavit funded a- 
 
 • y -ir n .gainst the 
 
 o&grotwm esse, et petut lit durante injirmitate ejus, Mr. rox SMate paper, 
 vellet adesse, vel Mr. D. Bell exerceret oMcium siium ; et con- numb - 
 cessum est. And this instance is made more full aud clear by /J 
 the additional remark he brings out of some other extracts, 
 which are yet concealed. Another extract from the same 
 llegister, says he, p. 8, gives this further account of it. — 
 " Which done, the prolocutor, being sick, desired that Mr. Fox, 
 archdeacon of Leicester, and Mr. Bell, archdeacon of Glocester, 
 might be substituted in his place. Ad cujus petitionem, dictus 
 dominus prcesidens, cum consensu dominorum episcoporum, 
 et pro?latorum, et cleri, tunc prcesentium, licentiavit dictum 
 Hi. Wolmannum abesse pro tempore infirmitatis suce t ." 
 
 I know not certainly in whose hands these extracts are, but 
 must beg leave to think that in the course of this controversy 
 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 op- 
 
 1 The paper No. 1 proceeds : " The prolocutor and clergy were present 
 in the upper house upon another occasion : and there he pleaded his in- 
 ability to attend the service of the convocation, and was excused from it 
 and allowed to make substitutes by common consent. The truth is, he 
 seems to have been sick of the new archbishop, and of the business which 
 was then going forward ; and for that end to have desired a formal dis- 
 mission ; and therefore appears not ever afterwards to have taken the chair 
 throughout this convocation, tho' it lasted still on for several years. 
 When Fox, whom he deputed with such solemnity, comes before the 
 bishops, we find him styled ' prolocutor admissus,' a phrase that we never 
 after this meet with in the records of convocation ; because there was 
 never the like occasion for it, though ' sub-prolocutors were, as I have 
 shewn, in succeeding times frequently made. But receiving their delega- 
 tion from below only, they are not said to be admitted (i. e. approved) 
 above ; no, not even when they appeared there upon synodical business, as 
 in the instance of 1562 before produced. So that this precedent, instead of 
 hurting the right contended for, rather confirms it; and the perpetual 
 series of the others, which I have reckoned up, after this time amounts to 
 a demonstration of it." — A faithful account, fyc. No. 1. p. 8. See above, 
 p. 76. 
 
318 
 
 Observations on the right 
 
 portunity of shewing his affection to truth and unity, by 
 bringing forth these extracts ere now ; in imitation of his 
 grace the lord archbishop, who so freely laid before the two 
 houses an entire register lie lately retrieved. 
 
 Till it be known in whose hands they are, I must hope for 
 no other light from them in this or any other particular, be- 
 sides the citation he has been pleased to produce. Supposing 
 
 274 it therefore fairly and entirely repeated, the observations I 
 make upon it are, 1. That the prolocutor evidently applies 
 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 suffered 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 agree- 
 ment of both houses ; the formal conveyance of the authority 
 belonging to his grace. 
 
 This writer may refine, as nicely as he pleases, upon the pro- 
 locutor's dislike of archbishop Cranmer ; but it is no part of the 
 question, whether sickness was the real cause of his desire to 
 make that substitution, or only a pretence for absence. Sup- 
 posing it only a pretence, it must be carried on in the usual 
 form ; and it is enough in the present case that he actually 
 applied 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, entered in the 
 end of the upper house acts, anno 1 554, which, as I observe in 
 Vid. supr. the forementioned chapter, could no way have come into that 
 p ' 7S ' register, but as the upper house had their share in the substi- 
 tution. 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 
 
 275 the concurrent lower house books ; when in all the acts of 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. 
 
of substituting a prolocu tor. 
 
 319 
 
 It is 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, 5 0 
 Aprilis, prcesidente episcopo London, prcesentatur prcedictus 
 prolocutor per N. Harpsfield et Jo. Wimblesey, ubi tractarunt 
 de eligendis quibusdam de clero qui vice totius cleri mitte- 
 rentnr Oxoniam ad tractand. cum domino Cranmero, domino 
 Ridleo nuper prcetenso episcopo London, et Hugone Latymer, 
 de quibusdam articulis religionem concernentibus ; et delecti 
 sunt D. Weston, Oglethorp, Chedsey, Seton, Cole, Jefery, 
 Fecknarn et Harpsfield, ad effectum prmdictum. Et quum I 
 prcedictus prolocutor non potuit adesse dictce convocationi, 
 substituit N. Harpsfield et Johannem Wimblesey conjunctim 
 et divisim in loco sua. 
 
 The late paper urges this instance in behalf of the power of 
 the lower house, because it was entered 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 at the presentation of their pro- 
 locutor) is entered 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 with the reader, whether the presenta-276 
 tion of a prolocutor, the choice of persons for the dispute, and 
 the substitution immediately made upon the prolocutor's being- 
 named 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 urged 
 by that paper in favour of the lower house. 
 
 Anno 1562, Feb. 24. The archbishop and bishops surro- 
 gatum prolocutoris (dicto prolocutore absente) ad se accersiri 
 jusserunt. It is not said, that their lordships sent for the pro- 
 locutor, and that he being absent, his surrogate came up, but 
 that they sent for the surrogatus prolocutoris ; which must 
 
320 Observations on the riglit 
 
 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 argu- The arguments opposed to these testimonies arise, i . from 
 
 merits for . 0 rr 
 
 an inde- the want, and, 2. from the silence of the upper house registers, 
 pendent at t ; raes w ] 1L . n the journals or minutes of the lower house make 
 
 power ot •> 
 
 substitu- mention of a sub-prolocutor. But none of the instances under 
 lowerhouse e i*her head speak of a substitution, as made by the prolocutor, 
 answered, (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 service- 
 able to the power of the lower house, unless they mentioned 
 277 the house as the sole authors of the several substitutions. For 
 where the registers of the upper house are wanting, it is an 
 equal doubt whether they did or did not apply to their lord- 
 ships ; 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 entered besides the continuation in form. By 
 all, or any of these suppositions, the confirmation of a sub-pro- 
 locutor 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 as- 
 signed why they should be made and entered there, besides a 
 persuasion in the clergy of those times, that of themselves they 
 had no power to make such substitutions. 
 But to descend to the particulars : 
 Instances i . In some of the instances which speak of a sub-prolocutor 
 wanTthe 6 m *he lower house, we want the registers of the upper. Anno 
 registers of ] 586, Nov. 23, the dean of Lichfield, and Dec. 2, D. Goodman, 
 
 the upper .... , . . . . . . , 
 
 house, of are sai d to intimate the continuations nomine domini proloeu- 
 no force, toris. The writer of the late paper observes upon these, that 
 
of substituting a prolocutor. 321 
 
 a good abridgment of the contemporary registers of the upper 278 
 house, &c. mentions nothing of the archbishop's approving 
 either of these substitutions. 
 
 This abridgment has been very'differently described 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, that such licenses in those days were not Rights, &<% 
 thought necessary in order to treat or debate of canons, its p- 64 ' ? ' 662 ' 
 reputation ran high ; it was a good abridgment of the Journals 
 of the Upper House, and not only so, but a full and particular 
 abridgment, giving an account of the acts, &c. day by day, and 
 leaf by leaf. 
 
 Afterwards, it happened to be urged (in concurrence with Right of the 
 the journals of the clergy) against the lower house and their s h 0 p,p.ioi. 
 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 P. 13. col. 1. 
 Power of the Lower House, &c, and presently shrunk into a 
 short Abstract or Index of the Bishops' Journal 11 . 
 
 Of late, since this question about substitutions arose, its 
 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 
 restored to its ancient title of a good Abridgment, and is to 
 keep it so long as it continues in the service on 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 abridg- 
 ment ; as the several characters will help to disguise a defence- 
 less cause. The truth is, this abridgment is little more than an 279 
 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 indexes or 
 
 u " We have indeed a short abstract or index of the Bishops' Journal in 
 1586 and 1588, and the complete acts of the lower house in those years. 
 But the sessions in the abstract are not so clearly taken, as to leave us 
 without a doubt whether in every instance both houses concurred." — The 
 Power of the Lower House, p. 13. col. I. 
 
 CilBSON. Y 
 
322 
 
 Observations on the right 
 
 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, happened on a day when the upper 
 house did not meet, but the convocation was continued by com- 
 mission. 
 
 The bare 2 . In other places where the minutes of the lower house 
 the upper speak of substitutions, then* lordships' register is silent ; and 
 house £] ia £ s ii ence i s {] ie on ]y arp-ument pretended for their having no 
 
 books of no » ° 1 ° 
 
 authority share therein. 
 
 positive Anno 1 66 1, June 14. Substitutus est decanus Cicestrensis 
 evidences, in locum prolocutoris, durante absentia ejusdem. 
 
 Anno 1662, May 5. D. Franck nominatur et eligitur in 
 vice-prolocutor em. 
 
 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 entered in gross, Reverendissimos post 
 aliquod tractatum cum confratribus continuavit, fyc, and 
 what particulars passed on either day we cannot tell. 2. These 
 minutes do not 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 
 280 substituted, and named, and chosen; but where and in 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 genei*al expressions 
 in accommodation to other substitutions, the circumstances 
 whereof are more particularly expressed. Such is that of arch- 
 deacon 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 circum- 
 stance which sufficiently proves application to have been made 
 there ; and that application 1 is the thing we contend for, as 
 necessary to enable a substitute to act. 
 dentof* 06 " ^he on ty particular entry upon the lower house books in 
 1640 parti- an y convocation, is that of 1640, May 2 (repeated in short 
 sidered. 00 " May 5), Die Sabbati, 2 Maii 1640. Dominus prolocutor apud 
 
of substituting a prolocutor. 
 
 323 
 
 ejus cedes in Westm. me prcesente, constituit et ordinavit doc- 
 torem Bargrave et doctorem Nevil et eorum alterum con- 
 junctim et divisim pro se et ejus nomine pro hac sessione, ad 
 legend, preces in domo inferiori, $*c. et votum et suffragium 
 suum reddere pro prorogatione prox. sequent. 8fC. Et facta 
 declarations constitutionis hujusmodi clero domus inferioris, 
 cleri eandem approbarunt. 
 
 Here the dispute is not, whether this be an authentic prece- 
 dent as it stands in the minutes of 1640. We question not its 
 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 person or persons, and the 281 
 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 its being desired 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 persuasion 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 confirmed by the president and 
 bishops, should have power to commission another to act with- 
 out confirmation, That a person who is to be the common inter- 
 nuncio between the two houses, shall not first be approved by 
 both, That their lordships, who are to receive the sense of ^he 
 house, and to return their pleasure to the house by his hands, 
 shall neither have previous notice that he is the real repre- 
 sentative and organ of the house, nor any assurance that the 
 house will reckon their commands, if conveyed by him, obliga- 
 tory and authentic. 
 
 Notwithstanding these absurdities, as well as the positive The paper 
 testimonies of application to the upper house, the writer of the p 4 spea k s 
 late paper affirms in the name of the majority, " That they *g»»nst the 
 were thoroughly satisfied of their right to depute a prolocutor house, 
 in such an exigence as this, without acquainting his grace and 
 the bishops at all with it." But if he should be mistaken in the 282 
 
 y 2 
 
Observations on the tight 
 
 sense of that side ov in his own opinion that they will be 
 governed by his notions, it will not be the first instance of his 
 reckoning too hastily upon their implicit concurrence. While 
 the generality continued 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 appeared too extravagant for 
 practice ; and he has had the mortification to see his principles 
 tacitly dropped and disowned 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 inde- 
 pendent on his grace and the bishops x : and yet it is said, and 
 he himself hints it, that a considerable member on the same 
 side declared 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 differ- According to all the observations I have been able to make 
 tweenT upon this office, and the mention of it in the registers, I could 
 prolocutor never see the least difference in the import and meaning of 
 rendary. 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 
 283 their lordships their resolutions and answers, the whole body 
 of the clergy being all the while present. From hence he was 
 called organum cleri ; and as that was originally the only 
 business of the office, so the person executing it is most com- 
 monly mentioned under the single name of prolocutor. 
 
 His other style is referendarins ; the most natural interpre- 
 
 x "The dean of Ch. Ch. proceeding to say prayers was interrupted by 
 a member, who declared that he and several others could not agree to a 
 sub-prolocutor's acting as such, without the archbishop's approbation. It 
 was answered by a member on the other side of the house (who foresaw 
 that if we entered into a dispute on this head the report would be lost), 
 that there was no design of making a common referendary between the two 
 houses without consulting his grace, but in the meantime prayers might go 
 forward." — A faithful account, Sfc. No. 1. p. 3. 
 
of substituting a prolocutor. 
 
 325 
 
 tation whereof is, the reporter of the sense or resolutions of a 
 body ; and so it is used in our registers before the application 
 of it to a prolocutor. Anno 1411, Dec. 2. The king's com- 
 missioners come to the convocation, and the chancellor, who 
 w as empowered to speak for the rest, is called referendarius : 
 Per dictum dominum referendarium devocius supplication : 
 and again, dicto domino referendario et dominis temporalibus 
 qui intrarunt, se pendulum retrahentibus. But that no doubt 
 may remain whether this name and that other of prolocutor did 
 imply the selfsame thing, the first formal choice we find at the 
 beginning of convocation was upon a direction to the clergy, 
 Ut unum referendarium sive prcelocutorem ex seipsis eli- Anno 1425. 
 gerent, qui vice eorum omnium et singulorum causas exponeret 
 et responsa. Again, anno 1536, they are ordered to choose 
 one of their members in referendarium et prolocutorem, qui 
 eorum nomine loqui jwssit. Anno 1,562, Ut eligant in eorum 
 prolocutorem sive referendarium, tipc, and they present the 
 dean of St. Paul's in prolocutorem sive referendarium domus 
 
 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 are directed to 284 
 choose virum, Src. in eorum prolocutorem sive 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 lano-uao-c of 
 convocation, whether the expression be prolocutor, or prolo- 
 cutor et referendarius. or prolocutor sive referendarius ; ob- 
 serve the promiscuous use of all the three in a choice upon the 
 promotion of a prolocutor, anno \66i, Feb. 18. The clergy 
 are directed ut unum, fyc. eligant in eorum prolocutorem et 
 referendarium : they retire ad effectum eligendi, fyc. in eorum 
 prolocutorem sive referendarium : they present Dr. Barwick 
 in prolocutorem tot i us clcri domus inferioris unanimiter 
 electum : the president and his brethren confirm him in prolo- 
 cutorem sive referendarium. 
 
 We see then the promiscuous use of these two terms is as The duties 
 ancient as the first election of a prolocutor; and upon whatJ^thfoffiLe 
 authority they are now made two distinct offices I know not. ot " a P rol °- 
 
 x . . . . . , , , . . cutorareall 
 
 tt is plain that the reporting, or, in other words, the being a annexed to 
 
326 
 
 Observations <>n tin- fight 
 
 that of re- referendary and a speaker at the head of the body, was origi- 
 l>ortmg. nally intended in the office, and the only thing implied 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 con- 
 sequences of the referendary's office, and annexed to it, and 
 lodged in the person of the prolocutor, as first chosen and 
 confirmed for the original end, that of reporting. And there- 
 fore at the beginning of convocation, though his grace actually 
 
 285 direct the choice of a prolocutor, and 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 confirmed 
 in the office of prolocutor or common referendary, and by con- 
 sequence in the other offices annexed to it. Which confirma- 
 tion it is that puts the clergy in a capacity to act as a house, 
 and the whole convocation to proceed to business, upon that 
 formal establishment of a correspondence between the two 
 houses. As therefore the prolocutor is obliged 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 confirmed 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 referen- 
 dary, 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 pleased, and not 
 
 286 the less so for his grace's delaying the appointment of a common 
 referendary. But in truth, since the separation of the two 
 houses in their debates, the title of prolocutor has compre- 
 hended all the offices of the place, as the confirmation of his 
 
of substituting a prolocutor. 
 
 327 
 
 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 framed 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 allowed, 
 would quickly establish them in a coordinate state, and open a 
 way to any degrees of independence they should hereafter 
 please to insist on. 
 
287 IV. Additional observations touching the authority of the 
 summons to convocation. 
 
 Theau- p. jgg. The title of the convocation of 1 <62, as of others 
 
 thorityof , 
 
 summoning since the act 01 submission, runs thus : — 
 
 both^othe Convocatio prodatorum et cleri Cantuar. provincice in- 
 kmg and choat. in domo capitulari ecclesioz divi Pauli London. 
 
 the area- 
 
 bishop. auctoritate brevis regii reverendissimo, fyc. in hac parte 
 
 directi, &;c. 
 
 P. 1. App. The foim of holding a convocation, drawn by 
 archbishop Parker for that of 1562, begins thus : — 
 
 Sciendum est quod omnes qui auctoritate reverendissimi 
 domini archiepiscopi Cant, citantur ad comparendum 
 coram eo in domo capitulari ecclesiai cathedralis divi 
 Pauli London., $c. 
 The titles of our convocations before and since the reforma- 
 tion agree in the first clause, Convocatio prodatorum et cleri 
 Cantuariensis provincial ; 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 the province, than in the times of popery they 
 288 were. If therefore the clergy (as has been pleaded of late) be 
 not comprehended in that phrase convocationem prodatorum 
 et 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 factai per reverendissimum, 
 S^c. upon the submission act the style seems to have been 
 changed, because the first title we have entire after that act, (this, 
 I mean, of 1562,) makes the convocation to be begun auctoritate 
 brevis regii reverendissimo, Sfc. direct. And yet we"see that 
 archbishop Parker looked upon the convocation of that very 
 year to be cited or summoned, auctoritate reverendissimi, &c. 
 
Observations touching the authority, Src. 
 
 329 
 
 Hereupon a question arises about the true meaning of the 
 term author itas, as used in these titles and on some other 
 occasions : in what sense the bishops and clergy are said to be 
 summoned to convocation by the king's authority, and in what, 
 by the authority of the archbishop ? 
 
 It is agreed on all hands, that before the act of submission, The arehi- 
 an English convocation was summoned by the sole authority of gu^^ons 
 the metropolitan : nor do we deny that act to have been a authorita- 
 
 five before 
 
 considerable abridgment of the liberties of the church in the the act. 
 matter of holding synosd, but only that it did not so far affect 
 the ecclesiastical power as to change them into civil meetings, 
 
 1. e. meetings summoned and acting in virtue of that summons, 
 immediately upon a civil authority. 
 
 This civil summons and the authority of it has been warmly 289 
 asserted by two sorts of persons. 1 . By the papists, who ever J,] 1 ^ 1 ^ 
 since the reformation have taken the advantage of that act of an argu- 
 
 ... ..... mentofthe 
 
 submission to asperse our protestant synods as civil meetings, pa pi s ts 
 and the canons, &c. made in them as of a secular original. a £f mst our 
 
 _ 0 reforma- 
 
 2. By some late opposers of the metropolitical and episcopal tion. 
 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 Power of 
 
 purely loyal : the words of the act are express in the case House,^. 
 
 which shall always be assembled by authority of the king's c- 1 - 
 
 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 y arising from 
 
 hence is, that his grace has now no authority to convene the 
 body of the clergy." 
 
 Again, "An English metropolitan, presiding over a synod, Ibid. p. 17. 
 &c. called together not any ways by his, but purely by royal ^ 2 p 2Q 
 authority." And in another place, " The convocation subsists c. 2. 
 by the king's writ." 
 
 y " The argument arising from hence is, that his grace having now no 
 authority to convene the body of the clergy, neither can he have any au- 
 thority to propose, adjourn, or continue them." — The Power of the Lower 
 House, p. 3. col. 1. 
 
330 Observations touching the 
 
 Let the most virulent adversary of this protestant church 
 frame, if lie can. a description of its synodieal meetings that 
 shall be a deeper reproach to our happy reformation. 
 
 Against the first sort of adversaries, the papists, (and pro- 
 290testants, one would think, should be as easily answered.) a full 
 vindication of our reformed 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 
 forced more particularly to urge and enforce of late, to defend 
 the honour of our constitution against the second sort of adver- 
 saries also. As, 
 
 The intent That the crown did not want the assistance of any act, to 
 tTiteno Sta " nave a convocation at pleasure ; because the right of enjoining 
 more than the archbishop to summon it in due form as our princes saw 
 
 to restrain . . . . . . 
 
 the arch- occasion, was always thought a power inherent in the crown, 
 bishop from an d was . A \\ along practised in England, both before and since 
 
 exerting his ... . 
 
 authority the reformation, and is indeed a right belonging to Christian 
 rSaTh^V™* 3 m general. 
 
 cense. 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 summoned. 
 
 As the king neither gained 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 
 itself remaining entire, and as full and effectual as ever, when 
 that restraint is taken off. 
 29 t The power which the king gained, and the archbishop lost, is 
 
 expressed 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 called at the 
 sole motion and pleasure of the archbishop, and sometimes upon 
 the royal writ : but since, the archbishop is confined to wait for 
 the direction of the royal writ. 
 
authority of summonhuj. 
 
 331 
 
 The intention therefore of directing the royal writ to the 
 archbishop is twofold, i . 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. 
 
 For that the word authority, as it stands in the act, was The word 
 intended for no more than a leave or license to summon, is j^the'sta- 
 evident from the very submission, (upon which the act was tute only 
 
 immediately founded :) " We will never from henceforth, leal^oV* 
 
 &c. unless your highness by your royal assent shall license us license. 
 
 to assemble our convocation." And from the dedication of 
 
 the clergy to the king, prefixed 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 style given to the royal writ by queen Elizabeth. " Own 
 
 noSfSfcarchiepiscopo mandaverimus,eidemque licentiam con- 
 cesserimus quod convocari faceret singulos episcopos, §'C. 29 2 
 
 As therefore the bishops and clergy in convocation, appre- 
 hensive of the penalties of the statute, have taken care tomse 
 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 methods of summoning, antecedent and subsequent to The arch- 
 that statute, are a clear argument that the archbishop's au-^'^j 
 thority therein remained entire. That all his summons before authorita- 
 it, though issued upon a royal writ, and that expressly recited the style of 
 in the mandate, were yet authoritative, is not denied : and if man r 
 
 .. * . date and 
 
 this act of submission had been intended to change the archi- returns, 
 episcopal summons into a ministerial office, it would have given 
 directions for changing the authoritative into a ministerial 
 style ; 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 stylo and manner as before the statute 
 it did; and is now no otherwise inserted in the archicpiscopal 
 
332 
 
 Observations touching the 
 
 mandate than was usual before the reformation. The arch- 
 bishop, directing that mandate to the dean of the province, 
 
 goes on, Breve regis, fyc. recepimus in hcec verba. After a 
 
 recital of the writ, he proceeds, Quocirca (i. e. having received 
 this royal permission and direction to exert the summoning 
 power inherent in the see) fraternitati vestrce committimus et 
 
 "93 MANDAMUS VOLUMUS et MANDAMUS INJUNGIMUS et MANDA- 
 MUS, 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 man- 
 date : Literas vestras reverend issimas citatorias et monito- 
 riales jam dudum nobis sub sigillo vestro directas, cum ea 
 qua decuit reverentia humiliter recepimus : quarum literarum 
 
 vigore pariter et autoritate. autoritate et per recep- 
 
 tionem literarwn vestrarum juxta vim, formam, et effec- 
 
 tum earundem secundum formam et tenorem literarum 
 
 vestrarum. 
 
 In like manner the returns of all the other suffragans are 
 made immediately to his grace, and ultimately lodged (where 
 they ever were before the submission act) in the registry of the 
 archiepiscopal see : whereas all executions by the king's au- 
 thority are returnable of course into the offices belonging to 
 the crown! 
 
 ht of This point (of the metropolitan's authoritative summons) has 
 if &c. b een more largely proved and explained elsewhere z : but the 
 
 z " Though before the statute of submission they grant the ' arch- 
 bishop's share in convening his clergy to have been authoritative, yet since 
 this statute it is only ministerial.' {Power of the Lower House, p. 3. col. 1.) 
 And though formerly the archbishop, when he framed his mandate upon 
 the king's writ, might act as the chief governor of his province, yet now it 
 seems ' he does it as the king's instrument only, and the proper officer 
 who is to execute the royal summons.' {Ibid.) But why must the same 
 writ of summons, in the very same words, to be executed the very same 
 way, have so different force and construction ? It was once a fair argument 
 of Dr. Atterbury in a like case, that ' since the words of the writ are the 
 same now as they were then, the meaning of them must be the same too : 
 for though the 25 of Henry VIII abridged the convocation's privileges in 
 several respects, yet it could not make the words of their writ signify 
 otherwise than they did when they were first inserted.' (Rights, Powers, fyc. 
 
authority 
 
 of summoning. 
 
 333 
 
 contrary doctrine of its being ministerial, is attended with con- Hist, of 
 sequences so very dishonourable to our reformed church, that t "°"' p ' 1 
 I could not leave the reader under any danger of being misled 
 into that opinion by this general expression of the statute, 
 transcribed from thence into the titles of our acts, and into 
 some of the instruments of convocation. For if that new 
 notion were true, the proceedings of convocation would be so 294 
 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 swallowed up in the civil ; 
 and the methods of proceeding would not be influenced by the 
 ancient synodical rules, or the distinction of bishops and pres- 
 byters, but founded entirely upon a model framed and esta- 
 blished 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 convocation, as well since as be- 
 fore 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 certificatoriiim 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 it is recited in the archiepiscopal mandate, just as 
 it was before the statute at the opening of all convocations 
 which were summoned upon the writ. 
 
 2. The contumacy pronounced thereupon is merely for not 
 attending according to the tenor of his grace's mandates to the 
 several bishops, with their lordships' certificates to his grace of 
 
 ]>. 464. 2nd ed.) And what did the words then signify, but for the king 
 to command the archbishop to exercise his metropolitical authority in 
 calling together the clergy of his own province ? Every body knows that 
 this was once the sense of the writ ; and though obvious enough, Dr. At- 
 terbury took care to explain it so : for ' the crown to issue out writs for 
 the convocation was to command the archbishops by writ to assemble the 
 clergy of their provinces.' (Rights, Powers, fyc. p. 494. 2nd ed.) So as 
 then at least the crown did issue out writs to command the archbishops, 
 and yet the archbishops did t by writ assemble the^ clergy of their pro- 
 vinces." — Dr. W. Kennefs Hist of the Conv. Sfc. p. 14. 
 
334 
 
 Observations touching the 
 
 the due execution ; and the censures for absence, being all 
 purely canonical, shew them to be inflicted for an act of dis- 
 obedience to the authority of their canonical superior. 
 
 2 95 3- Cardinal Pole held a convocation in the year 1557, the 
 latter end of queen Mary's reign ; and the title of it is Con- 
 vocatio sive Sacra Synodus convocata auctoritate brevis 
 Regis Philippi et Mariae, &c. Now it is not to be imagined 
 that either the queen or the cardinal (so remarkably tender 
 of the privileges and immunities of their church) would have 
 given way to a convocation upon that foot, had it been the 
 opinion of those times that the avthority of the royal writ 
 destroyed that authoritative summons which the archbishops 
 before the Reformation had always exercised. They knew the 
 kings of England had often directed their writs to the arch- 
 bishop before the Act of submission was thought of, and were 
 as constantly obeyed : and the writ being an immediate direc- 
 tion to the archbishop, and not to any particular member of 
 convocation, they were so far from considering that a summons 
 upon the authority of such writ destroyed his grace's authori- 
 tative summons, that we see they use the term even while the 
 Act was repealed, and they were by consequence under no ob- 
 ligation to use it. 
 
 The case of The same convocation is said in the extracts out of the upper 
 cation's be- house books to be soluta per mortem reginaz Maria ; as we 
 ing dissolv- afterwards (anno 1624) that the convocation was dissolved 
 
 ed by the v ' 
 
 death of by the death of king James the First. 
 
 the pnnce. Q n the con trary, before the Reformation, anno 141 2, we 
 find that archbishop Arundel summoned a convocation in obe- 
 dience to the king's writ ; and yet it was continued for some 
 time after the death of Henry the Fourth. Again, anno 1460, 
 archbishop Bourchier issued his summons in a like obedience 
 to the royal writ ; but the same convocation, not expiring with 
 the death of Henry the Sixth, continued in the reign of Ed- 
 ward the Fourth. 
 
 The difference in this matter, before and since the Reforma- 
 tion, 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 
 
 296 the death or demise of the prince : he was bound to obey the 
 
authority of summoning. 
 
 335 
 
 royal writ, as oft as it was sent him, by exerting the ' summon- 
 ing authority according to the tenor thereof; but he was not 
 absolutely confined to wait for and receive such writ, in order 
 to summon or hold ; nor was a convocation, holdcn 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 arch- 
 bishop from holding his convocation, unless authorized 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 issued : and when 
 that happens, the archbishop is by law reduced to the same 
 inability to hold a convocation, as he was under before the re- 
 ception of such writ. 
 
 That therefore a convocation dies in law with the prince, re- A dissolu- 
 solves wholly into that incapacity which is acknowledged both ^'™J > / 
 in this section and elsewhere to be laid upon the ecclesiastical death, no 
 power by the statute of submission. And so the most that such {'h^arcWe- 0 
 a dissolution can infer is, that the archbishop is now uncapable P lsc °P al au - 
 in law to hold a convocation, unless authorized 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 
 hence, that the convocation subsists by the sole authority of 297 
 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 sta- 
 tute, such as one would naturally expect from some advocate 
 of an Erastian church, or a declared enemy to our Reforma- 
 tion, but it is strange to see a professed member, and, which is 
 more, a minister of our reformed 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 
 
336 Observations touching the 
 
 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 con- 
 vocations 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 ex- 
 hibiting whereof the convocation properly opens, declares and 
 recognises in every particular the immediate authority by which 
 they assemble. 
 
 The archie- I have before repeated some of the terms, in which that in- 
 thority di- " strument recognises the archiepiscopal authority ; but for a 
 297 more full satisfaction to the reader, I will here subjoin it at 
 rectl y™-. large. 
 
 cognised in 0 
 
 the dean of Reverendissimo in Christo patri ac domino domino Thomce 
 vince's°cer- Providentia Divina Cantuar. archiepiscopo, totius AngUoe 
 tificatorium. primati et metropolitans, vestrove in hac parte locum tenenti 
 sive commissario vel commissariis, Henricus permissione Di- 
 vina London, episcopus omnimodam reverentiam et obedien- 
 tiam tanto reverendissimo patri debitam cum honor e : lite- 
 ras vestras reverendissimas citatorias et monitoriales, 
 jamdudum nobis sub sigillo vestro direct, cum ea qua de- 
 cuit reverentia humiliter recepimus exequend. sub tenore 
 verborum sequentium, videl. Thomas Providentia Divina, Sfc. 
 See the form of the mandate, p. 9, 57. Quarum quidem lite- 
 rarvm vigore par iter et avthoritate, Nos pjreefatus Henri- 
 cus London, episcopus, omnes et singulos confratres nostros 
 coepiscopos ecclesiaz vestrai Christi Cant, constitutos, peremp- 
 torie citari et prjemoneri, ac per eos decanos ecclesiarum 
 cathedralium et collegiatarum, et singula capituha earundem, 
 archidiaconosque, et alios ecclesiarum prailatos exemptos et 
 non exemptos, clerumque cujuslibet diosc. provincial vestrai 
 Cantuar. antedictai peremptorie citari et praimoneri respec- 
 tive fecimus ; quod iidem episcopi, decani, fyc. compareant 
 coram Paternitate vestra rev erendissima aut vestro in 
 hac parte locum tenente sive commissario vel commissariis 
 die et loco in eisdem vestris literis reverendissimis ple- 
 nius specificat. et designat. cum continuatione et prorogatione 
 
author it ji of summoning. 
 
 337 
 
 dicrum extunc sequentium et locorum, si et quatenus expe- 
 diat: ad tractandum super arduis et urgentibus negotiis, Sfc. 299 
 [ut prius in mandate] Ulteriusque, avthoritate et per re- 
 ceptionem literarum vestrarvm reverendissimarum cita- 
 toriarum et monitorialium prcedictarum, fatemur nos Hen- 
 ricum London, episcopum antedictum peremptorie fore et esse 
 
 CITATUM ad COMPARENDUM CORAM VESTRA REVERENDISSIMA 
 
 p at ern i tate aut vestro in hac parte locum tenente sive com- 
 missario vel commissariis hnjusmodi, die et loco pra'citatis 
 de et super negotiis memoratis tractatur. Et nos iisdem lite- 
 
 RIS f'ESTRlS REVERENDISSIMIS hujuSmodi jllXttt VIM, F0RMAM, 
 
 tenorem, et effectvm ear undem debite parcbimus. Inti- 
 mavimus insuper et denuntiavimus, et intimari et denunliari 
 fecimus, dictce provincial vestrai Cantuar. co-episcopis, 8fc. 
 quod eos a personali comparitione in hujusmodi negotio 
 convocations et congregationis dictis die et loco, ut prozmit- 
 titur, divina favente dementia, excusatos reverendissima 
 
 i'ESTRA PATERNITAS N0N HABERE INTENDIT ista vice llisi eX 
 
 causa necessaria tunc et ibidem alleganda et proponend. et 
 per paternitatem vestram reverendissimam approband. sed 
 eorum contumacias qui absentes fuerint canonice punire. 
 Et sic literas vestras reverendissimas antedictas quate- 
 nus ad nos attinet et in nobis est fuimvs execvti. Dat. in 
 Palatio nostro apud London, ultimo die mensis Januarii 
 anno Domini (stglo Anglioi) millesimo septingentesimo, nos- 
 traique translationis vicesimo sexto. 
 
 If this instrument, the exhibiting and reading whereof opens 
 the convocation, be not a plain declaration of the authority by 
 which it is immediately summoned, and subsists, I know not 
 where words will be found to declare or express it. Nor can 1 3°° 
 conceive, cither 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 mere ministerial way. 
 
 UIBSON. 
 
 z 
 
301 V. Observations upon the Table of Fees, and the Cata- 
 logue of Members, prefixed to the Registers of Con- 
 vocation. 
 
 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 copied, word for word, from 
 a larger table signed and established 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 chan- 
 cellor, vicar-general, register-principal, apparitor-general, 
 and other ministers." 
 
 302 Among these, the several officers in convocation, belonging 
 to the lower as well as the upper house, have their fees as- 
 signed, as members of his grace's court, according to the pro- 
 portions which archbishop Whitgift found to be then' custom- 
 ary allowance. 
 
 The part of that table which relates to convocation, and is 
 therefore usually transcribed into the registers thereof, is as 
 follows : 
 
Observations upon the table of fees. 
 
 339 
 
 Feoda solvenda registrario primario, et apparitori generali 
 domini archiepiscopi Cant, in convocations provincice Cant, 
 juocta antiquum morem ejusdem convocationis. 
 
 REGISTRARIO. s. d. 
 
 Inprimis, Quilibet episcopus provinc. Cant, solvit registrario praedicto 6 8 
 
 Et si absens fuerit toto 13 4 
 
 Item, Quilibet decanus comparens per procuratorem 5 o 
 
 Item, Quilibet archidiaconus comparens per procuratorem solvit ..50 
 
 Item, Procurator cujuslibet capituli solvit 5 o 
 
 Item, Quilibet procurator cleri solvit 2od. viz. duo procuratores. ... 34 
 
 APPARITORI. 
 
 Item, Quilibet episcopus solvit apparitori 6 8 
 
 Similia feoda solvenda sunt qualibet sessione, cum convocatio 
 prorogetur authoritate brevis regii. 
 
 Feoda actuario domus inferioris comwcationis solvend. 3°3 
 
 s. d. 
 
 Inprimis, Quilibet decanus solvit . . 2 8 
 
 Item, Quilibet arcbidiaconus 1 8 
 
 Item, Quilibet procurator capituli . . 1 8 
 Item, Quilibet procurator cleri . . . . 1 4 
 
 Ostiario domus inferioris. 
 
 Inprimis, Quilibet decanus solvit . . 1 4 
 
 Item, Quilibet archidiaconus 1 o 
 
 Item, Quilibet procurator capituli . . 1 o 
 
 Item, Quilibet procurator cleri . . . . o 8 
 
 1. These particulars, as ranked among the fees for the office Observa- 
 of vicar-general, and usually entered at the beginning of the j^ e n Lw 0 
 journals of each house, shew all the officers of convocation to of fees, 
 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 ex- 
 hibiting the instruments is directly assigned 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 procurato- 
 
 z 2 
 
340 
 
 Observations upon 
 
 rial letters of the cathedral and diocesan proctors, and none 
 for proxies in case of their absence ; it is plain, that in those 
 days none was thought to have a right of substituting his 
 proxy, but who had a right to be personally cited, viz. bishops, 
 deans, and archdeacons. 
 
 3°4 II. The table of fees is usually followed by a catalogue of 
 logues of the members ; to which the general title of the convocation is 
 the mem- prefixed : the title of that in 1640 is as follows : 
 
 bers of con- . . . 
 
 vocation. Lonvocatio prcelatorum et cleri Cantuar. provincial, in- 
 cJwata in domo capitulari ecclesiai cathedralis Sancti Pauli 
 London, autoritate brevis regii reverendissimo in Christo 
 patri ac fideli consiliario suo domino Gulielmo providentia 
 divina Cantuariensi archiepiscopo, totius Angliai primati et 
 metropolitano in hac parte direct, inchoata die Martis, de- 
 cimo quarto viz. die mensis Aprilis, anno Domini millesimo 
 sexcentesimo quadragesimo, regnique serenissimi in Christo 
 principis et domini nostri domini Caroli Dei gratia Angliai, 
 Scotice, Francia', et Hibernia' regis, fidei defensoris, fyc. 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 
 entered under the following head : 
 
 Nomina reverendorum patrum episcoporum modernorum 
 Cant, provincial, citatorum et monitorum ad comparendum 
 in convocatione praidicta. 
 
 And after them come the members of the lower house, ac- 
 cording to their several churches, dioceses, and respective sta- 
 tions therein, under this title : 
 
 Nomina citatorum ad comparendum in inferiore domo 
 convocationis prailatorum et cleri Cant, provincial, inchoat. 
 die et loco praidict. 
 
 Observa- Upon the foregoing account of these introductions to the 
 
 tions upon . T , 
 
 the cata- upper house acts, 1 observe, 
 
 logues. j That this entry of the inferior clergy, together with the 
 
 3°"^ bishops, in the books of the upper house, is the consequence of 
 that house's being properly the locus synodi, and of the con- 
 
the catalogue of members. 
 
 341 
 
 vocation's being one body consisting of bisbops and presbyters 
 as the members, and assembled under one common head orvid. 
 president, the metropolitan of the province. It further implies cap ' 
 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 archi- 
 episcopal mandate be so distinctly entered in the registers of 
 the upper house ? 
 
 2. The whole convocation is not only expressed in general 
 under the name convocatio prcelatorum et cleri Cantuariensis 
 provincial, but the lower house in particular, as a member 
 thereof, is styled domus inferior convocationis prcelatorum et 
 cleri Cant, provincice. Upon what ground therefore it can be 
 pretended that the lower house is not included in a schedule of 
 continuation running in the selfsame terms, is to me very un- 
 accountable. 
 
 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. Laney, Potter, Brownrig, 
 Frewen, Heylin, Sheldon, Fell, Hammond, Steward, with many 306 
 others, distinguished soon after by their eminent sufferings in 
 defence of tbe rights and discipline of the church. 
 
 Anno 1 66 1, in the upper house, archbishop Juxon, and the 
 bishops Sheldon, Wren, Duppa, Sanderson, Henchman, Morley, 
 Warner, Laney, &c. In the lower, Dr. Gunning, Earl, Sud- 
 bury, Pearson, Fell, Dolben, Thorndike, Lamplugh, Oliver, 
 Ward, Sparrow, Blanford, Fleetwood, &c. 
 
 It will not, I hope, be said, much less believed, 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 established methods of pro- 
 ceeding in an English convocation. Nor do the characters of 
 the members in each house suffer us to imagine either that the 
 
342 
 
 Observations upon 
 
 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 pri- 
 vileges 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 
 consumed, 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 charged 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 
 3°7 from the example of those their predecessors, whose affection 
 to the church and clergy was never questioned, 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 subordi- 
 nation 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 166 \, the be- 
 trayers 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 
 1 66 1, that the disuse 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 followed the methods in 1640, as that, without doubt, 
 proceeded by the pattern of former convocations. Add to this, 
 that several of the persons in 1 66 1 had been members also in the 
 convocation of 1 640, and must therefore be presumed 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, advanced 
 to the dignity of bishops at the restoration, to have been mem- 
 
the catalogue of members. 
 
 343 
 
 bers of the lower house in 1640. And as to the lower house 
 itself, Dr. Oliver, Fleetwood, Rives, Baily, with several others, 3°^ 
 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 remained 
 entire, it would not be suggested that in 1661 these ancient 
 members were either unable to direct their brethren, or willing 
 to mislead them. 
 
APPENDIX TO THE EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 A List of Publications on the Convocation-controversy originally 
 printed in the year 1708, and now corrected and enlarged. 
 
 A Letter to a Convocation-man, concerning the Rights, Powers, 
 and Priviledges of that body. 4to. 1697. [By Sir Barth. Shower.] 
 
 The authority of Christian princes, over their ecclesiastical synods, 
 asserted, with particular respect to the convocations of the clergy of 
 the realm and church of England, occasion'd by a late pamphlet 
 intituled, A Letter to a Convocation- man. &c. By William Wake, D.D. 
 &c. 8vo. 1697. 
 
 A Letter to a Member of Parliament, occasion'd by a Letter to a 
 Convocation-man, concerning the Rights, Powers, and Priviledges 
 of that Body, &c. 4to. 1697. [By Wm. Wright, Esq. Recorder of 
 Oxford.] 
 
 Municipium Ecclesiasticum ; or, the Rights, Liberties, and Au- 
 thorities of the Christian Church asserted, against all oppressive 
 doctrines and constitutions, occasion'd by Dr. Wake's book, &c. 
 8vo. 1697. [By S. Hill, Rector of Kilmington.] 
 
 Some observations on a late book intit. Municipium Ecclesiasti- 
 cum, and the defence of it. 4to. 1699. 
 
 An Appeal to all the true Members of the Church of England, in 
 behalf of the King's ecclesiastical supremacy, &c, bv W. Wake, 
 D. D. &c. 8vo. 1698. 
 
 The Rights of the Christian Church further defended, in answer 
 to the Appeal of Dr. Wake, by Sam. Hill, Rector of Kilmington. 
 8vo. 1698. 
 
 A brief enquiry into the Ground, Authority, and Rights of Eccle- 
 siastical Synods, upon the principles of Scripture and Right Reason. 
 Occasion'd by a late book intitul'd, Municipium Ecclesiasticum. 
 8vo. 1699. 
 
 Some thoughts on a Convocation, and tlic notion of Divine 
 Right, &c 4to. 1699. 
 
34-6 
 
 APPENDIX TO 
 
 The Rights, Powers, and Priviledges of an English Convocation 
 stated and vindicated, in answer to a late book of Dr. Wake's, &c, 
 by Francis Atterbury, &c. 8vo. 1700. 
 
 Reflections on a book, intitul'd, The Rights, Powers, and Privi- 
 ledges of an English Convocation stated and vindicated, by Gilbert, 
 Lord Bishop of Sarum. 4to. 1700. 
 
 The Rights, Liberties, and Authorities of the Christian Church 
 asserted against all oppressive Doctrines and Constitutions. To 
 which is added, A justification of Municipium Ecclesiasticum, &c. 
 8vo. 1 701. [By S. Hill, Rector of Kilmington.] 
 
 Ecclesiastical Synods, and Parliamentary Convocations of the 
 Church of England, historically stated, and justly vindicated from 
 the misrepresentation of Mr. Atterbury, by White Kennet, D. D. 
 Part I: 8vo. 1 701 . 
 
 An occasional Letter, on the subject of English Convocations, by 
 the author of Ecclesiastical Synods and Parliamentary Convocations 
 in the Church of England. 8vo. 1701. [viz. White Kennet, D. D.] 
 
 Mr. Atterbury's Arguments for the Rights, Powers, and Privi- 
 ledges of an English Convocation considered. 4to. 1701. 
 
 Some Remarks on the Temper of the late Writers about Convo- 
 cations, particularly Dr. Wake, Dr. Kennet, and the author of Mr. A.'s 
 Principles, &c. 4to. 1701. [By G. Smalridge, D. D.] 
 
 A Letter to a friend in the country, concerning the Proceedings 
 of this present Convocation. 4to. 1701. [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 The Power of the Lower House of Convocation to adjourn itself, 
 vindicated from the misrepresentations of a late paper, intitul'd, A 
 Letter to a friend in the country, concerning the Proceedings of the 
 present Convocation. 4to. 1701. [By F. Atterbury.] 
 
 A Narrative of the Proceedings of the Lower House of Convoca- 
 tion, relating to the Prorogations and Adjournments, &c. 4to. 1701. 
 [By Geo. Hooper, D. D.] 
 
 The Divine Right of Convocation examined as it is stated in Mr. 
 Hill's Book called Municipium Ecclesiasticum. 410. 1701. By John 
 Turner. 
 
 The Principles of Mr. Atterbury's Book of the Rights, Powers, 
 and Privileges of an Eng. Convocation. 4to. 1701. By Rich. West. 
 
 A Vindication of the Authority of Christian princes over Ecclesi- 
 astical Synods, from the exceptions made against it by Mr. Hill, and 
 the pretences of Divine Right in his late books on that subject, espe- 
 cially in his last entit. The Rights and Liberties of the Christian 
 
THE EDITION OE j 854. 
 
 347 
 
 Church asserted ; to which are added some Letters that past hetween 
 Dr. Wake and him relating to that Controversy. 8vo. 1701. 
 
 The Right of the Arch- Bishop to continue, or prorogue the whole 
 Convocation, asserted in a second Letter, by way of reply to a pam- 
 phlet, intitul'd, The Power of the Lower House of Convocation to 
 adjourn itself, &c. And also to a late book, intitul'd, A Narrative of 
 the Proceedings of the Lower House of Convocation, &c. 4to. 1701. 
 [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 A Vindication of the Proceedings of some Members of the Lower 
 House, with relation to the Arch- Bishop's Prorogation of it, May 8. 
 1701. 4to. 1701. [Part II. By Chas. Trimnel, D. D.] 
 
 A Letter to a Clergyman in the Country, concerning the choice 
 of Members, and the execution of the Parliament-writ for the ensuing 
 Convocation. 4to. Nov. 17. 1701. [By F. Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
 A Second Letter to a Clergyman in the Country, about the exe- 
 cution of the Parliament-writ for the ensuing Convocation. 4to. Dec. 
 10. 1 7c 1 . [By F. Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
 The case of the Praemunientes, considered, in answer to the Letter 
 concerning the choice of Members, and the execution of the Parlia- 
 ment-writ for the ensuing Convocation. 4to. 1701. [By White 
 Kennet, D. D.] 
 
 The late Pretence of a Constant Practice to enter the Parliament, 
 as well as Provincial-writ, in the Front of the Acts of every Synod, 
 considered, in a Letter to the Author of that Assertion, &c. 4to. 
 Dec. 11. 1701. [By Chas. Trimnel, D. D.] 
 
 The late Pretence of a Constant Practise to enter the Parliament, 
 as well as Provincial-writ, in the Front of the Acts of every Synod, 
 further considered, and disproved, in a Second Letter, &c. 4to. Dec. 
 16. 1 701. [Part II. By Chas. Trimnel, D. D.] 
 
 A Third Letter to a Clergyman in the Country, concerning the 
 choice of Members, and the execution of the Parliament-writ, &c. in 
 defence of the two former. 4to. Jan. 8. 1701. [By F. Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
 A Letter to a Clergyman in the City, concerning the Instructions 
 given to the Proctors for the diocess of Worcester. 4to. Jan. 26. 
 1 701. 
 
 A Faithful Account of some Transactions in the three last Ses- 
 sions of the present Convocation. 4to. Feb. 14. 1701. Number I. 
 [By F. Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
S48 
 
 APPENDIX TO 
 
 A Faithful Account of what passed in Convocation. 4to. Feb. 19. 
 1701. Numb. II. 
 
 A True Copy of the Arch- Bishop's Speech in Jerusalem Chamber, 
 on Thursday, Feb. 19. 1701. 4to. 1701. 
 
 A Letter from a Presbyteriau Minister in Scotland, &c. 4*0. June 
 30.1701. [By W. Kennet, D. D.] 
 
 An Expedient proposed, or the occasions of the late Controversie 
 in Convocation consider'd, and a Method of adjournment pointed 
 out, consistent with the claims of both Houses. 410.1701. [By 
 Dr. Binckes ] 
 
 A Summary of the Arguments for the Arch-Bishop's Right to 
 continue the whole Convocation. Dec. 3. 1701. [By Edm. Gibson, 
 D. D.] 
 
 An Answer to a Third Letter to a Clergyman in the Country in 
 Defence of the Entry of the Parliament writ, &c. 4to. March 6. 1701. 
 [By Ch. Trimnel, D. D.] 
 
 A Continuation of the Faithful Account of what pass'd in Convo- 
 cation. 4to. March 7. 1701. Numb. III. 
 
 A Vindication of the Author of the Right Jof the Arch- Bishop to 
 continue, &c. from some little exceptions latelv taken bv the Writer 
 of two Letters concerning the choice of Members, &c. 4to. 1702. 
 [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 History of the Convocation which met Feb. 6. 1700. 4to. 1702. 
 [By White Kennet, D. D.] 
 
 The Narrative of the Lower House Vindicated from the excep- 
 tions of a Letter intituled, The Right of the Archbishop to con- 
 tinue or prorogue tbe whole Convocation. 4to. 1702. [Bv G. 
 Hooper, D.D.] 
 
 Vindication of the Narrative continu'd. 4to. 1702. [By G. 
 Hooper, D. D.] 
 
 The pretended Expedient ; in a Letter to the Author ; shewing 
 that Title to be contrary to the Book, especially with relation to the 
 Right of an Episcopal Church. 4to. 1702. [By W. Sherlock, D. D.] 
 
 Reflections upon a late Paper intituled, An Expedient propos'd; 
 shewing the unreasonableness thereof. 4to. 1702. [By E. Gibson, 
 D. D.] 
 
 A Reconciling Letter upon the late Differences about Convoca- 
 tional Rights and Proceedings. 4to. 1 702. [By White Kennet, D.D.I 
 
THE EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 349 
 
 A Letter from the Borders of Scotland, concerning somewhat of 
 Agreement between a Scotch General Assembly, and an English 
 Provincial Convocation. By an Episcopal Divine, Sep. 21. 1702. 
 4to. Letter A. [By W. Kennet, D. D.] 
 
 The Parallel Continued, between a Presbyterian Assembly, and 
 the New Model of an English Provincial Synod, &c. 4to. Dec. 9. 
 1702. Letter B. [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 The Case of the Schedule stated, wherein an account is given of 
 the Rise and Design of that Instrument, and of the Influence it hath 
 on the Adjournments of the Lower House of Convocation ; and all 
 the authorities urg'd in behalf of the Archbishop's Sole Power to 
 prorogue the whole Convocation, are occasionally examin'd. 4to. 
 1 02. [By F. Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
 The Present State of Convocation ; in a Letter, giving a full Re- 
 lation of Proceedings in several of the late Sessions, from Jan. 28. 
 to Feb. 19. 4to. 1702. [By White Kennet, D. D.] 
 
 The Schedule Review'd ; or the Right of the Archbishop to Con- 
 tinue or Prorogue the whole Convocation, clear'd from the Excep- 
 tions of a late Vindication of the Narrative of the Lower House, 
 and of a Book entitul'd, The Case of the Schedule Stated. 4to. 
 1702. [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 Forma Convocationis Celebranda? ; or the Antient form of hold- 
 ing a Convocation prescribed by Archbishop Parker for the use of 
 the Reformation, with proper Annotations. [N. B. This is also put 
 before the History of the Convocation.] 
 
 Synodus Anglicana, or the Constitution and Proceedings of an 
 English Convocation, shewn from the Acts and Registers thereof 
 to be agreeable to the Principles of an Episcopal Church. 8vo. 1702. 
 [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 A History of the English Councils and Convocation, and of the 
 Clergy's sitting in Parliament. In which is also comprehended, the 
 History of Parliaments. With an Account of our English Laws. 
 By Humphry Hody, D. D. 8vo. 1702. 
 
 The Parliamentary Original and Rights of the Lower House of 
 Convocation clear'd, and the Evidences of its Separation from the 
 Upper House produc'd on several Heads ; particularly, in the point 
 of making separate Applications (as a distinct Body of Men) to 
 other Bodies, or Persons ; in pursuance of an Argument for the 
 Power of the Lower House ^to adjourn itself, &c. 4to. 1702. [By 
 F. Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
350 
 
 APPENDIX TO 
 
 A short State of some present Questions in Convocation, particu- 
 larly, of the Right to Continue, or Prorogue, by way of Commen- 
 tary on the Schedule of Continuation. 4to. 1703. [By E. Gibson, 
 D. D.] 
 
 A Summary Defence of the Lower House of Convocation, parti- 
 cularly, concerning adjournments ; in Answer to a Pamphlet enti- 
 tuled, A Short State of some present questions in Convocation, &c. 
 by way of Commentary on the Schedule. 4to. 1703. 
 
 The pretended Independence of the Lower House upon the Up- 
 per, a groundless Notion, &c. being a Vindication of Synodus An- 
 glicana, and the Schedule Review'd, together with the Integrity of 
 their Author, from the Censures and Reflections of a late Pamphlet 
 entitul'd, The Parliamentary Original and Rights of the Lower 
 House, &c. 4to. 1703. [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 A Representation made by the Lower House of Convocation to 
 the Archbishop and Bishops. 4to. 1703. 
 
 Letter from a Clergyman in Ireland, to a Convocation-man in 
 England. 4to. Aug. 9. 1703. 
 
 The Marks of a Defenceless Cause, in the Proceedings and 
 Writings of the Lower House of Convocation ; particularly in their 
 third and last System of Principles, invented by the Vindicator of 
 their Narrative, and repeated in a late Pamphlet entitul'd, A Sum- 
 mary Defence of the Lower House. 4to. 1 703. [By E. Gibson, D.D.] 
 
 The New Danger of Presbytery, or the Claims and Practices of 
 some in the Lower House of Convocation, very dangerous to the 
 Constitution of an Episcopal and Metropolitical Church ; with an 
 Answer to the Vindication of the Narrative of the Lower House, 
 &c. 4to. 1703. [By William Sherlock, D. D. Dean of St. Pauls.] 
 
 The State of the Church and Clergy of England, in their Coun- 
 cils, Synods, Convocations, Conventions, and other Publick Assem- 
 blies, Historically deduc'd from the Conversion of the Saxons to the 
 Present Times, by W. Wake, D. D. &c. Occasion'd by a Book enti- 
 tul'd, The Rights, Powers, and Privileges of an English Convoca- 
 tion. Fol. 1703. 
 
 An Account of the Proceedings between the two Houses of Con- 
 vocation, which met Oct. 20. 1702. particularly, of the several Pro- 
 posals made for putting an end to the present Differences. 4to. 
 1704. [By Charles Trimnel, D. D.] 
 
 A representation made by the Lower House of Convocation to 
 the Archbishops and Bishops, Dec. 1704. [with a large Preface] 4to. 
 
THE EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 351 
 
 The Bishop of Sarum's Charge at his triennial Visitation, 4to. 
 1704. 
 
 The Humble Representation and Complaint of the Lower House 
 of Convocation, against the Right Reverend the Bishop of Sarum, 
 Dec. 15. 1704. 
 
 The Complainer reproved, in Answer to a partial and unreason- 
 able Preface of the Publisher of a Representation made by the 
 Lower House of Convocation to the Archbishop and Bishops, with 
 his Grace's Speech on that subject, deliver'd in Convocation, A pi. 3. 
 1704, and the aforesaid Representation at large. 4to. 1705. [By 
 Edm. Gibson, D. D.J 
 
 The Complainer further reprov'd, in the Observations made by 
 the President and his Suffragan Bishops, upon a Paper presented to 
 them by the Prolocutor of the Lower House, Dec. 1. 1704. and his 
 Grace's Speech, March 15. 1704. together with several Papers from 
 the Lower House, to which they refer. 4to. 1705. [By Edm. Gib- 
 son, D. D.] 
 
 A Collection of Papers, concerning what hath been transacted in 
 the Convocation summon'd A. D. 1702. and dissolv'd 1705. 410. 
 J7°5- 
 
 A Continuation of the Faithful Account of what pass'd in Convo- 
 cation. Numb. IV. Apl. 3. 1705. 
 
 Proceedings in the Present Convocation relating to the Dangers 
 of the Church, and the Protestation against the Irregularities of 
 some of the Lower Clergy. 4to. 1706. 
 
 His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury's Circular Letter, 
 to the Right Reverend the Lords Bishops of his Province ; in which 
 is inserted Her Majesty's Gracious Letter to him, of Apl. 8. relating 
 to matters in Convocation. 410. Apl. 18. 1707. 
 
 An Account of Proceedings in the Convocation which began Oct. 
 25. 1705. so far as it could be given, by reason of the Concealment 
 of the Acts of the Lower House, and the Prolocutor's refusal to 
 transmit 'em to the proper office. 4to. 1706. by White Kennet, D. D. 
 
 An Account of the Proceedings in Convocation, in a Cause of 
 Contumacy commenc'd Apl. 10. 1707. [By Edm. Gibson, D. D.] 
 
 An Account and Defence of the Protestation made by the Lower 
 House of Convocation, Apl. 30. 1707. in behalf of the Queen's Su- 
 premacy ; together with some Reflections on an Account of the 
 Proceedings in Convocation in a Cause of Contumacy, lately pub- 
 lished. 4to. 1707. [by Francis Atterbury, D. D.J 
 
352 APPENDIX TO THE EDITION OF 1854. 
 
 Some Proceedings in the Convocation A. D. 1705. faithfully re- 
 presented. To which is prefixed, an Account of the several Ineffec- 
 tual Attempts, made by the Lower Clergy, towards quieting all Dis- 
 putes, and Proceeding upon Synodical Business. 4to. 1 708. [By 
 Francis Atterbury, D. D.] 
 
AN INDEX 
 
 REFERRING TO THE MOST REMARKABLE MATTERS 
 IN THE FOREGOING REGISTERS OF THE UPPER HOUSE, 
 AND JOURNALS OF THE LOWER. 
 
 [The pages referred to are 
 A. 
 
 Articles (xxxix) debated, 
 
 page 145, 
 Passed, 147. 
 
 Archbishop's going from Lam- 
 beth to -St. Paul's, the first 
 day of convocation, 146, 164, 
 167, 200. 
 
 Assessors to the prolocutor, vid. 
 Prolocutor. 
 
 B. 
 
 Beale (doctor) a member of the 
 lower house, threatened with 
 censures by the archbishop, 
 upon a complaint against him 
 in parliament, 187. 
 
 Benevolences of the clergy to 
 the king, over and above the 
 ordinary subsidies, 182, 183, 
 186. 190, 214, 255, 266. 
 C. 
 
 Calendar of the Common Prayer 
 revised, 217. 
 
 Canons begun, 177, 182. finish- 
 ed, 190. laid before the coun- 
 cil, 193. read, and passed by 
 subscription, 196. 
 
 Canons of 1640, revised in 1661, 
 221, 222, 225. 
 
 Catechism examined by a com- 
 mittee of bishops, 153. con- 
 firmed by the lower house, 
 159- 
 
 Causa convocationis explained to 
 the bishops and clergy by the 
 president, 147, 165. 
 GIBSON. 
 
 lose of the present edition.] 
 
 Certificatorium of the due execu- 
 tion of the mandate, exhibited 
 to his grace by the dean of 
 the province, 147, 164, 202. 
 
 Certificates of the other bishops 
 exhibited to a commissioner 
 appointed by his grace, 148. 
 
 Commination service in the Li- 
 turgy, 218. 
 
 Committees of both houses ap- 
 pointed and ordered in the 
 upper house, 176, 177, 179, 
 193, 203, 206, 208, 209, 219, 
 239, 240, 264, 265. 
 
 Committees of bishops, 153, 158, 
 188, 191, 193, 210, 215, 217, 
 220, 222, 225, 226, 228, 229, 
 230, 232, 234, 235, 236, 258. 
 
 Committees of the lower house 
 ordered by the archbishop, 
 
 I 77>. I 83- 
 Committee of the whole house 
 ordered by the archbishop, 
 184. 
 
 Committees (i. e. the names of 
 the members chosen) notified 
 to the upper house, 176, 177, 
 183, 210, 236. 
 
 Common Prayer, vid. Prayer. 
 
 Conference, 219. 
 
 Consecration and ordination of 
 deacons, presbyters, and bi- 
 shops, the form revised, 217. 
 
 Consecration of parish churches; 
 a form thereof compiled, 228, 
 234. 235, 237. 
 
 a a 
 
354 
 
 AN INDEX TO THE 
 
 Constitutions for collecting a 
 subsidy, 258. passed, 259. 
 
 Contumacy for absence, and the 
 schedules thereof, 148, 164, 
 172, 203. executed by the 
 archbishop upon the inferior 
 clergy, 253, 254, 261. threat- 
 ened to be executed, 271. pro- 
 nounced in the lower bouse 
 by Dr. Yale, as his grace's 
 commissary, 157. 
 
 Convocation, the opening thereof, 
 151, 164, 170, 200, 244, 262. 
 sitting after the parliament, 
 184. divided into two houses, 
 165. 
 
 Counsel advised with in convo- 
 cation, 186, 188, 195, 223, 
 229, 255. 
 
 Courts (ecclesiastical) reformed, 
 194, 195, 209. 
 
 D. 
 
 Disciplina (capitula de) brought 
 in, 147. completed, 158. ad- 
 ditions made, 158, 159. 
 
 Dissolution of the convocation, 
 197, 262, 275. 
 
 E. 
 
 Elections tried, one in the upper 
 house, another in the lower 
 by the prolocutor, 246, &c. 
 
 Excommunicat . capiend. (breve 
 de), 187, 189, 190. 
 
 Exercises to be performed by 
 ministers, 252. 
 
 F. 
 
 Fees unjustly detained from the 
 clergy, 185, 186. 
 
 G. 
 
 Goodman (bishop of Gloucester) 
 protests, 191. suspended for 
 not subscribing, 196. 
 
 Grammars to be used in all 
 schools, 233, 234, 238, 239. 
 H. 
 
 Habits of convocation, 164. 
 ;*3 I. 
 Jesuits ; canon against them, 
 177. 
 
 K. 
 
 King's thanks to the convoca- 
 tion, for their care and pains 
 in preparing canons, 193. his 
 letters to the convocation,i87, 
 190, 214. 
 
 L. 
 
 Licenses from the king, 175, 182, 
 184, 207, 208, 209, 214. 
 
 Lower house directed to proceed 
 upon particular business by 
 the archbishop and bishops, 
 156, 166, 175, 176, 178, 186, 
 187, 188, 190, 194, 195, 205, 
 206, 207, 208, 215, 216, 218, 
 226, 235. go up voluntarily, 
 
 154. i5 8 > *59» !7 6 > I 77> l86 > 
 187, 189, 191, 192, 194, 268. 
 bring up and return business, 
 
 I53> 154, 158, 159. l8o > l8 5» 
 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 
 193, 194, 195, 219, 231, 236, 
 256, 268. 
 
 M. 
 
 Mandates from the archbishoji 
 for summoning a convocation, 
 167, 198. 
 
 N. 
 
 Notice given to the upper house 
 of persons chosen for com- 
 mittees in the lower. Vide 
 Committees. 
 
 O. 
 
 Oblations unjustly detained from 
 the clergy, 185. 
 
 Offertory at the opening of con- 
 vocation, 164. 
 
 Ogleby's Bible, 207. 
 
 Ordinations determined to the 
 four seasons, 229. not to be 
 performed out of the diocese 
 without letters dimissory from 
 the archbishop, 230. 
 P. 
 
 Parliament ; prayer for it made in 
 convocation, 177, 180. thanks 
 from the lords in parliament 
 to the bishops and clergy, for 
 their care and labour in re- 
 
REGISTERS AND JOURNALS. 
 
 355 
 
 vising the Common Prayer, 
 227. point, whether lawful for 
 bishops to sit in parliament in 
 cases of blood, considered, 
 223. 
 
 Petition presented to the lower 
 house, laid before the upper, 
 191, 194. from the clergy in 
 the Isle of Wight, 238. by the 
 bishop of Norwich, 239. from 
 the lower clergy to the house 
 of lords, in the case of a money 
 bill, 270. 
 
 Pluralities, 273. 
 
 Praeconizations, 246, 261, 264, 
 266. 
 
 Prayer (Common) revised, 215, 
 216, 219. preface to it, 218, 
 220. general thanksgiving, 
 220. general revisal of the 
 whole, ibid, subscriptions to it, 
 with the preparation of a form, 
 220, 221. act of parliament 
 for establishing the Common 
 Prayer, debated in convocation, 
 223. alterations made by par- 
 liament in the Common Pray- 
 er, debated in convocation, 
 226. orders for printing the 
 Book of Common Prayer, 227. 
 appointment of a supervisor, 
 and correctors, ibid, thanks 
 to the bishops and clergy from 
 the house of lords, for their 
 care and labour in revising the 
 Common Prayer, ibid, method 
 of dispersing the books of 
 Common Prayer, 229. 
 
 Prayer (form of) for the king's 
 restoration, 205. for the 30th 
 of January, ibid, for the 5th 
 of November, 230. the three 
 foregoing forms brought in 
 and approved, ibid. 
 
 Prayers at sea, 218. 
 
 Prayer before sermon [unica for- 
 ma precum], 218. 
 
 Privilege, breach of, 187, 188. 
 
 Prolocutor or referendary chosen, 
 
 by order or leave from the 
 archbishop, at the beginning 
 of convocation, 147, 148, 165, 
 166,172, 202, 244, 262. chosen 
 in the middle of convocation 
 upon the promotion of another, 
 224, 225. chosen upon death, 
 
 240, 241. 
 
 Prolocutor recommended by the 
 archbishop, 147. presented to 
 the archbishop and bishops, 
 149, 174, 204, 224, 240, 24.5, 
 
 263. office, 166. assessors ap- 
 pointed by him, 246, 254, 255, 
 
 264, 266. comes alone to the 
 upper house, 177, 185, 186, 
 187, 256. confers in private 
 with the president, 192, 193, 
 confers with the president and 
 bishops, 258. 
 
 Prolocutor sent for, alone, with 
 a certain number, or with the 
 whole house, to the upper 
 house. \_Reverendissimus, Sfc. 
 Voluit et mandavit prolocu- 
 torem ad se accersiri, fecit ad 
 se accersiri, jussit prolocuto- 
 rem coram se et confratribus 
 
 suis vocari, Nunciatumfuit 
 
 domino prolocutori de volun- 
 tate reverendissimi, fyc. quod 
 ad se accederet, 8fC.~] 149, 153, 
 156, 174, 176, 182, 184, 186, 
 187, 188, 190, 192, 193, 205, 
 206, 207, 209, 210, 214, 215, 
 216, 218, 224, 226, 227, 235, 
 238, 240, 250, 251, 253, 254, 
 255> 257, 259, 264, 265, 266, 
 267, 269, 270, 271, 273. 
 
 Prolocutor dismissed by the arch- 
 bishop and bishops [Dimisso 
 prolocutore, eis dimissis, 8fc.~] 
 149, 156, 175, 176, 177, 178, 
 180, 183, 185, 187, 188, 189, 
 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 
 196, 205, 208, 210, 214, 215, 
 216, 219, 224, 225, 236, 239, 
 
 241. acting by a deputy, 157, 
 251, 252. 
 
356 INDEX TO THE REGISTERS. &c. 
 
 Protestation, 191. 
 
 Proxies ordered to be brought 
 
 in by the archbishop, 255. 
 Psalms revised, 217. 
 
 R. 
 
 Recusants, canon against them, 
 
 187, 188, 191. 
 Residence enjoined, 273. 
 
 S. 
 
 Schedules of continuation. At 
 the conclusion of every session 
 in the upper house books. 
 
 Schedules of reformation, 145, 
 246, 252, 264. 
 
 Silence enjoined, 178, 179, 265. 
 
 Socinians, canons against, 189. 
 
 Subsidies, 153, 157, 175, 176, 
 
 235. 2 3 6 - 
 Subsidy bills reviewed and cor- 
 rected by committees, 177,179, 
 235. 253, 254, 255. read, 256. 
 passed in form, 157. 
 
 Subscription to the Book of 
 Common Prayer, 220, 221. 
 
 Subscriptions to the thirty-nine 
 articles debated, 229. 
 
 Substitution of a president, 145, 
 153, 160, 161, 178,201, 202. 
 V. 
 
 Visitational articles, 210, 225, 
 226. 
 
 W. 
 
 Welsh Common Prayer, 191. 
 
 Westminster, dean of, protests 
 his appearance in convocation 
 to be with a salvo jure to the 
 rights of his church, 147. 
 
 Westminster, protestation of the 
 church of, 174, 203, 204. 
 
 Writ of prorogation, 232, 238. 
 of dissolution, 261. 
 Y. 
 
 York, the archbishop and bi- 
 shops of that province in the 
 convocation of 1661, 210, &c. 
 
DATE DUE 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 PRINTED IN U S A.