BETH. Presbyterian side. This, besides what hath been observed ELIZAalready, may be farther evinced by the articles presented to the regent by this assembly, the first of which runs thus: Melvil's project for carries. "For planting and preaching the Word through the whole parity misrealm, it is desired, that as many ministers as may be had, who are yet unprovided, may be received as well in the country, to relieve the charge of them that have many kirks, as otherwise throughout the whole realm, with superintendents or commissioners within those bounds where bishops are not, and to help such bishops as have too great charges." MS. Acts the Assem From hence it is plain Melvil's undertaking had little bly. encouragement, and that the assembly was resolved to continue the superiority of bishops and superintendents. To return to England: upon the 8th of February, the parliament met at Westminster, and sat till the 15th of March, when it was once more prorogued. This parliament passed an act, that the third part of the rent of college-leases should be reserved in corn; and, in default of payment, the 18 Eliz. lessees were to pay after the rate of the best wheat and malt cap. 6. in the market of both the universities. This act was very beneficial to these learned societies, and increased their revenues to a very considerable degree. Upon another act, where two leases upon church-lands or livings are concurrent, the latter is declared void, in case it was made three years before the expiration of the first. This provision was made for the benefit of the successor, and to prevent alienations of the Church revenues. 18 Eliz. speech, made the last cap. 11. There were some undu This parliament, Mr. Wentworth's session, was considered by the house. tiful expressions in it relating to the queen; but these, as foreign to this work, shall be omitted. The reader may remember, that, the last session, a message was sent from the queen to the commons, not to debate matters of religion till the points had been first examined and recommended by the clergy. This message Wentworth supposed suggested by the bishops; and thus, being checked in his reformation project, he fell into an invective against the whole order. "The bishops," says this gentleman, “I do surely think, were the cause of that doleful message. My reason is this I was, amongst others, the last parliament, sent to the archbishop of Canterbury for the articles of religion, 551. GRINDAL that then passed this house. He asked us why we put out of Abp. Cant. the book the articles for the homilies, consecrating of bishops, D'Ewes's p. 232. 241, Matt. v. Feb. 10, and such like? Surely, sir,' said I, 'because we were so occupied in other matters, that we had no time to examine them how they agreed with the Word of God.' 'What!' said he, 'surely you mistook the matter: you will refer yourselves wholly to us therein?" 'No, by the faith I bear to God,' says I, we will pass nothing before we understand what it is; for that were but to make you popes. Make you popes who list,' said I, for we will make you none. From the archbishop's expecting the commons would refer themselves to the bishops in matters of religion, this member would infer the prelates pretended to infallibility; "for," says he, "had they a lower opinion of their judgment, they would reform things amiss at the remonstrance of God's people, meaning the Puritans. And to prove God's Spirit is not confined to the bishops, he cites this text, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." And from hence the reader may collect Mr. Wentworth's talent for reasoning and divinity. That part of his speech which touched the crown, brought him into some trouble. For he was sequestered from the house, committed to the serjeant's ward, examined by the commons, and sent to the Tower; but, upon his submission, the queen pardoned him, and he was re-admitted into the house. After the see of Canterbury had been kept vacant somewhat more than half-a-year, Grindal, archbishop of York, was preferred thither. But before he had passed through all the forms, and completed his character, the convocation, after several prorogations, was re-assembled at St. Paul's. And here, according to custom, the bishop of London was presiAD. 1575-6. dent. At the second session, Grindal's translation being perfected, he came into the convocation-house at St. Paul's, and took the presidentship upon himself. There was no business done till the 17th of March, when the archbishop being present, ordered the reading of several articles, afterwards subscribed by both houses. They relate to the regulation of the clergy. Feb. 17. Articles for the regula tion of the By the first, none were to be ordained deacon or priest, unless known by the diocesan, or recommended to him by tes BETH. the con clergy agreed timonials; that these credentials were to vouch for his morals ELIZAand orthodoxy, particularly that he believed the doctrines contained in the articles set forth by the convocation in the year 1562. Another qualification required was, his ability to give an vocation. account of his faith in Latin, upon the aforesaid articles, which he was likewise obliged to subscribe. None was to be ordained a deacon under twenty-three years of age, nor a priest under twenty-four. Neither of these orders were to be given, but on Sundays or holidays; and here the solemnity was to be directed by the form of the ordinal. Secondly, That no bishop should give either of the said orders to any persons foreign to his diocese, (graduates who were gremials in either of the universities excepted,) without letters dimissory from the bishop to whom they belonged. And here letters dimissory from any chancellor, or other officer, are expressly barred. "Thirdly, That unlearned ministers formerly ordained, shall not be admitted to any cure or spiritual function. For this purpose, the bishops shall pass no curates without strict examination. "Fourthly, Diligent inquiry is to be made in every diocese for discovering such as have counterfeited letters of orders, that they may be set aside, and punished. 66 Fifthly, That the bishops should certify each other of the names of such pretended clergymen, to prevent their officiating in any other diocese. 66 Sixthly, That for the future none shall be ordained without either exhibiting a presentation to a benefice, actually void in the diocese, or producing a certificate for supplying a cure, or making proof of preferment in some cathedral or collegiate church or college; or unless the bishop shall immediately provide him with some benefice or cure; or, lastly, unless he is known to have a sufficient estate of his own to maintain him. "Seventhly, That none shall be admitted to any dignity, unless qualified up to the first article; and in case any such dignity or benefice shall reach the value of 30%. per annum in the queen's book, the person preferred must either be a doctor in some faculty, or a bachelor of divinity at the lowest, or a preacher licensed by some bishop, or one of the universities : and, besides, before his admission to any such dignity or benefice, he was to preach before the bishop, or some other learned person appointed by him, and stand the test of their judg GRINDAL ment." This article concludes with somewhat of softening Abp. Cant, and relaxation: "That where the stipends and livings are very small, the ordinaries are to stoop to the necessity, and take the best men they can find. 552. Eighthly, That all licenses for preaching granted within the province of Canterbury, and prior to the date of Feb. the 8th, 1575, shall be void." With a saving clause, notwithstanding. "That those who are found qualified for that function, shall be restored to their privilege without difficulty or charge. "Ninthly, None under a deacon are allowed to preach. 'Tenthly, every bishop was forthwith to take care that the Church Catechism was diligently taught in every parish. And when there was no sermon, the homilies were to be read on Sundays and holidays in the order appointed. "Eleventhly, The bishops were to take care that all incumbents and curates under the degree of master of arts, and not preachers, shall provide themselves the New Testament, both in Latin and English, or Welsh; read a chapter every day, and compare the translations together. The archdeacons, commissaries, and officials at their visitations were ordered to give the clergy above-mentioned some text out of the New Testament, to be either gotten without book, or explained: and that at the next visitation they were to take an account of their diligence and proficiency. Twelfthly, And whereas some ambiguity and doubt has arisen amongst divers, by what persons private baptism is to administered, forasmuch as by the Book of Common Prayer allowed by statute, the bishop of the diocese is to expound and resolve all such doubts as shall arise concerning the manner, how to understand, do, and execute the things contained in the same book; it is now by the said archbishop and bishops expounded and resolved, and every of them do expound and resolve, that the said private baptism, in case of necessity, is only to be ministered by a lawful minister or deacon, called to be present for that purpose, and by none other1. And that every bishop in his diocese shall take order that this exposition of the said doubt shall be published in writing before the first day of May next coming, in every parish church of his diocese in this province; and thereby all other persons shall be inhi The Common Prayer-books of king Edward and queen Elizabeth had hitherto allowed lay baptism in cases of necessity, and perhaps this convocation of 1575 was more nice than wise in limiting the permission. 66 BETH. bited to intermeddle with the ministering of baptism privately; ELIZAit being no part of their vocation."-This article being particularly remarkable, I have given it in the words of the record. Thirteenthly, No commutation of penance is to be allowed, unless upon weighty reasons. And here the diocesan is to testify his consent to the indulgence under his hand and seal. Fourteenthly, That all archdeacons, and other ecclesiastical judges, should summon those presented before them, and punish them proportionably to their crime. "Fifteenthly, That marriage may be solemnized at all times of the year, provided the banns are published in the church three several Sundays or holidays, and no impediment objected." The queen refused to assent to this last article, for which reason it was not published with the rest. Journal of the Convo cation, et deinc. Notwithstanding none but the archbishop and bishops are mentioned for their concurrence in the articles, yet in the arch- fol. 140, bishop's mandate for the publication, they are said to be agreed and settled by both houses. This was the last business of the convocation, which by the queen's order, was now prorogued to the 6th of November, and so forward from year to year, till January, 1580. mandate for Man. The see of York not being yet filled since Grindal's translation, the queen directed her mandate to him for the consecration The queen's of John Merrick to the bishopric of Man. The earl of Derby consecrating is patron of this see, and nominates or presents to the crown the bishop of the person to be preferred, humbly praying that the king or queen would please to admit the presentation; from whence it seems to follow, the crown is judge of the qualifications of the person, so far as either to allow or refuse the earl's nomination. But here, no exceptions being made, the queen issued out her mandate for the confirmation and consecration of the presentee. If the see of York had been full, the queen's precept of course would have been directed to that archbishop, because the Isle of Man lies within that province. I shall transcribe part of the queen's mandate into the records. This summer archbishop Grindal made a metropolitical visitation. The articles of inquiry may not be unacceptable to the reader. They stand thus in the register. VOL. VI. 00 See Records, num. 88. |